Stagecoach Days at Park Sierra

Hip hip hooray—Stagecoach Days 2007 has come and gone. For the last six months we've been planning for and organizing a team to help us pull off a fantastic event for Park Sierra. Well, we did it and are very happy with its success . . . both financially and by the smiles on the participant's faces it seems that all had a great weekend. Here are some pictures depicting some of the fun things offered to those who came to Park Sierra to have a good time.

I wore this hat whenever I was at the mic so that folks would recognize me should they need anything during the event. Of course it served its purpose and it was fun to wear. Some even thought I should auction it off!

Thursday night, after having to relocate our "Supper Around the Campfire" inside to the Clubhouse because of high winds, we had a great songfest put on by our friend Ed, who we met up at Winchester Bay last summer. He and a couple of his friends came and played for nearly two hours . . . every type of music from blue grass to country to 50s to rock and roll. Amazing talent between them. And they came on a volunteer basis just because they enjoy music. We passed a can among the audience and were able to give them nearly $400 when they left.

We offered three "Make-It-Take-It" workshops. Pictured here is the Beaded Shirt class. Our friend, Cecile, taught a couple of the classes—this one being one of them. We all had a great time and after the two-hour class some of us were able to finish our shirts.

Friday morning between breakfast and lunch we had a Craft Faire for members and guests to sell their wares. Anybody recognize this customer?

Through out the weekend hayrides (an enclosed "wagon" with haybales) were offered to tour the park and were narrated by our friend Cecile. She told of the building of the park 18 years ago, and of the earlier indian history of the Coarsegold area as the wagon made its way up and down the hills.

One of my personal favorites of the weekend was a dutch-oven cooking demonstration put on by a couple who are on the waiting list. She started off by baking cinnamon rolls, followed by sour dough bread, a chicken-rice dish, lasagna, chile relleno casserole, bread pudding, and mixed berry crisp . . . all, of course, in separate pots . . . at the same two-hour period of time. And after a taste of each, nobody had to go home for lunch before the next event! Each dish was incredibly delicious. So now we're excited about trying it out up in Oregon this summer.

We had to move this event to the pole barn due to weather, but it worked out just fine. Nearly 50 folks enjoyed the food and learned a lot about dutch oven cooking.

Everybody was fascinated by the way the instructor hoisted those heavy pots and lids with ease and without burning herself—she made it look so easy!

Here you can see five dutch ovens going at the same time. Stacked so that the one on the bottom is left alone, while the one on top may need more attention as it cooks. The timing was carefully planned so they all were done at the same time!

Nothing better than freshly baked sour dough bread.

A small portion of each was quite satisfying . . . we all anxiously watched and waited and watched until they were ready to serve.

We held an auction - selling various items donated by members. We were able to raise over $2,000, with the help of a great auctioneer—a member of the park!

Friday night we hosted a "Home-Grown-Entertainment" evening with dessert and raffle drawings following. The Merry Music Makers performed, and the drama group put on a melodrama. And then on Saturday night we were entertained by a local blue grass band "Boys in the Woods." I messed up by leaving my camera home so I don't have any pictures, but they were FABULOUS and gave us a great two-hour concert. Standing ovation . . . they were a big hit!

All during the weekend we raffled off nearly 60 items collected from local businesses. We collected nearly $2500 worth of prizes and raised close to $1800. Lots of great prizes were presented to the winners.

A lot of work but, all in all, we are quite please everything went so well. Now we look forward to going on a cruise with Gary and Cecile, before we head up to Oregon for the summer.

Life is good!