In 1958, three young Detroit men established the first African-American ski club in the United States. These men had skied before, but wanted to include after-ski activities where African-Americans would feel welcome. The wrote up a constitution, and named their ski club the “Jim Dandy Ski Club of Detroit” after rhythm and blues singer Lavern…
Ever hear of a towel cake? How about a diaper cake or a diaper wreath? Give up? They are clever, unique gift ideas for engaged couples, kids going off to college and new babies, and they just are some of the creations of April Cobb, owner of one of Grandmont Rosedale’s newest pop-up businesses, Tender…
It is common for a city to name its streets after historic military officers or men significant in a city’s early history. Chalfonte, for instance, was named after a French Lieutenant posted at Fort Ponchartrain during the 1750s. Henry R. Schoolcraft is remembered as an early 1800s explorer, geographer, geologist and ethnologist whose contributions would…
North Rosedale Park resident Mary Ratkowski was first inspired to get involved in social justice issues when she taught in Ghana in the early 1970s: “I became much more aware of the inequalities in the world. When I returned and moved to Detroit, I became connected to the social justice community through other overseas volunteers.” …
You know those people who always look well put-together? You know, their clothes are fashionable, well-matched and seem perfect for that particular person and occasion? They might have a really sharp jacket or a dress that you’ve never seen before but that looks just about perfect on them? North Rosedale Park resident and pop-up business…
Cora Duncan-Foster of Grandmont was stumped. How was she going to get kids to sign up for the SkillsUSA program – a program that Cora knew was a terrific opportunity for high school students to acquire skills necessary to move into the working world? The students didn’t know Cora well because she recruited kids from…
Although Charlene has been to Europe and Africa several times, her trips to Cuba bring her perhaps the greatest pleasure. Much of Charlene’s family still lives there. When she goes to Cuba, Charlene stays with family. Charlene believes that it is her Cuban heritage that draws her to the geometric patterns of Africa. While geographically…
Ken Wolfe is a great story teller. He comes by this honestly. His mom came from Southern Illinois, from “poor folks, where storytelling was the backwoods entertainment.” In order to be a great storyteller, however, one also has to have good material, and Ken has a lot of good material. Sitting on his porch watching…
Are you a gambling person? Kathy Roland’s story might make you think about odds. What are the odds that three sisters, a brother and their parents would all live in Grandmont Rosedale for more than 20 years? What are the odds that among the three sisters there would be 11 kids, all boys? What are…
When Mara LePere-Schloop was in elementary school, she was asked to draw a picture of her house in Rosedale Park. It was in math class, and it was an exercise in spatial thinking. Mara liked drawing her house. She got into it. When she was finished, a visiting teacher took a look at the collection…