Grandchildren light up communities
By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Doris Nieland, who moved to Henry Ford Village from Dearborn, enjoys it when her grandchildren come to visit her. Two-and-a-half-year-old Riley Stoppa loves coming to visit her grandma. Stoppa’s mother worked for 11 years in various positions on campus, so Stoppa’s always been a “regular.”
“She loves to feed the fish in the pond outside,” Nieland says. Stoppa, who visits about twice a month, enjoys playing “store” in grandma’s pantry, coloring, and playing with her beads. Stoppa also enjoys eating pizza at the community’s Windows Café, with black olives on top.
“She has a wonderful time here,” says Nieland. “She says ‘hi’ to everybody.”
‘I’ve met over 100 people’
Conner Weidman, who regularly visits his grandmother Lee Weidman, knows his way around Henry Ford Village. Conner Weidman, 7, has made many friends at the Dearborn community.
“I’ve probably met over 100 people,” the third grader says. One or two Saturdays a month, Conner and his sister Courtney, eagerly stroll through the doors on campus to see Weidman and her neighbors at Henry Ford Village.
“I know ‘Miss Rita (Rita McIntire),’” he says. “She kisses me on the cheek and sometimes on the ear.”
The feeling is mutual. “They’re beautiful kids,” McIntire says, who moved from Westport, Conn. “I’ve watched them grow up over the years.” Many times, both children can be found in the Great Lakes Clubhouse community members intently listening to the animated youngsters as they talk a mile a minute.
“My grandchildren are very outgoing,” Weidman says, who moved to Henry Ford Village from Trenton. “They come quite often.”
Lots to explore on campus
Conner Weidman enjoys using the swimming pool on campus, as well as the putting green outside. When he visits the Window Café, he dines on hotdogs (with ketchup and mustard), as well as cheese or pepperoni pizza. “I like the taste of the bread and cheese,” he explains.