All-day K program getting noticed nationally

Lake Orion Community Schools all-day, every-day kindergarten program was recently honored. It was selected for the Magna Best Practices Database based on the program’s innovative practices. The program was one of only 114 highly-scored programs selected from the 359 nominations received. ‘We are all very honored,? said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Heidi […]

Cut this out, put it on your ‘fridge

I ain’t saying I am getting old, but in less than two weeks I will have been working for ‘The Company? for 26 years. ‘The Company? publishes the weekly newspaper in your hand, and its sister community publications, The Oxford Leader, Clarkston News, The Citizen, Ad-Vertiser, Penny Stretcher, and The Big Deal. ‘The Company? has […]

So long, summer?

It’s no secret that funding for Michigan’s public schools is in a place nobody likes. Districts across the state are slashing their budgets by millions of dollars and, at the same time, laying off staff, eliminating positions and even crossing their fingers and hoping for a miracle to come down the pike. It’s true here […]

Memorial Day traditions and poppies, and more!

I first ran this column in 2003, and since then ? every year around this time ? some folks request I re-run it. I usually oblige. * * * ‘Poppies! Poppies! Poppies!?? Something the Wicked Witch of the West may have uttered in the 1939 movie classic, ‘The Wizard of Oz? * * * Quite […]

Hometown Memorial Day in Orion

By Don Rush As of press time, the folks at the National Weather Service station to the west in White Lake Township, say Memorial Day should be, well, nice. ‘A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71,? is what their website says for Monday’s weather. It looks like a good day […]

Farmers Market more produce, family fun

The spring has been warm and wet — no so good for getting savage sun tans, but perfect for getting a jump on the growing season — this is good news for fans of Downtown Lake Orion’s Farmers Market. Folks who love fresh, Michigan-grown produce and Michigan-made stuff can plan their Wednesdays around the Lake […]

Too many danged elections

Five years ago, on June 18, 2003 I wrote about elections. The big gripe, school elections being alone during the year. Since, I am happy to report, a number of schools have changed their elections to coincide with general elections. Others like Clarkston and Lake Orion continue to waste taxpayer money, have their own elections, […]

Is there an epidemic among our skunks?

Oh, for about the past six years or so, I have claimed fame for my knowledge of spring’s arrival. Prognosticating ground hogs are not my thing. And, contrary to the customary, or traditional harbinger of spring in these parts — the sightings of the first robins — I deduced from observation, that the real true […]

Lake Orion fireworks on July 2!

Rumors were swirling around the internet and in the community that this year Lake Orion’s annual fireworks display would be a bust, rather than boom. Suffice to say, those rumors are false. Organizers of the annual firework festivities are planning on the biggest show to-date. Mark your calendars — the show is Saturday, July 2, […]

Residents question landfill decision

Residents of the Hi-Hill subdivision, in the southeastern quad of Orion Township, were dismayed at the township’s recent fast-track approval of Eagle Valley expansion. They wonder why the township turned their backs against and rescinded a 1991 consent agreement the township fought for, that kept the land fill from expanding. They are upset, because as […]