Legacy staff Susan LaCroix (L) and Diana Kern (R) at closing with Lisa and Brian Waters. Photo courtesy of Legacy Land Conservancy.

by Sara Swanson

Legacy Land Conservancy has announced that a Manchester Township family has permanently protected 28.5 acres of wetlands and forest in Norvell Township, adding to a growing network of conserved lands near the headwaters of the River Raisin. The landowners, Brian and Lisa Waters, opted to protect their properties’ valuable wetland areas via a conservation easement with Legacy, which offers permanent protection of privately owned land.

The Watters project, spelled with two “t”s, utilizing an older spelling of the family name, is located in the southeast corner of Jackson County within the River Raisin Watershed. This protection will provide both local water-quality benefits and benefits downriver where harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie continue to threaten drinking water, recreation, and wildlife.

Legacy Land Conservancy reports that harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie are fueled by excess nutrients — like phosphorus and nitrogen — entering waterways through runoff and wastewater. These blooms threaten drinking water, recreation, wildlife, and local economies. Wetlands help reduce those impacts by naturally filtering water and absorbing excess nutrients before they reach larger waterways.

“What happens on the land directly impacts our water, and water doesn’t stop at property lines,” Legacy Land Conservancy executive director Diana Kern said. “When we protect wetlands near the headwaters of the River Raisin, we’re improving the overall health of the watershed and the Great Lakes Basin, helping water quality for communities downriver all the way to Lake Erie.”

Though smaller in size, the Watters Project adds to over a thousand acres of private and public preserve lands — including Watkins Lake State Park and Vineyard Lake County Park — in the area already conserved.

The Waters were inspired to protect their land in early 2023 while attending a Washtenaw County Conservation Collective meeting in Manchester Township where Legacy Land Conservancy presented. Following the presentation, they connected with Legacy Land Conservancy.

After learning that Legacy’s service area also includes Jackson County and that there was a funding opportunity available for wetland properties, the Waters turned their attention to their Jackson County property, which supports habitat for rare, endangered, or threatened species of animals, fish, plants, and fungi, including cream wild indigo (state endangered), Mitchell’s satyr butterfly (federal and state endangered), eastern massasauga (state special concern), and spotted turtle (state threatened).

“I’ve been watching the land around us get subdivided and developed over the years and it’s heartbreaking,” landowner Brian Waters said. “I’m thrilled that with Legacy’s help we’re able to protect our land and preserve its open space and wildlife habitat, forever.”

Shortly after Legacy met with Brian and Lisa, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited announced a newly launched, two-year grant opportunity through the Wetland Conservation Program using American Rescue Plan Act funds, creating a rare chance to move the project quickly.

The Wetland Conservation Program was looking for local municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and private landowners interested in taking action to restore and conserve wetlands on their property in an effort to improve drinking water, reduce harmful algal blooms, and protect wildlife habitat in Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay watersheds.

“From the initial inquiry in 2023 to the purchased easement in 2026, the Waters’ property was completed in three years,” Land Protection director Susan LaCroix said. “This timeline is on the shorter end of our range for purchased easements and is unique in the current funding landscape.”

The total cost to purchase and protect the Waters’ conservation easement was $150,000. In addition to American Rescue Plan Act funds, additional resources to purchase the conservation easement from the landowners were secured in partnership with the Carls Foundation.

For the Waters family, this project is only the beginning. Using part of the conservation easement proceeds, they have plans to purchase and conserve more wetland and farmland along the River Raisin near Manchester. This will continue to build on the water quality work Legacy and its partners are doing in the River Raisin watershed.

Dry mesic southern forest on the Watters Conservation Easement. Photo courtesy of Legacy Land Conservancy.

Highbush blueberry. Photo courtesy of Legacy Land Conservancy.

Inundated shrub swamp. Photo courtesy of Legacy Land Conservancy.

Jack and the Pulpit. Photo courtesy of Legacy Land Conservancy.

Successional southern wet meadow. Photo courtesy of Legacy Land Conservancy.

Cinnamon fern. Photo courtesy of Legacy Land Conservancy.

by Melissa Yekulis

The monthly school board meeting for Manchester Community Schools was called to order at 6pm on Monday, October 19. One board member was absent.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda. A request was made to make an addition to the agenda. The approval of the addition to the agenda, and the agenda, were both approved unanimously.

There were no participants in Public Participation.

A recommendation was made to accept the Consent Agenda as it was presented. The consent agenda was approved with one dissenting vote.

Under Old Business, the board voted to approve each school building’s curriculum and course descriptions for the 2026–2027 school year. Each was accepted and approved unanimously.

Under New Business, there were two topics of discussion for consideration.

Discussion was brought to the table about hiring an additional bus aide for the transportation team through contracted services. A new bus driver has just been trained. With the addition of a new driver and additional aide, transportation director Joe Prestia would no longer need to drive a bus. The district currently has a one-year contract with LOA METS to acquire drivers and bus aidse. The motion passed unanimously to authorize an additional bus aide.

A bond update was presented for the Junior/Senior High School. The latest CIC meeting took place the previous Thursday. The 100% CD estimate for the Junior/Senior High School bond updates was presented. Currently, the estimate is 1.66% over budget, before actively getting pricing from vendors. Each year, after pricing, the buildings have come in within their budget. A full presentation was made of the new gym, storage spaces, and the mezzanine level. Contracts will be presented at the next board meeting. A board member voiced concern about moving forward with the construction and spending of funds when the district has low enrollment numbers. The rough estimate of the district count is 594–605 students. The board voted to approve the estimates and move forward with bidding, with one nay vote.

Building department reports have been posted and made available for viewing on the district website. Superintendent Johns gave department heads who were present an opportunity to share additional information about their reports to the board.

A brief update was shared around the school board’s continued research into professional development. School board president Sandra Wiitala reached out to Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) for guidance on how to move forward with a new board team starting in January. The recommendation from MASB was to proceed with completing a mid-year superintendent review in December. The end-of-year evaluation should take place in June. They also recommended that short-term goal setting should begin now, with a full strategic plan coming together in the 2027–2028 school year. An open meeting will be set for the board to begin setting goals soon.

Superintendent Johns had six points of discussion in his superintendent report.

Superintendent Johns continued his discussion around the Career Technical Education (CTE) Millage. The millage will help to cut the per-pupil costs for attending the program from the general education fund. A portion of CTE teacher funds will be covered by the millage. There are also additional funds being made available to the districts for hands-on learning, equipment and facility upgrades, and transportation. There are 12 additional recommendations that have been made by the superintendents for more CTE programming.

An update was presented around interior door security. The district may be switching back to classroom keys from the card readers due to the cost of batteries. Funding for the card readers was initially secured through 31AA safety funding. It is possible a consultant could be brought in to make recommendations for upgrades, and residual bond funds could be utilized to make those updates.

A shout-out was given to the band programs. The middle school recently completed a solo competition. The marching band performance at Homecoming was awesome and seniors were honored during the event.

The recent Walk to School Day, Fun Run, and walking field trips were recognized.

Manchester will be hosting competitions for soccer and football. Seniors are being recognized at their events.

Finally, Joe Prestia, the current transportation director, will be taking on the additional role of facility and grounds director. He had two years of experience in building and grounds before coming to Manchester and is currently going through updated training for the program. Building leads will be assigned to allow for more efficient ordering. The FMX ticketing system for requesting maintenance is being cleaned out and old or expired tickets are being cleared. They are currently exploring hiring an administrative assistant for Prestia so he can manage both jobs.

There was no Public Participation.

A public reminder was made of Upcoming Events:

• October 24: End of the First Marking Period
• October 28 and 29: Fall Conferences in PM
• October 29 and October 30: 1/2 Days for Students
• October 30: Professional Development Day for Teachers in PM

The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:04pm.

The next public board meeting will take place on Monday, November 16, at 6pm, in the Junior/Senior High School Media Center.

Previous tour of the restored River Raisin section after the Brooklyn dam removal. Photo courtesy of River Raisin Watershed Council.

by Sara Swanson

The City of Manchester is currently carrying out a feasibility study to help decide whether Ford Dam (the dam by the city offices/library) will be repaired or fully removed. Up the River Raisin a short way, Brooklyn has just removed a similar dam and restored the river channel. If you are interested in an example of a restored section of the Raisin, post-dam removal, there is an opportunity to get an up-close look coming up!

Join the River Raisin Watershed Council for a guided tour of the recently completed Brooklyn Dam restoration project on Thursday, October 29, from 3pm to 4pm, meeting at 221 Mill St. Spots are limited. To reserve your spot, please email Sybil Kolon at sybil.kolon@gmail.com.

Get an up-close look at the restored river channel, learn about the work involved in removing the dam, and see how the river and surrounding vegetation are recovering. The project has restored approximately 2,600 feet of the River Raisin and reopened 42 miles of river habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms.

Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress appropriately for outdoor conditions. The tour includes a fairly steep hill to access the river, though participants may also observe the restoration from above.

Photo courtesy of Valerie Davis.

submitted by Valerie Davis

Manchester’s fifth-and-sixth-grade football team capped off an incredible undefeated season with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against Napoleon at Michigan Stadium, better known as the Big House.

Although no official score was kept during the scrimmage, the Dutchmen delivered another impressive performance, finding the end zone nine times while holding Napoleon to just two touchdowns. The excitement of playing on such an iconic field was evident, as several players celebrated their touchdowns just like the pros, soaking in every moment of an experience they will never forget.

Leading the scoring efforts for Manchester were Logan Lawson, Cole Goodell with two touchdowns, Russell Rickert, Evan Herrst, Cole Norgaard with two touchdowns, and Graysen Chambers. Garrison Reiff successfully converted two point-after kicks and even attempted a 25-yard field goal that came up just short. Every player had the opportunity to take the field and contribute during the scrimmage, making the experience even more memorable for the entire team.

With an impressive 6–0 regular-season record, the Dutchmen have plenty to celebrate. However, when reflecting on the season, the coaching staff emphasized that the team’s accomplishments extended far beyond the scoreboard.

When asked about his favorite part of the season, aside from finishing undefeated, Coach Goodell reflected on the remarkable development of his players: “Watching how much these boys grew not only on an individual level but also as a complete team. Each kid is a different player and person from when they started and that is so cool to see that growth.”

Coach Kolokithas shared a similar sentiment, highlighting the leadership and confidence that developed throughout the season, saying, “The growth of the sixth graders into leaders of the team, and the fifth graders’ growth in confidence as the season progressed.”

The team’s success has also generated plenty of excitement about the future of Manchester football. When asked what lies ahead for this talented group of young athletes, Coach Goodell didn’t hesitate to express his confidence, stating, “Other teams better watch out because these boys are here! They aren’t coming, they have arrived and are a force.”

Beyond their athletic abilities, the players impressed their coaches with their dedication, understanding of the game, and willingness to learn.

When asked what stood out most about this team, Coach Kolokithas pointed to the players’ growing knowledge of football: “It has to be the football IQ that these boys have absorbed. They listen intently and they respond with questions that move their game play above their competitors. The proof is in the season and I know that the coaches and I can’t wait to see what these boys do in the future!”

While the undefeated record and opportunity to play at the Big House will certainly be remembered, this season was about much more than wins and touchdowns. It was about teamwork, leadership, confidence, and the friendships built along the way.

As these young Dutchmen look toward the next chapter of their football careers, one thing is certain: The future of Manchester football looks bright. With a dedicated coaching staff, supportive families, and a group of players eager to continue learning and improving, this team has laid a strong foundation for years to come.

Congratulations to the Manchester fifth-and-sixth-grade football team on an outstanding 6–0 season!

Photo courtesy of Valerie Davis.

MIS Night Lights. Photo courtesy of WAVE.

submitted by Shasta Angell, Community Relations Coordinator, Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE)

Join us for a festive evening, December 12, 6:30pm, touring the best holiday light displays in our community! It will start at the Manchester Senior Center, 912 City Rd, with Santa and hot cocoa then hop aboard WAVE’s Lights Express, sit back, and let us handle the driving while you take in the twinkling sights with friends and family. Tickets are $15 per person (tickets: https://ridethewavebus.org/event/wave-lights-express/). Seats are limited, so reserve yours today! Call 734-475-9494 or visit ridethewavebus.org.

Sharon Church’s new year-round Secure the Call collection bin is located beside the Fellowship Hall entrance under the church’s covered drive-through area.

submitted by Sharon Church

After a successful collection drive earlier this year, Sharon Church is continuing its partnership with Secure the Call by establishing a permanent, year-round collection point for used cell phones and tablets.

A new collection bin has been placed outside the Fellowship Hall at Sharon Church, 19980 W Pleasant Lake Rd. The bin is located beside the Fellowship Hall doors under the covered drive-through entrance, allowing community members to conveniently drop off devices without needing to enter the building.

Secure the Call is a nonprofit organization that collects used cell phones and tablets and puts them to good use. Usable phones can be prepared for distribution to people who may need access to emergency communication, including individuals served by domestic violence shelters and other community organizations. Tablets can also be provided to participating shelters and community partners, while devices that cannot be reused can be responsibly recycled to help support the program.

Sharon Church held a month-long Secure the Call collection drive this spring. The response from church members and the surrounding community encouraged the church to make the collection an ongoing outreach.

Cell phones and tablets are accepted regardless of age or condition. Community members are encouraged to donate unused devices rather than leaving them forgotten in a drawer or throwing them away.

The collection bin is available year-round at Sharon Church, 19980 W Pleasant Lake Rd, Manchester.

For questions, contact Sharon Church at 734-428-0996 or SharonGMChurch@gmail.com.

Mosaic made with broken china. Photo courtesy of Worth Repeating.

submitted by Pat Sahakian, Worth Repeating

Worth Repeating is offering two free craft classes in November using recycled items. Classes will be held at the Manchester Area Historical Building, 305 E Main, in Manchester. On Wednesday, November 11, there is a class in mosaic making with broken china. Class will take place from 10am until 1pm. On Monday, November 16, we will repeat our popular rug class with knotted, recycled T-shirts from 6:30pm until 8pm.

Registration begins on Wednesday, October 28, at the store. The classes are free but there is a supply fee of $5, payable at registration. Registration is limited to seven students for the rug class and 10 students for the mosaic class.

This a perfect way to learn to create some handcrafted Christmas presents before the holiday rush and to make some new Manchester friends.

Rag rug. Photo courtesy of Worth Repeating.

Sharon Church in the 1960s. Photo courtesy of Sharon Church.

submitted by Sharon Church

Sharon Church invites the Manchester community to celebrate 150 years of faith and ministry on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The celebration will begin with worship at 10:30am at the church, located at 19980 W Pleasant Lake Rd, Manchester.

Rev. Dr. Scott Pattison, Conference Superintendent, will be the guest speaker as we remember the saints who have gone before us and give thanks for the many lives that have been touched through Sharon Church over the past 150 years. Worship will be followed by a time of fellowship and lunch.

We are grateful for Sharon Church’s place in the Manchester community and look forward to celebrating this special milestone. All are welcome!

Sharon Church more than 65 years ago. Photo courtesy of Sharon Church.

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve. Mirror file photo.

by Sara Swanson 

Join Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in collecting native seeds in Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve on the morning of Saturday, November 7, to plant in the bare land where invasive shrubs have been removed. The seeds collected will be used to open up the oak forest and prairie transition.

Meet at the parking lot located at 14801 Arnold Rd at 9:30am to walk together to the site (about 10 minutes of walking) at site GPS/map coordinates: 42.129782, -84.1379695. The workday will last until noon.

Please dress for outdoor work, wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirt, work boots, and sun protection. Bring layers to dress for the weather. Bring water, a snack, and any medication you might need. To prevent the spread of invasive species, ensure all gear is free of mud and seeds. Work gloves, eye protection, and hand tools are provided.

Register at https://michigan.storefront.kalkomey.com/vm/events/68 so you can be alerted if there is a change of plans due to weather or other circumstances.

Questions? Contact Anna Cone at conea1@michigan.gov or 517-551-4969. 

submitted by Washtenaw County Road Commission

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, the Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) will close Waters Rd between Fletcher and Schmitz in Freedom Township to perform a culvert replacement. Motorists and emergency services should use an alternate route.  The culvert replacement should take one day to complete.  However, all dates are tentative and subject to change due to weather conditions.