Friday, January 1, 2010

SMRFA WINS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE AWARD!!!

Congratulations to the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, whose float "California Girls" won for the Association its FIFTH CONSECUTIVE AWARD. This year's float won the Governor's Trophy, given for Best Depiction of Life in California. Way to go SMRFA!! Click above photo to see it larger. Click the following link to view video of the final judging of "California Girls." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcUkodxRPps Click here to see more photos of the final judging. Photo Copyright Bill Coburn, 2009
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2010 at 4:00 AM

    Hello Sierra Madre! I was born in the Sierra Madre Community Hospital in 1961, delivered by Dr. Johnson. Sadly, my Dad was killed while we were on a vacation back east and most of my remaining family moved away in 1969. One adult sister still lived in a cottage in the canyon for years and I was able to come back for visits and appreciate the lack of any significant visual change in my beloved hometown for many years including when I was able to drive myself there. My years growing up there were like a living version of the Andy Griffith show, only so much better. All gracious neighbors but not contrived or insincere. I almost feel guilty for having had the best of times there in my youth. I have been back many times and I truly wish that circumstances would allow me to return to live in this lovely small town. What a place to live your childhood! Most of you probably can't imagine the wonders that this small city held for me in those years. Hilly, uneven sidewalks and driveways, gravity and momentum, wagons, scooters and bicyles. Some with pneumatic tires! Walking to school, carrying my first lunchbox. The doughnut man who drove the streets like an ice cream vendor in his truck. You have a nickel? You got a glazed doughnut. Who delivers doughnuts anymore much less to anyone waving a coin? I have also forgotten the bakery name but I know who to ask. My older siblings still recall it all. The list just goes on. We walked downtown to the "Market Basket" grocery store and downtown theater. (I've forgotten the theaters name too... my siblings will remind me) But I still remember all the movies we saw there. The name of the downtown toystore is also gone from my memory but not the vast riches of toys I could ogle but would never own. The "noon whistle" as we called it, everyday at precisely 12:00 noon the air-raid(?) horn would sound for a few seconds, audible for miles it seemed. This was and still seems to be a community that is vastly different from the big city that is virtually right next door. The nationwide coverage of the fires had me worried for our town a couple of years ago. I really appreciate the community support you all offer one another through thick and thin and have so much respect for the volunteer float my hometown presents in the Rose Parade every year. I always watch for your entry. Please stay "small town" for the sake of the youngsters that still have the privilege of growing up there in this day and age. So far, from my perspective, this fine community has retained it's appeal without any snobbery. Do continue the good work and please know that is appreciated by more than just the citizens that still live there.

    Thank you from a Sierra Madre native who still appreciates the charm of this fine community.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2010 at 4:05 AM

    p.s. We lived on Grandview between Mountain Trail and Canon. I'll give you a nickel for the doughnut man if you can guess who I am.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2010 at 3:08 PM

    Not sure who you are, but I guarantee the doughnut man was the Helmes Bakery Man!!

    ReplyDelete

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