Grosse Pointe Times | Published November 8, 2023
Students to stage historical drama
The University Liggett School Players will be performing the historical drama “Radium Girls” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 12 in the school auditorium, located at 1045 Cook Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. The play looks at the true story of young women in the early 20th century who were hired to paint watch dials with radium, not knowing they were risking their lives and health by doing this. The women fought powerful corporations once they discovered the truth. Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased online only at uls.seatyourself.biz.
Veterans invited
The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will once again host a Veterans Day breakfast. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. Nov. 10, and the program will start at 9 a.m. The breakfast is free to veterans, who can bring one guest apiece at a cost of $15 for the guest. This year’s keynote speaker is Army Brig. Gen. Michael Lalor, commanding general of United States Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren. The program also will include music and cards made for the veterans by local students. Tickets were still available at press time. For tickets or more information, visit the Events page on The War Memorial’s home page — warmemorial.org — then click on the Veterans Day tab, or call (313) 881-7511.
Helm introduces giving tree for seniors
The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will have a giving tree on display through Nov. 30 with tags identifying things that local seniors need, such as grocery store gift cards, sleepwear, stamps or a blanket. Donors can select a tag from the tree. New, unwrapped gifts and gift cards need to be delivered to The Helm by Dec. 8. Cash donations will also be accepted.
Volunteers will also be needed to wrap and deliver gifts, with wrapping Dec. 13 and delivery Dec. 13-20. For more information, contact Heidi Uhlig-Johnstone at (313) 649-2107.
Warm up with seasonal dishes
The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will offer a free cooking demonstration by chef Rhoda St. Luce from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 13. St. Luce will show participants how to prepare some of her favorite chili and soup recipes, as well as a surprise dessert. Tasting samples will be provided. Reservations are needed and can be made by visiting helmlife.org or calling (313) 882-9600.
Curator appointed
Leslie Wagner, Ph.D. — who has served as president of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society for the last 2 1/2 years — has now been named the curator of the Provencal-Weir House, which dates to 1823 and is the oldest remaining home in the Grosse Pointes.
The GPHS opens the doors of the Provencal-Weir House to visitors on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Wagner lives in the second-oldest remaining residence in the Pointes, the Cadieux-Wagner Farmhouse, which was constructed in 1850 by French settlers. Wagner’s appointment was made Sept. 27.
Let the sunshine in
The League of Women Voters Grosse Pointe, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters Detroit, will present the program, “From Darkness to Light: How Michigan’s ‘Sunshine Laws’ Impact Your Civil Liberties,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. Attendees will learn what public records are available to them and how they can obtain them, what to do if they believe a public body such as a city council or school board has violated the Open Meetings Act, how to write a Freedom of Information Act request and more. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to register and submit their questions in advance. To register and submit questions, visit SunshineLaws.eventbrite.com.
Enjoy holiday laughs
The Fine Arts Society of Detroit will present “A Family Christmas — Ain’t No Vacation,” an adaptation of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” at 8 p.m. Nov. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Nov. 19 at Players Theatre, 3321 E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit. Tickets cost $30 per person and seating will be at cabaret tables. Attendees can bring their own food and beverages. Free, secure parking is available at the Kirlin lot next to the theater. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For tickets or more information, contact Sue Owens at (313) 969-1189 or gregowens@aol.com.
Hear works by Mozart
Chamber Music Detroit will present the Aeolus Quartet & Friends playing rarely heard works by Mozart during a series of concerts Nov. 9-11 in metro Detroit, including one at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Grosse Pointe South High School, 11 Grosse Pointe Blvd. in Grosse Pointe Farms. For tickets or more information, visit chambermusicdetroit.org.
Athletes inducted
University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods recently inducted, from left, Class of 2002 member Mags Dillon, Class of 1998 member Kevin Espy, Class of 1997 member Abby Tompkins Johannson, Grosse Pointe University School Class of 1968 member Bruce Barit and Grosse Pointe University School Class of 1966 member Tom Gage into the ULS Athletic Hall of Fame. Grosse Pointe University School was one of several predecessors of ULS. The Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of some of the school’s top athletes.