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TOM WERTH NAMED GRAND MARSHAL OF 2008 ROCHESTER HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE
Rochester, MI The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced that former City of Rochester mayor and longtime councilman, Tom Werth will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 57th annual Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade. Chosen by the parade committee from community members’ nominations, Werth was surprised by the designation. “It is an honor and a privilege,” Werth said. The lifelong Rochester resident is well known for his dedication to his community. Werth’s career in local government spanned 34 years. “I started as a councilman and eventually officiated at my son’s wedding as mayor,” Werth explained,” it was a moving and memorable experience.” Werth has long roots in the Greater Rochester Area. “My grandfather arrived in Rochester in 1899 and my father was born in a house at 2nd Street and Main in 1909. Both of my grandparents worked for the Western Knitting Mill, which is now the Rochester Mills Beer Company.” Werth received all of his education in the area, graduating from Rochester High School in 1958 and entering Oakland University, then known as Michigan State University – Oakland, as a member of its charter class of 570 students. He still wears the diamond class ring presented to each charter class member by the school’s founder, Matilda Dodge Wilson. Werth learned valuable life lessons during summers spent working on the McGregor Stock Farm, now the site of the Great Oaks Country Club. “One of the farm workers told me there are three things in life that are no good unless they are spread around.’ Werth said, “They are money, manure and knowledge. What else are we here for if not to share with others and work for the good of our community?” Werth carried this theme into his working career serving as a probation officer before becoming a juvenile court referee, and magistrate in Macomb County. Werth has continued his community involvement with service on the boards of the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, the Downtown Development Authority, Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Meadowbrook Learning Center, and National League of Cities. He is also active in the Selfridge Air National Guard Base Community Council, the nation’s largest service organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to service members and their families. Werth shares his community spirit with his wife of 42 years, Joan. The couple has two children. Daughter Tracey and husband Jeff Moore live in Armada and son Christopher lives in Oxford with his wife Jackie and their children Skylar and Jade. “I am really honored to be asked to be the Grand Marshal but I want this to be about the Greater Rochester Area, not about Tom Werth,” Werth stressed, “I have been so blessed to serve this community.” The Grand Marshal will lead the historic parade down Main Street in downtown Rochester and be honored at the annual Grand Marshal reception, held at Great Oaks County Club on December 4, 2008. The 2008 parade will be held on Sunday, December 7th, at 1:45 PM, and includes dignitaries, bands, children’s group, community organizations and local businesses. The parade is also broadcast live on WXYZ-TV Channel 7. The Mission of the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership by advancing business development in partnership with civic, cultural and educational interests for the benefit of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Founded in 1955, the RRCC is the principal voice of the Rochester business community, focused on fostering a favorable climate and promoting orderly and progressive development for this region.
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 56th Annual Hometown Christmas Parade a Success!
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Pixley named Grand Marshal of 2007 Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade
 Rochester, MI The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced that Don Pixley will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 56th annual Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade. Chosen by the parade committee from community members’ nominations, Pixley was surprised by the designation. “It is a humbling experience,” Pixley said. The former director of the Pixley Funeral Home, and lifelong area resident, Pixley has contributed significantly of his time and resources in support of numerous community organizations. Pixley has played an active role in Rotary International, the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Optimist Club, Rochester Community Schools, Greater Rochester Community Foundation, Rainbow Connection, Older Persons Commission, and the Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast. He currently serves as treasurer for the Michigan Polio Survivor Support Group. Stricken with the disease in 1931, Pixley stresses that the disability has never stopped him from doing anything that was important to him. “The post polio effect kicked in six years ago. I am now confined to an electric wheelchair but I still go to my office at the funeral home everyday.”
The 2007 Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade logo was created by Trent Design .
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