The Past for the Future:
A Simple Way to Give a Legacy
Gift to the Society
“I give, devise, and bequeath the sum of
$____________ (or _______% percent) of my net
estate, as finally determined for estate tax
purposes, to the Grosse Pointe Historical Society
(GPHS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
located in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, to be
used in furtherance of its charitable purposes.”
We are indebted to our donors who have
included the Grosse Pointe Historical Society in
their wills or trusts. Insurance policies, IRAs, or
annuities are an easy way to leave money to the
Society. If you would like to leave a restricted
gift or would like to discuss other gift planning
ideas, please call (313) 884-7010.
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
Mike W. Skinner
Gail R. Stroh-Marentette
Program Manager
Nancy Pacitto
Executuve Director
Maureen Devine
Administrator
Helga Liedtke
Parliamentarian
Andrea Weyhing
the Moorings
Editor
Ann Marie Aliotta
Curator Emeritus
Jean Dodenhoff
Webmaster
Jay Hunter
Eagle Scouts Help
Clear Cemetery and
Host Event
Once again, the Grosse Pointe Historical Society was the
beneficiary of the hard work and diligence of some local
Eagle Boy Scouts. Kevin Bennett, a student at Grosse
Pointe North, was a big help in preparing St. Paul’s
Cemetery to be ready for the Talking Headstones program
held in October.
“Kevin wanted to do something for the community and
really took an interest in the St. Paul cemetery that he
has biked by a number of times during the many years he
has lived here,” according to his mother, Maureen. “Kevin
has worked pretty hard to try and earn his Eagle by the
age of 16 and part of that is to do a major project for the
community or a conservation project.”
The first weekend, Kevin and about 19 other boys weed-
whacked around the grave stones, pulled weeds and
trimmed back along the fence line, pruned the trees to
see the headstones underneath the trees, raked and
threw out trash. They added new mulch at the beginning
and spoke with the neighbors who were very excited to
see the work being done. The scouts found and uncov-
ered a large Thibault grave that was obliterated by weeds.
They carefully dug it out and are extremely proud of
the marker.
The next week, Kevin, with the help of Mr. David and
Andrew Poletis, put together a hand-made park bench
which Kevin worked on for over a month and added that
to the cemetery. He also flanked each side with solar
lights. Then, Kevin added some flowers, continued clean
up, and also added flags to the veterans’ graves.
The boys finished the project by serving as tour guides
for the October event, dressed as ribbon farmers. Since
they were familiar with grave markers, they were
able to escort family members to their particular ances-
tors' graves.