Dodge Fountain in Detroit's Hart Plaza

The 30 foot tall Horace Dodge Fountain is a creation of Isamu Noguchi from 1978. It is the focal point of Detroit's Hart Plaza on the riverfront and scene of many festivals and events throughout the summer. The Dodge brothers are famous for their automotive endeavors.  Horace's wife donated one million for the fountain in memory of her husband and son. This open area was named for Philip A. Hart, a US senator from 1959 until his death in 1976. He was twice Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, was wounded in the D-Day landing on Normandy Beach during WWII and is buried in St Anne's cemetery on Mackinac Island.

Waterford's Dodge #4 State Park

When weather like this hits in November, you have to forego football games and get out to take it all in. Dodge #4 State Park in Waterford was sublime yesterday. We saw hikers and dogs, picnickers, boaters, bikers, fishermen and lots of photographers.  In 1922 the Dodge Brothers Corporation donated 139 acres for use as a park.  With its mile of sidewalks and paths on Cass Lake, it's a beauty.

Dally in the Alley

Detroit's Dally in the Alley Festival has been around for nearly 30 years, but yesterday was the first time Doreen attended. There were so many people with three stages of music going simultaneously, streets and alleys of vendors, artists and stuff for children to do. It is sponsored by the North Cass Community Union and always held the Saturday after Labor Day weekend in the block bounded by Second and Third as well as Forest and Hancock. Proceeds from the event support local soup kitchens, plow snow, remove trash, and provide music scholarships for neighborhood children. Now they are trying to raise the funds to purchase the land at 4753 Second Ave where they are going to rebuild and restore the Horace Dodge Garage --that place where the Dodge brothers built their first motor car. Mark your 2010 calendars for September 11th for Dally in the Alley!