OSLHP Newsletter - June 2004

President’s Message

I recently attended a conference sponsored by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. The conference was mainly about arts funding advocacy. 

Did you know that the State of California only spends 3 cents per person, or a total of $1.4 million, funding the arts? The other $2 million is from federal grants and earned income. This is dead last in the United States and below many developed countries. While this does not count individual city/county funding, Mexico City alone budgets $30 million for public arts projects and to fund arts programs. 

I think California can do better. If you would like to advocate for better arts funding, write your legislator a letter or pick one up at the general meeting to mail. 

Also, the interesting part of this conference was that all of the arts program administrators then marched to the Capital and demanded funding for the arts. It was a lot of fun.

(Change in phone number: Amy can now be reached by cell phone at 916-524-7249 not 916-825-9642)

Historic Old Sacramento Foundation Update

The foundation is creating a mailing list for potential members and donors. If you or someone you know would like to be on this list let me know.

Executive Council Meeting

Next meeting will be July 6th at 7 p.m. in the Living History Center.

General Meeting

The next general meeting will be Wednesday, June 9th, at the Living History Center. We will be discussing the results of the Gold Rush Day survey in detail.

New Officers

At the May 8th general membership meeting, members voted to elect the presented slate of officers. The 2004/2005 slate of officers is:

If you have any questions or concerns please contact any of these officers or Amy, the director.

Volunteer Recognition

I want to recognize everyone who has attended or presented a class for the training program. The training program has been a great success and we now have 6 new members and 8 semi-new members better informed. A big thanks to Ken Knott for his hard work and dedication. 

Annual Membership Dues

Dues are now payable. Please pay by check or cash directly to Amy. Please make checks payable to the HOSF. 

Dues are:

A fee waiver can be requested by speaking with Amy. All information is kept confidential. Dues paid after Aug. 1st are delinquent. A reminder will be sent in September, and if no response is given then you will be dropped from membership. New members do not need to pay dues until after one fiscal year has past.

Events Planning Committee

An events planning committee is being formed to plan next years events and provide ideas for new events as well. The first meeting is June 17th at 6:30pm at the Living History Center. You will not need to attend every event to help plan. Everyone is welcome to attend. Sign up with Amy.

Bus Trip to Filoli

The bus trip has been canceled for the time being. You should have received your check back in the mail. At the June 9th meeting there will be discussion about carpooling to the gardens.

PAST EVENTS

Great Valley Center Conference

I had a lot of fun with this conference. Amy, Jan, and Jan’s grandsons played children’s games with all of the adult attendees of the conference. At the reception Ken and Susan joined Amy for a fun evening entertaining guests and selling rooms for Mrs. Shurr’s (Amy) boarding house. No one took us up on the offer on the account of there might be fleas in the mattresses. -Amy Whitlach

Gibson-Ranch Civil War Reenactment 2004

On May 2nd, 16 members and friends of OSLHP trekked off to the Virginia countryside (Gibson-Ranch County Park) as guests of California Senator John Conness (Jason Hollingsworth) as a "Thank You" for their support in his recent campaign victory.

We devoured a grand Victorian picnic and watched as Federalists and Secessionists blew their brains out on the meadow we overlooked. It was great spectator sport brought to a new level.

Amidst silver, crystal, and china, set upon a brocade table covering, we enjoyed roast beef, fried chicken, baked ham, a period-appropriate potato salad, roasted carrots, asparagus and dipping sauce, tomatoes and onions, General Jackson's chutney, a variety of olives, biscuits, banana bread and butter, ambrosia, and apple pie, accompanied with lemonade. It was a wondrous repast indeed!

Those attending were Mel, Dorothy, and Amy Picanco, Elyce Bagley, Jim Lundsten, Wanda Leventin, Ray Closs, Ken Knott, Shelly Green, Mark Hobbs, Christi Schenk, accompanied by her friend Jim, and lastly, Jason Hollingsworth.

Also on site were Bob Flaherty, Greg Tracy, and Garth Neikirk in their uniforms. Bob brought his wife who took pictures. Garth was astride Gypsy, his trusty steed. It's really good to see him back in the saddle again after his accident. Gypsy gifted us with an elephant-sized BM! Good Gypsy.

The Sutlers were very much in evidence and well stocked. Local favorite Nita Newman was there in a huge T-shaped tent that had everything imaginable except 1850's playing cards!

This event offers us a perfect opportunity to get together, learn something about the 1860's and the Civil War, and enjoy our own company without having to "gig," except when someone in their inappropriate attire stopped by to ask, "Whattcha doin'?" Duh?

The Gibson-Ranch web site (www.gibson-ranch.com) says the Sacramento County Parks and Recreation Dept. has found funding available to maintain the park for 1 more year. Yeah! 

-Jason Hollingsworth.

Completion of New Member Classes

As training coordinator, I am pleased to announce that the 2004 classes were completed on May 22nd. We had a total of 10 classes covering Early Sacramento History, Moral Culture, Material Culture, Women's History, Guns, Character Development, Research, Popular Culture, Gambling, Etiquette, First Person Presentation, Language, Medical Practices, Penmanship, Improv, Women's & Men's Historic Attire, and Gold Rush Music; 18 subjects total. On May 22nd, the students took over the role of teachers and presented the fruits of their independent research. 

The following new members have successfully completed the training program:

We have been assured that they survived the ordeal with almost all of the parts that they started with, and may have picked up some more along the way. I'm sure that they would take it kindly if they were to be congratulated upon their graduation. -Ken Knott

After School Program

The play finished as well as expected. A case of stage fright wiped out the entire cast and most lines were either given or ad-libbed. A funny ending to a great program. The kids had fun with the play and about 40 people watched it.

Jazz Parade

The parade went well despite not having a carriage. Thanks to Mel for making sure the application was turned in and we were in the right spot. The following members participated: Mel and Dorothy Picanco, Elyse Bagley, Ray Closs, Ken Knott, Ruth Chambers, Bob Flaherty, Greg Tracy, Penny Adams, Amy and her son Ronny.

On Going Events

Walking Tours

Currently the tours will run every Saturday and Sunday at 10 am through Labor Day. Costumed volunteers are needed to guide the tours, 70% of proceeds go back to the Living History Program. Scripts are available and you will be given a bound script on 3 x 5 cards to carry during the tour. The OSLHP will be able to pay a stipend to tour guides if requested. Call Amy, 916-264-8142 to sign up.

COMING EVENTS

Movie Night

Anyone interested in having a movie night at the Living History Center? We have tapes to view from the play, as well as TV appearances, and now the school kids. Bring your dinner and I will bring the popcorn. It should be 1 ½ to 2 hours. Please sign up with Amy.

Miner's Diggins

The Columbia State Historic Park has invited us to join in the fun again this year at the Miners Diggins Living History Event on June 3, 4, 5 & 6. Saturday evening is Casino Night. Anyone interested in going this year can contact me for information, directions, or possible ride-sharing. (You can see photos of last year's Diggins at their web site: www.columbiacalifornia.com.) 
-Ken Knott

Volunteer Appreciation Day

It's that time of the year again. Volunteer Appreciation Day will be July 18th. We will start at 1:45 p.m. for awards and refreshments at the Living History Center and then enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the Spirit of Sacramento. Please plan to stay until 4 or 4:30 for the cruise. This event is free to members. If you would like to bring a guest it will cost $5.

Please turn in your volunteer time sheets by June 30th to be considered for awards at Volunteer Appreciation Day. Volunteer time sheets are to record your activities relating to OSLHP that are not placed on event sign in sheets. Awards will be given for most active member, most active new member, and membership recruitment. Also presented will be awards to everyone for their participation and commitment to the OSLHP. 

Run For the Arts

This will be our fourth year entering the event. A chairperson is needed to lead perspective runners/walkers. The date is August 6th. I do not have a location yet. The event usually starts around 6:30 p.m. It is a 5K/3.2 mile course. All proceeds go directly to the Old Sacramento Living History Program. Each runner/walker will need to pay his or her own entry fee, which comes with a commemorative T-shirt. Please sign up with Amy.

Who Are We?

If you have not appeared in this section, please write your story (350 words) and contact Terry Nelson so we can check if we have a picture of your character. If we don’t, we will be sure to get one. We would love to have characterizations and pictures of all our members. They are a great recruiting tool. If I haven’t called upon you yet, be sure I will.

From the Editor

Submission deadlines are the 15th of the month and should be sent to Jane Rankin.

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 or you can submit your piece at our general meeting to Amy, the Director.