Softball fields are covered in snow, but senior ballplayers aren’t taking it easy. Instead, they hit the gym 3-4 times a week for volleyball.
“We’re a bunch of retired guys looking for something to do, said Gary Lange. “This is a way to stay active and have fun.”
The Clarkston Autobody team plays in the ‘C? Division of Senior 55 Plus Volleyball League. Players must be at least 55 years old to play on the league, and 50 to play recreationally with the Independence Township Parks and Rec team.
Monday sessions from 9-11 a.m. are for competitive play, and Tuesdays are league games. Wednesday and Friday mornings are for recreational play, all at St. Trinity Lutheran Church on Sashabaw Road.
“The church is nice enough to let us use their gym,” said Bob Brown. “I enjoy the game. Volleyball is a fun game.”
For more information, call Brown, team manager, at 248-623-7011.

When Joe Savino of Independence Township retired at the age of 62 after 32 years with General Motors, he was ready to try something new.
“I was never so bored in my life,” said Savino, now 82.
He was taking community education courses in Spanish and German when he noticed a $36 woodcarving course, and enrolled.
“The instructor asked where my tools were. I told him I didn’t have any tools,” said Savino, who’s from Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to the Clarkston area in the 1950s. “He said it was an intermediate course, but he let me stay ? I started buying tools.”
Now Savino is the instructor, teaching a four-week beginning woodcarving at Independence Township Adult Activities Center in Clintonwood Park.
Student David Green isn’t new, carving since he was 8 years old, but still enjoys the class.
“I’m always willing to learn ? I like to learn,” Green said. “We learn from one another, different tips and techniques.”
Students Ernie Finley and Denise Holzhausen are new to carving.
“I always wanted to do it, but never thought I could,” Finley said.
“I like it,” said Holzhausen, who also enjoys painting and drawing. “It’s for fun, something I wanted to try.”
For more information on classes and activities at the center, call 248-625-8231.

Volunteers Carolyn Morrison and Richard Vogt help keep Independence Township Adult Activities Center growing.
The gardeners keep the grounds surrounding the center alive with flowers, vegetables, and other plants.
‘Everything we have here is donated, begged, or borrowed,? said Vogt, 62, organic gardener.
Around the center are a Butterfly Garden, six garden beds, Sensory garden, and lots of landscaping.
Student volunteers from Renaissance High School constructed the beds this past May.
‘The kids were great,? Vogt said. ‘Once shown what was to be done, they took over and did it. They’re good kids.?
Senior center members plant and maintain Victory Gardens in three of the beds, Morrison said.
‘Retirees are downsizing their homes into apartments or condos, where they have no place to grow a garden,? she said. ‘This provides them the opportunity and space for a garden, an outlet.?
Originally, Victory Gardens were planted during World War II’s food rationing.
‘President Roosevelt started it with a garden at the White House,? Morrison said. ‘In these times, with the economy, it seems appropriate.?
Produce from the other three, including broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, beans, peas, cucumber, and squash, are available to the community. Vogt harvests and places vegetables for the public in a basket in the senior center, labeled ‘Compliments of ‘Rotten Richards? organic garden.?
‘I wanted a name to put on the sign, and this is what I came up with,? he said. ‘It’s caught on quick.?
The Sensory Garden, started by Senior Services Coordinator Karen Koenigbauer, includes four raised beds behind the center, emphasizing all five senses.
‘It’s an awesome idea,? Morrison said. ‘It’s so gorgeous to look at.?
‘Sight? plants include colorful flowers such as lilies and monarda. A set of wind chimes provides sound, with ‘Touch? provided by plants with different textures such as Lambs Ear and Sedum.
For ‘Taste? are tomatoes, lettuce, basil, and other vegetables. Under ‘Smell? are plants like lavender and yarrow.
Local businesses donated building materials and plants, and Eagle Scouts constructed a patio with benches and walking paths around the center.
‘The community pulled together ? there’s been so much involvement,? Vogt said. ‘It’s really neat.?
Morrison has been a certified master gardener since 2005.
‘I love gardening and being outside,? she said. ‘I have a hard time being in the house when it’s nice outside. I like being outside, getting my hands down and playing in the yard. It’s very therapeutic.?
Vogt has been an organic gardener for about 36 years, learning it from his father.
‘No chemicals, spray or fertilizer, just cow manure and grass clippings,? he said. ‘That way, you don’t have to worry about what’s on it.?