'Black Friday'fallout

Experts give tips A Michigan « for the holidays goose hunt WSSMHVS \ Hometownlife - CI November 30,2008 75 cents WINNERS OF STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE www.hometownlife.com Santa Claus, Local teen maintains reindeer to family's Scout tradition BY TIFFANY L. PARKS OBSERVER STAFF WRITER star at Shop The Van Wicklin men know a thing or two about the Scouting motto of being prepared. So, it has come as no shock to his family that 16-year-old Jonathan Van Wicklin is following his father, uncle and grandfa Canton's ther in becoming an Eagle Scout. "Scouting has been a lot of fun and it has given me direction in my thinking about school and taking initiative," said Jonathan, who became an Eagle Saturday, with his Holiday Fest family in attendance. D uring the township teen's Court of Honor BY TIFFANY I. PARKS ceremony, his grand OBSERVER STAFF WRITER father, Dexter, was to be presented with an Back for a third year and bigger than Eagle badge to replace before, Shop Canton's Family Holiday the one he earned Fest will take place Dec. 6 from noon to 4 Tammy and John Reynolds, of Canton, did holiday shopping at the Verizon store at Ford and Lilley before going off to p.m. at Willow Creek Plaza on Ford Road Roads on Friday. fight in World War II. between Lilley and Haggerry. The event 'He earned his will include a visit from Santa, a coloring badge in high school contest, strolling carolers, alive reindeer and then he went off to and refreshments. : ! l C! ___BKESLERnTAFi = - OTr'APH ; war and while he was "We had gone, his mother had 2,000- 'Black Friday'fallout Eagle Scout Jonathan Van Wicklin and his dad moved several times SHOP CANTON'S FAMILY 3,000 Gary Van Wicklin, who earned the rank of Eagle and had misplaced his HOLIDAY FEST people Scout in 1975. badge," said Jonathan's last year, Despite long lines, shoppers find good mother, Esther, add When: Noon to 4 p.m. so we are ing that the family had gotten permission from the Detroit Area Saturday, Dec. 6 expecting Council of the Boy Scouts of America to replace the missing item. Where: Willow Creek Piaza an even "This is an exciting time for us because all the Van Wicklin men bigger will have their pins on." on Ford Road turnout," BY TIFFANY L PARKS of Tennessee. New to the festivities were To earn his Eagle status, Jonathan, who attends Salem High What: A visit from Santa, a said Karyl OBSERVER STAFF WRITER Daily's granddaughters, Ashley, 13, and School and is a member of Troop 1539, cleared and defined coloring contest, strolling Niemi Alexandrea, 12. the trail in the Holliday Nature Preserve, which is located in carolers, a live reindeer and of Shop Bumper to bumper traffic, Santa hats "I go out because my daughters go Westland and Canton. Leading a crew of more than 40 volun refreshments Canton. covering the heads of shoppers and over out and I love them," she said. "And my teers in March, the group was also able to repair a bridge and "People are sized signs announcing "Nothing Held sisters go out because I go out and they pick up litter. starting to Back" from price slashings — 'Black love me." "The hardest part for me was keeping my mouth shut," joked know that this is an annual event and Friday1 was in full swing along Ford The group began shopping at about 4 Gary Van Wicklin, Jonathan's father, of the volunteer effort at that it is family friendly." Road. a.m. Holliday. "Whenever someone asked me a question, I told them During the festivities, which have The parking lot at Kohl's, despite "It's our day out," said Vincent, add to talk to the boss and I think he did a good job." been extended an hour because of the a 4 a.m. opening for early birds, was ing that the venture has become a fam Esther said she is proud of the skills Jonathan has learned dur event's popularity, children and parents jammed well into the afternoon. ily mainstay through Owen's annual ing his time with scouting. will be encouraged to trick or treat "I usually don't shop on Black Friday Thanksgiving visit to the area. "One "The leadership opportunities have been wonderful," she said. throughout Ford Road. and I don't think I would do this again," year, we just said 'Let's go Christmas "His Eagle Scout project was a really good task to supervise. He "The trick or treating has been a huge laughed Barb Lanning of Canton as she shopping!' and we have been doing it handled quite a bit and I know I would not have been able to do hit," said Niemi, adding that the idea of left the discount retailer. "I had to wait since then." it at his age." using the traditional Halloween activ in line about 40 minutes but I did get As the group was leaving Willow Jonathan, now in his sixth year of being a Boy Scout, was pre ity surfaced while brainstorming ways some good deals." Creek Plaza around noon, they were viously a Cub Scout. to generate foot traffic for stores. "We Known as the busiest retail shopping tossing out restaurant .ideas for lunch "I told him the story of how I was an Eagle Scout, along with have had people tell us they had never day of the year, hitting the stores on when Osment made an announcement: my brother and father, and he decided to beat dad," Gary said, been in certain stores (before the trick Black Friday has become a nine-year "The trunk is now full," she laughed. noting that his son pressed to earn Eagle status well in advance or treating)." tradition for the women in Terian Daily's At the Verizon Wireless store at of deadline, which would be his 18th birthday. "This has been our The Holiday Fest is free and open to family. Canton Corners, the newly-released family time." the public. For more information on Daily of Woodhaven was accompanied BlackBerry Storm phone was the hot Still, despite the harmony of their numerous camping trips, Shop Canton or to access coupons, visit Friday by her daughters and her sisters, item of the day. Jonathan grins about being in a friendly competition with his www. shopcanton.org. Anne Marie Vincent of Canton, Shelley "It has been insane," a store manager father. Hocking of Whitmore Lake, Linda "I've got more merit badges than my dad," he said. Please see SHOPPERS, A4 tlparksdtiometownlife.com j (734) 953-2170 Owen of Minnesota and Vicky Osment For more information on Troop 1539, visit www.troopl539.org. The Plymouth- Canton Ballet Ballet company's 'Nutcracker' to light up Salem stage Company's upcoming performances of BY KURT KUBAN Greene said the dancers range form as the Rat King. done. Those that come out are The Nutcracker OBSERVER STAFF WRITER in age from small children to In addition to the company's going to see a production very at the Salem adults, with lots of accomplished dancers, there will be two spe comparable to the Michigan High School The Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow students. cial guest performers from the Opera Theatre's production auditorium will Queen and Herr Drosselmeyer "Our older students are very Cincinnati Ballett in Ohio: Jay downtown," said Greene, a for feature some 50 will be some of the characters skilled, pre-professional," he Goodlett will perform as the mer Canton resident who now dancers and will that take center stage when the said. Cavalier and Snow King, with lives in Grosse lie. be accompanied Plymouth-Canton Ballet Co. Nearly all of the performers his partner Tricia Sundberg In addition, Greene said the by the Plymouth teams up with the Plymouth are from the local area. Reid dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy company has altered the tra Symphony Symphony Orchestra to present Conlon from Canton will per and the Snow Queen. Both have ditional story a bit to cater to Orchestra. TheNutcrackeri'D&c. 6-7 at the form as the Nutcracker Prince performed in many productions, families. There will also be two Salem High School Auditorium. and Lauren Hansen from including The Nutcracker. intermissions, so the kids don't 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and Following each performance According to Plymouth- Livonia will dance the role of Add it all up and Greene says get too antsy. "We have a little at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7- Tickets audience members may join the Canton Ballet Co. President Clara. Amber Lawson of Livonia the group's performance will different twist. The story is very are $18 for adults and $10 for performers on stage for a Sugar Beck Greene, more than 50 will perform as the Dew Drop take audience members by sur easy for people and especially children up to 12. Tickets can be Plum Parade for $2. For more dancers will perform the holi Fairy. Jessica Zultowski will prise. "We make this as profes children to follow. The kids will ordered by phone at (734) 451- information, visit www.plym- day classic, accompanied by the dance as the Snow Princess. sional as possible. We have huge love this one," he said. 2112, online at www.plymouth- outhcantonballet.org or www. PSO's full professional orchestra. Erica Martin of Canton will per set pieces. The scenery is well The performances will be at cantonballet.org or at the door.

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