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21727 John R • Hazel Park • pizzaconnectionjohnr.com DECEMBER 17, 2025 • Vol. 44, No. 26

Madison Heights shows financial strength in audit, award

HONORING THE FALLEN LEFT: The Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipes and Drums group performs during the Project Blue Light ceremony honoring fallen first responders at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Hazel Park Dec. 2. Their performance included a poignant rendition of “Amazing Grace.” BELOW: At one point during the ceremony, the ceiling lights were switched off in the church, and the sanctuary was illuminated by the glow of blue and red candles held by the audience.

BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com

Photos by Liz Carnegie

MADISON HEIGHTS — In a sign of good financial health, the city of Madison Heights recently received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. “This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and reflects the professionalism and dedication of our finance director and team,” City Manager Melissa Marsh said in an email. “It recognizes that Madison Heights has strong financial policies, a transparent and well-organized budget process, and a commitment to longterm planning.” Specifically, the city of Madison Heights earned top marks in categories such as strategic goals, priorities and issues; financial policies; debt and capital planning; and supplemental data and explanations. All other categories were rated “proficient,” which means the budget meets or exceeds nationally-recognized best practices. Marsh said the city’s budgeting process begins each fall with a strategic planning session where the See AUDIT on page 8A

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Legislators to consider statewide retirement savings program LANSING — A new legislative proposal calls for a statewide retirement savings program to help Michiganders save for the future, including those who work for small businesses that might not normally have such benefits. The program is titled MI Secure Retirement and comprises House Bills 5335 and 5336, introduced by state Reps. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, and Mark Tisdel, RRochester Hills. If approved by the state House and Senate and signed by the governor next year, the program will allow employees of any business to contribute to an individual retirement account directly through payroll deduction, regardless of whether their employer sponsors a retirement plan. “The heart of the issue is making sure people are ready for retirement,” McFall said. The program would operate as a public-private partnership overseen by a state board and the state treasury, growing the

funds through an investment firm. McFall compared it to the 529 Michigan Education Savings Program. All workers would be offered the plan when they’re hired. If they decline, they can always opt in later. They can also access the funds at any time, so the funds are available in an emergency. And if they change jobs, they can still easily access the funds since they’re managed by the state. McFall originally pitched the concept last year, and bipartisan support this year has given it renewed momentum. He said the plan addresses multiple needs. First and foremost is what McFall describes as an urgent need to address Michigan’s growing retirement security gap. He points to a report by the American Association of Retired Persons, which shows that as of 2020, nearly 42% of Michigan’s private-sector workers ages 18-64 lacked access to a retirement savings plan at their place of employment. Another report by the Pew Charitable Trusts’ retirement savings project estimates there are currently 1.5 million Michigan

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workers without workplace retirement benefits. McFall said the program also supports small businesses that form the economic backbone of many communities. Due to their more limited resources, small businesses can’t always afford to offer a retirement plan. With this program, they could offer that benefit at no additional cost. “It makes small businesses much more competitive when they’re trying to recruit talent,” McFall said. He believes there’s also a benefit to taxpayers, since more people being able to safely retire would reduce the burden on public safety net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Research by Pew estimates as much as $11 billion in taxpayer savings over the next 20 years if a statewide retirement savings program is implemented. “You go to food pickups at Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners and there are so many seniors picking up boxes. With this program, maybe they wouldn’t have to do that. See RETIREMENT on page 9A

Photo provided by Mike McFall

State Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, testifies at a committee hearing in Lansing. He has proposed a statewide retirement savings program that now has bipartisan support.

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3A/ MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

SPORTS

PREP BASKETBALL MATCHUPS TO WATCH BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com

Photo provided by Rae Stoloff

Rae Stoloff, a librarian at the Madison Heights Public Library, tends to equipment in the library’s creative tech space. Stoloff recently received the 2025 Rising Star Award from the Michigan Library Association.

Madison Heights librarian receives Rising Star Award MADISON HEIGHTS — When Madison Heights City Manager Melissa Marsh nominated Rae Stoloff for the Rising Star Award, Stoloff felt moved, but didn’t expect to win the prestigious award. It is bestowed by the Michigan Library Association each year to one librarian early in their career. “It was a surprise that I received it,” said Stoloff, noting the level of competition statewide. “It was one of those things where I appreciated the nomination, and to me it was enough that the city manager would consider nominating me for the award — like, thank you so much for thinking of me! But by the time they announced the award, I had nearly forgotten it.” It was a welcome moment for Stoloff, then, who joined the Madison See AWARD on page 7A

GIRLS West Bloomfield at Detroit Mumford Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Mount Clemens Classic at Mount Clemens High School

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See BASKETBALL on page 6A

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METRO DETROIT — Boys and girls high school basketball is back as programs all over Michigan aim to start the season on a high note. Games began for prep basketball at the start of December and now, to end the calendar year, teams are looking to win showcase and classic games before conference play begins.

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS

4A/DECEMBER 17, 2025 MADISON-PARK NEWS

CUSTOMER SERVICE, EMPLOYEE TREATMENT KEYS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS TALK ABOUT LONGEVITY AND ITS SECRETS BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Customer service and treatment of employees are the keys to success, according to the owners of two local businesses that have flourished for decades. “I think we have built a company based on a certain ethical standard and we’ve treated our customers the right way, and we’ve acted with integrity and trust, and we’ve treated our team members the right way who in turn have really put in that additional effort and loyalty to help us grow,” said Mark Tapper, CEO of Tapper’s Jewelry. Tapper said his father, Howard Tapper, founded the company in 1977 because he believed many other jewelry businesses at the time were not focused on customer service. “He believed many jewelry stores were not operated in a customer-centric way. So, there were silly policies that were considered the norm in 1977 that today we would think were kind of crazy, but he didn’t like how those businesses

operated,” Tapper said. According to Tapper, some of the customer-service policies that his father was very innovative in changing included giving customers cash refunds and offering them a vast selection of complimentary gift wrapping for their purchases. “He was very value oriented. He wanted to make sure that the customer got tremendous value for the price that they were paying. So, he had a very large selection of merchandise, and he really tried to give the very, very best prices in metropolitan Detroit,” Tapper said. The first Tapper’s Jewelry store opened at 12 Mile Road and Northwestern Highway in front of a racquet club. Tapper said his dad chose that location due to the popularity of the sport at the time; he thought that customers would come in and look at jewelry on their way to or from the racquet club. That idea didn’t work out as well as his father hoped it would, but he said his dad See BUSINESS on page 5A

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MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

Business from page 4A

maintained a positive attitude. He said his father sold $1,100 worth of merchandise on that first day, and with rent being $1,000 his dad knew his business would survive another month. Today, Tapper’s Jewelry has four locations, including its headquarters in West Bloomfield; Novi, which opened in 2022; and two locations that recently expanded inside Somerset Mall in Troy. “For us it’s all about the customer — giving the very, very best customer experience possible,” Tapper said. “One of our core values is about spreading joy to our guests, and it’s just really, really important to us. As soon as a guest walks into one of our stores, it’s my expectation that they really get treated as if they were a guest in your own home. “We offer beverages, we try to make it a nice, warm and welcoming environment for everyone that comes in. Whether you are buying a $50 baptism gift or a $50,000 diamond, or selling us $200 in gold, our expectation is that everyone gets the same level of high service when they come in,” said Tapper. “So, I really think that is what has differ-

entiated us throughout the years, as well as a reputation of being one of Michigan’s most trusted businesses.” Ryan McInerney, executive manager of Star Lincoln in Southfield, grew up in the car business. He said he started with the company at the age of 16 as a porter. His grandfather founded the company in 1970, one of approximately 30 dealerships around the country that Hoot McInerney owned. McInerney said that he believes the successful outcome of any business, including his, is determined by the people who work there. “From a baby onward, I was always around car people, and I always heard about how to treat customers, how to treat your employees, and, you know, doing business the right way,” said McInerney. “And really, I believe it’s all about relationships that you build with the employees, with whoever the corporate people are that you’ve got to deal with (from Ford Motor Co., in the case of Star Lincoln). You’ve got to treat people with kindness and respect, and I think that goes a really long way.” McInerney said they have also hired a very diversified staff that is in tune with the latest technology and brings a wide range of cultural knowledge and experiences. He said

that their current staff ranges in age from 18 to 80-plus. “I think that has really helped us at adapting to new technology and just really doing things the right way. But I really believe it’s about how you treat your employees and how you treat your customers, and that’s something that my grandfather instilled in all of us in the car business, and I really believe that,” McInerney said. McInerney and Tapper both emphasized treating people like family and being involved with the community in many ways, including donating to various charities. Tapper said that they once brought in a strategic business planner who asked them all a question about which comes first, family or business, and all of them answered independently — family. Therefore, they run their business as a family-centered operation. “It goes with community involvement, aligned with your marketing, aligned with business functions that you put on for your employees. Everything is kind of aligned, and I think that’s what’s really making things work for us, especially with the new business climate and the new world we’re in postCOVID,” Tapper said. Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.

Ryan McInerney, executive director of Star Lincoln in Southfield — the dealership is shown years ago in this photo — grew up in the car business founded in 1970 by his grandfather, Hoot McInerney. Photos provided by Ryan McInerney

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Mount Clemens will host two postseason teams from a year ago in the school’s yearly classic. Detroit Mumford reached the second round of the District playoffs in 2024 and West Bloomfield established itself as one of the best teams in Michigan. West Bloomfield finished 2024 with a 19-9 record and went on an incredible run that got them to the final four, before a semifinal loss to eventual state champion Belleville.

Games to watch

BOYS Brother Rice vs. East Lansing Dec. 28 at 7:50 p.m. Motor City Roundball Classic at Ferndale Brother Rice is consistently one of the best teams in the state and will look to carry its momentum from a 22-3 season last year into the 2025 campaign. East Lansing is the defending state champion from 2024 after a 28-1 season. Grosse Pointe South vs Brother Rice Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. North Farmington Holiday Extravaganza No notes on this matchup.

Saginaw Heritage vs. Clarkston Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.

Romeo at Harper Woods Chandler Park Dec. 29 at 9:30 a.m. 2025 Skippers Holiday Basketball Showcase Marysville at Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. Skippers Holiday Showcase at St. Clair County Community College The D Zone Invitational at Hazel Park High School The D Zone is hosting one of the biggest basketball tournaments of its kind at Hazel Park and will showcase over 60 teams over a five day stretch. BOYS Carrollton vs. Harper Woods Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

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GIRLS Troy at Rochester Dec. 18 at 7:00 p.m. Troy and Rochester both played in postseason basketball a year ago, but Troy’s district win over Troy Athens was the only win between the two teams in 2024 postseason play. Rochester went 19-4 with a 10-0 divisional record last year and is looking to win the OAA-White Division for the second year in a row in 2025.

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Auburn Hills Avondale at Freeland Dec. 20 at 5 Louis O’Neal Classic at Saginaw Valley State University Avondale is coming off of a 16-8 season in 2024 where the team finished in second place in an always competitive OAA-Red Division. Freeland went 22-4 last season and made the state quarterfinals. Goodrich at Waterford Mott Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Corsairs Christmas Classic at Waterford Mott In 2024, Goodrich finished with a 19-6 record and made it to regionals. Waterford Mott, the host of the event, went 22-4 a year ago and made the regional finals before losing to a heavily publicized Orchard Lake St. Mary’s team.

Rochester Adams at Birmingham Groves Dec. 22 at 12:30 p.m.

For more information on The D Zone Showcase visit basketball.thedzone.com. For schedules and scores of all prep games visit MHSAA.com. Call Sports Writer Scott Bentley at (586) 498-1090.

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MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

from page 3A

Heights Public Library in November 2023 after some twists and turns in career plans. Stoloff originally planned to go into law to help protect animals and the environment but reconsidered when the costs involved became apparent. “Toward the end of college, I was starting to look over the practice test (for law school) and the scholarships available, and I realized I would be spending a lot of money for a big degree where I’d work for nonprofits with little payout,” Stoloff said. “So, at the last minute I changed my mind, and I thought about what to do with my humanities degree.” Stoloff knew that whatever career path was chosen, it had to involve helping others. Stoloff attended a center for vocational counseling and took a series of tests that helped identify possible career options. “Libarian” was one of the top results. “And I had this moment where I realized my dad’s mom was a middle school librarian ... and I thought back to my relationship with her and it put things into place,” Stoloff said. “When I think about all the careers I ever considered, they were always about assisting others in some way, whether people or animals, serving the community and the greater good. So, this felt right.” It wasn’t long before Stoloff enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Michigan, earning a master’s degree in information sciences with a focus on libraries and archives. Vanessa Verdun-Morris, the library director for Madison Heights, said in an email that Stoloff has made an outsized impact since joining the library. Perhaps the most striking example is the creative tech space that Stoloff manages — a room packed with high-end equipment that patrons can use to

make all manner of crafts. The creative tech space features a variety of stations, with categories such as 3D printing, sewing and embroidery, media conversion, design and engineering, vinyl cutting and paper arts, sublimation, heat press, office and document, and tinkering and crafts. The equipment is sorted into different skill levels, where green-level equipment is usable by anyone, yellow-level equipment requires training with a staff member first, and red-level equipment can only be operated by a trained staff member such as Stoloff. “Rae’s work has transformed a small makerspace into a vibrant, hands-on learning environment,” Verdun-Morris said. “Under their guidance, the library has added a laser cutter, a poster printer and upgraded equipment, while simultaneously running maker-based programs that inspire creativity across generations. “Rae’s research and outreach ensured these offerings were tailored to the unique needs of Madison Heights, increasing engagement and expanding access to all,” the library director added. “Rae’s contributions also go far beyond technology. They are a mentor to colleagues, a resource to patrons of all ages and abilities, and a tireless advocate for inclusive, accessible service. Whether helping a disabled patron repair a harness or sharing personal craft supplies to support a project, Rae brings skill and generosity to every interaction.” Rae has chosen to oversee many projects in the creative tech space, including engraved wooden boxes, custom iron-on Tshirts, engraved leather journals and books, house and door signs, embroidered towels and pillowcases, custom-made buttons, business cards, custom printed fabric baby books, 3D printed trophies, custom replacement pieces for board games and more. The creativity extends to library programming, as well, such as Cosplay Corner,

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“The library is vitally important because it provides free resources for knowledge, it supports education and learning, and it strengthens the community,” Haines said. “The library also offers safe spaces for learning for people of all ages.” Madison Heights City Councilman Quinn Wright said the creative tech space allows patrons to “dream out loud” by turning their ideas into tangible products. “The potential it gives residents to explore their creativity is incredible,” Wright said. “Even more than that, I appreciate Rae’s approach to encouraging everyone who walks through the door, showing them how to use our equipment and resources to grow their imagination and create awesome, cool, fun things.” The Madison Heights Public Library is located at 240 W. 13 Mile Road, next to Madison Heights City Hall and the Active Adult Center. For more information, call the library at (248) 588-7763. Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.

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hosted by Stoloff, with the next one scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. Designed for teens and adults, Cosplay Corner teaches patrons how to use the library’s tools to create costumes and accessories. The Jan. 8 meeting will explore how the 3D printer can be used to create textured, wearable fabrics. Stoloff said the patrons who come through are an inspiration. “I’m a huge crafter, always have been. I like putting things together. And I feel inspired all the time. We get some incredible people who come to the library,” Stoloff said. “Especially now, people are looking for ways to go out, have fun and do things without spending too much money, and you can do so many things in our makerspace, either for free or virtually free, with no costs to use the equipment, just some of the materials you use — and even then, we often have scraps available. There are so many ways for people to get engaged.” Madison Heights Mayor Corey Haines said the makerspace is just one example of all the value the library brings to the city.

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MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

Audit from page 1A

City Council reviews a five-year financial forecast. This process allows the city to plan for infrastructure, capital replacements and major purchases, which reduces reliance on debt and helps ensure financial stability. “New this year, we introduced a ‘budget in brief’ to make key budget information even more accessible to residents,” Marsh said. The city manager also noted that the city completed its annual independent audit, conducted by the firm Rehmann. “The audit confirmed that Madison Heights’ financial statements are accurate and in accordance with acceptable accounting standards,” Marsh said, adding that a clean audit reflects healthy reserves, well-managed expenses, and careful planning for the future. Still, the city manager — who herself was once the city’s finance director — sounded a note of caution. “Overall, Madison Heights is financially stable, but like most Michigan communities, we’re facing several long-term structural challenges that require careful planning,” Marsh said. “The most significant pressures include pension obligations, inflationary operational costs, and constrained revenue growth due to

state-level policies.” Elaborating on these points, she explained that the city’s police and fire pension system, “while improving,” remains only about 63% funded. This is up from 48% only several years ago, but the annual required contributions continue to rise, and they will remain a major factor in the city’s long-term budgeting. Marsh said being able to offer this benefit is important for recruiting police officers and firefighters, which are in high demand among cities. Regarding inflation and rising operating costs, Marsh noted that costs for health care, utilities, materials and contracted services all continue to rise faster than revenues coming into the city’s coffers. She said that health insurance by itself is conservatively projected to increase by 6% next year and 5% each year thereafter. Costs related to public safety and other core services have also risen — areas that make up the majority of the city’s general fund budget. Not helping the situation is the decline in revenue sharing from the state. Marsh said that recent changes to the state’s sales tax distribution has caused permanent reductions in revenue sharing with cities. For Madison Heights, this is a projected loss of $62,000 this fiscal year and more than $131,000 next year and each year thereafter.

“Revenue sharing today is nearly flat compared to 20 years ago, even as service demands and costs have grown significantly,” Marsh said. Further complicating matters for Michigan cities is the interaction between Proposal A and the Headlee Amendment — two statelevel policies that together limit the amount of increased revenue annually a city can collect from its tax base to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. “In practice, this means revenues lag behind real market growth, especially in highinflation years,” Marsh said. “For example, although property values have increased significantly, the city’s charter-authorized millage has been rolled back from 16 mills to 13.5578 in FY 2026, leaving just 0.1617 mills of capacity — only about $177,000 — to absorb future increases. “More than two-thirds of our general fund revenue now comes from property taxes, so these limitations have a major impact,” she said. “For FY 2027, this inflation rate as approved by the State Tax Commission is 2.7%.” So how is the city managing these pressures? Marsh said Madison Heights has remained stable because of proactive planning and disciplined financial management. The five-year forecast helps identify challenges

early, allowing officials to adjust accordingly. “Even with these pressures, we ended FY 2025 in a strong position, with a healthy fund balance — much of it intentionally set aside to ‘phase fund’ future capital needs,” Marsh said. “The city has policies requiring reserves of at least 16% of operating expenditures, plus one year of debt payments, and we remain comfortably above that threshold.” Madison Height City Councilman Quinn Wright said he appreciates the way that city staff approaches the budgeting process, from implementation to ongoing tracking. “It truly sets us apart from other cities,” Wright said. “I’m very happy that we have the right people and processes in place to keep Madison Heights exemplary.” Madison Heights Mayor Corey Haines said continued management of the budget will be a top priority for the council. “My mindset centers on fiscal responsibility and long-term planning to ensure the city’s continued financial stability,” Haines said. “With the reduction in state revenue sharing, along with potential increased inflation, we must continue to be focused on essential services and be certain that we are planning for the long term. The city manager has done an excellent job moving our city forward responsibly.”

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MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

COMMUNITY

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Crushed glass art

HAZEL PARK — The Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. in Hazel Park, will host a crushed glass art course at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29. The cost is $60 per person and includes all materials. Attendees will create Detroit Lions-themed glass-style artwork. To register, visit the Hazel Park Recreation page on Facebook.

STEM classes

HAZEL PARK — The Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd. in Hazel Park, is offering another round of STEM classes — short for science, technology, engineering and math — aimed at children ages 5 and older. The program will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 6 through Jan. 27, and costs $40 for the four-week session. There will be STEM board games, creative Escher puzzles, K9 and Dummy 13 constructions, LEGO architecture design, dino explorations, spirographs, math-based art creations and more. For more information, call Hazel Park Recreation at (248) 547-5535. — Andy Kozlowski

Retirement from page 2A

I think if more people were given the proper tools to start saving, many people would take advantage of it,” McFall said. “In the end, it will also save taxpayer dollars by keeping more people off public assistance,” he said. “Hopefully it will also allow people to age in place instead of having to be forced out of a home they’ve been in for decades because they can no longer afford to stay there.” Currently, there are 17 states in the country that have implemented similar laws, with 14 of them having active programs, of-

ten referred to as “secure choice” or “work and save.” Tisdel, the bills’ cosponsor, said such a program would make a real difference in Michigan. “Every hardworking Michigander deserves the opportunity to save for a secure future. That shouldn’t depend on the size of your employer or where you work,” Tisdel said in a statement. “Providing a simple, reliable savings option supports personal responsibility, empowers workers, and builds long-term financial independence,” he said. “This is a practical step that strengthens Michigan families.” Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.

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MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

The Demers Family Art Room

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from the staff of

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10A

STERLING HEIGHTS SENTRY | WARREN WEEKLY | BIRMINGHAM-BLOOMFIELD EAGLE | FARMINGTON PRESS | MADISON-PARK NEWS

11A

MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

Woman recognized for her work as a welder during World War II BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Maryellen Robbins, 101, was recently recognized as a Rosie the Riveter for her service as a welder at a plant in Detroit during World War II. However, it is a title she doesn’t quite believe is hers. “I never really gave it much thought. Personally, I didn’t think I was one (Rosie the Riveter). I mean, I was a welder. I wasn’t a riveter,” Robbins said. “To me, it was a job, and it had to get done, and I wanted my husband home, and he was (serving at a hospital) over in England. So, I just wanted this war over.” Robbins said she got the job as a welder after some encouragement from her boyfriend. She said he told her she could do better than the $18 per week retail job she had. Robbins said that the welding job required six weeks of unpaid training. After completing the training, she became an Army/Navy certified welder. Initially, she worked with her boyfriend, who would later become her husband, and she drove him to work in his car. He owned the car, but she had a license. After he got drafted, Robbins would drive several other Rosies to and from work, which provided her with some extra money for gas. At the plant, Robbins served on the night shift and welded small airplane parts. “You worked your head off,” she said with a laugh. She said they worked in teams of two. One woman would hook up a piece to the machine, then spin it over to her partner, and she would weld the part and send it back to the first woman, and the process would continue like that for 10-to 12-hour shifts, six days a week. “It was piecework. You had to do so many pieces a day, or they would get rid of you. You couldn’t just weld something and get up and walk around,” Robbins said. “She was saving the money to set up house when her husband got home,” said her son, Rick Robbins.

Photo provided by Rick Robbins

Maryellen Robbins poses for a photo with her husband, Army Sgt. James W. Robbins. Maryellen Robbins recalled the day the war ended. An announcement was made over the loudspeaker. “Everybody hollored and screamed and then kept on working,” she said. The women would finish their shift and then go back to doing more traditional work for women at the time. Maryellen Robbins would go on to raise three sons,

the youngest of whom she would raise practically on her own after her husband suffered a brain injury in a car accident around the age of 40. He was left incapacitated, and ultimately she had to place him in a nursing home until he died in his early 50s. Maryellen Robbins said that she didn’t think too much of it when she was told that she was a Rosie. “To be honest with you, I wasn’t too impressed,” she said, “because I didn’t have any doings with them, you know.” “She didn’t feel she was a part of them doing just welding,” Rick Robbins said. “I was just a welder. I wasn’t anything to get all excited about,” she said. She said that although she helped with the war effort, it didn’t impress her. “It was just something that I was expected to do,” Maryellen Robbins said. “We had to get this war over. I wanted him (her husband) home.” She said she never took days off, as she wanted to do her part to end the war. However, her husband had to stay in the military after the war ended for a time, as he didn’t serve on the front lines. She said he didn’t come home until March 1946. Debbie Robbins, Maryellen’s daughter-in-law, said she thought it was amazing when she learned that Maryellen was a Rosie, and she was so proud of her, as was the rest of their family. “It made me feel special because she helped out,” Debbie Robbins said. “I’m just an ordinary person that’s lived an ordinary life. I didn’t have an exciting life, I don’t feel — just an everyday life. My neighbors were just like me,” Maryellen Robbins said. Rick Robbins said they are just very fortunate to have her around with such a sharp mind. “It is amazing, her memory,” he said. Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own event, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.

12A/ MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

‘Re: Union’: Features new work by 30-plus artists who exhibited in 2025, 1-5 p.m. (also by appointment), Maus Haus Gallery in Color | Ink Studio & Gallery, 20919 John R Road in Hazel Park, maushausgallery@ gmail.com, (248) 398-6119, maushausgallery.com/ online-preview, colorinkstudio.com

DEC. 18-21

‘The Phantom Tollbooth’: Show about boy whose boredom changes to adventure thanks to mysterious package he finds in his room, performed by Stagecrafters Youth Theatre, 7 p.m. Dec. 18-19, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, and 2 p.m. Dec. 21, The Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, (248) 541-6430, info@stagecrafters.org, stagecrafters.org

DEC. 19-20

‘Merry Cringemas’: Original holiday sketch show, 7:30 p.m., Go Comedy! Improv Theatre, 261 E. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, gocomedy.net

DEC. 19-21

‘The Nutcracker’: Performance by Macomb Ballet Company, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, and noon and 5 p.m. Dec. 21, also sensory-friendly performance at 1 p.m. Dec. 19, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, plus holiday lunch and sweets, story time with Clara, themed craft, meet-and-greet and photos with characters, and keepsake or party favor during “The Nutcracker Tea,” 11 a.m. Dec. 20, Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 445-7348, macombcenter.com, read story at candgnews.com

DEC. 19-21

Royal Oak Holidays: Final weekend of outdoor activi-

ties includes 40-plus ice sculptures on display, appearances by The Grinch, visits with Santa, and horse and wagon rides, downtown Royal Oak and Centennial Commons, see schedule at royaloakholidays.com, read story at candgnews.com ‘Steel Poinsettias’: Holiday parody sequel to “Steel Magnolias,” 7 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 3 p.m. Dec. 21, Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, (248) 545-5545, theringwald@gmail.com, theringwald.com, read story at candgnews.com

ONGOING

Speaker series: Includes “The Creative and Compassionate Art of Seeing Others Deeply” with cultural and political commentator and bestselling author David Brooks at 2 p.m. Jan. 13, “Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine” with journalist and author Julia Hotz at 2 p.m. Jan. 20, and “Secrets and Second Chances” with author Liz Moore at 7 p.m. Jan. 28, Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Road, registration required, (248) 588-7763, see more at libraryc.org/ mhlibrary/upcoming Book clubs: Find groups for ages 55 and older, tweens, lovers of romance novels, phycological thrillers and mysteries, LGBTQIA+ themes, fiction and nonfiction, and more, Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Road, find times and dates at madison-heights.org/1907/book-clubs Fun Fridays: Games, crafts, snacks and movies, 3 p.m. every Friday, Hazel Park District Library, 123 E. Nine Mile Road, (248) 546-4095, hpmlibrary@gmail. com, hazel-park.lib.mi.us Social clubs: Lego/Pokémon (6:30-7:30 p.m. every first Tuesday of month), Stitch & Knit (4-6 p.m. every first Thursday of month), Ham Radio (7:30-9 p.m. every second Wednesday of month) and various book

groups, Hazel Park District Library, 123 E. Nine Mile Road, (248) 546-4095, hpmlibrary@gmail.com, hazel-park.lib.mi.us Madison Heights Women’s Club meetups: 6:30 p.m. every third Monday of month, Madison Heights Fire Station # 1, 31313 Brush St., (248) 840-7189, gfwcmhwc@gmail.com Senior card playing: Noon-3 p.m. every Monday and Thursday, Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights, (248) 547-5535, facebook.com/ cityofhp Wild Lights: Nighttime strolls include 500-plus displays and millions of LEDs, also pop-up performances and music, Santa photos, seasonal drinks, eats and sweet treats, and more, select times and dates until Jan. 4, Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak, detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights, read story at candgnews.com Ice skating: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays, 3-9 p.m. Mondays, noon-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays, The Rink at Royal Oak in Centennial Commons, 221 E. Third St., therinkatroyaloak.com

Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams: Join others in shining flashlights toward pediatric patients and seeing them reciprocate, 8-8:10 p.m. until Dec. 23 (arrive by 7:45 p.m.), Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road in Royal Oak, park in North parking deck or lots near Coolidge Highway entrance or Neuroscience Center, then meet near Medical Office Building across from East entrance, register at corewellhealth.org/moonbeams, read story at candgnews.com Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less: Virtual 15-week program presented by AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services and led by registered dietitian nutritionist, free for first-time participants ages 60 and older, register at (833) 262-2200 or wellnessprograms@ageways. org, tinyurl.com/agewaysworkshops Health workshops: Hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups

Holiday Art Market: Noon-5:30 p.m. until Dec. 28,

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PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF HAZEL PARK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at a City Council meeting on December 9, 2025, the Hazel Park City Council adopted the following: Ordinance #07-25, an Ordinance to Amend the Hazel Park Municipal Code, Title 8, Health and Safety, Ch. 8.28 – Vehicle Storage. Delete existing section 8.28.010 – Vehicle storage on private property, and replace with Sec. 8.28.010 – Definitions, through Sec. 8.28.505 – Violations & Notice. The effective date of this Ordinance is December 26, 2025. In addition to this Ordinance, the entire Hazel Park Municipal Code is available for inspection and/or purchase at the City Clerk’s Office, 111 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, Michigan 48030. Lisa K. Mayo, City Clerk, CMC. Published: Madison-Park News 12/17/2025

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a Meeting of the Madison Heights Zoning Board of Appeals will be held in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 300 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, Oakland County, Michigan 48071 on Thursday, January 8th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the following requests: 1. Case # PZBA 25-11: 31075 John R Road

The application and any supporting documents can be viewed during regular business hours at the Community & Economic Development Department. In addition, the agenda item can be viewed online at www.madison-heights.org in the Agenda Center after 4:00 p.m. on Friday before the meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can send your comments via email to: MattLonnerstater@madison-heights.org and your comment will be read into the record at the meeting. Written comments may also be mailed prior to the meeting to 300 West Thirteen Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan, 48071. All comments will be heard at the meeting. MADISON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (248) 583-0831 Published: Madison-Park News 12/17/2025

0262-2551

0233-2551

REQUEST: Pursuant to Section 15.06 of the Madison Heights Zoning Ordinance, the applicant, Matthew Abro, is appealing the decision of the Planning and Zoning Administrator in denying a Certificate of Occupancy for a Tobacco/Smoke Shop. The subject property is located at 31075 John R Road (TM# 44-25-02-478-021) and is zoned B-1, Neighborhood Business District.

13A

MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

Madison-Park News

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MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

14A

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15A

MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

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ACROSS 1. W.E.B Du Bois’ org. 6. Rascal 9. Ho-hum 13. “Pomp and Circumstance” composer 14. Tropical constrictor 15. Forgo 16. Tequila source 17. + or - atom 18. Reason by deduction 19. *Trade war “weapon,” pl. 21. *2025 MLB World Series winners 23. ____-tzu 24. C&H crop 25. Dunce 28. Western necktie 30. Catch in a snare 35. Ginger cookie 37. Master of his castle 39. Use a razor 40. British slang for donkey 41. Arch and ball locations 43. Winglike 44. March celebrants 46. *Arthur Sze, 2025 ____ Laureate 47. Dam-like structure 48. *BeyoncÈ’s “Cowboy ____,” 2025 Grammy winner 50. King Kong and Curious George, e.g. 52. Like a fox 53. What Pinocchio did 55. *Florida Panthers won this org.’s ‘25 championship 57. *”Wicked: ____ ____” 61. *Late environmentalist and chimpanzee expert 65. German submarine destroyer 66. *2025 Ryder Cup loser 68. Manuscript sheet 69. Brazilian coins 70. Roll-your-own one, for short 71. To the left, on a boat 72. Orpheus’ instrument 73. Geological time period 74. They are cut by Federal Reserve DOWN 1. At room temperature, bar order 2. Algae, sing. 3. Petri dish filler 4. Raise trivial objections 5. Ready to be assembled 6. Avian wader 7. Farm sound 8. China’s goodwill “____ diplomacy”

9. Collision, onomatopoeically speaking 10. *Taylor Swift’s “The ____ of a Showgirl” 11. Affirm solemnly 12. Third-person possessive pronoun 15. Makes broader 20. Why do they fall in love? 22. *Aryna Sabalenka’s seed 24. Auto contents 25. Pertaining to osmium 26. *2025 Academy Awards Best Picture winner 27. Faquir, alt. spelling 29. Pilot’s stunt 31. Spring event 32. Pneumonia symptom, pl. 33. Be of use 34. *Blue Origin’s 2025 singing passenger 36. Boll weevil, e.g. 38. *____Seek 42. Shorthand typist,

for short 45. Serfs 49. 2016 Olympics host, for short 51. Ram’s horn at a synagogue 54. Draw a conclusion 56. Parkinson’s disease drug 57. Roll up 58. Heed

59. Lion sound 60. Dorothy’s last name 61. *Lady of “The Mayhem Ball” 62. Tons (2 words) 63. Lira, pl. 64. Land parcels 67. *Gary Oldman received this honorific in 2025

MADISON-PARK NEWS • DECEMBER 17, 2025

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EXTRA CHEESE EXTRA CHARGE WITH COUPON • EXPIRES 1-28-26 • ZINO’S

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