NEWS FROM THE ALPINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: APRIL - JUNE 2016

By Tom and Judy Myers

April 7, 2016 (Alpine) - The following are some upcoming events from the Alpine Historical Society.

1. Potluck Luncheon & Presentation, Sunday, April 17, 2016

History in the Headlines, by Del Hood, contains a half-century of El Cajon Valley’s most notable events, from 1950 to 2000, chronicled as a ready reference to the area’s important historical moments. Drawn from headlines in The Valley News and The Daily Californian, more than 1,700 “little stories” about what happened in the valley and in neighboring communities depict the notable events of those years. The events are presented in chronological order and are designed as a guide for those researching specific events or newsmakers. Historic photographs enhance several stories.

Del Hood, a graduate of Hastings College and the University of Nebraska School of Journalism, worked for the Baker (OR) Democrat-Herald and Eugene (OR) The Register-Guard and earned his master’s degree from the University of Oregon. He spent 30 years as an editor of The Daily Californian in El Cajon. Hood received many awards for his writing from Sigma Delta Chi, California Newspaper Publishers Association, San Diego Press Club, Associated Press and other organizations. His memoir, The Triumph of Belva Jane, was published in 2015. Now retired, he and his wife enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Please bring a potluck item to share for the luncheon which begins at 1:00 p.m. or arrive by 1:45 p.m. for the brief general membership meeting followed immediately by Del’s presentation.  Admission is free, but your donation helps to defray the cost of programs and helps us preserve Alpine’s historical artifacts and maintain the museum facilities.  The Potluck Luncheon and Program will be held at the Alpine Town Hall (Alpine Woman’s Club),  located at 2156 Alpine Boulevard. Seating is limited, so please make your reservations early by  calling Tom Myers at (619) 885-8063 or send an email request to info@alpinehistory.org.

2. New HABITAT Exhibits at the John DeWitt Museum

Earlier this year the Alpine Historical & Conservation Society accepted the responsibility to maintain Alpine’s first-in-the-nation status as a Community Wildlife Habitat which includes reporting annually to the National Wildlife Federation. In support of that program we are working on two new exhibits. In the Beaty House West Gallery, we installed the first exhibit showcasing the four elements of a wildlife habitat:

       • Food

       • Water

       • Cover

       • Places to raise young

Here you can see examples of simple solutions to provide these basic elements for wildlife survival in your neighborhood. You can also pick up brochures published by the NWF that offer more details on how to create a wildlife habitat in your own yard, and how to certify your garden with the NWF.

Coming Soon! We are currently constructing a new outdoor exhibit illustrating just how easy it is to develop a wildlife habitat in a small garden space. We chose an area between our two museum buildings that is only 10 feet wide and 40 feet long. Here we will plant several species of native plants for food, install a water source, establish places for critters to find cover and places to raise their young.

This project is being developed by volunteers who have certified their own gardens as Wildlife Habitats. Financial support for this demonstration habitat garden will come from donations from AHS members as well as others in the Alpine community. Funds are needed for purchasing plants, mulch, river stones for drainage, irrigation materials, and materials for a birdhouse.

We would greatly appreciate your donation to help with this project that will protect wildlife, and also preserve Alpine’s claim to being the first Certified Community Wildlife Habitat in the nation. Please send your donation—no amount is too small or too large—to the Alpine Historical Society, P.O. Box 382, Alpine, CA 91901. Please write on your check that it is for the “Habitat” program and we’ll acknowledge your tax deductible gift with a letter and recognition in our newsletter. The Alpine Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

3. John DeWitt Museum Joins the Blue Star Museums Program

The Alpine Historical Society has joined with more than 2,000 museums across the country to participate in the Blue Star Museums program of the National Endowment of the Arts. This program, which runs from Memorial Day, May 30th, through Labor Day weekend, provides a list of participating museums that offer free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families. The website for Blue Star Museums [arts.gov/bluestarmuseums] is being updated and will provide a list participating museums along with a map of their locations, a description of their exhibits and special events and an FAQ page to help our military families plan their trips. We are thrilled that we can participate in the program this year and look forward to greeting our active duty service families and thanking them for their service to our country.

4. Save the date! 2016 ALPINE HISTORY DAY — June 4^th, 2016

Start making your plans now to attend the 16th annual Alpine History Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 4, at the John DeWitt Museum, 2116 Tavern Road in Alpine. We have another fun-filled program planned for this year that you won’t want to miss.

Kicking off our event will be the legendary Hole in the Wall Gang performing their cowboy comedy skit “Bad Guys and Butterflies.” This glimpse into life in the old west is sure to tickle your gut, but we recommend leaving your pet pals at home because this skit involves very, very loud gunfire (blanks only of course).

Also featured this year will be our Wildlife Habitat Garden showcasing how you can share even the smallest garden area with the wildlife in your neighborhood.

In addition, we’ll have displays of:

            • Civil War era artifacts

            • Civil War era quilts

            • Birds of prey

            • Honey production

            • the doctor’s buggy

            • Model T Fords and other vintage vehicles.

The Alpine Fire Department will bring their Engine #17 and answer all your questions about protecting your home and family from fire.

You can also have your photo taken by a real “tin type” photographer and when you get hungry, the Kiwanis Cook Shack will be at your service with the best burgers this side of the Great Divide. Don’t forget to top off your lunch with one of our famous ice cream sundaes.

Best of all: admission is FREE!  But, remember this is a fundraiser event for your Alpine History Museum. Donations will be gratefully accepted throughout the event.