230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd. ● P.O. Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556 ● 760-375-8456 Vol. 34, No. 8 October 2019 To see our schedule of events, visit us at hsumd.org or on Facebook at HSUMD

The Society’s October program will offer everybody a chance to learn about disaster preparation with a team of experts. The October meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 15th, at 7:00 PM at the Historic USO Building at 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd.

Linda Harris and Daren Masten of So Cal Corporate Growth Partners will join us to discuss Emergency Preparedness. The evening will cover the basics, with everyone being provided an assessment that they can use at their home or business to determine what may be missing from their existing plan. We will review the FEMA Family Communication Plan, and Linda and Daren will show participants where to go online to complete their plan and print it out into a card size that each family member can always carry with them. Anyone who is interested in further assistance for their home, family or business disaster plan can make an appointment to meet with the team at the USO Building the next day, October 16th. Appointments can be made in advance by emailing Andrew Sound at [email protected]. Please include “SCCGP Appointment” in the subject line.

So Cal Corporate Growth Partners (SCCGP) is a non-profit 501(c)3, public benefit organization formed in April of 2011, located in Southern California. The Mission of So Cal Corporate Growth Partners is to actively support and strengthen businesses and their communities by acting as an established and trusted conduit to educational, civic, political, business, financial and global partners. SCCGP has a long history of supporting the growth of small businesses but felt the topic of Emergency Preparedness and Business Recovery, especially in the State of California, should be a priority in all small business plans. In reviewing statistical data on the inability of small businesses to withstand a disaster, SCCGP was inspired to create a program that moved this topic to the forefront of the conversations and training they provide to their clients.

The Society meets on the third Tuesday of most months. Meetings are free and all are welcome to attend. For more information on this or future meetings, call the HSUMD at 760-375-8456.

LEARN MORE AT: ready.gov/prepare

Vol. 34, No. 8 October 2019

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE-

October is coming, bringing our version of fall with it. October is my second-favorite month and at HSUMD this October promises to be filled with things that are fun, educational, and rewarding. (And I won’t mention that the month includes my birthday.) If you go to our website at hsumd- dot-org and then go to “Events” in the menu and then select “Calendar” you will find our schedule of events in the Historic USO Building during the month. We will, of course, be enjoying our regular family-friendly Classic Movie Nights, the new “Concerts on Film” shows, and our musically fascinating Open Mic Nights during the month. We will have our monthly free breakfast for all of our community’s veterans and their spouses on the third Thursday morning. We will have our regular meetings of the Veterans Stress Support Group. We will host the monthly luncheon meeting of the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce on the second Tuesday (if you aren’t a member of the Chamber, stop by and become one!). We will have our monthly entertaining-and-educational General Meeting presentation on the third Tuesday evening. But there’s more! On Wednesday, October 23, we will host a public meeting of the California State Parks to discuss a revision of the General Plan for Red Rock Canyon State Park. On Saturday, October 26, we will host the Big Band Xpress and it will be playing classics and modern big band/swing tunes for your dancing and listening enjoyment. And always remember to watch for our special sales days in our Gift Shop. I know there will be a special sale on Thursday, October 24. (And I won’t mention why!) See you there. - Tex Hoppus

A memorial brick set in front of the Historic USO Building makes a wonderful gift- it can be a in memoriam remembrance or a great way to honor or celebrate a person, organization, or event that will be there for friends and family to enjoy for years to come. If ordered by the end of October, your brick can be engraved and installed in front of the Historic USO Building in time for the Holidays. Single 4”x8” bricks are $100.00 with up to three, 21-character lines of engraving. Double size 8”x8” bricks are $250.00 and allow for six lines of engraving. To order a memorial brick, just stop by the Gift Shop in the Historic USO Building and fill in the form with your contact information and your desired engraving. Because these are customized, the bricks must be pre-paid. We’ll let you know when your brick arrives and when it is installed. Rather than tweeting those characters- why not put them on a memorial brick? The Gift Shop is open Tuesday- Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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This month is not quite as newsy as others as we have been adding file cabinets and shelving to our work area. It seemed like a good time to unstack stuff and move things about. Now when visitors look at our disorganized messy area, they just think we haven't cleaned up from the earthquake. It is getting better; we do have the upstairs to get back in order but that will come along in time. A lot of moving around is necessary to secure the book cases along bearing walls.

You will see an interesting letter written to Ken and Joy Young and donated by Joy a few years back. It is from our Sister City, Tepatitlán, and was written in Spanish. My high school Spanish classes are way too far in the past to be drawn from but Matt Zubia, a fellow board member, came to the rescue. This letter and the translation are a very nice addition to our collections.

Gerry Praccia invited Liz Babcock and me to come for a visit and go through Lou's library. We now have several new books, as well as like-new books for our library, as well as some we will have available for the October Book Sale that gift shop manager Joe DePina is planning. It works well for Liz and me to work together as she is familiar with Maturango's book collection and I, of course, HSUMD's. Any books neither of us need go to Friends of the Library. The most difficult part is to avoid getting into the emotional mode and keeping items just because they belonged to and meant so much to a person so very important to the very existence of the HSUMD. This has happened several times over the years I have been in charge of our collection. It is with great pleasure and honor we are asked to preserve these items so important to our early history researchers and authors but there is a sadness that comes along with the honor.

Lastly but not least, Monica Ames, a local resident is working to complete her Master’s Degree and selected HSUMD to study the methods and practical ways we store, preserve and compile our collections. This includes our exhibits, history files, library and all collected items. Big job for her and even bigger for us. For one thing she will be assessing our methods and offering improvements. She already warned me not to become too offended if there are suggested changes as that is also part of her requirement. On an up note I know it always helps when applying for grants if you have outside suggestions for changes that require financial change. It keeps groups from just changing for the sake of change.

- Carol Porter

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WE CONTINUE TO (HEART) CARY GRANT…IN OCTOBER! Our movie love affair with one of Hollywood’s most enduring film icons continues in the month of October with three of the legend’s most famous of his famous roles. We start off the month, on Wednesday, October 2, with Cary Grant as a Navy commander, in World War II, finding himself stuck with a decrepit submarine, a con man executive officer (Tony Curtis) with creative skills as a scrounger, making him the perfect supply officer, and a group of stranded army nurses plucked off of an island threatened by Japanese invaders. Such headaches as where to house the nurses, running out of toilet paper and having to prime the sub a light pink because of a lack of enough red and white paint make the voyage, on this barely seaworthy vessel, one hilarious adventure for the audience.

Let’s trek on out to Wednesday, October 16 and find Grant literally dangling off Mt. Rushmore, trying escape some baddies mistakenly thinking that HE is the guy they must kill. One of Alfred Hitchcock’s most dazzling thrillers, the film gets by the 1959 censors with a bevy of suggestive one-liners with Eva Marie Saint that can still titillate modern day filmgoers. Beautifully filmed in crystal clear VistaVision® this is a highly entertaining adventure, indeed, and considered one of Grant’s very best later films. James Mason and Martin Landau are around to give two perfectly evil performances.

This year, Halloween, October 31 falls on the Thursday after our Wednesday Classic Movie Night presentation. So, for practice, come in costume--a night early, Wednesday, October 30 and win a prize at our Cary Grant Happy Halloween Classic Movie. You know the one, I am sure, where Grant stars as a befuddled drama critic, who learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family. O.K., that might not sound funny, but you have our word…it is! Based on a long-running Broadway play, the Frank Capra 1944 film was a smash hit in its day, and remains beloved by movie buffs. Pricilla Lane, Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre ably co-star in this wild and wooly farce.

As you know, we open up at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic USO Building on flex Wednesdays, so that our hungry guests can chow down at our thrifty “Super Star” Snack Bar. After some previews and a couple of cartoons, I will introduce the films, and the show will start at about 7:30. As always, we do not ask for an admission, however…we just (HEART) those donations! For film titles, you can call us at 760-375-8456 Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or stop by for current film schedules.

As always…” See YOU at the Movies!” - Nick Rogers

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Come see the newest show at HSUMD: “Concerts on Film”. These films capture concerts by artists who are unlikely to make an appearance in Ridgecrest, and some of whom are no longer playing. There will also be theatrical films in which the main focus is music. We’ve had the first four shows and they have been a lot of fun. Refreshments will be available, including drinks, popcorn, chips, and hot dogs. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7:00 pm. Admission is free- but donations are always gratefully accepted. 10/4- The band with the beehive hairdos get wild with their fans in Athens, Georgia. Kate Pearson, Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider, and Keith Strickland shake their “Cosmic Thing”, playing “Love Shack”, “Roam”, and “Private Idaho”. 10/18- This 1978 film captures a rock icon and his band “Crazy Horse” in concert at the Cow Palace. Amidst some strange sets and “Star Wars” inspired roadie costumes the band thrashes out classics like: Sugar Mountain, Comes a Time, After the Gold Rush, My My Hey Hey (Out of the Blue), The Needle and the Damage Done, Lotta Love, Cinnamon Girl, and Like a Hurricane. Many more “Concerts on Film” shows are planned that will span many music genres, and we welcome your suggestions for artists and films. Pick up a film schedule and come join the fun and enjoy music history at your Historic USO Building!

Tuesday, October 8th 2019 at the Ridgecrest Pizza Factory by mentioning this special HSUMD fundraiser (or showing one of the flyers that are available at the Historic USO Building) 20% of the proceeds will be donated to the HSUMD. The flyer cannot be distributed at Pizza Factory the day of the fundraiser. No coupons, specials or discounts apply. Ridgecrest Pizza Factory, 1601 N. Triangle Drive, (760) 446-7492. You must present flyer or mention fundraiser at time of purchase. Valid for dine in, take out, and delivery.

Treat yourself to an evening of wine, cheese, and melodies at the Historic USO Building, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. This wonderful, sturdy structure was built in 1945 and proudly stands as a testament to the fine workmanship of that era. The entertainment will be provided by Piano & Song. This amazing duo is made up of Steve Lawless, Pianist and Composer, who has a vast catalog of songs in his head and welcomes requests from the audience. He is joined by singer and entertainer Dell Yount. Imagine if you combined the tenor, opera quality voice of Luciano Pavarotti, and the music of Michael Buble- and then threw in the improvisational skill of Robin Williams; you might come close to the wit and talent of Dell Yount. These talented guys specialize in the mellow music of yesteryear, as well as Broadway show tunes. Enjoy some of your favorite songs and give yourself a delightful evening out- you deserve it! Admission is $25.00 and includes a glass of wine (for those over 21), soft Steve Lawless Dell Yount drinks and water, cheese, crackers, and fruit. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 10th at the Historic USO Building. Tickets available at the Historic USO Gift Shop and at the door.

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The HSUMD Gift Shop and Book Store will be having some special sales this October reports Gift Shop Manager Joe DePina, with up to 20% off selected books and items- in addition to your 10% member discount. New clothing items have arrived as well as some new books. For railroad enthusiasts, we have “SP Narrow Gauge 18 Steams Anew” by Randy Babcock. Of course, there are delicious See’s candies available that make wonderful gifts with some special Seasonal treats! Members get a 10% discount at the Gift Shop & Book Store (except for See’s Candies.) Come by and see what’s new!

The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert – and the community as a whole – gives special thanks to several of our local merchants who stepped up and donated breakfast sandwiches, burritos, juice, and supplies to make the Thursday, September 19th Veterans Breakfast a success. The wonderful Chuck Griffin family, which regularly honors our vets by preparing a free “Thank You for Your Service” meal on the third Thursday of each month at the Historic USO Building, had been suddenly called out of town due to a family emergency. We send our prayers and best wishes to them. McDonald’s, Burger King, and Carl’s Jr. were very generous in quickly stepping up and providing breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and croissants that were all happily consumed by the veterans. The night manager at Walmart unhesitatingly and graciously donated coffee, orange juice, napkins, and plates. Thanks to all who supported this wonderful event for our veterans, and to the Chuck Griffin family who have been providing this monthly breakfast for a number of years. It’s continually amazing to see how many of our community citizens come together to do wonderful things, and we should remember and honor these people and merchants. The Veterans Breakfast is the third Thursday morning every month, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. hosted at the Historic USO Building.

If you order items using Amazon, you may want to consider signing up for AmazonSmile that will make small contributions to HSUMD with NO COST to yourself! AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice! Here’s how to help HSUMD: 1. Visit https://smile.amazon.com 2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials 3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of your choice (hopefully that will be HSUMD) 4. Select your charity 5. Start shopping!

For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about

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Member Categories Welcome New Members! HSUMD has three membership categories- all very important to us. Our regular memberships are $35 per individual or family. Our business memberships are $45 each. We also have a special category: Life Member, Kristina Patete which is an honor the HSUMD Board bestows only on members who have Gail Swain supported the HSUMD in sustained and special ways. Our Life Members’ names are shown on our website: www.hsumd.org!

Ale’s Steakhouse and Bar High Desert Genealogical Society Ridgecrest Automotive, LLC Maturango Museum Phyllis M. Hix, Attorney Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce Anna Marie Bergens, Realtor Inyokern Chamber of Commerce Ridgecrest Moving and Storage Best Western China Lake Inn IWV Premier Landscaping Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Bob & Ardyce’s Bicycle Shop Jack & Dana Lyons, Realtors Roaming Dog Kitchen China Lake Photographic Society Kern Antelope Historical Society Rodeway Inn Clarion Inn Pleistocene Foundation S&M Coins & Collectibles Comfort Inn MOAH Searles Valley Historical Society Cordell Construction Co. Mohave Historical Society Shoshone Museum Association Desert Empire Fair Mojave River Valley Museum Starbucks Diana Said, Vaughn Realty Motion Tire & Wheel Gary P. Staab & Associates, Inc. Earth Landscaping Needles Regional Museum Eastern California Museum The News Review Tehachapi Historical League Econo-Lodge Rand Desert Museum Vaughn Realty The Flower Shoppe Red Rock Books Warren’s Automotive Edward Jones Investments- Allen County Public Library, Brook H. Andreoli Genealogy Department Community Light Opera & Theatre Ridgecrest Area Convention & Wrightwood Historical Society Assoc. Visitors Bureau

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Tex Hoppus, President Newsletter Editor 760-382-1852, [email protected] [email protected] Doug Lueck, Vice-President Joe DePina, Gift Shop Manager 760-375-8202, [email protected] [email protected] Richard Hendricks, Secretary-Treasurer Marti Hoppus, Bookkeeper [email protected] 760-382-1852, [email protected] Andrew Sound, Programs Jim Kenney, Historian 760-608-7296, [email protected] 760-371-2458, [email protected] John Abbott, Building Mgr., Bldg. Rental Craig Porter, SEEP Coordinator 619-808-2223, [email protected] 760-446-3400, [email protected] Chuck Cordell, Building Alan Bailey, Field Trips Coordinator [email protected] 760-977-6806, [email protected] Carol Porter, Accessions and Exhibits Donna McCrohan Rosenthal, PR Coordinator 760-446-3400, [email protected] 760-375-4308, [email protected] Nick Rogers, Publicity, Movie Night IMPORTANT REMINDERS 760-375-8456, [email protected] Annual Dues are $35 (family) and $45 (business). Matthew Zubia, Fundraising 760-793-8152, [email protected] Please remember HSUMD in your wills, trusts, and other gift giving. HSUMD is a 501 (c3)(3) nonprofit organization.