Tiki wrap-up, bears, Santa Ana, P.E. & railroads

Thanks for being patient while I was getting my tiki program together for OCHS -- and then while I was recovering from it. Here are a couple photos from our sold-out (and then some) evening. The photo above shows the room as people were arriving. The photo of me speaking, below, is from Mike Skinner, who came all the way from Denver for the program. This topic obviously interested a lot of people, and I'm really amazed at the response we had. (If anyone out there took more photos on Thursday, I'd love to see them.)

We've all heard entertainers say, "You've been a great audience!" I figured that was so much bologna. But now I know what they mean. A great audience makes an enormous difference. And this was a great audience. I was very pleased to see so many friends, historians, and other people I respect in the crowd. I only wish I'd had more time to talk with people, rather than just talking at them.

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After all this work, I'd really like to present this talk again -- especially since Don's ran out of chairs long before we ran out of people who wanted to attend. So if your local historical society needs a speaker (and you don't mind an hour-long talk), let me know.

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The next photo, below, shows where I went the following evening. I attended the opening of the Bear In Mind: The Grizzly In California exhibit at the Old Courthouse Museum. The photo below shows author and featured speaker Susan Snyder with a stuffed bear (taxidermy again!?!,) and historian Jim Sleeper, whose work -- especially A Boy's Book of Bear Stories (Not For Boys) -- is heavily referenced in the exhibit. Susan shared some excellent bear yarns, and I enjoyed hanging out with Jim.

I hear the History Room at the Santa Ana Public Library will be closed down for the rest of this month. I assume this has something to do with some major remodeling/shuffling that's going on there now, but I don't have any details.

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This weekend will be a "Pacific Electric Weekend" at the Orange Empire Railway Museum, in Perris, Saturday June 19, 9am - 5pm. "Ride the Big Red Cars of the Pacific Electric and enjoy a Father's Day BBQ for Dad! Though we operate selected PE cars throughout the year, this is the time of year when we have the largest group of them out to ride and photograph. Regular admission prices apply for entry, but advance paid reservations are required for the BBQ (Noon - 2 pm)."
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Speaking of railways, Rob Richardson will be speaking of railways tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Old Courthouse Museum Society luncheon at the Old O.C. Courthouse in Santa Ana. I think it's too late to sign up for a boxed lunch, but guests are still welcome to come and hear the talk. I believe it begins around 11:45 am.