The Valley Line: Kudos to workers of award-winning ‘To the Rescue’
It has been a week since the new year has begun and so far, so good — I hope it continues that way.
I was thrilled to see that our float, “To the Rescue,” was anointed with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses’ Founders Trophy before its journey down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day. Really, who could resist the smile on the face of that adorable purple octopus? I thought the silver leaf placement on the shark’s body was so expertly done and very sleek — quite a beautiful work of art.
Just an hour or so before our float was to depart from under its LCF roost I took my Santa Barbara twin sister Elaine and her husband Larry to see it. I snagged Clyde Hemphill, who was overseeing the site, to fill me in on some of the float details. He told me that the winds and frigid temperatures of the night before did wreck havoc.
Elaine and Larry, of course, were in awe of what all of the float volunteers had accomplished. They were especially fascinated by the orange fish that had been created with slices of persimmons. Who would have guessed!
Congratulations all of you “floaters” and decorating volunteers, who must still be peeling glue from your fingers. You did a magnificent job. I tip a hat to LCF Tournament of Roses president Bill Pounders for guiding “To the Rescue” through wind-tossed seas to victory!
The organization’s “Happy Hour” of 2014 was held at the under the bridge site on the night after Christmas. This is always a popular event as supporters of our local Rose Parade float bring assorted hors d’oeuvres to share. Everyone was bundled up to ward off the very cold weather that certainly was not the usual for mild California.
The mood of the crowd was very upbeat and filled with great expectations for our float. It turned out they were right about their assessment that “To the Rescue” was sure to be a winner!
Among those float viewing were: Samaris Ferrer, Vonny Dickie, Diane and Stu Williams, Leticia Gonzalez, Katie Burnes, Janet and Fran Sturns, Dena Hardin, Lucy Esterly, Herman Simpson, Virgie McCann, Candyce and Rynell Binzley, Teri and Fergus Byrne, Rose Linda and Ricardo Gonzalez, Bobbie and Clyde Hemphill, Sarah and Mayfield Marshall, Pat and Otis Hutchins, Harriett and Chuck Hughes, Dave Moffett, Lorie MacKenzie, David Granish, Julie Cameron and Sue Beatty.
More float enthusiasts included Ann and Bob Neilson, Peggy Hotaling, Mike and Kris O’Connor, Jennifer O’Conner, Anne Hills, Jim Boreham, John and Diane Landrum, Nancy and Mike Leininger, Joel Peterson, Doris Patterson, Rosemary Hook, Barbara and Jack Dawson, Pam Wiedenbeck, Nancy Wyman, John Burrows, Eremita Miranda and Larry Andreason.
JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.