BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
WOODS — A Grosse Pointe Woods businessman and inventor is in the running for a chance to be named an Entrepreneur of Impact by the national NAACP.
Burgess Foster, owner of MIDIGITEL, was one of about 80 business owners from across the country who were selected to compete for the honor — which comes with a $25,000 prize, mentoring from Daymond John of “Shark Tank” and a full-page ad in Forbes magazine. The only metro
and his wife, Eleanor of
Detroiter chosen for this contest, Foster has made it through the first round of voting — which whittled the field down to 20 contenders — and is now in the second round, which ends Feb. 6. At press time, Foster was second in the voting, which will determine the 15 businesses that go on to round three.
Round three — to reduce the candidates to the top 10 — will last until Feb. 13. The public will then decide who among the top 10 make it to the top four, from which a winner will ultimately be chosen by the end of February.
“Everything’s been exciting about this,” Foster said.
Foster, who taught fifth grade for about eight years at Duke Ellington Elementary in Detroit, was a college professor in the business department at Wayne County Community College District when his Introduction to Marketing students asked him why he didn’t start his own company when he was giving them advice and encouragement to start theirs. The challenge inspired Foster, who launched MIDIGITEL in September 2018 “from the mud,” as he puts it.
“I started my company in my garage,” Foster said. Foster holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political
See FOSTER on page 10A
GP Theatre warms up February with heated family drama ‘The Lion in Winter’
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
WOODS — Britain’s current royal family might appear to be full of drama, but their issues seem trivial compared to those of the family of King Henry II of England.
Grosse Pointe Theatre’s new production of “The Lion in Winter,” set in 1183, looks at the fractured family dynamics among the king, his strong and conniving wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their three sons, all of whom want to inherit their father’s crown and everything that comes with it. The show will run Feb. 7 to 16 at Parcells Middle School in Grosse Pointe Woods.
“It’s a highly dysfunctional family,” said Samantha Teter, of Detroit, who plays Eleanor. “Everyone has their own agenda. They’re all out to get each other.”
Henry wants his favorite son, John, the youngest, to become the next king, while Eleanor wants her favorite, Richard, the oldest surviving son, to ascend to the throne. it.
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
SHORES — Given that the city’s in-house ambulance and emergency medical service is a major point of pride, the newest member of the Grosse Pointe Shores Public Safety Department should be an ideal fit, given his medical background.
New officer Devon Dentai, 25, of Lenox Township, was sworn into office by Shores Mayor Ted Kedzierski during a Jan. 21 Shores City Council meeting.
Prior to coming to the Shores, Dentai worked as a paramedic and instructor for Medstar, which provides ambulance service for local cities such as Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Park.
See DENTAI on page 17A
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
CITY — Grosse Pointe City has joined its neighbor, Grosse Pointe Park, in approving the purchase and installation of license plate readers in the municipality.
The project is being made possible by a gift from the nonprofit Grosse Pointe Public Safety Foundation, which has offered to purchase five cameras for each of the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods from Motorola Solutions and pay for the
first year of service for them.
At a Dec. 16 Grosse Pointe City Council meeting, City Public Safety Director John Alcorn was joined by a Motorola representative to discuss this equipment.
“We want to fight crime,” Alcorn said. “We want to catch the bad guys. But we (also) want to keep people safe, and it’s a good tool to do that.”
Law enforcement officials say the cameras deter crime, aid in investigations
See READERS on page 16A
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
SHORES — Although the income levels of most Grosse Pointe Shores residents put them far from being classified as poor, if any residents were to fall on exceptionally hard times, they might be able to qualify for a poverty exemption from their property taxes.
During a meeting Jan. 21, the Shores City Council unanimously approved a resolution for a poverty exemption. Approval was recommended by administrators and the city’s assessor, WCA Assessing.
“This is something that I understand is required by the Michigan State Tax Commission,” Mayor Ted Kedzierski said.
He said he believed it was something the council had to approve annually.
“That’s correct,” City Manager Stephen Poloni confirmed.
A poverty exemption application enables a homeowner to request property tax relief from the city assessor and Board of Review because the taxes place an excessive hardship on the resident. To be eligible, a resident must first meet federal poverty standards. For the 2024 tax year, the federal poverty guidelines are $15,060 in annual income for a single person, $20,440 annually for two people in the same household and $31,200 for a family of four. Applicants must make less than these amounts to qualify. The exemption, even if granted, is temporary; qualifying property owners would need to apply for it each year.
Applicants not only need to meet the poverty standards for income, but also for as-
sets, which exclude the home for which applicants are seeking tax relief. Assets include vehicles, recreational vehicles such as boats, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, investments, jewelry, second homes, federal non-cash benefits such as Medicare and Medicaid, artwork and antiques.
Maximum assets are set at federal poverty levels, meaning that each person’s total assets, aside from their income and home, cannot be more than $15,060.
“It’s my understanding no one (in Grosse Pointe Shores) has ever qualified because it’s income as well as assets,” Kedzierski said.
Those who qualify for the exemption would have the taxable value of their home reduced by 50% for that year.
Because of changes made by the state Legislature in December 2020, the Board of Review is no longer be able to deviate from state guidelines because of special circumstances, such as medical expenses.
The council needed to approve the guidelines in advance of the city’s Board of Review meetings. It’s during Board of Review meetings that residents can contest their property tax assessment or seek a poverty exemption.
The Board of Review was slated, at press time, to meet March 10 and 17, although times hadn’t been announced at press time. For more information, contact Shores City Hall at (313) 881-6565.
For the poverty tax exemption guidelines and form, visit the city’s website at gpshoresmi.gov.
Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
CITY — Grosse Pointe City’s auditors again gave the municipality a clean bill of financial health.
“We want to highlight the fact that (the audit) is an unqualified or unmodified opinion,” said Martin Olejnik, of Plante Moran, as he delivered the results of the firm’s independent examination of the city’s financial records for the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year. “That means you can rely on all of the numbers.”
An unqualified or unmodified opinion is sometimes also referred to as a clean opinion.
“The books were in impeccable condition. … (City Finance Director/Treasurer) Kimberly Kleinow did an amazing job, as always,” Olejnik told the Grosse Pointe City Council during a Nov. 18 council meeting.
The city enjoyed a spike in its investment income last year, earning $68,906. That’s a jump from 2023, when the city only earned $17,967 from its investments.
“That was just due to a change in market conditions,” Plante Moran auditor Dean Hewines said.
The city’s general fund unassigned fund balance rose by over $100,000, from $1.72 million in the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year to just under $1.835 million in the 2023 to 2024 fiscal year.
As to how much the city should be keeping in its unassigned fund balance — sometimes referred to as a rainy day fund — Plante Moran auditor Spencer Tawa told the council, “It really depends on what the needs of the city are.”
Having a strong fund balance can improve a municipality’s bond rating, which means it would qualify for lower interest
rates when borrowing for major projects or expenditures. A solid fund balance also means a community has money available for emergencies.
As of June 30, 2024 — the end of the last fiscal year — the city’s pension was slightly over 99% funded.
Tawa said “this is not the case” with other cities.
“The city has done a great job over the years of funding the (pension) plan,” Tawa said.
Retiree health care was only 13.2% funded, but that has been steadily increasing over the last several years; it was only 6.2% funded in 2020. Tawa said the state didn’t require contributions toward the retiree health care liability in the past, and many communities covered this cost on a pay-as-you-go basis.
“There is obviously money going into it,” Tawa said of the city trying to put additional dollars toward retiree health care. “The funding level over time has been going up.”
Olejnik said the state wants every municipality to be over 40% funded in retiree health care.
“There’s not many that are fully funded,” Olejnik said.
He said a lot of cities remain 0% funded.
“This was under the radar for all municipalities,” City Councilman Christopher Walsh said. “Suddenly (the state) sprang (this requirement) on us. … We addressed it (but) there was no way that deficit was going to be closed anytime soon.”
Walsh acknowledged the praise the auditors had for Kleinow and City Manager Joseph Valentine.
“To have the auditors say that about your work — that’s encouraging to hear,” Walsh said.
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The credit union will award over $130,000 in scholarships, including 43 scholarships of $2,500 each to help students and educators reach career goals, and 14 scholarships of $2,000 each to support future first responders.
According to a press release, 10 additional scholarships will be awarded in 2025, representing an increase of $25,000.
MSGCU will award scholarships in various categories to teachers and administrators.
Nonmembers are welcome to apply for an MSGCU scholarship and must become a member if selected as a scholarship recipient.
“Earning a degree or certification requires a great deal of determination and hard work, along with a significant financial investment,” said Steve Brewer, president and CEO of MSGCU, in a release announcing the 2025 scholarship program. “MSGCU is increasing our scholarship awards this year to support more students in the communities we serve. We have provided over $1.25 million in scholarships since our program started 20 years ago, helping more than 600 recipients complete their education.”
The MSGCU High School Excellence Scholarship, formerly the Educational Solutions Scholarship, helps high school seniors who attend college. There are 18 scholar-
(586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
ships in the amount of $2,500 each.
The Rudolph Heino People Helping People Scholarship supports college-bound high school seniors with a commitment to helping others. A total of 15 scholarships of $2,500 are being offered.
With four $2,500 scholarships, the Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship benefits high school seniors and current college students planning to become teachers. The Milo Perreault Educator Advancement Scholarship helps certified teachers and administrators continue their education. Four $2,500 scholarships will be offered.
William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship supports students pursuing certification in electrical, heating/air conditioning, automotive, or other industrial and advanced technologies or skilled trades programs. Two $2,500 awards are offered to current skilled trades students or graduating high school seniors pursuing a skilled trades certificate.
The credit union also funds the Stephen Thomas First Responder Scholarship, which supports first responders enrolled in police and/or fire academies at local colleges with 14 scholarships of $2,000 each. Applications occur directly with Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College, Washtenaw Community College, and Schoolcraft College.Scholarship applications can be submitted online at msgcu. org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is Feb. 25.
Home Care One Owner Perry Calisi believes in honesty, integrity, and compassion -- and has offered such quality care through his home care business for the past ffteen years in Grosse Pointe, St. Clair Shores, and Macomb Township in southeastern Michigan.
Home Care One provides assistance for seniors and patients in their homes, and helps with alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, hospital and nursing home sitting, interim care during hospice, physical and mental disability assistance for children and adults, and people recovering from surgery. Services also include full or part-time and 24hour care services, and daily living activities such as meal preparation, running errands, assistance with bathing, house cleaning, doctor visits and more.
as everything becomes more expensive,” he said. “In my experience, more people have done better living in their home rather than facilities; just by familiarity and independence.”
Perry said he entered the business by hearing that someone needed help.
Perry wants to increase community awareness about how his company offers these personalized services to keep your loved ones living independently at home. Perry added that he and his staff go further than the next by helping clients stay as independent as possible.
“The public should look at home care as a way of staying independent, and in one’s own home --
“I just set up my own business model for what I would want for my own mother,” he said. “I would want someone honest and compassionate in the house.” Perry said he tries to match his roughly 18 employees’ personality types with patients. “It assures that there is going to be an assimilation of getting along,” he said. Betty, a client, said she is “really lucky” to have caregivers take really good care of her. “I get all that pampering,” she said smiling. “They’ve been with me ever since. I haven’t been let down for anything.”
Betty’s caregiver, Theresa, said Perry cares about his clients and he cares about his employees as well. “He is good about matching an employee with a client, which is nice,” she said. “We all work together. He cares all the way around... that is him in general.”
For more information call 313-409-0120 or go to http://www.homecareone.net/.
9A/ GROSSE POINTE TIMES • FEBRUARY 6, 2025
More than 80 members were on hand at the Country Club of Detroit in Grosse Pointe Farms Jan. 18 to mark the 132nd birthday of the Louisa St. Clair Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Louisa St. Clair Chapter, which is based in the Grosse Pointes, presents scholarships to local high school seniors, offers essay and art contests on American history topics, supports veterans and active duty servicemembers and works with the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.
A posthumous American History Medal was awarded to Mary Upshaw Evans McClendon for her efforts to improve wages and conditions for domestic workers in metro Detroit. McClendon’s granddaughter, Esteralita Evans, was present to accept the award. University Liggett School student Da’Mya Johnson, whose research brought McClendon’s story to the attention of DAR members, was on hand as well when Louisa St. Clair Past Regent Peggy King Scully presented Evans with the medal in honor of McClendon’s contributions.
The event also honored past chapter regents Peggy King Scully, Jane Turnbull, Kristine Fontichiaro and Kay Burt-Willson. New members were welcomed into the chapter as well: Paige Bachand, Lynn Detweiler, Lori Dawson, Meagan Fabbri, Kristin Krier, Marianne Langolis and Stephanie Wilkins.
An American Red Cross blood drive will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 13 in the ballroom of The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. Donors are needed and can make an appointment by calling (800) REDCROSS or visit warmemorial.org/eventcalendar11/februaryblooddrive.
The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, will offer heartwarming family fun in time for Valentine’s Day during a Cupid’s Corner edition of the Second Saturdays series from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Feb. 8.
Children will be able to decorate beads and make a heart bracelet, hear stories told by Princess Rapunzel at 9:20 a.m. and 9:40 a.m., see an interactive puppet show at 10 a.m., and make a valentine painting and doughnut sculpture. The littlest attendees can get creative with coloring. The cost is $10 per child; admission is free for adults. Complimentary coffee will be served for the adults. To register or for more information, visit warmemorial.org.
Helm celebrates Lunar New Year
Festive lanterns will be on display Feb. 12 at The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, for a celebration of the Lunar New Year. Special treats will be available as well Feb. 12, and attendees are encouraged to wear red, a lucky color. For additional information, call The Helm at (313) 882-9600.
Navy veteran William Falinski, who served on three different aircraft carriers, will be discussing the work that these vessels do during the next Grosse Pointe War Memorial Veterans Club meeting at 2 p.m. Feb. 13 at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. Aircraft carriers have long played an essential role in U.S. foreign policy and are considered critical in the war on terror. This program will take place in the veterans’ room. For more information, contact Grosse Pointe War Memorial Veterans Club President John Bates at (313) 881-4125.
The Garden Club of Michigan will offer a virtual presentation by Scott Sowa, of The Nature Conservancy of Michigan, via Zoom at 7 p.m. Feb. 12. The presentation, “Conserving the Largest Freshwater System in the World,” is free and open to the public, although anyone who’d like to attend needs to register as early as possible, as space is limited.
According to a press release, Sowa “will speak to how the health of our water system intimately affects our lives and livelihoods and will offer immediate and long term action items we can all take on to protect and improve the Great Lakes.”
To register, send an email to info@gardenclubofmichigan.org.
WARREN — Homeowners thinking about updating their kitchens, redecorating their bathrooms or adding new landscaping should check out the Macomb Home Improvement Show.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 15 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center, located at 14500 12 Mile Road. Homeowners can take advantage of incredible “show only” discounts and enjoy savings on everything for their home. Local home improvement professionals will be on site to discuss the latest in kitchen and bath designs, room additions, roofing options, swimming pools, spas, siding, decks, landscaping, pavers and patio furniture. Attendees also can look at floor coverings, windows, doors and more. There will be a number of artisans offering unique handmade items for the home as well.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit yourhomeshows.com.
science from North Carolina Central University; he also studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School in 2006 and a Master of Science degree in management from the University of Maryland in 2007. Foster has done work toward a doctorate in higher education from Georgetown University as well.
But his academic career wasn’t always rosy. Foster said his teachers felt that he should skip third grade and move directly into fourth, but his grandmother — who was caring for him — refused, fearing that she would lose a year of welfare income if he graduated early.
“I always resented her for that, but I forgave her because she raised me when my parents didn’t,” Foster said.
Foster — who grew up in Detroit — knew struggle at a young age.
“I grew up very poor,” he said. “I grew up in a household of 15 people. … We lived on welfare and food stamps.”
Bored because he wasn’t being challenged in school, Foster became a class clown. His grades plummeted as he got older. As he approached his senior year at Southeastern High School, he was warned that, with a grade point average of 0.4, he likely wouldn’t graduate with his classmates in 1986. Foster asked his principal what he’d need to do to get his diploma. He was told he’d have to attend summer school and night school as well as his regular classes. Foster did all those things, bringing his GPA up to a 1.1 — enough to graduate. He then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he studied aeronautical engineering and worked on the
Harrier jump jet.
His high school grades weren’t high enough to qualify him for admission to college, but based on his military experience, the dean of admissions at UNC agreed to let him study there for a semester, telling Foster that if he got at least a C average — a GPA of 2.0 — he would be formally admitted. Foster worked hard that semester and was able to achieve a goal that others didn’t think was possible, earning a 2.5 GPA in that first semester. He would go on to improve his GPA at each stage of his post-secondary educational career.
Foster has used that same level of determination and hard work to make MIDIGITEL a success. The company produces gadgets that improve health and safety, including a hands-free smartphone holder for vehicles, smart glasses that enable someone to talk on the phone hands-free without their hearing being impaired by earbuds, and air purifiers that kill germs and prevent illness. Other products include a small but mighty waterproof Bluetooth speaker for playing music anywhere; a car air purifier; a phone stand for making videos or participating in remote meetings; a three-in-one charger that can charge an Apple watch, iPhone and Android devices; and a wine aerator that doubles as a cork. MIDIGITEL includes a total of about 14 different products. Foster said he makes existing products on the market better and cheaper.
“We reverse engineer (the products) and improve (them),” Foster said. “That way we save money on legacy costs and therefore we can lower the price point dramatically. … If people shop with us, they can get the same quality for less money. We put money back on their kitchen table.”
Foster said the Entrepreneur of Impact contest was open to business owners focused on resolving social and environmental issues. He qualified because several of his products make life healthier and safer for their users, such as a device that sanitizes multiple tooth-
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brushes and razors using UV light.
Foster is a member of multiple chambers of commerce, including those in Troy, Roseville, Southfield, Madison Heights and Hazel Park. A member of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, he was honored with a Resilience in Business award from them in 2022.
“Burgess is a valued member of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, actively contributing to the organization and enhancing his business through his involve-
FARMS — Sometime between Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, an unknown suspect is said to have stolen a gold oblong ring with a diamond in the center valued at $400 and a silver ring with pavé diamonds valued at $100 from the senior apartment of a 78-year-old woman living at the American House facility at 161 Kercheval Ave. It’s the latest in a string of burglaries from senior apartments there in recent weeks. The case remained under investigation at press time. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.
PARK — An unknown man is said to have pulled up to a firewood display in the 800 block of Beaconsfield Avenue and stolen an estimated $50 worth of wood at around 5:38 p.m. Jan. 30. According to a police report, the suspect was caught on a surveillance camera taking the firewood. The suspect is said to have gotten out of the vehicle — a blue Dodge minivan — via the passenger side. Anyone with more information can call (313) 822-7400.
WOODS — A 2024 Dodge Durango was stolen from the driveway of a home in the 19000 block of Linville Street at around 5 a.m. Jan. 31. The victim was able to track the vehicle to a location in Detroit. Anyone with more information can call (313) 3432400.
FARMS — An unknown person is said to have smashed out the back window on a silver Ford F-150 while the vehicle was parked at the Country Club of Detroit, near the racquetball courts, between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17. The victim told police the vehicle had been locked and nothing appeared to have been stolen from the interior. Anyone with more information can call (313) 885-2100.
WOODS — A resident in the 1600 block of Severn Road reported that an unknown suspect broke his vehicle window and stole about $100 from the center console sometime between the hours of 8 p.m. Jan. 26 and 7 a.m. Jan. 27. Police said an-
other vehicle was also rummaged through but nothing was taken. Anyone with more information can call (313) 343-2400.
FARMS — Police are looking for a man who is said to have stolen two bottles of Don Julio 1942 Anejo Tequila valued at $199 apiece from a store in the 18300 block of Mack Avenue at around 3:44 p.m. Jan. 24. A police report states the man grabbed the two bottles and left the store without paying for them. A store employee was able to snatch one of the bottles back from the man, but he did manage to steal the other bottle, according to the police report. He is said to have fled the scene in a black 2008 Cadillac CTS that was driven by a second person. The vehicle was last seen heading eastbound on Mack. The man is facing a possible charge of second-degree retail fraud.
CITY — A woman is said in a police report to have stolen 13 bottles of Tito’s vodka — valued at a total of $380 — from The Village CVS store at around 7:25 p.m. Jan. 29. Anyone with more information can call (313) 886-3200.
PARK — An unknown person is said to have used another person’s credit card multiple times after the victim accidentally left the card at a TCBY in the 1000 block of Cadieux Road Jan. 29. The victim told police she went to the business the next day, Jan. 30, to retrieve her card, which is when she discovered that it had been used by someone else. Anyone with more information can call (313) 822-7400.
FARMS — Police pulled over a 45-yearold Grosse Pointe Farms man in the area of Moross Road and Chalfonte Avenue at 9:10 p.m. Jan. 28 after the driver allegedly ran a red light. According to a police report, the driver smelled of alcohol, stumbled over his words, staggered as he walked and emerged from his vehicle with his pants unzipped. Police said the man failed field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of 0.15% in a preliminary breath test — almost twice the legal limit. Because the driver had two prior convictions for operating while intoxicated, he’s facing a charge of operating while intoxicated third offense, which is a felony. The driver was arrested.
Help sought for suicidal man
FARMS — At around 10:46 a.m. Jan. 18, the Public Safety Department’s crisis intervention team responded to a gas station at Mack Avenue and Moross Road because of a report about a man who might want to end his life. Police said the man — a 37-year-old from Detroit — said he was looking for help because he was suicidal and suffering from alcohol withdrawal. He told officers he had gone to Ascension St. John Hospital the night before but had been re-
leased from the hospital that morning. Police asked if the man would be willing to go to a crisis intervention center and he agreed, so officers took him there to get additional medical attention.
13650 E. Eleven Mile Rd. Warren, MI 48089
Drunk Driving • Divorce, Custody Support & Parenting Time
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Then there’s middle son Geoffrey, a charming schemer.
Teter, who only moved to Detroit about a year and a half ago, said she was eager to become involved in the local theater scene when she learned about the “Lion” auditions. She said Eleanor is “probably my favorite role to date.”
“She’s incredibly complex,” Teter said. “She’s formidable but also vulnerable. The more I read the script (and) the more I read about her, the more I was intrigued. She has a lot of layers I feel I can bring to the character.”
Patrick Lane, of Bloomfield Hills, who plays Henry, is also making his GPT debut with this show, although he said his wife has been in previous GPT productions. He said he’s “always been drawn to this time period.”
“This show is one I’ve wanted to do since high school,” Lane said. “It’s like a precursor to (the HBO show) ‘Game of Thrones.’ There’s a real humanity in these historical figures.”
Director Nick Marinello, of Mount Clemens, agreed.
“Doing this drama, you have to get to the real people,” Marinello said.
Marinello said Henry II is “a warrior … (who) is in the winter of his life.” He’ll be dead within nine years.
Marinello, a history teacher by day, gets to embrace his interest in that subject with a chance to helm a drama after previously directing comedies.
“I think what I love about this show is it’s such a great actors’ show,” Marinello said of the meaty, complicated characters. “It’s important for us as an organization to
provide these shows for actors to hone their craft and to play a great character.”
Sterling Orlowski, of Hamtramck, plays Geoffrey. This is his third GPT show this season.
“I’d seen the movie many years ago,” Orlowski said. “I’m a fan of Peter O’Toole.”
O’Toole played Henry in the 1968 film.
Other actors in the cast include Catherine Pearson as Alais, Henry’s mistress and Richard’s fiancée; Gavin DeFillippo as John; Christopher Pearson as Richard; and Colin Martin as Philip II of France, the son and heir of Louis VII.
Despite the historical setting and somewhat elevated language, the dialogue in “Lion” is fairly modern.
“You close your eyes and (the characters) could be in a boardroom,” Marinello said. “It’s (like the television show) ‘Succession.’”
The lavish costumes, however, are as
ment,” Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce President Jenny Boettcher said via email.
Foster and his wife, Traci — who are the parents of four sons and now the proud grandparents of two — tutor and help children with homework at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit. MIDIGITEL’s community activity has included sponsoring the Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores Little League team. Both Fosters also serve as chaplains over the business ministry and the married couples ministry at Hartford Memorial.
John Bradley, deacon and president of the business ministry at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, has known Foster for about three to four years.
“He’s a very driven individual,” Bradley said, adding
true to the period as possible. While there isn’t a lot of information about how people from that era dressed, costume designer Mary Magyari, of Mount Clemens, has worked to replicate what they most likely would have looked like, using materials from the time such as wool.
“What I did was reference a lot of artwork from that period for inspiration,” Magyari said.
She said they hope to create a display in the lobby that will include reproductions of some of the artworks she studied to make the costumes, using paintings of Eleanor and Henry.
“You’ll see really rich colors and tones for each character,” Magyari said. “It’s going to be eye candy for the audience, I hope.”
The set is likewise true to the real setting, Chinon castle, which Marinello said was made of limestone and decorated with tapestries.
“We wanted to be as accurate as pos-
that Foster is very outgoing as well. “He likes to promote himself. You have to have that kind of drive to be successful.”
Bradley said all the members of the business ministry are business owners. The group networks and supports fellow members and also gives back to the community, he said.
Burgess Foster is the vice president of public relations for Ford Toastmasters, and his wife is the vice president of public relations for Top of Troy Toastmasters.
Traci Foster isn’t surprised her husband has achieved so many goals so far.
“He has really put in the work,” she said. “He’s passionate about the business.”
Burgess Foster is hoping to secure contracts with major college or professional sports franchises for them to offer some of his products as giveaways to ticketholders, noting that items like his smartphone holder reduce distracted driving, something that’s now illegal in states like Michigan. He’d also like to get contracts with retailers like Verizon or AT&T
sible,” Marinello said of the set, which is being crafted of foam painted to reflect the color of the stone.
This marks the third time GPT has staged “The Lion in Winter.” Previous productions were in 2005 and 1968. The play itself was written in 1966 by James Goldman.
“It’s a drama, (but) there’s a lot of wit to it,” Marinello said. “There’s a lot of levity. And (it’s) very sharp, very clever. When you read the script, it’s very dense, very quotable.”
It’s also a story that remains relevant.
“This is, in many ways, a timeless story of family struggle,” Marinello said. “Even though it’s set in a castle and there’s a king and a queen, there’s a lot of things (a modern audience) will find relatable.”
Parcells is located at 20600 Mack Ave. (at Vernier Road). For tickets or more information, visit gpt.org or call the GPT box office at (313) 881-4004.
stores to carry his products, which are currently only sold online. As the winner of a national competition sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement, some of Foster’s MIDIGITEL products can also be purchased via the Lowe’s website.
“My goal is to take some of the revenue and pay off student loans for graduates of the Detroit Public Schools who don’t have the money to pay for college,” Foster said.
He’s looking for investors for MIDGITEL as well.
In a nod to its Michigan roots, MIDIGITEL products have local references in their model numbers, including 313, 8 Mile, 586 and M-3.
“It’s just a way to promote the city (of Detroit) and to be proud of (the state),” Foster said.
Voting for Entrepreneur of Impact can be done using Facebook or Instagram. People can place one free vote per day, or place additional votes by donating to the nonprofit GENYOUth. To vote for Foster, visit his Facebook page, facebook.com/burgess.foster.7.
and help find people who are missing.
“All it’s doing is looking at plates as they go by and taking a picture,” said Jason Bernard, Michigan regional sales manager for Motorola Solutions. “It’s not looking at the driver. … It allows for future investigations.”
Alcorn said this is no different than an individual public safety officer running license plate numbers. He also said that, between other communities and the plethora of businesses and homes that have surveillance cameras, “the ship’s sailed. We’re (already) being recorded all the time.”
In addition, many neighboring jurisdictions have this technology in place. Alcorn said the Pointes and Harper Woods “are behind” by not having it.
“Thousands of agencies throughout the country are using it,” Bernard said of license plate readers.
With regard to the data, Bernard said it’s all “stored in a very safe place.”
“It’s very secure,” Bernard continued.
As to concerns about whether a law enforcement official could use license plate cameras to, for example, keep tabs on the comings and goings of an ex, Bernard said the system is set up to prevent activity like that.
“To search (the system), you have to have an incident number,” Bernard said.
Alcorn said the department wouldn’t retain the data indefinitely. Right now, he said officer body camera footage, for example, is typically saved for about 30 days after any contact with a person, while footage pertaining to an arrest is saved for 90 days. License plate reader data would most likely be save for roughly 90 days, he said.
Bernard said it’s the law enforcement agencies, not Motorola, that own this data.
More cameras could be added in the
future, as long as the money is available for them.
“This is kind of the initial step,” Grosse Pointe City Manager Joseph Valentine said last month. “We recognize more cameras provide better service, but that increases the cost.”
Valentine said they’re hopeful additional fundraising will enable them to add cameras.
At a Jan. 13 council meeting, City Councilman Christopher Walsh asked what would happen if any of the Pointes or Harper Woods didn’t agree to have the license plate readers installed.
“Each member is separate,” Valentine responded. “The system is a nationwide system, and we’re buying into that.”
Mayor Sheila Tomkowiak said the city was entering into a one-year contract to have the system. She said the contract would renew annually unless the city acted to terminate it.
Valentine said the first year of the contract is covered by the Grosse Pointe Public Safety Foundation, while the second year would cost the city approximately $8,000.
The Grosse Pointe City Council voted unanimously Jan. 13 in favor of agreements with the Grosse Pointe Public Safety Foundation and Motorola to purchase and install the license plate readers and to authorize the city attorney to prepare a license agreement for equipment installation and authorize the city manager to execute agreements on behalf of the city.
“I think this is awesome,” Walsh said of the license plate readers.
At press time, Alcorn said they hadn’t determined precisely when the cameras would be installed. As to camera locations, law enforcement officials don’t want to share those because criminals would then avoid those spots.
Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.
Dentai said he wasn’t aware of the career opportunities available in public safety, so when he was approached by a Shores officer about applying for an opening in the department, he was delighted to learn that he could combine his interests in providing medical assistance with his interests in police work.
“I always wanted to be a cop, but I wanted to continue to do medical, too,” Dentai said. “I like the idea I can help people on their worst day and maybe prevent their worst day.”
At his swearing in, Dentai’s badge was pinned on his uniform by his fiancée, Alynne Suida. The couple plan to wed in October.
Dentai’s parents, Laura and Mike, were on hand as well.
Dad Mike said he and his wife had “never been more proud” of their son. Devon Dentai is the first person in his family to go into law enforcement; his parents said most of the members of their families are teachers or tool and die workers.
Shores Public Safety Director Kenneth
Werenski said he was impressed after meeting with Dentai.
“We quickly realized he had a passion for service,” Werenski said.
He said Dentai struck them immediately as a great candidate for the department.
“We liked him right away,” Werenski said. “We really liked his quiet demeanor.”
Born and raised in Richmond, Dentai graduated from Richmond High School in 2017. He studied health science and was in the paramedic program at Macomb Community College.
Werenski said Dentai started working for the Shores on Dec. 14. He graduated from the Macomb Police Academy just a day earlier, on Dec. 13.
“We’re always excited to bring somebody aboard,” Werenski said.
Dentai does still need to get fire training. Werenski said he’ll attend the Macomb Fire Academy from Feb. 24 through May 2.
Shores officials are happy about the new hire.
“I have faith that Kenny (Werenski) picks good, quality people” for the department, City Councilman John Seago said.
Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.
FEB. 6
Solo art show: Last day to see works by Grosse Pointe Park fine artist and Grosse Pointe Artists Association member Linda Boyle, University Liggett School’s Manoogian Arts Gallery, 1045 Cook Road in Grosse Pointe Woods, view by appointment, (313) 884-4444, isbdesign.com
FEB. 10
Communities United in Diversity: Meeting from 6-8 p.m., Grosse Pointe North High School, 707 Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods, also meets March 3, April 14 and May 12 at different locations within Grosse Pointe Public School System, gpschools.org
FEB. 13
Grosse Pointe War Memorial Veterans Club: Meeting with presentation about U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, 2-4 p.m. (social hour until 5 p.m.), The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, (313) 881 4125
FEB. 14
Valentine’s dinner and concert: Music by jazz vocalist Ramona Collins and accompanied by Cliff Monear Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m., The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, warmemorial.org/ eventcalendar
FEB. 16
Your Old Mansion lecture series: Learn how “old masters” like Rembrandt and Monet still influence artists today, 2-4 p.m., The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, register and see topics for other talks at grossepointeartcenter.org
FEB. 18
Free medicare workshop: For those nearing age 65, 7-9 p.m., The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, registration required, taltovilla@helmlife.org, (313) 649-2110
FEB. 20
Trivia night: For ages 21 and older, maximum groups of six, snacks provided and drinks for purchase, 6 p.m., Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, also held March 13, register at fordhouse.org/events
MARCH 2
Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra: Hear selections by Sibelius, Chopin and Wagner, pre-concert lecture at 2:15 p.m. and performance at 3 p.m., Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 467 Fairford Road in Grosse Pointe Woods, gpsymphony.org
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
‘The Lion in Winter’: 12th century comedy-drama about sibling rivalry, adultery and dungeons, presented by Grosse Pointe Theatre Mainstage, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Feb. 7-16, Parcells Middle School, 20600 Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe Woods, (313) 881-4004, gpt.org
‘Frankie and Johnny Build a Prison’: Two-person play about carpenter who meets inmate while working on project and the relationship and hardships that develop, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays Feb. 14-March 1, Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff St. in Hamtramck, planetant.com
Nooks & Crannies: Guided tours of private staircases, hidden spaces and more at Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Tuesdays-Sundays through May, 1100 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores, find times and register at fordhouse.org/events
Indoor Walking Club: 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, The Helm at the Boll Life Center, 158 Ridge Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, helmlife.org
Teen Leadership Council: Meetings for students in grades 9-12 every first Wednesday of month, pizza
and snacks provided, 6-7 p.m., Grosse Pointe Public Library - Woods Branch, 20680 Mack Ave., (313) 6404775, grossepointelibrary.org
Book clubs: Nearly a dozen hosted by Grosse Pointe Public Library at various branches, restaurants and on Zoom, grossepointelibrary.org/book-clubs
Grosse Pointe Community Chorus: Open rehearsals 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Grosse Pointe North High School, 707 Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods, spring concert at 3 p.m. May 4, St. Clare of Montefalco Church, Whittier Road and Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park, grossepointecommunitychorus.org
Art classes: 10:30 a.m.-noon every first and third Tuesday of month for seniors, 6-8 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of month for veterans, The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms, (313) 881-3454, grossepointeartcenter.org
‘Tales from the D’: Watch four-part Emmy-nominated public television series about Detroit musicians, also live performances on site, new episode screens monthly at 6:45 p.m. Feb. 14, March 21, April 25 and May 30, VIP experience with drinks, appetizers, musicians and more at 5:45 p.m., Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., detroithistorical.org
Continued on page 19A
‘Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family’: See skeleton casts, fossils and life-size displays, also multiple interactive elements, exhibit extended until May, Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R St. in Detroit, mi-sci.org
Ice skating: Noon-8 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until March 2, The Rink at Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave. in Detroit, downtowndetroit.org/experience-downtown/things-to-do/the-rink
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Virtual workshops hosted by AgeWays, learn to communicate with family and healthcare providers, reduce stress, guilt, anger and depression, and make difficult decisions, 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Feb. 18, free but donations accepted, register at wellnessprograms@ageways.org, tinyurl.com/ agewaysworkshops or (833) 262-2200
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/southeast-michigan
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups
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Suspects threaten delivery person
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Two unknown male suspects are facing possible strong-armed robbery charges after stealing a package from a Federal Express delivery person when the victim was trying to deliver said package to a home in the 200 block of McKinley Road at around 12:12 p.m. Jan. 7.
The victim told police that one of the suspects claimed to be the homeowner as he stepped out of the passenger side of a vehicle. When the delivery person asked the suspect for identification before handing him the package, he said the suspect wouldn’t provide any. The victim said the suspect tried to rip the package out of his hands.
The driver of the suspect then yelled, “Just give us the package and walk away.” When the victim didn’t comply, he said both suspects became enraged. The suspect who had emerged from the passenger side of the vehicle is said by the victim to have gone back to his vehicle and started rummaging through the back seat, asking the victim, “Is that package worth your life?”
The victim, fearing that the passenger was looking for a gun, finally left the package on the porch so that the suspect could take it.
Thefts reported at senior facility
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — An unknown suspect is said to be getting into American House apartments and stealing valuables from the senior residents there. In the most recent incident, a 90-year-old woman reported that between Jan. 8 and Jan. 10, someone had apparently entered her unit and stole $16 from her purse. Other residents on the same floor have reported similar thefts. In other recent incidents, $40 was taken from a resident’s purse between Jan. 8 and Jan. 10, and an iPad was stolen around Jan. 3 from someone else’s apartment.
The thefts are being classified as home invasions by police because they involve someone entering the apartments rented by the victims.
Prowler arrested GROSSE POINTE CITY — A 28-year-old Toledo man was arrested after he was seen on surveillance cameras peering into vehicles and trying door handles in the area of University Place and Maumee Avenue at 9:35 a.m. Jan. 19. The suspect was facing a possible charge for prowling.
Retail fraud suspects hit Lululemon again
GROSSE POINTE CITY — Two unknown female suspects are said to have stolen an estimated $10,000 worth of merchandise from The Village Lulu-
one of the suspects tried to distract store employees while the second suspect pulled out a trash bag and filled it with items. The suspects were last seen heading westbound on Kercheval Avenue. Police said the case was under investigation.
Package thief steals resident’s identity
GROSSE POINTE PARK — A resident in the 700 block of Westchester Road learned that an unknown suspect was using her credit card to rack up unauthorized purchases and collect those purchases from her front porch. The victim, who filed a report with police Jan. 14, discovered the criminal activity by watching her Ring doorbell camera footage, which showed the suspect going up to her porch and taking the packages at around 4:16 p.m. Jan. 14. The victim then found unauthorized charges on her credit card. The suspect is said to have driven away from the scene in a gray Ford Escape. The case was under investigation.
Larceny suspects arrested
GROSSE POINTE PARK — Two 22-year-old Detroit men were arrested after they were reportedly seen on the surveillance cameras of several Grosse Pointe Park homes entering vehicles and removing valuables at around 5 a.m. Jan. 12. The suspects are said to have targeted vehicles on Pemberton, Berkshire and Balfour roads and Beaconsfield Avenue. According to a police report, after they were arrested, the suspects confessed to the larcenies. Police said they recovered stolen property from the suspects.
Fox trapped
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 12, a resident in the 21000 block of John Drive called the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office about a fox caught in a fence.
Upon arrival, deputies saw several residents assisting the fox and noticed a trap around one of the fox’s legs. Deputies called the Detroit Animal Wildlife Group to free the fox for treatment and rehabilitation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources was contacted about a possible poaching operation due to the trap.
Hit-and-run
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At around 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the corner of Garfield and 22 Mile roads for a hit-and-run collision.
At a red light, a 63-year-old Macomb Township woman apparently reversed her Ford Fusion into a Ram pickup truck. After stepping out of the car and interacting with the Ram’s occupants but not giving them any information, the woman drove off.
reportedly claimed that she did not see any damage on her car and assumed there was no damage to the Ram.
Gas station disturbance
MOUNT CLEMENS — At around 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 8, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Marathon gas station on West Gratiot to deal with a disturbance.
According to a clerk, a 49-year-old Detroit man was asking people at the station for money and yelling at them. While the man was no longer at the station when deputies arrived, they were able to locate him on Park Street and informed him he was no longer welcome at the station.
Confused driver
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 6 at around 2:40 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the corner of South Gratiot and Church Street to perform a welfare check on the driver of a Chevy Equinox parked in the area.
The driver, later identified as a 66-year-old Westland man, was confused upon waking up and did not know where he was. He initially identified himself with a credit card and refused a field sobriety test. He agreed to a breath test and registered a 0.168 blood alcohol content, leading to his arrest.
Larceny reported ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 4:47 p.m. on Jan. 6, an act of larceny was reported in the 22000 block of Harper Avenue.
Dispatch told officers a purse had been stolen by a suspect who returned to a restaurant after going to their car. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke to an employee of the restaurant, a 49-year-old woman.
The employee saw the silver vehicle the suspect drove and stated the purse on the driver’s seat was hers. She stated she placed it on the hostess stand as she was getting ready to leave when the suspect came in and asked her to seat her children while she went back to her car to get something. The employee and her coworker sat the kids and when they returned, the purse was missing.
Video surveillance shows the suspect leaving the restaurant with the purse and going to her vehicle before returning to the restaurant without it. Officers spoke to the suspect, and she claimed she thought it was left behind by someone and intended to take it to the police department. The woman denied taking anything from the purse and a search only showed personal items. The victim and fellow employees stated the suspect tried to flee out the back door when
physically saw a verbal confrontation break out while the suspect tried to leave out the back door. The victim got her purse back and found $250 missing out of the front pouch. The suspect denied taking it when asked by officers. The suspect was placed under arrest, handcuffed and placed in the back of a scout car. She was then transported to the police station. Two other officers tried to question the adult children, but they fled out the back door before officers could question them.
Fraud reported ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 3:01 p.m. on Jan. 2, a case of fraud was reported in the 24000 block of Harper Avenue.
Dispatch informed the officer a suspect had tried to cash a fraudulent check at a bank. Upon arrival, an officer made contact with the branch manager, a 57-year-old woman. She stated the suspect tried to cash a check for $1,972. Any checks over $1,500 need an ID check which she asked for. The check was
Vehicle
