Ready to grow Brandon Farm & Garden Club

Brandon Twp.- Concern about the economy, pesticides in produce, an interest in organic food and a desire to cultivate personal land. These are all contributing factors to the growing interest in gardening, says Barb Fahlquist, president of the new Brandon Farm & Garden Club. ‘Gardening is a stress reliever,? Fahlquist added. ‘It gets you back […]

‘The song is heart-made, heart-sent, and heartfelt…?

Ortonville- Music has the power to do many things, including inspire, uplift and give hope. Amy Guirey and Perry Rouse hope the song they wrote does all of that, but most of all, they hope it makes wishes comes true. Rouse and Guirey, who are married and owners of the Village Pub, 411 Mill St., […]

Recreation fee reduction eyed by township

Brandon Twp.- Concern over decreased participation in recreation programs is prompting a second look at the $60 non-resident fee the township board implemented earlier this year. ‘We’re revisiting the issue, because we’re concerned it’s hurting participation levels,? said Trustee Bob DeWitt. ‘Between people not being able to afford it and being upset about the fee, […]

Happy Birthday, Mom

Isn’t it amazing how our relationships change and grow through the years? In my own life, I’ve been thinking about my mom a lot lately. As I write this column, on July 2, it is my mom’s birthday, and I hope it is a better day for her than Mother’s Day was this year. Mom […]

Second Thoughts Resale Shoppe

Brandon Twp.- The exterior of Second Thoughts Resale Shoppe, 1880 Ortonville Road, is attracting the attention of passersby on M-15. The building is deep purple in color, but the interior of the business is causing double takes, too, say owners Anne Wesol and Joann Smith. ‘People are so nice and positive in this community,? said […]

Surveys key for district’s future

Brandon Twp.- The school district has received more than 1,000 responses to a survey about the possible restructuring of buildings. Superintendent Lorrie McMahon was pleased by the number of returned surveys, more than one-third of the roughly 2,500 questionnaires that were e-mailed to district stakeholders at the beginning of the month. The surveys were the […]

Baseball by the numbers

Ortonville- Summer officially ended last week and as fall begins, baseball season is also quickly drawing to a close, with a tight race between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox for the top spot in the American League Central Division. At Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, teachers took advantage of baseball fever to give sixth […]

School board opposes Proposal 2 on November ballot

Brandon Twp.- School board members here are unanimously opposing a proposal on the November ballot that would amend the state constitution regarding collective bargaining. The board voted 7-0 at their Sept. 17 meeting to pass a resolution opposing Proposal 2, known as the ‘Protect Our Jobs? amendment. If passed, the proposal would embed bargaining rights […]

Local finds township library treasures

Brandon Twp.’Colleen Stringer is known as ‘the treasure hunter? at the Brandon Township Library. ‘X? marks the spot in the local history room for Stringer, whose official title is adult services librarian. The small room contains scrapbooks, history books, old newspaper articles, yearbooks, old records of dog tags and board meetings and even a photocopied […]

Find sunshine at Tranquility Spa

Groveland Twp.-Sunshine is hard to come by during a Michigan winter, but a bright spot can be found at Tranquility Spa. Newly relocated to 250 N. Ortonville Road a grand reopening has been set for Jan. 28-30. The spa has three tanning beds, in rooms named Blue Lagoon, Sunset Beach and Turtle Island. Spa manager […]