News & Notes - 9/21/23 Grosse Pointe Times

Scholarship winner announced
Grace Dakmak, of Grosse Pointe Shores, has been named the recipient of the Nicole Marie Shammas Memorial Scholarship at University Liggett School for the 2023-24 academic year. Dakmak, who had been attending Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Grosse Pointe Woods, has a passion for art and volleyball, and hopes to join the ULS tennis team this spring.

The scholarship is given annually to a sixth grade student for the middle school years — grades six through eight. Awardees are students who show tremendous academic potential and interest in the arts. The scholarship is named for Shammas, who died during middle school in 1986.

Other recipients of the scholarship include seventh grader Rocco Vesprini, of St. Clair Shores, and eighth grader Kylie McClain, of Grosse Ile.

 

Fashion helps a good cause
Healing Through Art, a fashion show featuring works by four European designers, will raise money for displaced and orphaned Ukrainian children from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 28 at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. This event is organized by the nonprofit Ukrainian Children’s Aid and Relief Effort, or UCARE. Tickets cost $150. For tickets or more information, visit ucareinc.org.

 

Fall and Halloween history to be shared
The Grosse Pointe Historical Society is celebrating Halloween with a historical twist. Through the end of October, visitors to the GPHS History Center will find a panel exhibition with custom artwork and scary local history tales.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 6, Grosse Pointe Theatre will bring short historical plays and songs by Jef Fisk to life during Legends of the Fall at the Grosse Pointe History Center, 375 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms. This event is free and open to the public. Cider and doughnuts will be served. Attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket as well as any additional refreshments they might want to consume during the performance, which will enlighten attendees on early settlers of the Pointes and important landmarks. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors.

The GPHS will host the Halloween party, A Night at the Museum, Oct. 28 at the Provencal-Weir House, 376 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite historical characters for this event, which is open to those ages 21 and older and will feature music, dancing, refreshments and more. Tickets — which went on sale Sept. 6 to GPHS members and will go on sale to the general public Oct. 1 — cost $25 per person or $45 per couple. For tickets or more information, call (313) 884-7010 or visit gphistorical.org.

“We are thrilled to invite everyone to the ‘Legends of the Fall’ series of events,” GPHS Board President Stuart Grigg said in a press release. “These celebrations reflect our commitment to preserving Grosse Pointe’s history while providing an interactive and enjoyable experience for the entire community. Whether you’re captivated by history, excited about Halloween, or simply looking for a memorable time, our events have something for everyone.”

 

Volunteers needed
The nonprofit Moross Greenway Project is seeking volunteers for a garden work day Sept. 23. Organizers need people to divide and move perennial plants. Anyone interested in lending a hand should meet at 9 a.m. Sept. 23 in front of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 21150 Moross Road (at Edgefield Street) in Detroit. Volunteers should park in the center lot between Mt. Pleasant and Love Rising churches. Participants should dress for weather conditions, wear sturdy footwear and bring a shovel and trowel. For more information, email MorossGreenwayProject@gmail.com.

 

Make healthier meals
The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will feature a healthy meals cooking demonstration by Corewell Health from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 27. This free program will show participants how to make food using less salt and sugar. It’s free, but registration is needed. To register or for more information, visit helmlife.org or call (313) 882-9600.

 

Learn about new voting rights
The League of Women Voters of Grosse Pointe will hold a presentation on the state’s new voting rights — which were approved by voters in 2022 — during a town hall at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Grosse Pointe Woods Branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library, 20680 Mack Ave. (at Vernier Road). New rights include early voting and registration to vote by mail permanently. To register or for more information, visit lwvgrossepointe.org.

 

Brass band to perform
The Motor City Brass Quintet will accompany the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church Choir during a free concert of hymns arranged by GPMC Music Director James Biery at 3 p.m. Oct. 1. The concert will also feature original songs written by Marilyn and James Biery. The concert will be held at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, 16 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, and is free and open to the public. For more information, call the church at (313) 882-5330.

 

Seniors welcome
The annual Senior Expo — which will feature lunch, vendors and information about health, resources and recreation — will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Assumption Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores. Admission is free. WDIV-TV news anchor Devin Scillian, who is also an author and musician, will be this year’s keynote speaker when he takes to the podium at 11 a.m. Scillian and his band, Arizona Son, will perform as well. Caregivers for seniors are also welcome at the Senior Expo. A free shuttle will take expo attendees from Grosse Pointe Woods Lakefront Park to the expo. For more information, call (586) 779-6111.

 

See beautiful blooms
The nonprofit Garden Club of Michigan will present Into the Woods, a Garden Club of America flower show, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Grosse Pointe Club, 6 Berkshire Place (behind Grosse Pointe Memorial Church) in Grosse Pointe Farms. This event is free and open to the public.

Award-winning floral arranger Jane Godshalk will give the lecture and demonstration, “Branching Out — Designs Inspired by Nature” at 11 a.m. at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. She will make five arrangements that will be auctioned off. Tickets to the Godshalk talk cost $40 and can be purchased at gardenclubofmichigan.org.

The show will feature floral, horticulture and photography displays, along with a free talk by Brian Colter — the city forester for Grosse Pointe City, Grosse Pointe Farms and Grosse Pointe Park — who will give the presentation, “Right Tree, Right Place” at 10 a.m. and distribute white pine seedlings.

Visitors will also be able to purchase home and garden goods from local vendors.  The public is invited to participate in a horticulture competition by bringing in a cut specimen in a clean green glass bottle of their favorite house plant that they have owned for six months or more, or a vegetable they’ve grown. Entries will be accepted at the Grosse Pointe Club from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sept. 28. For more information about any of these programs, visit the Garden Club of Michigan website.