says anything. They also love
working on the computer with
Mel, playing games and going on-
line."
Computers are a wonderful op-
portunity to teach and influence
the future generation. Even if grand-
parents are not familiar with the
latest technology, they can learn
along with or from their grand-
children. The opportunities are too
good to pass up.
Get started by asking the librar-
ian about Parents, Kids and Com-
puters: An Activity Guide for
Family Fun and Leamingby R.
Raskin and C. Ellison (Random
House Electronic Publishing,
Parents Choice
1993);
(High/Scope Press, Ypsilanti,
Mich.), a quarterly publication that
reviews children's products in-
cluding software; or Children's Soft-
ware Revue, a bimonthly
newsletter. Call 313-480-0040 for
a sample copy.
And don't use the computer as
a baby sitter. Grandparents should
pull up a chair and sit alongside
their grandchildren. For more com-
puter know-how, other sources to
contact are the local community
college or SeniorNet. (Subscribers
to American Online or the Mi-
crosoft Network have access to Se-
niorNet Online. For information,
write SeniorNet, 1 Kearny Street,
3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA
94118, or call 415-352-1210.)
Janice and Donald Cutler of
Bloomfield Hills enjoy their three
grandchildren, ages 1 to 5, by shar-
ing their love of boating with the
family. The Cutlers took up boat-
ing several years ago and belong
to the Great Lakes Yacht Club on
Lake St. Clair.
"The club has a playground and
swimming pool for children and
regularly schedules parties and ac-
tivities geared for children," ex-
plains Mrs. Cutler.
"When we're boating, the kids
wear life jackets from the time they
leave the car and enter the dock
area until they get back into the
car. We take them on the boat and
stop for swimming and fishing.
We're hoping that this summer
we'll be able to take the oldest one
on an overnight on the boat."
The Cutlers also check out the
activities at the DIA and local mu-
seums, and frequent the zoo. "We
use a wagon to pull the kids
around the zoo rather than a
stroller," explains Mrs. Cutler. "It
works very well; they have more
room to move around, and there's
room for at least two."
The Detroit Zoo is a great place
with grandchildren. Attractions
not to be missed are the 2,000-gal-
lon Coral Reef Aquarium, featur-
ing underwater mini-cams that
zoom in on exotic fish; the Tropi-
cal Butterfly and Hummingbird
Garden; and the Art Gallery, fea-
turing a permanent collection of
wildlife art.
Getting all their children's fam-
ilies together, including seven
grandchildren, has been a family
tradition for Dorrie and Bruce
Miller of Bloomfield Hills. For one
month during the summer, they
rent a house near Lake Michigan
that sleeps at least 15.
"Five of our grandchildren are
in Detroit and two are in New York
with our daughter and son-in-law,"
explains Mrs. Miller. "The house
up North brings everyone togeth-
er. As parents, you only get one
chance to raise children. Being
grandparents is like having a sec-
ond chance. We're fortunate;
they're all such nice people."
Showers of Happiness
from
Amaryllis Catering
• Bridal Luncheons
• Teas
• Weddings
• Showers
• Rehearsal Dinners
• Out-of- iowners Brunches
• Engagement Parties
• Welcome Baskets
(810) 645-1770
275 East Frank • Birmingham, MI 48009
GRAND TIMES page 62
Great Places For Grand limes
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) 313-833-7900
Detroit Youthart DIA Education Department 313-833-4249
Detroit Historical Museum 313-833-1805
Detroit Science Center 313-577-8400
Children's Museum 313-494-1210
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Young People's Series
313-962-3610
Detroit Zoo 810-398-0900
Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum
313-271-1620.
Birmingham Community House 810-644-5832
Cranbrook Science Museum 810-645-3142;
Art Museum 810-645-3323; House and Gardens 810-645-3149
Museum of Natural History (U of M) 313-764-0478
Museum of Art — The University of Michigan
313-764-0395
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum 313-995-5439
Dossin Great Lakes Museum 313-267-6440
Classic Cuisine
For Your Next Affair
• Wedding • Bar or Bat Mitzvah • Shower
• Anniversary • Convention • Banquet Etc.
With A Touch Of Elegance
We Will COMPLETELY Cater Your
Outdoor Event
With OUR OWN Silver Chafing Dishes ... China ...
Glasses ... Linen ... Etc. ... Plus
Waitstaff ... Chefs ... Bartenders ... Etc.
AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE
Ask About Our Complete Week-End Packages
For Your Out-Of-Town Guests
Matthaei Botanical Gardens 313-998-7061
Philip Tewel
Food & Beverage Director
Impression 5 Science Center 517-585-8116
We Cater At Most Synagogues, Temples,
Hotels and the Halls Of Your Choice
Youtheatre at Music Hall 313-963-2366
Under Supervision
661-4050
968-1200
Of The Council of Orthodox Rabbis
S 6 1