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December 2023 PUBLISHER

LIFESTYLE LETTER

A Very Merry Christmas Issue Christmas is upon us. Every year, we put up our Christmas lights and decorations. It is a family tradition we all share. Shelly does the mantle over the fireplace and decorates other parts of the house. Mia and Ava put up the ornaments after we get our Christmas tree, and I put out our "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" foyer scene and outdoor lights. However, the most special spot is what it's all about. The manger scene with the 3 Kings, the animals and lambs, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. When we tune out all the hustle and bustle, the distractions, we come upon the truth of the season. CHRISTmas! …. and that is the present which sustains us all. While the holidays can be beautiful, it can be difficult for some. Older parents and seniors can struggle this time of year. They remember everyone being together, but difficulty moving or the loss of a loved one no longer present can be a trying time. Rebecca Palen, founder of H3 Hope, Healing, and Health, offers advice on connecting with aging parents and seniors. Local attorney Steven Kustra and a group of friends love the game of hockey. Understanding how it permeates the East side, they formed the Motor City Rockers hockey team in a labor of love and giving back to the community. Playing out of the Big Boy Arena in Fraser, the team and arena offer a fun family experience. Get acquainted with this entertainment option. Generations have experienced Ford House holiday events. An iconic location and anchor of Grosse Pointe and the East side, we visit with Communications Director Tommy Karr and local Santa legend Joe Kosiaro, who plays Santa at Ford House and the Santa Parade. He has heard all the little voices and what's on their Christmas list for 30 years. He also lets us know how Santa operates to make them believe! Kids and Christmas are adorable. Get some holiday styles for the kids from Apple Blossom in the Village. Owner Anne Murphy has you covered for the looks of the season in her beautiful kids' clothing and more. Merry Christmas from the Grosse Pointe City Lifestyle family!

David Mattaliano | david.mattaliano@citylifestyle.com EDITOR IAL COOR DINATOR

Paige Peabody | paige.peabody@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER

Susan Baldani CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER

Kim Rensburg

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

Correction on the November events page: The Holley Institute St. Nicolas Christmas event will be at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club on Friday, December 8th, at 6 p.m. For more information, please call 313-313-343-4803. DAV I D M AT TA L I A N O, P U B L I S H E R @GROSSEPOINTECITYLIFESTYLE

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Grosse Pointe City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Grosse Pointe City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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DECEMBER 2023

inside the issue The Holidays & Giving Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 The Motor City Rocks

Lifestyle Letter

Athlete Life HO ME + DES I GN

Artist’s Palette ST YLE + B EAU TY

Trend Setter HO ME + DES I GN

Giving Back LI FE + C U LT U R E

Must See HEA LT H + WELLNES S

With the Motor City Rockers

18 Blossoming for the Holidays Children's Fashion From Apple Blossom Baby and Decor

22 Christmas at Ford House Santa is Coming to Town

32 Seasonal Blues Mental Health for Seniors

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ARTICLE BY SUSAN BALDANI PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK POLENA-KATSAROS

The Motor City Rocks WITH THE MOTOR CITY ROCKERS

Professional minor league hockey has returned to the Motor City, and fans couldn’t be more excited. Playing their first game in October of 2022, the Motor City Rockers, a member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, made it to the playoffs last year. This season, they’re looking to go all the way. “We built a base of camaraderie and teamwork,” says Steve Kustra, one of the founding members and general counsel for the team. “It’s a labor of love. All of us partners are very thankful for the opportunity to present such a great entertainment option to the community.” Adds Jaime Schmidtke, another founding member, “It’s a unique opportunity to bring minorleague professional hockey back to the Detroit area after a 16-year hiatus.” He and a group of friends, most of whom are members of the Detroit Athletic Club, have played amateur hockey since they were kids. “It was our love of hockey that made it possible for us to pull this team together,” he says. “Plus, this hockey culture permeates the East Side of Detroit, Grosse CONTINUED >

AT H LE T E LIF E | HOM E + DE S I GN

" . . th e re i s th i s h oc k e y c u lt u re th a t j u st pe r m ea t e s th e E a st Si d e of D et roit , G ros s e Poi nt e , St . Cl a i r S h ore s , a n d a l l th e way u p. We' re th a n k f u l t o be a pa r t of th a t ."

“ O u r p rog re s s o v e r t h e o f f- s e a s o n m a k e s m e v e r y e x c i t e d a b o u t t h e g ro wt h p ot e n t i a l o f o u r o r ga n i z a t i o n , o u r a b i l i t y t o e x e c u t e , a n d t h e a b i l i t y t o d e l i v e r a h i g h q u a l i t y, a f fo rd a b l e e n t e r t a i n m e n t p ro d u c t t o t h e a re a .”

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/GRO S S E P O I N T E

Pointe, St. Clair Shores, and all the way up. We’re thankful to be a part of that.” Last year, in order to form a talented team, they obtained players through an expansion draft. They hosted training camps, bringing in local and national players overseas and in Canada. “The camps were essential for our founding year; we’ve kept many of those players this year. We’re always getting calls and interest from players and agents.” Last season, ages ranged from 21 to 38, with the players having playing experience in major junior, NCAA up to the NHL. There are up to 21 players on the roster this season, but who is on the roster will vary throughout the season. “We had Ian White, a former Red Wings player for most of the first half of last season,” says Steve. “He got called up to the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL [East Coast Hockey League].”Games are played at the 3,400-seat Big Boy Arena in Fraser. “The great thing about Big Boy Arena is that it has a large-scale arena feel with a full bowl of box seats and suites, but at the same time, it’s a community rink, so attendees have close access to the players and the staff,” he says. “It has a licensed full-service bar on-premises and Big Boy food. The facility is a very popular place for amateur hockey. So it lifts the kids’ spirits to see their potential here at home.” “We even hold post-game skates with the players for our fans,” says Jaime. “Allowing everyone to get to know the players at a personal level has been a huge success and something we will continue to focus on going into our second season.” The Motor City Rockers also regularly hosts events for charities and other organizations. “We did a fundraiser last season for autism awareness, and we have military night, which is very important to us,” says Steve, a disabled Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient. “It’s great hockey in a great location for a great price,” he says. “That was and is our goal. It’s family-friendly and a place where adults of all ages can hang out on a Friday and/or Saturday night and have a beer while watching elite-level hockey.” Says Jaime, “Our progress over the off-season makes me very excited about the growth potential of our organization, our ability to execute, and the ability to deliver a high quality, affordable entertainment product to the area.” For more information and to buy tickets for upcoming games, visit RockersHockey.com.

AT H LE T E LIF E | HOM E + DE S I GN

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Blossoming for the Holidays CHILDREN'S FASHION FROM APPLE BLOSSOM BABY AND DECOR

| IMAGE 1

ARTICLE BY MAKENZIE RUTH MICHAELS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM RENSBURG | IMAGE 1

Timeless Holiday Look - Both models are styled in Abel & Lula, featuring a classic holiday plaid print and coloring. Our lovely girl model is wearing Mayoral red velvet Mary Janes, and our boy is wearing Me and Henry cape leather moccasins. Wonderful for those holiday family photos and parties.

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | STYLE + BE AUTY

| IMAGE 4

| IMAGE 2 | IMAGE 3 | IMAGE 2

Love at First Sight - Clothing description in Photo 1. | IMAGE 3

Cute and Casual - Our darling little boy model is wearing a cute fluffy Beaufort Bonnet van camp vest, Beaufort Bonnet white turtle neck long-sleeve T-shirt, and Beaufort Bonnet Sheffield corduroy pants. He’s also wearing Mayoral leather oxford navy shoes. Our gorgeous little girl is wearing an M.L. Kids fuzzy vest in the color pewter, paired with these groovy M.L. Kids double ruffle bell bottom jeans and topped off with a Wee Ones bow to complete her look. Both outfits are perfect for any occasion this season! | IMAGE 4

Here’s my Secret - Clothing description in Photo 3.

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Christmas at

Ford House

Santa is Coming to Town ARTICLE BY SUSAN BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FORD HOUSE

T R E N D SE T T E R | HOM E + DE S I GN

Once home to Edsel and Eleanor Ford and their four children, Ford House opened to the public in 1978 and has since welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors. Designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn, the home was fashioned to resemble Cotswold-style cottages in England. Many programs and events take place at this grand old home, especially during the holidays. One such event that both children and adults look forward to each year is Cookies with Santa. Of course, since Santa can't be everywhere and is much too busy preparing for Christmas, he has some helpers who step in to assist. Joe Kosiara of St. Clair Shores is one of those helpers. "Christmas was a big deal in my family, and my grandparents always ensured Santa Claus was there." He has welcomed children onto his lap to hear their most desired Christmas

wishes for almost 30 years. "I'm often asked for basics like Barbies and Legos, but you would be surprised at how many kids ask for something for one of their siblings or good health for their grandma. Those things are really special." Joe also stands in for Santa in the Grosse Pointe Parade and in front of various shops along Kercheval Avenue. During many years playing Santa, he worked as a gardener at Ford House until he retired. When parents and kids would come in to meet Santa, they didn't know that Joe also worked there, so he knew about some of them from chatting with them while they were visiting the grounds. "I would say, 'Oh, you caught a big fish with Grandpa this summer,' and they would look at me and wonder how I knew that! That's been the most fun - turning a 10 or an 11-year-old nonbeliever into a

believer by knowing some of those very special details in their lives." He also grew up in St. Clair Shores and is on the Beautification Commission. "I'm very involved and have gotten to know many people. When they come in and don't know it's me playing Santa, I can have an absolute riot." Families return every year and hope to see the same "Santa" as the previous year. "Last year, we had a family come to take a picture with Santa, and they had another baby on the way," says Tommy Karr, director of communications and engagement at Ford House. "When they return this year, it'll be the fourth generation of their family to have experienced Joe as Santa." Joe, he says, really embodies the spirit of Santa Claus. "Joe is very much that person, that entity here at Ford House, who is giving back to the community."

CONTINUED >

D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/GRO S S E P O I N T E

T R E N D SE T T E R | HOM E + DE S I GN

The Cookies with Santa event has changed over the years, but some things have stayed the same. "There's always a cookie or a candy to give out," says Joe. He says children always leave with some token of the Ford House so they can remember their experience. "Sitting there with those little kids and seeing the sparkle in their eyes and how excited they are is a good feeling. It's wonderful to provide that experience for other kids because I remember how great it was when I was a child." Having this event at Ford House also adds to the joy. "I believe this is what Mrs. Ford intended when she left the house to the trust with the intent that it become a space for the community," says Tommy. "There's something magical about the property and the grounds, for the staff and the community who cares deeply about this place. It's a real anchor to the East Side of Detroit, which makes it a central location to celebrate the holidays with your family with Santa and the glittery walk at night." He says visitors can also enjoy Mrs. Ford's understated elegance in the holiday decor inside the house. "It's an epicenter where people from all walks of life can come in and be comfortable and engage. If you imagine Santa's house up in the North Pole, it would be close to what you see here. " Adds Joe, "It's not just the architecture, not just the stone. It's the feeling of family in the

buildings and the surroundings. The landscape architect was Jens Jensen, who believed trees should surround a house like arms around each other." The aesthetics always impress adults, but children find it even more fascinating. "It's really awe-striking for them," says Tommy. "We have the large meadow where Santa can land with his sleigh and reindeer." "That's a fun part for me, too, because I tell the kids how the gardeners take care of the reindeer for me and how they like to run around through the woods here," says Joe. Cookies with Santa, part of Ford House's Home for the Holidays, will kick off December 2. Dates for the event can be found on the Ford House website. Families are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance as this experience routinely sells out. Breakfast with Santa is another special event on December 3 and 17, with two entry times at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Again, purchase tickets early. "I'm fortunate to have been able to play Santa all these years," says Joe. "I hope to continue doing it for many more years to come. It's always been a very positive experience. I have grandchildren and children of my own, and I enjoy what I do." To buy tickets to these events and for more information about Ford House, go to FordHouse.org/Holidays.

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The City Lifestyle

Giving Campaign

2023 28

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

“

This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

The annual City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is in its 4th year. Last holiday season we gave away over $300,000 to help 116 individuals and families in need, but we need your help to make it happen again this year. With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed. Perhaps you know of a single parent struggling to provide for their family, an elderly person who has experienced loss, someone enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need, even if no one else does. “We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them during this holiday season.” “We believe God has blessed our company with continued success, so we in turn want to be a blessing to others,” Matthew Perry, President of City Lifestyle adds. City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep giving on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is truly rewarding and it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster a culture of generosity.”

Scan Code to

Nominate Nominations accepted Nov. 27 – Dec. 10, 2023

Follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram for reminders! To submit a nomination, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need. All nominations and recipients will be kept confidential. D ECEMB ER 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/GRO S S E P O I N T E

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Seasonal Blues People dealing with loneliness and/or grief may find these feelings exacerbated during the holiday season. They may remember past holidays when all their loved ones would get together to celebrate. For seniors, these feelings can be even more intense. "It's a combination of where they are in their lifespans and realizing that either loved ones are farther away from them or have passed and situations have changed because of aging," says clinical psychotherapist Rebecca Palen, who is the founder of H3 - Hope, Healing, and Health with a home

office in St. Clair Shores. "Maybe their spouse or best friend can't get around as easily as they used to. The aging process makes them more aware of how things used to be." Everyone wants that perfect Hallmark holiday, but only some get to experience it, and it's even less likely for seniors. "There's a study that shows Christmas is actually one of the loneliest holidays of the year, especially for grief and loss, because that's when most families and loved ones make the biggest effort to get together," she says.

MENTAL HEALTH FOR SENIORS

ARTICLE BY SUSAN BALDANI

M UST SE E | HEA LTH + WELLNE S S

Emotional and physical health and financial issues may prevent seniors from traveling to visit family and friends, and the feelings of loneliness are intensified because they know everyone else is together for the holidays. Rebecca, who has an advanced certificate on grief and loss, has some helpful suggestions for seniors to help them through the difficult and emotional holiday season. "Practice self-care, which is healthy eating and good sleeping," she says. "Stay away from caffeine and alcohol and all the things that could put your mood in a more depressed state than it already is. Alcohol is actually a depressant. Shift those coping skills to be more aware of what things outside of your body can do to affect your mood and the inside of your body." She also recommends getting out in nature and connecting to your surroundings. "This will make you feel more engaged. Going out for a walk, visiting a senior center, and getting involved with groups or activities can make you feel more connected to your community and with people, which will help decrease depression and grief." Staying in touch with family and friends through phone calls is also a great way to remain connected. "Social interaction is so important when you feel isolated," says Rebecca. During COVID, many seniors became more tech-savvy and used video calls to see others when they had to stay isolated. Using Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, and other technology enhances social interactions when you can't be in the same place as your loved ones. Just being able to see the other person's face and expressions makes it more meaningful. One older couple often puts their laptop on their dining room table, and while they eat, they Zoom with a family member or friend who is also

enjoying a meal. They're having dinner with that person even though they're not in the same room. Another important thing, she says, is to focus on something other than the actual day. Just because you can't be together on Christmas day or during Hanukkah doesn't mean you can't get together to celebrate later on. It's not an all-ornothing situation. When grieving a loss, try to connect with family members and friends who share memories of that person and can reminisce with you. "You need to talk about the person and share and express that loss," says Rebecca. "Unfortunately, when you get to a certain age, you feel like a burden, so you actually keep it in." For men, it can be even harder to reach out. "Unfortunately, they're still socialized to be more masculine with their feelings, and when they get older, they may have fewer connections in life than women," she says. "So they don't have those close friends or maybe hobbies that can give them some relief." If you don't have family members or friends you can rely on or prefer to share your grief with a professional, there are many support groups for seniors. "There's nothing wrong with getting professional support, and it may actually be easier and safer because you can express yourself more honestly, and the advice you'll get will probably be a little more neutral," says Rebecca. Grief is very individualized, and everyone processes it a little differently. What might be right for one person may only work for one person. But, it's important to remember, she says, that everyone deals with it, so you're not alone. "Whether you're 70 or 30 years old, if you're sad, depressed or grieving, there is support out there, and there are also people who want to help you, whether that's family members or professionals."

"We tend to get stuck in 'Well, I'm old, and

this is how it's

supposed to be,' but it's not."

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“Social interaction is so important when you feel isolated.”

Grief support groups can be found at a number of places, including some senior and community centers. They are also available at H3. Its three locations, in St. Clair Shores, in Detroit, and another in Royal Oak, have a combined group of 20 therapists. "We have an integrative approach, so we're a hub for wellness services and specifically mental health, so we have therapy, medical management, psychological and neurological testing." The practice also partners with people in the

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community or with people who are part of their team who have an integrated wellness niche, such as chiropractors, naturopaths, and massage therapists. They're part of its outreach to get their clients what they need. Rebecca sees a lot of seniors in her practice and enjoys helping them get on a positive path to mental health. "We tend to get stuck in 'Well, I'm old, and this is how it's supposed to be,' but it's not," she says. H3Well.com

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