Archive - Jul 23, 2008

By DEB WUETHRICH

Some of the kids live in subdivisions. One resides in a trailer park. Only a couple actually live on farms. But being in the Agri-Tech Program at the Lenawee Intermediate School District TECH Center, and also a FFA chapter member, offers opportunities some students may not get anywhere else.

“It gives them a whole different perspective,” said instructor Ken Bollinger, who was coaching some of his students in the hog barn at the Lenawee County Fair this week. Several of the animals were born and raised at the Ag Learning Center on Tipton Highway. “Some of these are city kids, but they come to the Ag Learning Center and take care of the animals during the year when they are taking classes. In the summer, they take turns going out to the Center to do chores.”

Ryan Prunty, of Tecumseh, said he was always interested in farm animals, though he does not live on a farm. He was preparing to take a hog into the show ring for a heavyweight class.

“I’ve learned that it’s a lot of responsibility — a lot of hard work,” Ryan said of his stint in caring for the animals. “You learn you’re not just taking care of yourself, but also taking care of another living creature.” He said he doesn’t think he’s gone more than a day or two without having contact with the animals since enrolling in the program.
“Mr. Bollinger changed my whole view of farming,” said Ryan. “Before I took the class I didn’t know if I wanted to be on a farm.” He said he might like to work as an animal manager on a dairy farm. “And I want to have my own farm eventually.”
Amanda Foster, of Adrian, said she has always loved animals though she hasn’t owned many.

By DEB WUETHRICH

The public session of the Tecumseh City Council meeting was brief on Monday night. The council members, minus Mary Deming, who was absent, authorized the spending of $92,951.05 for some self-contained breathing apparatus and related equipment from Argus-Hazco in Chesterfield for the Tecumseh Fire Department. The city received an allocation of $100,000 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, which will be utilized for the purchase.

The City Manager’s report noted that officers had been elected for the Tecumseh Fire Department which included: Scot Long, First Assistant Chief; Kent Naugle, Second Assistant Chief; Pete White, Captain; Jeff Barkway, Lieutenant; Mark Monroe, Manager.
The council members also accepted a bid from Lyden Oil Company in Lansing to supply various oils and lubricants for the city’s vehicle and equipment fleet.

In other business the council members also:
• Accepted and placed on file a list of Emergency Equipment Rental Bids to several specific bidders for emergencies during which the city might need assistance or larger equipment.
• Appointed Cheri Hull and David Stimpson to the DDA Board of Directors for four-year terms each, expiring August 2012.
• Went into closed session to discuss a possible property purchase and pending litigation.
• Received reminders from Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch of an August 20 workshop from 1-5 p.m. in Adrian for a University of Michigan Economic Adjustment Program workshop, which is being held in conjunction with the City of Adrian, Lenawee County, and the Lenawee Economic Development Corporation to help coordinate economic development efforts in the county; and a Brownfield meeting scheduled for August 18 at 6 p.m.

On Friday nights, August 1 and 15, the Tecumseh Center for the Arts stage comes alive with the Summer Indie Music Fest, featuring performances by special guest artists, That 1 Guy and Jamestown Story. Both groups have multi-million plus hits on myspace and have best selling CD’s on independent labels.

The TCA Summer Indie Music Fest will kick-off on Friday August 1 with the performance by one of the hottest performers on the globe, California based, Mike Silverman, better known by his alter ego, That 1 Guy. Inventor of the spectacular musical instrument, the Magic Pipe, Silverman’s show That 1 Guy has to be seen to be believed. He single-handedly plays his amazing instrument, which is made out of miked steel pipes with a single, thick bass string wired from top to bottom, plus an Appalachian handsaw, and electric cowboy boot and can make belching smoke.

Don’t let this description scare you off, Silverman is a trained classical musician, who mixes elements of classical music with electronic, creating a unique sound of it’s own that appeals to audiences of all ages.

Silverman has been on his own world voyage as That 1 Guy, wowing audiences across the U.S., and in Scotland, where That 1 Guy took the prestigious Fringe Festival Tapwater Award for Best Musical Act, in Instanbul and Australia, where he is a revered folk hero. “So much of my music has an indigenous, tribal rhythm feel to it,” he says, explaining his popularity Down Under, where the Magic Pipe is often compared to the Aussie didgeridoo.

Underwood-Orr won four straight games to defend its AABC Connie Mac 18U district title at Adrian College last Thursday and Friday, July 18-19, with coach Randy Spark's well-rounded team giving its pitchers all the breathing room needed to do the job on the mound.

U-O (24-7) opened play at Adrian College's new million-dollar facility and was able to dig right into the artificial turf to take a 10-0 six-inning mercy ruled victory from Lincoln Key Bank. Tecumseh graduate Louie Davitt went the entire distance on the mound, facing 23 batters, giving up six hits and no walks while striking out six. U-O had 12 hits and four walks and increased its momentum in every inning. Recording a pair of hits to help U-O close the game early was Adrian's Brent Ohrman, one of Eastern Michigan University's newest recruits. Also connecting for two hits were U-O's Tony Wieber, Chet Lafave and Eric Vaughan.

On the other side of town at Siena Heights University, the Michigan Nitro barely beat the Detroit Eagles 11-10.

In the winner's bracket at Adrian College in round two, U-O's Brian Valente (SVSU) pitched a 12-1 five inning mercy ruled win against the Michigan Nitro. He faced 20 batters, allowed five hits and recorded seven strikeouts.

Weiber, Carlos Berroa, Ohrman, Ryan Ermers and Blake Schmenk led U-O with two hits each.

In the losers bracket, the Detroit Eagles defeated Lincoln Key Bank 16-1.

With a record of 2-0, U-O advanced to game five on Friday to play against the 1-1 Detroit Eagles and took a close 6-5 win in eight innings with Eric Vaughan earning the win and Chris Bossenbery the save. Taylor Dimmerling led U-O's offense going 4-for-4. Ohrman followed, going 2-for-3 and recording the game-winning RBI. U-O had nine hits and five walks while the Eagles had eight hits and three walks.

By MICKEY ALVARADO

When Jake Wright closes his eyelids he can imagine himself clad in the uniform of a varsity Indian hockey player, as a member of the first full-fledged high school hockey team in Lenawee County. When he opens his eyes he can still see the dream but realizes it will take some doing in this economically struggling world to get it going.

Wright will return to Tecumseh High School as a senior this fall and while he was unable to create a varsity hockey team between the school year he'll be one slap shot closer to having created a full fledged varsity Indian squad.

Wright persistently went to Tecumseh's Athletic Director, Griff Mills, seeking permission to create an Indian hockey team and he wasn't completely shrugged off. He was told to start a club team to begin with and see if it grows like the soccer and lacrosse programs did. The estimated cost for each varsity hockey player would be in the range of $2,000 so it would be difficult for the school to even consider footing the bill at this point in time.

“They basically said for the first one to three years it's got to be a club sport that's got no affiliation with the high school,” said Wright. That's how soccer and lacrosse were formed.”

So, that's what the young team maker will try to do, with the help of others. He's scheduling ice time with Adrian College on Wednesday and already has at least 16 county players interested in joining.

“Tom Forest will be our coach for that,” said Wright. Forest has his hands full right now with other matters. His Major girls Tecumseh Area Little League softball team is currently playing for another state title. “That's why I've got to do it,” said Wright. “He's kind of busy right now.”

There have been some exciting events going on in Raisin Township. If you were one of the 70-80 people who met at Mitchell Park on June 8  to listen to “Gooch and Dunn,” and on July 13 to hear Macon County Line you know what I mean. If you weren’t one of those people you really missed out! There is one more chance to hear some great free music at Mitchell Park. Harry and Connie Hutchison will be singing from 6-8 p.m. on August 13. How exciting to see the community band together for some good old fashion community fun!

Hope to see everyone there!

Kathryn Jewell-Quigley
Raisin Township Parks Board