Mayor Pro Tem John Wuo with Carol Libby
On the recently declared Carol Libby Day on May 30, 2013, the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, presented a plaque with a Certificate of Appreciation to the honoree.
During a General Membership annual election of officers program by Chamber member Arcadia Historical Society attended by more than 90 members and others, Mayor Pro Tem John Wuo read a proclamation and then declared it Carol Libby Day in the City of Arcadia. It was part of a special “Hats Off to Carol Libby” tribute by the Society to the longtime former President and current Second VP, membership. Carol, an author and co-author of several books chronicling the history of Arcadia, has been the backbone of the Society and most of its most notable endeavors for many years.
Carol with Chamber of Commerce CEO Scott Hettrick. Photo by Annie Libby.
Society Historical Marker Committee chairman and Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick presented the plaque to Carol on behalf of the Chamber and President Arlynn Robinson of Century 21 Earll. Noting that the “Hats Off” tribute was appropriate since Carol wears so many hats with so many different organizations, Hettrick reminded Carol that the Chamber recognized her as Citizen of the Year 35 years ago in 1978. She has become an even better, more productive and more valuable citizen every year since then, he said.
Carol thanked the Chamber and other presenters, including Mayor Pro Tem Wuo, just one of several City Council members for whom she served as campaign manager, and read a clever and gracious poem about her pleasure in serving and working with so many organizations and people of the community.
Arboretum CEO Richard Schulhof
Current Society President Gene Glasco officiated at the event that also included a financial report by Society Treasurer and Chamber member Gil Stromsoe of Mark Shaefer Associates, and an update from Chamber board member Richard Schulhof, CEO of the Arboretum, about historical preservation efforts there.
In beautiful weather from the pleasant Oak Room patio just outside the Oak Room below the Arboretum library just south of the Peacock Cafe and west of the gift shop, Schulhof said plans and funding is underway to restore the lake in front of the Queen Anne Cottage to its former depth and beauty. He also noted the recent restoration of the beautiful Bauer fountain that was installed in 1963, and the ongoing advance work to restore the roof and the building often called the Hugo Reid adobe to a more stable structure that more closely reflects its primary use as half of Lucky Baldwin’s homestead for many years.
Attendees listen to guest speaker Emily Smith.
The Historical Society recently created a Historical Marker to showcase the Baldwin residence before it fell into disrepair.
Schulhof also praised the Society’s marker dedicated and placed near the Arboretum entrance in October 2012, which Schulhof said attracts many viewings from visitors and their comments of appreciation.
— By Scott Hettrick
