PASADENA MISSION TRIP UPDATE #4 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017
When we left the Rose Palace last night at the end of the
night shift there were a number of floats not finished. Dick Gast, the man in charge of the Petal
Pushers and the Lutheran Hour Float, wanted us to stay longer for the floats
had to be finished for judging early this morning. We could not do that since we had shuttles
waiting to return us to our hotel. We
were all ready to be finished for the day.
Dick had us scheduled to work in the Rosemont today because
their judging was not until this afternoon.
He wanted us to begin work at 7:00!
We could not report that early because it would have meant we would have
had no breakfast and too short of a night.
We told him we could be there at 8:15 instead and that was pushing
things since we have a long shuttle ride to get there.
We were told to expect to work a full shift because at the
Rosemont building they were far behind.
The float in the most trouble was Honda.
We had heard that since yesterday was New Year’s Eve as many as three
hundred volunteers decided not to show up to work as they had promised. Our team with our Midwest work ethic was to
be their salvation. Other years when we
were sent to this building to work on the last day, similar rumors were
floating around. In every case, we would
find they were not in need of workers and we would have little to do.
Today, we were told it would be different and were led to
believe the situation was critical. We
were told who to report to only to be told that everything was done once
again. Only cleaning was left and a few
of us did some of that. However, all was
not lost. It was relaxing and
informative for us to watch the floats come out of the building into the bright
California sunshine. The rain was gone
and that helped lift our spirits. Everyone enjoyed our time at this new location
for we were able to examine the floats as they come out of the building into
the bright sunshine and see the detail on each one. That was something we now understood very
well and could appreciate. The colors
were incredible in the bright sunlight as the floats were moved to the street
and readied for the parade tomorrow.
Ellie called the shuttle drivers to pick us up at 11:30 and
we went to plan B. We had them drive us
on Orange Grove Boulevard past were the parade begins, to see all the bleachers
and TV locations. Then we slowly drove
down Colorado Boulevard to see all the people beginning to stake out their
viewing territory for tomorrow. Windows
were being boarded up to keep the mob of people from pushing against them and
possibly breaking them. Tarps were being
laid down on the sidewalks and chairs being set into place. People were setting up shop to stay the night
to hold their territory. Tonight will be
a big party for miles along Colorado Boulevard.
People will be sleeping on the sidewalk in sleeping bags and on
cots. There will be grills set up and
music everywhere. It’s a new year and an
incredible event is planned for tomorrow.
We enjoyed seeing the preparations being made. We also were able to see our seating for the
parade tomorrow. Someone was setting
those chairs up as we drove past.
I should explain why the parade is on January 2nd
this year. Shortly after the famous Rose
Parade began, the rule was made that if the 1st was on Sunday, the
parade would be the next day. From what
we have learned, during one of the first parades, the sound of bands in the
parade caused horses to be spooked along the street. In those days they rode horses to church and
they were tied up along the street. The
ruling has not been changed. Who would
have guessed?
After our Pasadena tour we returned to our hotel area. We were dropped off at the In and Out Burger
restaurant, a big deal in California, and we had lunch. We more or less red shirted the place! Food was good but I don’t think many of us
know why they have such a great reputation although, service was great and the
staff was so friendly and courteous. That
may have something to do with it. After
we ate, we had a group photo taken in the parking lot and then returned to the
hotel.
At this writing we have resting time and a meeting at 7:00
tonight. Pastor Ernst will have a church
service at that time in our meeting room and we will get other announcements so
we are set for tomorrow. I believe we
will be leaving the hotel by shuttle at 6:15 so we arrive in Pasadena early and
can take our seats for the parade. Our
seats are normally three rows deep with the bottom row having their feet right
on Colorado Boulevard. We are excited to
be part of it all!
God Bless,
Lynn Menz – a resting Petal Pusher – one who had played in
the petals!
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