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2012
Grand
Prixmiere
at the
GM
Wintergarden
to
benefit
the
Belle
Isle
Conservancy
By Mary
Moore/Tell
Us
Detroit
Congratulations
to the
Belle
Isle
Conservancy
for
volunteering
to pump
new life
into the
precious
jewel
that we
lovingly
call our
own Isle
in the
city of
Detroit.
In
celebration
Roger
Penske,
Bud
Denker
and Team
brought
back the
Grand
Prix to
Detroit
this
year. In
celebration
of
everyone’s
efforts,
a
special
sponsored
event
was held
in the
Winter
Garden
at the
Renaissance
on the
Riverfront.
As the
evening
began,
Artist
Bill
Patterson
began
creating
a
masterpiece
to
depict
the
event.
This was
to be
the
highlight
of an
auction
that
would be
held to
raise
funds
for the
continued
restoration
of Belle
Isle.
Guests
were
treated
to a
‘conversation
with the
drivers’
about
their
experiences
from the
past
race as
well as
the
qualifying
feats
for this
year’s
race.
The
friendly
rivalry
set the
stage
for a
wonderful
dinner
and
networking
for the
numerous
guests.
After
dinner,
the
beautiful
completed
painting
showed
the
RenCen
and
Belle
Isle
treasures
in the
background
with
racecars
included.
All of
the
drivers
signed
the
piece
and the
winner
of the
auctioned
item
would
have the
opportunity
to get
his own
chosen
number
painted
on a
car.
Guest
Auctioneers
Lila
Lazarus
and Ed
Fernandez
rallied
the
participants
in their
spirited
bidding
to a
final
bid of
$22,000.
A second
painting
that had
been
done
earlier
sold for
a bid of
$8,000.
All
monies
raised
will
help to
continue
the
restoration
of Belle
Isle.
How
lucky
are
Detroiters
to have
a unique
piece of
property
that has
provided
great
memories
for
countless
families.
Picnics,
fireworks,
weddings,
family
reunions,
and
various
public
events
for kids
are just
a few
examples
of
special
times
that
many of
us have
enjoyed.
Thanks
to all
who
donate
their
time and
money to
repair,
clean
and
polish
our
jewel.
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