Recognition to a Great Lady: Arcadia’s Beloved Floretta Lauber

Many Arcadians know Floretta Lauber as the FIRST female Mayor of the City; others recognize her as the great “Social Editor” for the Beacon Media News Corporation. However, Floretta wears another hat-a local historian who wishes to preserve and share Arcadia’s great history! At the recent Arcadia City Council Meeting, Floretta was honored with the “Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Award.”
Presenter was Santa Anita Chapter Regent, Mary Ann Williams. Mrs. Williams explained that the award was designed “to recognize worthy local individuals in all areas of historic preservation-buildings, landmarks, statues, cemeteries and memorials!KThe recipient is expected to contribute in an outstanding volunteer manner!K Floretta Lauber has certainly fulfilled this obligation!K her forward thinking, fundraising skills, and tireless energy have made the Gilb Historical Museum Education Center a reality!K a hall for visiting speakers, classrooms for children’s field trips and arts and crafts!Ka multitude of education opportunities.”
City Clerk Gene Glasco, also President of the Arcadia Historical Society presented Floretta with a beautiful plant in recognition of her “Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Award.”
Not long ago, ground was broken for this Museum Education Center. This project was Floretta’s dream, and she has worked tirelessly to bring it to fruition. Residents of Arcadia should be proud of their first female Mayor and grateful for her vision of an Education Center at the Gilb Historical Museum.
At the Arcadia City Council Meeting, there also was a Presentation of gift certificates to City Staff from the Arcadia Chinese Association in appreciation of service. I would also like to “put in a plug” for this wonderful group. They made a much-needed donation to the friends of the Live Oak Library-the small library in the county area. During my twenty=five years of teaching I always used the Live Oak Library! Thank you to the Arcadia Chinese Association!
Other business at the Meeting included discussion on a Conditional Use permit, # CUP 13-12 for an existing religious facility and the use of a 2400 square tent for outdoor activities at 2607 Santa Anita Avenue.
This building is the Arcadia Congregational Church, and the “tent” is actually a “pavilion” with chandeliers. A resident whose home backs to the pavilion spoke of the unbearable noise when there are functions. The Pastor then spoke; a decibel meter has been placed to monitor the noise and she promised to “pull the plug” if the DJ/Live Band does not abide by the limits.
I followed the concerned resident and Pastor out of the meeting. They were friendly and cordial to each other. It was gratifying to see two adults work out a problem in such a matter. Arcadia certainly joins Monrovia and Duarte as “My Kind of City”.

Story by Joan Schmidt

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