This elegant room was used to entertain special visitors.

By Irida Sangemino

May 5/6, 2012 –The Hack House Spring Event was a huge success. During the opening weekend, over two hundred visitors dropped in to learn more about their local history. The members of the Milan Area Horticultural Society were very pleased with the official opening of the 2012 season.

The Milan Garden Club held their annual plant sale on the grounds. They happily reported that they “sold out” completely. While the club used to hold their sale downtown, they opted to move it the Hack House this year. It seemed a more appropriate place, since the club’s members maintain the gardens of this magnificent, historic residence.

This residential wood stove was manufactured in Milan. It was met with great national acceptance.

The “Sock Maker” brought her 1880’s loom, and demonstrated her knitting craft for curious visitors. She was so pleased with her sales that she already booked a spot for next year’s season opening event. It wasn’t just about the sales, but also enjoying each other’s company on the porch.

The Hack House offers visitor s a slice of the past. Feast your eyes on examples of real farm equipment, the antique furnishings, appliances, clothing, and a stove made by the American Boiler & Foundry Co. in Milan, Michigan. There even is an old class room on the first floor, and many other interesting and rare historical curiosities.

The master bedroom was luxurious and comfortable for the era.

The Hack House on 775 County St. in Milan is free of charge to tour, however contributions are welcomed. It is open to the public on Sundays 1-4 p.m. through October, 2012. Take your kids, visitors and yourself for a guided tour, and “sit a spell” on the porch. There will always be iced tea or lemonade and cookies.

Milan Area Historical Society:  http://www.historicmilan.com/m2_hack_house.shtml

To contact Irida by email: irida@discovermilannews.com

Firework Island needs work and a new grant from Rockwell Collins will help.

Moving Milan Forward has won a Rockwell Collins Green Communities Grant to rehabilitate “Fireworks Island” in our Ford Lake. The tiny island is used for passive recreation as well as once a year serving as the main launching pad for Milan’s spectacular fireworks display. The island has suffered from years of erosion and is regularly inundated by seasonal floods along the Saline River.
The $2,500 grant will support several rehabilitation projects including shoreline stabilization, bioengineered development, restoration of native plants and added amenities to help keep use of the island from further damaging it. A survey of the island in 2011 showed more than a dozen species of woody plants and trees including Black Walnut, Red Maple, White Ash, Redbud and other valuable trees. Preservation of these trees as well as selective removal of introduced and invasive plants will be part of the project.
Along with the major funding by Rockwell Collins, this project is jointly sponsored by several local organizations including, Michigan Citizens Against Toxic Substances, the Saline River Greenway Alliance, and the Milan Community Fair. The Milan Parks and Recreation Commission has authority over the site and the project will follow Michigan Department of Natural Resources guidelines.  §

Kyle, Mark and Kevin Maury

By  Irida Sangemino

Many things change in these exciting times, including gifting. In the last few years, consumers have become more creative in their ideas. Don’t panic. In many cases, amazing does not equal expensive. You can find extraordinary gifts in all price ranges. Some are even free.

Father’s Day is on June 17 this year. It’s a day on which we honor our dads. Be spontaneous this year, and surprise your father with an original, yet thoughtful present. Having trouble getting started on collecting ideas? Let us help.

1. A blast from the past – Consider that your dad probably had to scale back many of his hobbies and interests when he decided to start a family. Find out what he gave up. Take him to the racetrack one more time, or insist that he rides your motorcycle.  Which music did he enjoy as a teenager?  What was his favorite car before he got married? There must be something you can find that brings back those wonderful memories.
2. A road trip – If your pa is spending his golden years in a senior’s home, take him for a Sunday afternoon ride. Visit the places that were once important to him.
3. The gift of time – If dad is no longer mobile, spend the afternoon with him. Play cards or watch a game on TV together. Simply bond the way men do best.
4. Think Tech – If dad has been ogling a Smartphone or e-reader for quite some time, maybe it is time to get the man what he really wants, instead of socks, or another sweater. While the intentions are noble, be honest, these things can be purchased any time during the year. If money is short for new electronics, start saving early or make it a group effort. Your siblings can pitch in.
5. Pictures – Men don’t like to talk about their feelings. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have any. If you do not live in the same city as your father, send him your picture. Add one of your spouse and kids. Include a note. Write about anything that comes to mind. Mention that you miss him. That’s all he needs to know.

There are a million, maybe even more, gift ideas for fathers. You know which one is best suited.  Honor the man you call “dad.” Even if he’s not a blood relative; it is the man who raised you with pride. All that matters is the love.

To contact Irida by email: Irida@discovermilannews.com

Milan High School seniors Sydney Lammers and Tory Martinsen competed in DECA competition with great success.

Salt Lake City, Utah –Apr 28 through May 1, 2012, over 14,000 U.S. and foreign students, advisors, businesspersons, and alumni gathered to participate in the 66th annual DECA International Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City. Among the participants were Sydney Lammers and Tory Martinsen, both seniors at Milan High School.

DECA, or the Distributive Education Clubs of America, prepares upcoming leaders and entrepreneurs in areas, such as finance, marketing, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the world. They have over 200,000 members worldwide.

After demonstrating their outstanding skills during the district and state championships, our local duo put their talents to the test in Salt Lake City. During the final competition, they ended among the top twenty in the Sport & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making category.

Collecting money for the trip to Utah was not easy. However, determination won. By initiating fundraisers, such as selling pizza kits, hosting a basket ball game, working game admissions, organizing a Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser, and receiving donations from individual sponsors and local businesses, the dynamic duo reached their goal.

Tory and Sydney agree: “We feel very proud for being one of the top 20 teams internationally in our category. We only wish we had another year to try, do even better, and take home a trophy.”

Congratulations to you both, and thank you for showing us that Milan’s future is bright!

A special “Thank You!” from Tory and Sydney goes to sponsors like the Milan Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, Mr. Bill Smith, Senator Randy Richardville, Mr. Scott Dotson, the Board of Education, and all the people helping them to make turn this dream into reality.

For more information on DECA, visit: http://www.deca.org/

To contact Irida by email: irida@discovermilannews.com

The turnout was overwhelming. Who can resist great food and an amazing selection of merchandise?

By Irida Sangemino

A hardware store is not your usual hot-spot destination for a ladies’ night out. However, over 175 female shoppers showed up at Milan’s Ace Hardware store between 6 and 8 pm on May 4^th, 2012. The offer of the 20% discount was just too tempting for all those girls and their home remodeling projects.

Are you confused because Ace’s ad in last month’s newspaper only mentioned 150 “goodie bags” for event participants? Shelley Adkins, the general manager, just could not bear the thought of disappointing anyone. She quickly prepared a couple dozen more thank-you gifts when the original amount ran out. In case you missed it; the reusable Ace shopping bag contained a 4 ½” geranium plant, a garden shovel, and a pair of Nitrile gardening gloves, sponsoring Breast Cancer Awareness.

Both the customers and staff enjoyed the event. This year’s enticing snacks were prepared by Phil and Jackie Heath from Cone Market Catering. Shelley prefers to keep it local, in every way. The $ 25 certificates/cards for the give-away prizes were purchased from Fiesta Salon, Bodyheat Salon, Kroger and Ace Hardware. Unfortunately, I didn’t win.

“We love this event, because it lets the ladies know that our store isn’t just for guys,” Shelley said. She is right! The store recently expanded its housewares section, and is proud of its huge lawn and garden department, featuring live flowers throughout the month of May.

One of the goals of Ace Hardware is to offer its customers complete devotion. They are doing a great job, as JD Powers and Associates named them #1 in customer service for the sixth year in a row. This is a quality most big-box stores are lacking.

Although this was not a corporate event, Milan’s Ace hardware plans to continue this wonderful tradition. This year was the sixth ladies’ night out. It was the second best attended so far. What does this means? Ladies, start your list early next year, and let’s beat the record!

To contact Irida by email: Irida@discovermilannews.com

By Irida Sangemino

Bucket Brigade to the rescue!

Bucket Brigade with Brian - Firehouse Friday in Milan - Photo by Irida Sangemino

Friday May 4, 2012 – Perfect weather, lots of great food, and an enthusiastic crowd were all on hand to celebrate a spectacular Firehouse Friday at the Milan Fire Station, 45 Wabash St., Milan. The event was sponsored by KeyBank and the American Red Cross. Brian “Bubba” Cowan and W-4 Country were broadcasting live from the fire station, which was jam-packed with enthusiastic fans. This event was the perfect way to start the day in Southeast Michigan.

Firehouse Friday is a yearly event that includes demonstrations, tattoo stickers, bright-red fireman hats for the kids, and lots of other enjoyable activities. Event participants, such as the KeyBank, SERVPRO, the Chamber of Commerce and the Parks & Recreation Department maintained tables with valuable information about the city and its activities.

Young, old, male and female, guests or firefighters; everyone had a blast being interviewed by Bubba, or snacking on all the wonderful, free food that was served. You name it; it was there. You could nibble on donuts, pastries and sundaes, as well as BBQ pork sandwiches, breadsticks and pizza. Talk about an amazing spread!

This event was anything but boring. Aside from all the free stuff, give-away prizes included tickets to a Brad Paisley performance, gift certificates from local vendors, and a huge flower basket. Concerned citizens were also able to donate to help replenish the thousands of trees lost during the Tornado that hit Dexter this past March.

Parked behind the fire station was an emergency evac helicopter. Visitors had a chance to get a closer look and talk to the crew. Did you know that these heroes respond to an average of 3 to 4 calls in a 24-hour period, mostly in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan? Our emergency services are active in the air and on the ground. That was proven by Kristen Miller, an HVA paramedic who was present at the Fire Station. She helped DMN’s Dave back on his feet after a bit of a dizzy spell.

This celebration came to an end when, under close supervision of Fire Chief Robert Stevens and P.R. manager Fred Evans, four heroes – Bubba and three of our brave firemen – demonstrated  a “bucket brigade.” They saved all bystanders from a small, burning wooden structure.

Fred Evans was quite pleased with this celebration. “I’m happy with this very large turnout,” he said, and wants to thank sponsors, like W4 Country, KeyBank, Milan Chamber of Commerce, Milan Parks & Recreation, the American Red Cross, SERVPRO, the Milan bakery, the Lighthouse Coffee Co., the Milan Grill, Basil Boys, Bone Heads BBQ in Willis, Lafiesta in Dundee, and all the generous community members and guests who turned this event into a huge success. Don’t miss it next time!

Contact Irida at irida@discovermilannews.com with your comments and suggestions.

EarthTalk®
E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What is the “Fair Trade Your Supermarket” campaign?

— Brian Howley, Washington, DC

Fair trade is a system of exchange which ensures that farmers, artisans and other producers throughout the developing world are paid fair prices for their work and have direct involvement in the marketplace. Credit: International Fairtrade Certification Mark

A project of the non-profit Green America, the “Fair Trade Your Supermarket” campaign aims to empower consumers to advocate for more “Fair Trade” products on store shelves at their local supermarkets. Fair trade is a system of exchange that honors producers, communities and the environment by ensuring that farmers and artisans throughout the developing world are paid fair prices for their work and have direct involvement in the marketplace. The goal of the wider Fair Trade movement, according to Green America, is to build real and lasting relationships between producers in developing countries and businesses and consumers around the world.

And that’s where your neighborhood grocer comes in. “While the Fair Trade movement is gaining steam nationwide, most of our supermarkets still carry few–if any–Fair Trade products on their shelves,” reports Green America. “Together, we can put Fair Trade products within reach for millions of Americans.”

And just how does Green America expect us to do this? “First, take stock of Fair Trade products in your supermarket—look for coffee, tea, chocolate, rice, sugar, honey, wine, fresh fruit, and olive oil.” Scan the relevant aisles for third-party certifier Fair Trade USA’s distinctive black-and-white “Fair Trade Certified” label, which is only attached to imported goods where the producers receive fair prices for their products and where strict socio-economic and environmental criteria are met during production. Alternatively, look for the logos of other third-party certifiers such as “Fair for Life” or “Fair Trade Federation” on product labels if you think fair trade versions may be available in a given product line.

“Then, you can encourage the store to stock more Fair Trade products by talking to the store manager as a loyal customer,” adds Green America. They suggest using comment cards, which can be key to getting a store with no Fair Trade items to start carrying them. “Every time you go grocery shopping, drop a comment card in the box asking your manager to stock Fair Trade items.” Of course, talking to a store manager in person may be even more effective, especially if you are armed with a pile of your receipts from the store from the previous month or two to show how much spending power you alone would be able to allocate toward Fair Trade versions of the items you are buying there.

Another creative way to spread the Fair Trade gospel would be by volunteering to hand out free samples of Fair Trade products that the store already sells in order to raise awareness and build consumer demand. “Stores sell more of a product when a sampling table is set out, and if you, your friends and family are working the table, the labor is free for the store too.”

But why stop with your local market? If there is a chain supermarket outlet in your area, take it to the top by writing an e-mail, letter or postcard to corporate headquarters informing them of your desire to buy Fair Trade items in all of their stores. Check out the Fair Trade Your Supermarket website (link below) for more tips on how to make your next shopping trip fairer to the planet and its people.

CONTACTS: Fair Trade Your Supermarket, www.fairtradeyoursupermarket.org; Green America, www.greenamerica.org; Fair Trade USA, www.fairtradeusa.com.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to:earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. FreeTrial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

EarthTalk®
E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: The oil industry is planning what some call a dangerous strategy of drilling for oil on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Arctic Ocean. What’s going on? – Vera Bailey, New Hope, PA

Despite U.S. Geological Survey warnings that drilling in waters north of Alaska could have deleterious effects on ocean habitats and wildlife, the Obama administration proceeded with a lifting of the moratorium on off-shore drilling. Pictured: An Oiled brown pelican awaits cleaning in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. Credit: Tom MacKensie, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

In November 2011 the Obama administration began lifting the moratorium on off-shore drilling that had been imposed in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a five year plan including 15 leases for oil development on Alaska’s Outer Continental Shelf and in the Gulf of Mexico. For now the East and West coasts of the continental U.S. have been spared from drilling, but environmentalists are particularly worried about opening up the fragile Alaskan Arctic to off-shore rigs.

“This five-year program will make available for development more than three-quarters of undiscovered oil and gas resources estimated on the [Outer Continental Shelf], including frontier areas such as the Arctic, where we must proceed cautiously, safely and based on the best science available,” Salazar told reporters.

Republicans were incensed that more acreage was not being made available for off-shore drilling, but environmentalists couldn’t believe what they were hearing for different reasons: In June 2011 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) had released a 292-page report commissioned by Interior Secretary Salazar “to identify the gaps in scientific or technical knowledge about how drilling in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas north of Alaska would affect the region,” reports Jerry Bellinson in Popular Mechanics. The report, Bellinson says, “details several areas where those gaps exist, including oil-spill cleanup technologies, basic mapping of currents and the effects of underwater noise on sea mammals.” Despite the USGS’s warnings, the Obama administration decided to proceed anyway.

“Drilling infrastructure permanently alters ocean floor habitats,” reports Defenders of Wildlife. “Drill rig footprints, undersea pipelines, dredging ship channels, and dumped drill cuttings—the rock material dug out of the oil or gas well—are often contaminated with drilling fluid used to lubricate and regulate the pressure in drilling operations.” The group adds that contaminated sediments are carried long distances by currents and can kill important small bottom-dwelling creatures at the bottom of the marine food chain.

Defenders also argues that spills, leaks and occasional BP-like catastrophes are unavoidable with off-shore oil drilling, if history is any guide. “Even with safety protocols in place, leaks and spills are inevitable—each year U.S. drilling operations send an average of 880,000 gallons of oil into the ocean.”

As for wildlife, off-shore drilling can have devastating effects even with no spills or leaks. “Seismic surveys conducted during oil and gas exploration cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, induce behavioral changes, and even physically injure marine mammals such as whales, seals and dolphins,” reports Defenders. “Construction noise from new facilities and pipelines is also likely to interfere with foraging and communication behaviors of birds and mammals. Because they are at the top of the food chain, many marine mammals will be exposed to the dangers of bioaccumulation of organic pollutants and metals.” And off-shore drilling only adds insult to injury as far as Defenders is concerned: “In the face of the climate crisis, the U.S. needs to look for ways to decrease petroleum consumption, not…increase it.”

CONTACTS: Defenders of Wildlife, www.defenders.org; PopularMechanics, www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/coal-oil-gas/oil-drilling-in-the-arctic-ocean-is-it-safe.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to:earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. FreeTrial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

EarthTalk®
E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Why is Greenpeace upset with some leading tech companies for so-called “dirty cloud computing?” Can you explain? – Jeremy Wilkins, Waco, TX

Greenpeace wants companies like Apple, Amazon and Microsoft to make smarter, cleaner energy choices now that "cloud computing" services have ratcheted up power consumption considerably. Credit:Wichary, Flickr

Leading tech companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft are now offering unprecedented amounts of data storage and access to “apps” on huge Internet-connected servers, saving consumers and businesses the hassle of installing and running programs and storing information on their own local computers.

This emerging trend, dubbed “cloud computing,” means that these providers have had to scale up their power consumption considerably, as they are increasingly responsible for providing more and more of the computing horsepower required by the world’s two billion Internet users. No doubt, sharing such resources on centralized servers is more efficient than every individual and business running their own versions separately. In fact, the research firm Verdantix estimates that companies off-loading data and services to cloud servers could save $12 billion off their energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 million metric tons within the next decade. But for the greenhouse gas savings to be realized, the companies offering cloud computing services need to make the right energy choices.

Greenpeace has been tracking sustainability among tech companies for over a decade, and recently released a report, “How Green is Your Cloud?” assessing the green footprint of the move to cloud computing. According to the analysis, some of the major players (Google, Facebook and Yahoo) have gone to great lengths to ensure that significant amounts of the power they need come from clean, green sources like wind and solar. But Greenpeace chastises others (Apple, Amazon and Microsoft) for relying on so-called “dirtier” sources of power, such as coal and nuclear, to run their huge data centers.

“When people around the world share their music or photos on the cloud, they want to know that the cloud is powered by clean, safe energy,” says Gary Cook, a Senior Policy Analyst with Greenpeace. “Yet highly innovative and profitable companies like Apple, Amazon and Microsoft are building data centers powered by coal and acting like their customers won’t know or won’t care. They’re wrong.”

Greenpeace’s report evaluates 14 major tech firms and the electricity supply chains in use across more than 80 different data centers that power cloud-based services. Some of the largest data centers are in buildings so big they are visible from space and use as much power as 250,000 European homes. If the cloud were its own country, says Greenpeace, it would rank 5th in the world in electricity consumption.

“Companies like Google, Yahoo and Facebook are beginning to lead the sector down a clean energy pathway through innovations in energy efficiency, prioritizing renewable energy access when siting their data centers, and demanding better energy options from utilities and government decision-makers,” reports Greenpeace. But unfortunately the majority of the industry is not marching in step. As such, Greenpeace is calling on all tech companies with cloud services to develop siting policies based on access to clean energy sources, invest in or directly purchase renewable energy, be transparent about their energy usage, share innovative solutions so the sector as a whole can improve, and demand that governments and utilities increase the percentage of clean, green power available on the grid.

CONTACTS: Verdantix, www.verdantix.com; Greenpeace, www.greenpeace.org.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine ( www.emagazine.com). Send questions to:earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. FreeTrial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

EarthTalk®
E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I understand there is to be another Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012, 20 years since the last one was held in the same city. What’s on the agenda this time?

– Janet Grayson, Albuquerque, NM

Rio+20 participants hope this event, due to take place June 20-22, 2012, will be remembered as an historic occasion when nations of the world aligned behind the cause of staving off global environmental catastrophe, but several earlier events have produced very little and, as such, expectations remain low. Credit: Artyom Sharbatyan

According to the United Nations, the so-called “Rio+20 Conference”—officially the UN Conference on Sustainable Development—is a new attempt in a new millennium to “lay the foundations of a world of prosperity, peace and sustainability.” The event will take place June 20-22, the 20th anniversary of 1992’s United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD)—the “Rio Earth Summit”—and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

The main agenda items will be reviewing the progress and difficulties associated with moving towards sustainability, assessing responses to the newly emerging challenges faced by our societies, and strengthening political commitments to sustainable development. Underlying themes include finding ways to leverage the green economy to foster sustainable development and poverty eradication, and setting up an effective institutional framework for future global sustainable development initiatives. Delegates from the 200+ nations and thousands of private and nonprofit sector attendees will focus on sustainable cities, decent jobs, food security and sustainable agriculture, energy, oceans, and disaster readiness.

To the World Resources Institute (WRI), a Washington, DC-based think tank devoted to sustainability issues, Rio+20 is important as it forces the world’s nations to “review progress on and reaffirm a global commitment to the policies designed to foster economic growth that is both inclusive and respects the planet’s limited carrying capacity.” WRI adds that amid a global recession, a widening gap between rich and poor and heightened competition for energy, food and other natural resources, the conference couldn’t be timelier but “unfortunately, no clear vision for Rio+20 has emerged, and expectations…remain low.”

But conference participants are busy preparing. The Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future (SFSF), a network of non-governmental participants, is busy developing the Global Transition 2012 Initiative, which will lay out specific recommendations culled from organizations and thought leaders around the world.

“A goal of the initiative is to achieve an outcome from Rio+20 that catalyses a ‘Global Transition’ to an economy that maximizes well-being, operates within environmental limits and is capable of coping and adapting to global environmental change,” reports the SFSF. “The Global Transition 2012 initiative will propose focused and accessible goals, targets and policy interventions that will chart a clear route towards the greening of the global economy, and the achievement of social and economic justice.”

Rio+20 participants hope this event will be remembered as an historic occasion when nations of the world aligned behind the cause of staving off global environmental catastrophe. But the more likely outcome is a few non-binding agreements that will soon be forgotten by constituents, the media and even many of the participating countries. Not since 1987’s Montreal Protocol to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals have nations of the world been able to come together in a significant way to address specific environmental ills. And without any binding agreements already on the table, Rio+20 doesn’t look to dazzle either.

CONTACTS: UNCSD, www.uncsd2012.org; SFSF, www.stakeholderforum.org; WRI, www.wri.org.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine ( www.emagazine.com). Send questions to:earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. FreeTrial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Please join Peoples Presbyterian Church’s – 210 Smith Street in Milan- for delicious grilled chicken, potatoes, coleslaw, vegetables, a beverage, and dessert.

Call Sue Barney (734) 439-1922 for tickets.

Tickets are limited, so call early.  Price: ages 12+ $10, ages 6-11 $5, ages 5 & under eat free.

The net proceeds of this event will go to VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. The funds will help Iraq/Afghanistan veterans transitioning back into normal routines after returning home, as well as providing support for them when re-entering the work force.

Note: Last day of the ticket sales is Saturday May 19, 2012

Murdered by the Mob

The Rotary Club of Milan sponsored a fund raiser at the Milan Grill last night, Sun. 4/29. It was a murder mystery dinner theater that was truly delightful, and so funny, people were rolling in the aisle laughing.

To get in the front door, you were asked for the password. I said “Discover Milan News” and they let me in, so I guess that was the password.

The action took place in Di’Angelo’s Confectionery, Ice Cream, Candy & Fountain Treats, although that was really just a cover for a 1920’s style Chicago Speakeasy. The cast consisted of Danny Di’Angelo, the mob boss, his three chorus girls, Lydia, Sally and Betty, and Johnny, the gay chorus director, Butch, the strong silent body guard type and Pretty Boy, the machine gun happy side-kick.

Eduardo Enriquez as Police

Danny was played by Eduardo Enriquez of Milan Physical Therapy and also doubled as the policeman investigating Danny’s murder. He was absolutely brilliant as a mob boss and really played it to the hilt. As the policeman investigating Danny’s death, he did a wonderful job of imitating Inspector Cleusseau, the bumbling police inspector from the Pink Panther movies.

Gwen Hodges as Lydia

The three chorus girls were played by Gwen Hodges of Jones Investments as Lydia, Danny’s girl; Joanna Kitchen of Milan Physical therapy as Betty, the naïve farm girl; and Lisa Straub, a dance instructor and 1^st lady of the Rotary, (because her husband just got elected president) as Sally, the worldly, experienced show girl. Sally was always on Betty’s case for being so naive. They all wore those fringy flapper dresses, and their little chorus line dance (choreographed by Lisa) they did was really superb. Gwen Hodges remained in character before, during and after the performance, with a thick “bad girl” accent and long cigarette holder. (“Don’t trust nobody and watch your back.”)

Joanna Kitchen as Betty

Betty was so naïve, she thought Danny’s was really a soda fountain, and when asked why she thought it was only open at night, and only attended by adults with no children, she chirped, “I just thought everyone was lactose intolerant.” Then, when she found out it was a speakeasy, she said, “Do you think Mr. Di’Angelo knows what goes on here?”

Don (Dante) Mature as Butch

Butch was played by Don “Dante” Mature of Dante’s World of Fix. Butch never said anything in the first act, he just “Stands around looking real mean” with his gun in its violin case. Then when he finally does speak, he has this really high squeaky voice, and you say to yourself, “Oh, so that’s why he’s so quiet.” He was supposed to be the strong, silent type, but you could tell he was really struggling to keep a straight face.  Butch and Betty had a thing going.

Johnny was played by Mitch Smith, of A1 Ford-Branch Insurance Agency, and did an excellent job of imitating a gay chorus director, with all the affectations that go along with that role. And he also kind of reminded me of Floyd the Barber from the old Andy Griffith Show.

Ezekial Enriquez as Pretty Boy

Pretty Boy was played by Ezekiel Enriquez,of Wilted Rose Productions.  He was always going around shooting people with his plastic machine gun. He accidentally offed the whole wait staff, and Lydia’s poodle.

The play was expertly directed by Eduardo Enriquez, a man of many talents. The play was another fund raiser, with 50% of the take (after settling with the restaurant) going to the Milan Historical Society and the other 50% going to the Seniors for Healthy Living. They sold 100 tickets, and they were sold out a week before the play. Tickets sold for $35.00 apiece.

Because it was presented at the Milan Grill, the actors only had the aisle between the tables to act, so it was a very intimate show with the actors interacting directly with the audience. And I’m sure some of those lines weren’t in the script! (There was an awful lot of ad libbing going on!) As you might know the Milan Grill has restaurant seating in two separate areas, separated by the bar/entrance area, so it was done twice, once for one room and again for the other side. So, while one side was being regaled by the actors, the other side was eating and vice versa.

Lisa Straub as Sally

Dinner was served in between acts, and I must give the Milan Grill credit for coordinating the delivery of food so precisely in the time available. Dinner was a salad, served after the first act, and a buffet-style dinner served after the second act. For dinner there were baskets full of yummy rolls, both vegetarian and meat pasta dishes, and a chicken dish with broccoli and cream sauce. It was all very good, with tiramisu for dessert, which was served after the third act, while the ballots were being tallied.

The whole thing was a big hoot from beginning to end. Before and after the play there were fun games. The first game was a “guess the terminology” game where a word or phrase from the 20′s was pulled out of a basket and read, and the first audience member who could identify what it meant got to pick a prize from the pirate booty bag. They also had nicknames for 20′s gangsters and the audience had to identify the real name of the gangster. There were ballots on the tables, and after the play you had to guess who the killer was: Lydia, Betty, Sally, Butch, Johnny, or Pretty Boy. I will not reveal the murderer, as I don’t want to give it away, in case it is presented again.

There were five people with the correct answer, but they only had prizes for two, so all the winning ballots were put in a basket and two were drawn at random to determine who got the prize of “Ice Cream Toppings” which was really a bottle of wine.

Some of the audience members even came in costume. Sara Ford was there dressed as a flapper, with the fringy dress, yards of pearls, and feathers in her hair.

The Getaway Car

All of the players were members of the Rotary Club, or associates of people in the Rotary Club and worked for months on rehearsals. And it certainly showed. They all had such a good time with their parts, I can’t remember a time I’ve had so much fun or laughed so hard.

Milan's Historic Hack House

The Milan Area Historical Society wishes to extend an invitation to everyone to join them on May 5 & 6. The house and grounds will be officially open for another inspiring season. The crew has spent the winter making needed improvements to the outbuildings, creating new displays, and the newly refurbished/renamed Verment room will amaze you. The gift shop will be open with new merchandise and a face lift. We’ll leave the details of this to give you something to wonder about. We can’t wait to see and hear your reaction to all the improvements.

In addition to having tours of the house and grounds, the MILAN GARDEN CLUB will be on hand with their annual Plant and Flower Sale.  There will be many plants and flowers for you to choose from for your garden. Also as a matter of interest the SOCK LADY will be on site.  Using an antique knitting loom, she creates colorful, warm socks (these make wonderful Christmas gifts. (Consider starting your Christmas shopping in May!)

The Plant Sale will be Saturday from 9 – 3, and Sunday 1 – 4.  The Sock Lady will be there on Saturday only. The house will open every Sunday from 1pm-4pm throughout the summer, we’ve named this weekly event “Sunday’s on the porch”

 MAHS Benefit” Garage Sale will be held April 27 & 28 9am – 3 pm. 620 Mooreville Rd.

Join us and THINK SPRING!!!