Lyle Dotson | A Soldier's Sacrifice

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Lyle Dotson of Jackson left high school to serve in the Army
during World War II. He is now devout member of the Pentecostal
Church of God with his wife, Etta.

As Vandercook Lake High School’s Class of 1943 prepared to graduate, Lyle Dotson decided to leave school without a diploma to serve his country in World War II.
“I went home that day and talked to my mother and father and asked, ‘Would you guys co-sign for me to go into the Army?’ ” Dotson said.
When his father asked why, he responded: “To get the war over with.”
Dotson, now an 84-year-old Jackson resident, said that within a month, he was in a train station in Detroit with 48 other soldiers.
Dotson’s unit was stationed in France when he received news the war was over. He spent the remainder of his three years overseas working in the cleanup detail.
“I enjoyed going in. I saw a lot of the country,” Dotson said.
Sixty-two years after Dotson left high school, he was offered a diploma from Vandercook Lake High School. There were 65 graduates, Dotson said, and he was the 66th.
At the graduation ceremony, several female students from Spring Arbor University spelled out his name on white T-shirts.
“I got a standing ovation, and I felt real proud,” Dotson said. “But I had to leave the stadium and go around back because I cried. I felt like the king of the rock.”

HIgh School Baseball Player of the Year

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Nick Borrego of East Jackson is the high school baseball
player of the year. He will continue is career at Jackson Community College in the fall.

Freestyle.

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Lindsay Rasmussen, 13, above, and Alexander Dunning, 13, both of Jackson,
swim the 400 freestyle for the Jackson County Aquatic Club during the Rose City Swim
Invitational Sunday morning at the Ella Sharp Park pool in Jackson.

Emma Grace, 11, top center, starts laughing with her teammates from
the Jackson County Aquatic Club Sunday afternoon while relaxing
under the team tent during the Rose City Swim Invitational at
the Ella Sharp Park pool in Jackson.

Megan Mehalco, 12, of Jackson volunteers to keep time during
the Rose City Swim Invitational at the Ella Sharp Park pool in Jackson.

Gummi Bear Explosions at Science Camp

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Chase Blakemore, 11, right, and Sam Dobbon, 13, of Jackson wait
to capture a reaction during a chemistry demonstration at the Cougar Science Camp
held at Spring Arbor University Thursday morning.

Aaron King, 7, of Jackson, left, and Brennan McGraw, 8, of Spring Arbor
react as a methanol milk jug flies across the room during a chemistry demonstration
at the Cougar Science Camp held at Spring Arbor University Thursday morning.

Ethan Lamkin, 6, of Jackson, right, laughs with Eli Pardee, 5, of Concord
while measuring their lung capacity during the Cougar Science Camp
at Spring Arbor University Thursday morning.

Michigan International Speedway | SUNDAY

Michigan International Speedway | SATURDAY

Michigan International Speedway | FRIDAY

NASCAR Circles!

A driver traditionally burns out after winning a race in front of thousands of screaming fans.
What is often overlooked, however, is the circle or “doughnut” the driver leaves imprinted on the track after his celebration.
Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn encompasses thousands of circles. Some are visible, like the track. Others are more subtle, such as the beads of gatorade that pour over the winners.
“There are lots of circles here,” Mike Motil of Kasey Kahne’s pit crew said as he hovered over tires Friday morning in the garage.
Like most races, “NASCAR circles” are not always perfectly shaped.
Lawn chairs previously wrapped in a circle around a campfire will eventually shift as people move around. The top of aluminum cans might get crushed.
As fans and drivers leave Michigan International Speedway this weekend, many of the infield circles will disappear as they exit the track, but the most prominent and outstanding circle — the speedway — will remain next time they roll into Brooklyn.



---Oh man. Kinda cheesy, right? Alright, really cheesy copyblock. But honestly, how do you talk about circles?!

The day I got hit in the head by a baseball

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Pitcher Cullen Ratliff of Petersburg-Summerfield, center, is embraced
by his team while celebrating winning the Division 4 regional
final game over Concord in Concord.

Kyle Martin of Concord runs home during the Division 4 regional semifinal
game against Petersburg-Summerfield in Concord.

Jack Ropp of Concord makes a diving catch and throws to first from the ground
Saturday afternoon during the Division 4 regional final game against Petersburg-Summerfield
at Concord High School in Concord.

Spanish Dancing, Kids & Curiosity

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Ella Tupper, 5, center, looks up and smiles while Flamenco dancing
with classmates Thursday morning at the North Star Montessori Preschool in Jackson.
The students dressed up in Spanish clothing and performed a dance recital for parents.

From right, Valen Koszegi, 4, Elijah Maitland, 3, and Eagan Lewis, 4, react
as their instructor's skirt flies while performing a Flamenco dance
Thursday morning at the North Star Montessori Preschool in Jackson.

Division 3 District Baseball Champs

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Pitcher Colton Brannick jumps on catcher Ben Lefere, both of Lumen Christi,
after the final pitch to claim the Division 3 District Baseball
Championship title over Michigan Center Saturday afternoon
at Vandercook Lake High School in Jackson.

Ha-Ha-Ha-Hair

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Eva Halliwell fixes Shawn McKinney's hair before work Thursday afternoon while their son
Don'Trese McKinney, 3, watches on the porch of their Jackson home.
"We are enjoying the cool breeze," Halliwell said.

Memorial Day Parade

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CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Staff Sergeant Daniel Barron of Jackson laughs while looking up at the flag
of the United States Marine Corps Monday morning before the
Memorial Day Parade in downtown Jackson.

Dean Dumbauld of Jackson represents the American Legion Post 29
Ritual Team Monday morning in the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Jackson.
Dumbauld is also a World War II veteran.

Sergio Bravo of Wisconsin represents the Marine Corps in the color guard
Monday morning in the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Jackson.

Joe Lorenz, 16, of Grass Lake marches with the Lumen Christi High School
marching band Monday morning in the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Jackson.
"It's nice to honor the veterans who have served our country," he said.

Neighbors | Walter & Lucille Wrozek

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Walter and Lucille Wrozek smile as they talk about their wedding 58 years ago
at their home in Jackson. The Wrozeks spend the majority of their time volunteering.
"It draws us closer together," Walter said.

Walter Wrozek dedicated his early years to serving his country in the U.S. Navy. Now in retirement, he serves his community alongside his childhood friend and wife, Lucille.
The Jackson couple have spent the majority of the past 30 years volunteering in the community where they were born and raised. Lucille’s late mother volunteered for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and hoped the Wrozeks would take her place.
“My mom said, ‘I am ripening these two children up so they will volunteer after I am gone,’” Lucille said.
One thing led to another, Walter said, and the Wrozeks began to serve at several places, including area care homes and churches.
“We need a calendar to keep track of everything,” he said. “We are very active in this community.”
The time spent dedicated to community service has drawn the couple closer together, Walter said.
“We don’t take anything unless we can volunteer together,” Walter said.
He noted that during their working years, they “had to be separated.”
The Wrozeks believe volunteering has kept them in good health. Walter said while they intend to lighten their schedule, they will continue to volunteer.
“The good Lord has been good to us,” Lucille said. “We are so thankful we’re healthy and able to give ourselves to someone else.”

Baseball

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Zachary Boone of Columbia Central bats during the first game of a doubleheader against
Hillsdale Friday in Brooklyn. Hillsdale won the first game 6-2.

Youth Build

CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
De'Angelo Baker, 18, right, laughs with Drake Pfeifer, 19, both of Jackson,
between tasks while working on a house Thursday afternoon in Jackson for the Youth Build
Program. "It's a great experience," Baker said. "It's an opportunity to open a lot of doors with
construction and GED programs."

Diamond Classic

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CITIZEN PATRIOT • ASHLEY MILLER
Sienna Surber, center right, and Lelah Weber, both of Jackson, celebrate in the dugout after
winning the championship game 3-1 against Columbia Central in the 20th Annual Citizen Patriot
Diamond Classic Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn.

Trisha Binschus of Jackson cries and laughs as she hugs teammate Lelah Weber after after
winning the championship game 3-1 against Columbia Central in the 20th Annual Citizen Patriot
Diamond Classic Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn. "I just don't want to be done," Binschus said.
"I love these girls so much. We're like family."

Second basemen Ashley Chesney of Jackson retrieves a hit and looks to throw to first base
during the championship game against Columbia Central in the 20th Annual Citizen Patriot
Diamond Classic Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn. Jackson won 3-1.

Heather Schwyn of Columbia Central bats during the championship game against
Jackson in the 20th Annual Citizen Patriot Diamond Classic Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn.
Columbia Central lost 3-1.