News Scoops

America’s Thanksgiving Parade thrills parade goers

It's been a tough year for many Americans, especially for Metro Detroiters going through hard times but, that didn’t stop them from coming out to the 83rd Annual America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
They were many volunteers. From the big-headed elves, to the drivers on the floats, to the special celebrity guests, high school marching bands, clowns and more.
And they all gave a thrill to a huge crowd of people, as they walked down Woodward Avenue. One big-headed elf volunteer received an early unexpected Christmas gift in front of the Fox Theatre, as her soon to be fiancée held out a diamond ring, and proposed to her as parade marchers carried a banner that read: "Will you marry me Julie?"
Santa Claus himself, who was riding in the last float that was accompanied by the elves, announced the result to the cheering crowd: "She said yes."
"I was totally flabbergasted," Badaczewski said. "I started crying. He put the ring on my finger but I couldn't see it because of the big head I was wearing."
DeMaggio said later he was nervous, but confident. "I wanted to do something big for her," he said.
Many visitors come from all around to partake in the extravaganza; some come to visit Detroit relatives and others come to visit friends. Officials said all 6,000 grandstand seats were sold out.

EMU Enrollment is up


Michael Belanger, a senior, chose Eastern Michigan University because of cost. He thinks that the cost is affordable and that Financial Aid is helpful. He thinks at Financial Aid is helpful. He thinks that enrollment is up due to the economy. “People are going back to school to get an education because of the jobs,” says Michael.

Eastern Michigan University’s overall enrollment has surged 4.26 percent for the 2009-10 school year. As of Sept. 22, 22,859 students are enrolled for fall 2009 compared to 21,926 at the same time last year, an increase of 933 students. Enrollment is up at both the undergraduate and graduate levels according to EMU.