Linda LaNoue, former City of Albion Council member, has submitted a resume and letter to the council. Tonight, the Albion City Council will take up appointing an interim City Manager. Her letter is the only one that this writer is aware of that is being considered. Allow me to quickly remind the reader.
Linda LaNoue was involved in the Albion College mess involving former fired college President Matthew Johnson. She along with other members of council were awarded jobs, contracts, special project gifts. None of the members, including LaNoue, have explained what was behind all this. On top of all that, LaNoue was serving on the council at the time and was not living in her precinct, which is required by the charter. She resigned from the council as word was about to go public that she, in fact, was not legal.
City Watch suggests the City Council maintain its history and appoint a current employee Department head as interim manager, as those employees pass the eye test of honesty. Bringing in an outsider, and yes, this particular former council member is an outsider, is terrible for Albion. Especially someone who has absolutely no experience in a corporation this size.
The fourth annual Calhoun County Trail Run is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 9 a.m. The Calhoun County Trail Run is a 5k, 8k, and 20k on the beautiful Calhoun County Trail. The event will start and end at the new and improved Kimball Pines Park.
The newly added 5k event is a true rustic trail run through mixed landscapes, including rustic wooded trails with roots and uneven surfaces, grassy meadows, and gravel trails. The 3.1-mile route takes runners along the gravel Calhoun County Trail, then enters a trail made specifically for the event, mixed with portions of the North Country Trail.
The almost 5-mile 8K takes participants from Kimball Pines to Bridge Park and back on the Calhoun County Trail. This portion of the trail is a wide gravel pathway with some bridges and road crossings. The section in Bridge Park includes a stair climb and mixed surfaces that can be slippery when wet.
The 20k adds the Ott Biological Preserve to the map, with all types of terrain.
Registration fees for the timed events include a long-sleeved shirt, medal, and award eligibility. All proceeds benefit the Calhoun County Trails and Parks. Prices start at $40 but increase on September 30. For those not-so-into-competition, the un-timed fun run/hike allows participants to tour the route at their leisure and enjoy the views and comradery of this fun event. There are no medals or awards for the fun run/hike.
“The Annual Trail Run is such a fun way to experience a sampling of Calhoun County’s parks and recreation offerings,” stated Assistant Director of Community Development Doug Ferrall. “Especially showcasing the new and improved Kimball Pines Park. While the park has been underutilized for many years, recent millages have funded its complete transformation. We look forward to welcoming a record number of participants to the Calhoun County Trail.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Parents listen to advice during last year’s Healthy Babies Day. This year it will be held from 10-noon September 28 at Harrington Elementary School. The free event is sponsored by Albion Health Care Alliance with support from an Albion-Homer United Way grant.
ALBION-Information on raising healthy babies became more available due partly to grant money from the Albion-Homer United Way. The Healthy Babies Day 2024 event on September 28 is offered by the Albion Health Care Alliance, with many sponsors helping make this a successful day. This is the 16th year for this community health event.
This free event, held from 10 a.m. to noon at Albion’s Harrington Elementary School, 100 S. Clark St., is designed for expectant parents or those caring for a child ages newborn to 18 months.
Information on breastfeeding, nutrition, and how to have babies safely sleep is all part of the educational component of this annual event. In addition, information on child growth and development and health resources will be available in the community. Albion branch of Milk Like Mine consultants will provide free lactation counseling. Families and caregivers are encouraged to attend the breakout sessions available at Healthy Babies Day.
According to Amanda Cheladyn of the ACA, “The Calhoun County Health Department will lead one breakout session, providing attendees with important safety information and tips for those caring for infants and toddlers.”
In collaboration with the Albion Rotary Club, Healthy Babies Day will also host the author of the brain game. ‘This book provides information about child brain growth from birth through age three. Attendees will be taught songs, activities, and behaviors that will help foster their child’s intellectual and social development,’ Cheladyn added.
In addition, there will be many giveaways, including diapers, sleep sacks, first aid kits, and many more items for parents and caregivers of infants up to 18 months. Helping financially support non-profits is at the core of the Albion-Homer United Way’s mission. According to Marcia Starkey, AHUW executive director, raising funds through donations continues throughout the year.
Starkey said there are several good reasons to donate to the local United Way, including that donations fund Albion and Homer-specific programs and funding decisions are made by a local board. Donor lists are never shared with other agencies, and payroll deductions make donating easier. Donations can be mailed at any time to AHUW P.O. Box 55, Albion, MI 49224, made on-line at http://www.albionhomeruw.org or by contacting Starkey at 517-499-2563.
AHUW board members are Carolyn Amos, Donisha Brewer, Art Kale, Michael Leskowich, Isabell Nazar, Jenny Wilbur, Eddie Williams, and Shane Williamson.
ALBION- Scholar-athlete Tyzjohn Ondray-Eugene Allen was awarded the 2024 NAACP Community Scholarship. Albion resident and 2024 Concord High School graduate Allen is a first-year at Albion College. He is part of the prestigious Build Albion Fellows program.
Allen has been a leader during his high school years. He has been an athlete and involved in volunteer efforts during his four years. According to his scholarship application, Allen intends to study business management with the goal of opening his own business. “My whole life, I have been a leader. This scholarship will help me achieve my goals, giving me the tools and preparation to do special things in my world,” Allen stated.
The NAACP scholarship required a grade point of 2.5 or higher, acceptance to a college, university, or trade school, 15 hours of community service, letters of recommendation, and a statement outlining future goals and the personal importance of civic rights. Last year’s scholarship recipient, London Hayes, also received a small donation for college supplies.
The NAACP Education Committee members are Chair Mae Ola Dunklin, Nels Christensen, Vivian Davis, Jessica Kane, Kay Knight, Linda Kolmodin, Hazel Lias, Jess Roberts, Eddie Ruth Williams, Bernice Wyrick and Keena Williams.
PHOTO CAPTION: Albion resident Tyzjohn Ondray-Eugene Allen received the Albion branch NAACP Community Scholarship Award for 2024. graduate of Concord High School, Allen is a first-year at Albion College as part of the Build Albion Fellows program.
Scott Evans sat for a few minutes and shared the thoughts of the Homestead Board: They are thrilled to have a candidate who grew up in Albion, went to school here, has family here, and comes in with 25 years of financial institution experience. Evans noted that he and Chad worked together from 2012 to 2015. Evans said that he was remaining for six months in an advisory position to assist Chad as needed for his transition as President/CEO. Then, at the end of this year, He will step back and take a position on the Board.
Scott Evans
I had the opportunity to sit and speak with our new president on July 5th, and as you are about to read, it was more of a homecoming for Rumsey. Chad was born and raised in Albion. He graduated from Albion High School in 1991, then left Albion and graduated from Grand Valley State University. He moved on from GVSU and began a professional life in investment banking, financial service, ending up at Citizens Bank as a Branch Manager in Brooklyn, MI, in 1999.
The son of Tom and Sharon Rumsey, he has a sister, Sara. He married his wife Lori and will celebrate 21 years in September this year; they have no children. He always stayed close, as they live in Grass Lake, and Lori recently retired from teaching at Michigan Center. He said they are looking to move to the Albion Area. Having spent much of his youth at Duck Lake, they want to reside there.
Chad Rumsey and Scott Evans
I asked how he ended up back home in Albion. He said that he had heard rumors of Scott retiring, he wasn’t looking to move on from his current job. It was upon learning of this opportunity with Homestead, knowing Scott and hearing rumor of his potential retirement that opened that door. Once I had learned this to be true I then reached out to Scott for a lunch to learn more.
He met Evans for lunch, who filled him in on where things were in Albion, and Chad was very curious. That meeting began a long process of interviews and checks, and before we all knew it, Chad Rumsey was returning home.
Now that he is here, he’s already working on the future. Chad said that with the recent retirements of Teri Face, Chris Burdette, and now Evans, “I need to plan for an eventual succession for our bank. I plan on being here for several years until I retire, but we have lost decades of banking experience with those three retirements alone, replacing this much experience will be difficult.”
He also wants to improve Homestead’s commercial loan business. He said that is one area we can improve on, and I plan on seeing that developed to where we are looking for additional growth. He said Homestead recently received notification of its ability to lend more. The bank now can authorize up to one million in loans without seeking help from other sources. That is big news for a small bank like us.
“With the right amount growth and with the right area identified we may consider another branch office,” he said, much like they have now in Albion, Springport, and Leslie. Looking into more modern technology for the bank will always be a must, and continuing our excellent customer service. Chad is looking forward to working with clients and future clients (business and personal) of HSB as well as being involved in community events.
Reaching Chad is easy and simple; just call him at his Albion office of Homestead, 517-629-5588. Stop by any of Homesteads branches listed below.
The situation that occurred Sunday on Dalrymple Street in Albion had many in the community concerned. Though many of the details are sketchy, we know that an assault occurred and that several law enforcement agencies were involved.
City Watch can confirm a suspect has been arrested within the last hour and the community can rest easy tonight.
Marshall Motorfest is coming August 3rd, 2024. Michigan Avenue will be closed, and the streets will be lined with the classics, hot rods, and exotics. Come hang out and have a good time, check out rides and then stay for the after party at Dark Horse Brewing Company – 80’s & 90’s Style!
City Watch has received information regarding fundraising efforts for the Wade Family of Albion, Michigan. Galazio of Albion graciously offered their business to “Help out a great family,” said Sean Hare, co-owner of Galazio. CLICK HERE IF YOU WISH TO DONATE MONEY FOR THE WADE FAMILY or you can attend the event at Galaizo. On Thursday, August 1, friends and family will come together to raise money to offset the tremendous expenses Ben and Jenny have run into in order to get their daughter, Ann home after a medical emergency. Following is the most recent update from Ben Wade:
Update from the Wades
July 21st update – While we do not yet know for certain, it is hard for all of us to not have high hopes that this is our last weekend in France! Ann has a “clearance to fly” appointment this Thursday, July 25th – and as long as the x-ray continues to look good, we will know for certain when she can fly – it could potentially be as soon as Friday. That will be 40 days after she landed in France for her 10 day visit, and 33 days after Jenny and I rushed to board a plane to get to her (thinking it would be a few days). We are all a bit homesick, but grateful to have Ann healthy again and happy to see an end in sight.
Our gratitude for everyone who has contributed, messaged, helped at home, and supported us in Noisy le Roi and Bailly cannot be overstated. That our friends, family, and community organized this and came to us without needing to be asked makes it all the more meaningful. It has admittedly been a bit uncomfortable for us to be in such a position, but the costs have been significant, and we are not so humble to not accept the support and be eternally grateful. We are starting the process of seeking insurance reimbursements for some of the nearly $20k in medical costs that the hospital here required us to pay up front and in full, but the path is onerous and uncertain. Other costs such as travel (especially the return flights during the Olympics!), food, necessities, lost wages and inventory at our businesses, long term airport parking, international phone / communication, and a constant trickle of always accumulating little things that we never could have considered… well, we will just leave it at Thank You.
We are passing some of this time reuniting with people we have hosted in our home over the past 12 years or so of our involvement in Albion’s Sister City program. This experience has reminded us how impactful these relationships can be, and encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get involved to do so. We look forward to opening our doors and repaying some of the favor and care that we’ve received here in the near future!
Thanks again – and we will update everyone after Thursday! Ben, Jenny, and Ann
Jenny Risner-Wade, Ann Wade, Ben Wade
Benefit Information
The Wades, a family with multi-generational roots in Albion, have poured their hearts into rebuilding our beloved town. Their contributions, though often unnoticed, have significantly improved the quality of life in Albion. Now, it’s our chance to show our gratitude.
5 Second Rule
You can attend this planned benefit, enjoy music, and grab dinner and drinks if you wish. The event has some incredible items that are up for grabs, but, you have to enter. You don’t have to be present to win items, but you do have to stop by the day of the event to enter.
Who:
Friends and Supporters of Ann, Jenny, and Ben Wade
What:
A party to raise funds to offset emergency expenses
Where:
Galazio of Albion 301 North Clinton Street, Albion, Michigan
When:
Thursday, August 1st, 5:00 P.M. -10 P.M. Raffle table will be staffed from 4 PM until 9 PM
Dinner:
4:00 P.M. -9:00 P.M. Galazio kitchen and restaurant is open for business as normal
Band:
8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. – 5-Second Rule – Come and relax and listen to the music
Albion, MI: He’s 9 feet tall with rippling muscles and has been “hard at work” for 50 years in downtown Albion. And it was time to get this iconic downtown feature cleaned up. The Molder Statue, at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Superior Street, was professionally cleaned this summer to mark his golden anniversary. Funds for the restorative cleaning came from money raised from the 2019 “Restore Our Coke Sign Patronicity” campaign, headed by volunteer co-chairs Janet Domingo and Linda Kolmodin.
Domingo has been leading the Molder Statue restoration project. She has been working on revamping this small vest-pocket park across from the Albion post office. She researched professionals who could best clean the prominent downtown landmark as part of the restoration. “It’s not like you could take a volunteer group with scrub brushes and clean the statue,” Domingo said, “It took a professional who knew what process needed to be used to ensure that this downtown landmark wasn’t damaged,” Domingo stated that a special cleaning and waxing technique was employed. “It is amazing what details are now visible in the molder’s face and body,” she said. “The whole statue is now a different color, and it just gleams after 50 years of grime.”
This summer, Domingo arranged for professional restorer Tad McKillop to put his skills to work on cleaning and waxing the American Molder art piece. McKillop is a member of The American Institute of Conservation and is also a sculptor with a studio in Ann Arbor. McKillop studied figurative sculpture at the University of Michigan and earned a master’s in fine arts from the New York Academy of Art. The statue, which depicts a foundry worker pouring a ladle of molten metal, was designed by Edward Chesney and cast in 1974 by Frederick Petrucci. It is a copy of a 1922 statue designed by Frederick Hibbard.
According to local lore, this statue was based on Albionite John Passmore, a long-time Albion Malleable Iron Company-employee. The inspiration supposedly came from a photograph of him, which appeared in a local newspaper. The American Molder is an “Occupational Monument” designed to be a tribute to the craftsmen and laborers of the Albion community.
The sculptor was able to portray a non-racial appearance of the molder’s face in order to honor hardworking people of all races employed by the iron companies. Mary and Collins L. Carter presented the statue to the city as a tribute to the many foundry workers throughout the community. Collins Carter was a former president of the Malleable. The 1,700-pound sculpture was unveiled in a public 1975 ceremony. A plaque on the statue’s base contains a quote by James Russell Lowell that reads: “No man is born into the world whose work is not born with him. There is always work and tools to work with, for those who will, and blessed are the thorny hands of toil.”
The Restore Our Coke Sign fundraising campaign focused on three downtown art projects made possible through a Patronicity matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and generous local donations. The campaign successfully raised over $100,000 to restore the iconic Coca-Cola sign. In addition, the campaign funded the commission of a mural to honor the town’s historic foundry heritage and create a Tee-Ball statue and plaque for a garden plot.
The Albion Community Foundation is the 501 (c) (3) for the funds raised. With additional money raised, holiday decorations for the downtown, including snowflakes, garland, Christmas tree lights, and a star, were purchased. In addition, a handicapped-accessible picnic table was installed in downtown Bournelis Park. The money raised will also provide a maintenance endowment at the Foundation to make sure the three original art projects are protected for the future.
Photo caption: Janet Domingo, co-chair of the Restore Our Coke Sign campaign, admires the American Molder statue’s recent cleaning. The cleaning was the initial phase of a future refurbishing downtown Molder Park. The professional restoration was the first time the iconic statue had been cleaned and waxed in the 50 years since the art piece was gifted to the city in honor of Albion’s foundry heritage. Monies raised from the 2019 fundraising campaign under the auspices of the Albion Community Foundation paid for the long-needed cleaning.
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