September 10, 2026, town hall meeting at the Manchester Mill on the Water on Damian Craft Meat $18.5 million USDA-certified meat-processing plant being built in Manchester. Photo credit: Colleen McKenney.

by Colleen A. McKenney

On Thursday, September 10, over 125 community members, including at least 37 farmers, attended a town hall meeting at the Manchester Mill on the Water in downtown Manchester. The meeting was to discuss the current status and progress of the $18.5+ million USDA-inspected meat-processing plant being built by Damian Craft Meats at 789 Hogan Rd (southeast corner of Hogan and Sooten roads), right here in Manchester. Co-owners Damian Rivera and Rosemary Linares had prepared a presentation, showed a video about their plans and facility, and presented speakers, as well as answered questions.

View the slide presentation and watch the video here:Ìę. Take a look and see how many local celebrities you can spot in the video!

Damian Craft Meats will be a USDA-inspected, multi-species processing facility. Initially they will be able to process beef, hogs, sheep, and goats. They will also guarantee that the animal that is brought in is the one that the farmer takes out. In addition, they will have a “boutique meat shop” open to the public and plan to distribute to stores in the region. They expect to break ground this coming spring and begin operations the following spring.

Their facility will fill a gap in processing facilities that will not only benefit local farmers and the community but also the wider state. According to Linares, this will be the first new USDA-inspected facility approved in Michigan in over 10 years. They specifically want to provide better access for small and mid-sized farms. These farmers often have to travel hours to get their animals processed. They also highlighted their commitment to the humane treatment of the animals, which several speakers Thursday mentioned can be lacking at some facilities.

Several local farmers spoke on the direct impacts this new facility will have on their operations and the benefits it provides to them. One farmer shared that the closer facility would save him over 28 hours a year just in travel time, plus the gas savings, and the shorter drive will be less stressful on his animals. Another shared his concerns about how he takes great care to raise his animals humanely and the challenge it is to have to trust them to a facility he is not sure is taking care of them how he would expect. Rivera and Linares also discussed, as did at least one farmer, the ability to provide organic-compliant processing options at the new facility, which is currently a challenge to access locally.

Rivera highlighted his desire to provide employment opportunities with living wages to local residents, and in building long-term ties in this community.

Mayor Pat Vailliencourt spoke about the city role in getting this project together and securing funding from the state for site preparation, including sewer and water infrastructure for the industrial zone. The city staff and mayor have been supportive collaborators and advocates of this project as it will benefit the city and area residents.

Manchester Mill on the Water was set up beautifully for this event and demonstrated they are a great location for hosting town hall–style events as well as other meetings in addition to special events like weddings. Their staff was on hand for refreshments during the town hall, for the dinner prior to the event, and were joined by Linares and Rivera children, Damian Rivera Jr. and Joaquin Rivera-Linares, who assisted in the background.

Mill owners Dawn Donnelly and Ken Magee were very happy with the community participation in the event. This is the largest crowd they’ve had in the Mill to date. On the topic of the processing plant, Donnelly added, “Any new ventures that support local business can only be a good thing, especially when the business also benefits the farming community.”

Michigan State Senator Sue Shink (District 14) was also in attendance. When asked about the state support of this project, Senator Shink stated, “I think this project is good for Michigan farmers, Michigan residents, and it been a lot harder than it should have [been] to get it going. This is the direction I’d like to see our investment in Michigan agriculture grow on into the future.”

If you missed the meeting, you can learn more at an in-person event at Weber Restaurant in Ann Arbor that will include dinner on September 22 at 5:30pm. To register for this event, sign up at:

Linares noted that farmers interested in using the facility are invited to complete a non-binding Letter of Intent indicating their anticipated livestock-processing needs for 2028 and that farmers who complete an LOI will be eligible for a 10% discount on hanging-weight processing charges for livestock processed in 2028. The LOI is available at .

To stay informed about upcoming events and project updates, join Damian Craft Meats’ mailing list:ÌęÌęYou can also follow Damian Craft Meats on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @damianscraftmeats or visit their website:

Left to right: Rosemary Linares, Damian Rivera, and Farmer Dave Steinhauser, from Steinhauser Farms in Ann Arbor. Photo credit: Colleen McKenney.

2020 Aerial view of 789 Hogan Road (southeast corner of Hogan and Sooten roads), the future location Damian’s Craft Meats. Mirror file image.

Images of proposed facility from the presentation, courtesy of Damian Craft Meats:

Map of streets to be paved starting this week, courtesy of the City of Manchester.

submitted by Michael Sessions, City of Manchester manager

The City of Manchester will begin street paving work on Monday, September 14, 2026, as part of the City ongoing street-improvement efforts.

Paving is scheduled for the following streets:

• E. Duncan Street — Hibbard Street to the City limits
• Spring Street — all of Spring Street
• N. Macomb Street — W. Main Street to the dead end

Residents and motorists will continue to have access to these streets while paving is underway. However, temporary traffic restrictions and delays should be expected as crews and equipment move through the project areas.

Motorists are asked to use caution when traveling through the construction zones and to follow all traffic directions provided by the paving crews. Crews may temporarily stop, redirect, or limit traffic as necessary to safely complete the work.

Residents along the affected streets will also receive direct notification regarding the upcoming paving work.

The City asks motorists to use additional caution around construction workers and equipment and appreciates the community patience and cooperation while these improvements are completed.

Some of the participants of the 2025 Manchester CROP Hunger Walk. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.

by Sara Swanson

An opportunity to help reduce hunger around the world while also supporting those in need right here in our community is coming up on October 4. The CROP Hunger Walk is an opportunity to contribute both by donation and/or by walking 1 to 3 miles around our community.

CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations and groups to raise funds to reduce hunger around the world and at home. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised by the Manchester CROP WALK this year will be used to support programs run by the Community Resource Center, Manchester Family Services, and the Manchester Senior Citizens Council.

To participate in the walk or to donate, contact Cathy Moore at 734-649-7431 or Marlene Uphaus at 734-341-7170, or online at . Sign-in begins at 1pm on the day of with the walk taking off at 1:30pm. The walk will be starting at the Manchester United Methodist Church, 501 Ann Arbor St. Both one mile– and three mile–routes will be marked. Rocking chairs will be available for anyone who would prefer to “rock their mile.” Pets on leashes are welcome to join the Walk.

A Manchester CROP Walk has been held every year over the past 31 years, and local contributors have raised more than $126,000. Manchester organized its first CROP Walk in 1995 under the leadership of Laura Sutton. That year, 182 walkers participated and raised $9,040.

Organizers state that last year there were 39 walkers here in Manchester, raising $4,581, and that their goal for this year will be to raise over $5,000.

CROP stands for Christian Rural Overseas Program, which was started as an agency for Christian World Services in 1946 to help starving countries in Europe after WWII. The CROP Hunger Walk began in 1969, 55 years ago. Last year, 14,000 participants around the United States raised $3,330,947 million.

2025 Manchester CROP Hunger Walk aid station. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.

The CROP Hunger Walk is a longstanding event in the Manchester community. Photo courtesy of Lon Nordeen.

Map prepared by Irish Hills Concerned Citizens, released September 9, 2026.

by Sara Swanson

Irish Hills Concerned Citizens (IHCC), a nonprofit grassroots group organized in January to oppose a proposed gravel mine that would border Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, reported last week that American Aggregates of Michigan (AAOM), the mining company, is preparing to resubmit its comprehensive zoning and site application to Norvell Township. IHCC reports that they have assembled to help residents understand the proposal and participate effectively in the review process.

The proposed 625-acre heavy industrial aggregate sand and gravel mine sits directly on the border of Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, a designated Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterfowl Refuge. The mining company has stated that the mine would generate 18 travel trucks an hour, 10+ hours a day. The proposed haul route runs through a second state park in our area, Hayes State Park, as well as residential areas.

Norvell Township Supervisor, Andrew Haystead, confirmed that while there are no updates to the mine application yet, the township is expecting updated studies from the applicant.

“Once the township receives the new package, the clock starts ticking,” stated IHCC president Sybil Kolon. “The community will have a short time to review the new proposal, while the township consultants are reviewing it. A public hearing will be scheduled soon after the township determines that the proposal is complete. Now is the time to make a plan to present your public comment.”

In anticipation of the filing, the IHCC board is encouraging residents to prepare their public comments using objective, measurable information rather than emotional rhetoric. “We are suggesting that our community should focus heavily on the state legal standard of ‘Very Serious Consequences’,” IHCC vice president Andy Buchsbaum stated. “We need every property owner and neighbor to identify their primary, specific concern, whether it is impacts to local parks and nearby properties, traffic safety, property values, or health concerns, and describe exactly how they will be affected, citing clear facts and real-world consequences.”

IHCC stated that they plan to provide additional guidance for making public comments in the near future.

In addition to preparing for the eventual public hearing, IHCC is encouraging residents and property owners to stay informed and participate in regular Norvell Township meetings as the review process continues. The Township Board meets on the third Monday of every month, and the Planning Commission meets on the third Wednesday of every month.

We reached out to Norvell Township supervisor but did not receive a response before publication.Ìę

Visit for more information.

9-15-2016 Editor’s note: Updated with confirmation from Norvell Township Supervisor.Ìę

submitted by Michael Sessions, City of Manchester manager

The City of Manchester will begin necessary sanitary sewer repairs on S. Macomb Street between Main Street and Duncan Street beginning Monday, September 14, 2026.

The Manchester City Council approved the repair work at its September 8 meeting. The project is necessary to address existing sanitary sewer infrastructure issues on S. Macomb Street before the City sanitary sewer relining work can proceed in this area.

The work will include replacing approximately 28 linear feet of sanitary sewer main, installing a new 4-foot sanitary sewer manhole, and replacing approximately 28 linear feet of 18-inch pipe in the area surrounding the manhole.

Equipment is expected to be delivered to the S. Macomb Street project area on Monday, September 14, with excavation anticipated to begin that same day.

Because the project requires excavation of the roadway and work on underground sanitary sewer infrastructure, residents and motorists should expect construction equipment, temporary traffic impacts, and activity in the area while the repairs are underway. Please use caution and follow all traffic-control measures and directions from construction crews.

Completing these repairs will allow the City to move forward with sanitary sewer relining in the S. Macomb Street area as part of the City larger Sanitary Sewer Relining Project, which is designed to rehabilitate aging sewer infrastructure and extend the useful life of the City sanitary sewer system.

The City appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents while this important infrastructure work is completed.

Historical photo of Doll Farm in Sharon Township. Photo courtesy of Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission.

by Sara Swanson

What does a sixth-generation family farm have to do with wildlife habitat, clean water, and the future of Washtenaw County landscape? Participants can explore that connection firsthand during the Washtenaw Conserved Farm Tour on Saturday, October 10, from 9am to 12:30pm. This event will showcase two neighboring farms while highlighting the important role that farmland conservation plays in protecting the county agricultural heritage, natural resources, and rural landscapes.

The tour begins at Doll Farm in Sylvan Township from 9am to 10:30am, where participants will learn about the farm poultry operation and tour its facilities. The group will then travel to Irwin Farm in Sharon Township from 11am to 12:30pm to learn about its conventional crop operation and explore the property.

In addition to visiting the farms, participants will have the opportunity to hike through natural landscapes that are otherwise unavailable to the public, including a prairie fen and tamarack swamp—increasingly rare ecosystems that provide important habitat for wildlife.

Ann Ziolkowski, Communications Manager for Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, states, “The tour will explore how protecting these two farms contributes to a larger vision of connected greenways that support wildlife, improve water quality, and strengthen the connections between agricultural lands and natural areas. Participants will also learn about Washtenaw County rich agricultural heritage and the community efforts to protect these important landscapes as development pressure continues to grow.”

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Participants should wear appropriate footwear and be prepared for walking on natural terrain.

The event is free but registration is required. Register for the Washtenaw Conserved Farm Tour at https://washtenawcd.org/ (click on “events” and scroll down to “”).

Benny the Beard Fisher sitting along the Manistique River in Germfask, Michigan. Benny measures about 30 feet long and 14 feet tall. Photo credit: Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association.

submitted by Della Smith, Bethel Church

This month Bethel Church UCC Memory Café event at the Manchester Senior Center will be Wednesday, September 23, at 1pm, and will feature Pat Vailliencourt describing her many trips to see the carved trolls of Thomas Dambo, a Danish sculpture artist.

Vailliencourt talked about the trolls:

Thomas Dambo is a Danish sculpture artist that grew up exposed to troll legends.

Early in the 2010s, Dambo started his “Trail of a Thousand Trolls” project with a goal to build a thousand trolls from recycled materials all over the world. Today he has built about 200.

After approval and the design is created, the heads and feet are created in Denmark and shipped to the location. Dambo will bring his crew of about 11 to oversee the creation but depends upon local volunteers to actually build their troll. Utilizing downed trees, plastic, and other recyclable material, the 25-30–foot “creature” is created.

ÌÇĐÄÊÓÆ” four years ago my dear friend in the UP took me and some friends to see “Benny the Beard Fisher.” We were hooked. Now each year our group of five gals plan a troll-hunting trip. So far, I have seen about 20 in eight states and one in Denmark. Each troll is named and has a story to tell about protecting mother earth and being kind to each other. It is hard to imagine the size and scope of these amazing trolls until you have actually stood beside one or sat on one of the toes.

Some are out in the open while some are hidden in the woods and you must follow the clues to find them. All are amazing. I am excited to share my troll stories at the Memory Café.

This event is open to all Manchester seniors and residents, and there is no cost to attend. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. Bring a friend—the more the merrier. Come reminisce, learn something new, and enjoy an afternoon celebrating how creativity can enrich your life. We’d love to see you there!

The Manchester Senior Center is located at 912 City Rd. Questions about the Senior Center? Call them at 734-212-3080.

Every fourth Wednesday of the month through October 2026, at 1 pm, Bethel Church UCC provides a Memory Café event at the center. For more information about the Memory Café, leave a message at the church office (734-429-8530) or call the Hands for Local Missions lead, Betty Harper, at 734-218-2988.

25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks remembrance ceremony at the Manchester High School football game. Photo courtesy of Angie Schaible.

by Sara Swanson

Friday, September 11, was the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people, including 415 first responders. The Manchester Flying Dutchmen played the Michigan Center Cardinals that evening and held a remembrance ceremony before the start of the game. The Manchester Fire Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff Department, HVA, and American Legion were invited to attend for the ceremony.

Some of the firefighters were returning to the stadium for the second time that day as very early that morning they had met at the stadium to remember and climb 2,200 stairs with their turnout gear on and air packs to honor the firefighters and other first responders who rushed in that day.

Photo courtesy of Angie Schaible.

Photo courtesy of Angie Schaible.

Photo courtesy of Angie Schaible.

Photo courtesy of Angie Schaible.

Guests exploring the 1840s cabin on the Mottice homestead during a previous MAHS event. Mirror file photo/credit Ray Berg.

by Sara Swanson

As Heather Rathburn, organizer of the now-annual Let Gather event at the Mottice Homestead in Sharon Township, prepares for this weekend, the Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS) is preparing, too! They will be providing docent services and demonstrations at what is a combination craft show and an opportunity to explore a small living museum.

Let Gather will take place Saturday, September 19, from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free (parking is $5 per vehicle) andÌę includes access to the grounds, live demos, more than 35 local artisan vendors, food trucks, and live music from Amy Grace and Marcus & Tiffany Shelton. The Mottice homestead is located at 20830 E Pleasant Lake Rd and includes an 1840s log cabin, functioning blacksmith shop, and a restored 1870s Sharon Township schoolhouse.

MAHS members will be serving as docents for the 1840s log cabin and providing blacksmithing demonstrations, as well as weaving and spinning demonstrations, and providing activities for kids. They will also have their 2027 calendar for sale.

Manchester Township Hall.

by Sybil Kolon

All board members were present at the September 8 board meeting. Also present were fire chief Mike Kouba and a few other members of the public.

Kouba provided the monthly report for August. There were 59 calls for service, including five fires, 37 EMS responses, and five hazmat incidents.ÌęRegular meetings and trainings were held. The board accepted the resignation of Eagan Lounsbery. The fire department was present at the Manchester Community Fair and again won the extrication challenge. Kouba will attend the Southwest Washtenaw Council of Governments meeting and will provide drafts of three ordinances for other townships’ consideration. Open burning, driveway, and dangerous building ordinances affect fire department operations and vary among the townships the fire department serves, complicating response actions.

Supervisor Ron Milkey reported that zoning administrator Carl Macomber issued two permits for new residences, three permits for barns or garages, and one deck and one residential solar installation. Driveway access problems due to the overgrowth of brush on Yonge Drive at Iron Mill Pond are being addressed by the owners.

Milkey reported that a resident called about extensive tree trimming along Mahrle Road by the Washtenaw County Road Commission. Mahrle Road is a Natural Beauty Road and tree cover was affecting clearance for vehicles. Milkey reported extensive foundation work is being done around the foundation of the house at Iron Creek Church due to water issues.

There will be a tire collection day at the Manchester Township Hall on October 10. The Irish Hills Gravel Bike Race will be held on October 17. It will begin at Michigan International Speedway and have a significant route through Manchester Township.

As reported in July, the owner of property along M-52 near Austin Road may request rezoning from low-density residential to industrial. The owner had asked the township for a letter of support for a grant to investigate the feasibility of developing the property. Neither the board nor the planning commission support signing the letter without some idea of what the use would be. Milkey will send a letter to the owner to inform them of the rezoning application process.