Augusta cleanup was big success

WOW! Every Sponsor and every volunteer and each one of the organizers of this event (Bill Manty, Kathy Jackson and Lynda Dew) deserve a loud round of applause.

Next year, I am going to schedule my entire day to volunteer, instead of a couple of hours, at the annual Augusta Township Spring Clean up.

I haven’t had this much fun participating in my home town affairs in a very long time, thank you to all and see you next year!

Many years of volunteer
work discarded

For the past eight years, my friends and I have faithfully supported the existence and struggle for survival of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. Many of us, collectively known as the Golden Griffon Stringtet, have generously volunteered our time, effort and professional skills from September through May since 1994, without fail, on the third Saturday morning of each month.

From the first time that we shared our music at the Saturday Farmer’s Market, we were proud to be part of supporting the continuance of this historic structure. At that time, Gary Urick energetically transformed the aged building into a bustling flurry of activity. It was always heartwarming to be amidst the families shopping or taking part in the scheduled events.

Many changes have taken place since Gary left. Very few vendors are present and rarely, if ever, are there themed events, with any hands-on projects for the public to participate in. Even though the Farmer’s Market attendance decreased so drastically, every performance of the Golden Griffon Stringtet in the coffee shop was well attended and frequently left standing room only during those mornings. And we thus continued, for eight years, sharing the music we love to share, with many wonderful people that we have come to know as our friends, and with all of the others who were just passing through.

On March 16, 2002, after our performance, Ms. Paula Fields, Recreation Program Coordinator, informed me that our services were no longer required, due to a change in venue. I was sure that the freighthouse was not relocating, so waited to hear more. She said that a jazz group was being brought in to replace us on the third Saturday. Is the freighthouse so much back in the black now that volunteers are not needed? Appearances do not indicate so.

To compound the abrupt shock of the situation, I discovered that same day that there was not a jazz group scheduled for what would have been our next scheduled performance date of April 20, but a group headed by a man whom had befriended Ms. Fields at the freighthouse and had expressed a desire for a time slot.

My feelings are very hurt by the politics of the situation, but I am sincere that my friends and I appreciated the opportunity to contribute all that we did over the years for the freighthouse and will continue to participate in Ypsilanti community events for both our own enjoyment and our gracious audiences.