Saturday, December 2, 2023

 Jared Evan McCarron

Fowlerville, Michigan

Jared Evan McCarron, 19, passed away November 25, 2023. He was born on September 19, 2004, in Commerce Township to Kevin McCarron and Pamela (Little) McCarron.

Jared was a great kid who always worked hard and loved tools and anything with a motor from the time he was little. He had a vast love and knowledge for vehicles and could talk for hours about them with anyone who wanted to listen or learn from him. He mowed lawns and power washed houses in his neighborhood from an early age. He was a saver, but would spend a little on things he loved like dirt-bikes, his truck and tools.

Jared had a soft smile and a quiet way about him. He was easy going, generous and always willing to help out. We are eternally grateful and blessed for the short time we were given with him. Jared will forever be loved and missed by all who knew him.

Jared will be greatly missed by his Parents, Kevin and Pam McCarron; Siblings, Cameron and Addison McCarron; Grandmothers, Jeanine McCarron and Sharon Little; Aunts and Uncles, Lara McCarron, Kari (Jesse) McCarron-Leifert, Lisa (Shawn) Coristine, and Bryan Little; Cousins, Dylan, Josh, Penn, Oscar, Max; along with many other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his Grandfathers, Charles McCarron and Clarence “Chris” Little.

Jared’s family and friends gathered for visitation on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 4:00-7:00pm at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Howell Memorial Chapel.

Family and friends were also gathering at 10:00am for visitation, with a community farewell directly following at 11:00am on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Howell Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions can be given to the family for future designation. Please leave a message of comfort for Jared’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.

 Judith Ann LaFleur

Fowlerville, Michigan

Her Legacy… Judith Ann LaFleur, 79, passed away November 27, 2023. She was born on January 22, 1944, in Wyandotte, Michigan to Stanley and Mary Catherine (Konczal) Urbanski. Judie met John LaFleur on a double date, fell in love and married John on June 4, 1966, in Wyandotte, Michigan. She will be remembered as a wonderful, caring woman that loved to serve her church at every opportunity she was given. Judie was in service to her savior by teaching religious education classes to 1st and 4th graders, serving funeral lunches and even hand painting the church nativity set to make it ready for the holiday. Judie had a heart for helping with the Knights of Columbus alongside her husband, coming up with crafts and ideas for holiday decorating. Judie loved cats and could often be found working in her garden.

Family… Judie will be deeply missed by her husband John LaFleur; her son, Zachary LaFleur; cousins, Dorene (Anthony) Widenman, Mary Jo Wald, James Karp, Dennis Konczal, Paul Konczal, Peggy Hartwell, Stanley Bozynscki; and her church family and friends at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville. She is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Mary Catherine Urbanski, her brother, James Urbanski; sister, Patricia Duchaine; cousins, Dorothy Karp, Joseph (Janet) Grande.

Her Farewell… Judie’s family and friends will gather for a visitation from 1:00-5:00pm with a Rosary Service at 4:00PM, on Monday, December 4, 2023 at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Howell Memorial Chapel in Howell, Michigan. Her family will gather for Visitation at 10:00am on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at St. Agnes Church in Fowlerville until the time of her Funeral Mass at 11:00am.

Judie will be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fowlerville directly following her service. Father Nathaniel Sokol will serve as Celebrant.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Agnes Church of Fowlerville or Knights of Columbus #8605. Please leave a message of comfort for Judie’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign her guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.

 Elaine Catherine Morse

Elaine Catherine Morse, age 89, of Williamston, passed away peacefully in the early morning of November 20, 2023. She was born in Williamston on June 23, 1934, the eldest child of John and Marie (Anderson) Morse. Elaine was a proud graduate of Williamston High School and later in life was a member of the 50+ WHS reunion committee.

Elaine worked for many years at J.W. Knapp Company in downtown Lansing. When Knapp’s closed, she went on to work in the Williamston school system. Elaine was a generous and caring person, always putting others before herself. She loved animals and had many fur babies over the years. Her pets Bambam, Lucky, Benji, Toto, and Baby were each special and gave her as much love as she gave them. Elaine will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Marie Morse, brother-in-law James Foy, and nephew Jack Morse. Elaine is survived by her sister Joan (Bob) Bement, brother Jerry (Kathy) Morse, nieces and nephews Jeff (Judy) Foy, Becky (Jo) Foy, John Foy, Angie (Rob) Kenney, Darrin (Jen) Barclay, Josh (Katie) Curtis, and several great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Herrmann Funeral Home, 1005 E. Grand River Ave., Fowlerville 48836. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Contributions may be directed to the Capital Area Humane Society in Elaine’s name. Arrangements entrusted to Herrmann Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at pjherrmannfuneralhome.com.

Webberville Community Schools Holiday Events

Toys for Locals Drive

November 29- December 15, 2023

The Webberville High School Student Council is sponsoring a toy collection to help support the Toys for Locals drive program. Donations should be dropped off in the box outside of the secondary front office. The Student Council members will be donating all the toys to local families on December 18, 2023. Please Contact Tanja Scifers at Tscifers@webbervilleschools.org for more information.

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Stuff the Bus-

December 9, 2023

Please help the Webberville Student Council, National Honor Society, and Dean Transportation staff by supporting the annual STUFF THE BUS event on December 09, 2023, at our local tree lighting ceremony. The bus will be in the parking lot across from the tree lighting ceremony. We are requesting non-perishable food items, diapers, wipes, toiletries, new toys, and monetary donations for the local food bank. Everything you give will help families in our community. Together we can all help make a difference this holiday season! Please Contact Tanja Scifers at Tscifers@webbervilleschools.org for more information.

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The Giving Tree Project

Every year, the food bank and our staff provide a list of local children who are in need. The Student Council members then create tags for our "giving tree." Staff members can select a tag from the tree or our online Amazon wish list and purchase the items for the children. Once all the items have been purchased, the Student Council members work together packaging the items in gift boxes and preparing for the families to pick them up. If you would like to help with this project, the Student Council needs the following items: Stocking Stuffers, tissue paper, gift boxes, tape, gift tags and wrapping paper. Please Contact Tanja Scifers at Tscifers@webbervilleschools.org for more information.

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Operation Christmas Cheer

Our Journalism students usually collect card donations this time of year. Students sign and decorate the cards, and then the Journalism class distributes them to the medical care facilities in the area. We are very grateful to the students, staff, and the community for your generous donations throughout the years. This year, we are happy to say that we’ve already received enough card donations to go out this holiday season, and we are not in need of any more at this time, but we are collecting postage stamps to give to some of these families to mail out a Christmas card to their loved ones. Please Contact Suzanne Cloudman at Scloudman@webbervilleschools.org for more information. 

 Downtown Williamston to hold Annual Ladies’ Night Out on Thursday, Dec. 7th

The Downtown Williamston businesses are presenting the 11th Annual Ladies’ Night Out! On Thursday, Dec. 7th from 5:00 - 8:00pm.

Enjoy an evening of fun in downtown Williamston. Great discounts will be offered throughout downtown so get your girlfriends & family together and shop ~ eat ~ drink and be merry in Williamston!

Come out and support the small businesses of Williamston – your support makes this holiday season better for each of them. Please be sure to stop by each of these businesses and look for MORE businesses participating as you stroll through downtown. Make a night of it with dinner & drinks as well.

Check out our facebook page for Ladies’ Night Out deals. www.facebook.com/ladiesnightoutwilliamston

The Studio Shop, Fireworks Glass Studio, The Hive, Tavern 109, The Botany Boutique (*Guest ~ Just Ware It! Jewelry, Ann’s Cookie Jar & Lovebug Boutique & Co), Williamston Pub & Grill, Zynda’s. Keller’s Plaza ~ Upstairs (The Artist Alcove, Michigan Lighthouse Gallery, Sweet Creations Chocolate, Grey Moose – Downstairs Kellers Plaza, Biggby Coffee, True Value Hardware. Wendy Shaft – Limner Press, Williamston Wellness, Old Nation Brewery, Rustic Haven Salon, Barrett’s Books…and more.

For more details go to the events facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ladiesnightoutwilliamston/

For more information or questions, please contact karin@estateplanningandpreservation.com

 15th annual ‘Matching Money Monday’ taking place this Monday, Dec. 4th

Livingston County United Way is pleased to announce the 15th annual ‘Matching Money Monday’ event taking place this Monday, Dec. 4.

‘Matching Money Monday’ (MMM) is a one-day challenge to the community to support local families with services for their most basic needs. This is done through big-hearted sponsoring partners who match local individuals’ generosity.

“This year community partners have stepped up in a big way – we have nearly $300,000 available for the community to match!” noted Patricia Sliter, Livingston County United Way Executive Director. “We’re asking the community to step up to this tremendous challenge, to help make the greatest impact for our friends and family in this upcoming year.”

As always with MMM, 100% of the proceeds from this event will be invested into critical basic need programs.

Some examples of the impact made from last year’s event include:

     · 1,558 people were able to get dental care, which is a key                     component in improving overall health;

     · 4,000+ calls and website visits to the 2-1-1 hotline from local             residents, connecting people with area services in times of crisis;

     · 301 households avoided eviction by taking advantage of legal             help and support provided by the Homeless Continuum of Care;

     · 354 families were supported by maintaining housing stability             through rent and utility assistance;

     · 4,583 families received parenting education, creating a better             life for thousands of children;

     · 51 homeless students were able to participate in tutoring and               graduation, sports programs, and field trips;

     · 535,753 lbs of fresh produce was distributed through senior               centers and the food pantry network;

     · 8,079 meals were served to children through the Summer Lunch         Bunch program

There are many ways to donate on Monday, December 4: Call 810-494-3000, online @ lcunitedway.org; stop by the Livingston County United Way office (2980 Dorr Road, Brighton) from 7 am-7pm, or visit any of these locations during their regular business hours:

     Brighton – Cooper & Binkley Jewelers, 105 W. Main Street

     Fowlerville – Katie Pikkarainen State Farm, 215 E. Grand River

     Hamburg/Lakeland – Hungry Howies, 4640 M-36

     Hartland – Hartland Insurance Agency, 2532 Old US 23

     Howell – Bank of Ann Arbor, 101 E Grand River

Pinckney – Mike Szafranski State Farm, 120 Livingston St.

Proud sponsors for this year’s event include: Diamond Sponsor - Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation; Platinum Sponsors – Citizens/Hanover Insurance, Asahi Kasei Plastics; Gold Sponsors – Rex Apiary, Anonymous; Silver Sponsors – GM Proving Ground, Livingston County United Way Past and Present Board Members; Bronze – Hartland Insurance, Katie Pikkarainen State Farm, Wilson Marine, Howell Rotary, Bob Maxey Ford and WHMI 93.5.

For more information about Matching Money Monday, Livingston County United Way or the funded programs and initiatives served, visit www.lcunitedway.org or call 810-494-3000.

 Livingston County Planning Dept. begins work on 2025 Master Plan

Work is underway on a 2025 Master Plan for Livingston County. The Planning Department is proud to announce their intention to create a new plan to help guide the development of the community.

A master plan is a policy document that sets a vision for the development of a community through best practices or recommendations for land uses, zoning, transportation, and other areas that help enhance quality of life for that community’s residents. Public participation and collaboration with townships, villages, and cities within the area will help the Planning Department prepare an impactful guide.

Residents can already start taking part in the planning process by answering a two-question survey found on the County’s website at https://milivcounty.gov/planning/livingston-county-2025-master-plan/. Tell us what you want to see added to the 2025 Master Plan and help us plan for the future.