Marsha Chartrand

Local conservation groups collaborate with bike shop to inform the community

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From left, Bob Kellum, Sybil Kolon, Christi Mersereau, and Michael Vedejs.

Maybe you've noticed a table not far from the window in the newly-opened Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe at 108 E. Main Street. The bike shop owners, Christina Mersereau and Mike Vedejs, are letting the Grand-Raisin Conservation Community have a table and use of the wall to display literature and posters from its many partners.

"There is also a bulletin board for the community in the front of the table close to the window, and room on the table for other community information," said Sybil Kolon, who is coordinating the effort on behalf of the conservation groups.

Kolon says she's always had a dream of putting a nature conservation display in the building, even before she and her husband Maan sold the building, which was formerly Pyramid Office Supply. "When I approached Christi about the idea she was very gung-ho, so I started gathering information. It's still a work in progress, but it's a win-win situation and a great opportunity for the conservation community."

Mersereau said that customers have been supportive of the information; commenting and taking literature from the display. "It's very symbiotic with the biking community," she says. She added that eventually she'd like to be sure information about local bike trails is included in the information on display.

Bob Kellum, who is with the Grand-Raisin Conservation Community, established in 2004, says that they have always had some trouble reaching out to the community and he appreciates this venue to "experiment" with sharing information about the work of the various conservation groups, and possibly create a prototype for other communities.

"We are trying to get more virtual, more high-tech," he said, "but having a corner with hands-on information, in a place that people frequent, can help us get the message out as well."

"Essentially, we want people to be aware of their impact on the places they live," Kolon added. "The way we used to regard it simply wasn't working. There's a new reality — there are all kinds of ways we are affecting the land we live on and all of us need to recognize how we can change that."

The importance of recognizing invasive species vs. native plants is one focal point that Kolon wants to emphasize. Some of the Grand-Raisin Conservation Community partners have provided information about how to identify each type of plants, and how to eliminate the invasive species while encouraging the native ones.

People also have been asking a lot of questions in the bike shop about the Watkins Lake Trail, Mersereau said, and coincidentally even during this interview, a customer came in to try and learn more about the progress of this venture. More information will be forthcoming about the trail in coming weeks.

The Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe, meanwhile, is busily restoring and reselling old bikes, while also tuning up bikes of all ages for their customers. They also have close to 70 brand new bikes on order due to arrive between now and the end of May. One order they're quite excited about is from Detroit Bikes, which makes commuter bikes right here not only in the USA, but in Michigan! "Most bikes now are made in China," Mersereau explains. "We are very pleased to be able to offer these high-quality, locally made, bikes to our customers. It's a really positive thing for us."

If you pass by the shop at any time of day or night, you'll probably see Mike and his constant companion, a very well-behaved and friendly dog named Bella, hard at work tuning up or repairing a bike with the precision work for which Mike is known. Bella, of course, is on the watch for anyone who might be coming in to give her a pet or a treat.

The bike shop also is planning a grand opening event on May 1. There will be cake, ice cream, and of course, lots of bikes and bike enthusiasts! Masks and social distancing will be part of the festivities of the day as well.

Stop by — any time — and see what this great new Manchester business has to offer.

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