Picnic in the Park Packed with Fun

Despite the oppressive heat today, Milan's Community Picnic was a success as dozens of local residents came to Wilson Memorial Park. One of the highlights -- and a break from the heat -- was a sea of rain courtesy of the Milan Area Fire Department as Mark Evans, 13, under the watchful eye of his father, Milan Fire Department Lt. Fred Evans. Mark used the hose to spray a group of children who played in the water.

Fred's daughter, Amber, donned a blue bathing suit and was the first to get a soaking. She was quickly joined by Alex McLaughlin of Monroe and a group of children. Alex, who taunted Mark and dared him to spray him, while dancing across the open parkland, dodging droplets of water, was hilarious.

But that wasn't all the picnic had to offer. A three-legged race included Ypsilanti residents Devyn and Carlos Carthage, as well as other children and adults. They seemed to have a lot of fun. Next up was an old-fashioned potato sack race. I captured Carter VanHaren, Alex and Devyn in one shot, and a really cute photo of Heaven Riggs and her 2-year-old daughter, Mackenzie Perez of Dundee, in the race.

Of course what's a picnic without food. At the grill was Marty Ritchie, feeding a long line of hungry people. Alex, who was visiting his grandma in Milan, had a big plate full of food. I also met Stacy Johnson, William Riggs, Tracey Riggs and Kelsey Rafferty, who also enjoyed the hot dogs, baked beans and chips.

Check out video of the event on our Web site. Click on the link in the upper left-hand corner of our home page. It should be up by Monday morning.

Fun in Milan

Milan was hopping tonight with families. Parents, grandparents and children filled Wilson Memorial Park as Gemini, a family-oriented musical group, performed as part of the Concert in the Park series, which was followed by a movie in the park.

I took some photos for The Milan News-Leader, as well as some video. While getting names of people I captured digitally, I noticed people from all across the area were there to enjoy the show, not just residents of Milan.

Lelana Rakebrand, 7, who helped Gemini in one performance, traveled from Britton. Reigis Recchia and his son, Reed, came just down the road from Saline, and Logan Frantz, a cutey in a Superman T-shirt, traveled all the way from Canton.

And then there were David Behen and his daughter, Isabel, who also performed with the group. They came from Ypsilanti Township. When I jotted down their last name, I thought to myself, "I know that name. Why do I know that name?" It took me half the trip home from Milan to Pittsfield Township down Carpenter Road to figure it out. David Behen, if I have this correct, is the former deputy administrator for Washtenaw County. He recently took a job as leader and vice president of Information Management Solutions and Services' Government Solutions Practice.

I recognize the name because I edited the press release for publication. While we didn't run it yet in the Milan paper, it was published in our new Ann Arbor newspaper, the A2 Journal. If you haven't check out our new paper yet, visit us online at www.a2journal.com.

My recent visit to Milan shows me that Milan is a happening place -- a city that attracts visitors from across southeast Michigan. That's good news for local merchants and the community as a whole as people walk away with a good feeling about Milan.

Here's a video of the Behens performing with Gemini. Check out more video via a link on our Web site.

The Celtics Have Arrived

The rain may have canceled the Saline Celtic Parade this morning, but the skies had cleared in time for the Opening Ceremonies, one of my favorite aspects of the annual festival. Mayor Gretchen Driskell was carried in, following tradition. Festival Chairman Patrick Little also spoke as the pipe and drum bands performed. Among the amazing bands were the Michigan Scottish, Flint Scottish, Grand Rapids, Glen Erin, Shrine Highlanders, Caber Feidh and Ann Arbor, who performed throughout the day.

The day's events included a Maypole Dance, Kids' Celtic Games, Rubber Ducky Races, Sheep dog demonstration, jousting demonstration, and an array of entertainment acts, including Saline's own Fiddlers ReStrung, Tartanic, Rant Maggie Rant, Fior, Blue Caledonia and Eh?

It was another great day in Saline that cast Saline in a positive light for the world to see.

Check out our photos and video will be up soon on our Web site.

A Fun Weekend in Saline

This weekend in Saline is rockin'. Jesse Palter kicked off the weekend and the Saline Summer Music Series Friday. Two Twelve Arts Center's Family Fun Day this afternoon was a highlight and I am looking forward to Old Vehicle Day at Saline Depot Museum Sunday, followed by Grillin' for the Hungry in the late afternoon at the Farm Council Grounds near Saline. Check out video of all of these events at www.salinereporter.com. You'll find the link in the left-hand corner of the home page. In the meantime, enjoy some photos from yesterday's concert (above and Family Fun Day.

Milan High School Graduation in Pictures

It has been a busy week in Milan, with the Milan Community Fair from Wednesday through Saturday and high school graduation today. The graduation ceremony featured the Milan High School Band performing "Pomp and Circumstance," the concert choir singing the "Star Spangled Banner" and welcoming remarks from Principal Ron Reed. Class President Emily Hendricks got teary-eyed during her speech as some 177 graduates and their families looked on. Valedictorian Joseph Cadagin also spoke and Milan High School teacher Jeff Davis delivered the commencement address. The class of 2009 featured 17 summa cum laude graduates, four magna cum laude and 26 cum laude graduates. Below are some photos from the ceremony. A video should be up on our Web site, www.milannews.com, by Monday morning and there will be full coverage in Thursday's print edition.