Volume 79 - January, 2007
QUARTERLY POTLUCK GENERAL MEETING
1/23/07, 6:00 pm
7997 California Avenue
Please remember to bring a casserole, salad, or dessert to share with others.
Editors: Susan Burmaster & Marilyn Pearce
Publisher: Jim Pearce
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Volume 79 - January, 2007
QUARTERLY POTLUCK GENERAL MEETING 7997 California Avenue Please remember to bring a casserole, salad, or dessert to share with others. Editors: Susan Burmaster & Marilyn Pearce Publisher: Jim Pearce |
Happy New Year to all. Things are really looking up for the Society. On December 14, 2006, I made a proposal to the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District Administration and the Board of Directors. It was to have them let us use the Old Library Building for our History Center. It was discussed at length. I realized that they were interested but not ready to relinquish that building to us. I asked about the Fireside Room in the upstairs of the Community Club House. They were very interested and the administration
thought it was workable. They recommended to the
Board that we be allowed to use it. The proposal was adopted. As space becomes available,
we may be able to have the full use of the Old Library Building.
I'm looking forward to seeing all of you at the January 23, 2007 meeting for one of the best potlucks in the area. Feel free to invite a friend to our meeting.
We will be starting to pack things on the 8th of January and hopefully move near the 20th of January. We will need a lot of help to get this done by February 1st. Please call me if you are available during these dates to help. (961-9012).
moving! |
First steps towards the move: Diana Lennon, Warren, Lois, Janet, Pete, and Pat Johnson from the Sacramento Archives (Jim Pearce took the photo). Pat met with us to offer advice on the move and possible improvements to the new site. |
you help? |
Vice-President's Message:
Program: Member’s Annual Potpourri
“Catastrophic Events that affected the Fair Oaks
Community, as told by FOHS Members”
Let's start the New Year off with a bang and volunteer to
speak at the FOHS Annual Potpourri.
January 2007’s potpourri will be on catastrophic events that affected the Fair Oaks
Community as told by FOHS Members. Suggestions for topics are: the freeze in the
1950’s and how it affected the citrus crops, American River floods in the
1940’s, 1950’s, and 1986, fires that have destroyed historical landmarks in Fair Oaks
such as the loss of our olive factory and other historical businesses. Please call your
Vice-President Sherry Lynn Wood at 944-4812 to schedule your presentation.
I would like to thank George Alpert, a docent from the Sacramento Railroad Museum
for coming to October’s potluck and sharing his rich history of the railroad in Northern
California. Mr. Alpert discussed the importance that Sacramento played in the race to
complete the Transcontinental Railroad. He also shared the importance that the railroad
had in settling California. With the railroad, California became a prosperous agricultural
state. The Sacramento Railroad Museum has many exhibits and stories to share.
Make sure you make it one of your visits this New Year!
If you have an idea or suggestion for a future program topic please let me know. I want
to bring historical topics of interest to all of you. You can call me at (916) 944-4812 or
e-mail me at sherrywood1949@yahoo.com.
Sales of Images of America FAIR OAKS
The society has sold many copies of the 2006 Fair Oaks pictorial book. Copies
will be available at the January meeting for $20.00.
October’s Meeting 2006 Recap:
Docent's Report:
We were honored to have Henry Kroeger attend at the last meeting. He presented the society
with the gift of an original-bound copy of the FAIR OAKS CITIZEN Newspaper from the
years 1909-1913. He made this purchase from the Davis Sisters' estate sale earlier this year.
We are extremely grateful to have this early document in our collection.
Come to the Fireside Room in February to see it on display. Thank you, Henry, for your
generosity.
On Dec. 10 our open house at the History Center was attended
by 29 people. Refreshments were enjoyed. Thanks to all
who donated cookies, hot cider and punch.
On Dec. 28 a request for fifteen walking tour maps and brochures
was recieved and delivered to a group from the Presbyterian Church.
The History Center will not be open in January in preparation
for our move into the Fireside Room in the community Club House.
Many thanks to the following people who have been docents at
the History Center this past year: Diana Lennon, Lois Frazier,
Meg and Larry Smart, JoAn and Gordon Heidt, June Melvin,
Warren and Janet McWilliams, Rose Anne Lamb, Fran Sargent,
Sherry Lynn Wood, Ione Radonich, Bob Barrett.
By-Laws Changes -
At the October annual meeting the membership adopted the revised
by-laws except for sections 6.1-1 and 6.1-2. Those sections defined the
membership of the executive board. The executive board met and
discussed the desire of the membership to have all the committee chairs
be members of the executive committee. The executive board will have 15
members. The temporary by-laws committee met in January and has
prepared proposed revisions to Article VI- Executive Board. The changes
will be presented to the membership for adoption at the April meeting,
as the mailing of the changes could not be done 20 days prior to the
January meeting as required by the by-laws.
Front - Margarite Goddard, Dick Nygren & Evelyn Heim
Back - Meg & Larry Smart with Mickey Showers at the door
Lois showing "John Holtz School" exhibit to Dorothy Clement
Then
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Now
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Architecture: Queen Ann Farm House - 2,700 sq. ft., 1 bedroom, 2-bath home with a large basement. The present owners dug out the original basement and put in supports for the infrastructure of the home.
Previous Owners: It is thought that the parent’s of Colleen Hauser were the 1st owners at the Fair Oaks address. The house sat in a cherry orchard. Donald Piccolo Sr. turned it into 2 separate units as the next owner. He rented it out to a preacher and the preacher turned the upstairs into a home for unwed mothers. Don Piccolo Jr. lived in it while going to college and rented part of it to college students. At that time it was known as the “Hippie” house. Later, he lived in it with his family. In l993, Piccolo Jr. sold it the present owners.
Present Owners: In the 1993 F.O. History Society calendar, the house was featured for the month of May. That was the same year Don and Jeanette Ansted, the present owner’s, purchased the house. They have had a number of visits by Colleen Hauser, who lived in the house as a child. On one of these visits, she brought an old rocking chair and put it on the porch, asking Don and Jeanette if they would like to have it. Colleen reported that her mother used to rock in this chair. Don and Jeanette agreed to keep the chair and then Colleen said, “Mother, you're finally home.” At that, the chair was reported to have started rocking on its own! Colleen told Don and Jeanette, as a child she had a fruit stand in front of the house on Fair Oaks Blvd.
The present owners have gutted and rebuilt much of the house trying to return the house to its original condition in keeping with the architecture. Don's career was in construction as a carpenter. Don said that his uncle actually rented a room in the house in the 30’s. Future plans are to remove the present kitchen, which has no foundation, and replace it with a larger kitchen and 2 bedrooms above the kitchen area. The old garage was torn down and Don and Jeanette built a small structure that will someday possibly become a rental. Currently it houses Jeanette's internet quilting and pattern business. As in her store, she has a large collection of ladies' old hats bordering the ceiling. Don and Jeanette said they would welcome any additional information or photos if anyone out there knows more! Thank you both for allowing us into you lovely home.