16 July 25 • 2019 jn continued on page 18 Readers Share Favorite Memories of the Palace I n last week’ s issue, there was a story about the Palace of Auburn Hills being set for demolition this fall. Many people weighed in with what the building meant to them, includ- ing friends and family of the late Bill Davidson and the late Robert “Bob” Sosnick, who were instrumental in the development of the Palace. RIK KOWALL One of my many memories was work- ing on Bob and David’ s suite. They collaborated to make one larger suite instead of two separate ones. Bob was like a proud parent waiting for delivery of a new child. Serious as stone but excited none the less. David (Hermelin) was just as excited and always friendly to my crew and myself. Saying “no more looking thru heads … I’ ll be looking over them. ” The suite was impeccable and only the best materials were used. Bob stated, “spare no expense. ” They both wanted a showplace for family, friends and community. One of the few projects I was given free rein on, and I was proud to work for such successful and distinguished gentlemen. DAVID M. TECHNER My favorite memory of the Palace took place at a playoff game. The Pistons were up by 7 points with under two minutes to go. Mr. Davidson, as he often did, got up from his floor seat and proceeded to exit the arena. The opposing team (I think the Pacers) came back to tie the game. Mr. Davidson sat down on the aisle in the second row, direct- ly behind me and my wife, Ilene. A Palace employee, seeing Mr. Davidson take the seat, approached him and asked if he had a ticket for that seat, to which he said he did not. She firmly stated policy that he could not sit there without a ticket. Mr. Davidson politely apologized and left the seat and fin- ished watching a very exciting 5-min- ute overtime game standing on the railing just short of the exit. I asked the worker if she had any idea who she just asked to leave the seat. As I suspected, she had no idea. The horror in her face as I told her showed her concern she would most likely be fired. The next game she came to my seat and I told her I was happy to see her. Mr. Davidson had sought her out through employment records, summoned her to the office prior to this game, handed her a personal note of appreciation for doing her job and doing it well, and advised she was receiving a raise and a bonus in her next check. JASON A. MILLER I have several favorite memories of the Palace, but the one that my son, Josh, and I will always cherish is when we met members of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015 on Josh’ s 11th birth- day. Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert arranged for Josh and a few of his friends to get locker room passes to greet the Cavs when they entered the locker room follow- ing the game. Meeting J.R. Smith and Kyrie Irving was great, but the look on Josh’ s face when LeBron James signed a basketball for him was priceless. ETHAN DAVIDSON (SON OF BILL DAVIDSON) I started working in productions at the Palace a few months before it opened to the public. At 18, I was just a few weeks out of high school. A terrifying memory was the day I had to go up onto the spotlight platforms to prepare them for open- ing. Climbing down the ladder and walking to the edge of the plat- form, 90 feet above the floor, I felt the platform began to bend. That’ s how we realized we needed to reinforce the end of the platform with support cables. Often times, I worked double shifts, 16 or more hours a day. On those days, it was easier to sleep in the building jews d in the ESME MCCLEAR Fox Run offers senior living with STYLE Call 1-800-917-8169 for your free brochure. 13433922 Fox Run offers more than just senior living—we offer stylish living! Choose from dozens of spacious fl oor plans designed to fi t your taste and budget. Every residence includes elegant fi xtures and fi nishes, plus open and airy layouts. Best of all, each apartment home is free from standard maintenance. Spend less time worrying about repairs and more time enjoying the things you love to do! Novi FoxRunNovi.com Metro Detroit The Secret’s Out Steven E. Stein, M.D. Call for an appointment today 248-643-7710 With 25 years of experience Dr. Stein has performed 1000s of face and neck lift procedures, along with blepharoplasties (eyelid surgery) and fat grafting. Because of his vast experience, Dr. Stein is the only plastic surgeon you should be choosing for your cosmetic procedures. ASK ABOUT OUR SUMMER SURGERY DISCOUNT SPECIAL Somerset Center for Plastic Surgery Steven E. Stein, M.D. 1579 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite B-7, Troy, Michigan 48084