OSLHP Newsletter - May 2006

MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS A NEW PROGRAM MANAGER

Ken Knott, Vice President

The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation finally has a new Director, Vicky Baxter. She is really going to be terrific as Director of the Foundation. Vicky agreed with me that the most urgent order of business was the hiring of a new Program Manager for the Living History Program. By the time you read this, we will have held interviews with several prospective candidates. So we are on the way!  

Shelly Green and I met with Vicky and Lina Fat of the HOSF Board on Friday, April 21st and had a very nice discussion of the role of the Living History Program in Old Sacramento and how to make it better.  I will give a full report to the general members at the meeting on Saturday, May 13th. This will be an important meeting to attend because we will be holding our election of officers; so come and vote!

On the same day as the meeting, we will have a particularly entertaining and edifying Living History Workshop at the Eagle Theater, featuring
guest Musicologist Chris Bayer from Carson City. Chris will be offering a class on “The Music of the Gold Rush”, and “Where the Songs Came From”. Also, I will be holding forth on the subject of Victorian Popular Culture. I am sure you will not want to miss this class! Admission to this class will be $10 for the general public, free to OSLHP members. Bring your friends!

General Meeting

General Meeting: Saturday, May 13, 2005, 10 am.

NEW MEMBER
The Old Sacramento Living History Program has another new member, Lesley Clarkson. Welcome Lesley! Please introduce yourself to her if you see her at a meeting or event.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

At the May 13th General members Meeting, balloting to elect Officers for the 2006 – 2007 year will be conducted. The following candidates have been nominated:

President: Ken Knott
Vice President: Penny Adams, Ruth Chambers, Greg Tracy
Treasurer: Roger Quinn
Secretary: Jill Quinn
Member-at-Large: Dennis ‘Biscuits’ Brehm, Jan Bullard

Come to the meeting and make your vote count!

CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS

For the office of President:

VOTE KEN KNOTT PRESIDENT!
* Introduce street-theater skits!
* Begin reenactments of shoot-outs!
* Hold a Casino Night!
* Have a Cotillion Ball!
* Improve authenticity of OSLHP Gold Rush Days Camp!
* Monthly classes & workshops on different aspects of life in the Mid-nineteenth century!
* Reward volunteers participation with fun activities!
* Increase Living History presence in the Historic District!
* Improve the Living History Program!
* Ken will be an advocate for the Living History Program!

“Now, now, we’ll have none of that!”

For the office of Vice President:

Why vote for me for Vice-President? Because I have always, and will continue to do so, put the Old Sacramento Living History Program as a priority in my life. I care about the Program and what becomes of it and want to see it grow and become more than what we see it to b e now. However, I know that sometimes we have to crawl before we can walk. As Vice-President and a member of the Board of Directors, I would be able to keep working toward that goal of growth.

I have held the position of Treasurer for two years and I have been on many committees as well as chairing some. I participate in
events by both attending planning meetings and the events.

I look forward to continuing to work for the well-being of Old Sacramento Living History Program. Hopefully, as your Vice-President.

Penny Adams


Ruth Chambers for Vice President

All of you true 1849 Gold Rush settlers know, how important vice is for Sacramento. But even the worst of you know, there needs to be more to Sacramento than gambling and whiskey.

That's why I'm asking for your vote to bring the moralizing influence of theatre to our Board. If Soggy is to be President, we need a responsible person in charge of vice.

The Widow Chambers has been with the Old Sacramento Living History Program for three years and has been active bringing puppet shows and tableaus to our Gold Rush Stew. The Widow was selected Most Valuable Volunteer last year, and is piling up hours this year. The theatrical voice of The Widow Chambers must be heard with its civilizing message of hard work and good deeds.

Vote for the Widow Chambers on May 13!

For the office of Member-at-Large:

Greetings and salutations, fellow citizens of Old Sacramento Living History. I have been with this organization four years. Last year I was appointed to the position of Member at Large. This unique position serves as your liaison to the Executive Council, your voice. I speak for you and represent your concerns and interests during Council meetings. In
order to know your concerns it is imperative that I am viewed as approachable and reliable. I hope that over the past year you have formed that opinion of me.

I have learned a great deal about the inner workings of the association and the foundation, which we belong to, and would like to continue my service to this organization as the elected Member at Large. I am not retiring this year and will be able to complete the full term of this assignment if elected. Thank you for your consideration,

Jan Bullard


I have twenty years of living history experience reenacting the Gold Rush, the Wild West, the Spanish-American War and World War II. I have been a member of the OSLHP for three years, started the Sutter Rifles and living history day. I give historic tours of Old Sacramento and give talks to many public groups on the amazing history of Sacramento. My delight for history is reflected in the training classes I conduct and my contributions to the majority of events for the OSLHP. I am committed to giving the program more visibility within the community by creating remarkably fun events, which in turn will bring more members to the group and build the group’s public following. With these qualifications and my passion for the OSLHP in mind, please vote for Greg Tracy (aka Darius B. Fry), as I will be an excellent choice for vice president.


“Proper order and Decorum will be maintained at all times during this election!”

Definitions

As defined in the New Expanded Webster’s Dictionary:

Miscellanea

Remedies

Everyone wants a gold tooth. Gold teeth, the latest fad. Fill your own teeth. A gold plated shell that fits any tooth. Looks like regular dentist's work. Fools them all. 10 cents each. 4 for 25 cents.
- from “Farm Lore”, found by Ruth Chambers

Farm Jokes

The teacher sent a note home with the boy: "Your son, Charles, shows signs of astigmatism. Will you please investigate and take steps to correct it?
The next morning, she received a note from the father who wrote: "I don't exactly understand what Charlie has done, but I've walloped him, and you can wallop him tomorrow. That ought to help some."
- from “These Changing Times”, found by Ruth Chambers

PAST EVENTS

EASTER BONNET PROMENADE
Terry Eargle, Immediate Past Vice President

Although the weather was not very spring-like, a small and delightful showing of members braved the wind and the intermittent raindrops for the OSLHP annual Easter Bonnet Promenade.  Those in attendance were Ray and Terry Eargle, Ken Knott, Jill and Roger Quinn, Catherine and Greg Tracy, Jan Bullard, Mary Carlson, Loretta Dobbins, Ruth Chambers, Barbara Alfidi, and Penny Adams.  Everyone looked splendid in their finery.  The promenade began at the Discovery Museum.  We meandered our way up and down the streets of Sacramento City, smiling and greeting all visitors, wishing them a "Happy Easter" and "Happy Spring."  Many likenesses of each of us were taken with tiny "Flemish Paint Boxes" as we strolled by all

the friendly folks.  Upon reaching Waterfront Park, we decided to gather at the Earl Grey Tea Salon on Second Street for a chance to warm ourselves and enjoy a lovely repast.  We enjoyed the likes of Bourbon Vanilla and Moonlight Sonata Chocolate Cherry teas.  Wonderful sandwiches and tea biscuits accompanied these delectable potables.  The atmosphere, company and conversation, and refreshments were delightful!

APRIL LIVING HISTORY DAY
Catherine Hanson-Tracy
 
Saturday, April 29 was a beautiful day for a living history event. A fly and a wall tent were set up in Waterfront Park, along with bars for the saloon, gambling tables, and a grisly display of 19th century medical instruments. The set-up worked quite well, and the many passers-by seemed to appreciate our presence. Dr. Logan’s medicine show was especially popular.

Participants included Jeff Bush, Catherine Hanson-Tracy, Ken Knott, Terry Melau, Jill Quinn, Roger Quinn, and Greg Tracy.
Everyone is invited to participate in our next Living History Day, which will be held on June 24. (The Jazz Jubilee will preempt this event in May.)

FUTURE EVENTS

LIVING HISTORY ON THE MARCH
The Widow Chambers, Parade Chairperson
(but, where would the stationery chair be placed in a moving parade?)

The Jazz Jubilee Parade is May 26, 12:00 Noon. This year we will be walking the parade route. To keep in step, there will be tambourines for the ladies, and flags for the men. The ladies will shake the tambourines on the right step. The men will wave their flags on the left step. The Widow Chambers will keep the beat with her washboard.

Please sign up at the next meeting: Saturday, May 13, 10:00 AM. Families are welcome. This is our time to shine; don't miss it. It is always fun to be in a parade and the next one is coming up on May 26th for the Jazz Jubilee, so c'mon down and join the fun!

Contact the Widow, via the membership list, under Ruth Chambers.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor in Chief of the Sacramento Argonaut

Dear Sir:
I have, of current, read the last few editions of the Sacramento Argonaut and would prey you indulge me a few comments. First, I have found your segments on etiquette and home keeping hints to be very helpful. I have tried several recipes much to the delight of my family. They were especially fond of the sauerkraut cake the Widow Chambers shared with your readers. And being able to read about what occurs across this vast expanse of our country makes me feel not quite so isolated in this western exile.

I would, however, inquire as to why your esteemed publication would not discuss other topics that are of interest to your feminine readers such as a woman’s right to vote. I would venture for your consideration that women who are responsible for running the households in this country are certainly quite capable of participating in electing the government that makes the decisions that affect her, as well. I would also proffer that with so many of our men away, stricken with gold fever, our women are alone, protecting the holdings and keeping food on the table for their children. Certainly, if we are entrusted with all of this daunting responsibility, we could be entrusted with participating in the running of our state and country.

I thank you for providing this valuable service to our town and hope that, in the future, we can look forward to the Argonaut standing for the concepts of equality that this great country was founded upon.

Respectfully,
Sythy Blanton-Vaughan
Wife, mother, and citizen

Dear Mrs. Blanton-Vaughn:

While it is always a pleasure to receive responses from the Argonaut’s readers, I must confess, it is a bit of a surprise to hear from one of the fairer sex. After all, maintaining home and hearth must surely comprise the majority of one’s time and efforts. How remarkable it is that you have found time to write!

Marvelous though that may be, I suggest that you remain true to your heart and station and allow your husband to take up the standard of politics and continue to feed the flame of democracy. After all, you must agree that these things require the masculine strength of character, as well as mind, to pursue.

Rest assured that the Argonaut will continue to provide future articles that will unquestionably aid your honorable tasks of sustaining your household, easing your husband’s considerable burden, and teaching your children to become proper citizens.

Respectfully Yours,
Editor-In-Chief, Argonaut Gazette

Newsletter Submissions

Submission deadlines are the 25th of the month and should be sent to Shelly Green at either thunderdance@yahoo.com or mgreen@cwib.ca.gov.
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:
Shelly Green
2017 Rockbridge Road
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: (916) 564-1637

- or - Submit your piece to Ken Knott or Shelly at our general meeting.

The Old Sacramento Living History Program is located at 1101 Second St., Sacramento.

Contact: Ken Knott at (916) 455-4941,
Email: Timetraveler49@comcast.net
or write to: Old Sacramento Living
History Program, 1002 Second St.,
Sacramento, CA 95814

OSLHP Officers:
Ken Knott, Vice President
Terry Eargle, Immediate Past Vice President
Mary Carlson, Secretary
Penny Adams, Treasurer
Jan Bullard & Shelly Green, Members-at-Large.

OSLHP is sponsored by The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation, Vicky Baxter, Director.