Added on January 4, 2021  Marsha Chartrand

2020 Year in Review

January 6, 2020:The Washtenaw County Department of Health released data for average commute to work times for residents in different areas of Washtenaw County. The average travel time to work in Washtenaw County is 23.7 minutes, while residents of Bridgewater, Freedom, and Sharon Township have an average commute of 28.8 minutes and Manchester Township residents have an average commute to of 32.6 minutes. The Health Department states, “Lengthy commutes cut into workers’ free time and can contribute to health problems such as headaches, anxiety, and increased blood pressure. Longer commutes require workers to consume more fuel, which is both expensive for workers and damaging to the environment.”

January 13, 2020: The newly opened Manchester Diner is bringing fine-dining experience to the small-town diner, serving freshly house-made jams; freshly ground house-made sausages, homemade biscuits daily, and home-cooked specials each day in addition to the regular menu items. Stop in and visit the Manchester Diner from 8 am to 2 pm Wednesday through Sunday. (Editor’s note: hours are not current).

January 20, 2020: The Manchester Wellness Coalition (MWC), the Manchester Non-Profit Roundtable, and the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation jointly hosted a successful community health and wellness forum on Monday, January 13, at the Two Black Sheep Restaurant. The goal was to educate interested community members on the ongoing Manchester Wellness Coalition and its relationship with the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation. Thirty-three guests enjoyed a buffet dinner, followed by an overview of the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation and the Manchester Wellness Coalition, and their goals, objectives, and structure in improving Manchester’s health and wellness, and current planning for the Year 9 Health and Wellness Plan. 

January 27, 2020: Worth Repeating is facing a countdown to its opening day, March 4! A timeline has been established and the next volunteer meeting is set for 7 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 pm at the Kingsley-Jenter House, 302 E. Main Street. All kinds of volunteers are needed! Folks who can work one day per week, one day every other week, or one day per month. Folks who can work three hours at a time. Folks who can work only during the summer months because they spend winters in warmer climates. Folks who may be available on an as-needed basis. Volunteer shifts will be about three hours per shift, and two shifts per day will be scheduled.

February 3, 2020: The Manchester Village Parks Commission was the recipient of a unique grant that is designed to provide “free play” opportunities that will engage kids and adults as they traverse the shared use trail system through the village. The KaBOOM! Grant, funded in part by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, will provide $41,000 to purchase the equipment. This endowment will be matched by cash and in-kind contributions by the community of about $37,000, according to Village Manager Jeff Wallace. Sites along the trails will include Chi-Bro, River Raisin, and Wurster Parks, sidewalk games, and at the library.

February 10, 2020: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workers play a key role in the sustained growth of the world economy. Increasing science literacy and enabling a new generation of innovators, is a huge responsibility placed on educators today. Integrating all of that into everyday lessons starting in pupils’ earliest educational experiences is a challenge most teachers face today, and Manchester Community Schools’ own Ellen Supers, a first-grade teacher at Klager Elementary School, has been awarded as the “2020 Integration Educator of the Year” by MiSTEM Region 2. The award recognizes an educator who primarily teaches outside of traditional STEM-fields and who has a consistent record of integrating STEM-principles and high quality STEM-related experiences for students.

February 17, 2020: Manchester eighth-grade students Miranda Austin, Emma Paxton and Meghan Somerville recently attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum from February 3-6 in Washington DC. The Manchester youth attended several training sessions throughout the week that provided insight surrounding substance misuse prevention in communities as well as networking opportunities with other youth participants across the country. On Wednesday February 5, the Manchester coalition traveled to Capitol Hill and met with members of Congress to discuss the current climate facing youth at the local, state and national level. Capitol Hill day started with the Manchester Coalition meeting with staff from Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, followed by a meeting with staff of Congressman Tim Walberg.

February 24, 2020: St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea is introducing a free public transportation initiative in Stockbridge and Manchester through the Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) service. As part of the agreement, the hospital has purchased a 12-person van with a wheel-chair lift, and will provide funding to support weekday shuttle service between Stockbridge, Manchester and Chelsea on scheduled days. The shuttle is a strategic priority for the hospital to reduce social isolation and improve transportation within the communities it serves. The shuttle will make four-round trips per day from Stockbridge to Chelsea on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from Manchester to Chelsea on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It will have two shuttle stops in each community and will be able to pick up disabled individuals who have made reservations within a three quarter mile radius from each stop. The service is available for passengers of all ages.

March 2, 2020: The “Ford Manchester Dam” located on the River Raisin at the site of the village hall, 912 City Road, has been rated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as in “fair condition overall,” according to a report from the Hydrologic Studies and Dam Safety Unit of EGLE. A recent inspection, conducted in August 2019, showed “no apparent structural deficiencies that could lead to the dam’s immediate failure,” said Lucas Trumble, who performed the inspection and wrote the report that was reviewed by Village Council at its Feb. 3 meeting. The dam originally was constructed in 1940 by the Henry Ford Motor Company to generate hydroelectric power for the plant that Ford built along the riverfront. Hydropower generation, of course, has long ago been abandoned. Prior inspections by ELGE have been done on roughly a triennial basis since the village purchased the property.

March 9, 2020: An avid outdoorsman and devout Christian, Jeff Proctor found for himself that getting outdoors, getting unplugged, and being in touch with God’s creation is an important way to enjoy life. So, in 2015, he started The Wilderness Connection. The group started out offering a wild game dinner for friends and family, to help raise funds to promote this outdoor lifestyle. This year, on Feb. 15, 2020, they served up their fifth annual dinner, and have raised a total of more than $13,000 to help people in need. For its 2020 dinner, Proctor found just the right partner in Youth Haven, near Rives Junction. Youth Haven’s mission is “to provide life-changing, Christ-centered experiences,” that meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of disadvantaged children. Determined to raise $4,000 to support Youth Haven’s programs, Proctor was able to reach his goal with the help of “awesome volunteers.” The family-focused dinner included wild caught salmon and cod, and elk, alligator, and venison entrees for 128 people, catered by Dawna Stockwell.

March 16, 2020: Manchester’s DECA chapter had 10 students qualify and attend the State Career Development Conference in Detroit, March 5-7. They competed in events like automotive marketing, hotel and lodging, principles of business management, principles of marketing, professional selling, quick-serve restaurant management, and more. Participants included Nathan Booth, Maddie Harris, Jaxon and Riley McGuigan, Jake Messman, Matt Miller, Gibson Pope, Joe and Owen Rogowski, and Ryan Rollins. “These students are motivated, driven, and excited to participate in DECA,” said adviser Leslie Rollins. “They all did a great job and I’m so proud of them.”

March 23, 2020: As schools have shut down due to COVID-19 in Washtenaw County, no schools in the Washtenaw Intermediate School District are currently offering online classes. Districts can’t require coursework unless all of their students can access that coursework. Manchester’s high percentage of students without broadband internet access means online classwork isn’t an option, and Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s commitment to equity across the county, takes this off the table for all districts. Manchester schools closed for three weeks as of Friday, March 13 and many families assumed online assignments were coming. The school district then clarified; there are no assignments for the next three weeks, because many students in Manchester do not have broadband access at home. Manchester superintendent Kevin Upton reassured families that education in Manchester will continue in some form. “Our school leadership team is crafting a Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) that will help to address the litany of issues we will continue to face while implementing a remote learning environment,” he said. “The future holds many uncertainties … However, I am certain that our community will continue to protect and educate all of the children we serve.”

March 30, 2020: During days of self-imposed quarantines, cancellations, and closures, life for those who regularly attend church services is being deeply affected by the recent and rapid changes to this integral part of their lives. Most local churches have closed their doors and have shifted to online platforms. Churches, of course, continue to reach out and connect with all of their members. It’s what they do, whether or not there’s a health crisis going on. Larger, mega-churches are used to doing a lot of technology during their special worship services, with bands, light shows, and more, says Chris Kurtz, of Emanuel UCC. “But churches like ours, especially now that it’s out of necessity that we’re doing this, we are all just trying and learning as we go along,” he says. “We’re going to try to do something meaningful for our folks.”

April 6, 2020: It is a challenging time for small business owners everywhere, but Manchester’s already-struggling business community has taken a big hit as the COVID-19 health crisis continues. When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the Executive Order on March 16, temporarily closing theaters, bars, and casinos, and limiting restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders only, it was expected to end March 30. On March 21, the closure was extended to April 13. Manchester’s few retail shops have temporarily closed their doors. Personal services such as insurance agencies, beauty salons, fitness centers, the flower shop, and more have been shuttered indefinitely. The Winter Farmers’ Market made the decision to suspend operations to keep customers, volunteers, and vendors safe. Even some of those classified as essential services have, of necessity, curtailed their hours and/or adapted business practices to accommodate practices that avoid spreading the coronavirus.

April 13, 2020: With the Kiwanis Club disbanding last fall and a variety of different organizations taking over the many events that the club had sponsored, the Manchester Music Boosters had decided to sponsor the 54th annual Manchester River Raisin Kayak-Canoe race, with the assistance of experienced Kiwanians to help assure the race would continue uninterrupted. With the onset of the COVID-19 health crisis, however, the organization was unsure if this year’s race could go on as scheduled. The group decided that the race should be postponed and will consider a possible future date when more information is available. Kolon said the group is still working to acquire a DNR permit and insurance coverage, but no matter what, “we are going to bend over backwards” to make sure the race goes on. “We are committed to seeing this traditional event continue in Manchester,” Kolon said, a sentiment echoed by Kristi Campbell, president of the Music Boosters. The sentiment was also emphasized by Village Council members, who encouraged the group to continue with their planning efforts.

April 20, 2020: Manchester’s State Representative Donna Lasinski and State Senator Lana Theis are frequent visitors to Manchester and have both held multiple coffee hours since winning their elections to represent us in Lansing. Because of COVID-19, they are finding alternative methods of connecting with constituents. Sen. Theis hosted a tele-town hall on Tuesday, April 21 at 5:30 pm to answer questions from constituents about filing for unemployment benefits in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, joined by a representative from the state Unemployment Insurance Agency. Rep. Lasinski held a Facebook Live town hall Tuesday, April 21 from 7 to 8 pm to give updates about what’s been happening in our state, legislative updates, and resources that can help you through the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 27, 2020: While many people are staying home and staying safe during the coronavirus shutdown, members of the Village of Manchester administration staff remain at work, focusing in the coming weeks on the budget for FY 2020-21, which begins on July 1, 2020. “We continue to work on this, but changes come daily,” said Village Manager Jeff Wallace of the process. “Staff has (been) kept busy with the updates.” The most recent articles indicate Michigan sales tax dropping $2.6 billion for the current fiscal year (that ends in October), Wallace said in his manager’s report. Gas tax in March is down 22.6%. Sales tax is important due to state shared revenue, and gas tax helps fund the ACT 51 money we get from the state (for road and street repairs). Most of the village’s Statutory State Shared Revenue (which currently totals $28,000) could be lost, he warned, which would affect the budgeting process. The reduction in ACT 51 revenues could also have a huge impact on street funds, estimating a shortfall of $10,000-20,000.

May 4, 2020: On May 7th Acorn Farmers Market reopened to sell a good variety of food items to prepare healthy meals at home. For safety reasons, the market operates curbside only. No customers will come into the store. While curbside is a different way of shopping for food (produce, meat, eggs, bread, etc.), we hope you will find the ordering, payment, and pick up systems easy and flexible. Acorn Farmers Market, located at 327 W. Main Street in Manchester, is open Thursdays and Fridays from 3 – 6 pm and Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm. We’ll have lots of locally grown or produced food, but will also carry additional Michigan made products and some food items grown in other states and countries. The selection of food will vary somewhat week to week and even day to day, especially for produce (vegetables and fruits) when vendors deliver their products.

May 11, 2020: As the market for real estate re-started statewide on May 7, local realtors and agents started hearing their phones ring again for the first time in seven weeks. “People have been waiting all spring to list their houses, and they are chomping at the bit,” said Pat Fielder, of Keller-Williams Realty. “The market is active and bids are coming in strong throughout the Washtenaw/Lenawee/Jackson area.” One thing all realtors agree upon is that the employment situation will need to improve before they will see a full-blown recovery in the market. All of the realtors and agents are feeling cautiously optimistic about the prospects for both buyers and sellers, in Manchester and the surrounding area. “There are just so many stories out there,” Linda Milkey, of ERA Reardon Realty, said. “Sellers, buyers, agents, and lenders … everyone has a story and each one is different.”

May 18, 2020: The largest and one of the longest running annual events, Manchester Annual Chicken Broil was getting ready to celebrate its 67th annual event. And then came a pandemic. “Over the years, the chicken broil has encountered many obstacles that we were able to overcome, but with this pandemic, there were too many unknowns,” said co-chair, Mike Tindall. It was a unanimous decision of the Chicken Broil Board of Directors that this year’s event should be canceled. The decision had to be made by mid-May because of printing, material, and ordering constraints. It was not a quick decision or one made lightly. “We look forward to another successful Manchester Community Chicken Broil next year,” said Tindall, “and until then, please remain safe and healthy–we will need your support to make it a success!!”

May 25, 2020: Liam Hiller and his classmates in the Class of 2020 have heard a lot of things they “can’t” do this spring. There have been a lot of milestones this senior class has looked forward to, that they “can’t” do. But, one thing that Liam has anticipated has been being able to play “Taps” on Memorial Day as a senior. Then the Memorial Day Parade was canceled due to the coronavirus. Despite his disappointment, Liam got the idea to play “Taps” on the bridge “kind of on a whim” and was determined to carry it out. So, on Monday, Liam and fellow band-mate Jacob Mann, a junior, showed up on the Main Street Bridge at 11 am to play “Taps” in honor of the military and the fallen on Memorial Day. They followed up by going to Wurster Park and Oak Grove Cemetery for repeat performances. “This is a tradition that has gone on longer than I have been alive,” Liam said in a brief speech before they started their tribute on the bridge. “This is the greatest country in the world; we are able to live here because people have been willing to die for the right to be free. And so we shall be.”

June 1, 2020: The popular “Live from Riverfolk” online series of concerts that has replaced the Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization’s in-person concerts this spring, will continue through the summer months. The spring “Live from Riverfolk” series brought in more than $4,000 in donations to the effort. Expenses included paying the musicians, utilities, and advertising, and totaled $2,000. In-kind help from volunteers included administrative, graphic arts, letterpress design, and print. Musicians are paid 80% of donations made during their livestream and up to a week after. Some of the musicians graciously opted to donate their proceeds to the organization, which helped greatly with fund-raising for the spring series. In addition, Riverfolk received some emergency aid to help with its operations. This support came from Creative Washtenaw, which provided $1,000 in emergency aid, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs/National Endowment for the Arts/Arts Midwest, which contributed $3,000 in emergency aid.

June 8, 2020: The Manchester Community Schools board met June 1 over Facebook Live to select a new Superintendent. Two top candidates, Eric McCalla and Brad Bezeau, were interviewed for the position, fielding questions ranging from administrative roles and staff evaluations to race, diversity, and inclusion. After deliberation, the board unanimously voted to nominate Bezeau as the next superintendent of Manchester Community Schools. In his 24-year career in public education, he has worked with students ranging from early childhood through high school, and has performed the roles of biology teacher, counselor, and principal. On his goals for Manchester Community Schools, Bezeau explained through email, “Manchester is a special place, and it cares deeply about its students and kids … I will work tirelessly in expanding the opportunities that are afforded our students so that they can continue to receive the type of schooling and training that positions them well to compete in any setting and in the next steps in their lives.” 

June 15, 2020: After an interrupted school year, Kathy O’Mara wanted to do up her “last day of school” the right way. So on June 12, the day that should have been the last day for teachers and students, all students, alumni, staff, and community members were invited to do a drive-by parade starting at 11:45 in the Klager Bus Loop. Attendees were invited to bring a box of cereal to add to the Community Resource Center food pantry and the school meals program. With a special tiara and lots of smiles, O’Mara greeted 112 vehicles, lots of them specially decorated, and received well wishes from her many friends in Manchester along with 286 boxes of cereal, all of which will stay within the community to feed those who need it most. It was an amazing outpouring for a teacher who has given so much to so many, throughout her 30+ years in the district. “It was a great way to go out,” O’Mara said. “I recommend it for anyone retiring!”

June 22, 2020: Everyone wants to get rid of their “COVID 15,” right?? Well, the Manchester Wellness Center, located behind Riverside School at 710 E. Main Street, is ready and waiting to help you out with that little problem! Shannon Cajic, announced as the new Director at the Wellness Center in late February, shortly before the coronavirus closed everything down, is eager to get started again and says the staff has been working hard to get everything ready for the governor’s “green light” for gyms and health centers. She has been working for Manchester Community Schools for the past two years, and saw the position opening for the director of the Wellness Center when it separated from the Chelsea and Dexter facilities earlier this year. Her goal for the center is to provide a “whole health approach” to fitness, not just the act of physical exercise.

June 29, 2020: Many rivers have attempted to claim the title, “Crookedest River in the United States,” though verifying these claims has proven a challenge, and the winner has yet to be crowned. The local River Raisin is among those vying for the top spot. But how does one measure the crookedness of a river numerically? Dividing the length of the flowing river by the length of the river as the crow flies creates a system where a higher ratio correlates to a more meandering and crooked river. These initial ratios placed the River Raisin as the second crookedest river in the United States, next only to the U-shaped Cuyahoga River in northeast Ohio. However, this list may change if you believe switchbacks and meanderings define crookedness. Due to the infeasibility of counting every turn in each river, removing rivers that had high ratios due to less than three large curves and not many meandering curves or switchbacks, we are left with the final list, concluding that the River Raisin, with 139 miles of water and 49 miles as the crow flies may, in fact, be the most meanderingly crooked river in the United States! The next time you go for a paddle, be sure to congratulate this local river on being the most “meanderingly crooked” in the United States.

July 6, 2020: The Public Spaces, Community Places Program through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is offering a grant to Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café for $50,000, if a match of $50,000 can be raised through a 60-day crowdfunding campaign on the Patronicity website. This is an all-or-none grant opportunity. If the effort is successful, the renovations and equipment purchase will start in early fall of this year. Once completed, Acorn will be open a total of 70-90 hours per week, including a café with freshly-prepared foods, and will be an even more important community asset. The crowdfunding campaign will launch July 13. Donation levels range from $25 to $10,000. There are countless ways Acorn may improve life for Manchester residents.

July 13, 2020: The 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) has partnered with Ralph Wilson Foundation (RWF), Project Play, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM), Chelsea and Manchester District Libraries, and Manchester Community Schools to bring Project Play SportPort Kits to the Chelsea and Manchester communities. 150 kits in total are being made available per week for four weeks to the Chelsea and Manchester areas.  Free kits will be available for distribution once a week, starting Wednesday, July 22. Chelsea’s distribution will occur at Chelsea District Library (100 kits in total), while Manchester’s distribution will occur at Manchester Summer Camp (30 kits in total) and Manchester District Library (20 kits).

July 20, 2020: How do you restore an ecosystem that has been all but eliminated from the state of Michigan? Wayne and Julie Oliver of River Bend Gardens, a private botanical garden located in Manchester, can tell you! The Olivers’ journey with the garden began three years ago when they bought 65 acres of land in Manchester. The  property contains diverse ecosystems, with oak openings covering the most acreage at 26.5 acres. 12.53 acres of wet meadow of predominantly sedges, Joe-pye weed, and aster lie along streams, while another 7.05 acres are oak-hickory forest; another fire-dependent ecosystem. Each of the 11 distinct ecosystems throughout the property have their own unique plans for either “restoration, preservation, or recreation,” says Wayne. He explained that there is a lot of work to be done to restore the ecosystems of River Bend Gardens, but finished his tour with a quote from Hamilton: “Legacy is planting seeds in a garden you may never get to see.” 

July 27, 2020: It’s been 61 months since Joe and Krista Jarvis purchased the old Koebbe Welding building on West Main Street. They have spent most of the past five years doing most of the work of cleaning, creating, and crafting that old, drafty, dusty building into their vision, then cleaning some more, and simultaneously working to develop a distilled product of which they are extremely proud. Last week, the couple celebrated Day One of their new business venture, River Raisin Distillery … and sold out of their unique product, “Cane & Grain,” in less than four days. Their signature spirit is created 100% from scratch, and is unlike any other liquor available on the market. Eventually, River Raisin Distillery will expand its repertoire to rum, vodka, and other unique alcoholic beverages. “Thank you, Manchester!” says Krista.

August 3, 2020: Thanks to neighbors, friends, and complete strangers who took an interest and continued to help search for Cisco, the Earhart family’s lost dog, he is home with his family. “We couldn’t have done this without the help and generosity of so many folks in the surrounding areas,” said Beverly Earhart after Cisco returned home. “(That) generosity will forever touch my heart.” Cisco was spotted at the Leonard Preserve Monday, July 20, four weeks after he escaped from the emergency exit in the family camper, on their way back home from a camping weekend near Grass Lake. His journey home provided a lesson our world needs these days: “Life throws challenges at us every day,” Beverly said. “Some small, some big, and some that feel so overwhelming … This was one of those challenges. It could have ended in a ton of different ways, but it ended in one of the best ways possible. It feels good to know that there are so many wonderful people out there; people who are willing to help a complete stranger reunite with their dog. Hope, kindness, love, and patience go a long way in this world.”

August 10, 2020: For 18 months, the former Manchester Market building has sat empty and alone on West Main Street. Speculation about a new grocery store coming to town has arisen periodically; but hopes have been dashed numerous times. On August 4, the uncertainty ended. A roll-off dumpster appeared. Vehicles were parked in the lot. Coverings were placed on the windows. There was definitely work going on inside the old Market. Ken Heers, one of the partners in the new venture, explained it this way: “My partner, Justin Dalenberg, is owner of the Grand River Brewery in Jackson, and a new restaurant called Doll n’ Burgers in Tecumseh. We purchased the building here in Manchester because we needed space for our butcher shop and bakery, which we will be relocating from Jackson to Manchester to allow us room to grow.” When the full-blown market is up and going, there will be the possibility of 25-30 new jobs. “We’re thrilled to be a partner with the Manchester community,” Heers concluded.

August 17, 2020: Despite a lengthy delay due to extreme caution during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the move toward Manchester becoming a city is still on the minds of Village Council and administration. “Our petition language was approved by the state shortly before everything shut down last winter,” explained Village President Pat Vailliencourt. “At that time, of course, everyone thought it would just be a ‘few weeks’ and we decided it would be best to wait for better weather and an end to the virus-related issues before initiating our petition drive.” The effort began a year ago, with a highly attended public meeting on August 5, 2019 to discuss the proposition with citizens. And there’s a feeling that the village, despite taking due precautions, does not want to lose its momentum. Vailliencourt said, “This is still very much going to be a village taxpayer decision—that’s why we are taking the route of a petition drive. We want to establish that we have a strong base of support for this decision.”

August 24, 2020: The modern family farm has evolved into a complex business, enlarging to feed thousands—perhaps millions—of people with its operations. Mason Horning, however, part of the sixth generation of the Horning family to make its living on the farm, is going back to the family farm’s roots–with a modern twist. The farm has access to the production power of three milk-processing facilities, one of which is the Heritage Ridge Creamery in Middlebury, Indiana, which produces cheeses for retail sale. Another, in Constantine, Michigan, makes butter. Both are offered at the shop which has also expanded to individually packaged cuts of beef produced on the farm, processed at a USDA-inspected plant in Hillsdale. Visit the shop online at https://www.horning-family-farms.com/

August 31, 2020: Along the Shared Use Trail, you may have noticed small boxes strategically located along the trail segments. The Washtenaw Area Transportation Study is looking at non-motorized ways of getting around the community. The Eco-Counter Pyro box counts those who pass by with an infrared tracking mechanism. WATS has been collecting pedestrian and bicycle count data throughout the county since 2016. Recent study data shows not only that people are using the trail, but that they are frequently staying on it, and at a much higher rate than Pre-COVID-19. Earlier this year, counters were placed on the crosswalks at Main & Division Streets, and at the crosswalk on Ann Arbor Hill in front of Chi-Bro Park, showing between 150-200 users per week. Over the past few weeks, counters have been placed at the intersection of the trail and Hibbard Street, at the sidewalk at Main & Hibbard, at Main and Woodland Way, on the asphalt section of the trail near the entrance to Chi-Bro park, at North Washington Street and the trail, and near where the trail intersects with Union Street, with as many as 840 people counted in a week’s time.

September 7, 2020: The Manchester Township Board and its Planning Commission held a joint special meeting to address a number of topics of concern to both boards and township planner John Enos of Carlisle-Wortman. Enos started the discussion by talking about one such topic, which was the question of event barns and other forms of agri-tourism in the township. He described one such operation which may be coming to the attention of the PC in the coming months. Trustee Mike Fusilier said that agricultural operations provide a unique opportunity to help keep family farming operations healthy. He warned, however, that some farms are more “agri-tainment” and questioned whether they are truly agricultural operations or if they are “using” agriculture for other purposes. Ron Milkey commented that event barns may be well suited to the township. “We may not want to have one on every corner, but we also shouldn’t close the door,” he said. Enos continued that the township’s primary identity is that of agriculture and that agri-tourism can help supplement income for current and newer farmers. He added that agri-tourism can take many forms, including murals on barns as an art form.

September 14, 2020: Representative Donna Lasinski (D-52) and other local officials discussed lake and Freedom Township developments at the PLPOA annual meeting. Lasinski relayed her efforts to secure improved broadband services for rural areas, as well as internet company resistance toward making capital investments in low-density areas like Freedom Township. She commented that local government and residents must work together to develop a broadband plan that meets their specific needs and local requirements. Lasinski also focused on efforts to expand safety planning and warning systems such as sirens, phone, and electronic alerts. She noted that she’s been working for two years on securing pipeline grants to fund much-needed warning systems and feels they’re “getting close” to achieving some results on that. Since Freedom Township is the home to seven pipelines and a major Consumers Energy (CMS) gas pressurization plant, many township residents are especially concerned for their safety.

September 21, 2020: “Baking is really what I love,” says Sheila Vish of Sweet Leilani’s. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.” She has worked in a shared space in Plymouth with other cottage bakers, a 500 square-foot space in Saline, and the former train depot in Tecumseh. When the depot was scheduled to be sold this spring, Sheila and her husband Martin gave up their lease and started to work on a mobile kitchen. But then they discovered the old Black Sheep building in Manchester. After a month or so of negotiations with landlord Tom Ellis, the Vishes received the keys to the building and have spent the time cleaning, scrubbing, and painting as they prepare to undergo inspections before opening. Sheila’s also looking into how to utilize the huge bonus of space they acquired when renting this historic Manchester building. “I hear that people want doughnuts,” Sheila says with a laugh. “That would be new for us but we are looking into how to make that happen and we will do our best!”

September 28, 2020: The annual Down syndrome Buddy Walk, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Support Team (DSST), is usually held with great fanfare and hundreds of participants gathering in Ann Arbor’s Gallup Park. This year, like many others, it saw a scaled-down “virtual” version of the fund-raising event. About 30 Manchester families, supporters, and several dogs, walked the one-mile route from Chi-Bro Park up to Dutch Drive and back down the hill. “It’s really about Wil being with friends,” explained Christie Taylor, for whom it is the family’s 13th year of participation in the Buddy Walk. Wil joined his first walk when he was seven months old, and has walked each year since. The event raises awareness and funds to support local programs and services for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, including enrichment classes, speech and language therapy, and music therapy. The Buddy Walk kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.

October 5, 2020: A planned expansion of the Sharon Township cemetery is progressing, with part of the process including the Planning Commission working on revising the township’s ordinance to have more green burial information. Sharon Township trustee and sexton, Trudi Cooper, says, “My intention is to slowly begin a conversation about green burial, and later this year to announce an informational meeting sometime in January. The time and date and presenter is not yet decided, so stay tuned for updates.” The new cemetery is being developed just north of the Town Hall, adjacent to the old cemetery. Cooper says there is not a final plot plan yet, but that the green burials will be in a separate area, although they can still take place in the “conventional” part of the cemetery.

October 12, 2020: David Nelson of David Nelson Pottery is announcing the opening of his new outdoor studio/gallery on Saturday, Oct. 17, located at 319 Morgan St. in Manchester. An asphalt parking space in the front corner of the building, has been transformed into a small courtyard adjacent to Nelson’s indoor studio. Taking him just a few weeks from start to finish, it has added a unique and attractive ambience to the property which was once used as a slaughterhouse and meat storage facility. And it has created a functional spot to sell his artwork and invite new customers to browse, despite the hardships caused by COVID-19. Nelson describes his pottery as functional porcelain, using both “wheel build” and “slab build.” The clay is purchased in 25-lb blocks from a supplier in Dexter. Look for tableware, serving pieces, and tea pots—among other products—all of which are lead-free and dishwasher-safe.

October 19, 2020: Challenges abound, but the challenges often tend to bring new opportunities with them, observes Laura Seyfried, Director at the Community Resource Center (CRC) in Manchester. In the early spring, when COVID-19 started to manifest itself, some resources became harder to access, including the services of the CRC itself. The food pantry, the CRC office, and many other offices around the community and county that partner with the CRC were forced to close their doors temporarily due to the stay at home order and subsequent restrictions. Eventually, the CRC developed a new normal, like so many other organizations. The food pantry is available for scheduled pickups, by appointment. Other food help is available as well. Services are available by phoning the CRC office at 734-428-7722 during their office hours, 9 am to 3 pm Monday-Thursday. “We are just going to try and make the community better with what we have,” says Seyfried

October 26, 2020: This spring, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation asked for nominations of individuals from all five towns from which one Champion of Wellness Lifetime Achievement Award winner would be selected. Ruth VanBogelen from Manchester was nominated along with Dawn Cuddie from Grass Lake, Joe DeBoe from Grass Lake, Annie Lavergne from Grass Lake, Dr. Gary Manard from Grass Lake, Jo Mayer from Stockbridge, Brett Pedersen from Dexter, and Jim Stormont from Grass Lake. Manchester’s Ruth VanBogelen was selected as the winner! 5 Healthy Towns stated, “This award recognizes one spectacular individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of achievement through engagement in a wellness lifestyle based on leadership, volunteering, and supporting personal and community wellness throughout one’s career or one’s lifetime.”

November 2, 2020: As of October 30, the state reports that more than 2.6 million Michiganders have already voted in the upcoming election. The highest percentage of those who’ve voted absentee already this year is in Manchester Township. As of 10/30, 30% of Bridgewater Township’s voters (34% with inactive voters excluded) have already voted absentee. MLive reports 30% of Freedom Township’s voters (33% with inactive voters excluded) have already voted absentee. Sharon Township: 31% of township voters (35% with inactive voters excluded) have already voted absentee. And as of 10/30, 37% of Manchester Township’s voters (43% with inactive voters excluded) have already voted absentee. Manchester Township is the only Township in the Manchester area in which more than half of the percentage of voters that turned out in 2016—71%—has already voted.

November 9, 2020: Manchester took another step forward last week in the lengthy process to become a city. With the help of elected officials and approximately 20 volunteer citizens, about 280 signatures—nearly three times the number required—were collected on petitions circulated throughout the community, asking the State Boundary Commission to consider the question of the Village’s incorporation as a home rule city. A six-page addendum outlining the reasons that the village is seeking to incorporate with city status was also filed with the Commission, who will take about six months to review the petition and conduct a public hearing. The process will then continue with a referendum opportunity, the election of a Charter Commission by Village residents, and another election for the Village to approve the Commission’s Charter. “The State Boundary Commission (SBC) has authority to determine whether this is a reasonable request,” explained Village President Pat Vailliencourt. “They can then approve or deny our request.” Village Council approved sending the petitions and addendum to the SBC at the November 2 meeting.

November 16, 2020: As the Manchester Community Schools district made the transition to entirely remote learning, including the elementary grades, The Mirror checked in with Superintendent Brad Bezeau to get his take on the overall situation. “As we continue to monitor the increase in numbers of positive COVID-19 cases, the increase in hospitalizations, and the increase in numbers of deaths in our area, we will reconsider this engagement platform. Unlike many surrounding school districts, we were able to conduct in-person school for ten weeks, which has been a major benefit for many of our students,” Bezeau said. He added that a full remote learning platform should actually be a benefit to all students and staff as well. “Our teachers, and both in-person and remote learning students, feel much more confident in their abilities to access and engage with the instruction and learning in this format than before. We know that all of our students are positioned well for instruction during this time.”

November 23, 2020: As it has for many years, Old National Bank will be supporting Manchester Family Services again this year with its annual Giving Tree. Due to the recent rise in COVID cases the bank lobby has returned to appointment only, which makes the normal process of selecting a child from the tree a bit more challenging. But Tammy Melcher, Banking Center Manager, has developed a plan to have the tree ornaments available starting this week. Participants will need to make an appointment to select a child yourself. Or, simply stop by the back door during office hours and the staff will assist you with selecting a child or children to buy for. “We have 33 children this year,” Melcher says. “And since the Family Service shop primarily provides necessities for the family, like food and clothing, this program helps make sure that each of these kids have some toys and other fun gifts under their tree at Christmas time.”

November 30, 2020: “We’re moving along,” said Ken Heers, part owner of The Manchester Market building on West Main Street, as they prepare for opening in early 2021. Plans for the space have continued to grow since the announcement in August that the building had sold. In early October, it was announced that the building would also house an expanded Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café, with a small retail convenience market based on the Perky Pantry model, in which Heers also partners. And now, after making an agreement with Spartan Stores, Heers added that there would be a full grocery store. “It was important to Justin and me to provide a grocery store to this community,” he says. “Now, not only are you going to have a grocery store, it’s going to be a really nice grocery store.”

December 7: At closing time on Sunday night, their eighth day of business, the Manchester Men’s Club had only three trees left on the lot. And then they got a call from Emanuel Church, who needed trees for their nativity. The Men’s Club decided to donate those last three trees to the church. And with that, the club set another new record this year—earliest ever to sell out. Their prior sell out record was 10 days. In addition to selling out in record time, over the part week the club has received more than $500 in tips from buyers who wanted to support the club’s efforts further, and those donations will go toward next year’s fireworks display.

December 14: A $9,000 winterization grant from the Small Business Association (SBA) to the State of Michigan, to be disbursed under the CARES Act, helped to fund the effort to purchase outdoor seating pods at Over the Edge Sports Bar for temporary outdoor seating on the sidewalk adjacent to the restaurant and Ollie’s pizzeria. The grant covered the cost of pods, furniture, and heaters for the outdoor dining; Over the Edge is making its own investment as far as the “little things,” such as lighting, bluetooth speakers, and other small items to accommodate their guests. Each pod accommodates a maximum of six people, due to current state restrictions. Reservations are taken online after 4 pm daily.

December 21: The Manchester Community Resource Center (CRC) has been awarded a dairy cooler as part of a United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) grant program. The program provides local food pantries with a refrigeration unit to help store milk and dairy foods at proper temperatures and build capacity to distribute more dairy. Horning Farms nominated the CRC to receive the cooler, along with funds to fill the cooler with milk at delivery. “This dedicated cooler will allow us to offer additional milk and dairy products to our pantry customers on a regular basis,” says director Laura Seyfried. “We are grateful for our community partnerships and for the support of our local businesses like Horning Farms, especially now when so many households are struggling just to keep food on the table.”