Virgil and Jim’s Christmas trees is the local business that remembers their customers after seeing them once a year.

“We drove by and saw the sign. We’ve been coming here for 15 years! This is my grandson’s first Christmas,” Aaryn Vaughn said.

The customer service, the people, the selection and the prices keep bringing customers back.

“We’ve come the past couple of years. We saw them while driving by. We have four at home and my youngest is one. We’ll keep coming back,” Mike Carpenter said.

They can be found on Jackson Rd at 5100 Jackson Avenue behind West End Hair. It’s hard to miss the brightly lit sign and wreaths out front on Jackson Ave. From an opposite view, their lights and another sign are visible from highway 94 near exit 169.

The stand is open starting Black Friday and closes on Christmas Eve, or when they run out of trees.

Originally, this business was run solely by Virgil Johnson who sold Christmas trees starting in 1955. Johnson owned a full-service gas station on Washtenaw Avenue and Hewitt Road where he would sell trees when the season came around.

In 1976 Jim Black married Johnson’s youngest daughter, Wanda. Three years passed, with Black taken under Johnson’s wing, and the business became Virgil and Jim’s Christmas trees.

Unfortunately, Johnson passed away in 2010 at age 92. He was apart of the business until the end of his life. Now, the stand is run by Mr. and Mrs. Black, Mike who is Jim’s brother-in-law, Matt and Carl, both of which are family friends. Wanda insists they are family, not simply family friends.

“I love it, working here. People are always happy. Virgil knew my grandfather and he fixed my grandpa’s car,” Carl said.

Carl started working with Virgil and Jim around the age of 17. He took a break to live his life before returning to work for the stand when the season comes around.

“I love working here. I’ve quit a few jobs to keep working here. This is a family thing and I really enjoy that,” Matt said.

Matt has been working with the business for over 13 years. The five dedicated members running Virgil and Jim’s Christmas Trees recognize the importance of family and running a family business.

“We really like that it’s a family run business,” daughter, Sojna, said.

“It’s not a cut your own tree farm,” mom, Kersten said.

“We’ve been coming here for six or seven years,” dad, Mike, said.

The family of three saw the stand while driving by. They keep coming back because the people are nice, there’s a great selection and it’s family oriented.

The specific uniting factor that keeps each family coming back and that draws in new customers is the people. The group of five, once six, that keeps the work ethic Johnson began in ‘55.

“Other than him not being here not much has changed since Virgil’s death,” Black said. “We do everything the same. It feels like he’s still with us.”

The family keeps Virgil in the conversations and jokes throughout the business. Customers still ask about him, and while the truth has to come to light, the conversations never turn sour. Virgil’s name will stay on the business and his memory lives on every day within the family and with the customers.

Their property up north supplies the trees they bring down to Ann Arbor which allows Virgil and Jim’s is a strong part of the Scio Township community. Companies such as Weber’s, Toyota, Subaru and Planet Rock purchase trees from this stand. Planet Rock has a 22-foot tree this year which weighs around 500 pounds.

Because they own a property in northern Michigan they always know how fresh the trees are. Not only are their trees fresh but so are their wreaths. They know a couple up north who makes their wreaths with fresh cuttings provided by the Black’s.

Something no customer can ever recall is how they heard about the stand. They all say they saw a sign while driving by but there is always a pause before the answer is said. Word of mouth and being present is how the business continues to flourish. This is necessary as the business has very little online presence.

“We have a website that someone made us a while ago but I don’t use that form of communication much,” Black said.

Black’s personal cell phone is also the business’ phone number. His phone stays plugged in and on audible inside the mobile unit where sells and transactions are completed.

At the register Black always asks if his crew gave a fresh cut, bailed, and helped load up the tree. They do everything possible to ensure the customer has a great experience, not simply a good or decent experience.

“Our motto is, ‘You don’t have to touch the tree until you get home,” Mrs. Black said.

Mr. Black added the majority of moms and kids that picking out the tree without dad are able to do so confidently because they know the crew will take care of everything until the family returns home.

Mrs. Black has multiple pairs of reading glasses lined along the window sill near the register for her own benefit as well as for customers who forgot their own.

Kids find excitement in picking out a tree as it is but Virgil and Jim’s takes it a step further. Kids, and adults, are able to pick out a small cutting with a base as well as an ornament. This way the young ones can have their own ‘tree’ in their room or an adult can have a festive desk decoration.

A bowl of candy canes sits beside the register for all to enjoy. Dog treats are also available for the families that bring their furry family members.

The family moved their sales table to a vertical position after years of it sitting in a horizontal position due to adding two new family members. The Black couple are now owners of twin sister Boxers that are five months old.

“My great-niece babysits them on the weekends when we’re the busiest because we can’t give them the attention they deserve,” Mrs. Black said.

Oddly enough, when Wanda was growing up, Johnson didn’t involve his family in the business. Wanda wasn’t born yet when Johnson first started selling Christmas trees. Their family had a fake tree, a silver one is colorful lights that spun. It wasn’t until Jim married into the family that Wanda got involved.

Black’s kids aren’t involved in the business either they didn’t take an interest. When the time comes, as it did for Virgil, the business will continue as will the great memories.

The plan is to find an interested party to bring on as a partner. There would be a transition of about three years so the partner can learn the business as well as about the customers.

“It’s more personal than it is about business,” Mrs. Black said.

Many graduating high school students look to the future and wonder what the next step is. Parents, teachers and family members alike encourage these blooming adults to pursue further education. College, as obvious as it may seem, is expensive. Thoughts of crippling debt rests on the shoulders of barely eighteen-year-olds before they pick a college to attend. Thanks to the fantasy of drowning in debt, it is not uncommon for students to begin this new adventure at a community college.

“It is for that exact reason that I didn’t go to Eastern because they had the same classes at WCC for a much lower price,” Troy Payne said, a student of Washtenaw Community College.

Going to a community college is also a good first step for students fresh out of high school that do not want to dive head first into lecture halls. Community colleges like WCC have smaller classrooms. There are food options on campus and often in the nearby area. The social life is quaint but welcoming. Housing is not provided which can be both financially beneficial or hindering.

While all these things about community college are great it may not fully equip a young adult for university life. As a student time management will become an essential tool. Each person is now in charge of their classes, food, exercise, social life and housing.

Four year universities can seem intimidating when transferring from a community college. Luckily, the academics are fairly universal. Completed prerequisites are the same. The introduction classes to most major are also essentially the same.

“They don’t differ too much except the major classes start expanding… once you’re a junior you’re taking more advanced classes,” Megan Dennis said, a representative from Oakland University.

Many colleges have food plans to ensure students are truly eating enough. Although, many university students will spill their horror stories of living off nothing but hot pockets and caffeine. Being at a four year college means managing a relatively regular and healthy diet while balancing all other aspects of university. It is nearly impossible to be successful without taking care of the physical aspect of being human. To nourish the brain is to also nourish body.

If living at home was interesting, it is time to prepare to enter the new dimension of living on campus. Many four year colleges require freshmen to live in the dorms which means having a roommate. For many students a roommate becomes a new friend.

“Living on campus is being apart of a community that is close knit and taking classes similar to yours. It’s a family outside of your family,” Dennis said.

Social life is tied up in a nice bow made of dorms, classes and friends from before this point in life. There is always someone around so it’s difficult to not make friends.

“It’s been pretty social, I just recently just met my girlfriend and I’m making friends. I DJ for one of the frats. I have pretty good relationships with my professors… There’s not really a dull day,” Erik Jimerson said, a student at Alma University.

What’s the best way to battle the differences of being at a four year college? Time management.

“My best tips are to know how much time each activity actually is, so that there is better spacing between activities… One more tip I have is to put each activity in a calendar and try to know what you have to do for the week,” Teresa Cardenas said, a student at Eastern Michigan University.

Everyone succeeds at different rates and in different ways. From calendars, sticky notes notifications on a phone, planners, and more the tools to manage time are nearly endless. With so many things to do these tools are here to make life as a college student simpler and more enjoyable.

Boy Scouts of America has made a change and is no longer exclusively for boys and men. Beginning in 2018 girls are now able to join Cub Scout Dens. In 2019, older girls will be able to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Girl Scouts of America is suing Boy Scouts of America for their name change. Instead of BSA (Boy Scouts of America) the brand is aiming to change to Scouts BSA to more accurately describe the organization. Specifically, GSUSA (Girl Scouts of the USA) is suing BSA for trademark infringement.

Within the complaint, “Only GSUSA has the right to use the Girl Scouts and Scouts trademarks with leadership development services for girls.” CNN reports.

“Girl Scouts offers the best leadership development experience for girls in the world.” according to the Girl Scouts website, www.girlscouts.org.

The Girl Scouts fear there will be mass confusion for the public. Which option should young girls aim for, Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts?

According to The New York Times article How Different Are Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, there are 3 main differences when comparing Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts: badges, highest achievements, and STEM.

In terms of badges both organizations have very similar badges in a range of fields. The article says, “…the Boy Scouts have some badges that focus on broader themes such as communication, which includes elements of writing, speaking and blogging among others. Alternatively, the Girls Scouts offer specific badges for things like screenwriting and novel writing.”

The highest achievement in Girl Scouts is the Gold Award and the highest award in Boy Scouts is becoming an Eagle Scout.

While The New York Times’ article points out the Boy Scouts launched a STEM program in 2015 the Girl Scouts shouldn’t be perceived as though there isn’t education about STEM for the girls.

“We introduce Girl Scouts of every age to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to help them see how they can actually improve the world—whether they’re discovering how a car’s engine runs, learning to manage finances, or caring for animals.” says the Girl Scout website.

Orientation is a growing concern in society and these organizations are no exception.

BSA’s website says, “It is the philosophy of Scouting to welcome all eligible youth, regardless of race, ethnic background, or orientation, who are willing to accept Scouting’s values and meet any other requirements of membership.”

GSUSA is still exclusive to female only; however, on a case-to-case Girl Scouts are for the transgender youth as well.

“Girl Scouts is proud to be the premiere leadership organization for girls in the country. Placement of transgender youth is handled on a case-by-case basis, with the welfare and best interests of the child and the members of the troop/group in question a top priority. That said, if the child is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe.” according to the Girl Scouts website.

Boys Scouts/Scouting and Girl Scouts are organizations to benefit the youth and teach them life skills. Both organizations, as of 2018, are now open to girls. The choice of which organization is the best fit still falls on the shoulders of parents and guardians as well as the child themselves.

“Time after time again, families are being forced to skip meals… Food insecurity not only affects someone’s health, but their morale and ability to function in our dynamic world,” said hauntsforhunger.org.

Haunts for Hunger is a community event hosted by Ann Arbor high schoolers Emilee Henson and Will Ellsworth. The two clear out the garage and backyard to transform Henson’s home into a frightening haunted house for ages seven and up. All they ask for admission is non-perishable goods which they donate to Food Gatherers.

Founders of Haunts for Hunger Emilee Henson and Will Ellsworth.

Since the birth of this idea in 2014, Ellsworth and Henson decided on two levels of terror, spooky and scary. Spooky time is from 5:30pm to 7:00pm and has some higher intensity features turned off so younger kids can enjoy a fun, yet spooky, haunted house. Scary time is just that, scary. This portion is from 7:30pm to 9:00pm and features live actors, disorienting lighting and flashing lights, fog, loud sounds and claustrophobic spaces.

This year on the eve of Halloween 42 visitors arrived for spooky time and 59 visitors arrived for scary time. Halloween is always busier according to Ellsworth and Henson.

There is a safety briefing at the door before entering the haunted house to ensure that everyone is safe and has fun.

“Halloween is like our Christmas,” Ellsworth said.

The two discuss decorations and plans constantly.

“We plan year round for this,” Henson said.

They have to plan early with all the elaborate tricks they pull off throughout this haunted house. Each year it grows bigger and so do the props. With the growth in visitors they have been able to add more features such as dummies, a fog machine and more actors.

One of the youngest actresses in the backyard.

“We have 14 live actors this year varying from third grade to 11th grade,” Ellsworth said.

This year they have three clowns, a doctor and patient, two prisoners, a bear, haunting children and more to jump out and scare any willing victims.

Clown shrouded in fog in the maze.

This year they had about two weeks to put together the maze and backyard after Henson’s father helped clear out the garage on Oct. 13. He has one of his cars, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, on the street with a poster for Haunts for Hunger in the windshield.

“My dad works on cars so it’s cool seeing him use his passion for ours. Maybe we’ll but a skeleton in the front seat,” Henson said.

Ellsworth and Henson put in at least 45 hours each to complete the haunted house. Even with all that time invested they say it is quicker than in previous years because they have learned tricks on how to put it up faster. It also usually takes them about five hours to tear down after the event.

“My brother and I are from Flint so this event is very important to us,” Henson said. With the Flint water crisis they were also able to provide people with 300 pounds in water bottles.

“We want to start a conversation with young people that it doesn’t take much to give back,” Ellsworth said. “It doesn’t only include how much they’re eating. It affects their work and school, too.”

Halloween of 2017 they were able to donate 756 pounds of food. This year, on eve of Halloween, they have already collected over 200 pounds and are aiming to collect 900 pounds by the end of this event.

All items collected are donated to Food Gatherers and they try to collect the most requested items to help those in need. Food Gatherers recommends canned fish or meat, beef stew, meat soups, hearty soups, canned pasta, chili, beans (canned or dried), rice, baby food or formula, powdered milk, Ensure or other nutritional supplement drinks, noodles, pancake or baking mixes, cereal/oatmeal, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly (in plastic jars).

Food Gatherers also recommends non-opened personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, soap, shampoo and disposable razors.

Ellsworth and Henson do fundraisers and collect pop bottles to recycle in order to continue improving their haunted house. Ellsworth also used his Eagle Scout project to raise money for their event.

The two post yard signs in the Abbot neighborhood, use the app Nextdoor, have a Facebook, Instagram and website to get the word out for this event.

“We’re trying to push boundaries so more families will come from all around. We want to share with people who do struggle with food insecurity and raise awareness,” Ellsworth said.

Actor stares down victim.

On hauntsforhunger.org there is a volunteer section as volunteers are greatly needed to give the best experience. There are positions for set up, tear down, make up artists and actors or actresses.

With both Ellsworth and Henson in high school they have started training Henson’s younger brother on the ins and outs so he can take over when the two go off to college.

“This has become a tradition for a lot of families in the Abbot neighborhood and we want to continue doing good for the community,” Henson said.

The population of white-tailed deer in Michigan has continued to rise. Last year, 2017, there was an estimated 1.5 million deer in Michigan. More does and fawns have been seen across the state this year.

“We’re expecting 16 kittens for this Kittenpalooza,” Allison Manz, a staff member for Tiny Lions, said.

Kittenpalooza was a special adoption event hosted by Tiny Lions on Friday, October 5th. From 1-5pm over a dozen kittens were available for adoption.

By the end of the event all 16 kittens had been adopted.

“I’m a volunteer here so I’ve been super excited and waiting for this event,” Brandon, adopter of two kittens, said.

Brandon adopted one male and one female.

“Harley (the female) has such a beautiful, unique pattern. And Big Blue (the male) is super sweet. They’re both so sweet,” Brandon said.

Each kitten, like people, was different. Some were sleepy while others were full of energy and ready to play with the adopters.

Before anyone can adopt they first had to fill out a survey, the first of five stations during this event. This survey allowed the staff and volunteers to see if the adopter is fit for the kitten.

The second station was picking out a kitten. All of the kittens were placed in the event room to separate them from the older cats.

“We do this to protect their immune systems,” Alexandra, foster mom of seven kittens, said.

Upper respiratory infections are incredibly contagious among kittens. They need to get many vaccinations and eventually go into surgery to get fixed. These kittens need strong immune systems to combat any future complications.

As another precaution, each kitten is swaddled in a cloth before being placed in the arms of adopters.

Sean, another adopter who had visited Tiny Lions before, heard about the event online.

“She (the kitten) was playful and social with her cage mates. She took a liking to me,” Sean said.

Tiny Lions is a lounge and adoption center that has been partnered with the Humane Society of Huron Valley since opening in May 2016.

While this was adoption event, Tiny Lions is always open for people to pet, play, and love the older cats.

Almost 700 cats have been adopted through Tiny Lions.

Cat cafes grew in popularity in the mid 2000’s; however, this concept isn’t as new as it seems. The first cat cafe was opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998 and soon grew to be a tourist hotspot. This idea exploded in Japan between 2004 and 2010 and 79 were opened in this country alone.

The first cat cafe to open in the USA was in Silver Lake, California in 2014. Michigan soon followed the trend and opened one in 2015. A year later, Tiny Lions found its home in Ann Arbor.

The cat cafe is not the only furry fad. Yoga with cats began to grow around 2016 not long after the cafes made their mark. Tiny Lions turned their lounge into an all-in-one experience by bringing yoga classes to the location on Thursdays and Sundays.

Tiny Lions also features events such as trivia, coloring, and movies, all with cats. For the pet owner or wilderness explorer they also feature an class in animal photography.

Tiny Lions has a 20 person capacity limit to ensure the cats are comfortable and not overwhelmed.

“We’re always busier on the weekends but the week days are slower. If you’re looking for a quiet place to work and get more one-on-one time with the cats that’s the best time to go,” Manz said.

 

Welcome! I hope you are prepared to go on an adventure with me!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton