Introducing the Chamber’s Senior Ambassadors

Meet the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce senior ambassadors Emma and Mike Ynequez:

“Montrose has been our family’s life backdrop for just about 40 years. We started here in the early ’80s as a ‘combo’ family living in La Crescenta and then in the heart of Montrose just above Honolulu Avenue. We found a community that was not only safe to raise our children with great schools, but a beautiful place to wake up every morning seeing the foothill mountains and good neighbors around us.

“Montrose became the backdrop to our story, our family’s story. Our four children attended Rosemont and CVHS. The boys played for The Loft baseball team in CV Little League and when they got to high school played on the football team. Both our girls were cheerleaders and one became a song leader her senior year at CVHS, as well as a member of the advance dance team for two years. All of our children kept us busy with their sports, volunteer work for Days of Verdugo and the Tim Richards Fair and, as a family, we attended the Arts and Crafts Fairs, and, of course, the Montrose Oktoberfest. There were the school dances, the community events and all the friends the kids brought to our home, which meant into our family. We knew this was a place we could grow roots.

“The kids grew and went off to college, got their jobs and started careers, including our youngest daughter who worked for Glendale City in Parks & Rec. We stayed local and started the chapters of our lives as just the two of us in our home. We evolved our own careers and work life to literally work in our beloved community. The start of Body ‘N Soul Massage Therapy was cultivated and flourished here in ‘our town.’ And to this very day clients come to our town to get their massage sessions, spiritual guidance and sometimes a wedding or baptismal when Emma became a reverend.

“Once our children identified their own careers and started their own families, as often is the case, they also came back ‘home.’ With 10 grandchildren, we have participated in the Montrose Shopping Park Halloween costume contest, one year taking first place with the Batman & Robin duo and their cardboard box Batmobile. Once again, we found ourselves sitting in the stands for CV Little League baseball watching one of our grandson’s nine homeruns season. We found out about the game of lacrosse when it first hit the foothills a decade and a half ago. We have watched our granddaughter as the lead in the play of ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ We had a farewell lunch at Cibo Thai Restaurant before another of our granddaughters went off to school in Paris. Many birthday dinner celebrations were also held at New Moon Restaurant. And as things would have it, we even opened our own storefront with our eldest daughter. Ten years of successful joint efforts: a boutique, a massage studio, classes, workshops and events along with an open mic night. We have been of service to the community in the work we have offered.

“Four decades of loving our hometown, being proud of what we have accomplished together in raising four kids, 10 grandchildren and two ‘bonus’ granddaughters were fused in this last decade. Nowadays we commune with those we know and love still rooted here in Montrose. On many days Mike goes to the Montrose Bike Shop and talks with the staff, gets gear and accessories for the bikes, and rides on the trails provided by the natural environment created by the foothills. Emma still offers services of massage, spiritual guidance, weddings and baptisms. Together we now are of service to the community. Being asked and accepting the role of senior ambassador is not only a privilege but also a part of who we are and how we live.

“We are proud to be a part of a beautiful community of residents and businesses that cohabitate in harmony. For these almost 40 years, we have patronized each business with love and support. You may have seen us in your business, first as patrons and now as your senior ambassadors. To those such as yourself who work behind the scenes to make Montrose a healthy, happy, safe and beautiful place to live and work: we honor you. We thank you for your service. We are privileged to be among you.”

  Emma and Mike Ynequez