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Christmas Glow The city of Riverview held its annual tree lighting at Young Patriots Park on Nov. 17. The event drew hundres of residents. See more photos on Page 3.

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Page 2 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 3

Christmas season arrives in Riverview More than 500 people attended the annual city Tree Lighting festivities at Young Patriots Park on Nov. 17. The throng enjoyed refreshments, bonfires, hayrides, train rides, music, reindeer and carolers. Mother Nature cooperated, as well, providing a perfect night for the event, unlike last year when merrymakers had to face cold, wet and windy conditions.

Page 4 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

RIVERVIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Hold Schools Harmless During Lame Duck Session On Nov. 28, Riverview Schools Superintendent, Dr. Russell Pickell, and Board of Education President, Tim Bohr, joined over seventy school leaders from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to meet with representatives and urge them to hold schools harmless during the 2018 lame duck session. Lame duck refers to the time between the November election and January first when the new legislature begins. During this time, many outgoing legislators try to rush in legislation that would otherwise stand little chance of passing when the new team takes over. State education policy affects all students in our state. Making hasty or quick decisions about policy too often leads to unintended consequences for schools, students and school districts. Our state needs serious leadership and collaboration to address the many concerns inherent in our current education system. School leaders are asking to work collaboratively with legislators to find solutions, however, there is no way to bypass the time needed for the serious conversations required for this work in the rushed environment of Lame Duck. There are many examples of proposals that were rushed through the legislature during the lame duck session that wound up failing or creating far more problems than they fixed.

Riverview Board of Education President Tim Bohr and Superintendent Dr. Russell Pickell meets with Senator Coleman Young II

THE EAA: Legislation to create the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) was quickly introduced and moved during lame duck as an attempt to “fix schools” by creating a single, statewide school district run by the Governor; as well as establishing a new accountability system. The EAA went on to be a disastrous failure and has since closed its doors. PROPOSAL 1: A massive package of bills to change road funding in the final days of 2014 was a complete

failure and rejected by voters. In addition to not providing adequate resources to fix the roads, voters saw how it would have hurt schools by diverting money away from the School Aid Fund through changes in how the state collects taxes. Its failure to be approved by voters highlighted the need for serious debate on funding issues, not quick fixes done in the middle of the night. THE GAG ORDER: The legislature pushed through its controversial “gag order” bill during lame duck that sought to limit school officials’ ability to inform and educate the community within 60 days of an upcoming millage election. A federal court permanently blocked the bill from taking effect. Since the bill was amended very early in the morning with little review, legislators didn’t know that they had voted for new restrictions and they immediately regretted it. The consequences of rushing major reforms through during lame-duck could be disastrous for schools and students throughout Michigan and the legislature should resist any effort to do so.

Little Shop of Horrors wows them on RCHS stage Riverview Community High School took us back to the 1960s circa New York City on Nov. 15-17 with a whimsically entertaining performance of Little Shop of Horrors, written by Howard Ashman and composed by Alan Menken. The upbeat musical featuring a personified man-eating Venus flytrap delighted audiences for three performances to packed houses. Little Shop of Horrors is about the meek flower shop assistant Seymour pining for his co-worker Audrey. During a total eclipse, he discovers an unusual plant he names Audrey II, which feeds only on human flesh and blood. The growing plant attracts a great deal of business for previously struggling store. After Seymour feeds Audrey’s horrible boyfriend, Orin, to the plant after Orin’s accidental death, Seymour must come up with more bodies for the increasingly bloodthirsty plant to keep business booming at the flower shop. The mayhem of Seymour keeping Audrey II thriving is musically narrated by a charming group of Doo Wop girls. Star performances were delivered

by senior Donte Bankston as Seymour, junior Sydney Robinson as Audrey, senior Megan Brown as Mushnik, sophomore Jacob Maher as Orin, junior Joshua Prim as Audrey II’s voice and senior Emilia Fraley as Audrey II, the puppet. With the Doo Wops, ensemble, stage crew, and pit orchestra, the production involved about 75 members of the student body. Audrey II joined the fun from Swazzle

Productions, a professional puppet studio in Los Angeles. Rehearsals began in mid-September with music and choreography rehearsals, and in November rehearsals with the puppet and the pit orchestra began. Little Shop of Horrors was the first musical at Riverview Community High School since 2010’s Bye Bye Birdie and truly was a collaborative effort of the Arts Department at the high school. Contributions came from band

director Bill Beson, choir director Glen Hoying, Drama Club co-sponsors Patty Madigan and Katie O’Day, and a special appearance by Seitz band teacher Jessie Walsh. Tina Brow choreographed and Randi Olson costumed the performance. The community turnout was positively overwhelming, showing Riverview truly loves its musical comedy!

RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 5

FROM THE DESK OF THE MAYOR

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Best wishes this holiday season First, let me say “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” I hope you were able to enjoy time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday. We have so much to be thankful for. One thing I am thankful for is the generosity of our residents and local business owners. The Kiwanis and Goodfellows of Riverview through these residents and Andrew Swift business owners provide Thanksgiving dinners, winter clothing, Christmas gifts and much more to those amongst us who need a little help during the holidays. With the cooperation of the Riverview elementary and middle school, schools that collected thousands of canned goods, the Goodfellows were able to donate those canned goods to a local food bank. In case you were one of the few who couldn’t make our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony you missed a good one. Mother Nature cooperated with cold, dry weather with a mild breeze. With a crowd of around 650 to 700 parents and children in attendance, all had a great time going on hay rides, petting reindeer, riding a train around the reflection pond, watching an outdoor movie, working on crafts, playing games, and of course visiting with the ole man himself, Santa Claus. Along with myself, we had some special guests in Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, State Rep Cara Clemente and the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber President Mr. Ron Hinrichs and his wife Leah welcome all those who came to start celebrating the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in beautiful Young Patriots Park. The first thing noticed by the crowd was the outstanding work done by our DPW decorating Young Patriots Park and the Christmas tree located under the Caesars’ Gazebo. This year my grandson Colin Swift and Natalie Hinrichs flipped the switch that lit the tree and brought the park to life. As always an event this large requires a tremendous amount of work by several departments and people. Join me in thanking our recreation, fire,

police, library, and DPW departments, along with our recreation and beautification commissions, Cub Scout Pack 1659, and Mr. Russel Brown as Santa Claus. The remodeling of the Riverview Business Center located at Fort Street and Pennsylvania is now complete. With the reconstruction out of the way, we’re looking for some new businesses to move in and take advantage of the newly remodeled mall. We’ve been told that Tirami Su Ristorante will be opening early next year on Jan. 9, 2019. We welcome them to Riverview and look forward to their many fine Italian dishes. Our planning commission continues to work with the owners of the Riverview Commons and its planned remodel early next year. This past year has been a good one for Riverview with several new businesses moving in, expanding, and celebrating long term success. One business new to Riverview will be Serendipity Cakes opening soon in the mini-mall just south of Dearborn Federal Credit Union. With your help by shopping local, we can keep the successful streak going. On behalf of the Riverview City Council and The City of Riverview I would like to congratulate and thank Michigan State Police Trooper Jesse Graffagnino for his life-saving action on election day at Forest Elementary School. He was able to dislodge a piece of candy from a toddler’s throat which was preventing her from breathing. Trooper Graffagnino is a Riverview graduate and was recognized for his effort at a recent city council meeting. Jesse is also a graduate of the Kiwanis of Michigan’s Michigan State Police Academy. Once again on behalf of the City of Riverview I would like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And when preparing your plans for next year consider volunteering some of your precious time on a commission, neighborhood watch, parent club, or civic club. All these organizations would love to have you and I guarantee you love the way feel helping a fellow neighbor. I would like to end my last column of 2018 with telling you what a privilege it is to serve as your mayor.

Page 6 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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Page 8 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

Trooper honored for saving choking child

S

tate Trooper Jesse Graffagnino, 23, was honored by his hometown of Riverview Nov. 19 for his swift action that saved a choking child. That child, Ella Mae Kate, who will be 2 this month, and her parents, Angel Wells-Young and Jameson Kate, as well as some of their relatives were at the City Council meeting, too, to applaud as Graffagnino receive a proclamation denoting his heroism and Paula Neuman service. It was a happy ending to a scary event that took place on Election Day at Forest Elementary School, where both Wells-Young and Graffagnino once attended school together in the same class. They were at the school at about 7 that evening to vote. They hadn’t seen each other since middle school, but Wells-Young and Graffagnino recognized each other right away, and said hello. “We actually walked in together,” the trooper said. “I introduced him to my daughter and my fiancé,” Wells-Young said. A candidate outside the polling place was handing out Life Savers candies, and Wells-Young gave one to Ella. “I didn’t think anything of it,” the mom said with chagrin. “She has all her teeth and eats candy with no problem. But when I went to turn in my registry, she tugged my arm. She couldn’t talk, her eyes were big, and it seemed like she was having a hard time breathing. I took off her scarf and jacket, and flipped her around and patted her back to try to dislodge the Life Saver, but I didn’t know how to do it.” Wells-Young was very scared and started screaming for help “Out of the 30 or so people who were there, he’s the only one who ran over,” she said. Graffagnino quickly assessed the situation, and put to use his training in choking practices. “He took her out of my arms, and started doing back blows,” WellsYoung said. “Then he flipped her over

Angel Wells-Young (left), Ella Mae Kate and Jameson Kate show their appreciation to Michigan State Trooper Jesse Graffagnino at a Riverview City Council meeting, where the trooper was honored with a proclamation for saving Ella when she was choking.

HE WAS AMAZING. THERE WAS NO PANIC IN HIS EYES OR ANYTHING. HE WENT DIRECTLY INTO HIS TRAINING. HE SAVED HER. THERE’S NO TELLING HOW LONG SHE COULD HAVE GONE WITHOUT AIR FLOW.” again and did a chest compression, and flipped her over again and did three more back blows. I saw the Life Saver hit the floor. Ella started coughing, and then she started to vomit. It was really scary.” The mother was in awe of her childhood friend’s composure during the crisis. “He was amazing,” Wells-Young said. “There was no panic in his eyes or anything. He went directly into his training. He saved her. There’s no telling how long she could have gone without air flow.” She remembered that Graffagnino as

a grade school student always said he wanted to be a police officer when he grew up. The trooper said law enforcement with the Michigan State Police has been his calling for most of his life. “My senior year of high school, I received a scholarship to attend the Kiwanis International Law Enforcement Career Academy,” he wrote in a post for the MSP website. “I lived the life of a Michigan State Police recruit for one week alongside other cadets interested in a career in law enforcement. The level of respect, professionalism, discipline

and — above all — the tradition that the Michigan State Police offered motivated me. I worked for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department for a year and half until I was eligible to apply to the Michigan State Police. In June 2016, I became a member of the 130th Trooper Recruit School.” Graffagnino, who recently earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-law and psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, said trooper training is challenging — and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “The 22-week recruit school is a paramilitary boot camp-like training,” he said. “It’s very rigorous and demanding. We train with high stress situations, and we are trained to respond. It’s for a purpose.” Wells-Young and Kate are especially glad he demonstrated that purpose so well on Election Day. They are still shaken by the choking incident, and find it hard to let Ella out of their sight. “My fiancé will wake up with panic attacks in the middle of the night,” Wells-Young said. “He watches her when she eats. He doesn’t leave the room.” When Ella has her second birthday celebration this month, Graffagnino will attend, she said. “It’s so good to have people like him in the community,” Wells-Young said. Graffagnino said the attention and honors he’s received as a result of his actions on Election Day are “extremely humbling.” “It feels good to get recognition and appreciation for serving, and from the community I care so much about,” the trooper said. He once wrote this in an online profile of himself: “Just a man on a mission to make this world a better place, one day at a time. You just never know the impact you may have on someone’s life.”

RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 9

Retail With Heart vs Every Other Option

What is ‘Warm’ Worth to You? This is a season that is all about warmth. We’re all loaded with memories and images in our heads of holidays past, with family, gatherings, fireplaces and the closeness of those we value. It’s warm. It’s good. We make it good, because it means so much to us. By the time you’re reading this, I will have the first of a new tradition behind me, having spent two days in and around Frankenmuth with my wife, our two girls with their husbands and three young grandkids. As I’m writing this now, I feel anticipation for that same warmth. Everyone identifies with that, don’t they? I am so looking forward to Peter Rose spending just two days away, with just my family. Hanging out with the family is the only real purpose, but it should be no surprise that I’ll be nosing around for shops and experiences that inspire me. Frankenmuth is not about national chains; not about the internet. It’s all local; it’s all warm. The connection you feel to people in shops such as you find in small towns like this is palpable, and each browse, each purchase is far more likely to leave you with a sense of satisfaction and happiness than any other shopping experience. I’m looking forward to it now; I hope to be able to share tales of being impressed. Small stores, independent and local, are all around us, though. I don’t have to go to Frankenmuth to find such stuff. I only mention that town because it’s my job - writing this column is easier with experiences from the front. And “the front” is what we’re talking about as we enter the final 30 days of the year, where every dollar taken in matters a lot for the small stores. Every purchase matters - a lot. The holiday gift giving season pays off a lot of bills and can provide a cushion that gets indie retailers through the winter months. I’m talking about local stores with local owners and local employees who all benefit tremendously through a series of single, conscious decisions. Knowing how important this is for them makes me want to do business at such places. It’s so much more real, so much more meaningful to make someone happy and grateful. As opposed to being a part of a revenue stream that mainly leaves the state, benefitting people I don’t know - and that don’t care about me, or say thank you, or even know I spent the money at all. It’s something that, once really understood, makes every decision about spending on food and drink and shopping a lot easier. I want my money to be leveraged to the full extent of its potential to benefit me. I want my spending to be appreciated. When possible, I want to think that my spending might be reciprocated, just as theirs has done with my places. In this way, spending in circles where we live and play results in those same dollars being spent again and again and again.

We can all lose the thread. And we can all find it, too, and very easily. We can all come to our senses, and realize that we’ve got more power than we ever let ourselves know. Little old us, with all that power. My stores just experienced an emphatic demonstration of support for us independent retail businesses on “Black Friday” and “Small Business Saturday.” It feels incredibly good; we’re all so grateful. I belong to nationwide groups of independent retailers, the majority of whose reports of the weekend’s results are really encouraging for them, and for all of us. More and more people are letting themselves get the satisfaction they’ve been missing. Many never stopped. Many are starting out in life, seeking authenticity, and finding homes with local and independent businesses like ours.

The pursuit of that authenticity is what motivates me. I travel near and far to find it. Not that I’m always buying. But I’m always looking to feel the real thing. The connection to community. The smiles, the product knowledge, the excellence in presentation, the cool and unique products, and the genuine gratitude for the patronage. It informs, it inspires, and it feels very good. When I go to Frankenmuth (and not Birch Run where low end product is sold, tricking the people that don’t know, and with zero connectivity), I’ll be in total relaxation mode. I can use it. But then again, you can rest assured that I’ll also be hyper-aware, eager to report back with tales of glad tidings from the indie front. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Thanks for reading my columns, too!

Teaching Toys

Page 10 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 11

RIVERVIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Jump with Jill stresses nutrition, exercise

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, Jump with Jill assembly visited Forest Elementary. Jump with Jill is an interactive assembly that is paid for by U.S. Dairy Farmers’ Association which came as free to our district. Jill and “DJ Slick Nick” provided an up-on-your-feet informational assembly that had many cool beats/raps involved. The students learned about proper nutrition, adding more fruits and vegetables into their diets, and getting at least sixty minutes of exercise per day. Also, the negative effects of sugar were discussed as students sang silly slogans to remind them of this. Volunteer students/staff were chosen to come up and dance and sing with Jill and Nick. This same assembly visited Huntington previously and also Memorial the same day. This assembly proved to be fun, engaging, and informational to say the least!

Riverview Schools Awarded Michigan State Police Safety Grant As reported by Jennifer Chambers in the Detroit News on November 25, 2018, spending on school security has increased dramatically after state lawmakers gave $25 million to the Michigan State Police for school safety grants in the wake of mass school shootings in Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe, Texas. The money is going to 114 public school districts, 42 non-public schools, 22 public charter schools and 10 intermediate school districts. Riverview Schools was among public school districts recipients. The district was awarded $8,800 to be used for building entry and access control systems. The $25 million awarded for schools to beef up security in and around school buildings and to protect students and staff is about a third of what schools requested. Michigan State Police received a total of 407 applications requesting $69 million for its competitive school safety grant program. The majority of funds allocated around the state will be used to

harden access points; add access control systems, security film or glass and public address systems; install door barricade devices and door locks; and purchase mobile phone communication and safety applications. Riverview’s grant was awarded for this type of work. Riverview Schools Superintendent, Dr. Russell Pickell said, “safety and security film will be applied to glass across the district. The district’s newly approved sinking fund and school bond will also be used toward secure entranceways and security cameras.” The objective is to create an environment that locks down most exterior doors and allows limited access to buildings. Perimeter doors would remain locked for most of the day except at key locations in which students are directed to enter. Staff would enter through specific doors that have access control equipment installed, he said. School security funding has been a long-neglected priority, especially in Michigan’s cash-strapped districts. Chris Wigent, executive director

of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, said school safety has always been a priority for superintendents and school districts, but the funding for school security has not been sufficient. “With the significant increase of violent situations that we have seen over the past couple of years, superintendents have been working with their students, staff, and communities to ensure that their campuses and buildings are as safe as humanly possible,” Wigent said. “We have seen many advancements in technology that have come about as a response to these situations and as those continue to surface, additional funds to support those changes are necessary.” Wigent said he does not feel security measures have been lacking in districts across the state. Rather, security and technology have improved, and new safety protocols and training have been developed in recent years. “By applying for one of the state grants, districts are communicating

that school safety continues to be a priority, and the bottom line is ... additional funding is necessary for many of the necessary changes,” he said. Top 10 Largest Grant Winners 1. Marshall Public Schools $1 million 2. Ann Arbor Public Schools $956,644 3. Benton Harbor Area Schools $928,725 4. Grand Rapids Public Schools $866,213 5. Rochester Community Schools $828,164 6. Detroit Public Schools Community District $750,000 7. Gaylord Community Schools $611,741 8. Meridian Public Schools $581,888 9. Royal Oak Schools $578,175 10. Byron Center Public Schools $568,009 Source: Michigan State Police

Page 12 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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KINDERGARTEN – 2ND GRADE BASKETBALL “FUN”DAMENTALS Jan. 29 - March 5, 2019 City Hall Gym

A great beginning to learn basketball skills for boys & girls. We’ll focus on dribbling, passing and ball handling with lots of fun drills and contests. #4500 Grades: K Tuesdays 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. #4600 Grades: 1 - 2 Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. $25.00 Limit: 20 per class Must pre-register by Thursday, January 24

Birth certificates are required at the time of registration. Like us on Facebook: Riverview Recreation Department

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Riverview Buccaneers Swim Team The Buccaneers are a competitive swim team for kids ages 6-18. All swimmers will be taught all four competitive strokes, starts and turns. We compete with other teams in the area. We ask that each child comes to practice with goggles, a swim cap, and competitive swim suit. *Swimmers must pass a swim test of one length of the pool before officially being on the team*

The season runs January 7th- March 25th Practices are held Monday-Thursday At Riverview Community High School 6pm-7:15pm for younger/new swimmers 7:30pm-9pm for older/experienced swimmers Cost: $100 per swimmer $90 each additional child

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RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 13

VOLLEYBALL

TRAINING CLINIC Jan. 31 - March 7, 2019 City Hall Gym, Thursdays

Come learn some new volleyball skills, such as bumps, sets, spikes, serving and proper rotation for team playing. Class open to boys and girls.

Instructor: Adrianna Ragain. She has 5 years of Volleyball experience and has attended the Madonna University Volleyball Training Camp.

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Birth certificates are required at the time of registration. Like us on Facebook: Riverview Recreation Department

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Page 16 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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What’s Happening Riverview CHRISTMAS MUSIC Please join us at the Riverview Library on Dec. 8 and 11 a.m. for a jolly ol’ Christmas Storytime! Listen to Christmas stories, make a craft and join in on some ninjareindeer games. Santa Claus will be visiting with us as well. Registration is required. Please call 734-283-1250 or visit us at the circulation desk to reserve your space.

Riverview Kiwanis Club members Don Van Every (left), President Diane Kinlen, Don Matt, Andrew Swift, Karen Orosz, Ted Orosz and Vice President Mat Dominski are ready to shop with 17 children from 10 Riverview families in need.

Kiwanis Coats for Kids Paula Neuman

Riverview Register Writer

Ten Riverview families in need with 17 children among them are warmer this winter thanks to the city’s Kiwanis Club. Early in November, club members took the families to J.C. Penney’s to shop for winter clothes. Each child had $100 to spend, and the store offere a discount that made the money go a long way. The families met at the school bus garage in Riverview, and boarded the Woodhaven Kiwanis Club’s bus — donated for the venture — to get a ride

DOMINSKI

to the store and back. “We have a good time on the bus meeting the families, and they do show their appreciation for what do for them,” said Andrew Swift, a Board of Directors member with the club and also mayor of the city. “We turn them loose in the store, and check them out all at the same time. Penney’s gives us such a big discount that the kids and parents have to keep going back to get more. It’s pretty fun.” The club calls the program, which is annual, Coats for Kids, although all sorts of winter clothes are purchased, he said.

WALKER

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New school board members take their seats Riverview Community School District would like to congratulate Trustee Sheila Walker, Matthew Dominski and Megan Walter on being elected as the newest School Board members in November’s Election.

Additionally, on behalf of the students and staff, we would like to thank the community for all of their support in helping to pass our bond proposal and sinking fund initiative. This is an overall community win.

UMM-UMM, GOOD Learn to Make Pierogis Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Looking to learn how to make a new yummy treat for the holiday season? Class participants will learn to make delicious pierogis from scratch. This is a great opportunity to hone a new skill and get fresh ideas for holiday entertaining. All ingredients and materials will be provided for free. Registration is required by Dec. 8, 2018. Call 734-283-1250 or stop by the circulation desk to reserve your space. Space is limited to 15 people.

\OPEN MIC NIGHT Come and share your one-of-a-kind writing, art, song or dance on Dec. 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Riverview Library. Expect a welcoming audience. Participants and attendees will also enjoy a delicious nacho bar. Please call 734-283-1250 to RSVP for this fun event Riverview Veterans Memorial Library. RIVERVIEW BOOK CLUB Join us the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Here are our upcoming book club selections, January: Little Women, Louisa May Alcott; February, Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Lisa See; March, Choose your own book for Women’s History Month; April, Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead; May, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen. Book Club is led by Deb Helton If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask or call us at 734-283-1250.

Kiwanis Club helps families at Thanksgiving

The Kiwanis of Riverview Thanksgiving Food Basket Program feeds 10 needy Riverview families. With financial assistance from Thrivent Financial and a donation of 10 turkeys from the Deanna Boone State Farm Agency, feeding these families takes place just in time for the holiday. Each family receives a complete Thanksgiving dinner including a large turkey. Kiwanis members shop for the food at Meijer in Woodhaven and then pack the food up into several boxes. The food is then taken to Seitz Middle School to be repacked for the individual families by the Riverview Community High School Key Club. Kiwanis Club members then deliver the food directly to the families home. The families are selected from the “Free and Reduced Lunch Program” at the Riverview Community Schools.

Kiwanis Club gives dictionaries to city’s third-grade students Paula Neuman

Riverview Register Writer

A dictionary is a book that gives the meaning of words. The Dictionary Project is a program that helps give third-graders the meaning of the knowledge available when they can read those words. Since 2007, the Kiwanis Club of Riverview has been involved with the Dictionary Project, a nationwide, nonprofit venture founded in Georgia in 1992. With help from local businesses and donors, the Kiwanis Club members in Riverview have distributed dictionaries to third graders in the city’s schools each year, and this year was no exception. “Over the past 11 years, we have provided 3,242 dictionaries to Huntington, Memorial and Forest elementary schools,” said Andrew Swift, a member of the club’s Board of Directors and mayor of the city. “For several years, we also donated to the third graders at Trillium Academy in Taylor because that city didn’t have a Kiwanis Club. This is one of our club’s

Children in the Forest Elementary School third-grade classes taught by Carla Avery, Ann Kissel and Jennifer LaFehr hold up their new dictionaries.

favorite projects because it gets us in the schools in front of the students. They are always very happy to see us, especially if they have an older sibling who has received a dictionary in the

past.” Why third graders? “We want to help young people succeed in school and in life, and we know that third grade is a crucial

time for students to learn to read effectively,” states a letter posted online by the club. “Dictionary Project sponsors believe that giving children dictionaries is like giving them a set of keys — tools that will unlock all the information there is to be gained from reading and will also help them write about what they learn so they can share information with others.” The project in Riverview is supported financially by: • Atria Kinghaven Senior Living • Bellaire Senior Living • Biundo Cement Co. • C. E. Raines Co. • Comfort Zone Insulation • Deanna Boone Agency Inc. • Forest Elementary Parent Club • Mayor Andrew Swift • Memorial Elementary Parent Club • William Lynn • Pentiuk Couvreur &Kobiljak P.C. • Riverview Animal Hospital • Riverview Towing Inc. “The Dictionary Project wouldn’t happen without their generous donations,” Swift said.

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RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 17

Page 18 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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RIVERVIEW RECREATION DEPARTMENT AQUA AEROBICS This higher intensity class is designed to improve cardio conditioning, alternating with strength/balance and core training segments. Water can provide up to 12 times more resistance than air, making it beneficial for strength and mobility training as well as improved cardiovascular conditioning. It also gives knees and backs a break from land based cardio workouts. Non-swimmers welcome and this class is for any age and ability. Noodles and foam weights provided. Please bring a pair of 1 to 5 pound hand weights. Instructor: Lisa Magyar Seitz Middle School Pool Session I 12 weeks AQ1 Tuesdays January 8 – March 26 7:00-8:00 p.m. AQ2 Thursdays January 10 – March 28 7:00-8:00 p.m. #6700 1 class per week/12 week session $48.00 #6701 2 classes per week/12 week session $90.00 #6705 Walk in $5.00 30 MINUTE ARMS EXPRESS For those with a busy schedule or those starting off in getting fit, you picked the right class -30 Minute Arms Ex- press Workout! A quick, fun workout targeting the muscles in your arms, chest and back. A great way to tone your muscles, reduce arm flab and improve your flexibility. Please bring 1 to 5 pound weights. Instructor: Lisa Magyar City Hall Gym Session I 12 weeks F1 Wednesdays January 9 – March 27 6:00-6:30 p.m. F2 Fridays January 11 – March 29 6:00-6:30 p.m. #6706 1 class per week/12 week session $48.00 #6707 2 classes per week/12 week session $90.00 #6705 Walk in $5.00 CARDIO DRUMMING Cardio drumming combines easy-to-follow cardio moves with strength training and drumming. This fun, whole body workout is designed to be either low, mid or high impact- you decide how hard you work! This class can also be done seated for those who cannot stand during the workout. Classes include a warm up, cardio workout, toning, and a cool down/stretching session. Please bring your own 65 - 75 cm stability or yoga ball along with large plastic rope handled bucket for your stability ball to rest in. Bring drumsticks or purchase drumsticks in class. Instructor: Lisa Magyar City Hall Gym Session I 12 weeks CD1 Wednesdays January 9 – March 27 6:30-7:30 p.m. CD2 Fridays January 11 – March 29 10:00-11:00 a.m. CD3 Fridays January 11 – March 29 6:30-7:30 p.m. #6710 1 class per week/12 week session $48.00 #6711 2 classes per week/12 week session $90.00 #6705 Walk in $5.00 SENIOR CHAIR FITNESS A gentle, chair based exercise class for men and woman. This class will help muscle flexibility and all around make your body feel better. Simple exercises along with stretches help keep you moving. Come meet new friends and listen to some great music!! Instructor: Lisa Magyar City Hall Gym Session I 12 weeks S1 Fridays January11 – March 29 9:00-9:45 a.m. #6714 1 class per week/12 week session $36.00 #6705 Walk in $5.00 Riverview Recreation 734-281-4219 You may register at class, just please arrive a few minutes early.

“WALK YOUR WAY” FIT Join this class it’s really great! You may even lose some weight! The music’s sweet...a real treat! The entire class is on your feet! No jumping...no floor, When you leave you’ll want some more! Instructor: Sue (Flanary) Michetti Session I 10 weeks City Hall Gym D1 Mondays January 7 – March 25 (No class Jan. 21 & Feb. 18) 9:00-9:50 a.m. #5001 1 class per week/per 10 week session $40.00 #4505 Walk-ins per class $5.00 “HUSTLE AND MUSCLE” CARDIO/TONING Ready to try a workout that is focused “around you”? These easy to follow movement combinations, set to some awesome tunes, are taught in a low impact format with opportunities to ‘pick it up’ if you prefer. All fitness levels are invited. Challenge your muscles with resistance tubing, light weights, and stability balls (supplied by the instructor). Sculpt your legs and abs with mat exercises. Complete your workout with a relaxing stretch. Instructor: Sue (Flanary) Michetti Session I 10 weeks City Hall Gym A1 Mondays January 7 – March 25 (No class Jan. 21 & Feb. 18) 6:15-7:10 p.m. #5001 1 class per week/per 10 week session $40.00 #4505 Walk-ins per class $5.00 “ZUMBA GOLD” Improve your health from the inside out as you energize your body and mind. Learn exciting new moves like salsa, merengue and cumbia. The movements and pace are modified but we keep all the flavor and excitement of the party! Your awesome instructor will supply the Zumba Toning Sticks, if you choose to use them for some additional toning! The results are amazing. Now you can get groovin’ at a pace that’s right for you. Instructor: Sue (Flanary) Michetti Session I 7 weeks City Hall Gym Z1 Mondays January 7 – March 25 (No class Jan. 21 & Feb. 18) 7:15-8:00 p.m. #5000 1 class per week/per 10 week session $45.00 #4505 Walk-ins per class $5.00 Riverview Recreation 734-281-4219 You may register at class, just please arrive a few minutes early. RECREATION EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Riverview Recreation Department is hiring basketball scorekeepers and gym supervisors. The pay ranges between $9.50-$15.00 an hour. Contact the Recreation Department at 734-281-4219 for more information. MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY If you would like to help plan and put on the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, please contact the Recreation Department at 734-281-4219 or the Riverview American Legion Post 389 for details.

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School Board Approves Champions as Latchkey Provider During the Nov. 27 regular meeting of the Riverview Community School District Board of Education, the Board voted to partner with Champions to provide before and after school “latchkey” programming. This decision was prompted by a recent visitation from the State of Michigan LARA licensing consultant. The results of this visit confirmed that, while the facilities themselves were suitable, there were program operational and managerial improvements needed in order to retain licensing and continue the program, and these corrective actions needed to be completed within a short time frame. Wrap-around programs fall outside of the regular school day and are not a requirement for school districts. Even though these programs are optional, they are a staple in many districts, including Riverview. “We never considered discontinuing our latchkey program. We have a multitude of parents who rely on these types of programs and we were determined to find a way to provide our families the option of continuing these services within the district,” states district Superintendent Dr. Russell Pickell. “Our challenge was to find a program that would be compliant with all licensing requirements, afford an easy transition for parents, offer comparable pricing, and furnish an opportunity to retain existing

WRAP-AROUND PROGRAMS FALL OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL DAY AND ARE NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. staff.” Champions meets all these expectations and more. Champions brings a high level of structure and academic support to the before and after school program. “Students will have the opportunity to work on homework, receive support, or to participate in explorations and projects that supplement our existing curriculum,” says Jason Gribble, Director of Curriculum, Innovation and Grants. “With the increase in licensing requirements and academic expectations associated with public education, it will be beneficial to have a partner that is familiar with and supportive of our initiatives.” The district recognizes that educational services are a competitive market, and while it is impossible to please everyone, it is important to the district and families that Riverview provides opportunities that meet the high expectations of our community. Champions will be sending information to families which will help to effectively facilitate the transition. In the meantime, interested parties can access additional information about the organization through visitation of their website at discoverchampions.com.

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RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 19

Page 20 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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With a fine 2018 in the books, city manager looks optimistically toward 2019 Hank Minckiewicz Riverview Register Writer

By any measure, 2018 was a pretty good year for the city of Riverview. New businesses opened their doors, new construction was completed and the recreation department’s expanded offerings like the bigger, better Summerfest and the reimagined Christmas Tree Lighting, were met with enthusiasm by residents. “Overall it was a good year,” said City Manager Doug Drysdale. “There were a lot of good things that happened.” Among them, Drysdale said, was the completion of the redevelopment of the shopping area at the corner of Fort Street and Pennsylvania. That work took longer than some expected because some ground clean up was necessary, as well as extensive underground work. Starbucks is now open there and Drysdale said the developer has assured the city that he is negotiating with occupants for the remainder of the complex. Elsewhere along Fort, small new business keep cropping up. Business like Serendipity Cakes, Phaze Nutrition and Sassy Eyes Eyewear. Drysdale said the Italian restaurant Tiramisu plans to finally open its doors soon. Perhaps the most visible things the city did in 2018 were the improved items offered by the recreation department. In addition to the Summerfest improvements, the city also moved the Christmas Tree Lighting from city hall to Young Patriots Park. Young Patriots Park - the city’s biggest and best-known park - itself underwent a transformation. The park got new playground equipment and became home to more programs such as Movies in the Park and Concerts on the Park. Memorial Park on the city’s east side also got a little love as the former old wading pool was transformed into a state-of-the-art, ADA-approved splash pad. Drysdale said residents in that area expressed

delight with the new water feature. One of the improvements made by the recreation department can’t be seen, but its affects will be noticed this summer. After years of patching together the pumping station at the Riverview Highlands Golf Course and hoping for the best, last year it was replaced. The improved pumping capacity will mean better, more even watering on the course this coming season. Drysdale said you could begin to see the change near the end of last summer, but with the new pumps going a for a full season, he said the improvements will be dramatic. The course also got golf cart upgrades and all the bunkers are being rebuilt and new sand is being added. While most of the news out of the city was good and positive, there were some darker moments. The city had a couple of instances of time card fraud and it cost them several fire and police department employees. It was not a shining moment for Riverview, but when the matter came to light, it was quickly dealt with. There has also been some concern about the way the city runs its fire department. Currently the city has a full-time department staffed with part-timers. Drysdale said the city will be looking into the possibility of hiring some full time firefighters in the future. The city has already split the police chief and fire chief duties and hired Ron Lammers to head the fire department The city is also keeping a close eye to see that residents are protected during the demolition and removal of the building, debris and material at the old McLouth Steel site. And always on the city’s mind is the fate of the Land Preserve. There are no planned proposals in the immediate future, Drysdale said. But the city will have to deal with a proposed expansion at some point. But that’s in the future. For now, 2018 worked out well and Drysdale and the city are looking forward to a bright 2019.

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Thinking about old friends during the holidays Gerald Perry

Riverview Register Writer

Rambling thoughts. A while back an old friend passed away, which set me to thinking about all the friends I have lost over the years. Too many to start counting, really. One such friend was a fellow I grew up with. We went to Riverview High School together, we played sports together and just hung out together.. My friend was a very gifted person when it came to art and mechanical drawing. In fact, I got through my mechanical drawing class in high school because he let me copy his work. After he graduated from high school, he got a job as a window dresser at People’s outfitting in Lincoln Park. He soon tired of that and got a job in the engineering department at Samsonite Co. in Ecorse. When that plant closed, he went to the Sansonite plant in Murfreesboro, TN doing the same work, designing tools and dies. One day and old friend told him about a job in Columbus, MS with the Beneke Toilet seat Company. My friend was not thrilled about working for a toilet seat company, but there were rumors of Samsonite being sold, so he looked into it. He sent a copy of his work and Beneke invited him to town to talk. The people and Beneke were so impressed with him in person that they flew his wife to town to be part of the interview process. The company hired him on the spot and paid for the expenses involved in moving. At the time, Beneke manufactured only plain white, wooden toilet seats.

My fired designed seats with college logos on them and distributed samples to the sales staff. The seats were a hit and the company took orders for several hundred. They had no choice but to set up a new line to produce the seats. The company then asked my friend - in a nice way - not to do that again. But he did. He designed a clear plastic seat with coins in it and another with flowers and gave samples to the sales staff. Again, they were a hit, a new line had to be formed and the company warned my friend to stop. Undeterred, my friend went on to design the soft toilet seat. This time he presented it to the company’s board of directors and it was rejected. The company said people would not buy the seat because it would feel used and draw in bad air. Again, my friend went back to the sales staff, giving them dozens of prototypes and, of course, the seats were a hit. The company got thousands of orders for seats they said “would not sell.” Demand was so high, the company had to set up not only a new line, but build a new facility to manufacture the popular new item. If you check with the U.S. Patient Office, you will see the name of my old high school friend - David Harrison on the patent for the soft toilet seats, as well as several other patents. While you may have used one his seats, I am guessing you have probably never heard of David, but I know the Beneke Toilet Seat Company knows who he was. Rest in peace, my friend.

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RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 21

Page 22 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

Stay at Home Care LLC has been helping the elderly and disabled in the privacy of their own homes for 7 years. The business started as a result of both co-owners Brenda Rademan and Diana Cain having Diana Cain & Brenda Rademan difficulty finding the means to care for their own parents at home. “You speak with the owners; we aren’t a franchise like the rest of them.” said co-owners Brenda and Diana. When talking about your loved ones, there is nothing worse than dealing with impersonal care. At Stay at Home Care you can expect the friendly service of hand picked employees, and a care plan that revolves around your needs. In fact they are known for their 2 hour minimum for services. This minimum insures that they can provide you with care that works for your schedule. Stay at Home Care is proud to keep people in the homes they love, as long as possible. Written by Cameron Colwell, Business Profile Writer

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RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 23

Hank Minckiewicz

Riverview Register Sports Writer

First-year varsity basketball coach Marcus Voelz is new to the head coaches’ chair, but he is certainly not new to the players nor to the program. Voelz played basketball at Riverview before graduating in 2004 and he had three brothers play and graduate from Riverview after him. In addition, he has been the Pirates varsity assistant coach for the past five season. So, technically, Voelz is a “new” coach, but he is a new coach who comes in with a vast wealth of knowledge about his team and the history of his program. All that having been said, if you watched the Pirates at all last season, you likely won’t recognize them this year. “Last year we walked the ball down and set up a lot of things,” Voelz said. “This year, we’ve completely changed things. This team is a lot deeper than last year. The kids are exceptionally fast and we have a lot of guys who can really get up and down the court.” The team graduated 10 seniors from last year, but with several returning starters back, including veteran point guard Sean Hand, Voelz said he is not worried about his team lacking experience. And with Hand, one of the top cross country runners in the Huron League, handing the ball, the Bucs are ready to run opponents ragged. “We hope to run up and down the court and by the fourth quarter, have the other team worn out,” said Voelz. Joining Hand in the starting lineup likely will be senior brothers Jordan and Jake Wetherell, senior Sean Evoe and junior Austin Poe. Poe was the “go-to” guy on the junior varsity team last year before being call up to the varsity in the second half of the season. While those guys may start, the rest of the squad is sure to see plenty of playing time. Sophomore Jagger Kilburg (6-foot4), senior Allen Moody (6-foot-3) and junior Dominik LaChappelle (6-foot2) will provide the team with some presence in the paint, while MRE Neal, Jimari Moultrie, Paul Laurain and Kenny Hightower provide the

Photo by Larry Caruso

Senior Jordan Wetherell rushes the ball upcourt during a game against Anderson.

THE KIDS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY FAST AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GUYS WHO CAN REALLY GET UP AND DOWN THE COURT.” THE TEAM GRADUATED 10 SENIORS depth a speed team needs. The Bucs played close with nearly everyone last season and in the end wound up dead even with a 1010 record and a third-place Huron League finish. But they we so close to being much better. Most of the team’s losses were by 10 points or less and they lost two right at the final buzzer. This year, Voelz wants to turn a lot of those losses into wins, but it

won’t be easy as the league will again present challenges. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central won the league title last year and is expected to be a strong contender again. But along with the Falcons are teams like Flat Rock and Huron. “Flat Rock is going to be tough. They have some talented guys,” said Voelz. “And Huron, they’re always scrappy and tough to beat.”

And that’s to say nothing of always-tough Milan and archrival Grosse Ile. The Bucs opened the season with non-league games against Dearborn Heights Annapolis, Southgate, Lincoln Park and Trenton. They will face Summit Academy before beginning the Huron League season with games against Flat Rock Dec. 14 and Huron Dec. 18.

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New coach takes over varsity basketball team

Page 24 • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • RIVERVIEW REGISTER

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Play everything is the motto for these Pioneers Dave Gorgon

Riverview Register Sports Writer

As athletic director at Gabriel Richard High School in Riverview, Kris Daiek encourages studentathletes to play more than one sport. While 89 percent of the student population competes on teams – the second most among Class C schools in Michigan – more than a third of the young athletes play at least two sports. Ten percent play three sports. “Getting the best athletes to compete has been our goal,” Daiek said. The results have benefited teams across the board and Gabriel Richard’s success is evident. Recently, the Pioneers have made it to the final four in the hockey state tournament, won a baseball state title, gone to the final four in girls basketball a few years back, won a state championship in bowling, captured their first district championship in football and on and on.. More athletes sometimes mean bigger teams. This year’s varsity basketball squad – coached by Daiek – has 16 players. It’s the deepest team since Daieck started at GR eight years ago. “It takes everybody to have a successful program,” he said. “The last two years, we’ve had 16 players. The problem is you can’t get 16 into a practice, much less a game. But we have a team atmosphere and everyone has bought into it. They challenge each other. When I see that, it’s something special.” At least two members of the boys basketball team – back for their third year of varsity ball – are perfect examples of well-rounded athletes. Senior Matt Silka was a junior varsity soccer player two years ago. He also pitched a one-hitter in the baseball state finals last year. Kevin Tuttle, plays basketball, soccer and is an All-Catholic baseball player. He has signed a letter of intent with Central Michigan University. “Our basketball team is kind of a melting pot,” Daiek said. “We have maybe four or five students that have basketball as their primary sport. We like taking other kids from other sports.” It seems to be working. Gabriel

Photos by Larry Caruso

It is a talented and athletic team that returns to the floor for Coach Kris Daiek in 2018-19.

Richard opened the 2018-2019 season with a 46-33 win over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central – snapping the latter’s regular-season winning streak that dated back to 2016. SMCC made it to the final four in the Class C state tournament last season. Plenty of talented players are in the lineup. Senior guard Garrett Balazsi is back for his fourth varsity season. As an All-Catholic League performer a year ago, Balazsi averaged 12 points and six assists a game. Senior center Deshon Elam is back for his third varsity season. At 6-foot4, he has already showed positive signs of taking on the biggest players on the opposing teams, scoring 13

with six rebounds against SMCC. “He won’t be the biggest kid in the league,” Daiek said, “but he plays a lot bigger than what he is.” He’s not even the tallest player on the team. Senior center Jacob Henderson is a 6-foot-5 left-handed shooter who earned All-League honors last season. A number of high school football players are making an impression on the basketball team, including sophomore Michael Holdsclaw, a 6-foot-2 All-Catholic performer on the gridiron. Other senior football players on the team are basketball guards Kyle Alonte and Colby Daieck (the coach’s

son) and forward Nevin Hughes. Daieck played quarterback and Alonte was a defensive back. Hughes, a Division 1 football player who is very strong and athletic and provides leadership. Juniors competing for time include forward Robbie Henderson (Jacob’s brother), guard Braden Bilinski, forward Matt Maki, forward Nick Hiuser guard Hans Frederick and guard Jacob Kowal. A freshman – 6-foot-4 center Michael Calhoun is also on the scorecard. Coach Daieck said Calhoun might not see that much playing time this year, but he hopes he can step up and start right away as a sophomore. Last year, the Pioneers were 15-7, lost many close games and lost in the district championship by just four points. Daieck said this year’s team is “a little more mature” and “has figured some things out,” so he’s hoping for more wins. “I think we’ve met the academic challenge at Gabriel Richard with the athletic challenge,” Daieck said. “It’s exciting to be challenged every day with everything you do. You can’t just show up in class. You’ve got to work in class. You’ve got to work in practice. You’ve got to work in games.”

Still growing Riverview hockey team looks to improve Hank Minckiewicz

Riverview Register Sports Writer

Last season a sophomore-dominated Riverview hockey team won six games, this year the junior-dominated squad hopes the growth and experience gained last year will translate into more victories this season. “I don’t expect us to win 20 games,’ said third-year coach Anthony Schooly. “We are still pretty young, but we can compete. I want us to get better every game. We are a year older, a year stronger and there is no one on our schedule that we can’t play with.” “We expect to be better this year and then we expect to be even better the next,” said Schooley’. Although the team is dominated by 12 juniors, the leading returning pointgetters from last year are sophomores. Ryan Herzog and Gavin Holmes were only ninth graders last year, but they were the the offensive engine that helped power the team. They are each

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back, a year older, a year bigger and stronger. One of the few seniors on the team is goalie Ryan Mehrof, a four-year players, who will get a little help this year from freshman back-up Josiah Dembrosky. This year’s massive junior class is, Julian Johnson, Thomas Dunne, Ethan Borso, Jack Lenden, Luke Lenden, Matt Kowalske, Jake Geladin, Justin Severinski (captain), Luke Snow, Ben Lambert, Kyle Camilleri and Noah Christman. The other sophomores are Andrew Wojtowicz, Tyler Sprindys and Aiden Gazdecki. Senior Seth Beneteau and freshman Blake Schwartz round out the team. Schooley, who has been the Riverview head coach for three years but has been with the program for eight, said that while he expects his team to be better this year than last, there are still lots of improvements to be made, especially in the defensive zone.

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Experienced Riverview girls want to give league leaders a run for the money

E

xperience is a great thing to have when you are a basketball coach and Riverview’s Rob Sauter will have a pile of it this season. The Riverview girls team has six players entering at least their third year. Two of them - Sam Dorn and Karmyn Cartrette are heading Hank Minckiewicz into their fourth season as varsity players. “We have quite a bit of experience back,” said Sauter, who counts four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and a freshman among his 12-member team. “We have a bunch of hard-working girls who play hard and play for each other,” Sauter said. “We are not a real big team, but we are athletic and fast.” The 5-foot-9 Dorn, a senior, leads the way and she is one of three captains, along with fellow senior Nicole McMath and junior Elizabeth Dalton. Sauter said Dorn is one of the top players in the Huron League and the Bucs are expecting a big campaign out of her. Gabby Rolak (third year) and McMath (third year) are the other seniors on the squad. The Pirates have a few other interesting pieces to work with this season, among them, junior Emma Flaishans, who lost all of last season for foot and ankle injuries. Flaishans played on the varsity as a freshman, and to show what kind of athlete she is, she was the starting quarterback several years ago on the undefeated Seitz Middle School football team.

Photos by Mimi Dorn

Kylie Skidmore and Samantha Dorn (11) are among the returning players who hope to lead the Pirates to the top of the Huron League heap this season.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF HARD-WORKING GIRLS WHO PLAY HARD AND PLAY FOR EACH OTHER. WE ARE NOT A REAL BIG TEAM, BUT WE ARE ATHLETIC AND FAST. To have her back and healthy has Sauter smiling before the season has even begun. Shannon McAlinden, another junior and a thirdyear player, is also a key. “All of our players have shown great improvement, but Shannon has really come on,” Sauter said. “She is very, very athletic and she can be one of our best players.” And then there is Rayah Kolbusz, who made the team as a ninth-grader. You know a kid can play if they are

good enough for the varsity as a freshman and Kolbusz, who comes from a basketball coaching family, has made a believer of Sauter. The squad is rounded out this year by junior Anastasia Stergiadis and sophomores Paige Beaudry, Kylie Skidmore and Tylee Hunter. “This is a real team,” said Sauter. “All 12 girls can and will play.” Riverview was 11-10 overall last year and finished fourth in the Huron League

behind co-champs Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central and Huron and third-place Airport. That team was just crushed by bad luck as it lost 52 games to injury or illness and not a single Pirate played in every game. Sauter said Airport returns virtually its whole team from last year and SMCC returns most of its players from 2017-18. In addition, he said several other teams have improved since last year, aw well.

“The league is going to be very good this year,” he said. “They are at east six real quality teams and every game is going to be tough. We feel like we have the talent to play with all of them and we are excited to get started.” The Bucs open the season with non-league games against Downriver League powerhouse Allen Park, Dearborn and Fordson before beginning the Huron League campaign against Flat Rock.

RIVERVIEW REGISTER • December 12 - January 16, 2019 • Page 27

Dave Gorgon

Riverview Register Sports Writer

With a more seasoned girls basketball team on the court this year, Gabriel Richard High School Coach Omar Ahart is feeling confident about the Pioneers. The majority of the team of six seniors, four juniors and two freshmen are in year two of their coach’s transition system, played AAU ball in the off season and has been showing promise. “It’s a new space and pace type of system that a lot of college teams are doing,” Ahart said. “It’s about getting up and down the floor.” The Pioneers were 8-12 last season, but the coach says it’s not indicative of how they played. He’s looking for improvement. “The team finally got the system down toward the end of the year,” Ahart said. “We lost out on a lot of close games we could have won. The record easily could have flipped to 13-8. They were learning a system under a new coach. They played hard under a new coach. They’re playing even harder this year.” Ahart’s team impressed in the season opener: a 50-10 thumping of Detroit Cristo Rey. The Pioneers are scheduled to play in a holiday tournament vs. Mumford at Cass Tech before December ends. In line for starting assignments are three seniors and two juniors, including returning starting guard Maddie Szcechowski, who is back for her junior

season. “She’s a real tough kid and a great defender,” Ahart said. “She learned how to settle the team down and play tough on defense. Plus, her ball handling got a lot better from last year.” Junior Angela Cabolang played high-powered AAU ball, has become one of the team’s “electrifying ball handlers” and starts alongside Szczechowski at guard. “The kid is ready to break through the ceiling this year,” Ahart said. The three starting seniors – Annie Payette, Destiny Jones and Sharmaye Becraft – are all getting recruited by colleges, the coach said. All three are forwards. Payette worked hard on her strength and conditioning and is a fine outside shooter. Jones is an athletic player who benefited from AAU ball and “runs like a gazelle,” her coach said. Becraft, who also plays volleyball and softball, may be the “heart and soul” of the team. The 5-foot-8 “ball hawk” is an excellent rebounder and gets the transition started. Senior Francesca Pizzo is a tough player who can provide lots of energy off the bench or go inside as a starter. Morgan Crandall, who transferred last year from Trenton, didn’t play much last season but is a high-energy senior who loves to defend. The other juniors on the team are Laura Lipinski and Kaitlyn Blaskiewicz. Lipinski, who tore her ACL

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on the first day of practice last year, is back in the lineup, working hard, shooting well and doing a lot of the “dirty work” needed by a team. Blaskiewicz, who played with the junior varsity last season, is one of GR’s best outside shooters. Senior Sydney Balan is fighting back from an ankle roll in the summer and should be back within the month. Coach Ahart said Balan is a “high-energy kid” who shoots the ball really well. “I’m counting on her being back.” Two talented freshman are part of the 12-girl roster. Both should be in sophomore form by mid-season, Ahart said. Six-foot Izzy Assimacopoulos was doing great things at St. Pius Catholic School and is carrying on from there, excelling in AAU ball and running up and down the floor at Gabriel Richard. Haley Hand, who played grade school ball at St. Joseph in Trenton, is a tough-nose ninth-grader who can go to the bucket and is working hard to get playing time. “The girls are getting there through hard work in practice,” Ahart said. “They are starting to understand that they way I coach, you’ve got to be in top-top shape. “I want my kids to play at the level I coach. Once you teach a young lady to play ball, they usually take the personality and energy from their coach.”

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Veteran GR girls feel confident heading into new season

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