January–February 2020 Newsletter & Archive

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T h e G i a n t M a g e l l a n T e l e s c o p e by David Thomas org . to m g . www : ason M odd T

on i llustrat I When Monday, January 27th Where Glendora Public Library, Bidwell Forum, 140 S. Glendora Avenue Time 6:30-8:30pm (Program will begin at 7pm) Nominations time! Cost FREE and open to the public - Refreshments will be served. See page 2

hen we use telescopes to look at objects in the heavens that are very far away, we are Wlooking back in time, for we are seeing them as they were in the past, not as they are today. Our talk will explain this and provide a short discussion of telescopes and how they work. We will also tell how the use of telescopes in astronomy began, and explain why we would want to build really large telescopes for astronomy research. The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is one of next generation of Extremely Large ground-based Telescopes (ELT’s) currently under development to advance our scientific understanding of our Universe. Funded by a consortium of Universities, it is managed by the non-profit Giant Magellan Telescope Organization headquartered in Pasadena and will eventually be constructed in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. We will overview the U.S. ELT program with an emphasis on the features of the GMT and the science goals we hope to accomplish with it. Five Glendora residents currently work on the GMT program and Scott Rubel (your editor) works at Carnegie Observatories, where GMT was  In this issue:  born. Giant Telescope Christmas Parade David Thomas is a Sr. Optical Engineer on the GMT program and Storytelling Workshop a resident of Glendora since 1990. He holds a Ph.D. in Optical A Repentant Return Sciences from the University of Arizona and has 30 years of Castle Bats Nominations Sought experience, mostly with space-borne telescope systems for NASA Tour Business and National Security Space applications. THE GLENDORA Submit Your nominations HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTIONS FOR THE 2020-2021 Glendora Historical Society Board of Directors will take Preserving Our Heritage Since 1947 E e oin place at the General Meeting on May 18, 2020. The Com J Us G l e n d o r a M u s e u m Nominating Committee is now receiving nominations for 314 North Glendora Avenue the seven Officer positions and eight Director positions. Glendora, California 81741-2601 If you or a person you know would be interested in Open Saturdays, 11:00am until 2:00pm. becoming a candidate they must be a member of the For special tours of the Museum call Glendora Historical Society and submit notice of their (626) 963-0419 interest by March 16. This can be done via mail to: Rubel Castle tours by appointment only. For details and reservations, visit our website Nominating Committee, 314 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora, www.glendorahistoricalsociety.org. CA 91741-2601 or via e-mail to the Nominating Committee Chair: [email protected] G e n e r a l M e e t i n g s The GHS program/general meeting will take place January More complete information regarding responsibilities and time 27. All are Monday nights 6:30-8:30pm in the Glendora Public commitment can be obtained at the addresses above. Library Bidwell Forum, 140 South Glendora Avenue. Our programs are organized in partnership with the Glendora Public Library and are free and open to the public. Volunteer Opportunities! B o a r d M e e t i n g s ANT TO HELP support Glendora Historical The next two regularly scheduled Board Meetings WSociety in its mission of preservation structures will take place Monday, January 20 & February 17 and stories? at 6 pm in the Rubel Castle Bennett Room. All members are welcome to attend. You can help in many ways. Be an important part of making history happen, while Preserving Our Heritage! Agendas, meeting minutes, and financial reports of previous meetings of the GHS Board are filed at the Museum, and can • Become a Docent • Donate cash, skills or time also be made available upon request in electronic format. • Help at one of our many events B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s • Get your hands dirty • Share us on Social Media President:...... Steven Bluitt Flowers Just send an email with subject line “support” to Executive Vice President...... Steve Slakey [email protected] Museum Vice President:...... Karen Fortus-Garcia Development Vice President:...... Vacant Castle Vice President:...... Scott Rubel Treasurer:...... Susie Kramer Secretary:...... Steve Edwards Director at Large:...... Curt Billings Thanks to our Donors ~ Edwin R. Anderson ~ Director at Large:...... Karen Cullen in memory of Annette Anderson Director at Large:...... Anita Enriquez Director at Large:...... Ron Fleming ~ Patricia F. Anderson ~ Director at Large:...... Sheharazad Fleming in memory of Ronald Anderson Director at Large:...... Linda Granicy ~ Terryl A. Bollinger ~ Kathleen Gotch ~ Director at Large:...... Barret Oliver ~ Don Green ~ Judy Haccou ~ Director at Large:...... Craig Wood ~ Catherine Hawkins ~ Thomas & Sheryl Hill ~ S u p p o r t V o l u n t e e r s ~ Sherry & Jerry Heinrich ~ Programs Chair:...... Jim Baker Frank & Phillis Landon ~ Merchandising Manager:...... Cyndee Bessant in memory of Frank & Florence Landon Museum Education Chair...... Karen Cullen ~ John Lybrand ~ Laurie Merryman ~ Docent Chair, Museum:...... Steve Edwards Membership Chair...... Anita Enriquez ~ Katherine Plumlee ~ Carolina Quezada ~ Castle Manager:...... Hans Hermann ~ Nigel Raab ~ Castle Curator:...... Sandy Krause ~ Christopher S. Rubel, Rel.D. ~ Historic Preservation Chair...... Barret Oliver in memory of Michael & Dorothy Rubel Docent Chair, Castle:...... Jim Riley Newsletter Editor:...... Scott Rubel ~ Steve & Sylvia Slakey ~ Museum Curator:...... vacant ~ Barbara Teater ~ Corresponding Secretary:...... Sylvia Slakey in honor/memory of Albert & Margaret Gnagy GHS Historian:...... DeDe Tomory ~ Ms. Carol Treacy ~ Hospitality Chair:...... vacant to Castle Garden in memory of Frank Richards Publicity Chair:...... vacant ~ Lavon Urbonas ~ Hana van der Steur ~ Castle Grounds & Garden Coordinator:...... Amy Wolkins Information Technology Chair...... Craig Woods ~ Sara Velas ~ David Wilson ~ S u p p o r t E m p l o y e e If there are any suggestions, corrections or additions to the Newsletter, please contact Scott Rubel via email at: [email protected]. Castle Groundskeeper...... Nick Nomic 2 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

C a l e n d a r ¶ Come Join Us ¶ Upcoming activities for Glendora Historical Society Members and Friends. ~ Monday, January 20 | 6:00pm ~ Board of Directors Meeting, Rubel Castle Bennett Room ~ Monday, January 27 | 6:30pm Social - Lecture at 7:00 ~ Membership Meeting — Nominating Cmte. Announced, Bidwell Forum at Glendora Library ~ Monday, February 10 | 3:00 ~ Executive Board Meeting, Rubel Castle Bennett Room ~ Monday, February 17 | 6:00pm ~ Board of Directors Meeting, Rubel Castle Bennett Room ~ Monday, March 9 | 3:00 ~ Executive Board Meeting, Rubel Castle Bennett Room ~ Monday, March 16 | 6:00pm ~ Board of Directors Meeting, Rubel Castle Bennett Room ~ Monday, March 23 | 6:30pm Social - Lecture at 7:00 ~ Membership Meeting — Nominees Announced, Bidwell Forum at Glendora Library ~ Monday, April 13 | 3:00 ~ Executive Board Meeting, Rubel Castle Bennett Room ~ Saturday, April 18 | TBD ~ Michael Rubel Day, Rubel Castle ~ Saturday, April 18 | 9 - 1:00 ~ Earth Day, City Hall, 116 E. Foothill Blvd.

The Tour Business

OURS AT THE Castle are gaining popularity. incentivized us with a generous share of the ticket price. TMarketing Manager Cyndee Bessant reports 680 tourists in 2019: a thirty percent increase over The two very successful A.O. tours we have under our last year. belt are an indication of the potential we have not tapped for fundraising through this activity, and the Castle has Hans Hermann, Richard Macy, Steve Adams, and consistent five-star reviews on this international tour Head Docent Jim Riley have been scheduling and site. leading nearly all the tours and, with the help of our IT Manager Craig Woods, the tour scheduling system is There has been no balking at the price, and our Finance being modernized. Signups take less effort than they did Committee has doubled our own price of a tour to $20. in the past, with room still to improve. We have a new docent in training: Kathleen McPherson, Some have expressed belief that more people than not and there is room for more if you’ve ever had a hankering wish to talk to someone rather than just click on an to tell Castle stories. —Scott Rubel automated online scheduling app. This is true for a small percentage, but we have tested this notion by offering a S u n s h i n e couple of special tours on the Atlas Obscura website. Jim Riley Atlas Obscura is an online magazine and travel company we have enjoyed affiliation with for many years, with OLD GOOD THOUGHTS Rubel Castle listed in their comprehensive encyclopedia, Hfor past president & Head which just went into its second printing. Docent Jim Riley. He is improving after a heart attack, and as of this Atlas Obscura has brought informal tours by in years writing is still in hospital. Family past, but after a recent merger with AirBnB Experiences, requests no visitors for now. they showed interest in more consistent scheduling and 3 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

S o c i e t y D o i n g s Museum Report — Exhibit Donations Requested HE NEXT UPDATE of exhibits at the Museum church and Docent Ruanne Skeels recruited them to Tis to look beyond the 1940’s and move closer to the help get the sparrow out, who had now hidden behind the history of the 50’s through the 80’s. Please rummage bookcases. After removing an extensive amount of books through your closets and see if you have anything related they were able to capture the bird and then release him. to Glendora’s history that you would like to donate. We are hoping to focus our displays on some of Glendora’s Well last week, Linda Lybrand and I were working in notables - from musicians like the We Five, The Sufaris; the office when a hummingbird made its way through the to actors - Woody Strode; to Olympic athletes - Bryan front doors and up to the office. The hummingbird was Clay, Sharon Stroud, to the fifties era - car culture, very concerned about finding itself in a location where McDonalds Brothers, etc. it did not seem able to get out of. It flew into walls as we tried to capture it to no avail. The hummingbird seemed So please: if you have anything you’d like to donate - to be weakening and fading fast due to all the energy it please let us know. had expended. As a last resort we opened the hatch to the roof top, this involved climbing up a narrow ladder Last year Linda Granicy wrote an article about an invasion and forcing the hatch open. Then we turned off the lights, at the Museum by a House sparrow. He flew in the front and opened the hatch to bright sunlight which caught door, made his way upstairs to the office and proceeded to the hummingbirds attention - and it made a beeline for bounce against walls, startle volunteers working there the great outdoors. So the next time a bird gets into the and become frantic about how to escape. Luckily, a Boy Museum, the trick is to open up the roof hatch and let it Scout Troupe was doing a service project next door at the free. — Karen Fortus Garcia Fundraising is Friendraising UNDRAISING IS REALLY friendraising. Our new pre-printed envelopes created by Marketing Note from F Sara Velas Manager Cyndee Bessant are bringing in needed donations, but what keeps the meaning in the work we do in the Society are sentiments such as: “Hello to all at Rubel Castle! I had a wonderful time at Saturday’s gathering. Thank you for keeping such a fantastic place alive and thriving. Your existence makes me proud to be a Southern Californian! Anything and everything is possible here. Love, Sara” Nobody can appreciate the results of Michael Rubel’s persistent work more than one who has stepped out into the world in a similar spirit of creative brevity. Our new friend & member Sara Velas is founder and curator of and the curious to unite, Society members plan a visit to an incomparable Los Angeles gem: The Velaslavasay this surreal venue in March. See page 9 for details. Panorama. In recognition of the desire for the kindred — Scott Rubel

Storytelling for Organization Leaders S A COMPONENT in our continuing education as nonprofit leaders & A volunteers, a small group attended a dynamic, interactive full-day Nonprofit Partnership workshop to help Board members harness the power of story to become more powerful stewards, advocates, and allies for their organizations. The Society cohort included Steven Bluitt Flowers, Anita Enriquez, Scott Rubel, Sheharazad Fleming, and Susie Kramer. We learned about six different types of leadership stories, where to find stories that will connect with listeners, and how to craft stories (and conversations!) that Steven Bluitt Flowers build community and move our audience from apathy to action with authenticity in Storytelling and humanity. Workshop We were all able to attend for the price of one, and we took full advantage. — Scott Rubel4 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

S o c i e t y D o i n g s Christmas Parade Report

Castle culture is catching on. Here's a girl who could have dressed up as anyone: Cinderella, Myrna Loy, Joan of Arc. Instead, this remarkable girl was inspired by Michael ECEMBER WAS A happily Rubel's avatar: the Arthur Rackham troll. Dhectic month for GHS volunteers. Between the Annual Membership Tea at Rubel Castle and days of service and the Christmas parade, it was all hands on deck. We again entered the 1930 Chevy flatbed truck and eight volunteers rode on the back in comfortable theater seats. This is not the first time seats like this were mounted on our trucks. In the 60s and early 70s, Castle-building crews would take excursions to the drive-in theater, watching movies from the comfort of theater seats while making popcorn on a pot belly stove. — Scott Rubel

Riding in theater seats on the back of the 1930 flatbed: Amy Wolkins, Steve Slakey, Cyndee Bessant, Sioux Baum. Karen Fortus-Garcia standing. Craig Woods drove in the Glendora Christmas parade. 5 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

S o c i e t y D o i n g s Christmas Parade Picture Gallery

The 1915 LaFrance fire engine. Steven Bluitt Flowers checking Steven Bluitt Flowers waving. parade start time.

Veteran Castle resident Sioux Baum visits from Hawaii, here with Cyndee Bessant.

Riding on bed: Roger & Sue Wolkins, Elise Webster, Hans Hermann in cab with Craig Woods.

Craig Woods maintains & drives the Chevy flatbed 6 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

S o c i e t y D o i n g s Annual Membership Tea Report HE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Tea TSocial will be remembered as the warmest and most intimate gathering to date. Despite rain and cold, 200 guests spent the afternoon socializing amidst the decked halls and glowing warmth of the Castle, enjoying entertainment by Mister Moonbeam, the one- man band who came all the way from Eureka to serenade us. You can see his inspired performance of Michael Rubel’s iconic song, “The Fox,” at rubel.io/fox19. We gained new members and new affections during this afternoon and we look forward to the next one. — Scott Rubel o k s i r D

n i tl i a K Mister Moonbeam’s travel case. Scott Rubel presents the Holiday Tea A kitchen festooned with refreshments. Grand Prize to Robert Knight, preservation Christof Certik shows off Krampus architect at Team Drisko. sweater. ng

Old friends returned bringing new mi le friends. Scott Rubel with fellow F builder Alan Zorthian and Sara Velas of the Velaslavasay Panorama. heharazad 7S GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

C u r a t o r C o mm e n t a r y One Rock at a Time HE TIN PALACE Friday crew has been working to start the mixer first thing every morning and he often Tdiligently to photograph collections and add more “worked alone because he could pick up one rock at a details into the PastPerfect database. Currently that time. He thought of life that way, just doing one thing at means wading through at least a thousand books! In time.” Because so many historic photos show the concrete December the LA as Subject group visited the Castle mixer parked in front of Castle next to the sand pit, I to hold their bimonthly meeting. Museum leaders and advocated for moving it back to this place of honor. With archivists from far flung organizations braved traffic on a the support of the Castle Conservation Committee and Tuesday morning to share, mingle and take a tour. Since the help of Craig Woods, it was returned there this we recently applied for one of their programs to help small month. If you come by, be sure to give a little bow to the museums digitize collections, we took the opportunity to mixer that churned the stuff that built a castle! show them our materials. If our project is accepted we will share our history through these objects, photos and The Curators Committee will continue to document the recordings and learn best practices for future endeavors. concrete mixer and other important artifacts telling the Other critical work of the Curatorial Committee includes story of the Rubel Castle. If you have any information writing a plan, policy and procedures guide to focus our to share about the mixer or other special objects, please efforts and bring our collections management closer to write it down, record it on your digital phone, email me museum standards. or get in touch! — Sandy Krause, Castle Curator [email protected] I am excited to announce a new display for an old machine. For decades Michael built his castle with the help of friends, family and his trusted concrete mixer. Scott Rubel said Michael’s daily ritual was ves i rause K

rch Dink the Castle Cat A

andy ly S mi a

F January, 2020. The mixer is back ubel in its rightful place. The entire R Michael at the mixer. © driveway was once paved with Scene in 1971 when the first two towers were completed. railroad ties and is now brick.

Shopping online? MAZON CUSTOMER? Designate Glendora Historical Society as your Smile charity from your account page. When you make a Amazon will donate .5% A purchase sign in to smile.amazon.com. 8 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

F o r O u r E d i f i c a t i o n Field Trip Invitation: The Velaslavasay Panorama RAWING ON THE illustrious history of the great Dpanorama paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries, The Velaslavasay Panorama is an exhibition hall, theatre and garden dedicated to the presentation of unusual visual experiences, including those of the 360-degree variety. The exhibition encircles the spectator within a vast painting of a continuous surrounding landscape, affording the viewer an opportunity to experience a complete sensory phenomenon. We will pay a special visit to the Panorama March 8th in Los Angeles from 11-3. A seven dollar donation is requested at the door, and we will be hosted personally by founder and curator (& new GHS member) Sara Velas. Section of Burford’s Panorama, Leicester Square. From Robert Mitchell’s Plans and Register at bit.ly/ghspan. Views in Perspective of Buildings Erected in England and Scotland, 1801. Or contact Scott Rubel at [email protected].

An Introduction to Financial Management for Non-Profit Organizations February 8, 2020 Hawthorne Memorial Center 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Compliance for Your Non-Profit: Tax season is quickly approaching! Ensure your non-profit organization is compliant with the IRS and Franchise Tax Board from our panel of experts. Special question and answer session with guidance on your specific situation! Fundraising in the New Decade: An annual fundraising campaign can greatly benefit your organization, but where should you start? Learn more about what an annual fundraising campaign is, why you should have one and how to implement one successfully! Bonus! National History Day, California Information: National History Day prepares our next generation of historians. Learn how to become more involved with the state competition that encourages students to explore local and state history! CCHS Member Registration*: $30 Non-Member Registration $45 *As a reminder, if you are a member of a CCHS member organization, you are entitled to the member rate. www.californiahistorian.com/2020_winter_workshop Registration Deadline is January 30, 2020 9 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

F o r O u r E d i f i c a t i o n Castle Bats Many bats use echolocation to find food in the ood f - dark. They create sound waves with their mouth or nose and listen for the batty / returning echoes to find insects. plosable /

edu and more in insects, each night. That means thousands .

asu of insects. They are also amazing hunters using echo . st i location to find their prey and using their super speed to

olog catch them. Research shows that some bats can fly over i ab

k 100 miles per hour. as

:// There are 16 different species of bats that live in the

https Los Angeles area, but none of them are VAMPIRES. Vampire bats are natives of South America not Southern O ONE WANTS to have bats in their Belfry, but California, so you don’t have to worry about our bat NRubel Castle does. If you happen by the Castle, in friends. As they fly though the night, they are just looking the evening, you might encounter some of our resident for dinner on the wing instead of at the drive-through. flying mammals. They are on duty each night eating tons of flying insects and keeping their Glendora neighborhood Bats are true helpers and should not be feared. You pest population in check. Free pest control is awesome! could actually welcome them into your neighborhoods by buying and installing bat houses because bats are great These furry little creatures actually eat their body weight neighbors. — Kathleen McPherson

H a v e Y o u T h a n k e d a V o l u n t e e r T o d a y ? Get your hands dirty at the Rubel Castle Garden! Volunteers are welcome to drop in for garden fun. We will have sit-down jobs like planting seeds in seed trays, and other get-your-heart-pumping tasks such as turning compost and more. Questions to Amy Wolkins [email protected]. J o i n u s o n S a t u r d ay , J a n . 2 5 t h 10 a m -N o o n

Much needed tree doctoring. essant B yndee C The Zen Garden 10 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

H a v e Y o u T h a n k e d a V o l u n t e e r T o d a y ? Work & Play Around the Castle

Groundskeeper Nick Nomic working on the doors for the Tool Shed.

Susan Baum, veteran Castle resident, shows off the old Easter Egg Hunt Trophy. Go (click) to May 2017 issue for more.

John Cox 1970 Much needed tree doctoring.

Veteran Castle resident John Cox pays a visit and The Tree House gets a new stair case. reminisces. 11 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

T h e R e t u r n o f H i s t o r y 38 Years Later — A Repentant Return The tattered cover of the returned book, which traveled the country with its temporary owner for 38 years. Michael Rubel's Aunt Vera's signature from 1925 on the endpaper.

Vera Rubel on left, with Mozelle Bennett Sawyer in Sweet Chalybeate, West Virginia 1917. From the book Joy Fills My Heart by Mrs. Sawyer.

N ANONYMOUS LETTER was received by Athe Society along with a tiny book belonging to Castle-Builder Michael Rubel’s aunt Vera Rubel. Thank goodness someone found Jesus and returned this little family treasure after 38 years. Annon: You have our forgiveness as well. To Whom it may concern, 12/4/2019 Dear Michael, Thank you so much for opening your doors and heart to wayer S the public on Easter 1982. ennett

For years I had road, or walked, my bike around this B castle, then when I was old enough, I drove to the top of Lone Hill [must mean Live Oak] and would park my ozelle M car and imagine all of the wonderful sites behind these by castle walls. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I ever believe that I would get a chance to walk through the 1976 gates of Rubel Pharm. Then, on Easter 1982, the gates eart H were opened to the public and I walked through! Excited, y M

full of wonder and I couldn’t believe I was actually here! I ills F

may as well have been Dorothy in Oz! I had always been oy J a lover of things and so were you. From the pet cemetery k oo B and the caboose, to the Alice stained glass window, I was m

enchanted! Unfortunately, that was not enough. I picked ro up a little book and read so many unique bits of poetry F and sadly thought that it could be my little memento. “Thoughts from Chesterton”, it was lying on a table in And yes, I have safely carried it with me all of these front of the Alice in Wonderland Stained glass window. years. I have traveled all over these United States and To my left was a well made bed with golden flatware managed to keep this with me. But, as a born again, strewn upon it and carefully into my pocket it went. for quite sometime now, believer in my Lord and Savior I am truly, deeply and regrettable sorry! Jesus Christ whom I know had forgiven me, but I am strongly convected to repent of my sin and that starts Please, Michael, accept my apologies and may we with returning what clearly does not belong to me. both rest in peace.. — Scott Rubel12 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER

Since our social media report last newsletter, we have covered more tidbits of town and Castle history on Instagram and Facebook. Follow us by clicking on the icons above or the photographs below to reveal their stories. Reading this on paper? Go to rubel.io/ghsnews_20201

Mister Moonbeam — The Fox Christmas 80 Years Ago Rackham Troll at Parade (Pg. 5)

Cincinnati Junk Shot Return of an Artifact (Pg. 12) The Mayor’s New Plaque

Tin Palace Shoe Rule Membership Tea Invitation Joe Penner

13 GLE NDORA HI STORI CAL S OCI ETY J ANUARY–FEBR UARY 2020 NE WSLETTER