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July 4, 2019 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

CANTON - PLYMOUTH

Right on track

Caboose arrives at Plymouth museum

The long-awaited arrival of the museum, where the attraction will be dis-
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad caboose played.
at the Plymouth Historical Museum took The original plan was to exhibit the
place last weekend as the huge car was caboose in front of the museum building,
delivered by flat-bed truck. but city ordinances proved prohibitive
On hand to welcome the new attrac- forcing museum officials to devise the
tion was Museum Curator Liz Kerstens alternate location in the rear of the build-
along with a group of supporters and ing. Museum officials were able to win a
museum volunteers. zoning variance from the city to have the Plymouth Historical Museum Liz Kerstens welcomes the new Chesapeake and Ohio
The well-used and out-of-service tracks installed at the rear of the build- Railroad caboose to the facility. Photo by Don Howard
caboose was donated to the museum ing. necessary for the restoration and repair. appropriately in “a town built on the rail-
which had to pay the cost of the truck The caboose, which is a rusted work- She said one of her first efforts would be road industry,” Kerstens said. She added
freight from the CSX Rougemere Train ing yard unit, needs lots of work, inside the sale of brick pavers. that she doesn't have an exact timetable
Yard in Detroit, the installation costs of and out but Kerstens said she is confident When complete, the caboose will be for the project, “but we're planning on it,”
the unit and the tracks at the rear of the the museum can generate the funding available for observation and tours, she said.
Canton hires new Municipal Services director

Jade Smith, current city Services director. Treasurer Dian Slavens. referring to Faas. grant funds to cover damage to
administrator in Milan, is now “I'm excited,” said Smith after Smith has also been deputy The trustees also received turf during the Liberty Fest.
the Canton Township Municipal the June 25 Township Board of mayor and director of information regarding the pro- “Liberty Fest was wildly suc-
Trustees meeting. “I'm looking Purchasing/Controller for the posed Emagine Super Emax cessful,” said Williams, who said
forward to working with every- City of Westland. He holds a expansion plans which include he was surprised damage done
body in every department.” bachelor's degree in psychology 20 theater screens. by carnival ride placement was-
The Municipal Services job, from Eastern Michigan “There's been a tremendous n't worse.
previously filled by Tim Faas, University. amount of work between the two Trustees also approved an
drew 49 applicants. The top Canton Trustee Sommer communities” of Canton and appeal and reversed Clerk
three were interviewed by Foster praised Smith and asked Westland, commented Williams. Michael Siegrist's denial of a
Township Supervisor Pat about roads, “and what we can The theater expansion needs license for Koolies Ice Cream.
Williams and Canton Human do to improve life for our resi- approval from both Canton and The license holder had had traf-
Resources Manager Kerreen dents as far as roads are con- Westland, as the Ford Road prop- fic incidents dating back several
Conley. cerned.” She said she is pleased erty is in both municipalities. years. His record has been clean
Smith will be paid $120,738 a to see road construction starting Canton Finance and Budget for the last five years, officials
year. in Canton, following voter Director Wendy Trumbull said.
“I'm excited to see you have a approval of a road millage last explained that the “majority of Trustees debated the appli-
strong background in both the year. the expansion is in Westland.” cant's traffic violations and other
public and private sector,” com- “You've got some big shoes to In other action, Canton issues before granting the
Jade Smith mented Canton Township fill,” said Trustee John Anthony trustees approved reallocation of appeal.

Student to me here,” Kervens said. “But the staff Community Band concert tonight
is great, everyone is nice and made me
part of the kitchen.” The Plymouth Community Band will The Plymouth Community Band, under
FROM PAGE 1 He is now working on the salad line perform at 7:30 tonight, July 4, in Kellogg the direction of Carl Battishill, will also
and cooking “a little” along with being Park in downtown Plymouth. Band mem- perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27
rants operate. It's a major undertaking, allowed to sauté “a few things” at the bers will present a medley as part of their and July 18 and 25. There is no
plus he has all the new American culture restaurant. longstanding tradition of free summer- Community Band concert for July 11 due
experiences to deal with,” Agostini said. Agostini, Kervens said, has taught him time concerts in downtown Plymouth. to Art in the Park.
Kervens, however, seems to welcome some important lessons.
every new experience. A recent trip “If you respect yourself, you have to
through downtown Detroit area respect the food you serve. You have to
described as “a dangerous neighbor- present the meal, no matter what it is, in
hood” didn't faze him. Conditions in the nicest, best way possible,” Kervens
Haiti, he said, remain much worse and said. “Frank taught me that first.”
are far more perilous. His attendance at He loves to experiment with new
cooking classes at Chef's Central Kitchen spice blends and make his own mari-
in Haiti, owned by renowned Spanish nades for foods, he said. He does, howev-
Chef Jose Andres, would depend on the er, find one thing about American cuisine
level of danger in the streets that day, curious.
“If the protests are active, you don't “Why does nobody cook goat? I really
go. When they are quiet enough, I could would love to cook goat with blended
take the chance and get on the motor- spices and garlic,” he said. “Why is that
bike,” he said. He would ride 45 minutes weird to people here?”
to cooking school sessions when he Kervens hopes to secure a work visa
could. “It is not safe for anyone in the and return to the states to find a job. He
streets,” he said. “You cannot enjoy a day said there are no opportunities for jobs
without thinking about getting hit or get- in Haiti. “I want to work at a restaurant
ting shot. here, work my way up, like a ladder,”
“You get used to it. There is nothing Kervens said.
you can do,” he said. “He could never get the experience or
Despite the dangers, he made it to the training in Haiti,” Agostini said. “I
classes taught by visiting chefs from New would love to have him back, he takes to
Orleans, China and America, donating it like a sponge.
their expertise to try and help find “If he can get the chance to go on and
careers for some of the youth in Haiti. find success, I'll have done my job-giving
Kervens is scheduled to return to Haiti him an opportunity. We take a lot of
July 24 and hopes to resume his classes pride here in giving back and this is
at the school which Andres began after another chance for us to help someone
the earthquake. move ahead,” Agostini said.
“I thought everyone would not be nice “But, there will be NO goat.”