If the previous year was marked by tragedy and triumph, 2013 was surely marked with personal achievements, potential and pitfalls in the area.
Throughout the year several local residents were recognized for their accomplishments and announcements and decisions were made giving possibility to new opportunities. Although a few stumbling blocks were in the way, the pitfalls often resulted in a new approach to old problems.
For a full, month-by-month review of 2013, please see the Jan. 1, 2014, edition of The Advance. A full review of 2013 sports is in this edition as well.
The community can say farewell to retiring Blissfield Police Chief Jane Kelley and meet new Chief Dale Greenleaf at a Farewell and Welcome open house form 3-6 p.m. Friday at the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library meeting room, 407 S. Lane Street. Both the incoming and outgoing chiefs will be the guests of honor. Kelley served more than 11 years as police chief, retiring officially Dec. 31. Greenleaf’s first day as chief was New Year’s Day. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The public is invited to attend.
For Melissa Burnor’s story on the departing chief and incoming chief, please pick up the Jan. 1, 2014, edition of The Advance, which also includes a review of 2013 in both news and sports.
Two reports of fires early Christmas morning kept Blissfield and other fire crews busy and destroyed a Blissfield Township couple’s unattached garage and its contents.
Blissfield Township fire crews were first dispatched to Riverview Apartments on Joy Street at approximately 1:15 a.m. for a smoke investigation. Blissfield Fire Chief Gary Crist said it appeared someone had set a pizza box on a hot stovetop and then moved it into the hallway. Fire crews cleared the scene about 2 a.m.
They had not left the fire hall long when a passerby called 911 at 3:24 a.m. to report a fire east of Blissfield on Lamley Highway. Riga and Deerfield townships were also called to assist at the scene. Crist said they were able to leave the scene about 7 a.m. but were called back out for a rekindle at 8:15 a.m. and were there until approximately 10 a.m. The cause of the fire is unknown, although it is not suspicious, Crist said.
For the complete story, please see the 1-1-14 edition of The Advance.
The second annual Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run the evening of Dec. 13
Hot-Cha-Cha 5K Mug Run participants prepare for the start of the race Dec. 13. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc./Melissa Burnor
featured more than 100 participants who braved the cold with festive spirits to help benefit the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. This year’s overall winner and overall male winner was Justin Bateson, of Blissfield, with a time of 16:32. The overall female winner was Dr. Josephine Weeden, of Saline, with a time of 19:21. The winning holiday costume worn in the race went to the fleet-footed Christmas tree, Domingo Valadez. The top two finishers for each age group are as follows. Female 6-12: Megan Weidmayer 26:52, Lily Fojtik 29:24; Male 6-12: Dylan Glase 27:07, Simon Pettit 29:21; Female 13-15: Keelie Cairo 25:48, Sarah Weidmayer 25:49; Male 16-20: Tyler Schmidt 17:03, David Wolfe 28:22; Female 16-20: Christy Weidmayer 26:18; Female 21-35: Sarah Temby 21:31, Jenny Carmichael 21:42; Male 21-35: Aaron Alisorghali 17:25, Alex Williams 19:48; Female 36-49: Denise Dashner 25:44, Kari Bateson 26:47; Male 36-49: Sean Savage 18:47, David Rincon 23:40; Female 50-59: Melody Carmichael 24:16, Pattie Rapp 24:30; Male 50-59: Bob Bridges 19:19, Ed Masta 20:14; Female 60-69: Mary Steinhauser 34:57, Linda Baker 44:29; Male 60-69: Fred LaPlante 23:14, John Furchak 30:00; Female 70-plus: Gretchen Warwick 41:00; Male 70-plus: Dennis Scott 36:37, Harrison Hensley 37:28.
Britton Deerfield middle school teacher Jessica Smith challenged her students to do a project that incorporated time and talent. It had to be centered on something they liked to do. “I like to help people,” eighth-grader Madelynn Stamman, 13, said. Stamman organized a food drive within the middle school that aided the Deerfield Community Food Pantry at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, the Deerfield half of the Light of Christ Parish. Shortly before Thanksgiving a van completely packed with food after being loaded up by students was taken the few short blocks away to the Light of Christ Parish pantry.
The Deerfield food pantry is not the only one that reaped the benefit of community involvement. The Blissfield Food Pantry serves the greater Blissfield area. Residents must live in Blissfield, Deerfield, Palmyra or Riga and be receiving food assistance through the Lenawee County Department of Human Services. The food pantry is housed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and is open on Thursdays. Those needing assistance should call the church before hand to schedule an appointment.
Nancy and Curtis Olsen continue working at the St. Michael’s food pantry. The effort began in 2007 as part of their son Daniel’s Eagle Scout project. Their son is now a Michigan State University graduate and lives out of state but the food pantry he started continues to reach many people. The pantry is open on the last Saturday of every month as a rule. Just a few families came in the beginning. In November 103 families were assisted with food at St. Michael’s.
Here is contact info for area food pantries:
Maddelyn Stamman stands in front of Light of Christ Parish, Deerfield. She headed a successful food drive during the holidays that aided local families through the church food bank. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc./Melissa Burnor
Blissfield Area Food Pantry at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 306 E. Jefferson St. 9 am. Thursdays by appointment. 517-486-2404. Deerfield Deerfield Community food Pantry at Light of Christ Catholic Church, 222 Carey St., 1-3 p.m. Wednesday or by appointment for Deerfield area residents 517-447-3500 St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 5790 W. Temperance Rd., Ottawa Lake, last Satuday of the month, 9 a.m. for Monroe County residents Zion Lutheran Church Ottawa Lake , 8307 Memorial Hwy. Ottawa Lake, 734-856-3300, second Tuesday of each month 10 a.m-noon
For Melissa Burnor’s complete story on local food pantries, please see the Dec. 25, 2013, edition of The Advance.
The Blissfield men’s and women’s bowling team’s finished with the same scores but on different sides of the win column when they hosted the Madison Trojans Dec. 17. The Blissfield men came up short against Madison 20-10, while the Lady Royals bested the Lady Trojans 20-10.
For the complete story, please see the Dec. 25, 2013, edition of The Advance.
The Blissfield varsity wrestling team split its meet with Erie-Mason and Dundee Dec. 18. The Royal mat men topped the Eagles 46-33 before falling to the Vikings 72-6.
For the complete story, please see the Dec. 25, 2013, edition of The Advance.
The Blissfield varsity basketball squad split a pair of contests last week with a 69-36 victory over the Hudson Tigers, followed by a 68-52 fall to the Dundee Vikings. The Royals’ record now stands at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the LCAA.
BRITTON DEERFIELD
It wasn’t pretty, but the Britton Deerfield Patriots beat the Clinton Redskins 44-41 for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
A Royal puts up a shot against Dundee. Copyright 2013 River Raisin Publications, Inc./Chad Hutchinson
Whiteford men’s basketball team improved to 2-1 with the opening night of league play Dec. 17. The Bobcats won 59-53 over Tri County Conference rival Summerfield.
The Blissfield women’s varsity basketball team has continued to steam roll over the competition as they extended their season record to 6-0 and 2-0 in the LCAA. The Lady Royals cruised to a pair of road wins last week as they defeated Hudson 74-25 Dec. 17 and Dundee 58-8 Dec. 20.
WHITEFORD
The Whiteford varsity women’s basketball team remained undefeated in the Tri-County Conference by defeating Summerfield Dec. 17 53-35.
BRITTON DEERFIELD
Janessa Handy passes to BD teammate Carrie Wielfaert against Clinton. Copyright River Raisin Publications, Inc./Melissa Burnor
The Britton Deerfield Lady Patriots move to 5-0 with a league win over Clinton 54-23.
For the complete stories on these games and teams, please see the Dec. 25, 2013, edition of The Advance.
The Blissfield varsity competitive cheer squad has hit the mat to open the season with four competitions thus far. The Royals took second place at the Grass Lake Invitational Dec. 7 and Onsted Invitational Dec. 14. Blissfield finished in fifth place at the Ida Jamboree Dec. 12 and at its host tournament Dec. 18.
