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Community Life
Mary Rodrique, Editor 248-477-5450
INSIDE: Ask Bristol, B3
Page 1, Section
Thursday, July 23, 1998
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on the web: http://observer-eccentric.com
CHAT ROOM
Today’s YMCA gets with the program
s A Farmington Hills businessman is at the helm as the metro Detroit YMCA prepares to stay vital into the new millennium.
As in his professional life as president and CEO of Barton Malow, Ben Maibach III, chairman of the board of the YMCA of Metro Detroit, has a master plan for that organization, but he’s keeping the particulars under wraps. “I do have ideas, but I’m using discretion putting together a strategic plan,” said Maibach during an interview in his Southfield office in the American Center Building. Barton Malow, one of the biggest construction contractors in the country, generated $750 million worth of business in more than 20 states last year. Its imprint locally is everywhere from the Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit to Royal Oak’s William Beaumont Hospital. One gets the impression that big things are also in store for the metro YMCA during Maibach’s tenure as board chairman, a two-year commitment he assumed last April. “ ‘Strong kids, strong families, and strong communities,’ That’s the motto of the YMCA,’’ said Maibach, a Redford native and 20-year-resident of Farmington Hills. A member of the YMCA Board of Trustees for 15 years and various executive committees the last half dozen years, Maibach has been a YMCA member for the past quarter century. He still plays racquetball weekly at the Farmington YMCA, often with
Elizabeth Smith & Dad
Preemie baby seminar aims to help parents
I
know from experience that becoming the parent of a very premature baby is a far cry from the romantic view of parenthood that most people have in their pre-baby years. I know it. So do all other preemie parents, including those who will attend Saturday’s first annual “Empowering Parents of Premature Infants: A Conference for Parents and Professionals” at the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit. The conference, co-organized by Birmingham-based The Alexis Foundation for Premature Infants and Children and the Preemie-L Internet forum, will help parents discover what resources are out there to help them during and after the experience of watching their preemie baby fight for life in hospital neonatal intensive care units. (There remains space for those who want to attend the 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. conference; The cost is $50 per parent.) “Parents of preemies are everywhere,” said Elaine Sayers, a Birmingham resident who founded The Alexis Foundation after the death of her preemie daughter, Alexis. And, parents everywhere need whatever information and advice they Please See CHAT ROOM, B2
Match: YMCA board chairman Ben Maibach III hits the ball as opponent Kevin Bush, executive director of the local branch, looks on in the Farmington YMCA racquetball courts. The two have an ongoing friendly competition.
Kevin Bush, executive director of the branch on Farmington Road north of 12 Mile. And Maibach likes the Wellness Center there. “When I first got on the board, I got insight on what was going on at that time. The “Y” is 145 years old nationally, and always has been fairly strong in Kevin Bush, executive director of the Farmington YMCA, diplomatically says “we’re about even,” when asked who dominates on the racquetball court, he or Ben Maibach III, chairman of the board of the Metro Detroit YMCA. The two square off regularly in the Detroit. In the past few years, a lot of positive things have happened. “Many people still equate the “Y” to swimming and athletics. It’s so much more now. Our programs have expanded for youth, teens, and in the daycare area. It’s really a community driven organization.” Farmington ‘Y’ branch on Farmington Rd. north of Twelve Mile. “We’re both trying to shed a few pounds and get that bounce back,” Bush says. “(Maibach) competes to do a good job. “He’s an individual I respect because of his commitment to volunteer work The Metro Detroit YMCA is growing. This past year, two independent operations, the North Oakland (Rochester) and the Mt. Clemens branches, joined the metro group. “Independents don’t have the Please See YMCA, B2 with the ‘Y’ and other groups. And he is a gentleman, a person who leads his life according to the core values of the ‘Y’ – caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We’re pleased to have him.” Bush has been with the YMCA for Please See ‘Y’, B2
Farmington ‘Y’ branches out in the community
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The Observer & Eccentric/ THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1998
Chat room
from page B1
intensive care units. Visitors will be infrequent and few, partly because it is such a physical impossibility to cram relatives in rooms filled with incubators and other life-sustaining equipment. There are some stuffed animals. But they have to share space with tubes and monitors. On top of all that is the shock of having a baby many weeks ahead of schedule. Parents of preemies find themselves unexpectedly thrown into the NICU maze. But, for baby’s sake, they can’t recoil. Instead, they have to stand up, brush away the fears and worries and adjust. They have to take notes, listen to doctors and nurses, learn the medical jargon and be there for their child. Parents who log countless hours next to NICU cribs and isolettes improve the odds that their preemie children will become healthy enough to come home to that too-long-empty nursery. But becoming informed is another avenue toward achieving that goal. That is why there never can be enough workshops, seminars and conferences about a delicate subject that many people just don’t know much about. Saturday’s Cobo conference is only the start as far as Sayers is concerned. “We’re already planning for next year,” she said. Elizabeth Smith’s dad is a reporter for the Farmington Observer.
YMCA
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resources we do,” said Maibach, adding that the metro consortium now includes 18 operations in three counties: Oakland, Macomb and Wayne. The old downtown Detroit YMCA building brought the organization $5 million in a sale to make way for the new Tiger Stadium. A new building will be erected somewhere downtown. “We will be working with (Detroit) Mayor Dennis Archer and (Wayne) County Executive Ed McNamara once the casino issue is settled,” Maibach said. The YMCA board of directors doesn’t want to be neighbors with a gambling institution, he said. “We grossed $21.2 million last year in revenues,” Maibach added. “We’ve seen good growth, and there will be more with expansion of programs. Things are going very well for the “Y.” We have bridged the transition from multiple issues to one key issue. It’s truly a community-driven organization.” What started out as the Young Men’s Christian Association was primarily known for providing hotels for transient young men in stately downtown buildings across America during the 1920s and 1930s. The YMCA has metamorphosed into an active force of community life in the 1990s, emphasizing activities for men, women and children in every age group. Many programs are offered off-site. The YMCA works with many agencies, such as the Police Athletic League and community parks and recreation departments. “We have strong behind-thescenes partnerships. Our mission is different today than it was years ago when we had the large residential facilities which would be costly to run. Today we serve our communities better. We are now in a position to move strongly forward.” In a joint effort with Chrysler Corp., a new YMCA building will be constructed in Rochester this year. The city of Milford also has plans to build a YMCA facility soon. Overseeing Barton-Malow construction projects in fields as varied as automotive, health care, sports and education requires a great deal of forethought and planning. Maibach brings that same dedication to his service to the YMCA board. “It’s hard to switch gears and not be yourself,” he said. In addition to the YMCA, Maibach is a director of the American Red Cross and a trustee of New Detroit, Inc. The father of Ryan, 24, a BartonMalow project engineer, Maibach has received awards from the Boy Scouts of America, the Engineering Society of Detroit, and an honorary doctorate of engineering from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. The Farmington YMCA has monthly memberships ranging from $30 to $60. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10. to 6. Sunday. Call 553-4020.
can get. “Hopefully, this is to bring parents and professionals together to discover different ways to support parents,” Sayers said. “Both in and out of the NICU.” Most, if not all, parents of premature babies have no idea what to look for or what to expect after learning their child is about to be born many weeks earlier than expected, as was my daughter, Elizabeth, born at 25 weeks gestation and 1 lb., 14 oz. in November 1994. The unexpectedness and uncertainty of the preemie experience is one that is filled with anxiety, worry and even a little disappointment. “Wait a minute. I’m not ready for this,” parents of very premature babies often say. “Will my baby be disabled? Will my baby be able to survive such an early birth? What kind of a chance does my baby have for a normal life after such an abnormal beginning?” And, on top of that, parents find out they won’t be bringing a chubby cheeked baby home to the nursery. They also won’t be met with an onslaught of relatives eager to bring home gifts and good tidings, to welcome the newest addition of the family. What preemie parents do find out – if they are lucky – is their tiny child will spend weeks, maybe months, growing in a makeshift uterus in neonatal
Authors, advocates to address seminar
Following are some of the guest speakers during Saturday’s “Empowering Parents of Premature Infants: A Conference for Parents and Professionals.” s “A Different Journey: Reactions to a Premature Birth,” Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D.; Michael Hynan, Ph.D.; Mara Tesler Stein, Psy.D. s “Supporting and Empowering Parents of Prematures,” Helen Harrison, author; Becky Hatfield, advocate. s “A Kinder, Gentler Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” William G. Cvetnic, M.D.; Doug Derleth, M.D.; Read McCarty, President and CEO, Children’s Medical Ventures Inc. The conference is presented by Birmingham-based The Alexis Foundation, and Preemie-L, an Internet resource forum for parents. The program will take place from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Saturday at the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center. (Registration is from 9-9:30 a.m.) For more information, call Elaine Sayers at (248) 543-4169.
s ‘We grossed $21.2 million last year. We’ve seen good growth and there will be more with the expansion of programs.’ Ben Maibach III
—YMCA board chairman
‘Y’
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Church concert set for Sunday
Antioch Lutheran Church hosts a concert 7:30-9 p.m. Sunday, July 26. The church is on the northeast corner of Farmington Road and 13 Mile. A youth choir ministry from Cambridge Lutheran Church in Minnesota will be performing an upbeat concert including Christian contemporary music and drama. There will be about 60 high school students from different denominations coming together to put the show on. The concert’s theme this year is “In His Presence.” The concert will be geared for all ages. Everyone is welcome. The Cambridge Lutheran Church youth choir embarks on a yearly outreach program during summer and tours all over the country performing at every stop.
22 years. He, too, has seen the organization’s focus change over the years. “It has moved from the more traditional programming to reaching out to the community and delivering to where we are needed. Community needs include child care at church and school sites and working actively with other agencies. In Farmington we work with the middle school after-school program. “We’ve come to realize that none of us has all the resources separately, but collectively can make many contributions. We have reached out to become a partner in the community.”
Vacation Bible school set
Farmington Hills Baptist Church invites children ages 4 through junior high to Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The theme is “Passport to the Holy Land, Following Jesus Every Day.” The church is at 28301 Middlebelt, north of 12 Mile. For further information, call 851-0310.
The Observer & Eccentric/
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1998
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WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS
MCCARTHY-DONOVAN Jack and Catherine McCarthy of Farmington announce the engagement of their daughter, Buff Louise, to Thomas Donovan, son of Ed and Kay Donovan of Leesburg, Fla. (formerly of St. Clair Shores.) The bride-to-be is a graduate of Hillsdale College and the University of Michigan. She is a managed care specialist with Health Alliance Plan. Her fiance is a graduate of Michigan State University and DePaul University. He owns Music-Go-Round in the Novi Town Center. An October wedding is planned. ABODEELY-KOPISTIANSKY George and Dunia Abodeely of Farmington Hills announce the engagement of their daughter, Victoria, to Lev Kopistiansky, son of Victor and Olga (Kopistiansky) Kopin of Farmington Hills. An August wedding is planned in St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Livonia.
Amateur shooters can enter photos
The International Library of Photography will award $100,000 in prizes this year in the International Open Amateur Photography contest. Photographers from the Farmington area, particularly beginners, are welcome to try to win their share of 1,000 prizes. The deadline for the contest is Aug. 31. The contest is open to everyone, and there is no entry fee. “Any photographer, whether previously published or not, can be a winner,” said Jeffrey Bryan, contest director. “Photographers from the Farmington area have successfully competed in past competition.” Every photograph entered also has a chance to be published in full color. To enter, send one photograph in only one of the following categories: people, animals, nature, action, humor, portraiture, or other. The photo must be a color or black-and-white print (unmounted) no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches. All entries must include the photographer’s name and address on the back, as well as the category and the title of the photo. Photos cannot be returned. Photos should be sent to: The International Library of Photography, Suite 350-9001, 10043 Red Run Blvd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. Entries must be postmarked by Aug. 31. The International Library of Photography is an organization dedicated to bringing the work of amateur photographers to the public’s attention.
Campers: Carolyn Ketchum flanked by Farmington Hills campers Ben Jones (left) and Alex Jones (right) at the MDA Summer Camp.
You can be an MDA camp sponsor
For more than 40 years, the Muscular Dystrophy Association has built bridges and knocked down barriers for children with neuromuscular disease by providing an unforgettable summer camp experience. The camps provide local kids ages 6 to 21 with activities geared to their special needs. Last year, MDA sponsored 83 camp sessions for more than 4,000 kids at 72 camps in 41 states and Puerto Rico, including Camp Cavell in Lexington, Michigan. The camps are staffed by health professionals who volunteer their services. Each camper also has his own volunteer counselor, usually a high school or college student. Counselors often continue their friendship with campers. By becoming an MDA camp sponsor, your organization can provide a local youth with many special memories. The cost for sending one child to camp for a week is $400. Your involvement will also be saluted in the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon. For more information, contact the Muscular Dystrophy Association at 3300 East Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718.
RENAUD-HARRISON David and Mary Renaud of Farmington Hills announce the engagement of their daughter,
Rebecca Helen, to James Jay Harrison, son of Joan Harrison of Sandusky, Michigan and the late Dr. Philip Harrison. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Mercy High School and Siena Heights College with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology. She is employed as a 911/Police dispatcher for Ann Arbor Police. Her fiance is a graduate of Sandusky High School and Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is employed as a police officer for the Canton Township police department. A September wedding is planned in St. Mary of Redford Catholic Church.
Tips to curb pup’s chewing
How do you keep a puppy from chewing any human part it can reach? We have a 12week-old puppy that is drawing blood from chewing us with those sharp needle teeth. Yes, those needle teeth are awful. Marbles has given me a few battle wounds from his needle teeth. In trying to teach him not to grab or chew our hands or other body parts, we don’t use his name saying “no.” That’s because at this stage in life, this is the word they hear most. Think about how you would feel if you heard your name constantly being used with negative words like “no.” One of the things to avoid when playing with your pup is not to wave your hands in his face. That’s just asking him to grab. Have a toy in your hand when you are playing with him. If you run, or children are running, that is asking for a sharptooth grab. The trick is to play calmly and quietly. That way the pup doesn’t get overexcited. Marbles thinks sport shoes are the greatest. Those laces move when you’re walking and are irresistible. When Marbles grabs our shoelaces, I try to distract him. But sometimes he is undistractable. Then I pick him up and put him in a time-out room or crate. Make sure you never leave shoes out in puppy patrol sight. Also never give your pup an old shoe. Puppies cannot tell the difference between old and new shoes. Can you give some information on canine distemper? How does a dog get it and what are the symptoms? Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. It’s an airborne virus but it also can infect a dog through contact with an infected dog – raccoons can also have canine distemper – animal feces or urine. Symptoms are coughing, sneezing, nose and eye discharges, fever, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and seizures. The best way to prevent your puppy or adult dog from getting canine distemper is to have him vaccinated. This is the only effective control. Puppies can start the puppy series of vaccinations which include distemper as early as 6-weeks-old. Puppies receive the series three times every three weeks, followed by annual boosters for the rest of a dog’s life. Do not stop giving an older dog its annual boosters. It’s very important for all ages of dogs to receive these boosters. Bev Cornell is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and former veterinary aide. She can answer your questions in care of: Ask Bristol, Farmington Observer, 33411 Grand River, Farmington MI 48335.
Circle Aug. 1 for MD funfest
The 3rd annual Jana Newton Muscular Dystrophy Funfest is planned Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Motor City Harley Davidson on Grand River between Farmington and Drake roads. The event is from noon to 5 p.m. There will be food, games, contests, raffles, a dunk tank, moonwalk, and a remote radio broadcast from Oldies 104.3 WOMC. Everyone is invited to join the fight against muscular dystrophy and have fun at the same time.
NEW VOICES
FERGLE TWINS Don and Laura Fergle of Farmington Hills announce the birth of their twin sons, Matthew Albert (5 lbs. 4 oz) and Daniel James (4 lbs 4 oz), at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. The boys were born on May 14. Grandparents are Albert and Nancy Beni of Bloomfield Hills and Don and Evelyn Fergle of Grand Blanc.
New age artist set to play at Borders
New age pianist Kerri Sherwood will perform a free concert at Borders Books and Music Cafe in Farmington Hills on Thursday, July 30, from 8-10 p.m. Sherwood’s latest CD is “This Part of the Journey,” an instrumental work of solo piano recordings. Sherwood has four solo piano releases featuring contemporary, melodic, emotional music.