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Volume 87 - January, 2009
QUARTERLY POTLUCK GENERAL MEETING 7997 California Avenue Please remember to bring a casserole, salad, or dessert to share with others. Website - www.fairoakshistory.org Editor: Marilyn Pearce Publisher: Jim Pearce Circulation: Susan Burmaster |
President’s Message—
Happy New Year! -
I welcome this opportunity to continue working with all of you on our common
objective of preserving, protecting and sharing Fair Oaks' history and heritage.
Goals for 2009 - To share the Fair Oaks story, I believe our focus for 2009 should include:
How you can help -
You can help your Historical Society by:
Our next meeting -
I look forward to seeing all of you at the general meeting on January 27th.
The meeting starts at 6:00 PM. Come and bring a dish to share at the potluck.
Invite potential members as guests and introduce them around.
Program:
January’s potpourri program will be stories and memories of members we have
lost in years gone by. Presenters will have 3 to 5 minutes to present their
memories. How have their lives bettered our F.O.H.S. and our community?
If you wish to participate by sharing your memories, please contact Sherry Lynn
Wood at (916) 944-4812.
A Recap of October 2008’s Program:
Tentative Programs for 2008:
Vice-President's Message:
Gaynel Wald from the Folsom Historical Society performed the living history of
Nancy Kelsey. Nancy Kelsey was the first white woman to cross the plains and
to reach California in the spring of 1841. She was known as the Betsy Ross of
California for designing and sewing the Bear Flag of California.
Gaynel came to our
quarterly meeting dressed as Nancy Kelsey to tell her story using a number
of visual aides.
Gaynel, AKA Nancy told us how it really was to live and travel to
California in the 1800s. Thank you Gaynel and the Folsom Historical Society for
your wonderful presentation.
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.
Fair Oaks Historical Society General Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2008.
The meeting was called to order by President Ken Steen at the Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse
following the usually delicious potluck. Historical Moment: Pete White introduced Janet McWilliams
who shared moments in her childhood swimming at the lifeguarded beach where the
Sunrise Bridge is now located. The program was jointly sponsored by the Fair Oaks Recreation
and Park District and the Red Cross.
Program: Sherry Wood introduced the program. “The Nancy Kelsey Story.” The program was
presented by Gaynel Wald from the Folsom History Museum. Nancy was the first woman to
arrive in Folsom, overland in 1841. She was part of a wagon train from Missouri. She brought
with her realia that would have been used on the trip. She gave an interesting account of what it
was like to make the trip to California. (The material used to develop the story came from
interviews of Nancy, shortly before she passed away, by a San Francisco newspaper.)
Business Meeting -
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as published in the Newsletter.
Unfinished Business -
Election of Officers for 2009: Nominating Committee Chairman Warren McWilliams reported
that the officers for next year will be the same as this year. Pete White moved that the
nominations be closed. Motion seconded. Passed.
New Business -
Application for Individual Life Member: Ralph Carhart has presented an application for an
individual life membership. The Executive Board has approved this application. It was moved
by June Melvin that we accept this membership. Seconded by Nancy White. Motion passed.
Secretary:
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Joe Dobrowolski reported that his report was also published in the
Newsletter.
Past President: Warren McWilliams reported that there has been no movement towards a
permanent home, due to personnel changes at the Park District and School District. He also
reported that he and Ken Steen attended the Sac. County History Consortium meeting in
Clarksville.
Amenities/Kitchen: Warren and Judy Blomquist thanked everyone for the great food, there were
87 in attendance.
Ways & Means: Claudia Thorn reported $32 in wine donations and $173 in raffle tickets.
Membership/Registration: Bob Barrett reported 160 memberships, 256 voting members.
History Center Operations: Lois Frazier reported that we have been having visitors at the 2nd
Sunday openings. She also announced the annual Christmas Open House will be Sunday
December 14.
Newsletter: Marilyn Pearce reported that she was looking for a house to research for the next
newsletter.
Publicity: Trude is looking for other ways for us to deliver publicity, due to the recent changes
in the Sacramento Bee.
Soup Dinner Fundraiser: Lynn Steen and Claudia Thorn passed sheets around asking for volunteers
for the Soup Dinner which will be held November 7.
Portable History Exhibit: Ken Steen and Warren McWilliams reported that the Fair Oaks
Rotary Club will fund a traveling exhibit that can be used with local schools. It would have
multiple uses. Nancy White, Janet McWilliams, Ann Dobek, and Lois Fraizier will start the
committee. Others are welcome to join. It was also mentioned that the exhibit could go to Senior
Citizen homes.
Meeting adjourned 8:15 p.m,
Announcements:
Next General Meeting, January 27
Soup Night Friday, November 7
Board of Directors meeting, Thursday December 11
Open House for the History Center, December 14
Respectfully submitted, Janet McWilliams, Secretary
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For the month of November, the Fair Oaks Historical Society had a display in the window at the entrance of the Fair Oaks Library. The new acquisition of early Fair Oaks Fire Department artifacts were displayed. You can see them now in our case at the History Center. |
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Our annual Open House was held December 14. A combination of
a busy season and bad weather resulted in small attendance.
Memorial donations have been received in memory of:
Allen Christensen |
The following people have been docents for this year.
Meg & Larry Smart, Evelyn Heim, Lois Frazier, Diana Lennon,
Gordon & Jo An Heidt. Fran Sargent, Betty Anne McArthur,
Ken & Lynn Steen, Jim & Marilyn Pearce, Warren & Janet McWilliams,
There will be a sign up sheet at the potluck in January.
It's easy and fun --so pick a month to be a docent. The
History Center is in the Fireside Room in the Community Club
House. We are open every second Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
Or call Lois Frazier ---967-2967
Thank you very much!
Soup Night Coordinators
We’ve scheduled our Third Soup Night for the first Friday in November. Please mark November 6, 2009 on your calendars and start thinking about whom you can contact for Silent Auction items. We've had some thank you notes designed with our Historical Society logo on the front. Members of the committee will be sending thank you notes to all those folks who made donations for our event. If you had a special soup you really enjoyed, check the Fair Oaks Historical Society web site for that recipe.
Looking forward to seeing you at our January meeting.
Claudia Thorn & Lynn Steen
Thank you for your support in making this year's Soup Night such an outstanding success!
Bring this to the potluck or mail to Claudia Thorn.
Please help us review the event.
1. Were you able to attend the event? Yes______ No_____ 2. Did your family/friends attend? Yes______ No_____ 3. What was your/their favorite soup(s)? ___________________________ 4. What did you like best about the night? __________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 5. Was there something you’d suggest changing? _____________________ ____________________________________________________________ 6. Do you think we should continue with this event as the primary fundraiser for the permanent History Center? Yes_____ No_____ 7. Will you serve on the "team" next year? Yes______ No_______ Name_________________________________ Phone Number_________________________ e-mail address__________________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Thank you for taking a few moments to provide the committee with much appreciated feedback. Lynn Steen & Claudia Thorn
"GOODBY TO ONE OF FAIR OAKS FAVORITE SONS" by June Melvin
Locally known as "Farmer Bob", he always added a little extra
when one purchased vegetables and fruit from his well known ranch
on Sunset Avenue. Never to be forgotten was his beautiful acre that was so
colorful with Halloween pumpkins displayed in front of the Massey Family Home.
Also to be remembered is the picture of "Farmer
Bob" in the Fiesta Children's Parade when, each year, he drove his
tractor and wagon filled with joyous children and delighted few
adults - now sorely missed.
We shall miss his smile and quiet dignity, his wit and fun
and especially his unique reminiscenses at the Historical Society
meetings, a few of which have been taped.
NOTE: Beryl, his wife of sixty-one years passed on this December 30 at age 87 years. She also
was a participating member of our Historical Society. You may remember her for being
a gracious receptionist for Dr. Archer and Dr. Kolander, Sr.'s dental practices.
A service is scheduled for Thursday, January 8 at Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery
on Greenback Lane where Mr. Massey is interred. They are survived by two daughters.
Robert L Massey, born November 25, 1921 quietly died at
home in Fair Oaks on November 8, 2008. Son of early settlers
in Fair Oaks, he loved this community and gave much of his time,
support and financial aid to the betterment of our home area.
Over the years he was chairman and/or president of the F.O. Elementary
School District Board of Trustees, F.O. Irrigation District (water)
Board of Trustees, F.O. Recreation & Park District Board of Trustees,
F.O. Cemetery District Board of Trustees, Sacramento County Fair
Board, Auburn Dam Committee, F.O. Civic and Improvement Clubs,
Founder of the F.O. Annual Spring Fiesta and never missed our
State's Senator, Assemblyman and County Supervisor's Community
Meetings. For many years, a member and/or president of the F.O. Lion's
Club, F.O. Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento County Historical Society,
the F. 0. Historical Society and the San Juan High School Alumni Assn.
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The photo on the right is the Rice-Chasko home today. The only old photo we have
of the house shows the roofline and chimney in the middle of this 1910 photo of the Fair Oaks
Fruit Company, but shows the lay of the land when the home was built. The view is up
Pennsylvania from Winding Way. The house at middle top was built by the Croft family and
burned in 1925.
Location: 7848 Orange Avenue, Fair Oaks,
Date of construction: 1902,
Architecture:"plain old farmhouse"
Previous Owners: Henry & Phoebe Rice, Walter Obershain, Clifford Stice and Joe King
Henry and Phoebe Rice and three of their four sons, Dewitt (Iva Langness' father),
William, and Rosco came to Fair Oaks from Minnesota in 1902. Their fourth son,
Immer, came several years later. Henry bought two properties in western Fair
Oaks, farmed one near the cemetery and built his house on the Orange Avenue
property. He raised over 100 trees - pears, peach, fig, citrus, 20 almond, 40 olive,
and grape vines for 11 years until his death in 1913. His wife Phoebe died six years
later and the property was sold to Walter Obershain.
Andrew Chasko and his wife Jessie moved to Fair Oaks in 1947 and took an
interest in the property, but the owner didn't want to sell. In 1956 the Chasko
family moved into the house as renters, and purchased the 5-acre property in 1957
for $12,500. The family has lived in the house ever since.
The 2-story home has two basements, one general purpose and the other for fruit and
preserves. The Chasko family has remodeled much of the house over the 50
years they have lived there, including the living room, dining room, 4 bedrooms,
2 1/2 baths, the furnace and air conditioning. A severe storm resulted in the
south side of the house and laundry room "falling off." Jessie wanted to put up
fencing so they could have animals/rent pasture. Near the time of Andrew's passing,
the neighborhood men came to her aid with their power tools and put up fences. Over time,
the family had cattle, chickens and ducks. They sold milk and eggs.
Andrew Chasko had a tire shop in Sacramento for many years. During
WWII, he was a fighter pilot. He died in 2002. Jessie was a nurse at the
Brighham Hospital in Boston. All 4 of the Chasko children grew up on the property
and walked to Fair Oaks School. The property is now occupied by Jessie's
granddaughter and her family.
Jesse Casko and her oldest daughter Jessica Denning gave information on their property.
Jane Whitnack was reporter for this story.
Present Owner: Jessie Chasko
Docent's Report: