Upper Mojave Desert 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd. • P. O. Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556 • 760-375-8456
Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014 To see our schedule of events, visit us at www.hsumd.org or on Facebook at hsumd Bring Photos, Share Stories on June 17 ome enjoy an evening of nostalgia on Tuesday, June 17, at 7 p.m. at the Historic USO Building, 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd. C The meeting will feature an ice cream social and viewing of historic local pictures. HSUMD members and the public are invited to bring their own pictures to share. We last had a similar social in 2010, and it brought forth many interest- ing pictures, includ- ing those shown here from Don Snyder Volunteers help at the opening of and Gene Schnei- the new Maturango Museum in der. So please look Ridgecrest, 1986. Gene Schneider colllection Don Snyder is the little blonde boy astride a pony, circa in your collection of 1954. In the background you can see B Mountain, com- photos and bring those showing interesting people, events plete with “B.” Don Snyder collection and buildings of the local area. See p. 3
Field Trip to Cerro Gordo — June 14 For the last field trip before summer, we’ll return to Cerro Gordo on June 14. Lots of exciting things have been happening up on “Fat Hill,” and it’s time to get caught up. The Hoist House has been rebuilt and is functional again! — we’ve been promised a tour. Robert, the caretaker, has been busy restoring other buildings and the Crapo House is now open as a small gift shop, visitors center, and antique shop, which has both of Cecile Vargo’s books for sale if you don’t already have them. We will be at approximately 8,500 feet in altitude, so plan accordingly. Bring lunch, layered clothing for the weather, sturdy shoes and a hat, camera and other usual stuff. IMPORTANT! Bring all your own WATER, as the mountain is still dry and has no water available! We’ll meet at 7:45 a.m., leaving promptly at 8:00 am from the parking lot on the east side of the Historic USO Building. You won’t need 4-wheel drive, but the road is steep and rocky, so a little clearance and good tires are necessary. Contact me if you have any questions; 760-371-2458. No limit on how many Photo by Liz can go. — Jim Kenney Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014
President’s Message — Genealogical Committee Thank you, SEEP volunteers The Genealogical Committee will ur army of volunteers has contributed so much to the success of our not have a meeting this month of June. operations and events. I used the opportunity at our Annual Dinner Instead, I encourage all com- Meeting to recognize many of these volunteers. But I must admit that I mittee members Omissed mentioning one active group. to join in an Ice Cream Social on We have a small group of volunteers who represent HSUMD and give their Tuesday, June 10, time to the Sand Canyon Environmental Educational Program (SEEP). Our at Tex’s house! part of that program entails going to Sand Canyon and teaching groups of Call Tex for elementary-school students the human history of the canyon. directions. Our volunteers include Dr. Craig Porter, Dr. Lloyd Smith, archaeologist And thanks to all who expressed Melody Hollinger, and myself. Thanks! sympathy for one of our members Also at our Annual Dinner Meeting we announced three new life member- whose whole left side was cut off. He’s ships to our Historical Society. In HSUMD we do not “sell” life memberships; all right now. — Tex Hoppus they are bestowed by our Board of Directors only to the volunteers who have served our Society in significant and unique ways. The three recipients of new Open Mic Night is still going Society life memberships were Fred Weals, Roger McEntee, and Liz Babcock. strong on non-flex Fridays. Congratulations to three exemplary members of our Society! Admission is a mere $2 per And keep an eye out for publicity notes on our many events. We have lots of adult, with children younger than evening activities coming up, and you’d be amazed at the fun people have when 12 free. Premium beers and they come in on a summer evening and join us in listening to music groups and wines are available along with concerts, or watching classic movies while eating popcorn, or… the usual candies, sodas, pop The Historic USO Building is, indeed, a community center for cultural and corn and jumbo “Crumville” hot educational and recreational events! dogs. The show starts a 7 sharp — a perfect summer activity! — Tex Hoppus
Kudos for Our Fabulous Building
Carolyn Riise, historian of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presents DAR’s Historic Pres- ervation Recognition Award to Tex Hoppus, our president. The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert re- ceived the honor because of the successful work our volunteers did to renovate our Historic USO Building.
Thanks, Laura Austin, for letting us publish your photo!
2 Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014 Bring Photos From p. 1 Report on Collections Multiple scanners will be available to copy pictures to be projected for the audience and Lots Going on in May! to preserve in the HSUMD archives as appro- want to start off with a non-collections message — priate. All photos will be returned, unless you a big thank you to Michelle Andreoli and Claudia choose to donate them to us. We’d also like to Sound for their help in setup and decorations for our hear people’s stories of their early days on our May Business Meeting. The colorful flowers were made by Mi- desert and of other significant local events. chelle for our Cinco De Mayo event. Of course Chuck Cordell Ice cream and cookies will be provided by andI crew did a great (and delicious) job as did our servers and the HSUMD. Please come and enjoy the evening. dessert crew. Thanks for making this a special night. Being able HSUMD meets on the third Tuesday of to enjoy a glass of wine was a nice addition. the month. All are welcome to attend. To learn more about this or future meetings, call I mentioned receiving a PTA scrapbook last month. Lo and us at 760-375-8456. behold, I now have two. This second one was from 1952-53 — Andrew Sound while Felice Plain Muel- ler was president. These scrapbooks, which were for all the schools in the IWV PTA, have lots of news articles and reports of their many activities in the community. Here is something I never knew existed, I would like to say it was before my time but no, I was just very young. We now have a USO Scrap- book, unused. It seems that during WWII these blank books were available for folks to fill with news articles (no war or death notices) and photos from US newspapers and hometown papers. Road openings, new bridges, movie and play reviews etc. were sug- gested. When a scrapbook was filled, it would be sent to the USO national organization, which would send it off to the troops for a touch of home. We had our big move-stuff-around day on May 5, and I should be able to sort and reorder our stored items. No complaint here, At the Chief Petty Officers’ Annual Ball Feb. but we are receiving so many collectables lately that there is no 19, 1972, retired CPOs George Schneider way to stay on top of the incoming and sort the existing. (right) and T. L. Terrebonne (left) are called — Carol Porter to the microphone by Emcee ADCS A. J. “Gus” Getusky to comment on what it was like to be the oldest retired CPOs at the ball. As usual, the HSUMD newsletter won’t be published in July and This is a great example of a significant his- August — so have a great summer, and I’ll communicate with toric photo, since local ties still exist for all you again in September! — ed. three of these guys. Gene Schneider colllection 3 Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014 Grace — Alan Alpers, 1960–2014 I’ve been friends with Alan Alpers for over 40 years, the Navy has two fine museums, due in no small part to and I’ve probably spent too much of that time taking him Alan’s early behind-the-scenes efforts. We also have a rather for granted, as someone who would always be there. But nice Historical Society in Ridgecrest, due in great part to of course the loss of a loved one concentrates the mind, so Alan’s more recent and more public efforts. I’ve done a lot of thinking lately about Alan Another word that has its roots in Grace and what he meant to me and what one is Gracious. And Alan was an expert at living word best describes him. graciously as well. The art of living graciously is The word I came up with is “Grace.” It’s knowing how to relax. Many hectic afternoons, probably a surprising choice to many, who Alan would text me the question, “Smoke?” and might choose “Strong” or “Smart” or “De- we’d end up in his back yard or mine, smoking ci- termined.” But Grace is a rich word, with gars, watching the sunset or looking for satellites. layers of meanings. Just like Alan. Sometimes we’d talk about his latest research- It’s the root of Graceful, for example, es into local history. It was always fascinating perhaps another surprising word. But the listening to him compare various sources and masculine form of “Graceful” is, “That try to puzzle out the exact truth of some famil- boy can climb like a monkey!” One of my iar tale of Crumville past, or speculate about fondest memories — actually several of my whether the Monkton family in this part of the fondest memories, over the years — will state was related to the Monkton named on a always be Alan deciding he needed to be on gold mining certificate from that part of the a roof for some reason and clambering up a state. And of course he took those researches block wall and from there getting onto the and turned them into visually rich and popular roof in just a few swift moves. In his 50s displays at the Historic USO Building. yet! But for me, the defining characteristic of As long as I’ve known him he’s been those times was that being around Alan just physically strong and graceful. But he’s also made me feel good. Talking to Alan’s other graceful in the sense of becoming expert at friends lately, I realize I’m not alone in that feel- anything he decides to pursue and making ing — Alan had that effect on everybody. it look easy. And one of the things I think The word “Gracious” itself suits Alan well. Alan became an expert at is the art of grace- He’s my personal standard for gracious manners, ful living. I’ve watched Alan these last four by which I mean not just not slurping the soup years since he moved back to Ridgecrest or knowing the proper protocol for a dinner climb — in just a few swift moves — from with the Israeli Foreign Minister — although being a relative stranger returning, to being Alan certainly had gracious manners in that a force on the Historical Society to becom- Hat hung onstage at the sense. But really, the essence of gracious man- ing involved on the Chamber of Commerce Historic USO in Alan’s ners is making people feel like they matter to and in Old Town planning and the 50th memory. Photo by Liz you. Alan had an almost courtly way of opening Anniversary Celebration to being a community leader, ac- the door for a lady or letting someone go by first. He was cording to the Daily Independent. always willing to lend a hand to a friend or even a stranger The graceful part is that he achieved this not by fussing in need. He made it a point to go by the Historical Society and fighting and making enemies, but by quietly acting Gift Shop every day to thank the volunteers and see if they on no authority but the force of his personality, his good needed anything. And while he was there, if someone came ideas, a willingness to work hard and an ability to work in with a bit of local history to share, he was always eager well, and the confidence to do the right thing at the right to listen. Alan added a grace note to the Society, and to so time rather than wait for permission. many people’s lives, including mine. I realize now that I saw the same Alan in action when And there’s a final layer of meaning to the word Grace: he was at China Lake and Point Mugu. I spent many a the central tenet of Alan’s Lutheran faith, that Salvation pleasant evening listening to Alan talking about squirrel- comes through Grace and Faith alone. If anyone I know ing old missiles away into storage and strategizing how to deserves God’s Grace, it’s Alan. And Alan, I hope someday make a missile museum at each site an inevitable reality, that I may be worthy of meeting you again. despite what those with authority might want. And now — Andrew Sound Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014 If It’s Wednesday, It’s Classic Movie Night — All Summer Long! That’s right! Starting June 11 and continuing through Aug. 27, HSUMD is proud to present its “Summer of Movie Magic,” featuring silent classic films and Walt Disney family favorites. Last summer’s reception of silent films and Disney fare on dif- ferent nights of the week proved so popular that we decided to present an expanded program every Wednesday this summer. Silent film legends Buster Keaton, John Gilbert, Joan Craw- ford, John Barrymore, Marion Davies, William Haines, Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino will grace the Historic USO’s big screen this summer. You’ll also see some of Disney’s brightest stars: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Peter Lorre, Fess Parker, Dorothy McGuire, Haley Mills, Dean Jones, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, and “Jiminy Cricket.” In addition to arrang- While our contract with the Motion Picture Association ing our fabulous Movie prohibits us from publishing film titles here or online, you can Nights, Nick Rogers does many other things drop by the Historic USO Building at 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd., for HSUMD. Matt Zubia’s or call 760-375-8456 for information. lens captures Nick in just We also pleased to announce that 11 local businesses are par- one of those activities. ticipating in the sponsorship of this summer’s program, enabling Photo by Matthew Zubia us to purchase more films for future programs to entertain our loyal audiences. You will read about these generous community sponsors each week on our movie screen prior to the feature: Ashton Dunn, Esq./Estate Planning & Bankruptcy Field Trip to Ryan Law, Cordell Construction Company, IT Computer Solu- tions, Lone Pine Film History Museum, Red Rock Books, Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ridge Writers, S&M Coins and Collectibles, Sav-on Pharmacy/ Joe Furtado, Pharm.D., Hungry River Theatre Group and the Ridgecrest Opera Guild. Films will screen at 7 p.m. every Wednesday from June 11 through Aug. 27. Be sure to come early (doors open at 6:30) to enjoy all the tasty edibles at our Famous Snack Bar and browse our fabulous Gift Shop. See you at the movies – all summer long! — Nick Rogers
Ryan was donated to the Death Valley Conservancy by Lloyd and Bea Smith, enjoying the recent HSUMD field Rio Tinto Corporation, along with funds to restore it to trip to Ryan, look at old ore carts with Poison Rock in the the condition it was in during its period as a resort ho- background — so called because “one drop will kill you.” tel, starting around 1928. Our host Scott Smith toured Here’s what our intrepid photographer, Andrew, had to us around the former borax mining camp and gave us say about the trip: “About a dozen members of the Soci- fascinating information about its history and the current ety enjoyed a fun visit to Ryan in Death Valley on May 7. efforts to restore and preserve it.” Photo by Andrew Sound 5 Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014 Wilderness Photo Contest ere’s a photo opportunity for you! HSUMD has been asked by our local BLM office to host and direct a wilder- ness photo contest and display in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. This event will be held on Nov. 13-16, the same Hdates as the Petroglyph Festival, and will be our con- tribution to activities in town during the festival. Liz Babcock and I will be coordinating this event. The contest will have four categories; see details be- low. You may enter a maximum of eight photos in the competition (a maximum of two for each category). All your entries must have been taken within the stipulated wilderness areas (see accompanying map), and you will need to stipulate on your entry form exactly where you took your photo, as well as informa- tion on why you took it. (Hint: you can use Google Earth GPS coordinates to identify the area your photo is showing. You can then include those numbers on the photo entry form.) You will also be asked to identify yourself as a pro- fessional photographer, an amateur, or a student (age 18 or younger). We still need to hammer out details about the com- petition, but we do know that it will be judged by three top photographers (not us and not participating BLM personnel). The top winners in each category, plus selected honorable mentions, will be displayed in the Historic USO Building during the Petroglyph Festival. We don’t yet know the deadline date, but it will be in early November. So why are we telling you now? We hope you will use some of the dog days of summer to take photos on your summertime wilderness trips and/or dig out some of your best hiking, mountaineering or desert exploring photos from previous trips. This contest will seek en- tries from a wide area, not just our local photographers. Let’s see some HSUMD entrants — I know we have great local photographers. Here are the categories: d Scenic Landscape — dramatic scenes of protected
wilderness land, storms sunsets and other natural views, including flowers, trees, and other flora in natural habitat. See p. 7 6 Vol. 29 No. 6 June 2014 Photo Contest From p. 6 Gift Shop News d Wildlife — mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects.
(No captive animals allowed in this category.) Coming soon! We are ex- d People in Wilderness — adventurers, backpackers, hikers, panding our gift shop so we can better
all wilderness-appropriate activities; may include artistic display our merchandise and, of course, compositions (silhouettes, motion shots, creative light- add new items. ing). If you’ve been into the gift shop, you d Inspirational Moments — illustrations of special stories know our decorating style. We are look-
and personal meaning. ing for a couple of dressers that would Please provide a story about your entry within the allotted complement what we already have. caption space on the entry form. And be sure to remember If you have something that might be that every photo you enter must have been taken within the appropriate, please leave a message designated wilderness areas; no exceptions. Photos where the for Michelle in the gift shop, 760 375- locations are not stipulated will be disqualified. 8456. Thank you! Any questions? Call Liz or me; contact info on the last page — Michelle Andreoli of this newsletter. — Carol Porter Our Member Life Members Kathy Armstrong Douglas A. Johnson Categories Elizabeth Babcock Roger McEntee HSUMD has three membership John and Delores Di Pol Bill Nevins categories — all very important to Cliff and Susanne Fountain Gerry Pracchia us. Our regular memberships are E. Norman George James E. Simmons $25 per individual or family. Our Lyle Gregory Fred Weals business memberships are $35 each. Ron Hise We also have a special category: life member, which is something the board bestows only on members New Members who have supported HSUMD in Patricia Grundy sustained and special ways. Business Members — please patronize them! Allen County Public Library, Explore Historic California Netzer-Russell Consulting, LLC Genealogy Department The Flower Shoppe Nevins Tech. Consultants Anna Marie Bergens, Realtor Heritage Inn The News Review (Farris) Best Western China Lake Inn Phyllis M. Hix, Attorney Pleistocene Foundation Cal-Sun Pools Hockett’s Building Supply Red Rock Books Clarion Inn IWV Insurance Ridgecrest Moving & Storage Comfort Inn JRP Historical Consulting, LLC S&M Coins & Collectibles Cordell Construction Dick Lewis Domestic Water Systems Sierra Wave Tank Sales DeathValley.com The Library Press Southern Sierra Medical Clinic Desert Empire Fair Jack & Dana Lyons, Realtors Gary P. Staab & Assoc., Inc. Earth Landscaping Maturango Museum The Swap Sheet Econo-Lodge Warren’s Automotive 7 Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert NONPROFIT ORG. P. O. Box 2001 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Ridgecrest, CA 93556 PERMIT NO. 9 RIDGECREST, CA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
MEETING OF JUNE 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m., Historic USO Building
other gift giving. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. nonprofit 501(c)(3) a are We giving. gift other
Please remember the Historical Society in your wills, trusts and and trusts wills, your in Society Historical the remember Please
Annual dues are $25 (family) and $35 (business). $35 and (family) $25 are dues Annual
Important Reminders Important
760-446-3400, [email protected] 760-446-3400,
Carol Porter, Accessions & Exhibits & Accessions Porter, Carol
760-3375-4308, [email protected] 760-3375-4308, 760-677-1026, [email protected] 760-677-1026,
color version online. version color
Donna McCrohan Rosenthal, PR Coordinator PR Rosenthal, McCrohan Donna
Scott McEntee, Audiovisuals, Stage Mgr. Stage Audiovisuals, McEntee, Scott
might also like to see the the see to like also might
760-446-3400, [email protected] 760-446-3400, [email protected]
that, but we thought you you thought we but that,
Craig Porter, SEEP Coordinator SEEP Porter, Craig
Chuck Cordell, Building Cordell, Chuck
we know most of you prefer prefer you of most know we
760-371-2458, [email protected] 760-371-2458, [email protected] 760-375-5709,
sending paper copies, since since copies, paper sending
Jim Kenney, Field Trips Coordinator Trips Field Kenney, Jim
John Abbott, Building Mgr., Bldg. Rental Bldg. Mgr., Building Abbott, John
We don’t plan to stop stop to plan don’t We
760-375-2610, [email protected] 760-375-2610,
John Di Pol, Historian Pol, Di John e-mailed to you each month. month. each you to e-mailed
760-608-7296, [email protected] 760-608-7296,
760-375-7900, [email protected] 760-375-7900, on the list to get a PDF copy copy PDF a get to list the on
Programs
Liz Babcock, Newsletter Editor Newsletter Babcock, Liz , and ask her to put you you put to her ask and , com
& Secretary/Treasurer Sound, Andrew
COMMITTEE LEADERS COMMITTEE Babcock, Babcock, lizbab2@gmail.
our newsletter editor, Liz Liz editor, newsletter our
Melody Hollinger, Recording Secretary Recording Hollinger, Melody
Just send an e-mail to to e-mail an send Just
760-793-2107, [email protected] 760-793-2107, 760-375-8202, [email protected] 760-375-8202,
newsletter in color! in newsletter Matthew Zubia, Fundraising Zubia, Matthew Doug Lueck, Vice President Vice Lueck, Doug
way to see this see to way 760-375-8456 for info info for 760-375-8456 [email protected] 760-446-3370,
call or [email protected] Genealogical Committee Genealogical easy an Here’s
Nick Rogers, Movie Nite, Publicity Nite, Movie Rogers, Nick & President Hoppus, Tex DIRECTORS