Strawberry Shortcake. When Rochester had several u-pick strawberry farms in the area I used to pick over 50 lbs a season and freeze them. Now that I am live in Florida for a good part of the year we get fresh Plant City strawberries all winter at very reasonable prices and I make strawberry shortcake several times a week and it is a featured dessert when friends come to visit us.
What do you think is your best personal characteristic?
A sincere desire to get to know people. I was fortunate when working at Oakland University to have a position where I had the opportunity to meet many employees all across campus. As treasurer of our association in Florida I make an effort to get to know as many of the owners and tenants as possible.I have an addiction to buying DVDs- often at a rate faster than I can watch them. With an extra hour I would probably dedicate it to catching up with unwatched DVDs.
If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do?I really am not sure but I might take a look at the private suites in Michigan Stadium. They have tours but I am never in Michigan when they happen so I might just take advantage of being invisible and take my own private tour. I have had season tickets for over 4 decades so it would be interesting to see how the other half watch the game.
How do you choose where to direct your All-University Fund Drive donation?
This is easy. While working at Oakland University I spent time with two student groups: Theta Chi Fraternity as their advisor and the Meadow Brook Estate in the Dept of Music, Theatre and Dance. My wife, Mercy and I, met hundreds of students this way and even entertained many in our home. My annual gift and the bequeath we have in our will goes to the Dept of Music, Theatre and Dance to help students in the musical theatre and theatre segment of that department. My wife and I attend live theatre often, sometimes more than twice in a week (occasionally twice in a day) so it was a natural that we gravitated toward the Dept. of Music, Theatre and Dance, the beneficiary of our OU gifts.
Why do you choose to participate in the All-University Fund Drive?
I enjoyed the 31 years that I was employed at Oakland University. I previously stated, I met many employees and students. I want to pay back that experience and one way I can do that is by continuing to support the university through an annual gift and through a planned gift. Since we have a great interest in theatre we take pleasure in directing our gift to an area of campus that not only interests us but provides us with entertainment when we attend student offerings by the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. I sincerely believe all current employees and retirees should continue in some way to support the university at whatever level of gift they can.