I attended a funeral last week that was unusually sad.
When you attend such an event, you typically are both mourning and celebrating the life of someone who has lived a long time.
Unfortunately, this funeral was filled with way too many young people from our community, devastated by the death of one of their own, who took his own life.
Unbelievably, another Lake Orion grad who I did not know committed suicide a couple days after my friend’s son.
Everyone young and old at the funeral I was at had questions about why this happened, but there were no clear-cut answers. Nobody can really explain the suicides here amongst our young people in recent years.
I think multiple factors influence such fateful and permanent decisions, no matter who the person is or where they may have lived.
People more knowledgeable than me about suicide tell me they almost always involve some combination of substance abuse, emotional disorder and/or family crisis. In some cases, bullying plays a role. The fact is, they say, suicide impacts every community to one degree or another, but maybe it has a greater effect on smaller, tight-knit towns like ours where so many people are closely connected. I guess we take these situations really personal.
Rather than simply reacting to another such death of a young person in our community, it is time everyone in Lake Orion embrace a more proactive approach to dealing with this horrible dilemma. Our schools have been wrestling with the challenge for a long time, but this responsibility should not fall solely on their shoulders.
Teachers and counselors are just part of the solution. Our young people’s families, friends and neighbors also must play a role. We as a community can make a difference.
There are a number of organizations that are already trying to address issues like youth substance abuse and depression in Lake Orion and other nearby communities. These include the North Oakland Community Coalition, 1,000 Conversations in Lake Orion and MINDS, among others. Their goal is to work with schools and communities to keep our children out of trouble, help them cope with adversity and, most importantly, keep them alive.
I also have been told that Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, dismayed by what has transpired in Lake Orion in recent years, is committing ‘whatever resources are needed? to address the situation from a county perspective. Representatives from his office are reaching out to the organizations above and others to offer the county’s support and lead the charge. Word is the townshp is planning something, too.
It is time every citizen in Lake Orion who can , do the same. We all give money to various booster clubs, civic organizations, churches, youth sports teams and other groups ? all of which deserve support. Many of these entities probably do funnel some financial resources to organizations that deal with troubled youth. But I would bet they are still underfunded or, at the very least, undermanned.
I firmly believe there is no greater asset to this or any other community than our young people, for they are our future. Every child deserves a shot at living a full, productive and happy life. Kids sometimes get sidetracked and need help before it is too late. Rather than sit back and count on others to address the situation, let’s open up our wallets and, more importantly, our calendars to make a direct, personal difference in helping curtail this horrible trend.
I do not think any of us want to attend more funerals like we did last week.

Lake Orion High School, with some 2,600 students, is one of the largest in the state.
It resembles a small city. There are students with various backgrounds. Teachers and administrators govern the massive building. The support staff keeps it running smooth. A police liaison officer helps keep the peace.
His job is anything but easy. One day late last month, the officer had to deal with a kid who threatened the school and a parent who got overly zealous with administrators and had to be arrested.
I know the police liaison officer also has led investigations into the theft of property in the school, issued disorderly conduct tickets, as well as caught kids doing illegal things on school grounds. I am sure there have been plenty of fights between students that he either helped stop cold or break up.
In addition, he has undoubtedly built long-lasting, positive relationships with many students and helped them get through tough times.
That is why it is imperative that school district, township and local law enforcement officials work together to figure out a way to keep this position in the high school during 2012 and beyond. There is simply no excuse for possibly eliminating this deterrence to trouble, a role model for students and valuable resource for the school’s staff. It is on the cutting block now due to tight budgets.
The police liaison position currently is funded jointly by the schools and township, and staffed by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Our community’s economic struggles in recent years that have decimated property values and tax revenues have forced the township to cut the police budget in the past and again for next year. Significant cuts to school funding by the state have forced our district to also look for savings.
The bottom line: the current funding model for the police liaison position apparently does not work. School administrators say it is too rich for them. (I do wonder if tapping into the district’s equity fund could be an option for next year?) The two current police budget proposals before the township board for 2012 have eliminated this position, as well. It is time everyone work together to come up with a creative solution to this dilemma which benefits and protects our kids first.
If the current law enforcement agency in place cannot meet the budgetary realities of the school district and township to provide a police presence, then school administrators should be free to look for other options, including use of the Lake Orion Police Department. The township should support this 100 percent. If the taxpayers actually get more for less in this situation, that is a good thing.
Of course, this means the township will have to give the officer(s) assigned to the schools limited arresting authority on school grounds, if they are not already county deputies.
It is too bad if such a move does not sit well with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Replacing them may be the only option available to keep a law enforcement presence in our schools. Besides, the township is in the sheriffs? jurisdiction, so they would still be called on first if the police liaison officer needs support at a school.
If the Sheriff’s Department does see a value in the high school position, then it needs to compromise with the schools and townshp. For starters, the current budget proposals I have seen for 2012 include $237,000 in sheriff overtime pay for next year. I am sure some of this will be legitimately needed, but maybe there are ways to reduce overtime to help the community afford the school officer.
The Oxford School District faced this same challenge a while back. According to a district administrator, they brought in their own employees to stretch the budget further and maintain a security presence at the high school. There are now two security people at Oxford High School for the cost of one sheriff deputy, the administrator said. I do wonder what kind of authority they have to actually detain someone or make an arrest. My calls to the Oxford principal were not answered.
I know managing distressed budgets is not an easy task. I also know the leaders of our school district, township and local law enforcement agencies say they want to do the right thing when it comes to protecting our kids in school. Let’s put the rhetoric aside and make it happen.

Young athletes need to learn to play on the road. This means learning to deal with the home team’s fans ? students and adults, alike ? cheering against them. Sometimes, they even face seemingly biased referees.
The bottom line, as any coach worth his or her salt will tell them, is that they need to learn to focus and play through such distractions.
But, our athletes should never have to play in a truly hostile environment, where they and their families fear for their safety.
Unfortunately, that is what has materialized for Lake Orion’s middle school basketball teams and other schools that play at Pontiac Junior High.
Last week, my eighth grade daughter’s team played at Pontiac’s gym. From playing there last year, we knew the girls would have to deal with, let’s just say, the home team’s advantage.
From the opening tipoff the referees lost control of the overly physical and testy game. Unfortunately, the contest was marred with plenty of rough play.
Our coach, featuring one of the most friendly demeanors I have ever met for someone in this positon, received a technical foul for sticking up for her girls.
No matter where a game is played, obvious hair pulling, over-the-back muggings and kicks to players in the chest while they are lying on the floor are not part of basketball. Why the refs in Pontiac let this go on is beyond me, given the fact that this is not tolerated in high school. The fact that one of the refs refused to sign the official score sheet after the game last Monday was very telling.
In the end, Pontiac scored seven more points and won the game. That is not what bothered me the most, however.
According to several parents, the physical nature of the game led to rising tensions in the gym, to the point that the home crowd grew hostile. Recognizing what was brewing, the Pontiac security team cleared out a portion of the home team’s crowd in the middle of the game to try and alleviate the situation.
When the game was over, local henchmen surrounded the refs. One of our parents tried to say something to a ref and he screamed at her to ‘get out of my face.?
The only way to leave the school is through the front entrance. The security team was so concerned with the situation they cleared out the remaining home-team fans from outside the doors, so the visiting players and families could leave the building safely. (How would the home crowd have acted if its team had lost or one of our girls retaliated when they got kicked?)
The security folks also followed our players and their parents to their cars. One of the girls was closely followed by a few vehicles driven by the home team’s fans to the Palace on Lapeer Road, before they turned around. The parent made her daughter duck in the back seat, so she would not be recognized.
Pontiac’s ‘event coordinator? had the audacity to contact our district’s athletic director immediately after the contest to complain about our coach and parents. He needs to take a close look in the mirror. When multiple visiting schools complain about the same hostile environment, it is time something be done. (There are rumblings that at least one group of parents from another school are petitioning that their teams stop playing Pontiac, altogether.)
Listen, we are all proud of our teams, but such behavior is unacceptable. Coaches, teachers and administrators there need to make changes fast. The boys? middle school basketball season is starting soon and I bet the crowds will be even larger and just as hostile.
The fact is Pontiac Junior High needs us more than we need them. There are plenty of middle schools that we can play in its place for a game or two. Quite frankly, I am not sure why we do not compete against middle schools in Rochester.
Nobody says the home crowd needs to make visiting teams overly comfortable. We surely do not do that when Clarkston and Oxford visit. But everyone should feel safe.
That is not the case in all gyms around here.

Joe St. Henry
Review Editor
My parents retired and moved to Gaylord several years ago. They sold their home in Lake Orion at just the right time before the market took a dive. The allure of their family and friends back home, however, has been too strong for too long and they now want to move back.
If they do return to Lake Orion, I hope they take full advantage of the amenities here for seniors ? including those to be offered at the new Orion Center. Yes, it appears most of the activities there will be geared toward this growing group of citizens in our community, at least for a while. That is okay with me. Look around town ? Lake Orion is growing older.
People are living longer. Many are still working because their retirement nest eggs have taken a hit or disappeared. They cannot easily sell their homes even if they want to downsize. So, many folks are deciding to stay put. Believe it or not, some actually like living here. There are even a few moving to the area for the first time to be closer to their families.
What is wrong with having a place they can call their own, figuratively speaking? The existing senior center is woefully too small to accommodate the rapidly growing numbers of seniors and their interests. For that matter, many of my parents? friends who still live here on the other side of town do not know such a facility even exists in the village. I cannot think of a better place to locate such a center than off of Joslyn Road, where it is visible and easily accessible to more people.
As for how the Orion Center has been paid for, if it is true the majority of construction has been covered by years of host-fees paid by Eagle Valley, I am glad these funds are being put to good use in a way that will benefit our community for a long time, rather than piddled away. Besides, if we can build beautiful schools, community parks, athletic fields, bike trails and amphitheaters across the township, we should be able to cater to some the needs of older generations, too, no excuses.
Those complaining that the new center does not have a pool or similar features like other local senior centers need to be reminded that there are stellar pool facilities at our high school and nearby health clubs, all of which have partnered with the center. I have also heard folks complain about the annual membership fee ($20 single/$35 couple) and other charges. Personally, I think they are reasonable. Folks will be charged $5 per month to use the dedicated exercise room for seniors and those with special needs. That equates to a value meal at a fast-food restaurant, a few coffees or a couple beers. Skip them and go to the gym. Furthermore, the money raised by people using the Orion Center will help to keep it operating and self-sustainable.
Was the Orion Center built at the wrong time, given our economy? I guess you could argue that. But I bet it may cost more to construct such a facility in boom times when contractors have more work. I wonder if we could really wait any longer, given our aging population? Do we want to lose our parents, neighbors and friends to other communities near and far that do offer such amenities to active, engaged adults?
Still others question if the Orion Center can truly cater to both seniors and younger citizens in our community. They have concerns about older people being comfortable in such a setting. I think we are not giving either group enough credit. Last time I checked, many older folks like hanging around younger ones ? it makes many of them feel fresh. They simply want to be treated with respect. Maybe the more time we spend together, the more we will all realize how much we have in common, no matter what our ages. This starts with our affection for this community, where progressive, forward-thinking ideas like the Orion Center are growing ? and needed to continue to attract people and keep Lake Orion a viable place to live, as we all grow older.
I have a few years yet before reaching the official age of a senior. My wife and I also do not know where we may retire someday. If we are here, however, I do plan on tapping into the offerings of the Orion Center to enhance my quality of life. When it opens later this year, I will be proud of it.
You will be, too.

People who know me know I have not missed too many meals over the years. I like to think of myself as a stocky guy, but I could stand to lose 20 pounds.
So, rather than eat today, I am going to write about my favorite food stops old and new in our town:
Breadsticks and garlic butter from Christi’s. I actually discovered them back in high school when I worked as a busboy at the venerable Orion House. Piping hot out of the oven with just the right amount of seasoning; a mainstay with every meal there.
Deep-dish pizza from Oak Barrel Party Store. The corner party store on M-24 just south of Scripps Road opened in the mid-1990s and makes the best deep-dish pizza around. Its two-slices-and-a medium-pop deal for $4 cannot be beat. Their chicken pizza with mozzarella cheese is one of my favorites.
Greek salads from Leo’s Coney Island. I first discovered Greek salads at Leos while working in Southfield in the early 1990s. My wife and kids love Leos Greek salads, too. I agree with her that they have the best dressing in town. We cannot wait until the Lake Orion location reopens in the village.
Pretzel bun hamburgers at The Clansman. We stumbled upon these a few years ago and now order them whenever we visit the pub behind Canterbury Village. Not only are the buns unique and tasty, but the burger is cooked to perfection.
Black-and-bleu burgers from Kroger’s on M-24. If you want to mix it up when grilling burgers, there is nothing better around here. They are seasoned just right to provide a little zing, with bleu cheese mixed into the burger itself. No condiments needed.
Mini Blizzards at Dairy Queen. Just the right size at just the right price to quench one’s ice cream cravings anytime of the year. There are too many varieties to choose from. Chicken dumpling soup at the Hamlin Pub. There is nothing better on a cold winter night than this hearty, thick soup with just the right amount of meat and dumplings. A friend of ours buys gallons of the stuff and pawns it off as her own recipe at family gatherings.
Breakfast at either C.J.’s or the Baldwin Caf?. I’ve lived on both ends of Lake Orion and you do not have to drive far for a great stuffed omelet and cup of coffee from either local restaurant. You will probably run into somebody you know, too.
Chicken enchiladas and burritos from Sagebrush Cantina. The double-combo platter with beans and rice is just right to fill a Mexican craving. Another place where you will run into at least one or two people ya know on any given day. Get the burrito wet.
Boneless almond chicken at Carrie Lee’s. The Baldwin Road restaurant batters chicken breasts just right with a sprinkle of almonds. More food than one person can eat, really. Top it with a egg roll and fried rice, plus a little ice cream as part of a combo platter.
Donuts from Tim Horton’s. There is not a bad one there, but I am partial to the cinnamon buns, apple fritters and walnut crunch varieties. (Note to myself: skip donuts, lose weight.) Whenever my kids have a sleepover, the ones with sprinkles are their favorites.
Beer from G’s. On a Friday night after a football game, there is nothing like a tall Labatt Blue Light to savor a victory or soothe a loss, poured by one of the nicest bartenders around. Yet another locale where you are sure to run into friends.
Carry-out chicken wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. The garlic parmesan and sweet honey barbeque sauces are my family’s favorites. Great while watching college or pro football on a weekend night.
Fish and chips at the Catalina. The folks at this bar off Baldwin Road know how to make this old standby of Catholics on Friday nights during Lent, whether you eat-in or bring them home. Not fishy tasting and the meat melts in your mouth.
Coffee at Speedway. Looking for fresh, hot coffee any time of day at a decent price? Stop by the gas station at M-24 and Clarkston Road for the best brew around. (The station has good gas prices, too.)
Gosh, I’m hungry. I wonder why.

Joe St. Henry
Review Editor
When I was in third grade, I was most worried about getting my knuckles smacked by a ruler from my teacher Mr. Lynn, a truly bitter man with Napoleon’s syndrome.
In eighth grade, I got suspended for a day for having a firecracker in my locker, thanks to a kid who narked on me. In tenth grade, we got in trouble for using the school darkroom to access the space above the school’s drop ceiling and spy on other classes. (Yeah, a friend fell through one day.)
And that’s just the stuff that took place in school.
Looking back, if someone would have asked my teachers if I was college material, I am not sure what they would have said. I was a good student, but struggled in my high school math and science classes. I had to work hard to just get Bs.
My wife still points out that she made the list of Top 50 in our high school class based on grade point average and I did not.
Well guess what Mr. Lynn, I graduated from college in four years, have enjoyed a decent career so far and become a fairly productive citizen.
That is why I question the state’s new acceptable proficiency levels (cut scores) based on the MEAP and MME exams that supposedly determine a student’s readiness to succeed in college.
I have no problem with the Michigan Department of Education raising the bar on educational proficiencies in a school’s core subjects. Quite frankly, the previous standards were lax.
But the state should clearly separate the notion that these scores are the only factors that determine if a kid is going to do well in college.
How can one or two days of assessment testing every couple of years ? starting at the age of eight, for gosh sakes – gauge how a student may do ten years later if they choose to continue their studies after high school.
While the numbers do not lie, they also do not tell the whole story. The MEAP and MME tests may determine if a kid is book smart, but provide no way to measure his or her drive, perseverance and motivation to set goals and succeed.
Another question I have is who determined what it really means to be college-ready? It may vary from one school to the next. What does a school like Albion look for in a prospective student versus Michigan State or Oakland Community College?
Let’s face it, college can be a big adjustment for valedictorians and slackers alike. Receiving a degree is more of an endurance race that requires focus than a sprint toward instant gratification.
For that matter, every once in a while a person like Bill Gates (Microsoft) or Steve Jobs (Apple) comes along. They’ve enjoyed a little success and, from what I’ve read, were not the greatest students in high school or college.
The teachers and administrators in Lake Orion know the new proficiency levels are not going away. They know they are going to have to figure out new ways to teach our kids. The students themselves are going to have to work harder to meet the new requirements
At this point, when a student takes the MME exam, their scores are reported back to them with comparisons to how they did versus the state’s students overall. Moving forward ? at least for a couple of years ? I guess our kids and their parents will be in for a shock.
I just hope the state never labels them college-ready or not on an individual basis, based on a quick snapshot of their ‘progress? every couple of years. There is no reason to kill a kid’s confidence in his or her abilities or the future before its even started.