Buena Park, El Toro, Capistrano, Mission Viejo, etc

Today's photo shows the Japanese Village & Deer Park, a 1970s tourist attraction in Buena Park. (Thanks to Richard Harris for the image. Get well soon.)

Saddleback Area Historical Society President Will Summers writes that the Society has received a wooden paddle of the kind once used to discipline students. This somewhat mysterious paddle is inscribed with names and nicknames of various El Toro personalities, including "Peacock," Chuck Hillman, Ted Prothero, "Big Feet" Osterman and Ronald Marsile. Will would like to know the paddle's history, and invites folks to have a look at it during the Pioneer Roundup at Heritage Hill Park on Oct. 28th.
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There's a brouhaha over the rectory garden at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The City says the garden -- which includes BBQ facilities -- was built without permits and may cover an Indian burial ground. Read more about this issue on the Register's website, here and here. Also, see their earlier A/V presentation about the garden.
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The Heritage House Museum in Melinda Park, Mission Viejo, will begin a new exibit entitled "The History of Trees in Mission Viejo," beginning Oct. 13th. It is located at 28951 Melinda Rd, and is open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, from noon to 4pm.
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The First United Methodist Church, at 420 W. 19th St, in Costa Mesa, will have their 80th birthday next year. They are currently collecting old photos and other momentos of the church's past. If you have anything to contribute, please contact Pastor Julie Elkin.
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The Bennett House at Heritage Hill Park in El Toro has a new butter-making exhibit in the kitchen and additional period textiles in the dining room and master bedroom.
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Finley Elementary School in Westminster will celebrate its 50th birthday on Monday.
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The Dana Point Historical Society's home tour drew about 800 people on Sunday. Way to go! The Register ran an article about the event and posted a short video.