by CHRIS GRAYObserver Staff Writer

Students from RomeoHigh School’s ThespianTroupe 4880 have showntheir acting chops are acut above the rest.

Eight students thatcompeted in the StateThespian Festival fromDec. 2-4 earned a “superi-or” rating, with one stu-dent grabbing one of 10state scholarships.

The 2010 event tookplace at the campus ofMichigan State Universitywith around 900 studentsfrom across the state com-peting in categories rang-ing from duets and danceto monologue.

The competition is for

more than bragging rights,though. Students couldaudition for and win schol-arships from colleges anduniversities depending onhow well they performed.

Of the 32 Romeo stu-dents that attended, eightthat competed came backwith superior ratings intheir categories. The rat-ing system ranges from“fair” and “good” to “excel-lent” and “superior.”

“It looks great on aresume,” said KendraWalls, theater teacher anddirector.

The ratings are mademore impressive by thefact that the majority ofstudents were competingfor the first time.

“I get to sit like theproud parent, it’s reallyfun,” said Walls.

Andrew Lanctot, a jun-ior, came home with asuperior in monologueafter his first year compet-ing.

“Theater is my passion,and I didn’t get the chanceto go in my freshman orsophomore years, and thisyear things worked outand I could, so I did,” hesaid.

Of the 10 state theaterscholarships given thisyear, one of them wasearned by senior BridgetMcCloskey.

“When I got called upfor my scholarship, every-

one screamed, it was socool because everyone wasso supportive,” she said. “Iwas happy because theywere so happy for me.”

Aside their accomplish-ments, she and Lanctotwere offered the opportu-nity to perform in an all-state performance of“Almost, Maine” alongwith students from sevenother schools.

Others, such as VictoriaMorris, a senior, were com-peting for the second time.

“It was a good feeling,”

said Morris, who earned asuperior in solo musical.“It was a lot of hard work,and it felt like it paid offwhen I got that.”

Helen Bressler, a junior,said she was happy withher ranking, especiallybecause she changed herdance routine days beforethe event.

“It all worked out in theend,” she said with alaugh.

Most of the studentstook part in other competi-tions other than their

main ones, such as groupperformance. Most of thestudents earned an “excel-lent” ranking in these sec-ondary categories.

More than 40 work-shops were offered at theevent as well, where stu-dents could learn theropes in performance andtechnical theater. Theycould also visit informa-tion booths and theatricalvendors.

“It’s really just a great

50¢$18.00 a year in Michigan

USPS 470-340 Published every Wednesday at 124 West St. Clair Street, P.O. Box 96, Romeo, Michigan 48065-0096 – Phone (586) 752-3524 © Copyright 2011 by The Romeo Observer

www.romeoobserver.comwww.romeoobserver.comEstablished 1866

Vol. 144—No. 39

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 Two Sections—16 Pages

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On the

agenda

The Bruce TownshipPlanning Commissionwill meet 7 p.m. today,Jan. 26, at the TownshipHall on East Gates Street.

* * * *The Ray Township

Board of Trustees willmeet 7:30 p.m. Tuesday,Feb. 1, at the TownshipHall on Wolcott Road.

* * * *The Romeo Downtown

Development Authoritywill meet 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 2, at theCommunity Center onMorton Street.

* * * *The Washington Town-

ship Board of Trusteeswill meet 7 p.m. Wednes-day, Feb. 2, at the Town-ship Municipal Buildingon Van Dyke, locatednorth of 26 Mile Road.

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The public hearing forWashington Township’sbudget has been resched-uled for 7 p.m. March 16.

The Board of Trusteeschose to push the publichearing back since thereare several factors thatcould influence the budg-et, which includes revenueamounts from the state.

* * * *

by CHRIS GRAYObserver Staff Writer

Joey Jarmoluk, a Romeo Mid-dle School student living in BruceTownship, needs help with hishomework.

It’s not so much that he doesn’tunderstand it, though — he justcan’t access it.

“In my school I have a Frenchclass, an American History class,an algebra class that all haveonline resources, and currentlywhere I live we do not have anysort of high-speed Internetaccess,” the eighth-grader told the

Bruce Township Board ofTrustees.

Jarmoluk, along with the restof the township, may be in luck,as the board agreed upon a con-tract that could grant broadbandInternet service to residents.

The board unanimouslyapproved a three-year contractthat will be sent to Air Advan-tage, an Internet service companyout of Frankenmuth. The compa-ny will have until June 1 to agreeto the contract.

Trustee Ron Walker was notpresent for the Jan. 19 meeting.

Air Advantage approached the

board in October, saying itreceived $74.4 million in federalstimulus dollars to provide high-speed Internet to rural areas likeBruce Township.

This required installing about300 lbs of equipment on the town-ship’s tower, which also housesequipment for the Bruce-RomeoFire Department.

Since October, however, offi-cials couldn’t gain consensus onthe lease agreement, nor werethey sure that Air Advantageactually covers the township’sdead zones.

After working with the town-

ship’s attorneys, though, a con-tract that was to the liking of offi-cials was drafted and ready to go.

“I think we looked at it fromdifferent points of view, which Ithink is a good way to end up atso we’re not ignoring the obvious,”said Supervisor Jim Tignanelli.

A major sticking point resolvedin the new contract was establish-ing an effective date in the con-tract. Tignanelli said June 1 isthe limit, but believed the boardwould extend that if Air Advan-tage needed the time.

Bruce Twp. officials OK Wi-Fi contract

Theater troupe gives superior performancesEight earn highest rankings at state competition

by CHRIS GRAYObserver Staff Writer

Moving to Michigan seemed tobe just what the Winters familyneeded to prosper.

In fact, Calvin and MaeDeanWinters can say they have moregreat-grandchildren than yearsthey’ve lived in Romeo, and onefor nearly every year they’vebeen married.

The couple, who have lived inRomeo for 58 years, recently cel-ebrated the birth of their 60th

great-grandchild on Jan. 14.“It’s no record, but it’s above

average,” said Calvin. “I’m justproud that so many kids can callme grandpa and great-grandpa.”

Calvin is a World War II veter-an and retired Ford employee.He met MaeDean in West Vir-ginia before serving in the U.S.Army, and found out she hadwaited for him when he got outof the service.

The couple, who are now intheir early 80s, married in

March of 1948, then later movedto Michigan with their 3-year-oldtwins in 1953. Having lost threeof their children beforehand,they hadn’t planned on having abig family.

“I said ‘we’ll just take whatthe good Lord gives us, and if Hegives them to us He’ll make away for ’em,” said Calvin.

“Michigan was good to us, wedidn’t lose any,” added MaeDean.

The family blossomed to 13children, which Calvin said he

had to work two jobs to providefor while MaeDean stayed athome to take care of them.

“When you’re feeding 13 kidsand clothing them, one job kindof cuts you close,” he said.

The family eventually expand-ed to 37 grandchildren and 60great-grandchildren. Calvin saidhe wasn’t sure whether comingfrom a large family inspired thechildren to have a big family,

(See WI-FI on Page 2-A)

(See 60TH on Page 2-A)

(See TROUPE on Page 2-A)

ALL IN THE FAMILY. At right, Calvin and MaeDeanWinters of Romeo are seen here with a wall full of pho-tos of their grandchildren. The couple celebrated thebirth of their 60th great-grandchild as of Jan. 14.Below, the two stand by a collection of photos thatshows the extent of their family, made up of 13 childrenand 37 grandchildren.

(Observer photos by Chris Gray)

SUPERIOR THESPIANS. Seen above aremembers of Romeo High School’s TheaterThespian Troupe 4880 that received superi-or ratings for their performances at theState Thespian Festival in December. From

left, Bridget McCloskey, Stevie Kelly, Victo-ria Morris, Andrew Lanctot, Alyssabeth Bea-dle, Helen Bressler and Avery Beadle. Notpictured is Mahala Smith.

(Observer photo by Chris Gray)

New date for WTbudget hearing

The Bruce TownshipBoard of Trustees has votedto advance the township’sadvanced life support.

On Jan. 19, the boardapproved of allowing theBruce-Romeo Fire Depart-ment to purchase two recon-ditioned 12-lead defibrilla-tors for $13,400.

Chief Floyd Shotwell saidthe department is awaiting agrant that could help coverthe cost. He said regardlessof the grant, new countylaws require departments tohave 12-lead defibrillators.

* * * *

Bruce Township will bor-row from itself in order topay Romeo for sewer servic-es.

The Board of Trusteesapproved of loaning $75,000from the general fund to itssewer fund to pay the Villageof Romeo a total of $137,000.

Treasurer DeborahObrecht said the sewer fundwas short, prompting theneed to make the loan. Theboard will determine if thetownship could make partialpayments to Romeo, and willalso seek to adjust its pay-ment schedule to align withits collection dates.

* * * *

Romeo family celebrates 60th great-grandchildCouple has lived in Romeo for past 58 years

Equipment OK’d forB-R fire department

Bruce transfers$75,000 for sewer