While the 32nd Annual River Raisin Festival is still four months away, plenty of action has been taking place preparing for the big event that will draw several thousand people to the banks of the River Raisin and be a venue for local non-profit organizations to raise money for their own endeavors. A theme, a new carnival and the fireworks sponsor have all been secured in the past week.
Festival organizers have also designed a new spring event, the Spring Fling, to help kickstart both fundraising for favorite charities as well as for the River Raisin Festival on April 4.
Commemorating Blissfield’s long association with the railroad, spanning over three centuries and nearly 180 years, this year’s festival’s “All Aboard” theme will be pay homage to the village’s rail history. As in years past each festival has its own theme. The Adrian and Blissfield Rail Road Co., and its Old Road Dinner Train have agreed to sponsor the fireworks. This year there will be one big show on Friday night. Another event yet to be announced will take place on Saturday evening.
Another huge accomplishment that has happened this month is a new carnival for this year’s festival that will open on Wednesday and have longer Thursday and Friday hours.
The festival recently signed a contract with Maple Leaf Amusements, a Michigan-based carnival.
To help gear up for this year’s festival and also raise money for charity the festival has organized their yearly fundraising event that will take place April 4 in Ellis and Bachmayer parks. An Easter Egg Hunt is planned just for a little fun as well.
The annual spring 5K fundraiser done on behalf of the Miss River Raisin Scholarship Program takes place as the Spring Fling on the River 5K run.
There is also the Ice-Bucket Dump an event that can raise money for charity and has an entry fee to raise money for the festival.
The Ice Bucket Dump is an opportunity for individuals to raise money for the non-profit of their choice, Audra Paulaski, festival treasurer said.
Paulaski compared the challenge to a walk-a-thon where participants get pledges to participate.
“The person collects their pledges and in turn we send them to whatever organization they designate,” Paulaski said.
Participants will then get into the Spring Fling Dump which results in buckets of ice water being poured onto them at the footbridge in the parks over the river.
The winner of the Baby Blissfield Contest will also be announced at the Spring Fling. Anyone can vote for who they think should be Baby Blissfield with monetary donations at TLC Community Credit Union’s Blissfield location for Scarlett Wells, Justin Kirchner, Thomas Brown, Evalynn Casper, Bailey Young, Carter Borchardt, Wyatt Nieman, Casen Coopshaw, Nolan Salsbury and Amethyst AnnaLeigh Helvoigt.
The festival’s annual golf outing is tentatively planned for May 17, with loccation information to follow.
For entry forms and instructions, please refer to the Spring Fling ad in the March 4 and 11 edition of The Advance or visit www.blissfield.net. The complete story on the festival’s recent announcements is in the March 11 edition of the paper.
Author: Doug Donnelly
Ottawa Lake native Doug Donnelly is the editor and publisher of The Advance and Overtime, the Lenawee County Sports Weekly.
Betty Jane Porter
Betty Jane Porter passed away February 20th, 2015.
Born on October 6th, 1922, in Williamsburg, Virginia, Betty was the daughter of Gilbert and Florida Russell Girard. She is survived by her elder brother Gilbert Girard, Jr., and was preceded in death by her siblings Robert Girard, Eugene Paul Girard, and Mary Elizabeth Girard Rudolph.
Betty married her soulmate of 72 years, Townsend “Tom” Porter, in August 1942. She had three children, Townsend “Tom” Porter, David Porter, and her dearly departed daughter Carol Ann.
She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and cooking, and she took up the violin at age 70, and played avidly for 15 years. She traveled extensively with Tom, and settled in Sarasota, Florida for the last 12 years.
Her beloved Tom passed in June 2014. Her remaining time here was spent in reflection upon a life well lived and full of reward. Her zest for living, and celebration of life in spite of many sorrows, will be an enduring legacy and inspiration to all who knew her.
Marlene Mehan
DEERFIELD — Marlene A. (Bondy) Brubaker Mehan, age 78, formerly of Deerfield, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Tecumseh Place II under the care of Hospice of Lenawee.
She was born February 1, 1937, in Deerfield, to William and Geraldine (Shettleroe) Bondy graduating from Deerfield High School with the Class of 1955.
She later worked at Fisher Body for 19 years. She was a past member of St. Alphonsus’ Catholic Church, enjoyed bowling in the past on the Ma & Pa League in Deerfield, and liked to garden, growing beautiful hibiscus.
Marlene will also be remembered for the wonderful cakes she made for friends and family.
Survivors include her children, John (Sylvia) Brubaker of Deerfield; Tina (Doug) Yoder, Robert (Mary Ann) Brubaker, Lisa (Roger) Gaby and Gary Brubaker, all of TX; her siblings, Connie ( James) Young of Adrian, half sister, Leota (Benny) Puckett of Deerfield, half brothers, Jerry (Carol) Swift of Onsted and George (Neva) Swift of Tecumseh; 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild due in August.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services took place at Friday, February 27, 2015, at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield with Rev. Rick Jewett officiating. Burial followed at St. Alphonsus’s Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Marlene may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.
Pasta for Pooches raises funds for assistance dogs
Pasta for Pooches, a benefit spaghetti dinner to raise money and awareness for assistance dogs takes place from 4-7 p.m. this Saturday, March 14, at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 5790 W, Temperance Road, Ottawa Lake,
The event includes raffles a cake walk, silent auction and live music. Proceeds go to Assistance Dogs for Achieving Independence that provides therapy dogs specially trained to perfectly fit an individual’s needs.
Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10 yeas of age. Tickets are available at the door or by calling Tina Calhoun at 419-349-4966.
Checks for the fundraiser can be made payable to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church.
Blissfield men defeat BD to advance in district play
The Blissfield High School men’s basketball team was the only team in The Advance’s coverage area to make it out of the opening salvo of district action Monday evening, by defeating Britton Deerfield 59-49 in the second game of the night.
Earlier, the Whiteford Bobcats had fallen to SMCC by a score of 82-39.
The Royals will face Erie-Mason at Summerfield in the second round of play at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Elizabeth Fischer
Elizabeth Fischer, age 97, formerly of Blissfield, died Sunday, March 8, 2015, under the care of Hospice of Lenawee at Adrian MagnumCare Health Center.
Mrs. Fischer was born November 21, 1917, in Sebewaing, Mich to Christian and Elizabeth (Bernhardt) Schmidt, and raised in Deerfield.
Elizabeth married Louie H. Fischer, September 20, 1940 in Indiana. He died June 28, 1991.
She was a longtime member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was active in the Friendship Circle. She was a homemaker and enjoyed making quilts for family members, playing cards, bingo and her daily walks.
Survivors include two daughters, Rhea (Bruce) Stephens of Adrian and Rebecca (David) Sauter of Lambertville; and four sons, Raymond of Blissfield, Roland of Haslett, Royal (Kathy) of Adrian and Robert (Dana) of Blissfield; one sister, Mary Steih-Dunham of Dundee; ten grandsons, one granddaughter, three step grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and eight step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louie; son, Richard; six brothers and three sisters. The family would like to thank the staff at MagnumCare Health Center and Hospice of Lenawee.
Visitation is Tuesday, March 10, 2015, from 2-8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield. Church services for Elizabeth are at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Blissfield Highway in Palmyra with Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Burial will follow at Deerfield Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Hospice of Lenawee County. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. You may send condolences to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.
Blissfield car-semi crash shuts down U.S. 223, victim airlifted
By Melissa Burnor
Police and fire crews had U.S 223 shut down east of the Blissfield village limits to Silberhorn Highway as they continued to investigate a car-and-semi-tractor trailer crash just west of Silberhorn Highway late Monday afternoon, March 9. However, the road was back open to traffic Tuesday.
Preliminary reports from police suggest the driver of the vehicle crossed the center line. The driver was airlifted from the scene via air ambulance
Motorists travelling west on U.S. 223 were rerouted north on Silberhorn Highway to North Lane Street back to U.S. 223.
Rescuers from multiple agencies responded, using the Jaws of Life to extricate the victim from his car for transport via helicopter to Mercy St. Vincent’s Medical Center for treatment.
For more, please see the March 11, 2015, edition of The Advance.
Nieman finishes third at state wrestling finals
Blissfield’s Noah Nieman earned a third-place finish in the Michigan State Wrestling Finals at The Palace Saturday.
He defeated Bronson senior Kahle Scheenks in triple overtime for the 6-5 margin, having mowed through five senior wrestlers in the weekend of competition.
For more, please see the March 11 edition of The Advance.
Blissfield women advance
The Blissfield women’s basketball team won 65-34 over the Eagles of Erie-Mason.
The Royals had led by 40-10 at halftime.
For the complete story, please see the March 11 edition of The Advance.
They will play Arbor Prep High School at Whitmore Lake High School at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10.
Deerfield couple, cat escape blaze
A Deerfield Township couple and their cat are safe but their home on Garno Road just west of Sisson Highway was destroyed by fire Thursday afernoon.
Fire crews responded shortly before 2 p.m. to the blaze. Both Ridgeway and Summerfield townships fire departments assisted Deerfield.
As of 3:15 p.m. crews remained on the scene. A complete story will be in the March 4 edition of T