It was Carol Libby Day in more ways than one at the Arboretum Thursday, May 30.
Mayor Pro Tem John Wuo with Carol Libby
The Arcadia Historical Society paid tribute to one of its own at the Society’s annual General Meeting and election of officers, with a “Hats Off to Carol Libby” tribute to the longtime former President and current Second VP, membership. Carol, an author and co-author of several books chronicling the history of Arcadia, has been the backbone of the Society and most of its most notable endeavors for many years.
In front of more than 90 attendees, including Carol’s son Richard and one of her daughters Annie, Mayor Pro Tem John Wuo read a proclamation and then declared it Carol Libby Day in the City of Arcadia.
Carol with Chamber of Commerce CEO Scott Hettrick. Photo by Annie Libby.
Scott Hettrick, chairman of the Society’s Historical Marker Committee and CEO of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, presented a Certificate of Appreciation on a plaque to Carol on behalf of the Chamber and President Arlynn Robinson of Century 21 Earll. Noting that the “Hats Off” tribute was appropriate since Carol wears so many hats with so many different organizations, Hettrick reminded Carol that the Chamber recognized her as Citizen of the Year 35 years ago in 1978. She has become an even better, more productive and more valuable citizen every year since then, he said.
Beverly Street and Carol. Click photo to enlarge.
Society First Vice President Beverly Street paid tribute to Carol on behalf of the Friends of the Society. Julie Harris and Sherry and Sho Tay also presented bouquets and other gifts to Carol.
Carol thanked the presenters, including Mayor Pro Tem Wuo, just one of several City Council members for whom she served as campaign manager, and read a clever and gracious poem about her pleasure in serving and working with so many organizations and people of the community.
The tribute to Carol was preceded by regular Society business and a unique program. Current President Gene Glasco officiated at the event, beginning with a report of the many recent Society activities and appearances at community events.
Carol with Society President Gene Glasco (left) and City Councilman Gary Koacic with wife Barb Kovacic. Click photo to enlarge.
Treasurer Gil Stromsoe gave a financial report, indicating that the Society’s expenditures are now significantly higher than member dues and overall income due to the increased number of activities and the monthly rent being paid for a small office on Santa Anita Avenue. The Society only has enough in reserves for a few more years of this deficit spending, he noted.
After leading the voting for the new slate of officers and directors, which mostly reinstated all current officers and Directors to their current positions — in addition to those noted above, Karen Hou, Recording Secretary; Scott Hettrick, chairman Historical Marker Committee; Beth Costanza, Gail Marshall and Sandy Snider, all of the Thoroughbred Walk of Champions Committee; Director Charlene Wong; and Emily Zheng, Student Liaison — there were two other items on the agenda before the tribute to Carol.
Emily Smith demonstrates hats to audience. Click photo to enlarge.
Emily Smith provided a fascinating presentation about vintage hats from many eras and geographical locations in the U.S., offering fascinating anecdotes and demonstrations of each.
In beautiful weather from the pleasant Oak Room patio just outside the Oak Room below the Arboretum library just south of the Peacock Cafe and west of the gift shop, Arboretum CEO Richard Schulhof gave a welcome update about historical preservation projects at the Arboretum.
Arboretum CEO Richard Schulhof
Among them are the effort to restore the lake in front of the Queen Anne Cottage to its former depth and beauty, the recent restoration of the beautiful Bauer fountain that was installed in 1963, and the ongoing advance work to restore the roof and the building often called the Hugo Reid adobe to a more stable structure that more closely reflects its primary use as half of Lucky Baldwin’s homestead for many years. The Historical Society recently created a Historical Marker to showcase the Baldwin residence before it fell into disrepair. Schulhof also praised the Society’s marker dedicated and placed near the Arboretum entrance in October 2012, which Schulhof said attracts many viewings from visitors and their comments of appreciation.
Dining on the patio of Peacock Cafe. Click photo to enlarge.
The program was followed by a lovely light buffet dinner on the outdoor patio at the Peacock Cafe, featuring delicious entrees, vegtables and salads, and followed by a special cake customized to recognize Carol Libby, and featuring a delicious filling that was said to be a Parisian pudding.
— By Scott Hettrick