pg. 1 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 [email protected]BOOT Website: http://boostersofoldtown.com/ Park Website: www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego Photo courtesy of Gary Turton THE POPPY PAPER August 2012 Official Monthly Publication of the Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park A Non-Profit Organization During a summer morning, on July 5th 1865, as the fog lifted from the San Diego Bay, Mary Chase Walker looked from the deck of the steamer at what was to be her new home. The sparse landscape was a world away from Massachusetts where she had been born. Already in her mid-thirties, she was not a young woman and, as the first school teacher in San Diego, she faced many challenges. The school was not ready when she arrived, and the children attended school irregularly. As time passed, she grew to love San Diego, the Spanish social life, the weddings, fiestas, the warm San Diego winters, and even the Mexican cuisine that she described as containing a sauce of tomatoes and chili peppers that would "bring tears to the most stony eyes.” She lived the rest of her life in San Diego, and was a fierce supporter of suffrage and charities for the poor. Today, Mary Chase Walker is again teaching the children of San Diego through the interpretive work of seasonal Park Aide Vanessa Jones. Vanessa has brought Miss Walker to life for the past three years. “Miss Walker” and many other characters are part of the living history programs offered through the Visitor Center. With the hard work of individuals like Vanessa, the stories and lives of the people of Old Town are brought to life. Thanks Vanessa!!! Submitted by Richard Dennison Senior Park Aide Vanessa Jones as Mary Chase Walker More about Mary Chase Walker: “Miss Walker taught for 11 months in the Mason Street School. She became the center of controversy when she invited a black woman to lunch at the Franklin House and some diners stormed out, while others stared with contempt. School enrollment plunged from 36 to 15 students. While supported by Robert D. Israel and Ephraim W. Morse, Walker resigned and later that year married Morse, who was president of the school board.” http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bio/walker/walker.htm
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THE POPPY PAPERboostersofoldtown.com/POPPYPAPERPRESENTPUBLICATION... · THE POPPY PAPER Official Monthly Publication of August 2012 the Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic
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I am pleased to say that June was definitely NOT one of "those" months, because BOOT showed a gain of $4287.00
in our checking account after all bills were paid. Although most of this income was from the BOOT Store, other
sources of income were also important.
BOOT rented out our new generator to the Cinco de Mayo folks for $175.00. Donations averaged $55.62, which is
almost exactly the figure we use to plan our annual budget. The Soap Guild turned in $75.00 in donations, as well as
several bars of soap for sale in the BOOT Store [thank you ladies]. Proceeds from Ladies Day included: $143.92 –
Donations, $255.00 - Garden Tea, $112.50 - Plant Sale, $79.25 – Crafts, and $20.00 - Hat Contest.
On the other side of the ledger, of course, are the expenses. Although 15 spending accounts were drawn on in the
month of June, only three were over $300: $606.37 - BOOT Store inventory replacement, $360.23 - Descendant
Luncheon guest speaker (as well as his lodging for one night), and $525.00 - Descendant Outreach Project for legal
fees and consultation.
BOOT has once again received a $2000 County grant to enhance Ladies Day and the July 4th events next year!
Thanks to Jeanne Ferrell for completing all the necessary paperwork, and to Bob Wohl for his professional
oral presentation to compete for the grant. At the same time, I was gathering financial data so that this year's
grant expenditures could be justified before the July 31 deadline. Although the reporting form is not too difficult,
one does have to make sure all the rules are followed and all the requirements are complete.
As a final note, next month will be one of "those months" because I recently wrote the second check for $10,000 in
BOOT's ongoing commitment to repair the Machado-Stewart area. BOOT has pledged $50,000 to this endeavor. At
the moment, the new horno is completed, the casa termited, the roof repaired and some wooden poles restored.
Many thanks to Park Historian Victor Walsh for working out all the specifications for this project.
In addition, Bob Jones, along with Jim Hull, Chuck Ferrell, and Gary Turton have moved the tool shed and
completely restored the outside. All that remains is making a new roof, and those materials were delivered this
week! Furthermore, at the July BOOT Board meeting, we approved an additional $10,000 to repair the Machado-
Stewart fence. Since the fence is in such bad condition, all vertical poles and horizontal poles will need to be
replaced, and the gate rebuilt. . Many thanks to Bob Jones for heading up this project, as well.
So, perhaps a word to the wise....make yourself a cup of tea and
sit down before reading next month's treasurer's report!!!
President’s Notes by Jeanne Ferrell
First of all, sorry I did not get an article into the Poppy Paper last month. I was in Nebraska watching the corn grow!
Actually, we were in an RV Park in Hastings, Nebraska…surrounded by cornfields. I went to help my sister, Mary,
with some family business. My advice, should you be contemplating a trip to the Midwest…DO NOT GO to
Nebraska during July or August…HOT-HOT-HOT and HUMID-HUMID- HUMID!!! I was so very happy to
come home to San Diego.
Back to business - Our July BOOT Board Meeting was busy. We enjoyed a presentation by Edward Garcia
concerning Vaquero Days. Janis Cantu and Joe Vasquez accompanied him. We were pleased to be able to approve
additional funding for their activities.
We also made plans with the Park to repair the fence around La Casa de Machado y Stewart. The entire fence
around the perimeter of that area needs repairing…so the future looks busy.
Warm regards to all. Hope to see you soon in the Park!
pg. 3
Laughter and music permeated the Park on the 4th of July, as the loud boom of the anvil firing announced the beginning of our historic Old Town celebration. Eager visitors kept busy, as they participated in the parade, historic cake walk, pie eating contest, games, anvil and cannon firing, and interactive dancing. Attendance records were set, as over 2,200 visitors were recorded at the Robinson-Rose Visitor’s Center and 2,500 at Seeley Stables.
The success of this year’s 4th of July celebration was due to the dedicated time and effort expended by over 100 Old Town volunteers, the Park administration and employees, and the support of Sprouts Farmers Market, Fandango Restaurant, Rust General Store, Cold Stone Creamery, Fiesta de Reyes, Wells Fargo and Old Town Concessionaires.
Special thanks to Boosters of Old Town for providing the funds, and to Jeanne Ferrell for obtaining a County grant to provide additional financial support. Amy Lew did a great job as assistant coordinator, and was responsible for obtaining the Patrick Henry High School Band, bringing music to the Park. As in past years, Joe Vasquez was there overseeing the festivities and keeping things going behind the scenes. It was a great day, and a great celebration in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!
by Shirlee Rodriguez
Photos courtesy of Bob Jones: Boosters of Old Town marching in the parade (upper left); wagon rides around the Plaza
(upper right); Gary Turton raising “Old Glory” (lower left); young visitor waiting patiently for the parade to begin (lower
center); visitors listening to the Patrick Henry High School Band on stage (lower right).
pg. 4
PARTICIPATE IN OUR SUMMER LIVING HISTORY PROGRAMS! By Gregg Giacopuzzi
Volunteers are needed to help staff a series of enhanced living history programs. Every Saturday during the months of July and August our focus is on “Stage Coach Days: Celebrating the West on the Move.”
We need your help demonstrating and interpreting 19th century crafts, trades, and skills; assisting with the set-up and take-down of the events; and serving as event greeters. A majority of the events will occur in the Plaza. The following are the focus for each of the dates:
Theme Date Time
Trades that Shaped the West August 4th 12-4
Vaquero Days August 11th 11-5
Twainfest August 18th 11-5
Soldiers and Citizens August 25th 12-4
Join us on any or all of the Saturdays. Call or e-mail me and let me know when you can come! Gregg Giacopuzzi (619) 921-2516 or [email protected]
OUR STORIES: EARLY SAN DIEGO COMES ALIVE by Victor Contreras
The project previously referred to as the Outreach Project, because by design it was developed to bring
people into Old Town, has taken many forms as the project continues to evolve.
Presently the logistics of the diverse partnerships is being challenged and, until something is worked
out, the projects development of instructional guides and specific coordinated outreach to public schools
has been postponed. We are booking presentations to schools, private parties, conventions, conferences,
and special events. There are fees associated with scheduling a presentation which are assessed
depending on the demands of the presentation. We have different stories that are available and we are
currently in negotiations for different performance venues outside of the Park. We have a library of
short (approximately ten minute) monologues depicting a specific person who lived in California in the
1800's. Each performance piece focuses on an aspect of life during that time besides sharing their
personal story. The presentations are meant to engage the audience in a discussion or question and
answer session about the times.
Presently our performance schedule in the Park is:
August 11, August 25, Sept. 8 and Sept. 22 at 2:00 pm
Behind the Machado Silvas Building (also known as the Commercial Restaurant)
*Three presentations will be performed during TwainFest On August 18th.
(Please check with the Visitors Center in the Robinson-Rose Building for more information.)
We are also scheduled to perform three of the presentations at the annual San Diego Regional History
Conference Oct. 27 to be held at the San Diego County Office of Education.
The efforts are currently being produced by Chronos Theatre Group, and we have partnered with the
Playwrights Project and others to develop the scripts. Arrangements for presentations can be made by
Boosters of Old Town is so pleased to have new members join us in providing support to the Park. It is through the continuing dedication of our members that we are able to have ongoing special events and improvements that make Old Town San Diego State Historic Park such a special place in our community.
Our newest members who have joined in the past few months are: John and Dahlia Livsey of La Mesa, Kenneth G. and Beatriz Sayles of San Diego, Mary Alice Kessler of Spring Valley, Leonor X. Perez of San Diego, and Arline Perez of San Diego.
We also appreciate the ongoing support from the Old Town businesses and concessionaires through their corporate memberships. Thank you to Captain Fitch’s for their annual membership renewal.
If you would like to join us, an application form is on the back page of this issue of The Poppy Paper.