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February 4, 2016
I
NKSTER
- W
AYNE
- W
ESTLAND
Noted author T.L. Criswell, an
Inkster native, spoke to a crowd-
ed audience at the Lemoyne
Gardens Community Center last
week, reminding them of the
theme of her novels: what you
put into the universe determines
your destiny.
Her debut novel, The
Peacemaker, was inspired by her
poem, Stolen Opportunities
which she self published in 2008.
Her newest novel, Peace on
That: The Peacemaker II, was
released to strong reviews last
September.
“A historically detailed, emo-
tionally rich story of three gener-
ations of men dealing with and
sometimes evading their duties
to one another.” ~Kirkus
Reviews said of her first work
while Vnae Amazon reviewer
said, “T. L. Criswell has given us
the full throttle of storytelling
and has taken readers on a ride
of generational honor, dishonor,
pride and loyalty.”
An excerpt from the
Peacemaker:
“The gate slams shut, sending
a jolt of reality through seven-
teen-year-old Jayson Jackson's
entire body. As an officer pats
him down, Jayson secretly hopes
that tomorrow, when he turns
eighteen, his life will finally be
his own. But he knows it will not
be easy. Two years ago, he acci-
dentally shot his best friend.
Once again, Jayson is the victim
of stolen opportunities. Now left
helpless as he awaits a judge's
decision to either let him walk
free or give him a sentence that
could land him in a correctional
facility for a long time, Jayson
reflects on the friendship he
once shared with Michael-
Stephens all-star athlete, high
school scholar, and aspiring
singer. On the surface, Michael,
also known as Mr. Basketball,
appeared to have it all. But no
one but Jayson knew that he and
Michael shared a powerful kin-
ship created through similar
childhood tragedies. Now with
the help of his grandmother and
his uncle Scott, Jayson must
learn to reconcile his past in
order to move forward with his
future. Set against the some-
times-gritty backdrop of Detroit,
this poignant saga reveals an
unforgettable message of forgive-
ness, responsibility, and second
chances as a youngman struggles
to regain his life after a horrible
mistake.”
Criswell is passionate about
living a happy and well-balanced
life, which is reflective in her
writings, which have been
described as authentic, witty,
humorous, and poignant. She has
been writing poetry and short
stories since she was a young girl
inher hometown of Inkster.
Criswell, 45, and her husband
now live in Eastpointe with their
children.
Noted author visits home town
Mayor taking ‘Morning Meetings’ on the road
Water collection under way
Author T. L. Criswell
Westland Mayor William Wild has
asked city residents to help the citizens of
Flint, suffering from the serious effects of
contaminatedwater.
“As many of you are already aware the
City of Flint is in a dire situation and is in
need of aid. Many residents are still in
need of clean water for drinking, cooking,
cleaning and bathing. The Flint water cri-
sis is a devastating reality and is occurring
amere 60miles fromour homes. It is time
that surrounding communities ban togeth-
er and offer assistance to our fellow
Michiganders,”Wild said last week.
“As part of Westland's Compassionate
City Initiative, I am asking you to join me
in helping the residents of the City of Flint
by participating in an ongoing bottled
water drive,” he added.
Westland will be collecting bottled
water which will be delivered to Flint res-
idents, Wild said. Those who wish to par-
ticipate can bring bottled water to
Westland City Hall, located at 36300
Warren Road, between the hours of 9 a.m.
and 5 p.mMonday throughFriday.
“Westland is known as one of
Michigan's most compassionate cities. I
am confident that with the help of the res-
idents, employees, civic organizations and
elected officials, together we can make a
difference,”Wild said.
Mayor WilliamR. Wild is taking
hisMornings with theMayormeet-
ings on the road this year.
The meetings, which usually
last about an hour, are informal
meetings open to the public during
which Wild can listen to residents'
concerns and provide information
about the city. Department heads
are often in attendance at the
meetings when coffee and water
are served, along with informa-
tion.
“This year, we are taking them
on the road in order to visit differ-
ent parts of Westland. I look for-
ward to continuing to work with
residents to make Westland the
best it canbe,”Wild said.
The next meeting, set for 9 a.m.
Feb. 9, is planned at the Ralph
Savini Fire Station, 35701 Central
City Parkway. The March 15 meet-
ing will take place at the Westland
Police Station, 36701 Ford Road
and the April 12 meeting is set at
the Jefferson Barns Community
VitalityCenter, 32150DorseyRoad.
For more information call the
mayor's office, (734) 467-3200.
S U C C E S S
Wayne-Westland Community Schools fifth through eighth grade students partici-
pated in the annual District Spelling Bee last week when winners from Adams
and Marshall competed in the Upper Elementary School Spelling Bee and win-
ners from Franklin and Stevenson competed in the Middle School Spelling Bee.
Winner at the 36th annual Earle Chorbagian Spelling Bee at Adams Upper
Elementary School was Joseph Nunez, a sixth-grader at Marshall Upper
Elementary School while Bassit Fijabi, an eighth grader at Stevenson Middle
School, won the Middle School Spelling Bee. Both will move on to compete in
the WXYZ Channel 7 Spelling Bee in Detroit on March 13. Congratulating the
Nunez, above left, were his mother, Cathy Nunez,; Carol Middel, school board
vice-president; Earle Chorbagian; Bobby Kelly, principal at Marshall Upper
Elementary School and Tom Buckalew, school board trustee.
Adam Martin, principal at Stevenson Middle School, left, congratulates winner
Bassit Fijabi along with Earle Chorbagian; Carol Middel and Tom Buckalew.
