jCJB*" r L i • November 25,2007 75 cents WINNERS OF STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE www.hometownlife.com 8Y BARBELL CLEM back to winter of 2005 — that foreclosure, as it struggles to this county obligation and be also rents its hall, on Wayne party that some observers said STAFF WRITER got slapped onto escalating tax overcome thousands of dollars here for years and years and south of Ford, for wedding reminded them of olden days bills. of debt. years to come." receptions, birthday parties when the league was at the Wayne County is threaten­ But an official for the "We are gradually climbing The civic league, established and other events. height of its-prosperity. ing to foreclose on a Westland embattled Wayne-Ford Civic that mountain of debt," league in 1952, sponsors bingo and On election night Nov. 6, the Barra became president nonprofit organization's League said the organization President Vic Barra said. other events to raise money league hosted a huge crowd three years ago amid an building for unpaid water and will pay enough of its past- "We're not going anywhere. for youth athletics, senior pro­ that included political candi­ street-lighting bills — dating due bills by March to avoid We fully intend to take care of grams and other services. It dates and their supporters — a Please see LEAGUE, A3 Thanksgiving tradition Octagon House Good deals, long lines greet shoppers on 'Black Friday' BY SUE MASON STAFF WRITER set for visitors The only thing Anne Dye 8Y DARRELL CLEM look, including work done by was carrying as she left the STAFF WRITER students from the Wayne- Westland Target store at Westland school district's 7:40 a.m. Friday was a cup of One of Westland's oldest William D. Ford Career Starbucks coffee. According to buildings — the beloved, mid- Technical Center. Numerous the Canton resident, it was the 1800s Octagon House — will other volunteers and business­ only line worth standing in. finally be unveiled publicly in es have pitched in to restore it. "The (checkout) line was too December, marking a mile­ Local businessman Gary long, it started as soon as you stone in the city's history. Bulson's workers from Men on got in the door," she said. "It "It's a good feeling, because the Move, a moving company, was around 7:20 when we got people have talked about has moved furniture not once here and the line snaked all the it and wanted to go in it," — but twice — as the Octagon around the store and maybe up said Jo Johnson, who chairs House's history has given way and down a few aisles." the Westland Historical to its future, Johnson has said. Dye and two friends made Commission. In another development, his­ Target the second stop on The eight-sided house, torians still are raising money their shopping spree. They flanked by two additions to finish the Octagon House hit the Meijer store first, a built in the mid-1930s, will be and to begin preparations for decision they admit needed shown during an open house other projects, including res­ rethinking for next year. scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, toration of another 1800s-era "We'll have to start here Dec. 2. The long-awaited event building, the so-called Rbwe first next year," Dye said. will crown a years-long resto­ House, which has a Greek For Garden City resident ration effort. Revival style of architecture. Marge Hickman, planning Situated in the Westland One fund-raiser nearing for the shopping day started Historic Village Park, completion involves raffle; tick­ Thursday evening when she on Wayne Road south of ets being sold for a playhouse got together with her daugh­ Marquette, the Octagon House that stands 7 feet tall and mea­ ter Amanda, friend Barb could eventually be used for sures 8 feet by 9 feet. It even Wolsinski, and Wolsinski's small weddings and other has a little porch. daughter Jennifer Wrobel events, city leaders have said. The playhouse will be raffled to map out their route. They Historians say the original off during a drawing at 5 p.m. * started at 3 a.m. at JC Penney - A 3ILL BRESLC-R I STwrr PnOTOGRAPfiLR two-story house was built by Wednesday, Dec. 5. Tickets are to get a snow globe, a holiday Shawn Oprisiu of Petoskey and her mom, Diane Tarczynsk of Westland had a full load after shopping at the ancestors of Clyde Smith, $5 or three for $10. They are tradition for Wrobel. The Westland Shopping Center Friday. It's an annual tradition for the mother-daughter extreme shopping team. who owned the former Clyde available at the Bailey Center route also took in Target, They started at 3:30 a.m. Smith & Sons Farm Market or by calling (734) 729-1605 or Circuit City and Westland & Greenhouses on Newburgh (734)522-3918. , '[•' • Shopping Center before they Thanksgiving event. By 7:30 on what has become known discounts. If parking at the Road. During a recent Westland got home at noon. a.m., she'd made it to two as "Black Friday," the busiest Westland Shopping Center The house once stood just City Council meeting, Johnson "I got 90 percent of the gifts stores, Sears and Target, and shopping day of the year, but is any indication, it will be a south of the farm market, but indicated that women who buy I need," Hickman said. "They was loading a shopping cart ventured out at 5 a.m. to take merry season for merchants. it was moved to Warren Road tickets could hope to win the had some good stuff. If you full of gifts into her minivan. advantage of the early bird At Target across the street, near Hix before it was relo­ playhouse as a tool shed "for were looking for certain items, Among her purchases was a specials. She found the crowds shopping carts may be the cated a few years ago to its new the man in your life." Or, she it was good. Barb got a leather flat-screen TV she paid $549 "good and the stores busy." indicator. Tieppo got help home — its logical home, many said part-jokingly, the play­ jacket that cost $248 for $52." for. Many retailers peg the suc­ loading her purchases in her say — in the historic park. house could be used "as a dog Dorothy Tieppo of Westland "I ran into Sears and got cess of the holiday shopping van by a woman waiting for Although the Octagon House house for either man or dog." also joined thousands of what I needed and came here," season on how well they do her shopping cart. still needs a few finishing Second prize during the shoppers in flocking to the she said. on Black Friday. Many stores touches, restoration efforts drawing will be a $100 gift stores for the annual day-after. Tieppo doesn't normal shop open early and offer deep Please see SHOP, A10 have finally made it ready for certificate to Bobby's Bouncers, the public. an indoor play place with "It's a big relief," Johnson inflatables and other amenities said. for children. The house has had much Council OKs keeping officer at John Glenn High School help with its spruced-up [email protected] I (734) 953-2110 BY DARRELLCLEM who can build positive rela­ the school," Ridener said. The new agreement will be STAFF WRITER tions between teens and law In a sweeping vote Monday, for one year as officials con­ enforcement. the seven-member Westland tinue to monitor and evaluate A Westland police officer By having Officer Daniel City Council approved an the program. Either the city or will continue to work out of Serrano at the school, Police agreement to continue the the school district could ter­ John Glenn High School for Chief James Ridener said he program. minate the contract with 30 a second year, following a can keep his other officers The agreement indicates days' notice. This renewed agreement between on city streets barring some that the officer will attend as The program is similar playhouse city and Wayne-Westland large, unusual incident. many extra-curricular events to one that involves an offi­ is being school officials. Officials also say the in- as possible, becoming a rec­ cer from the city of Wayne raffled to The program allows an school police officer serves as ognizable face to students and being placed at the district's raise money officer to respond quickly to a counselor to students and as providing a police presence other high school, Wayne for Westland in-school fights and other a liaison between the city and should any incidents erupt Memorial. historic disruptions, and officials also school district. that would otherwise warrant preservation say it provides a role model "He's a jack of all trades to calling in law enforcement. [email protected] I (734) 953-2110 efforts. © The Observer & Eccentric INDEX wen For Home Newspapers APARTMENTS D4 any Delivery call: AUTOMOTIVE C6 Volume 43 CROSSWORD PUZZLE D4 AT&T (866) 887-2737 Number 52 HEALTH 65 Wireless HOMETOWNLIFE CI Coffer JOBS CIO NEW HOMES DT Only at,. OBITUARIES C4 OPINION A11 iTZjrJk--**- REAL ESTATE D2 Ford & Merri SPORTS B1 s Garden 1 734.421. f.y Observer S Eccentric | Sunday,_Novemt)er 25,2007 A2 (w) LOCAL NEWS www.hometownfife.com AROUND WESTLAND Bus named information call (734) 722-7620. Center of John Glenn High School, 36105 Marquette, A 27-passenger bus used by Christmas concert between Wayne Road and Westland senior citizens for out­ To prove if s cool with street Newburgh, Westland.