Spring IVC Auction Raises Money and Visibility

Plans Underway to Make John Akouri 2006 Celebrity Auctioneer

(GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI)…On Friday, May 13, the annual Gala Dinner Dance Auction to benefit the International Visitors Council of Detroit (IVC) was held. Both live and silent portions of the auction took place following the dinner at the historic Country Club of Detroit.

The event attracted more than 200 patrons and raised thousands of dollars from the sale of many donated items. Auction participants remained dry indoors on what was otherwise a rainy Spring evening. Lively bidding competition, a variety of rare values, special tours of the clubhouse, dancing to the tunes of a live band, and an excellent array of delicacies and refreshments were all part of the entertaining gala event.

Farmington Hills City Councilman John Akouri served as the celebrity auctioneer for the live portion of the event. His expertise, generosity and good humor contributed greatly to the success of the fundraising effort. Akouri raised hundreds of dollars for the organization with the bidding and eventual sale of a donated international Satellite Phone. His participation promoted friendly competition, good will and a festive atmosphere. IVC Executive Director Julie Oldani and Program Coordinator Regan Watson-Krdu provided the professional appraisal and administrative support that ensured a positive experience for all auction bidders. Donated items included: art, antiques, professional services, dining opportunities, furniture, electronic equipment and all sorts of interesting oddities.

The mission of the International Visitors Council is to promote understanding and mutual respect between metro Detroiters and international visitors. Founded in 1972, IVC Detroit has welcomed more than 12,000 international dignitaries sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, planning professional meetings, cultural opportunities and hosting for them. Members are volunteer "citizen diplomats" who welcome the visitors to their workplaces and homes, introducing them to American culture and customs. IVC Detroit is one of 95 councils nationwide belonging to the National Council of International Visitors.

The Country Club of Detroit was founded on October 1, 1897 along the shores of Lake St. Clair. The clubhouse was an existing clubhouse refurbished to meet the needs of the CCD. James Foulis, an old school Scot who had been serving the Country Club of Chicago, designed the golf course. The first golf professional/teacher was W. H. Way who also had credentials – that of British heritage. The golf course was a three-mile course along the shoreline of Lake St. Clair.

Throughout its history, the Club has been a center for sports activities, hosting the National Amateur golf tournament on two occasions, 1915 and 1954. Arnold Palmer’s victory in the 1954 National Amateur was a turning point in his life and is a place in history remembered by the CCD.

In 1997 the CCD celebrated its 100th year of existence in its fourth clubhouse surrounded by its third golf course. Ten clay tennis courts, four platform tennis courts, six bowling lanes, a magnificent outdoor pool and a short nine hole course all help to make the club a center for sports activities.

What activities have occurred at the CCD over these 100+ years fills history books. The Club’s history spans WWI, Prohibition, the Stock Market crash of 1929, and the following depression, WWII, the era of the debutantes, all the big bands in America, and several clubhouse transformation parties beautiful beyond imagination.