Green burials, ash jewelry are a thing now in Michigan. Can state law adjust?
By Riley Hodder (Bridge Michigan) Desiree Garagiola’s mother-in-law, Janet “JJ” Humble, always used to joke that when she died, she wanted her ashes dumped over the fence on their property into Don Epley Park in Hartland, the Livingston County community where they shared a home. Humble loved the community, Garagiola said, and wanted to stay […]
Coming soon: The 70th Manchester Chicken Broil!
by Marsha Chartrand If you take thousands of chicken halves, four pits, nearly six tons of charcoal, 250 pounds of butter, almost two tons of cabbage, and a cast of hundreds, what do you get? Why, it’s the Manchester Chicken Broil, of course. On Saturday, July 15, Manchester will fire up the pits for the […]
After 40+ years, the Okey family is moving on
by Marsha Chartrand Shortly after talking with JoAnn Okey for this article last week, I ran across a quote: “We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.” And it seemed particularly appropriate to share at this time, as so many in Manchester likely have the same feelings […]
Dean Spaulding — Manchester’s “missing” Vietnam casualty
by Marsha Chartrand Editor’s note: After publication of a story (May 17, 2023) on the book Lest We Forget, published by Mary Blossom for the Emil Jacob American Legion Auxiliary Unit #117 in 1999, the Mirror received a phone call from Barbara Rhoades of Clinton, letting us know that the article was missing information on […]
Manchester makes the TV news!
by Marsha Chartrand Paul Whelan has been in captivity in Russia for 1,620 days now. And his family, friends, and the community of Manchester are still waiting for his release. Yellow ribbons on trees, light poles, store entryways, and other creative placements have kept him front of mind for local people who know Paul and […]
Top wrestlers continue their off-season successes
by Marsha Chartrand Three weeks ago, high school wrestlers Blake Sloan and Sammy Stewart participated in the USA Freestyle Tournament, with Blake also competing in the the Greco-Roman tournament. “Both wrestlers excelled,” said Coach Steve Vlcek. “Sammy had a great tournament, going 6–1 on the day and finishing in third place. Along the way, he […]
Whitmer taps GOP businessman to tackle Michigan population crisis
by Jonathan Oosting & Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) A Republican businessman and a Democratic education leader will lead Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s new group focused on developing strategies to reverse decades of Michigan’s stagnant population growth. Whitmer formally announced the effort Thursday at the Mackinac Policy Conference, naming John Rakolta and Shirley Stancato as co-chairs of […]
Michigan Democrats: We will deliver transparency reform. GOP dubious
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Michigan Democrats say they’re planning long-promised ethics and transparency reforms as lawmakers face a year-end deadline to finalize new personal financial disclosure rules for themselves. And a leading Republican legislator is calling for reforms to a budget earmark process that both parties have used to fund pet projects, including a $25 […]
BB gun bill requires minors to have adult around when shooting off property
by Riley Hodder (Bridge Michigan) Deven Free, a 12-year-old boy from Galesburg, was playing with BB guns with friends outside two years ago when he was shot in the head. The BB entered just above his right eye and lodged in his brain. Deven was in and out of hospitals for more than a year before […]
Rev. Dillon Burns to leave Manchester United Methodist Church for Okemos
submitted by Jody Sharrow, Manchester United Methodist Church How do you say goodbye? Churches in the United Methodist denomination say goodbye to their pastor every few years. Clergy in The United Methodist Church commit to serve where their bishop appoints them. Appointments are typically for one year at a time, though the bishop may move […]