Posted 1/26/14 – More than one hundred people turned out to Peppertree Grill last night for an evening of good friends, shared memories, Italian buffet dinner and a beautiful cake decorated with Wistaria made by one of Sierra Madre’s newest businesses Poppy Cake Bakery (located where Wildflour Baking Co. used to be).
Since 1966 when William Wark was recognized, the Chamber has honored a Citizen of the Year (COTY), and recently they have also on occasion honored couples, the first couple so honored being Paul and Louise Neiby in 2009. The Pergolas were recognized with a commendation from the City, presented by Mayor Nancy Walsh, and recognition from the CA State Assembly and the CA State Senate, presented by Chamber President Ed Chen on behalf of Assemblyman Chris Holden and State Senator Bob Huff, who were unable to attend.
In attendance were Mayor Walsh, City Manager Elaine Aguilar and two of the four City Council Candidates, Gene Goss and Noah Green. Green is currently Vice-President of the Chamber Board of Directors. Also in attendance were many of the members of Kiwanis, of which Joe is a member, much of the staff of Podley Properties, where Jacquie works, and many folks who are involved with the Foothill Creative Arts Group (CAG), including Executive Director Kristin Naran, former Executive Director Jacki Raymond and her husband Dave, and several Board members and volunteers. Jacquie is active with CAG, and had chaired their annual Garden Tour on several occasions. Also represented in the crowd was the Senior Community Commission, of which Jacquie is a member.
Former COTY honorees were also in attendance, including Marlene Enmark (2012), Richard Mays (2011), Glenn and Amy Putnam (2010), Louise Neiby (2009), Pete Siberell (2007), Rob Stockly (2003), Chamber Board member Carol Canturbury (2001), Marilyn McKernan (2000), and Judy Webb-Martin (1998). Webb-Martin was the MC for the presentation portion of the evening.
Judy Webb-Martin spoke about the Pergolas, and as she did, members of the audience would yell back Joe or Jacquie each time she said their names, while holding up paddles that had Joe and Jacquie’s pictures on them, with the appropriate face pointed toward the couple. She gave a brief background of their past, including that they met in 1974 and married in 1976, and moved to Sierra Madre in 1992. She cited some of their contributions to the city, among them a five year period where they sold Chili/Frito bowls at local events, donating money to the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Joe has been involved with Huck Finn Day, the Wistaria Festival, the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, construction of cabinets at St. Rita School, helping with renovations at Foothill Unity Center, building benches at City Hall, the construction of Jack’s Tack Shack at Lizzie’s Trail Inn, and much more. He also was instrumental in spearheading the start of Kiwanis Boot Skootin Dance and Chile Cook Off, now in its fourth year. Jacquie has volunteered for CAG, sitting on the Board of Directors as well as chairing the Garden Tour, and has been a member of the Civic Club, Sierra Madre Garden Club, 4th of July Committee, Docent for the Wistaria Festival, she delivered Meals on Wheels for seven years, and has raised money for various causes, closing by noting “As you can see, they both are a great asset to our town, and they are so deserving of the 2013 Citizens of the Year.”
Joe began by thanking the audience, noting that “you are the recipients, you are the volunteers of Sierra Madre, you make the City go…” He thanked Kiwanis “…in its entirety and each and every member for showing me how to give back to a community.” He thanked his family, and noted that he hadn’t been looking forward to the evening, but “..now that I see everybody here, this is spectacular.” Jacquie followed by adding her thanks, noting that they consider “…each and everyone of you a wonderful friend. Everybody here has done so much for the community, and that is what makes us so great…we thank you so much , we are truly honored by this…your heart gets awfully big when you’ve given to your community, thank you so much.”
Below the video, you’ll find the photo gallery from the dinner, click an image to enlarge. Enjoy!
Please feel free to use the comments section to congratulate the Pergolas.
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- Jacquie’s CAG friends, unknown, Dottie and Jerry Burnett
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- Benn Martin, husband of MC Judy Webb-Martin
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- 2011 COTY Richard Mays, 2010 COTYs Amy and Glenn Putnam
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- Chamber VP Noah Green, Board Member Carol Canterbury, President Ed Chen, Judy Webb-Mart with back to camera
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- Cake from Poppy Cake Bakery
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- Ken and Shirley Anhalt
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- Gene Goss, Rosemary Burnett, Amanda Burnett (back to camera) and SMFD Battalion Chief Bob Burnett
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- Former Chamber President Pat Hall and 2010 COTY Glenn Putnam
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- Joe with unidentified friends
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- Former Chamber president and Bean Town owner Matt Krantz with wife Kathleen, Carol Canterbury (back to camera)
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- Chamber president Ed Chen, Secretary Janette Ledea
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- Dotty Burnett, 2003 COTY Rob Stockly and his wife Wendy
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- Members of the Pergola family (standing)
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- Former CAG Director Jacki Raymond (r)
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- City Manager Elaine Aguilar greeted by Chamber Board member Noah Green, former Chamber president Ron Brandley
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- Andy Bencosme from Century 21 Village Realty, unidentified, Julie (?) of C21
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- Part of the delicious Italian buffet dinner
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- Long-time Chamber members Ann and Jerry Durgerian
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- Podley Properties brokers Katie Orth (l) and Judy Webb-Martin (r) with the honorees
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- Joe chats with fellow Kiwanian David Pedroza from Gem Plumbing
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- Mayor Nancy Walsh presents certificate to the Pergolas
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- Board member Susan Henderson presents a plaque from the Chamber
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- As the evening ended, Ken Anhalt helped wife Shirley on with her coat. Say good night, everyone.
