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Vintage Celebration: Aging in Place Like a Fine Wine

On a lovely autumn evening, more than 150 guests gathered at The Shakespeare Club for Pasadena Village’s annual fundraising celebration, this year called “Vintage! Aging in Place Like a Fine Wine.” The atmosphere was electric as people of all ages enjoyed good food, good wine and good conversations.

This year our celebration of aging paid tribute to Villager Monica Hubbard and supporters Lagerlof, LLC, for their contributions to the founding and growth of Pasadena Village, and for their extensive dedication to the philanthropic community in Pasadena and Altadena.

Monica has dedicated her life to sharing her love of music, supporting women and children, and building community in Altadena. Monica was recognized not only for her involvement in Pasadena Village, but for her extensive volunteer contributions to the greater community. To demonstrate the indelible impact she has made on this community, past president and board member Pat Dawe presented her with the President of the United States’s Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Service Award. As she accepted her certificate and Presidential Service pin from President Joe Biden, she shared the importance of the Village in her life and the many ways she is supported.

Her extensive volunteer contributions to our greater community include her current involvement with Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena; Young & Healthy; ACT; National Women’s Political Caucus Greater Pasadena Area; the Mt. Lowe Chamber Players; and the Advisory Committee for Dr. Phlunté Riddle’s campaign for State Assembly.  Incredibly, she has been a founding board member of almost a dozen organizations, among them the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus; Vox Femina LA; The Women’s Room at Friends in Deed; Foster Care Project; Mt. Lowe Chamber Players; and Pasadena Village.

Monica also created two women’s e-newsletters, Altadena Women’s Network and Wired Women, now combined into one weekly publication that provides information about activities and events of particular interest to women in Altadena and Pasadena. (Learn more and subscribe at www.mjhubbard.com/wiredwomen.)

Lagerlof, LLP is the largest law firm in Pasadena with over 100 years of history. Not only leaders in the legal field, the firm and their attorneys support an extensive array of charitable endeavors, including through Lagerlof Cares, their charitable extension. Partner Nick Everett has served on Pasadena Village Board of Directors for over five years and lends his expertise on estate planning, as well as his community connections, to help Pasadena Village grow and assist older adults plan well for their future. We are fortunate to receive such positive support.  In accepting their honors, Jon Primuth, partner and leader of Lagerlof's elder law practice group, shared a story of an older client who died in isolation in his home and encouraged all in attendance to reach beyond our neighbors and friends to seek out those who could benefit from the intentional community of Pasadena Village and reduce the negative effects of loneliness.

Another highlight of the evening was the Village Vintner artworks by artist Kären Bagnard, in the form of beautifully designed wine bottles with whimsical descriptions of individual Villagers as though they were fine wines. The bottles are now on display at the Village for a limited time before the owners take them home. Be sure to take a look at how some Villagers are described as wines.

In addition to a silent auction and array of fine wines in our wine pull, we enjoyed delectable food prepared by Delicia Catering, wines donated by Virginia and John Merriam and served by Party Host Helpers, and a lovely duo by Art Deco Entertainment.  

This event was a tremendous success in building community while garnering funds to support the Village.  Pasadena Village is grateful to our Vintage Celebration sponsors: Convalescent Aid Society, Huntington Health, Trust Properties USA, and Art Deco Entertainment who support Pasadena Village's mission to foster vital independent living. A heartfelt thanks is offered to all who participated and helped make this event a tremendous success in garnering funds to support the Village.