Old Towne Orange Plaza Review | Issue 117 | Sep-Oct 2023

INSIDE ART: Story on page 24

Mickey and Minnie on Trapeze

Licensed Merchandise Design for a Rug

Gouche on Board, 1935 / The Hilbert Collection

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Old Towne Orange PLAZAREVIEW From the Publisher

I have always felt that autumn is the ideal time to look back at the recent past with gratitude and contemplate what has been accomplished, while also making plans for a successful remainder of the year.

Nowhere is the excitement for what the remainder of the year has to offer more pronounced than in Orange and Old Towne. While students head back to the classroom to expand their knowledge and experience new adventures, area merchants adjust their offerings to the shorter, yet busier days ahead.

In this issue, we share some of the bounty of the harvest season through the lens of local merchants and community members who make Orange such a special, connected place to live.

On pages 11-13, meet three new area restaurants making their marks here in Orange. You’ll find plenty of delicious, hearty fall fare at Euro Caffé, Jardin Auténtica Cocina and The Peel Craftbar & Kitchen.

Memories are what make up a community, and Orange, with its long, rich history has plenty. Those attending the Orange High Class of 1973 for the 50th Class Reunion on October 7 will attest to that.

As always, in these pages, we include the stories of community members striving to make Orange the absolute best it can be. This includes the folks at Orange Legacy Alliance, dedicated to shining the spotlight on the area’s many historic and cultural resources (pg. 18). And then there are those who are doing what it takes to ensure students have everything they need to succeed. This includes those at the Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation (pg. 19) and Chapman’s Town & Gown (pgs. 26-27).

I hope you have a wonderful fall filled with new experiences and treasured memories.

Sincerely,

Mike Escobedo

SEPTEMBER 2023

Tue / Sep 12 / 7 pm

Chapman University

Holocaust “Zoom” Presentation

Author Rebecca Donner on her award winning best seller,“All the Recent Troubles of Our Days:The True Story of the American Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler”. Chapman.zoom.us/j/97526429030 714-628-7377

Wed / Sep 13 / 6 pm

Chapman University

Town & Gown “Meet & Greet”

Learn about Town & Gown & how they involve the community to support student scholarships (see pg 26). The Hilbert Temporary 216 East Chapman Ave Chapman.edu/tg / 714-744-7608

Sat / Sep 16 / 9 - 11 am

Orange Rotary Club

Santiago Creek Clean-Up

Join the Orange Rotary for this city-wide effort to keep the creek clean. Meet at the Cambridge St. Bridge 590 South Cambridge St. / 714-553-5210

Sat / Sep 16 / 3 pm

Orange Legacy Alliance (OLA)

OLA Talks: A group of like-minded individuals coming together to educate, collaborate & celebrate Orange’s rich historic & cultural resources, with this initial presentation about the “60th Anniversary of the Orange Civic Center” (see pg 18). Civic Center: 300 East Chapman Ave www.OrangeLegacy.org

Sat / Sep 23 / 10 am

Orange Community Historical Society General Monthly Meeting

Join history-minded folks to learn more about the origins of Orange & specifically the Orange Fire Department, while touring the new Orange City Fire Department, Station No. 1. 1176 East Chapman Ave www.HistoricalOrange.org

Sat / Sep 23 / 5 pm

Orange Lutheran High School

Taste of OLu

Sip & Celebrate a variety of food from local restaurants, with delicious wine & beer samplings to benefit OLu’s Annual Fund. 2222 N Santiago lhsoc.org/giving/taste-of-olu

Around the Plaza!

Sun / Sep 24

Orange Elks, Emblem Club

Post Convention Luncheon

Update on the recent Supreme Convention in Chandler,Arizona with past Supreme Presidents,Annitta

Macheda and Jacki Fanzo

211 E. Chapman Ave / 714-538-2168

Fri - Sun / Sep 29 - Oct 1

Old Towne Film Festival

View a variety of independent films, shown in a series of blocks organized by themes & genres, such as The Locals, The Doc List,The Experimental Bunch, and concluding with a live awards show. American Legion Hall 143 South Lemon St / 714-805-8392

OldTowneFilmFestival.com

OCTOBER 2023

Thu / Oct 5 / 6 - 10 pm

Greater Orange Community Arts Theater

Building a Legacy Gala

A special evening featuring art, a silent & live auction, dinner entertainment by students from the community & more. Hotel Fera: 100 The City Dr GoCat4All.org / 714-202-7549

Fri / Oct 6 / 2 - 6 pm

Orange Chamber of Commerce State of the City

Join Mayor Dan Slater as he presents a look at the past year & plans for he coming year.

Citizen of the Year & Business of the Year will be presented.

Musco Center: 415 North Glassell St OrangeChamber.com / 714-538-3581

Sat / Oct 14 / 6:30 pm

Orange Home Grown

2023 Chef Dinner

Join Chef Shachi Mehra for an intimate, family-style, multi-course meal featuring thoughtful, locally grown dishes, paired with meaningful conversation. Private Orange Residence OrangeHomeGrown.org

Tue / Oct 17 / 7 pm

Chapman University

Holocaust Presentation

Historian Daniel Greene & documentary filmmaker Pierre Sauvage on “A Year

That Mattered:Varian Fry and the Refugee Crisis, 1940-41 (see pg 17) Beckman Hall 404 / 714-628-7377

Chapman.edu/holocausteducation

Wed-Sat / Oct 18 - 21

Assistance League® of Orange

28th Annual Boutique Noël

Start your holiday shopping early with many one-of-a-kind seasonal décor items. A large variety of clothing, jewelry, crafts, gifts & food items

124 South Orange St / 714-532-5800

www.AssistanceLeague.org/orange

Sat / Oct 21 / 10:30 am - 1 pm

Orange Public Library

Ukelele Soup: 10 Year Anniversary

A monthly celebration of community & music. All are welcome to strum, sing, share stories, with door prizes & more. 407 East Chapman Ave OrangePublicLibrary.org / 714-288-2400

Thu / Oct 26 / 4 - 7 pm

City of Orange Treats in the Streets

A free community event that includes games,Trick or Treating with local merchants, a kids costume parade, vendors, entertainment & more. Old Towne Orange / 714-744-7278

www.CityofOrange.org

SAVE THE DATES

Nov 4 Country Roads Antiques Holiday Open House

Nov 12 Orange Public Library Foundation Library Legacy Awards

134 South Glassell St / Orange 92866

Sep / Oct 2023 Publishing Team

Publisher Mike Escobedo Mike@OrangeReview.com

Editor/Writer Julie Bawden-Davis julie@juliebawdendavis.com

Writer Karen Anderson 123karen@earthlink.net

Writer Yuki Klotz-Burwell klotz105@mail.chapman.edu

Writer Nathan Carter nathan.travis.carter@gmail.com

Writer Marianne Lauren MarianneLauren.ga@gmail.com

Writer Sheri Ledbetter sledbetter@socal.rr.com

Writer Melissa Pinion-Whitt AuthorMelissaWhitt@gmail.com

Writer Mary Platt platt@chapman.edu

Photographer Kristin Smetona info@smetonaphoto.com

Digital Artist Clyde San Juan crookedtrails@hotmail.com

Web Developer Chase Higgins chasehiggins@me.com

Printed by Reed Printing estella@reedprinting.com

Processed by Mailing Pros, Inc. MPI@MailingProsInc.com

Distributed by the US Postal Services www.usps.com

by Yuki Klotz-Burwell

A Trio of Fresh Additions!

Euro Caffé

If you’ve been dreaming of taking a culinary journey to Europe, try visiting the newly opened Euro Caffé, a family-owned business offering fresh pastries, food and lattes. The Old Towne Orange shop is the business’s second location, joining the existing Euro Caffé in South Coast Plaza in Santa Ana.

Both locations are owned by Staella Gianakakos, her sister, Aliki Ruiz, and her brother-in-law, Sam Ruiz. The partners, all of whom grew up in the food industry, opened the first location 11 years ago and the Orange Euro Caffé this past summer.

“Being born and raised in the restaurant business, we knew what we were getting ourselves into, but there has still been a lot of trial and error along the way,” says Aliki. “The journey has required patience and energy, but it has been gratifying and fulfilling.”

The Orange location took four months to complete before opening in June. “Working on the Orange cafe has been a labor of love, but one of the most rewarding feelings is seeing how the place looked before and after,” says Gianakakos. “We have people come in and tell us how much they love it, and it’s the icing on the cake. We feel so accomplished.”

The Euro Caffé staff are also passionate about the menu, which features an array of sweet and savory crepes, waffles and sandwiches.

“When we first created our menu, we wanted it to be European-inspired, which is

reflected in our ingredients and the names of our items,” says Gianakakos. “From day one, our sweet crepes have always been extremely popular.”

All crepes are made-to-order, and the Greek Goddess is the most frequently ordered, filled with Nutella, strawberries, bananas and honey. Customers can also order from an extensive coffee menu, with specials like the Nutella Latte or the Lavender Latte, as well as traditional espresso-based drinks. The Orange location also boasts an exclusive

pastry: a circular croissant filled with an orange panache cream, dipped in chocolate and topped with orange zest.

“Our food is fresh and made to order, which we’re very proud of,” says Aliki. “We’re fully familyowned, and we take so much pride in everything we do.”

As Euro Caffé settles into its

new Old Towne home, the team hopes to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere where guests feel comfortable stepping away from their daily hustle.

“We want people to come in, take a break from school or work, and just enjoy their delicious coffee and crepes,” says Aliki.

Euro Caffé Owners Sam Ruiz (center), his sister-in-law Staella Gianakakos (left) and his wife Aliki Ruiz share the cafe’s variety of sweet and savory menu items. The trio owns and operates their family business together, and drew inspiration from European cuisine to open the first Euro Caffé location 12 years ago.

As the neighborhood enjoys our warm fall weather, the culinary landscape of Orange welcomes a trio of new additions. Dive into the rich flavors at Euro Caffé, Jardin Auténtica Cocina and The Peelcraft Bar & Kitchen. Read on to explore what each of these fresh establishments are serving up to the community.

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A Trio of Fresh Additions!

Jardin Auténtica Cocina

To spice up Orange’s culinary scene, Mexican restaurant Jardin Auténtica Cocina recently rebranded its spot with a new brunch-forward menu. The idea initially started in 2021, but this year 2023, its owners saw an opportunity to fill a gap with a focus on offering Mexican breakfasts.

Owners Omar De La Vega and Juan Del Río describe the restaurant as a new Mexican modern cuisine, inspired by both Mexican classics and contemporary favorites.

“Many people comment that they’re surprised by our menu offerings,” says Del Río. “We use 100 percent pure Mexican flavors infused into modern cuisine.”

The menu does host options customers night not typically find at a Mexican restaurant—including French toast or waffles. But each item has a twist, and the waffle dish is listed as a sweet and savory “Pollo & Waffles,” and the toast incorporates a brioche bread bathed in tres leches sauce.

“The sauce for our toast marinates for 48 hours, and when it gets delivered to the table, it’s beautifully presented with a bath of tres leches that we pour on directly,” says De La Vega. “It’s incredibly popular and delicious.”

For more savory breakfast options, guests can order burritos,

eggs or a variety of chilaquiles, Mexican fried tortilla strips. Drinks include coffees from an exclusive blend chosen by the owners and roasted in Mexico, and alcoholic beverages like mimosas and margaritas.

The duo says their dining experience pays homage to authentic restaurants directly in Mexico, which are increasingly adding brunch and coffee items to their menus.

“We’ve traveled to so many places, and we’ve pulled inspiration from all over, but especially

Mexico,” says De La Vega. “Jardin means garden, and we’ve made it feel like you’re in Mexico with a fountain in the middle of the restaurant, classical music and flowers all over.”

The atmosphere is also meant to reflect the casually comfortable experience of walking into an enticing restaurant for breakfast in Mexico.

“We created this place so customers can have a nice conversation with their guests and sip some good coffee,” says

331

Del Río. “We want customers to be here for hours enjoying a full conversation and a good meal.”

In Orange, De La Vega and Del Río hope to create meaningful customer relationships to become the recommended brunch spot for locals. To do so, they’re creating out-of-the-box experiences like starting a secret menu with rotating items available only by checking with your waiter about the week’s special item, whether an exclusive drink, dessert, or entrée.

Jardin Auténtica Cocina

Co-Owner Omar De La Vega displays Jardin’s famous Tres Leches French Toast and Chipotle Chilaquiles with Steak Arracchera, a couple of the restaurant’s additions to its new breakfast menu. Jardin Auténtica Cocina’s foray into brunch food also includes innovative drinks, like a Mexican hot chocolate offering with seven blends of chocolate.

The Peel Craftbar & Kitchen

The local DoubleTree by Hilton has been reborn as Hotel Fera Anaheim, accompanied by a fresh new restaurant: The Peel Craftbar & Kitchen, which opened by The Outlets at Orange in June. The culinary establishment is inspired by modern Californian flavors, and features a seasonal, chef-driven menu created by Chef Luis Martinez.

“California has a big diversification in terms of the people here, and our menu reflects that,” he says. “Our restaurant celebrates the city of Orange and all of Orange County.”

The Peel’s upscale menu and dining experience mirrors the atmosphere of the new Hotel Fera, which was rebranded by the hospitality management company SPIRE Hospitality.

“The hotel group looks to bring boutique-style energy to different communities, and they saw Orange County as a perfect fit for this project,” says The Peel’s Food and Beverage Manager Alan Gamarra. “They remodeled the existing hotel to meet the standard of this new boutique style that fits the community well.”

Diners are taken on a culinary journey with the menu, finding a range of cuisines that blend to be “quintessentially Californian.” From pan-roasted salmon to a slow-roasted Cuban barbecue sandwich to Korean-style hot wings with gochujang hot sauce, there’s something for everyone.

The drink list, designed by Gamarra and his team of mixol-

ogists, introduces a modern twist to classic mixed beverages, with a focus on artfully made craft cocktails like the elderflower liqueur-based French Butterfly and the sunny Agave Summer with tequila and passion fruit.

“My favorite part of my work is collaborating with the culinary team to create modern cocktails that pair well with the food,” says Gamarra. “Every cocktail not only represents our community and California, but also mixes effortlessly with the menu.”

Guests visiting the restaurant every few months will notice a change. The restaurant is seasonal, so both the food and cocktail menus will update throughout the year to reflect the current season.

“We work within a 150-mile radius to source our food from local markets and local farmers,” says Martinez. “That means we always have the most current produce on the market, so our ingredients are always fresh.”

All of Martinez’s creations are

made in-house, from the dressings to the sauces, and draw inspiration from the diversity seen in the neighborhood, whether that’s an Asian-influenced appetizer or an entrée styled after a Mexican classic.

“We want to celebrate that we’re in Orange because we have a very rich history of cultured food,” he says. “There’s a lot of passion behind this menu, and what better place to be than in California?”

PHOTO BY KRISTIN SMETONA / SmetonaPhoto.com

Food & Beverage Manager Alan Gamarra, Assistant General Manager Pennelope Wright, Director of Group Sales Vieira Valones, General Manager Maria Evans, Food & Beverage Manager Nicolas Valle and Executive Chef Luis Martinez stand in the hotel restaurant’s recently renovated space. Located in the new Hotel Fera, The Peel Craftbar & Kitchen has a bar-focused atmosphere with a drinks and food menu driven by local farmers and modern Californian cuisine.

by Sheri Ledbetter

Education in Orange goes back to the city’s early days and stretches beyond schools and into the community. New ways to prioritize education, while celebrating and honoring the past, are evidenced by the following organizations and events. The Class of 1973 shares some memories, while the Orange Public Schools Foundation and the Orange Legacy Alliance reveal their educational priorities.

Orange High Class of 1973, 50th Class Reunion

Orange High School class of 1973 is planning their 50th reunion, calling the event “A Reunion to Remember.”

“It’s a play on us getting up in age, and it’s time to start remembering the great things that have happened over the years,” says Tari Parsons, who is on the planning committee.

“One great thing about our class was that all of the groups got along—whether you were an auto shop guy or an athlete,” says Steve Walker, also on the planning committee.

Parsons recalls being in the Interact Club, an offshoot of Rotary. She also notes it was the first year girls were allowed to wear pants. “Before that it was skirts or dresses only, and they had to be a certain length,” she says.

The guys had their rules to live by as well. “If your sideburns crept below your earlobes, you had to go see Mr. Garrison in the men’s locker room. He would use his old razor,” says Walker.

There were 689 students in the graduating class of 1973, which was the last class to be affected by the draft.

“We were all pretty worried about it,” says Walker. “I got a draft number but never got drafted.”

The Orange Drive-In Theater was a popular hangout at the time. Students also shopped at the Orange Plaza for back to school clothes at JC Penny, Buster Brown Shoes, Pinsons and Army Navy for PE clothes.

“Bullocks and Buffums were down the road and considered high-end,” says Walker, noting that the Orange Mall was also a hang out. “Most of the shops were women’s clothes, so all the girls worked there, and all the guys would go to the mall to see the girls. We would wear our letterman jackets. The Villa Park and El Modena guys would also be there, and we all became friends.”

Mr. Tobler taught the Ag program. “It was a big part of our school—a great source of pride,” says Walker.

This was the second class to play football games at Fred Kelly Stadium, a field shared with El Modena and Villa Park High Schools (Canyon didn’t exist yet).

Orange High School 50th Class Reunion

Before that, they were played at Chapman College.

Seniors took classes that could become careers, such as fashion or construction technology. The medical occupation class was held at Chapman General Hospital. In a class called Consumer Homemaking, students learned to write checks and how to rent an apartment.

There was also a class called senior problems, later renamed social psychology, taught by Jim Heideke, a popular teacher in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Orange is such a closeknit family,” says Parsons. “It’s our fondness for Orange that brings us all together.”

The reunion will take place October 7 at the Doubletree in Orange (now Hotel Fera). For more information, email Ohsreunion1973 @gmail.com

Steve & Ruthe Shafer

Pat & Patty Panther: Skip Stockton & Debbie Mesisca

A Golden Interlude, 1973

Most Sparkling Personality: Bill Burns & Janet McLaughlin

Biggest Flirts: Steve Walker & Tracy Ellis

Schedule of Events

NEW RESEARCH, PERSPECTIVES AND INSIGHTS

September 12 | 7 p.m.

Presentation by author Rebecca Donner

All the Recent Troubles of Our Days: The True Story of the American Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler

https://chapman.zoom.us/j/97526429030

October 17 | 7 p.m.

Presentations by historian Daniel Greene and

A Year That Mattered: Varian Fry and the Refugee Crisis, 1940-41

November 7 | 7 p.m.

Commemoration of Kristallnacht

Paul Jaskot

Professor of Art, Art History and Visual Studies, Duke University

Architecture and Antisemitism Before and After the November 9, 1938 Pogrom: The Political Uses of Building in Nazi Germany

Co-Sponsored with the Fish Interfaith Center

Photo credit to USHMM, courtesy of Annette Fry

September 12, 2023 | 7 p.m.

A Zoom event • https://chapman.zoom.us/j/97526429030

All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days: The True Story of the American Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler

of the German Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler,

October 17, 2023 | 7 p.m.

Americans

Rebecca Donner A

Daniel Greene

Daniel Greene Pierre Sauvage

Daniel Greene

and the Holocaust, The US and the Holocaust Americans and the Holocaust: A Reader

Pierre Sauvage Weapons of the Spirit Weapons of the Spirit

The John and Toby Martz Distinguished Lecture in Holocaust Studies

Moderated by Marilyn Harran

This event is part of the series “The Holocaust and Lessons for Democracy”

Orange Legacy Alliance

Orange Legacy Alliance (OLA), formed earlier this year, is making an impact with their first event highlighting the 60th anniversary of the Orange Civic Center, Sixties@6 0. This event will honor the complex and broader accomplishments of renowned architect Welton Becket, designer of the center.

“We saw a gap we thought we could begin to fill,” says MaryAnne Skorpanich, co-founding member of OLA. “Orange has the Old Towne district, with Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA), and now we have three new districts for the Eichler Tracts. But there are other older buildings scattered all over town and many that feature more modern architecture that now falls within the historic period—meaning those that are 50 years old or more. We want to shine a spotlight on all

those other resources.”

OLA is a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to the mission of fostering awareness and appreciation of the community’s historic and cultural resources. Through education and collaborative engagement, OLA seeks to inspire recognition, pride and stewardship of Orange’s shared legacy.

“We purposely named ourselves alliance because we saw ourselves working not only with the Old Towne Preservation Association but also with the Orange Community Historical Society and other s,” says Skorpanich. “Our mission includes heritage trees, referring to trees that are historic and grand like the one on South Glassell, cultural resources and things of that nature.”

Adrian Turner, another founding member, has lived in an Eichler home for the last 15 years and is part of the grassroots effort to get OLA off the ground.

“We are recognizing a need for a more macro group that is citywide,” says Turner. “Right now, there is a patchwork of initiatives to promote stewardship of historic and cultural resources, and there are many places around Orange that are hidden or not viewed in that context, like the Civic Center.”

agricultural roots to a forwardlooking community of the new age. Becket also designed Chapman University’s Becket Building, Capitol Records, Pauley Pavilion, the Los Angeles Music Center and more. Two noted historians will be speaking on the architecture of the Civic Center, Welton Becket’s legacy and mid-century landscape design.

“Our priority right now is getting established, and this event is a great start. We hope to highlight different important places in future years,” says Skorpanich.

The event highlighting the Civic Center will showcase Becket’s overtly progressive style, which OLA suggests is emblematic of the pivotal era the city underwent at that time. The center stands as a symbol of the future aspirations of a city transitioning from its Orange Legacy Alliance Sixties@60

The Sixties@60 event will be held September 16th at 3 pm at the Orange City Hall Council Chambers, 300 East Chapman Ave. Attendance is free with advance registration at OrangeLegacy.org

Over 40 Years

Architect Welton Becket, whose work included the Orange Civic Center shown in this rendering from the original dedication program in 1963, will be the subject of the new Orange Legacy Alliance’s inaugural event Sixties@60 on September 16, the 60th anniversary of the complex.

Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation

In just one year of operation, the new Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation (OUPSF) has delivered more than $100,000 in support to the Orange Unified School District.

“The school district is large, consisting of 37 schools with 26,000 kids,” says Frank Tucker, President of the OUPSF board. “We raise money and focus on areas needing the most support.”

According to Tucker, the school district felt the areas where OUPSF could make the biggest impact were mental health and wellness and visual and performing arts.

OUPSF members also feel it’s important for contributions to go straight to the schools. “The foundation gives out school and teacher grants directly,” says Tucker. “For instance, we purchased a new set of violins for El Modena High School.”

The OUPSF has already given out 46 school and teacher grants ranging between $500 to $2,500.

“The Orange Unified School District has a varied level of resources by school,” says Tucker. “For instance, Canyon and Villa Park High Schools have more resources than Esplanade Elementary School. The latter school has some of the biggest challenges. Examples like this are why the foundation was formed —to try to lift some of the lessresourced schools up. Creating

equity across our very diverse population of students is our focus. We target our funding towards ensuring every student has the resources necessary to succeed.”

Esplanade Elementary received three grants. “The difference this will make for our students is huge,” says Cheryl Sosa, Ed.D., school principal. One grant was for $1,000 to keep the book vending machine populated with books. Students earn coins that they use, and the books are theirs to keep.”

The new OUPSF board visited every school in the district last year and went to all the PTAs to meet with parents.

“We shared what we are all about, including what we are raising money for and asked, are these

the right things?” says Tucker. “Mental health and wellness was number one everywhere.”

The principal fundraiser this fall is a car raffle with Stadium Nissan. Tickets cost $25 for one and $100 for five and are being sold through the schools with the schools keeping part of the proceeds from the ticket sales.

The OUPSF is planning a State of the Schools event on October 4 to cellebrate schools in the Orange

Unified School District. provide an overview of the K-12 public schools in Orange. Tickets are available through the OUPSF website.

“The biggest opportunity is also our biggest challenge right now, which is getting the word out that this foundation exists,” says Tucker. “If we can make great students, then we will continue to have great people in the community. It’s like a virtuous cycle.” •

Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation 960 North Tustin St. #411 / 657-221-5412 / https:// OUPSF .org

Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation board members (from left) Marketing Chair Christine Deihl, Grants coordinator Kennedy Schaal, President Frank Tucker, OUSD Liaison Whitney Amsbary and Board member Ron Esparza are planning a State of the Schools event on October 4.

BY KRISTIN SMETONA

SmetonaPhoto.com

Shining Glory

HHospitality is the inspiration behind Glory Johnson and Wayne Gensler’s renovation of a 1948 Spanish Revival home on East Walnut, where the couple hosts family gatherings, community gettogethers and charitable dinners throughout the year.

President of Orange Home Grown Foundation, Glory has been an active member of the Old Towne community for many years, including volunteering with the Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA). Wayne has previously done volunteer work with the OTPA, the Orange Library Foundation and Orange Home Grown.

Whether the smartly remodeled

kitchen or their huge entertainment room that unfolds into the beautifully landscaped backyard, the home and property provide the perfect backdrop for entertaining.

“I do dinners all the time for gatherings of 20 or more people,” says Glory. “This fall, for example, we are hosting the third Chef Series farm-to-table fundraiser dinner for Orange Home Grown. I love to cook, especially Italian cuisine because of my family background.”

Seeking to downsize from their previous 1900 Revival Victorian on East Maple, the couple purchased the one-story home in 2019. The enormous 15,000-squarefoot lot was a key attraction for

Glory, whose talent for landscape design takes center stage. The backyard, which consisted mostly of dirt and cement, gave Glory an open canvas to create her dream yard and garden. Additionally, the property includes a workshop that Wayne utilizes for woodworking projects such as making tables and custom birdhouses.

“There used to be sparse landscaping in the front, which I completely took out and redid to create a Santa Barbara type of feel,” says Glory. “We added a circular driveway and reworked the entire front exterior into a Mediterranean-style setting with olive and fruit trees. In the back, we covered the cement with

Written by Karen Anderson

flagstone and added a garden and a raised bed for herbs. Each corner has its own microclimate: one corner for shade, one for full sun, another for drought-tolerant, and one for natives. The flagstone conveys a Spanish retreat.”

According to Glory, the property had only two previous owners that she knows of. The

Wayne’s 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SL sits on the circular driveway in front of the porch, ready for a ride.

to bring an exceptional experience to life

original owner/builder raised their family here. Although the house was in good shape when the couple purchased it, the former owners had changed some original aspects, compromising the true architectural style.

Upon acquiring the property through local realtor Dan Slater, Glory and Wayne set out to transform the premises in keeping with the 1940s’ vintage era. They opened up the floor plan by removing several walls, which brought more light and ventilation into the interiors. To emphasize the Spanish Revival theme, they added archways to the remaining portions of the walls they removed, plus installed Spanish-style wood accents for the moldings and trim. They also replaced all the tile floors and laminate flooring and installed beautiful oak floors to replicate the original floors.

The tiles on the roof are original to the home. “We repaired the roof and kept the original tiles; they are just so beautiful,” she says. “We remodeled one of the bathrooms with marble, which I really enjoy.”

Glory has plenty of experience

renovating old homes, having previously restored two historic homes in Old Towne. In addition to gleaning ideas from magazines and books, Glory relies on her daughter Gwen Sukeena for interior design choices.

“Gwen is an interior designer with her own business, Sukeena Homes,” says Glory. “She lives

here in Old Towne, as does our other daughter Gaylin Goodman and her family. My other children and grandchildren live in Huntington Beach and Long Beach, so we enjoy their frequent visits here at the house.

“Gwen was integral to everything I did here,” she adds, “specifically the design of the

arches and the walls in the kitchen. She helped me secure all the vintage lights, which I obtained mostly at Architectural Salvage in Pasadena. Some of my furnishings we also found in Pasadena at stores specializing in Spanish Revival. We even acquired some pieces here in Old Towne.”

“If

The living room showcases treasured art works complemented by architectural arches and Spanish Revival vintage lighting.

Glory in her favorite room, the kitchen, with her husband Wayne. The counters are made of black soapstone, which contrasts with the all-white custom cabinets.

Photos by Kristin Smetona : www.smetonaphoto.com

Shining Glory

Designed for entertaining, the kitchen is a cook’s dream. It includes a double oven with warming drawer, a stainless-steel sink, and a large island with barstool seating. The counters are made of black soapstone, which contrasts nicely with the all-white cabinets and pullout drawers. Local contractor Kevin Hockenberry helped finish the remodeling project.

“I had my husband make a small table with a banquette,” she says, “and I also integrated my grandmother’s historic door in the kitchen. I kept it all these years, knowing it will always be a part of our home no matter where we live.”

The interiors convey a monochrome-white theme with earth tones for accents. The couple replaced the dated French doors

with Spanish-style doors that have double panes. Historic etchings of European themes hang on the walls, along with plein-air oil paintings on display in the family room. There are also two large pieces by a well-known New York artist who is a friend of their daughter. The 2,000-square-foot house has three bedrooms, three baths and a two-car garage. A small

utilitarian bathroom is located off the garage. The couple converted the additional three-car garage into a family entertainment room that includes a long, pine, liveedge dining table.

Glory says she lives for the outdoors, relishing the retreatlike feel of the property. She enjoys gardening and watching her family and grandchildren enjoy the yard.

Glory and Wayne under the portico leading to the backyard.

Providing the ultimate party space, the entertainment room features a vintage 1920 player piano and an extended live-edge dining table.

A flagstone path meanders to the casita, which serves as a playhouse for the grandchildren and an art studio for Glory.

“It’s a special thing to be able to restore a vintage or historic home,” says Glory. “It helps you fall in love with the house even more because you know all of its characteristics and you get to enhance what you like about it. We are so fortunate to live here.” •

Building Character at C HAPMAN U NIVERSITY

Jessica MyLymuk

by Julie Bawden-Davis

During middle school and high school, Jessica MyLymuk made a yearly trip from her home in Las Vegas to Chapman University to attend the Strings Festival. While she enjoyed playing her violin for the judges at the weekend event, it was the campus’s warm and welcoming atmosphere that stayed with her.

“When it was time for college, I considered going to UC Davis or Cornell, but then I recalled Chapman’s beautiful and inviting campus, so I applied and was accepted,” says the Associate Director of the Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library at Chapman University who considers herself a “Chapman Lifer.”

“Though the campus has grown since the early 1990s when I became a student, Chapman remains a place where you feel a sense of belonging and community,” she says.

MyLymuk started college as a biology major but ended up changing to Religious Studies after taking a class on a subject that had intrigued her since middle school.

“When I was 12, I went to Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) at Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas,” she says. “It wasn’t our usual Friday night service, and I didn’t want to go. The guest speaker was Irene Gut Opdyke, a Polish nurse who risked her life to save 12 Jewish people from persecution by the Nazis. After the war, she was honored as a Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.”

Introduction to the Holocaust

Up until that time, MyLymuk didn’t know anything about the Holocaust. Though her parents forced her to attend the event, she ended up fascinated by Opdyke’s talk.

“After Irene finished speaking, I had so many questions,” she says. “As a teenager, the Holocaust was incomprehensible. From that point on, I read everything I could about that time in history and the subject became a personal interest.”

jhillfoto@aol.com 714- 7 4 4-5711 www. RealEstateEstablishment .com

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P ROPERTY

“shining glory.” She admits that their remodeling projects are never really done, and what’s next is yet to be revealed.

It was in 1996 during her second year at Chapman while looking for electives that she decided to take an introductory course in the Holocaust, a class taught by Marilyn Harran, PhD, today Director of the Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library and Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education.

“During the first class, I flipped through the syllabus and saw there were 11 books on the required reading list,” she says. “When I looked around the classroom, everyone else was older than me. Though I was incredibly intimidated, I was also excited, because I had found an expert who could guide me in understanding the Holocaust. When I saw that we would have Irene Gut Opdyke as a speaker, I took that as a sign to put my head down and get the reading done so I would have a chance to hear her speak again and ask her the questions I’d had since I was 12.”

Though the class was rigorous, she found it enjoyable and enlightening. “Everyone was so engaged, and the conversations were rich and meaningful,” says MyLymuk, who ended up taking all of Harran’s classes and changing her major to Religious Studies with a second major in English with a teaching preparation breadth.

She took many Religious Studies classes with fellow student Rev. Dr. Sarah Halverson-Cano, who today is pastor at Irvine United Congregational Church.

“Jessica and I attended classes together, engaged in many conversations and generally had a delightful time growing in the most formative years of our lives,” says Halverson-Cano. “Every Tuesday and Thursday, we waited outside of Dr. Harran’s office to talk to her. We loved her classes, even though they were among the hardest, and we reveled in our hard-earned As.”

Harran ended up becoming MyLymuk’s advisor, and when graduation approached asked her what she planned to do.

Joining Chapman

“At the time, there was only one graduate program on the Holocaust, which was a PhD at Clark University in Massachusetts, but I didn’t feel ready,” she says. “Dr. Harran had been approved to hire an assistant and suggested I apply.”

MyLymuk was hired in 1999 and has worked alongside her mentor ever since. In 2006, she earned her Master of the Arts in Education, focusing on Curriculum and Instruction with the intention of teaching in the classroom. But she eventually concluded she would do her best work preparing teachers to instruct on the Holocaust.

“It is a difficult topic to teach students, and teachers appreciate some guidance,” she says. “As Holocaust research grows and changes, so does how we teach about it. For example, there has been a shift from focusing on the documentation and photographs that portray this history through the perspective of the perpetrators to listening to survivor testimony and learning from survivors, those who directly experienced these events. We also see a reclassification of the group formerly called “bystanders” as we acknowledge that inaction is really a form of action. Irene saw something wrong and did something about it. The lesson is to be aware and have the strength of self to do what needs to be done.”

The Rodgers Center presents an ongoing lecture series and annual events for members of Chapman and the public. They include An Evening of Holocaust Remembrance, a commemoration of Kristallnacht, and the Holocaust Art & Writing Contest, now in its 25th year.

Co-sponsored by The 1939 Society, the Art & Writing Contest is open to public, parochial and private middle and high schools. Students share their creative work, including essays, poetry art, and short films, in response to survivors’ oral testimonies. There is an awards ceremony and reception, where students meet survivors.

Power of Personal Connection

“The writing contest is so powerful, because it provides a personal connection for the students, like Irene provided for me,” says MyLymuk, who estimates the contest reached 8,000 students this year. “Spouting statistics isn’t effective. Students have a hard time grasping that 1.5 million children were murdered. But they can understand and be moved by one story at a time. Those

Saluting Disney Studios’ 100 th Anniversary

What better character to celebrate Disney Studios’ 100th birthday (1923-2023) than the superstar himself: Mickey Mouse? Mickey isn’t quite as old as Disney Studios—he was “born” in 1928. But he remains arguably Disney’s most popular character worldwide.

The Hilbert Museum, currently in its temporary location at 216 East Chapman Ave. while its permanent expansion on Atchison Street is under construction, salutes The Mouse with a focused exhibition of original Disney drawings, concept paintings and cels, on view now through the end of the fall.

Mickey’s very creation was well-nigh miraculous. A dejected Walt Disney was riding the train home to California from New York in 1928, having just lost the rights to his most popular cartoon character, Oswald the Rabbit, to his distributor. In one fell swoop, Walt had lost his main source of income, and would need to start all over again.

But rather than sink into fury and despair, as many would have, the resilient Walt sat on that train and thought and thought, and then started sketching.

Soon, a cute little mouse character emerged from his pencil. Mickey Mouse, says Disney biographer Neal Gabler, was the product of “desperation

and calculation,” but would go on to become an international phenomenon and the iconic symbol of one of the most successful entertainment empires in the world.

Mickey made his debut in Steamboat Willie in 1928. The short film was the first to feature synchronized sound and was an instant hit. Audiences fell in love with Mickey’s infectious energy and charm, and the character quickly became a sensation.

Mickey’s success had a profound impact on Disney Studios. The studio had previously struggled to find consistent success with its animated shorts. But with the success of Steamboat Willie, they found a winning formula. They began producing more Mickey Mouse shorts, as well as other animated shorts, developing new characters like Donald Duck and Goofy.

The success of Mickey Mouse also helped propel Disney Studios into the world of feature films. In 1937, the studio released

WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS Tom Wood (1870 - 1940)

Mickey’s Magic Lamp Illustrations for Good Housekeeping magazine 1940 / Gouache on board The Hilbert Collection

IMAGES PROVIDED BY THE HILBERT MUSUEM OF CALIFORNIA ART

with M ICKEY M OUSE

its first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film was a massive success and is still considered one of the greatest animated films of all time.

So, The Mouse launched an entertainment empire. But also instrumental in launching that empire was Walt himself, whose entrepreneurial skills and innovative marketing ideas added to the studio’s successes.

One example of this in the current exhibition is the painting shown on the inside front cover of this issue. “Mickey and Minnie on Trapeze” is a licensed design for a Disney-themed series of character rugs that were created in the 1930s to decorate children’s bedrooms and playrooms. Walt Disney was among the first to conceptualize and license his movie characters as merchandizing opportunities.

Mickey Mouse’s image first appeared on a children’s pencil tablet in 1923, the same year he was created. The manufacturer paid Walt $300 in cash for the rights to use Mickey on the tablet. Thousands of families bought the tablet, and one of the most successful merchandizing businesses in history was born.

By the mid-1930s, Mickey’s image was on toys and other products everywhere, along with Donald Duck, Goofy and other popular characters in the Disney stable. The most popular, of course, were Mickey Mouse watches and clocks. All of these were designed by Disney’s own artists, to maintain the brand’s look and consistency.

Walt’s salesmanship with commercial and media tie-ins continued. During the decade from 1934 through 1944, every issue of Good Housekeeping magazine—

one of the most popular magazines in America, then and now— featured a children’s page devoted to the characters of Walt Disney. This was the result of a mutual promotional agreement between the magazine and Disney Studios, with the idea that parents would share these stories with their children. GH felt that a Disney page in each issue would be a sales plus for the magazine, while Disney liked the idea of a permanent advance publicity break for its latest animated releases.

The partnership ran from April of 1934 through September 1944. The pages were drawn and designed by Disney artists: From 1934 to 1941, they were drawn by Tom Wood, then from 1941 to

1944 by Hank Porter. In 2005, David Gerstein compiled all the Good Housekeeping Disney pages into a book: Walt Disney’s Mickey and the Gang: Classic Stories in Verse

These are among the fascinating selection of original Mickey art on display now at the Hilbert Temporary. And of course, Mickey Mouse’s impact continues to make itself felt far beyond the world of entertainment. He has become a symbol of childhood and innocence, and a testament to the joy and power of storytelling. His image is instantly recognizable to people of all ages. Throughout all the world’s changes and turmoil, Mickey Mouse has remained a constant, reassuring presence— reminding us that no matter what happens, there’s always a reason to smile. •

Disney at 100: MICKEY MOUSE

Now through November at the Hilbert Temporary, 216 East Chapman Ave., (1 ½ blocks east of the Plaza).

Open Tues-Sat, 11am to 5pm, free admission.

More information: 714-516-5880 or www. HilbertMuseum .com

Bridging Chapman University with the Community

The financial strain brought on by COVID-19 made life stressful for Chapman University alumnus Hawk Shahbazian ‘23. Like many of his classmates, he navigated a world of online classes, while trying to support his family through the pandemic years.

He considered picking up a second job to make ends meet. But thanks to a Chapman support group called Town & Gown, he didn’t have to. Shahbazian received a $4,500 scholarship that helped him finish.

“It definitely boosted my selfesteem. I attended a few events with members and it was nice to see a community that cares about students,” says Shahbazian, now attending the University of California Irvine where he is pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics. He plans to work in sports.

Seeking a way to connect the university with the community, Chapman University launched Town & Gown in 1968. Through the Town & Gown Endowed Scholarship Fund, 67 students

have been named Town & Gown Scholars. The organization also hosts “Lunch at the Forum” events, an annual series of five mini master classes.

The lunches have included talks by various faculty and leaders from Chapman on topics ranging from art to law. Chapman Presidential

Veteran-Owned Business

Fellow Jack Horner, who served as technical advisor for Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” films, presented on dinosaur remains in California this past February. He also gave a presentation to children on a Saturday, showing them a real dinosaur bone.

Paula McCance initially worked

as a staff member at Chapman and joined Town & Gown in 2004, later serving on the board of directors in 2015. She worked at Chapman for 12 years and has two children who graduated from the university.

“In my two years as president, I learned so much about the university beyond my 12 years of working at Chapman,” she says. “This organization has much to be proud of in its 56 years of support to Chapman University.”

McCance considers Town & Gown’s campus improvement projects to be some of the group’s proudest achievements. Those projects include the Gentle Spring Fountain in Escalette Plaza, the Town & Gown Gardens at the Elliott Alumni House, the American flag in the Ambassador George L. Argyros ’59 Global Citizens Plaza and more.

The group has focused during the last decade on supporting students with scholarships. They have also supported the Library Endowment for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, which has afforded for some Leatherby Libraries book purchases.

Kathy Dunlap, who took over as president on June 1, is excited for some new programs the orga-

Paula McCance (left), former president of Town & Gown, and Kathy Dunlap, current president, are pictured in the Town & Gown Gardens located in front of Chapman University’s Elliott Alumni House.

PHOTO BY KRISTIN SMETONA

SmetonaPhoto.com

nization will be introducing.

“We will offer members the opportunity to participate in three online master classes, to tour the Brain Institute on the Rinker Campus, to see a special presentation of ‘The War Letters’ and to participate in the reopening of the Hilbert Museum in the spring of 2024,” she says.

Dunlap, a second-generation Chapman alumna, learned about the organization after being invited to attend “Lunch at the Forum” events with her husband. She most recently served as the organization’s hospitality chair from 2020 to 2022. She says her service to the organization has given her more than the fulfillment of helping

Chapman students.

“Through my associations on the board, I have developed some meaningful relationships with others who also are interested in supporting the university and in helping deserving students by providing scholarships,” Dunlap says.

McCance says that COVID-19 created some setbacks for the organization, but Town & Gown is exploring new ways to grow membership and scholarship support. The organization is open to everyone.

“We will also gear up to celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2028 in a big way!” McCance says. •

Learn more at:

www.Chapman .edu/tg

The 2023-2024 “ Lunch at the Forum ” and other events will include:

Sept. 13 at 6 pm: Town & Gown Meet & Greet Info Night, Hilbert Temporary Museum

Sept. 21 : Online Master Class with Dr. Gail Stearns, Liberating Mindfulness: Billion Dollar Industry to Engaged Spirituality

Oct. 5 at 11:30 am: Dr. Uri Maoz , assistant professor, member of the Chapman Institute for Interdisciplinary Brain and Behavioral Sciences

Nov. 2 at 11:30 am: Dr. Peter Simi , professor at Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Feb. 1 at 11:30 am: Collette Creppell , Vice President of Campus Planning and Design

March 7 at 11:30 am: Wendy Salmond, professor and Martha Weidlein, Masters Professor in Art

May 2 at 11:30 am: Russell Boast , trustee professor and head of casting for the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

Jessica MyLymuk

who attend the ceremony and reception find the experience impactful and are completely engaged. They understand this is likely an opportunity they won’t have again.”

According to Harran, the educators who participate in the art and writing contest consider MyLymuk the “go to” person. “In many ways, Jessica has become the ‘face’ of the contest, as well as other aspects of the Center’s work,” she says. “From the start, I saw both dedication and excellence in her. It was evident to me she had a special passion for learning about the Holocaust and especially for connecting with survivors and their experiences. I attribute much of the success and growth of the Center to Jessica and our other exceptional staff member, Ashley Bloomfield.”

Halverson-Cano agrees regarding MyLymuk’s contributions. “Jessica’s creativity, commitment and fidelity to Dr. Harran’s vision and their shared desire to keep stories alive has kept the Rodgers Center at the forefront of Holocaust studies.”

Recently, MyLymuk decided it was time to further her knowledge on the Holocaust, so she applied and was accepted to the PhD program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Gratz College in Pennsylvania. (She won’t need to leave Chapman or her wife, Steph MyLymuk, or son, Seth, to attend, though. She will be taking the courses online in the evenings.)

“It is very exciting and rewarding to see Jessica embark on a new phase of her career as she begins a PhD program which will prepare her to become even more of a leader in Holocaust education,” says Harran.

The Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library is located on the 4th floor of Chapman University’s Leatherby Libraries and is open to the public Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Information: www. Chapma n .edu/research/institutes-andcenters/holocaust-education/samueli-holocaust-memorial-library Rodgers Center: www.Chapman.edu /research/institutes-andcenters/holocaust-education/rodgers-center. •

The tearooms Cheryl Turner experienced as a child in the 1950s remain vivid in her mind today, from the clinking teaspoons against porcelain cups to the women in hats and gloves.

Those experiences made such an impression, the Orange resident opened two tearooms of her own in Old Towne Orange, including the Paris in a Cup Tea Salon & Cafe.

“Our main goal was to provide an escape for people—a place where once they were seated, they could forget their cares, at least for a while,” Turner says.

That escape fostered friendships for Turner that have endured for years.

Now some of the business’ most loyal customers will gather September 17 for tea at the historic French Estate in Orange to raise funds for the nonprofit organization Whimsicalitea Arts. The event, called “Murder at the Manor,” also includes an interactive whodunit.

“We hope to do fundraising teas on an ongoing basis with the

by Melissa Pinion-Whitt

goal of building a support base,” says Whimsicalitea Director Joy Johnston.

The organization first applied for nonprofit status in 2017, supporting aspiring authors, musicians, textile and fine artists and cottage-industry artisans. The nonprofit and its parent organization, the Academy of Omniosophical Arts & Sciences, has since provided more than $50,000 to artists and published more than 40 books.

“Our goal for this particular event is to get the word out about who we are and what we do, primarily to bring awareness to our flagship program, Shared Treasure Hunt, a pirate-themed kids-helping-kids activity,” Johnston says.

Artist Sanndi Thompson, of Fayetteville, Ga., calls Whimsicalitea a muse and safe haven for artists to manifest their dreams.

“Aside from getting paid for our creative ventures, Whimsicalitea also gives confidence, hope, connections with the right people, friendships, guidance and inspiration,” Thompson says.

Whimsicalitea plans to eventually open a brick-and-mortar venue for creative classes and events.

The organization currently hosts numerous community events, including the art fair Omniféte, as well as themed events supporting historians, house museums, theater companies, writers and more.

There will be live keyboard music, as well as a silent auction and drawing.

Turner met Johnston through Paris in a Cup. She discovered Johnston wrote murder mysteries as entertainment for other tearooms, so she asked her if she could write a script for a little black dress event at Paris in a Cup.

Johnston says the murder mystery was included in the September fundraiser as a nod to the Paris in a Cup’s events that were held at the business until it closed in 2022 due to the pandemic. She had wanted to hold such an event at the estate for several years.

In addition to the whodunit portion of the event, participants can also expect macarons and signature tea from Paris in a Cup Online, as well as teahouse fare catered by McKenna’s Tea Cottage.

Turner continues to operate her business online, offering the business’ signature tea blends, as well as imported tea from France and gifts. But Turner’s customers wanted the tea party to continue in person.

“Our guests from Paris in a Cup kept asking if we were ever going to throw a tea event again. We did a lot of them when we were open,” Turner says. “We got the idea to market this event to our guests and get all of us back together again.”

Murder at the Manor will serve as a reunion for her customers, who all became hooked on the magic of tea, as Turner did when she was a child.

“We made many friends over a cup of tea, many I am still friends with,” Turner says. •

PHOTO BY KRISTIN SMETONA / SmetonaPhoto.com

Enjoying a cup of tea at the French Estate are proprietress Sarah Jo Pearson (left) and Cheryl Turner, owner of Paris in a Cup Online. The historic estate will host Murder at the Manor on September 17. The event includes an interactive whodunit over tea.

Although “Murder at the Manor” sold out in a matter of hours, sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit www.fundraiser. Whimsicalidocious .org/p /sponsorship.html to learn more. Paris in a

Wh a t’s Happ ening

CONT. FROM PAGE 9

ONGOING

Every Fri / 9 - 11 am

Orange Home Grown Educational Farm

Volunteer Farm Friday

Plant, harvest, compost, mend soil & more, as new & seasoned volunteers work together on farm projects.

356 N Lemon / OrangeHomeGrown.org

Every Sat / 9 am - 1 pm

Orange Home Grown, Farmers Market

A great way to begin your day, with quality produce & fresh healthy foods.

1st Sat Knife Sharpening

2nd Sat Free Cooking Demo

3rd Sat Kids Club / Seed Lending

303 West Palm / OrangeHomeGrown.org

3rd Sat / 9 - 11 am

Volunteer Opportunity

Santiago Creek Clean-Up

Join in to help keep the creek clean. Meet at the Cambridge St. Bridge

590 South Cambridge St.

Every Sat & Sun / 10 am - 2 pm

1886 Brewing, Brunch at the Brewery

3-course brunch, brunch ala carte & our famous 1886 Brunchuterie. 114 North Glassell St / 714-922-8130

www.1886BrewingCo.com

Every Sun / 10 am - 3 pm

Citrus City Grille Buffet Brunch

Bottomless Mimosas & Bloody Marys.

A la carte brunch items also available.

122 North Glassell St / 714-639-9600 www.CitrusCityGrille.com

2nd Mon / 7 - 9 pm

Orange Art Association General Meeting

All are welcome to participate in these creative gatherings & demonstrations. 395 South Tustin St / 714-538-8069 www.OrangeArtAssociation.org

Sailing Around Old Towne

3rd Mon / Noon

Woman’s Club of Orange General Meeting Luncheons

A gathering of membership, with speakers, presentations, entertainment and a business report.Visitors are welcome, with reservation. 121 South Center St. www.WomansClubOfOrange.org

2nd & 4th Tue / 6 - 8 pm

City of Orange City Council Meeting

Keep informed about our city. Agendas released on the prior Thursday. Orange City Hall: 300 East Chapman Ave 714-744-2225 / www.CityOfOrange.org

4th Tue / 8 - 9 am

Orange Chamber of Commerce

Eggs & Issues Breakfast

Influential public figures & industry leaders discuss topics concerning Orange. 714-538-3581 / OrangeChamber.com

1st & 3rd Wed / 11:45 - 1 pm

Orange Chamber of Commerce

Business Networking Group

A great opportunity to get to know other business & help to expand yours.

Zito’s Pizza: 2036 North Tustin St 714-538-3581 / OrangeChamber.com

2nd & 4th Wed / 6 pm

Plaza Patriots Flag Lowering Ceremony

Honoring our veterans, active duty, soldiers and their families. Plaza Park, Old Towne Orange

Rotary Club Weekly Meetings

Tue / 7-8:30 am Orange North Facebook.com/ OrangeNorthRotaryClub

Wed / 6 - 7 pm Orange Plaza OrangePlazaRotary.org

Thu / 12-1:15 pm Orange Rotary Orange-Rotary.org

Coupon winner Pat Fulhrod t grew up in Rye, New York and moved to California in the late 1960s. For 25 years, she was an administrator at the University of California, Irvine. While hiking with the Sierra Club in 1986, she met Doug, an entrepreneur who grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. At

by Marianne Lauren

13, he owned his first skiff and became a lifelong sailor.

Two years later they married. Then they sold their homes and began searching for a new house. “In the meantime, Doug and I lived on our sport fishing boat and loved it!” says Fulhrodt.

The couple moored in Long Beach and Two Harbors, Catalina, alternating locations every two weeks. In 1998, they traded their home on the sea for one on land, anchoring in Orange near Santiago Creek.

“We’re regulars on Taco Tuesdays at Moreno’s, where my high school Spanish comes in handy,” says Fulhrodt. She enjoys starting her day with a cup of coffee, the Orange County Register and The Wall Street Journal. A Tustin Area Women’s Club member, she attends cooking, gardening and theater events.

She will use her coupon at Citrus City Grill e, a favorite, and where the couple first dined in Old Towne. •

C OUPON W INNER

Caught on Film

by Nathan Carter

Orange. The American Legion is used to booking events, but a film festival is a new challenge.

“We’re excited to have a different type of event to offer people,” says Diana Trujillo, Event Coordinator at the American Legion, Post 132. “Normally, I’m booking the hall for events like quinceañeras , weddings and birthday parties. The film festival will help attract new members.”

Each film will be shown in a series of blocks that will be organized by themes and genres. The premiere film called “Phoenix Incident” is about an Alien

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ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES:

12 Antique Depot 21

155 South Glassell St (714) 516-1731

12 Antique Station 23

178 South Glassell St (714) 633-3934

13 Country Roads Antiques 30

216 West Chapman Ave (714) 532-3041

22 Golden Bear Antiques 9

160 North Glassell St (714) 363-3996

15 Orange Circle Antique Mall 27

118 South Glassell St (714) 538-8160

13 Summerhill Ltd 28 110 South Glassell St (714) 771-7782

AUTOMOTIVE:

18 Titan Automotive H 939 West Chapman Ave (714) 997-2311

32 Villa Ford of Orange . . . . . . . E 2550 North Tustin St (877) 585-3090

DINING & PUBS:

4 1886 Brewing Company 3 114 North Glassell St (714) 922-8130

9 Aces Bar & Grill M 3538 East Chapman Ave www.AcesBarAndGrillOC.com

5 Citrus City Grille 4 122 North Glassell St (714) 639-9600

Dan Parks, founder of the Old Towne Film Festival, left his Missouri home seven years ago looking for the Los Angeles dream. He hoped to make movies that would inspire people and share an empowering message with the world.

Dan began his filmmaking career with two documentaries— one about vehicular homelessness in Los Angeles and the other about social media during Covid. He sent those films to multiple film festivals and got into some of them, but with each experience, he felt like something was missing.

“Those festivals that I entered my projects into just needed something different,” he says. “That’s why I started this festival. The feedback I’ve gotten from the filmmakers of the Old Towne Film Festival is that they needed something different, too.”

To better serve the local auteur community, he began work on the Old Towne Film Festival with the emphasis of “different done right.”

Dan’s wife, Audris Parks, grew up in Venezuela, South America and has lived in Orange County for almost 14 years. She is enjoying helping her husband meet filmmakers, City of Orange businesses and local film fans.

“I want to invite everybody in Orange,” Audris says. “I think Dan is doing a phenomenal job. He has a heart for it and wants to help the filmmakers and introduce more people to the Orange community.”

The festival will be a three-day event held at the American Legion building in Old Towne

Old Towne Film Festival

Fri - Sun: Sep 29 - Oct 1

The American Legion, Post 132 143 South Lemon St.

OldTowneFilmFestival.com

Youtube, Instagram & TikTok

@OldTowneFF

encounter and will be on Friday after the ribbon cutting ceremony. Then there will be a block for three local filmmakers called “The Locals.”

Saturday there will be a block of documentaries called “The Doc List.” Then there will be a dramatic block, Saturday Night’s Special Feature and a block of experimental films called “The Experimental Bunch,” as well as many more blocks.

“Different done right” with the Old Towne Film Festival means workshops for filmmakers on Saturday about pitching films, a documentary masterclass for locals interested in filmmaking and partnerships with Orange businesses. An awards ceremony will wrap up the event on Sunday evening.

Tickets are $5 per block or $75 for the Old Towne VIP pass, which grants you access to all the festival’s events. The festival begins Friday, September 29 at 5 pm and ends the night of Sunday, October 1. Tickets and times can be found at www.oldtownefilmfestival.com. Ten percent of the profits will go to the American Legion. •

ARTS & CULTURE:

6 The Hilbert Temporary 17 216 East Chapman Ave (714) 516-5880

25 Marinus Welman - Artist C 2402 North Glassell St (714) 998-8662

8 Naranjita Flamenco D 301 East Katella Ave (714) 400-2939

18 O’Hara’s Pub 7 150 North Glassell St (714) 532-9264

1 Rutabegorz Restaurant 11 264 North Glassell St (714) 633-3260

5 Smoqued California BBQ . . . 5 128 North Glassell St (714) 633-7427

28 Zito’s New York Style Pizza 8 156 North Glassell St (714) 771-2222

& M AP

www.OrangeHomegrown.org

HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY:

9 Integrative Medical L 1440 East Chapman Ave (714) 771-2880

1 Orange Circle Optometry 15 227 East Chapman Ave (714) 538-6424

JEWELRY 19 Rambling Rose Jewelry 26 118 South Glassell St (714) 538-6305

12 Renée Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . 6 138 North Glassell St (714) 538-1956

REAL ESTATE:

10 Caliber Real Estate Group 25 134 South Glassell St (714) 988-6339

7 Lionheart Pride J (714) 745-7318

www.LionheartPride.com

1 Orange Realty K 1537 East Chapman Ave (714) 997-0050

23 Real Estate Establishment 16 550 East Chapman Ave (714) 744-5711

11 United Real Estate Group F 2811 East Katella Ave (714) 858-9059

14 Willits Real Estate Group . . 13 229 North Glassell St (714) 315-8120

SERVICES:

20 Fairhaven Memorial Park P 1702 Fairhaven Ave, SA (714) 633-1442

11 Galla-Rini Roofing (714) 244-6567

www.GallaRiniRoofing.com

15 H&H Income Tax Insurance 22 480 South Glassell St (714) 288-2088

3 Jadtec Security Services A 1520 West Yale Ave (714) 282-0828

15 Shafer Plumbing B 1307 West Trenton Ave (714) 974-9448

19 Shannon Family Mortuary I

1005 East Chapman Ave (714) 771-1000