Features

Published September 21, 2015

Proclamation comes with a shot of ‘Adrenalin’

WARREN — When your rock group opens up for Aerosmith and Bob Seger and your music videos receive airplay on MTV, you’ve definitely hit the right chords.

Homegrown rockers Adrenalin were at the top of their game in the 1980s. They toured the country and Canada, their song “Road of the Gypsy” was featured in the film “Iron Eagle,” and fans would crowd Harpos in Detroit, the Ritz in Roseville, and New York, New York in Warren to see them let loose on stage.

Published September 18, 2015

Mount Clemens - Clinton - Harrison Journal

Crocker House Museum holding 10th annual Cemetery Walk

MOUNT CLEMENS — Ann Crocker, the first child of former Mount Clemens Mayor George Crocker, was thought of by many as somewhat of a tough cookie.

But it was the children in the community during the early to mid-1900s who knew her soft side: a generous woman who for many years of her life cared for her diabetic mother and could often be seen sweeping the sidewalk around her home while donning her favorite Hoover apron.

Published September 16, 2015

Shelby - Utica News

MSHDA experts talk first homes

METRO DETROIT — The Michigan State Housing Development Authority recently announced nine steps for a smooth transition into a new home for first-time homebuyers through its MI First Home program.

MSHDA spokesman Darren Montreuil said the nonprofit organization is bolstering its efforts to educate individuals on the whole process, including factors besides the mortgage purchase, so they remain on budget and do not miss key opportunities.

Published September 16, 2015

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Experts say this year’s homecoming looks will be chic, sophisticated

METRO DETROIT — Now that class is back in session, there’s a good chance your student has already switched their mindset from back-to-school clothes to formal attire. That’s right — homecoming season is upon us once again.

While styles change from year to year, parents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this season’s homecoming fashion trends seem to be heading toward a more modest kind of flair.

Published September 16, 2015

Grosse Pointe Times

Farms staffers remember the late, great border collie Kate

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Twelve years might not seem like a long term of employment, but for one of the city’s most lovable employees, it was literally a lifetime.

Kate, the sweet-natured border collie who captured the hearts of young and old alike while clearing out the Canada geese and seagulls at Pier Park, had to be euthanized Aug. 10 after a veterinarian determined that she was suffering from pancreatic and liver cancer. She had just turned 14 on July 2.

Published September 16, 2015

Grosse Pointe Times

Grosse Pointe Theatre issues a welcome ‘Spam’ alert

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — The British comedy troupe Monty Python has more than its share of diehard fans, and it turns out that more than a few of them are Grosse Pointe Theatre members.

So when GPT decided to open its 2015-16 season with “Monty Python’s Spamalot” — which will start Sept. 20 and run through Oct. 3 — rounding up a cast and crew wasn’t difficult.

Published September 16, 2015

Royal Oak Review

Clawson kids theater debuts feature film

CLAWSON — What happens when you combine a community’s youth theater, a movie classic and some creative kids? The film premier of “Joey Jonka and the Caramel Warehouse.”

The film — a parody of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” — is the latest creation of the Acting Out Kids Community Theatre, a group originated and run entirely by children.

“It’s a very funny movie, but it has adult humor in it,” said actor and theater co-founding member Max Siwek, 12.

Published September 16, 2015

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Hope Center refocuses to help those in need

FRASER — More than five years since its inception, Fraser’s Hope Center continues to evolve.

The center, located at 33222 Groesbeck Highway in Fraser, is an operation with the sole purpose to help those in need — mostly in the form of food.

Published September 16, 2015

St. Clair Shores Sentinel

St. Clair Shores Police Motorcycle Squad in 1928

Chief Harold Lanstra poses with the members of the St. Clair Shores Village Police Motorcycle Squad on June 19, 1928. They were photographed in the police yard, which was located on the northeast corner of the Davis block near Harper and 11 Mile Road. From left to right are Trufly Dubey, Harvey Champine, Jim Trombly and Jim Nelson. In June 1926, the first Police Department had been organized with a team of four men and two motorcycles. John (Jack) Doyle was appointed chief, and Harold Lanstra, Abel Allard and Harvey Champine were patrolmen.Read More

Published September 16, 2015

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Teacher uses bracelets to spread positive behavior

ROSEVILLE — A Roseville High School marketing teacher has started a new program to encourage positive behavior in people through bracelets and the networking power of social media.

Jeff Verkeyn created MADE, or the Make A Difference Experiment, as a bracelet-tracking program that involves people giving away bracelets to others when they see helpful deeds in progress. Verkeyn formed a limited liability corporation to manufacture the bracelets, which are reminiscent of Livestrong bracelets.

Published September 15, 2015

Rochester Post

Rochester Mills to welcome ‘Oktoberfest’ in September

ROCHESTER — Fall officially begins Sept. 23, and the Rochester Mills Beer Co. has just the event to help families ring in the new season.

For the past 17 years, the Mills has been inviting families to celebrate Oktoberfest — a time-honored Bavarian tradition that started 200 years ago in Munich, Germany — by enjoying German-style cuisine, plenty of beer and a variety of activities for all ages. This year’s event runs Sept. 24-26.

Published September 15, 2015

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

‘Super’ lunar eclipse coming Sept. 27

METRO DETROIT — On Sept. 27, two lunar phenomena will take place during the same evening: a total lunar eclipse and a “supermoon,” which is when the moon’s orbit brings it to its closest approach to Earth.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon’s eccentric orbit takes it directly into the path of the Earth’s shadow. As long as skies are clear enough, this particular eclipse should make for an impressive sight in the evening hours, Wayne State University astrophysicist David Cinabro said.

Published September 16, 2015

Macomb Township Chronicle

New name, same mission

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Over the past eight years, Sue Ellen Kosmas has worked to make a simple gesture improve the days of children who are staying in local hospitals because of a life-changing illness.

Kosmas, a Macomb Township resident, began a metro Detroit chapter for ConKerr Cancer eight years ago. The organization was recently renamed Ryan’s Case for Smiles, but its mission remains the same: “Help kids feel better to heal better.”

Published September 15, 2015

Madison - Park News

Art Challenge will celebrate 60 years of Madison Heights

MADISON HEIGHTS — Students in the local school districts have only been around for a fraction of the city’s 60 years, but for this year’s Art Challenge, they’re being asked to express the milestone in visual form.

Now in its seventh year, the Art Challenge is organized by the Madison Heights South End Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and aimed at students in grades K-12 in both the Madison and Lamphere school districts, as well as at Bishop Foley Catholic High School.

Published September 15, 2015

West Bloomfield Beacon

Jump into fall with annual Fall Fest

WEST BLOOMFIELD — The West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission will throw its annual Fall Fest 2-5 p.m. Oct. 3 at Marshbank Park.

Parks and Recreation Public Information Officer Meagan Kurnat said the Fall Fest is a tradition for the commission and one of the free events offered to the community each year.

“It’s a way to say ‘thank you’ to all of our residents for being supportive of our programs and parks. … We look at (the festival) as a way to give back a little bit,” Kurnat said.

Published September 15, 2015

Sterling Heights Sentry

Go back to basics with back-to-school driving safety

Summer can make students forgetful of their previous learning, but many drivers also need a refresher lesson on what to do when they see a school bus making a stop, according to state traffic safety experts.

Susan Hiltz, public affairs director for AAA Michigan, said the biggest thing that motorists need to keep in mind is that traffic patterns have changed, particularly around the high-risk period of 3-7 p.m.

Read More

Published September 14, 2015

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Vigil to remember Vietnam War’s missing soldiers

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — It’s been 40 years since the Vietnam War ended, yet former soldiers never forget those who fought and those who were never seen again.

On Sept. 18, Resurrection Cemetery will for the first time host a 24-hour vigil to remember those who have fallen, those who continue to fight and those who still remain missing in action.

This is the 29th year of the event, though it’s the first time in that entire span that this particular vigil will be held in Clinton Township.

Published September 12, 2015

Shelby - Utica News

Rain does not deter Shelby’s 9/11 ceremony

Despite a steady downpour, dozens of people turned out for Shelby Township’s 9/11 memorial ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.

The event included speeches by Shelby Township Veterans Coordinator Phil Randazzo, Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide and Shelby Township Fire Lt. Inspector Brian Werner, as well as a performance of “God Bless America” by a local singer.

Published September 10, 2015

Grosse Pointe Times

‘Mountain’ men keep reaching new musical peaks

CITY — For years, John Denomme was a Village fixture. He owned Village Records and Tapes from 1981-93, ran the outdoor summer concert series Music on the Plaza from 1988-2012, and served as the Village Association marketing manager from 1998-2012.

Published September 10, 2015

Grosse Pointe Times

Artists see ‘Signs’ to color outside the lines

GROSSE POINTE CITY — In an announcement for “Signs & Symbols,” the Grosse Pointe Art Center told prospective artists that they were “completely free of constraints” for this show.

With that in mind, artists got creative for the exhibit — juried by Meighen Jackson — which opened Sept. 4 and runs through Sept. 25.