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Milestone birthday celebrated
Accompanied by her daughters Kathryn Gilbert and Charlene Gilbert, Grosse Pointe City resident Jean Gilbert celebrated her 105th birthday with a party and cake at The Helm at the Boll Life Center June 1. Jean Gilbert is also a World War II veteran.
The short play’s the thing
Grosse Pointe Theatre’s 75th anniversary season continues with Take Ten: Ten-Minute Play Festival, which will take place at 7 p.m. June 9 and 2 p.m. June 10 in the Undercroft at Christ Church Grosse Pointe, 61 Grosse Pointe Blvd. in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Playwrights from California to Massachusetts were among the 10 whose short plays were selected for production this year out of 65 entries — the most ever received. The festival was the brainchild of GPT member Mary Lou Britton, a playwright herself who continues to helm this event.
“These are all new 10-minute plays, written by playwrights from across the land,” Britton said in a press release. “This is our first year accepting plays from outside the state of Michigan, including Canada. We were pleased at the incredible response! A panel of anonymous community-theatre judges from elsewhere in Michigan selected this year’s … top ten plays.”
Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased in advance online or at the door. For tickets or more information, visit gpt.org or call (313) 881-4004.
Step back in time in Parisian setting
The Grosse Pointe Historical Society will hold a French-themed gala, La Belle Epoque, at 7 p.m. June 22 at a lakeside home in the Pointes designed by architect Robert O. Derrick in 1928. French-inspired cuisine, music and beverages will be provided during this 18th annual summer fundraiser for the GPHS. For tickets or more information, visit gphistorical.org or call (313) 884-7010.
Feed those in need
The 42nd annual Capuchin Souper Summer Celebration, a fundraiser for Detroit’s Capuchin Soup Kitchen, will take place starting at 7:30 p.m. June 17 at Comerica Park. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a jewelry raffle consisting of more than $30,000 worth of fine jewelry contributed by Ahee Jewelers of Grosse Pointe Woods, live music by Your Generation in Concert, food and fireworks at dusk. Raffle tickets cost $5 apiece. Because the Ahee family donates the jewelry and covers the expenses associated with putting on this event, 100% of the proceeds go toward helping people in need.
“We are delighted to continue the amazing tradition of bringing the community together for a night of celebration in the city we love to benefit the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, an incredible organization that serves thousands in need in our city annually,” Ahee Jewelers Vice President Stefan Ahee i said n a press release.
For more information, visit ahee.com.
Celebrate Juneteenth
Former Grosse Pointe Public School Board President Joseph Herd will give the presentation, “FREEDOM: Beyond the Emancipation Proclamation” during a Juneteenth event at 2 p.m. June 18 at the Neighborhood Club in Grosse Pointe City. For more information, visit donavenadvisorsllc.ticketleap.com/freedom---beyond-the-emancipa tion-proclamation/details.
Run to raise money for children with serious illnesses
The fifth annual 5K Run, Walk ’n’ Roll will take place June 17 at Grosse Pointe South High School, 11 Grosse Pointe Blvd. in Grosse Pointe Farms. The event is a fundraiser for the pediatric palliative care program at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, which provides comfort and improves quality of life for children with chronic and serious medical conditions.
The event, which started in 2019, was founded by Grosse Pointer Claire Sheeren, whose sister, Elizabeth, has an incurable immune disease. Elizabeth has benefited from the palliative program at Mott.
“As we begin our fifth event, I am continually amazed by the support of our sponsors and our community,” Claire Sheeren said in a press release. “It has been incredible to see people come alongside others battling complex and chronic diseases. It is deeply moving to witness the impact the funds are having on the families at Mott.”
The success of the run — which has raised nearly $500,000 since its inception — has enabled the Sheeren family to create Elizabeth’s Courage Fund at Mott, which supports kids and families receiving palliative care as they battle challenging or terminal medical problems.
Check-in will start at 7:30 a.m. June 17, with the run starting at 8:45 a.m. According to a press release, the event “will be a USATF-certified, chip-timed 5K, but walkers and ‘rollers’ are also encouraged.” People can also participate virtually. To register or for more information, visit run-walk-roll.org.
Business leader gives presentation
Cindy Willcock, executive director of Main Street Grosse Pointe, addressed a recent meeting of the Grosse Pointe Optimist Club, where Grosse Pointe Optimist Club President Dave Fries presented her with a certificate of appreciation. Main Street Grosse Pointe is a program aimed at improving and enlivening The Village business district.
Student honored for speech
Brownell Middle School eighth grader Russell Warner — standing next to Grosse Pointe optimist Club President-Elect Julie Baumer — wears the medal he received for his first-place finish in the Grosse Pointe Optimist Club oratorical contest, which was conducted at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms in March. Warner represented the local Optimist Club with his speech, “Discovering the Optimism in Me,” at a regional oratorical contest last month featuring students from other Optimist clubs in southeastern Michigan.
