EVERYONE LOVES A

For former Detroiter Ronald Okum,
everything's comin' up "Roses.

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News

T

he University of Michigan foot-
ball team will not be kicking up
any points in the Rose Bowl this
year, but a ream of people from
Michigan will be getting some up-close kicks
from the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Ronald Okum, who grew up in Detroit, is
at the helm as the first Jewish president of
the event. He will be joined by special guests
and longtime friends he's invited from his
home state for the traditional New Year's
Day celebration, which has Regis Philbin as
grand marshal.
Okum, once a Mumford High School foot-

ball teammate of Detroit Public Schools'
Chief Executive Ken Burnley, has invited the
All-City Marching Band to perform. One of
the three judges for best float will be Susie
Gross, president of The Parade Co., which
puts on Motown's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Mel Saperstein and Jeff Stross, Okum's teen
sports buddies at the Jewish Community
Center, also will be on hand.
Those who can't travel west can watch the
parade on WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), starting
at 11 a.m. New Year's Day.

Let The Good Times Roll

"We decided to keep the 'Good Times'
theme we chose a while ago for the 1-13th
Rose Parade," says Okum, 60, whose volun-

tary post also has him planning many events
between the parade and the football game.
This year pits the University of Miami
against the University of Nebraska at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 3, when the game will be
broadcast on WXYZ.
"There will be a patriotic opening and clos-
ing to go along with the mood of the country
since the tragic events of Sept.11. We want to
show that we are all together and that we're
going to have good times again,".says Okum.
"e
W will have 53 floats and 23 bands, and we
are looking forward to showing the world that
Pasadena can create a championship game
with wonderful events."
Okum, who has his own insurance
PARADE on page 56

12/28

2001

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