Brandon Twp.- Concern about the economy, pesticides in produce, an interest in organic food and a desire to cultivate personal land. These are all contributing factors to the growing interest in gardening, says Barb Fahlquist, president of the new Brandon Farm & Garden Club. ‘Gardening is a stress reliever,? Fahlquist added. ‘It gets you back […]
Ortonville- Music has the power to do many things, including inspire, uplift and give hope. Amy Guirey and Perry Rouse hope the song they wrote does all of that, but most of all, they hope it makes wishes comes true. Rouse and Guirey, who are married and owners of the Village Pub, 411 Mill St., […]
Brandon Twp.- Concern over decreased participation in recreation programs is prompting a second look at the $60 non-resident fee the township board implemented earlier this year. ‘We’re revisiting the issue, because we’re concerned it’s hurting participation levels,? said Trustee Bob DeWitt. ‘Between people not being able to afford it and being upset about the fee, […]
Isn’t it amazing how our relationships change and grow through the years? In my own life, I’ve been thinking about my mom a lot lately. As I write this column, on July 2, it is my mom’s birthday, and I hope it is a better day for her than Mother’s Day was this year. Mom […]
Brandon Twp.- The exterior of Second Thoughts Resale Shoppe, 1880 Ortonville Road, is attracting the attention of passersby on M-15. The building is deep purple in color, but the interior of the business is causing double takes, too, say owners Anne Wesol and Joann Smith. ‘People are so nice and positive in this community,? said […]
Brandon Twp.- Lay-offs are coming to the school district. The school board will vote during a special meeting to reduce 46 staff members, including 15 full-time teachers, 9 percent of the total current teaching staff. The remainder of staff that can expect pink slips following the meeting are paraprofessionals that are not grant-funded, media center […]
Ortonville- Take a walk on the wild side. Two gardens in the village are now certified wildlife habitats as defined by the National Wildlife Federation. Heritage Garden, located next to the Old Town Hall, as well as Creekside Garden, a buffer behind the Old Mill, located alongside Kearsley Creek, were recognized as wildlife habitats by […]
Brandon Twp.- Among several hundred local students graduating next month, Jason Rabideau is unique. Jason won’t go on to college and he will never hold a job, but like most mothers, Kelly Rabideau is proud of her child and dreams of a happy future for her son, who has Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen Syndrome, a disorder so rare […]
Brandon Twp.- Sandy Wiley, a Brandon Middle School teacher, feels her profession is under attack ‘For more years than I can count, I’ve had to defend my career,? said Wiley, who left a medical career and took a $40,000 pay cut to become a teacher. ‘I am sick and tired of defending our value.? But […]
During a Caesarean section delivery, besides surgical staff, there is typically only one person allowed to accompany the pregnant woman into the operating room. However, the arrival of a special set of twins last week in an Arizona hospital was anything but typical. Kendra Sirignano and Aaron Simpson, who are married and the parents of […]