01-18-2018 “Back on the Rack” forced to find another home; Ellie Troyer crowned Miss Watervliet; Loc

A REAL LIFESAVER… Nicole Burrows of Bangor Township was honored at the December 11 Hartford Township Board meeting with a plaque presented by Hartford Fire Department Captain Mike Chappell, as (from the left) Chief Robby Harting looks on along with Firefighters Steven Fry and Brandywine Harting. Burrow is credited with saving the lives of Brenda Rodriquez and her 11-year-old son who were sleeping on the evening of December 3 when their residence at 65266 Red Arrow Highway caught fire. Burrows spotted the flames, ran to the door and pounded until she awakened the pair just as the house became totally engulfed in flames resulting in a total loss. “Nowadays the term hero gets thrown around too often for just about anything… but when an individual risks their own safety to save another… that indeed is a true hero…” said Chappell. See the Township meeting report on Page 3. (TCR photo by Jon Bisnett)

“Back on the Rack” forced to find another home

By Annette Christie Back on the Rack, the upscale, resale, consignment, and tuxedo rental shop on Main St. in the City of Watervliet will be re-locating to a new location due to being evicted by the building’s owner. Jennifer Moore, the owner of Back on the Rack, has been renting the space since 2012.

The Back on the Rack story played out on social media last week as Moore reached out for support and help when she was faced with only 10 days to vacate the property. On January 6, Moore posted on the store’s Facebook page that her landlord had decided he wanted his space back and he had given her 30 days to vacate. While a landlord can evict a tenant for any reason, Moore was hopeful that if the situation ended up in the court system that she would have an opportunity to share her side of the story. That side would be that Moore’s time at this location was riddled with maintenance issues and problems of which she had been complaining to her landlord about. It was her feeling that those complaints could have led the landlord towards the eviction. Moore was hoping that if the court ruled in her favor she could work out staying, or at least having 60 days to vacate. Her day in court, however, turned out badly when the judge ruled that she in fact had 10 days to be out now. “Turns out, it makes no difference that the store has been in business for over five years, that it offers a service to the community, that it is her only income, and that it will cause a huge financial hardship,” Moore stated on her page. With the help of several friends, Moore thought she would just make the midnight deadline for being out. A U-Hall truck has been parked in front of the store all weekend long as they proceeded to empty it out. On Sunday, January 15, Moore had good news. A business owner will have some space in the coming weeks that Moore can fit into. The new address will be 7746 Red Arrow Highway, Watervliet Charter Township. Moore describes the new location as having plenty of parking, two dressing rooms and being a newly renovated space. Moore will continue to serve her clients as best she can until the new facility is ready for her to move in. She will still be able to do tuxedo rentals for sure. Those interested can contact the store number at (269) 463 -7225. Dan Faulkner, who is part owner with a group of individuals, stated that he cannot comment on the matter because it is pending litigation.

2018 MISS WATERVLIET… and her court (from the left): Miss Congeniality Courtney Little; Second Runner-up Zoe Smith; Miss Watervliet Ellie Troyer; and First Runner-up Livia Boughner. The contest was held Saturday night at the Watervliet High School Auditorium. (TCR photo by Annette Christie)

Ellie Troyer crowned Miss Watervliet

By Annette Christie The Watervliet Community Pageant was held Saturday, January 13 before a packed audience at the Watervliet High School Auditorium waiting to see who would be crowned Miss Watervliet for 2018. At the end of the event it was Ellie Troyer who took the crown. Ellie, 17, is a senior attending Watervliet High School. She is the daughter of Kendall and Julia Troyer. In school she is involved in Pep Band, Marching Band, and Science Olympiad. She has received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award, was a Girls State Attendee, and has achieved academic excellence all four years of high school. She is on the National Honors Society and is a co-president of her class. Ellie is a 4-year Drum Major in the Watervliet Marching Band. Following high school, she plans to attend Bethel College to receive a degree in chemistry followed by Ferris State University to obtain a Doctorate in Pharmacy. She hopes to become a pharmacist in her future. Her hobbies include baking, sewing, knitting, traveling, and backpacking. She hopes to one day visit all 58 national parks. Livia Boughner, 17, was selected as First Runner-up. She is a senior attending Hartford High School and is also dual enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College. Livia is the daughter of Marshall and Leslie Pomeroy. She has received varsity letters in academics, band, and volleyball. She has been on the honor roll and has received the Superintendent’s Award for her art work. In school she is involved in Marching Band, Concert Band, Prom Committee, and Science Olympiad. Following high school, Livia will attend Grand Valley State University for a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a minor in music. Zoe Smith was named Second Runner-up. The 18-year-old is a senior attending Watervliet High School. She is the daughter of Bob and Senica Smith. She is involved in National Honor Society and Club YUMA and has played on the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. She has seven varsity letters, seven Academic All-State Awards, and was the captain of the volleyball team. Zoe has received Honorable Mention for volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was named All-Conference and All-Region for volleyball. Following high school, Zoe will attend Grand Valley State University to obtain a degree in Radiation Therapy. Further, she plans to transfer to the University of Michigan to earn a master’s degree. Her goal is to become a radiologist. She was also named Miss Entrepreneur for selling the most advertisements in the program. Courtney Little was selected as Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. She is a 17-year-old senior attending Watervliet High School. Her parents are Kevin Little and Barbara Angie Moore. She is involved in Concert Band and Marching Band where she has been the trumpet section leader for two years. She is an elementary school tutor and serves in the Peer-to-Peer Program. Following high school, Courtney will attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College followed by Western Michigan University to obtain a bachelor’s degree. The other contestants were Kara Liles, Taylor Prillwitz, and Kaylee Warren. The pageant theme was “Rolling out the red carpet for Hays Park.” This year marks the 90th year for Hays Park. The starting dance showed off the contestants in a softball style outfit with bats followed by their introduction highlighting their favorite memory at Hays Park. The stage included a concession stand, a press box, and a backdrop depicting America’s favorite sport, baseball.

All contestants took part in a group interview followed by an individual interview. They were all asked the final on-stage question which was, “In life you will have different types of coaches, people who help to develop you in many areas of expertise. What does being coachable meant to you?” The contestants had to explain their answer. Phil McDonald served as the emcee of the event. McDonald is a graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School and Albion College. He is the Sports Director for Mid-West Family Broadcasting. Judges for the event were Katelyn Kennedy, Daniel Williams, and Laura McCoy.

Local ladies vying for Miss Spirit crown this Saturday

By Annette Christie Three ladies from the Tri-City area will by vying for the title of Miss Spirit on Saturday, January 20. The Miss Spirit of Blossomtime pageant is open to all first runners-up of community pageants. The winner of the Miss Spirit pageant will go on to participate in the Miss Blossomtime pageant though she is not eligible to win Miss Blossomtime, first runner-up, or second runner-up. She is eligible to be selected as Miss Congeniality by her fellow Blossomtime contestants. She may also win awards for the modeling, communications, photography, and community service portion of the contest.

Following the Miss Blossomtime pageant, Miss Spirit will also be able to participate in all the Blossomtime activities that the community queens participate in such as a visit to the State Capital, the Shriner’s Hospital, and the Farm Tour. Watervliet’s own Aliea Chapin is the first one from the Tri-City area to win Miss Spirit of Blossomtime, a title she won in 2016. Watervliet Livia Boughner, 17, will be representing the community of Watervliet. She is a senior attending Hartford High School and is also dual enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College. Livia is the daughter of Marshall and Leslie Pomeroy. She has received varsity letters in academics, band, and volleyball. She has been on the Honor Roll and has received the Superintendents’ Award for her art work.

In school she is involved in Marching Band, Concert Band, Prom Committee, and Science Olympiad. Following high school, Livia will attend Grand Valley State University for a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a minor in music.

Coloma Samantha Fischer will be representing the community of Coloma. The 17-year-old is a senior attending Coloma High School. She is the daughter of Jason and Jennifer Fischer. In school, she is involved in band and the varsity singers. She has served as the section leader for the flutes in band. Fischer volunteers for the book fair, at the North Berrien Senior Center, and Berrien County Animal Control.

Following high school she plans to attend Lake Michigan College to pursue a career in healthcare. She hopes to become a pediatric nurse or doctor while minoring in photo journalism.

Hartford Olivia Ziemer will be representing the community of Hartford. The 18-year-old senior attending Hartford High School is also dual enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College. The daughter of Robert and Michelle Ziemer, she plans to attend the University of Michigan to study nursing. She hopes to eventually become a physician’s assistant.

In school she is involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Leadership Training, soccer, volleyball, Science Olympiad, Spanish Club, Pep Club, and is a Student Representative on the Hartford School Board. Ziemer is ranked number one in her class with a 4.0 GPA and has received numerous Academic Excellence Awards. She has received the DAR Good Citizen Award and was selected as the 2017 Homecoming Queen.

She has volunteered for a mission trip, as a camp counselor, at blood drives, and as a tutor in Spanish. Ziemer was selected as photogenic award and the modeling award. She also received a gift for selling the most tickets to the contest.