Archive - Jul 2010

One of the things I love most about my job as a reporter here at the Herald is that I get to sit with random folks for a couple hours and chat. To me, that is the essence of being relentlessly local. Often, as I’m gathering the actual story, what surfaces is so much more. Just recently I visited with John and Ruth Deming. The intent was to get a story about a local resident who makes award-winning cookies, but as is the case when people share their stories it felt more like a conversations with friends.
In fact, the Demings’ warmth struck me immediately. They are social people and welcomed me, a virtual stranger, into their home. Well, I’m almost a stranger, as I learned through our conversation. I’d received a note of encouragement from Ruth a few years back when I was going through my treatment for breast cancer and writing extensively about. She, too, is a breast cancer survivor.
When I walked into the Deming home, it felt like I’d walked into the home of longtime friends. If I had a sense of smell, I’m sure I would have been hit by the lingering sweet smell of cookies just baked. My eyes were instantly drawn to an array of plants in the front window, the largest of which had greenery that curled in all directions. That was Ruth’s night blooming cereus. She’s a bit of a green thumb, and she showed me a picture of one of the blooms, which only opens at night, and told me that she calls one of the local florists when she knows a flower is about to open.

By DEB WUETHRICH

With the temperatures hovering in the 90s the past few days, muggy, uncomfortable conditions can bring not only discomfort but danger to some individuals. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, from 1979-2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States. Those at greatest risk to heat-related illness are the elderly, the very young and people with mental illness and chronic diseases, notes the CDC.

Among the most common suggestions, the CDC recommends drinking plenty of fluids, preferably water, but not liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar which actually may cause a loss of more body fluid. Another suggestion recommended by the CDC and others is to remain indoors in an air-conditioned home, if possible; if not, it might be a good time to take in a movie in an air-conditioned theater, shop at an air-conditioned store, or visit the air-conditioned public library, activities that will provide a break from the heat.

Those who must be outdoors should pace themselves, being sure to get into a cool area as often as possible and staying hydrated. It is also helpful to keep a jug of cool water handy, wear sunscreen, and have access to a damp rag for sponging to cool the skin.

Precautions by the CDC include never leaving children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows cracked, because the heat can rise dramatically within a few minutes. Other common sense tips to keep cool include: avoid hot foods and heavy meals which add heat to the body; dress in loose clothing and shade children’s heads and faces with hats or an umbrella; limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places of potential severe exposure such as beaches.

By DEB WUETHRICH

“In the final analysis, it’s all about jobs. We have to have a community that job creators will want to come to.” These were the words of Dave Maxwell, who made a presentation to Tecumseh City Council members on Tuesday night, outlining the group, “One Lenawee” and its goals and objectives.

“We’re pretty much made up of private citizens who do this because we want to live in a prosperous community, this being Lenawee County, despite all the woes happening in our state,” Maxwell said.

One Lenawee promotes community collaboration and action toward leveraging strengths and potential opportunities to enhance the future and to achieve sustainable economic growth, and Maxwell’s presentation focused on the governmental collaborative group. One Lenawee partners with Citizens Research Council of Michigan and the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. U-M Master of Public Policy students will be conducting surveys in the area this fall.

“We and Lenawee Economic Development are all about jobs and everything I read says that people come to a place for jobs,” said Maxwell. “With everyone getting cutbacks in funding, we’re going to continue to be challenged to maintain adequate support and to maintain our quality of life, but our goal is to make Lenawee County an attractive place.” He said one of the ways to do this might be to spearhead a proactive, data-driven process to streamline and modernize local government services and look for inefficiencies and ways resources might be better shared and utilized.

The City of Tecumseh hosted a jazz concert and fundraiser on June 25, featuring saxophonist Tim Ries and other musicians, to benefit the Dundee Village and Township residents who incurred property damage from the June 6 tornado.

The city raised $7,000, all of which has been donated to assist residents with paying for their home and auto insurance deductibles for damage claims. Dick Johnson, Tecumseh City councilman and owner of Evans Street Station, indicated that he and some others wanted to do what they could to help the residents of the affected neighboring community in a time of crisis. With the current state of the economy, coming up with even a few hundred extra bucks a month can be devastating for a family who is living paycheck to paycheck.

With the assistance of Dundee insurance agent, Lisa Wain, State Farm Insurance also provided an additional grant for this fund in the amount of $3,500 making the total available to assist residents $10,500.

The United Way of Monroe County and the American Red Cross are assisting with distribution of these funds to residents. Beginning on July 19, residents of Dundee Village or Township who incurred tornado damage and have filed home or auto insurance claims may apply for reimbursement for 50 percent of their deductible, up to $250 per household. This assistance will be made available on a first come, first serve basis until Sept. 30, or until funds have been depleted.

To apply for assistance, those affected should contact the American Red Cross Disaster Services at 1645 N. Dixie Hwy., Monroe, or 734.289.1481. Applications will also be accepted weekly on Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m. at the Dundee Village Hall. Applicants will need to provide personal identification, proof of residency, and proof of insurance claim and/or deductible payment.

George E. Downard, 81, of Tecumseh, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor with his family at his side. He was born on Dec. 30, 1928, in Onsted, Mich., the son of Cecil K. and Nora (Withrow) Downard. He married Betty M. Handy, his bride of 55 years, on Aug. 12, 1950, until she preceded him in death on Nov.1, 2005.

George was a Tecumseh resident since 1950 after moving here from Tipton. He worked for the Tecumseh Products Company for 38 years until he retired in 1984. He also, along with his wife Betty and their family, catered for many festivities and weddings for over 25 years in the Lenawee, Monroe, Hillsdale, Jackson, and Washtenaw county areas. He was an Army Veteran of WWII and was a proud member of the American Legion Post #34 and VFW Post #4187, both in Tecumseh, was a volunteer for the American Red Cross Blood Drives and truly enjoyed the outdoors, especially the times he spent hunting and camping. In recent years, when he wasn't at the former Boomers Burgers or Big Boy, you could find him tinkering on “who knows what” and crafting at home. He fondly spoke of the times he spent with his family camping, playing cards, and time spent up north. He will be missed by his family and all those who knew and loved him over the years.

He is survived by his three sons, Douglas (Debra), Gregory (Tanya) and Christopher (Darlene) all of Tecumseh; his daughter, Laura S. Downard of Lawrenceburg, Tenn.; one brother, William “Leroy” (Judy) of Gwinn, Mich.; one sister, Juanita Cutchall of Frederic, Mich.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Cecil K. Donald D. and Alvin.

Larry J. Nelson, 55, of Tecumseh, passed away unexpectedly July 3, 2010.   Larry was born Dec. 25, 1954, in Detroit, Mich., the son of John and Marlene (Schrack) Nelson.  On July 1, 1977, he married Birute Theresa Zubrickas in Livonia, Mich.  

He was a graduate of Stevenson High School and Schoolcraft College.    He had a passion for buying and selling antiques, and loved the thrill of the hunt.  He was involved in the family business for most of his life,  most recently The Hitching Post in Tecumseh.   He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and son.   His generous heart knew no boundaries and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the antique community.  
Larry is survived by his wife, Theresa; children, Christopher, Julia  and Andrew; granddaughter, Olivia; parents, John and Marlene; brothers, Eric and Ken; sister, Lori; and numerous relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, July 8, 2010, at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home,  Adrian with the Rev. Fr. Daniel Wheeler officiating.  Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh.  

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