Doug Donnelly – Page 109 – Blissfield Advance

Bobcat women end week on winning note

Things did not look good for the Whiteford women’s basketball team Friday night, Jan. 11. Clinton led 20-4 at the end of the first quarter. But the Bobcats came back and won the contest 48-39 after being tied 35-35 in the fourth quarter.

The Lady Bobcats lost Jan. 8 to the undefeated Madison 54-31 at home. Whiteford was within one point at the end of the first quarter but Madison continually pulled away. The Lady Bobcats are now 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Tri-County Conference.

For the complete story, please see the Jan. 16, 2013, edition of The Advance.

They’rrrrre off to a Nite at the Races

By Chad Hutchinson

The Blissfield Athletic Boosters will host their second annual “Nite at the Races” Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Blissfield American Legion. The “Nite at the Races” event is an evening of real horse racing with those in attendance to place bets as if they were at the track.

Hot appetizers will be provided, as well as a cash bar, door prizes donated by local Blissfield businesses, and a 50-50 raffle. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first races starting at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $10 each and are available at the Blissfield athletic office or by contacting 517-486-4195. Tickets will also be available at the door that evening.

BD’s first elected school board gets down to business

By Melissa Burnor

It was an historic evening Thursday for the Britton Deerfield Public Schools. All seven members of the newly elected board of education were given the oath of office.

“It is historic,” Britton Deerfield superintendent said. After serving since July 2011 as an appointed board the board sworn in that evening was the first elected Britton Deerfield Public Schools board of education. “We are unique in the fact that we elected all seven at one time,” Pelham said.

Most school boards elect one or two members in each election cycle. Because Britton Deerfield was a newly formed school district in 2011 all board members had to be elected to the board at the next possible election that was in Nov. of 2012. All seven appointed members retained their positions.

Ice skating rink nearly ready

After a balmy weekend of 60-degree temperatures, cold returned Monday. That can only mean one thing: ice skating.

The village of Blissfield has set up the Rotary-purchased ice skating rink in Ellis Park under the baseball field lights.

Hours for skating will be set during Thursday’s parks and recreation committee meeting, according to parks and rec director Eric May. Last winter was too warm for skating, but officials — and kids — are hoping this cold snap provides some good skating ice.

Check this website for hours at the rink after Thursday’s meeting.

New 25 mph zone extended

By Melissa Burnor

Drivers on Walnut Street in the village of Blissfield will have to drive 25 miles per hour a little farther, most likely by the end of the week.

After debating the temporary traffic order in effect at the last committee-of-the-whole meeting that essentially moved the 35 mph zone beyond the school driveway, the village council voted 5-1 Monday evening to eliminate the 35 mph zone altogether and extend the 25 mph limit to the village limit west of the water plant.

BD men claim first win; women suffer first regular-season loss

The Britton Deerfield men’s basketball team won their first game of the year Tuesday, Jan. 8, downing the Sand Creek Aggies, 52-36.

But the Patriot women, who hadn’t lost a game in the regular season fell to the Lady Aggies, 63-50.

For Melissa Burnor’s full story on BD basketball this week, please see the Jan. 16, 2013, edition of The Advance.

Esther Billington

ADRIAN – Esther Anna Billington, 104, of Blissfield passed away on Monday, January 7^th in Adrian.

Esther was born in Palmyra on March 11, 1908 to Pliney and Mary Jones. She married Harold Billington in June of 1934, Harold preceded her in death in 1983. Esther was a teacher in Palmyra and Madison Schools for a number of years, teaching 2^nd grade. She enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and playing board games with her grandchildren.

Esther is survived by her children Barbara (Emerson) Bliesner and Robert (Karen) Billington both of Blissfield; grandchildren Danielle (Shane) Waigle, David Billington, Scott Billington, Dawn (Jeff) Lyle, Diane (Ray) Bihn, and Tom (Colleen) Bliesner; great grandchildren Anna, Alexzandria, and Thomas Waigle, Adam and Jennifer Lyle, Mackenzie and Sydney Bihn, Kip and Kash Bliesner, and one great great grandchild Coleson Lyle.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Paul Jones, Webb Jones, and Alice Tidswell, and granddaughter Debbie Frederick.

Services for Esther will be on Friday, January 11^th, at 11:00 a.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, with Rev. Aden Porter officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 10^th, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice or Zion United Bretheren Church. You may send a condolence to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Royals wrestle over holidays

By Chad Hutchinson

The Blissfield varsity wrestling squad was faced with some tough competition at the Grass Lake Tournament Dec. 28, as it was matched up against some powerful programs in Clinton, Stockbridge, Jefferson, Grass Lake and Concord. The Royals went 1-4 on the day with their sole victory coming in the form of a 54-12 domination of Concord. Blissfield fell just short of defeating Grass Lake, coming up three points short as they lost 43-39. The Royals also fell to Jefferson 71-12, Stockbridge 52-22 and Clinton 48-27.

Following the Grass Lake Tournament, the Blissfield grapplers headed to Clinton for the Clinton Invitational for individual competition. One of the highlights of the tournament for Blissfield came in the form of its big bruisers in the 285-pound weight class. Thompson finished fourth overall for the tournament and fellow Royal Zach Goetz finished just behind him in fifth place. On top of both wrestlers finishing in the top five, Ford said both Thompson and Goetz were victorious over the number-four-ranked wrestler in the state of Michigan for division four.

School security issues explored locally

By Melissa Burnor

As students in many local schools return to the classroom after Christmas break, much of America is still reeling with the tragic massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut on Dec. 14 where a 20-year old man took the lives of 20 young first-grade students and six adults. Many people — even locally — have asked whether schools are safe.

Local school and emergency services officials are in agreement that public schools in Lenawee and Monroe counties are as safe as they can be.

Blissfield Community Schools Superintendent Scott Moellenberndt said policies and procedures are in place in the district that provides safety and security for students and staff.

“We feel our policies are appropriate and reflect the climate of our community and the welcoming atmosphere we are trying to provide to our constituents,” he said. “We all have the safety and well-being of our kids at heart.”

But he said that although policies regarding lockdowns or evacuations in a crisis situation are reviewed from time to time he did not believe there were any necessary changes to make in those policies at the present time.

“If (the policies) are wrong now, they should have been wrong before Connecticut,” he said. Not that Moellenberndt would be opposed to any changes, he said, if he thought they were truly warranted and made students more secure.

Last year, schools in Lenawee County participated in a program through the Lenawee Intermediate School District and in part sponsored by the Lenawee Emergency Management Services. Monroe County Schools also upgraded security through a similar grant program.

Blissfield launches new school readiness program

By Chad Hutchinson

The Blissfield Great Start Readiness Program opened its classroom doors on Monday, Jan. 7 for the first day of the program’s preschool education services for at-risk children. Twelve of the program’s 16 open slots had been filled as of Jan. 4.

In order to qualify for the state-funded program, children must be the age of four as of Dec. 1, and must fulfill two of 25 risk factors. Risk factors range from health issues, financial/economical disadvantages, low birth weight, developmentally immature, long-term chronic illness to name just a few.

While the 20-week program is provided only to at-risk children at this time, Blissfield superintendent Scott Moellenberndt said other school districts also accept students on a tuition basis, and Blissfield may pursue that option in the future.