By Rebecca Wyatt Thomas, OU Web Writer
The Meadow Brook Hall Squires invite those interested in Meadow Brook Hall and conservation to the Lunch and Learn: See What We Did and How We Did It event on Saturday, April 12 from11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the lunch, guest speakers will present information on the conservation projects including the Parducci ceiling in the Christopher Wren dining room, the Breakfast Room Mural and the Loggia Terrace floor.
The lunch and learn will feature information from Bill Cichowski, president of the Squires; Meredith Long, MBH volunteer coordinator; and Ron Koenig of Building Arts and Conservation. There is a $20 donation per person, which includes the presentations, mini-tour of the areas discussed and a “tool box” lunch.
“The Squires is a group of men volunteers at Meadow Brook Hall who want to maintain, preserve and raise funds for the hall,” Cichowski said. “We are basically the ‘honey-dos’ for the hall.”
Cichowski said the group of 18-20 paints, assists with repairs, helps the Meadow Brook Garden Club and puts up the outside Christmas decorations in addition to a number of other tasks.
The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the library. The Squires’ work day is the first Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. Those who work more than 50 hours are awarded a special patch.
“We have members with all kinds of skills—carpenters, plumbers, electricians and even an organ player,” Cichowski said. He added that while most of the members are retired, it isn’t required and the group is open to all who want to help, including OU students.
Cichowski said the Squires want to make people aware of the efforts that went into the maintenance, rejuvenation and preservation of these areas of the hall so they are hosting the lunch and learn. For more information, call (248) 364-6209 or e-mail thomas23@oakland.edu.