Archive - 2010

With two days left of 2010, I suppose it’s time to take a look back at what the year held. Well, the year started with January as it always does and then came February and then March…oh, I guess it was more exciting than that. There was snow and then there was sun and then there was hot sun and then there was snow again. Okay, okay, that’s not that exciting either.
Really, this year was filled with things that didn’t happen the previous year. Right? Oh, I guess I should list those things. Here I go, in no particular order and all in one breath:

Another Christmas season winds down, but it's not officially the New Year yet, so I will take a moment to talk about something I meant to blog about earlier: Santa letters.

 This year's Santa letters brought in some of the typical kid stuff like a generous spirit when kids mentioned what their brother or sister (or parents) wanted first and THEN listed their own requests. One little boy was a tattletale, however, stating that his sister was "on the naughty list because she was mean to me."

 There were signs of the tech age we live in, requests for XBox 360s, dsi's, laptops and cell phones (from first and second graders!) But a couple requests stood the test of time: Barbie's, Hot Wheels and a hope for a Chutes and Ladders game. Some children were readers, looking for those chapter books, which was good to see.

Kids put the niceties in their letters. How is Rudolph? the elves? Mrs. Claus? Is Rudolph real? They showed their curiosity: "Leave a photo of you and the reindeer," one precocious child wrote. "Write back so my friends will know you're real."

Many of the letters listed general requests, but one youngster had a very specific numbered 21-item list! Sounds like a Type A personality to me.

A few of the children said "thank you" for last year's gifts, but as one child told Santa, "Sorry, but I don't remember my favorite presents from last year." That's something for adults to keep in mind. It's not about the "things," it's about the memories of the experiences, the traditions, the L-O-V-E of the season, and those who engage in giving, especially to those less fortunate, will know this even more.

While the anticipated presents were prominent in the letters, there is one letter that lingers in my mind. It was from a second grader. "Dear Santa, This year can you please use a little Christmas magic to make my parents get along better?" 

The City of Tecumseh started the year off on a hopeful note for 2010 when Mayor Harvey Schmidt was videotaped for a State of the City address. Mayor Schmidt included as “good news” for the city the fact that Consolidated Biscuit LLC planned to take up residence in the former Tecumseh Products facility. Unfortunately, plans to bring 500 jobs here soon fell through when the company was bought out by another firm.

The end of the year brings hope for the facility, however, with the spot being eyed by Willard and Kelsey Solar Group, which recently opened a plant in Ohio. A New York Times article stated that the Midwest could be a good place to locate a solar energy business.

Infrastructure work recently was completed at the Tecumseh Business and Technology Campus, where the city hopes to attract research and development companies which could bring jobs to the community. At a candidate forum this fall, those running for city council and mayoral seats concurred that the city’s attention to the campus places the community in a good spot when the economy does turn around.

Companies such as Lenawee Stamping, Wacker Chemical, and Uniloy Milicron have also held their own in the down economy this year, and have even committed to expansions to retain and add jobs.

Both the city and Tecumseh Public Schools have continued to explore ways to cut their budgets, and expect 2011 to be a difficult year because of increasing declines in revenue sharing funds and school foundation allowances, as well as student enrollments. The bolstering American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will no longer be available to supplement the state budget.

Myrtie L. Reed, age 91, of Tecumseh, passed away Dec. 25, 2010.

Myrtie was born Oct. 5, 1919, in Tecumseh, the daughter of Henry and Pheba (Hofmann) Kempf.

On Dec. 24, 1955, she married Lester Reed in Tecumseh. He preceded her in death on March 28, 1988.

Myrtie was a lifelong resident of Tecumseh and was a 1938 graduate of Tecumseh High School graduating as valedictorian. She continued her education and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Detroit Mercy College of Nursing in 1942 as a registered nurse, member of the St. Joseph Hospital, Ann Arbor Unit.

Myrtie retired from Herrick Memorial Hospital in 1958 having worked there for several years as a nurse in the Operating Room. She was a member of the Tecumseh First Presbyterian Church and their Golden Cross Circle and Women’s Association.

Myrtie is survived by five nieces, Judy (Dean) Pilbeam, Joan Siefert, Bonnie (Dave) Hagewood, Ann (Doug) Kalis, and Ruth Rosenbarger and nephew, Larry (Marge) Reed. Also surviving are several great nieces and nephews.

Myrtie was preceded in death by her parents: son, Michael Reed, and brothers, Augustus, Winfred, Norman, Raymond and Henry Kempf.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with Rev. Richard Mortimer officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery.

Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 28 and 29, 2010, at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers's Association, Tecumseh Place II, or First Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh.

Condolences to the family may be made online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.

Eugene Francis Patterson, age 84, of Tecumseh, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010, at his home. He was born Dec. 5, 1926, in Monroe, Mich., to James and Lucile (Shanaway) Patterson. On Nov. 1, 1947, he married Marcella Woelmer in Ida, Mich. She preceded him in death. Eugene had been employed by Fisher Body in Tecumseh for 24 years. He served in the U.S. Navy in Panama and South America. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34, and the G.M. Retirement Chapter.

Eugene is survived by two daughters, Nancy Dart of Adrian and Beth Ann Patterson of Shepherd, Mich.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Zipporah Bean of Monroe. In addition to his wife, Marcella, he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; a brother, James Patterson; and a son, James Patterson.

Funeral services for Eugene were held on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Philip Krieger officiating. Burial was in Lenawee Hills Memorial Gardens, Tecumseh. Visitation was held on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomeadriantecumseh.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Hospice of Lenawee or to Habitat for Humanity. Envelopes are available at Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.

Lynn Amos Lewis, age 59, of Tipton, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at Libertywest in Toledo, Ohio.

He was born Nov. 20, 1951, in Tipton, to Charles J. “CJ” and Dolores R. “Dot” (Yuetter) Lewis Jr. Lynn had attended Porter School.

His survivors include two brothers, Lanny Lewis and his wife, Darlene of Adrian and Vaughn Jo Lewis of Tipton; one niece, Colleen Munro and her husband, Kevin of Laingsburg, Mich.; one nephew, Charles “Chuck” Lewis and Rachelle of Adrian; one great-niece; and three great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian, with Reverend Jim Yeutter officiating. Burial was in Tipton Cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday, Dec. 27, from 6-8 p.m. and also on Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomeadriantecumseh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Erie West Hospice. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.