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Love's Labor
Nearly Lost
The return of the ring helps complete Jim Neil's proposal.
LEONARD POGER
Copy Editor
jr
im Neil was understandiably nervous during
the June weekend. He planned to propose to
Tracy Starrman on Mackinac Island.
But when the suitcase containing the engagement
ring was reported missing as he and Tracy stepped
off an island ferry, he started "sweating bullets.
Jim's plan: a proposal at sunset on a western bluff
overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.
While waiting for the return of the missing suit-
case, Tracy suggested dinner. She couldn't under-
stand why Jim was so upset.
All was revealed four hours later when the suitcase
was returned and Jim assumed the traditional bend-
ed-knee position and proposed.
Jim, a Northville resident who will be 28 in
October, found out later that the lost luggage was
mistakenly delivered to the wrong hotel. When it
was returned, Jim "breathed a sigh of relief."
Tracy admitted that the timing was a surprise. "I
was shocked — I didn't expect it," she recalled. "I
knew we would get engaged but I thought it would
be awhile."
Aug. 9
Jackie (Leshman) and Neil Rosenzweig
are proud to announce the birth of
their beautiful daughter, Jolie Sloan.
Proud first-time grandparents are
Barbara and Howard Leshman of
Waterford, and Kathy and Dennis
Rosenzweig of West Bloomfield. Also
sharing in their joy are great-grandpar-
ents Charlotte and Bernard Beigel of
West Bloomfield and Estelle Moggel
of Oak Park. Jolie is also the great-
granddaughter of the late Minnie and
Meyer Leshman, the late Mary and
Neil Rosenzweig and the late Harry
Altman.
Aug. 2
Jason Ceresnie and
Maggie Bercel of
Oak Park happily
announce the birth
of their daughter,
Lilyana Marie.
Thrilled grandpar-
ents are Laraine
and Sheldon
Ceresnie of Oak
Bercel
Their first date, in January 2004, was
arranged by mutual friends. The intro-
ductory phone call lasted two hours; and,
by their second date, Tracy was "very
interested" in Jim.
"He is laid-back and very easy to talk
to," she says.
Tracy is 30. The friend who served as
matchmaker said that Jim would be a
"male version of her."
"Jim and I had a lot in common, such
as music and the importance of family," Tracy says.
Tracy's family lived in Southfield before moving
to West Bloomfield when she was in the seventh
grade. She graduated from Walled Lake Western
High School and received a bachelor's degree in
English and psychology from the University of
Michigan. She is a marketing planner for Federal
Mogul, Southfield.
Jim is a graduate of Plymouth Christian Academy
in western Wayne County. He has a University of
Michigan degree in electrical engineering and is a
mortgage broker for Perfect Mortgage, Southfield.
The wedding ceremony, planned for next May,
will be aboard a chartered yacht in Lake St. Clair
Park and Margaret and Mike Bercel of
Algonac. Proud and happy great-
grandmothers are Rachel Raimi of
Oak Park and Mary Bercel of Yale.
Lilyana Marie is also the great-grand-
daughter of the late Meyer Raimi, the
late John Bercel and the late Tony and
Barbara Maranowski.
July 31
Mara (Staller) and
Alan Starr of Oak
Park, along with
big sisters Ariel
Marissa, 11 1/2, and
Sarah Ashley, 8, are
proud to welcome
with love and
excitement the
Starr
birth of their
daughter and little
sister, Dayna Emily (Dina Esther).
Loving grandparents include Adele W.
Staller of Southfield, Rita and Joe
Starr of Farmington Hills, and great-
grandmother Martha Burnstein of
Southfield. Dayna is also the grand-
daughter of the late Avery Gerald
Jim Neil and Tracy Starrman relax near the Grand
Hotel on Mackinac Island the day after he proposed.
with the ship's captain to officiate.
They talked at length about the possibility of Jim
converting to Judaism but he declined to give up his
religious heritage.
But Tracy stressed that the ceremony will have a
very traditional Jewish flavor, including a ketubah
Jewish marriage contract, chuppah (wedding
canopy), the breaking of a wine glass, blessing over
of a challah and dancing to Jewish music.
And the couple hopes there will be no missing
luggage on the honeymoon.
Staller and the great-granddaughter of
the late Morris Burnstein.She was
named in loving memory of her
maternal great-uncle David Weinberg
and maternal great-grandmother
Esther Staller Kelman.
July 24
Jodi (Little) and
Michael Tauber of
Farmington Hills
are thrilled to
announce the birth
of their daughter,
Ashley Madison.
Welcoming Ashley
Tauber
home with love is
big sister Rebecca
Michelle, 16
months.Sharing in their joy are very
proud grandparents Gloria and
Norman Little of Southfield and Joyce
and Jerry Tauber of Delray Beach, Fla.
Ashley is named in loving memory of
her paternal great-grandfather Aaron
Rosen and her maternal great-grandfa-
ther Maurice Little.
July 23
Melissa (Mellen) and Jeremy
Michaelson of Farmington Hills are
delighted to announce the birth of
their son, Merrick Chad. Sharing in
their happiness are grandparents
Margie and Robert Mellen and Jackie
and Ronald Michaelson, all of West
Bloomfield. Also sharing in their joy
are great-grandparents Sam Lappin of
Huntington Woods, David
Michaelson of Jacksonville, Fla., and
Phyllis Caplane of New York. Merrick
is named in loving memory of his
maternal grandfather Morris Mellen
and his paternal grandmother
Charlotte Michaelson.
June 23
Leslie (Finsilver) and Dr. Scott Hirsh
of Solon, Ohio, welcome with love the
birth of their daughter, Remy Mya.
Sharing in their excitement are proud
grandparents Fran and Bruce Finsilver
of West Bloomfield and Sharon and
Dr. Fred Hirsh of Aurora, Ohio. Also
sharing in the joy are great-grandpar-
ents Devora Finsilver, Helene Leib and
BIRTHS
on page 60
9/ 1
2005
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