Editor:

After one of the most successful fundraisers ever held for the Eastern Shore Art Center, the Eastern Shore Art Center board wants to thank everyone who made the first annual Kentucky Derby weekend possible.

Our biggest thanks go to our hosts at Sonny Hill Polo Field, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Pilot and Mr. and Mrs. Chip Campbell. The setting was perfect for the 600-plus guests who enjoyed an afternoon of good food, local art, great music and, of course, the running of the Kentucky Derby on big screen TV. Also at the top of our list is Bob Baumhower’s Aloha Hospitality for the delightful meal. Dessert was donated by the Little Cake Shop, and wine was served by Randy and Sherri Williams of Red or White Wine of Fairhope. Randy Branch and Roman Street volunteered their musical talents for the afternoon’s entertainment. Absolute Home Theatre provided the big screen. Throughout the weekend, we were privileged to have celebrity Chef John Folse of Donaldsonville, La., on hand, demonstrating his famous Cajun dishes and signing his newest cookbooks for his local fans. Guest Chef Steve Zucker of Bimini Bob’s in Spanish Fort made the weekend even more special.

We had many sponsors that made the day possible, including: Meyer Real Estate, Exquisite Kitchens and Baths, LaPlace Interiors, Bayside Scooters, Holiday Inn Express, Terry Thompson Chevrolet, al.com, Kingdom Coach, Fairhope Boat Co., Abner’s Restaurant, RBC Bank, Beau Rivage, CK Collection, Wade Jewelers, Encore Resale Boutique, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Grand Hotel Marriott Resort and many more who donated items to our silent auction. Of course, our volunteers worked tirelessly over several months to create this signature event for us, including Chairman Diane Daniell and her committee members Kate Fisher, b.j. Cooper, Brenda Anderson, Barbara Corte, Donna Dodson, Chris Haley, Pat Herndon, Karen Kennedy, Eleanore Mauritson, the Guidroz family and many more. Thanks also to the students from the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education, who came out to set up for the event. The staff at the Art Center, including Charlene Patterson, who worked non-stop on our lovely program, also deserve a big thank you.

From the delicious food prepared by Chef Folse at the beautiful home of Mike and Wanda Dobson on Friday night to the Derby Day brunch at Marriott’s Grand Hotel Saturday morning until the sun went down at Sonny Hill Saturday night, it was a weekend to remember. Thank you Winning circle members, the Baldwin Register and the Fairhope Courier, our exhibiting artists and everyone who made this event possible. Derby Day, which we expect to make an annual event, will help the Art Center continue its more than 50-year mission of bringing the best in local, regional and national arts to this community.

Managing director, ESAC