Seasons’ Silver Anniversary
Gallery Artists
g n i t a r b e Cel 0th the15 sary of r e v i n n A osemite the Y Grant Land Winter/Spring 2014
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Modesto San Francisco A ward-Winning
HERE
Health Care
Sonora Regional Medical Center has earned a spot among the top performing hospitals in the nation for the second year in a row. The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations, has named the Medical Center a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures速 for exemplary performance using clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain medical conditions.
C L I N I C A L
National Research Corporation has selected Sonora Regional Medical Center as a recipient of its 2013 Path to Excellence Award. The Medical Center was one of just three facilities to be named Value-Based Purchasing Champion out of nearly 400 participating facilities nationwide. To earn this award, Sonora Regional Medical Center was ranked by patients as being a top performer in quality care.
E X C E L L E N C E
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C O M M U N I T Y
n w o t s e Jam TB AKEdowntown’s A STEP BACK eclectic mix of shops. ROWSE
PAN for gold or take an excursion train to where gold was discovered 150 years ago. TAKE in the excitement at Chicken Ranch Casino. ENJOY the region’s favorite dining experiences. SPEND the night at one of several inns and savor a libation with friends old and new.
Enjoy living history at our authentic gold mining camp! Hands-on Gold Panning from novice to professional Bus tours and school groups
800-596-0009 18170 Main Street
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2014 EVENTS April - October Train Rides at Railtown 1897 Every Saturday and Sunday November 29, 30 - Santa Express Railtown
December 7, 14, 21 Santa’s in Town Downtown and Rocca Park
December 14, 15 - Santa Express Railtown
February 8 - Roundhouse Day Railtown
June 7 Antique and Wine Faire Downtown
Singing Rails Music Railtown
June 15 Father’s Day Trains Excursion train rides at Railtown 1897
July Family Movies Thursday evening at Railtown 1897
July 26 - Rods to Rails Custom & Classic Cars and Bikes
September 27 - Pioneer Days For more information, Downtown ub Jamestown Promotion Cl October 25 - Harvest Festival JamestownCA.org Trick or Treat on Main Street
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FROM
THE
EDITOR
We dedicate this issue to the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Yosemite Grant Act – the historic beginning of both the California State and National Park systems. You can be part of this landmark event by participating in many themed activities scheduled from November 2013 through 2014. Read on! Inside you’ll find our humble homage to one of the most magnificent places on earth, as well as rich and colorful stories that we hope will enrich your Central Sierra experience year round. You’ll learn about the treasures found in our four area State Parks, secretive getaways, the tumultuous history of water rights in Calaveras County, the welcomed addition of a new Sno-Park dedicated to people-powered recreation, and an introduction to enterprising new wineries in our area, the green movement of solar cars, winsome ways to weed your garden and, of course, another poetic journey of the Chance family. Please join our “Seasoned” writers, photographers, artists and historians, who have pooled all their experiences together to bring you this Winter/Spring issue, and join with us in celebrating Yosemite and its amazing corridor of plenty.
Jan Hovey, editor
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CENTRAL SIERRA SEASONS MAGAZINE Publisher: Don Hukari Editor: Jan Hovey Design: Hukari Designs Events Editor: Judy Stoltenberg Hukari Designs: Post Office Box 3306 Sonora, CA 95370 (209) 928-3009 Distribution Department: 17877 Yosemite Road Tuolumne, CA 95379 Advertising Representatives: Tuolumne & Stanislaus CountiesKen Jay Tuolumne & Calaveras CountiesDiane Del Priore
Pack station operators Joe and wife Corky Barnes, on their way to White Wolf in Yosemite. See page 14.
G on As
Contributing Writers: Jerome Andrews, Tom Bender, Patricia Cherry, Victor Guillot, Patricia Harrelson, Bob Holton, Jan Hovey, Bonnie Miller, Ron Pickup, Erin Pollen, Mark Stoltenberg, Photographers/Artists: Jerome Andrews, Tom Bender, Dave Bonnot, Jan Hovey, Don Hukari, Patrick Karnahan, Bonnie Miller, Ron Pickup, Phil Schermeister, Dianne Shannon, Judy Stoltenberg, Charles Waldman
COVER– Bridalveil Falls in Yosemite Valley. 2014 is the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Land Grant, which started the National Park System. Photo by Phil Schermeister.
CEN add Son Des are
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Land Grant 150th Anniversary Yosemite Celebrates
–In 1864 President Lincoln signs the law . .
State Parks Celebrate
–Based on the Land Grant law . . . . . . .
Oakdale Cowboy Museum Yosemite Gateway Stays
Gallery artists show their stuff starting on page 38 of the ARTrails feature. Aspen Grove painting by Karen O’Neill.
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–Camp Mather exhibition . . . . .
14
–Unique inns near the Park . . . . . .
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August Flame –George Chance falls in loves . . . . . . . People-Powered Winter Sports –Bear Valley . . . . Calaveras Water & Power –The Utica Company . . . Recommended Books –Local reading . . . . . . . . . ARTrails –Art on Main in Murphys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –Local gallery artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coming Home –Next generation in Columbia . . . . . . Sierra Seasons –Olive oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –Three new wine-makers . . . . . . . . . Weeds in the Garden –Pull or eat? . . . . . . . . . . . Green Living –Driving on sunshine . . . . . . . . . . . . Peony Farm –In the Blue Mountain region of Calaveras
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17 21 28 36 37 38 52 58 59 60 62 56
D E PA R T M E N T S
COMMUNITY FOCUS
Regional Map . . 33-34
Jamestown -Railtown & Antiques . . . . . . 4
Theatre Guide . . . . 46
Copperopolis -New town, old town . . . . . 8
Events Calendar . . . 47
Highway 120 -Oakdale to Yosemite . . . 16
Business . . . . . . 51, 61
Arnold/Ebbetts Pass -Big Trees . . . . . . . 20
Lodging Guide . . . . 54
Angels Camp -Home to Jumping Frogs . 23
Dining Directory . . 56 Advertisers Index . . 63 Subscription Info . . 63
Patrick Karnahan, a local forest ranger, has documented many locatioms in the tragic Rim Fire region in Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite.
Murphys -Main Street Charm . . . . . . . . . 24 Wineries -Murphys Wine Tasting . . . . . . 26 North Calaveras -Moke Hill . . . . . . . . . 27 Sonora -Art, Shop & Dine . . . . . . . . . . . 32
CENTRAL SIERRA SEASONS MAGAZINE is published two times a year. Subscription rate is $12.00 for 6 issues to U.S. addresses. Single copies and back issues: $2.50. Send all remittances and inquiries to: Hukari Designs; Post Office Box 3306; Sonora, CA 95370; (209)928-3009. www.sierraseasons.com. Volume 26, Number 2, Copyright © November 2013 by Hukari Designs. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of publisher is prohibited. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not of Hukari Designs. Claims made in advertising are the responsibility of the advertiser.
Upper 108 -Sonora Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Columbia -State Historic Park . . . . . . . . 53 7
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Gateway to Calaveras County
Shops U Dining Salons U Events
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O OOO
VISIT COPPEROPOLIS TOWN SQUARE
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Visit CopperopolisTownSquare.com for our upcoming events and business directory!
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The YosemiTe G AROUND 1855, A HOMESTEADER IN southern Yosemite came across the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The homesteader, Galen Clark, was so impressed with the trees, that he would start a fight to preserve them from logging. Soon after, that fight would include preserving Yosemite Valley. After gathering support from photographer Carlton Watkins and U.S. Senator John Conness, the Yosemite Grant was drafted and submitted to Congress. On June 30, 1864, during the heat of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant that protected Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias as the first territory ever set aside by Congress for public use and preservation. This was the birth of the National Park concept.
Yosemite Valley in afternoon light. Photo by Phil Schermeister of Sonora.
In 1896, three sisters—Stella, Bertha and Mabel Sweet— and their friend, Maybel Davis, climbed Mt. Lyell, the highest mountain in Yosemite National Park. The four women, dressed in leggings, bloomers and wide-brimmed hats, then took a shortcut off the mountain into Tuolumne Meadows by sliding down the glacier, descending at a mile a minute. Gleeful adventure has long been a Yosemite calling card, but the first parcel of land ever set aside by any government solely for “public use, resort and recreation” beckons to many. Certainly, the glaciated landscape of majestic granite formations has called to the likes of the Sweets and Davis’, as well as to renowned adventurers like John Muir and Royal Robbins. On any given day rock climbers can be seen on the face of El Capitan and hundreds of people tackle the cables of Half Dome once they are put in place in June. 10
Others are also called by Yosemite’s spectacular vistas, resplendent with waterfalls and giant sequoia and sugar pine forests—artists, for example. During a three-month stay in 1878, Constance Gordon-Cummings completed 50 watercolors and drawings. Ansel Adams is famous for his stunning black and white photographs of the parkland. Lucy Telles, a Yosemite Miwok, wove polychromatic baskets from fiddlehead fern and split redbud twigs gathered from Yosemite’s forests. Backpackers, hikers and day-trippers delight in wildlife sightings. Sit on the Valley floor beside the streaming Merced River and you may spot a red fox trotting along the other bank or catch the glint of a jumping rainbow trout. Bird enthusiasts are sure to spot mountain chickadees and red-breasted
e GrAnT - 150Th AnniversArY
Winter Afternoon, Yosemite Valley painting, 12” by 16”, oil on linen, by Columbia artist Charles Waldman. One of several paintings of his featured in Art of the National Parks, book reviewed on page 36.
nuthatches or during winter an American dipper plunging beneath the ice for a minnow. Many visitors to Yosemite have a bear story to tell, for the big brown residents are attracted by human food despite the abundance of acorns that are one of their major food sources. In 2014, Yosemite celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary, marking Abraham Lincoln’s signing of Senate Bill 203. After 150 years, there is much to celebrate: historical milestones, people who have protected, explored and celebrated the park, and of course, the majesty, solace and wonders of a place that calls to so many. To explain the truly iconic nature of Yosemite, the National Park website describes the landscape as an “American
spiritual and cultural experience that rivals the castles and cathedrals of Europe.” If we take this statement to heart and acknowledge Yosemite as part of our national image and cultural legacy, it behooves us to recall the stories and people of Yosemite for inspiration and direction. For example, did you know that before Euro-Americans came to Yosemite, Native Americans inhabited the area for 8,000 years? These early people called the place Awooni or “mouth” because the narrow valley resembled the gaping mouth of the grizzly bears that also populated the region. The first white settlers arrived in the mid-1800s, violently displacing the native people in one of those historical events continued on page 12 11
The YosemiTe GrAnT
continued from page 11
we mark without pride. In an uncharacteristic gesture for those times, the Battalion, who drove the natives away, decided to name the place after the tribe. They believed the tribe was called YoSemite, and that it meant grizzly bear. This turned out to be a linguistic misunderstanding. Major James Savage, who knew the Miwok language, had confused ïsümat.i, which means grizzly bear, with yohhw’meti, which means “those who kill.” Before the white people came, surrounding tribes feared the valley tribes and called them yohhw'meti. Stories like this one are rich with lessons not only about the place, but about the ongoing challenge of cross-cultural relationships. Stories reveal that a diversity of people has long served the best interest of Yosemite and its visitors. For example, in 1903 Elizy Boman, a Buffalo Soldier from the U.S. Calvary, was dispatched to Yosemite. Buffalo soldiers were African-American Army regiments formed after the Civil War. These soldiers were among the first park rangers. Boman patrolled the vast wilderness watching for poachers, timber thieves and fire. When forest fires flared, it was the Buffalo soldiers who fought the fire. Sergeant Boman is brought to life today by Park Ranger Shelton Johnson who performs a weekly audio podcast as the soldier-ranger. The material for Johnson’s performances is drawn from researching patrol ledgers and enhanced by his own colorful imagination. (You can catch one of his lively performances at nps.gov/yose/historyculture/buffspodcast.htm) Stories of women who accompanied their husbands on moves to the park reveal enterprising initiative. Bridget Degnan, who settled in Yosemite Valley with her husband John in 1884, realized visitors needed to be fed, so she sold homebaked bread out of her home. When the demand for her bread grew, she ordered a large brick oven that could hold over 100 loaves. Jennie Foster Curry came to Yosemite in 1899 with her husband, David Curry. They opened a tent camp at the base of Glacier Point (now Curry Village). When David died in 1917, Jennie continued managing Yosemite Park and Curry Company with the help of her children. Clare Marie Hodges came to Yosemite as a teacher in 1916. During World War I, she heard the Park couldn’t find men to serve as rangers, so she applied to Superintendent, Washington B. Lewis. “It’s been on my mind for some time,” he said, “to put a woman on one of these patrols.” As the first female park ranger, Hodges took the gate receipts from Tuolumne Meadows to park headquarters, traveling overnight on horseback. Paying tribute to Yosemite stories will be one of many sesquicentennial activities in 2014. Park visitors were invited to submit stories about how Yosemite has impacted their life in a positive way. For the story project, 150 stories were selected for a commemorative book published by the Yosemite Conservancy. But 150 stories and the tales related here barely scratch the surface of monolithic Yosemite with its massive granite, deep valleys, grand meadows and giant sequoias. Ansel Adams omitted people in his photographs of Yosemite, evoking pristine reverence, yet people walk, climb, rest, create and recreate amidst this beauty. The point is simply that, generation after generation, people have treasured Yosemite and continue to be passionate about its future. All hail Yosemite! 12
2014 Chefs’ holidays – January 12 – February 6, 2014 For the last 20 years the Yosemite Chefs’ Holidays has assembled the finest chefs in the nation for an all-inclusive taste explosion at The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. This year is no exception. Each of the eight sessions features three award-winning chefs and includes a “Meet the Chefs” wine reception, cooking demonstrations followed by tastings, behind-the-scenes tour of The Ahwahnee’s kitchen and the grand finale – a gala dinner in The Ahwahnee’s spectacular dining room. Lodging packages are available at The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge (includes free shuttle service to the gala dinner). Tickets for the gala dinner only are also available. For more information and reservations, call (801) 5594884 or visit yosemitepark.com/chefs-holidays.
Yosemite Websites 150th Anniversary Official Site Yosemite150th.com Yosemite Anniversary Activities and Events nps.gov/yose/anniversary/index.html National Park Service – Exploring the Park nps.gov/yose/index.htm Lodging and Recreation yosemitepark.com Yosemite Conservancy Year round programs by naturalists and artists yosemiteconservancy.org/experience-yosemite
Books available through Yosemite Conservancy The Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees: A Preliminary Report Frederick Law Olmsted When Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan visited Yosemite National Park, they both called out Fredrick Law Olmsted as a major influence and inspiration for their documentary film, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” To celebrate Mr. Olmsted and his contributions to our National Parks, the Yosemite Conservancy has reprinted “Yosemite and the Mariposa Grove: A Preliminary Report, 1865” with a new foreword by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns. This seminal book is a must read for anyone interested in the National Parks and our public lands. The first eloquent expression of the need for conservation in 1865 is found in this remarkable and prescient report by Frederick Law Olmsted. He believed a great democracy had a greater obligation: “to provide means of protection for all its citizens in the pursuit of happiness.” All of his points are as pertinent today as they were when he first read them to his fellow Yosemite commissioners nearly 150 years ago. The Yosemite Grant 1864-1906: A Pictorial History Hank Johnston, 288 pages, paperback, published 2008 This book is a comprehensive, well-illustrated history of the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees. Focused on the history behind the breathtaking landscape, it contains detailed information supplemented by a comprehensive index and bibliography. The story of Yosemite is told through a chronological narrative that gives in-depth treatment to the people, institutions and events that shaped the park's rich heritage.
sTATe PArks
It’s Their 150th Anniversary Too! By Patricia Harrelson
THE FIRST STATE PARK WAS CONCEIVED IN CALIFORNIA IN 1862. Captain Israel Ward Raymond and California’s U. S. Senator John Conness wanted to have natural land areas at Yosemite set aside purely for the purpose of preservation and public enjoyment. At Raymond’s request, Senator Conness introduced a bill in the Senate that quickly passed though both Congressional houses. President Abraham Lincoln signed The Act of June 30, 1864 (13. Stat. 325), granting the “Yo-Semite Valley” and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California, heralding the start of the California State Park system. Governor Frederick Low accepted the grant in September of that year. Each of our state parks features a wealth of local history and offers a slew of entertaining activities, like train rides, gold panning and hiking. School children visit the parks for educational purposes and local non-profits choose them for inventive fundraising. Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, “The fundamental idea behind parks is that the country belongs to the people.” Throughout 2014 California State Parks will mark the 150th anniversary of the California State Park System, promoting the theme, “A Gift from the People to the People.” When Central Sierra residents host out-of-town guests, they are likely to take them to one of four state parks to show off the region. Here are just some of the gifts our regional state parks have to offer.
Rock mortars at Indian Grinding Rock State Park
indian Grinding rock state Park Parks.ca.gov/?page_id=553, 296-7488 An impressive limestone outcropping lies in a meadow at this park replete with a reconstructed Miwok village. More than a thousand mortar cups, or chaw’se; are scattered across this bedrock, indicating that this was the site of a long-used and very large Sierra Miwok village. The grinding rock where Native Americans once pounded acorns and seeds boasts the greatest number of mortars found on a single rock in North America. Look out across the rock and you may spy one of the 361 petroglyphs carved into the stone. Located off Highway 88 east of Jackson, the Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum is open sunrise to sunset, Fridays through Mondays 11am to 2:30pm.
Calaveras Big Trees state Park The Pioneer Cabin tree at Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551, bigtrees.org, 795-2234 Two forests of giant sequoia redwoods grace this park. These ancient relics from the Mesozoic age offer incomparable solace. “A flowering glade in the very heart of the woods, forming a fine center for the student, and a delicious resting place for the weary,” wrote John Muir when describing the sequoia forest. A gentle 1½-mile trail winds its way through the North Grove. Or head to the South Grove for a more vigorous hike and deep solitude among the giants. Big Trees’ new Visitor Center is now open! The Park on Highway 4 near Arnold is open sunrise to sunset, camping March - November.
Columbia state historic Park Stroll the wooden sidewalks and ride a stagecoach at Columbia State Historic Park
Parks.ca.gov/columbia, 588-9128 Walk into the 19th century on the streets of Columbia, where docents and store proprietors dress in period costumes and conduct business in the style of the old mining town. Take a stage ride through the rocky terrain or pan for gold at Hidden Treasure Gold Mine. Smell the coal smoke wafting from the blacksmith shop or sip a Sarsaparilla at the Jack Douglass Saloon. Roam among the grave markers at the cemetery or climb the hill to the old schoolhouse. A taste of gold is yours for the taking.
railtown 1897 state historic Park
Steam locomotive at Railtown State Historic Park
Railtown1897.org, 984-3953 Board a vintage passenger coach on a steam locomotive for a six-mile round trip through the Sierra Foothills from Jamestown. Home to an intact and still-functioning steam engine repair and maintenance facility, the Roundhouse, this one-of-a-kind attraction reveals our industrial heritage along with a solid smattering of railroad history. There is even a bit of Hollywood thrown in as this railroad has appeared in over 200 films. The train whistle starts blowing its lonely sound in April, calling folks to ride the rails until autumn settles. 13
MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT
By Bob Holton
Unleashing Your Inner Cowboy COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY Joe and Corkie stop for a moment to ponder Yosemite's natural wonders.
of Yosemite Land Grant Act signed by President Lincoln
Photos courtesy of Jay and Liz Barnes
in 1864, the Cowboy Museum in Oakdale will feature a special exhibit spotlighting Camp Mather Saddle and Pack Station starting in late January. Surely you’ve heard of this famous place. Widely celebrated, it’s situated 29 miles east of Yosemite Valley, off Highway 120 at the intersection of Evergreen and Hetch Hetchy roads. Mather Station is the official stepping off point for adventureseekers who want to experience the far reaches of Yosemite's jaw-dropping back country. A thorough history of Mather would be incomplete, of course, if it failed to mention the Barnes family. Here, surrounded on all sides by towering conifers, is where the late Joe Barnes, his son Jay and a crew of young cowboys have run oneday and extended sojourns - some lasting over a week - into the national park's most desolate regions for 84 years and counting. To learn more, I recently called on amiable old Jay and his lovely wife, Liz, at their winter ranch just outside of Oakdale. Oakdale, by the way, is the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” It earned this title some years ago by selling the most tickets in a nationwide fund raising contest. Having spent most of his life around horses and Mother Nature’s greatest masterpiece, Yosemite, small wonder Jay is a humble and reflective man. Rather outgoing and neighborly, too, as evidenced by the warm welcome he gave me when I showed up on short notice for this interview. As we sat around the kitchen table, Jay straddled his chair like a western riding saddle and proceeded to reel off a few good yarns about growing up at Mather, including some of his more memorable experiences on the trail. “Well, my dad started running pack trips up there in ‘29,” Jay began, “and he had an interesting way of telling stories 14
around the campfire. He’d usually start out with a little history, then throw in the punch line, and you were had. “Among his favorite subjects was the plane crashes in Yosemite during the war (World War II). One of these aircraft was called ‘The Black Widow,’ and it carried the first radar we had on planes. So they (the government) wanted my dad to get back in there and bring out all the top secret equipment, including a bunch of body bags. I think dad took 14 non-commissioned officers on the trip, and they were out there just over a week. “They were running out of oats for the horses, so my dad let the officer in charge of supplies know,” Jay continued. “Well, next day here comes a couple dozen boxes of Quaker Oats cereal in a parachute drop. The Major also wanted some whiskey, but he couldn’t just ask for it over the radio, so he kept on saying, ‘Get me a picture of my grandfather! I want a picture of my grandfather on the double!’ Finally someone at the other end caught on and sent in a case of Old Granddad.” On a more sobering note, Jay describes Yosemite as a sportsman’s paradise. “There’s about 600 lakes in the park. The further back you go, the bigger the fish.” Sensing he was now on a roll, I let Jay go on in his own way, never interrupting him once. On ancient Me-Wuk villages he said this: “There's lots of old Indian sites in the back county, but we really don’t want people up there. You know when you’re around one from all the black soil, caused by years and years of campfires. Another clue is all the grinding rocks and obsidian chips (volcanic glass-like material) used for making arrow heads and different kinds of implements.” “I’ve seen three major fires since I've been there,” he continued, “and they seem to be getting worse all the time.” As for the recent Rim Fire, Jay related a harrowing experience where he barely managed to evacuate 45 of his horses. An old sow
Join National Geographic Photographer Phil Schermeister for a Nature Photography Course at Columbia College Spring 2014
Seen above are Joe, his wife Corkie and a fresh team of horses on their way to White Wolf. In the distance is Bridalveil Falls.
Columbia College Admissions & Records 209.588.5231 11600 Columbia College Dr. Sonora, CA 95370 www.gocolumbia.edu
bear wandered into camp with one side of her head so badly burned the rangers had to euthanize her,” he added. “When I was just a baby my mom had me outside the cabin there at Mather, and I was in a baby buggy. I guess it was about noontime, so she gave me a bottle, and I had milk all over my face. After a while she looked out the window and there was this big old bear licking the milk off my face, so she ran outside with a broom and chased it clear up a tree.” Note to readers: Do not befriend or feed bears. They can be warm and fuzzy one minute, mean and ferocious the next. It was now two hours into our interview and Jay was just warming up. Sonora beckoned, however, so I thanked him and took my leave in a timely manner. On the way home it occurred to me, as it should have before, that I might fill volumes with Jay’s amazing stories, and I would like to do that if it were not for the narrow space of this article. Yosemite’s back country is the beginning and end of all natural wonders. Some say it’s even spiritual. Want to know more? If you’d like to cut loose and find your inner cowboy, call Mather Station, (209) 379-2334, 847-5753, or visit www.mathersaddleandpackstation.com. Pack season runs June 15 to September 15. In Oakdale, the Cowboy Museum is located in the old railroad depot at 355 East F Street, (209) 588-4527, www.oakdalecowboymuseum.org. The Barnes exhibit starts January 29 and runs through December 2014. 15
PHOTO BY JEROME
Getting That One H
Highway 120 Groveland to Yosemite
16
My wife “Linda” and I decided to go to Yosemite on January 1st this year. I had been thinking about that “one” shot of Half Dome from the Merced River and felt that this was the day to capture it. We left early and got to Yosemite about 7am. There was not enough light so we went to Inspiration Point and then we drove by Bridal Veil Falls. I had to stop and get a shot of the ice on the falls. The ice was thick on the path, but a little ice never stops me when I have a shot in mind. As we started up the path, we walked on the edges where there was fresh snow. When we got close to the falls my wife said “I don’t think we should go any farther.” I was almost there and the picture in my mind drove me on. I crawled around the rail onto the ice and made it to the flat area of the Falls. I got the shot and headed back down the path. My wife said “You need to get on the snow pack.” I remember saying, “I’m okay,” just as I fell one way and my camera went another direction. Not only did I break a few ribs, I also broke my camera. As we made our way back down the path (this time on the snow pack) I could feel the pain increasing. We went to the Yosemite Chapel so that I could check the camera out. The lens ring was bent so badly, I couldn’t get it off the camera. The camera back and flash were crushed. The only way I
ne Half Dome Shot
August Flame
could use the camera was to manually move the settings. Trying to focus was difficult. I could barely move the lens. We parked by the Stoneman Bridge and waited for the right light. You could see the sunlight moving across the field in front of us. The longer we waited, the more my ribs hurt, but I was determined to get the shot. All of the sudden I saw the light hit the top of two trees and I knew it was time to get into place for the shot. I walked down the side to the Merced River. Dogwoods were in the way so I found a hollow stump leaning over the river where I could see the sun shining, the snow glistening and the reflection of Half Dome in the River. I heard my wife’s warning, “don't slip.” This time I paid attention. I slid into the stump and got the shot I came for. The shot cost me $1200 for the camera and 6 months for my ribs to heal. -Jerome, Jerome’s Gallery, Jamestown
By Mark Stoltenberg
In the words of fictional characters of the Chance family, Mark Stoltenberg writes about the hard-working Gold Rush families that have made our area’s history so rich. He has written a number of historical articles and oneman plays, and performed them for schools and Forest Service campfire programs. Mark Stoltenberg’s collection of stories, Tuolumne Fathers and Sons, makes interesting listening while driving through the Mother Lode. The stories are available on CD at Mountain Books in Sonora, and online at shoprecords.com.
The Clark-Skidmore wagon train, first wheels to cross the Sierra into Tuolumne County in 1852, was led by Martinas Skidmore and the Clark Brothers, Powell and Nathan. The letter that follows is written to Nathan Clark who, in 1857, has long since returned to Ohio, married Charlotte Miller, started a family and become a physician. Ohio George Chance, its author, stayed and has been eyewitness to Tuolumne County history. Dear Nathan and Charlotte: Greetings friends. I have a pleasant announcement. The bachelor George Chance will soon be relocating to the state of matrimony. And he won’t be alone! The date has been set for tomorrow, the twenty-ninth day of September, 1857. Going back to our schoolyard days, you’ll both recall my bulldog tenacity in crusades of the heart (oh how I carried the torch) and may well assume that I would be joining the comely Miss C., of whom I’ve written in the past. Not so. Not she of the green eyes. Miss C. will still be found out with the popular society of Sonora and Columbia. Yes, I basked in the warm glow of her flattering light, believing it was my harmony that would complete her love song. Alas, Miss C., while drawn to my charms, could not overcome the temptations of other duets. ‘Twas a weakness that would begin in her knees, then rise like wood smoke to her faithfulness, and up to those green eyes, bringing smarting tears and red remorse, when she’d recovered her senses. I’m able to report the sad account of my broken heart with a wave of my hand, now – now that it’s been rescued and healed. Herein lies that story. Scene One of our drama begins on a desolately empty stage, hopeless and forlorn, the hand of romance nowhere in sight. There, in my heavy wagon lies the Washington Monument marble block – like a giant polished gravestone. I’d been commissioned to haul it, all twelve hundred pounds of it, to continued on page 19 17
GATeWAYs To YosemiTe offer great opportunities for getaways
By Bonnie Miller
An unusual snow day at Quail Crossing in Greeley Hill.
SIERRA SKY RANCH A trip through history should include a stay at the historic Sierra Sky Ranch in Oakhurst. From the Highway 140 gateway to Yosemite, visitors can go just one quarter mile off the track to enjoy the comforts of yesteryear. The spacious Sierra Sky Ranch was originally a large cattle ranch that provided beef to the nearby logging industry. Remnants of that romantic past can still be seen throughout the facilities. For 20 years early in the last century the ranch served as a tuberculosis sanitarium. During WWII the military used the ranch as a hospital and recreational facility for recovering veterans. Vestiges of those hospital days are long gone, but the comfort and hospitality remain. The historic ranch house, its facilities and bunkhouses have expanded over time, and in 1946 it was converted full time to a guest lodge. Guests can enjoy modest rooms opening on to a scenic mountain veranda, a full suite for a family or a night in the bunkhouse. There’s no need to travel to town as The Branding Iron Steakhouse & Saloon provides excellent meals right on the premises. After the bustle of visiting Yosemite for the day, it’s nice to slip back in time and enjoy a peaceful night at the old home place. Sierra Sky Ranch 50552 Road 632, Oakhurst 559-683-8040 sierraskyranch.com Additional amenities: special events facilities, pet friendly, Wifi, steakhouse and saloon 18
STEVE BACUS
From the new to the old, the luxurious to the historic, the gateways to Yosemite offer many inviting places to stay. Here are a few examples to get you headed in the right direction. The Tenya Lodge presents a luxurious Yosemite experience.
TENYA LODGE If total luxury is your desire, then Tenaya Lodge is the choice for you. Tenaya Lodge is located on Highway 41 in Fish Camp, one mile above sea level and just two miles from the entrance to Yosemite. “It’s like roughing it without the rough part,” they say. Spacious rooms to luxurious suites will welcome the adventurous traveler or family to a variety of recreation options. Rated Four Diamond by AAA, the lodge offers a wide range of amenities for travelers including full concierge services, restaurants, swimming pools and a spa. Guests may be especially interested in the spa packages. If you wish to be pampered, don’t wait until the crush of summer. Visitors can enjoy great savings by taking advantage of off-season rates. Tenaya offers an amazing midweek Winter Stay N’ Play pass that includes a variety of winter activities such as skiing at nearby Badger Pass, Yosemite tours, tubing or ice skating right at the lodge. Visitors can top off their winter adventure with a beautiful horse-drawn sleigh ride in the snow. Tenya Lodge 1122 Highway 41, Fish Camp 888-514-2167 tenayalodge.com Additional amenities: fitness center, spa services, babysitting, gift shop, swimming pools, dining facilities, pet friendly, winter play passes
Antique quilts adorn the bunkhouse beds at the Cabin at Quail Crossing.
QUAIL CROSSING When approaching Yosemite from Highway 120, consider taking yourself off the beaten path. The community of Greeley Hill, tucked between Groveland and Coulterville, boasts some inviting accommodations. Just thirty minutes from the gate to Yosemite is Quail Crossing, a secluded fully-furnished cabin nestled in the pines of the Stanislaus Forest. The location allows you to escape the crowds while taking in the mountain air in rustic comfort. Visitors can spend the day in Yosemite, or just enjoy a nearby hike. The cabin is completely outfitted with one bedroom plus a separate bunkhouse for the kids, a kitchen, barbecue, cozy stone fireplace and all necessary amenities to enjoy a short or long stay. Guests may partake of the bocce ball court or the invigorating outdoor shower. Visitors particularly enjoy evenings watching the sunset from the deck, or sitting around the outdoor fire pit. The Cabin at Quail Crossing 10509 Converse Road, Coulterville 209-878-0412 airBnB.com or vrbo.com, listing number 466323 Additional amenities: family-sized accommodations, Wifi, fire pit, outdoor shower and bocce court
BONNIE MILLER JIM LEITZELL
STEVE BACUS
The Sierra Sky Ranch offers historic ranch house and steak house hospitality.
The quaint cottage at Greeley Hill Art Farm
GREELEY HILL ART FARM Yosemite has inspired artists for generations. Consider expanding your inspirations at an artist’s retreat in Greeley Hill. Dawn and Jim Leitzell operate the Greeley Hill Art Farm, a motivational artists’ sanctuary. Their background in arts education, writing and paper arts give them the perfect combination of skills to share with their guests. They offer varied and dynamic classes and workshops for budding artists year round. Guests may wish to stay in the quaint cottage Dawn has created on the grounds. This moderately-priced cottage is perfect for the visiting artist, small group or family. The rustic two- bedroom facility features a full kitchen, and knotty pine walls throughout the cottage add to the ambiance. There are no phones, no TV, just billions and billions of stars with plenty of opportunities for plein aire painting. Greeley Hill Art Farm 10508 Fiske Road, Coulterville 209-878-0935 greeleyhillartfarm.com Additional amenities: art classes and workshops, pet friendly
August Flame continued from page 17
Stockton to be displayed at the State Fair awaiting passage on the Flying Dutchman for delivery back East. I stated the obvious to Hiram Brown: that no one was going to make off with it. But he admonished me, “Any rapscallion with a pick axe could knock those gold stars out of the corners in about thirty seconds – so stand guard!” Taking me aside, Brown handed me a large envelope on which he’d written “Martha and Thomas Jackson.”–Then, a twenty dollar gold piece, saying, “My daughter’s husband was lost at sea two years back. That makes the boy (he ciphered with his fingers) seven. This will be the final leg of a difficult journey for them. There’s another one of these when you get back.” Inside the envelope was a letter of introduction, telling them to go ahead, get in the wagon, that I’d haul them and their worldly goods to Columbia. I took the money, but the forecast of four days on the road in the middle of August waiting on a woman and child just reeked of trouble. Like an innocent fool, I aired my complaints over at the stable, only to get joshed pretty loud about “bringin’ back a Southern belle … and a widow at that!” Charlie Peck just leered his toothless grin. I was miserable as I pulled into Melones that first day. I made my customary stop at the home of Cruz Gomez (Nathan, you remember the Mexican fiddle player), and as usual, was welcomed around their cheerful table. Cruz’s wife, Noella, hearing of my mission, asked me (rather bluntly I thought) “Jorge, have you a clean shirt?” They provided me with one, and I started out, tasting the bile of my broken affair all the way to Stockton – it mixed with the road dust to form a paste in my mouth that couldn’t be spit out. I pictured the two of them, created in Hiram Brown’s image – she with only slightly less poundage and facial hair, the boy a spoiled little stomach puncher. With block and tackle they’d hoisted the marble burden from my wagon. I was about to replace it with another. “Trouble,” I thought, as I hoisted the envelope toward the immigrants staggering down the gangplank. They did look wrung out, but neither resembled Hiram Brown. She took the envelope and closed her eyes, as in silent prayer. Then, “Please, would you know where I might procure a decent cup of coffee?” It came out smooth like a song. You both remember Skidmore’s Virginia way of talking. The coffee revived her. Thomas helped, knowing just how much sugar and milk. The envelope contained only a short note that made her stifle a giggle. Putting it away, she looked up at me and smiled. “What did Grandfather say?” Thomas (and I) wanted to know. Her lively brown eyes held mine. “He says that our Mr. Chance here is worthy of our trust, to do as he says, and pay attention – as California is not Virginia.” I wished I had put on the clean shirt. Thomas was fascinated by the mules and fearless. I told him Swamp Fox was a Virginian - had carried Martinas Skidmore all the way to Ohio and on to California where he let me buy him for a dollar. Thomas wanted to work, to have a job. “Thomas, there’s always room at the top for a good teamster,” I philosophized, “but we all start at the bottom.” Neither he, nor his mother batted an eye as I handed him a shovel, “If they like your style with this, I’ll introduce you to the hoof pick.” As long as we were dealing with indelicate subjects, I pointed out that the need for privacy would require leaving the road on foot. On our first stop, I showed them how to identify poison oak and brought out some rattles from my continued on page 22 19
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People Behind the Scenes
PeoPLe-PoWered WinTer sPorTs New Sno-Park opens this season! By Jan Hovey
YOU’RE
GLIDING WEIGHTLESSLY THROUGH SPARKLING DIAMONDS WITH
heels kicking up white powder into the bright blue sky, heart pounding with excitement. Winter’s chill is stinging your rosy cheeks as you sail by vibrant greens of pine and deep red trunks contrasted by glistening snow. You hear the wind whistling through pine boughs and notice rabbit snow tracks. Downhill thrills and peaceful meadows. Mother Nature and you. with amazing views of the Dardenelles all the For Paul Petersen, owner of Bear Valley way to Yosemite peaks.” Cross Country and for thousands of others, this is just part of the reason why cross country and Paul’s favorite route is Canyon Vista. “It’s back country skiing has become such a passion. unlike any other trail,” he said. “You get a unique perspective as you get down into the “Cross country skiing is a powerful experiStanislaus River Canyon and look up.” ence,” he beamed. “It creates life memories for so many. And when the 5pm fog rolls in, it’s just In addition to new trails, Paul has purmagic.” chased two snowcats to ensure the finest grooming possible. “Our grooming has always As winter enthusiasts prepare for reveling in had the highest standards,” he exclaimed. the upcoming season, news of a new California “There are not many things you can be the Sno-Park, state-of-the-art snow grooming best in the world at, but this is one area we machines and the introduction of a new winter really strive to excel. The trails here can go up recreation device is peaking interest. against any trail system in the world.” What is already one of the largest cross New on the season’s horizon is a Sno Park country skiing trail systems in the nation has at the base of Highway 207 to Bear Valley grown even larger this year. Bear Valley Cross Mountain Resort, which will be the area’s Country will add three new trails – Waterfall, third winter recreation hub. “The Round Scenic Byway and Creekside Cruise – to its net- Paul and Dianne Petersen pause by Valley backcountry skiing and snowshoeing work of 35 trails that accommodate two modes the Bear Valley entrance sign. California Sno-Park has been in the planning of cross country skiing – striding and skating, as stages for years and is ready to open this winter,” remarked well as snowshoeing. Paul. “Asphalt has been laid in the parking lot and the According to Paul the trails were groomed in the spring as restroom is ready to go. We were proud to be at the table helpa test drive and were very well received. All three, ready to ing coordinate this project right from the beginning.” open for the 2013/14 season, explore parts of Bear Valley Paul explained, “The Round Valley Sno-Park will have Meadow that are both awe-inspiring and can open with minigreat, easy access to the backcountry to people-powered methmal snow coverage. ods of recreation and provide an alternative destination for With the advent of the new trails, 43 percent are for ideal cross country skiers, backcountry snowboarders and snowfor beginners, 37 percent intermediate and 20 percent shoers. The Lake Alpine Sno-Park can be overcrowded on advanced. There are now more than 40 miles of trails from the weekends, so the addition of this new park can enhance the 7,100 to 7,600-foot elevation. experience for all user groups.” “This summer we’ve given more significant effort than ever The new Sno-Park’s base is at the Highway 207 and to fill in low spots and cover obstacles so that trails can open Highway 4 intersection and accesses Poison Canyon, Round with low snow conditions,” he added. Valley, Mount Reba, Bee Gulch and beyond. “We plan to open the trails from Tamarack pretty early,” BVCC is also adding a new people-powered winter recrehe explained. “Even if there’s not enough snow to connect the ation vehicle this season – the Fat Bike, or Snow Bike. trail systems at the beginning of the season, the Tamarack trails Sporting 4-inch balloon ties that run on 10 pounds or less of are now very skiable early on. These trails are also available to pressure, these bikes can ride on packed snow and give a new skiers with dogs, which is a big plus.” twist to the winter sports mix. “They are unbelievably fun,” Paul recommends Orvis Meadow and Bloods Creek trails Peterson shared. “You wear cross country clothes and simply for beginners. “There a variety of terrain with aspen, pine and add a helmet. Last year there were only 16 locations in the fir forest views,” he advised. “It’s a true beginner trail with U.S. where you could rent one. We’ll have an entire fleet to some natural rolls, but not scary for the newcomer.” start out our season.” A small section of the BVCC trails will For scenery, he recommends the Equipe Trail. “It’s really be dedicated to the new fat bikes and they can be used at the fun and a crowd pleaser,” he relayed. “There’s a hut on top sno parks as well. continued on page 22 21
August Flame continued from page 19
possibles bag so they could identify the rattler’s buzz. They politely accepted my cooking, and we all settled in to the pleasant routine of getting acquainted. Thomas had seen me make fire with my flint and steel, so I poured out the rest of the bag to show him the jack knife, the needle and thread stuck in a cork, the black powder flask and leather sack of shot, a few gold nuggets, and the baseball that Patterson tossed to me after the final out of our victory on Independence Day. I told him about that game as we had our first catch – six weeks ago on my twenty-fourth birthday – that his grandfather had played a fine game that day. “Accuracy is your ticket,” I pontificated. “Throw the ball so it can be caught, and you’ll make new friends wherever you go.” The boy has an affinity for climbing trees, Nathan. Seven years old and he’d have put us to shame back when in the bottomland. He’d spent much of their passage aloft in the rigging. When she could no longer watch, his mother would say, “Well, his father was a sailor.” On their wedding day in Richmond, 1849, she told me her father walked her down the aisle, “then kept on walking – right down Grove Avenue, across the Blue Ridge and on to California.” I had to ask, “His note said California is not Virginia – that’s not what made you laugh, was it?” She hesitated, “It’s my father’s good nature. He wrote, ‘George Chance is more clever than he may first appear.’” She watched me, waiting for my reaction. I feigned hurt, then brightened. “Well, let’s hope he’s right,” said I, and we shared our first long laugh, our first of many, my first in a long time. It felt natural and good, like autumn rain. Where once I’d dreaded the shackles of serving the needs of woman and child, I now wished for nothing more than to remain in their delightful company. I suddenly had so much to say and learn. I saw beauty in every mile, where ten days before there had been a wasteland. I told Martha about Miss C. With kindness, she listened and with wisdom she consoled, “You didn’t deserve each other.” “Did you hear that, Swamp Fox? We didn’t deserve each other.” The flat plain tilted and we began climbing. I began to imagine strolling through Columbia with Mrs. Jackson on my arm. All too soon, we rolled into Melones. Thomas was off in a cloud of dust to kick a ball with the youngsters. I introduced Martha Jackson to Noella Gomez, unhitched and set about collecting fishing gear. Lastly, I collected Thomas from the football game, and he and I carried rod and reel to the Stanislaus River for to stalk the wily trout. continued on page 30 22
A photo of the newly-completed Round Valley California Sno-Park.
In addition to cross country skiing and snowshoeing, BVCC operates a sledding hill with three groomed runs plus three runs for tubing. “We thrive with this great family activity,” Paul smiled. “We have some pretty good lunch areas, too.” The rental shop carries a wide variety of cross country equipment, as well as snowshoes, and sledding and tubing gear, which is required for the sledding hill. Born in Sunnyvale, Paul’s father was a ski instructor, and so he has had skiing in his blood since birth. He was working in a ski shop in Cupertino in 1974, when a “bunch of guys decided to take the winter off and live in Bear Valley. There was good skiing in a lot of places, but we really liked the village atmosphere here,” he recalled. “There was no waiting in line at the grocery store!” He ended up never leaving Bear Valley. “I had the opportunity to teach downhill or cross country skiing,” he remembered. “So, was it uphill or downhill? He chose uphill and enjoyed skiing as a profession and career from that point on. “Then called Bear Valley Nordic and run out of the sport shop in the village, we had to walk clients with their wooden skis down to non-groomed trails.” The business fell into Paul’s hands in 1979. He tried out for the National Cross Country Team with the Professional Ski Instructors Association of America and became an examiner, helping to certify ski instructors in the Western United States. He attended Inter Ski (an international ski instructors convention) for three years traveling to Canada, Austria and Japan. “It was a peak experience for me,” he confirmed. “It was so great exchanging information on how we could take ski instruction to the next level.” Paul then authored “The Essential Cross Country Skier,” published by McGraw Hill (currently out of print) and helped write manuals for PSIA. Paul recently learned that he was appointed as the Educational Advisory Committee Nordic Representative for the nationally-renowned PSIA, 32,000 members strong. “I get to work with the people that write the manuals on modern ski instruction,” he smiled. “I haven’t run out of gas yet,” he joked. “I’m having so much fun getting ready for this winter. I have just as much enthusiasm as I’ve ever had, keeping customers fired up instead of just opening and closing a business. I surround myself with great people and love relaxing out in the woods. Sliding on snow is magic.” “I’m entering ‘Winter 39’ here because of the super scenic nature of this area,” he concluded. “We have an incredibly special place here.” For more information, call 753-2834 or join their email list on bearvalleyxc.com for not-to-miss special events including wine tasting in the meadow, professional races, moonlight skis and Easter egg hunts.
ANGELS CAMP HOME OF THE JUMPING FROG JUBILEE The Third Weekend in May
Discover Gold Golf + Grapes + Adventure = Perfect Foothills Getaway!
The
Dec. 19th - 21st 2013 Bret Harte Theater
Spring Showcase 2014 May 2nd & 3rd
Nutcracker 2014 Auditions May 10th
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Dance Theater
1-209-736-8111 www.greenhorncreek.com
For more information Contact Tammie Lee at (209) 728-5347
711 McCauley Ranch Road, Angels Camp CA.
www.studio4dancetheater.com 23
MURPH “Queen of the Sierra”
24
PHYS MURPHYS IRISH DAY CELEBRATION March 15, 2014 Each year on the third Saturday in March people gather in Murphys to honor its Celtic heritage. Main Street is filled with booths offering hand crafted items, original art, photographs, tasty food, wine, and other beverages.
visitmurphys.com
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Calaveras County Wineries 25 tasting rooms, 3 traffic lights... What’s Stopping You?
Calaveras County is in the heart of Northern California Wine Country. Get a taste of California’s Historic Gold Country, where vineyard tours are more intimate, uncrowded and the California wines - exceptional. Call the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance at 866-806-9463 (WINE) for a free color brochure or visit www.calaveraswines.org and explore their unique Calaveras County wineries online.
Established by the Bauer family with the simple belief that great wine can only be made from great fruit. Our wines are made from Estate grown grapes.
“From our Estate to your glass, without compromise . . . ” www.IndianRockVineyards.com 1154 Pennsylvania Gulch Road • Murphys
209-728-8514 Open Friday - Sunday 12 to 5
Wine, gold, history and heritage are all part of the rich and colorful tradition that is Stevenot Winery. Located in the Sierra Foothills of Calaveras County in the heart of California’s Gold Country.
458 Main Street, Murphys Tasting room 209-728-0148 Wine Club 209-728-3485 www.stevenotwinery.com 26
North
ty n u o C s a r Calave
Photographer Ron Pickup’s wife, Pam, walks the Dragonfly Peony Farm in Wilseyville, North Calaveras County. See story on page 64.
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CALAVERAS COUNTY WATER LEGACY
The afterbay of Murphys Powerhouse built in 1954.
CALAVERAS COUNTY HAS A LONG and convoluted water history. In prehistorically simpler times, the pristine natural flow of rivers, streams and lakes provided an idyllic setting for the indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada. Fish and game coupled with abundant natural resources were plentiful for the early Native American peoples as they migrated the streams through the seasons for thousands of years. Then, in 1827, the first white man crossed the Sierra Crest in the vicinity of what is now Ebbetts Pass. He was the famous mountain man and fur trapper Jedediah Smith who trapped golden beaver on the Stanislaus River from the great valley floor up to the North Fork, Stanislaus River headwaters. His crossing opened the way for future pioneer emigrant crossings from the east and settlement in the lush foothills and valley.
Story and Photos by Ron Pickup 28
But it wasn’t until the discovery of gold in 1848 and the invasion of the Sierra Foothills by gold seekers from around the world that water needs became insatiable. As the early placer miners around Carson Hill, Angels Camp and Murphys worked their pans, rockers and sluices, using stream water to wash gravel and sand from the “free gold” of their prospecting efforts, they soon realized that these streams often ran very low or dry by mid-summer. And they united and invested much labor and money to bring a more reliable water supply to their diggings. Eventually, elaborate networks of hand-dug canals were dug into mountainsides, and wooden flumes were designed with just the right grade and curve to gravity feed the water from the higher to the lower elevations. In 1852, a combination of water companies united to form The Union Water Company to provide water for the mining and domestic needs of Angels Camp, Altaville, Carson Hill, Murphys, Vallecito and Douglas Flat. And by 1854, this company’s ditch and flume system extended clear to the North Fork of the Stanislaus River. In 1858, the company built the Union Reservoir in the high country headwaters for more storage, and acquired the 28-mile canal running from a North Fork diversion at McKays Point to Hunters Reservoir, continuing on to the minefields. But as the surface gold became less plentiful, placer mining gave way to hard rock mining. Now even more water was needed to power the air compressors, hoists, drills, stamp mills and other heavy machinery required by the mines. And as the largest owner of the richest mines in the Angels Camp area, including the Utica, Stickle, Gold Cliff and Madison Mines, the Utica Gold Mining Company took on the responsibility of water development and purchased the Union Water Company in1887. The Utica Company soon set its sights on more water storage in the high country. In 1889, they used the natural granite terrain of the Silver Valley in Alpine County to dam the waters of Silver Creek, using giant granite boulders mortared with concrete. The result was Lake Alpine. In its mountain setting at 7,350-foot elevation on the Ebbetts Pass National
Scenic Byway, its beauty seems as natural as any alpine lake. Also in the upper watershed, the Utica Company later built Utica Reservoir in 1906 and Spicer Meadow Reservoir in 1929. These, and other lakes in the area, ringed with forest and granite, are very scenic and popular for their diverse recreation such as swimming, fishing and kayaking. The north shore of Spicer offers spectacular views of the distant Dardanelles in Tuolumne County. An earlier Utica project built in 1892, closer to the mines, was the still-present Ross Reservoir on French Gulch Road near Murphys. It stored water from Angels Creek for routing to the first penstocks running from what is now the Angels Forebay above the Murphys Grade Road. In this day, water under gravity directly drove the mining machinery or was converted to steam in wood burning boilers. But as wood used to power the steam engines became more scarce and expensive, a new form of power became more desirable and feasible: hydroelectric power. The ingenious invention that made this possible was the Pelton water wheel. The Pelton wheel was invented in 1878 by Lester Allan Pelton, a carpenter and millwright working in the Nevada City area. His unique wheel consisted of a series of twin spoon-shaped buckets or cups mounted around the edge of a wheel. This duel shape was designed to receive high pressure, low volume jets of water hitting the middle of the duel cups. This undershot approach design resulted in much greater revolution, power and efficiency than the single bucket, over-shot design of huge earlier wheels that needed large volumes of water. The Pelton water impulse turbine, powered by penstocks, proved quite effective in driving electric generators. The Pelton wheel was patented in 1880 then manufactured and shipped all over the world. Various sizes of the wheel continue to be widely used in the smallest to the largest hydroelectric plants. Some examples of Pelton wheels can be seen at the Angels Camp Museum. In 1895, the Utica Mining Company made the leap into electric power by building the first hydroelectric plant in Calaveras County on Angels Creek in Angels Camp. The
Angels powerhouse employed four Pelton wheels, driven by the Angels penstock, to power its mining machinery. The water was then returned into the creek for more use downstream. Then in 1899, to meet new demands for power, the Utica built the stately stone Utica Powerhouse a few miles above Murphys on Murphys Creek. This was in the day when industrial buildings were artfully done. The multistoried 50-x-37-feet powerhouse was built of three-foot thick rhyolite tuff blocks quarried from the Adams Ranch on Pennsylvania Gulch Road and hauled via wagon to the site by a 26-mule team. Handhewn beams supported the gabled roof. The powerhouse employed a Pelton impulse waterwheel driving two Westinghouse generators. Water was dropped through a penstock from the Tank Reservoir high on the hill above to the Pelton wheel, then was discharged into the creek and routed by flume and ditch to Angels Camp for yet more work. The generated electricity powered the Angels mines, and surplus power was used to serve the local communities. The Utica Powerhouse operated continuously until 1952 when its new owner, PG&E, deemed it outdated and the powerhouse was ceremoniously decommissioned and its equipment removed. The Pelton wheel and generator assembly is now interpretively displayed on the lower level of the Angels Camp Museum. In 1954, a modern power plant was built downstream, and the once proud old Utica Powerhouse building was left to the elements.
This dual shape was designed to receive high pressure, low volume jets of water hitting the middle of the duel cups. This undershot approach design resulted in much greater revolution, power and efficiency. Over the next five decades of neglect the building filled with the debris of squatters and vandals. Layers of graffiti defaced the grand stone walls and the roof was riddled with the holes of shotgun and rifle blasts. Various plans of commercial or historical restoration all proved unsuccessful. But then, Martin Huberty, a past successful Hollywood movie producer looking for a quieter life in Calaveras County where his family had a long history, came across the abandoned Utica Powerhouse and saw a huge, but unique challenge. He purchased the property and set about restoring and retrofitting the old powerhouse into an amazing home. Throughout the process Martin carefully maintained the structure’s authenticity even to the extent of using walnut shells instead of sand to blast away the ugly graffiti from the grand block walls to maintain their classic chiseled finish. But the cavernous split-level powerhouse space was divided into rooms, and the Pelton wheel and generators were replaced with chandeliers and antique furnishings. Today his home stands as fine testimony to the historical restoration spirit so prominent in the Mother Lode. As Calaveras County’s population grew and water demands increased, new companies, districts, agencies, commissions and other water players came and went through the years, and sometimes underscored that famed Mark Twain insight: “Whiskey is for drinking, Water is for fighting….” Back in 1926, a group of Murphys area domestic water users and irrigators concerned for their water supply’s future, continued on page 30 29
August Flame continued from page 22
At the evening table, Thomas was applauded for providing supper. Afterward, Cruz pulled out Skidmore’s fiddle (he’s been its caretaker for the last three years), and his brother Eduardo played guitar as the canyon grew dark. Change was coming tomorrow – we’d be rolling back into Columbia with its gawkers and speculators – and rival bachelors. Tomorrow I would tell her how I felt. “Look up there!” People were pointing and calling. To the south the sky glowed like a second sunset. Wildfire in August can snarl through chaparral and manzanita faster than a man can run – a blazing cavalry wailing and swinging their fiery swords. With just the wrong wind it could march dragon-like right down the canyon wall and jump the river. But the bright glow diminished by midnight. Teams were unhitched, and folks trundled off to bed to count their blessings. We woke to smoke as thick as tule fog – heretofore, invisible cobwebs were filled with feathery ash. With quiet urgency we loaded up and pulled out of Melones – up the steep wall over Jackass Ridge through to Tuttletown. We began passing camps of refugees on Mormon Creek. Many looked to have just woken from a bad dream. They’d gotten out with nothing more than what they could grab – a chair, a clock, a man had a squeezebox on his chest – exhausted but still playing a mournful tune. It was Columbia that had been consumed, and lives had been lost. We were met by the sound of hammers and industry when we rolled in about noon. Where buildings had stood, crews of men were sifting through the ashes for nails and any other metal that might be used again. Heat radiated from dozens of piles of embers – pyres of cordwood that had been reduced to glowing coals. As if they’d been expecting us, Constable John Leary and his wife, Elizabeth, came out to meet us. “Mrs. Martha Brown Jackson? I have sad news to report.” Martha pulled Thomas close. Leary did what he had to do. The fire had started just after 6 p.m. on the North Side of Jackson Street. From there it exploded through the wood-framed and canvas buildings into the business district. Sewell saved his store with a crew of men fighting the flames hand-to-hand with burlap sacks soaked with vinegar. Eyewitnesses reported Brown’s store had mostly survived, and her father was going in to inspect the damage when black powder stored in the basement exploded, killing Brown and three or four others. “We lost our theatre, but by the grace of God our house still stands.” Elizabeth took Martha’s arm, “and you and Thomas will stay with us as long as you need.” continued on page 31 30
Clockwise from above: Pelton waterwheel displayed at the Angels Camp Museum Restored 1899 Murphys Powerhouse Angels Flume above Murphys Grade Road Pelton wheels and generator in the Angels Camp Powerhouse still running strong after 75 years due to careful maintenance and hand built parts.
continued from page 29
organized The Calaveras Water Users Association and engaged in a legal battle with the Utica Mining Company that lasted until 1939. A settlement guaranteed the Association’s right to purchase water from the Utica system and the Association became today’s Union Public Utility District. After all of its mines closed, the Utica Company sold all of its water system to Pacific Gas & Electric in 1946. Under licenses by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, PG&E modernized the system and upgraded the miles of ditches and flumes. In the mid-1980s, a partnership between the Calaveras County Water District and the Northern California Power Agency resulted in the creation of the New Spicer Meadow Reservoir and the Collierville Tunnel and Powerhouse on the North Fork. And in 1995, a complex purchase of PG&E projects and settlements resulted in a CCWD & NCPA mix of ownerships, operations and rights on the upper systems. A new agency, the Utica Power Authority, took over control and ownership of the lower system from the Tunnel Tap of the Collierville Tunnel, supplying Hunters Reservoir to the Angels Powerhouse. And in a turn of irony, the Utica Power Authority, reflecting the name of the former mining conglomerate, which was always more interested in supplying mining operations than serving as a public utility, is now in joint-power authority with the Union Public Utility District and the City of Angels, giving the local area ownership of its water supply.
August Flame continued from page 30
Under the direction of its dedicated general manager, Verne Pyle, The Utica Power Authority operates the one megawatt Angels Powerhouse that replaced the original Utica Company plant in 1940, and the three megawatt Murphys Powerhouse built by PG&E in 1954. The “green power” generated is sold at a premium and finances the local water system. The clean water discharged by the powerhouses maintains the aesthetic Angels Creek for recreation and irrigation. The UPA takes great pride in maintaining the historical integrity of their system. When the Darby Fire in 2001 destroyed the UPA’s historic ¾-mile flume built during the Gold Rush, it was carefully restored to its original condition. While an emergency pumping system supplied a minimum water supply to local communities, crews rebuilt the wooden flume using traditional materials hand carried to the site. The largest helicopter in the Western United States had to be employed to position the heavy timbers on the precariously steep canyon walls. But in just eight months the restoration was complete. It was an amazing accomplishment and a fine tribute to those hearty miners of the past. Today, after long serving the water needs of Calaveras County, the hard working North Fork Stanislaus River still carries enough water for whitewater rafting adventures through the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Perhaps now the river can be spared any further development for the sake of its fine recreation.
For the second time in two years her world was unraveling. Water had made her a widow. Now, fire had made her an orphan. She clung to Thomas and graciously accepted the kindness of the Leary family. Their home lay west of Broadway and was saved when men, in a moment of brilliant desperation, chopped boards out of the side of the flume and flooded the fire’s path with ditch water. Leary turned to me, “The merchants are blaming the Chinese. They’re not to be allowed back in.” Thomas detached himself, found an oak tree and went aloft. I wheeled her trunks to their temporary place. Standing at the window she watched him survey the desolation from his crow’s nest. “What more must that dear boy endure?” I had no answer. I just said, “I’ll be close by.” After the funeral, the Learys invited me for supper. While Thomas and I tossed the baseball, the Leary girls watched. They’d taken to calling him TJ, which he liked. He told them he was “working on his accuracy.” Before I left I worked myself up to tell Martha Jackson that I would be back on Thursday, that I would help her any way I could, and (ever so lightly) that I intended to court her. Surely, after our days on the driver’s box sharing our life stories, this could not have come as a surprise, but she hid her face and turned away. I could see her shoulders shaking. Perhaps it was too soon; perhaps it was tears at knowing she was about to break my heart again or worse – she found the idea laughable! “Dear George,” there was a tenderness, but she started out solemn, “on leaving Virginia I was given some sage advice by my Aunt Bet, ‘Don’t take up with the first man you see when you get off the boat,’” she ended ever so lightly. Taking my hand, her eyes shone, “I will look forward to Thursday.” Her reply was committed to my memory by repeating it to Swamp Fox all the way home. That was just three Thursdays ago. Things change in a hurry here – California is not Virginia. Tomorrow the three of us begin facing the world together, on our terms. I am, as always, your friend, Ohio George Chance 31
DIANNE SHANNON
Sonora Hub of Tuolumne County . . .
SONORA 2ND SATURDAY ART NIGHT The Second Saturday Night of Every Month! Join the fun for music and art in downtown stores and restaurants, plus openings at downtown galleries.
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EBBETTS PASS to Markleeville
SONORA PASS to Bridgeport
WINTER CLOSURE Lake Alpine
CARSON ICEBERG WILDERNESS AREA
Bear Valley Ski Area
Kennedy Meadows
Utica Reservoir Union Reservoir
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RECOMMENDED READING...
THE DE FERRARI FAMILY Memories of times past By Carlo M. DeFerrari Review by Don Hukari … A combined family history, autobiography and historical narrative… In his conversational style, Tuolumne County's patriarch of history paints a picture of the early days of Tuolumne County - a picture of an Italian and Scotch-Irish immigrant family in the 1880s working placer and quartz gold mines, ranching and saloon-keeping in the Groveland area, who stay on to become local community business men and leaders. The book is filled with historic photographs of early Tuolumne County ranches, Groveland businesses and schoolhouses. De Ferrari tells of his father's employment as Groveland constable and working for the City of San Francisco on the Hetch Hetchy water project. Carlo grew up during the Great Depression. Groveland has special tales of the WPA projects and other government assistance that helped his neighbors get through those tough times. A chapter of the book is dedicated to his years in Europe during World War II. After returning from the war, he started out in the Deputy County Clerk's office at a time "the whole courthouse was in an uproar.” As a third generation Grovelander, a public official and authority on local history, he tells of the founding of the Tuolumne County Historical Society and his role for 40 years as editor and contributor to its quarterly publication, The Chispa. This resource book presents an abundance of Tuolumne County history, but if the reader is looking for just a bit, open the book to any page and get an anecdote or two - and get a part of the County's history in a new way. The historic photos are worth the time spent turning the 400+ pages! $45, Published 2013 by Tuolumne Heritage Publications, Inc. Available at the Tuolumne County History Center, 532-1317, 158 Bradford Avenue, Sonora 36
ART OF THE NATIONAL PARKS Historic Connections / Contemporary Interpretations By Stearn/McGarry/Dunn Review by Judy Stoltenberg This beautiful book will give years of enjoyment with its 430 large pages of art inspired by seven of our national parks – Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Acadia, Grand Canyon, Everglades, Yosemite, Zion, and Rocky Mountain National Parks. A bit of history of how artists played a part in establishing America’s national parks is included with profiles on the artists – 69 total contemporary artists. Historic art includes work by the likes of Thomas Moran and Albert Bierstadt. Our own Tuolumne County oil painter extraordinaire, Chuck Waldman, is included in the Yosemite section with several samples of his plein aire landscapes that are particularly breathtaking. Just in time for the holidays, Art of the National Parks would be a great gift for anyone who appreciates nature or paintings that are inspired by nature. $85, Published 2013 by Fresco Fine Art Publications, LLC Available at the Park stores/galleries
WINERIES OF THE GOLD COUNTRY By Janet Langton Review by Jan Hovey The Gold Rush brought a fortress of fortune seekers from around the globe, and along with it, those who found gold not in the yellow ore, but in wine grapes. In this comprehensive 128-page book Sarah Lunsford takes you on a visual journey of the pioneers of the Sierra Foothill region in five Gold Country counties sporting more than 200 rarelyseen (until now) photographs from archives and private collections. The rich stories of early entrepreneurs lead into a full recount of the Sierra Foothill Wine Region’s humble beginnings through generations of hard-working families, many of which today carry on their family’s legacy. “Although the area’s history is undeniably tied to gold, another story is told in the soil where vineyards and winemaking held great promise,” Sarah said. “This promise was only truly realized when the Wine Renaissance of the 1970s took hold and has since grown into the award-winning wine producing region of today.” The stories of the people, the soil, the vineyards and the region are given admirable homage in “Wineries of the Gold Country,” and anyone that picks it up will be all the richer for it. $21.99 - Published 2013 by Arcadia Publishing, arcadiapublishing.com Available locally and through Amazon.
LARRY D. WHITE
Art on Main Artful Entrepreneurs Unite By Patricia Cherry
ART ON MAIN IS A FINE ART GALLERY IN DOWNTOWN Murphys, you’d never know it. This new and contemporary gallery fits right in with the same urbane chic and country informality for which Murphys has become known. While many galleries were shutting their doors in June of 2012, a handful of daring artists decided they’d had enough of the recession and opened Art on Main. “Let’s do it; let’s open a collaborative art gallery,” they beamed. I love, this fact as it is in keeping with the town’s original entrepreneurs, John and Daniel Murphy, who were among the first to cross the Sierra in 1844 – pre-Gold Rush, I should add. The brothers defied conventional wisdom and opened a trading post. Sierra foothill people are like that – when times are tough, start a business. Judging by the warm reception local residents have shown, as well as a rapidly growing out-of-town patronage, opening the gallery turned out to be a great idea. People from around the world leave the gallery with smiling faces, and it is rapidly becoming a favorite place for art-appreciators to view and purchase art. The gallery displays original art and fine art reproductions, providing established and emerging collectors with some of the best art our region has to offer. The gallery now showcases an ever-changing panoply of original art created by 31 well-known artists, which includes a collection of original oils, watercolors, pastels, etchings and photography, as well as sculptures, glass, textiles and jewelry. A most popular feature is the assortment of original and printed cards, ready to either send or frame. With a collective determination to keep things fresh, the walls are changed out and a rotation of art occurs every three months with new works from these enterprising artists. The “hanging” committee (gotta love that name) take their job seriously. But you might
not know it with all of the laughter, treats and chaos occurring on change-out day. This rotation of art keeps both the artists and patrons enthusiastic about how the gallery looks and feels. After the change-out occurs, you will find a much transformed, but serene and friendly gallery once again. All art is placed strategically to welcome newcomers and returning patrons. No gloomy sales associates here. At Art on Main you will find the artists themselves as eager to elaborate on the other artists work as they are about their own. As a collector or art appreciator, you can learn about any artist and his/her art work instead of hearing a well-rehearsed sales pitch. For the participating artists this isn’t a job or a duty, but rather a chance to get out of their studios and mingle with art lovers. All of this makes for a delightful stopping-off, place whether you are a novice appreciator of art or a seasoned collector. A piece of art purchased from Art on Main will be something customers can enjoy and be proud to share with friends and family for a lifetime. To find Art on Main, take a stroll down tree-lined Main Street to 466B Main. Feel transported back to the mid-1800s while you pass buildings bearing thick stoned walls and iron shutters. Enter the gallery’s courtyard and find yourself immersed in contemporary fine art. Art on Main is open seven days a week, from 11am to 5pm. 728-1888, ArtOnMainMurphys.com. 37
Duane Papais Marilyn Richards Hi You!!
Marilyn Richards
Bambi Papais Dogface Butterfly
Bambi Papais
Duane Papais “OUT OF MY MIND to to publish artwork. OUT OF MY MIND they come - thoughts and images - down on paper.” An architectural background gives Duane Papais line, balance, and a new creative approach to graphics. His work is bright and colorful. “A life n the Sierras allows me to enjoy a mystical environment.” Enjoy OUT OF MY MIND, creative images by Duane Papais. His work is on dislay at Art on Main in Murphys, or at the gallery website: www.ArtOnMainMur phys.com.
Bambi is a self-taught artist living in the historical Gold Rush community of Murphys. With a handful of workshops over the years, Bambi’s style of watercolor painting can be recognized by her fine sense of detail mixed with her funny-side-of-life humor. She has been sketching as far back as she can remember and always thinking that coloring books were a very important key to childhood. “When people can get a good feeling from looking at my work, when the painting can touch their heart or make them laugh out loud, I feel that I’ve contributed to life in some helpful way.” Bambi’s original paintings are in private collections across the country and her prints appear in many galleries nationwide. Her artwork has been licensed by several companies for artful uses such as stationery, gift bags, rugs, and throws, as well as publishing her own line of note cards. Bambi’s work can be found at the Fine Eye Gallery in Sutter Creek, The Art on Main Gallery in Murphys, The Prestige Gallery in Angels Camp, and in the summer months at the Pinecrest Gallery. You can always find Bambi’s prints and note cards online at www.bambiart.com.
38 • ARTrails - Art on Main
Marilyn Richards started painting as a child in school, later attending the California College of Arts and Crafts. She continued painting landscapes on scene for many years with watercolors. Studying with Gereon Rios of Columbia College, she started working in acrylics and expanded her subject matter to landscapes, people, animals, and flowers. “Now when I paint, I start with excitement and the challenge to incorporate color, composition, and joy into my paintings.” Marilyn is a member of the Golden Palette Art Association, Mother Lode Art Association, Arts of Bear Valley, and the Calaveras County Art’s Council Gallery Group. She shows with Arts of Bear Valley during the Music Festival and Art in the Park in the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Her work was selected for the posters for Arts of Bear Valley in 2006 and 2008. She has shown in the Valley Art Association Fall Carriage Show, the Ironstone Spring Obsession Show, and shows in Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, Mexico. Currently Marilyn’s work can be seen at the Aloft Gallery in Sonora, Art on Main in Murphys and the Fall Studio Tours sponsored by the Calaveras Arts Council. She can be reached at MJRArt@comcast.com.
Charlotte Mahood Get Off My Cloud
Charlotte Mahood In the above oil painting (36x36”) Charlotte Mahood explored the lyrics from “Get Off My Cloud” by the Rolling Stones. Her interpretation of the lyrics was akin to “don’t rain on my parade,” however there are other possible meanings. She states “It’s really about what the work means to you.” Printmaking and oil painting are Charlotte’s passion. Her printmaking work includes, etching, chine colle’, monotypes and mixed media. In her oil paintings Charlotte observes and records her impressions of the world around her in colorful passages. At the same time, she loves the black and white images that are often seen in her printmaking work. Charlotte imparts a sense of design that is uniquely her own. After earning her Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences degree with high honors at Cabrillo College, Charlotte pursued further studies at The Scottsdale Art School, Kala Art Institute, and Monterey Peninsula College. Charlotte is a member of The Calaveras Arts Council, Arts of Bear Valley, The Golden Pallet, and The Monterey Peninsula College Printmakers. Her work has been selected for a number of juried shows and is in private collections throughout the United States.
Featuring artists from
Art on Main
Ruth Morrow Flowers
Sarah Evans Monet's Bridge at Giverny Annie Fountain Stevens Peak
Annie Fountain On a cold and foggy day, with a brisk wind coming from the Pacific, Annie Fountain toted her painting gear down to Baker Beach in San Francisco and discovered the joys (and sometime frustrations) of painting on location. Incredibly, despite shivering and numb fingers, her passion for painting the landscape began. Annie took art classes during her university years and earned a degree in biology. A California native, she has always admired the work of the early California impressionists and continually studies the work of past and present masters of representational art, some of whom have been instructors. Living in the Sierra Foothills, her regular painting routine gives her endless opportunity to see and learn from the land she loves and to document on canvas a portion of its beauty. "Our own style can’t help but surface in our brushwork", she says. "If you look at a group of paintings of the same subject painted on the same day, you will see no two paintings alike.” Annie’s brushwork and ability to capture a time and space through the use of value and color contrast give her work a lightfilled, vibrant quality. She says she loves working with oil paints, which can be a real challenge, “but it’s also what makes it exciting, satisfying and worthwhile." Her paintings have been exhibited in both gallery and juried shows. Her work can be seen at Art on Main in Murphys and at www.anniefountain.com.
Sarah Evans
Kathleen Halpin Canning Jazz
Ruth Morrow Ruth Morrow has spent the past 27 years painting and photographing the beauties of the Mother Lode. Ruth’s loose and fanciful painting style is visible in her watercolor, acrylic, oil and mixed media pieces. 2012-13 have been busy and gratifying years in her artistic endeavors. At Sacramento Fine Arts Gallery, Ruth was presented with an award for excellence and the Olive Schmid Memorial Award. She earned multiple awards at the 2013 Jumping Frog Professional Art Show and the Mother Lode Art Association Show. This will be Ruth’s nineth year of acceptance into the KVIE Art Auction. She is affiliated with Sacramento Fine Arts Gallery, Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons and Northern California Artists. For the past five years Ruth has been a member of Aloft Art Gallery in Sonora, the Calaveras Arts Council Gallery in San Andreas and Gallerie Copper in Copperopolis. She is now a member of Art on Main in Murphys.
Kathleen Halpin Canning Kathleen Halpin Canning produces most of her work in oils, specializing in portraits and still lifes. She has rendered commissioned portraits for clients in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston and London. She shows and sells her paintings in the Gold Country through exhibits with the Bear Valley Art Association, the Golden Palette Art Association and the Mother Lode Art Association, where her work has been recognized with numerous awards. She is currently producing illustrations for a children’s book. Her art can be viewed at Art on Main in Murphys, and at kathleencanningart.com. She can be reached at kathycan@gmail.com.
Sarah quit an executive job in the advertising business and left San Francisco after living there for 27 years. Her dream was to paint full time in a beautiful, stressfree area. She and her husband, Dick settled in the old gold town, Murphys, where she maintains her studio. As an impressionist oil painter, Sarah Evans paints to capture the color and pattern of what’s out there. Color is her mania…color affected by light; and since gardens are where the color is, she loves to paint gardens and California landscapes. “I paint exclusively in oils because they are so gutsy, excitingly rich, with unctuous colors and they provide great texture. The way I prefer to work is to start a painting on location, "en plein air" as the French Impressionists did, and paint as much as possible before the light, shadows and colors change as the sun moves. Then I finish back at the same spot, same light, or in my studio, working from memory, small studies or photos taken at the very beginning of the painting.” Before entering college, Sarah studied at the Minneapolis College of Design and Art. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BFA. She studied later at the San Francisco Institute of Art. Sarah is a member of Arts of Bear Valley, and the Golden Palette Art Association. She has exhibited at many galleries in the United States, mostly in California and Florida. Her work is in collections throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Evans is now represented by Art on Main in Murphys and Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis. Sarah's work can also be seen at www.ArtOnMainMurphys.com and she can be reached at: rsevans@goldrush.com.
Art on Main - ARTrails • 39
Featuring artists from
Art on Main Jane Lucas Dogwoods
Lori Sturdivant Tanzanian Vision
Helen Scofield Tiger Lily
Helen Scofield Helen’s artwork depicts her love of and involvement with color. Subject matter that makes a definite statement in terms of color or emotion is what stirs her creativity. She primarily paints in oils because of the richness and texture of the medium. One of her favorite subjects to paint are florals on large canvasses. Helen is a resident of Vallecito, having moved to the Sierra Foothills from Santa Rosa in l992. Her art education was obtained through community college courses, workshops and private lessons. She has been accepted and won awards at the prestigious Central California Art League Exhibit at the Gallo Winery, the Haggin Museum, the Carriage Show, the Motherlode Art Association Annual Exhibit, Ironstone Vineyards’ Spring Symphony Exhibit and the Professional Fine Arts Divisions of the Sonoma, Calaveras and Tuolumne County Fairs. In 2007, she won Ironstone Vineyard’s Poster Award for her oil painting “Spring.” Helen’s work may be seen at local businesses, the Aloft Gallery in Sonora, Art on Main in Murphys, Murphys Grille and through seasonal shows with Arts of Bear Valley, the Gallery Group, Golden Palette and on her website: www.helenscofieldart.com. She can be reached via e-mail: Helens@wildblue.net
40 • ARTrails – Art on Main
Patricia Cherry Spirit of Yosemite
Jane Lucas Painting has always been an important, though sporadic, part of Jane’s life. Formal training began with youth classes at the Art Institute of Chicago and continued through college and through early adulthood as a signature member of the California Watercolor Society (formerly Eastbay Watercolor Society). While an active watercolor painter, she also developed a corporate art consulting business in the Bay Area. It wasn’t until her recent retirement from private practice as a Marriage and Family therapist that she is now able to return to this first love of art. At present her focus is almost exclusively on pastels as a primary medium, sometimes with watercolor underpainting. She loves the immediate, rich color and flexibility of pastels. They can be blended, layered and diluted with water or denatured alcohol. One can use precise pastel pencils or large sticks with various degrees of hardness. Surprisingly, pastel is considered to be the most permanent medium, if properly protected and framed under glass. Its “modern” use dates back over 250 years and includes most of the Impressionists as fans of the medium. Currently pastels have been undergoing a “New Renaissance,” according to many art historians. Jane says she can certainly see why!
Patricia Cherry “I am not trying to replicate reality in my paintings. I use nature’s abstract patterns both as a source of inspiration and as a compositional element. I endeavor to SEE. To SEE ever deeper, ever more intensely so that my paintings might touch the viewer with the same feeling that inspired my original reason for painting them.” For many years while CEO of a staffing firm, traveling between offices in the wider Bay Area, Patricia attended extension art classes at the nearest of many of the SF Bay Area’s schools. (San Francisco State, UC at Berkeley, CCAC among them). It was her joy and salvation to leave the corporate world and explore the creative side. “At the time it felt chaotic, but in retrospect this wide breadth of training has given me a strong foundation in two-dimensional art. I've been painting since 1982, and daily since moving to Sonora in 2003. Every day I paint is a good day.” Ms. Cherry's artwork can be viewed locally at Art on Main, Murphys, Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis. To contact her, see samples of her art or read her blog: www.artistpatriciacherry.com. She also works as a freelance writer for print media and teaches an on-going art class at her home studio/gallery.
Lori Sturdivant Lori’s love for drawing and painting began at an early age, and she selected art as her major in high school and college. As a young artist she won several awards in the local community and was influenced by the wellknown artist, Walter Foster, while visiting his art studio in Laguna Beach, California. While attending college classes in Santa Monica and Venice, she had an interest in portraits and still life. After her move to Sonoma County, she attended art classes at Santa Rosa Jr. College. Her life as a single parent gave her little time to continue her interest in art; however, now that she is retired in the Sierra Mountains, her desire to get back to painting has returned. Lori paints in watercolors and her subjects are landscapes, still life, portraits and florals. Her greatest love is painting children's portraits. She has shown her work at Ironstone Winery Gallery, The Prestidge Gallery in Angels Camp, and Art and Soul Gallery in Arnold. She won Best of Division and First Place awards at the Calaveras County Fair. Her paintings can be seen at the Bear Valley Music Festival and Big Trees State Park Summer Show. She is now showing her work at Art on Main in Murphys. Lori is a member of the Arts of Bear Valley Association and a past member of Golden Palette. Visit Lori's work at www.ArtOnMainMurphys.com. She can be reached at jimlori99@comcast.net.
Sh Gl
Larry D. White Thunderheads Over the Sierras Shirley Wilson-Rose Glass screen, approximately 5’ x 5’
Karen O’Neill Aspen Grove
Shirley Wilson-Rose Shirley Wilson-Rose, a long time Tuolumne County resident, attended local schools and developed a love for art at a very early age. In 1979 an opportunity to make art her profession arose and Wilson Studios Etched Art Glass was born. Shirley launched into her new business with a “how to” book and borrowed equipment. Soon after she was selling decorative etched glass pieces and by the following year her work was appearing in residences and commercial establishments throughout the Sierra foothills. Shirley’s love of nature is reflected in her work where she specializes in flora and wildlife, with a flair for detail and realism, but she is always excited to try new and challenging designs in any style. Ms. Wilson-Rose’s art can be seen at All that Matters in Twain Harte, Aloft Art Gallery in Sonora and Art on Main in Murphys. Her work is available online at WilsonArtGlass.com and she can be reached at her studio at 588-1969.
Karen O’Neill
Larry D. White
Karen’s journey is to keep exploring new ways of expressing traditional subjects. She paints in watercolors and acrylics and often likes her paintings to have just a touch of abstraction to them. Karen’s first love in painting was florals. This love goes back to the days when she was very allergic and couldn’t have the flowers she loved in her home. Later, fish living in the kelp forest and colorful koi fish inspired her. In 2003 her koi painting was pictured on the cover of KVIE’s “OnSix” program guide. In 2006 she was the featured artist in Koi USA magazine. Twice her paintings have graced the cover of the Harbinger magazine. After moving to the Sierras her beautiful surroundings inspired her to paint more mountain landscapes. In 2005 and again in 2007 her painting was selected as the Bear Valley Music Festival’s poster painting. Recently, much of her focus has been on painting the Sierra’s aspens in their full autumn glory. Karen’s original work and her framed prints are displayed and sold through Art on Main in Murphys (www.artonmainmurphys.com). She can be contacted by e-mail at Karen@KarenONeillArt.com. Her website featuring her giclée fine-art prints is www.KarenONeillArt.com.
Larry is a fourth generation Californian, born in Berkeley and grew up in the East Bay Area. He currently resides in Murphys in the Central Sierra Foothills. Larry’s start in photography began about 40 years ago when he bought his first 35mm film camera. Larry really enjoyed black and white photography and was inspired by Ansel Adams and his techniques. He learned to process both film and prints in a home darkroom. When he started a family in the late 1970s, he sold or put away most of his film equipment. About ten years ago Larry retired and started producing images again. Rather than pick up where he left off, he experimented with new equipment and techniques. Larry bought his first digital camera and started processing the images on his computer, sending them out to a lab for printing. Larry loves Yosemite, the Sierras and the Coast but also enjoys macro photography of flowers and things that may go unnoticed. An award winning photographer, Larry has exhibited at many venues and galleries in the East Bay Area. His work is in private collections throughout the United States and is currently on display at Art on Main in Murphys. Larry can be reached at 728-3236 or through his website: larryd.white.home.comcast.net.
Marianna Bologna Kokopelli with Flute
Marianna Bologna Marianna is a resident of Murphys, having moved to the Sierra Foothills from San Francisco in 2002. Marianna works primarily with watercolors and is well-known for her very whimsical flute playing fertility god, Kokopelli. She also paints botanicals, which are often Asian and/or Southwestern inspired. Marianna's paintings are proudly displayed in many homes across the United States, as well as Canada, China, England, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Spain, France and Jamaica. Marianna is a member of the Calaveras County Arts Council and her work is on display in the following art galleries: Gallery of Dreams, St. David, AZ; Haute Enchilada Galerias, Moss Landing, CA; Santa Fe Trading Company, New Market, MD; Kokopelli Gallery, Sausalito, CA. Locally, her work can be seen at Sutter Creek Art Gallery, Sutter Creek; Town Hall Arts, Copperopolis, and Art on Main, Murphys.
Art on Main – ARTrails • 41
Jessica Daley June Bug
Jerome
Jessica Daley
Barb Young Red Hot Pokers, Curious Geese and Plein Air Painter
Jerome Barb Young Barbara Young has been drawing and painting from an early age. She credits her talent as “a God-Given Talent.” Landscapes and old buildings have been her primary source of inspiration. She likes to sketch with pens and watercolor. “I try to capture in my drawings and paintings the memory of a place by setting down textures, feelings, and the characteristics of that place.” Aa a volunteer with her therapy dogs, she goes to several elementary schools where kids (having trouble reading) read to her dogs; which somehow improves their reading skills–a proven fact! Barb currently shows her work at the Aloft Art Gallery in Sonora, Sonora Blueprint, and the Pinecrest Gallery. She has won many awards at the Mother Lode Art annual show.
42 • ARTrails
“After joining the Army I was sent to Italy. My duty station was 30 miles from Venice, and when I Jerry Graham had time, I traveled Red Church the countryside photographing everything from the Alps to Venice and Rome.” When Jerome returned to the States, he worked as a photographer traveling the North and South, settling in Washington DC. He moved to Sonora twenty years ago. His interest in photography was sparked on a trip to Tennessee. There he was introduced to large format photo printing on canvas. He was so impressed that he had the equipment shipped back to Sonora. He found the medium he was looking for. “The grand scale of Yosemite requires nothing less than large format.” “The light we have on the West Coast is envied by photographers all over the country. Printing on canvas keeps the image alive, often making it appear to be a painting.” Jerome’s father was a photographer who printed on paper as well as tin. “That’s probably where my inner drive came from, making a difference with a God-given talent. All that I am, all that I ever will be, if there be any praise, if there be any glory, I owe it all to Jesus Christ.” After going to a lot of art shows over the years, it was time to open his own gallery – Jerome’s Gallery and Frame Shop at 10289 Humbug Street at Highway 108 in Jamestown, 984-5586, and at jeromesgallery.com.
Jerry Graham Jerry Graham was born in Arizona and moved to California in 2007. “My interest in art began at a very young age and the first time I was recognized for my art was in grammar school. It was then that I realized this was my calling.” Jerry began selling his art at age eleven. As a young adult, he was showing in Arizona galleries including the Prescott Resort. “My inspiration would have to be my wife of 22 years. Some people enjoy buying cards or flowers for thier loved one – I prefer to create them for her.” Jerry lets the mood he is trying to create direct him to the right medium or technique. The artist that influenced him the most has been Herman Adams. Jerry’s original work and prints can be seen at the Pinecrest Gallery and at Jerome’s Gallery and Frame Shop on Highway 108 in Jamestown, 984-5586.
Jessica Daley was born and raised in Sonora. Growing up in the Sierras helped inspire the detail and vibrance of her paintings. As early as kindergarten she was drawing all that nature had to offer. After taking all the art classes at Columbia College, she realized she couldn’t wait to take in more, so she packed her bags. She graduated with a BA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University. “After five years in the city my roots called me back. There is no better source for inspiration than the family, friends and nature I left behind.” At the Academy she became skilled in acrylic, oil, watercolor, charcoal, ink and digital illustration. She has done freelance digital work for businesses, as well as appeared in the Dirt Gallery in San Francisco and a few local galleries. Jessica is currently working on her start-up business, June’s Pet Portraits, inspired by her own dog June. She offers three mediums and sizes to choose from: acrylic, watercolor and charcoal. “I’m finally where I want to be, doing what I love, and painting my favorite subjects.” If interested in your own pet portrait or viewing more art work, check out jessdaley.com or contact her at 559-1369 or jesdaley@gmail.com.
Joy Willow Sonora Spring
Leslie H. Hurst Coming Home in Late Summer
Patrick Michael Karnahan Glory of Sierra
Sherie Drake
Sherie Drake Sherie Drake approaches the canvas with color and vitality. Although pastel medium was her favorite for years, she now enjoys painting in acrylic and oils. She works on a variety of subjects using color expressively in portrait and figures. Sherie was born near Portland, Oregon, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. She moved to California with her husband where they raised a family in the San Francisco Bay Area and retired in Sonora in the Sierra mountain foothills. She taught figure classes in the Bay Area through Mt. View-Los Altos Adult Education and the Palo Alto Art Center for ten years. Sherie has won numerous awards at juried art competitions including shows at the Mistlin Gallery in Modesto, the Haggin Museum in Stockton and the Mother Lode Art annual show in Sonora. Sherie has established a studio and gallery at 19 Bradford Street in downtown Sonora where she paints and shows her work. She exhibits her paintings at the Ventana Gallery and A&M Custom Framing in Sonora. One can view Sherie’s work on her website SherieDrake.com. Contact her at 404-5711.
Joy Willow Joy Willow paints with acrylics on panel, canvas, and paper, using a layering process composed of plaster, gel mediums, collage papers, and metal leaf. Her work is inspired by natural, organic shapes and textural surfaces. A meditative, open attention without definite pre-conceptions invites exploration on the flat surface; the subject emerges gradually through this dialogue between the unconscious and what is happening on the canvas. The quiet morning hours offer inspiration for painting; later in the day Joy becomes a local singing teacher with an active studio in classical music. Each discipline feeds the other with both structure and freedom. Joy's paintings have been exhibited throughout Northern California, including galleries in San Francisco and the Sacramento area. Public, corporate, and private collections in California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, and in Italy have been supportive of her work. Locally her work can be seen at the Ventana Gallery downstairs at 48 S. Washington, in Sonora. She will also participate in the Sonora Art Trails Open Studios Tour in October. Joy's home studio is open to visitors by appointment: 588-9180. You can preview her work at joywillow.com.
Patrick Michael Karnahan Patrick Michael Karnahan, a native Californian, has been capturing historic railroads of the west and the saga of the wild land firefighter most of his life. His first painting of an American railroad was painted at the age of eight. He is known for his works in calendars, magazines, books, and posters for the U.S. Forest Service. He has exhibited at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Kennedy Center, California Railroad Museum, and Penn State University. The artist’s greatest honor is the 2008 Orchard Supply Calendar featuring 13 of the artist’s train paintings. Having labored as a railroad worker and a firefighter, Patrick has the knowledge to paint these detailed subjects. The artist’s oils come alive through the expression of color. One can feel the heat of the flames and smell the smoke. Also known as a highly talented plein air artist, Patrick spends much of his time in the wide open spaces. Patrick has taught landscape painting in Ireland where he faced the daily challenge of lighting and weather. In America his favorite subjects include Alaska, Yosemite, High Sierra and his second home on the Oregon Coast. Patrick’s work can be seen locally at All That Matters in Twain Harte; Pinecrest Gallery, and the Amsterdam Gallery in Carmel. Visit Patrick’s art at trainfire.com.
Leslie H. Hurst Leslie Hailey Hurst is a plein aire impressionist oil painter who graduated in fine arts from Washington State University. She has raised children, cows and olives for 30 years while painting at night. Now that the kids are grown, she is back to painting full time and tending the cows and olives on the side. “I love to paint outside for the shapes and light,” said Hurst. “And, yet in the studio, it’s the colors that take me over. I want the viewers of my work to see all the excitement and vivid movement I see around me.” Hurst’s painting style is loose and open. Her landscapes are infused with light, color and contemplative space. She paints outdoors in the local area when the weather is good, and indoors in her studio the balance of the year. Hurst’s work can be seen at her studio at the Hurst Ranch in Jamestown. Leslie’s work can also be seen locally at the Ventana Gallery in Sonora, the Pinecrest Gallery, and First Street Frame in Turlock. Call 984-4436 for a studio appointment.
ARTrails • 43
Pamela Quyle
44 • ARTrails
Sue Horine Into the Wild
Don Hukari Black Oak
Sue Horine
Don Hukari
Pamela Quyle
For Sue Horine, creating art with beads is the perfect combination of her artistic talents. “The tiny seed beads just lend themselves to creating my pieces while using my drawing, painting, design, sewing and needle work experience. The stones are the inspiration for my designs.” Sue is a native Californian and much of her inspiration comes from her childhood family vacations to the southwest and the Sierra Nevada. In 2003 Sue inherited some cut and polished stones from her grandparents who spent much of their later years rock hounding in the southwest. Her grandfather cut and polished the stones and her grandmother created beautiful silver settings. It took Sue until 2005 to come up with a way to bring out the beauty of the stones. She adapted the beadworking skills she had learned almost 25 years before to create her one-of-a-kind original works of art. Sue’s bead art has won numerous awards and has been published in several internationally distributed publications. Her work can be seen locally at Murphys Bead Gallery in Murphys, and at the Sedona Arts Center Fine Art Gallery in Sedona, Arizona. One can view and purchase Sue’s bead art at www.beadartbysue.com or contact her at Murphys Bead Gallery at 728-8803.
Don is known for his serigraphs, which he describes as a media that offers a broad stroke that simplifies the fast-paced world of details in which we live. Working in series of under 100, Don has developed a varied body of work. Every print is unique with subtle variations in transparent colors. Don Hukari’s serigraphs are often loose, free-color pieces or hard-edged contemporary graphics often using manipulated photographs. Honors include awards at the Mother Lode and Calaveras County Fairs. His “Yosemite Renaissance” serigraph was selected by Yosemite Association for their calendar. Venturing into a new media, Don Hukari has developed a collection of abstract photograhic images from glass buildings across the U.S. Don Hukari completed his BS in Industrial Design at San Jose State University and moved to Sonora in 1974, opening a commercial design studio. Locally his serigraphs can be seen at the Pinecrest Gallery, The Aloft Gallery in Sonora, Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis and at his studio by appointment, 928-3009. Don’s porfolio is available at HukariDesigns.com.
Pamela had the good fortune of being born and raised in Murphys. Her parents were both professional artists who, in 1954, started a large pottery and clay manufacturing business on the old family ranch. Pamela was learning arts and crafts at an early age. She left Murphys to attend San Jose State and worked in television broadcasting in San Francisco. The lure of the artist’s life in a small town won over and she moved back to the family business. Pamela now oversees the day to day running of Quyle Kilns, and has built the business into a thriving gallery showcasing her work and other artists. The Quyle Kilns gallery is attached to the studio and clay production areas. You can purchase any of the fine Quyle Kilns filter-pressed, potters clays directly. Over the last few years Pamela developed an interest in fused glass and dichroic glass jewlery, and has an impressive display of one-of-a-kind glassware designed to complement her ceramic designs, as well as a line of dichroic and art glass jewelry. The Gallery and Studio of Quyle Kilns is open Wednesday – Monday from 10 to 6, and is located four miles above Murphys at 3353, Highway 4, Murphys. Just across the walkway is the Brice Station Tasting Room.Contact Pam at 728-3562 or see quylekilns.com.
TUOLUMNE COUNTY GALLERY GUIDE JAMESTOWN Hurst Studio 17415 Highway 108, 984-4436. Leslie Hurst paints and shows in her studio at Hurst Ranch. Jerome’s Gallery 10289 Humbug Street, 984-5586. Featuring the large landscape photographs by Jerome and custom framing.
PINECREST Dianne Shannon Eastside Dave Bonnot Twist Road Sunset
Pinecrest Fine Art Gallery 421 Pinecrest Lake Road, 965-3800. Presenting the work of local and California artists.
SONORA A&M Custom Framing 328 N. Washington St., 532-7411. Framing, art supplies, gallery and gifts. Aloft Gallery 167 S. Washington St., 588-8604. A co-op gallery featuring local artists. Bradford Studio B 19 Bradford St., 536-1882. Studio and gallery for Sherie Drake, Irene Deaver, Twyla Olsen and Allison Blandsit. The Main Street Photo Shop 199A S. Washington Street, 532-3847. Featuring local photographers, photo processing and framing. Stanislaus River Archive Center 68 N. Washington St. A gallery of photography and information about the Stanislaus River. The Ventana Gallery 48 S. Washington Street., 588-0297. Featuring contemporary art and local artists.
TWAIN HARTE All That Matters Frames Gifts Gallery 22997 Joaquin Gully Road, 586-1976. Framing and gallery arts.
CALAVERAS COUNTY GALLERY GUIDE Dave & Dianne Photography
ANGELS CAMP
Dave & Dianne Photography is the husband and wife team of Dave Bonnot and Dianne Shannon. Since they met in 1974, they have been photographing their travels throughout the western United States, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy and France. Being very close to Yosemite, it is one of their all-time favorite subjects. Last fall they hiked to the top of Half Dome to complete a lifelong dream of Dianne’s. Event photography; recording art events, film festivals and concerts for clients and for themselves is one of their specialties. Dave and Dianne are also staff photographers for the Strawberry Music Festivals held near Yosemite twice a year. They were also photographers for the Wintergrass Music Festival in Tacoma, WA. Dianne’s love of the play of light on the earth began as a small child exploring the desert washes of southern California. These days she loves the technical as well as the manipulative and compositional aspects of digital photography. She has become a wizard with Photoshop and her camera. Dave has been in love with photography since receiving his first camera at age 11. He almost always had a darkroom in the bathroom growing up. His family wasn’t entirely supportive of that part of his hobby. He won several state-wide awards from the California Intercollegiate Press Association while completing his degree in communications in 1977. Dianne and Dave have been honored to be selected almost every year for inclusion in the InFocus Photography Exhibition in Sonora. They have been published in National magazines as well as Central Sierra Seasons and Friends and Neighbors Magazines locally. Their work can be seen regularly at the Columbine Gallery at 61 South Washington Street in Sonora. They have a Facebook page at Dave and Dianne Photography. Some of their Sierra images are available at DaveAndDianne.smugmug.com.
Angels Camp World Mercantile & Gallery of Arts 1267 S. Main St., 890-7155. Local and world art, musical instruments, and more. Prestidge Gallery and Frame Shop 1234 Main St., 736-6846. Fine art prints and originals, custom framing. Victoria’s Framing Etc. 520 N. Main St., 736-0064. Framing, open and limited edition prints.
ARNOLD W. Poulson Glass Studio 1318 Oak Court, 795-5365. Stained glass, fine furniture, all handcrafted.
COPPEROPOLIS Town Hall Arts/Galerie Copper 145 Stone St., 785-2050. Fine art from local artists, a wide range of art classes, and art supplies.
MOKELUMNE HILL Factory Outlet Gallery 8299-B Main St., 286-1174. Artwork by James Aarons; appointments preferred. Petroglyphe Gallery 8317 Main St., 286-1387. Newly opened, contemporary art from North American artists and wine bar.
MURPHYS Allegorie Art Gallery and Tasting Room 432 Main St., 728-9922. Sculptures, jewelry and ceramics by local artists. Art on Main 466-B Main St.,728-1888. Artwork from 31 local artists – paintings, jewelry, cards, glasswork, sculpture and textiles. Diane’s Frameplace 265 Tom Bell Road (Taylor Plaza), 728-2955. Decorator prints and posters; custom framing. Ironstone Heritage Museum and Jewelry Shop 1894 Six Mile Road, 728-1251. Handcrafted jewelry, blown glass and fine art. Murphys Bead Gallery 88 W. Highway 4, Suite 5, beadartbysue.com. A wide variety of beads and materials, as well as fine beaded art. Quyle Kilns 3353 East Highway 4, 728-3562. Quality hand-crafted ceramics and dinnerware; manufacturer ceramic clays.
SAN ANDREAS Calaveras County Arts Council Gallery 22 N. Main St., 754-1774. Changing exhibits, “Affordable Gifts of Art ” in December. ARTrails • 45
Coming Soon to a Stage Near You
MORE INFORMATION
Sierra Repertory Theatre’s “Pump Boys and Dinettes” is a part of their 35th Anniversary season in 2014.
November 15 - December 22, The Game’s Afoot, Stage 3 Theatre
November 29 - December 13 A Christmas Carol - Radio Show Volcano Theatre Company
November 15 - December 22 It’s a Wonderful Life - a Live Radio Play Sierra Repertory Theatre East Sonora
January 9 - 26 Looking Over the President’s Shoulder Stage 3 Theatre
November 29 - December 22 The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris Murphys Creek Theatre Co. RESERVATIONS & INFORMATION Murphys Creek Theatre Co. Black Bart Playhouse, Murphys 728-8422 murphyscreektheatre.org Sierra Repertory Theatre Fallon House in Columbia SRT in East Sonora 532-3120, sierrarep.org Stage 3 Theatre Company Downtown Sonora 536-1778, stage3.org Volcano Theatre Company Cobblestone Theatre 296-2525, volcanotheatre.org 46
February 21 - March 23 The Whipping Man Stage 3 Theatre March 1 - May 4 Les Miserables Sierra Repertory Theatre East Sonora May 2 - June 1 Becky’s New Car Stage 3 Theatre April 12 - June 8 A Second Helping: The Church Basement Ladies Sierra Repertory Theatre Fallon House, Columbia
AMADOR COUNCIL OF TOURISM P.O. Box 40, Main Street, Sutter Creek, 245-4503, www.touramador.com AMADOR COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 596, 571 So. Main, Jackson 95642; 223-0350; www.amadorcountychamber.com AMADOR COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL P.O. Box 1722, 21 Main St., Sutter Creek 95685; 223-9038; www.acaconline.com CALAVERAS COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL 22 Main St.; P.O. Box 250, San Andreas 95249; 754-1774; www.calaverasarts.org CALAVERAS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 736-2580; www.calaveras.org CALAVERAS VISITORS BUREAU P.O. Box 637, 1192 S. Main St. Angels Camp 95222; 736-0049; 800-225-3764 (CAL-FROG) www.gocalaveras.com HIGHWAY 120 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 1263, Groveland 95321; 800-449-9120 www.groveland.org HISTORIC SONORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 884, Sonora 95370; 588-9625 www.sonorachamber.com OAKDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 590 N. Yosemite Ave. Oakdale 95361 847-2244; www.oakdalechamber.com TUOLUMNE COUNTY ARTS ALLIANCE 251 C Barretta St.; Sonora 95370; 532-2787 www.tuolumnecountyarts.org TUOLUMNE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 222 Shepherd St. Sonora 95370; 532-4212 www.tcchamber.com TUOLUMNE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU 542 Stockton St., Sonora 95370 533-4420 • 800-446-1333 www.tcvb.com UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE Stanislaus National Forest Headquarters 19777 Greenley Rd. Sonora 95370; 532-3671; 24-Hour Recreation Info: 532-9784 www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus Calaveras Ranger District Office 5519 Highway 4, P.O. Box 500, Hathaway Pines 95233; 795-1381 www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus/calaveras All phone area codes are 209 unless otherwise noted
www Several events listed have additional information online that can be found at
SierraSeasons.com Check the website for an updated calendar with links, and submit your own event for inclusion.
Central Sierra Region -
CALE N DAR
OF
EVENTS
Presenting the only Calendar of Events covering the complete Central Sierra region, from Oakdale to the Sierra Crest, from Yosemite National Park to the Gold Country. All phone numbers are 209 area code.
••••••••• N OVE M B E R ••••••• 1-30, Native American Month, George Post Gallery at the Historic Dome campus, 251 Barretta Street, Sonora,Tuolumne County Arts Alliance, Sonora, 532-ARTS 11-30, Affordable Gifts of Art Show, Over 40 artists offer artsy gifts that are unusual and one-of-a-kind. 22 Main St., San Andreas. Receptions: Nov 23 & Dec 14, from noon to 3 pm. Regular hours: M-F, 9 - 4; Sat., 11 - 3. Call Calaveras Arts Council at 754-1774. Daily through January 6, CAC, Calaveras Arts Council Gallery, San Andreas, www 29, Cioppino Feed Murphys Hotel, All You Can Eat Cioppino Feed 5pm.- 9pm. Cioppino is a Fresh Seafood Stew in a rich tomato broth. Our Cioppino includes but not limited to, prawns, crab legs, mussels, clams, calamari, and cod. This is served with a house salad and fresh house made garlic bread! Reservations -7283444, Murphys 29, Historic Downtown Sonora Christmas Parade, Evening parade on historic Washington Street. Enjoy decorated floats, cars, animals and lots of fun. Open houses throughout the town follow the parade. Visit in Courthouse Square with Santa after the parade. Sonora, 532-7725, www 29, Sun Kings, 9pm show Live music, Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1-877-747-8777, www 29, 30, Columbia Candy Kitchen Candy Cane Making, Watch traditional candy canes being made during the holidays on weekend days. A magically creative process! Hosted by Nelsonís Columbia Candy Kitchen. 53327886 29, 30, Cowboy Christmas Gift and Craft Show, The Oakdale Cowboy Museum will be celebrating their Annual Cowboy Christmas Gift and Craft Show on Friday from 5-9pm and Saturday, from 9am - 4pm at the Gene Bianchi Community Center in Oakdale.This is a community event and free to the public. There are over 40 exhibitor booths and you’ll find just about anything western and more! There is beautiful western art, furniture, jewelry, apparel, cowboy grub and entertainment! But best of all, you’ll find Cowboy Santa, who will arrive on horseback at 11am and be available for pictures until 3pm. www.oakdalecowboymuseum.org, Oakdale Cowboy Museum, Oakdale, 847-7049
29, 30, Hometown Crafters Holiday Faire and Craft Boutique, This Holiday favorite features hand-made crafts and goodies. A variety of crafts and homemade goodies will be available for Christmas shoppers in a festive holiday atmosphere. 10am-5pm, Sonora Opera Hall, Sonora, 536-9625 29, 30, Santa’s Express, Santa visits Railtown! Climb aboard steam-powered excursion trains from 11-3pm and ride along with the Jolly Gentleman! Regular ticket prices apply. Railtown 1897, Jamestown, 9843953, www 29, 30, Santa’s Starlight Express, 5:30pm and 7 pm, bundle up and join Santa and his musical friends for a lighted Christmas train ride. This special train, filled with the music and magic of Christmas, will get you in the holiday spirit as you ride along in the lighted train, caroling as you go. Santa will arrive at the station aboard the train, then join riders for a ride on festively lighted cars for the 45 minute round-trip, where every child will have plenty of time to whisper their wishes to Santa as he and his elves make their way through the train. Railtown 1897, Jamestown, 984-3953, www 29, 30, 1, Sonora Christmas Craft Festival, Hosted by Fire On The Mountain at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. This highly regarded festival features over 250 quality crafters and artisans, with a wide variety of music & all in the spirit of Christmas. This spirited celebration of the season features music, carolers, arts and crafts and food., Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Sonora, 533-3473, www
•••••• D EC E M B E R •••••• 1, Valley Springs Christmas Parade, 10am at California and Chestnut Streets. Santa will make a special trip from the North Pole to the Parade in Valley Springs. Call for more information.Valley Springs Craft Fair 9am-1pm. At the Vet’s Hall located at 189 Pine Street., 598-1467 1- January 6, Affordable Gifts of Art Show, Over 40 artists offer artsy gifts that are unusual and one-of-a-kind. 22 Main St., San Andreas. Receptions: Nov 23 & Dec 14, from noon to 3 pm. Regular hours: M-F, 9 - 4; Sat., 11 - 3 through January 6, Calaveras Arts Council Gallery, San Andreas, 754-1774. www 1, 14, 15, Santa’s Express, Santa visits Railtown! Climb aboard steam-powered excursion trains from 11-3pm and ride along with the Jolly Gentleman! Regular ticket prices apply. Railtown 1897, Jamestown, 9843953
1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, Columbia Candy Kitchen Candy Cane Making, Watch traditional candy canes being made during the holidays on weekend days. A magically creative process! Hosted by Nelson’s Columbia Candy Kitchen, 5332-7886 5, Terry Parrett, comedy hypnotist, 8pm show, Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1-877-747-8777, www 6, Winter Wonderland Parade in Twain Harte, Annual Winter Wonderland Parade in Twain Harte. The tree lighting and parade begins at 6 pm and there is community singing at 5:30 pm. Parade immediately follows the tree lighting. Santa arrives at the conclusion of the parade. Free pictures with Santa. Don’t miss this annual tradition. Bring the kids, grandkids and everyone who enjoys a fun time! Parking will be available at Twain Harte School. Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce, Twain Harte, 586-4482, www 6, 7, Columbia 30th Anniversary Lamplight Tours, A Merry Mystery: In The Style of Wilkie Collins, A walking tour through the historic town guided by lamplight bearing costumed docents. Join us for a walking play that wanders the streets of Columbia at night and ends with refreshments. Make this an annual holiday event for you and your family and learn more about the Christmastime of years past. Friends of Columbia, Columbia State Historic Park, 588-9128 6, 7, Sutter Creek Old Fashioned Christmas, Festivities start Friday at 5:00. Enjoy Victorian splendor this Holiday Season in historic Sutter Creek, with its annual Old Fashioned Christmas Open House celebration. The streets of Historic Sutter Creek come alive with Christmas spirit as they are transformed to an era gone by with Charles Dickens characters and carolers in period costume, strolling along the beautifully lit streets of this magical Gold Rush Town. The Main Street Merchants open their doors to welcome you with refreshments. Most of the stores will be open until 9pm so that you can get a jump on your Holiday Shopping. Free carriage rides will be offered in front of the Visitor Center at 71a Main Street. Dec 8th, in the evening, at 7pm is the Las Posadas Candlelight Walk. Walk will be an evening you will cherish forever. For more information call 267-1344, continued on page 48
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Presenting the only Calendar of Events covering the complete Central Sierra region, from Oakdale to the Sierra Crest, from Yosemite National Park to the Gold Country
••• DECEMBER, Continued ••• 7, 8, Sounds of the Season, Sonora Opera Hall, Columbia College kicks off their holiday season with a 60 Voice Chorus plus Orchestra with Classical & Holiday Music, Columbia College, Sonora Opera Hall, Sonora, 5885214 7, AAUW Home Tour and Tea, Annual Tour, Boutique and Tea. Tour decorated homes in the Sonora area., 559-7723 7, Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, 9pm show, Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1-877-747-8777, www 7, Murphys Open House, Every year on the first Friday in December, Murphys celebrates the holiday season with a community Open House from 5 to 8 pm. Admission is free. The Open House is a great time to peruse Murphys’ wonderful shops and restaurants, see what's new, visit with old friends, admire the community tree, and experience an old-time community holiday spirit. Musicians and carolers fill the streets with holiday cheer. Santa arrives with the parade, which starts at 5:30, and stays for photos with the kids in the Native Sons Hall 7, 8, Christmas Delights in Jackson, The weekend after Thanksgiving visit Jackson for a holiday treat! Friday and Saturday, 6 - 9 pm. Stroll down historic Main Street, taking in the festive atmosphere. Shopkeepers offer hot cider and treats to visitors. Of course, Santa will be there for photos and wish lists! Horse and carriage rides on Saturday evening, costumed characters, activities for kids, and more. Overnight visitors are encouraged to book local accommodations early. www.jacksonbca.com, Jackson Business and Professional Association 7, 8, Murphys Historic Hotel Open House, 5-8pm Main Street celebrates Murphys Holiday Open House, Murphys Hotel, Murphys, 728-3444 8, Equestrian Christmas Parade, Add color and fun to the holiday season - make the Columbia State Park Christmas Parade an annual tradition! Many horses and their riders fill the streets and everyone welcomes a visit from Santa. Sponsored by Mid Valley unit of Backcountry Horsemen of California. 11am. Columbia State Historic Park, 823-3538, www 8, Las Posadas Nativity Procession in Columbia, This popular community event starts at 5:30pm, Las Posadas is a Spanish tradition that re-enacts the biblical story of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Since 1983 the people of Columbia have put on their own version of Las Posadas each December-with a distinctive 48
1850s flavor. Characters in this re-enactment include Mary and Joseph and their donkey, the three Wise Men, tax collector and innkeeper, and miners and musicians and other costumed townspeople. Columbia’s Main Street is decorated for the Christmas season, and luminaria light the way for the procession, while on-lookers hold candles and join in singing Christmas carols. For information, call 536-1672, Columbia State Historic Park, www 8, 9, Festival of Wines, Calaveras Wine Grape Alliance celebrates wines at local tasting rooms from 11am to 5pm. Downtown Murphys, 728-9467. www 10, Songs of the Season at Sierra Repertory Theatre, Tuesday evening 7pm. Enjoy an evening of live singing from the stage highlighting the coming 2014 theatre season and holiday favorites too! $30 includes wine and dessert., Sierra Repertory Theatre, SRT East Sonora, 532-3120 12, Hurst Ranch Christmas Show, 8pm show, Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 877-747-8777, www 12, Wines of the World, Starting at 5:30pm, Wines of the World is an integral part of the wine associations educational program. Cost for CWA members is $20 and $30 for nonmembers. calaveraswines.org. , Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Murphys Hotel, Murphys, 728-9467 13, Lacy J Dalton, 9pm show , Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 877747-8777, www 13, Merry Merchants in Columbia, The Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Mery Merchants invite you and yours to enjoy an evening of old fashioned Christmas charm in Columbia! Shop in the tradition of times gone by without the hustle and hassle of malls or traffic jams. As you stroll through the Columbia State Historic Park on this enchanted evening, listen to the sounds of the season, Christmas carols and songs performed by local children, and stories told by storytellers. Delight in traditional tastes of roasted chestnuts, hot gingerbread, and more; and warm yourself from the inside out with cups of delicious hot holiday specialties. Enjoy a free carriage ride on decorated Main Street. Fun for all ages. Columbia State Historic Park, 536-1672 14, 2nd Saturday Art Night, Enjoy an evening strolling, dining and shopping in Downtown Sonora. Visit art galleries, enjoy live music and art displays thoughout the city in the retail stores and restaurants. 5pm to 8pm, Sonora, 209-532-7697, www
14, Breakfast with Santa at Ironstone Vineyards, Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, 728-1251, www 14, Chains Required, 9pm show , Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 877-747-8777, www 14, 15, 21, 22, A Miner’s Christmas in Columbia, Sit around a campfire drinking hot cider or coffee and join in conversations with miners as they roast chestnuts. Children can make some favorite crafts of the 1850s and keep an eye out for Father Christmas as he wanders the streets looking for good boys and girls! 588-9128, Columbia State Historic Park 15, St. James Concert Series: Handel’s Messiah, sing-along, 3:00 pm, Call for tickets 536-0825, 49er Church, Columbia, www 16, Petroglyphe Gallery Christmas Reception, 5-8pm, 8317 Main Street, downtown historic Mokelumne Hill. An artful holiday celebration! Listen to live music, meet many of the gallery's artists, enjoy wine and light appetizers. Find those unique and special gifts from a selection of fine arts. gallerypetroglyphe.com or call 286-1387. 19, 20, 21, Nutcracker Ballet by Studio 4 Dance Company, 6pm, Thursday and Friday, December 13 and 14, 1pm and 6pm, Saturday, December 15, Tickets are $15 for adults; $7 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at studio4dancetheater.com. or at the box office 1 hour before each performance (if not sold out). The Nutcracker is the best holiday value in the Gold Country! Studio 4 Dance Theater treats audiences to a unique new show each year while staying true to the magical tale of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and their Christmastime adventures in the Land of Sweets. This year’s show features more than 50 dancers, new characters and costumes, and fresh choreography. Bret Harte Theater, Angels Camp, 1-800-595-4849, www 20, Black Irish Christmas Party, 9pm show , Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1-877-747-8777, www 21, Ascension Band, 9pm show , Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1-877-747-8777, www 21, Sounds of the Season at Ironstone, Show begins at 3pm. Call for prices, Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, 728-1251, www 25, Murphys Historic Hotel Christmas Dinner, Enjoy a traditional holiday dinner with our family! Reservations recommended with service from 11am to 8pm. , Murphys Hotel, Murphys, 728-3444
26, Chains Required, 8pm show , Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 877-747-8777, www
• • • • • • F E B R U A RY • • • • • • 1, Quyle Kilns, Blacksmithing class offered. 728-3562, quylekilns.com
27, Cioppino Feed Murphys Hotel, All You Can Eat Cioppino Feed 5pm- 9pm Cioppino is a Fresh Seafood Stew in a rich tomato broth. Our Cioppino includes but not limited to, prawns, crab legs, mussels, clams, calamari, and cod. This is served with a house salad and fresh house made garlic bread! For reservations please call 728-3444, Murphys
8, 2nd Saturday Art Night, Enjoy an evening strolling, dining and shopping in Downtown Sonora. Visit art galleries, enjoy live music and art displays thoughout the city in the retail stores and restaurants. 5pm to 8pm, Sonora, 209-532-7697, www 9, Ovation Series: The Family Crest, Indi Rock Opera, Call for season tickets for all performances or to buy individual tickets., Calaveras Arts Council, Bret Harte High School (Dr. Elliott Smart Performing Arts Center), Angels Camp, 754-1774, www
27, Fourth Annual Winter Wonderland Calaveras Big Trees, 11am, scenic wagon rides, music, crafts and food, Calaveras Big Trees Park, www 27, Josh Pfeiffer, 9pm show, Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1877-747-8777, www 28, Clean Slate, 9pm show, Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1877-747-8777, www 29, Chris Gardner Band, 8pm show, Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1-877-747-8777, www 31, Clean Slate New Year’s Eve, 8pm show , Willow Creek Lounge - Black Oak Casino, Tuolumne, 1-877-747-8777, www 31, Murphys Historic Hotel New Years Eve Gala, Dinner and entertainment to welcome in the New Year. Dinner served at 7pm and bar service available upstairs. Two night minimum stay with special event rates.154th Annual New Years Eve Celebration and Party! Come help us celebrate the New Year! Packages which include, dinner, dessert, champagne, rooms,balloon drop, and live music! If your going to be in town make reservations. Murphys Hotel, Murphys, 728-3444
• • • • • • J A N U A RY • • • • • • 4, Quyle Kilns, Blacksmithing class offered. 728-3562, quylekilns.com 4, 11, 18, 25, Angels Camp Museum New Years Tours, Guided tour of the museum’s spectacular collection of wagons and carriages. Knowledgeable educators tell about the gold country history of Angels Camp and the Mother Lode region. Visitors can also view two steam traction engines and exhibits highlighting mining equipment and a working model of a stamp mill. Free with museum admission. 736-2963, www 11, 2nd Saturday Art Night, Enjoy an evening strolling, dining and shopping in Downtown Sonora. Visit art galleries, enjoy live music and art displays thoughout the city in the retail stores and restaurants. 5pm to 8pm, Sonora, 532-7697, www
9, St. James Concert Series: Natsuki Fukasawa, piano, 3:00 pm, Call for tickets 536-0825, The Red Church, Sonora, www Inside, Connie Casinetto, Best of Show Award, InFocus 2O13 12, Ovation Series: Cantamos Latin & Arias, Call for season tickets for all performances or to buy individual tickets., Calaveras Arts Council, Bret Harte High School (Dr. Elliott Smart Performing Arts Center), Angels Camp, 754-1774, www 17, Feb. 15, InFocus Photography Show, 27th Annual Show. See the best of the region’s photography. Judged show with a wide variety of images and styles includes black & white, color and manipulated photos. Call for hours. Artists’ reception Saturday, January 25. Tuolumne County Arts Alliance, Sonora, 532-ARTS, www 18, Annual Twain Harte Crab Feed, All you can eat crab, with pasta, salad and desert. Wine, beer and soft drinks for sale. Auction and terrific prize drawings. Benefits community service by Soroptimists in Twain Harte. Tickets $35.00 , Soroptimist International of Twain Harte, Tuolumne Veterans Memorial Hall, Tuolumne, Patt Koral - 928-1616 18, Winter Magic with Heather Rogers, Heather is a variety entertainer who comes to us with an impressive pedigree which includes many years of circus, dance, and mime training, including time with the Pickle Family Circus. She performed at President Obamaís Inaugural Ball in January, 2013, and has amazed audiences of all sizes from The Wonder Dome in Las Vegas to local gas station attendants. Call for times and cost., Groveland Hotel, Groveland, 962-4000
22, Ovation Series: Mandeiring Quartet, classical music, Call for season tickets for all performances or to buy individual tickets., Calaveras Arts Council, Bret Harte High School (Dr. Elliott Smart Performing Arts Center), Angels Camp, 754-1774, www 22, Robert Baxt, For our Winter Magic series grand finale, we welcome back by popular demand the extraordinary Robert Baxt on Saturday, February 22. Besides performing at Hollywood’s Magic Castle as both magician and master of ceremonies, Robert is known and respected across the magic community as an innovator and consummate showman to be emulated. His hilarious vaudeville style is unique and harkens back across the history of the stage magician. Robert’s show sold out last year, so do not wait to reserve your space for this very special one-night-only performance. Call for times and cost, Groveland Hotel, 962-4000
••••••MAR C H •••••• 1, Quyle Kilns, Blacksmithing class offered. 728-3562, quylekilns.com 1, Spring Obsession Art Show, Ironstone Vineyard, Murphys, 728-1251 8, 2nd Saturday Art Night, Enjoy an evening strolling, dining and shopping in Downtown Sonora. Visit art galleries, enjoy live music and art displays thoughout the city in the retail stores and restaurants. 5pm to 8pm, Sonora, 532-7697, www 9, Ovation Series: Lily Cai - Chinese Dancers, Call for season tickets for all performances or to buy individual tickets., Calaveras Arts Council, Bret Harte High School (Dr. Elliott Smart Performing Arts Center), Angels Camp, 754-1774, www continued on page 50 49
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The events, dates and locations listed are subject to change. Some events may require advance reservations. Phone numbers are provided for confirmation. Area codes are 209 unless otherwise noted.
15, Murphys Irish Days, A Celebration of the Irish! Free Admission. Rain or Shine Event. One of the premiere annual events inthe Mother Lode is Murphys Irish Day. Each year on the third Saturday in March, thousands of people from Northern California and beyond gather in the historic Gold Rush town of Murphys to honor its Celtic heritage and to celebrate as only the Irish can. Its picturesque Main Street is filled with booths offering hand crafted items, original art, photographs, tasty food, wine, and other beverages.There are pony rides for the young ones and Renaissance actors encamped in the park. Murphys Irish Day is a fundraiser for many community projects and non-profit organizations. For more information, contact info@visitmurphys.com or visit www.murphysirishdays.org. Downtown Murphys, 728-1579, www 23, St. James Concert Series: Two Flutes & Piano Trio, 3:00 pm, Call for tickets 5360825, The Red Church, Sonora, www 30, Ovation Series: Dave Stamey - Cowboy Entertainer, Call for season tickets for all performances or to buy individual tickets., Calaveras Arts Council, Bret Harte High School (Dr. Elliott Smart Performing Arts Center), Angels Camp, 754-1774, www
•••••• AP R I L •••••• 5, Quyle Kilns, Blacksmithing class offered. 728-3562, quylekilns.com 12, 2nd Saturday Art Night, Enjoy an evening strolling, dining and shopping in Downtown Sonora. Visit art galleries, enjoy live music and art displays thoughout the city in the retail stores and restaurants. 5pm to 8pm, Sonora, 209-532-7697, www 20, Easter Brunch at Ironstone Vineyard, Ironstone Vineyard, Murphys, 728-1251 20, Easter Celebration in Columbia, Costumed docents from the Gold Rush era add color to this lively event. Egg hunts for children by age groups noon to 2pm. Victorian Easter Parade with costume prizes at 12:30 from Washington Street. (registration at 11:00 at Fallon Hotel), Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia, 536-1642, www 27, St. James Concert Series: Rudolf Budginas, piano, 3:00 pm, Call for tickets 5360825, The Red Church, Sonora, www
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• • • • • • • • • • • • M AY • • • • • • • • • • • • Quyle Kilns, Pottery classes offered weekly, Call for schedule, 728-3562 3, Groveland Highway120 Flea Market, 1st Saturday each month May to October at Mary Laveroni Community Park, Groveland. 9620429. www 2, 3, 4, Central Sierra Helicopter Meet, 12850 Cherry Lake Rd. Groveland, off Highway 120, Ranch coordinates 37.51'11.15N 120'00'06.60W. Nancy Miller 707-833-5905, www 2, 3, 4, Columbia Firemen’s Muster, From Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Columbia is the home of volunteer fire crews from around the western United States. These men and women travel to the park to participate in a variety of events designed to test their skills in modern and historic fire fighting endeavors. Hose cart races, bucket brigade competition and hand pumper contests are just a few of the events scheduled. There is a parade on Saturday and a dance that night. Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia, www 3, Quyle Kilns, Blacksmithing class offered. 728-3562, quylekilns.com 10, 2nd Saturday Art Night, Enjoy an evening strolling, dining and shopping in Downtown Sonora. Visit art galleries, enjoy live music and art displays thoughout the city in the retail stores and restaurants. 5pm to 8pm, Sonora, 209-532-7697, www 10 & 11, Mother Lode Roundup: Parade & Rodeo, Parade on Saturday in downtown Sonora. The world famous Mother Lode Round-Up Parade kicks off in Downtown Sonora at 10 a.m. Saturday, and will feature nearly 200 parade entries marching, trotting and rolling down the entire length of Washington Street. As usual, thousands of spectators can be expected, lining the street to watch and cheer. It draws over 50,000 visitors and spectators and has become one of the events to see in California. The Parade has grown to 5 Sections of over 200 entries. The Round Up Rodeo is a real bronco-bustin’ Rodeo where rodeo stars compete in Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling and Team Roping.Over 350 of pro rodeo’s finest cowboys and cowgirls are attracted to the event. Sat. & Sun. at the Fairgrounds. Other events include Saturday Cowboy Dance, Mothers Day Breakfast and cowboy church. Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse, Sonora, 984-4881, www
11, Mothers Day Brunch at Ironstone Vineyards, Ironstone Vineyard, Murphys, 7281251 16-19, Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee, “Fun for the Whole Family.” Come join us at the Calaveras County Annual fair and celebrate the Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County. Agricultural and livestock exhibits, carnival rides and games, entertainment, and of course, the frog jumping contest., Frogtown, Angels Camp, 736-2561, www 17, 18, Oakdale Chocolate Festival, 9am-6pm Saturday, 9am-5pm Sunday. Located at the junction of Highway 120 and 108 at Wood Park and surrounding area. 22nd annual event will continue to have quality and a great variety of over 200 vendors: unique Arts & Crafts, Chocolate Explosion in Chocolate Avenue (fudges, truffles, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cheese cake, etc.), a variety of food to satisfy every palate (giant onion rings, Lockeford Sausage, funnel cakes, smoothies, Chinese and the all American favorite hot dogs), and specialty merchandise and services. We hope for another year of great weather in the high 70s to mid 80s to bring in 70K attendance. 8472244, www 29, 30, 31, 1, 2, Strawberry Music Festival, Spring Festival, Memorial Day Weekend: Camping, activities, food, and music, music, music, music. A camp-out for the family with supervised children’s and teen’s programs. Bluegrass, blues, folk, and more. Call for details! Camp Mather, Yosemite, 984-8630, www 29, 30, 31, 1, Columbia Diggins 1852, Reinactment of the 1852 town of tents and shacks which sprung up in the wake of the discovery of gold. Live music, games of the period. Food. 10-5 daily , Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia, 536-1672, www 31, John Muir Festival, 5th annual festival at Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area, 3 miles west of Highway 49, on Highway 132. 878.3501, or debcook@johnmuir.us, www
•••••••••• J U N E •••••••••• Quyle Kilns, Pottery classes offered weekly, Call for schedule, 728-3562 7, Groveland Highway120 Flea Market, Mary Laveroni Community Park, Groveland. 962-0429. www 7, Where the Hell is Groveland Car Show, 1st Saturday each month May to October at Mary Laveroni Community Park, Groveland. 962-0429. www
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS CALAVERAS Hospital Leaps into High Tech Services Over the past year, Mark Twain Medical Center has pursued the goal of becoming a healthcare hub, with a center of healthcare professionals, high technology and resources committed to exceeding expectations of care; its Family Medical Centers are the spokes that surround the hub. With their partnership and the support of Dignity Health MTMC refers and links patients to specialists in the Greater SacramentoSan Joaquin service area. According to Mark Twain Medical Center, “Three important new services are now available at Mark Twain Medical Center that increases the quality of care we provide. First – We are very pleased to introduce InQuicker™, which allows Emergency Room patients to wait in the comfort of their home for a scheduled treatment instead of in the ER waiting room. This Online Waiting Service™ is for patients seeking ER care for non-life-threatening or debilitating conditions. Patients can now check-in online to receive a projected treatment time, and wait in the comfort of their own home instead of the ER waiting room. Next – We are offering iTriage™, which provides health information at your fingertips. iTriage™ is a free healthcare app for your mobile devices and a website for your home computers. Developed by doctors, iTriage™ combines health information with GPS and mapping to help you find health and emergency care whether at home or on the road. iTriage™ lets you check symptoms and conditions, look up treatments and medications, and find medical facilities and
providers near you, complete with directions. From bee stings to MRIs, this new service is an A-to-Z health advisor, providing clear, actionable information 24/7 through the convenience of your mobile device or computer. iTriage™ is available as a free download from app stores for iPhone and Android devices and is accessible from any computer at iTriageHealth.com. Here you can link with Mark Twain Medical Center and other Dignity Health facilities. Your friends and family can access healthcare information, find medical services and connect with Mark Twain Medical Center anytime, anywhere. Third – We have expanded our technology for ICU patients with a Telehealth video and robotic system that connects our ICU staff and patients with critical care specialists in Sacramento who are part of the Mercy Telehealth Network. The Telehealth ICU system is available 24/7 at no additional cost to our ICU patients. This system provides our ICU physicians with the input and support from Mercy Health specialists to allow our patients to remain in their hospital and community.” Mark Twain Medical Center is located at 768 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas. Family Medical Clinics are located in Arnold, Angels Camp, Copperopolis and Valley Springs and offer medical, x-ray, lab, general surgery and pediatric services. To reach any of MTMC’s locations, call 754-3521. Learn more about MTMC and these innovative additions at marktwainmedicalcenter.org or call for more information at 754-5919. 51
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Columbia’s Camping Legacy Moves On to the Next Generation Story by Bonnie Miller
BILL AND PAT MEISNER PURCHASED AN RV PARK in Columbia in 1980, which they aptly named the 49er RV Ranch. The park operates on an historic ranch that provided dairy products to miners during the Gold Rush. The ranch is located on a knoll above Columbia, so when the town flooded during the winter months, miners could move their wagons to the dry ground. People have camped here continuously since 1852 making this location quite possibly the one of the first established campgrounds for travelers in California! The Meisner’s children, Bruce and Maureen, grew up at the ranch and graduated from high school nearby. Both attended Columbia Community College then moved on to universities in larger towns. About 15 years ago Maureen decided to abandon the crowded life in Sacramento and moved her family back to Columbia. Closer to home she could assist her parents with the park. After Bruce left the Mother Lode, he finished college in southern California and went on to a successful 20-year engineering career in aerospace. When his company decided to relocate, he decided to move back home to the foothills. Bruce took an early semi-retirement and he, too, came home to Columbia. After more than 30 years managing the park, Bill and Pat are in the process of retiring. Now their children are working to transition the business to the next generation. The 49er RV Ranch provides spaces for both 30 full-time residents and 35RV sites, so there is plenty of work to be done. The RV sites include full hook-up amenities, as well as numerous attractions and tourist services. Children (and curious adults) can learn to pan for gold right on the historic property. Guests may choose to visit Columbia State Historic Park, Railtown 1897 State Park in Jamestown or do some wine tasting in nearby Murphys. The park is happy to provide information or arrange transportation for guests to visit Yosemite, Black
Bruce Meisner in front of the Gazebo at the 49er RV Ranch
Oak Casino or many other exciting destinations. Everyone is welcome to enjoy complimentary hot dog roasts on weekends and nightly entertainment around the campfire. One of the foremost services the park offers is deluxe accommodations for RV clubs. Hospitality goes as far as assisting visitors in parking their RVs. The park has a lovely 150-year old dairy barn which serves as a quaint clubhouse for club activities, joint meals and such. Today Maureen works as the business manager and visiting club coordinator. With several clubs arriving each month, this keeps her busy accommodating their tour schedules, meal requirements and special events. With Maureen working the details at the park, touring club members can enjoy a seamless visit chock full of fun activities and all at a fair price. Bruce works as the resident manager. He is available 24 hours a day to greet and assist visitors with their needs or attend to maintenance as necessary. Early in the morning you will find him in the Hospitality Shack keeping the never-empty pot of coffee hot for his guests. Recently Bruce has worked to upgrade park amenities such as new wifi service and improved cable. The park employs a staff of around ten, but they all consider themselves family. “People are more courteous here,” Bruce explained about why he loves Columbia. “No one is in so much of a rush that they can’t stop and wave hello.” Besides family and roots, Bruce sums up his return to Columbia as satisfying because “of the beauty of it.” You can meet Bruce and Maureen and the entire 49er Ranch family by just travelling one-half mile east of Columbia State Park to 23223 Italian Bar Road. Reach them by phone at 532-49RV (4978) and online at 49rv.com.
“Coming Home,” showcases local residents raised in our area, who went away to college and returned home to successful careers. We hope this column will inspire young adults and our community that having the privilege of this rural lifestyle doesn’t have to stop after higher education. 52
e r u t n e v d A n Always a s Free! Alway
A Living Gold Rush Town Handmade Soap, Candy & Toys Street Musicians • Gold Panning • Live Theatre
COLUMBIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
209/536-1672
www.columbiacalifornia.com SPECIAL EVENTS Every Saturday & Sunday: TOWN TOURS Every Second Saturday: GOLD RUSH DAYS July, August, September: HISTORY’S MYSTERIES Nov. 29 - Dec. 22: CANDY CANE MAKING Dec. 6-7: DOCENT LAMPLIGHT TOUR December 8: EQUESTRIAN PARADE December 8: LAS POSADAS NATIVITY December 13: MERRY MERCHANTS Dec. 14,15, 21: MINER’S CHRISTMAS March 23: COLUMBIA FANDANGO March 27: COLUMBIA BIRTHDAY PARTY April 12: OLD MILL RUN APRIL 20: EASTER PARADE & EGG HUNT May 3-4: FIREMAN’S MUSTER May 31: MEMORIAL DAY SALUTE May 29, June 1: COLUMBIA DIGGINS 1852 June 15: FATHER’S DAY FLY-IN June 16-20: ART CAMP July 4: GLORIOUS 4th CELEBRATION September 10: CALIFORNIA ADMISSION DAY September 14: BACK TO SCHOOL 1861 September 13-14: COLUMBIA ART SHOW September 27: POISON OAK SHOW September 27: FIDDLE & BANGO CONTEST October 17-19: HARVEST FESTIFALL October 20: STORIES IN STONE November 11: VETERANS DAY
Full Espresso Bar Lunch Specials Sandwiches Homemade Cookies Hot & Cold Drinks Ice Cream • Hardtack
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L O D G I N G ------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 120 GROVELAND • LAKE TULLOCH • OAKDALE
------------------------------------------------ALL SEASONS GROVELAND INN 18656 Main Street, Groveland. 962-0232, www.allseasongvrovelandinn.com 23 miles from Yosemite gate. Each of five suites offers upscale amenities: jacuzzi, steam room, fireplacws, fresh ground coffee stations. BIG CREEK MEADOWS GUEST RANCH 962-1942, 10551 Smith Station Road at Highway 120, www.bigcreekmeadow ranch.com. Originally a stage stop in the 1800s, this site is now a beautiful working guest ranch between Groveland and Yosemite. Two rooms available plus room for events, gatherings, retreats and weddings. EVERGREEN LODGE 33160 Evergreen Rd. Groveland, Bordering Yosemite off Highway 120, 800-93-LODGE or 379-2606, www.evergreenlodge.com, info@evergreenlodge.com. Frommer’s Guide describes the Evergreen as “the classic Yosemite experience.” Sunset Magazine calls it “The West at its Best - a Hidden Gem.” The historic mountain lodge, newly expanded & renovated, features spacious, furnished cabins with private decks, a restaurant, tavern, general store & recreation/activity center. An idyllic destination hideaway for those seeking a rich, natureoriented experience in a warm and relaxed mountain setting. 1 mile from the park border, so you can explore all of Yosemite’s natural wonders. $99-299; (satellite TV in tavern), R, M, W; AE, D, DC, MC & V. GROVELAND HOTEL AT YOSEMITE 18767 Main Street, Groveland. 962-4000. Located 23 miles to the Highway 120 entrance to Yosemite National Park. A 17-room country inn, with full service fine dining restaurant. 1849 adobe and 1914 Queen Ann buildings provide old-world comfort with down comforters, featherbeds, fine linens and amenities; flat screen TVs and in-room coffee service. Three two-room suites with fireplace and spa tub. Free parking, wi-fi, full hot breakfast. Members of CA Assoc. B&B Inns, Unique Inns, Select Registry and AAA. HOTEL CHARLOTTE 18736 Main Street, Groveland, 962-6455. www.hotelcharlotte.com. Located in downtown Groveland on the way to Yosemite. Enjoy the rustic quirks of this charming historic bed and breakfast coupled with a wonderfully inviting ambience and stellar service that will leave you wanting ore. Hotel Charlotte is nostalgic Old West with contem-
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LODGING ABBREVIATIONS TV– television; TVm– w/movie channel L– laundry services or facilities K– kitchen units available R– restaurant in walking distance M– meeting or banquet facilities S– swimming pool
HT– hot tub or sauna T– tennis G– golf Ph– direct-dial phones W– wheelchair access P– pets okay
porary sensibilities. Also the home of the Charlotte Bistro & Bar featuring modern American cuisine. Pet friendly vacation rentals avaiolable for larger groups. $99 to $199. 12 units; G, TV, TVm, Ph, R, P; AE, MC, V. YOSEMITE LAKES RV CAMPING & CABINS 31191 Hardin Flat Road, Groveland, 962-0121 or 800-533-1001. Located 5 miles from Yosemite National Park. Full hookups, tent sites & rental accommodations. Open all year. 74 units; $35-99; G, TV, L, K, W, P; D, MC, V. YOSEMITE WEST RESERVATIONS in Yosemite National Park, (559)-642-2211. www.yosemite westreservations.com. Between Yosemite Valley & Wawona, near Badger Pass/Glacier Point turn. Rooms, condos, cottages, & vacation homes, fully furnished. Complete kitchen, fireplace, private baths, TV/VCR & deck in every unit. Units to accommodate 2-8 people; $95-$475; TV, K; AE, D, MC, V.
-----------------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 49/108 JAMESTOWN • SONORA • COLUMBIA -----------------------------------------------------------49er RV RANCH 23223 Italian Bar Road.
serving Columbia State Historic Park, 53249RV, www. 49RV.com. Old ranch hospitality since 1852. Full hookups, showers, store, cable TV, propane; Good Sam & AAA approved. Seniors & clubs welcome. 45 sites; WIFI, TV, L, R, M, P, MC, V. BARRETTA GARDENS INN 700 S. Barretta Street, Sonora, 532-6039. Within walking distance to downtown Sonora and antique stores and restaurants. An elegantly restored 1904 Victorian farmhouse, fully central air-conditioned. Known for its special, warm atmosphere and Gold Country views, it is handicap accessible and pet friendly. Surrounded by old-fashioned gardens, we offer seven tastefully decorated non-smoking bedrooms with private baths. Morning coffee or tea to your door and a full breakfast served in the living room or porch. $140-$225. MC, V. Golf nearby, TV, meeting room, Welcome!
CREDIT CARDS: AE–American Express D–Discover DC–Diners Club MC–MasterCard V–Visa
BLACK OAK CASINO RESORT 19400 Tuolumne Rd. North, Tuolumne, 928-9300. Brand new five story hotel with 140 luxury rooms and 16 suites. 100% smoke-free. Coffee brewers, microwaves and mini-friges in rooms. Event space and onsite catering. Workout room, bistro, free wi-fi, complimentary valet parking. 24 hours, 7 days, year round. TV, Ph, R, W, MMC, V, D, AE. blackkoakcasino.com HISTORIC NATIONAL HOTEL Main Street, Jamestown, 984-3446 or 800-894-3446. Boutique Bed & Breakfast Hotel with full service fine-dining restaurant and saloon. Romantic rooms restored to the elegance of a bygone era. Enjoy our complimentary gourmet buffet breakfast, including a morning paper and freshly ground coffee. All rooms have private baths with hand-tiled showers and pull-chain toilets, air conditioning and free wireless internet. Check www.national-hotel.com for Specials, Theatre Packages and Murder Mystery Weekends. $140-170; G, TV, P, M, R; MC & V. ROYAL CARRIAGE INN 18239 Main St. Jamestown, royalcarriageinn.com, info@royalcarriageinn. 984-5271. $105-195; 11 Victorianstyle rooms in the main building and 5 private, secluded cottages (some with full kitchens). Romantic porch with two swings overlooks our lovely gardens. All rooms are fully air-conditioned with private baths and wireless internet. Spa services, dinner and theater packages, meeting room, in-house wedding coordinator. We do conferences, family reunions and group getaways. Full gourmet breakfast for all of our guests. G,TV, TVm, K, R, P; MC, V, AE, D.
------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 108 TWAIN HARTE • PINECREST • STRAWBERRY
------------------------------------------------CABINS AT STRAWBERRY 31888 Highway 108, Strawberry, 888-965-0885, strawberrycabins.com. Year-round cabins on the South Fork of the Stanislaus River. Clean, comfortable cabins are 2-3 bedrooms and sleep 4-8 people with all amenities including central heat, gas fireplaces, fully furnished kitchens and all linens. All cabins non-smoking and some pet-friendly. Just 5 miles to Dodge Ridge and Leland Snow Play and 2 miles to Pinecrest. Spring /Fall Specials $129 for two. $129 to $229, TV, K, P. MC, V.
G U I D E PINECREST LAKE RESORT Pinecrest, 965-3411. Closest lodging to the lake, restaurant & store. Motel–2 queen beds, daily maid service, sleeps 4; Cabins–2 & 3 bedrooms, sleeps 4 & 6; Town Houses–2 & 3 bedrooms, fireplaces, sleeps 6 & 8; $75-275; T, TV, K, R, M, W; MC & V. PINECREST CHALET 500 Dodge Ridge Road, Pinecrest. alumni.berkeley.edu/chalet. 965-3276. Pinecrest Chalet offers a variety of accommodations to meet the lodging needs of any size family or group. Mini-chalets promise quaint lodging in one-room cabin suites complete with fully stocked kitchens, fireplaces, full baths and two queen sized beds. Intimate chalets feature a king sized bed and Jacuzzi tub. Spacious townhouses and deluxe cabins offer two to four bedrooms, fully stocked kitchens, and large living rooms with fireplaces. Nonkitchen cottages offer lodging amenities at a very modest price. One room bungalows sleep two to four and include shower baths and basic cooking conveniences. WiFi, complementary coffee; $75-375; S, G, TV, K, R, W, P; MC, V.
------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 49/4 ANGELS CAMP • MURPHYS • ARNOLD COPPEROPOLIS • BEAR VALLEY
------------------------------------------------ANGELS INN TRAVELODGE 600 N. Main St. Highway 49, Angels Camp. 736-4242 or 888-753-0226. Angels Camp’s largest motel boasts a 3 Diamond AAA rating with country charm and city convenience. Continental breakfast delivered to your room, complimentary espresso & cappuccino in the lobby. Take advantage of our computer, free DSL internet, Xbox systems and video rentals. Refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, hair dryer, iron with board, data ports. 15 room types including suites. We offer adventure, golf and pamper packages. $65 to 220; S, G, TVm, Ph, L, K, R, M, W, P; AE, D, MC & V. ARNOLD MEADOWMONT LODGE 2011 Highway 4, Arnold, 795-1394. A 19-room motel with newly remodeled rooms and upgraded furnishings. In-room coffee, satelite TV, WIFI. Our location makes us convenient to all the wonders of the Ebbetts Pass area: Big Trees State Park, Sierra Nevada Logging Museum, Bear Valley Ski Resort and many beautiful lakes and streams. $59-$125: G, TVm, Ph, R, W, P; AE, D, MC & V.
BEST WESTERN CEDAR INN & SUITES 444 S. Main St. (Highway 49) Angels Camp, 736-4000, 800-767-1127, www.bestwesternangelscamp.com. Angels Camp’s most luxurious inn. Scrumptious continental breakfast. Room amenities: microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons, data ports, voicemail. Also available: fireplace, whirlpools & tworoom suites, honeymoon suite. AAA (3 diamond rated) corporate and senior discounts. $89-279; S, HT, G, TV, Ph, L, R, W, P; AE, D, M & V.
MURPHYS INN MOTEL 76 Main St. Murphys, 728-1818, 888-796-1800. Walking distance to downtown Murphys (3 Diamond AAA rating). We offer rooms with two queen beds & suites. Our two story interior access motel is entirely smoke-free and includes inroom coffee, hair dryers, iron with board, video rentals, fitness room, seasonal pool & computer with free internet access. We offer adventure, golf and pamper packages. $75 - 220.; S, G, Tvm, Ph, L, R, W; AE, D, MC & V.
CEDAR CREEK REALTY 1332 Oak Court, P.O. Box 818, Arnold, 795-4663, 866-7465050, www.cedarcreekrealty.com (for photos). Your top choice for a wide variety of beautiful vacation cabins in Blue Lake Springs, Lakemont Pines and Big Trees. $366-$565 per weekend; G, TV, Ph, M & V.
MURPHYS SUITES 134 Highway 4, Murphys, 877-728-2121, www.centralsierralodging.com. Enjoy Murphys in luxury, grand comfort in the ‘Queen of the Sierra’. Our elegant 70-room non-smoking facility provides a comfortable stay, one or two room suite (rated 3 Diamond by AAA). Continental breakfast delivered to your room. In-room coffee, iron, hair dryer, make-up mirror, Oxygenics shower head, refrigerator, microwave, data ports and premium satellite channels. Relax poolside, in our spa, sauna, fitness room, conference room. Computer available and Free DSL internet; $75-250; S, HT, G, TVm, Ph, L, K, R, M, W; AE, D, MC & V.
COURTWOOD BED & BREAKFAST INN Murphys, 763-8687, www.courtwoodinn.com. New inn opens spring 2014. The Inn will offer 2 tennis courts, spa services, a solar heated swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, sauna, bocce, and ping pong. But our most memorable feature may be the decks, patios and balconies with lovely views where you can just sit back and relax and enjoy the amazing view of the open skys and foothills.
SADDLE CREEK BUNGALOWS 1001 Saddle Creek Dr. Copperopolis, 7857415, saddlecreekbungalows@castlecooke.com, 800-611-7722. Bungalows offer 2 bedrooms 2 baths, a full kitchen, a great room with fireplace and media center. French doors open to patio and fairway views. Steps away from lodge dining, and golf shop. Meeting facilities available. 16 units, $120-$360; S, HT, T, G, TV, K, R, M, W.
LAKE ALPINE RESORT 4000 Highway 4, Bear Valley. 753-6350, lakealpineresort.com. Unique mountain lake experience. Features 9 rustic cabins, campgrounds and activities like boating, fishing, hiking and biking. Visit the General Store, dine at the Restaurant & Bar. Open mid-May through October. Reservations taken year-round by phone.
THE DUNBAR HOUSE, 1880 271 Jones Street, Murphys, 728-2897, www.dunbarhouse.com. Come and be pampered at our Inn. We specialize in offering our guests total relaxation, comfort and ease. Our AAA 4-Diamond B&B has 5 King or Queen guest rooms, each w/private bath/showers, Norwegian gas burning stoves, free wireless, DirecTV, personal amenities and fresh baked cookies. In-room refrigerator is stocked with complimentary local bottle of wine, appetizer plate, and bottled beer and water. Enjoy a full country breakfast in the morning. $200-$300, TV, R, AE, D, MC & V.
CADDY SHACK AT GREENHORN CREEK GOLF RESORT 1-877-465-3490, 711 McCauley Ranch Road, Angels Camp. A new, fun & affordable courtside lodging retreat geared for golf groups of up to 12. Friends, family, teams, business groups. A Golf Retret like no other!
MURPHYS HISTORIC HOTEL 457 Main St. Murphys, 728-3444, 800-532-7684. Opened in the summer of 1856, the hotel was a stop over for the stagecoach going up to Big Trees. Famous guests include Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant and Susan B. Anthony. Nine historic rooms and 20 modern rooms. Your choice of suites or rooms with the bathrooms down the hall. Fine restaurant and saloon open 7 days a week. Conveniently located in the middle of Murphys surrounded by 21 wine tasting rooms and a wide array of shops and activities. www.murphyshotel.com G, TV, Ph, R, M, W; AE, D, MC, V.
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D I N I N G PRICE INDICATOR (average per person, + beverages) $- under $8; $$- $9-18; $$$- $18 and up OPTIONS American Express- AE; Discover- D; Diners Club- DC; MasterCard- MC; Visa- V; Reservations (accepted/recommended)- R. All area codes are 209
------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 49/108 JAMESTOWN • SONORA • COLUMBIA
------------------------------------------------------BLACK OAK CASINO RESORT 19400 Tuolumne Rd. North, Tuolumne, 877-7478777. 24 hours, 7 days, year round. MC, V, D, AE. BLACK OAK CAFE Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, including weekly buffets. Weekend buffets feature prime rib carving station, desserts and beverages. Breakfast ($), lunch ($), dinner ($$) KINGPINS Located on our first floor family entertainment area. A perfect area to bring the family to enjoy our 24-lane bowling center, unique arcade. Breakfast ($), lunch ($), dinner ($); Call ahead for parties THE MILL SPORTS BAR Full service bar and a 15 foot big screen TV w/8 satellites. Full line up of sporty menu items for you to enjoy while watching your favorite game. Breakfast ($), lunch ($), dinner ($$) SEVEN SISTERS RESTAURANT Located atop of the Black Oak Casino, nestled in the Sierra foothills. Our unique menu features a selection of fine American Cuisine paired with our nightly chef’s signature dishes. Also featuring a private lounge and an extensive upscale wine selection. Dinner ($$$); R. BROWN’S COFFEE HOUSE Columbia, next to the City Hotel. 532-1850. Coffee drinks; hot, iced & blended. Shave ice and ice cream. Homemade cookies, brownies and home of the famous sarsparilla soda. Open daily 9am-5pm. CHICKEN RANCH BINGO & CASINO 6929 Chicken Ranch Road, Jamestown, 800-75BINGO. American Diner fare, burgers & deli sandwiches, breakfast specials, soups, salads & a wide range of snacks. Open 9am - 1am. Breakfast 9-11am ($), Lunch/Dinner ($), MC, V, D, AE. COVER’S APPLE RANCH 19200 Cherokee Road, Tuolumne, 928-4689. Near Tuolumne City off Tuolumne Road. Rustic atmosphere, geared towards families. A full line of bakery items including pies, pastries, cookies, and breads. Sandwiches, soups, & fresh garden vegetables in season, and, of course, apples. 6:30am6pm. Lunch ($); MC & V. DIAMONDBACK GRILL 93 South Washington Street, Sonora, 532-6661. thediamondbackgrill.com. Great hand-crafted food, fine wine and attentive service in our dramatic Gold Rush era building. Best burgers in town and wonderful salads. Homemade soup. Daily specials. Wine bar next door. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Monday thru Thursday-11am to 9pm; Friday thru Saturday 11am to 9:30pm; Sunday 11am to 8:00pm $-$$, MC, V.
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EUROPA DELI, SPORTS BAR & GRILL 275 S. Washington Street, Sonora, 536-4670. Come enjoy lunch and dinner at a histoic restaurant with wonderful food. Great burgers and salads, home made soups and desserts. An eclectic menu features steaks and prawns and many vegetarian specialties. Full liquor sports bar. Open Monday - Saturday, 11am to finis. Lunch ($), Dinner ($$); AE, D, MC & V; R for groups. HERE’S THE SCOOP 18242 Main St. Jamestown, 984-4583. Ice cream parlor. Oldfashioned soups, salads, sandwiches, espresso. Pies and desserts made from scratch. Premium quality ice creams. Open at 7am, 7 days a week. Lunch ($); AE, V, MC, V. HISTORIC NATIONAL HOTEL (1859) Main St., Jamestown, 984-3446, nationalhotel.com. Area favorite for fine dining. Acclaimed continental cuisine and award winning wines. Fresh seafood and pastas, choice prime rib and steaks, decadent homemade desserts. Enjoy patio dining, weather permitting. Full bar and espresso saloon. Open daily. Sunday brunch. Lunch ($-$$), Dinner ($$-$$$); AE, D, MC & V; R. THE GARDEN CAFE at Sonora Regional Medical Center 1000 Greenley Road, Sonora. 536-3677. Vegetarian cuisine with an emphasis on Mexican, Mediterrnean, Indian, Italian and Chinese dishes. The cafe supports locals vendors with its fresh fruits and vegetables, six flavors of coffee and desserts. Chiles rellenos is the most popular meal. Breakfast 7-10am, lunch and dinner 10:45 to 5pm Monday - Friday. Dinner not served weekends. Weekend hours: 8:15am to 10am and 10:45 am to 2pm for lunch. THE WILLOW STEAKHOUSE & SEAFOOD GRILLE Main Street at Willow, Jamestown, 984-3998. Family owned and operated since 1972. Burgers, ribs, sandwiches and petite menu daily. Family dining. $-$$; MC & V; R.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 108 TWAIN HARTE • PINECREST • STRAWBERRY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIA’S Highway 108, Cold Springs, 965-4591, We focus on using the freshest ingredients possible and we prepare everything to order. Our unique menu includes pastas, fresh seafood, chicken, ribs, steaks, gourmet pizzas from our brick oven, salads & desserts. We have over 35 beers & an eclectic wine list featuring local wines as well as wine from around the world at affordable prices. Lunch & dinner daily - closed Tuesdays. ($, $$, $$$) MC, V.
STANDARD POUR 19040 Standard Road off of Highway 108. East Sonora. 532-7687 standardpour.com. In the historic Pickering Lumber building. Great sandwiches and creative grilled food. Large variety of beers on tap. Open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-9pm. Friday and Saturday 11am-9:30pm. Sunday 11am-8pm. Lunch, dinner ($-$$); MC, V. STEAM DONKEY Pinecrest Lake Resort, 9653117. Located near the General Store. Great decor, excellent food. Menu includes choice BBQ steaks, fish, chicken as well as specialties like Teriyaki Sirloin and Rack of Lamb. Lunch ($), Dinner ($$); MC & V; R. ZOE’S COFFEE HOUSE 24680 Highway 108, MiWuk Village, 586-7006. A new upscale dining experience in the renovated Mi Wuk Motor Lodge now housing The Lodge Christian Retreat Center. Specializes in crepes – sweet or savory, grilled sandwiches, espresso drinks, shakes, smoothies, soft-serve and more. Join us for breakfast, lunch, your afternoon pick-me-up, an evening meal or an awesome dessert experience! FREE WIFI, indoor and outdoor dining areas, along with a comfortable lounge area with fireplaces. Open Thursday-Saturday 7am to 8pm, Sunday 2pm to 8pm, Monday 7am to 8pm. Order online at www.zoecoffeehouse.com (click on Leapset Order Online button) or download the Leapset App on your Smartphone! ($); AE, D, MC & V.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 120 GROVELAND • OAKDALE • YOSEMITE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARLOTTE BISTRO & BAR 18736 Main Street, Groveland, 962-6455, Located in the Hotel Charlotte in downtown Groveland. We feature tapas/small plates style menu with a wonderful selection of local wines, beer on tap and a full bar featuring a handful of specialty cocktails. Dinner ($$) AE, MC, V. R. EVERGREEN LODGE 33160 Evergreen Road Groveland, 379-2606 or 800-93-LODGE. Bordering Yosemite off Highway 120. A historic mountain lodge and Frommer’s Guide favorite located in an idyllic forested setting. Newly renovated & expanded. Serving 3 meals a day in a variety of settings. Dinner in the main restaurant includes fresh seafood,wild game, BBQs, pasta favorites, &and hearty salads. Casual dining is offered at lunch & dinner in Evergreen’s vaulted ceiling outdoor patio & classic 1920s tavern. Backpacker & picnic lunches are available. Breakfast/Lunch($-$$), and Dinner ($$-$$$); AE, D, DC, MC & V; R.
D
D I R E C T O R Y GROVELAND HOTEL’S CELLAR DOOR RESTAURANT 18767 Main Street, Groveland, 962-4000, California seasonal fresh, fine dining with a full service saloon and a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence wine list. Our gourmet menu includes a selection of appetizers, salads, soups, entrees and desserts. You’ll also want to try our special Chocolates Menu, with 13 different chocolates. Our Courtyard is open for warm weather dining, under the lighted umbrellas – very romantic! We welcome special events; groups and families celebrating special times. Open 7 nights, 5:30pm to close. Breakfast buffet from 8 - 10am. Breakfast ($$), Dinner ($$$) IRON DOOR GRILL 962-6244, 18761 Main Street, Groveland. Th Iron Door Grill features fresh California cuisine including fresh homemade pasta dishes, steaks, ribs, fish, vegetarian items, soups, salads and of course our delicious habmurgers and bufalo burgers. All of our food is made fresh daily. Choose our dining room or historic saloon to enjoy a meal with a shot of history! Lunch ($$), Dinner ($$); MC, V; R.
-------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 12/4 SAN ANDREAS • VALLEY SPRINGS
-------------------------------------------------HOTEL LEGER 8304 Main Street, Mokelumne Hill, hotelleger@aol.com, 2861401. Our restaurant serves fresh California cuisine with a French / Mediterranean flair. The Hotel Leger is the perfect spot for large parties as well as romantic, candlelit dinners. Balcony dining is available when weather cooperates.Lunch is available Saturday and Sunday, Noon - 4pm. Dinner is available Thursday - Sunday, 5:30 until 9pm.($-$$$) VISTA GRILLE AT LA CONTENTA GOLF & EVENT CENTER 1653 Highway 26, Valley Springs, 772-1082. Restaurant overlooks beautiful La Contenta Golf Course. Offers both outside deck dining and inside dining with views sure to please. The delicious and well rounded menu offers California cuisine embracing a casual ambiance with that country club feel. “The Place to Be” in Valley Springs. Open daily for breakfast, featuring a mouth watering “Country Special”, and lunch with yummy burgers and sandwiches and oh those sweet potato fries! Friday night dinners are a treat and seasonally Wednesday night famiy friendly buffets give you that mid-week break. Come enjoy! ($$$) R.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------HIGHWAY 49/4 COPPEROPOLIS • MURPHYS • ARNOLD ANGELS CAMP • BEAR VALLEY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALCHEMY WINE BAR & CAFE 191 Main St., Murphys, CA 728-0700, alchemymarket. blogspot.com, Enjoy “Comfort food with a twist,” seafood, steaks, famous soup, and “overthe-top” desserts in our dining room, patio, or by the fireplace in the bar. Over 30 local wines by the glass and the largest selection of beer in the Sierra Foothills, featuring “extreme,” Belgian, and other hard to find beers from around the world. Kid’s menu includes drink and dessert! We can accommodate large parties. Live music every Tuesday and Friday nights (check website for schedule and current menus). Lunch 11-4, dinner 4-8, closed Wednesdays. AE, MC, and V. BIG TREES DELI Meadowmont Center in the Big Trees Market, Highway 4, Arnold. 7953868. A great place for a quick, nutritious meal for the person on the go. Pick up a delicious deli sandwich or some super moist Chester Fried Chicken. Be sure to check out all the other “deli-casies” while you’re there. Open 7 days. Breakfast($) lunch($) dinner ($$). MC; V; R. CAMPS AT GREENHORN CREEK Angels Camp, 736-8181. Dining with us includes fresh, local ingredients. The food is comfortable, yet artistic with innovative flair along with regional classics. Hand-cut steaks and fresh fish prevail, salads are hand tossed and slow-roasted primerib is served Friday and Saturday nights. Great lunches. Sunday brunch from 10am-2pm includes the best Eggs Benedict around. Lunch Wednesday-Saturday 11:30am-5pm, Dinner 58pm. COPPER GRILLE AT SADDLE CREEK GOLF CLUB– 1001 Saddle Creek Drive, Copperopolis, 785-7400. Perfect for a casual night out or a special event. Overlooking the 9th hole lake, The Copper Grille boasts a charming dining room and bar area, as well as a patio for outdoor dining with panoramic views of the Sierra foothills. Great selection of California and Calaveras wines. The menus are elegant but affordable and feature fresh seasonal items througout the year. Specializing in fresh seafood and beef butchered in-house daily. Prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights. Breakfast ($$), Lunch ($$), Dinner ($$$); AE, MC, V; R.
ies. the menu includes gourmet all-beef and polish hot dogs, chili, soups, candies, no-sugar added ice cream, low-fat and non-dairy selections as well. Join our birthday club and receive free offers. Cruisers is available for remote birthday parties, weddings and events. Open 11am, 7 days. ($) V, MC, D. GRIFF’S BBQ & GRILL 304 Town Square Road in Copperopolis, 785-4745. Serving up slow smoked BBQ, steaks, ribs, sandwiches, salads and more. Using fresh ingredients and prepared on-site every day. Enjoy tender ribs, 14hour pulled pork and the best barbeque sauce in town! Beer on tap. Open for lunch and dinner starting at 11:30am Wednesday through Sunday. Open 5pm Monday for Monday Night Football. Lunch ($$), Dinner ($$, $$$). AE D, MC, V. IRONSTONE VINEYARDS GOURMET DELICATESSEN 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys, 728-1251, ironstonevineyards.com. Our gourmet delicatessen provides a selection of culinary delights. Stop in for a glass of our Award winning wines and enjoy our deli with gourmet sandwiches and housemade soup. Enjoy the great food and friendly ambience on the patio overlooking the gardens or dine inside next to our magnificent fireplace. Be sure to take a stroll through our magnificent gardens and don’t forget to stop at our gift shop for a variety of apparel and gifts. Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. $-$$ MC, V, D, AE. MURPHYS HISTORIC HOTEL RESTAURANT 457 Main St. Murphys, 728-3444, 800532-7684, www.murphyshotel.com. Serving delicacies from grilled crab cakes to slow-roasted prime rib; from fried chicken to pan-seared duck. An old time saloon with an extraordinary top shelf. Proudly serving home made dressings, yummy sauces and house made desserts. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. PEPPERMINT STICK– 454 Main Street, Murphys. 728-3570, We offer New York-style pizza by the slice and whole pies; certified Black Angus hamburgers consitently voted best hamburgers in Calaveras County; mouth watering BBQ pulled pork and pulled chicken; St. Louis style ribs, gourmet meat or vegetarian lasagna and large kids’ menu selection. We feature Ice cream with twenty four flavors. Our desserts include banana splits and old fashioned milk shakes. Summer hours 11am to 9pm. Lunch ($$), Dinner ($$). D, MC, V.
CRUISERS ICE CREAM PARLOR 631 McCarty Street, Copperopolis Town Square, 785-CONE, a ‘50s themed ice cream parlor serving 16 flavors of premium ice cream in glass dishes. Cruisers also serves milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, root beer floats and fruit smooth-
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MARISOLIO’S LIQUID GOLD By Bonnie Miller
Sierra S
Roberta Barlass, manager of the Marisolio olive oil shop.
GOLD CAN BE FOUND throughout the Sierra Foothills in many forms: the shiny metal, the clear mountain streams and the rolling hills all are golden to our senses. The hills also produce another precious gold in liquid form, oft overlooked – olive oil. Olive oil has been produced throughout California since the Gold Rush and today is enjoying a welcomed revival. Visionary Mary Lou Schuster has brought this precious oil to us from a new olive ranch. Fifteen years ago Mary Lou began searching for land suitable to plant with olives. After a 40-year career in teaching, she turned from academia to farming. “I didn’t know a thing about farming, but learned from the ground up,” she recalled. Mary Lou purchased 62 acres near Copperopolis and planted 4,000 trees of four different varieties suitable to the area, based on her soils and the desired oils. In particular she planted the robust Kalamata, a variety often overlooked by California olive growers. The ranch practices sustainable farming, using no chemical herbicides or pesticides. The result is deep, intense oils. The olives are processed the same day as picking and then allowed to settle before the deep green and gold liquid is revealed. Mary Lou named her olive ranch Marisol, roughly meaning “Mary’s sunshine.” When she opened the tasting bar, she added olio to the name making it Marisolio. It is a fabricated name, yet “It has a nice Italian flair,” she explained. When production of the oil began in earnest, Mary Lou began plying her products door to door at various outlets. Four years ago she solved the problem of hauling bottles of oil around northern California and opened a tasting bar showcasing the wondrous flavorful products. Dipping into her retirement reserves, she insisted that she pay her bills on time and pay off her investments in the new business. It was a gutsy move in light of the floundering economy at the time, but her commitment has paid off. Store Manager Roberta Barlass told me that Mary Lou’s “passion for the olive” drives the business and ultimately its great success. She admires that fact that Mary Lou operates the business with full honesty and integrity. The tasting bar features around 35 different oils, from extra virgin to white truffle infused oil. Marisolio carries the four varietals produced on Mary Lou’s ranch, in addition to several imported varieties. Whether one wants a light oil for cooking, a fruity oil for a special salad dressing or a robust flavor to complement everything from fish to beef, there is an oil to match the job. Alongside oils the tasting bar features an equal number of balsamic vinegars or “condimentos.” Again the flavor profiles and potentials span the spectrum. Inventory is not limited to just oils and vinegars. Numerous food and olive products can be found here. For those not culinarily-minded, there are plenty of useful olive products such as agedefying body products. 58
The store is a great opportunity to be introduced to the potential of olive oils and vinegars and Marisolio provides recommended pairings for the best tasting results. Their most popular oils are Tuscan Herb and California Garlic, but that is only the top of a long list of possible flavors. Olive oil for dessert? Balsamic for breakfast? You bet! Marisolio not only has an amazing assortment of oils and vinegars to choose from, they will guide you through delicious innovative recipes for their use. Visitors may also wish to attend a cooking class to further enhance their knowledge of the many uses of olive oil in their cooking demonstration kitchen. Recently the tasting bar issued their first cookbook of favorite recipes. Priced at only $16, this gem is a great gift for or a quality addition to one’s own kitchen. Marisolio tasting bar is the real deal with authentic quality products that are especially attractive to foothill folks. The immaculate store provides a wonderful tasting experience, yet the products can easily be obtained through their mail order service. Free shipping options, gift packs and discounts for locals can all be enjoyed by customers. Frequent buyers have additional benefits. In keeping with their attitude of sustainability, they offer recycling on clean bottles. Check out marisolio.com for additional information and monthly recipes and specials. For a taste of the season, or seasonings for all tastes, senses will be stirred at Marisolio, 488 Main Street, Suite 101, in historic Murphys. 728-8853
Cranberry & Balsamic Onion Marmalade Prep time: 5-7 minutes; cooking time, 60 minutes; yield: approximately 4 cups 2-Tbs Marisolio Blood Orange Extra Virgin Olive Oil ½ onion sliced, about 1-cup 1 tsp. Kosher salt Fresh cracked pepper 2 cups fresh cranberries ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup Marisolio Pomegranate Balsamic Condimento ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add the onion, salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. Saute until the onion is caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add cranberries, brown sugar, Balsamic and orange juice. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook and stir occasionally until the sauce is jam-like in consistency, about 40 minutes. Cool, transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate for up to one week.
CUSTOM CRUSHING
a Seasonings
In the Foothills By Tom Bender
AS A LONG-TIME HOME WINEMAKER and college wine instructor, I
Karen and Pete Luckhardt in their Inner Sanctum tasting room in downtown Jamestown. Leslie Hurst shows the grapes on her Hurst Ranch vines.
am occasionally asked why I do not open my own winery or make wine commercially. With over 7,000 wineries in California competing for space in your wine glass or on the store shelves, it doesn’t take much to get gun shy about going into the wine business, especially if you are hoping to make a profit. But every year new startups emerge with creative approaches and high hopes.
The Sierra Foothills remains a popular wine appellation for aspiring winemakers and new vineyard plantings. From as small as producing one acre of grapes or wine production under 200 cases, these operations, often referred to as micro producers, provide all the harvest excitement and challenges of the bigger players. “We try not to take ourselves too seriously but know we want to make a serious wine.” This is the approach of Pete and Karen Luckhardt, founders of Inner Sanctum Cellars, a new wine venture and recently-opened tasting room in Jamestown. They released their first four wines this past spring and sourced grapes from several new local vineyards, including nearby Zuni Vineyard that is specializing in Spanish varietals. From Zuni, Inner Sanctum utilized two different clones of their Tempranillo, the Duoro and Toro varieties, for the first release of this nicely-structured red. All their wines were made at Gianelli Winery near Jamestown by winemaker Chuck Hovey, a tenured and well-respected craftsman. Their Chardonnay has a rich texture, a result of being barrel aged in French Oak, and the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon also received extended oak aging having spent 22 months in oak. The Luckhardts have a marketing background and have a strong opinion about design, branding and graphics, which they hope will solidify their success. The couple is putting a big emphasis on their club membership and tasting room. “Yes it is a little scary, but if it was that easy everybody would do it,” cautions Pete. “It’s important to surround yourself with really good people in order to make it happen.” Down the road from Jamestown, Leslie Hurst and her husband, Joe, continue a rich connection to farming and ranching having assisted the community for decades with their ranch supply store. They raise their own cattle and supply locallygrown grass-fed beef. About 15 years ago Leslie, a highly regarded local painter, turned her attention to planting a large variety of olive trees and now produces a wonderful olive oil. But not long ago she became a grape grower on their Jamestown property and recently bottled Barbera, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc. Her wine, too, is made by Chuck Hovey at nearby Gianelli Winery. “Chuck has been a god send and
helped us make some important decisions,” noted Leslie. “We hope to eventually provide restaurants and start a wine club.” But for now it is currently only available at Hurst Ranch and Supply along with their other products. Over in Calaveras County near the town of San Andreas, Randy Metzger and his family are long-time farmers who also grow grapes. They first planted a vineyard in 1979 and grew Sauvignon Blanc for years. But they recently budded over those vines to Barbera, a grape that has grown in popularity. They, too, have jumped into the wine business. With over 400 fruit and nut trees along with two acres of vegetables, Metztger Farm is a popular destination for their produce and hope the sales of their local wine will blend in perfectly with the operation. “We were bonded in May, are currently working on our label approval and hope to release a 2011 Barbera very soon,” said Randy. Their 75 cases, along with 50 cases of Merlot from a neighbor, really qualify them as a micro producer. Custom crushing is becoming more widespread as small producers realize that cash flow is a big factor. The Gianellis have the benefit of owning their own bottling line which is a big asset. Chuck echoed what is being heard in many wine regions – it is a fantastic year and the grapes are gorgeous. “There are great opportunities here and in nearby Calaveras County and I am excited to just be part of it.” Inner Sanctum Cellars 18204 Main St., Jamestown (800) 750-5919 Noon to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays Hurst Ranch Feeds 17415 Highway 108, Jamestown 984-3016 Metzger Ranch 1666 Gold Hunger Road, San Andreas 754-1010 59
WEED ‘EM AND EAT By Erin Pollen
BEFRIENDING WEEDS HAS BEEN A SLOW PROCESS for me as I like the clean look of weed-free garden beds filled with plants of MY choosing. This was somewhat manageable with a smaller garden, but as soon as I took on an acre of open pasture and began to turn it into a vegetable, flower and fruit garden, I knew my relationship to weed management needed adjusting. Every plant listed as a common California weed grew in my plot. From the most noxious star thistle to the more benign purslane, it was growing with abundance and health. Eradication was not an option without chemical warfare and being an organic gardener other strategies would be necessary. I tried numerous methods of weed management and offer some of my findings here.
Weed salad! Just needs a little vinaigrette. Right, top: All edible weeds for your salad growing conveniently together – Mallow (Malva neglecta), plantain (Plantago major), bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), purslane (Portulaca oleracea), creeping speedwell (Veronica persica) Right, lower: After tilling, watering and covering with clear plastic.
• Pulling/Digging: The most important trick is to get the root out, so you may need a digging fork for those deeprooted weeds. Best to do this when weeds are young and soil is somewhat moist. Knee pads, a strong back and lots of patience work best with this method. • Hoeing/tilling: My favorite weeding tool is a stirrup hoe because it cuts with both the push and pull and does not disturb the soil much. It will not remove the root but for young weeds that have not gone to seed and it is very effective. This is great for rows because you can move quickly cutting off everything not in the bed. I do not recommend rototilling as weed abatement has the opposite effect! Every square inch of your garden contains weed seeds, but only the top few inches of soil get enough light to trigger their germination. The more you dig and till the more hidden weed seeds you bring to the surface, the more weeds you will now have in that area. • Mulching: Useful for keeping soil cool and moist, mulching is also an excellent way to keep weeds away from desirable plants by blocking sunlight needed for weed germination. It takes at least several inches of mulch to really work as a weed barrier. Just scattering straw, bark or compost around your plants won’t keep weeds out. Mulch can also become an inviting environment for certain garden pests like earwigs, slugs and snails, so it should not be touching your plants. I like to use a very thick layer (at least four inches) of chipped tree trimmings in my pathways to eliminate yet another area to weed. • Cover crops: This is one of my favorite ways to minimize weeds because you are also fertilizing your soil, and 60
many cover crops are pollinators so will attract beneficial insects to your garden. Everyone has their favorite cover crop and mine is a buckwheat/cowpea mix. The buckwheat sprouts quickly and the birds do not seem to mow it down the minute it pops up like clover, alfalfa and vetch. The cowpeas in the mix add nitrogen to the soil and produce edible pods if you don’t cut it down before they form. Weeds do grow in amongst the cover crop, but not nearly as invasively as in an unplanted area. It is recommended to cut cover crops before they flower to maximize their benefit to the soil. But buckwheat is a favored flower for honeybees, providing them with a good source of protein, so I often let mine flower. An added bonus is collecting the drying flower heads and saving the seed for your next planting. • Soil solarization: This is the big gun for organic weed management in areas with hot summers. It will kill weed seeds, plus insects, nematodes and many fungal and bacterial pathogens such as verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, damping off and phytophthora root rot. The process is fairly easy. First, clear the area of ALL plant growth and rocks, then rake smooth. This is where I would suggest rototilling if the area is large because the weed seeds you bring to the surface will be killed. Water the area well as if you were going to plant. Place clear plastic over the entire bed. It must be clear for the solarization to work. The plastic can be from 1 to 6 mils thick. Bury the edges with dirt to ensure a tight seal. It is helpful to put boards across the plastic to hold it down in case of winds. You will leave the plastic in place for 4 to 6 weeks at the hottest time of year, usually June through September for our area. The downside is that you will lose that area for planting for that period, but it will be ready for
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
Ground in the Stanislaus National Forest for spring’s wildflower show. Photo by Forest Ranger Patrick Karnahan.
GROVELAND Wildfires to Wildflowers As most people familiar with the area know, last fall saw the massive Rim Fire spread across the southern Sierra landscape from Groveland to the wilderness areas of Yosemite National Park. This wildfire burned for three months, transforming over 400 square miles in its wake, some of this becoming a moonscape curiosity, ripe for photo opportunities. In the spring, however, the wildflower show will be unparalleled as Mother Nature enrobes herself in new life and beauty.
fall planting if you do it early in the summer. This is, without a doubt, the best way to deal with a large area that has been taken over by weeds or any type of soil fungus or pest. While the sun is doing all the weeding work, you can focus on other areas of your garden. After a month or so remove the plastic, add compost to the area and plant. The beneficial insects will return to the soil, the pathogens will have died off and you will have a weed free area for a time. Remember, weeds are everywhere so you will have to be vigilant about keeping them in check. • Eating: This is the most fun weed reducing idea I have used. Many of the weeds in our gardens are edible and quite nutritious. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), miner's lettuce (Montia perfoliata), amaranth (amaranthus) and common lamb'squarters (Chenopodium album) are all delicious added to a salad. Recently, at a farmers’ market I saw huge bunches of purslane for sale! Just remember to carefully research any plant you consider eating to make sure it is edible. My new attitude towards “weeds” has allowed me to see them as food, flower and only sometimes, foe. After all, as Emerson wrote back in 1878, “What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” Happy weeding!
The Groveland Hotel is encouraging visitors to take advantage of this rare opportunity to see new vistas and photograph the recovery from one of the largest fires in California’s recorded history. Stay in one of the authentically Victorian rooms of this historic inn while enjoying modern amenities like free Wi-fi internet and flat screen TVs. Savor casual, yet elegant dining in the Cellar Door Restaurant, built in 1849. And, for the third year running, The Cellar Door at The Groveland Hotel has earned the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for its astonishing selection of over 600 labels. Visit the hotel’s new website at Groveland.com for complete information.
MI WUK New Café Opens Mi Wuk Village has a new upscale dining experience! Zoe Coffee House, 24680 Highway 108, specializes in crepes – sweet or savory, grilled sandwiches, espresso drinks, shakes, smoothies, soft-serve and more, in a
comfortable yet contemporary atmosphere. The café offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon pick-me-ups, an evening meal or an awesome dessert experience, as well as free Wi-fi, indoor and outdoor dining seating and a comfortable lounge area complete with fireplaces. Follow them on Facebook for the seasonal specials. Zoe resides in the old Mi Wuk Motor Lodge which has been completely renovated and now houses The Lodge Christian Retreat Center. Zoe means LIFE in Greek – “We invite you to come share LIFE with us!” Open hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays. You can order order online at zoecoffeehouse.com (click on Leapset Order Online button) or download the Leapset App on your Smartphone and have your order ready on arrival. For more information, call 586-7006.
MURPHYS Spa and Salon Offers Pampering Jillian’s Day Spa, 7 E. Highway 4, Murphys, has been voted Best Salon and Spa year after year. Both men and women can enjoy pampering spa and salon treatments in a relaxing and nurturing atmosphere. Spa specialties include aromatherapy massage, European facials and soothing spa pedicures. The salon is home to certified color specialists and master stylists to provide every hair care need. Premier spa gifts are also featured including Aveda, Murad and Jillian’s own line of cosmetics. Gift cards are available. For additional information, call 7283939.
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DRIVING ON SUNSHINE The concept of driving on sunshine is here and electric vehicles (EV) are coming into their own. By Victor Guillot
PIKE RESEARCH has projected that annual global sales of EV’s will reach 3.8 million by 2020, an annual growth rate of 40 percent. Nissan, based in Tennessee, announced that it plans to ramp up assembly of the 2013 Leaf. The Nissan plant is next door to the largest lithium ion battery plant in the U.S. Their goal – lower costs and increase appeal to a broader spectrum of customers. Toyota reports good sales of its plug-in hybrid. Sales tripled from 17,500 in 2011 to around 53,000 in 2013. Tesla’s Model S has also reported good increases in production. In the first quarter of 2012 Tesla sales grew from five cars per week to 100 cars per week and by November of 2012 they sold 200 cars per week. Tesla’s goal is 20,000 cars for 2013. The Toyota plant is also the location where Tesla is outfitting the Toyota RAV EV. Many other auto manufacturers are ramping up their contributions to the EV market. The pieces of the EV puzzle are fitting together, and just as in any new technology – computers, grid-tied solar systems, smart phones and tablets, prices will drop as more people adopt the technology. The adoption of EV’s has been hampered by “range anxiety.” Consumers want to get in and drive hundreds of miles as they do in their gas-powered vehicles. The fact is that most daily trips are 40 miles or less and EV’s will make it home from those trips to charge at night for the next day’s use. However, to account for those longer trips, there are networks of charging stations being built across the U.S. Go to evchargermaps.com/ to see the present infrastructure in California. Most home EV charging stations will be Level 2 chargers running 240V AC at 30-70 Amps. This is enough to fully charge your EV overnight. Chargers cost from $850 to $2,500 plus installation. 62
There are new standards in place for public charging stations throughout the U.S. for 480V fast charging. A full charge from one of these units will take 30 minutes or more, giving you time to have lunch at a restaurant, shop at the market, see a movie, etc. We mentioned the progress of EV’s, and here is another piece of the EV puzzle. Solar PV power plants have existed for about ten years now. Since the beginning they have been promoting multi-use structures whenever possible. If you’re going to build a structure, why not garner more than a single use from it? With all of the necessary technology at hand, why not put your solar array on top of a carport structure and create grid-tied solar power for all of your electricity usage? The CPUC has mandated that PG&E offer the E-9 rate to all of their customers to encourage EV adoption. If you have an electric vehicle, you are eligible to use the E-9 rate (see PGE.com). If you also happen to have a grid-tied PV solar system, more power to you – literally.
GOING SOLAR OK, you have chosen to go solar. You and/or your solar integrator access your electrical usage history by going to PGE.com/MyEnergy. This kWatt hour usage history provides the basis for determining the size of your solar system to meet your energy usage needs. Using this information, your solar integrator can design your solar system with the intention of having a solar canopy structure that you can park under. Your solar specialist can add an EV charger to the project and, upon completion of the structure, request that PG&E move you into the E-9 rate schedule. You’re now ready to park your EV, plug it in and drive on sunshine! Victor Guillot is owner of Sol Sierra, Inc. and a local NABCEP Certified Solar Integrator specializing in multi-use structures made of steel or wood materials. You may reach him by visiting sol-sierra.com or by calling 795-3554.
ADVE RTI S E R I N D EX 49er RV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Action Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 All Seasons Groveland Inn . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Angels Inn Motel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Annie Fountain, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Art on Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Bambi Papais, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Barbara Young, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Bear Valley Adventure Company . . . . . . .20 Best Western - Cedar Inn & Suites . . . . .23 Big Creek Meadow Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Big Trees Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Black Oak Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Black Sheep Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Brice Station Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Brown's Coffee House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Calaveras Humane Society Thrift Store . .20 Calaveras Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Camps Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Cedar Creek Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Charlotte Mahood, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Columbia Candy Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Columbia Chamber of Commerce . . . . . .53 Copperopolis Olive Oil Company . . . . . . .53 Courtwood Wine Tasting Tours . . . . . . . . .27 Coverís Apple Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Dave & Dianne Photography . . . . . . . . . . .45 Diamondback Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Don Hukari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Donaldson Eye Care Associates . . . . . . .51 Duane Papais, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Eblerís Leather & Saddlery Emporium . .53 Europa Deli, Sports Bar & Grill . . . . . . . . .33 Evergreen Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Farmers Financial Services . . . . . . . . . . .16 Firefall Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 G & T Van Buskirk Fancy Dry Goods . . . .53 Gold Prospecting Adventures . . . . . . . . . .4 Greenhorn Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Griffís Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Groveland Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Helen Scofield , Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Hereís the Scoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Heuserís Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Hotel Leger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Hovey Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Hurst Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Indian Rock Vineyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Indigeny Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Ironstone Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Jamestown Promotion Club . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Jane Lucas - Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Jerome Andrews, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Jeromeís Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Jerry Graham, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Jessica Daley, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Jillian's Day Spa & Boutique . . . . . . . . . .24 Joy Willow, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Kamiceís Photographic Establishment . .53 Karen OíNeill, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Kathy Canning - Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 La Contenta Golf Club & lounge . . . . . . .27 Larry White, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Leslie Hurst, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Lori Sturdivant - Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Marianna Bologna, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Marilyn Richards, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Marisolio Tasting Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Mark Twain Hospital - Arnold . . . . . . . . . .20 Mark Twain Hospital (St. Joseph) . . . . . . .67 Meadowmont Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Mercer Caverns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Milliaire Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Moaning Cavern / SN Recreation . . . . . . .68 Mountain Home Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Murphys Bead Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Murphys Historic Hotel & Lodge . . . . . . .24 Murphys Inn Motel / Murphys Suites . . . .24 National Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Nelson's Candies (Murphys) . . . . . . . . . . .24 Oakdale Cowboy Museum . . . . . . . . . . . .15 OPQ Propane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Pamela Quyle, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Patricia Cherry, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Patrick Karnahan, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Peppermint Stick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Petroglyphe Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Phil Schermeister Photography . . . . . . . .15 Pinecrest Chalet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Pinecrest Lake Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Quyle Kilns Pottery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Railtown 1897 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Royal Carriage Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Ruth Morrow, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Saddle Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Saddle Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Sarah Evans - Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Seven Sisters Soap & Candle Co. . . . . . .53 Shell Copper Station & Car Wash . . . . . . . .8 Sherie Drake, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Sierra Online Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Sol Sierra Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Sonora Regional Medical Center . . . . . . . .2 Standard Pour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Stanislaus National Forest . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Stevenot Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Studio 4 Dance Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Sue Horine, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Tanner Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 The Charlotte Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 The Willow Steakhouse & Saloon . . . . . . . .4 Towle & Leavitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau . . . . . .35 Twisted Oak Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Umpqua Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Umpqua Bank - Lake Tulloch Plaza . . . . . .8 Wilson Studios, Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Yosemite Lakes c/o Thousand Trails . . . .17 Zoe Coffee House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Zucca Mountain Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . .26
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The Dragonfly Peony farm
By Ron Pickup
FOR A UNIQUE SPRING ADVENTURE, it’s hard to beat a trip to the pristine Blue Mountain Region of Calaveras County and a visit to the enchanting Dragonfly Peony Flower Farm in the little hamlet of Wilseyville. For a unique spring adventure, it’s hard to beat a trip to the pristine Blue Mountain Region of Calaveras County and a visit to the enchanting Dragonfly Peony Flower Farm in the little hamlet of Wilseyville. On a bright May afternoon last spring, my wife Pam and I found our way to this enchanting farm perched on six terraced acres within a fir and pine forested mountainside overlooking the Middle Fork of the Mokelumne River. We parked above an inviting open gate and walked down to a large iron bell. We rang the bell, announcing our arrival, and soon an OHV “Mule” arrives to drive us into the beautiful gardens lush with the overwhelming bloom of hundreds of giant carnation-like peony flowers, creating a mosaic of color from varieties ranging from pure white to varying shades of pink, lavender, yellow, coral and red. Here we are warmly greeted by Julia Moore, the owner of the farm, who is busily watering a thirsty plot of her prize-winning flowers. A Southern 64
Photographer Ron Pickup’s wife, Pam, walks the Dragonfly Peony Farm in Wilseyville, north Calaveras County. Dragonfly Peony Flower Farm owner, Julia Moore, takes a break at her Wilseyville farm.
Peony flowers at right: Avalance Coral Charm Double Pink
California transplant now approaching her more golden years, she continues to operate her farm with vigor and finesse. She typifies those folks who live in this rural setting that are independent, proud, artistic and colorful as their Blue Mountain environment. The Dragonfly stands out among the few Peony Farms in California. Julia’s unusually large “Coral Charm” peony has taken Best of Show twice in recent years and other varieties have won multiple blue ribbons at the Calaveras County Fair. And U. C. Davis botanists use her versatile farm for pollination research. There is an ever-growing awareness and popularity of the peony among gardeners and landscapers. The practical aspect of this cold-hardy, deer resistant plant, blended with its old-fashioned beautiful bloom and a history that dates back to ancient China, gives it a charm that is hard to resist. In addition to her many bloom sales in the spring, she sells hundreds of dormant two year-old root systems every fall. When asked what her affinity is for the peony, Julia smiles and said, “Well, I’ve always loved the flower. It’s like the floozy of the flower world, with a certain flamboyant serenity. I sort of identify with them.” Farther down the hill, on another leveled tier, Julia’s “flamboyant serenity” is more defined. Here is her home, two multi-sided connecting domes, artistic in style, but serene in spirit. The 12-sided original dome, built in the 1920s, was designed to resemble the Mewuk indigenous ceremonial roundhouse. Its old growth redwood timbers were adze hewed and hand fitted. The central “smoke hole” at the peak of the oval roof is fitted with a skylight. The other dome, built later, has a beautiful stained glass turret. The interiors flow with organic sculpture, antiques and collectables. Sitting on Julia’s oval deck overlooking the forest, listening to the flow of the Mokelumne River at the base of her property, this idyllic setting is hard to leave. But we make our way back up the hill, leisurely photograph and inspect the myriad blooms, then finally select a “Coral Charm” and order some rootstock. We look forward to returning in the fall to receive our order and enjoying the regions autumn color. And as we leave, we glance up at the sky and catch the streak of a bald eagle glowing in the late sun – a suitable salute to a fine day. Dragonfly Peony Farm, 293-1242, dragonflypeonyfarm.com 65
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HUKARI DESIGNS P.O. Box 3306 Sonora, CA 95370
THREE LOCATIONS IN CALIFORNIA’S BEAUTIFUL GOLD COUNTRY
BLACK CHASM CAVERN
CALIFORNIA CAVERN
MOANING CAVERN
NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK
STATE HISTORIC LANDMARK
ADVENTURE PARK
Photos: Dave Bunnell
Photos: Dave Bunnell
Photos: Dave Bunnell
Guided cave tours at all locations. Expeditions, 165-foot rope rappel, twin zip lines and climbing tower at Moaning Cavern. FREE BIRTHDAY birthday at each location. Check our Free Birthdays web page for more information.