Inaugural Pony Express Marathon – May 1, 2016

NATIONAL PONY EXPRESS
ASSOCIATION
NPEA CA NEWSLETTER
California Division, Incorporated
MAY 2016
The Vision Statement…
The National Pony Express Association will keep the spirit and
memory of the Pony Express
alive...
The Mission Statement…
Our mission is to identify and
preserve the Pony Express
National History Trail today
and for the future generations
by partnering with others,
providing education and
Inaugural Pony Express Marathon – May 1, 2016
Submitted by: Christine Starr
National Pony Express was invited out by Rotary International to come be a part of
history with the Inaugural Pony Express Marathon they hosted on May 1 st. A big
thank you to Jerry Bestpitch and Lisa Agiota for being our riders for the day. They led
the runners out for each of the different marathons, but it was the children’s 5k that
seemed to generate the most smiles. We were told there were just over 2000 children
registered for that run alone. The children enjoyed starting with the horses and trying
to catch up with them.
creating public aware-ness
through an annual re-ride and
other activities...
In this Issue:
Pony Express Marathon: Pg. 1
Play Day Update & Pioneer Day Info: Pg. 2
Up Coming Events & Information: Pg. 3
School Events: Pg. 4 & 5
We had over 150 folks stop by our booth where Jessie Davison and Christine Starr
were happy to answer questions and explain what Pony Express is all about. Many of
the children and adults alike were very interested in the mochila and how it played a
role in the delivery of the US mail by the Pony Express. It was great to see all the
interest and to hear the enthusiasm not only from the children, but the adults as well.
Buckles Update: Pg.4
We have already been invited back for next years event.
1996 Re-Ride Letter: IMPORTANT: Pg. 7
Trail Update - IMPORTANT: Pg. 5
Swearing In Ceremony: Pg. 6
Message from Secretary: Pg. 8:
UPDATE:
Mark your calendars for our
upcoming Play Day!!!
May 22, 2016
We need to get this flyer into the hands of the public.
Please post on your FB
page, Twitter, Snapchat,
any groups you belong to.
We want the public to come
out and have some fun with
us! There will be raffles and
prizes and lots of fun for
everyone!
Help us spread the word
about our Play Day!!!
Come join us in Coloma for the 1st Annual
California Pioneer History
Day!
We are in need of a head count for the day of who is
available for the parade & mochila exchange and who is
available to help man the booth and answer questions.
We have been told there will be a pasture set up for the
horses. As soon as I have more information regarding
parade times & mochila exchange, I will let everyone
know.
An email was sent out to everyone asking for volunteers.
If you have not signed up, please let Elizabeth Davis
know if and when you are available. We would like to
see anyone who has some time, even if it is only for an
hour. Bring the family, grandkids and enjoy the day!
Free Wagon Rides, Gold Panning, Pioneer Games, Period Re-Enactors. Old Time Photo Booth, Children’s
Crafts. There is something for everyone!!!
Please let Christine Starr know if you are available to
help with this event. She can be reached at 916-7929717 Thank you
Up Coming Events:
Please contact Cindy Honn for
May
School Events 530-957-1585
21st Pioneer History Day – parade with horses & mochila exchange - held in Coloma - NEED RIDERS
22nd General meeting after Play Day – Picnic on the Grass
22nd Play Day - Cindy Shields - Public will be invited - VOLENTEERS NEEDED
June
4th Trails Days – Melba Leal
10th Escort HWY 50 Wagon Train from Fresh Pond to Pollock Pines
10th Swearing In Ceremonies @ Pollock Pines Community Center
15th &16th Re-ride June / NPS event
26th Board meeting/member meeting Bible stamping
July
4th Parade Pollock Pines Cindy Shields
4th Folsom Rodeo Grand Entry and Cattle Drive Jessie Davidson/Cindy Honn
11th Sacramento History Camp – Old Sacramento – Rich Tatman
16th & 17th XP Corral weekend campout and ride
24th Board meeting/member meeting Elections
August
28th B/M BBQ- Michele and Andy Harris’ home - speaker Oregon/CA Trail Org
September
2nd through 5th Gold Rush Days
Board Meeting Only TBA during weekday
9th & 10th National Convention
11th – 18th - World Champion Gold Panning Competition
INVITED 12th Pollock Pines presentation w/horses Sportsman’s Hall (Heather)
INVITED 13th Placerville is hosting Parade of Flags – NPEA
INVITED 17th Pollock Pines hosting the event
INVITED 18th Placerville Fairgrounds Closing Ceremonies Color Guard
October
23rd B/M Christmas -Make Card boxes and Distribute to members
Boxes should be in all locations from Nov 1st and picked up no later than Nov 30th for envelope stamping
November
13th B/M Choose Christmas Card ride slots
30th Pick up Christmas Card Boxes no later than this date
December
1st Christmas card stamping party in evening location TBA
4th Christmas Parade Placerville
10th Christmas Card Ride
Gold Oak Living History Day - By Melba J. Leal~
Just as the National Pony Express celebrates a living history lesson with the annual Re-Ride, Gold Oak Elementary School had its
own history day for students on April 29, 2016. Students were able
to get a taste of what it was like as a pioneer from 9:00 a.m. until
around 1:30 p.m. Different areas had been set up such as a General Store, a gold panning site, a farm yard area with a sheep, goat
and a rabbit. There was also an Indian Tepee, and of course the
Pony Express. They practiced shooting arrows with plastic bows
for hunting bears for food, and they played a fun game of tug of
war. Approximately 340 students participated and were given historical information about each site. The trading of beads and gold
painted pebbles as nuggets were used to purchase food at the
General Store. The simple foods were dill pickles, taffy, lemonade, pine nuts, or jerky. The second graders were dressed as Plains Indians and had made special Indian head bands with feathers, and designed
their own tees with hand painted Indian symbols.
As for the Pony Express, a mochila was on display. The children could put a letter in if they wanted a Pony
Rider to pick it up, and deliver it to the local post office. Approximately 130 letters were stuffed in the
open mochila. They were told their letter would be
stamped with a special Pony Rider on it. As they
stopped by the table where Dale King-Whitney and
Melba Leal were sitting, depending upon the age
group a brief amount of history was given., and for
being good listeners they were given one gold nugget. The most popular handout was the History Mystery, Pony Express Issue by BLM and Heritage Education. All students also received a card making
them honorary members of NPEA. A couple of the teachers had the students raise their right hands and
take the Pony Rider Oath. Teachers were given the NPS Pony Express National Historic map and the
NPEA and Brockliss Project brochure, as well as the May 22nd Play Day flyer.
Nearing 1:00 p.m., the coordinators for the day gathered the students to the center of the field where the
pioneer sites were located. Around the field is the running track, and that is where the students had been
told the Pony Riders would be making a mochila exchange. When Pony Riders, Cindy Shields and Janet
Kampf rode onto the track the students became very excited. The Riders walked slowly around the track
waving to the students and giving the horses time to check out the crowd of enthusiasts. When the riders
decided the crowd and horses were ready, they each headed off in different directions trotting, then did a
run around the track and made a mochila exchange. They did this run twice and the students were yelling
with glee. Cindy and Janet really made the day for this living history event, as did their horses. Good job
Pony Riders!
Camino Living History Day - By Christine Starr
Camino Elementary invited Pony Express
out to be a part of their living history day.
The students were all dressed in costume,
either as a pioneer, Indian, military, trapper, etc., all very cute to see.
Cindy Honn and Jessie Davison, rode
their horses down the trail to the backside
of the school where they had different stations set up with a blacksmith, woodworking, trading post, kitchen as well as other
stations. The students were waiting patiently, sitting on hay bales and split log seats.
They did become a little excited when they realized the horses were there, and watched
with amazement as Cindy rode toward Jessie as Jessie called
out “Rider In”, the mochila was exchanged and Jessie rode off
down the trail. After which, Jack Davis played the part of
the Postmaster handing out the letters the students had writ-
ten. Jessie and Cindy asked questions of the students. The
best was “Does anyone know what it cost to send a letter back
in 1860 & 1861?”, to which the answer was anywhere
from .05¢ to $1500.00, with one student giving the correct answer of $5.00. When it came time for the students to ask
questions it was everything from what the horses ate to how
and when the horses slept.
A big Thank you to our riders Cindy & Jessie, and to Jack
Davis for coming out and being our Postmaster.
ATTENTION RIDERS:
Cindy Honn needs a trail report from those riders who will take part in the upcoming Re-Ride. This is important, as we are just at 4 weeks away as of print time, so
please, take a moment, ride your section and verify the trail is clear and get your reports to Cindy ASAP. Thank you!
Info for June 10th Swearing in Ceremony
By Elizabeth Davis
During the Ride Selection Dinner you were given a coupon worth $10.00 off the Jerome Family Catering New York
Steak dinner. Please hand your coupon & balance due of $8.00 to the Caterer’s cashier to receive your discount.
When Jerome’s Catering runs out of steaks he will “close his doors”.
Swearing in will be promptly at 6:30. Ceremony will be held @ Pollock Pines-Camino Community Center. 2675
Sanders Drive, Pollock Pines. This location will be crowded. Please come early.
June 10th events overview
Pollock Pines/Camino Community Center event will start @ High Noon. The Wagon Train will leave Fresh Pond
11:30 exactly! If you would like to join the Wagon Train come to Fresh Pond and prepare yourself and your horse.
After the Hwy 50 members have shuttled their rigs; Pony Express members may shuttle to Pollock Pines Community
Center. Make sure your horses and equipment are secure at Fresh Pond before leaving. The Shuttle will bring one
person per rig back to Fresh Pond. The cost of the Shuttle Service is $5.00. More information regarding this will be
forthcoming.
FYI: The Wagon Train will be robbed in Pollock Pines and the Booty will be distributed to the Public.
This event will continue from High Noon until 10PM. Two different bands; Cash Only during the day and 120 West
in the evening Some of the many attractions will be Ponies and Pony Theater, Western Antique Faire, Gold Panning,
Beer and Wine Garden, and the Crowning of Miss Pollock Pines. Remember to remove your Vest and Yellow Scarf
before partaking in intoxicating beverages!!! More info in the future!
We are in need of a head count for those riding with us from Fresh Pond on the 10th. If you are riding or participating, please let Elizabeth know, and remember, you MUST be there no later than 8:00a.m. to prepare your horse for
the ride.
Belt Buckle Update:
Get them while they are available, as they are selling fast!!
Jeff says we have 12 of the original 24 left available, and
while he didn’t
have an exact
count of the two
styles at press
time, he did say
there are some of
both the Antique
and the Polished
available, so be
sure to get them while he still has them in stock.
Please note the letter on the
following page.
This was written and adopted by the
board in 1996 when it came to their
attention of riders not completing their
rides within their allotted times.
Please take a moment and read the
letter, if you are riding the trail for the
Re-Ride, please be sure you are able
to complete your ride within the allotted times. If you feel you are unable
do this, please notify Ride Captain,
Jerry Leal immediately so another rider can be found.
FROM THE SECRETARY - Melba Leal ~
Are you wondering why you are getting a copy of the minutes at least five to six
weeks after the Board Meeting? Here is the process; For example April 24th,
2016 Board meeting. The Board met prior to the General Meeting. The Secretary
typed up the minutes on May 9th, and forwarded to the Board as a first draft. This
now gives the Board time to review. If corrections are needed they are forwarded
to the Secretary. This now becomes a second draft, and corrections will be
made, and forwarded back to the Board for further changes. If no corrections are
needed, at the following months Board meeting the President calls for approval of
the first or second draft of the minutes. The Board votes to accept the first or
second draft minutes as the Final and calls for the vote. On top of keeping you
informed we are doing many other jobs for NPEA, plus family responsibilities, so
if you believe you have been overlooked in receiving the minutes or newsletter
please let us know. If there is a change of address or e-mail we need to know that
also. The CA goal is to have a well-informed membership.
National Pony Express California Division
P.O. Box 236
Pollock Pines, CA 95726
PLACE
STAMP
HERE