John Minnis


Latest Articles:

Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra concludes 70th season

Conductor and music director Joe Striplin led the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra in the John Willi... An active subscription to the Grosse Pointe News is required to view this article. Please call (313) 343-5578 to subscribe. Subscribers who want to reset their password can click here The Grosse Pointe News has migrated to a new subscription/circulation management system that allows readers to... READ MORE >

I Say: Just a weekly newspaperman as he reaches -30-

I’ll never forget that day in September 1988, when I went for a job interview with the Grosse Pointe News. I remember driving through Grosse Pointe’s lovely neighborhoods on my way to what I would learn was called “The Hill.” Terry and I had recently returned from Atlanta, where she worked at a General Motors assembly plant. I was an... READ MORE >

From the Publisher: On the road again: A gallon at a time

What is it with us? Every time we hit the road to Florida something happens that causes gas prices to surge? On one occasion, a major pipeline from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic broke and we were lucky to find gas at all — at any price. Well, we’re on the road again. Before leaving Grosse Pointe a week ago Thursday,... READ MORE >

Martin pleads no contest

Former Grosse Pointe North head baseball coach David Martin pleaded no contest to 16 misdemeanor counts, including one alcohol violation, involving running an unlicensed nightclub March 28 in his Willits Records storefront in downtown Birmingham. Martin was scheduled for a Feb. 21 jury trial in 48th District Court. On Jan. 19 he entered pleas of “nolo contendere” to all counts.... READ MORE >

I Say: Among 2% to take tree survey!

Not since I got a personally signed letter from Ed McMahon saying I was one among few to be in the final running for Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweeptstakes have I been so honored. Last week I received an invitation to take the 2022 Michigan Survey from the Arbor Day Foundation. “Only about 2 percent of people are selected,” the letter stated.... READ MORE >

From the Publisher: Tower alumni mourn loss of mentor

It was with sadness we learned of the passing  over the weekend of Bob Button, the legendary faculty adviser to the weekly Grosse Pointe South High School Tower newspaper. Robert “Bob” Lockwood Button died Dec. 23 of pneumonia in Charlottesville, Va., where he retired following his 32-year tenure as a teacher at first “The High” and later Grosse Pointe South.... READ MORE >

I Say: Spring training dreaming

It happens to us all the time. We get all excited about something and some unforeseen circumstance dashes our dreams. One of our favorite things to do is to go to Detroit Tigers’ spring training in Lakeland, Fla. in March. Spring training  in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, we were not fully vaccinated. So this... READ MORE >

From the Publishe: Dan Jensen, congratulations upon retirement

After 44 years on the job, Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety Director Dan Jensen announced plans to retire at the end of the year. In his retirement, he joins past “chiefs” I have had the honor to work with since hiring in at the Grosse Pointe News in 1988. They include Director Jensen’s predecessor, Bob Ferber; Dick Caretti and Bruce... READ MORE >

From the Publisher: Cost of Thanksgiving dinner is up

    Having grown up on a farm, I always look forward to the Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving meal survey. It probably comes as no surprise to anyone who does the weekly grocery shopping that the bureau’s 36th annual survey released last week shows the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 has gone up 14 percent over last... READ MORE >

I Say: G.L. National Cemetery a moving experience

Terry and I attended our first service last week at the Great Lakes National Cemetery In Holly. Even without a 21-gun* salute, it was moving. The service was for Terry’s Uncle Bill, who served in the U.S. Marines. It was windy, but not too cold. We had maybe 30 in attendance. The Great Lakes National Cemetery, established in 2005, is... READ MORE >