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April 20, 2023 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH

Sword fight

Historic weaponry tournament

set for Plymouth competition

The sounds of clashing metal swords “Historical European Martial Art is a
will fill the halls of the Plymouth Arts and competitive martial sport where we
Recreation Complex (PARC) next month recreate sword duels at full speed with
as a group of weapon-wielding competi- blunt steel weapons. Imagine Olympic
tors invade the city to display their skills karate competitors armed with blunt steel
with historic, and lethal, weapons. weapons,” Mundo explained. “No wizards
Competitors from Historical European or foam swords here. We wear modern
Martial Arts School (HEMA) facilities in protective gear and our tournament will
the U.S. and several nations will be dis- include: Longsword, One-handed Sword Members of the Historical European Martial Arts School will compete in Plymouth May
playing their skills and vying for coveted and Competitive Target Cutting,” he said. 5 through 7 at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex.
honors during the tournament, which will Mundo said the HEMA competitors
take place at PARC in downtown base their fighting styles on historical Empire while another uses techniques techniques.
Plymouth. sources. As an example, he said, a fighter from a medieval Italian master. The event, set for May 5 through 7, is
Joe Mundo representing the HEMA in from one school may use techniques from Some competitors will be offering free and open to the public. The PARC is
Garden City said the tournament is based a manuscript written by a 14th century classes, Mundo said, on the wide variety located at 650 Church St. in downtown
in world history. master who lived in the Holy Roman of historical sources and modern sports Plymouth.

Library gala is planned

The Plymouth District Library library is developing plans to over-
will host an after-hours gala in cele- haul the outdoor environment at the
bration of its 100th year serving the facility, including more native and
Plymouth community. pollinator-friendly plantings and the
The gala will take place from 7 addition of a natural amphitheater
until 10 p.m. Saturday, April 29 and is space for outdoor programming.
for those 21 and older. Organizers Proceeds from anniversary gala,
said black tie is optional. along with generous contributions
Tickets for the evening are $100 from the Wilcox Foundation and the
per person and will include hors Friends of the Plymouth District
d'oeuvres, an open bar with wine and Library, will make this vision a realit,
beer and live music in the stacks by library officials said.
the Kennebec Avenue Jazz Group. Tickets for the event are now
The Plymouth District Library will celebrate 100 years of service to the community April 29. During this centennial year, the available at plymouthlibrary.org

City qualifies for new state road repair funding program

The City of Plymouth is among approved Senate Bill 7, a budget State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D- for this grant program. This will intended to offset the costs of fix-
the local communities that will supplemental that allocates $25 Plymouth) expressed his pleas- match dollar-for-dollar what ing roads in communities around
share in $25 million in supple- million for the Transportation ure at the announcement that Plymouth puts towards fixing our the state and invest in reconstruc-
mental funding recently Economic Development Fund, a Plymouth would be included in local roads - that's why I voted in tion, replacement, rehabilitation
approved by the Michigan House match grant road funding pro- the fund-matching program. favor of this funding,” Koleszar or preventive maintenance proj-
of Representatives. gram for municipalities with “I'm ecstatic to learn that my said. ects, according to a prepared
House representatives fewer than 10,000 people. hometown of Plymouth qualifies The goal of the grants is release from Koleszar's office.