THE POPPY PAPER. Official Monthly Publication of the Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park A Non-Profit Organization.

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1 THE POPPY PAPER Official Monthly Publication of the Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park A Non-Profit Organization November 2013 Becky Halliburton and Kim Baldwin really deserve KUDOS for joining me on both days to set up, staff, and take down the booth. They each provided over 20 volunteer hours during the two day event, AND they spent additional hours packing, unpacking, and bookkeeping before and after the event. According to Kim, We made $ in donations and sold $ in merchandise Total $ When added to the BOOT Store sales, I m SURE it was a recordsetting weekend. (Deanna will let us know for sure in next month s Treasurer s Report.) Thank you, Becky and Kim, for going above and beyond to make that weekend a HUGE success!!! Additional support was provided by Linda Jacobo, Patt Seitas, and Sally Schofield. Thanks to all of these ladies for taking precious time away from their weekend to help us out at the BOOT Booth at this year s ArtFest. by Ruth French Thanks to BOOT President Jeanne Ferrell for getting a premier spot for our booth at this year s Art Festival on October 5 th and 6 th. We had the very first booth on San Diego Avenue, just adjacent to the main entrance to the Park. When visitors entered the event, we could not be missed!!! Because of record-setting heat, ice cold water was our biggest seller!!! Second to that were the Dia de Los Muertos craft items. We completely sold out of aprons, and had few potholders and coasters left at the end of the weekend. Those fun, colorful fabric prints with skulls and skeletons appealed to everyone! Besides selling BOOT Store craft items, we connected with many Old Town visitors sharing who we are and what we do as Boosters of Old Town. We added a bit of fun by using a spinner wheel to spin for a prize. Thanks again to Jeanne Ferrell for acquiring tickets and gift certificates from local vendors as giveaways! We all had a great time cheering for those who took a chance! BOOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Jeanne Ferrell (619) Vice President: Gary Turton (619) Secretary: Linda Jacobo Treasurer: Deanna Turton (619) BOOT Store: Mary Jones Historian: Bob Wohl Restoration Spec: Chuck Ferrell Web Master: Bob Jones Board Members: Mary Ellen Young Tom Young Cindy Furlong Chuck Ross Poppy Paper Editor: Ruth French (858) poppypapereditor@gmail.com BOOT Website: Park Website: pg. 1

2 From the Editor s Desk The winter holidays are quickly approaching. Right after Independence Day, the store shelves were loaded with fall décor Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year s items sometimes in the very next aisle!!! Unfortunately, we sometimes get so caught up in the rush between Halloween and Thanksgiving that we overlook the importance of Veterans Day (November 11 th ). Many of us are fortunate to have a paid day off; and sometimes we are a bit confused as to whether trash pickup or postal service will operate that day. But, many of us forget why it is a holiday in the first place On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. ( In subsequent years, World War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the U.S.; and in the early 1950s the American forces were again mobilized during the Korean War. By 1954, Congress changed the word "Armistice" to "Veterans," and November 11 became a day to honor ALL American veterans, where ever and whenever they had served. So, when you are enjoying the day off, the parades and the parties commemorating this holiday, please take time to remember and THANK those who we are honoring those who have fought for and who continue to serve in our armed services to keep our country FREE! Happy Veterans Day, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Reading! Ruth French - poppypapereditor@gmail.com Sunday, December 1, 2013, 10:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. (Flag Raising at 10:00 a.m. sharp) Battle Re-Enactments: 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido CA (1.5 Miles East of the Wild Animal Park on State Highway 78) California State Parks and the San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association proudly present Battle Day. This FREE event focuses on the interpretation and commemoration of the 1846 Battle of San Pasqual, the bloodiest battle fought in California during the U.S.-Mexican War. Battle Day is a rare opportunity to witness a battle re-enactment on grounds where the actual battle took place. Along with two battle re-enactments, other activities include: craft demonstrations, living history presentations, historic lectures, children s activities, and a military encampment. Free event parking located at the San Diego Archeology Center upper field. For More Information: pg. 2

3 Treasurer's Notes by Deanna Turton Well, it was a good thing I took a good book, my sewing machine, and extra food as Gary did not catch any fish again this year. However, Chuck Ferrell did catch three trout, which he was kind enough to share with the fish lovers in our group! We did see lots of deer, several does with their fawns, one stag, a bald eagle, a big bear, as well as a mother bear with two cubs. Although folks are not supposed to feed the wildlife, I could not resist the stag that stood by our open camper door, while I was cooking dinner. He was very happy to receive the apple that I cut up for him; and he allowed me to scratch his nose while he chewed. Guess you can tell I am really an animal lover!!! I guess I should also mention, some folks were not too happy with the furry creatures. One night, the bears broke into the campground's ice house where backpackers stored their trail food! The man, who was camping just across the pathway from us, had his new jeep broken into - the bear simply removed the plastic panel which was fastened with Velcro, and climbed into the car. Nothing was really damaged, but the bear did leave many muddy foot prints on the inside and outside of the jeep! So, the camper was kept busy the next day with his bottle of Windex!!! Our wonderful vacation also had some challenging moments for Gary and I - two damaged tires, a day of wet snow coming down for the better part of a day, a soaked sleeping bag and pillow from the melting snow leaking through our camper windows, high winds with cold temperatures, and last but not least the closures of the national parks. On the plus side, we had many happy times with Chuck and Jeanne Ferrell, Bob and Mary Jones, Jim and JoBeth Hull. We all toured Bodie State Historic Park, and visited a railroad museum, as well as, some great antique shops in Bishop. Since Gary and I left earlier than the rest of group, we also camped at Dinosaur National Park on the day before the parks closed, toured Jim Bridger's Fort, and visited the River Museum, which interprets the men who explored the Green, Colorado, and Yampa Rivers. During the cold windy days, I even managed to complete the Halloween costume I had promised our son. And one afternoon, Jeanne and I worked on decorating gourds for the BOOT Store. JoBeth sewed on the mini coasters for the BOOT Store the entire time she was relaxing - what a trooper she is!!! Since coming home last week, it seems like all I have been doing is counting money and doing BOOT financial business! On the income side of the ledger, the BOOT Store continues to do very well. Unfortunately the daily average in the donation boxes continues to be low for this time of year at $32.42 a day. The new Taste of Old Town event earned $1260, which will be earmarked for repairs to the Machado-Silvas Casa. Many thanks to Park Aide Jana Kelsey for organizing this event. On the expense side of the ledger, we spent $ Categories more than $300 were: BOOT Store inventory - $ , Stagecoach Days - $913.63, Fiestas Patrias -$ , Living History, and period attire purchases - $ In addition, there were fifteen other spending categories under $300. After all bills were paid, we spent $ more than we earned from all sources. POPPY PAPER DEADLINE: 20 th of each month (for the next month s issue) Park Staff and Volunteers: Please submit to your supervisor or lead person. All other submissions may be sent directly to poppypapereditor@gmail.com. Submissions that exceed 400 words are likely to be edited for length and clarity. Exceedingly longer articles may be divided and published in consecutive editions of the Paper. Inclusion of articles is on a space-available, first-come basis, and at the editor's discretion. pg. 3

4 My name is Vanessa Jones and I am a Senior Park Aide here at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. About eleven years ago, my husband Rich, and I left a wet and windy South Wales to live here in sunny San Diego. As you can imagine, traveling across the pond, leaving behind family and friends to start a new life here in California was quite scary. However, this was not our first adventure living abroad. In my early twenties, we moved to Zambia, in the middle of Africa, for Rich s work. We lived there for over three years and had an exciting time exploring the country and traveling to places like Victoria Falls, Malawi, South Africa and Luangwa Valley Game Park. Our next adventure was a move to Nigeria, where we lived for a year. From there we moved back to Wales for a few years; then to Belgium, where we lived in a small village near Brussels, and where our daughter Ceri was born. Just a few months after our arrival in San Diego, I was feeling bored, lonely and quite homesick. Luckily, Rich saw an ad asking for volunteers at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The ad asked, Do you like meeting people, love history and like dressing in period clothing? I was hooked! I made my way down to Old Town and completed the training course. I was a volunteer for about 6 months and then became a Park Aide. The things that I enjoy most about my job are taking visitors on walking tours of the Park and my period attire duties. But, most especially, I enjoy portraying Miss Mary Chase Walker, the first teacher at San Diego s Mason Street schoolhouse. A few years ago, I put together an interpretive program as a first-person portrayal of Miss Walker s work in San Diego. I had hoped to use the schoolhouse to present my program, but that was not possible at the time. Undeterred, during fair weather months I used the garden at the Estudillo; during winter the Seeley Stable theater, to present my program to the students that attended the Fourth Grade Program, Heritage Tours, and many other school groups. Most recently, the State has acquired the Mason Street school house, and it is now part of the State Historic Park. So now, at long last, I can use the original schoolhouse for my interpretive presentations and Miss Mary Chase Walker is back in her rightful place! pg. 4

5 HELP US DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Mark your calendars to help decorate the museums on November 25-27, Also, there will be a work day the previous week to spruce up old decorations. December 7, 2013 will be our annual Christmas Tree parade and caroling. All are invited dress for the holidays. For more information, please contact: Frances.McMeeken@parks.ca.gov, THANK YOU STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS! I would like to thank you all for participating in Fiestas Patrias. It was a rousing success. It is hard to believe that it took place [over] a month ago. Thank you again for all you do to promote and keep the Californio culture alive in Old Town! Edward W. Garcia Descendants of Early San Diego Family History Research Workshop Saturday, November 23, :30 am-3:30 pm McCoy House The end of the year is upon us, and this is the last opportunity of 2013 to research your family history through the Descendants Family History Workshop. Join us for an enjoyable day of delving through records and finding your ancestors. You may meet a new cousin or just may find that missing link. We will have a short class on correctly documenting your research. There will be help if you have questions regarding "next steps" in discovering your family history. We will have research books and materials available. For more information call: Georgia Callian (619) or geocal1769@gmail.com Lunch in the Park or pack a lunch Hope to see you there! Sponsored by Boosters of Old Town and the Descendants of Early San Diego. pg. 5

6 Casa de Estudillo By Karen Beery, Interpretation and Education Manager An adobe that has seen, and reflects, the changes that have occurred in Old Town San Diego over time, the Casa de Estudillo has been receiving some long needed attention to both the building and its exhibits. Work on the building has included repairs to the adobe walls, rebuilding the cupola, repairs to doors and windows, and redoing the lime plaster on the outside of the building There is still funding to do some additional work including upgrading the electrical. The exhibits that were created for the courtyard area last year are part of a larger project to refurbish all of the exhibits. The building was furnished in the 1970s by the San Diego Chapter of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The furnishings were to be representative of the family s wealth and that period of time. The people of San Diego, along with much of California, were still viewing the history of the state and especially San Diego, through the romantic lens created by Helen Hunt Jackson s book Ramona. Even as California State Parks and the Colonial Dames tried to move away from the building being Ramona s Marriage Place, at the reopening dedication in June of 1969 it was described as the casa grande of the grand don of all the Silver Dons of San Diego. After 40 years, it was time to revisit the history and attempt to make the museum more accessible and understandable to our current and future visitors. More research and scholarship have been done on that time in San Diego s history. Museum philosophy, principles, and practices have evolved. The exhibit team want people to understand the changes to the building over time and the people that were involved with its history once the home of a leading Californio family, a restoration done by one of the leading pioneers in historic preservation, a famous tourist destination, and then a highly visited museum in a state historic park. Before we began the process of evaluation and removal of inappropriate objects, the rooms were all photographed by a professional architectural photographer. Working with Bruce and Alana Coons, and with Terry Whitcom, Property Manager for the San Diego Chapter of The Colonial Dames, we have done an item by item assessment of the furnishings currently in the building to determine appropriateness. Removal of inappropriate pieces will begin in the next month. We will be taking a behind the scenes approach. In other words, the building will remain open, so people will be able to observe the entire process. pg. 6

7 View from the back of the building (garden side). Casa de Machado y Silvas by Richard Dennison, Park Superintendent The Machado-Silvas tile work is completed! This is one of the Park s most important buildings, representing early San Diego, Californios, and Descendants. As part of funding from the Department s Multi-Disciplinary Project, the tile floor in the public viewing area of the Machado- Silvas kitchen area was replaced. It was very worn after as much as 50+ years, causing an unsightly trip hazard condition. Staff did research to find a custom product to be manufactured to match, contractors demolished the old tile, laid a subsurface dry pack deck mud and stoop for the rear stair, and laid new tile. Thanks to Villa Stone, VSR Construction, Benton Construction, and C. Merino for their labor of love on the project! SEWING HELP NEEDED!!! View from the front of the building (Plaza side). The Craft Committee is looking for volunteers who like to sew. Currently, our products are flying off the shelves, and we are having a hard time keeping the BOOT Store stocked! No professional sewing skills are required we make aprons, coasters and potholders, as well as mini bags for our various products. We do take pride in the quality of our work, though so some skill is necessary. If you have some free time to join us on Craft Fridays (the second Friday of each month); 0R if you would like to work from home (we will provide the fabric and do the cutting.) Currently, JoBeth Hull does most of the cutting for us, as she fits things together, so we hardly waste anything!!! Please call Deanna at if you can help us. pg. 7

8 Planting Continues in Old Town Native Plant Landscape Saturday, November 9, 2013, 1:00-3:00 pm In October we dug in and watered container plants, and in November we will plant seeds. One of the seeds is Trifolium albopurpureum, Rancheria clover. This beautiful clover was very widespread when the Spanish arrived, and was an important human food. The cattle, sheep and goats of the Spanish quickly munched this tall, nutritious legume to the point of leaving mere traces of it scattered across the County. As a nitrogen fixing plant, with very pretty flowers on 12" stalks, we hope it will establish in Old Town. We will also rake in other useful native seeds in other places in the landscape. If you have a metal rake, please bring it! The Native Plant Landscape illustrates some of the many useful plants that were part of the Native American daily life before the arrival of Europeans in the late 1700's. Weavers' rush and deergrass continue to thrive, so a basketry workshop is on the distant horizon. Shaw's agave and narrowleaf milkweed are spreading and growing, too. Perhaps by next summer we can harvest some of each and learn how to craft twine from their fiber. The Landscape is at the far west end of Old Town State Historic Park, at the corner of Taylor and Congress Streets, opposite the trolley/train/bus station. If you come by public transit, just cross at the corner. If you drive, park for free in the shady CalTrans lot across Taylor Street from the Old Town Landscape: enter the lot at Taylor and Juan Street, park, then recross and walk toward the transit station. Turn left at the Olt Town State Historic Park adobe sign and look for us under the trees. Have sun protection and bring bottled water, gloves, and hand tools - especially hand pruners and rakes - if you have any. If not, we have some tools to share. Questions? contact Kay at fieldtrips@cnpssd.org JOIN BOOT TODAY AND CELEBRATE 150 YEARS OF CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS!!! A big thanks to the following individuals who supported BOOT in the past month New Members: Welcome to Daniel Goodman, our newest member who visited our booth at ArtFest Welcome Back Park Superintendent Richard Dennison! (We thought we lost you to Sacramento we are glad to have you back in San Diego as a BOOT Member!) 2014 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: Help us promote the educational, cultural and interpretive activities at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park by joining our non-profit organization, Boosters of Old Town (BOOT). Your minimal annual contribution helps provide financial support for the many programs that are enjoyed by our San Diego community and the guests who visit our Park. New and renewing members will receive a gift certificate for a commemorative gift, celebrating the 150 th Anniversary of California State Parks, as well as a serving of ice cream from Cold Stone in Old Town. (Thanks to Jeanne Ferrell for her generous annual commitment to supporting our membership with her gift of ice cream treats!!!) Current members will receive a renewal reminder in the mail. However, if you are not currently a member, an application is located on the back page of this publication. Don t miss this opportunity to join us AND to celebrate the 150 th Anniversary of California State Parks! We appreciate your support OUR MEMBERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! pg. 8

9 THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS! More Corporate Supporters of Boosters of Old Town (BOOT): Old Town Market Old Town Trolley Cosmopolitan Restaurant Write Out Loud Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) pg. 9

10 BOOSTERS OF OLD TOWN San Diego State Historic Park 4002 Wallace Street San Diego, CA NOTICE: If you have a friend who would like to learn more about San Diego History, enjoys meeting people, and likes to have a good time, give him/her this application form to fill out and send in. New members are always welcome. And, if you have forgotten to renew your membership it s never too late to send it in. We miss you! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION $ Single Supporting Member $ Corporate Membership* $ Family (2 or more individuals) (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper $ Senior (62+ years)/student Single and on our website for one month) $ Senior Couple (62+ years) $ Enhanced Corporate Membership* $ Life Member (62+ years) (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper and on our website for 12 months) *Corporate Applications Only: Please enclose a business card or corporate logo with your payment. NAME(S) ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE I belong to the following group(s): Docent Military Descendants Californios I am also interested in volunteer opportunities, please contact me! Make your check out to BOOT and mail to: BOOT Membership Committee, 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego, CA pg. 10