A Who’s Who of Arcadia community leaders and special celebrity guest/former Arcadian TV/radio star Wink Martindale helped the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce celebrate its 75th Anniversary on July 16 with a Diamond Jubilee that began with the dedication of a Historical Marker by the Arcadia Historical Society in front of the iconic round office building. Leigh Garcia was the raffle winner of a $10,000 diamond.
A detailed account of the event below (select either player below to view the video):
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Hundreds of local officials, dignitaries and others gathered last Thursday, July 16, at the familiar Arcadia Chamber of Commerce office in the median at 388 W. Huntington Drive, to celebrate the Chamber’s 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee.
The proceedings began with the dedication of a Historical Marker by the Arcadia Historical Society for the iconic round building that has served as the Chamber’s home for nearly half a century.
That was followed by barbeque, socializing and reminiscing, the raffling of a $10,000 diamond (appropriate for the occasion), and even a special celebrity guest appearance by Hollywood Walk of Fame TV/radio personality and former Arcadian Wink Martindale.
The setting was ideal as the Chamber’s picturesque lawn was adorned with several classic vehicles, including a 1959 police patrol car and Councilman Bob Harbicht’s Model A.
Historical Marker committee chairman Scott Hettrick made the introductions in front of the covered Marker and provided a brief summary of the Chamber’s little-known history, which actually dates back 95 years to the Arcadia Board of Trade and 88 years to the original group calling itself the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce in 1921 before the organization was formally incorporated on July 16, 1934.
Groundbreaking 1964
He noted that the Pacific Electric Railway’s famous Red Cars ran down the median of Huntington Drive before the railway was shut down in 1951, the tracks were later removed, and the Chamber office was built on that same property and dedicated on November 13, 1965.
Fortunately, much of this newly-gathered history, as well as archive photographs, fascinating tidbits, lists of every Chamber President, and entertaining quotes of memories by past Presidents dating back nearly 30 years, is captured in a free commemorative 75th Anniversary booklet put together for the event. Extra copies are still available.
Mayor John Wuo, Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, School Board President Cung Nguyen, and representatives of Congressman David Dreier and Assemblyman Anthony Adams each presented impressive resolutions, proclamations, and certificates to Chamber Board President Kevin Zimmerman and Executive Director Beth Costanza.
Historical Society Vice President Carol Libby joined Kevin and Beth in unveiling the Marker at the Chamber entryway to the applause of the throngs of observers.
Welcomed by the lovely sounds of Ann Luke’s hammered dulcimer, attendees moved inside for refreshments and to enjoy many pieces of fascinating Chamber memorabilia, including newspaper clippings and photographs laid out by, among others, the staff “Chamber maids” Bonnie Wilbur, Jan Shimmin, and Cherry Liu.
Long lines formed to enjoy socializing while awaiting barbeque hamburgers and hot dogs being cooked up in the sunken patio built by the Rotary Club in the 1960s. Many attendees found pleasant seating and visiting at tables under trees providing cool shade. Candles were lit on a pretty red cake and everyone gathered to sing happy birthday as Kevin prepared to blow out the tiny flames.
Wink Martindale then entertained the crowd with jokes and some nice anecdotes about his years living at the corner of Rancho Road and Arbolada Drive in Arcadia, during which time his three daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura, all graduated from Arcadia High School. He also introduced his wife Sandy before offering a toast. Former Mayor Jim Helms followed with praise for the “foresight and wisdom of the people who envisioned taking this fallow piece of ground and turning it into this beautiful showpiece. This is one of the most fantastic buildings that we could have ever had for a Chamber of Commerce in Arcadia.”
He’s right!
Earlier, right across the street from the Chamber on the patio outside the back door of the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum, Carol Libby took several dozen attendees at the monthly “Brown Bad Lunch” on an oral journey back to the formation of the Chamber predecessor organization, noting that it was the “spirited women” of the Cooperative Arcadians (later The Woman’s Club) who prompted 28 men to form the Arcadia Board of Trade at a time when Arcadia was not nationally recognized as a great place to raise kids as it is now.
Kevin Zimmerman introduced future Chamber Presidents Sho Tay and Bob Hoffman, and past Chamber Presidents Gil Stromsoe and Lee Shimmin. Lee expressed his pride in the Chamber and working with Beth to lead the organization to add 102 members in only 1 ½ days during a membership drive.
Beth Costanza shared some stories recently learned about a covering that briefly stood over the sunken patio behind the Chamber office, and shared copies of photos she was provided last week by Frank Perini of construction work on the patio by the Rotary Club more than four decades ago.