Hudson Area Food Pantry Needs Your Help

You can stretch your donation to the food pantry trough the Feinstein Challenge. The Hudson Area Food Pantry gets most of its food from the Food bank of South Central Michigan. The Food Bank, located in Battle Creek, is part of America’s Second Harvest and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Through it, many state and national food resources are made available to our local food pantry. With the help of donors and volunteers the Food bank provides a wonderful, essential service for our feeding program.

The Hudson Area Food Pantry is asking for your support in meeting what is called the Feinstein Challenge. For the eleventh year, Alan Shaw Feinstein is giving away $1 million of his own money to encourage people to give to the fight against hunger. This is a national challenge, with Mr. Feinstein pledging to donate proportionally, not dollar for dollar. From March 1 through April 30, for every donation made to our agency’s account at the Food bank, we will receive an additional credit of 10% to the account. Your gift of $25, plus the 10% match, will result in our pantry receiving a minimum of $225 worth of food at wholesale prices. It’s the most effective and efficient means to make a monetary contribution to the Hudson Area Food Pantry.

Here’s another reason to give directly to the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. Individuals and married couples are eligible for a Michigan Tax Credit. This is how it works. Individuals donating up to $200 may be eligible to receive a tax credit of $100. Married couples filing jointly who donate up to $400 may be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $200.

Wouldn’t you like to see your charitable giving dollar be used as efficiently as possible? If so, just write a check to: Food Bank of SCM. You may pick up a donation form and a self-addressed envelope at Sacred Heart Rectory to send in your donation and insure that it is properly credited to the Hudson Area Food Pantry.  Please remember, you must make your contribution between March 1 and April 30 in order to be eligible for the Feinstein Challenge.

Festival Committee Plans Sale

The Bean Creek Heritage Festival Committee is planning an "Antiques and Collectibles" Yard Sale for Saturday, April 5th at the Hudson Community Center. Booth rentals will be based on the amount of tables needed per booth. If there is not enough interest in this area we will add "Arts & Crafts" to the day. So, if you would like a booth for either one, call early and reserve a spot so we can have another wonderful day. Our last "Yard Sale" brought in around $330 for the fireworks project.

We also will be reserving spots for the next "Yard Sale" to be held on April 19th. Call early on this one, there won't be as many spots as last time. Call Joann at 517-448-7312.

The next Festival Committee meeting will be March 13th, at 6 PM at the Hudson Community Center. If you have any suggestions bring them along.

Seder Supper

Sacred Heart Church will be having a Traditional Seder Supper at 5:30 pm on March 20, followed by a chicken dinner.  Cost is $5 for Adults and $2.50 for Children (5:11).  Must make reservations.  Contact Tammy Houser for reservations, (517) 448-3811 

Yearbooks On Sale

The Hudson High School Yearbook is under construction!  There are a couple of deadlines this week that you may want to be aware of. This is the last week to purchase a book with personalization on the cover.  The book is $52  plus a $3 charge for personalization.  Money and order form(available at high school office) should be turned in at the office window.  After Friday, March 7, 2008, books go up to $55 without personalization.  This is also the last week to turn in senior baby pictures!  Those should be turned in at the office window in an envelope with the student's name on the outside.  So get out those family albums and find a photo of that cute little tyke!  Photos will be returned.

Tony Marry Retirement Open House Planned

The public is invited to join in the celebration of Tony Marry’s retirement from the Bank of Lenawee.

An open house in his honor will be held at the Bank of Lenawee, Hudson location, 539 Meridian Rd, on Monday, March 10, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.

Tony has been with the Bank for nearly 40 years, serving in many capacities throughout that time, most recently as Vice-President of Loan Review.  His knowledge and expertise in the consumer loan area have made him an invaluable asset to the Bank of Lenawee.   

Tony and his wife, Linda, reside in Hudson.
 

Daddy and Daughter Dance

Sacred Heart School had their annual Daddy and Daughter Dance last Friday.  It was a wonderful turn out as the fathers spent the night with their daughters. 
                              photo by Jeaniene McClellan.

Joy Marvin wins dairy award

Joy Marvin of Clayton, Michigan recently received the 2008 Excellence in Dairy Promotion Award for exceptional dedication to the dairy industry.

The Award, sponsored by the Dairy Diplomats of Michigan, recognizes an outstanding Michigan dairy farmer for his or her commitment to dairy product promotion. Award recipients have devoted many years of service to the industry and their local community.

Joy Marvin is a charter member of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan Dairy Diplomat Committee, a statewide volunteer committee formed in 1981. She has provided exceptional leadership to the Dairy Diplomat Committee.

“Joy is delightful to work with and her promotions are always conducted with enthusiasm and professionalism,” says Staci Garcia, Coordinator of Public and Member Relations at UDIM. “It comes as no surprise that she was chosen for this award.”

Whether talking to mothers, students or county and state legislators, Joy helps explain where milk comes from, the life of a dairy farmer and the importance of dairy products in a healthy diet. Joy participates in dairy promotions at the Michigan State Fair, the Great Dairy Adventure, and countless events in Lenawee County. During the month of June – June Dairy Month – Joy organizes and works with the local chapter of the American Red Cross to sponsor the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program. Everyone who gives a pint of blood during the month of June receives a pint of milk. Joy also provides on-site tours of Marvin Farms to over 600 visitors per year.

Besides Joy’s agricultural interests, she is a member of The Alter Guild at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, secretary for Marvin Farms, president of the area Women’s Club and member of the Red Hat Society.

Beyond all of her accomplishments, Joy’s family comes first and foremost in her life. “Joy is an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend,” says Maria Marvin, Joy’s daughter-in-law. “She attends all of her grandchildren’s sporting events, award nights and any important function to support her family.”

The Dairy Diplomats of Michigan and United Dairy Industry of Michigan are honored to have the distinct pleasure of working closely with Joy Marvin for many years.

Beauty and the Beast Comes to Hudson Stage

Though the weather may not show it, spring must be just around the corner.  How can we tell?  Hudson High School students are preparing to take the stage for the annual spring musical.  This year approximately 45 students in grades 9-12 will present Disney’s Broadway stage rendition of the classic story Beauty and the Beast.  Many hours of practicing lines, building and painting sets, and creating costumes have gone into this year’s production. 

Each year brings something new to the stage, but this year there seems to be many new and exciting aspects to the play.  For instance, all of the costumes from Belle and the Beast to plates, napkins, and Mrs. Potts the teapot have been specially designed and sewn locally for this production.  Special effects will be prominent in the show to add to the storyline.  Some things must remain a surprise, but you won’t want to miss seeing what has never been done on the Hudson stage yet!  There will be an opportunity to buy light-up roses and join Chip and the others as they welcome Belle to the castle family. 

Also new this year is a fourth performance.  In addition to the traditional Thursday-Saturday evening run of the show, Beauty and the Beast will also be presented as a Sunday matinee at 3:00.  Dates for the show are next week, March 13-16.  The curtain goes up at 7:30 Thursday- Saturday, and again at 3:00 on Sunday.  Tickets are $5 at the door.  Come out to support these fine students; you will be entertained! We promise.

Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant

The new Miss America Kirsten Haglund is from Michigan. As Miss Michigan, she appeared in the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant and the festival parade last summer. It’s time to find the next Miss America.

Last year, $7950 in scholarship money was awarded locally in the quest to find Miss America in Lenawee County. The search is now underway for Miss America 2009 and it all begins with the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant in July.

The Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant is an official local pageant in the Miss Michigan and Miss America Organizations scholarship program. The Miss America Organization is the largest scholarship program for women in the world, making available more than $45 million in scholarship assistance last year.

 This is the only Miss Michigan/Miss America qualifying event in Lenawee County and is open to eligible young women county-wide. Lenawee County will be represented in June at the Miss Michigan Pageant, Muskegon, by 20-year-old Blissfield resident Melissa “Missy” Brown, a University of Michigan junior, who has been making many appearances locally and promoting her platform, “Fight for Life: Cancer Awareness Prevention.” She is studying cellular and molecular biology with a career goal of becoming a pediatrician.

The new Miss River Raisin Festival will preside over the 25th annual Blissfield summer event, appear at Lenawee County activities and compete in the 2009 Miss Michigan Pageant. The local pageant will kick off the River Raisin Festival on July 11, 2008, in Blissfield. Miss Michigan 2008 — to be crowned in mid-June — will co-host the event.

Pre-applications are now available at The Advance in Blissfield. They are also in Lenawee County high school guidance counselors’ offices.

Young women ages 17 by July 11, 2008, and no older than 24 on Dec. 31, 2009, who are residents of Lenawee County, or who attend college or high school in the county on a full-time basis, or who work full-time in the county (and have for at least six months) are invited to apply for the title.

Scholarship fundraising is underway and potential donors may contact Marcia Loader, pageant executive director, at 486-2400. At this time, the scholarship amounts have not yet been set and will depend on what is raised in the coming months. Since its inception, the program has granted $50,700 in scholarships to Lenawee County women. Each contestant received at least $450 last year, with Miss River Raisin Festival earning $3000 in scholarship to the college of her choice and a four-year, $1000 per-year scholarship to Baker College. All this came from business and individual donations.

Each contestant is required to adopt a platform; one stemming from an ideal that is important to her or one she supports. Contestants will also compete in interview; talent; evening wear; swimsuit  and onstage question. Talent will be limited to two minutes and contestants must use the technical equipment provided.

The program objectives are to provide educational scholarships to area young women and to select a young woman who possesses good character, personality, poise, talent, work ethic, commitment, and intelligence to represent the River Raisin Festival of Blissfield at the festival and at Lenawee County events throughout the year.

The pageant is at 6 p.m. July 11 on the River Raisin Festival Pavilion Stage, located in Ellis-Bachmayer Park, Blissfield.

Deadline for entries is April 4, with orientation April 13. Weekly rehearsals will begin in mid-May  in Blissfield. Further questions may be directed to Loader at 486-2400 days or 486-2635 evenings. Written requests for pre-applications may be sent to Loader at The Advance, 121 Newspaper St., Blissfield, MI 49228, or via email at advance@cass.net. Official Miss America applications, in contract form, will be provided to candidates once entries are accepted for the July pageant.

Tree and Shrub Sale

The annual Tree and Shrub sale sponsored by the Lenawee Conservation District is going on now through March 14th.  Anyone interested in purchasing tree seedlings can pick up a free Tree Sale catalog at the Lenawee Conservation District office located at 1100 Sutton Road in Adrian, MI during regular business hours:  8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.  Catalogs will also be mailed out via telephone request by calling the Conservation District office at (517) 263-7400 Ext. 5.  The annual tree sale is a major source of funding for the Lenawee Conservation District.  Seedlings are native Michigan stock and therefore are conditioned to the state’s climate and seasonal weather and typically need less maintenance after establishment.  The District sells a variety of seedlings mainly for conservation purposes and therefore, to avoid competing with local nurseries does not sell larger, specimen trees.  The seedlings are sold bare-root and on a first-come, first-served basis so order early while selections are still available. Customer pick-up days will be April 11th 9am to 6pm, and April 12th from 9am to 12 noon at the Lenawee Fairground 4-H building.

Youth Council grants available

The Lenawee Youth Council, a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation, is pleased to announce that grants are available to organizations serving Lenawee youth.

The purpose of the youth grants program is two-fold:

1. To teach young people about philanthropy, and

2. To provide funding for programs or projects benefiting Lenawee County youth.

Grants are not available to individuals.  They are given to non-profit organizations, local schools, or youth groups.  The duration of each grant that is awarded is one year.

Highest priority is given to projects or programs that increase youth assets, as documented by the Search Institute Attitudes and Behaviors survey conducted in Lenawee County in 2002.  The survey provides data about the 40 key opportunities, skills, relationships, values, and self-perceptions that all young people need to succeed.

Members of the Lenawee Youth Council study the grant requests, meet with selected applicants, and make recommendations to the Lenawee Community Foundation Board for final approval. The deadline for the receipt of the applications is April 1, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at the Lenawee Community Foundation office located in the Wealth Management Group Building of United Bank & Trust, 603 North Evans Street in Tecumseh.

Basic eligibility requirements include: not-for-profit status; documentation of how youth assets will be increased; inclusion of youth as partners in planning and implementation; documentation of a youth leader between the ages of 12 and 21; and service benefiting youth within Lenawee County.

A total of $30,000 will be awarded.  Applicants may request up to $10,000.00, however due to the number of grants received and the amounts requested, some applicants may receive partial grants and some may not be funded at all.

Youth who are interested in making grant decisions, or youth-serving organizations seeking further information or a grant application, may contact Paula at the Lenawee Community Foundation at 424-6569 or ptrentman@ubat.com
 

Grant Alexander Vandevender Born

Darwin and Sherry Vandevender are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Grant Alexander Vandevender.  Grant was born February 18, 2008 at Hillsdale Community Health Center, weighing in at 9 lbs., 7 oz., and measuring 21 inches long.  Grant was welcomed home by his big brother, James.

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