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al
You Gotta Have Friends
agency, has been active with the
parade for 33 years. Before his elec-
Mel Saperstein, a Southfield attorney,
tion to the executive committee in
got his invitation to the parade 10
he chaired five divisions,
1 994,
years ago.
including community relations, coro-
"Ron called me in 1992 because he
nation, equestrian, food service and
was on the executive committee and
music.
explained the progression that would
This year, he gets to be in the
lead to [his current] position," recalls
parade, and will be driven in a car
Saperstein, who will be attending with
ahead of the Bob's Big Boy float,
his wife, Linda.
which celebrates the rock 'n' roll era
"We graduated Mumford in 1958,
of the 1950s and features the "Rock
and we've always kept in touch. I love
Around the Clock" hit recorded by
a good parade and took the kids when
Bill Haley and the Comets.
they were young to see the
"Since Sept. 11, we've added patri-
Thanksgiving parades in downtown
otic touches throughout the parade,"
Detroit. Ron has a lot of energy, and I
says Bill Walleck, director of special
know how hard he's been working."
events for the Phoenix Decorating
Stross, an Ann Arbor physician, also
Co., which has made about 25 new
grew up with Okum and has gone to
floats. "We've added a lot of red,
the Rose Bowl several times.
white and blue and lots of American
"As beautiful as it looks on televi-
flags.
sion, it's much better in person," says
"For example, there will be a float
Stross, who will be joined by his wife,
showing a home, and we've added a
Ellen. "I've seen how dedicated Ron is
flag on the front porch. There
will be a large robot on another
float, and we've given him a red,
white and blue helmet with Neil
Diamond's performance of
`America' as the accompanying
music."
Walleck, who has been working
on the Rose Bowl for 41 years, is
pleased with a float that honors
veterans and another that shows
Uncle Sam. The Marine Corps
Band and West Point cadets play-
ing percussion instruments also
Susie Gross: "The
will be adding to the patriotic
Ron Okum: First
Tournament of Roses
feeling.
Jewish president.
Parade is renowned
Flowers, the hallmark decora-
for its pageantry, and
•
tions of this parade, started being
it's an honor to be
affixed to the floats on Dec. 26
part of it."
with chrysanthemums, carna-
tions, marigolds and gladiolas
glued on first. About a day before
the event, vial flowers — roses, orchid
to all of this, and I think he can take
and irises — get plugged in. The vol-
great pride in what he is doing."
unteer group Petal Pushers, with
As the parade travels its 5 1/2- mile
3,000 members around the country,
route, Okum's family also will be at
help attach the blossoms.
the center of activities. In the car with
"The Tournament of Roses Parade
him will be his wife, Nan; two daugh-
is renowned for its pageantry, and it's
ters and their husbands; and three
an honor to be part of it," says Gross,
grandchildren. Okum's visiting friends
who invited Okum to ride in this
will get some behind-the-scenes tours
year's Detroit parade.
and invitations to other festivities,
"I'll be in California for a week
including a Hollywood party.
because the judging will take five
More than 1 million viewers will see
days.
the parade live, and 400 million will
"I've been told to bring an open
see it on television.
mind, and that's exactly what I will do
"This really is an exciting time for
as I look at the creativity, design, ani-
me," says Okum, who has lived in
mation and use of flowers on each
California for 41 years and whose
float. I didn't know Ron before I got
Rose Bowl position has taken him to
involved with The Parade Co., but
parades around the country "It's espe-
I'm glad to know him now and proud
cially exciting to share it all with my
to represent Detroit."
family and friends." ❑