Close call with Mother Nature

This past weekend, while venturing out to the Waterloo Farm Museum in Jackson County, my photographer and I had a little adventure of our own. Neither one of us checked the forecast for Jackson County before driving over an hour from Dearborn Heights to attend the event Sunday.
However, the closer we got to the museum, the darker the sky became. It was apparent we were heading into a pretty bad storm.

Being the fearless reporting team that we are (actually this was the first time I brought my friend Ian along to take photos with me), we decided we weren't going to leave without our story. It was the second time in two days that I had been out to Waterloo.

Within minutes of our arrival, however, Mother Nature had other plans. The skies opened up almost immediately and rain poured down on everyone visiting the museum. Those of us who were lucky enough to seek shelter until the storm passed, spent our time watching a local blacksmith forge a metal eating utensil in his shop.

After about 20 minutes to a half hour in the blacksmith shop, the rain had calmed to a light drizzle and we thought we were in the clear. That was not the case.

All of a sudden, a woman dressed in period clothing rushed into the blacksmith shop and told all of the museum's visitors that we were under a tornado warning. We were all ushered into the cellar of the old farmhouse.

While some young children and families seemed a bit concerned, Ian and I spent our time talking with the locals and chowing on Root Beer barrels (of which Ian seemed to have an endless supply of).

Luckily after about 15 minutes, someone decided that the tornado warning must have been a false alarm, and all of the visitors were ushered out quietly to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

To read more about the Blacksmiths, Soldiers and Log Cabins event at the Waterloo Farm Museum, visit www.chelseastandard.com.

Gentz a true hero

Last week, I had the honor of covering Air Force 1st Lt. Joel Gentz’s funeral at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Chelsea. I say “honor” because it was truly a humbling experience to see how many people Mr. Gentz touched in his short life.

Driving through Chelsea on the way to the church, I was struck by the many signs that read “In memory of Joel Gentz. Thank you for your service,” or “God bless Joel Gentz and his family.” I was also struck by the number of Chelsea residents who took time out of their busy mornings to stand on the side of the street and wave American flags as the funeral procession drove by. It was truly a sight to behold. A stranger walking by might have thought the President of the United States was coming through Chelsea.

I hope the Gentz family took comfort knowing how much their son meant to so many people.

As I sat quietly in the back of the church, careful not to disturb any of the Gentz family and friends, I listened to how this young lieutenant selflessly put others before himself time and time again. I listened to how fellow Air Force officers (and even a colonel) looked up to him. One lieutenant talked about how some cadets jokingly considered Joel a “superhero” or a secret Pentagon robot. His comrades did their best at his funeral to paint a picture that Joel was just a regular guy with a huge heart and an incredible knack for helping others.

Though I never met the man, story after story I heard from friends, teachers and fellow servicemen painted a truly remarkable picture of someone I have always aspired to become.
Gentz’s kindness, humility, courage and determination embodies qualities we should all possess. And though I do not know Mr. Gentz, I am thankful for what he did in his life to make the lives of those around him more meaningful.

In that instance, maybe Joel Gentz was a superhero.

During the height of Hollywood actor Christopher Reeve’s fame as “Superman” during the 1970s and ’80s, someone asked him if he considers himself to be a hero, to which Reeve replied, “no.” Years later, after becoming paralyzed in a horse riding accident, he was asked the same question again. This time he replied, “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

Joel Gentz graduated with honors from Purdue University majoring in aeronautical and aerospace engineering. I can’t even begin to wrap my head around how challenging that must have been (I couldn't even get past college algebra the first time). He then moved on to and worked his way through the Air Force Combat Rescue Officer program, another daunting task. And every time he was faced with a challenge, he would just smile a coy smile and say, ‘Bring it on’ (according to his karate instructor Mike Poxson).

The very mission statement of the USAF Combat Rescue Officer program, "That others may live," defines what a hero is.

That makes Joel Gentz a hero to all of us.

I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to have to make the level of sacrifices military families do. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to lose a sibling, a son or a daughter. I do know that all of us owe a tremendous amount of debt to our military families and servicemen and women –– one that may never be fully repaid.

As a small token of our appreciation for all servicemen and women, Heritage Newspapers has launched an online blog, http://greetingthetroops.blogspot.com, where readers can leave messages of thanks for members of the military serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, overseas and across the country. The blog can also be accessed through the Chelsea Standard and Dexter Leader’s blog, http://chelseanewsroom.blogspot.com.

To the Gentz family and all military families, thank you for the sacrifices you make to keep the rest of us safe.God bless Joel Gentz.

New poll results are in!

When do you start getting interested in the Primary Election?
Never: 36 percent
July, closer to the election: 23 percent
Just days prior to the election: 21 percent
After petitions have been filed: 21 percent

What qualities do you look for in a political leader?
Independent thinker: 55 percent
Rapport with 'regular folks': 17 percent
Experience: 17 percent
Agent of change: 10 percent

How did you spend Memorial Day?
Did nothing in particular: 51 percent
Attended community Memorial Day events: 21 percent
Attended a family picnic: 20 percent
Spent time at the pool or lake: 7 percent

What do you do about child care in the summer?
Family members: 40 percent
Summer camps: 32 percent
Daycare facility: 20 percent
Babysitters: 8 percent

What do you really do when there's a tornado warning?
Cautiously wait and see: 49 percent
Take cover in the basement: 31 percent
Ignore it: 11 percent
Take cover in a room without windows: 8 percent

Sounds and Sights begins tonight

The following is the entertainment lineup for tonight's Sounds and Sights event in Chelsea:

North Creek Fiddlers at the Clocktower Gazebo (backside of the Clocktower)

Afternoon Round at the Sylvan Courtyard (Main St. b/w Middle & Jackson)

Motor City Outlaws at Total Fitness Parking Lot (Middle St. west of Main St.)

A2 Magic at the Clocktower Lot (Main St. b/w Jackson & North St.)

Comedy Showcase at the Chelsea Library (Main St. & South St.)

Balloon Emporium at the Courthouse (Main St. & South St.)

Manolete at Winan's Alley (Main St. b/w Middle & South St.)

Small Town Son at East Middle (Middle St. east of Main St.

The Bluecasters at South St. Tent (just off Main St.)

Open Mike at the Glazier Building(Northside of the Railroad on Main St.)

Scouts to hold rummage sale in Dexter

Dexter Boy Scout Troop 477 will host their 40th annual rummage sale at Creekside Intermediate School on Baker Road from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 25, and 8 a.m. to noon June 26.

Pictured are scouts John-Henry and Paul Keenan with a few of the thousands of items that will be for sale in the gym, cafeteria, hallways and front lawn of the school.

Books, games, kitchen and household items, lamps, microwaves, cameras, tools, beds, bikes, lawn and garden items, musical instruments, televisions, toys, furniture and carpeting will all be on sale.

Just got back from seeing Club Morocco

It's going to take a little while to put into words just how great my experience seeing The Encore Musical Theatre's Club Morocco was, but for now I'll just say that I use the word "experience" not by accident.

My tickets were initially booked for the 3 p.m. matinee earlier today, but that show was cancelled. When I first heard that news I was very disheartened, but I was relieved upon arriving for tonight's 8 p.m. show to a nearly full house.

The folks at the Encore are obviously on a mission: to do something new and bring audiences into the worlds they create on stage like never before. Hopefully the public recognizes the difference between established shows like Oklahoma and Jesus Christ Superstar and innovative productions like Spelling Bee and Club Morocco. Both have their place, but the success of the latter will ultimately prove the success the Encore.