On Friday, March 5, the Society had an impromptu gathering with members of the Board of Directors to view our new plaque honoring Melvyn (Mel) and Helen Pierce. Joining us was their son, David Pierce, and his wife Elaine. The plaque has been placed in an area Mel and Helen frequented and Dave thinks he remembers a story that they may have met at Strands beach, long before it was the developed area it is now. We hope you all will take a walk along the bluff and view the remembrance of our Society’s Patriarch and Matriarch.
Pictured back row, L to R are Max Brown, Elizabeth Bamattre, Barbara Johannes, Keith Johannes, Judy Henderson, Sandie Iverson and Bob Minty. Seated are Dave and Elaine Pierce.
Following the gathering, the Society received the a note from Dave Pierce:
On March 5th, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending a viewing of the plaque and bench, honoring my mother and father; Helen Pierce and Melvyn Pierce commemorating their time as Matriarch and Patriarch of Dana Point. As many of you know, dad moved here with his father in 1930 and immediately fell in love with everything that is Dana Point. Dad grew up enjoying the beach at the Strand and surfing the Strand and Killer Dana in the very early days. He would tell us stories of how much fun it was to have gatherings and BBQ’s on the beach and the simple times of just having fun in the sun. One story that I recall was that my mom rented a room from dad’s parents on Chula Vista when she worked at the Dana Point Hotel on Del Prado (soon to be razed) [Where Jack’s Restaurant is now located — Ed.] My dad, and some others went to the Strand for an evening get together and that’s where the beginnings of their lifelong friendship and love began. So it is very appropriate and fitting that the bench is centered, overlooking the Strand. Throughout their time together, raising a family, owning a business, growing old and watching this town grow, they never lost their love for, or the romance of Dana Point!
Thank you so much, Dana Point Historical Society and the City of Dana Point and all others who may have been involved for honoring my parents with the incredible gift of the plaque on the perfect bench at the Strand’s Park. Our family will be humbled each time we visit!
Thanks again,
David Pierce on behalf of the Pierce family