James is Grand Prize Winner in AAA Michigan Zero-Proof Contest
9 October 1998
James is Grand Prize Winner in AAA Michigan Zero-Proof ContestDEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 8 -- Darryl James of Southfield, Mich. earned the $500 first-prize award in AAA Michigan's Zero-Proof Mix-Off contest for his non-alcoholic drink recipe, "The Panama Special." James was one of five Southeast regional finalists who mixed drinks for judges at the Best Western Sterling Inn in Sterling Heights today (Oct. 8). Earning a weekend for two at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire was second- place winner Donna Costello of Clinton Township, for her drink, "Corvette's Silver Anniversary Splash." Finalists who received $50 each were: Donna Affeldt of Rochester Hills; Nora Hudson of Detroit and Rachael Ramirez of Burton. This year's theme was "Remember '78," honoring the 20th anniversary of the Zero-Proof Mix-Off contest, sponsored by AAA Michigan. The finalists mixed drinks for a panel of three judges: Macomb County Sheriff William Hackel; Pam Voss, executive director of Student Leadership Services (SADD); and Mitch Kehetian, editorial page editor for The Macomb Daily. The drinks and photos of all five finalists will be published in The Great Pretenders Party Guide distributed free statewide in December.