Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run, Wassail Festival Dec. 13 in Blissfield

Runners are invited to enjoy the Blissfield Village Christmas decorations and warm up with a hot beverage after the Second Annual Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run Friday, Dec. 13.

Two of the runners from the inaugural Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run in 2012. This year’s run is Friday, Dec. 13 in Blissfield, Michigan.

The new event was added to Blissfield Village’s Wassail Festival last year and this year will occur on Friday, Dec. 13. The Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run will take off from the beautifully decorated downtown, wind through the village neighborhoods, then end up back downtown for either hot wassail or hot chocolate.

The Wassail Fest is presented by Blissfield Rotary and hosted by Blissfield DDA/Main Street Program. The Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run aspect is sponsored by the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program and co-sponsored by Blissfield Coney Island and Borchardt Brothers Market.

The runners will actually receive a mug that will enter them into the Wassail Festival’s tour of sites in downtown businesses where competing versions of hot wassail, a wine-and-fruit based holiday beverage, will be sampled. For non-drinkers or runners who are younger than 21, a cocoa mug will be provided for a mugful of hot chocolate at the Blissfield Coney Island. Water will also be provided to all runners.

There are a limited number of official Wassail mugs, which will be awarded on a first-come basis. Late-registering runners may receive an alternate mug if the Wassail mugs are sold out, which will be honored at the Wassail stops.

And just announced, the first 220 runners to register will receive a commemorative flashing light pin for safety through the sponsorship of  Blissfield State Bank.

Runners are asked to wear reflective clothing for safety’s sake. Costumes of the season are welcome. The night run takes off at 6:30 p.m. Registration for the run begins at 5:30 p.m. at the red tent-top on Lane Street. Pre-registration is encouraged. Entries are available at The Advance, 121 Newspaper Street., Blissfield, or can be downloaded at www.blissfield.net. To be emailed a form, please email advance@cass.net.

The Wassail Festival begins at 6 p.m.

The awards ceremony will follow the race with medals to the overall male and female winner and the top two finishers in each male and female age division: 6-12, 13-15, 16-20, 21-35, 36-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-plus.

Those runners opting for Wassail mugs will be able to vote for their favorite beverage along the Wassail Trail in downtown Blissfield.

The Hot-Cha-Cha-Mug Run price is $25 for those 16 and older; $12 for kids 6-15; with a family rate of $60 (limit of two adults per family which must live in the same household; additional runners beyond the two in that household qualifying as adults $25).

Non-runners can register to participate in the Wassail festival for $12 at the Wassail Festival tent. For more information, please email advance@cass.net or call 517-486-2400 during business hours.

Astalosh sentenced for embezzlement

It took nearly three years, but a man charged with embezzling more than $11,000 from a Blissfield business was sentenced Nov. 21 in Lenawee County Circuit Court.

Sam Astalosh, 40, Selden, Kansas, was given two years’ probation and ordered to pay $550 in court costs on a reduced charge of embezzlement less than $200 from Steve’s Hobbies. His sentence also included 56 days already served in the Lenawee County Jail.

For the rest of the story, please the the Nov. 27, 2013, edition of The Advance. The big Holiday Lifestyles section is also included in this week’s Advance!

Dennis Bierman

RIGA — Dennis H. Bierman, 69, lost his long battle with cancer on Oct. 30, 2013, at his home in Makakilo, Hawaii.

Denny retired from civilian service with the US Navy@Naval Undersea Warfare Center Detachment Pacific with 41 years of honorable federal service.

Denny is survived by his loving wife, Briana Anderson Bierman, his mother Arlene Bierman, his sisters Lynette Million and Lynda Yinger, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place with a memorial service held in Hawaii on Nov. 9, 2013,. A memorial service is planned for Denny at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Riga Cememtery, Riga. There will be a gathering of family and friends following at the family home.

Denny was preceded in death by his father Russell R. Bierman, grandparents Dennis and Dora Bierman and Harold and Freda Smith. During Denny’s years in Hawaii, he owned a motorcycle shop, custom-building Harleys. He was also an accomplished woodworker, home remodeler and contractor. Denny will be sadly missed by his family and friends in both Michigan and Hawaii.

Blissfield “Lights of Love” Dec. 8

Once again, Hospice of Lenawee is sponsoring “Lights of Love” remembrance trees throughout Lenawee County — specifically in the communities of Adrian, Blissfield, Clinton, Hudson, Morenci, Onsted and Tecumseh. These holiday trees will be lighted on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at 6 p.m. at special lighting ceremonies in each location — with a reception following. The public is welcome to attend.

Riga firefighters to host Feather Party

RIGA — The Riga Firefighters Association will be hosting its annual Feather Party at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Riga Township Hall. The Feather Party will feature cash prize raffles, along with raffles for turkeys and hams and a whole hog raffle. Raffle ticket prices are $1 and can be purchased from any Riga firefighter. For more information on the party and raffles, contact Riga fire chief Mike Norman at 517-673-6283.

Chamber concert Sunday in Blissfield

A concert of chamber music by Adrian College will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in the next Blissfield Community Concert Series event at the Blissfield Presbyterian Church, 304 Franklin, Blissfield. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for K-12 students. Tickets are at the Blissfield Village Office, Royal Expressions and at the door.

Detroit homicide cop 4-3 chief choice for Blissfield

Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

The village of Blissfield is about to have a new police chief. After interviewing three candidates Nov. 19, Blissfield Village Council members voted to offer the job of Blissfield Village Police Department chief to Detroit homicide officer Dale Greenleaf in their Monday night meeting.

Blissfield Village administrator Jim Wonacott Tuesday confirmed that Greenleaf has accepted the position and will begin on Monday, Dec. 9, working in transition with current chief Jane Kelley who is retiring at the year.

Voting in favor were Randy Kelley, A. Ray Jones, George Brown and Art Weeber. Voting no were village president Mike Gunter, Mark Burgermeister and Bob Valdez.

In his interview, Greenleaf told the council be would be “that watchdog of the community.”

For the complete story by reporter Melissa Burnor, please see the Nov. 27, 2013, edition of The Advance.

 

 

Blissfield chosen for help in seeking historic designation

By Melissa Burnor

The Michigan Main Street program announced Wednesday, Nov. 20, that it has chosen Blissfield village as one of three communities it will assist to apply for designation in the National Register of Historic Places.

Michigan Main Street will hire a consultant to aid in the application process.

Blissfield is an official Main Street community.

Lady Bobcats’ state journey comes to an end

Starting off on a roll, the Whiteford Bobcat volleyball team continued their winning ways in state playoff action against Auburn Hills Tuesday night, winning 25-19 and 25-9 in the first two sets. But the tide turned in the third set, as the Lady ‘Cats lost a close set 27-25.

After being tied in two sets apiece with a loss in the fourth of 25-17, everything turned on the fifth and final set. Auburn Hills, with a 15-8 win, took the night and advances to semi-finals at Battle Creek.

The Whiteford team has had a stellar season this year, claiming their league title, the District crown and their Regional Championship.

For the full story by on-the-scene Chad Hutchinson, please see the Nov. 27, 2013, edition of The Advance. For a salute to their outstanding performance in the fall 2013 season, please see the Nov. 20 edition which also chronicles their regional sweep.

 

Driver dead in U.S. 223 car-semi crash may have killed girlfriend first, authorities believe

By Melissa Burnor
OTTAWA LAKE — Investigators from think a man who died in a fatal accident Monday in Whiteford Township may have killed his girlfriend earlier before his life ended when his vehicle crossed the center line on U.S. 223 into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer.
Mark Herrick, 44, Howell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on U.S. 223 just east of Memorial Highway at about 2:21 p.m. Monday. The Livingston County Sheiiff’s Department is investigating the alleged homicide of the man’s live-in girlfriend after her body was discovered in her residence in Osceola when she failed to show up for work earlier in the day.
Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy Brian Francisco, who is aiding in the crash investigation, said he could not say anything more about the incident other than the deceased driver had come from the Livingston County area.
Police said the man crossed the centerline in a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and hit the 2013 Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer head on. He was ejected from his vehicle upon impact. The driver of the semi, Tyrone Garner, 49, Canton, was not injured.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the crash while the homicide of the unidentified woman is under jurisdiction of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.
Updated 9:30 a.m. Nov. 20, 2013