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From the Director’s Desk
As I look over the past few months at the Grosse Pointe
Historical Society, I’m surprised by how much has been
accomplished. The Society is an active group of volunteers and
board members. As the new face here, I thank everyone who has
warmly welcomed me and helped me in my new position
as Executive Director.
Also, there is one more new face at GPHS. We have hired an
Education Director/One-room Schoolhouse Teacher, Izzy
Donnelly. Please read the article about this talented, experienced
and engaging addition to the staff. We are very pleased to welcome her. A number of
schools are already calling to schedule their upcoming spring field trips. The month of
May will be a beehive of activity, which is what we like. There are twelve months in
the year and there is always room for more visitors on our schedule.
I wish to thank Lori Stefek and Doug Cordier for hosting Second Saturday events
at the Provencal-Weir House. Weather was not kind on January 10th for Lori Stefek, of
Stefek’s Auctioneers and Appraisers. Nevertheless, she was on-site, cheerful and pre-
pared to help the attendees learn more about their family treasures. Visitors did make
their way through the blowing blizzard with heirlooms in hand. We hope to schedule
another session in the near future – during a warmer season! Please stay tuned.
On Valentine’s Day, Doug Cordier offered a cooking class and food tasting event to a
sold out crowd. It was a fun filled evening and the shrimp Tosca and ricotta gnocchi
were delicious! I have already successfully made both recipes at home. Doug is an
excellent chef and teacher.
In addition to public programming, we have many behind-the-scene organizational
initiatives going on. Projects involve a possible expansion to accommodate archival
storage at the Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran Resource Center, a shift to in-house book-
keeping, continued progress on the archival digitizing endeavor. Visit our website for
future updates and progress reports.
We are always looking for new members and volunteers. We have been pleasantly sur-
prised by the continued support during these difficult economic times. We thank you
for recognizing the importance of this organization to our community. Please invite
and encourage friends and family to join and participate, too. We are here to benefit
the five Grosse Pointes and surrounding communities. Thank you for your support!
Maureen Devine
Executive Director
Officers
Stuart W. Grigg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President
Patti Schollenberger . . . . . . .Vice President-Administration
Herman Mozer . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vice President-Preservation
Denis Bouchard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Kay Agney
Suzy Berschback
Carolyn Candler
Elizabeth Canzano
James Conway
Doug Cordier
Amy DeWys-VanHecke
Valerie Dodenhoff
Douglas Dossin
Debbie Graffius
Susan Hartz
Kiki Herfert
Gregory Jakub
Maud Lyon
Josephine (Jo) Malecek
William Penoyar, Jr.
Ann Rock
Mary Lighton Shafer
Paul J. Sloan
Elizabeth (Penny) Soby
Molly Valade
Khristi Zimmeth
The Grosse Pointe Historical Society Headquarters, Provencal-
Weir House, c. 1823, 376 Kercheval Ave., is open the second
Saturday of each month during special events, and by appoint-
ment. The Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran Resource Center, 381
Kercheval Ave., is open Tuesday and Wednesday,
10:00
AM
–12:30
PM
and 1:30–4:00
PM
. Phone: (313) 884-7010
Honorary Board
Chip Berschback
Patricia R. Colett
Michael Farley
Lisa Mower Gandelot
Nancy Griffin
Ronald C. Lamparter
Russell H. Peebles
Robert J. Petz, Jr.
Thomas E. Singelyn, DDS
Michael W. Skinner
Gail R. Stroh-Marentette
Executive Director
Maureen Devine
Education Director
Izzy Donnelly
Parliamentarian
Andrea Weyhing
the Moorings
Editor
Ann Marie Aliotta
Curator Emeritus
Jean Dodenhoff
Webmaster
Jay Hunter
Administrator
Helga Liedtke
Not Yet a
Member?
Check out this
Convenient
Way to Join!
Visit
www.gphistorical.org
and select the link,
Join the Society,
Membership
.
The purpose of the
Grosse Pointe
Historical Society
is to preserve and
promote
the history of the
Grosse Pointe
Community.