Author: Doug Donnelly

Ottawa Lake native Doug Donnelly is the editor and publisher of The Advance and Overtime, the Lenawee County Sports Weekly.

Blissfield celebrates Reading Month in March

March is National Reading Month, and local elementary schools are encouraging students to turn off the television and turn the pages of a good book instead. Blissfield Elementary School is using a “Reading Fiesta” to show students that March “is Nacho ordinary month.”

Second-and third-grade students kicked off their reading activities this past Monday with custom canvas paintings featuring a Dr. Seuss quote of their choice.

Students worked under the guidance of BES teachers Sandi Porter and Christina Shearer to celebrate the 110th birthday of Dr. Seuss.

A few of the highlights among this month’s activities are:

March 7 — Visiting author Joe Kelley reading her children’s book “Pete the Popcorn”

March 11 — Family Reading Night at the school

March 14— Dress like your favorite book character

March 21 — Read in your pajamas at school March 26: Read an article in the newspaper

March 27 — The fifth grade Wax Museum

Numerous other activities will be taking place throughout the month, and a full calendar of activities can be found on the Blissfield Elementary School’s website at www.blissfieldschools.us.

Deanna Griffith helps Blissfield second- and third-graders with bubble-wrap painting for Reading Month. Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc./Chad Hutchinson

Royal men win first round in Districts

Connor Vandecaveye goes up for two for the Royals as they downed the Britton Deerfield Patriots in the opening round of District play. Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications/Chad Hutchinson

The Blissfield Royals men’s basketball team won its opening District tournament round Monday night, defeating the Britton Deerfield Patriots by a score of 79-58 at Erie-Mason High School.

The Royals advance to play Erie-Mason in the semifinal game at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5. The Whiteford Bobcats enter tournament play, having drawn a bye in the first round, playing Summerfield at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The winners will play each other Friday night at Erie-Mason for the District crown.

For the full story on Blissfield’s opening round win, please see the March 5, 2014, edition of The Advance.

Lady Royals win regional semifinal

The Lady Royals of Blissfield defeated Manchester on its home basketball court Tuesday night in the regional semifinals after a fourth-quarter rally by a score of 43-31.

Blissfield was up 17-16 at the half, then down 27-25 at the end of the third quarter, but they poured it on in the final stanza for the win.

The regional final is at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Manchester.

Lady Royals win District Crown

Coach Ryan Gilbert presents the District trophy to the Blissfield Lady Royals on Feb. 28. Copyright 2014, River Raisin Publications, Inc./Chad Hutchinson

The Blissfield Lady Royals captured their second straight district championship title Friday night, Feb. 28, defeating the Lady Patriots of Britton Deerfield on home court by a score of 51-34.

They now move to regional action.

For the complete story, please see the March 5, 2014, edition of The Advance.

Lady Royals to face BD women in District Final

In District semi-final action Wednesday night at Blissfield High School, Britton Deerfield and Blissfield emerged as victors. The Lady Royals and Lady Patriots are set to square off in the finals Friday night at Blissfield.

BD earned its way into the finals defeating first-round winner Erie-Mason in the first game of the evening by a score of 55-36.

In the final game of the evening, Blissfield jumped out to a 6-0  lead quickly over Whiteford’s Lady Bobcats., stretching that lead to 19-4 by the end of the first quarter. The final score was undefeated Blissfield 65 to Whiteford’s 29.

For the complete story as well as the District final results, please see the March 5 edition of The Advance.

Big Saturday night of events set for Feb. 22: Art, wine, Euchre!

Want to get out of the house? The weather’s supposed to be fine Saturday, Feb. 22, and local residents have some fun choices for their time.

The Lights! Art! Action! Festival will take place in downtown Blissfield from 6-8:30 p.m. with self-lighted art displays and warming pits to keep visitors toasty. More than 240 pieces of art are expected in the new Blissfield DDA/Main Street event sponsored by Midwest Energy. From youth to professionals, six mediums of art will be displayed sharing a movement theme: drawing, painting, canvas work, photography, sculpture and pottery. The festival is free, but artwork will be for sale.

Also on Lane Street – 309 S. Lane, just south of the Downtown in Light of Christ Parish Hall – is the Winter Wineout and Beer-Tasting fundraiser for the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. Twelve Michigan wines from Chateau Grand Traverse, Traverse Bay Winery, Leelanau Cellars Winery and St. Julian Winery and 12 brews from Michigan breweries will be available for sampling for a $25 donation with munchies suited to the beverages being tasted. The time of the event is 7-9 p.m. and offered as a place to warm up before and after visiting the art and light festival downtown. There will also be a silent auction. Wine and beer experts will be on hand for the open-house-style event to lead discussions among people who love wines and beers as well as people who just want to try some new varieties or learn more about Michigan wines and brews.

In Deerfield, the Britton Deerfield Boosters are hosting a Euchre Tournament at the Deerfield American Legion. Doors open at 5 p.m., play begins at 6 p.m. Pre-registration is $15; entry at the door is $20.

Travelers advisory issued in Lenawee County 2-20-14

Standing water, rainfall and warming temperatures have led the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with  Lenawee County Emergency Management and the Lenawee County Road Commission, to issue a traveler’s advisory for Lenawee County. With warming temperatures and rainfall, many county roads already have areas of standing high water over the roadway. Some could become impassable because of the high water.
According to the press release, it is impossible for the road commission to place signage on every road that may have areas of high water. The press release said motorists should detour around those flooded areas.
“Do not risk getting stranded in high water.”
The press release said these conditions could continue for several days.
“Citizens should also pay attention to the temperatures as they fluctuate over the next few days.”
Below freezing temperatures combined with water on the roads can create hazardous driving conditions
Jason Schnaidt, operations manager of the Lenawee County Road Commission, said he did  not know of any roads impassable as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Road commission crews were working Thursday to get snow cleaned off of bridges.
Schnaidt also anticipated keeping some employees working later Thursday to take care of low spots in the road by digging trenches in the snow allowing water to drain.
Jim Wonacott said the village of Blissfield Department of Public Works was busy Thursday clearing out catch basins to allow rain water and melting snow to drain.
“We have had no real problems,” he said.
Temperatures were expected to dip back down below freezing which local officials agreed is a good thing to slow down the melting snow.
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