Next Meeting
April 13: Welcome back Phoebe Wall Howard of the Detroit Free Press to hear about latest developments at Ford
Those of you who attended our 60th Anniversary Celebration in 2019 will remember the outstanding presentation Phoebe gave us about the status of the auto industry.
Phoebe is a sixth-generation Detroiter whose family arrived in Detroit in 1850. They ran a small painting business in Corktown. She was the first in her family to grow up in Grosse Pointe. Phoebe went to Grosse Pointe South where she worked for the Tower newspaper. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia and has worked in the Midwest, South and California covering business, politics, government regulation and labor negotiations. She returned to Detroit to cover the auto industry for the Detroit Free Press in 2017. Phoebe has a background in magazine, newspaper, radio and TV news with an expertise in political polling and social media. Today, Phoebe covers the automotive industry for the Detroit Free Press with a focus on Ford Motor and industry news for investors.
Future Speakers:
April 27: Captain Dan Chimelak of Lakeside Fishing Shop
Come and hear about fishing Lake St Clair and the Detroit River from the infamous fishing expert, Captain Dan Chimelak. Captain Dan has been a Charter boat captain for over 30 years, is the co-owner of Lakeside Fishing Shop in St Clair Shores for 35 years and has fished Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River for over 50 years. Dan’s comprehensive “on-the-water” multi- specie fishing report is gleaned from fishing experiences all over Lake St. Clair. He will speak about the best ways to fish Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River this spring and summer and the hottest thing around. People from all over the Midwest and Canada come to hear how to chase walleyes in this area.
For decades, Lake St. Clair has been renowned for its treasure trove of game fish, but in recent years, it has acquired the mantle one of the lakes in North America for both muskellunge and small mouth bass.
Lake St. Clair’s geographic proximity within the Great Lakes basin gives it its unique character as a World Class fishing destination. The swift flowing St. Clair brings clean, cold and nutrient rich water into the lake, where it is channeled in a wide delta consisting of the North, South and Middle Channels, plus the main shipping channel. These nutrients spawn bait fish which, in turn, spawn bigger fish. Really big fish. From Musky to smallies to yellow perch to walleye, from giant channel catfish to pike and largemouth—you will find them all in Lake St. Clair (and you might get surprised with other fish that tug on your line from time to time).
May 11th: Certified Whisky Ambassador, and Bard of the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit, Elliot MacFarlane
He will cover highlights of Single Malt Scotch whisky–peaty & non-peaty, the various regions of Scotland, and his favorites Single Malts, with time left over for some Q&As.
St. Andrew’s Society – Storytelling w/Elliot MacFarlane Opening DVD Segment – Bing video
May 25th: Dan Aitken, Aitken & Ormand Insurance
June 8th: Stu Alderman, Executive Director, Neighborhood Club, Grosse Pointe
Stu has been involved in the Recreation field for nearly 44 years full-time; and 8 years on a part-time basis.
EDUCATION
Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan – Master of Science in Public Administration
Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan – Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Certified Parks and Recreation Professional
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Executive Director, Neighborhood Club, Grosse Pointe (July 2011 to present)
Recreation Director, Superintendent of Recreation, Recreation Supervisor for City of Troy Parks and Recreation
(26 years)
Athletic Supervisor, City of Oak Park (8 years); Various Part-time positions with City of Oak Park (8 years)
Association / Organization Involvement
mParks -Michigan Recreation and Park Association – Certified Park and Recreation Professional
Served term as association President in 2006; elected board member for 11 years; current committee chair for
Past President’s Focus Area since 2006.
USA Softball of Metro Detroit, Current Commissioner
Been involved since 1979 (more than 42 years). Served three terms as association President. Played an
important role in securing 10 national tournaments for the Metro Detroit area. Elected as Midwest Region Vice
President in 2012.
Detroit Metro Sports Commission Advisory Board 2010-2015
Assist the Sports Commission in ways to promote events in metro Detroit area.
Former state chairman for NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition (30 years) until national program dropped in 2016. Served as consultant to NFL for this program; worked with Detroit Lions and NFL to coordinate statewide
program. Former state chairman for NBA 2ball and MRPA Hoops Challenge basketball skills competition (13 years in
cooperation with Detroit Pistons and the NBA, 2ball program).
Michigan Senior Olympics Board of Directors 2008-2010
ACHIEVEMENTS
Michigan Recreation and Park Association Presidential Award, 1989; Program Leadership Award, 1990;
Fellowship Award, 2013 (the association’s highest award presented annually at conference); Commitment
to Excellence Award, 2016.
Troy Chamber of Commerce “Hometown Hero” Award, 1991
Volunteer Super Captain for Super Bowl XL, Detroit, 2006; Volunteer Point Guard Leader of NCAA Final Four,
Detroit, 2009
