A pair of ‘Senior Champions’ were honored Monday, thanked for their many contributions to the City of South Pasadena by an organization that regularly recognizes those constantly giving back and making a major impact in their Golden Years.
Receiving Senior Champion Awards from the Senior Citizens’ Foundation of South Pasadena were Anita Scott and Glen Duncan as part of an evening ceremony at the local Senior Center.
Without fail, Scott can be counted on each year to lend a hand by working long hours on South Pasadena’s float that rolls down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard in the annual Rose Parade. She spends countless hours under a giant work tent behind the War Memorial Building in the 400 block of Fair Oaks Avenue, contributing heavily each year to the city’s entry.
‘Seas the Day,’ South Pasadena’s newest float will roll down Colorado Boulevard on January 1, 2025 as part of the 136th Rose Parade. And, of course, with Scott’s hands-on experience, the city has walked off with its share of awards for its flower masterpieces over the years.
Since 2010, Scott has spent long days, making a dedicated commitment to contributing to the float’s success as part of the decoration team. She has also supported other local charities in town, most notably the South Pasadena Community Garden.
Last January, on New Year’s Day ahead of the most recent parade, South Pasadena walked off with the prestigious Founder Award for its “Boogie Fever” float. A year earlier, the city garnered the Bob Hope Humor Award for “Spark of Imagination,” and in 2022 the Founder Award was earned again, this time for “Sky’s the Limit.” Working diligently on all of them was Scott, taking pride in knowing she played a small part, but key role, in its positive outcome.
Duncan, somewhat of an expert when it comes to historic Route 66, especially in California, is the author of a book on one of the country’s original highways. As a past president of the California Historical Route 66 Association, which later merged with the Route 66 Foundation, he’s poured much of his life into the breathtaking roadway. His book is titled: “Route 66 in California.”
Duncan, who has also devoted much of his time to the South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission, is a past president of the Oneonta Club, once worked for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) as a consultant to Michael Cacciotti, a current South Pasadena city councilmember, now serving as SCAQMD’s vice chair.
In addition, he has been apart of the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation and was a “freeway fighter” in the days when the 710 Freeway extension threatened coming through the city.
The group has traditionally participated in South Pasadena’s Festival of Balloons’ Parade on the Fourth of July, Duncan among those taking the half-mile walk along Mission Street showing opposition to the long-fought thoroughfare.
For three years now, the Senior Citizen Foundation of South Pasadena board has selected senior candidates who are residents, volunteer-driven, and dedicated community supporters.
The South Pasadena Chinese-American Club, Athens Services, Civic leader Mary Urquhart, Councilmember Janet Braun, realtor Kevin Boreland, Jones Coffee Roasters, and Robert and Grace Kwan were among those who helped sponsor the event.
