Citizens for a Quality Community Discuss Activities, Issues in Saline

The Saline Citizens for a Quality Community met over a Zoom meeting Wednesday. Here's a summary of the meeting.

• Annherst Kreitz reported the Foundation for Saline Area Schools has had to cancel some of its fall events, but that the foundation continues to receive generous community support. The FSAS is meeting this week with district administration to discuss how it can support Saline Area Schools as they return to school. 
• Lt. Brandon Sears of the Saline Area Fire Department said the department hasn't been as busy with public relations work and community event due to COVID-19 social distancing, but the firefighters are ready to resume those duties. Sears reported the department is beginning to make plans for the transition when Chief Craig Hoeft retires in 2021.
• Dianne Mukkala said the Saline Leadership Institute has decided not to offer its program to the community this year. They explored a remote program but decided it was not conducive to online learning. Mukkala also reported the Fifth Corner Teen Center has to replace Pastor Peter Rufener, who is leaving Saline Community Church to work in Ohio. The church is host of the teen center. Mukkala said losing Rufener is a big blow to the teen center, but church leaders are committed to the center. Brad Bezeau, the former Saline Middle School principal who is now superintendent in Manchester, agreed to remain as director during the transition period.
• Paul Hynek of the Saline Board of Education said the board is supporting school administration and staff as school resumes in stressful conditions. He said the board is anxiously awaiting budget numbers from the state of Michigan.
• Jackie Hardy of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce said the chamber will honor the Saline Salutes award winners with a video produced by Eze Enriquez of SCTN. Videos are due Sept. 15-17. The chamber's golf outing will go on as planned Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It's unlikely the Business Enterprise Awards will take place in October. Hardy said the chamber is exploring options for the Christmas Parade.
• Sunshine Lambert of Saline Recreation said the Rec Center remains closed except for a few private swim lessons. Yoga in the Park at Henne Field has been extended and will go until the end of September. With the Rec Center closed, more events are taking place outdoors. The BooBash Halloween event is being replaced by a Halloween parade through the parks called Park or Treat. The Santa Claus and PJs event is also going to be replaced by an outdoor event. Tennis lessons have been well attended.
• Anne Cummings of Saline Area Social Service said the organization is in back-to-school mode, collecting school supplies for 100-150 students. St. Andrew's Church and Truck Hero have been major donors. Steadfast Chiropractic is also collecting. SASS is also working with Saline school officials to get new shoes to students who need them. They are also working with Great Lakes Education Service to providing tutoring for families in need. Community support continues to be strong. Each week on social media the community shares a list of needs, and each week the needs are met. It's helped keep the food pantry shelves stocked during a year when three of the major community-wide drives have not taken place. Cummings said SASS is beginning to plan for its holiday program. 
• Nancy Cowan of the Saline Area Senior Center said it's been nice to see all the activities conducted by Saline Community Education and Saline Parks and Rec. She said it's a nice contrast to Dexter, where she lives. She said volunteers have kept the Meals on Wheels program running smoothly, as the demand has grown by 8 to 30. Saline Area Social Service also provides groceries to those residents once a week. At the senior center, 20-30 people are playing pickleball once a week. There's an effort to get pickleball courts at the central campus in the next year or two. Virtual fitness classes are drawing 20-30 individuals per class.  She said some seniors are anxious to return and others will not be back until there is a vaccine. The annual senior luncheon will not take place.
• David Rhoads reported Brewed Awakenings will be staying at its location at Moon Road and Michigan Avenue. The historical society has closed its Depot Museum and Rentschler Farm Museum, but the museum did play host to the Miss Saline Pageant Saturday and it was an enjoyable event. Rhoads reported the Friends of Henne Field have begun talks with a partner for a performance gazebo at Henne Field which could be built next year.
• Mary Ellen Mulcrone of the Saline District Library reported the library is only partially open to return and pick up materials. The MeLCat interlibrary loan system has resumed operations. Unable to host the Michigan Notable Books program, which was to bring Women of the Copper Country Mary Doria Russell to the library in June, the author will join the library's Feisty Women Book Club for a virtual chat Aug. 27. Sign up at the library's website. Participation in the Summer Reading Program is down.  The library is offering a virtual trivia program each Wednesday. People needing wifi can use the library's parking lot.
• Anna Britnell of Saline Area Schools announced she has been named Director of Communications and Community Relations for the school district. She said the district has launched a back-to-school landing page of information for parents and students. School administration and staff are working 12-14 hour days to answer questions and refine plans for a safe and effective return to instruction.

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