Publication of the News of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 1 ColonyADays 2014 • aAtascadero Publication
The staff of the City of Atascadero Join the community in celebrating Atascadero’s 101st year and Colony Days!
2 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS Colony Days Grand Marshal............................5 Actors prepare for Tent City.............................6 Colony Days King and Queen..........................8 Back to the Land...............................................9 Attention Teachers..........................................10 Tent City Exhibits...........................................12 Tent City Map.................................................13
A Look Back at the Founding of Atascadero..20 Tent City Schedule of Events..........................22 Colony Days Parade Route.............................23 Photos of 2013 Colony Days Parade...............24 A Glance Back to 1966...................................26 2014 Tent City Director’s Notes.....................28 Family Recipe.................................................29
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Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 3
2014 Winter Wonderland presented by Atascadero Main Street
December 12, 2014
5-9p.m.
― Downtown Atascadero ― “ T h e H e a r t o f t h e C e nt r a l C o a st”
There’s nothing like Winter Wonderland in the Colony of Atascadero! It’s the bigge st holiday e vent of the se ason! Fif t y TONS of f re shly ground snow gree t over 10,000 visitors in five blocks of Atascadero’s historic downtown Colony Dist rict. Santa Claus gree ts the kids! The Elks Lit tle Train t ransport the lit tle one s to a magical e vening in the downtown! Atascadero Ki wanis cre ate s massi ve snowslide s that e ver yone ride s for FREE! There’s li ve musical entertainment, dozens of food and craf t vendors, BMX bicycle demonst rations, bounce house s and pony ride s! Local merchants host special holiday acti vitie s! Is it any wonder that Atascadero’s Winter Wonderland has grown into the MUST-at tend e vent of the holiday se ason? For more information e-mail: gailkudlac@gmail.com
4 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
Colony Days Grand Marshal
T
By Luke Phillips
he Colony Days board of directors has announced that Charles “Cap” Capper will serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Colony Days Parade on Oct. 18. This year’s parade theme is “Our American Heroes” and Capper certainly fits the bill. A native of Illinois, Cap was drafted into the U.S. Army just after graduating high school and shipped off to Europe where he fought in World War II. Cap landed in Scotland before moving on to England and then fighting his way through France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg before joining with Russian forces in Germany. “I was fearless and bulletproof,” he said. “It was quite an experience, but when you’re 19 or 20-years-old it’s all new. I hadn’t been out of Illinois but once.” After returning to the U.S., Cap was stationed at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, where he met his future wife Betty. Cap and Betty were married in 1946 and spent the next 56 years together. The couple moved to Oxnard in 1955 where Cap ran a tire business servicing semi See GRAND MARSHAL Page 11
Photo by Kathy Clarke Some of the Tent City committee members at one of their weekly meetings. Clockwise from left: Wally Greenaway, Ross Nielson, Bob Gentry, Dianne Greenaway (founder of Tent City), Georgia Vreeken, Will Van Kranenberg, Terise Kelly, Deborah Stafford, Donn Clarius.
Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 5
Actors prepare for tent city By Luke Phillips or the past several weeks a group of history-loving actors from the local community have been gathering at the Best Western Colony Hall to learn the skills they’ll need to bring the annual Tent City attraction at Colony Days to life. Tent City takes place in conjunction with the annual Colony Days celebration and has been bringing visitors back to the early days of Atascadero for more than a decade now. Local drama teacher Dianne Greenaway took the lead on training actors for the attraction in 2003. She says she took over for former AHS drama instructor Suzanne Culver, who trained the actors for the first year of the event and brought in a cast of 90 drama students from Atascadero High School and the Atascadero Fine Arts Academy. “She essentially gifted us all her students,” Greenaway said. “She said, ‘I will train them, I will costume them, they will know their characters, they will know something about history’. She did it, so I didn’t have to do that then.” Greenaway has also taught drama at Atascadero schools and since those early days she has gone about recruiting local talent from a variety of places, including her own students. She isn’t teaching anywhere this year however, leading to a smaller, but still focused and energetic cast made up of a few newcomers along with a large group of returning members. See TENT CITY Page 14
F
Proud Founder’s Level Sponsor of Atascadero’s 1916 Tent City
photo by Chris Harris
Proud to be a 2014 Founder’s Level Sponsor of Atascadero’s 1916 Tent City
Members of the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival are proud to support the Colony Days Tent City’s effort to preserve and promote the unique history of our community. Congratulations to Tent City Volunteers in their continued efforts on behalf of all of us who live here.
Barbie Butz Chairman
Charley Carlin, Donna Kornrumpf -- Coastal Community Builders, Dianne Greenaway, Kathy Clarke
“The Coastal Community Builders team is honored to be a part of the 11th Annual presentation of the 1916 Tent City Experience and we look forward to celebrating with this great community the vision and achievements of Atascadero founder E.G. Lewis. I, personally, am very excited to be a sponsor of Tent City and helping to bring Atascadero 3rd graders to this special historic reenactment. As a young boy, two of my favorite things to do were building homes with my set of LEGOS and reading about the history of our beautiful state. It would be so rewarding for me to know that even one student was inspired by their visit to this year’s Tent City.”
Sincerely, Gary Grossman
805-464-2880
www.CoastalCommunityBuilders.com
6 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
Time for a Change in atascadero Some CommentS RegaRding CHUCK WaRd: “Chuck Ward is the right man at the right time to serve on our Council. He is a remarkable, talented man, with a life time of business experience. Please take advantage of his energy, passion, love of our town and get the job done reputation. Save one vote for Chuck Ward!!” Jerry Clay Former mayor and 16 years as an atasCadero CounCilman “Chuck Ward is not a follower, he is a leader, with integrity and honor. Honest, Experienced, Energetic, Never quits and he is a great asset to his community, elect Chuck Ward.” riChard hathCoCk, Past Commander, moWW
“...an asset to any team.”
“His ‘can do approach’ to issues, many years of professional and corporate business leadership, his willingness to lend a hand and not just a voice to help push things forward, are traits that will only strengthen and improve the leadership of our City Council. So please join me in electing Chuck Ward.” dennis sChmidt, Current ChairPerson oF the Planning Commission “When I pass the Veteran’s Memorial or see a Purple Heart Trail sign, I think of all the work Chuck Ward has done to make it happen.” John P. roza, Jr., u.s. navy WWii veteran Recognition of Chuck’s efforts on the American Heritage Monument Dedication
A common sense approach to getting things done from an experienced candidate who will provide a balanced and independent voice of reason on the City Council.
To learn why the Tribune Endorsed Chuck, please visit Chuck’s website:
www.chuckwardforcouncil.org or facebook
“Chuck Ward for atascadero City Council” Memorial Day Presentation at Faces of Freedom (which Chuck helped build)
Elect
Chuck
Ward “Let’s Get it Done!” Paid for by the Committee to Elect Chuck Ward
Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 7
S
Colony days king & queen By Luke Phillips
anta Margarita resident Henry Barba will serve as this year’s Colony Days King with Atascadero resident Alice O’Dell as his King. Colony Days Royalty Chairman Kent Kenney says that the king and queen are chosen from those who have lived within the boundaries of the Atascadero Unified School District for 50 years or more. Past royalty have included residents of Carissa Plains, Garden Farms and east of the Salinas River, but Barba will be the first king from Santa Margarita. Kenney says that since Santa Margarita used to have its own pioneer-themed celebration, the Days of the Dons, the board has avoided choosing royalty from that community. “Since they’ve now incorporated their Days of the Dons into their Fourth of July celebration, I don’t feel like we’re stepping on any toes down there,” Kenney said. “It’s not often you find somebody like him who’s been here all the time.” Barba was born in Santa Margarita in 1913 and has lived there his entire life. He said he was surprised to have been chosen as the Colony Days king. “I didn’t expect it because there’s never been a king from Santa Margarita,” he said. Even at the age of 101 Barba is still very active. His grandson, Dan Barba, of Los Osos, says his grandfather still lives alone, drives, goes to doctor’s appointments and See KING & QUEEN Page 15
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8 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
BACK TO THE LAND “The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.” – Abraham Lincoln By Terise Kelly 1916 was a very tumultuous time around the globe. America entered World War I during the midst of the “Progressive Era”, which was birthing a revolutionary time of conflict and war. Unionized workers around the world held strikes for better conditions and pay; 1917 brought the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia; The Easter Rising of 1916 started the Irish Rebellion against English rule; Pancho Villa was on the run, and American women marched in the streets demanding the right to vote. Americans were restless. And in the midst of this era, riding on a tide of optimism and vision, comes Mr. E.G. Lewis. He embodied the spirit of the Progressive Era, seeing Socialism as a benevolent trend. He was also a champion of women’s suffrage, and truly visionary in his concept of a planned utopian society. Many people will be shocked to learn that our own Atascadero is that utopian city. The little “Garden Farms” that Lewis designed and offered for sale provided opportunities for women to participate in growing food for sale, and for home consumption and canning. Each garden farm came with a chicken coop, garden shed and running water. A century later, it is good to reflect again on the Founder’s purpose in creating a modern community with all the amenities and culture of city life, yet based on the time-honored tradition of sustainable agriculture. Many See THE LAND Page 16 Morjesi's salon, located in the heart of Atascadero's charming downtown, offers a professional environment with a relaxed feel; there is something here for everyone. Services vary from creative colors & cuts, color correction, demineralizing & smoothing treatments. Hair & lash extensions along with full service waxing and facials are also available. We only believe in using the highest quality products and truly care about the health and maintenance of your hair & skin after leaving the salon. We offer a large variety of products we believe in. Morjesi's is heading into their 12th year of success, thanks to all of our stylists and helpful front desk staff (past & present) along with our amazing, loyal clients. If you’re looking for just " that right place" stop by or give us a call. Located at 5905 Entrada Ave. in Atacadero 805-460-0766. Holiday gift packs & gift certificate specials are right around the corner. Please stop by for a little trick or treat or a Bonfire/marshmallow roast at the Winter Wonderland. Looking forward to lots of beauty this holiday season along with lots of rain. See you all soon.
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Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 9
ATTENTION TEACHERS! Third Grade Students to Get Special Preview of Atascadero Colony Day’s Tent City
F
rom the very beginning, Tent City was meant to be educational in nature. It began as a joint venture between local drama instructors and the volunteers who signed on as “actors”. The exhibitors and actors in Tent City are *trained to develop their own character and costumes, and they must be period-authentic. For the vast majority of the exhibitors, they have volunteered hours and hours, year after year, for eleven years now. And for several years now, someone would inevitably bring up the possibility of having Tent City be available as a field-trip for our local students. The displays and activities are perfectly suited to young students, with a lots of opportunities for “hands-on” experiences. So... Last year the steering committee agreed unanimously that an effort needed to be made to create an “educational component” for Tent City that would be tailored to the needs of the schools. During planning meetings regarding AUSD curriculum at the time, it was determined that California Common Core State Standards require all third graders to learn about their local communities, both the historical narrative, and topography, climate, etc. The Tent City Re-enactment of 1916 is perfect for third graders. A pilot program was developed with the help of some district teachers, and with the willing participation of our exhibitors, musicians and actors. On the Friday before the Colony Days 2013 Centennial Celebration, early in the morning while the dew was still on the ground, the final preparations were being readied for the students. Soon, the big yellow bus pulled up, and ninety third graders poured out. A system of splitting the classes up into groups of five, then having them rotate through the various exhibits, was used very effectively. The kids came together at the end for an old fashioned sing-a-long.
An afternoon session identical in nature was provided for our community’s private schools and local homeschooling families. Letters of appreciation sent by North County Christian School students were most gratifying to our volunteers. The kids loved “visiting” 1916. The day was wildly successful! The students were curious and actively involved in most of the daily activities, such as doing laundry with a bucket and washboard, and hanging it out to dry; or, peeling apples and making cider in a press, hanging out and watching the blacksmith at his forge, shopping in the Mercantile, or even learning how to dance the Virginia Reel. The day went smoothly and the children clearly enjoyed their experiences. 2014 brings us a new mandate-- EXPAND the educational component to make it available to ALL of our third graders! This year Tent City will begin on Friday, and students will once again have the chance to experience first-hand what life was like in 1916. Exhibits, lectures and activities are catered to our third grade audience on Friday. This is a huge endeavor for our cadre of volunteers who make this happen, and it is a rare opportunity for our students. Tent City 2014 is commemorating a new century in Atascadero. Back to the Land is our motto, just as it was for E.G. Lewis when he was marketing his vision of a utopian agrarian society, based on self-sustaining industries in food production, growing flowers for seed, and the development of little “Garden Farms” where a family could raise their own food. Our students will have the opportunity to reconsider the merits of such a lifestyle, in an era where we have clearly come “full circle” over the last hundred years.
Happy Colony Days!
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10 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
GRAND MARSHAL Continued from Page 5 trucks for six years. They moved to Atascadero in 1972 where Cap opened Safety Tire Co. with partner Bruce Tucker before opening another store where he sold car radios and speakers. Cap also went on to work for Cal State Auto Glass for 16 years performing insurance bids and assigning workers to off-site glass installation jobs. Betty worked at Bank of America in Atascadero for 17 years before she passed away in 2007. Now at the age of 92, Cap still keeps busy caring for his son, who suffers from severe diabetes, also serving as a delivery driver for Meals on Wheels five days per week for the past 11 years. He has received citations from Congresswoman Lois Capps, Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian and AARP and in 2010 he received the Central Coast RSVP Volunuteer of the Year Northern District award. In 2013 he received a certificate of appreciation for volunteering for more than 500 hours. In addition to all of his volunteer work, Cap is also a past president and a current board member on the board of directors for the Atascadero Senior Citizens United Center. “It gives me a purpose to get up in the morning and do something worthwhile,” he said.
Happy Colony Days!
Tom O’Malley, Mayor
6917 El Camino Real Suite H, Atascadero (next to Galaxy Theaters) (805) 703-0780 Open: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Always Enthusiastic about Atascadero Paid for by Tom O’Malley for Mayor of Atascadero – 2014 P.O. Box 808, Atascadero, CA 93423. ID# 1349060
Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 11
Tent City Exhibits 1.) O’Malley’s Ice Cream Parlor – Whether you’ve just stood near the hot furnace at the smithy and need to cool off, or you are just walking by... you’ll want to treat both your taste-buds and your tummy to some delicious, smooth, and luscious icecream. Step into this colorful, and wondrous establishment and sit a spell. It’s hard to believe that it’s been only a dozen years since the first ice-cream cone was introduced at the St. Louis World’s Fair. 2.) Land Office – We’re certain that once you have looked around our happy community you will want to join us. Here is where you can pick out a parcel of land for your home, and future endeavors. Mr. Lewis had the head of the Agriculture Department of the University of California personally analyze our soil, to ensure the best use of our fertile land, and our experts will guide you toward the ideal location for you 3.) Blacksmith -- Some of our visitors may be unfamiliar with the work done by a blacksmith: working the bellows... hammering away on his anvil, etc. Although industrialization is replacing many of the blacksmith’s skills, automobiles are so new most residents still ride horses, as well as use buggies and delivery carts. The services of a blacksmith are vital. Due to the huge success of the Colony, the smithy has been enlarged to include 2 forges-- and Matt Zippi’s son will join him in the family business. 4.) Architect – Here chat with our personable architect JJ Roth. Architect of the Atascadero Inn and our beautiful school buildings. Mr. Roth has helped many of our citizens with their residential designs. Whether you are a professional, or plan to grow an orchard, he is extremely gifted at designing the perfect home to meet the needs of your family. 5.) Atascadero Mutual Water Company – Before residents were permitted here, the Colony needed to build an infrastructure... especially to secure our water supply. In the AMWC tent you can see amazing photographs of our development over the years. Our Colony is NOT just a center for the arts, but will also be an agricultural center requiring irrigation. Three years ago AMWC installed water mains for future residences, and orchards. This was very time-consuming, and expensive, but was necessary to reassure potential residents of Mr. Lewis’s commitment to success. 6.) BANK – The “Colony Holding Company” is where all of the assets in the Colony are exchanged, including money, real estate and commercial goods. Our bank is where you can exchange paper dollars for wooden nickels. (The exchange rate is pretty accurate; the purchasing value of the dollar has been devalued by 95% since 1913 when the Federal Reserve Bank was established.) 7.) Caladero Emporium – Atascadero has been an agricultural success for years, providing dehydrated foodstuff for the U.S. Army during recent conflicts. Orchards have been planted throughout the Colony, and the dehydration plant continues to this day. During the fall, apples are processed into homemade apple cider, dehydrated apples, apple butter and various apple cobblers and pies. Visitors are encouraged to join in the work, and enjoy the fresh, cold, sweet cider.
9.) Colony Diner -- There are two dining halls in Tent City, but the Colony Diner is open all day for those who prefer not to wait for meal call. They also have a bit of community entertainment in the diner as well, so whether you are hungry for a roast-beef sandwich, roasted corn-on-the-cob, or just some fun company, come on in. 10.) Community Laundry – There’s no better way to keep informed about the goings-on in the Colony than by gathering together and getting your hands wet, with your neighbors. Roll up your sleeves and experience a real washboard and laundry tub. We are all excited about the new-fangled electric washing machines, but until we get them installed in our new homes, we still rely on this tried and true method. A clothesline and clothespins for drying are provided! 11.) Flower Seed Market – One of the most amazing sights in the Colony is the Flower Seed Valley, where acres and acres of flowers have been planted in a patchwork quilt of color, along El Camino Real, and all the way out to Atascadero Lake. These were grown for seed, for what is a burgeoning market both here and in Europe. Flowers and seeds can be purchased from Violet Murphy, the Irish-immigrant proprietress, who is sending her profits home to help with the insurrection against the English 12.) Colony Mercantile – Among a plethora of dry goods, this is where folks revive themselves with a sparkling sarsaparilla or Coca Cola, as well as Crackerjack, licorice, etc. Gentlemen, don’t just reach into our pickle barrel for a dill, but also check out our gardening tools. Children, come buy marbles or jacks; you have a wide assortment of marvelous toys from which to choose. 13.) Atascadero News – This is the Colony’s first year with a newspaper. Whether you stop by the office, or buy one from a ‘newsie’, learn the latest regarding Europe’s Great War, the contentious election season in Washington, or just down the street at Headquarters House. Printed right here in the Colony Printery, a foundational business reflecting Mr. Lewis’ zeal for publishing. 14.) Federated Community Church – There’s nothing in the world anything like our church. Regardless what your denomination is, you’re welcome to worship with us. We celebrate what we share in common, and avoid specifics that would otherwise divide us. Dr. Edward A. Berry leads worship under the large oak tree a quarter-mile northeast of Tent City. The acoustics in the natural amphitheatre are superb, requiring no amplification. Come join us, and stay for a potluck afterwards. 15.) American Red Cross – This is the best place to show our compassion for our cousins in Europe as they endure the utter devastation of warfare. Stop in to rip old sheets into bandages... give blood... donate clothing, or even write an encouraging letter. You can also learn first-aid from our helpful, and friendly nurse, who has many of the latest medical tools available in her tent. 16.) Residential Tents -- All of our guests stay in tents which come furnished with electric lighting. Many have set up housekeeping and are preparing for their moves into new homes, surrounding themselves with old favorite items and reminders of the past.
8.) Barber Shop and Community Lounge – Don’t wait ‘til you need a trim, or a shave to stop in... relax in our new lounge where not only can you wait your turn for the barber...you can discuss the world’s problems, if not solve them! Read the newspaper, play a game of checkers or chess, or just come by to “chew the fat” with your neighbors. This is also where you will find our only TELEPHONE in Tent City-- another new-fangled marvel of this era.
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Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 13
TENT CITY Continued from Page 6 “We really had to kind of grow this in a very organic way,” she said. Many of the actors who have already mastered their parts skip the weekly classes, but newcomers and those who might want a refresher come in to learn about acting techniques, character development, local history and more. “We really just coach them on things like how to interact with people,” Greenaway said. “It’s not like most actors are going to have extensive conversations. My hope is just to have grown-ups and kids engaging with the public and not hiding away and being shy.” Local youngster Christian Sarantos will be returning for his third year playing a “Newsie”. Several Newsies will be at the event selling copies of the Colony Days special edition, which will be published by the Atascadero News and will feature a cover that looks like a 1916 edition of the newspaper and will cost two cents. Sarantos says he’s excited about being a Newsie again this year. “It’s just fun reinacting a hundred years ago,” he said. “You just get to sell newspapers and act and try to convince people to give you tips and there’s cool food there from a hundred years ago. It’s just fun, this stuff from the past and feeling like it’s coming back to life.” Sarantos says that attending the weekly training classes has taught him a lot about local history and the life of city founder E.G. Lewis and has also taught him a lot about acting. “It feels like it’s an acting class like drama class at school or something,” he said. “It’s very professional. It’s really cool because it’s educational and it’s fun at the same time.” When asked about his favorite part of participating in Tent City, Sarantos said, “Just being there and dressing in costume and selling newspapers.” Tent City will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18 along the banks of Atascadero Creek
off of East Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature nearly a dozen historical interactive experiences including a blacksmith, a historic land office, a bank, a barber shop and more, all hosted by local businesses. In addition to roaming entertainers and actors who remain in character throughout the event, there will also be several main stage events including a mud pie eating contest, an old fashion dance, a sing-a-long with the cast and an awards ceremony. For more information on Colony Days and Tent City visit www.colonydays.org.
Happy Colony Days!
in San Luis Obispo 719 Higuera (Broad & Higuera) 543-5770
in North County ATASCADERO 8300 El Camino real (Food 4 Less Center) 466-5770
14 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
PASO ROBLES 643 Spring Street (At 7th) 238-5770
KING & QUEEN Continued from Page 8 the grocery store by himself and passed his last driver’s test perfectly. “He passed the eye test perfectly without wearing glasses,” he said. Barba rode in the Colony Days Parade last year to celebrate his 100th birthday and says he had a great time. “It was wonderful, yeah,” he said. “It was nice. And then I went on to Santa Margarita for my birthday party. I don’t know if there’ll be a party (this year) but we’ll see what happens. I’ll just take it one day at a time. I’ll be 101 on Highway 101.” Although he was born and raised in Santa Margarita, Barba graduated from Atascadero High School in 1934 where he played third base on the baseball team. In the early 1920s Barba went to work at Santa Margarita ranch operating a mule-drawn wheat harvester and then in 1937 he switched jobs and went to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad company maintaining their tracks and eventually going on to work at the Espee yard roundhouse in San Luis Obispo where steam locomotives were housed and serviced. Barba served with the 250th Coastal Artillery Battery G on Kodiak Island in Alaska during World War II and was housed in a tent while there. After the war Barba returned home and went to work for the Union Oil Company pipeline section, working at the Santa Margarita booster station for 37 years until retiring in 1978. “I’m glad they chose me as king for Colony Days,” he said. “I
appreciate it.” Alice O’Dell said she was “shocked” to have been chosen as Colony Days Queen, adding that she and her husband were invited to be King and Queen once before but had to decline due to her husband’s failing health. O’Dell has lived in Atascadero her entire life, having been born at the William H. Lewis Memorial Hospital (later Atascadero General Hospital) in 1929. She notes that five generations of her family were served at the hospital before it closed. O’Dell is the daughter of Pearle Schlosser, who worked as a secretary for Atascadero founder E.G. Lewis, and Charlie Kay, who operated a butcher shop inside Pennington’s Grocery Store, which was located on the same block as the Golden Way Hotel. O’Dell first worked as a nurses aid at Atascadero General Hospital before going to work for Dr. Richard Walter’s office where she spent the next 26 years. After Dr. Walter retired she went to work as an administrative assistant at Country Care Convalescent Hospital for more than 13 years. After retiring O’Dell traveled around the U.S., Canada and Mexico with her husband Jack in their motorhome. She has also traveled to Germany and Hawaii. O’Dell was happily married to her husband Jack for 67 years. They had three daughters — Cheryl, Diana and Jacqueline — 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. The 41st Annual Colony Days Parade is scheduled for Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. This year’s theme will be “Our American Heroes”. For more information, visit the Colony Days Web site at www. colonydays.org.
Happy Colony Days! From
Thank you to our American Heroes
Gluten Free Pizza Available!
8220 20 EEll C Camino i R Real,l A Atascadero t d 466-6657
Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 15
THE LAND Continued from Page 9 believe we have come full circle, and the desire for such community life is making a comeback in 2014. It was an auspicious beginning when E.G. Lewis purchased the Henry Ranch right out from under the U.S. Army. They had developed the land significantly, laying asphalt roads, running electricity to every dwelling and leaving behind hundreds of tents. The Army was offered the land for $500,000; while they dawdled, Mr. Lewis offered $1,000,000. Soon thereafter, the Colony of Atascadero was born. Lincoln’s quote was carved into the front of city hall, and Lewis’ advertising prospectus emblazoned his motto, “BACK TO THE LAND.” He used his publishing company to create a highly successful magazine for women, which quickly had the highest circulation in the country. He had also founded the American Woman’s League, and the American Woman’s Republic. The original deed to the land purchased for Atascadero was held in title by the American Women’s Republic, and it was said Lewis was creating this town especially for his female readership. ____________________________________________________________ Atascadero Colony Day’s Tent City is an historic re-creation of the original “Tent City”, which existed from 1914-1916. This year the theme for the Colony Days Parade is “Our American Heroes”, and in Tent City we are celebrating the unsung heros of every war-- the homefront; in this case, primarily women who stayed behind and learned how to plant a Victory Garden, and how to live in a way that is self-sustaining, but also community driven. So, as we harken back to 1916, we honor those heroes who held the homefront down by going BACK TO THE LAND. In 2014, Tent City occurs on October 18th during the Colony Days celebration, immediately following the parade. Tent City is near the creek, adjacent to Sunken Gardens downtown, and next to the Historical Society. You can’t miss it! _______________________________________________________
Victory Gardens, initially called “war gardens”, were born during World War I as way to both address public food shortages and boost morale, empowering civilians to contribute to the war effort. It became an opportunity for the “homefront” to enjoy the fruits of their labor by planting food in yards, community gardens, parks and rooftops. Victory Gardens, which were promoted and supported by governments not only in the U.S. but also in other countries at war like the U.K. and Germany. Gardening became a way to express your support for the war effort. Visitors will be immersed into daily life, and will meet the “inhabitants” who have come along on this audacious venture-- the Banker (uses wooden nickels), the Bar-
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16 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
ber (and Barbershop Quartet), the Blacksmith and his son, who operate two forges in the burgeoning town, the Nurse who manages the Red Cross Tent, even Mr. and Mrs. Lewis themselves. Young “Newsies” peddle their newspapers; luckier kids hang out in O’Malley’s Ice Cream parlor. In the Church Tent folks can sing old-timey hymns led by the Sunday School Superintendent. Folks who enjoy livelier activity can jump into the dance lessons for the Virginia Reel, games, or even an old fashioned Pie-eating Contest. There is an open cast of approximately 125 people who participate in Tent City. Each has been trained to develop a character and costume that is authentic; the goal is to be not only entertaining, but educational also. Some participate as exhibitors, and all are very welcoming and encourage our visitors to jump in and participate. You can wash the laundry outside in a galvanized tub, help prepare apples for drying and cider, go shopping for vintage toys and candy in the Mercantile, or sit and cool off in the Ice Cream Parlor. There is also a wide variety of entertainment that occurs throughout the day. Live music, chorales, dancing, and a variety of games are open to visitor participation. In recent years, dancing the ‘Virginia Reel’ has been a crowd pleaser, as well as The Pie Eating Contest. This year we plan to add some farm animals, a new Dining Tent, and, of course-- OLD CARS! Lewis designed this town with asphalt paved roads throughout. Lewis had an extraordinary fleet of 27 automobiles available for his visitor’s pleasure. Having a car of any kind was still a modern extravagance that many Americans had yet to experience in 1916. Guests loved being driven around to look for their “perfect lot”, or taking a daytrip along Mr. Lewis’s new “highway” that cut through the mountains and took one all the way to the coast. He purchased Atascadero Beach and created the original “Cloisters” there during that period. Flowers grown for seed were planted all along the route, creating a patchwork quilt of color all the way out to Atascadero Lake (the “mud-hole”.) The hills were dotted with young orchards. It must
Happy Colony Days to All!
have been very enchanting indeed. A hundred years later, the wisdom of growing your own food and working your own land to make a living is becoming very popular again. People are becoming aware of the need for not only securing the food supply, but living in a way that is more organic, more connected to the earth. Tent City harkens back to an era when life was simpler, and people depended on themselves and their neighbors-- to work hard on the land, and to share the vision of creating a new kind of community, where the common good was pursued with optimism and hope. Still a worthy goal.
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Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 17
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18 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
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Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 19
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Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 21
Tent city schedule of events 10:00 -- Exhibits Open 12:00 -- Pie Eating Contest (and at various other times, too) 11:30 - 2:45: Sack Races Egg Toss Watermelon Seed Spitting Popular music of the Era Tug of War Bucket Brigade 1:00 -- Old Fashioned Spelling Bee (stage) 2:00 -- Sing Along at the Tent City Stage 2:45 -- Tent City Bucket Brigade (Near the Laundry)
Photo’s Courtesy Kent Kenney 22 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
Colony Days 2014 - Parade Route 1. Parade Information Booth/Numbers 2. Lewis Bridge 3. Judging/Announcing Platform 4. Median Strip (Street narrows)
5. Carlton Hotel 6. Median Strip (street narrows) 7. Parade Ends
Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 23
photos of 2013 Colony days parade
24 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 25
A Glance Back To 1966
26 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
...Photo’s and 1966 ads courtesy of Mike McCain
Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 27
2014 Tent City Director’s Notes:
I
n 2003, the Colony Days 1916 Tent City Re-Creation saw the light of day. The brainchild of then-new councilperson, Tom O’Malley, myself, and Happy Larsen became a reality with a re-creation schoolhouse, a blacksmith, a Land Office (courtesy of Peabody and Plum), and about seven or so Residential tents, occupied by Atascadero Families. Some of the tents were nearly empty. Others were decorated with real vintage items. We had about 90 student actors, courtesy of Suzanne Culver and the AUSD. We had a handful of costumed adults. We had four generous and brave sponsors. We had local musicians, a 2-man saw experience, games, and, a few other attractions. It was brand new. And it became the talk of the town. We had the help of a lot of good people, and we made a beginning. Now, eleven years later, so much has expanded. For some years, we had no food experience in it. Now, people can purchase ice cream, candy, sodas, popcorn, grilled corn-on-the-cob, and grilled sandwich. People can use cash, or have a math lesson and buy wooden nickels from the bank, using those for money in Tent City. The buying power is pretty close to the real deal in 1916. We show visitors that the new folks in Atascadero were excited about growing their own food, and building new homes, excited about Lewis’ vision and industry. We try to capture that snapshot in our history of our beginning. We try to create a small, friendly community. We invite you to “play” with us. Play along. Sing with us. Dance with us. Launder some clothes. Talk with our church members. Engage with our characters. Heck, dress up and come right along for the ride. Check out costume tips on colonydays.org.
Atascadero grows good ideas, good company, good friends. I salute the many on the Tent City Steering Committee, and our Exhibitors, Sponsors, and Players. We thank and salute the Atascadero Colony Days committee, whose energy and determination to create this larger community event continues on. Please look for our sponsors and supporters in this special edition of the Colony Tab. We could not be what we are apart from them. Come play with us this Saturday. Dianne Greenaway Tent City Executive Director
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28 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014
Family recipe:
Submitted by: Kerrie Wilkins McNerlin
Bread & Butter Pickles Ingredients: 4 qt. Cucumbers 8 small white onions ½ c. Salt 4 c. Vinegar 4 c. Sugar 3 tsp. Celery Seed ½ tsp. Powdered Turmeric (optional) 3 T. Mustard Seed
Directions: Peel the onions and wash the cucumbers. Slice the cucumbers paper thin, without peeling. Slice the onions, mix with the cucumbers and mix with salt. Let stand over night in a large bowl with a weighted plate on top. Next day pour off the liquid and cover with ice water. Heat the vinegar with the sugar and spices. Drain the cucumbers and onions add to the spiced vinegar. Stir over low flame, bring to a boil but do not boil. Stir in turmeric. Pour into heated sterile jars and seal. Makes about 3 quarts. Anecdote: My Great Grandmother (Emma Reynolds Thompson) was a wonderful cook. She taught me to can preserves and bake bread. My Great Grandfather and her had the mercantile. It was in the Eaglet area, (where the Moose Lodge resides today). They open this business in about 1915 just after Atascadero Colony was formed. She also had a restaurant next to the La Mode Theater, which was later, the old bowling on the north end of El Camino Real. She also was the cook for the Moran Boys School in the early 1930’s, which was located in the Rotunda/Memorial Building.
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Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014 • 29
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The “Caladero” plant went into production of dehydrating locally grown fruits and vegetables in the summer of 1918. This plant provided food for World War I troops in Europe.
After Dark
Image summited by Jim Wilkins
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32 • Colony Days 2014 • a Publication of the Atascadero News • October 2014