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HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED AT YOUR LIFE and realized that it lacked purpose? Eight months ago we admitted this to ourselves.

Throughout our lives, we are led to believe that we find our value and worth in external sources. This is not true. To place our value in external sources, we create a gap between ourselves and the meaning of life. Which will always lead us to un-fulfillment.

What we know now is that a dream is not what we save up for, work towards or achieve. A dream is the way we experience life. Life is meant to be lived purposefully.

When you ignite your dream, you discover your values. The two are inseparable and support each other. It then becomes imperative that you embody these values in every moment to bring your dream to life.

For us this means leaving Ferndale and beginning our journey of Running Into a New Earth, taking us to the Stop Line 3 Resistance in Northern Minnesota.

THE PROPOSED ROUTE FOR LINE 3 crosses 227 lakes and rivers, including the Mississippi River and rivers that feed directly into Lake Superior. As a representation of these sacred waters, we will be running 227 miles along the North Country Trail.

“If Line 3 is completed it will carry nearly a million barrels a day of crude oil – the dirtiest oil to extract and burn – from Alberta, Canada through Minnesota to Superior, Wisconsin.

“When it spills, as all pipelines do, millions of people downstream will feel the effects, and wild rice beds sacred to the Anishinaabe in Minnesota will be destroyed.” – Line 3 Solidarity Action.

Enbridge, the Canadian company building this pipeline, is the same company responsible for the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history which happened in Kalamazoo, July 2010. They are also the same company pushing the Line 5 pipeline which is proposed to travel under the Straits of Mackinac.

THE WAY WE CURRENTLY LIVE as a people has an expiration date that is fast-approaching. Looking for answers within the same system that has led us down a path to our own demise, will only bring about more destruction.

It’s time to create a new energy within ourselves. Looking beyond our current societal structures. Change cannot take place within the current structures. We must change our energy, and the structure will follow.

Unhappiness and negativity is a disease on our planet. What pollution is on the outer level is negativity on the inner. Creating a new energy is to shift the way we experience life. To discover the depths of our being and the beauty that lies at our core. When this happens, our world around us will begin to change.

We heal ourselves, and by doing so, we heal Mother Earth.

To learn more about #StopLine3, visit www.stopline3.org and follow our journey on @wearebrandonandfiona

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By Kevin Alan Lamb

I BELIEVE THE PANDEMIC HAS GIVEN EACH OF US A better understanding of what is meaningful in our lives, that which we take pride in, and those who comprise our tribe.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the prevalence of absence within our community, along with the events that help define its character, delivered a gut check that we will continue to recover from.

Unable to attend concerts, sporting events, and pastimes like Ferndale Pride, many were denied access to their community, and to the very ingredients which breathe life into their blood. Accessibility and inclusiveness are two qualities that Julia Music, Executive Director of Ferndale Pride, builds their foundation upon.

“One of the main things we try to do is engage the entire community, so we will have a number of organizations representing the LGBTQA. We were not able to get all of them, but we were able to get LGBTQ represented from different groups. Also, we have lots of different political backgrounds, lots of different religious and non-religious backgrounds represented in our non-profit booths. That is a big component in making sure our Pride festival is very inclusive.

We also have a lot of medical and social services available throughout our Pride festival. We will have STI testing on the street with the Matrix MAC Health Mobile Unit, and free COVID vaccines going this year so people who want to get a vaccine can come get one.”

New to Ferndale Pride this year, in addition to it taking place on Saturday, October 2, will be a third stage programmed inside 215 West Ferndale.

“We are very lucky that Liv Cannabis bought the main stage, and Green Buddha and Thoughts & Prayers are putting on the DJ Dance stage. They are very excited to be joining us this year for the first time ever. We will have 187 booths, and they are all sold out, totally full. Over 200 volunteer slots will be filled by lots of people, helping out, getting the day going, and that is really exciting to see.”

IF PEOPLE WANT TO HELP, THEY CAN VISIT FERNDALEPRIDE.COM where they can sign up to volunteer or donate. They will begin working on Pride 2022 in November.

“A silver lining that emerged from these pandemic times: We got to see places like The Candle Wick Shoppe, which is a small business in Ferndale, come back for the third year with their naming rights sponsorship, ensuring we could actually put on the event because that takes care of a large chunk of our expenses. We have really been lucky that so many businesses were able to do well during the pandemic and come back to support us, and that contributes to the fact that we are not charging again this year at the gate. There’s no gate, actually – you can just walk right in, free of charge. Bring your whole family because of our fundraising efforts and our sponsors.”

Other events happening in conjunction with Ferndale Pride include an interfaith prayer service on October 29, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Schiffer Park. A multitude of different religions will be represented in prayer for a good Pride festival.

“MotorBall has moved Pride Weekend, so that will be a ticketed event that you can purchase tickets for if you’re interested in going to all of those club events. TG Detroit will put on their Invasion during Pride so transgender men and women and their allies are welcome to buy tickets for those events. Lots of things to do throughout the week and weekend and we are just very excited to bring Pride back to Downtown Ferndale.”

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Melanie Williams and Nicole Duffey, lifelong best friends, are celebrating 14 years in business as co-owners of Regeneration, a resale clothing store at 23700 Woodward Ave. in Pleasant Ridge, just blocks away from Ferndale and I-696.

DESPITE A TOUGH YEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC, they are expanding the size of their store with the addition of a new space called The Annex, and looking forward to the future.

Williams and Duffey expressed deep gratitude that their store managed to survive the difficult circumstances brought about by COVID-19.

“We are appreciative that most of our customers feel safe to shop and sell clothing with us during such an uneasy time,” Duffey said.

The duo’s history as business owners goes back to 2007, when a desire for new careers led them to shift gears and open Regeneration.

“We were both in a stagnant place, job-wise and life-wise; craved a change and wanted a challenge,” Williams said. “We both adored vintage clothing and had been avid thrift store shoppers, so it made sense to try our hand at a business we loved.”

Regeneration had expanded to two stores when a second store opened in Clawson in 2011. But the Clawson store did not survive the pandemic, allowing Williams and Duffey to focus on growing their main location in Pleasant Ridge.

“Deciding to close our Clawson store wasn’t difficult, as we knew that managing both stores, especially amid a pandemic, would be too much to handle financially and emotionally,” Duffey said. “Last Summer, we rented the space next door to our main location to help manage the overflow of inventory.

“Eventually we will break down the main wall and refigure our dressing rooms. But in the meantime, The Annex houses the bulk of our accessories for men and women,” said Williams. “While the front room has a cozy boutique feel, the Annex is an intimate space that is a revolving/evolving room dedicated to local artists and sustainable products.”

LIKE MOST SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, Williams and Duffey got creative during the pandemic and went outside of their normal methods of engaging customers, and much of their efforts to stay connected to customers focused on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

“We’ve used Instagram the past few years to highlight exceptional items we buy for the store, but now we’re using Instagram to make connections. Just before we reopened in May 2020, we invited our staff to share Instagram videos of what they’d been up to during quarantine. We’ve since transitioned into hosting a weekly live sale on Instagram at 2:00 P.M. on Saturdays. It’s important to share highlights of our inventory with folks that aren’t one hundred percent comfortable shopping during the pandemic. We cultivated a big family of customers prior to the pandemic shutdown, and our activity on Facebook and Instagram helped us stay in touch with people and connect to other businesses.”

One trend the two women have noticed is that career-oriented items aren’t selling as much as they once did. Working from home has changed career-wear culture. They said the great thing about resale is that you don’t have to spend a lot to wear fashionable clothing, and shopping secondhand is beneficial for one’s budget, as well as the environment.

“When we do shift back to school full-time, being social, or heading back to the workplace, our store will be a fantastic option for families who don’t want to spend full price on apparel,” Williams said. “Also, having a significant amount of down time has inspired folks to clean out their closets and purge unneeded things. This is beneficial to the world of resale, because we are seeing an influx of amazing items that people are casting off in exchange for cash or store credit.”

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By Ingrid Sjostrand
Photos ©2021 Bill Gemmell

FERNDALE HAS ALWAYS had a reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community. The global pandemic seems to have only reinforced those ideals as neighbors, city government and businesses united to help each other and bring joy in the city’s own unique way.

MAYOR MELANIE PIANA REFLECTS ON THIS PAST YEAR IN THE CITY and how residents kept their spirits up, like through the T-Rex Walking Club which involved residents, and Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks members, parading the streets – socially distanced – in inflatable costumes.

“For me the real bright spot was the community coming together, supporting their neighbors and businesses to help people meet their needs, as well as bring joy,” Piana said. “I was really inspired by the Elks Club T-Rex parade, people decorating their front lawns, others checking to make sure people had enough food to eat. It was really inspiring to see.”

Outside of residents uplifting their neighbors, the pandemic provided the opportunity for Ferndale government to find new, and renewed, ways to meet the needs of its citizens.

“We wanted to make sure our older adult residents were being taken care of. We coordinated with local organizations and volunteers for meal deliveries, sent out flyers that included state and county COVID resource hotlines so we could reach those who might not have access to the Internet,” Ferndale City Council Member Kat Bruner James said. “We are also in the process of re-invigorating our printed city newsletter. I’m not sure when we stopped producing it, but we found that residents really appreciated the updates on initiatives and things going on in the city data from a community survey in early 2020 showed us that residents want this, but the pandemic highlighted the critical need for this particular form of communication.”

Collaboration and connection grew in many ways during the pandemic. Bruner James noted more residents attending City Council meetings with the new virtual format and Piana saw a connection among city departments to support small businesses.

Mayor Melanie Piana

“There is a new spirit of partnership between the city, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce,” Piana said. “They’ve really leveraged each other’s strengths and expertise to respond to our small-business communities needs and became a source of information and guidance for how to apply for small business grants and navigate any employment issues.

The DDA contracted with an HR firm at the beginning of the pandemic because a lot of the small businesses had human resources needs. We’ve been deploying and distributing PPE (personal protective equipment) provided through safety kits by the County,” she added. “So, we’ve tried a lot of different approaches to support our businesses. It’s been a chance to have partnerships that brought a lot of value and benefit to our small businesses across the city.”

ON TOP OF ENSURING THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY, the city continued with several scheduled projects for 2020. In August, City Council approved its Affordability & Inclusive Housing Action Plan to create a blueprint to increase housing options at all price points throughout the city. They’ve also expanded open outdoor public spaces, like the “Grassy Knoll” at 9 Mile and Bermuda and patio zones for restaurant use. They are currently working on a proposal to require standards for short-term rentals, like Airbnbs, in the city.

“We are finalizing the short-term rental ordinances now,” Bruner James said. “Next, we will be looking into the

Council Member Kat Bruner James

vacant and abandoned housing and how to better manage and rebuild those. This will be an important project as having a high rate of vacant homes can lead to a lot of issues for residents including property value and pests.”

“We have data that Ferndale has an eight percent rate of vacant single-family homes, so we’re going to dive deeper into why and understand what is contributing to that number and identify solutions for this issue,” Piana adds.

As we move into 2021, the city is preparing for some exciting changes along Woodward Ave. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be repaving the road between 8 Mile and 10 Mile starting in 2022. In partnership with Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale has applied for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to improve safety and modes of transportation options as part of their Woodward Avenue Improvement Project which, if approved, will coincide with the repaving.

“I’m really excited to take advantage of this repaving opportunity and our two cities have come together in a strong partnership supporting making improvements on Woodward,” Piana said. “The grant has been submitted and we’re hoping to hear back by July.”

Mayor Pro Tem Rayon Leaks-May

Residents will have another opportunity to come together as a community to provide input on the final design and engineering of the Complete Streets project. Piana suggests keeping an eye out for meeting details in the next few months and emphasizes the necessity of these improvements.

“WHAT THE PANDEMIC SHOWED US IS THE REAL VALUE of open and public space and how much having access to public space is important to the public’s health,” Piana said. “You need great sidewalks that connect you somewhere and access for people who may need to use mobility devices. These are all things that the pandemic really doubled down on. We knew it but, until we had to rely on it completely for social well-being and to interact with people in our communities, it wasn’t as apparent.”

As vaccinations roll out and businesses begin reopening, it can feel like things might be back to normal by summer but Piana wants residents to remain cautiously optimistic.

“Looking ahead for 2021, we’re still in a pandemic. I like to use a music analogy – we’re crescendo-ing up the

Council Member Laura Mikulski
Not Pictured But Also Serving: Greg Pawlica

vaccinations and decrescendo-ing the COVID cases,” she said. “The City will be keeping the focus on safety and supporting small business recovery. We’re at more than a year of hunkering down at home, everybody is sort of sick and tired of the pandemic, but we really still need to do our part and stay safe.”

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By Ingrid Sjostrand
Photos ©2021 Bill Gemmell

AFTER A YEAR OF SO MUCH CHANGE, LOSS AND LONELINESS, it feels almost necessary to search for the bright spots. To look back and find some good and look forward to the fresh opportunities of a new year. In living up to its name, Pleasant Ridge seems to be doing just that.

Commissioner Ann Perry & Mayor Kurt Metzger

MAYOR KURT METZGER has found that the strong sense of community and familiarity among residents has helped many get through the worst days of the past year.

“With the arrival of Spring and vaccines, to see more and more neighbors out, walking dogs, pushing strollers or biking indicates a change toward normalcy,” he said. “Just the idea that we’ve been in our homes and isolated – you see this look on people’s faces when we see each other on the streets. Almost a release.”

Others like Ann Perry, one of Pleasant Ridge’s four City Commissioners, found that the forced transition to virtual meetings and events has allowed for increased community involvement.

“That’s one of the most important things I, and all of us, do as commissioners. We’re here to listen to what residents are saying and make sure those things are reflected in policy and practice,” she said. “With remote meetings, it’s given people more access to that. They might not have come to meetings before but now it’s so easy for more people to interact and that has been an excellent experience.”

And this opportunity for resident involvement extends past just virtual commission meetings. Every City department, board, foundation and block club benefits from the involvement of residents and volunteers.

“This pandemic has been such a psychological strain on everyone’s emotional health and having those connections makes a huge difference,” Perry said. “Anyone seeking ways to connect can always reach out to any of the city commission members through the city website. We can always help connect them to different groups and communities.”

IN ALL, THE COLLABORATION OF CITY DEPARTMENTS AND RESIDENTS has ensured the sense of community wasn’t lost in the isolated year and may have lessened the negative impacts of the pandemic.

“Despite 105 reported cases of COVID and one COVID related death over the year, I think we survived pretty well. Budget-wise we were not impacted, as we were able to increase our general fund balance. Obviously, services were delayed and offices were closed but, unlike other communities, we are mainly residential and most of the impact was on social life and activity,” Metzger said. “Outside of that, as a City, we were able to continue most of the projects we had planned.”

Those projects include the addition of two new pavilions in the city: One on the East Side at Gainsboro Park and the other at the community pool on the West Side.

“I think those will be really great spaces for people to gather and have their parties and little events. They are a really nice addition to the park and pool area and are beautifully designed,” Perry said.

As we look forward to 2021, there are plans for even more projects and city improvements, including collaboration with the City of Ferndale on a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to add bicycle tracks to Woodward Avenue and streetscape updates. The largest project beginning this year will be updating the water lines throughout Pleasant Ridge.

“THE BIGGEST THING WE’RE NOW FACING IS THIS STATE MANDATE to get rid of all the lead lines,” Metzger said. “We’re trying to find ways to minimize the financial impact on residents, but it’s not going to be easy. We’re going to have a town hall in April to explain why it’s necessary, what the ramifications are and why we just can’t absorb the cost ourselves.”

“It’s an almost unintentional benefit of having such sandy soil, our water mains never broke,” Perry added. “Unfortunately, that has put us in a tough situation because they are now over 100-years-old and we have to do these lead line updates.”

While this new year might bring new challenges, Metzger wants to assure residents that they are exploring all the potential ways to ease the pain of these necessary updates and have them concentrate on things to look forward to this year, including the re-opening of the community pool.

“The pool is the number-one attraction, followed by summer camp, the swim team and those kinds of activities,” he said. “That’s what people miss the most so we’re just hoping that we can reopen and operate as close to normal as possible.”

“Our Recreation Department is so smart and love what they do. It’s fun to watch them figure out how to navigate this,” Perry added. “I think this will be an exciting summer!”

Maybe one last bright spot of the past year is the opportunity to find excitement and joy in the little things in 2021.

“While many individual lives have been altered, I believe that the overall effect of the pandemic is to further tighten our community bonds,” Metzger adds. “We’re all in this together and the idea of getting back to some level of normalcy will be plenty exciting.”

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By Ingrid Sjostrand
Photos ©2021 David McNair

FERNDALE IS A GREAT PLACE TO GRAB SOME GRUB. This past year, however, has been a challenge for many bar and restaurant owners, who have had to withstand a whirlwind of closing, reopening, and putting new restrictions into place. Here’s how a few of your favorites are enduring the ups-and-downs.

Danny’s Irish Pub: A Retro Flare & Affordable Fare

DANNY’S IRISH PUB, 22824 WOODWARD AVE., has been a staple of Ferndale for years. It features an old-school atmosphere with a jukebox, pinball machines, and darts. Danny’s is the perfect place to grab a drink and enjoy inexpensive bar must-haves like burgers and chips.

Owner Dan Reedy has been forced to roll with the punches during the pandemic.

“We have been very lucky,” he said. “Like everyone else, we were closed for the first three months. We received the first PPP money during that time to keep our payroll, rent, and utilities paid. After the first month we did a little carryout.”

As the landscape changed, so, too, did his plan. Reedy explains, “When the Governor allowed us, we reopened on a limited basis with all of the proper restrictions. When the Governor shut us down again, we did outside service. With the weather getting very cold, it was a relief when we could open up inside at 25 percent. Now we’re up to 50 percent and it’s great.”

Reedy credits the community’s support, saying, “We are very thankful to all of the people who supported us through the worst times.”

For more information on capacity requirements or to place an order, call 248.546.8331.

Detroit Fleat: The Delicious Place to Eat from the Street

AFTER SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHING AND RUNNING THEIR OWN FOOD TRUCK, Detroit Fleat owners Katie Picard and Aaron Tye wanted to create a place for the food truck community to gather. In 2017, that vision came to life. Detroit Fleat opened its doors at 1820 E. Nine Mile Rd. with ample space for trucks to visit and guests to enjoy a unique, open venue.

“Detroit Fleat is proud to be the first-and-only food truck park in Metro Detroit,” said Brooke Zadorsky, Marketing Manager, adding that Ferndale has proven to be the perfect spot. “Being a part of such a vibrant city inspires us to be creative, to be good neighbors, and to continually strive to improve.”

During the summer months, the Fleat offers a space to feature the best food trucks in the area on its huge patio, alongside a year-round delicious, street food-inspired menu. And a bonus to dining outside? The space is dog-friendly. “We love seeing all of our furry friends and their humans,” Zadorsky said.

Guests can also grab cocktails, choose from a lineup of 16 craft beers, or order the Fleat’s famous frozen, boozy Slooshies at its full bar.

“FOOD TRUCK SEASON OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF MAY 1, 2021,” Zadorsky said, adding, “From the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve taken our responsibility to keep our staff and guests as safe as possible seriously. Almost every aspect of the way we do business has adapted to ensure we are at the forefront of safe COVID practices.”

Some of the changes include implementing a walk-up counter to maintain social distancing, installing an advanced surface and air purification system directly through the Fleat’s HVAC, and placing air purifiers with HEPA filters throughout the dining room. All staff members are completing temperature checks, wearing masks, and sanitizing frequently.

“We will continue to provide the safest atmosphere we can for our guests and staff,” Zadorsky explained, and she thanks the patrons for their help. “Our community is amazing! We have been so humbled by the support through the year. Whether it’s ordering curbside pickup, engaging with us on social media or visiting us for a safe spot to enjoy food and drinks, we are so grateful for all the ways our friends, family, and neighbors have shown us love.”

Those dining in-person will soon be able to enjoy a new feature. Zadorsky announced, “Fleat is excited to roll into our fourth season with a new addition to the patio. Look for our own house trailer that guests can visit for boozy popsicles, ice cream treats, and canned cocktails. We are always striving to improve upon our business year after year and this new facet is sure to be a hit with our guests.”

For more information, visit detroitfleat.com or call 248.607.7611

Get Great Food at Got Pho

GOT PHO, 172 W. NINE MILE RD., is an Asian Fusion restaurant with an array of Tai, Vietnamese, and Chinese dishes launched by Thomas and Nancy Singh. The restaurant also offers many vegan and gluten-free options.

“We understand the different dietary needs our customers may have, so we try to accommodate as much as we can,” said Nancy Singh. “Ferndale already had a great array of dining options, but pho was the only thing missing. We are passionate about food and wanted to expand the food scene in Ferndale – therefore, Got Pho was born.”

Their vision was brought to life in the middle of the pandemic.

“We had many challenges trying to get open on time, but we finally opened our doors June 1, 2020,” she explained. “We quickly adjusted by providing delivery services, so Got Pho partnered up with Grub Hub and Door Dash as a contact-free convenience to our customers.”

And, thankfully, Ferndale came through to help. “The community has been very supportive since we’ve opened,” Singh said. “Our customers are the reason why we have made it through the toughest times of this pandemic. We still have to remain vigilant and follow health guidelines to ensure safety for every citizen.”

Now, Got Pho is just waiting for when it’s safe enough to resume business normally. “We can’t wait to participate in upcoming community events!” she exclaimed. “Ferndale has the best customers around by far. The diverse community is what makes it so unique and so special. So Got Pho is proud to call Ferndale home.”

For more information or to place an order, visit gotphoferndale.com or call 248.780.1164.

New Way Bar: A New Spin on an Old Tradition

NEW WAY BAR, 23130 WOODWARD AVE., originally opened in 1935, and current owner Jamie D’Angelo bought the well-known hot-spot in 2013. The bar offers live music, comedy shows, and games such as skee-ball, ping pong, pool, and darts. It also offers open-mike nights and themed events and is home to the Ferndale-famous game ‘Down the Clown.’

A community center of sorts, many local musicians and artists call New Way their ‘second home,’ and all featured talent keep 100 percent of their earnings. The laid-back, old-fashioned vibe also means all guests are treated like family.

“The past year has presented a lot of challenges and opportunities,” D’Angelo explained. “We do not have any events scheduled at this time due to the uncertainty of occupancy restrictions.”

However, the pandemic has offered an opportunity to update the interior and get to know those who helped along the way.

“We have taken the reduced occupancy requirements as an opportunity to get to know our customers better,” he said. “We also had the chance to replace some equipment, carpet, and refresh the paint. We have been so lucky because the community has been very encouraging and supportive. Our re-openings have been well received and business remains as solid as it can be, all things considered. We also have a great group of regulars that really make the place special. The staff are invested and truly enjoy serving our neighbors and the community at large.”

For more information or to place an order, visit newwaybar.com or call 248.541.9870.

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By Mary Meldrum
Photos ©2021 Parks & Recreation Staff

LAREINA WHEELER is the Director of Ferndale Parks & Recreation. She is an energetic and enthusiastic leader in the City’s very busy department. There are only four full-time and two part-time people working in the Recreation Department.

WHEELER’S DEPARTMENT IS THE LEAD FOR THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT of the city’s parks. They provide programming for all ages as well as a very robust sports program: Softball, kickball, soccer, baseball and basketball.

The Department also coordinates the city’s special events, such as the Fall Festival, the Fitness Festival, the Daddy-Daughter Dance, and other events that serve the community. The city’s Breakfast With Santa Around The World is a look at how people celebrate Christmas in different countries.

“We typically do a craft class that makes an ornament specific to the country that we are sponsoring that year. We try to do things a little differently,” Wheeler indicates.

Ferndale offers a SMART transportation program that shuttles residents from their homes to a destination within a five-mile radius of Ferndale.

Ferndale has 14 parks, and the Parks & Recreation Department has made major improvements including new play equipment, walking paths, and water fountains. The parks have been very well-maintained. Projects now include new walking paths as well as a pavilion and outdoor fitness equipment. New benches and trash receptacles are part of the improvements too.

Many of the improvements were made possible by a 2015 bond passed by the residents, including the installation of a splash pad. The community is very excited about that.

“This past year, we completed a park project downtown, Schiffer Park. We extended the park, installed custom planter boxes with seating, decorative paving, a drinking fountain and open grassy areas. We formalized and made it an official downtown park. There are custom planter boxes and seating and it is a beautiful asset to downtown.”

“SINCE COVID, WE HAVE REVAMPED A LOT OF THINGS. We offered free meals in conjunction with YMCA, Gleaners and our ongoing Meals On Wheels program. In addition, we worked with several grant partners, such as Project Play, to give out weekly sports kits. We utilized our partnerships to provide a different sport themed kit every week. The kits were sponsored by organizations like the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings. Some of the sport kits included hockey and soccer equipment.”

Wheeler went on, “We continued to have a presence online last year and we served the community the best we could under the circumstances. As we open up again, we are opening up outside. We have soccer starting this spring. Adult and girls’ softball and baseball and kickball will start again too.”

“Our Ferndale Daddy-Daughter Dance is usually held in the Winter. This year we are having a Daddy-Daughter Movie and drive-in. We plan to have some activities at the drive-in. We will have the COVID precautions in place.” There is a drive-in movie scheduled for the other kids on the same day.

The outdoor fitness festival will be in July, an opportunity for the community to come and exercise outdoors. “We collaborate with various gyms and health professionals who offer different fitness classes for youth and adults and provide health tips and information.

“In addition, our largest event is our Ferndale Fall Festival. We plan to still hold that October 2. We want to make sure we are doing everything safely. We always do safety checks. We are very excited about servicing the community, offering a little more this year and allowing the community to get out safely.”

WHEELER SHARES THAT SENIORS HAVE BEEN THE MOST AFFECTED BY THE ISOLATION and COVID. “We look forward to helping them overcome their isolation and get out-and-about.”

In 2019, Ferndale built an award-winning skate park, one of the most utilized parks in the city. You can see all abilities and ages in that park; children from three to four-years-old, all the way up to 55 or 60-years-old.

Wheeler has enjoyed four years as Director. She started in March of 2017. LaReina’s favorite part of the job is serving the community and giving them something they want and will utilize. “Knowing that I am working on something that will be successful. Projects are in line with what the community wants and I am bringing joy to the residents and youth.”

Wheeler says her Department always puts the community and the community’s needs first. “We make sure that we strive to make sure that our efforts are planned in an equitable and inclusive manner so nobody is excluded and everyone feels welcome when they participate. We work very hard. We have a great team and we share the same vision for the residents. We want to continue on our upward trend.”

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By Ingrid Sjostrand
Photos ©2019 Levegniia Andrusiak

(Pub. Note: Photos are pre-Covid-19. Everyone has been safely masked at Ferndale Schools.)

On March 10th, 2020, voters approved a three-series, $125 million bond to make a significant investment in our educational system. Due to rising property values and expiring debt, this bond was made possible at no tax rate increase to our community.

The bond will allow Ferndale Schools to re-imagine our learning environments to fit the modern educational environment. The classroom structure has changed much and, as the pace of change accelerates, schools are reimagining the spaces where our students learn. These new flexible and adaptable spaces will allow us to build programming which prepares students for a future we cannot yet imagine.

Beyond gaining new educational capacities for our students, this bond will also keep our schools warm, dry, and safe. Energy efficiency and ensuring our students are “warm and dry” inside of their schools isn’t exciting, it’s expected. Upcoming repairs and infrastructure improvements will benefit the long term sustainability of our district. This includes expensive items like roofs and boilers. This new funding stream will safeguard our community’s investment into our facilities.

Ferndale Early Childhood Center

The FECC will add a secured entry vestibule during Phase One of the Bond. In later phases toilet rooms will be added on to each classroom, along with new furniture. The gym and playground spaces will also be redone.

Ferndale Lower Elementary

Perhaps the biggest change this bond will bring to Ferndale Schools will be the construction of a new Lower Elementary school. Our elementary schools are nationally recognized for applying the Whole Child philosophy to support our students with community partnerships, family-involvement, and a supportive school culture. However, our educators are limited by century-old facilities, aging infrastructure, and limited space. To build on this momentum and more fully integrate our forward-thinking education philosophy, we are constructing a new Lower Elementary facility with adaptable learning environments, exceptional energy and security integration, and room to accommodate the newly-established growth trends we are experiencing. This new facility would be built on the site of the Jackson Building, currently the home of Center for Advanced Studies & the Arts (CASA).

Ferndale Upper Elementary

FUEL will also see significant improvements including a new roof, secure entryways, and other facility upgrades. As part of Phase Three, an addition to the current building is also planned to make room for growth and integrate additional modern learning tools.

Ferndale High School & Ferndale Middle School

The largest portion of the bond revenue is being invested into the Ferndale High School & Middle School campus. The compound on Pinecrest will see improvements throughout all three phases of the bond, touching all areas of the facility: safety; classrooms; arts spaces; athletic fields; as well as building-wide infrastructure like roofing, heating, cooling, and more. Starting this summer the FHS pool area will be reconfigured and renovated to remove one of the pools and replace it with a new fitness center and team meeting rooms.

University High School

With the 2012 transition to the Coolidge Building – the newest in the District – UHS is securely warm, dry and safe. Some small changes to improve school identity and general tech are planned up–front. As part of Phases 2 and 3, some site expansion and a parking lot reconstruction will take place.

Tri-County Education Center

The TCEC, currently residing in the Grant Building, will see their improvements begin during Phase 1 of the bond. Due to the age of the facility improvements will be focused on renovating the exterior of the building along with interior work on the HVAC and electrical systems.

Beyond the 2020 Bond Ferndale Schools also recently adopted a new, equity based strategic plan which will run from 2020-2025.

Equity Vision Statement:

At Ferndale Public Schools, we are a school family of continual learners. We support each and every student to develop their purpose, plan, and passion. We encourage and honor dialogue about the histories, cultures, and goals of our communities. We actively and intentionally facilitate equitable access and representation, meaningful participation, and high expectations for all.

• To learn more about the 2020 Bond and all of the changes coming to Ferndale Schools, visit www.ferndaleforward.com

• To learn more about the new strategic plan visit: www.ferndaleschools.org/district/about/strategic-plan

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By Sara Teller

Habitat for Humanity for Oakland County (HFHOC), headquartered in Pontiac, is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) and is dedicated to carrying out the mission to help create “a world in which everyone has a decent place to live.”

HFHI is a global housing nonprofit that operates in nearly 1,400 communities across the United States and approximately 70 countries around the world. Since 1995, HFHOC has helped more than 900 low to moderate-income residents gain access to safe and affordable housing, focusing primarily on providing services in Southfield and Pontiac.

“Through our programs, we practice the philosophy of ‘a hand up, not a handout,’ by partnering with home-buyers and homeowners to purchase a safe home with an affordable mortgage or complete necessary projects at a modest price,” explained Katie Brumfield, HFHOC’s Marketing & Communications Associate. Programs include offering affordable home ownership opportunities for families making 50 to 80 percent of the area’s median income, financial coaching, critical repairs, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

HFHOC has several local events in the works for 2021. The nonprofit plans to hold three Rock the Block events June 3 and 5, August 5 and 7, September 30 and October 2, which will bring together homeowners, volunteers, community sponsors, and Habitat Oakland staff to offer minor exterior home repairs to homeowners.

“Volunteers work with Habitat’s construction staff to repair porches, install fences, replace cracked concrete, clean gutters, and complete lawn clean-up.” Brumfield said, adding, “This program ensures that homeowners reside in safe housing, enables seniors to age-in-place, maintains and increases home values, and fosters neighborhood stability.”

Later this fall, on November 12, HFHOC will also hold its Annual Fall Gala. Planning is still in the works, and the Events Page at www.habitatoakland.org/events will have more information in the near future along with any other upcoming HFHOC happenings.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR OAKLAND COUNTY HAS MADE a significant impact in local communities over the past year, in general, despite the pandemic. In March 2020, HFHOC was forced to suspend volunteer activities, closing their ReStores except for virtual sales with office staff transitioning to working from home. Since that time, however, it has developed a strategy aligned with new COVID-19 guidelines, reopening closures, and hosting two Rock the Block events in 2020, completing over 100 external projects at 25 homes.

“2020 marked our 25th anniversary,” Brumfield said. “Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County is proud to have adapted, reacted thoughtfully, and ended 2020 ready to continue our mission in 2021. The need for affordable housing for low to moderate income individuals and families has never been more urgent. We are excited to continue building homes, communities and hope for our friends and neighbors.” She added, “Despite the challenges, we stayed focused on and continue to work toward our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Oakland County needs the stability and hope that decent housing and equitable access can help foster.”

The organization also received grant funds in 2020 to launch a much-needed home repair program. Brumfield explained, “Through a sizable grant from Oakland County and United Way for Southeastern Michigan, we were able to launch a critical home repair program in September 2020 that provides needed exterior repairs for homeowners in Oakland County so that they may maintain a safe, decent and affordable place to live. Our new Roofs, Ramps & Repairs Program enables us to serve a broader audience.”

Businesses interested in learning more about how to partner with HFHOC can call 248-318-5491 or email annd@habitatoakland.org. Rock the Block 2021 sponsorship opportunities are currently available. Individual volunteer opportunities are also available at habitatoakland.org/volunteer.

“In addition to volunteering, individuals can shop at or donate to our ReStores,” Brumfield said. “We also encourage you to stay up-to-date by liking and following us on Facebook and Instagram.”

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SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1840, THE BERKLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ENJOYED REMARKABLE SUPPORT from the community, including businesses and families outside of the District.

“The incredible success Berkley students experience is possible in part because of the overwhelming community support provided at every level to ensure they are provided with a state-of-the-art educational experience,” explains Director of Communications, Jessica Stilger.

SUPERINTENDENT DENNIS MCDAVID BEAMS ABOUT HIS STAFF. “WE ARE NOW WELL UNDERWAY into our 2020-21 school year. The year has started out with remote learning, and I am incredibly proud of all our students for their perseverance. I am also deeply proud of our educators for their willingness to try new things and be nimble during this online learning time. They have stretched themselves to make sure they can deliver content with fidelity and form meaningful relationships with their students. I have never been more proud of our team for putting students first and thinking of all the ways we can support our learners while learning remotely.

“While this school year does look and feel differently, some things are still the same. Over the Summer of 2020, we had quite a lot of Sinking Fund work completed. Roof work was completed at Rogers, BHS, Anderson, Building Blocks and Burton. Parking lots were re-paved and repaired at Norup and BHS. Media Center carpet was replaced at Angell, Burton, Rogers, Anderson and Norup. We have many more projects in the works for this coming year. We are grateful for the community’s ongoing support and investment in our schools.

“We prepare our students to be creative, curious, confident, and critical thinkers. This year, we will reinforce these principals with the notion of being flexible and adaptable to ever changing situations. We know our students are up to the challenge because they are always impressing us with their knowledge, growth mindset and their ability to adapt to ever changing situations.

“Our students enjoy the multitude of experiences and successes because of the overwhelming community support, the fantastic work of their great teachers and administrators and the rich and vibrant environments that parents create. We believe we are all in this together for the benefit of all our children.”

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS ONE CAN BECOME A PART of the Berkley School District. Residents who live within the District’s boundaries are welcome to register directly with the enrollment office. If a family is uncertain whether their residence is within the boundaries, there is a map available online or at the enrollment office.

Each year, the Board of Education also has the opportunity to approve School of Choice slots for a limited number of students in grades TK-5, and there are a set number of openings in 9th grade for the Berkley High School (BHS) Scholars program. Although the Board has approved the School of Choice slots the last several years, availability is reassessed on an annual basis and the continuation of this program is not guaranteed. Additionally, if the number of applications for School of Choice received after the program is approved exceed the number of openings, a lottery is held to place students. If a student’s name is drawn, they will be allowed into the District.

According to the District, Berkley students “are prepared to be creative, curious, confident, and well-rounded critical thinkers who are kind and caring and have a global perspective while understanding their communities.” The District has been named one of the state’s recipients of the Best Community for Music Education award nine years in a row.

BHS was named a Best High School by the U.S. News & World Report in 2020, among the top eight percent of high schools in the nation. In 2018, it was one of 175 schools in Michigan to be honored with the GreatShools.org College Success award, demonstrating the District’s commitment to preparing its students for continued success after graduation. BHS was also named to the Washington Post’s 2017 Most Challenging High Schools list, ranking 21st in Michigan and 1,575 in the nation.

“Berkley School District is known for being dedicated to creating pathways for students to achieve their individual best, whatever that looks like for each student,” says Stilger. And Superintendent McDavid is leading the charge, ensuring students are supported not only while achieving their educational goals, but also while reaching their career goals after they move forward in their journey.

BHS CURRENTLY OFFERS 26 ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES and students are able to attend courses at the Oakland Schools Technical Centers. Outside-of-the-box courses include zoology, forensics, Encore! show choir, creative writing, film studies, history of the Holocaust, marketing, computer programming and many more. Students can also participate in the school’s newspaper, or learn robotics, foreign languages or video production while still in middle school. Many middle school students complete high school credits while attending Anderson or Norup.

Berkley’s elementary schools offer opportunities for children to excel at their own level and pace by utilizing the Cultures of Thinking & Writing Workshop models. This allows administrators to gage each student’s individual needs for furthering their academic growth.

Berkley offers a wealth of opportunities for middle school and high school students to join clubs and sports. Middle school sports include softball, base-ball, football, basketball, track and field, cross country, wrestling, swimming, volleyball, golf, tennis, and clubs include yearbook, robotics, and art and drama. BHS offers football, basketball, swimming, soccer, wrestling, and cheerleading, among others, as well as club sports including hockey, figure skating, the dance team, and rugby. At BHS, students can join over 60 clubs, including unique offerings such as the vine-and-cheese club, drama, and the future teachers club.

Berkley’s students have been named All-State and Academic All-State honorary recipients for activities such as swimming, track and field, baseball, golf, hockey, and soccer. Twelve student athletes signed with colleges and universities during the 2018-19 school year. The BHS Orchestra was also one of three high school orchestras nationwide invited to play at Carnegie Hall in 2019 for the World Stride Music Festival and Berkley High School was the first school in the state to adopt Sources of Strength, a peer-led wellness program that benefits all students.

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