As is our tradition, we ended 2009 with our Victorian Open House. Volunteers decorated the Wisner House, School House, and Carriage House with greenery and Victorian touches, provided musical entertainment, baked cookies for visitors to enjoy, and led tours of Pine Grove. At right, long-time volunteer Judy Hudalla and one of our newest members, Sawyer West, take time to pose for the camera. Successful events depend on the efforts of caring volunteers and the support of our members--thanks to all who helped by visiting, working, or contributing to this annual holiday celebration!

We're almost sold out of our latest calendar, Classic Cars of Oakland County. Full of automotive historical photographs, each page is a delight! Thanks to editor Jo Pate and OCPHS member Paul Osika for their work in creating the third calendar in our series. Available in person or by mail via our Store page, these are must-haves for the year to come. Now available with free shipping while supplies last!

Facebook is a social networking site where people with like interests can connect with each other to view or share news, information, and photos! Sign on to Facebook and type the group name Pine Grove in the search box. You'll see photos from recent events and find news and highlights of activity here. Thanks to First Lady Gayle Willis for setting this up for us! Also on Facebook, type the group name Oakland Historical Network and you'll find information on Pine Grove and many other local historical sites and events! Board member Rich Stamps and his students at Oakland University established this group page! It's free and easy to join Facebook and the Pine Grove and Oakland Historical Network groups!

For 25 years, the 1893 bell from Pontiac's Central School was displayed undisturbed on our grounds. Last year, however, it was stolen, smashed into pieces, and sold for scrap. Fortunately the pieces were returned to us and the thief prosecuted. To help some good come from this situation, we plan to incorporate a large piece of the bell into an exhibit at Pine Grove, and we're offering the other pieces for sale, at prices ranging from $5 to $100 depending on size. Proceeds benefit the Society, so purchasers gain a piece of Pontiac's history and the satisfaction of helping OCPHS. The photo at right shows the bell before it was destroyed. The Central School building still stands downtown: It's the large red brick building on Wide Track Drive near City Hall. Come to our office and choose a piece of history for yourself or a friend!

OCPHS Member Ann Johnson is seeking descendants of Moses Wisner, in hopes of organizing a family reunion at Pine Grove! If you are a relative or know someone who is, contact Ann at P.O. Box 154, Manistique, MI 49854, or at amj154@gmail.com. Ann is also interested in collecting stories from the general public regarding their memories of the Wisner Home. We are excited about this project and would love to help Ann bring Wisners home to Pine Grove!

With the assistance of the Detroit Executive Service Corps (DESC), we are in the midst of an intensive review of our Society and issues important to its future success. We are formulating our mission and vision statements, identifying key issues, and creating action plans for tackling specific objectives over the next three years. Headed by OCPHS 1st Vice President Mike West, this project will be an important part of the Society's future.

We are proud to be a part of the Waterford School District's Teaching American History programs! Through grants to the district awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Waterford's educators are working with OCPHS and the Waterford Historical Society, Oakland University, Henry Ford Museum, and others to enhance knowledge of local history among students and teachers. In addition to hosting tours of Pine Grove, we are active participants in the archaeological exploration of the Oliver Williams pioneer homestead, and next year will conduct an on-site dig to locate and examine remnants from the ice house that once stood on our grounds. Both archaeological digs will provide hands-on learning opportunities for elementary through college level students and teachers. We look forward to Digging Into the Past!

A generous donor has given the Society six burial sites and space for an above-ground monument at Pontiac's Perry Mount Park Cemetery. This donation provides a way to generate funding for the Society through resale to our members or friends. The monument space, valued by the cemetery at $325, and the burial sites, valued at $1,000 each, are located in the oldest section of the Perry Street cemetery. We invite those interested to contact us for further information.

The following counter shows how many visitors we've had to our website since October 12, 2008. We're glad you're one of them!