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GROSSE POINTER

GROSSE POINTE YACHT CLUB

Established 1914

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2021 IN REVIEW Published January 2022

A F EW O F O UR EM”POW ER”ED CLIEN TS • BOLTON-J O HN STON • DIRTY DOG JAZZ CAF E • GRO SSE POIN T E ROTARY 313-882-0702 19803 Mack Ave • GPW • GRO SSE POIN T E YA CHT CLUB towar.c om WE DESIGN AND PRINT ANYTHING & EVERYTHING FOR YOUR BUSINESS SPECIALIZING IN NON-PROFITS

Katie Susko ksusko@gpyc.org

Editor

Publisher Towar Productions 19803 Mack Avenue Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 313.882.0702 www.towar.com Advertising Director Kim Towar kim@towar.com Art Director Stephanie Lortt stephanie@towar.com Writers Past Commodore James Ramsey Dr. Larry Stephenson Katie Susko Aaron Wagner Photographers John F. Martin Photography, Inc.

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Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Y

Established 1914

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Table of Contents Welcome Aboard New Members Capitalizing on Opportunity: Spinnaker Renovation Art of the Spinnaker Person of Interest 2021 Directors Cruise Fall Family Festival Ladies Fall Getaway Halloween Spooktacular Celebration Commodore Morawske’s Last Supper 2021 Annual Meeting Member of the Year Yachtsman of the Year Thanksgiving at the Club Annual Tree Lighting Snaps Looking Aft

788 Lake Shore Road Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236 (313) 884-2500 FAX: (313) 884-7956 www.gpyc.org

The Grosse Pointer (USPS 576-940) is published four times a year under contract with the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Subscriptions are $75 per year to members. Periodical postage paid at Detroit, Michigan. Postmaster, send address changes to: The Grosse Pointer, 788 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236. Grosse Pointe Yacht Club ©2022—all rights reserved. This publication is the property of the GPYC, for member use only. No unauthorized use, sale or dissemination of information herein shall be made for commercial, personal or other purposes, without the written permission of the GPYC.

Cover Photo by John F. Martin

4-5 6-9 10-13 18-22 24-25 26-29 30-31 32-33 34-35 36-38 40 41 42-44 48-49 50-51 52

WELCOME ABOARD NEW MEMBERS

September

Daniel Attalla & Carol DiMaggio

Danielle Cheriez & Leigh Savage

Lauren Clune

Laura & Terrance Lynch

Scott & Karen Pifer

October

Richard Rozewicz & Sarah La Rou-Rozewicz

Luke Safranek & Olivia Van Elslander

David Evola

Shea Swiss & Martin Glowacki

Basil & Helen Johnson

WELCOME ABOARD NEW MEMBERS

October

September Not Pictured Holly Abessinio Ryan Fifelski

October Reinstatements Pachomy Belkoff

October Not Pictured Ian Hollerbach Steven Kuhr

Jessica & Patrick Lane

Stephanie & Brian Lang

Ryan Johnson & Stacy Race

Robin Stevenson & Bradley Samuels

GPYC FEATURE

Capitalizing on Opportunity Ahearn came into the fold. Patrick studied the history of the Club and its various design elements and met with members, Heritage Committee representatives, and staff to develop what would be the next iteration of the Spinnaker while still By Aaron Wagner respecting the traditions and elegance that the Club values. Patrick also used this information to he Club viewed the pandemic as a time of develop plans for the lobby and reception area. opportunity. It was a time to evaluate our Once a final plan was approved, they were shared Clubhouse and kick off some impactful with the membership via several Founders Club renovations thanks to our generous members who events as well as emails and website posts. The plans donated more than $4 million in the past several were also included in the VISION 2026 brochures years to VISION 2026 initiatives. The Spinnaker dining room was identified as a room that was long that were mailed out to membership. The Facilities Committee, led by Director Bob Weiland, formed overdue for a renovation. a Project Management Team to vet potential contractors and monitor progress. After a thorough The Spinnaker had a very successful run of casual ambiance and coziness thanks to its fireplace feature vetting process by which five qualified contractors were interviewed, the team awarded the bid to and comfortable Captain’s chairs. However, it was Trinity Building Group. Trinity began work on the due for a face lift, and we knew we had the perfect Spinnaker and lobby in March of 2021. team to accomplish that. That is where GPYC member and world-renowned architect Patrick

The Club kicked off VISION 2026 renovations with a remodel of the Spinnaker

The new Spinnaker dining room took seven months to complete

There were several key highlights to the project. One of the most impactful changes was opening up the structural walls between the Spinnaker dining room and the back room to create an open layout. Although many members have fond memories of being “placed in the back room” for dinner on occasions and, while it was nice for young families when trying to keep the kids in one place, it didn’t provide an ideal dining experience. The old walls were demolished (see page 8), and then new walls were fashioned out of beautifully-appointed beadboard and hand crafted moldings rather than the previous office ceiling tiles and wallpaper. Perhaps one of the most noticeable pieces within

The “Spinnaker Wedge” is presented with our new silverware pouches, made by the local company Pingree Detroit

GPYC FEATURE

Every detail matters in the new Spinnaker, from the salt and pepper shakers to the leather pouches that hold the silverware

The new windows offer more light than what was previously allowed into the dining room

the restaurant are the custom-made wood tables that have white marbling through the grain for decoration. These tables were crafted by our architect’s son, Conor Ahearn, and even feature nautical rope around the bases as an homage to the Yacht Club. The décor wasn’t the only thing to change in the Spinnaker. With the ever-growing demand for casual dining, the Club re-purposed the Spinnaker

as the new upscale dining destination and moved casual dining to the much larger Main Dining Room. When dining in the Spinnaker, you will feel a sense of refinement that you may have never quite felt before at the GPYC. The elevated service and upscale menu rival the finest restaurants in the area without the moonshot pricing. From seafood towers to tableside craft cocktails and entrees, an immersive experience awaits you in the new Spinnaker.

The Spinnaker was completed in September of 2021, and was christened with an event exclusively for Founders Club members. Attendees had the chance to sample new menu items, including “Caviar Bumps & Bubbles”, the “Captain’s Grand Seafood Tower” and the “Spinnaker Wedge”. They also heard from Patrick Ahearn about the inspiration behind the design. As with any project, none of it could have happened without the help of some amazing people. Special thanks goes to Patrick Ahearn and his team at Ahearn and Associates. Patrick performed all design work and consultation at zero cost to the Club. I would also like to take a moment to thank our members who donated to this project. This project was 100% funded through your support and we hope you are enjoying the finished product.

GPYC FEATURE

Capitalizing

continued

An Unexpected Peek into the Past When initial demolition of the Spinnaker walls began, contractors discovered hand painted murals of sailboats, Chris Crafts, and even a giant Muskie fish painted directly onto the plaster. These murals are believed to have been painted by local artists

Russell Lange and Gerard VanderHeyden in 1939, when the Spinnaker was referred to as the Grille Room. The artists set out to depict the full range of activities that the GPYC offered its members. Because the murals were painted on the plaster, it was impossible for the contractors to extract them for historical purposes. It was decided by the

Project Team that the murals would remain safe and undisturbed behind the new walls. Luckily, we grabbed a few photos of them before they were sealed off. To view photos of the murals in their heyday, refer to page 64 of the GPYC Centennial Book.

GPYC FEATURE

First Impressions Matter Although the Spinnaker remodel kicked off VISION 2026, the Club also began the remodel of the lobby and main entryway at the same time. Architect Patrick Ahearn designed the lobby to match the Spinnaker, including white beadboard, dark wood flooring to replace the carpeting, modern seating arrangements, an expanded receptionist’s desk and a separate doorway for coat check. These new elements elevated the lobby from dark and outdated to a bright, airy entryway to the Clubhouse. As they say, first impressions do matter.

ART OF THE CLUB

Artwork In The Spinnaker By: Larry W. Stephenson, M.D.

he seven oil paintings hanging on the walls of the newly renovated Spinnaker are on loan from the Detroit Historical Museum. Plus, the Club received generous donations of two wooden yacht and speedboat models, which are both on display for Spinnaker diners to enjoy.

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John V. Moran Artist: Howard F. Sprague Location: Above the fireplace

The steam powered package freighter John V. Moran was painted in 1889 by Howard F. Sprague, the year after her launching in 1888. This black-hulled wooden vessel was built in Bay City, Michigan, with “Wards Detroit and Superior Line” painted on her bow. The artist, who lived in both Detroit and Cleveland, succumbed to tuberculosis in 1899 at the age of 28.

USS Michigan Artist: Robert Patterson Location: Behind the bar

The Navy gunboat USS Michigan, launched in 1843, was the first iron-hulled ship built for the United States Navy. Powered by both steam and sail, she maintained marine law and order on the Great Lakes for many years. Her duties also included asserting a U.S. Naval presence along the Canadian border as a deterrent to possible British aggressions. This was painted by world renowned marine artist Robert Patterson (1817-1858).

ART OF THE CLUB

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S.T. Carpo Paintings Artist: Patrick T. Collins Location: Side by side in the back room of the Spinnaker

Two paintings of the freighter S.T. Carpo, both port and starboard sides, viewed from the stern. She was built in Detroit in 1927 as the flagship for the Huron Portland Cement Company and named for one of the company co-founders, Stanford Carpo. The other co-founder was John B. Ford, whose family was commonly referred to as the “Chemical Fords” to distinguish them from the automotive Fords, and several members of this Ford family were GPYC members. Artist Patrick T. Collins was born in Ireland and lived in New York City.

Seneca Artist: Howard F. Sprague Location: Back room of the Spinnaker

The package freighter Seneca, with several other ships and birds in the background, is another painting by artist Howard F. Sprague. She was built in Buffalo, New York and carried cargo between the ports of Buffalo, Gladstone, Michigan, and Chicago, which means she would routinely have sailed past the Grosse Pointes both up and downbound.

ART OF THE CLUB

Dixie II Donated by: Patrick Ahearn, GPYC member and architect of the Spinnaker Location: On the half wall in front of the fireplace

Dixie II was a wooden hulled speedboat, 36 feet, 6 inches in length with a 200 HP Crane and Whittmore engine. It was owned by E.F. Schroeder, former commodore of the Motorboat Club of America based in Manhattan, NY. Dixie II was entered in the 1908 Harmsworth race held in Long Island Sound that year, competing against two other American boats and two British boats. She won the race, setting a U.S. speed record of 32 MPH for a boat on a race course. She also won the 1908 and 1909 Gold Cup Races.

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Jigmil III Location: Back room of the Spinnaker

This is a wooden model of the motor yacht Jigmil III. The actual yacht was built by the Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1957. She was 60 feet in length with a steel hull and berthed at the GPYC by owner/member Charles Devlidge. Mr. Devlidge owned a company that manufactured jig mills, a type of machine tool.

ART OF THE CLUB

Tashmoo Artist: Vince Kaiser Location: West wall of the back room of the Spinnaker

Well known to Detroiters, Tashmoo was painted in 1968 by local artist Vince Kaiser. This side wheel steamboat carried passengers and cargo between Detroit and Port Huron, with intermediate stops, from 1900 to 1936. She made one round trip per day and was famously known for many years as the fastest ship on the Great Lakes.

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A.A. Parker Artist: Seth Arca Whipple Location: South wall of the Spinnaker

A rendering of the steamer A.A. Parker towing the barge B.W. Parker is easily identified by the green colored hulls of both ships. There is a lighthouse off the ship’s bow and two distant ships in the upper right corner. Artist Seth Arca Whipple was born in New Baltimore, Michigan in 1855 and lived in Detroit. He died suddenly at the young age of 46.

GPYC FEATURE

A Walk Through History

The Club’s new Heritage Gallery is open after two years of hard work and many hours of research. It’s a must-visit. By Past Commodore James L. Ramsey

f you haven’t paid a visit to the hallway outside the Bowling Center in recent months, you owe it to yourself to make the trip.

What you will discover there will entertain and educate you -- and hopefully make you come back for more. The new Heritage Gallery, as it is renamed, contains scores of photos, artifacts and memorabilia that tell the Club’s rich and sometimes stormy history. The items are chronologically arranged behind glass in six lighted display cases, each of which is devoted to approximately one decade of the Club’s existence. Items in the cases are identified with a caption that explains their relevance, and even the cases themselves have a history to them: they were originally arched windows intended to give visitors a view of goings-on in a planned indoor swimming pool that never came to fruition. (See page 30 in the GPYC Centennial Book for details.) The gallery starts just past the entrance to the Bowling Center, runs the length of the hallway and culminates with the stairway leading to the impressive scale model of the yacht Nakhoda, which belonged to member Fred Fisher, of “Body by Fisher” fame. The first display you’ll come to — case number one — will take you back to December 3, 1913, with handwritten minutes from the very first gathering of enthusiasts who met to discuss the founding of a

yacht club that would be officially incorporated as the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club the following year. Boating was a year-round sport in that era, and iceboat racing was a popular, often hair-raising sport. A photo in the display captures the start of one such frigid competition. Next to it stands a model of French Boy, a successful racing iceboat campaigned by members George and John H. French Jr. The earliest known roster of GPYC members is also in the case: four framed lists containing prominent names that were instrumental in shaping Detroit and Grosse Pointe history. And that’s just the first display. There are five more exhibits after that. In total, the Heritage Gallery highlights six decades of the Club’s 107-year history.

There’s the photographic story of the building of the Clubhouse and Harbor from 1928 to 1929, the year of the Club’s grand opening, and the same year that saw the collapse of the stock market and soon the nation’s economy. The Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II in the 1940s came in rapid succession, and both dark eras are acknowledged in the displays, including an honor roll of 25 GPYC members who served in that war. Samples of the bonds that were offered - unsuccessfully - to stave off Club bankruptcy during the Depression are on display, as are several pristine samples of the Club’s original custom-made china and silver serving ware. After depression and war came recovery and prosperity. Display cases five and six are filled with

GPYC FEATURE

Case number one showcases some of the earliest relics of the GPYC, including the first Club roster and burgee.

images of good times associated with the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. There are photos of legendary sailboats that raced - and won - prestigious races under the GPYC burgee, while another shows member Ed Schoenherr’s famed unlimited hydroplane My Sweetie roaring to victory in the Gold Cup race on the Detroit River. There are images of happy, smiling people milling around the Club swimming pool, accompanied by two aerial photos that show the dramatic growth of the Club’s presence on the water from pre-war to post-war times. The Heritage Gallery is an experience you won’t be able to absorb in one visit, so please take time

Custom-made china and silverware from decades past is on display in the middle cases

GPYC FEATURE

A Walk Through History continued

Minutes from the first meeting of the Club

to come back whenever you have a spare moment. Chairs are provided to encourage relaxation, and your presence is welcome any time the Club is open, free of charge. The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club has a long and storied history - one that every member should be aware of. Knowing some of that 107-year journey, with all its ups and downs and twists and turns, will make you prouder to be a member. The Heritage Gallery is the work of the Club’s Heritage Committee, established by Com. Ilja Vreeken and chaired by member Joe Schmitt. Committee members include Linda and Joe Schaden, Com. William and Sue Vogel, Dr. Larry

A model of French Boy, a successful racing iceboat co-owned by members George and John H. French Jr.

Stephenson and the author. If you have any questions about what is on display or have an item of historical relevance that you would like

to donate, please contact any of the committee members. Framing of the historical photos was done by Posterity: A Gallery in the Village.

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GPYC Active Member

TheGemExpert.com LaLondeJewelers.com

91 Kercheval Avenue Grosse Pointe Farms 313.881.6400

PERSON OF INTEREST

The Real Deal

With an independent spirit, compassion for the other guy and the will to lead, member Cathy Champion is still carrying on the family tradition. By Past Commodore James L. Ramsey

ears ago, a friend gave Cathy Champion some simple advice that changed her life. Fresh out of Michigan State Business School with a degree in Marketing, she had gone to work as a sales rep selling Polaris snowmobiles, snowmobile clothing and E-Z-GO golf carts. Cathy worked hard, balancing one seasonal line of merchandise in winter and the other in summer. She was good at what she did, but when she discovered that a male counterpart was making four times the salary she was, she took her concern to her managing director, who basically told her that she didn’t need the money as much as a man. Disgruntled, she complained about the disparity to a friend, and the wisdom of their response startled her: “Cathy,” they said, “until you work for yourself, you’ll never be paid what you’re worth.”

at age 49, she took over the company. I didn’t work there in the beginning because I didn’t want to be known around the office as the boss’s daughter.”

Cathy cut her teeth on Lansing real estate until time and circumstances suggested a change. In 1978, pregnant with her first child, Erik, she moved back to her hometown and a career in the family business. Selling real estate seems to have come naturally to Cathy, not because she fancies herself a great salesperson, but because she is above all a people person. “My parents, being realtors, were always discovering homes in Grosse Pointe they had to have, so we moved often and I changed schools frequently – from Maire to Kerby, to Richard, to Pierce and then The advice struck a chord with Champion. She quit GPHS,” recalls Cathy. “Moving like that her job selling snowmobiles and entered the real estate taught me how to make new friends, and business in Lansing. Eventually her career path would I still enjoy connecting with people.” bring her to Grosse Pointe, but for the time being Cathy Champion remembers the first Cathy chose to make her way on her own. real estate sale she ever made. It was in Lansing, and she was tasked with “My mother and father were both in real estate before finding a home for a young, single me,” says Cathy. My father started his own real estate mother with three children. The lady’s company, William J. Champion Real Estate, on the financial situation was difficult, and the Hill in 1952, then convinced my mother, Kay, to get banks in those days weren’t particularly her real estate license and join him in the business. interested in loaning money to poor The logic he used had something to do with getting divorcees with kids. Cathy’s client needed her out of the house and away from eight kids. In a roof over her head, and the only place any case, she accepted his offer. When my father died available to her had been trashed by the

PERSON OF INTEREST previous occupants. But Champion found a way to get financing and make repairs; she closed the deal and got the woman a home. It taught her the importance of going to bat for the customer.

be overseen by the Detroit Board of Realtors, an organization that was ill-equipped to serve the needs of the Grosse Pointe market. So, in 1984, Cathy and five of her fellow Grosse Pointe Realtors broke away and began the process that would create the Grosse No story about Cathy Champion is complete without Pointe Board of Realtors. The process was arduous, mention of her mother Catherine, aka “Kay,” whose involving more than two years of litigation, endless maiden name was Wood and whose uncle, Gar Wood, documentation, and state and federal approvals; but was the legendary speedboat racer of the 1920s and in the end, Cathy and her group won out. In 1986, 1930s, a winner of both the Harmsworth and Gold Champion was named first president of the new, Cup trophies. Catherine and William Champion each self-governing coalition that would monitor ethics, set had two children from previous marriages, then four professional standards and resolve problems among more of their own, which accounts for Cathy’s wry Grosse Pointe Realtors, and in the end provide an reference to escaping the eight kids at home. equitable playing field for both buyers and sellers. William Champion’s early death undoubtedly posed a huge challenge for Cathy’s mom, who suddenly had to juggle the running of a business with tending a family. Even so, Cathy affectionately recalls the way her mother insisted that her children enjoy themselves growing up. “She always wanted us to have fun being kids,” she says. “She didn’t want us to find part-time jobs to help out. She saw work as her responsibility.” Mother and daughter remained best friends throughout their lives, dining often at the Club and every Monday evening at The Hill, now the Bronze Door. Cathy’s mom passed away in 2011.

she was named to Hour Magazine’s prestigious list of Real Estate All-Stars, an honor she has received every year since. But perhaps her highest accolade comes from a competitor, realtor Tom Youngblood, who says, “She has high ethical standards, she knows the market and she thinks of her clients before she thinks of herself. That’s why she’s one of the top performers in this market.”

In 1984, Cathy made a move that would simultaneously grow her business and free up her time. She and realtor “Skip” Baer merged their two companies to form a union that would increase their Cathy would repeat as president in 1998. She was also presence in the marketplace and give each of them named Realtor of the Year each of those years. In 2011, a partner they could rely on when they were away

When Kay Champion retired from the business in 1980, Cathy took over as president. Her second son, Jason, was born a year later. Under her leadership, Champion Real Estate continued to grow and Cathy found herself becoming Realtor of Choice when it came to high-end properties in the Grosse Pointes. Her good reputation was paying off; but success has a price and Cathy’s workload was taking a toll. Part of her frustration stemmed from the fact that all Grosse Pointe real estate transactions in those days had to

PERSON OF INTEREST

The Real Deal

continued

from the office. The Champion-Baer merger worked as planned. Several years later, when a conglomerate offered to buy them out, they accepted. From there, Cathy Champion joined Bolton-Johnston Associates, owned by former member Nanci Bolton. She is a broker with them today. Over her career, she has sold more than $100,000,000 worth of real estate. Off-duty, Cathy devoted herself to the community. From 2005 to 2008, she served as president of SOC, or Services for Older Citizens, now known as The Helm, which is widely acclaimed for its programs and services to Grosse Pointe’s senior community. And from 2011 to 2014, she served as chairperson of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce and as nominating chair of the Grosse Pointe Farms Foundation. Cathy and her husband, Kevin, joined the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in 1996 and quickly became involved in numerous Club functions. She served as chair of the Membership Committee for several years and was a founding member of the Wine and Gourmet Food Group, which was instrumental in creating the Club’s ever-popular wine cellar. She also chaired the Book Committee and the Sailing Rendezvous Committee, which introduced the idea of close-to-home rendezvous events for boats of limited range.

Q: How did you acquire your knowledge of wine? A: By drinking too much vodka. (Laughs) No, seriously, it was on an early trip to California. We got to visit a lot of wineries and fell in love with trying and tasting. Wine has so many nuances; why the grapes taste differently; even the design of the labels; the study of it is endless. But I’m not a wine snob. I can Q: Kevin is in real estate, too, isn’t he? enjoy a cheap bottle of wine as much as an expensive A: Kevin retired from Chrysler in 2007 and got his one. There’s no such thing as a bad bottle of wine. license. Like my mother and father, we work as a team. Well, rarely! “Why can’t my son meet a nice girl like you?” and I said, “Here I am.” Kevin and I were both single; we went on a test date - a series of test dates, actually. We joked later that every restaurant we went to is now out of business. We’ve been married for almost 27 years now with three fabulous grandchildren.

Q: You two were avid sailors. How did that happen? A: Kevin was a big sailor. We went through a string of sailboats - a Sunfish, Hobie Cat, then several Catalinas; the last one was 35 feet. We had a lot of fun cruising - the boat was our weekend cottage - but we needed more space. So we bought a real cottage on the lake in Grand Bend, Ontario, with the idea of sailing the boat to the cottage. A couple of trips up the St. Clair River against the current convinced us that was a bad idea, so we sold the sailboat about four years ago. We sold the cottage just before the pandemic, luckily. Q: Do you remember your great-uncle Gar Wood? A: Uncle Gar, yes. He was quite a powerful figure at the Detroit Yacht Club. One day, he accidentally stepped in a dog deposit there and had all dogs banned from walking on the premises. Owners had to put dogs into carts to get them to and from the harbor. That rule was just changed last year.

Q: You’ve traveled extensively. Where does the urge to travel come from? Q: Cathy, how did you and your husband Kevin A: My mother. My mother loved to travel. So do Killebrew meet -- what was the attraction? Kevin and I. We honeymooned in Italy, and every year A: There was no attraction. (Laughs) We were afterward we went to a different country in Europe. roommates at Michigan State. We shared a house with We’ve been to every country on the continent. We’ve several couples, and it was all platonic then. Years later, also been on a number of boat cruises - Transatlantic, I was talking to Kevin’s father at a party and he said, Asia and the Far East.

Q: Who in all the world would you most like to have dinner with? A: I can tell you who it wouldn’t be: politicians or religious leaders. Beyond that, it would be my dad and mom, and then someone funny, like Tina Fey or Bob Newhart, someone who is fun to be around.

PERSON OF INTEREST

Kevin and Cathy are avid travelers, stopping for a photo here in Scotland

PERSON OF INTEREST

The Real Deal

continued

Q: What would you order? A: I’m not a meat-eater, so it would have to be something that swims. Probably branzino or salmon. I could eat salmon every day of the week. Q: And the wine? A: A really good burgundy. Red wine is good with fish. Q: Any words to live by? A: Simply to treat people the way you want to be treated.

Kevin and Cathy on a GPYC rendezvous at Catawba Island Club

MEMBER SCENE

2021 Directors’ Cruise

The Board of Directors headed to Club Island for an end of summer retreat

David Schaden makes a toast during dinner

MEMBER SCENE

Vice Commodore Jason Grobbel and Commodore Gary Marowske

L-R: William Turner, Treasurer William Dillon, Amy Schaden and Vice Commodore Jason Grobbel

Bob Weiland

David Schaden

MEMBER SCENE

Fall Family Festival

PYC families gathered out at the Family Activity Center on a beautiful day to celebrate the start of the fall season. Kids enjoyed a petting zoo, pony rides, cider and donuts and fall crafts.

Kelly & Annabelle Posch

Ava Schaupeter

MEMBER SCENE

Susan Kirchner and her grandchildren

MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Carl Wolschon, Amelia Clair Wolschon and Marilyn Wolschon

James & Lindsay Tobin with their children

Madison & Kinsley O’Neill

MEMBER SCENE

Alexander Stahl got the chance to hold one of the animals at the petting zoo

MEMBER SCENE

Ladies Fall Getaway

he ladies of the GPYC headed north to Mackinac Island for this year’s Ladies Fall Getaway. The group stayed at the iconic Grand Hotel. Although the weekend was a bit foggy and rainy, it didn’t stop this group from having a great time.

Melissa Bodmer and Sheri Totte

Michelle Sullivan & Kim Krasemann

MEMBER SCENE

Past Commodore Mary Treder Lang, Mary Hunt and Sally Cytacki

The group enjoyed drinks on the front porch of the Grand Hotel

Mary Hunt, Lady Kathleen Marowske, Linda Schaden, Past Commodore Mary Treder Lang and Sally Cytacki

Elizabeth Conley & Linda Lloyd

MEMBER SCENE

Spooktacular Halloween Celebration

his year’s Halloween Celebration came back inside the Clubhouse, making for a spooky good time for the kids. The little ghouls and goblins enjoyed a kids’ buffet, Halloween crafts, a pumpkin patch, a hayride and a haunted house out at the Family Activity Center. Several parents dressed up for the occasion as well. The Allard Family

The Van Natter Family

The Arreola Family

MEMBER SCENE

The Kurdi Family

Kids made their way through a haunted house at the Family Activity Center

MEMBER SCENE

Commodore Marowske’s Last Supper L-R: David Schaden, Richard Lueders, Treasurer William Dillon, Vice Commodore Jason Grobbel, Commodore Gary Marowske, Secretary Robert Weiland, Pete Beauregard, Paul Silva, Amy Krueger Malow and Reverend Walter Schmidt

ast commodores and current Board of Directors gathered for an elegant last supper for Commodore Marowske in the Venetian Room. With everyone dressed to the nines, the group celebrated Marowske’s year as commodore and reviewed the annual audit of the Club. An elegant meal of Commodore Marowske’s favorites was prepared by our culinary team, including a grilled cheese appetizer, champagne and caviar, and bumpy cake as dessert.

MEMBER SCENE

2021 Annual Meeting

very year, the Officers, Board of Directors, past commodores, Fleet Officers and general membership gather in the Ballroom to close out the year of one Commodore and induct the incoming commodore. Voting members cast their ballots on their way into cocktail hour. Incoming Lady Melissa Bodmer hosted a Spouse’s Cocktail Party in the Venetian Room for the wives of past commodores, fleet officers and the Board of Directors. The meeting was called to order after a delicious meal prepared by our culinary team.

L-R: Sue Vogel, Melissa Bodmer, Jennifer Winckler and Allyson Turner at the Spouse’s Cocktail Reception

This year, Commodore Gary Marowske presented highlights of his year at the helm, including the renovations of the Spinnaker, lobby, moat bridge, rotunda, Main Dining Room, and the kick off to the Harbor renovations that would be taking place over the winter. The packed room cheered as the Commodore discussed how the Club made its way out of COVID for a semi-normal year of annual activities and long-overdue renovations. Awards were presented to Yachtsman of the Year, Past Commodore Kevin Granger; and Members of the Year, Julie Schuetze, Maureen Gleason, Steve Beckett and Jim Boutrous. General Manager Aaron Wagner announced the always exciting Employee of the Year Award, which was given to Catering Director Alondra Kennedy. After his remarks, Commodore Marowske handed over the microphone to incoming Commodore Jason Grobbel, who will lead Club membership into an equally exciting year. Election results were announced at the end of the meeting. GPYC membership voted to elect Director Bruce Knapp and Secretary Bob Weiland to three year terms, and Director Joe Backer and new Director Bill Turner to two year terms. Past Commodore Gary Gonzalez was elected to the Preservation Committee.

L-R: Director Rick Lueders, Past Commodore Dennis Andrus and Greg Schaden

MEMBER SCENE

Maureen Gleason and Marita Grobbel

Incoming Commodore Jason Grobbel gave his remarks on what to expect in the upcoming year

Susanne Smith and Past Commodore Ted Smith. Ted was recognized as a new Senior 50 Active member

Dr. Gary Bill and Kimberleigh Bill. Dr. Bill was recognized as a 25-year active member

L-R: Paul Lang, Julie Granger and Kimberleigh Bill

L-R: Rear Commodore Brian Fish, Matthew Moroun and Vice Commodore Jason Grobbel. Matthew was awarded a plaque for his family’s contributions to the new moat bridge

MEMBER SCENE

Past Commodore Ted Smith and Commodore Gary Marowske give a toast

Commodore Gary Marowske gives the highlights of his year as Commodore

Catering Director Alondra Kennedy was awarded Employee of the Year

the

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MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Vice Commodore Jason Grobbel, Julie Schuetze, Maureen Gleason, Steven Beckett, Jim Boutrous and Rear Commodore Brian Fish

Members of the Year

in late July 2021.

Because of the herculean efforts of these four chairs, the incredible GPYC Staff, and the dedicated Member volunteers, the event was a huge success. The Club was proud to present the Members of the Year Award to Julie Schuetze, Maureen Gleason, Jim Boutrous, and Steven Beckett. Congratulations to this great Committee team!

and effort from the committee chairs and their committee volunteers. Planning for our event at By Director Bruce Knapp the GPYC started early, and at the time the rules for attendance in person kept changing due to the nce every 14 years, each of the 14 Clubs pandemic. The four Chairs adjusted on the fly as that are part of the MICSA organization the months passed, and really took the event from a host the MICSA Swim Finals. This has traditionally been a three-day event where each of potential remote function in 2021 to a fantastic onsite event. The structure of the event changed a bit the Clubs bring their top swimmers to compete. in that GPYC hosted 3-4 clubs per day for four days Plans for this event take many hours of time

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Yachtsman of the Year By Katie Susko

he GPYC has a storied history of sailing, and that history can’t be discussed without mentioning Past Commodore Kevin Granger. For the past few decades, Commodore Granger has worked hard to make sure the annual Bluenose Regatta ran effortlessly at the GPYC, and 2021 was no exception. Granger has also been a part of various GPYC races for over 40 years. Congratulations to our Yachtsman of the Year!

L-R; William Turner, Rear Commodore Brian Fish, Past Commodore Kevin Granger, Vice Commodore Jason Grobbel

MEMBER SCENE

Thanksgiving at the Club

MEMBER SCENE

any GPYC families have the annual tradition of coming to the Club for Thanksgiving, and countless others purchase their entire holiday meal from our culinary team, making the holiday a breeze. This year, families gathered in the Ballroom and private rooms to celebrate their reasons to be thankful. Dinner was served buffet-style in the Rotunda, and turkey was carved tableside for the larger parties. It was another wonderful holiday event at the GPYC.

The Rader family celebrated in the Lakeshore Room

The Anderson family

The O’Neill family

MEMBER SCENE

The Wharton Family

The Ostosh Family

Turkey was carved tableside for the Rader family by a member of our culinary team

Harry & Lynn Kurtz GPYC Members Since 2001

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MEMBER SCENE

Annual Tree Lighting

ids dressed up in their holiday best. Sparkling lights hung throughout the Clubhouse. The sound of sleigh bells filled the air. The scenes from the Club’s annual tree lighting are some of the best memories of the holiday season. The tradition was even more treasured this year since 2020’s tree lighting couldn’t happen due to COVID protocol. This year, bunches of GPYC kids and their families came to the Clubhouse to watch Santa arrive by sleigh on the front drive. Warmed with cups from the festive hot cocoa bar, the children’s faces lit up as Santa hopped off his sleigh and entered the Clubhouse. The group congregated around the tree in the Rotunda, where Santa did the honors of turning on the lights for the first time this season. Afterwards, families enjoyed a buffet on this spirited evening with fellow members.

MEMBER SCENE

Everyone gathered in the Rotunda to watch the tree light up for the first time this year

MEMBER SCENE

Commodore Jason Grobbel shook hands with Santa before the tree lighting

Santa and Michael Schotthoefer

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Santa greeted kids who gathered outside the Clubhouse

SNAPS

GPYC YACHT SHOT DINNER By Carol Stephenson

Ladies’ golf at the GPYC was formalized in 1997 as the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Yacht Shots, and every year since then, the end of the season has been celebrated with cocktails and dinner at the Club. It has become tradition to invite both present golfers and alumni to these dinners, and this year was no exception. Dinner was enjoyed in the Lakeshore Room followed by two lively rounds of Left-Center-Right to top the evening. Marney Ramsey has led the group since its formation and is presently on board to lead once again into the 2022 season. The league plays 18 holes at Sycamore Hills every Tuesday morning, June through September. If you are interested in learning more about the Yacht Shots, contact Ladies Golf Chair Marney Ramsey at msramsey1@comcast.net

Seated L-R: Rosemary Hastings, Marney Ramsey, Priscilla Schaupeter, Kathy Neuman, Bunny Rentschler, Nancy Collins; Standing L-R: Julie Storen, Prudie Marcinak, Alyssa Mertz, Mary Lamparter, Dianna Smith, Carol Stephenson

SNAPS

GPYC Member Featured in 40 Under 40 List

PYC member Wadette Bradford was featured on Crain’s Detroit Business’s 2021 40 Under 40 list. Being featured on the list is a huge honor for metro Detroiters, as the list only features the best of the best: changemakers, lawmakers, and leaders in the community. The list has been published annually since 1991.

Wadette is a Dealer Network Diversity & Investments Manager for Stellantis N.V. (the parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands). She was recruited by Stellantis to grow the company’s Dealer Market Investment Program, which assists high-potential minority candidates pursue their aspirations of owning the company’s dealerships. Stellantis is now ranked No. 2 in minority-owned dealerships for the U.S. automotive industry. On her proudest career achievement thus far, Wadette says, “sourcing and developing a relationship with Live Oak Bank, the nation’s largest SBA lender, to support our minority dealer initiatives. The relationship was the foundation to ensuring all our dealers had real-time access to government funding during the pandemic. Additionally, first-time minority entrepreneurs are able to become dealers leveraging access to funds that grew from a relationship with Stellantis into an industry- leader for minority dealers across the automotive industry.” In the future, Wadette hopes to expand the Stellantis Dealer Network Diversity scope, and advance into senior-level management to achieve a seat at the table as a cognitive diversity thought-leader to provide necessary input into the company’s decision making process. “Receiving the prestigious Crain’s recognition is absolutely phenomenal and it is a North Star on my journey that was set in motion by my mentor, Ellenae Fairhurst, the owner of the first-ever African American woman-owned Lexus dealership in the country,” Wadette says. “I choose to dedicate this award to her. She launched my career and now I help others dream bigger and find success within their passions. Mrs. Fairhurst gave me the foundation for my success with my first management job for which I will be eternally grateful.” We are honored to have her as a member of the GPYC. Congratulations Wadette!

Lauderdale International Boat Show Rendezvous

everal GPYC members head down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, each fall to attend the Lauderdale International Boat Show. This year, a large group attended and was able to visit the newly remodeled Lauderdale Yacht Club after the show for cocktails and dinner. Thank you to LYC for hosting the GPYC.

Our members representing the GPYC at the Lauderdale Yacht Club.

LOOKING AFT Surprising people, places and events from our past.

A Towering Achievement By Past Commodore James L. Ramsey

ccording to legend, the Club’s most striking physical feature grew from a series of rough sketches by Boston architect Frank Lowell depicting a Mediterranean-style clubhouse with a tall campanile, or bell tower, that would overlook Lake St. Clair. The distinctiveness of the idea was enough to win Lowell the assignment of designing the new home of the GPYC. But fate intervened. An accomplished ocean sailor, Lowell died at sea just 18 days after getting the nod. The job of executing Mr. Lowell’s conceptual thinking fell to two associates, Ralph Henry and Henry Richmond, who traveled to Grosse Pointe and were immediately struck by the flatness of the terrain. They both agreed that Lowell’s tower should stay as a strong vertical element in the design of the Clubhouse to contrast with the horizontal topography and also serve as a navigational aid on the lake. And so, as the Clubhouse arose, so did its massive tower, eventually achieving a height of 187 feet. Being a bell tower, it of course needed a bell. But as Clubhouse construction progressed, it became quickly apparent that euphoric cost estimates and construction overruns were putting the entire project in jeopardy. At first, planners elected to postpone the installation of the bell until after the Clubhouse was completed, but soon realized that the cost of a retro-fit would put even more financial strain on the project. The decision was made to purchase a bell from one of the nation’s most respected bell makers, the Meneely Company of Watervliet, New York, whose creations hung in

such famed locations as Independence Hall, West Point and aboard the U.S.S. Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides.”

about as much illumination as a clown’s nose – barely enough to warn unsuspecting aircraft and all but invisible to boaters. Then-Harbor Committee Chairman Dr. Federico Mariona stepped up and paid for a modern, more intense flashing light to be installed in its place. The light still flashes from the tip of the tower, providing a welcome beacon for mariners at night on the lake.

Meneely’s bell for the Club was imposing: five feet high, five inches thick, weighing more than two tons. And its $4,000 price tag in 1929 was equally imposing. But urgent phone calls to well-heeled members produced the needed funds. The bell For more information on the bell tower, see page 35 was soon hoisted into position in the skeletal of the GPYC Centennial Book. tower. It was, however, installed without a remotecontrolled clapper. Thus, to ring it, someone would have to scramble Quasimodo-like nearly 200 dizzying feet up the belfry and strike it with a mallet. It stayed that way for nearly 40 years until a complicated system of gears, cams and electromagnetic relays was added for remote control; but even then, the device worked sporadically, if at all. In 2002, under the guidance of Com. George Kriese, an electronically controlled striking device was introduced, finally allowing the bell to ring automatically. Then-Commodore Carl Rashid convened a special gathering in the courtyard to hear it peal for the first time. The bell still reliably tolls ship’s time today. A year later, the tower received another needed improvement. The original red light at the top emitted The Clubhouse and bell tower in the final phases of construction in 1929

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