‘Margaret crocker’ visits DAr’s el Dorado chapter

Carol Bly Special to the Mountain Democrat n RUBES by Leigh Rubin n

Monthly meetings of the El Dorado Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution always include discussions such as an update regarding chapter projects, new opportunities in the community and a special speaker whose subject might be related to a wide range of topics such as societal needs and historical or current events.

SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

The speakers come from a variety of sources, including community and regional agencies, authors, state chapters and, in a recent case, a member of El Dorado Chaper DAR. A timely change to this month’s meeting was making it available to chapter members through the use of Zoom, via a video conferencing camera on a computer. Given the weather, health and other conflicts, having the meeting online afforded the opportunity for more members to be present.

January’s speaker was Dr. Sandra Hand, who provided a first-person perspective of Margaret Crocker, wife of EB Crocker whose beautiful home and art gallery are in Sacramento.

Hand’s presentation of “Sacramento’s Lady Bountiful,” or as she liked to be called “Mother Crocker,” was filled with fascinating stories and perspectives of a woman who rose from modest beginnings to being regaled as a philanthropist, community leader and champion of those most in need.

The Crocker Art Gallery, still the oldest art museum in the Western United States, was always intended to house a collection of art to be made available to the public. The original building included a bowling alley, skating n See DAR page B3

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your comfort level with sharing emotion will change according to where you are, who you are with and the situation at hand. You never know until you’re in it. It’s interesting and even surprising what today highlights in you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Once you wondered what was possible; now an ambitious churning takes hold. No more acting out of need. This has turned into something more akin to desire, determination and purpose.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you feel like you’re in a box or walking a line, remind yourself of the circular nature of this existence. There are no isolated points. Everything connects. You may not see the connection, but you can trust it’s there.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll work better in small groups. Energy is diffused in a crowd. Can you break out into a group of five or less? More will be accomplished where accountability is easily tracked between a few people.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Though you are the sign known for lionheartedness, that’s not to say you don’t experience moments in which your heart, placed precariously in the hands of another, feels see-through and papery as vellum.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Strong feelings are apt to distort your point of view, especially if they are uncomfortably trapped inside you. Don’t try to fix anything from that place. Do something else for a while. Come back after feelings have dissipated.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Everyone wants something today. You stick to your own priorities so that your life reflects the person you want to be. That might mean doing what they want because your role in the group is a cornerstone of your character.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The practical advice you get will serve you well, even though in the end, you’ll do what you care to do. Only you know what you’re willing to commit to. Only you know the risks that seem worth it to you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You didn’t set out to try to play the rebel, but you can’t help but notice what needs to change. It only takes one person to start the ball rolling. You’ll be the one to see things differently and to speak up.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). People who feel exposed or are worried about being judged are not likely to show their true selves. It’s one of the reasons you go out of your way to build trust and comfort. It brings you closer to the truth.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The same story can be used as a weapon, a vehicle, a seduction or an identity. It’s your story to play around with. Repeat until you find the way to tell it that feels good and plays up the aspects that communicate best.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You respect your problems as teachers. A shoulder tap or clap on the back is a common gesture of acknowledgement delivered just before parting. You’ll do the equivalent with an issue you are now ready to move on from.

Know Continued from B1

Feb. 2

The Placerville Church of the Nazarene Health Ministry offers the Caring for Your Heart four-week series. Students can choose from the Thursday series beginning Feb. 2 or the Saturday series beginning Feb. 4. Contact Ruth O’Shea at reoshea@outlook.com or (530) 305-5402 to sign up or to get additional information. Registration deadline is Jan. 31.

The Mills Station Arts & Culture Center in Rancho Cordova, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, presents Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II, Feb. 2 through March 25, For more information visit rcmacc.org.

The Placerville Area Chess Club meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Denny’s in Cameron Park, 3446 Coach Lane. For more information call Neville Arroues at (530) 642-9043.

DAR Continued from B2 rink and billiards room on the ground floor; a natural history museum and a library on the first floor; and gallery space featuring works of art on the second floor. In her later years, Margaret devoted many years assisting her husband who was in poor health. Upon the death of Judge Crocker, Margaret emerged as a civic and social leader and philanthropist.

Hand’s outstanding presentation was followed by a lively question and answer period, with even more details about the life of Margaret and she shared the costume worn was designed by her and sewn by her husband.

Hand is a long time member of the Old Sacramento Living History group. She and her husband have presented Judge EB and Margaret Crocker for almost 20 years at various events around Sacramento, including appearing by invitation at the Crocker Art Museum at the 2010 opening of the new addition. Hand graduated from University of California, Davis medical school

Feb. 4 in 1979 and moved back from the Bay Area to El Dorado Hills in 1995 to work as a medical director for the state and then with the Sacramento County Public Health Department until 2012.

UCCE Master Gardeners of El Dorado County hosts Can We Plant? Master Gardener Darla Mills will introduce and demonstrate two useful websites and databases to aid in choosing the appropriate plant. Class runs 9 a.m to noon at 311 Fair Lane in Placerville. Seating is limited. Register online at ucanr.edu/can-we-plant.

Sierra Wildlife Rescue hosts a New Volunteer Fair, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shingle Springs Community Center, 4440 South Shingle Road. Learn about Sierra Wildlife Rescue and how local wildlife gets rescued, rehabilitated and released.

The Rescue Community Center hosts its second annual crab feed fundraiser, 5-9 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets sold online only through Jan. 30 at rescuecommunitycenter.com.

Hand joined the El Dorado DAR in 2019 and continues to pursue both her public health and her living history interests in regularly presenting on women’s health issues and events such as the El Dorado DAR Chapter’s August 1890s Tea that raised funds for Equine Assisted Therapy for Women Veterans with PTSD at Hearts Landing Ranch.

The members of El Dorado Chapter of DAR take pleasure and pride in working together in alignment with national DAR objectives and in harmony with local needs. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR visit DAR.org and for more information about the El Dorado Chapter, or if you wish to learn about your Revolutionary War ancestors, contact chapter regent Sally Johns at ElDoradoCountyRegent@yahoo.com.

The Buck Stop Gun Show takes place Feb. 4 & 5 at the Mark D. Forni Building at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For more information contact Sam at (530) 306-6011.

The ASCA Dog Show takes place Feb. 4 & 5 in Vicini Pavilions A & B at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. For more information visit asca.org.

See the engaging biopic “The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis” at 4 p.m. and enjoy a delicious ham dinner immediately following at Church of Our Saviour, 2979 Coloma St. in Placerville. All are welcome to this free event.

Feb. 5

Miraflores Winery in Placerville hosts Soup Sundays. Stop by for wine tasting, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and enjoy a complimentary cup of soup prepared by Chef Tara Martinez every Sunday through March 26.

Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day carriage rides will be offered 4-8 p.m. in El Dorado Hills Town Center. Couples and families will load in front of South Fork Grille near the Steven Young Amphitheater. Ladies will receive a special Valentine’s Day rose. Rides are powered by and benefitting Young Life, a youth-based local nonprofit. For more information and to book a ride visit edhtowncenter.com. Link for booking rides will be active Jan. 31.