News & Notes - 6/21/23 West Bloomfield Beacon

Hospitality House Food Pantry announces new executive director
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP — The Hospitality House Food Pantry has announced that Susan Erspamer is the nonprofit’s new executive director.

According to a press release, Erspamer is a seasoned nonprofit leader with more than 30 years of experience.

“The Hospitality House Food Pantry will benefit from Susan’s positivity, proclivity toward community building and passion for helping others,” Judy Evola, president of the food pantry, stated in a press release.

Erspamer’s experience includes working with Affirmations, the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Michigan Chapter, and the Wayne Center.

She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University.

“Providing food for the hungry in our greater community is critical and essential. I am proud to be joining a caring, passionate and driven team of employees, board, volunteers and community who are true servant leaders,” Erspamer stated in the release.

The Hospitality House Food Pantry has been serving the community for more than 20 years, providing fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dry and canned goods to supplement individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

For more information, visit hhfp.org.

 

Habitat for Humanity ReStore Waterford celebrates expansion
WATERFORD TOWNSHIP — Habitat Oakland, located at 3653 Highland Road in Waterford,  announced the expansion of ReStore Waterford and recognized the achievement with a grand opening June 9.

ReStore Waterford is now approximately 28,000 square feet and, according to a press release, has increased its variety and amount of inventory for shoppers to choose from.

The release also states that there is now an ability to accept more donations from local businesses and/or residents and the opportunity to engage more volunteer groups and individuals.

“Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept donations and sell a constantly changing inventory of diverse, high-quality merchandise to the public at a fraction of the retail price, while diverting reusable household items and building materials from area landfills,” the release states. “Sales of donated items help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes in Oakland County.”

 

Musical scheduled at Inspiring Acting Company
WALLED LAKE — The Inspired Acting Company is scheduled to present the musical “John & Jen,”  by Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald, July 7-23.

“This deeply moving, intelligent and truly original musical takes an intimate look at the complexities of familial relationships set to the backdrop of a changing America from the 1950s to the 1990s,” a press release states. “Jen has two major relationships in her life, her brother and her son. Once extremely close, the Vietnam war tears Jen and brother John apart forever. Later, Jen names her only son John and tries to make up for past mistakes to the consternation and alienation of her son.”

The Inspired Acting Company is located at 1124 E. West Maple Road in Walled Lake.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.

General admission tickets cost $45 and can be purchased online at inspiredacting.org or by calling (248) 863-9953. Seating in is set to begin 30 minutes before each performance.

There is ample free parking, according to the release.

“This intimate musical is a heartfelt exploration of family bonds and the triumphs and tribulations that shape us,” the musical’s director, Jeff Thomakos, stated via the release. “We believe that audiences will connect deeply with these characters and their stories.”

 

Local resident helps clean up Veterans Memorial
WEST BLOOMFIELD — West Bloomfield resident Steve Kay recently sent an email about some work that he and a friend decided to partake in.

“I’ve been a resident of West Bloomfield for 30 years now and live across the street from the Walnut Lake elementary at the corner of Walnut Lake and Inkster Road,” Kay stated via email. “I noticed the Veterans Memorial overgrown with weeds and trees, so I took it upon myself and my good friend, Bert Green to clean up this space as well as paint and raise a new American flag.”