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President's Letter
September, 2024
We had an important decision to make about what to do with some international visitors. Three young ladies from an international women’s technology program were staying with us for several days and they were interested in seeing a Tigers baseball game. They were from Brazil, Costa Rica and Oregon (which sometimes seems like a foreign country, to me).
Normally, I would jump at this opportunity because I love baseball, but something was holding me back. Maybe it’s this description baseball as once explained to a foreign visitor.
“You have two sides one out in the field and one in.
Each player that’s on the side that’s in goes out and when he’s out he comes in and the next player goes in until he’s out.
When three players are out the side that’s out comes in and the side that’s been in goes out tries to get those coming in out.
Sometimes you get players still in and not out.
When both sides have been in and out nine times including the not outs
THAT’S THE END OF THE GAME.”
See what I mean? We took them on a tour of Detroit and UM/Ann Arbor, whereupon they bought national championship swag for a sport and university they know virtually nothing about.
Speaking of baseball, a scheduling snafu pushed our baseball program with Hall of Fame writer Tom Gage into October. Could that be a sign from the heavens that the Tigers will be playing well into Fall after a topsy turvy trip through the All-Star break and into the home stretch? Don’t count on it, said a dour number of Men’s Club observers at one of our recent meetings.
Pinch-hitting for Gage was the engaging leader of The Helm, Krista Siddall, who shared program growth and development trends and needs of the Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods senior community. The proportion of seniors is growing rapidly and Helm programs are growing rapidly to keep pace. For example, The Helm offered more than 2,300 unique sessions of programming in 2023; attendance at those sessions was up 13% overall, and 350 active volunteers provided more than 10,000 hours of community service.
More than 50 of you participated in the Diamond Jack Detroit River Cruise last week – a big success and our thanks to Ed and Fran Benz for their organizational skills.
Ed, Fran and others scouted the Michigan Central Station tour and came to the conclusion that, unlike many activities – it was more productive and enjoyable to see it on your own. It is indeed stunning and a powerful statement on Detroit’s rebirth, and I bet there will be opportunities to experience the project.
Nevertheless undeterred, Ed and Fran have put together a great outing to the Detroit Institute of Arts on September 26, including the luxury of group transport from the War Memorial so we don’t have to worry about driving, traffic, or parking. For more info about arrangements, contact Ed Benz, or check our web site for all our meetings and events at www.mensclubofgrossepointe.com.