Home Care In Mill Creek, IN

Mill Creek Tavern in Comstock Park is normally closed on Thanksgiving. This year, however, they opened their kitchen and prepared Thanksgiving meals for their customers in need.

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — Mill Creek Tavern in Comstock Park is normally closed on Thanksgiving. This year, however, they opened their kitchen and prepared Thanksgiving meals for their customers in need.

“We slow-roasted 100 pounds of turkey; we picked them up from a farm in Byron Center. ” said Mill Creek owner Scott Ingersoll.

He started cooking a complete Thanksgiving dinner for people to take home free of charge at 5 Ingersoll said, “We had a bunch of people that mentioned to us that they didn't staff, and I talked about maybe doing 30 meals.”

When word got out, that number quickly climbed to 104 meals.

“Since we opened this place, we really ingrained ourselves into the community. We believe that, if we give back, that the community will receive us. And that's kind of what's happened.” Said Ingersoll.

Even some of his staff thought it was important to volunteer to come in and help.

Mill Creek Tavern Bar Tender Sarah Walker said, “It’s good to give back. You know, it feels, it feels good. There was a time when I was a kid, I was on that side of this. So, it's good to be on this side of it. This time, because I had a big family growing up, we needed it sometimes too.”

Part of Scott’s motto is to make a relentless effort to give back and support.

“We're very fortunate to be here and do what we do. Have a job that we love to do, and it's important that we show the community that it's not just about us, and that we want them to come here and support us, that we are, in fact, engaging and trying to give back as well.” Said Ingersoll.

As people started picking up their meals, Scott and his staff saw the importance of what they were doing.

Ingersoll said, “That's why we're doing this. We, all of us, have everybody in this room has struggled. We've been there, and it's important to us. So, hope you enjoy it and have a happy Thanksgiving.”

Scott wants to make this an annual tradition and increase who they help next year.

Follow FOX 17: Facebook - X (formerly Twitter) - Instagram - YouTube

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Contributed / South Portland Historical Society

Contributed / South Portland Historical Society

You probably drive by the small building at 513 Broadway frequently and never give it a thought. The Electrical Building in Mill Creek has its own interesting history, notably its origin as a project of the short-lived Civil Works Administration in 1934.

In early years, if a South Portland resident had a house fire, they were highly likely to lose everything due to the difficulty of communication and the delayed response time by firefighters. It was reportedly volunteer firefighter Philip S. Melcher, at Hose Company 2 on Pillsbury Street, who first raised the idea of creating a whistle fire alarm system in 1905. The city bought a hand-operated steam whistle around 1906 and the power company allowed it to be installed in their steam house in Knightville. In case of fire, someone would need to call the man on duty in the steam house who could sound the whistle there, alerting volunteer firefighters around the city that there was a fire. The whistle would send out a series of blasts, identifying where in the city the fire call was coming from.

Contributed / South Portland Historical Society

The first electrical fire alarm system was installed in 1907. This first system, with 12 pull boxes installed around Ferry Village, was established by Volunteer Hose Company 1 on School Street. George H. Lowell did the work; he donated his labor to install the system that was purchased by the hose company. With the electrical system installed, all one had to do in case of fire was run outside to the nearest pull box, open the door and pull down the lever. An electrical signal would then go from that box to the city’s electrical department, where the number on the box was identified with either a punched ticker tape or a tapper that would strike a bell, striking out the number of the fire box. Each fire box had its own unique number and the volunteer firefighters had tappers installed in their homes. Firefighters (and many homeowners, too) had a little red book in which they could look up the number to determine the location of the call.

The first headquarters of the alarm system was on School Street. The cost of upkeep of the system proved to be more than Hose Company 1 could handle, however, so the city started contributing to the cost in 1908 and later took the system over in March of 1913. By 1914, the city moved the headquarters of the alarm system (now called “the electrical building” to the Knightville School, then moved it to a newly constructed building on O’Neil Street in early 1916, and to the Central Fire Station on Thomas Street in 1926.

George Lowell served as South Portland’s first city electrician from 1903 to 1911, then again from 1921 until his retirement in 1949. His son, Bob Lowell, served under his father as assistant, then took over after George’s retirement, serving from 1950 until his death in 1969. Shown here is George Lowell in 1955 at 90 years old, showing off a one-circuit fire alarm board that was purchased and installed by the city in 1916 in its then-new electrical building at the end of O’Neil Street. Contributed / South Portland Historical Society

During the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt created a program to create jobs called the Civil Works Administration. The CWA began on Nov. 9, 1933, and there was a huge push to get people off welfare and into these CWA jobs. On its first payday on Nov. 23, 1933, there were 814,511 CWA workers on the payroll. By January 1934, there were more than 4 million. The projects undertaken were sponsored by the local, state and federal government and were on public land – building and/or improving roads/infrastructure and public buildings. The sponsor had to pay for the materials, but all labor was paid with CWA funding.

Although the CWA was short-lived, South Portland was quick to take advantage of the program. According to the city’s annual report, there were 258 residents of South Portland who were put to work through the relief program. Some of the projects undertaken included painting and doing repairs in all of our schools, digging drainage ditches, grading and surfacing sidewalks, construction and cleaning sewers, and more. According to the public works commissioner of South Portland at that time, Albert Waterman, the city contributed about $10,000 in total toward CWA projects to take advantage of about $100,000 in federal funding through that program.

Advertisement

One of those CWA projects was the construction of the fireproof Electrical Building on Broadway. A story in the Portland Press Herald on March 7, 1934, stated that “CWA workers Tuesday erected poles to carry wires from the new city electrical building to the Central Fire Station. According to present plans the laying of cement in the foundation of the new building probably will be started today.” There was an update in the Evening Express on March 14, “It is expected that the building, with the exception of the installation of the interior electrical apparatus, will be completed by the latter part of the month.”

The Electrical Building constructed by the CWA in 1934 was only a one-story structure – essentially the basement of the building that you see there today. According to South Portland’s 1934 annual report, the city spent about $1,800 on the project, but most of that was the cost of “new switchboards and electrical appliances.” Once the building was completed and now serving as the center of our fire alarm system, all electrical equipment was removed from the Central Fire Station on Thomas Street and they used the freed-up space for additional sleeping quarters for firefighters.

The CWA was ended on March 31, 1934, leaving many projects unfinished, so we were lucky to have our Electrical Building completed in the nick of time.

There were plans to add another story to the Electrical Building. It took two decades for that second phase to come to fruition. In 1952, the electrical department started indicating that it wanted to add that second story. In the 1952 report, they stated that “since 1934, the fire alarm circuits have increased 85% and the fire alarm batteries 60%.” Construction of the brick second story began in 1953, based on plans drawn up by Lester I. Beal; construction was completed in early 1954.

In more recent years, the Electrical Building has been used for a variety of purposes. In 2007, the historical society temporarily used it for storage while it was raising money to make its home in the Cushing’s Point House. In 2008, Lee Humiston began working on the building and opened his Maine Military Museum there. In recent years, the South Portland Land Trust has been using the building for office and storage space. There is now some talk of possibly turning the building into a nature center for the public, with its ideal location in the park and along the Greenbelt Walkway. Regardless of its future use, the building is still an attractive structure with an interesting connection to local and American history.

Upcoming museum events

The Sunday Chat series at the museum at Bug Light Park continues on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – military historian Ken Thompson will be available to talk with visitors and sign copies of his books. Books are available for purchase and signing at the museum. On Dec. 8 at 1 p.m., society member Jack Nordby will join us for his annual recitation (from memory) of the much-loved Dylan Thomas classic, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” FMI, call 767-7299 or email [email protected].

Kathryn Onos DiPhilippo is executive director of the South Portland Historical Society.

Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.

Send questions/comments to the editors.

QUINCY — For the second time in a year, the Quincy Plan Commission denied a request from the Mill Creek Water District for the construction of a new water tower.

The new tower, which is planned for just north of the water district offices, is intended to replace the aging tower currently in use. The new tower would add more than four times the capacity of the current water tower, increasing capacity for a rapidly growing area. The commission denied a similar request from Mill Creek in February.

According to the petition circulated by the Mill Creek Water District, the current water tower, built in the 1970s with a capacity of 60,000 gallons, is both insufficient for the current population of the district and is in need of rehabilitation with costs estimated from $350,000 to $550,000.

At Tuesday's Plan Commission meeting, commissioners heard from attorney Barney Bier representing the Mill Creek Water District and residents speaking in opposition to the proposed location, represented by Barbara O'Dear.

The proposed new tower is planned to have a capacity of 250,000 gallons and provide capacity to the expanding population of the Mill Creek district, which has seen growth of over 8% in the last decade. The remainder of Adams County has seen a decrease in population by 3.5% in the same time period.

Kevin Garnett, an engineer working on the project for Mill Creek, said the increased capacity of the proposed tower would not increase the pressure to residents, a concern O'Dear brought up through communications she had with local plumbers. He said the idea is not to increase the pressure, but to stabilize pressure to avoid surges and drops as the water levels in the towers change.

O'Dear told the commission even though she owns property 250 feet from the proposed tower location, she is not a Mill Creek Water customer, using well water instead. She said she began researching the project when the location near her property was announced. O'Dear told the commission her concern was for her neighbors, many of whom had signed a petition to approve the new tower before changing their minds after she presented concerns she had gathered from plumbers and others who work in related fields.

Commissioner Rick Smith told O'Dear it appeared to him that residents in the area were in support of the project until O'Dear convinced them they should be against it, an assertion that drew vocal complaints from the large crowd gathered in the Quincy City Council chambers.

O'Dear reiterated she supports a new tower, but she wanted the water district to reopen negotiations with a property owner near the current existing tower to come to an agreement to build a new tower on that same location.

According to Mill Creek, the site of the current tower isn't sized for a larger structure, and the cost quoted for neighboring property was excessive. Because of the connection to the height of the water level to the pressure in the system, for every foot lower of ground level as a starting point, it would add more than $15,000 in construction because the tower would have to be built higher.

Five resolutions from affected townships were submitted, with Burton, Fall Creek, Gilmer, and Melrose townships all asking the Plan Commission to approve the town. The Ellington Township, where the new tower would be located, recommended the tower be denied since the proposed location is in a residential neighborhood.

The Ellington Township petition, which O'Dear told the commission she had worked on, notes the proposed height of the new tower was listed in Planning Department documents as 870 feet. The new tower will have a height of 120 feet with an additional 15 feet for radio antenna equipment. The property where the tower will be built is at an elevation of roughly 735 feet above sea level, leading to the 870-foot elevation note and possibly causing confusion in the proposal.

Mill Creek Water District officials said the cost for the new tower is estimated at $2.4 million, with up to 49% eligible for debt loan forgiveness, leaving the cost at around $1.2 million. Mill Creek proposed the site since a portion of the land was donated and the remainder was already purchased. The property is also adjacent to an existing eight-inch water main.

The request for the water tower special permit will be sent to the Quincy City Council for a final determination at the next meeting with a recommendation to deny the permit from the commission following a 7-4 vote of the 11 commissioners present.

Dave Bellis, Greg Fletcher, Jim Citro, Dave Rakers, Elaine Davis, Jeff Mays and Julie Brink voted to deny the special permit, with Fletcher noting it's the job of government officials to listen to the will of the people being governed. Jarid Jones, Jason Traeder, Rick Smith and Greg Davis voted against the denial.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a request from Transitions of Western Illinois to build an off-street parking lot near the organization's current 2015 Chestnut location.

• Approved a request from Trinia Casburn for a special permit to use the former Quincy Public Schools bus barn at 121 N. 20th for short- and long-term storage for large vehicles, household furnishings and other items.

• Approved a special permit request from Jeff Butler to build an additional commercial building at 3120 N. 12th to be used for an office and shop for an on-site water and fire damage restoration company.

• Approved a public hearing on proposed changes to the city's zoning regulations. The hearing will be held at the time of the next commission meeting on Dec. 17.

Midrise Community Offers 205 Homes Along the Charles River West of Boston

NEWTON, Mass., Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer, owner-operator and investment manager specializing in premier rental housing across the U.S., today announced it has acquired Modera Newton, a contemporary midrise apartment community located along the Charles River approximately nine miles west of Downtown Boston.

The community, formerly known as Allée on the Charles, features 205 apartment homes and was originally built in 2023, with a second building delivered in 2024. The community boasts a charming setting featuring immediate access to the Charles River Greenway and picturesque Forte Park. The commuter-friendly location is positioned less than seven miles west of Cambridge and offers direct connectivity to Boston via Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike).

"Newton is a great suburb within the broader Boston area with high barriers to entry and strong demographic trends," said Kel Frazier, president of acquisitions for Mill Creek Residential. "We're excited to welcome Modera Newton as our latest community addition."

Situated at 2-4 Los Angeles Street, Modera Newton is amidst a locale known for its inviting atmosphere and strong emphasis on education and community. Newton features picturesque neighborhoods, high-performing schools and a wide variety of green spaces and recreational outlets. Major employers in the area include Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston College, Newton Public Schools and Brandeis University.

Modera Newton, composed of two buildings, offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, including select live/work homes. The North Building is built to and is pursuing LEED Silver^® certification, while the South Building is Passive House certified, meeting standards of energy efficiency, comfort and affordability. Community amenities consist of a resort-style swimming pool, outdoor dining and grilling areas, conference room, private workstations, makers/art studio for creative projects, game area with shuffleboard and Ping-Pong, pet spa, indoor dog wash and a club-quality fitness studio with cardio equipment. Residents also have access to digital package lockers, bike room with storage and repair station, covered parking and public EV charging stations.

Home interiors include wood plank-style flooring, oversized windows, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, pull-down faucets, tile backsplashes, LED ceiling lighting, two-tone cabinets with black matte finishes, in-home washers and dryers, walk-in closets, programmable thermostats, key fob access, Butterfly MX™ intercom/video system and private patios or balconies. Bathrooms include soaking tubs, ceramic tiles, custom cabinets and wall-mounted LED fixtures above vanities. Select homes include glass showers.

About Mill Creek Residential Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC is a national rental housing company focused on developing, acquiring, and operating rental communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, proactively develops, acquires, constructs, and operates communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento, Southern California, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of September 30, 2024, the company's portfolio comprises 144 communities representing over 41,000 rental homes operating and/or under construction. For more information, please visit www.MillCreekPlaces.com.

Media Contact Stephen Ursery LinnellTaylor Marketing [email protected] 303.682.3945

SOURCE Mill Creek Residential

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse announced today that Rhode Island will receive $2,480,539 in federal funding to enhance the resilience of coastal communities against climate impacts. The grants, awarded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF), will support two major projects on Aquidneck Island aimed at safeguarding infrastructure and restoring natural ecosystems.

“As the climate crisis pushes our natural resources to the brink, my National Coastal Resilience Fund is helping communities in the Ocean State prepare,” said Whitehouse. “This federal funding will support two local resiliency projects and help two coastal communities on Aquidneck Island safeguard important infrastructure and natural resources.”

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) received $1.8 million to restore Mill Creek in Portsmouth using nature-based solutions like box culverts. The project is designed to improve shoreline habitat and protect critical infrastructure from flooding and storm surges.

“This funding is a vital investment in both the protection of our natural resources and the safety of our communities,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “By addressing stormwater and flooding risks at Mill Creek in Portsmouth, we not only improve climate resilience but also restore the vital coastal ecosystems that sustain our region for future generations.”

Additionally, the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District was awarded $680,539 to restore 1,200 linear feet of Elizabeth Brook in Newport. The initiative will focus on reducing flooding and improving coastal resilience through floodplain restoration and riparian buffer creation. Preliminary designs for stream restoration, wetland creation, and recreational trails are also planned, benefitting both residents and Naval Station Newport.

“Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District is thrilled to receive this funding to continue working to address coastal resilience in the Elizabeth Brook watershed,” said Sara Churgin, District Manager. “This project will produce much-needed, community-driven, nature-based solutions that mitigate flooding and restore habitats. We are eager to engage Newport’s North End residents, an Environmental Justice area, to ensure the design process meets community needs.”

The grants are part of a $138 million nationwide investment across 94 projects, bolstered by funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $492 million to the NCRF over five years.

Since its establishment in 2018, the NCRF has awarded more than $616 million to 494 projects nationwide. Thanks to additional funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, over $324 million has been allocated to 195 projects since 2022.

Past Rhode Island recipients of NCRF funding include Save The Bay, the University of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. Local projects have ranged from shoreline adaptation designs to dune and habitat restorations that serve as natural buffers against sea level rise.

See Also

Like Newport Buzz? We depend on the generosity of readers like you who support us, to help with our mission to keep you informed and entertained with local, independent news and content. We truly appreciate your trust and support!