THE POPPY PAPER Official Monthly Publication of the Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park A Non-Profit Organization August 2013 By Connie Rascon-Gunther President, Descendants of Early San Diego (DESD) Descendants Weekend was awesome! Many thanks to all of you who made Descendants Weekend a success. We are very thankful for your support and generosity. The three day event received great reviews from our members, supporters and businesses. Our new Descendants board started the year by better understanding the current state of the business, our programs, members and partners. We developed a charter for the descendants with a Vision, Mission, Core Beliefs, and Operating Principles, now posted on the California State Parks website (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26285). We are finalizing the Bylaws and Operating Plan. In the past 30 years our membership has dwindled down to around 300 members. This year s programs increased events, and we added a Friends of Descendants group. This will create an atmosphere and venue where descendants of different age groups, and Friends of Descendants; historians, archeologists, city, state and park volunteers, concessionaires and non-profit partners could network with descendants, discuss our families and enjoy our common interests. This was our first Descendants Weekend in San Diego, and we plan to continue our events. Continued on page 5 Our volunteer dance group, Los Bailadores provided entertainment at the June 30th Descendants Presidio Picnic. Pictured above (l-r): Lucy Thorpe, Wayne Ellsworth, Deanna Turton, Gary Turton, Barbara Reilly, Rodney Henderson. BOOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Jeanne Ferrell (619) 543-9057 Vice President: Gary Turton (619) 222-0047 Secretary: Linda Jacobo Treasurer: Deanna Turton (619) 222-0047 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) 583-1269 poppypapereditor@gmail.com BOOT Website: http://boostersofoldtown.com/ Park Website: www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego pg. 1
President s Notes by Jeanne Ferrell The Descendants Weekend was wonderful! The three day event was so well organized, thanks to Linda Jacobo, Connie Gunther and many others for their hard work. The family displays were inspirational. I could have spent hours just looking and reading. When we walked into the registration area, I was happy to see the Machado Quilt on display, with Park Aide Frances McMeeken providing information about the Quilt Guild and its activities. And, it was so good to see our friends, long-time descendant organizers, Marsha Snelling and Georgia Callian. The July BOOT Board Meeting was honored to have Park Aide Edward Garcia, Volunteer Coordinator Becky Green, and Walter Ritter from Write Out Loud as guests. Edward and Becky were there to talk about Fiestas Patrias. Walter talked to us about the upcoming TwainFest and their need for volunteers (see below). They need people to staff literary games, assist performers and sell raffle tickets. They have jobs that don t include period attire, for those of you who do not have such. Even if you cannot be there on the 17 th of August, there are things you can do: sew frogs, bake cookies and other important things. If interested, please contact Jim & Kathy McNairnie, twainfestvolunteer@gmail.com, 619-297-8953. If you want to volunteer for any of the events this summer in the Park, contact Becky Green, Volunteer Coordinator, Becky.Green@parks.ca.gov, 619-251-3447. Descendants of Early San Diego Family History Workshops Upcoming workshops for you to work on your family history are scheduled for: August 24 and November 23 10:30 am 3:30 pm McCoy House Museum Research books and materials will be available. Lunch in the Park, or pack a lunch. Hope to see you there! For more information: Georgia Callian (619) 463-0407 Geocal1769@gmail.com pg. 2
Treasurer's Notes by Deanna Turton June was definitely a good month for BOOT, for after all bills were paid, we came out $17,578.25 ahead. You may be asking, How on earth did that happen? Well, in addition to the BOOT Store doing very well, BOOT was also the recipient of two large checks: one for $10,000 from Trophy Properties as part of the Golf Tournament donation commitment; the other from Mr. Chuck Ross from the Old Town San Diego Family Hospitality Corporation. This latter check was given to BOOT to enhance Stagecoach Days events during the summer. Many thanks to Chuck, who is also on the BOOT Board of Directors, for this generous gift! Other good news this month is that the store did very well with $1636.75 in craft sales alone. For all the ladies who sew and make crafts, a very BIG THANK YOU! In addition, new storekeeper, Dolly Wilson, has designed three new products which are now on the store shelves. Perhaps the only aspect of bad news is the daily average in the donation boxes of $41.97 - which is not representative of the summer months at all. Regarding donations, a nasty thing happened last month on July 15 the donation box in La Casa de Estudillo was stolen! The thief not only took the plexiglass container, but also the iron framework and security chain. This was surely some aggressive thief! It will cost BOOT well over $100.00 for Gary Turton to make a new one...not to mention the loss of the donations which were in the box! On the other side of the ledger, expenses were mainly in replacing store inventory [$3642.71] and the Descendants' Day startup costs [$331.71]. In addition to these large expenses, there were eleven spending categories under $300. Next month the expenses will be larger because we will be entering the "event" period of the summer months, so do not expect such glorious numbers in the July report. And finally, the second quarter sales taxes are paid. This quarter I wrote a check for $1038.00, which is the highest ever - a sure sign that the store is doing well! BASKETRY GUILD By Becky Green, Volunteer Coordinator Do you know about our newly formed Basketry Guild? Leading the guild is Park Aide Rita Conaty who is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and a great teacher. She is always so patient with beginners and has a wonderful way with children! Volunteer Alice Epault has joined Rita, and the two of them demonstrate basket weaving on the 1st Wednesday of every month from 1-4pm in various locations in the Park. Rita described for me what she hopes to accomplish with her group... "In the 19th century, baskets were an integral component of every household. Unlike today, there were limited options for storage. Basket making was a necessary skill for most people. The Basketry Guild of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park hopes to bring to life historic methods, skills and materials to park visitors. This will include the significant role of native plants and their versatility in providing useful containers. The beauty of this craft is that it crosses cultural lines and gender." If you are interested in learning, supporting, or joining the Basketry Guild, please contact Rita at rcconaty@aol.com. pg. 3
New Supervising Ranger Selected! Congratulations to Chris Lozano on being selected as the Supervising Ranger for the Historic Sector - Old Town San Diego & San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Parks. The Historic Sector has many projects, programs, stakeholders, enforcement, and complexities of resources. Therefore, Chris was on loan from the North Sector for the past nine months. We appreciate the opportunity that was provided, at times leaving other parks in North County short staffed. Chris has a BA from Fullerton in Political Science, many years with State Parks, and has attended training in Intellectual Property, Partnership Skill Building, Black Powder, Cultural Resource Interpretation, Volunteer Management, and Skills for Interpreting to Children. He will be the day to day visitor services supervisor and take on many responsibilities for park operations. He has a balanced mix of generalist Ranger skills, public safety ability, and leadership. He has been doing a great job in an interim role, and is a good fit with the community, concessions, volunteers, and other staff. Please welcome Chris and assist him in any way possible in carrying out the Department s Strategic Action Plan, policies, improvements, and programs. Park Aide Jana Kelsey My name is Jana Cenek Kelsey. I was born in the Czech Republic in 1982 and I do speak Czech. I first came to San Diego in 1987. I received a Bachelor of Art degree in History with a minor in Anthropology from San Diego State University. While at SDSU, I was an officer of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society. During the summer of 2010, I completed an internship at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Richard Dennison Historic & Silver Strand Superintendent San Diego Coast District I feel very lucky to work at Old Town. I ve been able to work with so many wonderful people who truly are what make the park so amazing. From leading school tours to special events like Stagecoach Days, every day is different and exciting. One of my favorite ways of interpreting San Diego history is through living history cooking demonstrations. I use each ingredient to describe a part of the park s history and the transition from Spanish Presidio to American settlement. I also really enjoy leading school tours; and I fondly remember attending the 4 th grade program at Old Town when I was little. I often tell people who visit the park that I have the best job in the world, while seeing each day as a new adventure. pg. 4
Descendants Weekend (continued from page 1) RECAP OF EVENTS Cosmo Happy Social Hour - June 28th, networking and social hour at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant & Hotel (formerly Casa De Bandini). Special guest was Michael Connolly Mickwish, educator, business person and Kumeyaay American Native Book Author. 31 st Annual Descendants Luncheon - June 29th, our speakers were: Peter Steelquist, Past President of the San Diego Genealogical Society lectured on genealogy research and resources; Richard Carrico, Professor, Department of American Indian Studies, San Diego State University introduced the Presidio burials, the fascinating history on Presidio Hill. Entertainment was provided by the Mariachi Divinas, a women s Mariachi band. Descendants attended from Texas, Los Angeles, Orange County and locally. Among those present were Alexa Clausen (she started the group 31 years ago), past presidents, past board members and many others. We raffled prizes, and everyone had a good time. Our new board members: Connie Rascon-Gunther (President), Dr. Leonor Perez (Co-Vice Chair & Treasurer) and Linda Jacobo (Secretary) attended the events. Stan Rodriguez (Vice Chair) was unable to attend this event. Presidio Picnic - June 30th, families gathered in the bowl, tracked up to the Serra Museum and toured the former excavation site. Speakers, Sean Cardenas (Presidio Park Council Chair), Myra Hermann (Senior City Planner/Archeologist) and Abel Silvas (Descendant/Entertainer/Presidio Park Council Rep.) delighted us with exhibits and a tour. Thank you for your support! We plan to continue the Social Hour gatherings, at least once a quarter at different locations. We would like your suggestions on potential topics and locations. E-mail me at connie.m.gunther@gmail.com. See you in Old Town! Connie Rascon Gunther (Savin and Cota Family Descendant) President, Descendants of Early San Diego (DESD) Taste of the Past August 31, 2013, 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park proudly presents A Taste of the Past. The event focuses on the foods of early San Diego during the mid-1800s and how they reflected the many cultural influences of that time. Demonstrations of various historical food preparations will be taking place in the Plaza. A Dutch Oven Cook Off will be held in Seeley Yard, behind the Cosmopolitan Hotel. In addition, there will be a Tasting of Old Town Tour, featuring historically based foods from a number of the food purveyors in the park. Tickets for the Tasting Tour can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets, or on the day of the event at the Robinson Rose Visitor Center. Because of the limited number of tickets, we recommend you purchase tickets in advance. Proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to refurbish the food preparation and cooking exhibits at the Machado y Silvas Museum. For additional information: www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego or 619-220-5422 pg. 5
Snip and Clip the Old Town Native Plant Landscape Saturday, August 10, 2013, 1:00-3:00 pm We'll trim shrubs with other like-minded volunteer neatniks. August is still early enough in the year so the plants can form buds to burst into bloom when the rains arrive between October 2013 and June 2014. 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 deergrass and narrow-leaf milkweed continue to thrive under our care, so perhaps by next summer we can harvest some and learn how to craft objects with their slender stems and tubular blades. The Landscape is at the far west end of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, at the corner of Taylor and Congress Streets, opposite the Trolley/Train/Bus station. Come by trolley, bus or train. If you drive, park for free in the shady lot at CalTrans across Taylor Street. Enter the CalTrans lot at Taylor and Juan Street, park and walk to the corner of Taylor and Congress to enter by the adobe sign. Have sun protection and bring bottled water, gloves and hand tools - especially pruners - if you have any. If not we have tools to share. Kay Stewart, 619-234-2668, kaytaff@sbcglobal.net EDUCATIONAL TOURS REPORT By Graham Kirkham, Senior Park Aide I am pleased to report that the EDUCATIONAL TOURS we have done for the past nine months have been a SMASHING success. Beginning with the Waldorf School group on the 10 th of October, and finishing on July 10 th with a visit from Encinitas Country Day, we have welcomed 4,764 students of all ages to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. These figures do not include the off-site visits we did to places like Old Poway Park History Day. Our success was due to the great teamwork between the park aides, volunteers, interpreters, and Casey and his team at Wells Fargo. During the year we lost key members to other duties within the district, but new park aides stepped up and are now valued members of the team. We have achieved this with no marketing it has all been due to repeat business, word of mouth and our web site. We have accommodated every age from 1 st grade to senior groups; we even get special requests for certain guides specialized subjects. The popularity and diversity of our tours has inspired many of the school children to bring their parents to our special events, or just for a day out in the park. This demonstrates what can be achieved by dedicated and motivated team players. Saying all this I still believe we are only scratching the surface of what we could do, given the opportunity to expand the program. Our next great challenge will be the logistical problems of the new program to bring 4 th graders back to the park. However, I am sure that with the proper planning and involvement from all of you, we can continue to provide quality programs. So a BIG THANKS to everybody who participated this past year. If anybody would like to join our team, please contact us: Becky.Green@parks.ca.gov, 619-251-3447 OR Graham.Kirkham@parks.ca.gov, 619-220-5422 pg. 6
Recipes From the Garden By Jana Kelsey, Sr. Park Aide With summer upon us, the weather is getting warm and gardens are in bloom. A question that I am often asked when in the park is, What kind of gardens did people have during the Spanish and Mexican periods in San Diego? Captain Francisco Ruiz, Commandant of the Presidio, planted the first recorded garden around 1821 in Old Town below the Presidio Hill (currently Presidio Golf Course). According to Benjamin Hayes, it was mainly an orchard consisting of pear, olive, pomegranate and fig trees. Trees were arranged in neat rows behind the adobe. Another garden in Old Town during the Spanish period was planted by the last Commandant of the Presidio, José María Estudillo. An avid and knowledgeable gardener, José María planted olive and peach trees, as well as citron, mint, borage, rue and medicinal herbs. Today there are several lovely gardens, maintained by volunteers and staff, in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. They are located behind the Robinson-Rose Building, inside the walls of La Casa de Estudillo, behind the Commercial Restaurant, and inside the fences of the Machado y Stewart casa. (Don t forget the native plant garden!!!) Then, as now many cultures coexisted in Old Town. In fact, for a short time the Commercial Restaurant (Machado y Silvas casa) was operated by a German couple. With all that fresh fruit available, perhaps they served this Open German Tart. Here s the recipe: Half a pound of flour, quarter of a pound butter, quarter of a pound of sugar, and one egg, to be rolled out and baked on a flat surface, having first covered the top with slices of fresh fruit. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice and sugar. A round shape looks best, with a little rim of the paste round the edge. Ref: Civil War Recipes; Recipes from the pages of Godey s Lady s book, Lily May Spaulding and John Spaulding Pg192 Old Town Interpretive Garden Beds-Design Concept, Victor Walsh, 2004 Our Generous Blacksmith by Deanna Turton One day last month, a lady walked into the BOOT store and asked if the blacksmith might make her a set of crucifixion nails for her Sunday school class. Storekeeper Dolly Wilson forwarded the message on to Deanna Turton. Deanna called blacksmith Todd Caffo and left a message that same evening. The result was most surprising and generous on Todd's part! First of all, he had already made a set of crucifixion nails for a National Geographic special on the method of crucifixion, so this was not his first time at the task. Todd says he was even featured in the film!!! So, making another set of crucifixion nails was quite easy for Todd. He immediately called the lady and told her he would make her a set of nails free of charge! What a kind and generous blacksmith we have in Old Town. Not only does he entertain park visitors, but he does so with a great degree of expertise and humor. We are SO lucky to have you with us, Todd! pg. 7
From the Editor s Desk My apologies for this edition being a few days late. I have good reason for my tardiness A reception for the new California State Parks Director, Major General Anthony L. Jackson, USMC (Ret), was hosted by Chuck Ross at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant on the last day of July. It was such a nice event that I did not want to wait a whole month to tell Poppy Paper readers about it! Community members, concessionaires, staff, local political officials, and BOOT members joined together to meet General Jackson and his wife, Susan, and to discuss our shared vision for the future of State Parks. Thank You, General Jackson for your heartfelt and inspirational message! During the reception we were delighted to honor Tom and Mary Ellen Young with Honorary Lifetime Memberships in BOOT for their many years of volunteer service in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. State Assemblymember Toni Atkins, San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts and City Councilmember Todd Gloria offered further accolades and bestowed honorary gifts on Tom and Mary Ellen. In fact, the date of July 31, 2013 was officially declared as TOM AND MARY ELLEN YOUNG DAY in the City and County of San Diego!!! Thank you, Chuck Ross, for hosting a fabulous reception! Hopefully, next month we will be able to share more about the reception. But deadlines are deadlines I m out of room, and today IS the 1 st of August!!! So, off to the printers I go!!! Ruth French - poppypapereditor@gmail.com General and Mrs. Jackson (standing) Mr. & Mrs. Young (seated) Letter to the Editor A GEM AT OLD TOWN: While many people pay lip service to their appreciation of the volunteers, one person puts that appreciation into practice. [Volunteer Coordinator] Becky Green is one of only two people who, in our 22 years at Old Town, have personally demonstrated how appreciation can be shown. As one example, during the Saturday, July 20 event, Women of the West, while Los Bailadores dance group was performing in front of La Casa de Estudillo, Becky walked across the Plaza carrying bottles of water for the dancers. We were genuinely surprised and so pleased at this expression of concern for our welfare. That was only one of several ways Becky has shown her appreciation for the volunteers. She often comes to our venue, showing her interest in what we do. Her creating a committee to explore ways to honor the volunteers is a first at Old Town. Becky helps us to feel that what we do is not in vain. We don't know from where she came or how this management found her; but we wholeheartedly affirm that she is a superb addition to the staff, and we hope she remains with Old Town for a long time. Harry and June Goldenberg Membership News A big thanks goes out to those who renewed or joined BOOT last month. Our membership is growing!!! Annual Membership Renewals Helen V. Humphreys Angel Hayes Nunez-Perez Family Jean Musgrove George & Ruth French Nelly Philipps Kenneth & Beatriz Sayles New or Returning Members Celeste Montalvo Marsha Snelling Lifetime Memberships Nancy Ames-Smith Alice Nodes Vicki Rawlins We appreciate your support OUR MEMBERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! pg. 8
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
BOOSTERS OF OLD TOWN San Diego State Historic Park 4002 Wallace Street San Diego, CA 92110 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 $ 20.00 Single Supporting Member $ 50.00 Corporate Membership* $ 35.00 Family (2 or more individuals) (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper $ 15.00 Senior (62+ years)/student Single and on our website for one month) $ 25.00 Senior Couple (62+ years) $125.00 Enhanced Corporate Membership* $150.00 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 E-MAIL 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 92110 pg. 10