What is a pillar of a community?
Without seeking praise, someone who works tirelessly to make the town around them a better place to live? A business which is as much a landmark as a store? An event which on a yearly basis brings the community closer together?
In short, a pillar is that which provides support for, promotes togetherness in and allows for growth across a community, all at the same time.
In late October 2005, The Clarkston News asked for submissions as to who or what are the Pillars of Clarkston. This week, we are happy to kick off the series with three individuals nominated by our readers.

When asking whether or not Clarkston schools athletics are a Pillar of Clarkston, one only has to look as far as the parking lots at the high school during football games on rainy fall nights or in the dead of winter as the basketball team tilts towards the playoffs. The lots, packed to the gills are a tell tale sign of how much the community cares about their Wolves.
Those looking for further evidence need only listen to long time public address announcer Dale Ryan welcome everyone from grandmas and uncles to a sporting event. Or look at the way Clarkston fans pack the visitors? stands for playoff games, or better yet, just for games.
Maybe things would be different if the Clarkston schools were set up like so many of the districts in Oakland County, splitting the high school population across two or three locations.
But the emotional heart of the community is firmly wrapped around the highs and lows of the Wolves and the Wolves alone. And while there may not be any story-book cross town rivalry each year, everyone, from the coaches to the players to the fans enjoys the action all the same.
In Clarkston rivals are not born, they are forged through years of tough competition. Prime examples of these coal-fed competitions are football games or wrestling matches against Lake Orion or basketball games against Pontiac Northern.
?(Clarkston) kids go home and say ‘I can’t wait to play football or basketball or run cross country for Jamie LaBrosse,? said Mel Vaara, who serves as a historian for CHS athletics and last year wrote a retrospective on Clarkston sports for The Clarkston News.
‘Feeding the kids well when they are young has them coming back for more. You are whetting their appetite and they just can’t wait to get the main course in high school,? added Vaara.
True to their Wolves moniker, the Clarkston High School athletic programs take care to ensure the cubs grow into strong members of the pack.
The premier example of this is Clarkston Athletic Director and Basketball Coach Dan Fife’s McGrath Basketball league, which he has run for the past 24 years.
‘With McGrath, one of the whole ideas was just to get kids playing. Back when I started 24 years ago, there was nothing going on in the rec department, so I started it just to get kids playing,? Fife said.
The McGrath league operates out of the CHS gymnasium on Saturdays, from the first weekend in December to the end of February.
‘Early on we had dads that were coaching and it was beginning to be too structured, too much complaining from the parents, about officials about this that and the other,? Fife said.
After the first four years, Fife pleasantly stripped the parents out of the McGrath league and brought in members of the varsity basketball team instead to referee and coach games.
‘I think sometimes our kids play too much in structure and not enough just playing where they can make mistakes and not worry about making mistakes. They will refine themselves rather than just quit trying to do anything,? Fife said. ‘At McGrath I keep it unstructured for a reason, knowing full well that they will get structure as it goes on. I want it to be physical and rough with no complaints. I don’t want them to worry about winning and losing, although we keep score ? and the kids for some reason always know what their win-loss record is. But I could care less.?
In Fife’s view of the McGrath league, not being concerned with individual teams? winning percentage and lackluster play are not part of the same equation.
‘I fully expect kids to be competitive, I want them to always be competitive. But I don’t want them worried about winning and losing at McGrath. It’s almost like backyard ball with a little control.?
The de-emphasis on structure has allowed some, Fife’s own progeny included, to thrive.
‘For instance, if you have a tall kid, the first thing a young coach is going to do is put him with his back to the basket and never let him dribble. Dane (Fife) would have never got the opportunity at 6?4? had he not played McGrath where he learned to dribble the ball and do all kinds of things.?
On the surface the McGrath league is a place where children can play and hopefully learn to love the game of basketball, but beneath the top layer of screeching shoes and balls flowing through hoops lies a deeper purpose. The bonding between the varsity players who staff the league and the kids, ranging from third to eighth grade, creates a cohesiveness to the basketball program as a whole.
‘My feeling is, if our players do a good job with the kids, get to know the kids and talk to them, they will someday want to grow up and be like (current varsity players) Joe Moran or John Kast or Robbie Ronk or Ian Sabbag. They get to know (the players) and then they see our games, they are there on Friday nights, see (the players) win or lose and how they act and then the next morning (the players) are right back with those kids again and the kids can identify with them,? Fife said. ‘It works, it really has worked. I don’t know that we are producing NBA players all the time, but it seems to work for Clarkston.?
When the McGrath league began their were 35 participants, these days there are over 300.
Three weeks of fundamentals begin each McGrath session, while Fife is well aware that most participants value the games which fill the last portion of the schedule he hopes when the kids watch the varsity games, the reasons for teaching the basics become clear.
‘If they come and watch the games they can put (the fundamentals) to use. For instance if they see somebody like Robbie (Ronk) dribble the ball under pressure and how he can go between his legs and the passing and a lot of the things that we do,? said Fife, adding that the experience of working at McGrath often helps the teachers as much as the students.
‘It’s surprising when I hear (the varsity players) talk to the (McGrath) kids during games because they are saying some of the things that I say to them during the (CHS) games. It helps our kids learn how to communicate with kids, it puts them out in the public eye, they have to be responsible and present themselves well to adults. It just seems like a win-win for everybody,? Fife said.
Though the McGrath league fills the alpha role in linking the Wolves to their younger counterparts, the example ripples throughout Clarkston sports.
Clarkston Volleyball Coach Kelly Avenall runs a summer camp for volleyball players beginning with those entering the fifth grade.
‘They are learning the Clarkston system,? Avenall said, adding she can see a noticeable difference in the skill level of kids who work on their game in the off-season.
Avenall is in her third year as the varsity coach at Clarkston, having taken over for longtime coach Gordie Richardson. She hopes in time to set up a McGrath style league for Clarkston’s young volleyball players.
‘I have been writing down things I want to bring in,? Avenall said.
She does not have a timetable for the volleyball league styled like McGrath but thought the spring of 2007 would be a safe estimate.
The concept of varsity athletes passing their knowledge back to the youth is also employed by Clarkston baseball coach Phil Price. Teaching at Price’s baseball and softball camp, is an opportunity to come full circle.
‘I’ve come to this camp since I was six or seven. ‘It’s a nice feeling to see the kids learning from me,? said Mike Navarre, CHS varsity baseball player, when he was interviewed during the camp this past June.
Another facet of Clarkston’s athletic community is direct involvement of coaches with the middle school and junior high sports programs, as well with independent groups set up for younger children.
‘The middle school is automatic. Our program is grades 7-12,? said Clarkston Football Coach Kurt Richardson.
While the terminology, drills and methods at Sashabaw Middle School and Clarkston Junior High School mirror those of the big brother football programs at the high school, the Clarkston Chiefs youth football team is certainly part of the family as well.
‘What’s important is (the Chiefs) keep the kids excited about the game. We don’t want to sour any kids on playing football,? Clarkston Football Coach Kurt Richardson said.
The Clarkston wrestling program operates in much the same manner with the Clarkston Wrestling Club.
‘It’s almost like we are building a wrestling curriculum. The (Clarkston Wrestling Club) is supposed to feed into the junior high,? said Clarkston Wrestling Coach Joe DeGain. ‘Sometimes the terminology is different but we try to design it so there is a single wrestling curriculum.?
DeGain, while mentioning his respect for the parents who organize the CWC, added that while in attendance at CWC practices he has not only shared his methods but also picked up teaching tips for the varsity team.
The culture surrounding Clarkston sports is one that runs deeply through the community. It is easy to see when looking at the explosion of long distance hopefuls in the middle and junior high after the CHS? girls team won three straight state championships. The culture is one that features baseball players attached to the same nickname their father bore while in a Wolves uniform. And that culture, whether over generations or grade levels is surely a Pillar of Clarkston.

Stan Garwood
Stan Garwood hears about problems and tries to fix them.
Having practiced counseling for approximately 25 years in the Clarkston area, he helped many with individual, marriage and other problems.
Garwood’s clinic is the oldest in Clarkston according to his wife Kathy, who credited her husband with helping her get back into work with the school system and work as a grief counselor after raising their family.
Over the years, Garwood was involved in the community as a member of the Clarkston Youth Assistance Board, co-chairing the annual golf fund-raiser. He’s also served as president and member of the Clarkston Area Optimist Club, participated in the St. Daniel Men’s Club, Habitat for Humanity and Lighthouse North.
Over the past four or five years, Garwood has teamed up with others to extend a caring touch to those suffering from the effects of natural disasters through the North Oakland Disaster Relief Team, a group he cofounded with Bob Hadden.
‘It’s great because you’re helping people recover from a disaster who don’t usually have the insurance or support to deal with that disaster,? said Garwood.
NODRT is a coalition of churches, businesses, organizations and individuals in North Oakland County who strive to bring aid to victims of natural disasters. NODRT sent two groups down to help in the Gulf Coast Region this past year to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
‘It’s amazing how (the experience) changes people. They see life differently and have a much more mature perspective of life. They realize what’s important and what’s not important,? said Garwood. ‘The work is gratifying and I usually seem to get more out of it then the victims do.?
Kathy who’s also been part of NODRT said Hadden and Garwood hoped through NODRT they could participate in the disaster relief efforts among adults, yet make it affordable for those going on the trips.
‘I saw it mushroom from a small group to this large group of people from different churches with their focus on helping those who’ve been through a disaster,? said Kathy.
In addition to his desire to help people, Kathy said Garwood has a passion for the area and supporting its local businesses.
‘He eats at Pete’s Coney because he feels you need to take care of people in your area. He goes to Brose Electric too. He’s adamant about supporting local business,? said Kathy. ‘You know he’s a Clarkstonite because he has a mug at the bake shop.?
Garwood earned a bachelor’s degree in education and psychology at St. Mary’s College in 1966, a master’s in guidance and counseling at the University of Detroit in 1968 and a master’s of social work from the University of Michigan in 1983.
Before coming to the Clarkston area, Garwood worked as a therapist, group worker and supervisor at Macomb Child Guidance Clinic, Inc. in Utica from 1968 to 1982. He also worked at the Macomb Child Guidance Clinic in Mt. Clemens from 1975 to 1980. In 1976, he was a co-founder of the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. The following year, he founded the Macomb Association for Infant Mental Health.
The Garwoods moved to Independence Township in 1979 from Warren, Michigan. They raised three kids who were Clarkston High School graduates. Karin (Mitchell) married Steve and has two children Reilly, 4, and Annika, 2. Brian and his wife Sherry have children Nathan, 5, and Alicia, 3. Gordie is married to Tammy.

What is a pillar of a community?
Without seeking praise, someone who works tirelessly to make the town around them a better place to live? A business which is as much a landmark as a store? An event which on a yearly basis brings the community closer together?
In short, a pillar is that which provides support for, promotes togetherness in and allows for growth across a community, all at the same time.
In late October 2005, The Clarkston News asked for submissions as to who or what are the Pillars of Clarkston. This week, we are happy to kick off the series with three individuals nominated by our readers.
In next week’s edition (Jan. 18), the Pillars of Clarkston will continue to run, beginning on the front page of the Millstream section.
Rev. Robert Walters
For the better part of three decades, members of Calvary Lutheran Evangelical Church in Independence Township could count on Rev. Bob Walters actively pursuing his mission and helping others chase theirs.
‘For me, the significant thing is the trust people put in you at strenuous times in their lives, like dealing with death and sickness, as well as those times of joy, like birth,? said Walters, who shared in 540 baptisms, 430 confirmations, 300 weddings and 275 funerals as pastor at Calvary.
Walters came to Calvary in 1971 when he and his wife Beverly, married since 1961, moved to the area from Illinois. Together, they raised their sons Bob and Mike.
Throughout his service at Calvary and prior to going there, Walters said he took pride in never missing a service due to illness in approximately 39 years as a pastor. He also enjoyed serving as a positive influence in the spiritual lives of young people, like full-time Christian musician Shawn Smith. Two of the young women Walters was able to encourage to become involved in ministry carried his influence with them to Slovakia and Germany.
In reflecting on his experience with youth, Walters recalled how he started to consider his vocation.
‘I was a skinny kid with glasses. I wasn’t a sports guy, but I liked to study and learn. My confirmation pastor put his hand on my shoulder at a retreat and said ‘you should consider ministry,?? said Walters. ‘He must have seen something I wasn’t aware of.?
During his nearly 30 years as pastor at Calvary, he watched the church more than triple in size while growing from a very small congregation. Walters is quick to share the credit for the success of the church’s transformation and his time as pastor, including people like Karen Zeile and Yvonne Lowe.
‘They were the kind of people that didn’t have to have a supervisor. They were real self-starters,? said Walters.
Walters? career as a pastor started in 1961 prior to coming to Clarkston, when he served at Hope-Epiphany Lutheran in Chicago for seven years and at First Lutheran in Decatur, Illinois for four.
In addition to his work as pastor, Walters said he was elected to the school board twice, serving from 1973-1981, which included time as president.
‘This community is blessed with fine teachers,? said Walters, who looks back fondly on serving on the board.
Even in retirement, Walters remains active by singing with the Carolyn Mawby Chorale and bike riding. As reported in The Clarkston News in July, Walters biked 215 miles from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron in the 24th annual Pedal Across Lower Michigan Tour this summer with Clarkston residents Bob Klemmer and Fred Irish.
While singing in the chorale with Beverly and bike riding are fulfilling and satisfying hobbies for Walters, he keeps his mission work alive substituting for area pastors about once a month and serving on a task force with the Southeast Michigan Synod. His service with the Synod feeds an interest in the Holy Land spurred on during a project for his Doctor of Ministry earned at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago in 1981.
?(The Synod’s) meant to encourage Palestinian Christians to continue under those circumstances and to make known to the government, that our government is indirectly supporting their persecution,? said Walters, who has traveled to the Holy Land five times as a student, tourist and in support of Palestinian Christians.
Renee Wright
Whether at work or play, Renee Wright of Clarkston has the same idea in mind: helping students.
Wright was president of the PTO at Clarkston Elementary for three years. Her work at Clarkston Elementary was actually a return for Wright, who attended CE when she was young. She started her work with the PTO at a time when all three of her children ? Alison, 16; Evey, 14; and Matt, 12 ? were students there.
Originally, Wright took the position to help with adjustments made to the school as a result of redistricting in 1999.
‘I agreed to stay for a year and ended up there for three,? Wright joked.
Prior to her leadership role, Wright worked as a classroom volunteer and chairperson for various programs.
Wright hasn’t stopped there, she moved on to become president of the PTA at Clarkston Junior High School. With all the work she does with school programs, Wright said student recognition is what really makes her proud.
‘I’m most proud when I go into the buildings and the kids recognize me,? Wright said because it shows they appreciate what she’s doing.
Wright attributes her ability to make so many contributions to her work with ATS Project Success, an educational consulting firm that supplies supplemental education services to at-risk students.
‘I’ve been really lucky with my job in that I’ve had a lot of flexibility with it,? Wright said, noting that until very recently she was able to work completely from home. ‘So I could run up to the school and spend an hour there and then come back and get caught up on whatever I have work-wise, and not many people have that luxury as I did.
‘It’s really been a blessing that really allowed me to be involved with a lot of different things,? Wright said.
Wright is devoted to helping students reach their potential through her work, which provides computers to families in need so students can have access to online tutoring programs.
‘A lot of these homes are so needy. Most times it’s the first computer that’s been in the home. They’re just so excited to get the computer and to get the kids going. We’ve met a lot of nice people and helped a lot of great kids,? Wright said.
The program is growing from demand as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires a third party tutoring service for failing schools.
‘Last year we did probably 150 kids this way, and this year we’re probably going to do 1500, maybe 2000,? Wright said.
Wright is also involved with Clarkston Methodist Church, where seven years ago she and neighbor Carola Huttenlocher started a program called ‘Angels in Training,? which takes students in grades K-5 out on Sundays to work on community projects.
‘I think the kids in our community are so fortunate and have been given so much that I think it’s really important to teach them to give back to others and I don’t think you can start that young enough with the kids,? Wright said.
Wright’s projects are all connected by a common goal of helping others.
‘It fits in with my mission for life: to help make the world a little bit better place wherever and however I can,? Wright said, who said she gets her inspiration from other people in the community.
‘I look at the people that are in leadership now in the schools and how hard they work and the sacrifices they make and the tough decisions they make. They don’t have an easy job and they’re constantly working to make the community a better place.
‘There’s so many people in this town willing to do whatever it takes,? said Wright. The different things I’ve done where I’ve needed to get people to help me do them… I don’t hardly ever get a no. People always make time to do something else when they’re asked.?
Wright was surprised by her nomination as a Clarkston Pillar, because she sees whatshe is doing as normal.
‘I really don’t feel as though it’s anything out of the ordinary,? Wright said.
Mike Spillum
Barbara Swan, a Waterford resident, formerly of Clarkston, could think of only one person when deciding on a Pillar of Clarkston ? Rotary Club President Mike Spillum.
‘Other towns and cities should be so lucky as Clarkston to have a man who is so concerned about the community and believes in making it stronger for future generations,? said Swan in her nomination letter. ‘He may not be the mayor or the fire chief, but that’s not as important as him just being a resident who cares.?
Spillum moved to Clarkston with his family from Wausau, Wisconsin in 1977. Today, he and his wife Lynne have three children who graduated from Clarkston High School ? John and Sara, who both also reside in Clarkston, and Debra, who lives in Florida ? and a granddaughter in the district, 14-year-old Madeline. The couple also has two grandchildren in Florida, Jake, 6, and Grace, 2.
‘Clarkston is a neat, small town, a friendly place,? said Spillum. ‘We’ve enjoyed living here and made a lot of friends.?
Spillum not only lives in the Clarkston community, he also works here as a registered representative for Axa Advisors, LLC and an agent for Axa Equitable.
What led Swan to nominate Spillum though was not where he lives and works, but his participation in the Clarkston community.
‘Mike is currently the president of the Clarkston Rotary and he is a fine example of a man who cares about his community and takes the time and effort to make it a better place to live,? said Swan.
‘These days it is rare to read a copy of The Clarkston News and not see a picture of Mike and his wife Lynne at one of the many functions around town he attends or contributes to.?
Spillum joined the Rotary in 1979. He said he was a member of Kiwanis for 15 years before moving to Clarkston and learning there are no local chapters for the group. He made some friends in Rotary and decided he liked the group’s many service functions, both locally and on a national level.
‘My favorite service project is the Goodfellow drive,? said Spillum. ‘This year we provided boots, mittens and such to 448 kids. I really enjoy that.?
In addition to Rotary, Spillum is also active in the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce where he is a chamber ambassador and golf outing organizer. He is also a SCAMP golf outing volunteer and a member of the Independence Township Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.
‘I like to meet people and get to know them, and have a good time,? said Spillum about himself.
Spillum also attends The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing golf and being in Florida when the weather is cold.
‘I think a pillar of the community should be sensitive to the community and participate in community affairs,? said Spillum when asked what he thinks a Pillar of Clarkston should be.
‘I’m very impressed and honored I was selected as one.?
The Clarkston News is interested in continuing to feature the pillars of this community in the future. Those compelled to nominate a Pillar of Clarkston should do so by sending correspondence to The Clarkston News attn: Pillars of Clarkston, 5 South Main, Clarkston, MI 48346 or via email to shermanpub@aol.com (subject line: Pillars).

Who or what supports Clarkston?
Maybe there is one easy answer ? maybe there are ten. No matter how many different ideas our readers come up with, we want to hear them.
Tell us about your Pillar of Clarkston in a few short sentences or fill several pages, no matter the length of your submission we want to see it. A picture, even with rampant inflation, is still worth a thousand words, so photographs to accompany ideas are greatly appreciated.
Just like a wedding or birth submission, ideas for our Pillars of Clarkston series can be brought directly or mailed to our offices at 5 South Main street ? we do not expect people to schlep three towns over to talk about their community.
Alternatively, email correspondence can be sent to: shermanpub@aol.com (please put Pillars of Clarkston in the subject line).
Any questions concerning Pillars of Clarkston can be directed to Noah Purcell at 248-625-3370, ext. 17.
Who are the Pillars of Clarkston?

Who or what supports Clarkston?
Maybe there is one easy answer ? maybe there are ten.
No matter how many different ideas our readers come up with, we want to hear them.
Tell us about your Pillar of Clarkston in a few short sentences or fill several pages, no matter the length of your submission we want to see it. A picture, even with rampant inflation, is still worth a thousand words, so photographs to accompany ideas are greatly appreciated.
Just like a wedding or birth submission, ideas for our Pillars of Clarkston series can be brought directly or mailed to our offices at 5 South Main street ? we do not expect people to schlep three towns over to talk about their community.
Alternatively, email correspondence can be sent to: shermanpub@aol.com (please put Pillars of Clarkston in the subject line).
Any questions concerning Pillars of Clarkston can be directed to Noah Purcell at 248-625-3370, ext. 17.