Tuesday, December 27, 2011

CVGS Past Presidents

A group of Chula Vista Genealogical Society members has been writing an official history of CVGS so that we know who did what when and how.  President Gary Brock put a spreadsheet together with the names of the officers and committee members in addition to the number of members and membership dues.  The 20 years of society newsletters was very helpful to determine the names and events.

While the society started in 1982 as part of the Chula Vista Historical Society, it became an independent entity in 1991 with the first set of By-Laws and elected officers.  The Presidents of CVGS to date have been:

1991-1992:  June Dawson
1993-1994:  Geni Powell
1995-1996:  Peggy Donovan
1997-1998:  Nina Schultheis
1999-2000:  Bernice Heiter
2001-2002:  Susi Pentico
2003-2004:  Shirley Becker
2005-2006:  John Finch
1007-2008:  Randy Seaver
2009-2010:  Gary Brock
2011-2012:  Gary Brock

Monday, December 19, 2011

CVGS Holiday Luncheon Review

About 30 Chula Vista Genealogical Society members and guests gathered at the Chula Vista South Branch Library on Wednesday, 14 December, for the Annual Holiday Luncheon featuring good food, good company, good humor, and gift exchanges. 

The society provided the turkey and ham and drinks, and the attendees brought yummy snacks, salads, potatoes, vegetables, casseroles and desserts to share. 

CVGS President Gary Brock opened the festivities by welcoming everyone, recognizing new members and guests, introducing the current Board members, and having a moment of silence for our departed members, emergency first responders, and Armed Services members.  After a very short business meeting, we had our luncheon.

The program was a slide show titled "Honoring Those Who Got Us Here."  Gary honored eleven persons - former Presidents, life members, and long-time members (more than 20 years.  The slide show became a guessing game, using photos of the honorees from childhood to present day.  In addition, Gary presented each honoree with a new nametag adorned with small jewels that represent 20 year member, past President, committee members, Board officers, education class attendance, and speakers.  As each honoree was presented, their achievements in CVGS were highlighted on the screen.

The eleven honorees were:

*  Dearl Glenn - a Life member
*  Dorothy Alvord - a 20 year member
*  John Finch - a Past President
*  Phyllis Learned - a 20 year member
*  Randy Seaver - a Past President, and 20 year member
*  Bernice Heiter - a Life member, a past President, and a 20-year member.
*  Shirley Becker - a past President, and 20 year member
*  Susi Pentico - a past President, and 20 year member
*  Nancy Smith - a 20 year member
*  Averill (Boots) Williams - a 20 year member
*  Helen Thompson - a 20 year member.

After the slide show, the gift exchange was held, then the drawings for the prizes (Phyllis and Fran won a Marie Callender's pie; John and Barbara won a Jimmy's at the Park gift certificate.

The Door prizes (donated by Dorothy Alvord, Susi Pentico and Bernice Heiter) were won by Phyllis Learned (the Santa), Fran Cornell (the Angel) and Joan Largey (the Nutcracker). 

This was a fun and happy time for our little genealogy community.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

December 2011 Newsletter is Available

...The December 2011 issue of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Newsletter is available online at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacvgs2/Newsletters/11_12dec.pdf.

The Table of Contents for this issue includes:

page 1 -- December 14th Holiday Luncheon

page 2 -- President’s Message

page 3 -- Ask Gene E. Allogee, Tips and Techniques

page 4 -- Research Group News 

page 4 -- The Perfect Christmas Gift

page 5 -- November 26th Program Review

page 5 -- Writing the History of CVGS

page 6 -- Spring Seminar Announcement

page 6 -- Computer Group News

page 6 -- Lemon Grove Research Group News

page 6 -- CVGS Book Collection is Moving

page 6 -- Another Reason to Attend Genealogy Conferences

page 7 -- Computer-Related Genealogy News

page 8 -- Upcoming Webinars

page 8 -- Online Articles that Might Help Your Research

page 9 -- CVGS Society Information

page 9 -- San Diego Genealogy Events

page 10 -- Genealogy Days in Chula Vista

Monday, December 12, 2011

CVGS Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, 14 December

...
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Annual Holiday Luncheon is this coming Wednesday, 14 December, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chula Vista South Branch Library (389 Orange Avenue) in the Conference Rooms (west end of the library, enter through the south-facing door that opens to the parking lot).

The luncheon will have turkey, ham, and drinks provided by CVGS. The pot luck breakdown for the rest of the meal will be (for last names starting with):

A-F  Desserts
G-K Salad, rolls, butter

L-P Snack tray, condiments, olives, pickles, cranberry sauce, etc.

Q-Z Potatoes (regular or sweet), veggies, casseroles.

Please contact Susi Pentico (619-690-1188, or SusiCP@cox.net) to coordinate the potluck dishes.

The program will be a retrospective - “Honoring Those Who Got Us Here” by CVGS President Gary Brock.

Members are requested to bring canned food and/or unwrapped toys for donation to the Salvation Army.

A gift exchange will be held (maximum value $10) – bring a wrapped gift in order to draw one.

For the Door prize, everyone will get a free ticket to win a Santa or an Angel.

Buy opportunity drawing tickets to win centerpiece decorations.

Meat leftovers will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.

We hope to see all of our members and friends at this event!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

CVGS November Program: "Heirloom Discovery Day" with Georgie Stillman

One of the highlights of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society year is the November program meeting with Georgie Stillman, ASA, who presents an "Heirloom Discovery Day" with members' heirlooms as the subjects. You can read about Georgie's credentials in November 30th CVGS Program is  "Heirloom Discovery Day."   This is CVGS' own "Antiques Road Show" program.

Georgie provided basic appraisal advice, noting that "values are a reflection of what rich people and collectors will pay for an item." In many cases, collectors items are status symbols and trappings of wealth, although items handed down by family may be well used. Each person provided a brief summary of what they brought for appraisal and its' known provenance. Georgie then described what the item was, the approximate time it was created, and its approximate value. There were 11 items explained, evaluated and appraised:

*  Karen had two framed pictures of 19th century ships, bought in the 1950s at an antique store in Oklahoma.  Georgie said that they were probably pictures from a Western European country, perhaps originally purchased from a seaside village artist. 

*  Jaye showed a pony horse collar for a horse-cart handed down from her father's effects in Missouri in 1966.  Georgie said that this collar had high quality leather, was rare now, and might bring $5000 in the right market.

*  JoAnn had a Fenton glassware bowl with an iridescent finish, found in a trash can.  Georgie noted that it was a 1940s butterfly patter, with unique coloring, and priced it at about $400.

*  JoAnn also had two beautiful red Japanese enamel glassware bowls.  Georgie said they were made of high quality silver from the 19th century, and might bring $300.

*  Susi had a book in German with the history of Napoleon, Frederick the Great and Peter the Great.  Georgie suggested asking a book appraiser, because it may be valuable;  she suggested Adams Avenue Book in San Diego.

*  Susi also showed one of a set of her grandmother's dishware.  Georgie said that it was by Homer Loughlin, was homegrown pottery style from the 1930s.

*  Pam showed a candle holder, with a snuffer, used to light the way in the house.  Georgie noted that it was English silver, Elkington-Cole, from the 19th century.

*  Joan brought one small and one large box that were her mother's.  The boxes were machine made in the late 19th century but handcrafted with hammered sides.  They would appeal to arts and crafts collectors.

*  Barbara had a mirror and wooden dresser stand (with a Chargers sticker on it), which she loves.  Georgie said this was from the late 18th or early 19th century art deco period, made for middle class people who wanted nice things, and was of modest value.

*  Joanna brought a large candle holder, probably from Buffalo NY.  Georgie said that it was pewter, handmade, had no marks, with some machine made parts, from the 1920s.

*  Jacqui had a large framed painting done in "crayon" in New York dated 1857 on the back.  Georgie noted that the painting was a dovecote, done in charcoal, and was a typical American folk art picture.

I hope I got these right!