Jim Philp introduced his son, Drew, a nationally (and internationally) known author, script editor, newspaper and magazine writer, and speaker who told us about his new book “A $500 House in Detroit”. Drew is a graduate of Adrian High School, attended the U of M and moved to Detroit his senior year. He currently writes for the Guardian newspaper.
Drew began by commending us on the work that we do in our community and that it was “essential to what ails our world today”. He said that when he was attending college he found that 75% of students were leaving the state but that he was fortunate to be able to use his education here at home and so he chose Detroit because it was “the heartbeat of this region as well as the intellectual and spiritual center of the United States”. At one time Detroit had the highest rate of homeownership and African American homeownership in the country and probably the best schools. Now, however, it does not. Detroit really built the middle class, he said.
Drew bought a house in Poletown, a community south of Hamtramck. There is a large auto company in his neighborhood (the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly Plant) which, at its peak, employed about 3,700 people. The plant kicked 4,200 people out of their homes in order to make room for and build this facility which they said originally it would employ close to 10,000. “We need to be creative in this new economy”, Drew said. “What worked in Detroit years ago does not in the long term”.
To do his small part to add to Detroit’s economy Drew purchased a house at a live auction for cash in Wayne County. It had no electricity, windows nor plumbing and a rather large hole in the roof. Drew, however, wanted to prove that he could restore the home. He said he was dismayed by the fact that the city was willing to give the Illitch family a $250M subsidy for a new hockey stadium but was not willing to help people who filed for bankruptcy and wanted to make their homes and neighborhoods a better place to live! Paul did eventually full repair his home which he now lives in.
Paul Wertz, a teacher, he said started a giant farm behind his school and a garden which for a time fed the students daily. He also bought crack houses, fixed them up and sold them to his friends or rented them out. There are city blocks, Drew said, that have just a few houses on them and weeds are everywhere. He truly believes there is a solution to these problems and wanted people to know about the state these Detroit neighborhoods are in so he wrote a book about it. Here are some staggering statistics Drew shared with us: 1 out of every 4 homes in Detroit has gone to tax foreclosure and water has been shut off to 80,000 – 100,000 people (1/6 of the entire city population)! “Having a new hockey stadium in the downtown does nothing to solve this problem”, Drew said.
Drew brought one with him so that the club could auction it off and Chip Moore was the highest bidder! He also stayed over to take orders from members at a discounted price.
Mark and Mary said they read his book and couldn’t say enough about.
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
DATES TO REMEMBER
June 16 - Siena Heights Summer Spectacular – This event is scheduled for June 16th. Golf outing, dinner and auction. The cost is $65 per person. Social hour starts at 5pm. Please visit sienaheights.edu/spectacular for more info and to register by June 1. Proceeds go to fund student scholarships. Please contact Robin Hinman for more information.
June 16 - Siena Heights Golf Ball Drop – Yet another fundraising event is scheduled for June 16th. Only 200 balls will be sold for $20@ and the grand prize is $1,000 for the person whose ball is closest to the flagged hole. Balls are being sold in advance at the Advancement Office, Sacred Heart Hall room 101. The ball drop will be from 5pm-5:30pm in Trinity Gardens.
June 16 – Goodwill Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting – Nathan invited all members to this event at their newest facility at 1400 US 223 in Adrian. Please RSVP ASAP to Kristine at kdewey@goodwillsemi.org or call 263-2135.
June 17 – Devil's Lake Festival of the Arts – Chair Brent updated members as a sign-up sheet was again passed around with specific shift times. Any and all help that day, he said, would be appreciated especially at the end of the program for tear down and clean up duties. The event starts promptly at 10am that morning and runs until 6pm.
June 29 – Annual Change Over Dinner – Coney Island hot dogs and pulled pork will be on the menu along with salads and an array of appetizers and desserts, Rhonda said. The meal will be free for any member who pre-pays for their regular meeting meals with their dues and $10 for their guests and members who do not pre-pay. The gig starts at 5pm. Hope to have an awesome turnout.
July 29 – Toledo Mudhens Game – Adrian Morning Rotarian Jeane Pfister invited our club to attend this game with them. A dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse is planned before the game. Please contact Jean f you would like to go at 517-918-2019 or e-mail her at jap0928@live.com.
September 16 & 17 - Bike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
Upcoming Club Program Presentations
June 15 – Kathye Herrera - MADD
June 22 – Fluency Friends Update - Kathy Sielsky
June 29 - CHANGEOVER DINNER (NO NOON MEETING THAT DAY)
GUESTS: Visiting Morning Rotarians Dave Maxwell; Kathryn Suechuck, guest of Nate Smith.
Frank’s and A.J.’s tickets were drawn but neither won the still small jackpot! However, Steve May donated a mug and a T-shirt and the winners were Chip and A.J.!
Jim Philp introduced his son, Drew, a nationally (and internationally) known author, script editor, newspaper and magazine writer, and speaker who told us about his new book “A $500 House in Detroit”. Drew is a graduate of Adrian High School, attended the U of M and moved to Detroit his senior year. He currently writes for the Guardian newspaper.
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
.PNG)
ike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
