MARYN CARPENTER AND MEGAN DOBIE ARE WINNERS: Lempke-Blackwell VFW Post 7573 Auxiliary member and contest Chair Sandi VanTiem is excited to announce the essay contest winners for 2020. The girls’ essays are now at the district level. Winning works then travel to the state and national levels. The Patriot’s Pen essay title for middle school students was “What is Patriotism to Me?” Maryn Carpenter, a seventh-grade student at Anchor Bay Middle School North and the daughter of Darcey and Chris Carpenter, of New Baltimore, completed the work and was declared the local winner. Megan Dobie, a ninth-grade student at Anchor Bay High School and the daughter of Liz and Chris Dobie, of New Baltimore, was selected the local winner of the Voice of Democracy essay competition. The title for high school students was, “Is this the Country the Founders Envisioned?” Note: Megan was the Patriot’s Pen second-place winner in the district competition two years ago. Lempke-Blackwell VFW Post 7573, Sandi VanTiem and the writer are grateful to judges Rowena Lenhausen and Sue Accivatti, now retired Anchor Bay teachers who have been devoted to young people and their endeavors, always.
FALL PLANTING OF THE PAVERS IS COMPLETED: Project Chairman Ron Earle has announced that all of the bricks that have been requested are in the ground. The writer urges Our Town to go to Walter and Mary Burke Park on the shore of Anchor Bay and view the display at the foot of Our Town’s glorious American flag atop its 160-foot flagpole, making one proud to be an American and from Our Town! It’s quite an interesting site and one for many conversations regarding the families, organizations and businesses whose names are etched on the bricks. Make it a point to bring a camera, too. Our Town is thankful for Ron Earle, the New Baltimore Lions Club and the many who have purchased a paver to enhance Our Town’s waterfront. Note: The flag can easily be seen across the lake from Fair Haven.
IMPORTANT LIBRARY FUNDRAISER: To support library programs for children and adults, the Friends of MacDonald Public Library is hosting a fundraiser in the style of a silent auction. Until 5 p.m. Nov. 27, a selection of unique baskets and handmade quilts are available for the community to place bids. Bids will be accepted in person, over the phone and online at macdonaldlibrary.org/mplnewbaltimore. Due to the current crisis, the event has gone primarily digital. Photos of the library building or of the items will be provided, if desired.
FALL AND WINTER CLASSES OFFERED: The New Baltimore Parks and Recreation Department, 35248 Cricklewood Blvd. in Our Town, is scheduling ball dancing for ages 16 and older, Judo for ages 6 and older, children’s art level 2 for ages 9 to 12 and piano level 1 for ages 6 to 11. Call 586-725-0291, go to the organization’s Facebook page or visit nbrecreation.org. Stimulating the body and the brain makes one happy.
BARBARA RICHARDS WAND FUND: The Anchor Bay Community Foundation is offering grants or programs for children ages 2 to 18 who may be suffering with a medical condition, facing illness or for a family with an illness that has caused emotional or financial distress or family challenges. Wellness support and providing happy and hopeful memories is the goal. There may be medical needs, corrective glasses, special instruction, shoes, a backpack, camp experience, or a Christmas gift under the tree desired. Call 586-281-3275 or email [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of the ABCF and presented to the Board of Directors. It is not the policy of the ABCF to investigate programs or medical supplies and costs associated with grant requests. Therefore, supplemental materials must be provided before grants and checks may be awarded. The Anchor Bay Community Foundation is here to help and wants to hear from individuals and groups. To readers and friends who wish to send a donation to this program, please make it payable to Anchor Bay Community Foundation, P.O. Box 88, New Baltimore, MI 48047.
BAY-RAMA WANTS PHOTOS: Do readers have photos from former Fishfly Festivals? Having been a part of Our Town’s summer since the 1950s, search through albums and share old shots of this wonderful June event. Send them to Ashley Edwards at [email protected] or post on Facebook and tag Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival. The Bay-Rama Inc. address is P.O. Box 25, New Baltimore, MI 48047. The writer remembers when the first festival was held in 1956, much smaller than the modern version, of course.
DEC. 4, 5 GOODFELLOWS EVENT: Street intersections, business entrances and the doorway of Huntington Bank will have volunteers offering a witty newspaper, the Razzberry, for a donation. The funds collected will provide food, toys, some clothing and goodwill to needy families. The Razzberry will have colorful pages of hilarious statements to make for cheerful reading along with photos and business logos. One will want to save it for years. When seeing a Goodfellow, be generous. The writer will be in the Huntington Bank doorway. Stop by and give greetings.
IMPORTANT WREATH LAYING DEC. 12: First of all, the deadline for donating toward a wreath is Dec. 5, writing a check payable to Horizon and sent to Curves, 35453 23 Mile Road, New Baltimore, MI 48047. At noon Dec. 12 at St. Mary’s Cemetery on 24 Mile Road in Our Town, a special ceremony will take place to honor our veterans with wreaths at their gravesites. Recognition of the military will be observed by the color guard of Lempke-Blackwell VFW Post 7573, dignitaries, guest speakers, representatives of each branch of service, the playing of “Taps” and the singing of our National Anthem. At the conclusion, those present will be able to collect a wreath to take to their loved one’s grave, secure it and say their name at Oakwood and St. Mary’s cemeteries, both on 24 Mile Road. Our Town is grateful to the devotion and work of two marvelous volunteers in this endeavor of over 10 years, Mrs. Mickie Mellon and Mrs. Tammi Graber.
P.S.: The 2020 Veterans Day ceremony at Our Town’s city hall at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 was meaningful and memorable. Many thanks to Lempke-Blackwell VFW Post 7573 for conducting a service that appreciates and remembers those who have served our country since 1918, when the Armistice was first signed, an “agreement” to end all wars. Later, in 1954, the name of the day became Veterans Day, a day to say “thank you for your service” to those who have served our wonderful country in the military.
THE 90S CLUB: Bill Stover is now included, whose birthday was in May.
CHEW ON THESE WORDS: “By making yourself a life-long learner you’ll keep discovering new and exciting things about yourself and others,” words from Rachel Robins. “Laughter is an instant vacation,” from Milton Berle.
To report news about your service organization, call Bette Carrothers at 586-725-8051 or email her at [email protected].
