Greetings! - Whitmore Lake News

TM
Fun. Informative. Free.
Spring 2015 | Issue 01
Greetings!
Hello! Thanks for picking me up. As you can see, I am the new Whitmore Lake
News and this is my debut print edition. I plan on being around with quarterly
printings and I have a sister website at WhitmoreLakeNews.com featuring more
frequent articles. I have another sister, a Facebook page with a corresponding
community group. There, community members and organizations are posting
current happenings and events.
What’s my purpose, you ask? To inform and enrich the community of
Whitmore Lake by sharing area news, promoting local business, and
encouraging community involvement. As a community newsletter,
I’m here for you and because of you. I like to have your
input, your stories, and your news.
How did I come about? A couple of community members
wanted to find a way to share information about what’s
going on in town. This little town has a lot to offer and I’m
here to get the word out!
Check out my back page to learn more about my creators.
“Grandpa Joe” Spirl
By Drew Saunders
Whitmore Lake was a lot different
when Joseph James Spirl started
school at the Field School House
in the 1930s. Joe completed all
of the eight grades that were
available at the time in this oneroom school house on 9 Mile Road
where Barnstormer’s now sits.
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course, feedback at editor@
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“I lived across the street from the
school,” Joe said. “There was an
old wood furnace in the school Joe Spirl. Photo by Mary Christianson.
and I got a dime each morning to
go in the school and get the stove stoked up before the were so hot that sliders shrieked as the hot metal scorched
their legs. Joe also recalls swimming to the beach with
kids got there.”
four friends, all hanging on to a huge log.
In his teen years, Joe’s father, a bricklayer, built a home
near the northwest side of the lake, and this home still Grandpa Joe, as he’s known by his family, joined the Navy
stands today. It features distinctive brickwork with inset at 17 in the last year of World War II. He was deployed to
field stones. At the time, the high school was located south the Pacific but the war ended before he saw combat.
of Whitmore Lake (near where the railroad now crosses After a year and a half in the military, Joe returned to
Main Street). In the winter, Joe was able to take a shortcut Whitmore Lake and followed his father’s advice to enter
the brick-laying business. After a successful 42-year career,
across the lake to get to school.
he retired in 1989 and has continued to live in Whitmore
In the summers, Joe remembers the huge slide at Groome’s
Lake ever since.
Beach. Although it had a small stream of water pumped
down the middle, the sides of the concave-shaped slide continued on page 2
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“Grandpa Joe” Spirl continued
Through the years, the town has undergone many changes.
Groome’s Beach closed and became a residential area. The
hotel on Main Street burned down and was eventually
replaced with Polly Market. The Harbor Cove Apartments
were built on Main Street, replacing a shady grove where
Joe remembers people relaxing at picnic tables while
enjoying their ice cream. Trains that used to bring tourists
no longer stop at Barker Road. There are now three schools
in the Whitmore Lake School District, with regular classes
taking place at two.
Joe is curious about how and when Whitmore Lake might
grow, noting that surrounding towns have experienced
more growth.
Joe had three children with his late wife. He has five
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, totaling five
generations of Spirls in Whitmore Lake.
Spirl home on Main St. Photo by Mary Christianson.
Summer fun for everyone at The Northfield Township Area Library
By Zaley Nelson. For more event details, visit ntal.org.
The Northfield Township Area Library staff planned a
summer full of heroes, concerts, crafts, animals, books
and much more. We’ve got something for all ages! The
Summer Reading Club (SRC) theme is “Every Hero Has a
Story.” We will award prizes to three children who read
the most books, so make sure to bring in your reading
log and report to the librarian any books you’ve read.
First-, second- and third-place prizes will be announced
at the SRC Kick-off Celebration on June 15. Prizes will be
awarded at the end of the SRC Pizza Party on July 30.
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June 15 | Summer Reading Club Kick-off
Celebration: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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June 16 | Crafternoon - every Tuesday:
1 to 2:30 p.m.
For a night of great live music under the stars check out
our free Friday Night Summer Concert Series from June
19 through July 31. All shows start at 7 p.m. Bring a picnic
basket and relax as you enjoy the music.
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June 19 | Gary Sacco Sings the songs of Sinatra
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June 26 | William Wyatt
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July 10 | Mike Ball
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July 17 | Deep Fried Pickle Project
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July 24 | Parkway and Columbia
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July 30 | Mike Levine
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June 17 | Hero Story Time - every Wednesday:
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
•
June 18 | Animals the Real Super Heroes: 11 a.m.
•
June 25 | Drummunity: 11 a.m.
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July 2 | Bubbles and Sidewalk Chalk: 11 a.m.
•
July 9 | Rock and Roll Super Heroes: 11 a.m.
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July 16 | WL Community Recreation: 11 a.m.
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July 23 | Super Hero Training Day: 11 a.m.
Specifically, we are looking for an intern to assist with social
media and email marketing. We seek news and feature
writers as well as someone to help with distribution here
in town. If you can draw, let us know — illustrators and
cartoonists are always welcome.
•
July 30 | End of SRC Pizza Party with
entertainment by Adventures in Reading
If you are interested in sharing your talents with us in any
way, we are interested in hearing from you. Please contact
[email protected].
Got skills?
The Whitmore Lake News wants YOU. We are a small
newsletter and website with big ambitions. We want local
voices to help grow with us. If you have a knack or talent
you wish to share, please contact us.
Fourth of July
By Jennie Gollehon
In Whitmore Lake, the Fourth of July is a community
holiday that’s family friendly, budget friendly and
mostly financed through fundraising. This year, the
events will span two days.
On July 3, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Whitmore Lake
Area will be hosting a Fun Run consisting of a 10K, 5K,
and a Splash ‘N’ Dash. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at
Whitmore Lake Middle School with events beginning at
8 a.m. For more information and early registration, contact
George Brown at 734-449-8655. Runners will showcase a
T-shirt designed by a local elementary student.
At dusk, the Whitmore Lake Fourth of July Fireworks
Committee will put on its very popular fireworks display
over Whitmore Lake. The fireworks display is solely
funded by donations from community members and
volunteers. Please be respectful
of private property around the
lake during viewing. For event
opportunities to support and donate,
and for updated event information,
visit whitmorelakefireworks.org.
“It’s for the kids of the community.
It’s a special occasion for the
young and young at heart,” said
Parade Marshal, George Brown.
The Kiwanis Club barbecue starts at 10 a.m. and
will serve until sold out.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on July 4 at Barker Road
and Timbercrest Lane, continues east on Barker Road,
turns south on Main Street, and concludes at the Northfield
Township Office Building.
For more information on participating in the parade,
email [email protected]. To donate, visit
gofundme.com/whitmorelakeparade.
Please be safe, courteous of others, and have a great
Fourth of July!
In true July Fourth fashion, the Kiwanis
Club will also host their annual
Fourth of July Parade and barbecue.
This year’s theme is Celebrating the
American Dream. The parade consists
of more than 20 volunteers, 50
participants, floats and the Whitmore
Lake High School Marching Band. This
year marks 100 years of service by
the Kiwanis Club, originally founded
in Detroit. Members of the #1 Detroit
Club will be in the parade on a
designated birthday float.
Fourth of July Parade, 2014. Photo by Leslie Banks.
Looking back: How Whitmore Lake got its name
By Mary Christianson
Ever wondered how Whitmore Lake got its name?
Interestingly, the Whitmore family never lived on or
around the lake that carries its name, but were instead
early settlers in the east Ann Arbor area. Arriving in
Michigan in 1825 from Seneca, New York, the Whitmore
family included parents Luke and Phebe, six children and
a niece.
To learn more, and to read a 1966 account of the cemetery
and the Whitmore family, please also see “The Whitmore
family in early Washtenaw County” story on the Whitmore
Lake News website.
When the oldest daughter, Emily, died later that year, she
was thought to be the first “paleface” to die in Washtenaw
County. Emily’s parents set aside land for a cemetery to
hold her grave. This cemetery was in Pittsfield Township,
in east Ann Arbor, but was relocated.
There are two Facebook swap groups in Whitmore Lake.
Just go to Facebook and search for “Whitmore Lake Swap
and Shop ANYTHING GOES...” and “Whitmore Lake. Buy.
Sell. Trade.”
It is unclear exactly what happened with the graves, but
Emily’s headstone was moved to the Terhune Pioneer
Cemetery, just east of US-23 off of Packard Road.
Did you know?
You need to apply to become a member, and follow each
group’s posted rules. It is a great place to find local bargains,
or sell your stuff.
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Best wishes,
Whitmore Lake News!
from the staff of
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Whitmore Lake
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Births, deaths, engagements
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734-646-8832
Thank you donors!
The Gollehon family
Peter & Mary Misangyi
Northfield Township Area Library
TroBots: WLHS’s robotics team
By Jennie Gollehon
The Whitmore Lake High School’s robotics team, the
TroBots, and their robotic, Elvatron, recently returned
from St. Louis, Mo. after competing in the FIRST Robotics
Competition (FRC) World Championships. They competed
against 607 teams from across the world and ranked 200th
overall, concluding a successful year for the TroBots. This
year’s game was “Recycle Rush” in which Elvatron was
required to gather and stack totes and recycling containers.
“We work with an annual budget of about $8,000, which
is substantially less than most other teams,” said mentor,
Scott Shew.
With only 10 members, the TroBots work with fewer
members than the average team of 25. This year’s TroBots
roster includes Brendan Prast (Team Captain), Adam
Benmoussa, Aiden Smith, Brendan Couch, Hunter Fanson, The TroBots with Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.
Justin Florkowski, Matt Majewski, Max Shew, Robert Phillips
and Vicky Turner. The team is lead by head coach Lynne team qualified for the FRC Michigan State Championship
Mead and mentors David Fanson, Dan Prast, Scott Shew held in Grand Rapids where they met Gov. Rick Snyder.
and John Broderick.
While there, they competed against 102 other teams and
The TroBots and Elvatron competed in three qualifying earned 55th in the state competition, qualifying for the
events when two is standard. At their second event in world championship.
Woodhaven, the team won the Quality Award, granted
to a robot that is exceptionally well-built. In addition, the
View a video of Elvatron in action:
youtube.com/watch?v=3L27iOdzKmk
Local summer activities
By Mary Christianson
Tee Ball, Cornhole, Bubble Soccer & more — Whitmore
Lake Community Recreation offers a wide range of sports
and activities, including Tee Ball and Coach Pitch baseball
for youth and Cornhole and Bubble Soccer leagues for
adults. Whitmore Lake is one of only two places in the state
that offers Bubble Soccer — which offers participants the
opportunity to play soccer while wearing a large plastic
bubble. Also: swim lessons, lap swimming, and Zumba
classes at Whitmore Lake High School.
sites.google.com/a/wlps.net/communityrecreation/home
County park and water slides — Independence Lake
County Park, 3200 Jennings Road, offers a beach with
swimming, disc golf, fishing, play structure, picnic areas
and walking paths. Vehicle entry fee $5 per day or $25 per
year for residents. For extra fun, consider renting a paddle
boat or pay for a day or evening pass into Blue Heron Bay
Spray Park, a water park with tall slides, geysers, jet streams,
interactive spray features and more. Learn more at:
ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_
recreation
Athletic field & “Bark Park” — Check out the play
structures and track at the Jennings Road Athletic
Complex at 168 Jennings Road (off Main St, east of US-23).
The adjacent Whitmore Lake Bark Park is a great place to
let your dog run off-leash. Just be sure to clean up after
your dog!
twp-northfield.org/community_visitors/parks_and_
preserves/index.php
Concerts, Crafternoons & Summer Reading Club at
the Library — See page 2 for some of the events at the
Northfield Township Area Library, or visit their website:
ntal.org
Boating, fishing, wildlife: Visit one of the local marinas
or the bait shop on N. Main Street. You can also get
information on fishing, wildlife and habitat at the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources:
michigan.gov/dnr
Don’t miss out! — Keep connected through the Whitmore
Lake News website and Facebook page for ongoing events,
fundraisers, hot spots and activities.
WhitmoreLakeNews.com
facebook.com/groups/WhitmoreLakeNews
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The Whitmore Lake News team
By Jennie Gollehon
It started with a conversation, as most things
do. Mary Christianson and Leslie Banks, both of
Whitmore Lake, were talking about how nice it
would be if this community had a small-scale,
locally-focused and upbeat newsletter. Mary and
Leslie each had graphic design expertise as well as
an interest in writing, photography and illustration,
and both were looking for ways to contribute to
the community.
The Whitmore Lake News business plan was
developed and Leslie and Mary pulled in Jennie
Gollehon, also of Whitmore Lake. The three set
out to create a website, a Facebook group, and a
printed newsletter, and began recruiting support
from the community.
Mary studied art history at the University of
Michigan. She is a professional graphic designer
creating websites, logos and print materials for local
clients. She and her new husband Pete enjoy living, sailing
and swimming in Whitmore Lake.
From left: Mary, Leslie and Jennie.
Jennie adds her degree in communication studies and
minor in English to the mix. Due to her husband’s career,
Jennie and her family will be moving out of the area
this summer.
Leslie, along with her husband and 2-year-old daughter,
moved to Whitmore Lake almost three years ago. With “There is so much this town has to offer and I’m hoping
a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a minor in this newsletter helps highlight what a great community
journalism, she combines photography, design, and it is,” Jennie said. “Mary’s an optimistic, always looking for
writing skills to provide creative services for business and the good in people. Leslie’s a realist, keeping us informed
personal use.
and on track. I’ve enjoyed brainstorming, developing, and
“I feel blessed every day to be living my dream of raising writing for the Whitmore Lake News and am honored to
a family while running my business, Stark Artisan, from be a part of this project.”
home,” Leslie said. “We have planted roots and are here Contact us at [email protected].
to stay.”
Local artist submission
TM
By Corbin Gollehon
- age 6, May 2014
“It’s a picture of a
cockatoo. I drew
the branch under its
feet, then the tree.
Then I drew a snake
in the tree and the
orangutan. I added a
page and more details
like a cave, a jaguar
and a tapir (wild pig).
I like how well I drew
the cockatoo,” said
Corbin. “I wanted to
draw the cockatoo
because I saw a
picture of it and it
really interested me.”
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Contact us
[email protected]
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Co-publishers: Leslie Banks, Mary Christianson
Co-editors: Jennie Gollehon, Mary Christianson
© Whitmore Lake News, LLC, May 2015