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.

First day of school of the 2026–2027 school year. Photo courtesy of Melissa Yekulis.

by Melissa Yekulis

Excitement was in the air at Luther C. Klager Elementary School on Monday, August 31. Families were gathered to wish their children well as they headed off to the first day of the new school year. Young 5s and kindergarten families walked their children down to their rooms to show their littles the way for the first day. Meanwhile, the big, brave first- and second-graders waved goodbye to their families and walked down to their new rooms with their teachers. It is going to be another great year of learning!

by Sara Swanson

On August 13, the Manchester District Library held a junk journaling workshop.

Organizer Laura Wohlgemuth stated, “We had such a fun and creative evening at our recent Junk Journal Workshop at the Manchester District Library! It was wonderful seeing everyone share ideas, visit with one another, and create journals that were completely unique. Some participants documented their travels, others preserved special memories of loved ones, and some simply enjoyed cutting, gluing, and creating!�

The library is planning another Junk Journal Workshop this winter so keep an eye on the Manchester District Library Facebook page and website for information on that and other upcoming craft workshops and programs.

Photos courtesy of Laura Wohlgemuth.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

submitted by Katie Altherr, Summer Camp Coordinator

Manchester Community Schools’ Summer Camps are wrapping up and I would like the community to see what we have been up to this summer. The camps included Art with Mrs. Push, Cooking with Miss Meghann, Manchester Town and Trail with Ms. Brandi, STEM with Mr. Walsh, Centershot Archery with Mrs. Little, Drama with Mrs. King, Bridgewater Support Services Horse Camp with Mrs. Sidebottom, Safety Town for 4- and 5-year-olds with Ms. Brandi, and Travel Around the World with Mrs. Duffing.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

Photo courtesy of Katie Altherr.

The Live McCurleys performing traditional Irish music at last Thursday free Gazebo Concert, the last of the season, sponsored by R.D. Kleinschimdt and hosted by the Manchester District Library. Photo courtesy of Brenda Bancroft, Friends of the Manchester District Library.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Bancroft, Friends of the Manchester District Library.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Bancroft, Friends of the Manchester District Library.

The learning never stops in Miss Yekulis first-grade class! Miss Yekulis class enjoyed one last field trip together in July, this time to the planetarium in the Natural History Museum in Ann Arbor. The future astronauts learned all about the solar system, then got to explore the museum with their families. Photo courtesy of Melissa Yekulis.

Rob Scott (center) at the 2026 Chicken Broil with his wife, in-laws, and cousin. Scott used to live in Manchester and work the Chicken Broil but moved away when he was 8. This is the first time he has returned in 50 years. Left to right: Dave and Martha Wenk, Rob Scott, Tawni Scott, and Deb Bohan. Photo credit: Colleen A. McKenney.

Photo credit: Fritz Swanson

by Sara Swanson

The Manchester District Library is currently hosting a display of quilts created by the Black Sheep quilters and crafters from the Manchester area in honor of America 250.

Photo credit: Fritz Swanson.

Photo credit: Fritz Swanson.

Photo credit: Fritz Swanson.

Photo credit: Fritz Swanson.

Photo credit: Fritz Swanson.

Photo of the flag flying in Manchester on the Fourth of July. Photo credit: Suzanne Birgy.

Photos courtesy of Brenda Bancroft, Friends of the Manchester District Library.