THE POPPY PAPER. Celebrating the West on the Move 2018 By Gregg Giacopuzzi, State Park Interpreter I

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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 May 2018 Celebrating the West on the Move 2018 By Gregg Giacopuzzi, State Park Interpreter I In 2007 we celebrated the 150 th Anniversary of the arrival of the Overland Mail to San Diego. That single weekend event has evolved into a summer full of living history activities focusing on the West on the Move. On Saturdays in July and August, visitors from around the world have an opportunity to experience a bit of 1800s San Diego. With funding provided by the Boosters of Old Town (BOOT), Old Town Family Hospitality Corporation, Wells Fargo, and the County of San Diego, we hope to continue to provide quality interpretive programming this summer and strive to bring additional outside interpretative groups into the events. Grab a spinning wheel, a hammer, or your dancing shoes and join us. Watch for Tim Downing s in the next three weeks, outlining the many opportunities volunteers will have to become involved this summer. If you have any questions about the events or how to participate, please contact Tim Downing or Gregg Giacopuzzi at the park office ( ). Schedule of Stagecoach Days Events Dates Event Times Location July 4 th July 4 th Celebration 11:00am 4:00pm Plaza July 7 th Games and Amusements 12:00pm 4:00pm Plaza July 14 th Soldiers and Citizens 12:00pm 4:00pm Plaza July 28 rd Women of the West 12:00pm 4:00pm Plaza August 4 th Trades that Shaped the West 12:00pm 4:00pm Plaza August 11 th Days of the Vaqueros 12:00pm 4:00pm Plaza August 18 th Twainfest 11:00am 5:00pm Plaza We want to extend a very special thank you to the Boosters of Old Town for their financial support, as well as for obtaining the San Diego County Grant. pg. 1

2 Treasurer's Notes By Deanna Turton March was difficult for our family because in mid March we had to say good-bye to our wonderful dog Sergeant. He had stopped eating, and tests showed he was on the verge of kidney failure and also had a cancerous tumor in his liver. Everyone in Old Town knew him, as he often came with us when we worked in the garden and he was always there for Blessing of the Animals. Folks would even greet him before they would say Hello to us!!! After three days of off and on tears, Gary said, Let's go look at the shelter! So, we did and that afternoon we came home with a playful two-year-old German Shepherd. As it turns out, she is NOT two years old, but more like months, as she acts very much like a young puppy. But at 55 pounds, she is no puppy! At the shelter she was named Clover, which we did not think was a proper name for a dog of her stature. So, on the way up Highway 5 from the Bonita Shelter, Gary renamed her Victoria. It has been a month now that she has been with us; and we are pleased to say she is learning the rules of the house. She totally loves Gary and lays by the door when he goes on errands (pictured below). Now, on to the BOOT financial news for March. With $1, in black ink after all bills were paid, I guess we could say March was a good month! Unfortunately, the daily average in the donation boxes of $55.65 was less than last month, but still in the ballpark of our estimated figure of $55.00 a day. So, that is good news. BOOT also received a donation from NWB Environmental of $1,000 to assist in the development of the archeology exhibit in the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant. AND, when NWB joined BOOT, the firm also included a $300 donation in honor of Susan Hector, one of our BOOT Board Members. Many thanks to NWB for these generous donations. Other sources of income were: $5, The Park Store $ Period Attire Bank (sales) $ Archeology Tour (donations) $ Membership $ Fountain Coins $ Walking Tour (tips) $ Threads of the Past (donations) $ Guild sales And now onto the expenses over $300.00: $4, The Park Store (inventory replacement) $1, Board Insurance Plus 14 spending categories under or at $300. Currently, I have all of the math and supporting documents done for the Federal, State, Attorney General, and Annual Report. My goal is to copy it over and get it in the mail by the April BOOT Board Meeting. I find that after doing all the math and preparing the supporting documents, I have to take a break and clear my mind. With a deadline of May 15, there is plenty of time to get things done. Besides, Vikki and I are working on learning how to play fetch and stay, as she has already learned sit, shake, come, and down. Many thanks to Tim Downing for tips on teaching her to stop the play biting and walking calmly on a leash...well, maybe just calmer than she did a month ago! pg. 2

3 VOLUNTEERS IN THE PARK By Tim Downing, Volunteer Coordinator Old Town San Diego State Historic Park had our Volunteer Appreciation breakfast on Saturday, April 14, It was a nice informal morning in the Seeley Stable Theater. During the awards part of the breakfast, the Volunteer of the Year plaque was awarded to Steve Van Wormer, Blacksmith, who donated 745 hours in 2017! The Park awarded seven volunteers the California Poppy Awards this year. These volunteers may not always have the most amount of hours in a year, but many times they are the quiet volunteers who really helps bring the living history in their guilds to life, or maybe they help out behind the scenes in the Park. These volunteers and their guilds were: Nelda Harris, Gardener; Larry Edwards, Mountain Man; Patrick Rogers, Blacksmith; Kahla Oteo, YSCM; Sergia Catellanos, Gardener; Ginny Pence, Quilter; and Jeana Skinner, YCSM. The other awards given out were departmental awards from the Volunteer Coordinator. These were laseretched paperweights and were presented to the three families who have volunteered the most hours in the Park in Families helped to found Old Town San Diego, and the De Jauregui (The DJs), Reynolds and Rodgers families are continuing this tradition though their volunteerism. They gives up a lot of their free time to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, and they add great layer to the living history programs in which they participate. The Park visitors love seeing the families volunteering together. These families give the park what little free time they have between sports, school, church, theater, musicals, music lessons, jobs and just teenagers wanting to be teenagers! The dedication these families have for the California State Parks is amazing! It is wonderful to have the next generation of volunteers here in the Park! All of the staff here in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park would like to say thank you to all of the 198 volunteers for their time, passion and dedication. They help with more than 15 days of living history each month. If it were not for our fantastic volunteers, the Park s living history program would not be the success it is! Thank you for all you do for our Park! Note from Park Superintendent Richard Dennison: As mentioned at the Volunteer Appreciation breakfast, Old Town was founded by families, and it is great to see families continue to be part of sharing history and creating memories. Thank you to all who volunteered in 2017, giving of their time. Thank you, also, to Tim Downing for doing such a great job as Volunteer Coordinator, developing partnerships and caring relationships with so many people. Friday, May 4th through Sunday, May 6th, pg. 3

4 2018 VIP MEETINGS Dates/Times Location Focus Area May 12, 8:30-9:30 am Mc Coy Museum VIP Training: Take Home Messages for our Park Guests June 9, 8:30-9:30 am Mc Coy Museum VIP Training: Interacting with our Park Guests July and August Various Locations Stage Coach Days September 15, 8:30-9:30 am Mc Coy Museum VIP Training: Museums. What we need to know and what is excepted of us. October 13, 5:00-7:00 pm Seeley Yard VIP Meeting: Bonfire and Pot Luck November 10, 8:30-9:30 am Mc Coy Museum VIP Training: Living History and our Guilds December 1, 8:30-9:30 am McCoy VIP Meeting From the Editor s Desk Craft Committee News By Kim Baldwin On Friday April 13th the Craft Committee worked on July 4th and Stagecoach Days ribbons. Thank you to Kim Baldwin, Alice Epault, Zulema Franco, Becky Halliburton, Jobeth Hull, Mary Jones, and Deanna Turton. Becky and Kim s friend, Pat Morton, also helped out and shared the experience. Thank you for joining us! This month we welcomed a new Craft Committee mascot in Gary and Deanna's new family member German Shepherd Victoria. She is so adorable and friendly! Sincere condolences go out to BOOT Board Members Gary and Deanna Turton on the loss of their beloved dog Sergeant and congratulations on the arrival of their new pup. I had barely purchased a sympathy card for them when I learned that they had taken Victoria into their family. It s nice to hear that she is already becoming accustomed to the personalities and places in Old Town, as I believe that the Turtons spend as much time in Old Town as they do at home maybe more! A sincere apology goes out to Craft Committee member JoBeth Hull for my not correcting the misspelling of her last name in the April issue of The Poppy Paper (Volunteers in the Park article). I know JoBeth well, and I certainly know how to spell her name. My only excuse is a condition I call bleary-eyed syndrome after teaching 24 Kindergarten and 1 st Grade students every day! JoBeth is a retired elementary school teacher, so I KNOW she understands Starting with Cinco de Mayo next weekend, May is the kick-off month for a summer full of fun in Old Town. In June comes the Annual Descendants Weekend reunion and celebration. Then July through August will be jam-packed with living history activities during Stagecoach Days. There s no better place to spend a few hours, a whole day, or several days than in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park! Happy Reading! Ruth French, Editor, poppypapereditor@gmail.com (Deadline for submissions is the 20 th of each month for inclusion in the following month s issue.) pg. 4

5 Annual Descendants Luncheon Saturday, June 23, 2018 By Linda Jacobo The Descendants of Early San Diego will be celebrating their 36 th annual meeting this year on Saturday, June 23 at Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego. This yearly celebration of San Diego s early San Diego pioneers is a favorite gathering by their many descendants, both locally and from afar. In the past few years, the event has grown by leaps and bounds, creating a much-too-crowded atmosphere. This year we are moving the Descendant s Research Workshop, usually scheduled for the same day as the luncheon, to Sunday, June 24 at the McCoy House inside the Old Town State Historic Park. The date change will allow for more room, both at the luncheon and the workshop. Georgia Callian s popular family history workshop will be available from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. This is a great opportunity to research your local family roots with our extensive collection of books, brochures, documents and photos. If you haven t attended the event in the past, it s a wonderful opportunity to touch base with other descendants, and possibly meet new cousins. We share family stories, histories and great photos. You can attend one event or both!! Reservations are required for Saturday s luncheon, which tends to fill up early, so let us know soon if you are interested. your interest to EarlySanDiego@gmail.com we will send you details and registration forms. Boosters of Old Town, Descendants Committee San Diego State Historic Park 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego, CA Annual Descendants Weekend (clockwise from top left): Cota Family, Machado Family, Zamorano Family, Connie Gunther and Paul Chace pg. 5

6 Native Plant Landscape Work Party Saturday, May 12, 9:30 to Noon WE NEED YOU! It is seen by more visitors than any other native plant landscape in San Diego. A few die-hard members have tended it for ten years. We hope more CNPS members will come help us and bond with it. After we hit the noon hour, some of us will go for a no-host lunch. Please come help us grub out unwanted non-native pest plants. Bring water, sun protection, your own gloves and hand tools or share ours. The landscape is at the corner of Congress and Taylor Streets. Park for free in the lot off Calhoun Street, past the green dumpsters. Questions? Kay or Peter OldTownLandscape@cnpssd.org TwainFest Writing Contest Opportunity By Victor Contreras In continuing our association and partnership with the annual TwainFest celebration, the Descendants of Early San Diego are again sponsoring a writing contest. The goal is to create a library of short monologues from three to ten minutes in length in the voice of someone who actually lived in the San Diego Region during the 1800's. The piece should be historically accurate and include some information about the appropriate timeframe. A full guideline of the project is available and we welcome and encourage your participation. This is a great opportunity, especially for San Diego descendants, to submit a family related monologue script for consideration of a $100 prize. Winners will be announced at the annual Descendants luncheon on June 23, This year s TwainFest event will be held on Saturday, August 18 in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Winning submissions will be performed by paid actors at the TwainFest event. If you are interested in submitting a script, please EarlySanDiego@gmail.com for additional details and guidelines. Edited and submitted by Linda Jacobo MEMBERSHIP NEWS By Susan Hector Boosters of Old Town (BOOT) has a new corporate member, NWB Environmental Services. NWB is a cultural resources management firm that conducts regulatory compliance studies throughout California. Mr. Michael Taylor, President, also made two generous donations to benefit the Park. NWB donated $1,000 toward the proposed archaeology exhibit that will interpret artifacts found during scientific investigations of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Mr. Taylor also donated $300 as a gift to honor Dr. Susan Hector, who is one of our Board members and a local archaeologist. BOOT welcomes NWB to the family and thanks Mr. Taylor for his generosity. BOOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Jeanne Ferrell (619) Vice President: Gary Turton (619) Secretary: Linda Jacobo (619) Treasurer: Deanna Turton (619) BOOT Store: Mary Jones Historian/Grants: Bob Wohl Restoration Spec: Chuck Ferrell Web Master: Bob Jones Membership: Susan Hector Board Members: Cindy Furlong Becky Halliburton Tom Young Poppy Paper Editor: BOOT Website: Park Website: Ruth French poppypapereditor@gmail.com pg. 6

7 \\\\\\\\ THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS! Balboa Park Plaza th Ave., Ste. 210 San Diego, CA (619) mtaylor@nwbenvironmental.com pg. pg. 7

8 BOOSTERS OF OLD TOWN San Diego State Historic Park 4002 Wallace Street San Diego, CA **************************************************************************** Membership Application or Renewal $20.00 Senior (62 yrs. or older)/single Student $25.00 Single Supporting Member $30.00 Senior Couple (62 yrs. or older) $40.00 Family (2 or more individuals) $ Life Member (62 yrs. or older) $55.00 Corporate Basic Membership* (includes window decal and 1 month business card sized ad in The Poppy Paper) $ Corporate Enhanced Membership* (includes window decal and 1 year business card sized ad in The Poppy Paper) Donation Enclosed (Or Gift in Honor of: ) *Corporate applicants only: Please enclose a business card or logo for inclusion in The Poppy Paper. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE # TO USE A CHARGE CARD: VISA MasterCard Exp Date: Month Year M M Y Y Y Y Card Number: CSC/CVC: Three numbers Signature: pg. 8 Send to: BOOT Membership Committee, 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego, CA 92110