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Shimmer
on the
River
2012: A
Magical
Night to
Celebrate
Detroit's
Waterfront
By Mary
Moore/Tell
Us
Detroit
DETROIT
(Tell Us
Det) -
Detroit
Riverfront
Conservancy
hosted
this
year’s
gala at
the
beautiful
Roostertail
at the
edge of
the
Detroit
River.
The
night
was
perfect
to
celebrate
its
theme of
Water,
Earth,
Fire and
Air.
Guests
were
greeted
by an
entrance
filled
with
tree
plants,
flowers
and
people
dressed
in Earth
attire
sprinkled
throughout
the
‘garden
walkway’.
Water
fountains
and fire
flames
decorated
the
entire
the
space.
All
guests
were in
high
spirits
as
conversation
and
laughter
filled
the Air.
Festive
is the
best
description
and it
immediately
infected
everyone
as
greetings
were
exchanged
just
like a
room of
old
friends.
All of
the
exquisite
eats
dedicated
to the
theme
did
their
parts to
keep the
hands
and
mouth
engaged
as well.
Someone
was
clever
enough
to use
the
creativity
of Air
as
presented
at the
Marshmallow
Bar
filled
with
light
and airy
desserts.
Perhaps
the
puffiness
kept the
calories
from
being an
issue.
The
project
started
by the
Detroit
Riverfront
Conservancy
has a
mission
of
developing
public
access
to the
Detroit
Riverfront
for all
to
enjoy.
People
can
always
be seen
walking,
jogging,
biking
or just
lounging
beside
the
river.
The
ambitious
venture
will
provide
5.5
miles of
riverfront
property
to
stretch
from the
Ambassador
Bridge
to
Gabriel
Richard
Park.
About
three
miles
have
been
completed
thanks
to the
generosity
of many
committed
volunteers
and
sponsors.
Board
Chairman,
Matt
Cullen
and
President
& CEO,
Faye
Nelson
acknowledged
the many
who keep
the
commitment
alive
including
Event
Co-chairs-Sandy
& Tom
Pierce
as well
as Cindy
Pasky-Event
Sponsor.
It takes
the
teamwork
of many
to keep
things
moving
toward
completion
and
sustainability.
Peter
Karmanos,
Jr. was
honored
for his
long-term
commitment
and
generosity
to this
project.
He told
the
story of
his
father’s
love for
the city
and the
riverfront.
Specifically,
he
recalled
the
question:
“When
was the
last
time
Detroit
reached
its
peak?”
His
shocking
answer
was
1962-63
just
before
the
riot. He
believes
that ‘it
is time
to knock
it off
and
bring
the city
back.’
People
were
nodding
in
agreement
as some
remembered
when
people
from
Chicago
would
come to
Detroit
to have
a good
time.
Once the
city has
a
vibrant
riverfront
and
thriving
businesses,
will the
people
come?
It was
evident
from the
passion
in his
voice
that
Detroit
still
holds
the same
special
place in
his
heart
that was
placed
and
nurtured
by his
parents.
The
Detroit
RiverFront
Conservancy
saluted
him with
the
Shimmer
Award
for his
vision,
his
dedication
and his
generosity.
The high
energy
of the
night
kept
going
with the
help of
Singer-Thornetta
Davis,
dancers
moving
around
the
floor
and a
juggler
dressed
in white
tails
and a
top-hat
smoothly
moving
lighted
colorful
balls
around
his
body.
It’s
true:
‘There’s
no party
like a
Detroit
party..
with
generous
big-hearted
people.’
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