Carol Thornberry: The magic of a lot of music boxes
0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Oct 30, 2009 | by Carol Thornberry
AMONG THE JOYFUL sounds of childhood, most of us remember the magic of a music box.
Celia Ator traced the history of such magical and memorable treasures when she recently entertained the Estudillo Chapter No. 444 of The Questers at her home in Castro Valley.
Lunch was provided by co-host Carol Fahrbach and the “Cookie Ladies” of the organization, who can be counted on to bake some delicious delights.
Celia had a chance to show off her music box collection and when they were playing simultaneously, it sounded like an orchestra tuning up.
The Estudillo Chapter continues its good work with a focus on providing funds for the ongoing restoration work on The Little Brown Church on the grounds of Casa Peralta in San Leandro, besides raising money for scholarships and other historical preservations.
Members hold monthly meetings with guest speakers, take trips to places of architectural and historical interest, or have talks about members’ various collections and the history of such objects. The Questers organization, headquartered in Philadelphia, is international in scope, with a motto of “It’s fun to search and a joy to find.”
Other members present at the first meeting of the fall season were Frances Bienati, Mari Bittick, Betty Brown, Doris Cooper, Myrna Cucchiara, Diane Dobberpuhl, Alice Doolittle, Renate Liebthal, Pat Maus, Bonnie Peterson, Dorthe Reihl and Sue Wood.
For questions regarding The Questers, contact Celia Ator, 510- 537-9978.
On Oct. 3, the California Retired Teachers Association, Southern Alameda County Division 59 — which includes retired educators from the Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro and San Lorenzo unified school districts — participated in the CalRTA Area IV Fall Workshop at the United Methodist Church of Castro Valley.
The participants were Ernie Avelar, John Gray, George Jardine, Mary Jardine, Jean Johnson, Orville rachael ray cookware Johnson, Doris Marciel, Frank Marymee, Donna McCarty and Gwenyth Page.
Area IV Director Clayton Ross welcomed the seven CalRTA divisions from Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Music by the “Angry Retired Teachers Band” preceded guest speakers Polly Bacich, CalRTA president, and David Walrath, CalRTA Legislative Advocate.
The participants attended sessions on legislation, membership, communications, insurance and resource services