Sherry Margolis signs off after 35 years

business SPOTlight brought to you in partnership with

BIRMINGHAM

COURTESY OF SHERRY MARGOLIS

A Fond Farewell

Sherry Margolis signs off after 35 years at WJBK-TV (Channel 2).

ROBIN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ABOVE: Sherry’s family: her late husband, Jeff, Alex, Eden, Jordan and Sherry. D etroit had a lot to cheer about in 1984. The Tigers won the World Series, defeating the San Diego Padres, 4 games to 1. And a rising TV news star — Sherry Margolis — came to town.

Margolis moved to Detroit that year from her hometown of Buffalo, New York. With her polished, professional presence and warm, welcoming smile, she has been a beloved fixture on the local evening news at WJBK-TV (Channel 2) ever since.

“It’s been my second home,” she said. “I will cherish every moment and every memory.”

Sherry has anchored the station’s nightly newscasts for the last 35 years, most recently on weekdays at 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Her work earned her seven Emmy awards, two Edward R. Murrow awards and countless other honors. Last year, Margolis was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

On June 24, she announced her retirement; she signed off during an emotional final broadcast June 30.

“I want to thank all of you for allowing me into your homes each day,” Margolis said, her eyes welling up with tears. “It has been an honor and a privilege, and I don’t take that lightly. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Because of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, fellow anchors Huel Perkins, Monica Gayle and Roop Raj were not physically there for the sendoff. Most of the on-air staff, including Sherry, have been broadcasting

continued on page 28

here’s to

Gerald Acker was named into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame Class of 2020. This award and honor recognizes attorneys with at least 30 years of experience who have not only been successful in the courtroom but also in their respective communities. Acker said, “It’s an honor to have been selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to their Hall of Fame. Fighting for justice has been the calling of my life, whether in the courtroom or in the political world. I’m thrilled to have been chosen with so many others who have had my respect and admiration over the years. I hope that all of us will continue that fight during these turbulent times.” The Michigan Lawyers Weekly induction lunch will be held Oct. 9 at the Detroit Marriott in Troy, Michigan. Aubrey Macfarlane has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of JVS Human Services. Macfarlane will oversee business operations of the Southfield-based nonprofit, which aims to enhance the lives of job seekers, people with disabilities and seniors in Metro Detroit.

When Marilyn Kohen of West Bloomfield was 10, she bought her first sewing machine. When COVID-19 began, she saw a request for face mask seamstresses. She has made more than 400 masks thanks to JoAnn Fabrics curbside pick-up and some friends for their fabric donations. She is the daughter of Ethel Shapiro.

Dayna Frenkel has been recognized in the 2020 edition of the WTR300 (World Trade Review) as one of the world’s top-ranking corporate trademark professionals. Born and raised in Oak Park, she now works in the Legal Department at Under Armour Headquarters in Baltimore, Md., as associate counsel for trademarks.