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| James Oliver Curwood was born in Owosso, Michigan on June 12, 1878, the son of James M. Curwood and Abigail (Griffin) Curwood. |
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| The Curwood Castle, built by James Oliver Curwood as a writing studio in Owosso, MI, is located in Curwood Castle Park overlooking the Shiawassee River and is open to the public 1-5 p.m. daily except Monday. |
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2011 CURWOOD FESTIVAL PARADES
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Curwood Festival Heritage Parade
Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
Theme: "Sporting Adventures in Curwood Country"
2011 Heritage Parade Application
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Kids in Curwood Parade
Friday, June 3, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
Raindate: Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
Theme: "My Favorite Summertime Activity"
2011 Kids In Curwood Country Parade Application
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Heritage Parade Winners
For the first time in the history of the Heritage Parade, organizers had to turn entries away. Although the number of entries were down the number of vehicles and floats being shown were causing the festival to run out of staging area. Winners of awards include: Best Overall Unit: Best Professional Unit: World Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales sponsored by Main Beverage; Best Use of Theme: Chemical Bank; Best Community Unit: Corunna 4th of July Celebration; Best Musical Unit: Step in Time; and Chairman's Award: Active Duty Military Serviceman, Brandon Mills. The parade this year was sponsored in part by Welcome Home Assisted Living, Carts R Us, Patrick Wegman MD, McDonald's of Owosso & Corunna, Dave Camp, Young Chevy Olds Cadillac, Cellular City, Smith Family Funeral Home Jennings-Lyons Chapel, Mid Michigan Dental Center, Hardees/Red Burrito, Waugh's Culligan and Hungry Howies.
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Kids in Curwood Country Parade Winners
With the largest number of entries in the Kids in Curwood Country Parade with its "Summertime Fun" theme, judges had a difficult time choosing the award winners. Following are the results: Most Creative Award: Sycamore Tree Preschool; Best Animal Unit: Hush Puppies 4-H Dog Club; Best Baton and Dance: Cub Scout Pack 240; Best Float: Baker College Early Learning Center; Best Walking Unit: Owosso Girls Softball. Sponsors of this event included VG's Food Center and Edward Jones-Dave Minarik.
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2011 Grand Marshal
Bruce and Jackie Cook named 2011 Curwood Grand Marshals
Curwood Festival President, Mike Espich and Vice-President, Lee Mills made a surprise visit to the Cook Family Foundation offices to present the honor of being named Grand Marshals for the 2011 Heritage Parade taking place on Saturday, June 4 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Bruce Cook has been the active President of the Cook Family Foundation since 1998. From 1971 to 2008 he worked at Wolverine Sign Works and still serves as Chairman of the Board of that family owned company. Prior to returning home to Owosso, he ran a successful homebuilding business in Niles, Michigan.
Still active in the community, Bruce Cook serves on the board of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership and the Shiawassee Valley Development Corporation. He also served on the Board of the Shiawassee Family YMCA for many years.
With two business degrees from the University of Michigan (BBA 1950, MBA 1951), Bruce Cook has been long known for his efforts to recruit outstanding Shiawassee High School students to Ann Arbor. The Cook Family Foundation has awarded more than 400 scholarships to the University of Michigan. In 2006, Bruce and Jackie Cook set up their own scholarship fund to provide an annual, four-year full tuition scholarship to the University of Michigan.
Bruce Cook is on the Vestry of Christ Episcopal Church of Owosso and serves as a trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan. Also a long-time supporter of Hayo-Went-Ha Camps, Bruce continues to serve on the board of the State YMCA of Michigan which administers the Camps.
Bruce Cook was a 1946 graduate from Owosso High School. He was also an officer in the United States Naval Reserve and served in the Korean War from 1951-53
Jacqueline "Jackie" Cook is active in family, community, and church endeavors. She serves on the boards of Wolverine Sign Works and the Cook Family Foundation, as well as the Political Affairs Committee of the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is active with the Auxiliary of Memorial Healthcare, director of the Altar Guild at Christ Episcopal Church, and a member of the Current Topic Club.
From 1978 to 1986 she served on the Owosso School Board. She was also active in a number of other community endeavors including the Republican Women's Club and the Shiawassee Adult Literacy Association during the years it worked with the YWCA.
Jackie Cook is a 1952 graduate from the University of Michigan and worked for a number of years as a medical technologist in San Diego, Port Huron, and Niles. A Detroit native, Jackie graduated from Mt. Clemens High School in 1948.
Bruce and Jackie Cook were married April 25, 1953 in La Jolla, California.
Past honorees
Dr. Richard Ball,2010; Piper Brewer,2009; George Hoddy,2008; John and Joanne Morovitz,2007; Jim
& Fayenne Storrer-2006, John "Dutch" and Rita Bouwman, 2005; Dr.
Denise Bannan, 2004; James Capitan, 2003; James Oliver Curwood, 2002;
Dale Espich, 2001; Tom Henne, 2000; Ivan Conger, 1999; Monte Sheedlo,
1998; Al and Kay Snell, 1997. Robert "Pudge" Hahn, 1996; Helen
Harrelson, 1995; Gordon Graham, 1994; Bill Phillips, 1993; Robert
Lewis, 1992; Francis "Bus" Spaniola, 1991; Merrill Walker, 1990; Jeri
and Hank Steck, 1989; R.C. Brown, 1987; Clyde LeValley, 1986; Frank
Patee, 1985; James Miner, 1984; Sallysue Gale, 1983; Corky Wilson,
1982; Brad VanPelt, 1981; and Earl Morrall, 1980. |
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