My City September 2021

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Vince Lorraine

F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R

DEAR READERS, It feels so good to say this: it’s been a happening summer in Flint! Our photographer has been a busy guy, capturing the action and happy faces at the many events that returned this year after …well, you know. A handful of summer events are still on the calendar, and MCM will be there! This month on Patriot Day, the nation (and the world) will observe the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on America. Our “We Remember” section (p.38-73) includes the story of Eric L. Bennett, the only person from the Flint area to perish in the 9/11 attacks. His mother, Betty, worked for one of my companies back in the 80s. She graciously granted us an interview and we’re proud to share the story (p.40). Also featured are personal accounts of the experience working at Ground Zero from former local firefighters, Joe Ludwig and Steve Thomson. In addition, advertisers sponsored highlights of area fire and law enforcement personnel to honor the brave first responders who answer the call every day. Where were you when you first heard of the attacks? Many people share their memories of that day, beginning on p.64. There’s great variety in this issue! We highlight Kiaira May, the new Executive Director of Flint ’s Downtown Development Authority, as well as Semaj Brown, Flint ’s first Poet Laureate, talented young musician Najee Greenlee, and Zoologist, Shekinah Wagner. Complementing our Back to the Bricks coverage is a feature on the Fenton Hot Rod Association – cars, cars, and more cars! Finally, we invited longtime Flint radio professional, Jim Baade, to write an “In Memoriam” in honor of his very good friend (and mine), Pete “Peter C” Cavanaugh (p.112). Pete passed away in mid-August after a lengthy illness. Before I was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, he was a big part of my young life, giving me – an inexperienced teenager – a job in sales at WTAC radio back in the late 70s. What a wild ride! He took me to see my first rock show,The Who (at the Silverdome), my favorite band ever since. Pete was definitely born for the rock radio game. I’ve often looked back on his mentorship as a huge influence. Our friendship endured through the decades, and we rocked out together at several more concerts. Front-row for The Who in L.A. (2013) was our last, and we stayed up nearly all night reminiscing about old times in Flint radio. Peter C is a legend who touched many lives and I will miss him dearly. Thanks for reading,

E D I T O R I A L MANAGING EDITOR Sherron Barden

A R T & D E S I G N GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brett LaCross

ASSISTANT EDITOR / WR ITER Peter Hinterman

WEB DEVELOPER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jonathan Boedecker

STAFF WR ITER Cheryl Denni son

PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Jagielo

FREELANCE WR ITERS Mark Spezia

O P E R A T I O N S

ACCOUNTING/CI RCULATION Kim Davi s

CONTR IBUTING WR ITERS Ed Bradley Er in Caudel l Dr. Christopher Douglas Vera Hogan Joel P. Lagore Alexandr ia Nolan Les l ie Toldo

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Dan Garman

S A L E S

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Terese Al len

5152 COMMERCE RD. FLINT, MI 48507 810.230.1783 - MYCITYMAG.COM ISSN#1559-3436 is published monthly by My City Magazine, Inc., 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507. Canadian Mail Agreement #41971515. For back issues, inquire for availability. Editorial Cor respondence: Address product information and inquiries to: Editorial Department, My City Magazine, 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507, phone 810.230.1783. To authors, photographers, and people featured in this publication: All materials, articles, reports and photographs in this publication are the property of My City Magazine and cannot be used without written permission. The opinions and conclu sions recited herein are those of the respective authors and not of My City Magazine. My City Magazine is not responsible for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other materials. Every effort will be made however, to return rejected manuscripts, etc., if they are accompanied by sufficient first-class postage, but the publisher will not be responsible for any loss of such material. Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. | Printed in U.S.A.

VINCE LORRAINE PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF VINCE@MYCITYMAG.COM

COVER ART BY TATSIANA TSYHANOVA / STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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My Downtown 10 7 Questions with Kiaira May, Executive Director

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Downtown Development Authority

My Dish 36 Time for a Fall Fave By Erin Caudell My City Remembers September 11, 2001 pg. 38-73

12 MCC Opens

Lenore Croudy Family Life Center My Community

16 DTV: Coming to You LIVE! My Arts 20 Semaj Brown Flint’s Poet Laureate My Music 24 Najee Greenlee Following the Music My Passion 30 Shekinah Wagner, Zoologist

We Remember

My Hobby 76 Fenton’s Hot Rod Junkies! My Haps

82 Flint River Flotilla 84 4th Annual Inner City Softball Game 86 Flint Drop Fest 2021

CONTENTS

September 2021

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My Haps cont. 88 Back to the Bricks 94 TDN Over the Edge My Movies 96 Flint’s Golden Age of Rap By Ed Bradley My Reality 98 Reach for the Stars By Vera Hogan My Musings 100 Do You Remember Dancing in September? By Leslie Toldo My Econ 102 The Eviction Moratorium By Dr. Christopher Douglas

103 My Can’t Miss List My Travels 104 In Pursuit of Pasta By Alexandria Nolan My Thoughts 106 Fifty Years... By Cheryl Dennison

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My Entertainment

108 What are

YOU Watching? By Jonathan Boedecker My Afterthought

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110 Hey You! You’re Doing a Good Job! In Memoriam 112 Peter L. Cavanaugh

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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, for both men and women, resulting in more than 150,000 deaths each year in the United States. In fact, lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined. Like any cancer, early detection is key and allows for better outcomes. ‰ʍɨȢljʰ ¸ʍȶǼ :ljȶɽljɨ The Hurley Lung Center consists of a team of board-certified specialists: radiologists, pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons and pathologists.The Hurley Lung Center uses state-of-the-art technology allowing better diagnosis and treatment of lung disease. ‰ʍɨȢljʰ ¸ʍȶǼ ‰ljƃȢɽȃ ÇƃʤȈǼƃɽɁɨ Hurley’s Lung Health Navigator,Kevin Reynolds, coordinates Hurley’s Lung Screening Program.This includes reviewing daily radiology reports and notifying the patient’s providers of irregular findings.Kevin also tracks incidental lung nodules on all X-rays and CT scans performed at Hurley.He works closely with Hurley’s team of physicians to streamline the process of early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer,working to achieve better patient outcomes. Kevin works with patients offering them education and resources on how and where to follow up with Hurley’s specialists. He works with patients diagnosed with COPD, assisting in educating them on their disease and continues working with them even after discharge to assist them in navigating life with a chronic condition. “My goal is to equip our patients with knowledge, the tools and most importantly, hope that allows them to live a quality life with a chronic condition,”Kevin notes. ¸ʍȶǼ ČƺɨljljȶȈȶǼ Computerized tomography (CT) screening uses special X-Ray technology to obtain image data from different angles around the body, and then uses computer processing for the information to show a cross section of tissues and organs. LDCT is quick and easy, with a minimal amount of radiation exposure.The exam takes about 60 seconds. ¸ĩÇ{ :KÇěKĄ ծ ¸ĩÇ{ ‰K ¸ě‰ Ç řŽ{ ěÝĄ

ADVERTORIAL

:ʍɨɨljȶɽ ĂʍƃȢȈˎ ƺƃɽȈɁȶ :ɨȈɽljɨȈƃ ǹɁɨ ¸ʍȶǼ ČƺɨljljȶȈȶǼ • Between the ages of 50-80 years old; • Current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years; • Have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for the past 20 years or equivalent; • Asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer) Śȃƃɽ Ȉɰ ɽȃlj ǼɁƃȢ Ɂǹ ¸A:ě ȢʍȶǼ ɰƺɨljljȶȈȶǼӞ The goal of LDCT lung screening is to save lives. Without LDCT screening, lung cancer is usually not found until a person develops symptoms. At that time, the cancer may be much harder to treat. Lung screening has quickly become a success in early detection of cancer and LDCT has vastly improved patient survival rates. Early diagnosis can be achieved up to 85% of the time in screen-detected lung cancers. Among those early-stage cancers, the cure rate approaches 80%. ƺɽȈɁȶ If you or someone you know has questions about lung screening, please call 810.262.9309 between 8am and 3pm Monday through Friday to speak with Hurley’s Lung Health Navigator.

MYDOWNTOWN

7 Questions with KIAIRAMAY Executive Director Downtown Development Authority

In June, the Flint DDA Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Kiaira May its executive director. Her professional experi ence includes roles at Quicken Loans and Bedrock Real Estate, as well as consulting and project management for Design Core De troit and the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Michigan. She is the first African American woman to hold the DDA position – here are a few more interesting things about this Flint history maker. Who inspired you to pursue your career goals? My grandmother! She was a true trailblazer – a blind chef who ran a small business for a very long time. She was the first to make history in our family and in spires me every day. I know if she was still on this earth, she would be cheering for me the loudest.

single-parent household. My mother was the first idol I ever encountered. Seeing her struggle every day to create a better life for my brother and me taught me how to provide for myself, believe in my dreams and to never harbor negative emotions about things that I can’t change. You just gotta keep moving forward! Where did you go to college? I graduated from Wayne State University where I majored in sociology and obtained my bach elor’s degree in arts and science. :KDW ZDV \RXU YHU\ ÒUVW MRE" I taught ballet to three- and four-year-olds at the Inner City Dance Scope Studio in Detroit. I started teaching at the age of 13 and became a prima ballerina shortly after. I miss teaching from time to time and still love to dance.

How would your friends describe you?

I called two of my friends to ask them this question and they both said the same things: energetic, hardwork ing and goal oriented. (I’m a Virgo, so it makes sense.) I like to listen to music and enjoy DIY projects. I take pride in making my own furniture. What immediate goals do you hope to achieve in your role with the DDA? I’m working toward com munity engagement in all things Downtown Flint and streamlined communication through all of my relationships. And one more goal I would say is not immediately achievable, but will be ongoing: accessible parking in Flint for all. x What do you do in your spare time?

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What factors about your youth helped shape who you are today? That is a great question. I grew up in Detroit in a

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The Lenore Croudy Family Life Center Meeting the Needs of the MCC Population BY PETER HINTERMAN x PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM JAGIELO

by offering access to equipment (such as Chromebooks), Wi-Fi and school supplies (notebooks, pencils, etc.) in collaboration with the Green Initiatives Team (GRIT) at MCC. After an $8 million renovation, the building features a large concert hall for gatherings and performance, multiple study/general areas, an expanded child care facility, a food pantry and Ellen’s Closet – a free clothing department for students to select career clothes for interviews, as well as medical scrubs and children’s clothing. The closet is named for Ellen Howe, a longtime Mott Board of Trustees member and former chair

L ocated in the newly to the Mott Community College (MCC) campus, the Lenore Croudy Family Life Center (LCFLC) provides a variety of student services needed to improve success. “This facility was opened as a way to meet student need and insecurity,” says lead LCFLC social worker, Dinah Schaller. “We want to help remove any barriers to a successful education that a student could come across.This Center is for the basic needs of anyone in the Mott family.” The LCFLC provides assistance with: food insecurity, child care, clothing, housing and transporta tion assistance, physical and mental health support, and emergency finan cial assistance. The facility also pro vides academic assistance to students renovated and revitalized former Woodside Church building, directly adjacent

THE MOTT EATS FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES MEALS AND FOOD STUFFS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

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(L-R) DINAH SCHALLER AND VANESSA JONES WORK TO IMPROVE THE SUCCESS OF ALL MOTT STUDENTS THROUGH THE LCFLC.

with a history of community involve ment and activism, serving as a City of Flint police officer and director of multiple organizations, as well as president of the Flint YWCA and Flint Women’s Forum. “At first, the closet just held professional clothing, but it has expanded through dona tions to include clothing of all types for any who need it,” says Schaller. p

NEED SCHOOL SUPPLIES? VISIT THE LCFLC.

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M oving to its new location, the Mott Eats food pantry was able to expand to include more than boxed and canned goods. “We have space to keep frozen foods and to prepare meals for our community using fresh and local sources,” says Volunteer Coordina tor, Vanessa Jones. “We work with Flint Fresh and our meals are USDA certified. During the pandemic, we delivered meals to those in need and offered curbside pickup for those look ing for nutritious foods.”The pantry is open Monday-Thursday 9am to 4pm. The LCFLC provides much more than physical goods. For those strug gling with tuition, transportation or housing/rent assistance, the Center can provide much needed relief by connecting students to available pro grams and scholarship opportunities. The Center also has two part-time clinicians on staff to provide guid ance and offers contact to numerous

THE LCFLC PROVIDES STUDY SPACE, WI-FI, AND OTHER SCHOOL NECESSITIES.

support groups for those struggling with social and personal issues. “Mott Community College is inter ested and invested in the whole student,” adds Schaller. “We want everyone in the Mott community to know that we are here to help you find the health and security you need to continue your edu cation and to succeed in all areas of life.” The Lenore Croudy Family Life Center renovation is funded by a $3 million grant from the Charles Stewart

Mott Foundation, proceeds from the sale of $3 million in voter-approved bonds, a $100,000 grant from the McFarlan Charitable Corporation/ McFarlan Villages, and additional help from the Flint Child Health & Development Fund of the Founda tion for Flint, A.G. Bishop Charitable Trust, Bruin Club of Genesee Co.,The Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Stephanie & David Spina, Terry Crews and other community patrons.

N obody took a greater interest in the success of MCC and its students than Lenore Croudy. An educator and ad ministrator for Flint Com munity Schools for four decades, Croudy served on the Mott Community Col lege Board of Trustees for a total of 29 years and as Board Chair for nearly 20.

Throughout her life time, Croudy acted as a champion for the needs of students and their families both locally and nationally as part of the Michigan Community College As sociation, the American Association of Community College Trustees, and the American Association of Community Colleges. Her

tireless efforts helped make Mott Community College one of the nation’s best. “Establishing a Fam ily Life Center in Mrs. Croudy’s name honors her legacy to the fullest, by helping to reduce barriers and challenges that im pede our students’ success.” – Dr. Beverly Walker Griffea, MCC President x

Lenore Croudy

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MYCOMMUNITY

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BY PETER HINTERMAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF DTV NEWS

It’s becoming the norm. Seemingly every year, DTV News (located in Davison High School), is a winner of some award or other, going all the way back to 2002. The station has won multiple awards from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) and was named “Station of the Year” four times by the Michigan Association of Broadcast ers (MAB). In 2010, Randy Scott and co-workers received an Emmy® from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for their documentary entitled “Rx for Trouble.” For their efforts this last school year, the station won 21 awards from MIPA in such categories as School Promo, Live Sports/Event Coverage, Diversity Coverage, News Story and more. The station is managed by Randy Scott and Amy Lesko. “We have one of the top programs in the state and nation,” says Scott. “It ’s truly a testament to the commitment and effort of our kids.” What makes the station’s success even more impressive is the fact that it is run entirely, top to bottom, by Davison High students. “I’m just here as a guide,” states Scott. “The kids run the whole thing. They handle the production, direction and programming. They create the art, write the stories and newscasts, and are the on air talent. Every aspect of the program is handled by them.” p

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T he station started in 2000 as an in-school, Davison newscast. “I joined the program in 2002 when it was just starting to branch out,” says Scott. “I really credit the school system for hiring actual television people like me. It helped shape the entire station into a profes sional model.”Next, the station moved into live broadcasts of sporting events, school concerts and local events.The station then added PSAs and documen taries (dubbed “specials”). “We cover concerts, football, volleyball, basketball, whatever we can,” adds Scott. “The kids

DAVISON STUDENTS HANDLE ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM.

We turned this into our ‘Confronting COVID’ special.” Past DTV specials include: “Undrinkable: The Flint Water Emergency,” “In the Line of Fire: Gun Violence in America,” “In News We Trust,” and “Great Lakes: On the Brink.” The specials are available at dtvnews.org and the DTV channel on YouTube. “We want to tackle real world problems that matter to all of us,” states Scott. One of the biggest challenges for Scott and Lesko is staying up-to-date with today’s news climate and access. “Everything is so much different from when I started,” Scott explains. “Social media is absolutely huge and nowadays, anyone can ‘go live’ with just their phone. It used to be special to be on televi sion.”Another difficulty is overcoming the stigma that some have placed on news organizations and journalists. “It is a difficult task to get our students to

PROGRAM CO-MANAGER RANDY SCOTT GUIDES HIS TEAM.

are our camera operators, announcers, play-by-play analysts and sideline re porters. Some colleges don’t get this type of on-hand learning and access. Davison alumni are working in broadcasting and media jobs all over the country.” Each year, DTV begins a week before school starts with the annual bootcamp, when new students learn the basics of camera operation, equipment

use and production. “It’s basically our football camp,” says Scott with a laugh. At bootcamp, the majority of the year gets plotted out and ideas for specials get submitted and voted on. “The ideas come from all of us,” explains Scott. “We want our students to think and submit their ideas for the year. Last year, with the pandemic, we all kept a daily blog to document each day as it happened.

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“The kids run the station and we treat them just as they’d be treated in a real world setting. Story deadlines, live on air, scheduling, news meetings, equipment care – you name it, they do it. Randy and I are just here to guide the ship and each year, I am more impressed with our kids.” AMY LESKO

camera angles are mapped out. When the game begins, everything goes live, broadcasting on channel 191 in Davison and to the world on YouTube. “I actually have two groups of students working in tandem,” says Scott. “One is at the stadium reporting and the other is back at the school handling production and direction.” After the game, each crew handles clean-up. “We don’t get out of there until nearly 11pm.The students are at the school from 7am to nearly midnight. It really is a full commitment.” It is much the same process for every DTV live event. Soon, those long days may get easier as Davison High School is getting ready to build a whole new DTV studio. “We have very limited space now and a larger area will allow us to create a much more professional setting and expand what we can do,” adds Scott. Perhaps with the new studio in mind, Scott has de cided to throw a talk show or two into the mix for this new school year. DTV News is the model of a high school program done right.The stu dents gain vast experience and confi dence to follow their own paths after graduation. Alumni have become TV producers, directors, news broadcasters and sports announcers. Scott and Lesko are proud of each and every one of their students, as Scott constantly documents and updates their achievements on the DTV website. “I love this job,” says Scott. “At the end of their tenure here, I want our kids to know that they are capable of anything. We really push it to another level and if they can do it here, they can do it anywhere.” x

CO-MANAGER AMY LESKO (FAR RIGHT) WITH DTV STUDENTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

understand why news is so important and the difference between real news and opinion,” says Scott. “Perhaps, the first lesson we teach is that social media is not reality.We all use it but it doesn’t translate to what’s really being said. Credibility is important, news ownership is a responsibility. It’s a big challenge.” In August, the DTV News team was treated to a special experience when they were allowed to broadcast Davison’s first football game of the year live fromThe Big House at U of M in Ann Arbor.

“The kids are really excited,” Scott shares. “I was there almost two weeks early scouting the site. It’s a big deal for everyone and a big undertaking. Every game is a week-long event and being in Ann Arbor adds to the workload.” For a typical home football game, DTV students start preparing at the beginning of the week with research and planning, and creating graphics for the production.The day of the broadcast, a meeting is held immediately after the school day ends – equipment is checked,

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MYARTS

Meet Flint’s Poet Laureate

SEM

BY CHERYL DENNISON PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SEMAJ BROWN

really an honor," Brown says of the award. "I was ecstatic and shocked!" The monetary gift will be used to continue her poet laureate civic focus, the Poetry Pod Project (P3). Brown was named Flint's first poet laureate in September 2019 by then-mayor, Karen Wea Th idea was suggested to Brow y of years prior, then again in grew up around poet laure I knew what it would requ admits. “I receive no money City of Flint – I do it for t of Flint." As a poet laureat tasked with making poetry in the community. "For me y g is to use poetry to increase and I can accomplish that interdisciplinary programm " her interdisciplinary, interg Pierians (a national arts org tion with a chapter in Flin p

civic literacy initiative, which is a fun, educational process that incorporates art and science through games. Originally from Detroit, Brown moved to Flint in 2003 when she married her husband, area physician James Brown, MD. She graduated f W S U i i i h g gy g

“I believe we are the creative imag ination of our futures. I understand thought to be the poetic spark from which all things manifest. Thoughts are architectural, build ing words into language, construct ing societies that define Earth’s social ecosystems." Semaj Brown P oet. Educator. Play wright. Author. Per former. Thought Leader who thinks outside the lines. These are just a few of the many hats worn by Semaj Brown, Flint's first Poet Laureate. She is also a recipient of the 2021 Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate Fel lowship Award, which was given to 23 poet laureates across the country. The recipients were awarded $50,000 to help them grow public poetry programs in their communities. "It is

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Brown's husband is also a musician and he made an Arborlune™ (musical instrument) from fallen tree branches in their yard which he strung like a harp. "We perform concerts together," Brown shares. "James composes music for my theatrical poetry productions and accom panies me during poetry readings, using the Arborlune or other instruments." Currently, Brown is writing a book about looking at water from a spiritual and social level, which she hopes to finish by the end of the summer. The book examines the varied things water means to us, she says. "Many do not see the fundamental oneness between ourselves and water. Human bodies are 60-70 percent water. That would seem to make us walking, talking rivers con tained in a suitcase of skin and bones!" Brown enjoys her role as Flint's Poet Laureate and she and James will con tinue to serve the community they love. "We bleed for Flint. We put all of our time and resources into Flint,” Brown states. “We stay because we want to be here. Our hearts are for Flint." t

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T he crowd quieted as Najee Greenlee took up his clari net and began to play the first notes of the Carmen Fantasy by P. Sarasate. With seemingly little effort, the music began to dance through the auditorium.The audience was rapt as Greenlee, with intricate varia tions, trills and movement, transported them to another world. And after the last note faded, the crowd erupted in applause as Greenlee humbly bowed, then left the stage.The performance marked the end of his education at the prestigious Inter lochen Center for the Arts and the start of something new. “I’m heading to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to continue my education looking to excel in clarinet performance,” he explains. “I would love to play for my profession or maybe teach and help someone else get the opportunities that I have had. My immediate goal is to get even better.” His musical journey started in fifth grade at Randels Elementary school in Flint. “I was playing basketball at the time and I just wasn’t into it, but my mom wanted me to continue doing something,” he remembers. “At school, we were issued recorders to play during music class. I did well on my test and the band director got MYMUSIC Najee

Greenlee BY PETER HINTERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM JAGIELO

in contact with my mom. She urged me toward music and I picked it up.” At first, Greenlee had no idea what instrument he wanted to play. He tried a bevy of different instruments and never made a decision. “The director picked the clarinet for me and I accepted it without a second thought,” he explains. At ten years old, music and the clarinet weren’t a big passion for him. He enjoyed playing fun tunes like video game music and playing with the band, but never had a thought of pursuing it beyond high school until he attended a few semesters at Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor. “At that time, it wasn’t really a high priority for me,” he recalls. “At Scarlett, I played the classics and discovered how great it could be.When I got back to Flint, I wanted to experience that again.”He started think ing about music as a career and listened to classical music continually. He enrolled at the Flint School of Performing Arts (FSPA) where his talent was unveiled. At 15 years old, he uncovered his next step. “I saw videos of kids my age playing at Interlochen and I was blown away,” he says. “I applied to the school and had to audition. I remember waiting four hours to play for them.”Greenlee was accepted to attend camp at Interlochen in 2019. p

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Following

the Music

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W hile at camp, Green lee impressed the teachers and direc tors with his attitude, leadership and ability. “One of the directors pulled me aside and told me he appreciated how I did the work and how I was a great role model. Then, he told me that he nominated me for the Maddy Summer Artist Award,” says Greenlee. He was presented with the award at the end of camp. Win ning the award was an honor but most importantly for Greenlee, it came with a sizable scholarship to attend the school. “It really helped,” he says. Greenlee attended his junior and senior years of high school at Interlochen. As graduation approached, Greenlee was working on applying to schools and summer programs when his teacher, Bryan Conger, offered a suggestion. “He said I should really think about applying

“ ĭǠơȥ ˊȶʠ ˪ ȥƎ out what you love ʋȶ Ǝȶ࡬ ơˉɢȍȶɭơ it. When you ɢȍŔˊ࡬ ơˉɢȍȶɭơ ơʽơɭˊʋǠǫȥnj ʋǠŔʋ ǫɽ ɢȶɽɽǫŹȍơ ŔȥƎ listen to as much as you can.”

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for National Public Radio’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist award. I filled out the application and sent in a selection of my music,” Greenlee explains. “After a few months, I was selected to play on the Juneteenth special of ‘From the Top’ and told that I had won the award!”

(NPR presents the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist award to approximately 20 exceptional pre-collegiate musicians ages 8-18. Each winner gets to appear on NPR’s “From the Top’’ program and can receive up to $10,000 toward high-level classical music study.) p

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MYMUSIC

GREENLEE HONED HIS SKILL AT INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

PHOTO PROVIDED BY INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

F or the performance, Green lee gathered a number of his friends to play “Clarinet Quintet in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 10, Mvmt 2” by Samuel Coleridge Taylor. He was joined by Aiden Krieger (violin), Valerie Xu-Friedman (violin), Emma Boyd (viola) and Gabriel Hen nebury (cello). “It was so much fun to record music with my friends and an honor to be featured on ‘From the Top’,” adds Greenlee. “It was a complete surprise and playing on the Juneteenth episode was a great way to honor the contributions of African-American composers.” With the prize money, Greenlee purchased a much-needed new clarinet. “Really, you need two – a B-flat and an ‘A’ clarinet,” he laughs. “For a long time, I had to rent an ‘A’ clarinet

whenever I needed it and was never sure what I was going to get. Now, I can make sure it is maintained as it should be.” Even after all his success and awards, Greenlee is still not entirely sure how he got here. “I’ve had a lot of help,” he says, “and I found a path through music. I love how different it can be – the different ways of playing, interpretations. It can be approached in countless ways and I love the freedom I have to express each piece my own way.” For now, Greenlee is preparing to attend his first semester of college in Ann Arbor. He is not entirely sure where it will lead, but he is ready for the journey and will keep his eyes open for any possibility. He advises young musicians to do the same. “When you find out what you love to do, explore it.

When you play, explore everything that is possible and listen to as much as you can. Music is everywhere and with music, any future is possible.” x

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MYPASSION

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BY CHERYL DENNISON

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SHEKINAH WAGNER W hen Shekinah Wagner was a little girl, she knew that when she grew up, she wanted to work with animals. She always loved cats, animals and reptiles but was completely obsessed with tigers. Born and raised in Flint, she graduated from Carman-Ainsworth High School and obtained a degree in science and zoology at Michigan State University. t

MYPASSION

W agner now teaches eighth community members. Her mission is to help kids get comfortable with a variety of species in an interactive way. “I always knew I would work with animals,” Wagner admits. When she was in the 11th grade, she went to the Genesee Skill Center and took a class about business etiquette. The assignment was to create a business plan, which was when her vision for No Two Stripes Alike (N2SA) was born. Did you know that no two tigers have the same stripes? According to Wagner, tiger stripes are like human fingerprints and no two animals have markings in the same pattern.This is the meaning behind the name of her business. And, her goal is eventually to get a tiger! N2SA currently houses 12 creatures – turtles, a small alligator, snakes, spiders and more – that she takes to various community events to interact with the public. “We offer a wide variety of experiences,” the zoologist says. It is her belief that hands-on experiences help humans better understand animals and their needs. Wagner currently houses most of the creatures at her home and the larger ones in a space that will soon be opened to the public. In its five years, N2SA has hosted many annual events. “I actually came out of the grade students at Genesee Stem Academy in Flint and is the founder and owner of No Two Stripes Alike, a company that allows her to use her passion for animals and reptiles to educate

m

“I alWAyS kNew I woULd woRk WitH anIMalS.”

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“I leT pEoPlE ToUcH tHe anIMalS AnD we TElL tHem abOuT EacH One. It’S veRy imMErSivE. PeOpLe lOVe It!”

field to teach,” she reports. She previously worked at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing as an animal caretaker and has past experience in the field at various other locations. Along with community events, N2SA will set up displays at private functions such as birthday parties, showers and more. “It is a teaching experience,”Wagner says. “I let people touch the animals and we tell them about each one. It’s very immersive. People love it!” As an example, Wagner has been invited to bring animals to a private birthday party for the last couple of years. One of the more popular animals is a red-tailed boa constrictor. “Amy grew 1.5 feet in a year!”Wagner exclaims. “It was interesting to everyone to see how big she has gotten.”

Videos of the animals can be viewed on Wagner’s and N2SA facebook pages. Whenever the zoologist gets a new creature, she offers internet viewers an opportunity to name it. “All of our animals have names,” she says, “and the public has chosen them.” As a zoologist, Wagner studies animals in the wild and in captivity and teaches what she has learned. While she loves teaching her students during the day, her passion is the animals. What does she like best about it? “From a conservation standpoint, I like exposing people to animals and educating them. Honestly, I like it when people say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that’ or, ‘I didn’t know the animal would feel like that.’ I truly enjoy the one-on-one conversations.”

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MYDISH

Time for a Fall Fave!

BY ERIN CAUDELL

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R atatouille is one of my favorite fall dishes – it ’s hearty and warm and uses the late summer vegetables that are hanging on into the cooler weather. A traditional French dish, it ’s pretty straightforward to make. The key is taking the time to sauté the veggies so they are almost cooked. Also, don’t skip the step of salting the eggplant – it ’s the secret to removing the bitter taste and making it the star of the dish! Enjoy these simply stewed veggies over rice or quinoa for a hearty meal or as a side dish for chicken or beef.

INGREDIENTS

TO MAKE

• 2lbs ripe, red tomatoes (about 4 large) • 1lb eggplant (1 medium), diced into ½-inch cubes • 8oz red, orange, or yellow bell pepper (about 1 medium), cut into ¾-inch squares • 8oz zucchini (about 1 medium), diced into ½-inch cubes • 8oz yellow squash (about 1 large), diced into ½-inch cubes • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, divided (more to taste) • 2 cups water or broth • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped • 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced • 1 cup chopped fresh basil • 4 thyme sprigs • 3 summer savory sprigs (optional) • 1 bay leaf • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, more or less to taste • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Toss the eggplant with 1 teaspoon of the salt and allow to drain in a colan der for 30 minutes. Pat dry with paper towel and set aside. 2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the eggplant and cook, stirring often, until golden, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to your dutch oven or deep pot. 3. In the same saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for a few minutes. Add herbs except for basil and stir for a few more minutes. Transfer to pot. 4. In a large bowl, use your hands to crush half of the tomatoes, season them with ½ teaspoon of the salt and add to the pot. Add the rest of all ingredients except basil and mix well. 5. Add 2 cups of water or broth and sim mer for about 30 minutes. 6. Top with the basil, and serve over rice or quinoa.

Erin Caudell is co-owner of The Local Grocer, a horticulturalist, herbalist and farmer.

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This year marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11 – a day many of us wish we did not have to remember. What began as a beautiful day ended with a nation and world in mourning for ɽȃlj ȃɁɨɨȈˎ ƺ ȢɁɰɰ Ɂǹ ȶljƃɨȢʰ јӗѕѕѕ ȈȶȶɁƺljȶɽ ȢȈʤljɰ ƃɽ ɽȃlj ȃƃȶǁɰ Ɂǹ ɽljɨɨɁɨȈɰɽɰ ʥȃɁ ƃɽɽƃƺȟljǁ ȴljɨȈƺƃ Ȉȶ ɽȃlj ǁljƃǁȢȈljɰɽ ƃƺɽ Ɂǹ ɽljɨɨɁɨȈɰȴ Ȉȶ ȃȈɰɽɁɨʰӝ yɁɨ ɽȃɁɰlj ɁȢǁ ljȶɁʍǼȃ ɽɁ ȃƃʤlj ljʯɥljɨȈljȶƺljǁ ўӣііӗ ȈȴƃǼljɰ Ɂǹ ɽȃlj ǁljɰɽɨʍƺɽȈɁȶ ƃȶǁ ǁljʤƃɰɽƃɽȈɁȶ ƃɨlj ljɽƺȃljǁ Ȉȶ Ɂʍɨ ȴȈȶǁɰӝ Ślj ɨljȴljȴƹljɨ ɽȃlj ɰȴƃȢȢljɰɽ ǁljɽƃȈȢɰ ƃƹɁʍɽ ɽȃlj ǁƃʰ ɽȃƃɽ ƺȃƃȶǼljǁ ʍɰ ƃȢȢ ɽʥɁ ǁljƺƃǁljɰ ƃǼɁ Ә ȃɁʥ ʥlj ȃljƃɨǁӗ ʥȃljɨlj ʥlj ʥljɨljӗ ʥȃɁ ʥlj ƺƃȢȢljǁӝ Žȶ ɽȃȈɰ Ȉɰɰʍljӗ Ã:à Ɂǹǹljɨɰ ƃ ɰɥljƺȈƃȢ ɰljƺɽȈɁȶӗ ԄŚlj Ąljȴljȴƹljɨӝԅ Ślj ɰȃƃɨlj ɽȃlj ɰɽɁɨʰ Ɂǹ KɨȈƺ 9ljȶȶljɽɽӗ the only person from the Flint area to perish Ȉȶ ɽȃlj ўӣіі ƃɽɽƃƺȟɰӝ ȢɰɁ ǹljƃɽʍɨljǁ ƃɨlj ɥljɨɰɁȶƃȢ ƃƺƺɁʍȶɽɰ Ɂǹ ɽȃlj ljʯɥljɨȈljȶƺlj ʥɁɨȟȈȶǼ ɽɁ ɨljɰƺʍlj ƃȶǁ ɨljƺɁʤljɨ ʤȈƺɽȈȴɰ ƃɽ {ɨɁʍȶǁ ŹljɨɁ ǹɨɁȴ ǹɁɨȴljɨ ˎ ɨljˎ Ǽȃɽljɨɰӗ °Ɂlj ¸ʍǁʥȈǼ ƃȶǁ Čɽljʤlj ěȃɁȴɰɁȶӝ Žȶ ƃǁǁȈɽȈɁȶӗ ƃǁʤljɨɽȈɰljɨɰ ȃƃʤlj ɰɥɁȶɰɁɨljǁ ȃȈǼȃȢȈǼȃɽɰ Ɂǹ ƃɨljƃ ˎ ɨlj ƃȶǁ Ȣƃʥ ljȶǹɁɨƺljȴljȶɽ ɥljɨɰɁȶȶljȢ ɽɁ ȃɁȶɁɨ ɽȃlj ƹɨƃʤlj ˎ ɨɰɽ ɨljɰɥɁȶǁljɨɰ ʥȃɁ ƃȶɰʥljɨ ɽȃlj ƺƃȢȢ ljʤljɨʰ ǁƃʰӝ yȈȶƃȢȢʰӗ ʥlj ƃɰȟljǁӖ ʥȃljɨlj ʥljɨlj you when ...? The memories are both different and profoundly similar. Žǹ ɽȃljɨlj Ȉɰ Ɂȶlj ɽȃȈȶǼ ʥlj ƺƃȶ ƃȢȢ ƃǼɨljlj Ɂȶӗ ʥlj ǁɁ ȶɁɽ ӵ ƺƃȶȶɁɽ ӵ ǹɁɨǼljɽӝ

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Where were you ʥȃljȶ ʰɁʍ ȃljƃɨǁ ӘӞ

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MYSTORY

A BRIGHT LIGHT LOST BY MARK SPEZIA PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE BENNETT FAMILY AND FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

unique personality and skill set. He reveled in serving as a tour guide for visitors from his home state. “New York fit Eric to a tee, because the city is always going,” says his mother, Betty. “That was Eric – always going.” Bennett indeed embraced the bustle of New York’s boroughs and was happily navigating through it while commuting to work under blue skies on the picturesque, sunny morning of September 11, 2001. Arriving at his office to a typical Tuesday schedule, Bennett began conducting a sales meeting some time before 8:30am. There was no way of knowing it was the day that would forever change America. As Bennett led the meeting, hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 with 81 passengers and 11 crew mem bers aboard was flying at a shockingly low altitude, heading straight for the World Trade Center. At roughly 8:46, Bennett and his colleagues were jolted by the violent impact of the plane striking the north tower not far below them between the 93rd and 99th floors. Remaining calm, Bennett called the company’s main headquarters in Boston to report what happened. Minutes later, a second hijacked airliner struck the south tower. During the next 90 min utes, another plane was flown into The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., a fourth was hijacked over Ohio before crash ing into a Pennsylvania field and both World Trade Center towers collapsed. The worst terrorist attacks on Amer ican soil claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Bennett ’s family and friends were in disbelief. “As soon as I heard about the first plane flying into the tower, I knew Eric was there,” Betty recalls.

was building with Alliance Consulting Group on the north tower’s 102nd floor. As the summer of 2001 drew to a close and his 30th birthday approached, the affable, outgoing and ambitious Bennett had been living in the Big Ap ple for nearly six years and had already risen to the rank of vice president. That was only his most recent accomplishment. Growing up, Bennett found success in many sports, lettering in football, track and wrestling at Kearsley and exhibit ing unmistakable leadership skills from an early age. Despite a lanky, 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, he walked onto the football team at NCAA Division 2 Ferris State University, eventually becoming the Bulldogs’ starting center and earning hon orable mention all-conference honors. Not long after graduating, Bennett arrived in New York and soon realized the city was a perfect match for his

oz / stock.adobe.com

E ric Bennett never tired of taking in the view of New York from the balcony of his brownstone in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood. There, he was at peace. Most days, the Flint Kearsley gradu ate could clearly see the World Trade Center’s twin towers, a little more than four miles away in Lower Manhat tan, while reflecting on the career he

We Remember

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“Eric was very driven, intelligent and outgoing his entire life,” Betty says. “The one thing I don’t want people to forget about Eric is that he was a spe cial person. I feel that he gave his life for his country, though not by choice.” Clinging to hope in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the Ben netts drove to New York in search of answers. They met with some of the many people who knew Eric along with representatives from Alliance Consulting. The company paid lodg ing costs for loved ones of missing employees who traveled to the city and provided grief counselors. “They also hired a car to take us to the hospitals so we could be assured that Eric wasn’t one of the John Does being treated there and, unfortunately, he wasn’t,” Betty recalls. “When we met people in New York after 9/11, everyone talked about how Eric’s smile would brighten any room.” The Bennetts also put up posters with Eric’s photo and listing his tat too of a bulldog, Ferris State’s mascot, which also featured a dog tag that read 58, Eric’s jersey number.The posters also noted stretch marks on his upper body, the result of Bennett dropping from a muscular 255 pounds to 180 following the end of his college football career. Unfortunately, the Bennetts re turned to Michigan without most of the answers they were seeking; but, along with daughter Kim, put to gether a video of Eric’s life which was shown at a gathering of more than 400 people at Kearsley High School on October 14. Many honored Eric by wearing the same tattoo as his. p

Doug Arnold, the quarterback Ben nett snapped the ball to and protected at Ferris State, also knew as did then Ferris football coach Jeff Pierce, who was defensive coordinator when Bennett played there, and Pierce’s wife, Suzie. All four repeatedly called Bennett’s cell phone. Arnold’s wife eventually learned from someone at Alliance’s headquarters that Bennett had left a voicemail message stating he was safe and attempting to evacuate the building.

Meanwhile, Terry Bennett, Eric’s father, raced home from his job at a General Motors plant, learning of the north tower’s collapse from radio news reports while driving. Tragically, Eric was not heard from again. He is the only Flint-area victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The passage of two decades has done little to lessen the Bennetts’ pain of senselessly losing the bright light they are proud to call their son.

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“E ric was a great person who had really moved up in the business world because of his hardwork ing approach,” Jeff Pierce said in a state ment released by Ferris State following the attacks. “Eric was a part of our Bull dog family.When something like this happens, it really hits close to home for a lot of people. Sometimes it doesn’t sink in until you realize how many people have been affected by a situation like this.” While humbled by the outpouring of support, the Bennetts were left won dering if they would ever find answers or experience any kind of closure. Roughly five months after return ing from New York, they finally did.

BENNETT (RIGHT) WAS AN ALL-CONFERENCE PLAYER AT FERRIS STATE

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“It makes me feel that Eric is always with me,” she says. “It’s peaceful.” Reflecting on the full life Eric lived during his 29 years also brings the Bennetts some peace. “Eric was a very busy, loving child and also very protective of Kim,” Betty recalls. “From a young age, Eric played a lot of sports. In elementary school, he bowled and was always outside playing baseball, basketball or riding his bike “ In addition to the sports he earned varsity letters in, Bennett played

basketball and baseball for some sea sons in middle school and high school. He spent many summers on little league baseball diamonds. The gridiron, however, is where Bennett excelled the most. At the time, Kearsley was coached by the legendary Jack Pratt, who racked up a Flint-area record 304 wins with the Hornets, Grand Blanc and Powers Catholic. Recognizing Bennett’s leader ship ability, Pratt selected him to serve as co-captain of the 1988 Kearsley squad

Terry and Betty were notified that some of Eric’s remains had been found. Eventually, Betty opted to have Life Gem, a Chicago-based company, create two diamonds from carbon extracted from Eric’s ashes. One is contained in a pendant his sister had made and the other is set in a ring Betty wears daily.

We Remember

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“The one thing I don’t want people to forget about Eric is that he was a special person. I feel that he gave his life for his country, though not by choice.” Betty Bennett

Intercollegiate Football Conference championship and finished 10-3. He was one of seven Ferris players who earned all-conference recognition that season. In the spring of 1993, Terry and Betty watched their son graduate from Ferris with a computer information systems degree. On the 10th anniversary of the at tacks, Marty Parshall, one of Bennett ’s Ferris teammates, posted a heartfelt message in the memories section of his obituary on Legacy.com. “Eric Lee Bennett was my best friend at Ferris State and for many years after,” Parshall wrote. “Eric is someone I try my best to live my life by. Eric always had a great time, always had the biggest smile on his face and could make you laugh until you absolutely cried! He was the best friend anyone could have and will never, ever be forgotten! He was in my wedding and was the life of the party, as always!” While pursuing his goals, Bennett still found time for travelling, another passion. He experienced Brazil, Puerto Rico, Rome, London and Paris, among other places. In 2011, Betty, Terry and 16 other family members returned to New York for the dedication of a 9/11 memorial at the World Trade Center site. Betty and several close friends attended the dedication of the museum there in the spring of 2014.

“Terry could not bring himself to go,” she says. Eric’s legacy has also been preserved by Ferris State and Kearsley.The Eric Bennett Memorial Award is presented annually to the Bulldogs’ top offensive linemen while The Eric Bennett Memo rial Scholarship is offered by Kearsley. The school also dedicated a memorial to Bennett a year after his death. Betty said she and Terry plan to mark the 20th anniversary of Eric’s passing with a “very quiet day”which will likely include time with Kim, their son-in-law and two grandchildren who, sadly, will not get to know their uncle in the way others did. Betty last saw her son when he re turned home for a Christmas visit in 2000, but the two shared a meaningful phone conversation the day before he died. “I am very thankful for that,” she says. “When anyone asks what we miss most about Eric, the answer is ‘everything’.” x

which captured the Big Nine Conference championship, earned the program’s first ever playoff berth and finished 8-2. Betty watched every game from the bleachers while Terry treasured his closer view of Eric’s exploits as a member of the yardage chain crew during home games. Their attendance at Eric’s games did not waver when he began suiting up for Ferris, more than two hours away. Some of his road games required an even farther drive. “Football was Eric’s passion and he worked so hard to earn his spot on the Ferris team,” Betty says. “Terry and I were at all of his sporting events. Dur ing his senior-year banquet at Ferris, he said it meant the world to him to know that he could always look up in the stands and know we were there. We still miss going to his games and all the good people we met.” Bennett, whose playing time gradu ally increased as he became stronger and proved himself, started his final two seasons with the Bulldogs. As a senior, four years after helping Kearsley to its first playoff appearance, he did the same for Ferris as the team qualified for the Division 2 postseason, won the Midwest

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