jews d
LEON HALIP
in
the
Fill Those
Tanks!
JOHN VAVREK
LORI FERET
Memorial yoga event
and fundraiser to
aid Belle Isle Aquarium.
The Fentons felt helping to restore the aquarium skylights would fit with
their late son’s values and “bring light back into our lives.”
16
August 16 • 2018
jn
W
hat if I told you nearly the
Katy Fenton, who lives and works in
same amount of money origi-
Birmingham and teaches yoga at the
nally earmarked 120 years ago
Center for Yoga, will be leading the yoga
by the Michigan Legislature to build the
class in memory of their son Aaron, who
Belle Isle Aquarium — $150,000 — is all
passed away at age 35 in 2013.
that’s needed to complete the full resto-
“Aaron was a yoga instructor and art-
ration of the remaining 10 of 56 tanks of
ist who loved and had lived in Detroit,”
this jewel of Detroit architecture?
Randy says. It was a visit to the aquari-
Alan Muskovitz
A “fish tale,” you’d say? No, the aquar-
um the year following his son’s passing
Contributing Writer
ium is that close to “fin”-ishing the job,
when he recognized the potential heal-
pun obviously intended.
ing power of the historic site.
In 1899, prominent Detroit Jewish attorney
At that time, the building’s skylights, among
and Michigan State Rep. David E. Heinemann
other areas of the structure, were in disrepair.
successfully sponsored the bill that gener-
The symbolism was not lost on Randy. “Helping
ated the funds to build the aquarium. In
to restore the aquarium, a piece of art itself,
1904, renowned Jewish architect Albert Kahn
would suit Aaron’s values perfectly, honor his
designed the iconic structure. In 2005, due to
legacy and bring light back into our lives.”
limited financial resources, the city of Detroit
Thanks to dollars raised at the 2016/2017
closed the aquarium for the first time in 106
events, two tanks have already been restored
years.
and organizers feel they’re on target to raise
During the seven years it lay dormant, several
enough funds to support two more this year.
groups, including the Friends of the Belle Isle
But, if the legion of supporters and dedicated
Aquarium, formed the Belle Isle Conservancy.
volunteers have their way, 2018 will be the year
In 2012, after working tirelessly together to
all the tanks will be fully functioning.
save the treasured landmark, the Conesrvancy
“We’re so close to finishing this project,”
reopened the facility to the public with a limited Trayce says, “that we’re hoping our event will
number of tanks operational.
inspire others in the greater community to chip-
To that end, the 5th Annual Aaron Fenton
in collectively to raise the necessary funds to get
Memorial Yoga Event and Fundraiser will once
us across the finish line. The aquarium, after all,
again raise awareness and funds on Saturday,
does belong to the community.” Individuals and
Aug. 25, on the grounds of the Conservatory
groups who raise enough funds for a tank may
Gardens on Belle Isle.
be eligible for recognition or naming rights.
The event is organized by parents Trayce
Engraved on the front facade of the aquarium
and Randy Fenton of Bloomfield Village.
are the Latin words Speramus meliora;