WINTER 2021-22 GROSSE POINTER

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The

GROSSE POINTER

GROSSE POINTE YACHT CLUB

Established 1914

DECEMBER 2021-FEBRUARY 2022 IN REVIEW Published April 2022

Proudly serving the Grosse Pointes for 30 years

ichigan’s Premier Landscape Company

Serving Wayne, Oakland & Macomb Counties Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Member

15251 E. 12 Mile Rd • Roseville, MI 48066 76 Kercheval • Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

BRICK PAVING & CUSTOM MASONRY

HORTICULTURAL SERVICES

LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

586.774.0090 www.backerlandscaping.com

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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

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Table of Contents Welcome Aboard New Members Farewell to the Drawbridge Person of Interest: Commodore Grobbel Artwork in the Ballroom 93rd Annual Commodore’s Ball Winter Blast Main Dining Room Reopening Three Year Club Cocktail Class Snaps Looking Aft

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Photographers John F. Martin Photography, Inc.

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Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Y

Established 1914

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.

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Cover Photo by John F. Martin

WELCOME ABOARD NEW MEMBERS

February

December January Not Pictured Cori and Matt Wilder

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Troy & Lynn Marowske

Roderick Petschauer & Cathy Shovan

Ryan & Nicole Ermanni

Pamela & Larry LeBlanc

Brian & Melissa Britten

Cameron & Christy Sherding

Shams Saleh & Hathal Taie

Drew & Olivia Crabb

GPYC FEATURE

Farewell to the Drawbridge

Membership bids farewell to the beloved (and cursed) staple in the Harbor By: Katie Susko

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o make way for long-overdue Harbor renovations, the Drawbridge was officially removed from the Harbor on Saturday, December 11, 2021. A staple in the Harbor, many will remember the Drawbridge as a symbol of the good old days and a curse in the modern times. The Drawbridge will be replaced with a modern swing bridge to match its counterpart on the south end of the Harbor.

The removal of the Drawbridge was witnessed from above by members dining in the Binnacle. During lunch, Commodore Jason Grobbel gave a toast to the bridge that will surely be missed in our Harbor.

We asked Past Commodore James Ramsey of the Heritage Committee to shed some light on the history of this iconic structure in our Harbor.

(continued on next page)

The Drawbridge in 2015 raised to let a boat through at sundown

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GPYC FEATURE

Drawbridge

continued

Notes on the Passing of the Drawbridge

By Past Commodore James L. Ramsey

The towering, creaking and groaning mass of steel beams and cables that boaters and pedestrians have loved and hated for decades is headed for the scrapyard. It will soon be replaced by a single-span swing bridge that will link the East Wall docks with the rest of the Club’s Harbor.

didn’t exist, and the walkway going past today’s Grog Shop and leading to the Drawbridge marked the southernmost boundary of the Harbor. That same walkway passes over the remains of the old Shores Pier, built in 1915, that was used by GPYC boaters before the Clubhouse and Harbor existed.

The growth of the membership after WWII, combined with the rising popularity of pleasure boating, created unprecedented demand for more boat wells. A dramatically larger Harbor was clearly needed, but a tight budget in the 1950s delayed The Drawbridge was built in 1959 under Com. Harbor expansion until the early 1960s, when an Robert Weber, father of Past Com. Mark Weber. It expansion plan was presented to, and approved by was created to access a major new addition to the the membership. The cost of the new Harbor was Harbor that had been on the minds of Club leaders lower than originally estimated, and loan money since the 1950s. Negotiations with the state of Michigan to utilize the bottomland south of the Club was more readily available. Loans were obtained; the necessary eight acres of bottomland were acquired had begun earlier that decade. Prior to this, GPYC members could only reach the east end of the Harbor from the state and the Shores through purchase and through the Shores Park, using a small swing bridge lease agreements; and the go-ahead was given. that connected their property and ours.

William “Bill” Plante, who became our Commodore in 1977, was in charge of the Harbor Committee With Harbor expansion clearly on the horizon, then. It was his committee that oversaw construction Com. Weber oversaw the purchase of several Lake of the expanded Harbor. Once the new South Wall Shore homes west of the Club with footage on Lake of the Harbor was in place, dredging commenced, St. Clair. Those homes had riparian rights allowing and the excavated spoils were used to form the new the owners to build on the lake bottom. Weber immediately sold off the homes, but kept the riparian southwest corner of the Club property, where the tennis courts, Family Recreation Center and parking rights for the Club in anticipation of a larger GPYC lot are today. The expansion not only increased the Harbor. The Drawbridge was the precursor of a project that would nearly double the size of the Club’s size of the Harbor, it nearly doubled the footprint of the Club.

Harbor.

The Harbor footprint in the 1950s was virtually unchanged from when the Club was first built in 1929. What we now think of as the south harbor

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It all began with the Drawbridge, a structure that we have both loved and cursed, and has defined our Harbor for more than 60 years.

Crews from EC Korneffel work to remove the Drawbridge on a chilly day in December

GPYC FEATURE

Commodore Jason Grobbel gave a toast to the Drawbridge to a full house in the Binnacle during lunch service

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PERSON OF INTEREST

Jason J. Grobbel, our 89th Commodore

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ommodore Grobbel presides over a time of dramatic change at the Club. As the head of a 139-year-old family business in Detroit, he has seen and dealt with plenty of it. If you haven’t met him yet, you’ll find him outgoing, willing to listen, and firmly committed to the challenge. And if you ask, he might even make you a corned beef sandwich.

Q: Let’s talk about change at the Club. There certainly has been a lot of it as of late. We’re amid major renovation projects in the Clubhouse and Harbor, with more on the way by 2026. What is the status of those two projects? And what is the biggest single challenge you have this year as Commodore?

A: We have certainly seen a lot of exciting changes at the Club in the past 12 months. All of them are part of the Board’s multi-phase initiative, VISION 2026, which puts us on a path for transforming the Clubhouse and grounds to assure the finest possible GPYC membership experience. Our progress to date has been amazing!

The most prominent Clubhouse renovations include the new lobby and Rotunda as well as the beautiful new Spinnaker and Main Dining Room.

Now that both dining areas are in proximity to the kitchen, we expect members will appreciate better food and improved service. Members have already provided positive feedback about these changes.

They have also expressed some concerns which we are working non-stop to address. Our goal is to give members an exceptional experience when they dine in these renovated venues.

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PERSON OF INTEREST

In the Harbor, we are on track to complete renovations in time for the 2022 boating season.

The new floating docks will greatly improve our Harbor, as will the new swing bridge. I can’t wait to see our renovated Harbor in full operation. It will be an exceptional facility for our boating members.

Everyone I’ve talked to is very excited.

As to my biggest challenge as Commodore, it is prioritizing and managing all of the great changes that members are excitedly anticipating in VISION 2026.

Q: The Club did a lot of fundraising this past year to finance the new Lobby and dining rooms. Will member donations continue to play a fiscally Finally, I must mention the new Moat Bridge which strategic role as more projects get underway? is a significant upgrade to our grounds. What a great improvement it has been!

A: One of the objectives for VISION 2026 is to establish a sufficient capital reserve to assure Now the question is, where do we go from here? long term preservation and re-vitalization of our The Board is currently evaluating options and facilities and grounds. However, to complete high determining priorities for the next phase of priority capital improvement projects over the next VISION 2026. We have not yet finalized plans for five years, the Board combined funding strategies the Binnacle but hope to announce something to which include initiation fees, voluntary member members later this year. contributions, capital dues and long-term financing Lady Melissa Bodmer and Commodore Grobbel hosted the Drive Thru Santa Visits at the Club in 2020

at levels well within the Club’s ability to support. I expect this approach will continue. Over the past year, contributions played a very significant role in making the initial phase of VISION 2026 a reality.

The generosity of our members was overwhelming, and we truly appreciate their contributions. We know the future of the GPYC is bright.

Q: You’ve created some new committees. What are they intended to do?

A: We have many new committees beginning this year, but I would like to point out a few that are very exciting. The Entertainment Programming Committee is focused on planning the lighting, music, and video at seven venues throughout our Club. The Culinary Excellence Committee is focused on providing valuable feedback to the Culinary Staff of the Club, helping to drive our dining experience to the highest level. We’ve also added an IT Committee to advise on better integrating technology into Club operations and services.

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PERSON OF INTEREST

Grobbel

continued

These committees will continue driving excellence in our Club’s operations.

Q: Tell us about your profession.

A: EW Grobbel is a family food company that was established in 1883 by my Great Grandfather Emil Wilhelm Grobbel. The foundation of the organization is centered around growing and developing each employee, both personally and professionally while producing premium quality food products. We are headquartered in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market, and specialize in whole muscle meat proteins and pickle products. Our recent expansions include acquisitions of the Detroit processor, Sy Ginsberg’s Meat & Deli (est. 1982) and produce specialist, Topor’s Pickle Company (est. 1960). These strategic subsidiaries have allowed my organization to focus more on the traditional deli industry, while at the same time achieving growth and spurring innovation.

I recently authored a book “Leading America Back to Work”, which details the roadmap and ideas that helped grow the business from a small regional processor to a nationally distributed company. I am the president of the company, but using the framework laid out in the book – it has helped me design the infrastructure to hire, train, and surround myself with a tremendous and engaged team. More recently, my day-to-day role can be described as the Chief Fun Officer. I get to focus on, and celebrate all of the great accomplishments our team achieves.

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Q: We understand you are also opening a grocery and deli restaurant in Eastern Market. We assume it will feature your company’s products.

What kind of place will it be? Are you worried about adapting from the wholesale food business to retail?

A: I am very excited for the new concept we are opening in the Eastern Market. The concept will consist of two distinct establishments: a Grobbel’s Gourmet Fresh Neighborhood Market, and a Sy Ginsberg’s branded Jewish-style deli restaurant to make high-quality foods accessible to local residents. These new locations will offer a unique experience for people to interact with our brands in an entirely new way. This new outfit is an expansion of our commitment to serving and feeding the local community. We are going to partner with urban farmers and other local farms to bring fresh food and produce to the neighborhood market. The market will showcase expanded offerings: Topor’s Pickles, Corridor Sausage, Grobbel’s Gourmet smoked meats, and a full line of premium sliced prepackaged deli products. In addition, there will be other items sold that are typical to a grocery store such as bread, seafood and grab-and-go ingredients to easily make dinner for that day.

It is always a challenge to step outside of your comfort zone. We are looking forward to the challenge of expanding into the retail sector, and very excited about the opportunity to grow our team with talented people who are familiar and comfortable in that realm.

PERSON OF INTEREST

Commodore Jason Grobbel and Lady Melissa Bodmer outside of the Commodore’s boat: Irish Eyes

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PERSON OF INTEREST

Grobbel

continued

Q: What is your philosophy? And does that apply to the way you govern the Club? If so, how?

A: My philosophy is the same in business as it is in every aspect of my life, including as Commodore.

First is to define clear processes. Second is to promote collaboration and encouragement. Third is to demand a culture of respect. I have found this recipe to be highly effective and easy to remember.

Q: Tell us about yourself. We know you’re a boating enthusiast. What other hobbies or outside interests do you have? Where were you born? Where did you go to school? How did you come to join GPYC?

L-R: Ryan Chapp, Brooke Chap, Colin Bodmer, Isabella Bodmer, Lady Melissa Bodmer, Commodore Jason Grobbel, Emily Grobbel, John Jones, Samantha Grobbel Johnston, Jeff Johnston

since I am the father of five grown children!

A: “A man’s got to know his limitations.” - Clint We all enjoyed boating together at the DYC for many Eastwood. years until we bought a new boat in 2008 that could A: I am a lifetime resident of Grosse Pointe not be accommodated there. We then joined the Q: What advice would you give to future and graduated from Grosse Pointe South High Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and have been very happy Commodores?

School. I attended Michigan State University, then ever since to be at the greatest yacht club in America! graduated from Kalamazoo College with a Bachelor A: I believe the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club is a of Arts, majoring in Economics and Business Q: Who in all the world would you most like to wonderful institution with a long and venerable Administration. have dinner with, and what would you talk about? history. It deserves to be nourished and well maintained for the next generation.

I have been an active member of The Detroit A: I would truly enjoy having dinner with Elon Rotary Club since 1986, serving as past president, Musk while we discuss ROCKETS. Q: Any parting thoughts for us? and as head chair of the Foundation Drive committee, responsible for raising funds for the Q: What is your favorite book, your favorite movie, A: Change is often challenging. When we work many worthwhile programs sponsored by the club. your favorite music, and your favorite automobile together in a spirit of love and respect, we can push In addition, I have served as the president of the – in that order? through those challenges and achieve great things.

Eastern Market Partnership, whose main focus is to enhance the attraction and make Eastern Market A: Book- The Four Agreements. Movie- It’s a the undisputed center for fresh and nutritious food Wonderful Life. Music- Rock and Jazz. Automobilein southeast Michigan.

Aston Martin Vanquish.

My interests range from engineering and architecture to psychology and philosophy. This comes in handy Q: What piece of advice or wisdom has most impacted your life?

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ART LOOKING OF THEAFT CLUB

Artwork in the Ballroom By: Larry W. Stephenson, M.D.

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here are seven oil paintings gracing the walls of our Club’s Ballroom; six are owned by the Club while the seventh is on loan.

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The most prominent GPYC-owned painting is Sea Witch by Frank Vining Smith. Hanging above the fireplace, this massive 20 ft. x 10 ft. painting was commissioned by Commodore John H. French and unveiled on July 4, 1929, as his gift to the GPYC on the opening day of our new Clubhouse. Due to its incredible size, we know it was actually painted in a barn. Mr. Smith was an experienced New England ocean sailor as well as a highly respected marine artist, well-known for his portrayal of historic sailing vessels. Sea Witch was likely chosen as the preeminent ship in this masterpiece because it was fast, beautiful and the most famous American-built Clipper of its era.

The painting depicts the start of a famous 1851 race between Sea Witch, featured in the foreground, and Clippers Typhoon and Raven in the background.

Raven, sailing from Boston harbor, has met up with Sea Witch and Typhoon out of New York harbor, and the three are about to set out on a racecourse that will cover over 13,000 miles, south around Cape Horn and then north all the way to San Francisco harbor. All three ships crossed the finish line within five days of each other, a remarkable feat considering the great distance and numerous prevailing weather conditions.

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1-2

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The only Ballroom painting on loan is a much smaller version of our Sea Witch, also painted

by Frank Vining Smith and located on the north wall east of the staircase. Before giving his final approval for the grandiose version, Commodore French prudently asked to see a preview of what Mr. Smith would be painting. This smaller version of Sea Witch is owned by Commodore French’s great grandson, Conrad “Duke” Williams III. Mr. Williams, a prominent New Orleans attorney, said the painting traveled with him throughout his several years of serving in the U.S. Navy before settling permanently in New Orleans. Mr. Williams not only agreed to the loan of his painting to the GPYC for an indefinite period, but also sent it to the Club at his own expense.

ART GPYC OFFEATURE THE CLUB

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ART LOOKING OF THEAFT CLUB

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Also on the north wall, but west of the staircase, is an untitled painting of two Clipper ships by Wilfred Knox. Mr. Knox was born in Birmingham, England, in 1884 and became one of the most popular English maritime painters of the twentieth century. His work was especially known for its fine study of detail and almost poetic movement of the sea, both clearly in evidence in this fine painting.

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ART OF THE CLUB

4&5

Moving on to the west wall and facing the main window, there are two paintings on each side of that window. To the right at the top is another untitled painting signed only by artist “Cooper.” It depicts a nineteenth century two-masted sailing vessel flying the American flag, with a small sailboat in the foreground and a much larger sailing ship in the background. Below this painting is another by the same artist, also untitled, of a two-masted merchant ship in dark waters and uncertain skies.

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ART LOOKING OF THEAFT CLUB

6&7

The top painting to the left of the window is untitled but signed by artist “Sanders”. One sees a three-masted British merchant ship that appears to be sailing either out of, or past, the port in the background, while the ship to the right may be heading into port. Below is a British Clipper ship in choppy waters flying the colors of the Merchant Navy. A smaller sailing vessel is in the background to starboard. This painting is untitled and unsigned.

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ART OF THE CLUB

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MEMBER SCENE

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Annual Commodore’s Ball rd

Commodore Jason Grobbel celebrated the start of his year at the helm L-R: Regan Stolarski, Joe Stolarski, Anastasia Minor, Commodore Jason Grobbel, Lady Melissa Bodmer, Dennis Andrus, Marita Grobbel, Scott Minor, Chris Grobbel, Bob Budzik, Karen Grobbel, Cassandra Budzik

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t was one for the history books – 2021 was the first year in GPYC history where two Commodore’s Balls were held in the same calendar year. Although Past Commodore Gary Marowske’s ball was postponed to the summer due to COVID, Commodore Jason Grobbel’s ball was a return to tradition in December.

But there was a twist. Two seating options were offered to members: the formal seating with black tie dress code was held in the Ballroom, while a cocktail attire option was offered in the newly remodeled Main Dining Room. This allowed more members to be involved in the Commodore’s Ball than ever before.

The evening began with the National Anthem, blessing from Reverend Walter Schmidt, and welcoming remarks from the Master of Ceremonies, Commodore Michael Sherwood of the Grosse Pointe Sail Club. After Commodore Grobbel received his Commodore’s flag, dinner was served, and the real fun began. Dancing went well into the evening thanks to music from the Bluewater Kings Band. It was a night to remember.

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MEMBER SCENE

The 2021-2022 GPYC Officers, Board of Directors and their spouses

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MEMBER SCENE

Past Commodore Sean Schotthoefer gives a toast to Commodore Grobbel, along with Michael Sherwood

Ally & Bill Turner

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Lady Melissa Bodmer and Commodore Jason Grobbel

MEMBER SCENE

Taryn & Dan Simon

Kay and Mourice Faddoul

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MEMBER SCENE

L-R: J.T., Kristine & James Mestdagh

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Jack Sullivan & Wendy Lucid

MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Page Bachand, Ellisse & William Thompson

Lady Melissa Bodmer and Commodore Jason Grobbel join in for a toast

L-R: Johnnie Alicandro, John Kettler, Mary Kettler, Patricia Daniels

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MEMBER SCENE

Dale & Nancy Hohlfeldt

L-R: Joanna, Chris & Valentina Izzi

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Mary & Ron Lamparter

MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Diane Gallagher, Julie Granger, Kevin O’Brien, Paula Fishman and Dave Szymanski

Past Commodore Tymon & Sheri Totte

L-R: Secretary David Schaden, Vice Commodore Brian Fish, Commodore Jason Grobbel, Rear Commodore William Dillon, Treasurer Bob Weiland

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MEMBER SCENE

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MEMBER SCENE

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MEMBER SCENE

Winter Blast

L-R: Billy O’Keefe, Peter Panagopoulos, Molly Early

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MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Bill Turner, Erica and Mike Page, Ally Turner

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MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Melissa Bodmer, Bernadette & John Moreno

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MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Dr. Andrew Staricco, Peter Panagopoulos, Kim McAllister

Ashley LaPlace & JJ Jarzombek

L-R: Brad Foster, Dominic Neumann, Kalie Zerbst

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MEMBER SCENE

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MEMBER SCENE

L-R: Molly Westerman, Rachel Benigni, Molly Early

L-R: Brad Foster, Kalie Zerbst, Matt Snyder

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MEMBER SCENE

Live music filled the room for the first month of its opening

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MEMBER SCENE

Main Dining Room Reopening

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he Main Dining Room had a soft reopening to membership after several months out of commission for renovations. Although new furniture for the room was delayed due to supply chain issues, guests were able to enjoy this lively new room and casual menu.

The centrally placed bar quickly became the go-to gathering space in both the dining room and the Club as a whole. With four TVs and a great view of the Harbor, members enjoyed the view from the bar with drinks and food.

Our culinary team created a new menu for the space, which was focused on casual favorites like sandwiches, salads, fresh fish, and wood-fired pizza from the brand-new pizza oven. Pizzas became an instant hit with unique topping combinations and fresh ingredients.

Kelly & Jason Kline

Marita Grobbel and Amy Schaden enjoy the new central dining bar

Members filled the dining room on a Thursday night

J.T. Mestdagh & James Mestdagh

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MEMBER SCENE

Three Year Club Cocktail Class

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t the end of January, our Three Year Club members were invited to a craft cocktail class. It was a packed event with over 50 attendees, with a lively mood thanks to bartender Kishor. He created a menu of three craft cocktails for members to create: an orange coffee martini, an apple cider old fashioned, and a Bee’s Knees. The ingredients were set up for the members, along with personal charcuterie boards, which made crafting cocktails a breeze. Members learned about the origins of each drink, tips about swapping ingredients, meal pairings and cocktail-making techniques. Three Year Club members called it one of the best nights they’ve had at the Club.

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LOOKING SNAPSAFT

GPYC Members’ Business Earns Standout Status Proforma Amplified, owned by Anita Shina and Jim Hanika, was ranked #83 on the 2021 Inc. 5000, which ranks the fastest growing companies in the country.

Their company has an incredible growth rate of 4681%, ranking them as #1 in the Detroit area and in the state of Michigan, as well as #7 in the Business Product & Services Industry category.

Proforma Amplified is located in Grosse Pointe, and provides full-service marketing resources, including multimedia services, branded merchandise, decorated apparel, commercial printing, custom packaging, eCommerce sites, warehousing and fulfillment services.

Congratulations Anita and Jim!

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SNAPS

Mark Peyser Named to Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly Hall of Fame GPYC Member Mark Peyser of Howard & Howard Law Firm was inducted into Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly “Hall of Fame” Class of 2022. He was one of twenty inductees who have been in practice for at least 30 years, created impactful careers, and remain valuable contributors to their surrounding community.

Mark has been with Howard & Howard for over 16 years, focusing on commercial litigation in the financial, automotive, construction and development industries. He represents clients in commercial and civil litigation, including police misconduct and product liability. Mark has also received other awards for his career, including being named one of the Top 100 Attorneys in the State of Michigan, and being named to Business’s “Top Lawyers” in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year.

We are honored to have Mark as a member at the GPYC.

Congratulations!

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LOOKING SNAPSAFT

GPYC Member Business Organizes Fundraiser for Clark Park GPYC Member John Herbert’s business, Bowline Financial, helped to plan the 2022 Champagne Showcase hockey tournament at Clark Park in Detroit, which took place on February 26, 2022. Local businesses Iron Fish Distillery, Champagne Athletics, Bowline Financial and Iris Mortgage assembled teams to participate. The fundraiser raised close to $5,000 for the Clark Park Coalition and Bowline Financial took first place in the championship game. Community members, coworkers, family and friends showed up to cheer on the teams. Congratulations to John Herbert and Bowline Financial for a successful event!

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SNAPS

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

GPYC’s FOURTH COMMODORE JOHN H. FRENCH: INDUSTRIALIST & BANKER

By Dr. Larry Stephenson

company and also founded Jennings Memorial Hospital.

In 1926, when Edsel Ford resigned his position as GPYC Commodore, John French took the reins and presided during the following years of the Clubhouse construction, culminating in its dedication on July 4, 1929. The highlight of the Grand Opening was a dinner dance, where Commodore French unveiled his personal gift to the Club, the massive 10- by 20-foot painting Sea Witch. Painted by well-known maritime artist Frank Vining Smith, Sea Witch remains today where she was originally hung, over the fireplace in the Ballroom, which in that time was called the Clubroom. The painting is now, as it has always been, the most valuable artwork owned by the Club.

Learn more about it on page 14.

On the day of the Clubhouse opening, Commodore French’s 124-ft. yacht Siele was one of many ohn H. French, known as “JH” to his close impressive yachts belonging to GPYC members friends, served as commodore of the GPYC berthed in the Harbor. Just four months later, during the challenging years of 1926 to 1931. almost immediately following the October market He was born and raised in Detroit and graduated crash, many of those members began resigning at from Detroit Business University, as did a number an alarming rate, and Com. French took action. of prominent Michigan citizens in that time. Early in his career he founded the family business, French He brought in automotive leaders K.T. Keller, top executive at Chrysler Corp., and Charles Kettering, Mortgage and Bond Co., and later co-founded the Michigan Stamping Co., which merged with Briggs president of General Motors Research Laboratories, Manufacturing Co. before Briggs itself became part to serve on the Board of Directors, hoping this of Chrysler Corp. He retired from industry in1924, would create a sense of confidence that would stave off further resignations. but soon returned as Vice President and General Manager of the Briggs organization. Mr. French But of course, as we know now, this was not a then went on to create the City National Bank temporary situation as was hoped back then, and of Detroit from his original mortgage and bond

the Club continued to lose members as the country slipped into the Great Depression. Commodore French stepped down from his leadership role at the Club in 1931, but remained a member until his resignation in 1934. He rejoined in 1940 after the Club reopened and remained a member until his death from a heart attack in 1952.

John H. French to this day remains arguably one of the best commodores this Club has ever been fortunate enough to have elected. He presided during some of the worst financial times this country has ever experienced and kept the Club together when it could have completely dissolved. And today, we are still in his debt for gifting us one of the finest maritime artworks of its time, the Sea Witch.

J

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“JH” (left) at boathouse of his lodge in Georgian Bay Onterio

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