Community: Fundraiser stems from a storied collaboration
The partnership between the Burbank Historical Society and Story Tavern continues to make history as the tavern will sponsor its second annual fundraiser for the society beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
The date, July 8, is significant for two reasons. It is the date the city was incorporated as well as the day the pub opened last year. Story Tavern now occupies the historic building at 150 S. San Fernando Blvd., which once housed Story Hardware, owned by Burbank’s first mayor Thomas Story, at the time of the city’s incorporation in 1911.
An interesting fact is that the fire bell was installed over the hardware store’s entrance in the early days, and it would sound whenever there was a fire in town, said Sue Baldaseroni, president of the historical society.
When tavern owners were considering how to decorate the walls, the historical society came to the rescue, sharing copies of photographs in its vast collection stored in its museum files.
The museum, located next door to the Burbank Creative Arts Center, has a collection of vintage automobiles, exhibits featuring Lockheed, Warner Bros. and Walt Disney Co. and historical memorabilia donated by residents present and past, including actress Debbie Reynolds.
All proceeds from the admission will be donated to the Burbank Historical Society.
“The money goes to the operation and maintenance at the museum,” Baldaseroni said. “In the past, we were able to restore the 1923 Moreland Bus. Last year, we were able to pay for rebuilding the engine in the 1927 Moreland truck. Our air-conditioning unit is about ready to be replaced. We are all volunteers at the museum; no one is paid, so every penny we get goes to the museum.”
The Moreland bus was built in Burbank at the Moreland factory at San Fernando Boulevard and Alameda Avenue in 1923. The museum has a tool chest filled with all the tools that were used to build it, Baldaseroni said. The bus has been used in films such as “The Artist,” which won five Academy Awards in 2012, including Best Picture.
This fundraiser has two purposes, said Ted Slaught, the tavern’s general partner.
“Our goal is to not only raise money but also increase people’s awareness for the great cultural heritage that exists in the city of Burbank,” he said. “In addition to exhibiting some of the historical society’s photographs and memorabilia, we are always trying to make people aware of what the historical society is trying to do to promote awareness of the city’s history.”
The $25 admission covers food, two drink tickets, a silent auction and musical entertainment.
For tickets or to donate items for the silent auction, call (818) 841-6333 or (818) 298-8987. Free parking is available behind the building.
Adams couple celebrates 65 years
Wesley and Kay Adams celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 25.
They were married in 1948 at the Little Church of the Flowers in Glendale.
They are members of the Burbank Historical Society and the Burbank High School Senior Bulldogs. They have two children, Cindy and Sam, and a granddaughter, Mariah Adams.
Kay is a Burbank native and the entire family still lives in Burbank.
Still newlyweds 75 years later
Stephen Marchese, 94, and his wife, Rose, 93, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary hand in hand on June 15. They renewed their vows at the Church on the Way in Van Nuys and were toasted by 85 family members and friends during a reception at the church fellowship hall.
Burbank residents for 54 years, they often can be seen on Stephen’s new two-seater scooter, riding to the Hill Street Cafe for lunch.
They have known each other since they were children, living two doors away from each other in Batalia, N.Y., and were married there in 1940.
Stephen retired as superintendent of maintenance for American Savings Bank in 1981. Rose was busy raising their four children — Rosalie, Carole, Stephen and David. They have six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The secret to a long relationship is holding hands, Stephen said.
“You don’t sit across the room from each other,” he said. “When you watch TV, you sit next to each other and hold hands.”
Math teams have best showing yet
Math teams from Burbank’s elementary and middle schools had their best performances ever at the Math Field Day in April. Four of Burbank’s five math teams received a total of eight medals during the competition at Wilson Middle School in Glendale.
The annual math competition was organized by the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education unit in the Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services.
A total of 312 top math students from 26 school districts made up 78 teams that competed.
Muir Middle School math teacher Hope Forrestel led her sixth-grade team to earn three medals. Her team of Anika Maskara, Lakely Nealis, Julia Terrano and Louie Zekowski earned a bronze in “Problem Solving,” gold in “Conceptual Understanding” and silver in “Computational/Procedural Skills.”
Miller Elementary teacher Jim Czerwinski and Thomas Edison Elementary teacher Marichelle Matic led the fifth-grade team to earn two medals and the fourth-grade team to earn one medal.
The fifth-grade team of Siddharth Denduluri, Neha Ramakrishnan, Je Jun Kwon and Anna Tong earned gold in “Problem Solving” and bronze in “Computational/Procedural Skills.” The fourth-grade team of Maya Paster, Omar Orozco, Jhan Pogosyan and Rohith Saravaha earned a silver in “Problem Solving.”
Muir Middle School PTA volunteer Georgine Archer led the eighth-grade team to two medals. Students Margaret Renton, Francesca Mills, Sherryn Sim and Samir Malhotra earned a bronze in “Problem Solving” and silver in “Conceptual Understanding.”
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JOYCE RUDOLPH
can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.