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March 30, 2023 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH

Library offering new

Learning

experience technology equipment

Plymouth Township
Police Chief Chief James
Knittel Jr. made an arrest- The Plymouth District Library current- projects with step-by-step instructions
ing appearance as a ly has four new technology kits available along with S.T.E.A.M. kits for students,
guest reader at Stefanee
Hirsch's 5th Grade Class for loan to those 18 years of age or older. with everything needed to engage in
at Isbister Elementary Library officials said the kits include hands-on explorations.
School recently. Knittel two different telescopes, a GoPro camera Anderson said sewing machines and a
read "Police in our and a small projector with screen. These Glow Forge laser cutter, now being pre-
School" by Deputy Becky latest additions to the library offerings pared for use in the lab would soon be
Coyle, a book which were funded through a 2022 technology available.
explains the role and grant awarded by the Bosch Community
goals of a school Fund to The Friends of the Plymouth
resource officer. The spe- District Library.
cial visit was part of In addition to these adult technology
national March is kits, the Plymouth library now includes
Reading Month and
school administrators computers and hotspots, kids' STEAM kits,
said all the students and low vision tools - with additional col-
enjoyed Knittel's visit. lections coming soon, explained Library
Reading month is cele- Director Shauna Anderson.
brated nationally as an "Our Library of Things represents an
effort to promote literacy. exciting area of growth for us right now,"
said Anderson., "These developments,
along with new tools in our lab, mean we
LaRiche building lifelong relationships and uplift- are meeting the needs of our patrons in
ing the communities that have supported
inspiring new ways. We are grateful to
us,” said Kelley LaFontaine, vice presi- Bosch Community Fund and the Friends
FROM PAGE 1 dent of LaFontaine Automotive Group. for their continued support."
“There is a rich sense of community in Also funded through the 2022 Bosch
on our values and culture to carry on our and around the Plymouth area and we Community Fund grant are: LinkedIn
legacy, and we found just that with the will quickly align ourselves with the Learning, an online learning tool that sup-
LaFontaine family. We know that organizations and initiatives making a ports high school students and adults in
LaFontaine Automotive Group will con- positive impact on fellow residents and expanding their technology skills; the
tinue to provide the same high level of business alike.” Creativebug database, which offers more
service and dedication to our customers Keith Davey with LaFontaine than 1000 video classes in drawing, paint- Plymouth Public Library patrons can now
that we have always strived for,” LaRiche Automotive Group will oversee the new ing, sewing, quilting, knitting, jewelry borrow two new telescopes purchased
said. Plymouth location as general manager. making; Lerner Maker Lab, a database of with a grant from the Bosch Community
The Haggerty Road dealership has Davey started his automotive retail hands-on projects, experiments, crafts, Fund. Library officials said the telescopes
been a flagship in the Plymouth commu- career in Plymouth more than a decade and recipes, geared toward elementary- and other video equipment are limited to
nity for decades. It was founded by Lou ago at a different dealership. age students and featuring easy-to-follow users 18 years of age or older.
Lariche in 1971. Mr. LaRiche died at the “I'm so excited to be back in Plymouth
age of 90 last June. and have the opportunity to take this
Founded in 1980 by Michael Sr. and store to new heights and deliver a best-in-
Maureen LaFontaine, the nationally-rec- class guest experience,” said Davey.
ognized LaFontaine Automotive Group Matthew Bailey, currently general
now includes 54 retail franchises, 9 colli- sales manager of LaFontaine Cadillac
sion centers and 34 Michigan retail loca- Buick GMC of Highland, will transition to
tions. The group employs nearly 2,500 GSM in Plymouth.
individuals. Following the closing, the dealership
“Community and philanthropy will be renamed LaFontaine Chevrolet
remains a cornerstone of our Group since Plymouth.
my mom, Maureen LaFontaine, went Financial details of the sale were not
door-to-door back in Plymouth in 1984, disclosed.