Basket Fest highlights best moments

BERLIN HEIGHTS — Those running the Berlin Heights Basket Festival recently highlighted some of the more memorable moments taking place from this past weekend's festival: • Remembering Kami Moon A tribute occurred for the late Kami Moon, a 1996 Edison High School graduate and beloved community member who many knew as the voice of WLKR-FM, 95.3, and K96. She passed away in April. The festival named Kami as its 2025 honorary citizen of the year. Moon's family accepted the award on her behalf. "We couldn't have picked anyone more deserving of this award," according to a festival statement. Her father, "Kelly brought tears to everyone's eyes with his speech about Kami. We will remember her as she was: loving, caring, compassionate and, just as he said, bubbly." • Naming its queen The Basket Festival announced its queen, Xyann Rios. Xariya Rios earned the title of first attendant, and Alexandia Leber became the second attendant. • Baking the best dessert Taylor Opfer won the baking contest. She used her great aunt Betty's white cake recipe, fashioning her cake's frosting to look like a basket with balls shaped like apples filling her edible container. "I got some good tips and tricks from my mom, who got me started with baking and cake decorating, and I got to take a picture with the judges at the winner's circle" which I very much enjoyed. This is probably my best cake yet," Opfer said. In the same contest, Ron McLoda finished second, and Natalie Salmons came in third. • Honoring Paul Knott The festival's committee extended a "huge congratulations" to its 2025 citizen of the year, Paul Knott. "Paul has rightfully earned this title throughout his many years in Berlin Heights," according to a committee statement. "We can't think of anyone more deserving."