THE POPPY PAPER Official Monthly Publication of the Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park A Non-Profit Organization February 2012 by Gary and Deanna Turton Sometimes life gives us perfect days when everything seems to go right. The sun is shining, friends call at just the right time, and there is no traffic on the freeway when we are in a hurry. But, at other times we must face the challenge of saying goodbye to a loved one and dear friend. Long-time VIP and BOOT Member, Bill Thorpe has passed away, and the time has come to say goodbye to a dear friend of Old Town. Our sincere and heart-felt condolences go out to Bill s family during this difficult time. Bill and his wife Lucy joined us several years ago as folk dancers, and they became the leaders of our VIP/BOOT dance group, Los Bailadores. At our weekly practices, Bill always encouraged us to be as professional as possible, but always reminded us that we were portraying the townspeople of days gone by. So, if we made some mistakes surely San Diego s founding families did the same! With Bill and Lucy s guidance, the dancers developed a lengthy repertoire, performing at all Park events, as well as many off-site events like San Pasqual Battle Days, Laguna Arts Festival, and South Bay River Days. Throughout the whole process of teaching the steps and mannerisms of the dance, Bill was always smiling his wonderful joy-filled smile. He encouraged folks who had less experience, and he demonstrated endlessly for those who simply could never get the hang of the mazurka! Bill quickly wanted to have special period attire to reflect his persona of the character, Oso. To that end, he joined the Period Attire Committee and created a workbook to help others develop a persona and advance their knowledge of period attire. Continued on page 2 Bill Thorpe aka Oso BOOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Jeanne Ferrell (619) 543-9057 Vice President: Gary Turton (619) 222-0047 Secretary: Zulema Franco Treasurer: Deanna Turton (619) 222-0047 BOOT Store: Mary Jones Membership: Shirlee Rodriguez 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: boostersofoldtown.com/ Park Website: www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego pg. 1
A Time to Say Goodbye (continued from page 1) Modeling Period Attire in the Estudillo Garden Before retirement, Bill had a technical professional background working as a software engineer. When he discovered that BOOT needed a Webmaster, Bill applied his professional skills and volunteered for the job. With his characteristic zeal, he developed a site that featured online access to the Poppy Paper, photos of volunteers serving the public at Park events, and links to many valuable resources. Shortly thereafter, Bill and Lucy also became members of the BOOT Board of Directors, with Bill serving as Vice President. Looking back, those were surely perfect golden days! When Bill suffered a stroke a few years ago, everyone knew that he would soon be back dancing, because Lucy was there to care for him! Little by little, he regained his strength and returned to the Monday night practice sessions. Bill trusted his friends to understand and accept his frailties. He was forgiving when the ladies raised his effected arm too much during a twirl. And, even when his frailties prevented him from dancing, he continued to attend all practice sessions. He endured his final days with courage and kindness. Bill will always be remembered for his generous contributions as a member of the community of Volunteers and Boosters of Old Town. Throughout it all, Bill was our teacher, our friend, and our role model. His love for his wife, Lucy and for the dance was clear to everyone who saw them together their solo dances were pure magic! Although he taught us many lessons on the dance floor, Bill s greatest gifts to us were that of character strength and courage! He showed us what it is to be a good man! Little known facts about Bill Thorpe: Born in Colorado and moved to China Lake, CA as a youngster. One of the youngest Eagle Scouts in the nation, earning his Eagle rank at the age of 12. His fingerprinting merit badge work was so well done that it was sent to J. Edgar Hoover, who wrote Bill a letter of congratulations. Met Lucy at a folk dancing event in Balboa Park. As a software engineer for the federal government, he worked on the Apollo Moon Project. When the spacecraft returned to earth, it was melted down into coins for all the people who worked on the project. Lucy has the coin framed. Spent his career being sent all over the world to assist Navy ships with their software issues. For twenty-five years, Bill and Lucy had their own dance group called "The Pleasant Peasants. They performed in various venues in Big Bear, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Bill Thorpe Photos all courtesy of Gary Turton pg. 2
President s Notes by Jeanne Ferrell BOOT is going to have a busy year!!! At our January BOOT Board meeting, Gary Turton, who is in charge of the Machado- Stewart Projects, gave us estimates on most of the projects we have planned. He is working with Victor Walsh from the State Park District Office, and will get input from other Park staff. This is an exciting group of projects that will enhance the Stewart Adobe and adjacent property. There will be much for volunteers to do so stay tuned! We also heard from Chuck Ross and Mary Ellen Young on the progress of this year s California League of Park Associations (CALPA) Conference, a 4-day conference which will be held here in Old Town San Diego, May 16-20, 2012. The theme this year is Unchartered Water: Exploring the New Park World for a Sustainable Future. This will be a great conference: Work/Learning Sessions, Tours, Fun Sessions, Great Food, Networking, and much more. Please plan to attend!!! We want to thank the Park staff for supporting our efforts at the Machado-Stewart and with the CALPA Conference. It is an honor to be instrumental in the restoration of a valuable interpretive site AND to be able to host this conference. We are happy to show everyone why we love this Park! Best wishes to Madeleine Marietti for a speedy recovery after her recent stay in the hospital. Treasurer's Notes by Deanna Turton As mentioned in prior Poppy Paper articles, December is always a busy month because folks are trying to use up their allotted budget before the end of the year. This year was no exception because I wrote 42 checks during the month of December! It also comes as no surprise that BOOT spent $779.26 more than it earned. Besides the normal BOOT Store and donation income, we earned funds from the Holiday in the Park event sale of cookies, popcorn, and crafts - $102.59. Park aides and volunteers bought $304.54 worth of period attire from the period attire bank. Of course, that also meant that BOOT paid out a much bigger amount in period attire supplies and subsidies... On the expense side of the ledger: 4 th Quarter Sales Taxes - $771.00 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon - $1825.78 BOOT Store Inventory - $385.30 Craft Committee Supplies - $237.70 Descendants Day Workshops - $302.10 Holiday in the Park - $220.52 Living History Supplies - $749.70 Period Attire Subsidies/Supplies - $797.17 Since the middle of 2011, Park Aide Vanessa Jones has been diligently trying to get as many volunteers and park aides as possible to take advantage of their period subsidy. To that end, she has sold many garments, and then BOOT has paid back the $60 subsidy to the aides and volunteers. Hence, there is income, as well as expenses in the period attire bank category. All ten other spending categories were $200.00 or less. It should also be mentioned that the expenses for the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon were covered by a $2,000 grant from the California Park Foundation. This year, Joe Vasquez used up all of the allotted monies, but he overspent by 5 cents! I told him that was surely all right! BOOT can certainly afford and is more than happy to fund that sort of excess spending! pg. 3
Welcome to the Garden! The Garden Team would like to welcome Jim Hull to our volunteer team of gardeners. Jim was born and raised in Ontario, CA, and he is a San Diego State University graduate. Now that he is retired from IBM, he was asked if he would like to help us in the garden (as we found out that was one of his hobbies). Thankfully, he accepted our invitation, and he is now busily removing overgrown grass and plants from the Machado-Stewart garden. Jim also loves to fish and to cheer on his grandchildren in all the sports activities in which they participate. Like his cousin, Bob Jones, he is an avid SDSU Aztec fan! His wife, JoBeth, works in the BOOT Store and on the Craft Committee as a volunteer. Jim Hull, Volunteer Gardener Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Native Plant Garden The California Native Plant Society and its partners, Goth Volunteer Alliance and San Diego River Park Foundation gather every month, on the second Saturday, at 1:00 pm to plant native plants and remove weeds from the Old Town State Park California Native Plant Garden. The garden is located just north of the McCoy House Museum. There is usually parking in Lot F behind the McCoy House and the old Cal-Trans building, or in the parking lots at the new Cal-Trans building on Taylor St. at Juan St. Volunteers can also take the San Diego Trolley to Old Town, get off, cross Congress St. at Taylor/Rosecrans and enter the Park at the north entrance. There is water and bathrooms on site. Please bring gloves, a hat for shade, sunscreen and a hand-tool for weeding. We can offer community service credit to those eligible with paperwork. Children are welcome! This year's 1:00 pm events are Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12, Jun 9, Jul 14, Aug 11, Sep 8, Oct 13, Nov 10 (when we plant a lot of plants), and Dec 8 (we plant and have a potluck at a volunteer's nearby house). For More Information: Peter H. St.Clair, 619-260-1307, phstc@aol.com From the Editor s Desk I LOVE THIS when I have to find some space at the bottom of a page to SQUEEZE a few words in!!! That means that the Poppy Paper has plenty of contributors! And, that means I don t have to come up with something witty to say this month However, on a more serious note this issue is dedicated to our dear friend, Bill Thorpe. I personally have known Bill and his wife Lucy since 2002, when we met during our Volunteer Training classes. We ALL loved Bill for the many gifts that he brought to us in Old Town, and his presence will be dearly missed. Lucy, we hold you and your family in our hearts during this difficult time Happy Valentine s Day, Happy Presidents Day, and Happy Reading! Ruth French poppypapereditor@gmail.com pg. 4
February 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 Garden Group 7 8 9 10 9am Crafting/ Sewing Committee 11 12 13 Garden Group 14 ST. VALENTINE S DAY 15 1pm BOOT Board Mtg. Café Coyote 16 17 18 10am VIP Mtg. McCoy House 19 20 Garden Group Presidents Day POPPY PAPER Submission Deadline 26 27 Garden Group 21 22 23 24 25 Descendants Historical Workshop 11am 3pm McCoy Museum 28 29 GUILDS MEET ON THE FOLLOWING SATURDAYS: 1 st Blacksmiths 2 nd Californios, Blacksmiths 3 rd Fiber Arts 12:30-3:30, Quilt Guild 1-3:30, Mormon Battalion, Blacksmiths 4 th Soap Guild, Mountain Men, Blacksmiths PLEASE CONTACT YOUR GUILD LEAD PERSON(S) FOR INFORMATION ON MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS!! pg. 5
San Diego s Earliest African American Resident, Allen B. Light by Jana Kelsey, Park Aide In celebration of Black History Month, it is important to take a moment to examine the life of San Diego s earliest African American resident, Allen B. Light. Light was born in Philadelphia in 1805, and worked as a mariner on the Pilgrim, which arrived in Santa Barbara in 1835. He left his ship and joined George Nidever in search of hunting sea otters. Mexican law in 1830 prohibited foreigners from both hunting otters and participating in coastal trade in Alta California. By hunting under the license of Captain William Goodwin Dana, a Bostonian with Mexican citizenship, Light got around the law. In exchange, Captain Dana received half of his catch. In 1836, Light signed on as a mercenary soldier in Juan Bautista Alvarado's revolutionary army and marched on Los Angeles. By 1839, Light became a naturalized Mexican citizen. Governor Alvarado appointed Light to be the "principal arbiter of the National Armada, assigned to the branch of Otter Fishing." Light lived in an adobe which was also utilized as a grog house or saloon (aka Light-Freeman or San Diego House) next to the Casa de Machado, owned by Richard Freeman, also an African-American. Light hid his sailor protection and Mexican appointment papers in the wall of his neighbor's house, Casa de Machado y Silvas. Today the Allen Light papers are available for viewing at the San Diego Historical Society's Research Archives, and a copy can be viewed in the Machado y Silvas. Quilt Raffle! The Old Town Historic Quilt Guild has its eyes on a Civil War era sewing machine. Intrigued? Read on to learn about our projects and goals for 2012. In addition to previous quilts I told you about, the quilt guild is making a Challenge Quilt and a Sanitary Commission Quilt. We started our Sanitary Commission quilt last July 4th. The U.S. Sanitary Commission, precursor to the Red Cross, was established in the North during the Civil War, to prevent the death of soldiers from disease and injury. In 1863, the Sanitary Commission requested cot sized quilts for the soldiers. This amazing group of volunteers made an estimated 150,000 to 250,000 quilts, in addition to providing an abundance of other relief services. Did you know California s greatest contribution to the war effort was in raising more than $1,000,000 for the Sanitary Commission? This was more than a quarter of the total amount raised by the entire country. We have been asking visitors to sew blocks together and sign their names. The result is amazing; some left their name and some left heartwarming messages. We are in the process of sewing the blocks together and hand quilting the quilt. The Challenge Quilt is a project we are opening to all staff and volunteers. We are asking anyone interested to participate. The challenge is to make a 12.5 block using the challenge fabric, reproduction prints and a traditional pattern. When your block is completed and approved, it will become one of many to create a quilt. The quilt will then be hand quilted by the quilt guild. The quilt guild will sell tickets for two separate drawings; one for the Sanitary Commission Quilt and one for the Challenge Quilt. The money raised will go to equipment and supplies for the quilt guild including a Civil War era sewing machine! We are very excited about the many possibilities this new addition will bring to the interpretation in the Park. The Sanitary Commission quilt will be raffled off during festivities on July 4, 2012 and the Challenge Quilt will be raffled off on July 21, 2012 during Stagecoach Days. We will begin selling raffle tickets for both quilts at the end of March 2012. If you are interested in participating on the Challenge Quilt OR would like to buy raffle tickets for either quilt, please contact Frances McMeeken at fmcmeeken@parks.ca.gov. pg. 6
Help promote the Californio culture during the 1821-1848 time periods at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. See why over 35 volunteers have joined the Californios de San Diego group in making history come alive in Old Town. Who can join? Old Town Descendants, BOOT members, and Park volunteers. No experience is required. Just contact Camilo Marquez for information and Joe Vasquez in terms of volunteer requirements. We welcome other groups that play or dance to the early Californio music such as Los Bailadores dancing group. Californios de San Diego When and where does the Californio Living History Group meet? On the second Saturday of the month behind the Machado y Silvas adobe. What kind of activities can you do? Dancing, food preparation, cooking, craft demonstrations, gambling demonstrations, horse riding, playing games, playing music, and much more! Who are the lucky people who have joined? Laura-lee Bisbal, Nancy Kelleher and Patricia Law who make Cascarones (decorated empty egg shells filled with confetti) and paper flowers; Shirlee Rodriguez and Benita Gray who demonstrate how to play Monte (one of the most popular Californio card games); Chris Clark who plays period music with his guitar; Patt Seitas, the grinding corn specialist on the metate; Minnie Tafoya who makes salsa (better then Pace s picante sauce!); Pauline Marquez, Valeria Marquez, and Alex Marquez who enjoy playing period children s games; Camilo Marquez and Samuel Kelly who have mastered the art of grilling beef the traditional way; Maria Bolin and Blanca Garcia who love to demonstrate one of their favorite Californio dishes! You can help Abel Silvas, George Gray, Victor Contreras, Edward Garcia, Monica Rudy, Doug Zimmer, and Caryn Zimmer who serve as hospitality greeters; or ride with David La Torre and Alfred Viruegas vaquero style! I do not have period attire at the moment, can I still join? Of course you can. You can help behind the scenes like set-up and logistics. Jim Bolin, Ray Tafoya, Moses Moreno, and Doug Zimmer have helped behind the scenes. Please welcome our new members and guest who participated recently: Claudia Aguilera, Esperanza Aguilera, Marisol Aguilera, Janis Cantu, David Cibrarian, LJ Clark, Brenda Goodell, Darby Goodell, Gary McClintock and Arline Perez. If you are interested in joining this dynamic group contact Joe Vasquez at 619-952-3897. Our courtyard is filled with beautiful hand-painted pottery, red-clay pots, wind chimes, garden stakes and statuary, weathervanes, and many more items to decorate your yard or garden. Inside our spacious gift shop you ll find merchandise from exotic lands such as Peru, Mexico, El Salvador, Indonesia, and the United States. Crosses of all styles, beaded jewelry, ornaments, a large selection of Talavera pottery, sun faces, coasters, Day of the Dead items, nativities, and decorative tiles are available. Plus many, many more goodies, too lengthy to list! pg. 7
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS! u MEMBERSHIP NEWS Thanks you BOOT members for renewing your memberships: Winnie Adams David & Robin Lakin Jack Cannon Madeleine Marietti Pat Shook William & Susan Freeman Patsy Hannibal Gary & Deanna Turton Welcome to a NEW BOOT member: Bert Randlett AND, a big THANK YOU to Vera Showalter at El Centro Artesano for renewing her Corporate Membership. YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! pg. 8
Descendants of Old Town San Diego Plan an Interesting 2012 by Victor Contreras The Descendants Committee meetings are open to all Descendants and are held the second Saturday of odd numbered months at the Machado-Silvas Building. This is the guiding body for Descendant activities and ALL Descendants are given a voice in our process. Chairperson Victor Crosthwaite Contreras Vice Chairperson Corey Braun Secretary Elena Orozco Treasurer Benita Gray The Descendants of Old Town San Diego are busy enhancing activities this year. We are committed to four Historical Workshops, which are free and open to the general public, where we open up private libraries and personal resources. Descendant Georgia Callian coordinates our workshops, and other descendants are present to help people with research and to serve as resources. Workshops are scheduled from 11am-3pm on the second floor of the McCoy Building on February 25, *June 30, August 25, and November 3. (*June 30 is also the Descendants Day Luncheon, and the workshop will be held from 10am-12pm to complement other activities of the day.) The Annual Descendants Luncheon will most likely be held at a restaurant within the Park - details to be announced. Our guest speakers will be a panel on DNA testing, which will help identify ancestors migration, using four Descendants as examples. Other DNA testing options will be presented and made available to those attending the luncheon. Under the leadership of Elena Orozco, we continue to use the Machado-Silvas Building for a Descendants Sponsored Display, where we partner with several entities to provide displays that honor our past. In addition, we appreciate the assistance of Louis Cooper and Connie Gunther to upgrade our internet presence. We are currently developing short monologues of historical people from our region which will serve, not only to tell their story, but to reveal some aspect of life within our targeted time frame of 1821-1872. The presentations are both entertaining and educational. Presently, we are working on raising funds for Park and Outreach presentations. We hope to be able to present the Historical Interpretations, coupled with Q and A sessions or historical discussions, and to target local schools for presentations. We continue to update our mailing list. Please feel free to send updated Descendant information to: Elena Orozco, Descendant Committee Secretary Old Town San Diego State Park 4002 Wallace Street San Diego, CA 92110 RESEARCHERS AND DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS SMITH OF BAJA CALIFORNIA Important information has been discovered about the ancestry of the Thomas Smith family from Baja California. Harry Crosby, author of The Last of the Californios, Antigua California, plus several books about Alta and Baja California, said that research into his current book, The California of Xavier Aguilar, 1743-1821, has revealed that Aguilar had been very much involved with Thomas Smith, the elusive ancestor and founder of the Smith family in Baja California. This noteworthy discovery justified attempts to find as much Smith history as possible. Because the new information has created inconsistencies in Crosby s previous research, the author is planning to meet with Smith Family researchers and descendants on Saturday, February 18, 2012. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., in the Community Room of the Logan Heights Public Library at 567 South 28th Street, San Diego. There is no admission charge, and it is open to the public. Parking is available in front of the library, and on 29th Street off Ocean View Blvd., past the Logan Elementary School fence. For planning purposes, prospective attendees are asked to please contact Carole Salazar at chula.mcs@cox.net or (619) 460-3860; or Joaquin Gracida at jcg2002@gmail.com or (858) 205-5960. 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