Archive - Aug 2009

Frances Snyder, age 91 of Clinton, died Tuesday, August 25, 2009 in her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on July 8, 1918 in Lavelle, PA the daughter of Rudolph and Sophronie Lexo.  She was united in marriage to Franklin I. Snyder on March 23, 1940 and he preceded her in death on June 12, 2003.

Frances was a devoted servant to the Lord & faithful Christian who was a member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh and also the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Westland.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing and playing games with her family.  Frances was very family oriented and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She will be greatly missed by her family and all those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her son Robert (Carol) Snyder of Flushing, MI, her three daughters; Marilyn (Jeff) Trimble of Tecumseh, Marjorie (John) Ross of Wayne, MI and Linda Nortley of Clinton, one sister-in-law Althea Lexo of Coopersburg, PA, ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.  In addition to her parents and husband, Frances was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters and her infant  twin sister.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 27 from 2-8 p.m. at the Clinton Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Tecumseh, with Pastor Richard Webb officiating, assisted by Pastor Carl Ames.  Burial will be in Michigan Memorial Park Cemetery, Flat Rock, MI.  Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Westland or to Hospice of Lenawee.  Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com

American Legion representatives, Tim Scheurer (l) and Greg Williams, raised the American flag for the first time over the new Indian Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22, during a Progress into the Future event to introduce community members to the new sports complex. Approximately 1,000 people attended the event. The Indians’ varsity football team will take to the field for the first time this Friday night to open the season against Monroe Jefferson. See Sports for complete story.

By DEB WUETHRICH

The Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce has named Tecumseh resident Vicki Philo as its next Executive Director. She will begin her new duties on Monday, Aug. 31. Kerry Hamilton-Smith recently completed a period as interim director in the post following the resignation of former executive director Vivian Yarger last March amid allegations of improprieties found during a review of the organization’s financial statements.
Philo has spent the past three-and-a-half years employed by the Lenawee County Association of Realtors.

“I’ve been learning how a member-driven, nonprofit organization works,” said Philo. She also worked for eight years as Director of Event Operations for Americrown at Michigan International Speedway.

Philo said it was her exposure to the role of a Chamber of Commerce that attracted her to the position, both as a member and as a Chamber ambassador.

“I have my own home-based embroidery business, which will probably become more of a hobby, and I’ve also been a spokesperson for the Chamber at different events such as ribbon cuttings,” she said.

Although she will be working with the Chamber board to establish goals, Philo said her initial plans are simply to help the Chamber get “back on track and growing.”

“I plan to get out there and talk to businesses,” she said. “I know they are going to be a little concerned over some things that have transpired there over this past year and I think communication is going to be huge. My plans are just to let the members know that the Chamber is going to be back on track and be there for them to help promote their businesses.”

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh Public Schools reached tentative agreement and ratified a contract Monday night at the Tecumseh School Board meeting with the International Union of Operating Engineers, which represents the district’s maintenance and custodial workers. There is no wage increase for the 2009-2010 school year duration of the agreement.

Also included in the agreement were staff reductions comprised of three retirements and a reduction in personnel by one full-time custodian position to be determined by the union seniority schedule. The use of substitutes and overtime also have been eliminated.
The agreement also included two insurance plan provisions for eligible workers who work a minimum of seven hours per day for the 12 month contract period, one for staff who choose health insurance, and a second plan for those who opt not to. The district will pay 90 percent of the Plan A costs that include health insurance, or approximately $1,000 per month. Employees must pay a co-payment of $5/$20 for prescription drug services.
Technology Director Todd Thieken also presented details on the district’s plans to contract for technology services, the next step in covering district-wide needs after eliminating two technology positions in June. Thieken said bids were received from Selective Data Systems of Onsted, MT Business Technologies of Holland, Ohio, and UltraLevel of Detroit. The issue is likely to come to the board for approval at its next meeting.

During discussion, Thieken pointed out that he is recommending MT Business Technologies, who proposed a cost of $65,000 for the services, and outlined some of his reasons.

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Tecumseh High School didn't have a male runner finish first in either the freshmen-sophomore or junior-senior race in the annual cross-country County Preview last Saturday but took first place as a team after going to the sixth man score to break a tie with Adrian. The Indians' girls also won the team title after having Erica Steuwe repeat as county champion. She won the junior-senior race in a time of 21:10.

The track was much flatter than in previous years after being moved to Tecumseh High School from Friends Church, north of the city. The main distraction for the top runners was working their way through a muddy section in the first half of the new course.
“It was real muddy in spots,” said Steuwe. “Your feet would just sink. The second half of the course was pretty good though.”

The newly designed course didn't slow Steuwe much. She finished more than a minute ahead of second place runner Morgan Olsen of Onsted.

“I wasn't running for time,” said Steuwe, “I would have preferred someone running closer to me. I'm used to running with the team.”

Sand-Creek's Melanie Glinski placed third in the junior-senior race in 22:34 and was followed by Adrian's Brandi Bedola (22:46). Erica Steuwe's twin sister Jenessa Steuwe placed fifth in 23:02 to give the Indians added points. Tecumseh's Katelyn Staelgrave finished eighth in 23:43.

Also running were Tecumseh's Elizabeth Swindle (25:32, 18th), Annie Dunn (25.52, 20th), Melissa Felkey (26:30, 21st), Jacklyn Bauer (27:09, 23rd) and Ellie Wice (27:29, 24th).

“I was very pleased with how the team ran their races, especially with Erin [Landstrom] and Erica [Steuwe],” said Tecumseh girls coach David Greene. “We still have a lot of work to do, but it is a long season and it is still nice to start off the season with a victory.”

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Tecumseh's varsity boys soccer team retained the Bronson-Mansfield Cougar Cup championship after dominating play at Lenawee Christian Schools on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Scott Corley and Jake Castorena led the Indians' to a shutout tournament title. While the other teams were unable to score a goal against the Indians, Corley scored four goals and had an assist while Castorena tagged a pair of goals and had six assists. Almost everyone on the Indians' team scored during the day with 15 goals sent to the back of their opponent's nets.

Both Corley and Castorena recorded a goal and assist against Saint Mary's Catholic Central in the championship final where the Indians took a 2-0 victory. Last year, the Indians defeated SMCC in a penalty shootout for the championship.

The win gave Tecumseh coach Mike Seal a varsity record of 2-for-4 in the Cup tournament after losing just one title when leading the Indians' JV team.

The Indians advanced to the final undefeated with shutouts against Columbia Central and Clinton. Tecumseh defeated the Eagles 5-0 to open play and followed with an 8-0 win against the Redskins.

A defensive standout for Tecumseh was Sam Million, a defensive midfielder.

“He kept everybody organized throughout the day,” said Seal. “He plays every bit as energetic as Corley and Castorena do up front.”

Clinton also fell 7-2 against Columbia Central in pool play before losing 8-1 against the Maples in the fifth place match.

During a pre-season interview, Tecumseh coach Mike Seal said, “I think that we have a very solid group. It's just a matter of how well we can pull together.”

Against Clinton, Castorena scored a goal and had five assists while Corley scored two netters to help the Indians advance to the final.