This time of year out-of-towners marvel
at our beautiful San Diego County weather, but these days it seems to be
our demise. Instead of enjoying the bright, shinny, clear, dry days
along with the visitors, I have uneasiness about this special weather
that happens from October thru January knowing it’s potential for
destruction. Hot or cold, the Santa Ana weather condition is a season of
caution that looms until the rains come.
The ravenous wild fires that took our county last
month did not confine themselves to the back country; its power also
pushed into the dense urban populations taking many homes and some
historic structures. The Lakeside Historical Society board and members
are saddened by these losses and understand the pain many folks will
have to endure to rebuild their lives. How terrible it would be for us
to lose our beautiful historic Old Community Church and the Manse to the
fires. We can breathe a sigh of relief that we once again escaped the
destruction. A damage survey on the historic resources is being done for
the county and will be shared when we know the news.
The 30th Annual Heritage Day Dinner was a
welcome relief from the fire activity. There were 130 reservations
causing the old church to bulge with old friends and good conversation,
all enjoying the buffet luncheon by Cupid’s Catering. The Museum was
open all day and there were special displays in the patio with photos
reminiscing the organizing of the Historical Society and honoring the
charter members and many volunteers who have brought the organization to
it’s present day status. Chairman Dixie Lansdowne thanked the members
for their hard work over the years and recalled those special volunteers
who have passed on. Many thanks to our members and guests for attending
and for your generosity and support. It was a good day, Dixie, thank
you.
Our November general meeting was an exceptionally
good potluck lending a comfortable atmosphere for productive discussion
on:
1. Our Newsletter: If you have the capability,
would you prefer to receive it through email, instead of U.S. Mail.
2. Future meetings: Would you consider moving the
general meeting day to Saturday (instead of Monday nights); and also
eliminate one of the winter month’s general meetings.
We would like feedback from the membership about this
for planning for next year. Call, write, send smoke signals, we need to
know if these possible changes make a difference to you.
Also, the new officers for 2008 were elected:
Co-presidents - Janis Shackelford and Dixie Lansdowne; Vice
