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THE POPPY PAPER

February 2016

Official Monthly Publication of the

Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

A Non-Profit Organization

Volunteer Spotlight

By Ellen Green, Senior Park Aide/Volunteer Support

How can you be sure to get enough fiber? By visiting Old Town’s fiber artists, of course!

If you wander into Threads of the Past on most Saturdays, you’ll

have the opportunity to learn about the art of weaving from our

volunteers working on a loom. You may see some of our artists

knitting or crocheting – sometimes making lace, as well. In this

location, as well as in La Casa de Estudillo, you’ll find people

working with spinning wheels or hand spindles, spinning wool into

yarn or thread. And, of course, they’re happy to share their

knowledge of these historic art forms with you.

From time to time the fiber artists offer workshops. In January, a spinning class was offered for Old Town

volunteers and staff, and they hope to offer more classes in the future. Anyone interested in joining the

Fiber Arts Guild is welcome to visit Threads of the Past, and the volunteers will be happy to let you

know how to get involved. For more information, please contact me at ellen.green@parks.ca.gov or 619-

220-5422.

Guild Volunteers (left to right): Beth Jupena, Susan Plack, Teresa Mendez, Donna Wright

Patt Seitas, “Flat Stanley” and Susan Plack

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From the Editor’s Desk…

The recent blizzards and high tides on the East Coast, which literally paralyzed most of the major cities in

the northeastern United States, make us REALLY appreciate our part of the world! Living in San Diego is

like living in paradise, yet we sometimes become so complacent that we forget what we have.

When my sister was visiting over the holidays, she asked, “Why haven’t you ever taken me to The

Mission?” This led to my explanation, and perhaps a little history lesson, about the original site of the

mission on Presidio Hill in Old Town versus the site of Mission San Diego de Alcala in Mission Valley.

We didn’t have time to visit both, so we chose to head out to Mission Valley. It was late afternoon, with the

sun casting artful shadows through the bell tower…absolutely beautiful! Thankfully, it was a few days

before flood waters ravaged that area! (I certainly hope they have been able to shore up for future storms.)

A few days later, I made a “date” with my 5-year-old great nephew

(pictured right). We’ve visited parks and museums, gone to movies, etc.,

but have never spent time exploring Old Town San Diego. Why? I guess I

had become so familiar with Old Town, I forgot how interesting it might

be for this special little guy. What a wonderful day...we visited the

blacksmith and the donkeys, explored the museums, and dined at The

Cosmopolitan. We topped our day off by jumping on the trolley, and

headed downtown to the Children’s Museum. I think perhaps the trolley

ride to and from Old Town was the best part of our day…allowing time to

reflect and discuss everything around us.

These two little adventures have spurred me to start re-exploring and re-

discovering San Diego! There are so many placed to discover, right here

“under our noses.” So, next time you are feeling complacent, feeling like

there is nothing more to do or see…grab yourself an out-of-town visitor or

a 5-year-old…and get out there! Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

is a great place to start your journey. You will certainly see your world

through different eyes!

Happy Valentine’s Day…Happy Reading!

Ruth French poppypapereditor@gmail.com (Deadline for submissions is the 20

th of each month for inclusion in the following month’s issue.)

President’s Notes by Jeanne Ferrell

The BOOT store continues to thrive. The Craft Committee’s income alone increased from around $10,000

in FY 2014 to well over $16,000 in FY 2015. WOW!!! Thank you to all the ladies and gentlemen who work

so hard to create all of the unique, handcrafted treasures in our store.

The new credit card system in the store is working well, and we have taken more steps to streamline the

system. Thanks to Bob and Mary Jones, who have been up until 2:00 a.m. several days, getting all of the

store ready to begin the point of sale program. There are 370 separate type items, with about 6,000

individual items that needed to be bar coded and itemized into a computer database. Bob and Mary have

gone above and beyond to make sure everything is itemized and the system is in working order. You can

read more about the store later in this issue (see page 4).

We want to thank each and every one of the staff, volunteers, and BOOT members who contribute to the

success of BOOT. If you have not joined BOOT yet, please consider doing so today. Everything we do

benefits our Park!

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Treasurer's Notes by Deanna Turton

Although my computer needed to visit the GEEK SQUAD for acting strangely and dropping data, I

managed to get it repaired in two days and completed balancing the books for December in a timely manner.

(I knew something was decidedly wrong when I lost December's data three times, as well as my yearly

summary page.) It is times like these that those wonderful young people, known affectionately as geeks, are

worth their weight in gold. The problem was due to the fact that I kept my laptop plugged in! Who knew

that the battery has to wear down from time to time?!? So, the computer, in trying to recharge a sick battery

which registered as empty, would not accept new data that I had entered. And, that is when the fun really

began because when we tried to order another battery online, the online factory helper said the battery in the

computer was five years old and no longer available, yet the computer is only two years old!!! So now, the

laptop is plugged in all the time, converted to a desktop until we can find a battery that is identical to the old

one. For mechanically challenged folks like me, this is a definite learning experience.

Now, let's direct our attention to the December accounts. Santa Claus was surely good to BOOT in the last

month of the year because we saw on the bank statement that we received $4089.50 from the Round It Up

America program at Chuck Ross's restaurants in Old Town. In addition, we were reimbursed $2000.00 by

Wells Fargo for the large tree in the Plaza. If that was not enough, another $5000.00 check arrived from

Wells Fargo to help enhance the 4th Grade school program at the Park. The Threads of the Past ladies also

had a fundraiser, which earned $606.00, and the Quilt Guild ladies gathered $105.75 in donations.

Meanwhile, the BOOT store continued to do well with crafts earning $1430.70.

And finally, BOOT received a $ 3262.00 check from Chuck Ross at Fiesta de Reyes to help defray costs

engendered by Stagecoach Days. Although it took a while to reconcile the accounts, the figure was finally

determined and Mr. Ross sent BOOT his part of the remaining costs for salaries and other supplies. BOOT,

in turn, transferred that money, along with additional funds, to the State.

Unfortunately, the only disappointing news is that the average donation in the park museum's donation

boxes is down again to $38.58 a day. Expenses were also heavy this month, however, because the park staff

tends to use up their budgeted funds towards the end of the year. Expenses over $300.00 were:

$4704.00 - Stagecoach Days (see above for explanation}

$2165.10 - BOOT store inventory replacement

$1677.05 - Period Attire bank and subsidies

$1107.00 - 4th Quarter Sales taxes

$ 700.93 - Living History supplies

$ 440.85 - Soap Guild

Fifteen other spending categories were under or close to $300.00.

When all the bills were paid, we had earned $6912.78 in the month of December. At the January Board

meeting, the BOOT Board will complete the budget decisions for FY2016. Although we have most of the

decisions made as of this writing, we still need to decide about special projects that we hope to fund on the

Park's long wish list of needed projects. Stay tuned for an update on that in next month's Poppy Paper.

Until then, it is on to the end of year balancing and the spreadsheets required to do the tax forms and annual

report for Sacramento.

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by Bob Jones

This week begins a new chapter for the BOOT Store. It has been renamed “THE PARK STORE” to more

positively define its role in the park. The store also switches to a new Point Of Sale system. All sales, cash

and credit, will be processed through the Clover Mini (credit card machine). Taxes will be automatically

added to each transaction. All store items are listed in the inventory, which includes the price. This makes

sales, ordering, and end of the year inventory much more efficient and accurate. We are ready for a

smooth transition that will better serve the public and the Park.

BOOT membership and donations may now be paid through THE PARK STORE. Credit cards, checks or

cash gratefully accepted. Donations may also be accepted. Come by the store and see the new craft items

and new book titles.

CRAFT COMMITTEE NEWS by Ruth French

THANK YOU TO VOLUNTEER PATT SEITAS for inviting the Craft Committee members into

Threads of the Past for our January meeting. We had

a wet and windy day to deal with, which would have

been difficult on the benches behind the Robinson-

Rose Building. Electric sewing machines and dried

herbs don’t mix well with wet and muddy conditions!

As we worked on our crafts inside, Patt treated us with

fruit and tea!!! What a warm and gracious hostess…

While some of us enjoyed Patt’s hospitality, Mary

Jones, JoBeth Hull, and Zulema Franco worked inside

of the Robinson-Rose building. It was quite a

productive day for the committee, despite the weather!

And The Winner Is… Congratulations to Park Aide Caitlin Meng for selling the most guide books in December. BOOT also extends a big Thank You for the hard work of all the Park Aides and Volunteers who

are helping to make this a successful incentive program. In 2015, a total of 711 guide books were sold, 128 of which were sold by Park Aide Rita Conaty!

Deanna Turton, Ruth French, Becky Halliburton (front);

Kim Baldwin, Karen Murphy-Linden, Dolly Wilson (back);

Patt Seitas and Alice Epault (not pictured)

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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: Jeanne Ferrell (619) 543-9057 Vice President: Gary Turton (619) 222-0047

Secretary: Linda Jacobo (619) 602-0009

Treasurer: Deanna Turton (619) 222-0047

BOOT Store: Mary Jones

Historian/Grants: Bob Wohl

Restoration Spec: Chuck Ferrell

Web Master: Bob Jones

Board Members: Tom Young

Cindy Furlong

Poppy Paper Ruth French

Editor: poppypapereditor@gmail.com

BOOT Website: http://boostersofoldtown.com/

Park Website: www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego

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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 ____$ 55.00 – Corporate Membership*

____ $ 40.00 – Family (2 or more individuals) (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper

____ $ 20.00 – Senior (62+ years)/Student Single and on our website for one month)

____ $ 30.00 – Senior Couple (62+ years) ____$130.00 – Enhanced Corporate Membership*

____$155.00 – Life Member (62+ years) (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