Traveling Boy: Guest: The Parade Has Started

Guest: The Parade Has Started: Tournament of Roses

The Parade Has Started
By Tom Joyce
Tournament of Roses Member

Meet Our Guest Writer

Let's see, I was born in Pasadena in 1936. Joined the Tournament of Roses in 1980 and have seen duty in some 27 committees. It has been a lot of fun and I have met some great people all dedicated to putting on a Floral Festival that is seen around the world. I have compared it to going to war without the shooting, and now that I am in the TAC committee we choose the duty we wish to partake of. Though it is strenuous it is also a lot of fun from the Kickoff on the 40 yard line in September at the Rose Bowl until we actually see the parade start and the flyover take place of either a B2 Bomber or F16 Jets. I plan on continuing my association with the TofR until they won't let me do it any more. The last few years I have done Game Management at the Rose Bowl for the UCLA games as well as the Rose Bowl Games and BCS Games. The joy still lingers in my soul as much as it did when I participated in the first parade and game.

Tom Joyce

he Parade has started. Grand Marshal Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger waving to my grandstand. But a tour director is informing me that the grandstand is collapsing. The truth of the matter was that someone had left a water spigot running and the corner was settling into the soft earth under the support strut. Happy New Year. What was I to do? I hurried under the stand and inspected the the reported damage. I found it to still to be safe. I reported the welcoming news to the tour director, averting a panic that would have ensued had we not done something immediately.

Almost 30 years in the Tournament of Roses has afforded me many moments of pleasure and terror. This is one fantastic organization with over 30 committees and almost a thousand volunteers that orchestrate the best parade in the land. The flower bedecked floats and the handsome men and beautiful women that participate in the spectacle continue to inspire me year after year.

Rose Bowl game

The Rose Bowl football game in the stadium renowned as the "Granddaddy of them All" is beyond compare with the other bowl games held around the country. This year we host the BCS game in which Alabama faces Texas for the National Championship and I will be there in my capacity as Game Manager. Behind the scenes is the hard work and dedication of the White Suiters and our duties extend from accompanying the Queen and Court to the Beef Bowl at Lawry's Prime Rib Restaurant to shoveling the horse feces off the street as the equestrians parade by. We are instructed to disappear after the parade commences and stay away from the television cameras so the focus can be on the beauty and grandeur of a show that is seen by a Billion People around the world. This year it was shown in China, where my TV was probably made.

This parade theme was "A cut above the Rest" and most appropriate for what happened. Be sure to tune in next year for another great welcome to 2011.

Yesterday, 2011 President Jeff Throop donned the presidential red jacket and revealed the theme for the 2011 Tournament of Roses, "Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories." Jeff's father, George L. Throop, was on hand to present the president's pin to his son.

Newly elected officers were also announced yesterday (drum roll, please!):
Vice President - Lance Tibbet, who will preside over the 2018 Tournament of Roses.
Directors - Tony Delgatto, Laura Farber, Carol Pfaffmann, John Reitnouer
At-large Executive Committee - Cynthia Amerio, Jocelyn Manilay, Dennis Wong

There are three new Honorary Directors - John Delgatto, Maura Rountree-Brown, and Reginald Woolfolk, who were recognized for their years of service, along with outgoing At-large members Amit Patel, Karen Jong and Ernesto Cardenas.

2011 Committee Chairs will be announced on February 1, as we look forward to another great year!

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FEEDBACK FOR JULIO

The way I read this article, you stayed at the "Breeze and Waves". Do you have any pictures of the cottages, and would you recommend to some first time visitors to Caramoan?

--- Richard Simons, Stockton, CA

Hi Richard,

Breeze and Waves was still under construction when I stayed there in Feb. 2010. It should be finished by now. You can see pictures of the resort on this page. We got to stay in one of the small cottages in the picture. I'll recommend it to budget travelers but you might want to look at other options. We chose it because of its location right by the beach. You can try other resorts in the Caramoan town proper (you have to get a ride to take you to the beach and the jump-off point to go island-hopping but it's a relatively short distance). There are also two higher end resorts located on a cove and very near the islands: Gota Village Resort (unfortunately there is something wrong with their website right now) and its twin resort Hunongan Cove. Caramoan is a relatively new tourism development so resorts are just now being built.

You can go to this site for a good list of choices for accommodations in Caramoan: http://www.claireraborar.com/travel/caramoan-accommodation/

I should add that it might be good to go to Caramoan (and almost anywhere in the Philippines) during the dry season in December to May. June to November are the typhoon months and sometimes typhoons will still come during early December.

Julio

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Hi, I'm planning to go to Caramoan this coming May. Would you know the number of Breeze and Waves Cottages? Thanks!

--- Ann, Manila, Philippines

Hi Ann,

Breeze and Waves' phone number is 0908-2911072. Look for Freddie. Hope you have a grand time at Caramoan!

Julio

FEEDBACK FOR NINO

I enjoyed Nino's contribution, since we all read about the frightening terrorist attack. Having travelled somewhat through India years ago, I am continually impressed with this country and the gentle spiritual aspects of this nation. Some day I look forward to going back. Nino has encouraged me. Thank you!

--- Yoka Y., Westlake Village, CA

FEEDBACK FOR RUSH & CHUCK

Dear Mr.s/counselors Brown and Koro,

Thank you for a very informed and succinct article on motorcycle accidents and the law. It inspired me to think about getting a motorcycle, but not have an accident. But, if I do I am now well informed with the basics of what to do providing I do not perish in the accident. Any tips about that too?

--- Unnamed

Dear Rush and Chuck,

I wish I had read your article before our camping trip the Friday prior to President's Day.

My wife and I were in a car accident on our way to a camp ground. We were "rear-ended" and the impact caused our car to crash into the car in front of us. The contents of the truck that we were riding scattered onto several lanes. It's a miracle our two dogs decided to stay inside the car. My wife and I were shaken up badly but despite the mess, I was still able to walk out of the car. I got the license plate of the driver in front of me but, to my surprise, after reviewing the little damage on his car, he then sped off. I didn't know you could do that! The driver who hit me from behind gave me his information and then he too left the scene without saying good 'bye. When the police arrived all I had to go by was the little information I had jotted down which I hope was truthful. What if it was bogus? What if I had written the plate number incorrectly? How would that affect my insurance? What if we were unconscious, who would have written down all that information?

I do have one suggestion if you are injured in an accident. The police asked if my wife wanted an ambulance to bring her to the hospital but we declined the offer. I remembered when I rode an ambulance years ago that it was not a comfortable ride. I was strapped to the stretcher and there were all sorts of medical equipment dangling noisily above me. As long as you are able, it is a more relaxful ride inside a car. Besides, isn't there a fee for ambulance service?

--- Dave S. of Pasadena, CA