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SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. XVI
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2021
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Paso Robles Pioneer Day Royalty Prepare for 91st Anniversary
The Pioneer Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — This weekend, Paso Roblans near and far will roll into town for the 91st Pioneer Day on Oct. 9. Since 1931, a parade of farm equipment (now considered antiques), horses, floats, and people stroll down Spring Street for the Pioneer Day Parade. But no Pioneer Day Parade is complete without its royal court. Irene Marquart (99) is the 2021 Pioneer Day Queen, and Tom Flynn Sr (83) is this year’s Marshal. When Pioneer Day was first celebrated on Oct. 12, 1931, many traditions were born for Paso Robles. One being the Pioneer Day Royalty. Paso Robles’ first Pioneer Day saw Sam Eddy as their first Grand Marshal and Ann Casper as their first Belle. It wasn’t until 1932 when Paso chose their first Queen, Jennie Wiley. In addition to a Queen and Marshal, a Pioneer Day Belle is
Left, 2021 Pioneer Day Queen Irene Marquart and Marshal Tom Flynn Sr. Right 2021 Pioneer Day Belles and their attendants. Photos by Nicholas Mattson
chosen along with her Belle Attendants. Two belles were chosen this year, one for 2020 (since we missed last year) and one for 2021. Jenna Smith was chosen as the 2020 belle representing the Adelaida area, and Isabelle Stemper was chosen as the 2021 belle representing the Creston area. Queens, marshalls, and belles
are chosen based on their family’s lineage or connection to Paso Robles’s history. Pioneer Day Royalty is honored at various events leading up to the big day in October. On Sept. 16, the annual Ladies Luncheon was held honoring Paso Robles Pioneer Royalty and ladies of the North County. This year’s luncheon was held
TRADITION
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Pioneer Day Bean Feed is back for its 91st anniversary on Oct. 9. David Kudija, captain of the bean feed, said, “We’re beefing it up because we are expecting after everyone’s been cramped up for 20 months now that they’re going to come out in droves, so we want to be ready for them.” Due to the COVID pandemic shutdowns in 2020, there was no
SPORTS
HEALTH
In 1978 Tom Sr. and Sharon brought their family to the Paso Robles area where Sharon’s father, Jack Phillips, was involved with the Oak Shores and Heritage Ranch developments. Tom said they loved it high up on the hill. They had all the farm animals, a big garden, quite the expeCONTINUED ON PAGE A15
Templeton Community Service District Votes to Continue with Remote Meetings
Paso Robles Pioneer Day Bean Feed Back For 91st Anniversary Pioneer Day bean feed or parade celebration. The only other time Pioneer Day and the Bean Feed were canceled was from 1942-1944, during World War II. But considering the Pioneer Day and Bean Feed were born amid tragedy, it would be only fit for the Paso Robles Pioneer days to keep going through the world’s current trials and tribulations. “We’re happy to be going again,” David said. Oct. 12, 1931, amid a depression, the people of Paso Robles gathered around their downtown city park for what would be the first Pioneer Day Parade and Bean Feed.
He was number ten of 13 children. His mother always taught her children the meaning of hard work, and they all had jobs and helped support the family. After high school, Tom joined the US Navy for two years and married 2021 Pioneer Day Royalty his wife Sharon in 1960, just two Marshal Tom Flynn Sr. days after she graduated high school. Tom Flynn Sr. was born in San The two have been married for 61 Fernando Valley on Jan. 13, 1938. years now.
COMMUNITY
A crew of about 15 people volunteer to cook King City Pink Beans and serve the them on Pioneer Day. Contributed Photo
The Free Bean Feed starts at Noon on October 9
at the Estrella Warbirds Museum, “Celebrating 91 years of the Pioneer Spirit.” The Old Timer’s BBQ is a similar event celebrating the year’s chosen marshal but was unfortunately canceled this year.
Reverend Dean Thackeray noticed a growing divide between Paso Robles townsmen and their country folk. Inspired by a similar event from his previous home in Utah, Rev. Thackeray brought his community together to create what would later be known as Paso Robles Pioneer Day. It was a day to give thanks to Paso’s farmers and ranchers. “Leave your pocketbook at home,” said Reverend Thackeray. And so they did. Businesses closed, and people came into town from every nook and cranny. And an annual Paso Robles tradition CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
COUNTY
uled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. for open session. The meeting began with Director Logan addressing the Governor’s executive order regarding AB TCSD General Manager 361 and the resolution the Board needs to pass in order to continue Awarded Leadership Foundation Certificate with remote meetings. General Manager Briltz gave background By MELISSA GUERRA on the resolution as well as the need melissa@pasoroblespress.com to renew this resolution every 30 days. Director English inquired TEMPLETON —Temple- about the readiness of the Board ton Community Services District Room and the current status of the (TCSD) held a regularly sched- County mask mandate.
Director Logan expressed her preference to continue meetings where the members don’t have to wear masks and until the mandate changes to continue with zoom meetings. Director Logan made a motion to pass the resolution, and the motion passed 5-0 to make the proclamation and extend brown act flexibility for remote meetings. Next, the Board heard the September recap from the Sheriff ’s Department. There were 1747 CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
GOVERNMENT
Paso Robles City Council Votes to Remain a Member of The Integrated Waste Management Authority The City briefly said they are not considering vaccine mandates
Following the COVID update from Fire Chief Jonathan Stornetta, public comments questioned data provided in the presentation and asked Council not to consider By CAMILLE DeVAUL vaccine mandates for the City. camille@pasoroblespress.com City Manager Ty Lewis did confirm there was no considerPASO ROBLES — Paso ation for issuing a vaccine mandate Robles City Council met virtu- in Paso Robles. ally for their regularly scheduled Another caller asked for Stormeeting on Oct. 5. netta to list his sources for data
SOCIETY
provided, which stated the majority of those hospitalized in SLO County are vaccinated. The caller asked for the source of this data and whether it could be proven. Mayor Steve Martin said as a member of the governing board of both Twin Cities Community Hospital and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, “the majority of CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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