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THE POPPY PAPER
Official Monthly Publication of the
Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
A Non-Profit Organization
April 2015
by Graham Kirkham, Senior Park Aide
On Saturday evening, January 17, 2015, five park staff members represented Old Town San Diego State
Historic Park at the San Diego Association of Realtors Gala. The event was held at the Grand Del Mar
Hotel and Resort. We were there to act as greeters for Guest of Honor, Mayor Kevin Faulkner,
welcoming over four hundred guests. What a wonderful opportunity to promote our park!
Believe me, we got The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park brand out there in a very positive and
fun way. The photo is one of more than a hundred that were taken of us that evening. It shows four very
pleasant looking ladies in Victorian attire and their not-so-pleasant looking bodyguard in the foyer of the
hotel.
Pictured (l-r): Paola Espinoza, Vanessa Jones, Maggie Hess, Alisa Miller, Graham Kirkham
pg. 1
President’s Notes
by Jeanne Ferrell
We want to thank everyone who came to The BOOT Annual
Meeting on Saturday, March 7, 2015. This year, we combined our
Annual Meeting with the annual Volunteer Appreciation event. It
was a pleasure to meet so many people who we had heard great
things about, but who we had not had the chance to meet in person.
Jeanne Ferrell & Deanna Turton
selecting a lucky raffle winner!
We had a fun raffle, and so many people won great prizes! Thanks to
Superintendent Rich Dennison and Supervising Ranger Chris Lozano
(pictured left) for updating us on plans for the Park. Volunteer Kim
Baldwin provided the wonderful Spring/Easter decorations. She always
does a marvelous job! Leo Gonzales from Cold Stone and Jose from Cafe
Coyoté helped set up and service the buffet; while Cafe Coyoté Manager
Christine Smith coordinated the brunch and kept us on course.
The BOOT Board established a new award this year, The
Mary Ellen Award. This award will be given to the Board
member who goes above and beyond each year. We are
proud to announce the first person to earn this award was
BOOT Secretary Linda Jacobo.
Thanks also to Volunteer Coordinator Susan Salinas and
Senior Park Aide Becky Green (pictured right) who helped
with the program and presented the VIP Awards.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH THE ANNUAL MEETING
AND TO ALL WHO CAME IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION!
On behalf of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the Boosters of Old Town San Diego
would like to extend a special “thank you” to the following Old Town companies for their
generous support of our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event held on March 7. Your
thoughtful contributions made it possible to recognize the many volunteers who continue
to promote the educational, cultural and interpretive activities in the Park.
American House
Old Town Trolley Tours
ColdStone Creamery
Toler’s Leather
Fiesta de Reyes
Wrightington House
Miner’s Gems & Minerals
Captain Fitch’s Mercantile
Toby’s Candles
el Centro Artesano
Whaley House
Café Coyote
Rust General Store
Cousin’s Candy Shops
Variations Imports
Johnson House
A special “thank you” also goes out to BOOT President Jeanne Ferrell and Treasurer Deanna Turton for
soliciting donations for this event. This is the first year we have been without Mary Ellen Young at the helm. So,
Deanna volunteered to visit the Park concessionaires, while Jeanne visited the Old Town community
businesses. Deanna commented on the generosity of everyone, many of whom shared fond remembrances of
Mary Ellen’s commitment. Deanna “felt deeply honored to walk in her shoes,” carrying the torch that Mary
Ellen lit so many years long ago
Submitted by Linda Jacobo, Secretary
pg. 2
Treasurer's Notes
by Deanna Turton
There were no hearts and flowers for BOOT during February because we once again came out with some
red ink in the checking account. But, fear not, there was good news on other fronts! First let me explain
the main cause of the $571.09 deficit. Our blacksmith, Todd Caffo, bought over $4000 worth of coal for
the Blacksmith Shop. As loyal Poppy Paper readers will recall, this big purchase occurs about once a
year, so it is an anticipated expense. No worries about that item, as Todd and his helpers do a great job
sharing their skills and stories with park visitors!
Other expenses were:
 $1,250.48 - BOOT Store inventory replacement
 $ 584.70 - craft supplies
 $ 365.50 - care/feeding of two burros...who are worth every penny!
And seven other spending categories at $300 or less.
On the income side of the ledger, the BOOT Store continues to do well, even though we are still
technically still in our winter season. Crafts did especially well with $1,140.75 in sales! Many thanks to
the Craft Committee for working so hard to keep quality products in the BOOT Store. So far this year,
craft sales have earned $2,183.75.
Although donations were still very low at $38.14 as the daily average from all museums, BOOT did
receive two other rather large checks. One was a $1,000 memorial gift from CALPA in honor of Mary
Ellen Young, designated to build up the period attire bank. Since correct period attire was very dear to
Mary Ellen's heart, the BOOT Board felt this was a very thoughtful gift. And of course, Vanessa Jones is
thrilled to add more things to the park's period attire bank.
BOOT also received a check from Rust Store for $197.40. As Poppy Paper readers will recall, Todd
Caffo and the other volunteer blacksmiths give their handmade blacksmith items to the Rust Store; and
BOOT receives 60% of the sales on a quarterly basis. This check represents the sales from the 4th
quarter of 2014.
Any finally, I am pleased to say that I have the year-end balancing done! BOOT actually had nine cents
more than I could account for…so we are nine cents in the black!!! As of this date, I am waiting for the
tax forms to arrive in the mail and for Park Superintendent Richard Dennison to give me the Annual
Report forms from Sacramento. So, for the rest of this month, you know I will be busy doing that annual
chore. Thankfully, the year-end balancing went very well this year, and I completed it on that rainy
Sunday afternoon in early March.
And The Winner Is…
Congratulations to Park Aide Rita Conaty for winning the guide book sales contest in February. And, a
big THANK YOU to Rita for using her winnings to join BOOT!!! If you know Rita, then you know that she
is a kind and giving person, always thinking of others before herself. So, it is no surprise that she chose
to support BOOT in our efforts to support the Park!
We appreciate all the hard work that the Park Aides do for BOOT, tending to the BOOT Store and
helping to sell our products. Since the BOOT Board authorized a gift certificate of $20 each month for
the park aide or volunteer who sells the most tour guide books in a month (ten book minimum), the guide
books are “flying off the shelves!” Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers and park aides who are
helping to make this a successful incentive program!
pg. 3
Descendants of Early San Diego
2015 Family Research Workshops
By Linda Jacobo, Secretary
Mark your calendars for upcoming DESD Genealogy Workshops in Old Town:
 Saturday, June 27, 2015 (Descendants Annual Luncheon), time to be
determined
 Saturday, August 29, 2015, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., (McCoy House, 2nd Floor)
 Saturday, November 7, 2015, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., (McCoy House, 2nd Floor)
Family research materials and historical photo collection will be showcased at all of
the above 2015 events. If you've been wanting to begin tracing your early San Diego
familial roots or continue searching for that new piece of your family's puzzle, this is
your opportunity!
Attendance is free!
The amount of time you want to spend at the workshop is up to you.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW PARK RANGER:
Trevor Irace
My journey with California State Parks began before I was ever
employed there. I grew up in the small town of Sebastopol, California
settled just north of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. My family would
take camping trips to the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin for my
birthday every August. I remember the great redwood trees would drip
dew from the early morning fog on my tent and the local deer
meandered the forest and cool mountain streams. I spent my summer
days at Annadel State Park carving the single track trails on my
mountain bike and fishing the nearby Spring Lake for Large Mouth bass.
I went on to study Fisheries Biology at Humboldt State University where I eventually earned my
Bachelors of Science. I applied to be a State Park Ranger and attended the academy at the Mott
Training Center in 2008. I graduated and served my assignment at Lake Perris State Recreation Area.
My biggest achievements were teaching firearm as an instructor and inspecting the Inland Empire
armory. I also organized the annual Tommy Thomas Kids Fishing Derby and worked with local Boy
Scout projects to earn their highest level of achievement - Eagle Scout.
In 2013, I lateraled to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. I spent a short term there as a patrol
Deputy Sheriff. I realized I had an equal passion for interpretation and resource conservation,
stemming from my childhood and undergraduate biology work. I recently reinstated to Old Town San
Diego State Historic Park. I am excited to be working with the State Parks family again and look
forward to my new Ranger assignment at Old Town.
pg. 4
Changes in the Old Town Woodshop
By Gregg Giacopuzzi, State Park Interpreter I
Over the last six weeks, the woodshop has undergone some positive
updates. Volunteer Steve Hardin (pictured) has taken on the role as
the co-guild lead. Steve has cleaned the shop, sorted and organized
tools, re-stacked the lumber, and revitalized it. The shop was only
open periodically over the last several years, but now Steve will be
in the woodshop every Tuesday; Kevin Burns will be in the shop on
the second Saturday of every month.
We appreciate and rely heavily on everyone who gives time to help
make history come alive. If you would like to volunteer to learn and
demonstrate 19th century woodworking, please visit the shop and we
can help you get started. Our vision of the woodworking guild is to
be able to present monthly classes on 19th century woodworking
tools, skills, and history in early San Diego.
If you have any questions, please contact Gregg Giacopuzzi at
[email protected] or (619) 921-2516 .
From the Editor’s Desk…
Ahhhh…springtime! A time to revisit those resolutions from the New Year. Did we really get as
organized as we had hoped; did we really stick to a healthier diet plan and exercise routine? Little voices
in our heads chastise, “It’s been three months…what are you waiting for?!?!?” Some of us are just so
busy that we haven’t stopped for a moment to reassess. But, most of us simply ignore those nagging
voices and do a little more procrastinating.
Even though we San Diegans lack a long, cold, hard winter to stress us out…it seems that we still
somehow feel pressured to “DO” something at this time of year. Some call it “spring fever.” Some say, “I
need to do some spring cleaning.”
My curiousity about this phenomenon got the best of me, so I recently “Googled” it, and found:
Spring Fever is one of the rare terms which functions as its own antonym –
meaning EITHER invigoration and restlessness OR laziness or listlessness.
So, make a list of the “stuff” that has been driving you crazy and that you want to accomplish this spring;
then feel free to kick back by the pool, read a book, take a nap, whatever…That list will still be there
when you wake up! (Google has given you permission!)
Happy Spring and Happy Reading!
Ruth French [email protected]
(Deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month for inclusion in the following month’s issue.)
Old Town State Historic Park Native Plant Landscape Work
This year our monthly work parties will be the second Saturday of every month
(not the fourth) so we can coordinate better.
Kay Stewart [email protected]
pg. 5
In Sympathy
A Special Thank You – to all of you in
The BOOT Board extends our sincere
condolences to Jenny McReynolds
and her family on the recent,
unexpected passing of David Weim.
Old Town who have reached out to Tom
We also send our sympathy to Alice Epault and
her family on the recent passing of her mother.
miss you all, we’re sure, but she leaves a
May fond memories of your loved ones help to
comfort you during your times of sadness…
that we feel confident will endure for
Jenny McReynolds and David Weim have been
long-time BOOT supporters and regular
volunteers in Deanna Turton’s Garden Group.
Alice Epault is also a BOOT supporter and
volunteers with the Craft Committee, the BOOT
Store, and Park outreach programs.
and the entire Young family due to the
recent passing of Mary Ellen. She will
lasting legacy of “Love and Respect”
many years.
God Bless you all!!!
The Young Family
Stagecoach Days:
Celebrating the West on the Move 2015
By Gregg Giacopuzzi, State Park Interpreter I
In 2007 we celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the Overland Mail to San Diego. That event
has evolved into a summer full of living history activities focusing on the West on the Move. Every Saturday in
July and August, visitors from around the world have an opportunity to experience a bit of San Diego during
the 1800s. With funds provided by the Boosters of Old Town (BOOT) we hope to enhance the 2015 events
by inviting additional outside interpretative groups to participate, such as the Marine Corps Recruiting
Depot San Diego. BOOT was able to obtain a grant from the County of San Diego that will allow us to
augment our advertising budget.
Grab a spinning wheel, a hammer, or your dancing shoes and join us. Watch for Becky Green’s e-mail
outlining the many opportunities to become involved this summer. If you have any questions about the
events or want to participate, please contact Becky Green or Gregg Giacopuzzi at 619-220-5422.
Dates
July 4th
July 11th
July 18th
July 25th
August 1st
August 8th
August 15th
August 22nd
Schedule of Stagecoach Days Events
Event
19th century July 4th Celebration
A Taste of the Past
Women of the West
Days of the Vaqueros
Trades that Shaped the West
Soldiers and Citizens
Twainfest
The West on the Move
Times
11:00am – 4:00pm
12:00pm – 4:00pm
12:00pm – 4:00pm
12:00pm – 4:00pm
12:00pm – 4:00pm
12:00pm – 4:00pm
11:00am – 4:00pm
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Location
Plaza
Plaza
Plaza
Seeley Yard
Plaza
Plaza
Plaza
Seeley Yard
We want to extend a very special thank you to the Boosters of Old Town for their financial support, as well
as for obtaining the San Diego County grant.
pg. 6
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS!
SEE YOUR AD HERE!!!
Join these businesses in their support of Old
Town San Diego State Historic Park:



Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO)
Toby’s Candle and Soap Shop
Write Out Loud
Please refer to the back cover page for more details.
BOOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
BOOT Store:
Historian:
Restoration Spec:
Web Master:
Board Members:
Jeanne Ferrell (619) 543-9057
Gary Turton (619) 222-0047
Linda Jacobo (619) 602-0009
Deanna Turton (619) 222-0047
Mary Jones
Bob Wohl
Chuck Ferrell
Bob Jones
Tom Young
Cindy Furlong
Poppy Paper
Editor:
Ruth French
[email protected]
BOOT Website: http://boostersofoldtown.com/
Park Website: www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego
pg. 7
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.
**Current BOOT Members will receive a free year of membership!**
Please make sure the BOOT Member’s name appears here in order for us to give credit for his/her referral.
Referred by: ________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
____ $ 25.00 – Single Supporting Member
____ $ 40.00 – Family (2 or more individuals)
____ $ 20.00 – Senior (62+ years)/Student Single
____ $ 30.00 – Senior Couple (62+ years)
____$155.00 – Life Member (62+ years)
____$ 55.00 – Corporate Membership*
(includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper
and on our website for one month)
____$130.00 – Enhanced Corporate Membership*
(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 ____________________________________
Make your check out to “BOOT” and mail to:
BOOT Membership Committee, 4002 Wallace Street, San Diego, CA 92110
pg. 8