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VOL. 142, NO. 18

DEXTER LEADER
75
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012
Weave the Web:
Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage of Washtenaw County. Our Most Viewed story this week is Sheriffs office responds to report of self-inflicted gunshot wound.

THE

Athletic department changes moving forward

By Krista Gjestland
Heritage Newspapers

Dexter Community Schools may see some changes in the way its combined Athletics and Community Services Department is structured. Transportation Director Sean Burton presented

the board with his plans for moving forward with restructuring the department. Burton said he is currently meeting with several groups including coaches, parents and student athletes to best understand what the groups need from the department.

Ive met with several community members, staff and other interested parties to simply gain an understanding of where we are with that department, he said. Before we move forward with any proposals for change or if were going to keep it the same or person-

nel changes or anything like that I wanted to take an opportunity to really take a look at the structure and the process and the purpose of the community and athletic department. Gathering as much information as possible, Burton said, is important in order for him to create an accu-

rate proposal for the board. I really want to get as much information and data as I can before I make a decision on a proposal to bring to the board, he said. I feel its vital to the school district and to the community that before I
PLEASE SEE CHANGES/3-A

Dexter Farmers Market starts up May 5

By Krista Gjestland
Heritage Media

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2ForU Launch party

he Dexter Farmers Market is gearing up for another ear of growth as it starts its seventh season on Saturday. Market manager Brenda Tuscano said several produce vendors are hoping for an early start to produce, which is typically ready for sale closer to July. Early produce, that makes a huge difference for how many people come in May, she said. The market has seen steady growth since beginning in 2005, Tuscano said, and he anticipates that growth will continue. Our customer base grew last year, she said. Every year you just look for your customer count to grow and it has been. Tuscano also expects another full market. Spaces for vendors are just about filled up, and shes added a few new ones as well. This year were going to have hopefully a few new vendors, she said. I might have a little bit more unusual craft vendors. Despite the addition of crafters, the markets focus will still be on produce, Tuscano said. Many of the markets previous produce vendors are returning for

another season. That, to me, is a successful market when your seasonal vendors come back year after year, she said. What makes Dexters market special, Tuscano said, is the familiar, community atmosphere. Everybody gets along really well and the customers really enjoy the conversation with the vendors, she said. Its more of a personal touch here, and thats what makes us really good. (The vendors are) familiar with the Dexter area and most of them are from the area. So they make friends with their customers. Also planned are more crafts for children. Every year the market provides a free Mothers Day and Fathers Day craft for kids, but Tuscano is hoping to do more activities. Although vendor slots are full, Tuscano said applications will still be accepted for a wait list. Contact Tuscano at 426-8303. This years vendor offerings include fresh produce, eggs, chicken, honey, baked goods, various crafts and beauty items. The Dexter Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays beginning this Saturday. Krista Gjestland can be

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Get ready for some fresh produce and other goods at the Dexter Farmers Market. reached at kgjestland@heritage.com, 429-7380 or on Twitter @kgjestland. Text HERNews and HERWeather to 22700 to receive news and weather alerts to your cellphone. Msg and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.
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Lodi Farms replaces trees lost in tornado

By Christy Vander Haagen
Special Writer

Local ads are just a hop away at the MIcentral. com marketplace. While you are there, you can check out all the special supplements of Journal Register Co. newspapers in Michigan. Click on marketplace on the home page of our website or go directly to www.marketplace.micentral. com/ROP/Categories.aspx.

The Marketplace:

Dexter lost hundreds of trees in the wake of the devastating F3 tornado that roared down streets and through neighborhoods March 15, but Lodi Farms, a family-owned nursery and tree farm based in Ann Arbor, is helping to cushion the blow by donating and planting 23 of its locallygrown trees in and around Dexter. A four-man crew from Lodi, led by owner Dan Riddle, delivered and planted the trees on Huron and Second Streets on Friday as well as on Dover, Hudson, Edison and Third. The crew planted Elms, crabapples,

redbuds, locusts and blue spruces, to name a few. According to Lodi Farms Landscape Operations Manager Justin Francis, trees are measured in calipers, the width of the trunk twelve inches off the ground. Most of the trees (planted Friday) are two to three and a half inch caliper trees, Francis said. The timing of the planting was appropriate as Friday was Arbor Day, a day on which people are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Village Community Development Manager Allison Bishop and Village Tree Board members gave away 150 spruce and white

pine trees at the Dexter District Library in honor of Arbor Day. Riddle worked with the Village Tree Board to determine which species of trees would work best in certain areas. Meeting with the board was very helpful, Riddle said. Lodi Farms workers were careful to consider sun exposure and overhead hazards such as power lines when selecting species of trees to plant. The board and Riddle even made a joint decision not to plant a redbud in front of an orange brick house on Huron, citing the fact that the foliage would clash with the brick.

My goal when landscaping is to make it look like the trees were there first Riddle said. Residents and passersby said they were happy to see the trees being planted. The community really has come together, commented long-time Dexter resident Frank Psujek, who lost several trees to the tornado. He said he was thrilled when he saw the huge Sycamore being planted at the corner of his lot at Second and Central Streets. Psujek was also happy to report that, despite the number of trees he lost, his daughters Arbor Day tree, planted 16 years ago, stood firm through the storm and

was spared. According to Riddle, Lodi Farms is also working with residents of the Carriage Hills neighborhood, which was battered by the storm. We are offering them (residents) half off the cost of select trees Riddle said. So far, he said, he hasnt been contacted by anyone from the Huron Farms subdivision. We are trying to help those impacted by the tornado as much as we can Francis said. For more information about Lodi Farms, visit www.lodifarms.com. Christy Vander Haagen is a freelance writer and can be reached at christy@redlinetuning.com.

INDEX
Second Front Editorial Page 4-A Page 6-A

Death Notices Page 8-A Community Sports Page 1-B Page 1-C

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