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Ranch
Spirit Day
Santa Teresa County Park August 25, 2007 |
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| El Grito de
la Cultura Dancers, photo by Grace Blaum |
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Ranch
Spirit Day
Santa Teresa County Park August 25, 2007 |
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| El Grito de
la Cultura Dancers, photo by Grace Blaum |
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Ranch Spirit Day was held on
August 25, 2007 at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch in Santa Teresa County
Park. It was the second time such an event took place at the ranch.
Last year, was Founder's Day
Fandango, which commemorated the founding of Rancho Santa Teresa.
This year's event commemorated the area's ranching traditions. It look
place in the evening, starting at 6 pm, so it would be cooler time of
day. The weather was perfect. Hand-made Mexican food was provided by
Leticia Gonzalez. The event was organized and hosted by county parks
interpreter Jan Shriner. Deputy parks director Joe Schultz welcomed the
attendees. Justice Paul Bernal, a direct descendent of the Bernal
Family who originally founded Rancho Santa Teresa, talked about his
family's and the ranch's history. Patrick Joice, whose family once
lived and worked on the ranch talked about his experiences. The young
El Grito de la Cultura dancers, led by Elena Robles performed
traditional Mexican dances. Bilingual storyteller Olga Loya played the part of early
settler Juana Briones and told about her life and times. Near the ranch
house, there was an exhibit about efforts to save the Juana Briones
house in San Jose. Also, the National Parks Service had a display on
the De Anza National Trail. There were tables for crafts and ranch
bingo. Behind the barn, 4H was showing their chickens and were passing
out seeds. New Almaden blacksmith Chuck Ferrier had a forge and was
demonstrating his blacksmithing skills by making metal leaves. In the
field behind the barn, there were wooden cattle for calf-roping and
simulated branding. Later in the day, Julie Gaffney from the Mounted
Ranger Unit rode her horse in and answered questions. Over 160 people
attended, including volunteers and park staff. Dancing went on after
dark. The event ended at 9:00. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Mike Boulland looking at the the Juana Briones House exhibit, being set up by Jeanne Farr McDonnell  Dancers practicing  Setting up for food  Frank Martinez IV, dressed as a Spanish soldier, with daughter Laurel.  Mercedes Perez, Jan Shriner, Lupe Avila, and Vasona's Sr. Ranger Aniko Millan.  In the background: Ed Jackson, Robin Schaut, Jim O'Connor  Park Rangers Gina Ellis and Ryan Lugo from Hellyer County Park were helping an injured bicyclist on the steep Joice Trail, with Dorene Boulland providing back support.  Kitty Monahan and Chris Carson  Dancers coming through the barn  Mike leading a tour of the historic area  Margaret Styles, National Parks Service interpreter, exhibit on the De Anza Trail  Exhibit on the Juana Briones House, by the Friends of Juana Briones with Jeanne Farr McDonnell, Corri Jimenez, and Ruben Abrica  Paul Bernal, Patrick Joice, Mike Boulland  Jan Shriner addressing the crowd   Joe Schultz, deputy parks director    Jan Shriner  Paul Bernal  Patrick Joice  Elena Robles and El Grito de la Cultura   Olga Loya as Juana Briones  Olga Loya  Leticia Gonzalez serving Mexican food  Cattle roping  Chuck Ferrier, blacksmith   Making metal leaves  College intern Kenneth Sarra and Chris Carson help the kids with simulated cattle branding  Making cattle brands  4H garden planting exhibit   4H chickens      Moonrise over Bernal Hill  Jenel Vincze and ranch bingo  Phyllis Carrasco and Diana Gaspar-Oliver provided the crafts table. Intern Gina Italiano is helping the kids here.   Mounted ranger Julie Gaffney rode her horse in and answered questions  Dressing as a soldier in the DeAnza party  Holly Davis and John Dorrance   Confetti egg flowers  Confetti egg flowers   Dot Wilson, Patrick Joice and family in the ranch house, in which he grew up.
VideosClick on the thumbnails below to see the vidoes (.avi)
Links
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