Sing Out Loud

Members of the  Hudson Community Christmas Cantata filled the space of Sacred Heart Church with the sounds of Christmas as they made their ninth annual performance last Friday and Saturday. Sunday's performance was cancelled due to an ice storm. Participants in the choir and orchestra represented twenty-seven area churches. Cyndi Wolf again provided the musical direction. Jan Rickard was the pianist and John Enerson narrated. Soloists this year included Pat Bacalia, Harold Durfey, Marsha Evenson, Linda Krasny, Lori Lancaster, and Dave Rickard. The “Voices” of Christmas included Don Turner, Mark Johnston, Terry Bobzien, Mike Steveson, Julie Beeker, Blaine Baker, Paula Austin, Paul Nafziger, Dave Berlin, Ella Nafziger, Jo White, and Veronica Ottinger.

Thompson Museum Dinner Table is all Set

The dinner table at the Thompson  Museum is all set for the holidays of years gone by. The home of longtime Hudson banker William G. Thompson takes on the aura of Christmas past this time of year, and the museum will be holding special holiday tours.

Christmas Comes to Thompson Museum

The William G. Thompson Museum and Gardens, located at 101 Summit Street is the perfect stop for holiday fun this Christmas season.  Stop in today to view the Christmas decorations of three generations in the stately 1890 Queen Anne style home.  Drive by the Museum at night and be treated to the “Outdoor Festival of Trees”.  This year four local groups have installed unique trees that are lit every evening for your viewing pleasure.

The Thompson Museum will be hosting special holiday hours on Friday December 21 and Saturday December 22. The Museum will be open for tours from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on both days.

Please note, the Thompson Museum will be closed on Monday December 24 2007

For more information about the events, or to schedule a tour, contact Ray Lennard, curator, at 517-448-8125.

Osborne Named to be Successor

In a weather-abbreviated meeting Monday evening, the Hudson Area School Board named Dr. Michael Osborne, the high school principal, to be the prospective successor to Dr. Kathy Malnar as superintendent of Hudson Area Schools.

Malnar plans to retire in June of 2009.

Board President Ron Haber said that having a successor named so soon will give a chance to have a smooth and effective transition, based on his experience with long-term transitions in the business world.

Osborne recently received his doctorate from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. Although already a Hudson resident, he came to Hudson Area schools in 2002 from St. John's Lutheran School in Adrian, where he was also the principal. He is certified as an elementary and middle school teacher.

Osborne gave the board a detailed summary of his personal and work history, thoughts about the transition plan and his vision for the future of Hudson Area Schools. He sees student achievement as the primary focus of public school education, and that all school leadership must progress toward that end.

Lenawee Community Foundation Plans to Match Hudson Gifts

In honor its tenth anniversary in 2007, the Lenawee Community Foundation has announced the establishment of ten permanent Field of Interest funds and matching grants for the following local community areas: Addison, Adrian, Blissfield, Britton-Macon, Clinton, Deerfield, Hudson, Morenci, Onsted, and Sand Creek. 

If the Hudson Community Endowment Fund has received a total of $5,000 in gifts by December 31, 2007, the Lenawee Community Foundation will provide a $5,000 match.  Gifts of any size will be accepted at any time throughout the rest of the year, and after the grant opportunity expires.

After the fund has reached $10,000 in assets, grants will be given from the interest earnings to Hudson area charitable programs in the areas of health, civic, culture, education, or social services.

It’s a win-win situation for Hudson -- a fund started to work for the benefit of Hudson’s future, tax benefits for donors, and a matching grant.  It’s a great opportunity for the community.

The tax benefits result in very little cost for a gift.  If a married couple filing jointly gives $400, they will get a $200 Michigan tax credit – $200 right off the tax bill.  Also, if they itemize, they could get up to a $136 savings in their federal taxes.  So, the net cost could be as little as $64.  The Michigan tax credit is 50% with maximum credits of $200 for married couples, $100 for an individual, and $5,000 for corporations.  Federal tax deductions vary according to one’s tax bracket.

“The Lenawee Community Foundation is the only 501(c) (3) nonprofit that works for the future of Lenawee,” stated Sue Hammersmith, President & CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation.  “We want to get this fund started for Hudson with the hope that it will grow through memorial gifts, and bequests from individual’s wills and trusts.

“No one is going to care about Hudson as much as its local people,” stated Hammersmith.  “Together we can assure that Hudson continues to be a great place for future generations.”

Additional information about the Hudson Community Endowment Fund, charitable tax benefits, or the Lenawee Community Foundation can be obtained from Hammersmith at 423-1729 or via e-mail at:
shammersmith@ubat.com

“Hudson is truly blessed to have such caring residents, who want to make the community better,” stated Hammersmith.  “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that local gifts and their legacy will work right here in Hudson for good, forever.”

Ice is Not Nice

Wintry weather slowed or brought to a stop several activates around the area over the weekend and into the first of the week.

Ice in the morning hours -- or the threat of it -- caused Hudson Area Schools to be closed on Monday and Tuesday. While main roads were passable during the day Monday and Tuesday, back roads were still reportedly treacherous. There were several weather related vehicle accidents in the area. Among activities affected over the weekend was the cancellation of the Sunday performance of the Hudson Community Cantata.

Accepted in Albion College Program

Local student Alyssa Ford has been accepted this fall into the Albion College Carl A. Gerstacker Liberal Arts Institute for Professional Management.

Students are chosen annually for the Gerstacker Institute through a highly selective process based on academic achievement and demonstrated leadership abilities.   Gerstacker members must complete degree requirements in economics and management, along with courses in ethics, writing, speaking and management, and fulfill at least two internships in a wide range of business settings.

Alyssa Ford is a first-year student at Albion College.   She is the daughter of Ronald Ford of Pittsford and Shari Fox of Clayton and a graduate of Hudson High School.

Rima Worker of the Month

Steve Englehart has been selected as Rima’s Worker of the Month for October. Steve joined the Rima Team on February 7, 1978 as an Acme Operator. After three years as an Acme Operator, Steve moved to the .Machining Department where he has served in several positions involving production, set up and troubleshooting. Steve now serves as Production Team Leader. Steve’s versatility, good nature, and machining capabilities have been evident throughout his career, and this has led him to his fourth nomination as Worker of the Month.

Tim Stanley, Salesperson and former Production Manager, praised Steve in the following fashion. “I would like to say that Steve will do whatever it takes to make sure Rima is successful. He has given up vacation time and stopped in on Saturday’s to check and/or help get a machine running. Steve also finds ways to save money for Rima. He is currently using some old vices to allow Rima to make some new parts. This will save Rima $10,000. He gives his knowledge freely to anyone that asks and is interested in improving. He will listen and help with other’s ideas. He is open to new or different ways of doing things. I am glad we are on the same team as Steve is the perfect teammate. He gets his job done very well and helps others to be successful too.”

Production Manager, Chris Greiner stated. “When I originally interviewed with Rima, Steve was the first production employee 1 met. At that time I realized Rima had a very knowledgeable team dedicated to their jobs. Steve was running the die cast peanut machine and I was very amazed by the amount of parts the machine was producing, especially coming from a much slower manufacturing process. Steve impressed me by answering all my technical questions regarding tooling, fixturing and equipment. Steve played an instrumental role in me joining the Rima Team. Steve excels with any challenge put in front of him and 1 appreciate that. I can rely on him for advice and commitment regarding anything. We have become good friends both during and off work. Steve’s a good man and I would go down in the trenches fighting with him and 1 believe he would do the same. Congrats Steve, and well deserved!!”

Vice President of Operations, Debi Odette elaborated. “Steve has been able to internalize his responsibilities. He knows what his job is and he just does it. It doesn’t matter what obstacles develop, he finds a way around it. During the recent rebuild of 38-2, Steve had to overcome the shortfalls of the machinery builder as well as unforeseeable issues with the machine itself. Steve was able to stay focused on our customers who were relying on us to deliver parts. Steve worked day and night, seven days a week until the machine was running and running right.

Routinely, we come up with a concept and Steve helps us realize it. He understands the equipment intimately and is able to convert his knowledge to practical solutions for us. We count on him everyday to help us remain competitive. Thanks for being on the team Steve! “

Steve and Rene are in the process of building a new home in Hillsdale. Steve enjoys working in his garage and doing home projects. Steve and Rene enjoy camping, 4 wheeling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Congratulations, Steve!

Cheerleader's Competition Opened

The middle school cheerleaders opened their competition season last Saturday. Front row, left to right, Amy Wolf, Katelynn Enrico, Ember Grames, Stephanie Sharp, Tyler Jones, Katie Mattison, Amanda Rodriguez, Crystal Wright, Lateisha Napier, Crista Butler, Peyton Darr and Jennifer Stoyk. Back row, Jada Bellfy, Kortnie Albech, Paige Cleveland, Melinda Olivarez, Rylei Brenner, Keri Yowtz, Ashley Bullis, Kiersten Cornell and Sierrra Foreman. The Hudson cheerleaders squeaked out a narrow win over Michigan Center at the meet.

Letter to editor

Salvation Army Appeals

As the current chair of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, I am appealing to you, personally, to get the word out to everyone! Our local Salvation Army is experiencing a critical shortage of toys for this year's toy distribution. I'm not sure what the reason is, I suppose it could have something to do with people being unsure of just what toys are okay to donate...given the recent toy recalls and lead paint scares! Whatever the reason might be...it is a very real situation and I'm hopeful we can get the word out and see the tables, located at T&L Rental, fill up again this year in preparation for the toy distribution, which is always scheduled for the week before Christmas. If you would like a tour of the distribution center, located at 209 N. Main St., generously donated by Tom and Linda Terlesky, feel free to call me, directly, at 517-263-7747. Please help us fill these tables and see that every needy child is provided with a toy for Christmas!

Sincerely, Marilyn Schebil


Wrestler - Gave Elliott

         
Hudson's Wrestler - Gabe Elliott (left) wrestled Addison's Frank Thomas in the 189 pound division in the finals of the JAWS tournament last Saturday.  The Tigers won the meet by some fairly big numbers. setting up some good hopes for the upcoming wrestling season.   
                                       Photo courtesy Jeffrey Steers  

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