OSLHP Newsletter - August 2004

President's Message

I will need to know which days you are planning to attend Gold Rush Days by the August general meeting, Aug. 11. This will ensure that you have a free parking pass for the parking lot the days you attend. The OSLHP will still reimburse for parking only if you use a yellow parking card to receive the discount rate. Carpooling and public transit are also good options. Thanks. Amy

Costume Bank Inventory
I have recently checked the closet against the inventory and found the following items unaccounted for.

• 6 white aprons
• 2 pairs of navy gloves
• 1 pair of long black lace gloves
• 1 pair of cream-colored gloves 1 pair of dark brown gloves

If you have any of these, please let me know, so I can put you in the Log for Borrowed Items. I would appreciate your prompt replies so I can update my records. Thanks. Terry Nelson

GOLD RUSH DAYS

What Shall I Do At Gold Rush Days?

If this question is on your mind as the time approaches for Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento, I may be able to help by providing a few suggestions. There is much to be done, and everyone's participation is needed to make this year's Gold Rush Days a successful event for Old Sacramento Living History.

To everyone who is available on Thursday and Monday for set-up and tear down, your help is eminently requested; the more the merrier. I will spring for pizza and soft drinks for those who lend assistance on those two days and stay on task until the job is done. You don't have to be strong, as long as you can carry something to the truck, your assistance will be appreciated.

The event runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Monday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.. We will have "Morning Notes" at 9 a.m. to let you in on the schedule for the day, suggestions for improv scenarios, topics or current events (of 1849 - 1852), and to talk about who needs help and general information. Don't run away at the end of the day because we will need people to help close everything up.

If you do not have a character, we can suggest one for this event.

Everyone needs to know: who they are, where they came from, how they got here, and what they are doing here. Are you married? Where do you live? How do you earn a living? These are questions you may be asked by the visitors from the 21st century.

On Fridays, we get a lot of children, and their questions are more like, "Do you have a kitty cat?" You can mention that we have a great problem with all of the rats that escape from the ships that tie up at the riverbanks and overrun the city, so cats are in high demand, particularly if they are good mousers.

The most important things are to have fun with it while staying in character!

- Ken Knott, President of Vice

Gold Rush Days Requirements

1.The OSLHP portrays 1850 for the entire Gold Rush Days.

2. If you do not have a character, a generic character may be assigned to you to help you interact with people. Also, a list of important events to discuss in 1850 will be provided.

3. New members and members with new costumes should bring their Gold Rush Days costumes to the August 11th general meeting for approval or make other arrangements.

4. Gold Rush Days costumes:

• No hoop skirts.
• No bowler hats.

5. Dress for the heat it can be 100 degrees during the day.

Hours

• T hursday set-up: 9a.m. to 5p.m. or until done.
• Friday/Sat/Sun: 9a.m. to 5p.m., morning notes are given at 9a.m.
• Monday: 9a.m. to 4p.m.. Take down 4 p.m. to 8 p.m..

Committees

• Site Planning, Set-Up, and Take-down: Ken Knott,. If you are on site Monday at 4 p.m. you will be asked to help with taking the event down. Please volunteer to set up Thursday. If you have a venue, please come to set up your area or arrange for help.
• Stage & Entertainment: Terry Eargle, and Jan Bullard. If you would like to present some type of entertainment on the stage please sign up with either.
• Saloon: Jason Hollingsworth. Call if you want to work as a hostess, gambler, or bartender in the saloon.
• Proper Ladies Area: Penny Adams. This area includes sewing, quilting, demonstrations of food grinding and the wash area.
• Children's Activities: Jan Sorci. This area includes children's games, storytelling, coloring, and among other activities.
• O ther Venues & Events
  • California Militia Recruiting Area: Greg Tracy.
  • Auction Area: Doug Peterson
  • Blacksmith: Dennis (Biscuits) Brehm
  • Phrenologist: Ken Knott
  • Medicine Show: Terry Melau
  • Puppet Show: Ruth Chambers
  • Safety: Ray Eargle

Other Volunteer Duties

• Interfacer: Work as the information coordinator between the general public and living history.

Parking

Please sign up by Aug. 11th for the days you will be attending to be sure you have a parking permit reserved; otherwise, you will need to use your Discount Parking Card (yellow permit) to obtain hourly rates in the garage at I and Second Street, under the freeway. Please come early for best parking. The OSLHP will not reimburse your parking expense unless you use the discount pass.

Food

• Doughnuts and coffees will be available in the morning.
• Snacks will be available in the saloon and green room.
• Lunch vouchers will only be provided after you work 4 hours. It can be used daily until 6 p.m., when Subway closes, or the next day. You must sign in to be counted for lunch.

Overnight Security

We will need 1 or 2 more campers to stay on site. Please contact Amy directly. We will have a room at the Embassy Suites for showers and afternoon naps if needed.

Breaks
There will be a small green room on site for breaks. After 12:30 p.m. the OSLHP center will be open for breaks and to eat lunch.

PAST EVENTS

Volunteer Appreciation Day

There was a big turnout for Volunteer Appreciation Day on Sunday July 18th. I think everyone got recognized for something, even some people who couldn't make it. I would like to thank Amy Whitlatch for doing a great job making up certificates and shopping for such wonderful gifts!

The Riverboat Cruise was a fabulous way to pass the time with friends and enjoy the views along the river at the same time. It was good to see some members that don't come to meetings very often and to meet some of the spouses. A good time was had by all. I think we should make the Riverboat Cruise an annual event. Ken Knott, V.P.

ONGOING EVENTS

Links to the Past

The OSLHP is updating the Links to the Past. This is an online resource of web sites of general interest, costuming, Internet stores, and basically anything related to Living History. If you have a site you would like to share please send its address and a brief description about why it is useful. Information can be sent to Richard Sneed at rsneed5820@aol.com

COMING EVENTS

Woodland's "Stroll Through History"

Mark Your Calendar: Members of the OSLHP have been invited to help with Woodland's "Stroll Through History." This event lasts most of the day with historical tours of their Victorian Homes, a Fashion Show, Craft Show. and historical re-enactors at their cemetery. For more information please call Frank Jules (530) 666-3223. Amy has a copy of the press release if anyone wants to read it.

From the Editor

Submission deadlines are the 15th of the month and should be sent to Jane Rankin at jerankin435@cs.com
If you wish your article to be considered for the newsletter. PLEASE KEEP THE 350 WORD LIMIT IN MIND. Articles that are too long or have errors will be returned to the authors for editing and correction. For those without e-mail access, submissions can be mailed to: Jane Rankin