WE WERE HONORED TO BE THE COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHALS FOR THE 18TH ANNUAL PARADE!  IN THE STAGING AREA WE WERE ASSIGNED TO RIDE IN A 1965 MUSTANG OWNED BY DAVID ENRIQUEZ!  OUR GRANDDAUGHTER, HAILEY NOEL MCVEY, JOINED US.

Before the parade began, a VIP breakfast was held at the Ranchero Mexican Restaurant, thanks to Sandy Majia. Above, Alan and I are surrounded by the City Council.  Mayor Margaret Finlay presented us with a key to the City.  We were warned it doesn’t open anything! (L-R) Phil Reyes, Liz Reilly, John Fasana, Mayor Finlay, Alan and I, and Tzeitle Paras.

Above, our family comes out to support us.  Thanks family!

Above, Our esteemed Mayor Margaret Finlay with her grandchildren.

AS TRADITIONAL, THE PARADE WAS FOLLOWED BY THE ANNUAL CITY ANNIVERSARY PICNIC AT ROYAL OAKS PARK.

My BFF Kathy Kirchner serves as Alan’s twin!

 Duarte Woman’s Club members – always dedicated volunteers.

The Duarte Historical Society booth above.  We sold three current books: Images of America: Duarte; Duarte Chronicles,and Life on Route 66.

DONT FORGET NEXT WEEKEND:  October 5, 10-4 p.m. at WESTMINSTER GARDENS AT HUNTINGTON AND POPS ROAD, THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS!  ADMISSION IS FREE.

JOIN US FOR OUR ROUTE 66 POWER POINT PRESENTATION AT THE DUARTE LIBRARY, 1 P.M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1301 BUENA VISTA.  FREE.  BOTH BOOKS – LIFE ON ROUTE 66 AND DUARTE CHRONICLES – WILL BE ON SALE BY THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.

WHILE AT THE LIBRARY, SEE OUR ROUTE 66 EXHIBIT IN THE LIBRARY DISPLAY CASE – FEATURING PHOTOS, MEMORABILIA AND BOOKS.

JENNIE AVILA HAS IT COVERED!  SEE HER CUSTOM AND UNIQUE ROUTE 66 BLANKET COLLECTION AT THE DUARTE MUSEUM SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER.  THE MUSEUM IS OPEN SATURDAYS 1-4 AND THE FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS OF EACH MONTH 1-3.  ADMISSION IS FREE.  THE MUSEUM IS IN ENCANTO PARK.

JENNIE (BELOW) IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA ROUTE 66 ASSOCIATION AND CURATOR OF THE AZUSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

JOIN US FOR AN OVERNIGHT TRIP ON ROUTE 66 FROM DUARTE TO THE ARIZONA ROUTE 66 MINING TOWN OF OATMAN.  OCTOBER 23-24, 2013. FOR DETAILS CALL THE DUARTE SENIOR CENTER AT 357-3513.  FOLLOWING ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP. 

We’re going to get our kicks on Route 66!  Authors Alan & Claudia Heller will narrate along the way! Heading east on the Mother Road, our first stop will be at the Santa Fe Rail Station, Harvey House, Route 66 Museum and Railroad Museum in Barstow.  Here we can load up on maps and Mother Road memorabilia.  After a photo shoot in the nearby once bustling town of Daggett we will take I-40 to the Ludlow exit and then hop onto the Old Historic Route 66.  The Bagdad Café of movie fame will be our lunch stop where we can enjoy the food so coveted by travelers along the Route in its heyday.   A tour of the exciting and educational town of Goffs is next where we will see the renovated 1914 schoolhouse, and dozens of buildings from throughout the Mojave Desert, two stamp mills, desert mining equipment, and much more.  Our over-night stop will be the Avi Casino and Hotel on the lovely Colorado River.  Here you can stroll on the beach, swim in the pool, soak in the spa and maybe get lucky at the slots.

After breakfast the next morning, our trip’s highlight is only a short drive.  The old, dusty Route 66 town of Oatman is a sight to behold.  We will mosey down the main street accompanied by wandering burros who will bug you til you give them a carrot or two.  Headed home, we will reach the Route 66 town of Ludlow about lunchtime and then head back home with a stop at the Victorville Route 66 Museum.

WANT TO KNOW  MORE ABOUT THE HISTORIC 2-DAY TREK?  JOIN US AT THE SENIOR CENTER ON SEPTEMBER 26, 10 A.M. FOR A POWER POINT PROGRAM DETAILING THE SIGHTS WE WILL SEE ON OUR OVERNIGHT TRIP!  THIS PROGRAM IS EXPRESSLY CUSTOMED TO THE TRIP AND WILL BE A SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE HISTORIC ICONS ALONG THE ROAD!  HAVE YOU SEEN THE SHOE TREE?  THE BRA TREE?  THE WANDERING BURROS OF OATMAN? THE STAMP MILLS OF GOFFS? THIS TRIP WILL BE PACKED WITH EXCITEMENT.  THE SENIOR CENTER IS LOCATED  AT 1610 HUNTINGTON DRIVE.  ADMISSION IS FREE.

SEPTEMBER 28 IS DUARTE’S BIG DAY!  OUR SALUTE TO ROUTE 66 PARADE WILL START AT COTTER AND HUNTINGTON, 10 A.M. AND MARCH EAST TO MT. OLIVE.  FOLLOWING THE PARADE IS THE CITY’S ANNIVERSARY PICNIC AT ROYAL OAKS PARK.  WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE AS THE COMMUNITY GRAND MARSHALS SO GIVE US A WAVE WHEN WE PASS BY.

FOLLOWING THE PARADE, COME BY THE DUARTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM BOOTH AND SAY HI!

THE DUARTE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS, OCTOBER 5, 10-5, WESTMINSTER GARDENS, CORNER HUNTINGTON DRIVE AND SANTO DOMININGO.  OVER 50 AUTHORS (including us) WILL BE FEATURED ALONG WITH PANEL DISCUSSIONS, CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES, AND MUCH MORE!  ADMISSION IS FREE.  THIS IS ONE OF DUARTE’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENTS.  DON’T MISS IT!

THE NEXT DAY (October 6) WE WILL PRESENT OUR LIFE ON ROUTE 66 POWER POINT PROGRAM TO THE RIVERSIDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

SOUNDS LIKE A PRETTY BUSY SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL!