Pioneers of Santa Clara County Annual Meeting June 13, 2009

They were elected by acclamation.

5-Jim Z. thanked Barbara and Tim Peddy and Mary Lou Lyon for putting the luncheon meeting together.

6-Melita Kelly gave the Membership report and introduced Robb Moore who is taking over that post. She said she enjoyed serving for 10 years and it was time to pass it on.

7-David McKinney was not present to give the Treasurer’s report. He and his mother were thanked for doing the Treasurer job. They have moved to Grass Valley.

8-Virginia Bittle was not present to give the Sunshine Report.

9-Mike Console gave the Californians Report. He announced the upcoming trips, both day trips and extended. It was the last chance to sign up to see Patty Page.

10-Gayle Frank from PAC SJ talked about their Hat Party fund raiser and drew 4 free tickets for the event tomorrow.

Marv Tanner from the Argonauts invited Pioneer members to join them to visit Pat Loomis’ home and library in Arroyo Grande on October 6-8 (T-Th) with a reception at her new home and a BBQ at her family ranch. They will also stop at the recently reopened San Miguel Mission for a picnic lunch on the way.

11-Mary Lou Lyon gave the Historians Message. Since it is near Father’s Day, she talked about her father, Ted Cochran, who was an early pioneer in aviation, working for Beach Craft in Wichita. Kansas in the 20’s. he built many of the 1920’s airplanes that early pilots raced in that early period of aviation. His father was also a pioneer, a “Sooner “into I.T later, Oklahoma. She shared some other little anecdotes from her childhood, remembering her father.

She urged the membership to write down the stories of their own families and growing up in San Jose and to enter the Annual Essay Contest.

12-The Essay contest winners were named by Mary Lou Lyon, filling in for David McKinney

Lynn Rogers introduced the first place winner, John G. Figeuira, Jr, who is in her Adult Education Writing Class. His paper is on “The Rose of Portugal, designing the Portuguese Plaza for San Jose History Park.”

The Honorable Mention award went to Elizabeth McKeon. Her paper is on “Strange Religion-William Riker’s Holy City.”

A Special Award for a Memoir was awarded to Kyle F. Kennedy on “The Scott Family.”

A copy of each will join all the others in our Archives at the Paulson House and at the California Room of the San Jose Library where they may be read.

Mr. Figeuira talked about his paper and the importance of “The Rose of Portugal” which is the navigation aid invented by Henry the Navigator. His rendition is in front of the Portuguese Imperio at San Jose History Park.

13-Mr. The–Vu, representing David Cortese’s Office also gave him an Award of Merit.

14-JimZetterquist introduced Jim Carter who is the Vice president of the San Jose Firefighters’ Museum Organization. He retired last July after 35 years fighting fires in San Jose. In 1970, a Fireman’s Muster Team was formed by 60 volunteers to participate in Musters around the state. They are great fun to watch.

In 2002, that nucleus of former firemen organized a group dedicated to restoring equipment and staffing a Firemen’s Museum. They have 30-35 active members who are busily restoring old San Jose Fire Equipment across the street from Kelly Park behind the City Archives in the Beech Nut Buildings at 1661 Senter Road. To date, they have 30 pieces of equipment in the warehouse. They are a 501c3 organization dedicated to education. Look for them in parades. Tours can also be arranged. Their oldest piece of equipment is an 1808 hand pumper. Most of the pieces are San Jose Specific, including a steamer.

They hope to either lease or buy the old Engine House at Market and St. James, which is next door to a present fire station. In the large rear lot, they plan to have scenes of landmark status. They are trying to work with the Redevelopment Agency in San Jose to access the property.

The first volunteer fire department in San Jose was established in 1854. Their 160^th Anniversary will be in 2014. Their plans are to have a celebratory Ball at the new museum at that time.

At our next luncheon, on September 12, which will be a BBQ at History San Jose, there will be Tours of the Fire Engine Collection across the street, beginning at 10 a.m.

In closing, President Jim Zetterquist urged members to come to the 4^th of July Parade on the Alameda and to watch for volunteers from the Pioneers who will be riding in a 1923 Studebaker and 1924 Dodge. He also encouraged members to attend the hats party the following afternoon and to save September 12 for our Second Annual BBQ in honor of Admission Day.

The Meeting was Adjourned.

Mary Lou Lyon, Secretary, Pro Tem