Author: Doug Donnelly

Royals 1 point from winning own tourney

By Chad Hutchinson

The Blissfield varsity wrestling squad opened its season by hosting the largest invitational in school history and finishing one point from a win.

The Royals’ home mat hosted Madison, Manchester, Stockbridge, Memorial, Springport, Lutheran Westland, Vandercook Lake, Roosevelt, Saint Mary’s Catholic Central, Milan, Morenci and Inter City Baptist on Saturday.

The Royals finished in second place for the invitational, posting a team total 151 points. It was a nail-biting finish, as Madison took first place with a team score of 152 and Manchester came in third with 150.

Copyright 2012, River Raisin Publications, Inc. For the complete story plus news from men’s and women’s basketball at Blissfield, Britton Deerfield and Whiteford high schools, please see the Dec. 12, 2012, edition of The Advance.

Blissfield celebrates Wassail Festival evening of Dec. 14

By Melissa Burnor

The Old English custom of wassailing meets modern-day downtown Blissfield Friday evening as the second annual Wassail Festival sponsored by the Blissfield Rotary and hosted by the Blissfield DDA/Main Street Program gets underway. Wassailing takes place from 5-8 p.m.

One of downtown Blissfield’s newest events adds merriment to the already festive-looking downtown as participants get to taste 11 types of wassail, a mulled or spiced wine and vote on their favorite one. Wassail will be served by Bailey Chiropractic, Blissfield Living, Cakes n’ Shakes, Decades, Joan and Co., The Packrat, Royal Expressions, TLC, United Bank and Trust, Victorian Gardens and B-Town Bar & Grill.

Caroling and bonfires will also be an attraction this year. The Blissfield DDA/Main Street Program has teamed up with the Blissfield Rotary Club and local winery J Trees Cellars for the event. Those who want to participate can purchase their commemorative 2012 Wassail Festival ceramic mug for $12 at the Blissfield Village Office or the Historic Depot before Friday. For those who are holding out that one of the 250 mugs may be left Friday evening can visit the DDA/Main Street “Welcome Booth” in front of Mohr’s Barber Shop, 122 S. Lane St. Those purchasing a mug will also get a punch card for rating each wassail as well as a wristband and a map including the participating locations. Those participating need to be 21 years of age or older.

A 5K race will begin and end in the downtown as well. Please see related story on this website about the Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run.

Also keeping with the medieval theme, the Cunnabar Collegium Musicum carolers, dressed in medieval costume, will sing traditional Christmas songs. The evening culminates at the b-Town Bar & Grill where the trophy will be awarded to the business with the best wassail of the evening. Chuck Cory, the Rotary liaison to the Wassail Festival said the club’s “Free Gas for a Year Raffle,” ticket will be drawn following the award to the winning wassail maker. Wassail is a traditional English beverage. Its customs date back to the Old English tradition to toast to their neighbor’s good health and for the hope of a prosperous harvest in the coming season especially an apple harvest.

Copyright 2012, River Raisin Publications, Inc. For the complete story, please see the Dec. 12, 2012, edition of The Advance.

Patricia Rayl and Chuck Cory toast to Wassail Fest in Blissfield.

Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run to wind through Blissfield during Wassail Festival

By Melissa Burnor

What could warm one up on a brisk December Friday evening in Blissfield? Besides the wassail, a scenic 5K run through the village of Blissfield might be the ticket. The Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run takes place Friday evening during the Wassail Festival. The starting gun fires off at 6:30 p.m. on Lane Street in downtown Blissfield.

The race route, illuminated by ice luminaries along the way, will take runners through residential areas in the eastern portion of the village. And organizers are hoping the map of the run will bring out folks along the route to cheer on the runners.

One of the event organizers, April Wolfe, said the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program committee was looking for a novel idea that would attract more people to Blissfield. “Something fun for families, something different for people to do,” Wolfe said. Other area communities have had color runs, haunted runs, and candy cane runs. This run rewards runners with hot chocolate or wassail for their efforts takes them through the decorated streets of Blissfield. Organizers are asking residents to turn their Christmas lights or porch lights along the route to cheer the runners along the way, Wolfe said.

The run supports the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. Cost is $25 per person or $60 per family with no more than two adults. Registration will be taken up until race time. Race Day registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on South Lane Street under the red tent top in front of Loar’s Appliance. Runners will get a commemorative Wassail Festival mug that allows them to take part in the wassail tasting at the festival. An ID must be presented to obtain a mug, Wolfe said. Runners under 21 years of age or non-drinkers can get a special hot chocolate mug also designed for the occasion. Runners can get their hot chocolate mug filled up at Blissfield Coney Island that evening.

The Blissfield Coney Island is a long-time sponsor of the Miss River Raisin Festival in July. Sponsors of the race are Royal Nutrition and the pageant’s main sponsor Borchardt Brothers’ Market. For more on the Wassail Festival, please see related story on this website.

Prizes will be awarded for each age group. Email advance@cass.net for race information or visit www.blissfield.net for downloadable race forms and updates.

Copyright 2012, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

Riga Twp. hires new fire chief

RIGA — The Riga Township board has approved the hiring of Mike Norman as Riga fire chief with former chief Chris Colter resigning at the end of the year. Norman is a 10-year veteran with several fire departments including the Palmyra, Riga and Raisin township fire departments.

His hiring is effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Copyright, 2012, River Raisin Publications, Inc. For the rest of the story, please see the Dec. 12, 2012, edition of The Advance.

Debra Gautz

ADRIAN— Debra Gautz, age 57, of Adrian, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012, at the Lynwood Manor under the care of Promedica Hospice Erie West. Born August 11, 1955, in Adrian, she was the daughter of Mina H. (Rodesiler) and Richard J. Dunbar. On November 14, 1982, she married Conrad “CJ” Gautz at Trinity Lutheran Church, Riga. They all survive. Debra graduated from Blissfield High School in 1973 and then attended Siena Heights College where she earned her B.S. degree. She worked as a lab technician at a Toledo medical lab. She later drove bus for Sand Creek Schools. She was a member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga; she had many interests including raising goats, crafts and gardening. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, Debra is survived by her children Kellie Gautz of Adrian and Kurtis (Melanie Burke) Gautz, of Kalamazoo; and her brother Dave (Peggy) Dunbar of Palmyra. Her father-in-law, John C. Gautz, preceded her in death. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for Debra will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Riga on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 2 pm. with Rev. Angela Zimmann officiating. Visitation will take place from 1 pm until the time of the service. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Riga, or Erie West Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church. Arrangements were handled by Tagsold Chapel, Wagley Funeral Home in Blissfield where on line condolences may be made to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com

Jean Isley

ADRIAN – Jean E. Isley, 88, of Palmyra, peacefully went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, December 4, 2012, surrounded by the family she loved.

Born May 22, 1924, in Elyria, Ohio, she was the oldest daughter of Charles and Mary (Humphrey) Bartholomew.  Jean graduated from Adrian High School with the Class of 1941.

Jean was married to John Dowling in 1950, and he preceded her in death in 1968.  On November 25, 1971, she married Jay Isley.  Jean and Jay celebrated 37 years of marriage prior to his death in 2007.

Jean worked as an administrative assistant for Dr. William Hewes and Dr. Robert Birmingham.  She was a member of the Woodland United Methodist Church in Michigamme.  She was also a life member of the Palmyra Order of the Eastern Star.  For many years, Jean served as the Palmyra Township Treasurer.

Jean loved her life on the farm.  She was an avid Detroit Tiger fan.  Most importantly, she treasured her family.

She is survived by her children: Dee (Mark) Crane, Darlene (Lynn) Southward, and James (Laurie) Isley, all of Palmyra; Karen (Tom) Ruesink of South Haven; Judy (Alan) Schmidt of Deerfield; and Joanne (Michael) Roy of Skandia, MI; 12 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and her sister, Maxine Eastman, of Blissfield.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Lawrence.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 8, 2012, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield.

Contributions in memory of Jean may be made to Hospice of Lenawee for their residence, or Lenawee County Mission.  Condolences are welcome at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Riga teen wins honors in Distinguished Young Women program

Olivia Miller, Riga, a Blissfield High School senior, was named first runner-up Saturday in the Distinguished Young Women of the Irish Hills Scholarship Program hosted at Onsted High School. She competed with 10 other young women in scholastics, interview, performing arts talent, physical fitness routine and self-expression.

As first runner-up, she will advance to the state finals where more than $10,000 will be awarded in scholarship dollars. She won the scholastic, academic, self-expression, talent and be-your-best-self essay.

She is the daughter of Les and Cindy Miller, and presented a vocal selection for her talent.

The winner was Kylie Commet from Napoleon High School.Olivia Miller, Riga, a Blissfield High School senior, was named first runner-up Saturday in the Distinguished Young Women of the Irish Hills Scholarship Program hosted at Onsted High School. She competed with 10 other young women in scholastics, interview, performing arts talent, physical fitness routine and self-expression. As first runner-up, she will advance to the state finals where more than $10,000 will be awarded in scholarship dollars. She won the scholastic, academic, self-expression, talent and be-your-best-self essay. 

Community meal served Tuesday, Dec. 11

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will again be providing meals at no cost to those who partake on Tuesday, Dec. 11. It will be a roast pork with dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, and pumpkin dessert carry-out meal. Meals can be picked up at Catering by Liz between 5-6 p.m. on that day or delivery is available. To request meals please call 486-4738 any time prior to Dec. 11 or no later than noon that day. Leave a message if necessary. Those who know of shut-ins who might enjoy a meal, please notify them of this service. The church is happy to provide a meal to anyone who requests it. NOTE: This will be the only meal provided this month due to Christmas.

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