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Hi Friends,
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The Castro Adobe &
The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County!
The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County has very generously given Friends a grant of $30,000 to restore the Castro Adobe cocina (kitchen) and to build an accessible pathway to the Adobe entrance.
We are so grateful to the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County for their ongoing support!
In addition to the work on the cocina and path, planning and restoration work continues at the Potter-Church garden at the Castro Adobe as the final determinations are made on phasing and materials. Led by landscape contractor, Laura Livingston, and landscape designer Kathleen Schaeffer, work is slated to start in January.
In anticipation of work beginning, six hundred 6 ft. tall grape stakes were delivered to be used to repair and reconstruct the fence surrounding the Potter-Church garden. It was quite a sight to see the delivery of that many grape stakes!
The grapes stakes are from a vineyard in Kerman, California and are over 65 years old. Their beautiful patina will add to the accurate restoration and character of the Potter-Church garden.
  
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Exciting News for "That's My Park" Fans!
We have some tantalizing news for you! Iconic artist Michael Schwab recently visited both the Santa Cruz Mission Adobe State Historic Park and the Castro Adobe to do a little scouting for a very exciting project.
Michael is the artist behind our beautiful Natural Bridges, Seacliff, Wilder Ranch and Forest of Nisene Marks images. We’re thrilled that he will be designing brand new “That’s My Park” images for both the Mission and the Castro Adobe!
"That’s My Park" merchandise is available online and
at all ParkStore locations.
In addition to "That's My Park" merchandise available at ParkStores, limited edition seriograph "That's My Park" prints are available this holiday season.
The seriographs are printed on fine archival quality paper and are signed and numbered by iconic artist Michael Schwab.
For a donation of $150.00, you will receive the lowest available single image of your choice. Also available as a folio set of all four park images, for a donation of $500.00.
This offer is not available at ParkStores or at our ParkStore online, so please contact our Membership Coordinator Cathryn Boult at Cathryn@ThatsMyPark.org or (831) 429-1840 x 107 for more information on this fabulous offer.
We are very excited to see what Michael has in store for us. Stay tuned!
HUGE turnout for Nat Geo Map Launch Party!
Thanks to all the map geeks who came out in droves to the Hotel Paradox on November 14th for the National Geographic Big Basin/Santa Cruz State Parks and Preserves Map launch party. With a standing room only crowd of over 250 people, speakers from National Geographic in Colorado gave informative and fun talks on what goes into the making of a map.
We sold many maps, the proceeeds of which go back into supporting parks. Although we briefly sold out, maps are available online, at ParkStore locations, and at the Mountain Parks Foundation Nature Store at Henry Cowell. Friends members receive 15% off at all Friends locations and at the Nature Store.
Special thanks to the National Geographic team and our amazing co-presenters, Hilltromper.com for making this event exciting, informative and fun! Hilltromper is "the nature-worshiping, fun-loving adventurer’s guide" to Santa Cruz.
March on over to Hilltromper.com to read a wonderful recap
with lots of cool photos!
Click here to check out the awesome write-up over
at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, and more photos of the event here.
Holiday Cheer is Getting Near!
Holiday season is upon us once more, and here at Friends we're getting ready for our Annual ParkStore Holiday Sale!
From gifts for the whole family to a little festive treat for yourself, you won't be stuck for gift ideas. Map Geek? We've got you covered. Local history buff? Right here. Everything for your whole crew!
Hang onto your wallets, folks, because Friends members receive an additional 15% off for a whopping 30% discount on all our beautiful merchandise! If you're not a member yet, you'll be receiving 15% off ALL merchandise at ParkStore locations and at our ParkStore online! Memberships are available at the time of purchase at ParkStores and online.
Bobbie Haver, We'll Miss You!
After 17 years of dedication and love, Wilder Ranch State Park Interpreter Bobbie Haver has decided to retire. Bobbie personified the spirit of the Ranch in her every action and we are truly grateful to know this extraordinary individual.
Bobbie, surrounded by her family,
receives a standing ovation following her speech.
To celebrate Bobbie and all her accomplishments, on November 21st State Park docents threw her the retirement party to end all retirement parties. Music, sing-a-longs, dancing, the biggest group hug in the world, delicious food and treats were all part of the night, along with a bittersweet feeling in all our hearts and a few tears on our cheeks. The night also featured fantastic performances by quartet Coastal Blend and the 5Ms (The Mostly Mediocre Musical Monarch Mariposas) and beautiful speeches about Bobbie from many of her friends and colleagues.
In a most touching gesture, the Wilder and State Parks crew presented her with a calendar pre-marked with days that she will receive a friendly visit from one of her beloved State Park friends. It was an incredible party for an incredible lady and we feel honored to have been invited.
We will all miss Bobbie very, very much!
Holidays on the Ranch!
Wilder Ranch State Park
Saturday, December 14 from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.
Celebrate the winter holidays as folks did in early 20th Century Santa Cruz with crafts to make, games to play, cookies to decorate, wagon rides, and wreath and candle making on Saturday, December 14, from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m at Wilder Ranch State Park.
Join in an old-fashioned sing-along around the player piano, and make Victorian and Mexican holiday crafts while visiting the Meder Farmhouse living history museum and Melvin Wilder 1897 Victorian Home. Enjoy hot drinks and baked goods for sale dished up with plenty of holiday warmth and cheer while spending the day on the grounds of the cultural preserve at beautiful, historic, Wilder Ranch State Park.
Wilder Ranch is located on Highway 1 at the northern end of Santa Cruz. Admission to the event is free; day-use parking is $10.00 per car which supports the park. For more information, or to make arrangements for those with special needs, call the Wilder Ranch Interpretive Center at (831) 426-0505.
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