The Morenci Advocate

Student-led farmers market returning to Wakefield Park

May 12, 2025 by Advocate staff

Zackary Shields and Colsen Waltzer help a customer at last year’s student-run farmers market at Wakefield Park. The market, which is now in its third year, will take place on May 17. (Lenawee Voice file photo)

MORENCI — On Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wakefield Park will come alive with the energy of the Morenci Area School Farmers Market — a unique, student-led event highlighting entrepreneurship, creativity, and community collaboration.

This is the third year that Morenci science teacher Grace Gierucki has led the Small Business Farmers Market class for middle school and high school students at Morenci. She started the class both to give students valuable experience and to fill a community need.

Opera house closes season with Tommie Richardson and Back in Time bluegrass

May 11, 2025 by Advocate staff

Tommie Richardson and Back in Time Bluegrass will wrap up the Fayette Opera House’s 2024-25 season.

FAYETTE, Ohio — The Fayette Opera House will close out its season on Saturday, May 17, with Tommie Richardson and Back in Time Bluegrass.

The concert is at 7 p.m. at the opera house, 105 E. Main St., Fayette.

Town & Country Festival is the final weekend in May

May 10, 2025 by Advocate staff

The Morenci Town & Country Festival includes the annual Town & Country Festival parade, which this year will be on the morning of Saturday, May 31.

MORENCI — The annual Morenci Town & Country Festival will take place on the final weekend in May in Wakefield Park, featuring music, rides, games, and lots of entertainment for the whole family.

Morenci school bond proposal passes

May 9, 2025 by Advocate staff

A bond issue for Morenci Area Schools will go before voters on May 6. — A bond issue for Morenci Area Schools was approved by voters on May 6.

MORENCI — Voters in the Morenci school district approved a 30-year, $17.4 million bond issue in a May 6 special election.

The vote was 259-121, according to unofficial returns from the Lenawee County Clerk’s Office.

After the storm: Oak Grove Cemetery is recovering from 2022 wind damage

May 8, 2025 by Gayle Hazelbaker

Cemetery sexton Eric Emmons and assistant sexton Christa Davis stand in front of the new chapel at Oak Grove Cemetery. (Photo by Gayle Hazelbaker)

MORENCI — In August 2022, a strong wind storm came through Morenci. In its wake it left considerable damage to Oak Grove Cemetery. The heavy winds caused one of the old trees near the chapel to snap just above its base and fall onto the building. The impact caused the building to almost fold in half, according to Ted Hutchison, supervisor of the Morenci Department of Public Works.

Downtown Morenci to host Summer Saturdays

May 7, 2025 by Advocate staff

The Morenci DDA is planning Summer Saturdays once a month from June to August.

MORENCI — The Morenci Downtown Development Authority is expanding its events this summer with the launch of Summer Saturdays, a monthly event series designed to celebrate community, support local businesses, and bring families downtown.

Events will take place once a month from June through August, featuring themed activities, live music, and family-friendly experiences.

Twin power

May 7, 2025 by Ryan McDowell

Wyatt and Zach Stevens, Zach and Zoey Martinez, and Abby and Chelsea Pierce are all seniors at Morenci High School this year. (Photo by Ryan McDowell)

MORENCI — What are the odds? Twins aren’t that common, so three sets of twins in one class, in a high school with fewer than 200 students, seems unlikely.

And yet, Morenci High School’s class of 2025 has just that.

Wyatt and Zach Stevens, Abby and Chelsea Pierce, and Zoey and Zach Martinez are all set to graduate in May. All six were born and raised in Morenci and have all been multisport athletes during their time in the school system.

He discovered that his estimate was low, and now he’s ready to lead the public on a tree walk to show what he’s found. The walk will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15.