Archive - Jul 2012

At first look, Alex Porbe’s home and studio on Allen Road appear to be a classic Tecumseh farm, but the large metal sculptures that sit near the driveway are a clue that things are not what they seem. Behind the barn doors is a studio where Porbe creates architectural commercial metal work as well as functional art, also called studio furniture. The majority of his work is completed right on Allen Road, although he does some laser cutting and metal bending at a local facility.

The scope and variety of Porbe’s work is expansive and ranges from small pieces like a lamp to large architectural fixtures. His work can be found in restaurants around the Detroit area, The Palace of Auburn Hills, General Motors, The Detroit Science Center, and the Lear Corporation to name just a few of his clients.

Growing up in Grosse Pointe, Mich., Porbe was raised in an artistic home. His parents were both accomplished musicians, with his father a performer for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Porbe said his father was also a talented woodworker, and that was his first exposure to working in three-dimensional art.

Originally, he thought his interests would lead him into the graphic design field, but an instructor at The Center for Creative Studies recognized Porbe’s talent with larger work and suggested he focus his attention on industrial design. Following this advice, Porbe graduated in 1991 from the Detroit school with a BFA in industrial design.

After graduation, Porbe took advantage of easy access to industrial scrap yards by living and working with four of his friends in an old crane factory on the riverfront in Detroit. The quintet renovated the building into a work/living space. Porbe spent that time creating functional artwork which he sold in a gallery built into the industrial space.

“We started developing customers and clients from that,” said Porbe. “It was really exciting.”

If plans proceed along the expected path, Tecumseh may soon have its own Tim Hortons, a business known for its coffee, donuts, and more recently, an expanding menu.

Tecumseh Economic Development Director Paula Holtz said that a representative of the Canadian company confirmed that Tim Hortons has an option on the former Clothesline Laundry at 901 W. Chicago Boulevard. The company expects to present plans at the Sept. 11 Planning Commission.

“This would be a Brownfield site, so there is also the process of adopting a Brownfield Plan,” said Holtz, because the property previously operated as a Laundromat.

Holtz said if all goes well, the company representative indicated that a Tim Hortons could become a reality in the community as early as the first of the year in 2013.

“Certainly we would love to see redevelopment of a site that’s been vacant for several years,” Holtz said. “To have them come in and clean up the site and reuse it and create a new business with new tax base sounds like great news to me.”

The first Tim Hortons, known as Tim Horton Donuts at the time, was originally started in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, by National Hockey League player Tim Horton. There are more than 700 stores in the United States now. Some of the restaurants, such as one in Adrian, have partnered with Stone Store Creamery, but it is not yet known what the Tecumseh offerings would be.

Christian recording artist TobyMac told his audience at the Lenawee County Fair Wednesday night, July 25, that he’d learned from fair officials that the last time Christian recording artists had been on the fairgrounds was in 1996 when Jars of Clay played there. He thanked the Fair for inviting him and encouraged the packed grandstand and fans standing in front of the stage on the track to write letters to the Fair Board to let them know they want to see more such artists.

Toby McKeehan, born Kevin Michael McKeehan, is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author. He was one of the first Christian rappers, and is a former member of the singing trio DC Talk, which he said used to rehearse in the area.

Performing with his band, Diverse City, TobyMac apologized for the approximately one-hour delay of the scheduled 7 p.m. performance, citing an extended “Meet and Greet” by the bus that many performers offer prior to a show.

“Some people said there would be two for the ‘meet and greet’ then they show up with 16,” TobyMac said. The artist likes to be sure to allow media access, photos with fans and handshakes and fist-bumps to all who’ve garnered backstage privileges.

But the crowd was forgiving and ready to go as the artist launched into some rollicking songs, inviting the audience to get on its feet right from the get-go. There was a lot of arm-waving, dancing in place and foot-stomping through such songs as “Catchafire” (Whoopsi-Daisy). Early on, he performed one of his best-known singles, “Made to Love.”

Mid-concert, to the audience’s delight, TobyMac, a guitar player and one other singer made their way to a makeshift platform in the middle of the track as the standing track audience circled ‘round, and the artist was more visible and accessible to the grandstand crowd. The songs were more acoustic from this stage, and the audience ate up the intimacy.

To the Editor,

Tecumseh Herald — Where are you?

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 the Adrian Chamber Brass was at the Tecumseh Senior Center with the place FULL of Seniors enjoying the musical presentation after a tasty luncheon. What a great news item was overlooked!

I must add the county newspaper, the Adrian Telegram was also conspicuous by its absence.

We are asking for a tax vote for Seniors and this was a great opportunity for voters to become aware of this ever growing population through our local newspaper.

You were notified. So sorry you missed it. There were well over a hundred in attendance who DIDN’T!

I worked at the Herald in the days of Lincoln, Riordan, “Bish” and Grigg — What Fun!

Thanks for your time and S-P-A-C-E.

Ella Mary King
Tecumseh

(Editor’s note: The Herald was unable to attend the event, held on Wednesday, July 25, however, information was provided to readers leading up to the date of the program in three separate issues of the newspaper published on July 9, 16, and 23.)

To the Editor,

On behalf of the Tecumseh Youth Football program, I would like to extend a word of thanks to the following people for helping make 2012 football camp a success: Jason Austin and Jeff Jennings, sixth grade coaches, for making the itinerary for camp; to all of our coaches for donating time; to Tecumseh High School varsity players, Kyle Bryan, Travis Byrd, Kolin Connors, Chris Dorobantu, Luke Marston, Preston Pelham, John Terry and Austin Tilley. These young men donated their time to be with us and are much appreciated. Camp would not have been complete without Tim Stuewe and his cooking expertise for our Tailgate.

Thanks to all, without you it would not have been as successful as it was.

Norleen Hyder
Director, Tecumseh Youth
Football

June Fuhrmann, age 93, of Tecumseh, passed away July 26, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family, under the wonderful care of Hospice of Lenawee. June was born July 17, 1919 in Dundee, Michigan the daughter of Edmund and Amanda Regelin.

On May 19, 1956 she married Cletus Fuhrmann in Maybee. He survives.
June worked in the Monroe office of La-Z Boy and the Monroe County Bureau of Social Aide for many years before accepting her most challenging, yet most cherished position as wife of Clete and mother of Kathy and Scott.

She was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Tecumseh for 56 years and a lifetime member of St. Elizabeth Altar Society, having actively served over 30 years.

One of her favorite past times was crocheting, making countless lap robes she donated to area nursing homes. She also enjoyed traveling with highlights being several visits to Hawaii and a camping adventure to Fairbanks, Alaska along the Alaskan Highway. June’s wonderful sage stuffing was the highlight of every Thanksgiving. Even though she shared her secret several years ago, the recipe has been often attempted but never duplicated.

She will be missed forever by her family and many dear friends.

She is survived by her loving husband, Cletus; daughter, Kathleen Furhmann of Adrian; son, Scott Fuhrmann and fiancée Chris Jennings of Flowering Branch, Ga., and a special daughter, Kris Fuhrmann of Tecumseh.

June was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Edmund Regelin, Jr.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial Mass was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Tecumseh with Rev. Fr. Daniel Wheeler officiating. Burial followed in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh.

Visitation was from 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Church for masses to be said in June’s name or Hospice of Lenawee.