We have received very positive comments from guests and volunteers regarding our 13th Annual Home Tour of Sidney H. Woodruff buildings in Lantern Village. Terry Goller wrote, “What a wonderful event you all planned for our community. It truly was spectacular! I know how many hands it took to put this all together…What a wonderful tribute to Beverly Sels who was such a dedicated community worker.” Wendy Kramer’s email summarized a number of remarks: “We enjoyed this event so much. The homes were fascinating, and the preparation and the hosting by the docent staff was so thorough and exceptionally well done.” For the first time, all the homes and buildings visited on our tour are listed on the City of Dana Point Historic Register. The StillWater Spirits & Sounds restaurant was the generous event sponsor of the afternoon reception located in one the most significant Woodruff buildings in Town Center. Founding sponsor Dan Rafael and all our sponsors and donors underwrote the cost of our tour as part of their commitment to our community. Dan spoke briefly at the StillWater reception about the importance of the tour to him. The home tour is our major DPHS fundraiser and this year highlights the continuing preservation of historic Sidney H. Woodruff landmarks in Dana Point. The Home Tour Committee successfully met the challenge of coordinating 85 wonderful people as docents and volunteers. Guests enjoyed the day due to the combined effort of all those who planned the event and helped on the day of the tour. Over 300 people attended the event to admire the Woodruff buildings and classic cars and to end the day, happy and relaxed, among friends at the StillWater reception.
Our September 25th meeting at the recently restored Casino San Clemente featured a film on the history of San Clemente and the 1937 Casino, followed by a tour led by owner Linda Sadeghi. Our thanks to Linda and the casino staff and to our Program Chair Ann Shultz, who arranged the event and refreshments.
Our Wednesday, October 23rd, meeting will feature preservationist Ilse Byrnes of San Juan Capistrano. A local celebrity, Ilse Byrnes is the legendary preservationist recently featured on the front page of the September 16, 2013, Los Angeles Times. In her article, columnist Paloma Esquivel quotes Jay Correia, California Office of Historic Preservation, as stating: Byrnes is “a rare person that recognizes the importance of preserving those places associated with the people and events that made us who we are.” You will want to attend this meeting at the City Council chambers and join us in the DPHS Museum for the reception afterward.
Wednesday, November 6 is the date of our trip to the Huntington Library. Please send in your reservation as soon as you finish reading this edition of The News Drogher! I look forward to seeing you at our October 23rd meeting!
Barbara Force Johannes