Going Home

A clean bill of health

Shield of Faith minister Imogene Johnson now has a name for the blue dolphin at the park. Fittingly, it's Fletcher, who looks much better today than he did Saturday morning.

In fact, all of Fletcher Field looks outstanding today. The grass is manicured, the gardens are weeded, much of the playground equipment has a fresh coat of paint, and an airplane-shaped planter now takes up a 50' x 50' spot in the center of the park, awaiting some topsoil and seedlings.

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Feel the euphoria

When I leave Fletcher Field after an event -- a cleanup, a barbecue, a softball game with the neighborhood children -- I feel a sense of euphoria.

For a few short hours, all seems right with the world.

It feels right because it is right.

We're supposed to be children of the light in this cold, cruel, dark world. And when our light shines brightly, we become whole and feel awesome.

Think about how you feel at Christmas time: warm, fuzzy, full of goodwill. I've heard people say countless times that they wish the Christmas "spirit" could last the entire year.

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Less than a week away

It's nearly here: Our first event at Fletcher Field in 2012, which will be our sixth summer keeping the park open for business and looking good for the children of the neighborhood.

It's mind boggling to me that what seemed like an impossible task in 2007 -- bringing a diverse group of people together to resurrect a dead park -- has lasted this long and forged so many wonderful relationships and new memories. Yes, this group has worked countless hours on this endeavor over the years, but we've been blessed in so many ways because of it.

Anyways, here we go again. We'll hold our annual spring cleanup at Fletcher Field on Saturday at 10 a.m. In addition to sprucing up the park, we'll construct a planter in the shape of an airplane and put in a garden. We might even put a fresh coat of paint on the old playground equipment.

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Painting parties

As part of our May 12 cleanup at Fletcher Field, we will be building a raised-bed vegetable garden in the shape of an airplane, which makes sense considering the proximity of the park to City Airport.

But before we can do that, the boards for the structure need to be painted.

We will do that during four separate painting parties near the parking garage at Shield of Faith (formerly Holy Name). All are welcome to participate on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until noon and from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.; on Thursday from 10 a.m. until noon; and on Saturday, May 5, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

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Funeral for Paul Gerace

By Yvette Gerace

I'm sure there are few you on this blog who remember my father. He was everyone's friend in the old neighborhood, no matter what age you were. Or maybe you were one of my big sister's friends whom my dad went after when she stayed out a little too late.

I read some really nice posts about him around the time of the first reunion. Some spoke of learning how to fix cars from him, while others recall just hanging around in our kitchen, talking about anything and everything.

Dad passed away on April 3 in a hospital in Arizona. My parents divorced in the late 1970s, and dad resided in Roseville for a few years. He retired from GM and moved to Chino Valley, Ariz., where he lived for the past 20 or so years. He loved it there.

The funeral is Saturday (8:30 a.m. with an 11 a.m. prayer service) at Wujeck-Calcaterra, located at 16 Mile and Schoenherr. A luncheon for close friends and family will be held at Warren Woods Church of the Nazerine at 1 p.m.

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Spring cleanup

Because of the amazingly early spring, it feels like this is coming way late. But it's right on target from past years.

We will hold our annual spring cleanup at Fletcher Field on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m.

In addition to sprucing up the park, we'll construct a planter in the shape of an airplane and put in a garden. Afterward, hot dogs and other refreshments will be served.

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Resurrection 5

I'm resurrecting this post from 2008 because it will always be fitting during the Easter season. Also on this Holy Thursday, please pray for the old neighborhood -- its past, present and future.

The resurrection window at Shield of Faith, formerly Holy Name.

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

"He is not here; for He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going to Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples the word. -- Matthew 28:1-8

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What's goin' on

Once again, our "leaders" meet, debate, yell, grandstand -- put on a good show in an attempt to keep their jobs, to stay in power.

DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD!

Meanwhile, another school closes, another park goes back to nature, another kid dies in the streets for some dumb reason.

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Arrangements for Dave Macker

Revision to funeral arrangements for Dave "Wick" Macker:

He will be laid out at the Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home -- 2125 12 Mile Road, Berkley -- on Wednesday from 3 until 9 p.m. The Funeral is 10 a.m. on Thursday at Shrine of the Little Flower, 29130 Woodward, Royal Oak.

RIP, Wick

Old neighborhood expat Dave "The Wick" Macker has died.

I didn't know Dave well and ask that his close friends eulogize him in the comments section below.

I do know that Dave did a magnificent job honoring Mr. V. at a neighborhood reunion in 2009, bringing several people in the room to tears with his stories of how the old coach positively affected so many young lives at Fletcher Field.

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