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THE POPPY PAPER

September 2011

Official Monthly Publication of the

Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

A Non-Profit Organization

President’s Notes By Jeanne Ferrell

September in Old Town…here are some great

events coming up:

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Fiesta de Kustom Kulture Care & Low Brow

Art Show, Presented by Motor Cult

Open to all pre-1972 Cars and Trucks – Hot Rods,

Street Rods, Kustoms, Muscle Cars and Trucks. World

Famous Pin Stripers and Low Brow Artists. Charity Art

Action, Vendors and MORE!!!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Tequila Trail

With a $25 Tequila Trail ticket, Mexican cuisine

connoisseurs and tequila lovers will start the week-long

fiesta off with a bang from 3-6 pm as they blaze

through the streets of Old Town San Diego.

The 2011 Tequila Trail includes stops at ten of Old

Town’s world-renowned eateries. Barra Barra Saloon,

Café Coyote, Miguel’s Cocina, Old Town Mexican

Café, El Fandango, The Cosmopolitan, Casa

Guadalajara, La Pinata, Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina

and Fiesta de Reyes will offer up tastes of their

signature dishes accompanied with Herradura, Chinaco,

Milagro, El Jimador, Arta, Fortaleza, Tres Agave and

1519 Tequilas; Scorpion, Maria, Mijes and Oro de

Oaxaca Mezcals; Casa ZG Sangrita, Solerno Blood

Orange Liqueur, and Vitzo.

At the Tequila Trail’s end, three after parties will ensue,

keeping the fête alive and the energy going throughout

the week. Tequila Herradura will be featured at Fiesta

de Reyes, Tequila Milagro at Casa Guadalajara, and

Tequila Chinaco at Café Coyote. After parties require

an additional $10 admission.

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

Poppy Paper Ruth French (858) 583-1269

Editor: poppypapereditor@gmail.com

Board Members: Mary Ellen Young

Tom Young

Cindy Furlong

BOOT Website: http://boostersofoldtown.com/

Park Website: www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego

Budget Requests for 2012 DUE SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

BOOT is starting the budget process

for next year, 2012. The request

forms for the Park Staff and

Volunteers will be available in the

Robinson Rose. All request forms

must go to Rich Dennison for Park

approval before being given to BOOT

for consideration.

BOOT Board members may submit

their requests at the Board Meeting or

send to jeanne_ferrell@yahoo.com.

If you have any questions, please

contact BOOT President, Jeanne

Ferrell.

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By Edna Nerio

August was a busy month for the Garden Team

preparing the Silvas and Stewart Gardens as well as

all the pods for September's special events.

August 8 was compost day! Bob Jones and Chuck

Farrell brought two truckloads of compost, and The

Garden Team is indebted to them for their continued

support.

Oh what fun! In attendance for this "memorable

event" were Deanna and Gary Turton, Nelda Harris,

JP Gendron and his friend Adam, Mary and Bob

Jones, Chuck Farrell, Luis from Casa de Reyes and

Edna Nerio. The team worked hard to spread the

compost on all the pods.

As you can see by the “before” and “after” pictures below...the pod behind the Robinson-Rose House

looks absolutely gorgeous, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Jenny McReynolds and Dave

Weim.

The gardens at the Machado y Silvas and the Machado y Stewart casas are producing quite a crop of

beans, tomatoes, yellow corn, pumpkins, tomatillo, squash, watermelon, etc. Unfortunately we are

experiencing major theft as we have already lost several pumpkins, beans and the big watermelon.

Deanna and “Crew” on Compost Day

Before Compost Day (7/13/11) After Compost Day (8/26/11)

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Treasurer’s Notes By Deanna Turton

Yippee! The month of July was another good month for BOOT with income showing a $5604.41gain

over expenses. This is likely due to our wonderful summer tourists who spent some money despite the

dire warnings in the economy and the dramatics in Congress. Since there were no BOOT tours in the

month of July, all of this profit came from the BOOT Store, events, and donations. {Daily average for

donations was $65.31.}

Income from events came from July 4th - $1786.32, craft booth donations on July 4th - $303.40,

sarsaparilla sales in late July - $63.20, and ticket sales and raffle for Descendants' Day - $1546.00.

Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard on July 4th. This year, we did better than ever!

The efforts of the Descendants should also be mentioned, but Poppy Paper readers should also

remember that most of the income from the annual Descendant Day luncheon was used for food and

other supplies needed to produce the event. But this year, the event did come out “in the black,” for

which we are very grateful.

On the expense side of the ledger, there were several large ticket items: Second quarter sales taxes -

$898.00; replacement inventory for the BOOT Store - $ 3616.90; and the annual Descendants Day

event - $940.69…and there were also more charges for Descendants Day in the month of August which

will be reported later. The seven other funding categories were under $200.00 each.

On a lighter note, you will not have to read these treasurer reports in October because Gary and I will

be gone all of September and half of October. We plan a long camping trip across country to see our

son and his family. We plan to take our dogs and visit our relatives along the way - so we will NOT

travel at warp speed. Bob Jones and Tom Young will be able to write checks when I am gone, but I

have NOT asked them to write articles or balance accounts. Please try to make their lives easy. If you

have a problem with lost receipts or unusual expenses, please try to wait until I get back in mid-

October.

BOOT Store by Mary Jones

This summer, despite

The recession, we have had record sales. For the first

time, we have had sales of over $200 a day; several days in fact.

This may not seem like a very large amount, but you must consider the

fact that many of our items sell for less than $5.00.

Thanks to the craft committee for keeping us supplied with the

handmade items that make the Store a success!!!

ATTENTION

SEWING COMMITTEE!!!

The sewing committee will not meet this

month. However, CRAFT COMMITTEE

MEMBERS WILL MEET AS USUAL on Friday,

September 9, 2011 (9am-Noonish).

Roseann Cook, Deanna Turton and Mary Jones

will all be absent this month, but there will still

be much to do, and the rest of the committee

members will be busy as bees.

So, please come on down to help the sewing

and craft committees get ready for the

upcoming busy holiday season. There is always plenty to do!!!

pg. 4

Fiestas Patrias September 17, 2011 Old Town Volunteers Wanted!

Are you interested in recreating a unique Independence Day celebration like no other? Have you seen the Changing of the Flag ceremony? The sounds of the cannon firing salute were part of the Changing of the Flag ceremony commemorating Mexican Indepen-dence from Spain. We need help in historic activities for all ages, including El Grito Contest, parade, games, crafts, and other fun-filled activities!

Help bring San Diego’s early Mexican history to life by participating in the short parade around the Plaza along with horses, dancers, and people in historical costumes. The parade is scheduled to follow the Changing of the Flag ceremony at noon.

Following the parade there will be games, contests, and demonstrations that represent the fun and unique activities enjoyed by the early settlers of San Diego. “The Bells of Dona Josefa” will be performed twice, free of charge!

Please contact Joe Vasquez for more information at 619-952-3897

Don’t Forget:

Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce presents “Old Town Art Festival” the weekend of October 1-2, 2011. The outside gallery will open at 10am and flood its visitors with beautiful, museum quality artworks from both local and regional San Diego artists. The Festival celebrates the unique and colorful culture of the historic Old Town.

LOS POBLADORES 200 – 30th ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Meadows Mobile Park Club House

14851 Jeffrey Road Irvine, CA 92618

12:00-4:00 PM

$25.00 per person in advance OR $30.00 at the door

We will be entertained by YESTERYEARS DANCERS. Come join the fun as we learn the dances our ancestors once danced. They will do a few dances, and then invite all to join them. Enjoy a nice Mexican lunch and fellowship with your cousins. Bring pictures or memorabilia!

Make your check payable to: LOS POBLADORES 200

Mail to: Maria G Benitez

14851 Jeffrey Road, Space 24 Irvine, CA 92618

RSVP 949-653-1088 or m.g.benitez.ctc@gmail.com

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CALENDAR

PAGE

pg. 6

All p

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July 4, 2011

The Plaza

“My” Pioneer Doll

Spinning Demonstration Making Cornhusk Dolls

Game Time in the Plaza Adult Pie-Eating Contest Winner

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Bad Girls and Outlaws (1850-1900) By Pat Shook

Dime novels and newspapers glamorized and padded the lives of the “bad girls” and outlaws of the

“Wild West.” The market back East could not get enough. There was a feeding frenzy!

Why was such a lifestyle so admired??? Robbery, rustling, murder, revenge, gambling, alcoholism, and

prostitution!!! Did the bad gals and guys have no conscience, no sense of right or wrong? Didn’t they

fear an early demise, living such reckless lives?

However, they were not all bad…They DID fall in love, they DID care for each other! They married, had

children, and owned homes. Some divorced, some had several marriages. Some of the ladies were

lavished with beautiful clothes, jewelry, and fabulous trips here and abroad.

Court proceedings and hangings were gory and entertainment for the town folk, as were the dime novels

and newspaper headlines for the Easterners. The truth be told, most accounts of these fabled people were

filled with lies. The truth may never be known…titillation wins out, even in Old Town San Diego.

If you want to know more about this culture of our Old West, the BOOT Store has some books on the

subject…Titilatted?

From the Editor’s Desk…

Summer has FLOWN by, and we are now starting to pack up the beach gear and get ready for back-to-

school activities…shorter days, cooler weather…all the joys of the fall season which rapidly melt into

holiday madness! Hopefully, everyone had some time during the summer months to relax, rejuvenate,

and reconnect with family and friends.

For my family, summer 2011 was a very busy time - the most memorable of which was a road trip to

Albuquerque, New Mexico for our granddaughter’s wedding. We decided to make a full vacation out of

the trip with stops in Prescott and Sedona, Arizona on the way there; Laughlin, Nevada on the way

home. I was most impressed by the historic preservation in many of the areas, and thoroughly

entertained by the stories of the Wild West!

However, as my husband and I drove across the desolate landscape between San Diego and

Albuquerque, we started to wonder “what in the world were those early settlers thinking???” It is

difficult to imagine a pioneer family, sitting on the hard wooden slats of a wagon, or riding horseback,

OR WALKING through the vast deserts of the Southwest. Daytime temperatures of 100-115

degrees…NO WATER IN SIGHT!!! Was life where they came from so bad to take such risks?

For us, it seemed that the desert would end just over the next hillside or mountain…but when we got

there…MORE DESERT!!! And, we were comfortably sitting in soft leather seats, 72-degree air

conditioned environment, traveling at 75-80 miles per hour, with plenty of cool “rest stops” along the

way. Oh, and I must not forget plenty of cold water, packed in the ice chest on the back seat!

I have certainly come away from that drive with a greater appreciation for those who went before

us…and I am ever so grateful to be living in America’s Finest City – San Diego!!!

Happy Reading!

Ruth French poppypapereditor@gmail.com

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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS!

MEMBERSHIP NEWS by Shirlee Rodriguez

BOOT welcomes new members, Jim and JoBeth

Hull.

We also thank William and Lucy Thorpe,

Kimberly Baldwin, Nelly Phillips, and Ruth French for their membership renewals. Your

ongoing membership and continued support is very much appreciated!!!

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Volunteer Opportunities

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park has many volunteer opportunities available!

Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Joe Vasquez

619-952-3897 jvasquez@parks.ca.gov

OR Include the below information with your BOOT Membership Application (on the reverse side):

I am most interested in volunteering for:

Special Events (Ladies’ Day, 4th

of July, Fiestas Patrias, etc.) _____________________

BOOT Store_______ Tour Guide_______ Living History________ Crafts__________

Museums/Interpretive Programs_______ Other _______________________________

I belong to the following group(s):

Docent______ Military_____ Descendants _____ Californios _____ Other _____

POPPY PAPER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Park Aides: Submit to rdennison@parks.ca.gov

Volunteers: Submit to jvasquez@parks.ca.gov

ALL OTHER SUBMISSIONS may be sent directly to:

poppypapereditor@gmail.com

E-MAIL DEADLINE: 25th

of each month

(handwritten deadline is the 20th

–

Please drop in Ruth French’s volunteer folder in the Robinson-Rose Bldg.)

If you do not desire any editing of your article, adherence to the following is mandatory:

FONT TYPE (SIZE): Times New Roman (12)

STYLE: single spaced with a double space between paragraphs (not indented)

LENGTH: 400 words or less

NOTE: Submissions that exceed 400 words AND/OR do not adhere to the above guidelines

are likely to be edited for length and clarity. Exceedingly longer submissions may be divided

and published in consecutive editions of the Paper. Inclusion of submissions is on a space-

available, first-come basis, and ALL SUBMISSIONS are at the editor's discretion.

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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)

____ I am also interested in volunteer opportunities, please contact me! (Please fill out the reverse side.)

NAME(S) ___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS __________________________________________________________

CITY _____________________________STATE _______ ZIP________________

PHONE ______________________E-MAIL _______________________________

I belong to the following group(s): Docent___ Military___ Descendants ___ Californios ___

Make your check out to “BOOT” and mail to:

BOOT Membership Chairperson, Shirlee Rodriguez, P.O. Box 152676, San Diego, CA 92195