The Arcadia Historical Society has scheduled its second annual program to salute winners of the Student Creative Expression Contest (click previous words for video hilites of 2009 winners) for Sunday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m. More than 50 impressive entries have been received from Arcadia students in kindergarten – 12th grade who provided their artistic expressions of “History Lives Here” in Arcadia through paintings, poems, photographs, PowerPoint, essays, and videos.
A highlight of the program will be a group trip to the historic Adams’ Pack Station adjacent to the Chantry Flat picnic area in the Angeles National Forest at the top of Santa Anita Ave (3 miles past gate between Santa Anita Ave. and Santa Anita Canyon Drive).
The first advance information about next year’s contest will be provided along with a history of the Pack Station and Chantry Flat during the shuttle bus ride and upon arrival at the Pack Station, where historical photographs will be on display and Station owner Deb Burgess will provide a brief presentation.
Great food will also be available, including Eric’s Famous Dutch Oven Cooking (pulled pork sandwiches), Rich’s Perfect Canyon Dogs, and Kick-Ass Burgers. Also available will be Friends of the San Gabriels T-shirts (benefactor of the Adams’ Pack Station Store).
Amidst the beautiful outdoor setting amongst the trees and nature, participants will see goats and donkeys and take walking tours on short trail hikes.
The Society’s regular general meeting and board elections will take place first at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, near Holly Avenue, followed by a preliminary presentation of awards. Everyone is then invited to board a shuttle bus to the Adams’ Pack Station (or drive their own vehicle but please carpool as parking is very limited and an Forest Adventure Pass is required – available for purchase at the Pack Station .).
Adams’ Pack Station needs $7,500 – $10,000 (depending on final requirements) right away to make improvements required by the Los Angeles County Health Department or face closure.
The Society continues to seek donations from the community to help ensure that the historic Adams’ Pack Station general store and burro service is able to continue as a going
concern after 74 years of providing information, nourishment, and socializing to millions of hikers and picnickers ($2,430 in donations so far, including $1,000 matching donation from Michael Patris of Mt. Lowe Preservation Society — send your tax-deductible donations to the Arcadia Historical Society, P.O. Box 60021, Arcadia, CA. 91066-6021, attn: Scott Hettrick; note on memo line: Adams’ Pack Station).
In addition to the awards program on May 16, an exhibit of all submissions will be on display at the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum from July 17 – August 14, with an opening reception at 2 p.m. on July 24.
The Arcadia Historical Society, established in 1954, has been a catalyst for the continued preservation and education of Arcadia’s history.
— By Scott Hettrick