8/30/23 C & G Special Edition - Macomb/GP

NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp

INSIDE:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 8A CRIME WATCH 12A

AUGUST 30, 2023 candgnews.com

Grosse Pointe and Macomb County papers

Dozens of creatives to engage in Art Takeover of The Village BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

GROSSE POINTE CITY — September is going to be eventful — and artful — in The Village. The downtown Grosse Pointe City district is going to be in the midst of an Art Takeover shortly after Labor Day. More than 60 artists will be showing one or more of their works in about 26 Village businesses and common areas as part of Art Takeover, which will start with a kickoff event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at participating locations. The art See ART on page 13A

‘G.I. Blues’

HARRISON TOWNSHIP RESIDENT RECALLS ARMY DAYS WITH ELVIS BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Every time Elvis Presley fans find out Johnny Lang knew the superstar personally, they ask him the same question: “What was he like?” Lang, 87, never hesitates to respond. “Nothing but heart,” the Harrison Township resident said. “He was wonderful, just wonderful.” Lang became friends with Presley — dubbed the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll — when they were both drafted into the U.S. Army, serving from 1958-60 in Germany. By the time Presley began his military stint, the singer already had several hits under his blue suede shoes, including “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog.” Lang’s bond with Presley was so special that he wrote the book “My Army Days with Elvis: Friendship, Football, & Follies,” released in January 2023. After the book came out, Lang did an autograph session at his regular hangout: the Alibi Inn in Clinton Township. On Aug. 8, the author shared his See ELVIS on page 14A Photos by Maria Allard

Photo provided by Michelle Boggess-Nunley

Artwork like this by Estela will be on display during Art Takeover in The Village.

LEFT: Johnny Lang holds up the photo of himself and Elvis Presley playing football while stationed in Germany. Lang, of Harrison Township, is pictured on the right with Presley in the center. TOP LEFT: Presley was known for buying presents for his family and friends. He gave Lang this watch in 1959. Engraved, it reads “To Johnny From Elvis.”