Roaring 20s in Montrose and
Highlighting Community Award Winners

Our installation dinner is tonight at the Oakmont Country Club. It’s not too late to attend. The evening starts at 6 p.m. and you can pay at the door. We are looking forward to a great night when we install our 2013 board and honor our community award winners. I would like to highlight three more of our winners.

Our Community Endearment Award goes to Lynn McGinnis who came to the Crescenta Valley in 2000 to teach American history at Rosemont Middle School. While at the school, he conducted living history tours, taking students to Washington DC. He also taught summer enrichment classes and encouraged students to give back to the community. Lynn also served our country in the Air Force, is the chaplain of the American Legion Post 288 and is currently helping a team of veterans to renovate the war memorial at Two Strike Park in La Crescenta. He is the president of the Montrose-La Crescenta Kiwanis and continues to volunteer at the local schools.

Local historians Robert Newcomb and Mike Lawler are the recipients of our Community Enhancement Award for their efforts in researching and preserving the history of not only Montrose, but the entire Crescenta-Cañada Valley. They co-wrote and compiled photos for the book, “La Crescenta: Images of America” as well as many other books individually. Mike writes a weekly column in the CV Weekly called Treasures of the Valley and reminds us of how things were many years ago in the pictorial column Then and Now. He just stepped down as president of the Historical Society of  the Crescenta Valley and has a website called Cvhistory.org if you want to learn more about the local area.

Robert Newcomb just completed a new book called, “Montrose: Images of America” that is now on sale and available at Once Upon A Time bookstore in Montrose. Once Upon A Time bookstore is hosting a very special book signing on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. with Robert. Be sure to stop by, meet Robert and pick up a copy of his book. There are many never before seen photos and more interesting history about Montrose. Both Robert and Mike will be a part of Montrose’s centennial celebration weekend and will be giving walking tours in Montrose and talks at the Montrose Library on Honolulu Avenue.

You probably have seen Robert around Montrose and don’t even know it. His standard white poodle Jack is a celebrity in town when they go for their evening walks.

Our Frank Roberts Award goes to Bill Dodson who was actually a close friend of Frank Roberts.

“He was Mr. Montrose,” said Bill, a friend of Frank’s for 25 years who lived in the same La Crescenta neighborhood. “He was such a capable person, as far as Montrose is concerned. It’s hard to measure just how much he contributed to the [Montrose] Shopping Park.”

This award is given to someone who has given above and beyond to the town of Montrose just like Frank Roberts did. Bill has certainly done that. He has tirelessly watched over the Vietnam War Memorial for the past 35 years, making sure the flag is flying, the flowers are blooming and the area is free of trash. He is a retired fireman and has lived in the area for 60 years. This town owes him a debt of gratitude for his service to the Vietnam War Memorial that was built during the Vietnam War and was the first of its kind in the nation. His two sons are veterans of the Vietnam War and it has been his pleasure to ensure that the memory of those who lost their lives is honored and respected.

Upcoming Events
Grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, Jan. 25 at noon at Gio’s Baquettes and More, 3805 Ocean View Blvd., Montrose.

Montrose book signing with Robert Newcomb on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at Once Upon A Time bookstore, 2207 Honolulu Ave, Montrose.

Installation and Community Recognition Awards dinner tonight, Thursday, Jan. 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Oakmont Country Club, 3600 Country Club Drive, Glendale, 91208.

Centennial February business mixer on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Al’s Deli, 2332 Honolulu Ave., Montrose. Celebrating 60 years in business.

Centennial celebration on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24 in the 2200, 2300 and 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue.

Glendale City Council Candidates Forum on Monday, March 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sparr Heights Community Center, 1613 Glencoe Way, Glendale, 91208.