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Join us in Portland April 13

3/22/2024

Cranbrook is headed to Portland! Local resident and Portland CRAN representative, Chase Brand ’79 has been a driving force in helping to organize an upcoming Cranbrook community event happening on Saturday, April 13. Alumni are invited for a memorable afternoon and evening with two opportunities to connect with fellow Cranbrook community in Portland. The afternoon will begin with optional private tours of the Portland Japanese Garden, arranged by the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. Following the tour, all are invited to a Cranbrook reception at Breakside Brewery (Slabtown Location) hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations. The reception will take place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and guests can enjoy hors d'oeuvres and beers by Breakside’s acclaimed brewmaster and CK alumnus Ben Edmunds ’00.

We asked Chase his take on the day-of activities planned, and he said,

“If anyone in Portland has not been to the recently expanded and enlarged Portland Japanese Garden you are in for a treat. Getting an inside look with Sada will make it an even more special experience. You may find yourself going back again in the future to enjoy the garden for its’ exquisite beauty and sense of peace and tranquility. Going to Breakside Brewery in the Slabtown section of Portland speaks for itself. Of course, one of Portland’s best breweries is the work of a Cranbrook alum, Ben Edwards 00’. Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of the people who work there wearing Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, or other Detroit paraphernalia. Apparently, it is highly encouraged by the management. Also, if you are planning to come to Portland for the weekend, be sure to plan a trip to Powell’s Books and take advantage of the exceptional food and music scene that we have here.”

We asked Chase why he believes it is important to stay connected as an alumni community, and he said,

“Every Cranbrook and Kingswood graduate has been treated to a unique and life changing experience by going there. Staying connected to the schools is a way of giving back to the community to ensure that generations to come will get to have a similar experience. For example, my son will be graduating this year. He has had an exceptional experience while being there filled with trials and tribulations and most importantly, triumphs. He is heading off to college with confidence. In addition, he already has friends and connections from around the country and around that world that he can call on. Staying connected with the school is a way of staying connected with our outstanding alumni anywhere you go.”

The event in April is only the start of many future events and activities planned for the Portland CRAN community. Whether you can join us for just the tour, just the reception, or both, we hope to see you as we reconnect and strengthen the connections that make our community so unique. Chase continued on by saying,

“I was excited to see that we have a lot more CK Alumni in the Portland area, as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest, than I thought. I always appreciate the diversity of our alumni and the broad range of interests that they have pursued since they graduated from Cranbrook, Kingswood, or CK. Coming to the Portland event this April will be a way to connect with some interesting people that you may not have known are living right around the corner!”

To register for this event, click here.
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