Archive - 2009

Over the Christmas break I had an epiphany. Christmas is good for epiphanies, if not for the spirit that is in the air, then for the fact that life pauses for a moment to let me catch a breath, enjoy some nog, and eat way too much food.

For a good portion of my adult life I'd been living in the past or clinging to some distant future goal. Publishing my novel is chief on the list of distant, or not so distant, future goals. I realized that I'd been so absorbed in the things that I regretted or things that made me angry in the past, and that I'd been so absorbed in the things that I wanted to accomplish that I was forgetting about the here and now. I was forgetting that being outside just to feel the cold on my cheeks is a good thing, or that sitting with my kids and enjoying a game of Rock Band with no thought of yesterday or tomorrow is a more valuable gift than any kind of jewelry money can buy. 

The odd thing is that it wasn't cancer or any profound event that led to a clearing of vision. I say clearing because there's still a lot to be dusted away, but I feel like this is the beginning of a better way. It's just been a gradual shift, with missteps along the way for sure, but it's a shift that feels brighter in so many ways. 

I suppose the closest thing I have to a New Year's resolution is that I hope to continue my practice in this better way. I won't say it's easy. It's become habit for my mind to gravitate to lists of what should be done and worrying about whether everything will ever be done.

So, my wish for readers in the New Year, then, is for all to have many happy moments.

Most people will be glad to see 2009 come to a close. It was a tough year for almost all sectors of our community due to an ailing economy that brought an increase in home foreclosures, joblessness and cuts to local school and city budgets. While economists predict a turnaround in unemployment for 2010, city and school budgets will continue to suffer as property tax revenues and state revenue sharing funds are expected to drop further.

The year, however, has not left without rays of optimism. Locally, Consolidated Biscuit Company (CBC) has purchased the Tecumseh Products Company plant with a promise of 500 new jobs within five years; Wacker Silicone has announced a $23.7 million investment at its Sutton Road facility; and 573 jobs are anticipated 20 minutes down the road in Dundee where Chrysler-Fiat will begin manufacturing engines at a new $179 million plant.

Additionally, Lenawee Stamping Corporation averted a strike by its workers and moved forward with a $6 million investment for a new manufacturing line with expectations of 30 new jobs.

CanAm Bottling, Inc., was another company announcing plans to invest $15 million in Tecumseh. The announcement was met with opposition from conservation groups which believe selling city water for bottling was an exploitation of natural resources.

In the coming year, the city will also continue efforts to attract tenants to the Tecumseh Business and Industrial Park with the installation of infrastructure.

Two thousand and nine has come and gone yet several accomplishments shall stand the test of time when reflecting back on the sports seasons.

Tecumseh High School added yet another state champion with Tawni Vollmer bowling her way into the championship final and finishing as the best that Michigan has to offer in Division 2 girls bowling. The Indians also won back-to-back Division 2 girls bowling championships and head into the New Year looking to make unprecedented history with a three-peat.

Clinton High School had wrestler Jesse Sexton finish as the runner up in the state finals and Hannah Payne place third in the long jump at the state track meet.
Britton and Deerfield combined the last of their sports programs with basketball and volleyball joining together in 2009. Hopes are the teams will be stronger in the coming years.

Student-athletes from all three of the schools in the Herald’s coverage area signed National Letters of Intent to join colleges or universities, making 2009 another banner year.

2009 Year in Review

January

• The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association announced the selection of Tecumseh football coach Bob Ondrovic as a 2008 Assistant Coach of the Year.

• Britton-Macon Area School retired 2004 graduate Duane Below’s No. 32 uniform in front of a packed house between the boy’s basketball games.

• Tecumseh's varsity boys swim and dive team defeated Chelsea 100-85.

• Clinton's varsity girls basketball team picked up an important 53-42 TCC win against Madison's Trojans and followed with a 56-38 non-conference victory against Blissfield.

• Tecumseh varsity girls bowling team beat A.A. Skyline 29-1 to remain undefeated (6-0).

Comila J. Peters, 88, of Clinton, died Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, in her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born June 26, 1921, in Brotherton, Tenn., the daughter of George and Addie (Willett) Creselious. On Feb. 2, 1943, she was married to Robert L. Peters in West Palm Beach, Fla. and he survives.

Comila was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church.  In 1986 she retired from Herrick Medical Center after a 26 year nursing career.  Comila loved square, round and line dancing and was a member of the Maple City Swingers for 20 years.  She liked to garden and enjoyed traveling cross country with her husband in their RV.  Much of her life was devoted to caring for others through her nursing career, volunteer activities, and especially taking care of her family.  Comila loved children and her family was her greatest joy.  

In addition to her husband, Robert, Comila is survived by five sons, Gary (Dora) Peters of Britton, Joseph Peters of Redford, Mich., Vincent (Etta) Peters of Clinton, David Peters of Holly, Mich. and Andrew Peters of Dexter, Mich.; four daughters, Patricia Peters of Ann Arbor, Rita (Lyle) Drew of Anna, Ohio, Teresa (Tom) Saltsman of Salt Lake City, Utah and Elaine (Martin) Schauder of Chelsea, Mich.; one brother, Owen Creselious of Grimsley, Tenn.; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.  Comila will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

At her request cremation has taken place. The family received friends at the Clinton Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. The funeral mass was celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Clinton with the Rev. Father Paul Ruddy as Celebrant. Rite of Committal followed at St. Dominic Cemetery, Clinton.

Valorie Ann Gubbe, 60, of Tecumseh,  passed to the Lord, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, surrounded by her family and friends.   Valorie was born Jan. 15, 1949, in Adrian, to Richard W. and Ellen R. (Burkett) Johnson. On June 12, 1976, she married Wayne Gubbe in Tecumseh. Wayne survives.

Valorie graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1967 and was a member of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church. She had worked at the H.W. Tuttle Co. and in adult foster care before her retirement.

In addition to her husband, Wayne, Val is survived by her mother, Ellen Johnson of Adrian; son, Richard W. Gubbe of Tecumseh; daughter, Candy (Lee) Double of Wauseon, Ohio; sister, Yvonne (Jim) Black of Adrian; brother, Richard B. Johnson (Darlene) of Adrian; brothers-in-law, Ralph D. Randolph of Tecumseh and Lynn Gubbe of Tecumseh; sister-in-law, Irene Stockbridge (Paul) of Portland, Mich.;  mother-in-law, Rena Bodeker of Tecumseh; and grandsons, Josh Gubbe and Justin and Jeremiah Double of Wauseon.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Johnson; sister, Mary Ellen Randolph; and nephew, Douglas W. Randolph.

A memorial service will be held  at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church,  605 Bishop Reed Drive Tecumseh.  Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m.  at the church preceding the service.  

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Valorie’s memorial fund in care of J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home.   Condolences to the family may be made on line at www.pursefuneralhome.com.
    

Gerald Lynn “Jerry” Baker, 91, of Tecumseh passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loving family and the wonderful care of Hospice.

Gerald was born on Aug. 7, 1918, in Waldron, Mich., the son of James W. Baker and Mildred (Zolman) Baker. On July 23, 1938, Gerald married Doris Isabell Mills, and in 2009 they celebrated 71 years of marriage and she survives.

Gerald devoted his entire life to his family and friends. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Tecumseh for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Tecumseh Masonic Lodge F&AM#69 for more than 60 years.

In earlier years, he was employed by the Tecumseh Products Company for 44 years. Gerald enjoyed golfing, camping, making woodworking projects, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Doris I. Baker of Tecumseh; one son, Kenneth (Becky) Baker; five grandchildren, Dee (Skeeter) Wagoner, Jennifer Kardatzke, Laura (Daryl) Kreiser, Courtney Kirk and Tommy Baker; nine great-grandchildren Taylor, Trevor, Sammuel, Sydney, Kendra, Marissa, Logan, Wyatt and Cameron.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Richard Gene Baker and Mark Allen Baker, and one grandson, Thomas Richard Baker.

Visitation services to honor the life of Gerald Baker were held on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh, with burial in Brookside Cemetery.

At the family’s request, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.