PLOUGHSHARE & PRUNING HOOK
Volume 2 Number 8
November 1997
November 1997Patterson House to Get New Roof
Our goal has been met! Thanks to a check for $630 and the pledge of a $1000 which check we have now received the historical society can now let to contract the new roof for the Patterson house. On behalf of the society we would like to thank all of those who contributed to this endeavor. All that remains now is for us to award the contract to 1 of 4 firms who have given bids to do the work. The plans are that the work will be done no later then the last of December. Again this year we will be putting plastic sheeting over the broken windows. If all goes well and funds can be raised we plan to replace all the damaged windows by spring of 1998. With the addition of the windows we may be able to open the grounds for tours and visits.
Area Pioneer Passes On at Age 100
October 18th saw the passing from us of another pioneer family member. Lelia McCall died in Texas. She along with her husband moved to the Mennifee area in 1925. Both her and her husband were very active in the Winchester United Methodist Church. For many years she was the church organist. She also was active in the Winchester Women's Club and served af their President. Her husband served as a county supervisor for many years. We send our condolences to the family and to all who knew and loved her.
Alamos School Reunion Date Set
The date May 16, 1997, the place is Lake Skinner and the time is 10:00 A.M. and some 300 people or more are gathered to renew old friendships and recount old stories. Are you going to be there? We have just been informed that all the old Hyatt Alumni are also being invited to attend. Now if you are of either of these old schools and want mor information we urge you to call MiMi Milholland at 909-926-5080 as soon as possible. She is also looking for any and all information about the old schools. She plans to put together a book of some kind for all to remember this event.
Historical Society To Pay Property Tax
Thanks to a quirk in the laws of the State of California we must still pay property taxes on the Patterson house. When the Kinneys donated the house to the Historical Society the county set a new value on the property thus increasing the taxes from when they bought it in the early 1980's. We have of course appealed this decision but it takes up to 2 years to get a hearing. So begrudgingly we are sending the county a first installment of $499.97. We are also working on getting the property exempted, but again that is a slow process. We will keep you informed of our progress.
Historical Society Happenings
This past month saw the society have the chance to share our local history and gather some more of our history. We were asked by a firm doing work for the County of Riverside to pinpoint some significant historic sites in the Winchester area. They are doing work to establish a guide to help draw tourists to the area. Another opportunity that we were given was to speak before the Winchester United Methodist mens group about the history of the church and the community.
An interesting piece of memorabilia was recently donated to the society. We received a call from the Hemet Area Museum Association about a trophy that was donated to them. They asked if we would like to have it since it was part of our history. We of course said a definite yes to that question. The gift was a trophy that was given to the original V.F.W. post in Winchester. If anyone has further information on this trophy please let us know. Below is the inscription:
Armistice Day
1947
Grand
Sweepstakes
Prize
Owen Graham
Post
V.F.W.
Post 9488 & Aux.
Winchester, Calif.
