May 29 Pancake Festival promises to be a big success.
Click here for a printable flyer of this upcoming event.See our May 2010 Newsletter online
The May edition of the newsletter is here now. Find out more about more abouit the Pancake Festival. Also, reports from our Third Annual Antique Fair, Wagon Tours to Historic Sites, and the recent RBHS Community Meeting.
Click here to see our Newsletters page.
Visit our RB History Blog
It is full of great information, is being updated all the time with interesting topics, and it is a place where you can tell us what you think and add your own comments.
Click here to open a new window to our Blog.
A Night of Magic:
The stars were out for the RB Historical Society
by Nancy Canfield, President
Sometimes you can plan every detail of a party, and even if everything goes right, including the weather, it’s as flat ginger ale left out overnight. Other times, you make sure you trust all the right folks doing their part, and the results fizzie. That was the atmosphere at the Café Merlot Wednesday evening. First of all, the honoree of the event was none other than developer Mr. Harry Summers who imagined, then built his vision for a planned community: Rancho Bernardo, beginning in 1962.
Then there was the setting, the historic Bernardo Winery, with its draping signature olive trees and grape vines. Nestled in the midst of the soiree is the Café Merlot restaurant owned and operated by Toni Kraft, with her outstanding staff. Trays of food circulated through the crowd and festooned tables inside the restaurant, while the proprietor herself served the drinks. Anyone who knows Toni wonders how she maintains her unfailing cheerfulness, but obviously she loves what she does. And she does it so well.
Larry McIntyre of LegendEditions, publisher of the local RB phone book, and videographer extraordinaire, recorded a panel of three interviewers querying founder Harry Summers. On hand were Eileen Haag, Myrna Reese, and Susan Floyd, all experienced interviewers. Nearby were Pomerado News reporter Elizabeth Himchak, and UT’s own Logan Jenkins, each with their own photographers in tow.
Entertainment came in the form of acapella renditions by Jack Mitchell, minus his famous trumpet, and tenor Frank Tershan. They belted out their own composition, Rancho Bernardo High, to the delight of over one hundred guests. The crowd came from host RB Historical Society’s membership, the RB Hall of Fame, and longtime friends and admirers of Harry Summers. Many worked at Avco, like Mr. Buie, or knew him from his days at the Saddle Club, like Carol McDaniel. On hand too were Harry’s wife, two daughters, step son, grandchildren and countless friends.
Of course, nothing like this ever comes together without the dedication of a team of volunteers. Nick Anastasopoulos, owner of the Athens Greek Market, and longtime community volunteer with the RB Historical Society, RB Hall of Fame, to name a few, got the ball rolling with a personal invitation to Mr. Summers. Then the Historical Society’s fantastic board. volunteers, and membership. Talk about Community!
A thank you gift basket of Historical Society goodies was presented to Mr. Summers including an RBHS cap, two history books written by RBHS members, a holiday ornament with the RB Logo, the signature Concert on the Green blanket, a video about RB by local historian the late Al Deahl, and more. He was truly thrilled and thanked the Historical Society in return with a check for $10,000! Much needed to build the RB History Museum. Truly, a magical night.
Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Receives Conservation Bookshelf
Treasured objects and artifacts held by the historical society will be preserved for future generations with help from the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf, a core set of conservation books and online resources donated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS has now awarded almost 3,000 free sets of the IMLS Bookshelf, in cooperation with the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).
Click here to read the press release.
May 23 Pancake Breakfast was a big success.
Click here to see photos of the event.Col. Steve Pisanos Honored at the May 23 Pancake Breakfast.
Also, the RB Transit Center opens a new chapter in Rancho Bernardo's history!
Read about these stories and more in the May 2009 Newsletter of the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society. Click here.
Cabernet Jewelers and the RB Historical Society invite you to
GO FOR THE GOLD!
From April 15th to May 31st, bring in your old jewelry to receive cash and benefit the RB Historical Society.
Click on the Calendar & Events heading for more information.
Museum Brick Program
Be a lasting part of our new Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Museum. Your name or message will be deep etched on a 4"x 8" or an 8"x 8" paver brick for installation at our new museum at the historic Bernardo Winery.
Click on the Gift Shoppe heading for more information.
General Membership Meeting drew a large turnout
Our General Membership Meeting was held at the Remington Club on October 20, 2008. There was an interesting presentation, and new Board Members were elected.
Click here for information and photos of the event.
Twilight Concert On the Green was a big success
Our 2nd Annual Twilight Concert on the Green was a big success on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the Bernardo Winery.
Click here to see photos of the event.
We're in the News:
Rancho Bernardo: Historical Society looks at fall for museum construction
North County Times article by staff writer Gary Warth on Tuesday, August 19, 2008.
Click here for the whole story.
(from www.northcountytimes.com)
Our 3rd Annual Pancake Festival on May 24, 2008 was a big success
The Third Annual Pancake Festival, honoring the military, was held on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at the Bernardo Winery. Musical entertainment was provided by the Dixie Strutters, a traditional Dixieland jazz band.
Click for a picture video of the event (62MB MPEG video).
(Please note that this is a very large download.)
Groundbreaking for our new History Museum was held on Saturday, February 9, 2008 10:00 AM at the Bernardo Winery
On February 9, 2008, the RBHS and the community of Rancho Bernardo came together for a ceremony to break ground for our new History Museum. Ken Kramer was our MC and there was a memorable program with speakers, a ceremony, and refreshments.
Click here to see photographs of the event.
Our Response to the Firestorm
by Tom Cook, President
Our hearts pour out to those who have lost everything during this, the “Great Firestorm of 2007”. Both cherished possessions and irreplaceable records, photos, letters, artifacts are no more. To stand by the ashes of our major Historic Site, the Sikes Farmstead of 1881, so recently restored at great expense. It can make you cry. We could go on and on but what possible good could be found in this, the greatest tragedy that this area has ever faced?As we see it, nothing can be un-done but your Historical Society plays a huge roll in capturing, preserving and presenting to future generation what really happened before it is lost. An example is the Great Flood of 1916 that the SD Historical Society captured so well.
To this end I ask that our members and all others help to ‘document the moment’ Please drop off at the Museum or at Village Mail any photos, maps, sad stories, success stories. heroic stories, antiques, videos, etc. Please note your name and phone. With all this in safe storage we will at a future date condense this ‘moment in RB History’ for presentation long after much is forgotten. This is our justification as a Society and a reason for your support.
In closing I thank all those who have worked so hard in the past year and those who have given their financial support for the new Museum. My dream is a new open museum this time next year………….To All a Happy Holiday.
Moving History Forward: Museum in 2007 Campaign
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society has established a $600,000 "Museum in 2007" capital campaign to raise funds for a permanent museum building. Our "Museum in 2007" capital campaign focuses on obtaining donations from a variety of sources including government matching grants, various community fund raising events, and individual and corporate membership. Use of the land for the building has been donated and graded by a local winery. Of the $600,000 budgeted for the project, $300,000 will be used for building construction and the remaining $300,000 placed in endowment with the San Diego Community Foundation for ongoing operations and maintenance. Click here to view the virtual tour and learn more!
