EncorE
state, and California certainly
has had its share of great ones.
But former Detroiter Ben
"Lefty" Gleaner still hasn't been
considered by the Michigan Jew-
ish Sports Hall of Fame, says
Arthur Sweet.
"He was one of the best ath-
letes I ever played with," says
Arthur, who remembers Benny
from the Codd Field days ... with
"Lefty" going on to play varsity
baseball, basketball and football
at Northern High, he recalls.
"I played with all the good
players. Nobody hit a baseball
as hard as him," notes Arthur. "I
know of only one major leaguer
who hit a ball harder than
"Lefty", George Brett of the
Kansas City Royals.
"Ben had to work, his parents
had nine kids and his family was
too poor for him to go on to col-
lege. But he did play with Carl
Bayer and Bobby Roth on Cincy
Sach's Auto Club basketball stars
and was on the Jewish Commu-
. pity Center baseball teams that
won championships every year."
Benny moved to California in
Oxford Inn has sites
in Royal Oak, Novi.
1942 and has been winning
championships ever since ...
Only in still another sport ...
Now 75, he took up handball
when about 40 and has contin-
ually been national champion in
his age brackets ... "He is still a
terrific tennis player, too," says
Arthur. "Could always beat any-
one in his age group."
Seems like there is enough in-
formation for an investigation by
the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall
of Fame ... And while they're at
it, might not be a bad idea to look
up the records of other local Jew-
ish athletes like Carl Gussin, con-
sidered by many to have been one
of the best Jewish basketball
players in this area; Argyle
Shop's Harry Solomon, who was
on the Northern High State bas-
ketball champions of 1928 or
1929; wrestler Bert Ruby; Joe
Ginsberg, former Detroit Tigers
catcher; boxer Benny Goldberg,
who decked many champions
around these parts and became
a Hollywood body guard; Eli Ka-
plansky, All-City basketballer at
Northern High; Harry Light, one
of the top wrestling promoters
this town has seen ... Some may
not have the necessary creden-
tials, but are worth an explo-
ration.
MICHIGAN CANCER Foun-
dation Circle of Fellows lucked
out with the weather and made
very poor forecasters out of many
who play with maps ... Predic-
tions were for sleet and cold the
evening of MCF Circle of Fellows'
holiday bash at Gem Theatre ...
The 130 who came saw a lively
'60s Beehive musical and partook
of a buffet dinner, open bar, pas-
tries brought to their table dur-
ing intermission and an ice cream
sundae afterglow.
JAKE WHO? ... If there is
anyone whose name is being used
for the new Jake's On The Lake
restaurant, come forth and be
heard ... It is scheduled to open
this spring on the site of former
Buster's Bay, Orchard T ake Road
and Pontiac Trail, owned by
Opus One bossfolks Jim Kokus
and Ed Mandziara, and Mike
and Marion Ditch of Little Cae-
sars ... Emphasis will again be
on seafood, with dinners only at
the beginning.
MAIL DEPT. ... From Hy
Horenstein ... "In the 65 years I
was in the restaurant business
before retiring, 10 with Boesky's
and 55 at my own delicatessens
from Farmer and Monroe on, I
never heard of such things that
have gone on with health de-
partment inspections. Mountains
are being made out of nothing.
You hit the nail on the head
when you wrote that inspections
should concern themselves only
with the health of customers.
"From Cass near downtown
Detroit, to Six Mile and Santa
Barbara, Dexter and Boston, Sev-
en Mile and Livernois and 10
Mile and Coolidge for 25 years,
health inspectors were only in-
terested in health and nothing
else. Nowadays, according to peo-
ple I know in the restaurant busi-
ness, they look for every little
thing and most of it has no rea-
soning where health is concerned.
"One of the delicatessens I
know of had points taken off for
a couple of therrriometers being
upside down from counters being
moved and more points because
the kitchen door didn't swing all
the way. I have two sons who are
now both attorneys and they also
laugh at what has been going on."
NOW THEY have two things
in common ... Kathy Johnson
and Tobie Kuppe ... a couple of
gals who love the sales game ...
Tobie was recently hired at The
Jewish News as Kathy's person-
al part-time sales assistant ...
and both found out shortly after
that they'll also be sharing can-
dle-blowing chores ... Kathy and
Tobie have birthdays on the same
day, Oct. 3.
HONEY TREE restaurant,
with owner Tom Goulas, was one
of those asked to stay when the
former Hunter's Square reduced
tenants ... and it has proven to
be a very wise decision ... He
brings customers into the shop-
ping center, which is what the
other tenants want ... Tom has
been a big favorite there since
1981, on Orchard Lake Road
south of 14 Mile ... Look for him
and his excellent nine-year-
kitchen gent, Jimmy Christo-
pher, to open another Honey
Tree. El
presents
Chicago City Limits
Comedy & Improv Theatre
Taking More Liberties in 95
Saturday, January 1 4
8:00 p.m.
Jewish Community Center • Maple/Drake Building
6600 West Maple Road • West Bloomfield, Michigan
Inner Circle Reserved Section: $25.00
General Admission: $18.00
Senior/Student: $12.00
This program is funded in part by the Manny and Natalie Charach Endowment fund of the JCC, The Irwin and
Sadie Cohn Fund and the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation. Co-Sponsored by The Jewish News.
For more information call (810) 661-7634.
BruschettA
ITALIAN
F 0 0 D
GOOD
WIN E
ALFRESCO DINING AT
TRATTORIA BRUSCHETTA
A
Patio lovers can now enjoy the summer wind whistling
through their salad greens or enjoy the taste of dinner by
starlight.
Patio patrons can order off the full Trattoria Bruschetta
menu. Our popular Italian bistro enjoys a positive
reputation for its captivating, authentic Italian cuisine
as well as its friendly and attractive service.
Reservations (810) 305-5210
27796 Novi Road at 12 Mile
(in the Hotel Baronette)
Novi
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL OUR INFO LINE 737-4-URC
Moyds
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