Working the land, protecting the water

by
Patrick Madden, who farms 100 acres near Clayton, is one of a growing number of local food growers who are taking steps to ensure the health of the region’s waterways.
Patrick Madden, who farms 100 acres near Clayton, is one of a growing number of local food growers who are taking steps to ensure the health of the region’s waterways.

CLAYTON — Local farmer Patrick Madden is part of a growing number of farmers who are not only providing food for the country but also taking steps to ensure that local waters are kept clean and safe.

At Madden’s 100-acre farm, that takes many forms. Named Mastodon Farm for the mastodon bones Madden’s grandfather uncovered while digging a pond on the property nearly 30 years ago, Mastodon Farm is now home to cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, honeybees, fruit and maple trees, and chemical-free produce like squashes, tomatoes, mushrooms, and berries.

Read more

Student-led farmers market returning to Wakefield Park

by
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)
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.

Read more

Town & Country Festival is the final weekend in May

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

Read more

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

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

Read more

Downtown Morenci to host Summer Saturdays

by
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.

Read more

Twin power

by
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)
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.

Read more

Science in action at Morenci High School

by

There was lots of activity in April in Jonathan Boesger’s science classroom at Morenci High School. 

Senior Ava Alcock and junior Katelyn Ruse work on a flame test for a forensics exercise about identifying different types of fibers based on how they burn — a real-world technique used at crime scenes. In this exercise the students tested six known fibers to establish a burn pattern baseline, then compared those results to a mystery fiber from a mock crime scene.
Senior Ava Alcock and junior Katelyn Ruse work on a flame test for a forensics exercise about identifying different types of fibers based on how they burn — a real-world technique used at crime scenes. In this exercise the students tested six known fibers to establish a burn pattern baseline, then compared those results to a mystery fiber from a mock crime scene.

Read more

Lenawee Independent Media
2525 Ogden Highway
Adrian, MI 49221

517-263-3530

© Lenawee Independent Media LLC