The Arcadia Woman’s Club celebrated its centennial May 7 at their monthly lunch meeting that featured nearly four dozen VIP guests that represented a Who’s Who in Arcadia, starting with Mayor John Wuo and every City Council Member.
Woman’s Club President Cheryl Alberg welcomed guests to the iconic Woman’s Club building which was elegantly decorated for the occasion. Mayor Wuo was just one of numerous former Mayors of Arcadia, including what is perhaps an unprecedented assemblage of all five former women Mayors. One of those was Floretta Lauber, who was also the chairman of the Centennial program, impressed many by introducing each dignitary’s name and title by memory.
In planning the program for the Centennial lunch, Lauber sought to re-create an explosive celebratory lunch program in the 1970s that featured some dramatic police demonstrations. Chief Guthrie complied by having some of his officers present a mock terrorist act amongst the lunch attendees. <Story continues below the following 1-minute video highlights presented first in Flash format and then a YouTube version…>
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The Woman’s Club has been instrumental in the formation of many longtime Arcadia institutions and organizations, including introducing the community’s first public library and first float in the Tournament of Roses Parade, and also supported American soldiers by serving meals as far back as World War I.
Floretta Lauber addresses VIPs
A commemorative program summarized highlights of the organization’s first century. (A free exhibit about the Woman’s Club of Arcadia is on display at the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage through May 31.)
Arcadia Police Chief Robert Guthrie and Lieutenant Brian Ortiz presented a fascinating oral history of the police department during the lunch. Members of the SWAT team were set up in front of the building to show and demonstrate some of their equipment.
— By Scott Hettrick