Planned Giving

We have lived in Adrian for most of our adult lives, and when we started to think about what we want our legacy to be, the Croswell was the first thought on our minds. It’s a point of pride not just for the community, but for us personally. It’s the place we show off when friends visit from out of town, and it’s the place we go when we want to be surrounded by fun, friendship and creativity.

We believe in art as a game-changer. It doesn’t just change people’s lives; it shapes the community and moves us forward. We know from our time working with students that the Croswell is the cornerstone of downtown and it’s the nexus for art in our community. It has withstood a lot of ups and downs, and we know it’s going to last … and we want its future to be part of our legacy.

We are both firm believers in the power of art to transform everything it touches.

To quote The Wizard of Oz, “A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” If that’s true, then the heart of the Croswell must be immeasurable! The amount of love we have seen poured into this historic space is remarkable.

At the Croswell, both of us found a truly inclusive community where we could be ourselves. This theater has been a part of our lives for nearly a decade. We even got engaged on the Croswell stage! Aside from our love of theater, there’s one thing that keeps bringing us back here: the family atmosphere. We love being part of this place where friends, spouses, siblings, and parents and children can enjoy sharing the stage together. (Our own daughter made her stage debut in The Wizard of Oz at just 9 months old!) Now that we have children of our own, we hope our love of the performing arts will spread to the next generation.

When we worked on our estate plans to include our two young children, we wanted to be sure we were also preserving and protecting our other love: the Croswell. You’re never too young to think about planned giving, and while we hope our gift isn’t realized for many years to come, we want to show our long-term commitment to the Croswell. We want to ensure that there is a place for our children and grandchildren to learn about, appreciate, and participate in the performing arts. Throughout history, the theater has been a critical part of our culture — providing a respite from everyday life, telling the story of history, and addressing difficult conversations. Now, more than ever, we need a place for children of all ages to safely tell and hear these stories.

It was more than 50 years ago that Charlie Hickman stepped up and made it possible for the Croswell to continue serving our community, and it was my privilege to have been involved from the very beginning. That first year, Gaylord Baker, Catherine Smith and I spent many hours sitting at my kitchen table with a phone book and a stack of index cards. Then we got on the phone and called community members one by one, asking them to help the Croswell’s new theater program get off the ground. Through those phone calls we learned just how much Lenawee County loved this theater!

I am proud that the Croswell has continued to grow despite all of the obstacles it has faced over the years. Seeing where it has been and how far it has come, I couldn’t be more proud. The Croswell is in the hands of a group of individuals who truly believe in the future and longevity of the organization. Just as Charlie, Gaylord, Catherine and I asked friends to support the Croswell then, I hope you will consider joining me as a member of the 1866 Society.

I worked for the telephone company for 20 years and never imagined that my next stop in life would be the little theater downtown. Little did I know that one chapter closing would open another filled with the most amazing experiences. At the Croswell I found friends, mentorship and community that would last a lifetime.

The Croswell is like one great big family. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, how old you are, where you come from — everyone learns from each other and works together to reach a common goal.

One of the most influential people in my life was Bob Soller, the artistic director of the Croswell for twenty years. Bob inspired me not just through his hard work and his love for the Croswell, but through how he lived his life. Bob used to work hard all summer at the Croswell and then, after the summer was over, he would take off for some exotic place to explore, learn, and soak up cultural experiences. I remember vividly the stories and pictures he would share upon his return. My husband Jim and I recently had the opportunity to travel to Africa, and as we stood looking over the majesty of Victoria Falls, all I could think was “Bob, I never would have done this if it weren’t for you.”

The mentorship, friendship and inspiration I received from the Croswell are why Jim and I decided to join the 1866 Society. I hope you will join us in ensuring that the Croswell continues to provide community for all.