MHS Flying Dutchmen football team after Homecoming Game victory, 80 to 35 over Leslie. Photo by Philip Altherr, courtesy of MHS Athletic Department.

by Sara Swanson

On Tuesday, November 3, Manchester-area residents will be able to vote at their usual polling place from 7am to 8pm. We reached out to local and area candidates running in contested races and gave them the opportunity to get their message out to the Manchester area. Candidates for positions higher than state house and state senate are widely profiled in other publications. See vote411.org for information on races not covered here.

All voters may choose to vote early either through the mail by requesting an absentee ballot or in person during the nine days of early voting, starting October 24 and running through November 1. Bridgewater Township residents can vote early at Bridgewater Hall from noon to 8pm on Saturday, October 24, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; and 9am to 5pm on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, October 31 during the early voting week. All other Manchester-area voters can vote early at Sylvan Township Hall from 9am to 5pm on the early voting days. See www.washtenaw.org/3970/Early-Voting for more information.

Note: Candidates who responded are presented ahead of candidates who didn’t respond, and in alphabetical order by last name within those two groups. Statements were required to be 500 words or fewer and were cut off at 500 words if longer statements were submitted.

School board

Manchester Community Schools

The school board positions have been split into two races, one race for three 4-year-term seats with incumbent Sandra Wiitala, incumbent Christine Deacons, Christopher M. Caron, Michelle Champagne, James Tobias, and Joseph Walsh running; and one race for one 2-year-term seat with Heather Ramsey, Celia Creger, Chelsea Kapuniai, and Logan Caszatt running. Voters will be able to select three candidates for the 4-year term seat and one for the 2-year term seat. School board seats are nonpartisan positions so candidates do not declare a political party.

Reminder: Manchester Community School Foundation is hosting a school board candidate forum split into two separate nights on October 7, from 6pm to 7:30pm, and October 14, from 6pm to 7:30pm, in the media center at the Manchester Jr/Sr High School located at 20500 Dutch Dr. It will also be live-streamed on the district’s YouTube channel.

4-year term seat – vote for 3

Christopher Caron (Nonpartisan)

Christopher Caron. Courtesy photo.

A data-informed, disciplined approach focused on fiscal solvency, enrollment stability, and support for academic quality.

My wife and I made Manchester our family’s home in 2022. Professionally, I am a competitive benchmarking engineer at Ford Motor Company, where I have spent the majority of my 16-year career. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and a Master of Science in Product Development from the University of Detroit Mercy. In my role at Ford, I specialize in analyzing complex systems, identifying root causes, evaluating operational efficiencies, and leading cross-functional teams toward evidence-based solutions.

Outside of work, I am deeply committed to our community’s youth. I serve as a volunteer youth sports coach with both the Chelsea Hockey Association and the Manchester Soccer Association, where I focus on building teamwork, skills, and positive environments for kids to learn and grow.

My objective on the Board of Education is to bring analytical rigor, objective governance, and careful oversight to district stewardship. The fundamental role of a school board trustee is not to manage daily school operations, but to establish clear policy, provide rigorous fiscal supervision, evaluate district leadership, and ensure administrative accountability to our community.

Key areas where the next board must focus its governance and oversight include:

Stabilizing Enrollment & Retaining Manchester Families: We must foster an environment where local families feel confident keeping their children in Manchester Community Schools. The board can support this by encouraging district leadership to explore innovative academic offerings, evaluate what drives family enrollment decisions, and actively build a welcoming culture where kids have the space to be kids and grow in a happy, supportive environment.

Fiscal Solvency & Resourcefulness: Analyzing district budgets with a critical, data-driven eye to keep funding centered on classroom impact and long-term financial sustainability. As part of fiscal stewardship, the board should expect and encourage administration to aggressively pursue grant opportunities that expand student programs beyond the traditional operating budget.

Supporting Administrative & Teaching Talent: Fostering a professional culture that helps recruit, retain, and support dedicated educators and staff, ensuring they have the institutional support necessary to deliver high-quality instruction.

Governance & Accountability: Ensuring transparent decision-making processes and maintaining clear checks and balances to protect district resources and serve the best interests of our students and taxpayers.

There is real work ahead of us. Our board’s ultimate duty is to ensure Manchester Community Schools grows into a strong, stable, and trusted school district that truly serves all our families.

Contact Information: ccsrf93@gmail.com

Michelle Champagne (Nonpartisan)

Michelle Champagne. Courtesy photo.

My name is Michelle Champagne. I am a Manchester Township resident, a parent, and a certified special education teacher. I am running for the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education because I care about our schools, the people who make them what they are, and the direction we take moving forward. I want to bring my experience, perspective, and willingness to listen to the table and be part of that work.

I spent eight years working for Manchester Community Schools, first as a paraeducator and later as a certified special education teacher. I built relationships with students, families, and staff that I will always value. Working in the district gave me a firsthand understanding of the dedication that exists within our schools, as well as the challenges that can come with serving students and families with different needs.

Currently, I am a certified special education teacher at Tecumseh Public Schools, working with students with emotional impairments in grades K-3. I also work part-time as a pediatric psychiatric technician at Mott Children’s Hospital. These experiences have continued to shape how I view education and the importance of supporting the whole child, providing meaningful opportunities for students with disabilities, and making sure the staff who serve our children feel valued and equipped to do their jobs well.

If elected, I intend to help create a district where communication is open, decisions are transparent, and families and staff feel their voices matter. I want the board to ask questions, work collaboratively with administration and staff, and make decisions based on what is best for students. I also hope to support greater consistency across buildings in curriculum, content, expectations, instructional practices, and policies, so students and families have a strong and consistent experience throughout the district.

That same focus should extend to the people working in our schools. Creating a culture where staff feel respected, heard, and valued is essential to building strong schools. Our teachers and staff are the people who show up for our students every day, and when they have the support and resources they need, our students have a stronger foundation to learn, grow, and succeed.

Most of all, I want Manchester Community Schools to be a district where families and staff want to stay and students feel supported, challenged, and proud to be part of their schools. That takes more than one person or one idea. It takes people willing to listen, work together, ask hard questions, and keep moving forward in the best interest of our students.

I’m not running because I have every answer. I’m running because I care enough to listen, ask questions, and be part of the work. Manchester is my community, and I want to help make sure our schools continue to be a place our community can be proud of.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleChampagneForSchoolBoard

Email: mchampagne028@gmail.com

Christine Deacons (Nonpartisan)

Christine Deacons. Courtesy photo.

I’m Christine Deacons, and I’m asking for your vote for the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education.

I currently serve as Secretary of the Board. I hold a PhD in Educational Leadership, and have spent the bulk of my career in education K-12, college and education technology—much of it focused on students whose transitions through school are the most fragile, the ones who slip between grades, buildings, and systems and don’t get caught. That work taught me to look for the seams in an institution, because the seams are where students are lost.

Manchester has two challenges that are really one challenge.

The first is a K–12 curriculum that is not fully aligned. Our youngest grades are steady — families choose Manchester for kindergarten at close to the same rate they always have. What we have not done well is hold those students as they move up, through the intermediate grades and into the junior/senior high. That is not a marketing problem or a reputation problem. It is a curriculum and continuity problem. When what a student learns in one grade doesn’t land them cleanly in the next, and when the high school course catalog can’t offer what a family believes their child needs, that family starts looking at the districts around us. They aren’t leaving because they stopped loving Manchester. They’re leaving because the path stopped being clear.

The second challenge is solvency. Michigan funds schools per pupil, so every student who leaves takes their funding out the door with them—while the buildings, buses, utilities, and staffing that serve them cost very nearly the same. Enrollment decline and budget pressure are one problem measured two ways. A district our size cannot cut its way to stability. We have to keep students.

If elected, my goals are straightforward. Commission a real K–12 curriculum alignment review — grade by grade, building by building — and then act on what it finds. Protect and rebuild high school programming, the courses and pathways that make staying here the obvious choice rather than the sentimental one. Insist on stability in leadership and teaching, because nothing we align survives constant turnover. And govern in the open: publish what we know, including the parts that are uncomfortable to read.

I’ll also say plainly that I ask hard questions, and I have cast votes in the minority. I believe that’s what a board seat is for. A board that always agrees with itself isn’t governing.

I’ve written a book about how artificial intelligence is changing what schools owe their students. It’s called Taught for a World That No Longer Exists. I don’t want that title to describe Manchester.

Manchester is small by design and large by opportunity. That isn’t a slogan to me. A district this size can know every student by name and build a path for each one. That’s worth protecting, and it’s worth the work.

I write about school governance and education policy at educate360.edublogs.org.

James Tobias (Nonpartisan)

James Tobias. Courtesy photo.

Manchester is part of my past, present, and future. I was born and raised here, graduated from Manchester High School in 2005, and returned home with my wife, who is also a Manchester graduate, because this is where we want to raise our son. He is now beginning his own education through Manchester Community Schools, giving me a personal investment in the district’s long-term success.

I believe Manchester’s greatest challenges are declining enrollment, limited financial resources, recruiting and retaining excellent employees, meeting a wide range of student needs, and maintaining the community’s trust during a period of leadership transition. These challenges are connected. Families are more likely to choose and remain in Manchester when they trust the district, feel welcomed, and believe their children will receive a strong education with meaningful opportunities.

My career has centered on education. I began by substitute teaching and tutoring students in Manchester. I later helped develop first-year programs, taught, and supported student success at colleges in Michigan and Virginia. Working in higher education also taught me that college is a valuable path for many students, but it is not the right path for everyone. Our schools should prepare students for many forms of success, including college, skilled trades, apprenticeships, military service, entrepreneurship, and direct entry into the workforce.

For the past five years, I have worked as a product manager building educational products and experiences. My work requires me to listen to learners and educators, use evidence to understand problems, bring people together, and turn complex challenges into practical improvements. It also requires me to work within limited budgets, understand opportunity costs, and use resources carefully.

I have applied many of those same skills as head coach of Manchester Youth Wrestling. I helped grow the program from approximately 12 wrestlers to more than 65 while expanding scholarships, community service, and opportunities for children. That experience has taught me how to build trust, manage limited resources, and create an organization that serves the larger community.

If elected, my goals are to expand meaningful opportunities for students, support and retain excellent teachers and staff, and be a responsible steward of community resources. The board must also establish clear goals for the superintendent, provide appropriate support, evaluate progress, and maintain accountability without interfering in daily operations.

I will listen before reaching conclusions, ask thoughtful questions, examine both evidence and lived experience, and explain the tradeoffs behind difficult decisions. Manchester is a close-knit community. Our schools will be strongest when the board, superintendent, employees, families, and community work together toward shared goals.

Website: tobiasformanchester.com

Email: tobiasformanchester@gmail.com

Joe Walsh (Nonpartisan)

Joe Walsh. Courtesy photo.

I am running for the Manchester Community Schools Board because I believe strongly in the future of our students and in the responsibility we have as a community to prepare them for that future. My experience as a STEM teacher, Career and Technical Education educator and coordinator, and program developer has given me a perspective that I believe would be valuable to the Board. I have seen firsthand how powerful education can be when students are given meaningful opportunities to connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world careers, skilled trades, technology, and their own interests.

One of the biggest challenges facing Manchester Community Schools is balancing limited resources with the need to provide students with increasingly diverse opportunities. The district is also dealing with enrollment and financial pressures while working to expand Career and Technical Education opportunities. These challenges require thoughtful, long-term planning rather than short-term reactions. I believe the district should continue looking for ways to strengthen enrollment by clearly demonstrating the value Manchester provides families, while carefully evaluating programs and expenditures based on their impact on students. Partnerships with local businesses, Washtenaw Intermediate School District, community colleges, and industry can also help expand opportunities without placing the entire burden on the district.

CTE should be an important part of that strategy. Students need multiple pathways to success. College is an excellent option for many students, but it is not the only path. Skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, health care, technology, entrepreneurship, public service, and other career pathways can provide students with meaningful and successful futures. My experience developing CTE programs, working with employers, pursuing apprenticeship opportunities, and building hands-on STEM programming has shown me the value of giving students opportunities to explore careers before they graduate.

If elected, my goals would be to support strong academics while expanding career exploration, CTE, skilled-trades exposure, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and STEM opportunities. I would also advocate for responsible budgeting, transparent communication with the community, strong support for teachers and staff, and decisions that keep student success at the center. I believe the Board should establish clear goals, monitor results, listen to the community, and allow educators and administrators to do their jobs.

My qualifications are rooted in both education and practical experience. I have worked directly with students and families, developed and managed educational programs, coordinated Career and Technical Education initiatives, built a STEM program, worked to establish apprenticeship opportunities, and managed resources and partnerships to create hands-on learning experiences. These experiences have taught me how to work within constraints, solve problems, communicate with different stakeholders, and turn ideas into programs that benefit students.

Most importantly, I understand Manchester Community Schools from the perspective of someone who has invested significant time and effort into its students and programs. I am running because I care about this community and believe I can contribute a practical, career-focused perspective to the Board. My goal would be simple: help Manchester provide students with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and confidence they need to succeed.

Voters may use my email:josephowalsh@aol.com

Sandra Wiitala (Nonpartisan)

Sandra Wiitala. Courtesy photo.

I’m Sandra Wiitala. It is my honor to seek to serve the community that raised me and helped raise my family by seeking support for a second term on the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education.

Having served my first year in office as Secretary, my second as Vice President, and last two years as President, I am well versed in many of the aspects of a school board’s responsibilities and processes. Learning the sheer volume of work to be done and training to acquire to really understand and work toward the effective function and intended relationship of a school board to it’s community, at school and at large, has been both daunting and inspiring. I’m eager to continue my professional growth, with my community’s support, to better support our children before, during and after their grade school years.

With public school enrollment on the decline across Michigan, Manchester’s continuing enrollment challenges mean we can’t afford to continue to flip leadership. Our new Superintendent and the board need to grow, train and work intensely together to seek new ways to offer more academic and extracurricular opportunities for ALL of our students. To support continued growth in our successful early childhood support programs. To continue to strengthen curriculum options and rigor from there up through 12^th grade. To offer more support to our students in more intensive and sometimes nontraditional academic opportunities. And to scaffold up our Special Education teams to provide more of the care and guidance our students and families need.

None of that work can happen in a space where board members aren’t investing in the training, putting in the time, doing the work of special meetings and multiple personal sacrifices of time and energy to focus on the big picture.  The board needs to set the big goals and work toward those goals with our Superintendent as a committed, educated group.  We are not trained state qualified school Administrators. The board is meant to train and learn and stay aware of the ever-changing educational environment to effectively evaluate our needs, set administrative goals, find opportunities for district support toward those goals, and evaluate our administration’s success in reaching those goals. Adjusting as necessary the details along the way to ensure ALL of our children receive the support, love and opportunities they all deserve.

My many years serving on my Union’s Board of Trustees, helping to manage multi million dollar health and welfare and pension funds, and extensive team management helped build my base for this work. My lifelong continued investment in this community as a volunteer and coach helped build my local network. My voluntary investment of over 100 hours of personal time toward Michigan Association of School Boards professional training during my first term has prepared me for this next step.  This is serious work and I am ready to pursue it. Please email me at Sandraformanchesterschools@gmail.com with any questions or if you would like to meet and chat. Thank you for your support.

2-year term seat – vote for 1

Logan Caszatt (Nonpartisan)

Logan Caszatt. Courtesy photo.

Hi, I’m Logan Caszatt, a current public school educator in a neighboring district and a proud graduate of Manchester Community Schools. As a school board candidate, I’m honored to have received the endorsement of the Manchester Education Association. I have two wonderful children that are growing and thriving while attending public schools. As an elementary school teacher, I am passionate about providing the best educational opportunities for public school students, involving families as active contributors to their child’s education, and supporting the teachers who work tirelessly for their school communities.

After graduating from Manchester High School in 2010, I attended Central Michigan University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, with a focus in English Language Arts and Mathematics. I also earned a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. In the years since graduating, I have actively coached in local community sports: assistant coach for 8th grade volleyball, head coach for Saline FC, and T-Ball head coach with Manchester Area Youth Sports. Helping children learn and grow, while supporting their families, has been my priority since starting my teaching career in Texas. I have taught students in grades ranging from preschool to fourth grade. I seek out and attend educational leadership conferences, have been trained in Orton-Gillingham, and am currently enrolled in LETRS to stay updated on the latest educational research.

My career experience paired with both of my degrees would be an asset to the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education. With Michigan’s new educational laws taking effect next year, MCS may face the difficult task of selecting new curriculum backed by the Science of Reading. As a teacher in a neighboring district, with a master’s degree in this area, I have the unique opportunity to bring current educational knowledge to the board table while supporting our growing learners. Manchester is fortunate to have so many wonderful teachers dedicated to providing the best learning opportunities for their students. If elected to this school board, I would work with fellow board members to make sure that funds are being spent appropriately on curriculum that is in compliance with state education laws, as well as providing professional development opportunities for staff to ensure board-approved curriculum would be implemented into each classroom with fidelity.

Many local families have reached out with questions and concerns about the progression this district has taken over the last few years. Although I may no longer work for this district, as a dedicated community member, I am determined to put in the work for Manchester Community Schools. Our district can only benefit when we have a public school educator’s input and perspective advocating for students and families at the board table. I will support the students, teachers, and families that are here and deserve a thriving district with a plethora of opportunities. It’s time to invest in our students, support our teachers, and truly listen to our local families. Go Dutch!

Celia Creger (Nonpartisan)

Celia Creger. Courtesy photo.

The characteristics and qualifications that I have that will help me excel in this position include:

Financial:  I have a BBA with a major in accounting.  I am also a former small business owner.  This background provides me the basis to understand financial complexities of a complex organization and evaluate options to identify the best path forward.

Education:  Earned a MA in Career and Technical Education, minor Marketing.  I taught for 14 years Business and Marketing courses.   I understand the classroom experience and curriculum development.

Support:  My Dad was a former Superintendent and was an example of leadership.  As a former business owner, I recognized the value of all my staff, vendors and customers for business success.

Service:  Combining my education and experience with a servant’s heart, I have the desire to give my best to all the stakeholders involved at Manchester Public Schools.  My aspiration is to understand the school and community needs and work toward solutions to create student success.

Chelsea Kapuniai (Nonpartisan)

Chelsea Kapuniai. Courtesy photo.

My family moved across the country to Manchester in 2022, and today both of my daughters attend Manchester schools. I’m running for the Board of Education because I believe I can bring a useful combination of professional experience, prior board leadership, community involvement, and a willingness to ask hard questions before making decisions.

For nearly 15 years, I have worked in recruiting and human resources, including high-level recruiting for Fortune 500 companies globally. My career has centered around staffing, hiring, retention, evaluating qualifications, identifying bias, and helping leaders make high-stakes personnel decisions. I have worked with people from very different backgrounds, viewpoints, personalities, and priorities, and learning how to hear those perspectives while still making fair, objective decisions has been a core part of my profession.

That experience directly shapes how I look at some of Manchester’s biggest challenges. Staff and student retention are major priorities for me. I want to understand why good employees leave, why families choose other educational options, where we are successfully retaining people, and what the data tells us about both. I also believe hiring decisions should consistently focus on qualifications, fairness, and what best serves our students.

This would not be my first time serving on a board. I previously served for several years on the board of a large youth football and cheer organization in California, where I was involved in budgets, staffing, policies, contracts, discipline, major purchases, fundraising, complaints, travel, and other operational decisions. I was also heavily involved in fundraising efforts that generated tens of thousands of dollars each season.

I decided at a young that volunteering with kids was going to be a big part of my life. I began volunteering as a teenager, have spent more than 17 years coaching youth, and since moving here, have been a large part of rebuilding Manchester’s youth cheer program over the past four years, serving 60+ athletes annually.

If elected, I would focus on retention, accountability, fair hiring, strong communication, and data-driven decision-making. To me, accountability means setting clear expectations, asking whether decisions produced the results we intended, and being willing to acknowledge when something isn’t working and adjust course. Data is not just about identifying problems; it should also tell us what Manchester is doing well so we can protect it, support it, and build on it.

I also want families, staff, and community members to feel that their voices matter, especially those who may have felt unheard in the past or hesitant to speak up. Representation means listening even when the feedback is uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not what we hoped to hear. I want people to know they can raise concerns, share ideas, or disagree respectfully without feeling like it will be held against them. My responsibility would be to represent the entire community, not just the voices that are easiest to hear, and to keep bringing decisions back to what best serves Manchester’s students.

Heather Ramsey (Nonpartisan)

Heather Ramsey was contacted but didn’t respond.

Other school districts

Some residents in the Manchester Area live in other school districts. Some voters in Sharon Township will be voting in Chelsea, Napoleon & Grass Lake’s school board elections. Some Freedom township residents will be voting in Chelsea & Saline’s school board elections. Some voters in Bridgewater will be voting in Clinton & Saline’s school board elections. And some Manchester Township voters will be voting in Clinton & Columbia’s school board elections. See vote411.org for information on non-Manchester Community Schools, school board races.

State Representatives

The Manchester area is split between two state house seats. Bridgewater Township is in the 33rd State House District. Manchester, Sharon, and Freedom townships, as well as the City of Manchester, are within the 47th State House District.

District 33

Voters in Bridgewater Township will choose between 2 candidates: incumbent Democrat Morgan Foreman and Republican Catherine Rogers.

Morgan Foreman (Democrat)

Morgan Foreman. Courtesy photo.

The biggest challenge facing our district is ensuring that our infrastructure keeps pace with the growth and changing needs of our communities. Whether I am talking with residents in Pittsfield Township, Ann Arbor, or our more rural communities, infrastructure is consistently one of the issues I hear about most. Roads and construction are the most visible part of that challenge. Residents are frustrated by deteriorating roads, congestion, seemingly constant construction, and the difficulty of simply getting from one place to another. Washtenaw County has significant road improvement work underway, but we also have to address the long-term way Michigan funds and maintains local roads. (Washtenaw County Road Commission)

Infrastructure also means housing. Our region continues to grow, but the supply and variety of housing have not kept pace with demand. A recent Washtenaw County housing study recommended approximately 16,000 additional housing units countywide. (Ann Arbor City Calendar) We need more housing that working families, seniors, young professionals, and people with disabilities can actually afford. That requires partnership between state and local governments to increase housing supply, support affordable and workforce housing, remove unnecessary barriers to development, and ensure new development is accompanied by adequate roads, transit, water, sewer, and other essential infrastructure.

If reelected, my goal is to continue delivering practical results for the people I represent. I want to strengthen our infrastructure, expand access to affordable housing, protect our Great Lakes and drinking water, support public education, improve access to health care, and continue fighting for consumers and working families. I also want state government to be more responsive and accountable to the people it serves.

I bring both professional experience and lived experience to this position. Before being elected, I worked in constituent services in the Michigan Legislature, which taught me how state government affects people at the most personal level and how important it is for elected officials to listen and respond. I have also worked in education and community engagement, experiences that shaped my belief that good public policy begins with understanding the people it impacts.

During my first term, I have served on the House Health Policy and Natural Resources and Tourism committees and have worked on issues ranging from consumer protection and public health to water quality and environmental stewardship. I also serve in regional leadership focused on protecting the Great Lakes. I approach this work as both a policymaker and a constituent: I live here, I experience the same roads and construction, and I want our communities to remain places where people can afford to live, work, raise families, and age with dignity.

My goal is simple: keep moving our district and Michigan forward.

Catherine Rogers (Republican)

Catherine Rogers  was contacted but didn’t respond.

District 46

Manchester, Freedom and Sharon Townships, and the City of Manchester will choose between 2 candidates for State House representative: incumbent Democrat, Carrie A. Rheingans and Republican Justin Griffis.

Carrie A. Rheingans (Democrat)

Carrie Rheingans. Courtesy photo.

State Representative Carrie Rheingans is a health policy expert, educator, and community organizer with decades of experience bringing people and organizations together to tackle complex systems issues that improve health and reduce disparities. Running on a platform to Lower Costs, Increase Care, and Fight Corruption, Carrie believes that we can create conditions for each and every one of us to thrive to the top of our potential.

In her time in office, Rep. Rheingans introduced bills to uplift issues important to Indigenous Michiganders, ensure state protections of fundamental American freedoms, establish universal, publicly-funded health care coverage for all Michiganders, and address multiple aspects of the healthcare system including workforce, the use of artificial intelligence, and addiction services. She is bringing attention to multiple facets of the opioid crisis, including ensuring that policies are driven by those most affected by the crisis. Carrie is a fierce advocate to protect necessary health care, such as abortion and gender-affirming care.

Coming from a small town in Michigan and living in Ann Arbor for over 20 years, Carrie understands the issues that reach every corner of her district. As a Millennial parent, she knows the challenges of making ends meet with high housing costs, student loans, and high childcare costs. Carrie served as a board member of the national organization Communities Joined in Action, which supports community leaders and organizations to improve health equity and reduce disparities in their own backyard.

Before being elected in 2022, Carrie was a lecturer in the University of Michigan School of Social Work, teaching courses on health policy, community organizing, and policy advocacy. Carrie also served as a contractor for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, working on projects related to Michigan’s behavioral health services systems and healthcare transformation. Before that, she was a health policy advocate and organizer working to ensure access for low-income community members. Carrie seeks the voices and experiences of those affected by policy to guide her when she makes policy decisions.

Carrie was previously active in her union, the U-M Lecturers’ Employee Organization, American Federation of Teachers Local 6244, served as Chair of the Washtenaw County Emergency Medical Services Commission, and was a member of the Washtenaw County Board of Health.

Justin Griffis (Republican)

Justin Griffis  was contacted but didn’t respond.

State Senators

The Manchester area is split between two state senate seats. Sharon and Freedom townships are in the 14th state senate district, and Manchester and Bridgewater townships are in the 15th state senate district.

District 14

Freedom and Sharon Townships will choose between 2 candidates for State senate: incumbent Democrat, Sue Shink and Republican Tawn Shawnelle Beliger.

Tawn Shawnelle Beliger (Republican)

Tawn Beliger. Courtesy photo.

Tawn Shawnelle Beliger, Republican candidate for the Michigan Senate district 14

Tawn is a lifelong Michigander, proud Republican, and community leader from Northfield Township. She and her husband Gerry have been married 37 years and have made Northfield Township their home since 2015.

She previously served as Northfield Township Trustee from 2016 to 2020. Tawn currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Washtenaw County Republican Committee (elected by precinct delegates), sits on the Executive Committee of the 6th Congressional District Republican Committee, and was a delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention.

My main objective as a senator will be to reduce the cost of living for you and your loved ones – frankly for ALL of Michiganders by focusing on the following.

Eliminating burdensome regulations –  In 2023 laws were passed by the democrat-controlled leadership in Lansing mandating changes to Michigan’s energy policies resulting in rate hikes passed on to customers.  (AKA the clean energy mandates).

Restoring Due process – Currently a gunowner may have their lawfully owned firearms confiscated from them though no conviction of a crime has occurred.  I support repealing the “red flag laws” implemented in 2023.

Restoring Respect for Life – At this time the extinguishing of life in the womb is legal throughout pregnancy. I would like to lead in the efforts to restore the VALUE of life, beginning with protecting the unborn from unnecessary (non- medical reasons) late-term abortions.

Education – Michigan public schools have moved so far away from what we know as “education”, creating a dire need to return to a “classical education” where basics are not compromised, and intellectual growth and development are stimulated.  The state of Mississippi has seen a tremendous improvement in literacy rates – perhaps Michigan can take a page from their model. Also, parental access to curricula, teacher aids, and texts as well as full transparency of what happens in their child’s classroom must be available to all parents simply and without restrictions.  I will be there to support and protect girls and women’s sports and spaces… no men allowed!

Support Local Control –  Regarding Data Centers and other significant developments, the local government closest to the people, ought to have the say as to what major changes are introduced into their community. Having served as a township trustee, the importance of local control must be respected.

Thank you for your interest. Please visit,  VoteTawn.com.

Susan Shink (Democrat)

Susan Shink. Courtesy photo.

You elected me to serve Senate District 14 for the past four years. In that time, we’ve been able to strengthen workers’ rights, protect and expand Michiganders’ civil rights, make voting easier for our citizens, increase funding for education, from pre-k through community college and vocational education so that Michigan students have a pathway to good paying jobs, protect food access and medical care access for our residents in the face of federal cuts, support family farms, fund public safety and reduce recidivism, increase investments in housing and conservation and outdoor recreation and enact the largest tax cut for working families and seniors in a generation.

There is still so much to do. In our district I spend a lot of time listening to residents. I hear from many people that healthcare and prescription medication are too expensive so I am working to rein in healthcare and drug costs while protecting access. I’m trying to stop utilities from raising rates all the time while providing poor service and stop price gouging as well as junk fees and other unfair ways giant corporations increase profits. People are worried about large industrial uses like data centers and aggregate mines negatively impacting their neighborhoods and their way of life so I am working to regulate data centers and other large industrial users at the state level and make sure communities have the tools they need to deal with these large users. People are worried about PFAS and plastics in their water so I am working to pass legislation and appropriations to get poisons out of our water, land and air. And I will continue to work for strong schools for all of our kids. In short, I’m working to improve our quality of life, increase transparency and accountability of government, and make it easier and less expensive to have a good life here in Michigan, whoever you are.

My husband Tom and I raised our three daughters on our farm. I served as a Northfield Township Trustee and Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. As a lawyer, public servant, and member of the community, have been working with our neighbors to solve problems and make things better here for all of our families for a long time. I’d appreciate your vote!

There’s so much more I’ve been working to achieve for our community. For more information please visit www.votesueshink.com

District 15

Manchester and Bridgewater Townships, and the City of Manchester will choose between 2 candidates for State senate: Democrat, Felicia Brabec and Republican, Jason Rogers.

Felicia Brabec (Democrat)

Dr. Felicia Brabec. Courtesy photo.

My name is Dr. Felicia Brabec, and I’d be honored to represent you in Michigan’s 15 State Senate district. I believe my longstanding background in service, in state and local government, and in mental health work prepare me well to serve as your next State Senator.

I served two terms in the Michigan State House, and four terms as a Washtenaw County Commissioner. As a clinical psychologist with a Masters in Clinical Social Work, I was the only mental health clinical practitioner in the House during my tenure. While in Lansing, I leveraged my background as a psychologist, small business owner, Commissioner, and mom to pass significant legislation. I was instrumental in protecting abortion access, putting an end to Right to Work (thereby protecting labor rights), enacting common sense gun legislation, expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to help working families, and increasing access to mental healthcare.

I sponsored and passed bills expanding organ donation, allowing HIV positive individuals to donate their organs to other HIV positive individuals, including the organ donor question on Michigan income tax forms, and offering a one-time tax credit for organ donors. Importantly, I improved mental health care access, allowing psychologists to practice across state lines and requiring telehealth visits to be reimbursed at the same rate as office visits. I also secured significant budget wins for the state and Washtenaw County, including $20 million for statewide permanent supportive housing, $5 million for Saline’s water treatment facility, $1.2 million for Ann Arbor’s Forestbrooke Pool, $1 million for Ypsilanti schools, and more.

As a County Commissioner, I proudly championed the state’s first ever Equity Officer and office, helping create a blueprint for this position for counties across the state and to address inequities across Washtenaw County. Supporting working families and stabilizing the County’s work force, I proudly voted for ten year labor contracts, and wrote the original resolution that laid the groundwork to secure 10-12 weeks of paid paternal leave for employees.

I currently sit on a variety of boards in the community, including Creative Washtenaw, Our Community Reads, the Washtenaw Community Mental Health Board (Chair), and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels (Vice Chair).

My goal as your next State Senator is to address the needs and concerns I’ve heard across Manchester and the state as a whole, from lowering cost of living to furthering investments in mental healthcare and public education. We need to expand broadband so folks can reliably access telehealth, remote work, and online schoolwork. We need to expand mental healthcare access and ensure reimbursement rates are the same for telehealth and in-person services, and we need to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. We need to enforce a tax structure that holds corporations accountable and ensures they pay their fair share in order to fund these priorities and others. Our government should be for the people, not special interests or just those with deep pockets.

I would be honored to earn your vote on November 3rd to fight for you in Lansing.

Jason Rogers (Republican)

Jason Rogers. Courtesy photo.

Manchester families, seniors, and especially our rural farms with larger land footprints are being squeezed by high property taxes in Washtenaw County. Local taxpayers are already funding needed street paving, sanitary sewer repairs, and township road maintenance on many dirt and gravel roads. They need fiscal discipline and true local control – not more mandates or higher taxes from Lansing that make home and farm ownership feel like renting from the government.

I will fight to eliminate personal property taxes, reduce the income-tax burden, expand school choice so parents direct their children’s education, and protect our God-given rights at every level.

Contrary to career politicians, I believe Michigan needs a part-time citizen legislature. As a professional software engineer, I will bring an engineer’s mindset – tenacity, logical thinking, and a drive to hunt down and squash problems – to address Lansing’s bloat, overreach, and inefficiency. I will not use the office to enrich myself, my colleagues, or the bureaucratic machine.

If elected, I will be a tireless advocate for the people of District 15, including Manchester, and will lead with honesty, integrity, faith, reason, and grace, rooted in my devotion to Jesus Christ.

My goal is to make Michigan a place people want to stay in and move to. Help me take it back.

Proposals

In addition, a number of local and county proposals will be appearing on the ballot. Voters will vote on two state proposals, one to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of drafting a general revision of the state constitution, and one to prohibit campaign contributions from certain regulated utilities and government contractors. Manchester Township residents will be voting on renewing a fire protection services millage. Bridgewater and Manchester Township residents living in the Clinton School district will be voting on renewing an operating millage. See vote411.org for information on proposals not included here.

Manchester Township

Fire Protection Services Millage Renewal

Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Manchester Township, of 0.6500 mills ($0.65 per $1,000 of taxable value) reduced to .6444 mills by required millage rollbacks be renewed at .6444 mills ($0.6444 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) and levied for five additional years, 2028 through 2032 inclusive, for fire protection services within Manchester Township, raising an estimated $131,000.00 in 2028 of which a portion may be disbursed under a fire services agreement to another local unit(s) for fire protection services to the Township?

Front cover of the MAHS 2027 calendar.

submitted by Annette Siffin, Manchester Area Historical Society 

The Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS) has produced a calendar as a fundraising project every year since 1984. Each year the calendar has a different theme or focus that is always some aspect of the history of Manchester and/or its four surrounding townships: Sharon, Freedom, Bridgewater, and Manchester. Full of photos and historical tidbits, they are a fun way to see and learn about the history of the area.

The new 2027 calendars are printed and available for purchase! The cover of the 2027 calendar features artworks by two local artists. The front cover has a Nancy Feldkamp watercolor of the east side of the Manchester Mill, the River Raisin, and the Main Street bridge. The back cover has a pen and ink drawing of the north side of Main Street by Seth LaRocque. Each month highlights a building or place that has a historic marker recognized by a national, state, or county authority.

The 2027 MAHS calendars can be purchased for $10 each at the Kingsley-Jenter House (302 E Main St) and the Blacksmith Shop (324 E Main St) on Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. Other venues include: the Manchester Diner (108 Adrian St), Millie’s Coffeehouse (227 E Main St), Linda’s Diner (9610 M-52), Alber Orchard & Cider Mill (13011 Bethel Church Rd), and Fredonia Grocery (11515 E Pleasant Lake Rd). Support the Historical Society while learning about the Manchester area’s history and purchase a calendar!

The Manchester Area Historical Society would like to thank the sponsors who made this year’s calendar possible:

Page Sponsors: Alber Orchard & Cider Mill, Barry and Peggy Allen, Andrews Chiropractic, Ray and Karen Berg, Corrigan Oil, Evelyn Eccles, Reno and Nancy Feldkamp, Paul and Phyllis Heinrich, Home Team Ice Cream, Manchester Car Wash, Manchester Senior Citizens’ Council, Inc., Mason’s Lodge #148, The Moveable Feast Catering, Napoleon Lawn and Leisure, Obertron, Electronic Manufacturing, Gary and Karen Weidmayer, and Wolf’s Westside Automotive.

Friends: Fran Cowan Adler, Jeff and Nancy Baily, Carol’s Cut and Curl, Marsha Johnson Chartrand and David Chartrand, Trudi Cooper, Carl and Sharon Curtis, Cynthia Every, Norma Every, Kathleen Graddy Feldkamp, Reno and Nancy Feldkamp, John and Karen Hinkley, John and Patty Kosmalski, Sue LaRocque, Bill Lewis, Steve and Elaine Morris, Bob and Sandy Mottice, Doug and Diane Parr, Tim and Liz Polk, Steele Grafix, Laura Sutton, United Producers, Ann Walton, and Jim Wilson.

Business Cards: All in One Janitorial Services, LaRock Dental, Renner’s Corners, Bank Michigan, Linda’s Diner, Roofman USA, Boullion Sales, Manchester Lions, Sharon Valley Bicycle Shoppe, Bollinger Sanitation and Excavation, Maggie’s Primitives, Sutton Insurance Agency, Bridgewater Sales and Service, Manchester Collision, The Cottage Rabbit (Chelsea), Bumble’s Dry Goods, Manchester Community School District, Manchester Mill on the Water, C. Reed Heating and Cooling, Manchester Diner, the Manchester Mirror, Chelsea Lumber, (Bridgewater) Manchester District Library, The Model Shop, Chuck’s Auto Repair, Manchester Eye Care Center, The Veterinary Standard, Culture Creations (Chelsea), Manchester Towing, The Village Tap, Dragonfly and Birch, Manchester Veterinarian, Uptown Coney Island (Chelsea), Edward Jones (Dan Baldwin), Marti’s Salon, Valiant Bar & Grill (Chelsea), Farm Bureau Insurance (Casey Walker), Manchester Wellness Center, Worth Repeating, Farm Family & Home (Chelsea), McLennan Landscape, Zou Zou’s (Chelsea), Frank’s Place, Millie’s Coffeehouse, Gistinger & Gistinger, Old Soulesville, Gotta Scrap Inn, Pioneer (Dennis Huehl), Hometown Pharmacy (Chelsea), Ollie’s Pizza & Grinders, Hungry Wolf, Over the Edge Sports Bar, Janet Jedele, Realtor, R-L Tree Service, Gene DeRossett Real Estate, R.C. Martin Builder, Donnellon Insurance Agency (State Farm), R.D.Kleinschmidt, Inc., Jaimie Schmidt, Red Barn Realty, R.G. Wahl-Roehm HVAC, Just for Fun — Bounce House and More, and Reed Barbering.

Back cover of the 2027 MAHS calendar.

Manchester United Methodist Church sock drive box. Photo courtesy of Dana Creighton.

submitted by Dana Creighton, sock drive organizer

Manchester United Methodist Church (MUMC), located at 501 Ann Arbor St, is coordinating a community-wide sock drive to benefit individuals and families in need. MUMC, along with other Manchester churches, local businesses, and local organizations, will be collecting unused pairs of socks (for all ages and genders) in drop boxes between October 1, 2026, and October 20, 2026.

A pair of socks is something that a lot of people may take for granted. Opening our dresser drawers, many of us are presented with pairs of socks in wide varieties of styles and colors. Some of us may not consider style or color at all as we throw on a pair while in a hurry to leave our houses. For most of us, socks may not be something we actively think about until they become wet or cold or otherwise uncomfortable, at which time we may be blessed enough to be able to remove them, throw them in a laundry hamper, and replace them with a warm, dry pair. For many people, however, pairs of clean, dry socks are luxuries that can be difficult to come by. Individuals in our communities who are unhoused, living in transitional housing, or financially vulnerable often lack access to warm, clean socks.

According to County Health Rankings, 16.4% of those living in Washtenaw County lived with severe housing problems and 13.9% of children in Washtenaw County lived at or below federal poverty levels; a number that was up from 10.2% in 2024. Nationally, as well as locally, clean socks remain the single most requested item in shelters serving unhoused and marginalized individuals. The National Coalition for the Homeless specifically lists socks as among the most-needed items in their clothing care boxes. In addition to warmth and comfort, socks provide people with vital health benefits. Those who are unhoused as well as those without access to motorized transportation are often required to walk long distances to access the goods and services they need. 

Clean, well-fitting socks reduce friction between the feet and shoes, decreasing the chances of blisters and foot sores. By absorbing sweat and moisture, socks can reduce prolonged exposure to moisture, dirt, and bacteria that contribute to foot problems like sores, abscesses, and fungal or bacterial infections. Socks provide insulation that helps regulate body temperature during cold weather and can help reduce the risk of cold-related foot injuries. People experiencing homelessness may have limited access to laundry facilities, showers, medical care, or replacement clothing, making new socks particularly valuable. Beyond physical health, having clean, comfortable clothing can contribute to personal well-being and dignity.

To address this need in our community, MUMC is coordinating a community-wide sock drive to benefit individuals and families in need. Drop boxes will be available at MUMC, Millie’s Coffee House, Manchester District Library, Over the Edge Sports Bar and Grill, The Village Tap, and Manchester Brewery.

Once collected, socks will be distributed in November to the Community Resource Center, House by the Side of the Road, and the Ann Arbor Veterans Hospital. Any questions about the sock drive may be directed to MUMC during our office hours, Tuesday–Thursday, 10am–2pm.

Donna Clark (left) and Dana Creighton (on the right) creating the sock collection boxes for the sock drive. Photo courtesy of Jody Sharrow.

Luther C. Klager students warm up before last year’s Fun Run with the support of high school students. Mirror file photo/credit: Melissa Yekulis.

submitted by Molly Branham, president, Klager & Riverside PTO

This fall, the Klager & Riverside PTO invites the entire community to support its annual Fun Run fundraiser. On Friday, October 9, students from Klager Elementary and Riverside Intermediate will head to the high school track to walk, run, and spend the morning being active together. This year’s theme is “The Great Outdoors.”

Families gather donations and share the fundraiser with friends and relatives, but support is welcome from anyone who wants to invest in Manchester’s children. Donations help support field trips and assemblies, transportation for school activities, classroom needs, and teacher appreciation events. PTO funds also help make school and family events possible.

A donation of any amount is appreciated. Community members do not need to sponsor a particular child to take part. Local businesses are welcome to contribute as well. Donations will be accepted through Monday, October 12. To donate, follow this link and click the green “Donate to this Event” button:

https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/community-share-webpage/68eceae4297523.60353290

The Klager & Riverside PTO thanks the Manchester community for its continued generosity.

Photo courtesy of Valerie Davis. 

submitted by Valerie Davis

Manchester’s 5th/6th grade football team continues its strong season, improving to 4–0 after two impressive wins.

On September 27, the Dutch traveled to Hanover-Horton to take on Western. Logan Lawson put Manchester on the board first with a rushing touchdown, followed by a successful point-after kick from Garrison Reiff to give the Dutch an 8–0 lead.

Cole Goodell added Manchester’s second touchdown of the game, and Reiff once again converted the extra points, sending the Dutch into halftime with a 16–0 lead.

Manchester’s defense made its presence known early in the second half when Cole Norgaard came up with a key interception to give the ball back to the Dutch. Evan Herrst followed with Manchester’s third rushing touchdown, with Reiff adding the extra points to extend the lead to 24–0.

Lawson capped off the scoring with his second touchdown of the day, and Reiff added another successful point-after kick. Manchester walked away with a dominant 32–0 victory. Reiff remained perfect on the season, going 8-for-8 on point-after kicks.

On October 4, the boys returned home to play in front of a large crowd of friends and family as they took on Grass Lake.

Goodell got the Dutch started with a rushing touchdown, although the point-after attempt came up short. Lawson scored Manchester’s second touchdown, with Reiff adding the extra points. Norgaard added the third touchdown of the half, and another successful kick from Reiff gave Manchester a 22–8 halftime lead.

The Dutch kept the momentum going in the second half with some creativity through the air. Evan Herrst tossed the ball to Lawson, who then connected with Russell Rickert for a touchdown. Reiff once again added the extra points.

Graysen Chambers escaped the Grass Lake defense for Manchester’s next touchdown, followed by another successful point-after kick from Reiff. Carmine Pridmore broke free for the final touchdown of the day. Although the point-after attempt came up short, Manchester had already secured an impressive 44–8 victory.

When asked about his team and their success this season, Coach Goodell praised the players and the bond they have developed: “Just unbelievable team effort every game. Truly a family these boys have become. All contribute and they play for each other. Love every one of them!”

The Dutch now have just two games remaining in their regular season before finishing their season on a memorable stage. On October 21, Manchester will travel to Ann Arbor to take on Napoleon under the lights at the Big House.

With an undefeated record, contributions coming from players across the roster, and a team that has grown into a family, the Dutch have plenty to be proud of as they head into the final stretch of their season.

Photo courtesy of Valerie Davis.

Erin Nicole Makielski (March 14, 1983 – October 3, 2026,)

Erin Nicole Makielski of Manchester, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, with her mother and sister by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 43 years old. Anyone who knew Erin knew her laugh, that one-of-a-kind, contagious laugh that could fill a room and lift everyone in it.

Born on March 14, 1983, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Erin grew up to become one of those rare people who seemed to touch every life she crossed paths with. She was full of life, a proud Aunt to her nephews, fiercely loyal to her friends, kind to absolutely everyone, and stubborn to a fault. She had a great sense of humor and a heart that was always set on helping others.

Erin graduated from Manchester High School in 2001 and went on to complete her cosmetology certification at Huron Valley Beauty Academy in Ann Arbor, MI. For many years she worked as a hairstylist at Fantastic Sam’s on Oak Valley Drive in Ann Arbor, MI, where she adored her clients and her fellow stylists. Never one to sit still, she also attended business classes at Washtenaw Community College while working part time as a Home Health Care Coordinator at Kennedy Care Center in Ann Arbor, MI.

After finishing her classes, Erin carried her business experience to the University of Michigan’s Medical Center, Supply Chain Management Division, where she spent many years and found real enjoyment in data entry and information technology. She later became an Admissions Coordinator at Ross Medical School, a role she loved because it let her help people from all walks of life chase their career goals. Eventually, Erin struck out on her own and became a nanny for two wonderful families. This was where she truly thrived. She loved children and the families she worked with, and she stayed at it right up until her illness made it impossible to continue.

Outside of work, Erin packed her life full of the things she loved. She was a die-hard University of Michigan football fan, a movie buff, and a proud foodie who never turned down a good plate of pasta. She loved to fish, loved a lively political debate with family and friends, and had a lifelong soft spot for horses and country living. Her favorite color was orange, and she wore it the way she lived, boldly and without apology.

Erin is survived by her mother, Cathy (Boley) Makielski; father, Michael Makielski (Cynthia); her sister, Angela (Eric) Flint; her brother, Joel Makielski (Bonnie); her nephews Chase (Sarah) Flint, Isaac Flint, Hunter Makielski, and Austin Makielski; and her grandmother, Pauline Miller; and numerous Aunts, Uncles and cousins; and her BFF Sheri Bowker.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather Austin Miller, her grandfather Edward Boley, her grandfather Edward Makielski, her grandmother Diane Makielski, and her uncle Lee Makielski.

A celebration of life visitation will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Eineder Funeral Homes – Manchester Chapel, located at 207 E. Duncan St., Manchester, MI 48158. The public gathering will take place from 3 PM to 6 PM.

The family invites everyone to wear shades of orange in honor of Erin’s favorite color and in celebration of the vibrant life she lived.

Erin’s faith was quiet but steady, and those who loved her find comfort in the belief that she is now at peace, free from pain, and surely laughing that unmistakable laugh. She gave so much of herself to others, and the love she poured out will live on in everyone lucky enough to have known her. We have no doubt that Erin is cheering everyone on, including her favorite UofM Football team from “The Big House” in the sky…

Donations: In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to The Manchester District Library – Children’s section, earmarked “Erin Makielski” when donating. Erin spent a lot of time with the children she nannied with at the Children’s Hour at both the Manchester and Chelsea Libraries.

Sunflowers. Photo credit: Vengolis/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

by Sara Swanson

Did you grow sunflowers this summer? If you did there is a good chance you have sunflower seeds ready to be harvested in your garden right now. The Manchester Seed Library is asking for anyone who grew any kind of sunflowers to consider saving the seeds and donating them to the seed library this fall. They will combine all the donated sunflower seeds to create a sunflower mix for next year!

To save sunflower seeds, first confirm seeds are fully ripe. When seeds are ripe, the rear of the flower head changes color from green to yellow, the outer ray petals dry out, turn crispy, and fall off easily, and the heavy flower head begins to droop. Mature seeds feel hard and firm when squeezed, unlike immature seeds which feel hollow or soft. Another tell is whether the birds are eating the seeds or not. If the birds are eating the seeds, they are ripe!

When you are confident the seeds are ripe, cut the head off the stalk and put the seed heads somewhere warm and dry with good air flow for a couple of weeks. If you have rafters in your garage, you can leave on a bit of the stalk and tie them to your rafters.

After the initial drying period, remove the seeds and spread them out to dry for a couple more days. They must be completely dry for the next step.

To kill insect larva that may be living inside the seeds, bag up the seeds and freeze them for at least 3 days.

Set aside any seeds you want to save to replant next year and donate the rest to the Manchester Seed Library by taking them to the front desk of the Manchester District Library located at 912 City Rd. Please write on the bag or envelope “sunflowers” and the year you saved them (“2026,” if it was this year).

The Manchester Seed Library encourages the saving of all types of seeds and will accept seed donations of any seeds saved within the last 5 years (or germination tested within the last 5 years to determine whether they are still viable).