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 President s Notes by Jeanne Ferrell Treasurer's Notes by Deanna Turton November 2011 On a recent camping, fishing and relaxing trip with Bob and Mary Jones, Bob loaned me a copy of Outdoor Photography. This was to help me with a newly expressed interest in learning something about my husband Chuck s new camera. In the magazine, I found a column by DeWitt Jones, a former National Geographic photographer. It was inspiring! I felt it did not only apply to photography, but to life and to how we treat the people around us. According to Jones, we should celebrate what is right in the world family, country and friends seeing, celebrating, capturing and sharing beauty. So, at the start of the Holiday Season, we salute and celebrate all the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Volunteers and BOOT Volunteers for the beauty you bring to the lives of the visitors to Old Town. Keep Celebrating P.S. I did end up taking over 350 pictures of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, the fishermen, the deer, the lakes, the dog and just about everything else. Thanksgiving Greetings! After six weeks of traveling and camping, it is time to get back in gear as your BOOT treasurer. But before I balance the month of September, pay the third quarter sales taxes, and enter all the data into the computer for September and October, I need to thank Bob Jones for writing checks and doing the banking while I was gone. Not only did he follow all of my instructions admirably, he worked up a balance sheet for the month of September...something that I surely did not expect! So, I know the BOOT accounts were in good hands while I was gone...something that surely eased my mind along the way. Thanks again, Bob, for a job well done! BOOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Jeanne Ferrell (619) Vice President: Gary Turton (619) Secretary: Zulema Franco Treasurer: Deanna Turton (619) BOOT Store: Mary Jones Membership: Shirlee Rodriguez Historian: Bob Wohl Restoration Spec: Chuck Ferrell Web Master: Bob Jones Poppy Paper Ruth French (858) Editor: poppypapereditor@gmail.com Board Members: Mary Ellen Young Tom Young Cindy Furlong BOOT Website: Park Website: pg. 1

2 by Bob Jones Historic locations in California continue to be of interest to visitors from across the world. During a recent vacation, visits to Bodie and Manzanar found both crowded and rewarding. While California Historic Parks provide a brief glimpse into the past, they are in serious jeopardy with limited budgets, staff cutbacks and some closures. Bodie s location is remote, at the end of a dusty, dirt road in the High Sierras (pictured above). Many of the tales from Bodie are retold in brochures available in the museum. Walking down the streets, looking in the windows and following the self-guided tour booklet brings to life the historic past. Manzanar National Historic Site Another very interesting historic location in the Owens Valley is Manzanar, which is now a National Historic Site documenting the relocation of individuals of Japanese descent during World War II. The artifacts, displays, video and auto tour are well worth a stop on US 395, North of Lone Pine. This is not a spot you can see in a few minutes! The hushed tones of visitors suggest strong emotional responses. As I left this park, I wondered how much we have really moved forward in our ability to live and respect others. The question remains unanswered. There are numerous historic sites in the United States that evoke strong emotions. For some, it is the passion for history. For others it is a link to their ancestor s lives, an understanding that the past has an influence on the present, or a passion for treasures that need to be preserved. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a local treasure. Descendants of the first families, San Diegans and visitors from around the world have come to the Park for many years. As BOOT members, volunteers, concessionaires, staff and visitors, we must strive to keep Old Town San Diego a shining reminder of how important San Diego was, and still is in California s colorful history. What is your passion for Old Town, and how does it drive you to help preserve the history here? What can we, as Boosters of Old Town, do to enhance all visitors experiences as they come to enjoy the park? pg. 2

3 By Edward Garcia On September 24th and 25th the Californios de San Diego renewed an old tradition by representing Old Town San Diego State Historic Park at Harbor Days in Chula Vista. The tall ship Californian and steam yacht Medea docked at the Chula Vista Marina, while guests enjoyed free tours of these historic vessels. The Maritime Museum presented maritime displays, while pirates joined the Californios group in welcoming visitors. The tall ship Californian was built at Spanish Landing in San Diego Bay and was launched in May It is a full-scale recreation of the 1848 vintage Revenue Cutter Lawrence, a government patrol ship that was the precursor of today s Coast Guard cutters. Twelve Californio Living History volunteers and one member of the Rendezvous group participated during the weekend celebration. Along with distributing Old Town San Diego State Historic Park volunteer information, the Californios de San Diego entertained the crowd by discussing the cattle industry in 1830s San Diego, and playing the Cattle Branding game invented by Pat Seitas. The Centennial Harbor Days Extravaganza also included a classic car show, Ballet Folklorico, and an art show. Pictured: Jim Bolin, Alfred Viruegas and Joe Vasquez on the Californian (above) Pat Seitas with her Branding Game (lower left) Alfred Viruegas demonstrating the use of the saddle and reata (lower right) pg. 3

4 OLD TOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETINGS Nov. 7, 4:00 pm Casa Guadalajara Chamber Design Committee, headed by Diane Powers, Community Comprehensive Signage Program. Conceptual drawings of signs for the Old Town Community will be presented. Nov. 11, 3:00 pm Café Coyote Chamber Promotions Committee, chaired by David Thorton, Old Town Trolley. Nov. 16, 8:30 am Padre Trails Inn Chamber Meeting Dec. 14 Community Christmas Party (around 5:30 pm, location TO BE ANNOUNCED) No General Chamber meeting in December COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL EVENTS pg. 4

5 November 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday See Page 7 for a detailed list of Guild Information Dia de los Muertos For more info: facebook.com/diadelosmuertosotsd 6 7 Garden Group Veterans Day am-3pm Descendants Committee Meeting 14 Garden Group 15 10am-12pm Crafting District Conference Room 16 1pm BOOT Board Mtg. Café Coyote am Crafting/ Sewing Committee 19 10am-12pm VIP Mtg. McCoy House Garden Group Thanksgiving am-3pm Wreath/Bough Making Rob-Rose Patio 10am-3pm Museum Decorating 10am-3pm Finishing and Cleanup of Decorations Garden Group NOTICE: Due to the Veterans Day holiday, the Craft Committee will meet on November 18 at 9am. COMING IN DECEMBER: 4 th Battle Day, 10 am to 3:30 pm at San Pasqual Battle Field State Historic Park 10 th Holiday in the Park in Old Town Plaza Time: TBD (craft making, all guilds are encouraged to participate) 11 th Holiday in the Park, Las Posadas No VIP Meeting in December! pg. 5

6 THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS! pg. 6

7 MEMBERSHIP NEWS by Shirlee Rodriguez Welcome to new BOOT members, Dave and Terri Browne, and Barbara Rosner. We also welcome Racine and Laramie, Cygnet Theatre, and Fiesta de Reyes to our growing list of Corporate Members. Thank You to Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) and to Jack Cannon for your continued support through your membership renewal. LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMS Every Wednesday and Saturday Every Wednesday-Quilt Guild at 1 pm to 3:30 pm at La Casa de Estudillo Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday-Blacksmith Shop Most Saturdays-Carpentry Guild at 11 pm to 4 pm at the Wood Shop 1 st Saturday-Printer s Guild at 10 am to 1 pm at the San Diego Union 2 nd Saturday-Californios at 1 pm to 4 pm at the Machado y Silvas 3 rd Saturday-Quilt Guild at 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the La Casa de Estudillo 3 rd Saturday-Fiber Arts at 12 pm to 4 pm at various locations 3 rd Saturday-Mormon Battalion at 10 am to 4 pm in Plaza 4 th Saturday-Soap Maker s Guild and Rendezvous Guild at 10 am to 4 pm, next to Blacksmith Shop Every Monday-Garden committee meets at various gardens. Questions? Please call Joe Vasquez at From the Editor s Desk With the end of 2011 rapidly approaching, I would like to thank all of the regular contributors to the monthly editions of The Poppy Paper. When I took on the role of editor back in August of 2008, I was working in Old Town and had day-to-day contact with BOOT Board members, volunteers, staff and concessionaires. It was relatively easy to gather articles and photographs and to bug people to get something written. However, since I ve now been away from the Park for over two years, the gathering process is not so easy, despite the speed and efficiency of communication. In addition, my teaching assignments have increased dramatically this year. So, needless to say, I m finding myself spending far too many evenings and/or weekends working on The Poppy Paper, when I should be enjoying quality time with family and friends. In order for me to continue getting the Paper published on time, I MUST MOVE THE POPPY PAPER SUBMISSION DEADLINE UP BY 5 DAYS TO THE 20 TH OF EACH MONTH. Please make a note. I will continue to bug everybody just a few days earlier from now on!!! Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Reading! Ruth French poppypapereditor@gmail.com pg. 7

8 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! $ Single Supporting Member $ Family (2 or more individuals) $ Senior (62+ years)/student Single $ Senior Couple (62+ years $ Life Member (62+ years) MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION I am also interested in volunteer opportunities, please contact me! $ Corporate Membership (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper and on our website for one month) $ Enhanced Corporate Membership* (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper and on our website for 12 months) NAME(S) ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE I belong to the following group(s): Docent Military Descendants Californios Make your check out to BOOT and mail to: BOOT Membership Committee, 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego, CA pg. 8