OSLHP Newsletter - March 2005

President's Message

I really does not pay to get sick. I took off 1 week with the flu and have spent 10 days catching up.

Things are moving along. Plans are in the works for a new and smaller set up for the Gold Rush Days. In case anyone missed it, we are now moving to the small grassy area along J street by the jewelry store and alley, a 35’X75’ space. Less to set up and take down.

Other plans include the 10th anniversary and volunteer recognition party for July. Mark your calendar for July 16th in the evening. This will be a party you don’t want to miss.

So much going on with the group, Women’s History day, OSLHP Open House and New Member Orientation, Easter Bonnet Promenade and the monthly encampment. Please pick and choose your activities so you still have time for your life.

General Meeting

March 12, 2005. 10am, at the OSLHP center.

Executive Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 7pm. Members are invited to attend to observe and comment.

Parking Permits

Please see enclosed for letter allowing you to obtain the new permit after March 20th. Amy will renew your permit for you if you leave it at the office.

OSLHP Meeting Space

By late March the large meeting room will be occupied by the Old School House. They will be using the room as an additional schoolroom until Mid-June. We will be using the storage room in the front for meeting space.

There will be limited use of tables but plenty of room for chairs once it is cleaned up and organized better.

Old Sacramento Boardwalks

The new sidewalks/boardwalks will be completed by March 24 according to the City. Finally a break from all the portable sidewalks and construction.

Volunteer Handbook

For those who wanted a copy the handbook is ready to view. We will be discussing it during the executive council meeting March 8 at 7pm.

Costume Closet Policy

The policy for borrowing items of apparel from either the Ladies' or Men's Costume Closet is for the borrower to go through the coordinators, Terry Nelson for ladies and Jason Hollingsworth for men, or Amy Whitlatch if coordinators are not available.

The required deposit must be left at the time the garment is taken. Your check will be held until the item is brought back to OSLHP and said check will then be returned to the borrower.

Apparel being returned will be checked at that time, and the decision will be made as to whether or not you will need to pay a cleaning fee. Any cotton items can simply be laundered in cold water before returning and frock coats can be brushed to remove soil.

Items that smell of perspiration or too much perfume will require cleaning. Dress shields can be worn and perfume avoided to protect the garments and eliminate the need for most cleaning fees.

The Deposit Policy will be strictly enforced, and the cooperation of members is greatly appreciated.

A New Site For Gold Rush Days

I was initially very distraught that we would not be located in Waterfront Park for Gold Rush Days this year, as we have been for the last seven years. I was particularly unhappy with the two locations that were first suggested to us, Pony Express Park - too hilly with an Interstate Freeway roaring past in the background, or the street in front of the Big Four Building - dusty gravel underfoot and drilling through concrete to drive tent stakes.

But then Amy was able to negotiate another site, on J Street next to the Tehama Block (Skalet Jewelers), and although it's not Waterfront Park, it's better than the other choices. Then I started studying how we could fit all of our tents and flys on the site, and I began to feel better about it.

Unfortunately, the Marquee Tent would take up too much space, but if we downsize the Stinking Tent Saloon to a 10' X 12' wall tent and locate the gaming tables under a 10' X 12' fly in front, then we will still have room for everything else. I started to think it would not be so bad!

Maybe we can tighten up our act to make it ever better than last year. Amy suggested that we can have a tent where a few of the activities can rotate thereby making it easier to offer a greater variety of activities. We can even add some new things such as an Express office (suggested by Ashley Sianez), and a Tinsmith Shop (I know a tinsmith who wants to join OSLHP).

At the Gold Rush Days planning meeting on Feb. 17th, I put up three site plan options which were discussed, and although nothing has been carved in stone at this point, we are at least optimistic that we can make it work. Once we have a vision of how it will all work out, nothing can stop us from making it happen! Ken Knott, Vice President

ONGOING EVENTS

Walking Tours

The regularly scheduled walking tours will begin March 2 and go through Sept. 28. Tours are Saturday, Sundays, and Wednesdays at 11am. The price has also changed to $7 general admission and $5 for over 60 or under 12. Members can attend in costume free. Ruth or Greg will be your tour guides.

Monthly Encampment

Next date: April 24, 2005. 10 to 4pm.

Sacramento's premier militia company is conducting monthly Close Order Drills in Waterfront Park at 10 am the last Sunday of every month. The militia company plans to talk history, practice marching, practice the manual of arms, and maybe end the drill with the firing of a volley.

The goals for this event are practicing living history, promoting OSLHP, and educating visitors about our city’s rich history. As with most events extra help is always needed.

Links to the Past

If you have a web 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

Women's History Day, March 5, 2005

We will need the usual people to read poetry, give speeches and march around Old Sacramento. New this year will be an Afternoon Tea and presentation.

The afternoon tea and presentation will be aboard the Delta King. There will only be 100 tickets available to this event. For members the first 2 tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 other advance tickets will be $25 and at the door $30. Members need to come in costume.

The presenter is author and re-enactor Chris Enss. Chris is currently on a book tour for her latest book, The Cowboy And The Senorita, A biography Of Roy Rogers And Dale Evans. Her other books include: With Great Hope, Women And The California Gold Rush; She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, Women Soldiers And Patriots Of The Western Frontier and Love Untamed, Romances Of The Old West.

2005 Living History Workshops

The Old Sacramento Living History Workshops for 2005 will commence with an Open House on Saturday, March 12th at 1:00 p.m., after our monthly members' meeting.

Current members are invited to come meet and welcome our new prospective members. We will have a sign-up for Mentors at the March meeting for those of you who would like to be assigned a new member to mentor.

Workshop classes begin on Saturday, March 19th with Early Sacramento History and Women's Historic Attire. Again, current members are welcome to attend and especially those who missed one or more classes last year may make it up this year.

A full schedule of Workshops will be available at the March meeting. Ken Knott VP, Class Coordinator

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 17, 2005, 6pm. Please plan to come to this fun parade. Those who need to ride in a carriage will be provided transportation, otherwise I encourage people to walk and greet the crowd.

The parade starts at 6pm, but the streets close at 5pm and special parking restrictions will be in place. Please ask the parking attendant to use your pass to get the discount instead of paying the flat rate. Please meet the group in Lot W behind the RR museum.

Bonnet Promenade

Please start bringing in your extra trims to be used to decorate Easter eggs. We need trim, glitter, sequins and such but also yogurt containers or other small plastic tubs to hold trims.

Riverboat Cruise

April 12, 10:30am to 1pm. Due to popular demand the OSLHP has been invited back to act as meet and greet aboard the Spirit of Sacramento for their luncheon cruise. This was a lot of fun last year. Instead of doing presentations we are to do small group or meet and greet activities. Lunch is included and people who did this before had a lot of fun.

We will be doing a second cruise in the fall. I am working to get those who participated tickets to go back on a cruise at a later time for their enjoyment.

Volunteer Appreciation Day And 10-year Anniversary Party

Save the Date: July 16, 2005. We will keep you up to date with details. Already we are looking into a catered BBQ and performance by Bob O’Brien and the Coyote Contra Band.