Michigan is investing heavily in early reading. So far, it’s not working.
Ron French (Bridge) Despite at least $80 million spent on improving early literacy and one of the largest expansions of state-funded pre-K in the nation, reading skills remain stagnant or declining across most of Michigan. Half of Michigan third-graders were proficient in English Language Arts on the state’s standardized assessment, the M-STEP, in 2014-15. Three years later, […]
She often arrived drunk at Ann Arbor ERs. Today, she serves others.
Ted Roelofs (Bridge) Lynne Ponder had just about nowhere to go but up. Living alone in Washtenaw County, she was virtually homeless as she bounced from motel to motel, haunted by severe anxiety, depression and bouts of heavy drinking she undertook to quiet her terror. Panic attacks were all but paralyzing. “It was the worst […]
Michigan environment roundup: Great Lakes water levels could break records
by Jim Malewitz (Bridge) Bridge Magazine is committed to sharing the best environmental journalism in and around Michigan, an effort called #EnviroReads. In Bridge’s Michigan Environment Watch, we share a roundup of recent stories on the Great Lakes or other issues. If you see a story we should include next time, use the hashtag #EnviroReads […]
53rd Annual River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race results & photos
When you participate in the River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race, you usually expect to get wet, one way or another. It’s part of the plan. So Sunday’s downpour at the finish line didn’t dampen the spirits of the 100+ participants who paddled about 65 canoes and kayaks down the stretch of the “World’s Crookedest […]
2019 Gazebo lineup finalized
There will be eight summer evenings filled with music at the Wurster Park Gazebo as the summer 2019 Gazebo Concert Series begins its 31st year. June 13, 7 pm, will bring Gemini, some of Michigan’s premier children’s performers, to the gazebo. This popular duo has been a perennial favorite at many gazebo concerts in the […]
Historical Society needs volunteers!
Submitted by Ann Walton, Manchester Area Historical Society The Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS) gift shop committee has been hard at work planning items to sell and activities that will generate money for our Society. We find that we are in need of volunteers for specific items and events. If you are able to or […]
Alumni invitations in the mail
The invitations for the 142nd annual Manchester High School Alumni Association Banquet have been mailed. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the high school commons. Social hour starts at 5 pm; dinner is 6:30 pm. The cost is $20 per person. If you do not receive an invitation in the mail […]
Clinton Summerfest has fun for all
Looking for something to entertain the entire family June 1? You might want to try taking the short drive down to Tate Park in Clinton and visit their Summerfest–you may see a lot of Manchester neighbors there! John Schiel, the co-chair of the antique tractor show at the Summerfest, is a lifelong resident of Bridgewater Township and a graduate […]
Local resident wins T-shirt competition
Joy Matthews, a Manchester resident and volunteer at the Community Resource Center of Manchester, designed this year’s canoe race T-shirt in a competition that received numerous entries. “There’s nothing particularly special to say about it,” Joy said simply. “I looked at a nice photograph online to do the drawing, and then added extra details of […]
National Bike to School Day
National Bike To School Day was held on Wednesday, May 8, and had great participation from Klager and Riverside students, staff, school board and administration, village representatives, as well as parents and community members. All told, coordinator Kathy O’Mara estimated 80 participants–with 65 student walkers and bikers and 15 or so adults. “This was probably […]
