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Grosse Pointe
Historical Society
established 1945
Summer 2011
Vol. 28 No. 2
the
Moorings
All NewTalking Headstones, Sept 8-11
History takes the stage once again as the fourth
Talking Headstones
opens on Sept 8 and runs through Sept 11.The annual collaboration
between the Grosse Pointe Historical Society (GPHS) and the Grosse
Pointe Theatre (GPT) is becoming one of the most anticipated events of
the fall. Young and old alike delight in seeing stories of their community
come to life on a specially created stage in the St. Paul Cemetery, lit by
hurricane lamps and torches.
This year’s production is all new and focuses on Grosse Pointe from the
1910s-40s. Stories include:
Lilac Time at the Chateau,
this year’s summer fundraiser, was a wonderful success, raising nearly
$50,000 for the Grosse Pointe Historical Society. A delightful June evening provided the perfect
backdrop for the benefit, held on June 3 at the beautiful lakefront home of Dr. and Mrs. David
and Shery Cotton.
More than 400 guests attended the event.They were greeted with vintage cars and miniature
airplanes on display on the front lawn, in
front of an original French pear tree.
Before they entered the house, the guests
were photographed by John Martin, who
donated his services and a copy of the
photo, which guests picked up at the end
of the evening.
All agreed that the event was wonderful.
The newly renovated Cotton home was
absolutely stunning.The Monet-inspired
gardens were lovely. Superb wine donated
by many friends of the GPHS and a vodka
bar donated by Kozi, plus delicious, international food stations
catered by Lakeland Manor were enjoyed by all. Musicians
strolling throughout the grounds and Jack McCormick on
the grand piano in the great living room added to the festive
air, as guests watched sailboats and freighters glide by on
Lake St. Clair.
“The evening could not have been more of a success,” said
GPHS president Susan Hartz. “Everyone was having a lovely
time and the generosity of the Cottons was marvelous.”
Money raised at the June party goes toward operating
cost at the Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran Resource Center
and maintenance of the Provencal-Weir House, as well as
programming. “This fundraiser is the most important event
of the year,” said Hartz. “Without it, we would not exist.”
Lilac Time at the Chateau
Raises Nearly $50,000
Continued on page 6
Molly and Mark Valade are flanked
by Ken and Susan Kirchner.
Ed and Marsha Russell
Jack McCormick at the piano
Donna Hoban, Physician in Chief
Beaumont; Rick Swaine, Beaumont
Hospital Director; Chris Stesney-
Ridenour, VP of Operations Beaumont
Peggy Stanton, Ray and Jane Cracchiolo and Grosse
Pointe Park Mayor Palmer Heenan
Dr. and Mrs. David Cotton recieve an
honorary GPHS bronze plaque and an
acrylic painting done by Izzy Donnelly.