pg. 1

Many rich traditions surrounding the Christmas season have been enacted at the Casa de Bandini and the

Cosmopolitan Hotel over the years. A never-ending pageant of characters lived in this building at Christmas time,

and each lived their version of what the holiday season should be. For example, as the Casa de Bandini was being

finished in 1829, merchant Alfred Robinson described a Christmas Eve performance of the play Los Pastores („The

Shepherds‟), also known as La Pastorela, performed that year at the Presidio chapel. Amid fireworks, bonfires and

church bells, the people of Old Town walked up the hill to the chapel to attend the traditional late night misa de

gallo („Mass of the Rooster‟). Upon its completion, costumed shepherdesses, Lucifer, the clownish Hermitano, and

the lazy drifter Bartolo, appeared in the crowd as the comedy commenced. Sent by the angel Gabriel to the manger,

the shepherdesses keep getting distracted by the others, only to have the angel constantly redirect their journey.

Pastorela was given over and over again at individual houses and in the plaza over the next few days and, as

descendent Arturo Bandini noted, food and gifts were given to the performers and to the crowd.

The most famous Pastorela at the Casa de Bandini itself took place Christmas night in 1838, as reported by historian

Hubert Howe Bancroft. Because Juan Bandini was in a rebellion against Governor Alvarado, his troops surrounded

the house during the party. Two Carrillos, two Picos and an Ortega family member were taken prisoner. Bandini‟s

brother-in-law Jose Antonio Estudillo hid in a loft above his house next door, Bandini himself not being at home.

Later to be the last governor of Mexican California, Pio Pico remembered his performance that night as Lucifer.

Christmas at the Cosmopolitan Hotel

by Therese Muranaka Associate State Archaeologist

California Department of Parks and Recreation

THE POPPY PAPER

December 2010

Official Monthly Publication of the

Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

A Non-Profit Organization

BOOT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Secretary: Zulema Franco

Treasurer: Deanna Turton (619) 222-0047

BOOT Store: Mary Jones

Membership: Shirlee Rodriguez

Historian: Bob Wohl

Poppy Paper Ruth French (858) 583-1269

Editor: ruthfrench@earthlink.net

Board Members: Mary Ellen Young

Tom Young

Cindy Furlong

Bob Jones

Website: http://boostersofoldtown.com/

As for the „Yankees,‟ and other sailors, merchants, trappers,

etc. of other ethnicities that came to California before the Gold

Rush, there must have been many forms of Christmas (and

Hanukkah) celebrated. Protestant and Central European

customs must have appeared permanently as foreigners

married into the local families. Historian Richard Amero noted

that in 1868, a year before Seeley began the Cosmopolitan

Hotel remodel, the U.S. Government Barracks down in New

Town had a Christmas tree.

Whether the Cosmopolitan Hotel had a Christmas tree or

not…many Christmas celebrations must have taken place, with

fireworks and gunfire! Stage passengers, disembarking in a

strange place over the holidays, must have been welcomed into

the hotel reception area with warm food, and the manager‟s

cheer.

pg. 2

President‟s Notes by Jeanne Ferrell

Presenters included:

Bob Wohl who reported on the status of recent grant applications and Bob Jones who gave his report as

Webmaster Bob Jones also gave the “treasurer‟s report” for Deanna. (She lost her voice to a cold!) Ruth

French talked about the Poppy Paper, Shirlee Rodriquez gave the Membership Report, Mary Jones told

everyone about the successes of the BOOT Store and Jeanne Ferrell addressed the “State of the BOOT.”

Our CAL, Rich Dennison gave the “State of the Puebla” report and Clay Phillips talked to us about the

District plans.

Thanks to the people who joined BOOT and those who renewed their membership. Awards and prizes

were given out and we called it a morning.

Paola Martinez and Leo Gonzalez are 2/3 of my Management Team at Cold Stone. I suppose a better

description would be they manage me. They keep me on track and allow me the freedom to do the things

I love, like BOOT. Many of you know them; they help me with events for BOOT and in the Park. Once

again, they helped make the breakfast meeting a success!

Be sure to see the calendar for all the great events going on the Park in December. Hope to see you at the

Bonfires!

BOOT Board of Directors (l-r): (front row) Mary Ellen and Tom Young;

(middle row) Jeanne Ferrell, Shirlee Rodriguez, Cindy Furlong, Mary Jones, Zulema Franco;

(back row) Ruth French, Deanna and Gary Turton, Bob Wohl, Bob Jones

Thanks to all who attended our Annual BOOT Breakfast Meeting. A special

thank you to Clay Phillips, our Acting District Superintendent. He was the

hit of the meeting; his quick response to a faulty microphone was

memorable. Those of you who were there know what I‟m talking

about…those of you who weren‟t there, well you missed something special!

We enjoyed the hospitality of the Café Coyote. The Breakfast was

spectacular and the day was beautiful! The program was presented by the

BOOT Board. Clay Phillips

Acting District Supt.

pg. 3

Treasurer‟s Notes by Deanna Turton

It seems like just yesterday that the trick-or-treaters were at the door, hoping for their favorite candy

bars…and now we are only five days away from Thanksgiving. Alas...Christmas is around the corner

and it will soon be time to do the end of year balancing and tax papers. Didn't I just do that a few months

ago???

October was a good month for BOOT as we came out about $1,900 ahead after all bills were paid.

Although the daily average in the donation boxes is beginning to go down because the tourist season is

waning, it is still at $49.68 a day, which is good for this time of year.

During October, BOOT also participated in the yearly ArtFest event and sold a variety of "second hand"

things that we had been given by the recently closed coffee and tea concession, the San Diego House.

After Mary and Bob Jones sorted through the "donations" and washed all the glassware, we discovered

we had quite a haul! Therefore, a crew of sellers was assembled and BOOT opened up shop at four

tables near the corner of the Estudillo Casa. (Many thanks to Jeanne Ferrell for giving us that location!)

After the two days were over, we had earned $388.50 and had made a lot of new friends for BOOT

because everyone got a very good deal.

And I got two new books ....courtesy of Jeanne Ferrell who shopped at the library resale booth which

was located next door to the BOOT table. One book is on making gourd dolls....a book I have always

wanted, but never bought because it was so expensive. The craft committee is also delighted with the

new ideas in Jeanne's thoughtful gift.

Another bonus for me personally was getting to know Zulema Franco ever so much better, as we worked

the entire Saturday together at the Art Fest sale. What a kind and generous person she is. I want to share

one moment of that day which illustrates her kindness. One of our "donations" was a large wooden

model of a sailing ship which needed lots of loving attention to get it back in good repair. At some point

in the middle of the afternoon, a young boy about nine or ten years old came up to our booth to make an

offer of $5 on the sailing vessel. Zulema told him that he could have it for free because it was clear that

he dearly wanted that ship. However, he had been carefully coached by his mother to offer us something

for the model. In the end, we settled on a small sum and he walked away with his prize. What a grand

moment that was...to see him holding the ship proudly in front of his chest as he navigated through the

crowds on the sidewalk. However, as Zulema and I smiled, we also speculated on how long he would

carry the large model down the street before he asked help from his loving mother.

Expenses for the month of October totaled $3,013.76. Expense categories over $200 were as follows:

Third quarter sales taxes - $893.00, replacement of BOOT store inventory - $861.40, and care of the

burros - $217.77. The twelve other spending categories were all under $200.

End of BOOT’s Fiscal Year

All bills, invoices and funding requests for FY 2010 are due on Dec 31, 2010. (Please call me to let me know if something is coming in late.)

I will close the books for FY2010 on January 10, 2011. Any bills turned in after that will be charged to FY2011's budget.

Deanna Turton, Your Faithful Treasurer

pg. 4

Making a Difference in Preserving Historic Structures at Old Town! by Joe Vasquez, Descendants Liaison and

Richard Dennison, Sector Superintendent

San Diego Coast District specialists and park staff continue working to preserve the Machado-Silvas

adobe building. The focus with adobe buildings is to minimize moisture from seeping toward walls.

Coordinated by Andy Bashore, Robert Robinson, Victor Walsh, and Therese Muranaka, the short and

long term steps include:

Remove latex paint & stabilized mud plaster; properly plaster and white wash the exposed adobe plaster. – In

progress by Contractor.

Replace worn pavers inside the Silvas Building – contractor

Coat the wood trim as needed with milk type paint

Cleaning inside walls in the back room, purchase and use a dehumidifier to mitigate moisture, plan improved

ventilation with windows and doors open.

Remove back patio pavers outside building to mitigate trapped moisture.

Recently, staff worked with a contractor to repair the drainage system adjacent to the west wall –

investigating existing pipes, cause of problem, and connecting appropriate materials to get runoff away

from building.

Per investigation of past work and existing conditions, there are no structural problems with the building.

A Historic Structures Assessment Report (available) was completed in June 2000 by renowned

Consultants Anthony Crosby and Edna Kimbro.

California State Parks has a partnership agreement with the Descendants Group, allowing them to use the

area for interpretive programming. While the use has been intermittent, the State is fully supportive of

the building being available for early San Diego families to share their history. As building repairs are

done, there are great opportunities for utilizing the interior back rooms and outside areas for exhibits and

programs.

Thanks to all who are working to preserve the Machado-Silvas building, as one of four original historic

adobes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!

There are many unsung heroes working for BOOT. If you

have come to a special event within the Park, you have

undoubtedly seen Paola Martinez and Leo Gonzalez (pictured).

As Jeanne Ferrell‟s employees, they are frequently asked to

help deliver, set up and staff booths. They are friendly, polite

and very hard workers. Leo can frequently be seen driving a

golf cart full of supplies for the BOOT sales booth. Paola can

often be seen distributing Cold Stone Ice Cream from

Jeanne‟s store. Paola and Leo both assisted in setting up and

serving at the BOOT Annual Meeting on Saturday Nov. 13th

.

Thank you, Jeanne, for sharing Leo and Poala with us –

for all of their smiles and for all of their hard work.

By Bob Jones

pg. 5

Embrace the holidays of yesteryear in Old Town with live action performances, caroling around the

fires, music, dancing and tours. Enjoy special holiday treats, activities and extended shopping hours. December 10, 11, 17, 18, 28, 29, 30

A VICTORIAN TEA PARTY at the Cosmopolitan Hotel at 4:00 pm each night (for more information,

see flyer on page 6)

BONFIRE NIGHTS from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park plaza. Bring down the family for an old fashioned gathering around the fire pit. Indulge in free s‟mores and

enjoy the live music.

Saturday, December 11 – MERCHANTS‟ OPEN HOUSE

Carolers, cookies and extended hours for shoppers.

Sunday, December 12, 5:00 pm – LAS POSADAS, 60th

ANNIVERSARY

This event will also feature a daytime celebration and preshow with live music performances and

activities for children from 1:00-5:00 pm.

For children‟s entertainment, there will be free craft activities that include making pioneer-style cloth

dolls, corn-husk dolls and paper holiday flowers. Hot cider, pastries, Mexican baked goods, tamales, hot

soup and more will be available for purchase from El Fandango Restaurant and Barra Barra Saloon.

A bonfire will be lit in the middle of the state park and El Fandango Restaurant will host a piñata-

breaking party following the Las Posadas procession. Stores and museums within the Park will have

extended hours until 8:00 pm that evening.

Las Posadas is a free event! For more information, phone (619) 297-3100

Sponsored by the Old Town San Diego

State Historic Park Merchants Association

Note from the Editor:

Sorry, there is no room in this issue for a full-page

calendar…December is such a busy month in Old

Town that a calendar just won‟t fit!!!

If you are active with one of the guilds, please

check with your lead person to verify dates and

times of events. All volunteers - please notify Joe

Vasquez of your availability.

(However, I couldn’t resist sqeezing in a picture of my niece,

Melissa, who portrayed “Mary” from 2006-2008 in the Las

Posadas procession. She’s a grown up college girl now!) Melissa Gall as “Mary” riding Dulcinea

Las Posadas 2008

pg. 6

Mark Your Calendar Every Month!

Every Saturday - Blacksmith Shop (10am-5pm); Actors Workshop at Seeley Theater (10am-12pm)

3rd Saturday - Fiber Arts at the Estudillo (12:30 -3:30pm)

4th Saturday - Soap Makers and Mountain Men at the Blacksmith Shop (10:00 to 3:00 pm); Californios Living History

Group at the Estudillo and plaza (12:30- 4:00 pm) Note: Los Bailadores (historic dancing group) usually come to the

event.

For more information, please contact Joe Vasquez, Volunteer Coordinator, 619-952-3897

“A Very Special Thank You”

Volunteers are amazing in Old Town! The “Séance at Seeley Stables” was a terrific success due in large part to our

volunteers:

Patt Seitas, as the Hungry Ghost. She ranted on and on about being hungry to the delight of our audiences. She gave

“Comic relief” a new meaning.

Victor Contreras as Joaquin Murrietta; helped as an acting coach to the first-time actors in a significant way.

Victor‟s sister, Henrietta, assisted with the audience and last-minute details.

John Padilla, a first-time volunteer in the Park, was hilarious as Captain Bouchard, the French corsair.

Becky Halliburton, made herself available for anything! She understudied the lead, expertly ran the lights, and had the

great “Can do” attitude that reflects the best of what volunteering can be.

Doug & Caryn Zimmer, once again came to our rescue. When we needed a stand-in for a speaking role, Doug jumped

right in. And Caryn, always gracious, ushered guests to their seats.

These volunteers are to be heartily congratulated for their dedication, hard work and positive contributions to our program.

Thank you all, so very much! Lisa Long, Theatre Guild

Superintendent‟s Message by Richard Dennison

Historic Sector Visitor Services Superintendent

Happy

Holidays!

On behalf of Old Town San

Diego State Historic Park, I

wish you a great holiday

season!

Christmas was very much a part of early San Diego,

and our staff is in full swing preparing for sharing it

with visitors. Thanks to all who have been decorating,

preparing programs, volunteering time around the park,

gardening, blacksmithing, sewing, crafting, behind the

scenes repairing and working on projects, everyday

working in museums, doing tours and living history,

and much, much more! Just as a sports team or other

production, it takes so many different skills and people

to pull off a win working together. Through all the

challenges, each day we put forth a great effort to have

a place where we care about authentic history, unique

cultural resources, and share that with visitors.

Thanks staff, volunteers, and our partnering

cooperating association.

pg. 7

Welcome to the Garden! by Deanna Turton

The Volunteer Garden Team would like to welcome Edna

Nerio to the garden. Since it has been raining and I have

had the killer germ, we were unable to get her photograph

in time for this issue of the Poppy Paper but we did not

want an issue to pass by without welcoming Edna to our

Monday crew.

Edna was born in Monterrey, Mexico and came to the

United States as a young woman. She has lived in a

number of places in America and has served in the

diplomatic service. However, when she discovered San

Diego, she knew this was the place she wanted to live

when she retired.

We are VERY happy to have Edna as one of our

volunteer gardeners. Although we have only met her three

times as of this writing, we hope to learn more about her

very interesting life as we pull weeds together. So far,

Nelda Harris has taken her to the senior lunch at the

Immaculate Conception Church on the first Monday of

November. Edna helped us spade compost and plant

winter vegetables. She has also offered to take care of

Adrian's circular garden behind the McCoy while he is

recovering from surgery.

We also want to wish Adrian Fernandes a speedy

recovery and hope he returns to our Monday garden

family as soon as he can. We will miss his happy smile

and skill in the garden.

BOOT Store News by Mary Jones

The store is getting a facelift! In the next

several weeks there will be a number of

changes in our sales area. We have

acquired two new bookcase/display

cabinets and, to accommodate them, we

need to rearrange our present furniture.

Come by and see what is going on!

The craft committee has been working very

hard to keep us supplied with Christmas

kits and herb packets. Thanks to all of you.

The park staff has removed just about all of

their supplies from our shed.

Keep in mind that we will need volunteers

in January to sort, throw out and reshelf our

supplies in an orderly manner. I'll be calling

upon you to help. This reorganization will

make is much easier for the craft committee

and the store to access their materials. It

will also provide more storage space and

allow me to purchase sales items in larger

quantities at lower cost to BOOT.

From the Editor‟s Desk…

Some of you may have noticed that the BOOT Office has been relocated. To make room for the new seamstress and

to improve accessibility in the Robinson-Rose building for Park staff to period attire, dressing facilities and lockers,

we have been “booted” to the top of the stairs!!!! Although it is more like a hallway than an office, at least it has a

nice view of the Park!

Shirlee Rodriguez, Deanna Turton and I spent an entire Saturday moving furniture and sorting many years of

accumulated “stuff.” I spent a few more days at home organizing all of the old Poppy Papers. (Thanks to Mary

Byrne‟s organizational expertise in the past many years, that job was not too difficult!) Zulema Franco has been

diligent in organizing the files. Mary and Bob Jones have helped to organize and identify BOOT property. And,

finally, Gary Turton was instrumental in upgrading the computer equipment and hooking everything up properly.

BUT, OUR WORK IS NOT DONE! When the new interpretive storage facility is ready, much of the supplies that

are currently stored in the BOOT shed will be moved, then we can continue our organizational efforts. Please be

patient…it is a work in progress!

Happy Holidays…and Happy Reading!

Ruth French, Editor

pg. 8

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS!

Join us in our support of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!

$ 50.00 Corporate Basic Membership

(business card or logo ad for 1 month)

$125.00 Corporate Enhanced Membership

(business card or logo ad for 12 months)

Please refer to the back cover page for more details.

NEW „BOOT‟ DECAL by Shirlee Rodriguez, Membership Chairperson

If you are walking by a business in our Old Town

community and see this decal in the window, it lets

you know this is a fellow BOOT member. Please stop

in and thank them for joining us in helping to support

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Each new and renewing member will receive one of

these decals with your updated membership during the

coming year. We hope you will display it proudly and

help us encourage everyone who sees it to join us and

become an active BOOT member.

Thanks to each of you for supporting BOOT as we

strive to promote the educational, cultural and

interpretive activities at Old Town San Diego State

Historic Park.

Special thanks to Bob and Mary Jones for helping

design and print our new decal.

pg. 9

Fred Garfield Shipp

Born on September 17, 1924 in

Old Town, San Diego, he was

from one of the early pioneer

families of San Diego County.

He died peacefully in his home

on November 3, 2010. Fred was

predeceased by his wife Helen

Shipp on February 7, 2010.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/signonsandiego

POPPY PAPER SUBMISSION

GUIDELINES

Park Aides: Submit to rdennison@parks.ca.gov

Volunteers: Submit to jvasquez@parks.ca.gov

ALL OTHER SUBMISSIONS may be sent

directly to the editor: ruthfrench@earthlink.net DEADLINE: 25

th of each month (handwritten

deadline is the 20th

- in my volunteer folder in the

Robinson-Rose Bldg.)

If you do not desire any editing of your article,

adherence to the following is mandatory:

FONT TYPE AND SIZE: Times New Roman

(12)

STYLE: single spaced with a double space

between paragraphs (not indented)

LENGTH: 400 words or less

NOTE: Submissions that exceed 400 words are

likely to be edited for length and clarity.

Exceedingly longer articles may be divided and

published in consecutive editions of the Paper.

Inclusion of articles is on a space-available,

first-come basis and at the editor's discretion.

Volunteer Opportunities

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park has many volunteer opportunities available!

Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Joe Vasquez

619-952-3897 jvasquez@parks.ca.gov

OR Include the below information with your BOOT Membership Application (on the reverse side):

I am most interested in volunteering for:

Special Events (Ladies‟ Day, 4th

of July, Fiestas Patrias, etc.) _____________________

BOOT Store_______ Tour Guide_______ Living History________ Crafts__________

Museums/Interpretive Programs_______ Other ________________________________

I belong to the following group(s):

Docent______ Military_____ Descendants _____ Californios _____ Other _____

We extend our sincere condolences

to the families of Fred and Helen

Shipp. They were special members

of our community for very many

years, and they are sincerely

missed.

The Booster of Old Town

San Diego State Historic Park

pg. 10

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. New

members are always welcome. And, if you have forgotten to renew your membership…it‟s never too late

to send it in. We miss you!

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ____$ 20.00 – Single Supporting Member ____$ 50.00 – Corporate Membership

____$ 35.00 – Family (2 or more individuals) (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper

____$ 15.00 – Senior (62+ years)/Student Single and on our website for one month)

____$ 25.00 – Senior Couple (62+ years ____$125.00 – Enhanced Corporate Membership

____$150.00 – Life Member (62+ years) (includes business card sized ad in the Poppy Paper

and on our website for 12 months)

____ I am also interested in volunteer opportunities, please contact me! (Please fill out the reverse side.)

NAME(S) ________________________________________________________

ADDRESS _______________________________________________________

CITY ________________________ __STATE _______ ZIP________________

PHONE ______________________E-MAIL ____________________________

I belong to the following group(s): Docent___ Military___ Descendants ___ Californios ___

Make your check out to “BOOT” and mail to:

BOOT Membership Chairperson, Shirlee Rodriguez, P.O. Box 152676, San Diego, CA 92195