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In this 2023 season of gratitude, South Pasadenans have a great deal to be thankful for. As we continue to recover from a global pandemic, the financial and emotional repercussions of which are still acutely felt, we find comfort in our families, our friends, and our community. There is no doubt that we are forever changed, having learned new ways of working, of being together and living our lives with more intention and certainly more gratitude. As we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas, new beginnings are all around us.
So whether you are heading out to a restaurant, having a hybrid Zoom get-together, a local “Friendsgiving”, traveling to be with family, cozying up in a blanket to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – reveling in longstanding traditions or forging brand new ones – may we all take a moment to remember all that we do have. I am reminded of something Ernest Hemingway once said – “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.”
Wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving of your choosing.
Some South Pasadenans were asked what they are thankful for today. Here is what they had to say:
“I’m grateful for the many blessings in my life – Family and friends, meaningful work, the blessings of freedom and safety in our community. During my term as council member, and this year as mayor, I’ve grown to appreciate even more the dedication, professionalism, and giving spirit of our city team members.”
South Pasadena Mayor Jon Primuth
“This fall, I am grateful for the ability to gather with some of the people I hold dear. I can be in touch with others that I am not able to see face to face. These connections remind me that near, or far, the thread of familial continuity remains. Our South Pas village has been keeping me and mine afloat with kindness and support for a lot of years and we are thankful that we have our friends here to rely upon as well. Nothing beats returning to our home town.”
PTA Council President 2023-24, Saida Staudenmaier
“I am grateful to watch the excitement and wonder of a new world through the enchanting eyes of my two-year-old granddaughter in Hawaii, the only person who could drop Vin Scully to No. 2 on the hit parade. The downside to a quick 2023 postseason exit and no World Series was her stern Facetime message: “Grandpa … the Dodgers lost … we’re not coming!””
Mark Langill, Team Historian – Los Angeles Dodgers
“I am thankful for being given an opportunity to serve my city of South Pasadena as Mayor Pro Tem, in particular, my constituents in District 1. To the renters – so glad to support the successful “just cause ordinance”; to the residents whose property and peaceful enjoyment of life were disrupted by the pea fowl and were glad to have those pea fowl safely relocated to bird sanctuaries and to my other constituents whose problems I have not solved yet – the Westside Reservoir will be in the design phase for replacement; I am continuing to advocate solutions to hillside drainage problems and to our dilapidated streets and broken sidewalks. I have continued to advocate improvements to our electric power through collaboration and good relationship with Southern California Edison’s aExecutive Team; thankful for our hardworking Public Works crew who takes care of our water main breaks. Finally, I am thankful for my children and my family relatives whose love and support I could count on always.
Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving! In gratitude,”
South Pasadena Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Zniemer
“I am thankful for having water to drink, food to eat, sun on my skin, the people in my life who care about me and my family. I am thankful for today and the hope of a better tomorrow.”
SPHS PTSA President Rachel Fox
“I’m thankful for family (including the 4 legged members), good friends and smiles on faces of people I don’t know.”
Beverly Biber – The Women’s Club of South Pasadena
“I am thankful for my family, my 4 grandchildren and another one on the way, the community we live in and the many blessings God has bestowed on us all.
Thanksgiving is a time to slow down think about all we have to be thankful for, but more importantly to remember and help those in need. Happy Thanksgiving!”
Former South Pasadena Mayor, Bob Joe.
“I am thankful for Family, Friends and good health!”
South Pasadena Fire Chief Paul Riddle
“I am thankful for the people in my life, or the stranger on the street, who make the best instead of the worst of something that happens.”
Compass realtor, Chamber Ambassador Tracy Macrum
“As the world seems to get more and more unraveled, I’m truly grateful for my community here in South Pas.”
Singer/Songwriter and curator of Wine & Song, Brad Colerick
“I am grateful for everyone in our community for their contributions to South Pasadena which collectively make our city so amazing! I am also grateful to our service men and women who defend our country and freedoms every day.”
South Pasadena City Councilmember Janet Braun
“In 1969 we moved into our new/old house in South Pasadena. I am so grateful that we found this forever home to live in and raise our family. Little did we know at the time that our house and others in the neighborhood were architecturally significant and that we would become ardent preservationists. But, most important are the neighbors we have now and in the past, they are the best!”
Joanne Nuckols – South Pasadena Preservation Foundation board member and longtime 710 freeway fighter
“As our family comes together to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am humbled and inspired by the shared gratitude emanating from the South Pasadena community. The spirit of giving is the backbone of our city, as seen in the Holy Family Giving Bank’s recent food distribution, providing dinners and hope to many during these especially challenging times. There are many South Pasadena churches, organizations, and families flowing with abundant support for hundreds of people we may never get to know. The citywide spirit of caring for others remindes me of the power of community involvement and the importance of every voice.
As we count our blessings, I am horrified by the violence and suffering in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. Reports of a temporary truce offer a glimmer of hope for peace and the alleviation of suffering.
This Thanksgiving, I hold close my loved ones and extend whatever our family can share with those facing hardship and strife, both near and far. I am thankful for the unwavering support of our readership and the dedicated efforts of our fervent and talented South Pasadenan News staff. Your commitment to keeping our community informed and connected is more important than ever.
May this Thanksgiving revitalize connections, while celebrating tradition.”
- Steven Lawrence – publisher South Pasadenan – principal NexusPlex
