National Outdoors Month at the Cache Creek Preserve

By Jim Smith

Special to The Enterprise

June has officially been designated as “Great Outdoors Month’ and judging by the events taking place across Yolo County, there are plenty of things to get people out of the house and into the open air.

“Great Outdoors Week” began under President Clinton in 1998 and has grown under the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations into a month-long celebration of the outdoors.

Since 2008, governors from across the country have joined in designating June as a month to celebrate the great outdoors and more than half the states have already proclaimed June 2019 as “Great Outdoors Month.”

This celebration is designed to bring not only health benefits, but social and economic benefits as well, according to the White House.

Nationally, there are celebrations such as National Trails Day and “Urban Kids Fishing Derby,” both of which are set for the first Saturday in June. There are also other activities such as the Great Outdoors Day of Service.

In Yolo County, there are a variety of activities scheduled to get people into the open and under the trees.

At the Cache Creek Nature Preserve, two events are planned, the first being “Sunrise Sunday” and the second is “Yoga Under the Oaks” this Sunday.

“Sunrise Sunday” gets underway at 5:30 a.m. at the Nature

Obituaries

Preserve, 34199 County Road 20, when visitors are welcome to come by and greet the sunrise (scheduled for 5:44 a.m.) by walking out to the storage pond or hiking among the 130-acres of grass- and woodland, or do some birding. There is no charge and no registration is required.

“Sunrise Sunday” is sponsored by Teichert Inc., Granite Construction, CEMEX, and Vulcan Materials. It will be held the first Sunday each month through September, with future events set for 5:30 a.m., July 2; 6 a.m., Aug. 6; and 6:15 a.m., Sept. 3.

People can simply show up to take a hike, take photographs or enjoy the early-morning sounds of birds and other wildlife.

The early openings were requested by photographers and birders who wanted to enjoy the “golden hour,” which is the first hour after sunrise. The Conservancy will continue to close at its regular time of 4 p.m. each Sunday.

For those who want to get in tune with nature, after greeting the sunrise, they can stay for an 8 a.m., yoga class titled “Yoga Under the Oaks,” being taught by Christine Pollard, a certified yoga instuctor.

The course costs $15 and will be held in the amphitheater of the Memorial Garden to the northeast of the Preserve’s parking area. Yoga classes will be offered each Sunday throughout the summer. Under Pollard, there will be no advance sign ups. Rather an informational page will be posted

Douglas Lyle Minnis

April 23, 1928 — May 28, 2013

Dr. Douglas Lyle Minnis passed away peacefully at home on May 28, 2023. He was 95 years old.

Doug was born on April 23, 1928, in Trinidad, Colo., to Jack and Edna Minnis. On the date of his birth the local hospital burned down and Shirley Temple was born. He was pleased that he started his life on a rather eventful day.

Doug got his first job at the age of six, milking a cow, and worked until he was 80 years old. He joined the United States Marine Corps shortly out of high school and was discharged in 1947 when he returned to his education. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Denver in 1950.

Doug was a life-long educator. He began his teaching career in his hometown where he taught in the public school system for several years before moving to Menlo Park, California in 1954 where he continued teaching. In 1957, he earned his MA from California State University, San Jose and in the fall of 1959, he accepted a position at the University of California at Davis to create a teacher education program. In 1964 he was appointed Head of Teacher Education and the program graduated more than three hundred teachers each year.

In 1974, Doug transitioned into university administration and was appointed the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at UC Davis. He retired in 1991 but continued his relationship with the university as he was recalled numerous times to head special projects, such as a Joint Doctoral Program between UC Davis and California State University, Fresno, in Education Leadership. Doug finally retired altogether in 2009.

Doug enjoyed cooking and was famous for his 4th of July Barbeque and the Annual Pomegranate Harvest held each year for family and friends. Ribs, hot links, chicken and corn on the cob were consistent menu items. Breakfast was either eggs benedict or waffles and ham.

In addition to spending time with family and friends, Doug filled his retirement by indulging in his love of jazz music and red wine. He frequently traveled to Oakland, San Francisco, and Monterey to attend jazz festivals and concerts. During his life he visited most of the wineries throughout Northern California, especially enjoying his favorite varietal, zinfandel, grown in the foothills

Philip James Snow

d. May 31, 2023

Philip James Snow passed away on May 31, 2023, at his home in the loving care of his four children. He was 92.

Phil moved from Calistoga to Winters as a sophomore in high school and there he met and married the love of his life, Isabel Martinez. He served in the Navy for two years as a builder and continued with that trade throughout his life. Phil is survived by his four children, Debra, Phil, Tim and David; nine grandchildren; 15 greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

His three main passions were his family, his faith and sports. Being a tremendous athlete himself, he had an opportunity to pitch for the Red Sox. But as fate would have it, the call back date fell on the very day of his wedding and a hard choice was made.

However, in his fiery passion for sports were forged many athletes from his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren ranging from talented high school and college athletes to scratch golfers, an NFL coach, college tennis player, a Division I football player and, coming full circle, a Red Sox second baseman. At 91 he hit a 200-yard drive straight down the fairway at Davis Municipal Golf Course.

His deep and personal faith was his anchor and the anchor for his family.

His well-used Bible was always by his side. His prayers at family gatherings always included an invitation for each one to know Jesus Christ as Savior. His faith was also evidenced by his region. rebecca tyrOn/cOurtesy phOtO on the Conservancy’s website www.cachecreekconservancy.org.

Birders took in the sunrise at the Cache Creek Conservancy earlier this year for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Through Sept. 3, the Conservancy will open 15 minutes before sunrise for those wanting to welcome the day.

Still later in June, the Yolo County Library, Yolo County General Services County Parks Division, Tuleyome and Latino Outdoors are planning a festival and resource fair to share information and promote the benefits and joys of being outdoors.

This family-friendly event is set from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 10, (which is “National Get Outdoors Day) at Capay Open Space Park, 15603 County Road 85, outside of Capay in the Capay Valley.

Emily Huerta, associate parks planner for the Yolo County

General Services Department, has reported that organizations have been invited to provide interactive resources and activities for children and adults.

“In addition to information tables, we plan to have a Casa de Flores, an interactive bilingual musical group, bilingual story times and nature walks at scheduled times throughout the event,” Huerta reported.

The event is also a kick-off activity for Yolo County Library’s All Together Outside Parks Pass grant from the California State Library.

“The grant provides funding for programs throughout the

Jeanette Nunn Copley summer to increase access to outdoor recreation opportunities and promote the library’s free circulating State Parks Passes, especially to underserved communities,” Huerta reported.

“Our goal with this resource fair is to provide as much information as possible in English and Spanish to help reduce potential language barriers to outdoor recreation, share information about our local wildlife and ecosystems, provide access to low or no-cost outdoor equipment and supplies, and increase knowledge of and confidence about the outdoors and outdoor activities,” she added.

MINNIS contribution to the building of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Winters and Winters Community Gazebo.

Doug is preceded in death by his former wife, Beatrice Minnis, from Julian, California, as well as his daughter, Kevin Brick, of Discovery Bay. Doug is survived by sons Neil Minnis of Ithaca, N.Y., and Dorrick Minnis (Lolly) of Clovis; daughter Adrienne Cornish (Chris) of Davis; granddaughter Dorian Merritt (Chad) of Los Gatos, whom he raised like a daughter; grandchildren Alden Medina (Mayari), Alexander Medina (Katy), Elizabeth Quimpo (Stephan), Vanessa Minnis and Morgan Allerton-Minnis (Sindy); and great-grandchildren Alexandra and Dean Momsen and Emerly and Finley Medina.

In addition to his direct descendants, he is survived by siblings, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and generations of cousins, none of which he considered “extended” family. In his eyes, all family was close family.

At Doug’s request, there will be no formal memorial service. Rather, lift a glass to the strains of “Satin Doll.” In lieu of flowers, contribute, as he did, to feeding those less fortunate.

His wit and humor were extraordinary. He kept nurses, doctors, housekeepers and family all in stitches. He’s especially known for his quips, so unique, we could call them “Philisms.” Among them are “bonkers for Bennie,” “shukies cheesus,” “attaboy Philly,” “unhitch the caboose” and “he’s from Central City.” d. April 1, 2023

Join us, the family in saying “Attaboy Philly, job well done. You will be missed.” Graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. June 23 at Winters Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at Pioneer Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m., with lunch following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Yolo Hospice to whom we are deeply grateful.

Jeanette and Duane Copley moved to Davis in 1965 when there was only one stop light, at the intersection of 5th and B Streets. They fell in love with the Davis community and raised their family here.

Jeanette was born in Salinas and raised on a farm in Visalia. She graduated from College of the Sequoias and Cal State University San Jose with a bachelor’s degree in commercial art. Many knew Jeanette from her paintings at the Pence Gallery, but she started as a graphic artist, and illustrated the original “Davisville ’68” history book.

“Jeanette Copley created a stylized version of a highwheeler bicycle for the cover of the new Davis history book, and the bicycle was on its way to becoming a Davis icon,” according to Davis and High-Wheel

Bike History. In addition to designing the first highwheeler bike logos, Jeanette designed what became the first bike lane signage in the United States, as well as numerous logos for the City of Davis and local businesses. As a painter, her subjects included local barns and historic homes, as well as several renditions of the Davis Depot.

Jeanette was an active community volunteer as well. She served as a board member for the Friends of the Nelson Art Gallery at UC Davis; raised money for the Pence Gallery; was a leader for Yolo County 4-H, and a volunteer art teacher in the Davis schools.

Jeanette died peacefully of natural causes on April 1, 2023. She is survived by children Kent Copley of Visalia, Kari Copley of Manteca and Kevin Copley of Woodland; daughtersin-law Staci Copley and Christy Copley; and grandchildren Tori, Britni, Haven, John and David. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Duane Copley. A celebration of life service will be held at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 1324 Columbia Drive in Woodland, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Pence Gallery at 212 D St, Davis, CA 95616

Jeanette is greatly missed by her family, but they recall her frequent words: “When I am gone, don’t mourn my passing, instead do something kind for someone living.”