Gold for New 49ers!

I got out my crusty miner costume for San Lorenzo Park’s 2024 49er Days, meeting with six groups of 4^th graders. I told them about life beneath canvas while searching for gold and also shared my mostly true bear story about Bill, Terry and Michael. Suffice it to say that Terry always survives the bear’s panicked retreat and did so again — six times! I thank able organizers Julia and Fiona for including me in the event!

P.S. I might have mentioned “Joaquin’s Gold”. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFRCT4N/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MUHK5KC819MC&keywords=Joaquin%27s+Gold+and+other+tales+of+Old+California&qid=1642121544&sprefix=joaquin%27s+gold+and+other+tales+of+old+california%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1

Someone Took My Pretty Toe!

I shared the Headless Horseman, Hairy Toe and The Haunted Clown Car – favorites all – at San Lorenzo Park yesterday eve for MCARLM’s Ghost Story gathering. There’s nothing like a campfire to get me going! The kids, both old and young, seemed to be amused, especially by the old lady’s hairy toe supper! I thank the MCCARLM folks for inviting me to participate!

Still Remembered, still noted!

Composer Randol Bass created “A New Birth of Freedom” for the United States Marine Band in 2009 and it includes the text of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. I performed it yesterday with the Monterey Pops orchestra. With conductor Carl Christensen’s help, I got the timing exactly right; the orchestra played great; and Lincoln’s words did the rest. The U-Tube link is below. Abe gives the address about forty-five minutes in, but I think you’ll find listening to the whole concert worth your time. Hope so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkLmv0ml7yY

Always noted, long remembered!

Composer Randol Bass created “A New Birth of Freedom” for the United States Marine Band in 2009. It includes the text of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Monterey Pops director Carl Christensen included this piece in his 4^th of July program and asked me to read Lincoln’s words. I am most honored! Join us at Devendorf Park in Carmel for a great concert! https://www.montereycountypops.org/post/a-celebration-of-freedom-independence-day-2023

Heavy Lifting at Mission Days

Photo by Mavourneen Nolte

I was privileged to participate in this year’s Mission Days, San Antonio de Padua’s spring fiesta. It includes folks in period costume (including me!), wandering musicians, crafts, art and (of course) books for sale. This event took place on Saturday, April 15th in perfect weather. I sat in the mission courtyard for several hours, enjoying sunshine, flowers, and the newly repaired fountain. You’ll notice from the pictures that the author is hard at work! The work was joyful, too, because several of the stories in Joaquin’s Gold are inspired by Mission legends and are set very close by. 

Photo by Joan Ungs

Wine and Gold!

Walton & Walton were in business together last Sunday at the Subject to Change Holiday Market, selling Glassmaker wines and Joaquin’s Gold. We had a fine time gently hawking our wares together. Great wines and a great book — what’s not to like? You’ll have to dream about the wine, but you can get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Joaquins-Gold-other-Tales-California/dp/B09RTX6G3G/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

The Gold Rush is open again!

A crusty miner speaks with students about life in the mining camps!

Back from the pandemic, our San Lorenzo County Park resumed hosting an historical event for elementary school kids in the area. 49er Days involved fourteen classes of 4th graders from King City, Lockwood and Bradley in simulations of Gold Rush life. They tasted hardtack, went to a one room schoolhouse, panned for gold and visited a crusty miner in his campsite. 

I — being the crustiest volunteer they could find — was the old miner. I explained canvas tents, making coffee and biscuits over a campfire and told a very slightly exaggerated bear story — fourteen times. I’ve attached a few pics for your amusement. (Pssst — I also told them about my great new book: “Joaquin’s Gold.” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RTX6G3G/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Faux bear amuses Bradley Bulldogs!

Eureka!