Anaheim, Esther Cramer, Doris Walker, citrus, canyons, etc.

 I took all of the photos in today's post at the Orange County Historical Society's outstanding tour of the Anaheim Cemetery yesterday. Local historian Cynthia Ward (also on the board of the Orange County Cemetery District), led the tour. That's her in the photo above, wearing her Victorian hoop skirt.

I was once a bit skeptical about cemetery tours, but they really are an excellent way to not only appreciate the grounds and design, but also to provide a framework to talk about the individuals and families that built and grew a community over the centuries.

Speaking of memorials and remembering those who were important to the community, services for Esther Cramer will be held at 11am, June 9th at La Habra United Methodist Church. The parking will undoubtedly be tight. If you're young and spry, you may want to park a good way off, to let the older folks park near the church.

Another remembrance of a beloved Orange County historian came recently in the form of a sculpture, approved by the City of Dana Point, in honor of Doris I. Walker-Smith. Read more about it in the O.C. Register.

The Metabolic Studio made a grant of $10,000 to the Save Our Orchard Coalition's legal defense fund to save the Sexlinger property in Santa Ana. This land includes the remnants of one of the last orange groves in central Orange County. The current owner of the land wants to build 24 homes there. If the Coalition gets some bigger donations, perhaps they can buy the land outright and everyone will be happy.

A tour of the gardens of Modjeska and Silverado Canyons will be held May 19. The garden tour will be held 9am-1pm. A catered lunch and tour of the historic Helena Modjeska house and gardens will be held from noon to 3pm. Tickets are $20 and raise funds for the Silverado Children's Center and the Modjeska house. To purchase tickets, contact Bonnie Smith at (714) 649-2382.