Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. can expect to be peppered with questions from residents about the city’s proposal to close some city pools and cut other city services when he speaks to the Howard Park Neighborhood Assn. on April 15 at Lindbergh Elementary School.

O’Reilly will speak to the neighborhood association at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the elementary school, located at 500 N. Waverly St.  Everyone is welcome to attend the session.

The association says O’Reilly will discuss the current state of the city, as well as future plans and developments within Dearborn.

The Howard Park neighborhood consists of the area between Telegraph Road and Outer Drive, bordered by Ford Road to the north and Wilson Street to the south.

In yet another example of why Dearborn still has that caring small town feel, a group of Dearborn city employees are holding a benefit spaghetti dinner to help a couple recovering from surgery.

We received word of this benefit spaghetti dinner for Craig and Donna Bechtel from a reader who passed on a flyer to us.

Below is what the flyer said:

Craig Bechtel, a city of Dearborn carpenter, is suffering from a long battle with Lupus. Due to the severe affects of this illness, Craig was in need of a kidney transplant.

Craig’s wife, Donna, who works in Dearborn’s Recreation Department – Senior Services, was selected to be the donor for Craig’s March 12, 2010 surgery.

In an effort to help this family financially, a group of City of Dearborn employees are hosting this fundraiser to help offset the loss of income, until they are able to return to work.

Here are the details for the fundraiser:

When: 3 – 10 p.m. – Saturday, April 24

Where: Patrick O’Kelley Knights of Columbus Hall, 23633 Park St. Dearborn

What: Dinner will include:  All you can eat spaghetti, salad, dinner roll and soft drink; cash bar will be available. Proceeds will benefit the Bechtel Family

Donation:  Tickets are $10

For more information, please call:

• Craig Champagne at 313-801-6539 or email cajchamp@aol.com

• Maria Santigiago Powell at 734-522-5372 or email mesantiago57@yahoo.com

• Nancy Niner at 313-943-2239 or email nniner@ci.dearborn.mi.us

Treat mom to something extra special for Mother’s Day this year by enjoying brunch in the elegant atmosphere of Henry and Clara Ford’s Fair Lane home.

-Meet the Henry Ford Estate’s own Mrs. Clara Ford, Michigan Mother of the Year for 1950!

-Purchase beautiful flowers for a very special mom!

Price: $32 Adults, $12 kids(5-12), & 4 & under free

Where: 4901 Evergreen Rd. Dearborn, MI 481248

For reservations: Call 313.593.5590

Advance reservations are required. All sales are final and non–refundable.

Seatings available at 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.