Holiday Spirit S H O W N in S O N G in the C O M M U N I T Y Canton’S Nicole Jackson Honored for Her Dedication to Literacy and Diversity
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LOCAL CHILDREN SHARE THEIR SANTA LETTERS WITH READERS l o c a l n e w s , A3 ■ MERR^ T CHRISTMAS . • • • • V > : * THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 • hometownlife.com Interfaith group battles anti-Muslim rhetoric Matt Jachman and even atheist — to the Pan- ues,” said Ch a n d r u Acharya, group, said the goal wa s to f r o m war-torn Syria, and a n s w e r presidential candi called Dec. 7 for a “total and Staff Writer era Bre ad on Ford Ro a d for a president of Canton-based m e a l or coffee, plus so m e South Asian American Voices dates, like Republican Donald c om p e t e shutdown" on travel A i m i n g to push back on informal chat. for Impact, which helps im Trump, who have been making b y Mu s l i m s to the U.S. TV u m p rhetoric com in g from so m e “W e are friends. W e want to migrants from south Asia anti-immigrant and anti-Mus has also said that, if elected, U.S. presidential candidates, keep our co m m u n i t y strong,” learn English, be c o m e cultur lim remarks, particularly fol he wou ld deport millions of people fr o m a variety of faiths said Anne Marie Graham- ally acclimated to the U.S. and lowing the terrorist attacks in illegal immigrants. and backgrounds gathered at a Hudak of Plymouth-Canton follow the steps toward citi Paris and San Bernardino, Meanwhile, there have been Canton Township restaurant Interfaith Co m m u n i t y Out zenship. Calif. reports of suspected hate one evening last we e k to sh o w reach, which organized the “W e support the country as T ru mp , for example, said he crimes ai m e d at Muslims; a c o m m u n i t y solidarity. get-together. m u c h as an y b o d y else,” w ou ld not rule out having a m a n in California wa s arrested T h e Dec. 16 event brought “W e are trying to engage Acharya added. U.S. database for Muslims, Sunday and accused of a plot together about 70 people — communities and let them Acharya, wh o is also a that he wants a database and Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh k n o w we have the sa m e val m e m b e r of the interfaith “w at ch lists” for refugees See INTERFAITH, Page A2 ‘A spa rk’ Holiday spirit s h o w n in s o n g in the c o m m u n i t y Canton’s Nicole Jackson honored for her dedication to literacy and diversity Joanne Maliszewski Staff Writer T h e late Nicole Jackson has b e e n called a spark, a Canton w o m a n wh o had a lasting im pact on students, families and friends in the local community. “W e are truly grateful for her work,” Plymouth-Canton B oa rd of Education Vice Presi dent Ki m Cro uc h said. "She has done so mu c h to improve the lives of our students.” Jackson died unexpectedly in June while doing what she loved most - reading with chil dren. "That speaks volumes,” said Ibu El, wh o served with Jack- son on the Plymouth-Canton Citizens for Diversity and Inclusion. "W e have lost a unique person in the co m m u n i - ty.” TO M BEAUDOIN Jackson was posthumously Lauren Davoudl of Plymouth (left) an d Jeanice McCaleb of Ma y b e e are in the holiday spirit during Christmas caroling Su n d a y at Kellogg Park. honored with the district’s Volunteer in Public Schools A w a r d recently by the school People from across the area tion for the sing-along, as well T O M BEAUDOIN board. Th e aw a r d wa s present celebrated the Christmas sea as playing a fe w pieces on its Jerry Smith, ed to her young son Jam es and son in song Sunday. own. music her parents, Julie and Ed. T h e third annual Co m m u n i Kellogg Park is decorated director at “Nicole Jackson has a pas ty Carol Sing at Ply mo ut h ’s with Christmas lights and reli First sion for books, engineering and Kellogg Park brought together gious symbols and singers Presbyterian for helping yo u n g people suc people fr o m a nu m b e r of local gathered near the park’s Nativ Church of ceed. W e are fortunate that she churches that have an ecu ity scene. Plymouth, lived in our co m m u n i t y and menical committee kn o w n as T h e singers we r e led by leads the was a tremendous supporter of Heartbeat of Plymouth. Jerry Smith, music director at crowd during our students,” Crouch said. Singers this year were First Presbyterian Chu rc h of Sunday's She was not only a me m b e r joined for the first time by the Plymouth and a longtime sing-along at of the Plymouth-Canton Citi Salvation Ar m y ’s Citadel Band, teacher and choir director at Kellogg Park. zens for Diversity and Inclu out of Dearborn Heights, ( n o w closed) Bentley Hi g h sion, but wa s founder of the which provided instrumenta School in Livonia. W o m e n of Essence Book Club a nd ow n e d the Northville book store As the Page TYirns. Literacy, education and e mbracing diversity we r e Jackson’s passions and focus. People, especially children, w er e tops for Jackson. To maintain her legacy, the di Darrell Clem with us.” versity and inclusion organiza Start Writer Kate Dakota, assistant health center manager, initiat tion will establish a free li Santa always has a backup ed the partnership with the brary exchange at the Ply plan. Canton Firefighters Charity mouth-Canton Educational Facing a lack of sn o w here, Foundation and said it ma d e a Park. he hitched a ride on a Canton real difference for so m e local “That wou ld be very fit fire rig Sun da y and ma d e an families. ting,” El said. early delivery of holiday gifts "Ev er yb od y wa s so excit H e spoke of Jackson’s cre to so m e local families wh o ed," she said. "It wa s really ativity and kna ck for “thinking needed help. overwhelming, all of the joy outside the box," as well as her Firefighters helped e m that ca m e out of it." being serious and dedicated. ployees from the University M ei er said Brian Fitzger- "She defined our goals and of Michigan Canton Health ald, Sh a w n Skelly, Gr e g Hu n t objectives," El said. Jackson remained dedicated Center deliver gifts to so m e of er, Stephanie Doyle and Capt. the center’s patients. Steve Borgelt joined the effort to her belief that even' child “It wa s a great opportunity to help the Canton-based U- M should read. "She wa s just a tremendous influence," Crouch to help so m e families and health center, near Canton CANTON FIRE DEPARTMENT kids,” Fire Chief Joshua Meier Santa arrived by fire truck as firefighters an d em p l o y e e s of the U- M said, “and we took Santa along See GIFTS. Page A2 C a n t o n Health Center partnered to help local families an d children. See JACKSON. Page A2 O bsem'er & E ccentric S) The Observer & Eccerthc INDEX Vblume 41 • Number S4 Business— ..... A 6 H o m e s ------ . B5 Services---- ____ B5 »4AMI|VT COM»A>« Crossword Puzzle .. 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" T h e y actually went she said, adding that the Register at the Youth out and purchased children "were very Sendees Desk. Christmas gifts and excited to see Santa." T h e carnival will be went around the co m A n d it didn't se e m to f r o m 11 a.m.