K-Wings sign another…

Sam Ftorek put up impressive numbers while playing with the Amarillo Gorillas of the Central Hockey League last season.

In fact, his 20 goals and 45 assists were a professional high for the 12-year veteran.

The Kalamazoo Wings are hoping that this seasoned and versatile player will continue to put big numbers on the board this season.

“His (Ftorek) versatility to give us production as a forward or at the blue line is a major attribute,” said Wade Welsh, vice president/general manager in a statement released by the K-wings Thursday evening.

“With the ability to only have four veterans (260 games played, excluding goaltenders); we need our vets to play a pivotal role on and off the ice.”

Ftorek is no stranger to the ECHL having played eight seasons in the league, most recently for the Cincinnati Cyclones in the 2006-07 season.

K-wings fans may remember Ftorek when he was a member of the Bloomington Prairie Thunder, a former foe of the K-wings in the IHL during the 2007-08 season.

Ftorek is the son of Robbie Ftorek who spent eight seasons in the NHL playing for team such as the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers.

 With the addition of Ftorek to the roster, the K-wings now have eight players signed for the upcoming season.

Submitted by Mark McGlothlen

Portage girl okay after snake encounter

A 2-year-old girl has survived a close encounter with a rattlesnake in the basement of her grandparents’ home in Portage.  Anna Niehaus of Kalamazoo ran into the darkened basement Tuesday to answer her daughter Kaitlyn’s screams and heard a distinct rattling sound.  Niehaus saw the rattlesnake lunge at Kaitlyn. The snake hissed and blocked her from getting to her daughter.  The mother called police, who came and killed the 18-inch-long rattlesnake with a baton.    Kaitlyn was checked out at a hospital and she’s fine.  Niehaus tells the Kalamazoo Gazette an uncle is having the snake preserved, and her parents may have it mounted to display in their house.  (AP)

President Obama is coming to Elkhart

President Barack Obama will visit Indiana for the first time since delivering the controversial commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame in May.  A White House official says Obama will visit the Elkhart area Wednesday but did not release other details.  Obama last visited Elkhart in February while making a campaign-style pitch for the massive economic stimulus bill. Elkhart County has been devastated by the collapse of the recreational vehicle industry and has an unemployment rate of nearly 17 percent.  Obama’s May 17 appearance at Notre Dame drew criticism from many Catholics and abortion opponents, who said the university should not have awarded him an honorary degree because of his support for abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research.  (AP)

Callie

My name is Callie.  I am a little girl and only 4 weeks old.  My sister Cloie is here with me.  We are the Calico sisters.  Cloie and I are both very playful but we are not so sure about this person with the camera.  If you take me to your house I would warm right up to you and give you years of joy.  We both like visitors so why not stop by to see us we are in pen 1 docket 8179 at the St Joseph County Animal Control located 652 E Main, Centreville, MI.  Animal Control is opened Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4:30 PM.  Please visit the Animal Rescue Fund web site to see more adoptable pets.  Animal Control and ARF are experiencing a serous shortage of cat food.  Please consider donating cat food.  The food can be dropped off at AC during regular business hours.  Animal Control will be opened this Saturday from 9 AM until noon.  Go to www.ARFund.org for more information about this organization.

Dean Hull, 95

Dean D. Hull, age 95, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at his home.

He was born Oct. 9, 1913, in Cement City, a son of the late Cary and Dollie (Ringer) Hull.

Dean had resided in Sturgis since 1997, coming from Capac. He had lived in Muskegon from 1952-1967 and Bronson from 1967-1971, when he moved to Capac.

On Sept.18, 1938, he married Hilve Hendrickson in Harbert. She died Jan. 30, 1978. He married Velma Maude Graybiel on July 12, 1986, in Capac and she died Aug. 19, 2002.

Most of Dean’s working life was involved in farming and truck driving.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bronson and while living in Muskegon he was an active member of the Sullivan Community Church.

Dean attended Michigan State University with the ROTC program. While attending Michigan State he was a member of the Boxing Club and participated in Golden Gloves. He was a private pilot and a member of the Civil Air Patrol. For several years he served on the Oakridge School Board in Wolf Lake.

He is survived by three daughters, Darlene Hull of Sturgis, Mary (Randy) Davis of Sturgis and Alice (Steve) Easterday of Sturgis; three sons, Paul (Phyllis) Hull of Howell, Dan Hull of Sturgis and Fred Hull of Sturgis; five grandchildren, Faith Bowen, Jana (Tom) Alvarez, Rob (Katie) Davis, Corinne Strang and Courtney Strang; five great-grandchildren, Savannah Bowen, Aidan Alvarez, Alexis Alvarez, Paige Davis and Peyton Davis; caregiver and special friend, Mary Holley of Sturgis; two sisters, Edna Hull of Sebring, Fla., and Onda Braithwaite of Jackson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives; a son, Wayne Hull; and five brothers, Clarence Hull, Harold Hull, Drell Hull, Gordon Hull and Clayton Hull.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis and 11 a.m.-noon Saturday at the First Baptist Church 140 Buchanan St., Bronson, where funeral services celebrating the life of Dean Hull will begin at noon Saturday. The Rev. John Romanosky of the Sullivan Community Church in Muskegon and the Rev. John Fields of the First Baptist Church will officiate.

A graveside committal will follow the service at the Bronson Cemetery in Bronson.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Hull’s memory consider the Sullivan Community Church, 3951 Barnes Road, Ravenna, MI 49451. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.

Mary Riley, 53

Mary D. Riley, 53, of Constantine,  passed away July 27, 2009, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes  Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis,.

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