--From Julie--
Ortega Cousins,
Flood Park has increased from $160 to $300 for the Oak area (plus the per car charge).
Ortega Cousins,
Flood Park has increased from $160 to $300 for the Oak area (plus the per car charge).
We are booked for June 27, 2009 however, I think the price increase is quite aggressive and we should discuss it.
Last year I paid $160, plus $60 (Julio) for dough nuts, of which I received contributions from family members of $50 (my fault for not asking). I'm not willing to cover $250 for the reservation next year as I believe, as I'm sure you do, that this is OUR picnic and we should all contribute a little bit to make it happen.
So for now...do you want to:
1. Keep it at Flood Park and contribute to the costs?
A) Let me know if you would like to contribute to the park. I don't have a list, but if 14 of us contribute $30 we've got it covered.
2. Move to a different location?
A) Someone will have to find the spot. I have a spot in Discovery Bay with a pool, but I'm sure there is a closer location to the majority of you.
Frankly, I know my dad would pay for all of it and not think twice, but it's not the money for me....it's taking ownership of a family tradition and being a part of something special.
Let me know.
Julie
6 comments:
Monday, June 30, 2008 7:50 PM:
converted from Julianne's original email
remember the fun we had at the Ortega Day Picnic when we were kids? lets make it that fun for our kids. next year will be the 59th annual Ortega Day Picnic and will be June 27th; the 60th will be June 26th, 2010... lets mark our calendars for both.
As it has been for the last 30+ years, Ortega Day is the Saturday AFTER Fathers Day, and for those that want to know, we started at Flood Park, moved it to blackberry farm, then back to flood park (I don't know the dates of the switch)
my vote is to move it... and yes a pool would be good too.
Is Discovery Bay that much farther for those that travel the most?
Julie: how much would the park in Discovery Bay be? would the time frame be the same? [I think its 9 am-ish to sunset now].. would the park in discovery Bay have a place for overnight camping? Better/similar parking? shade? temperature?
Julianne
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 5:49 AM
converted from Julie's original email:
Discovery Bay's facility has a pool, & I believe volley ball. There are tables & some trees, but we could use pop up's for shade if it's hot. The cost is $175 plus $25? for a lifeguard. There is not a camping area here, it's actually at the DB Athletic Club. Their reservation book is not available for next year till next April 2009. Although our house is up for sale, I'm sure we could house some overnight guests and vehicles (even at the other house that we're planning to move back to).
If you wanted to keep it in the Redwood City area, there are parks down the street from Julio's house that are first come, first serve, and we could set up camp early in the morning, probably for free (although I know that's not the concern).
I know the goal is to have nice weather, but we could consider moving further north. I'm open for suggestions.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 11:15 AM:
converted from Karyn's original email
Julie, I never donated. I know you said don’t worry, but I do. I’m sorry I delayed.
I started composing thoughts last night regarding what you wrote for my sis to send forward. I agree. The family needs to hear it and come together. It is time to speak up, to show up, and to put up.
Working through my thoughts:
I can’t figure out what is going on. The picnic has certainly gone stale. I can only assume that the multitude sees it as something that will always be there; something they will go to when they have an opening in their schedules ... one year ...maybe. It lacks the fire that fueled it throughout our own childhood. The turn out for the last several years has made me so sad that I could ...I don’t know. I don’t know what to do. I’m with you on this, I think we need change. If cost is what pushes us in a new direction, we can consider the increased cost of Flood Park a blessing.
In my mind, Flood Park is a fairly great distance to travel for what has become a lack-luster situation. Of course, the luster, the lure is the family united. No location can substitute for loss of that. I even think it might be time to make a unique shift – to consider hosting it in family back yards on a rotation plan – maybe every 5 years it could go to a park. How many showed this year? 25 – 30? Maybe more. Once, for 5 or 6 years, we could each take on the nurturing in our own space in hopes of causing a return to caring that the event is happening.
What fueled the desire to participate in the old days? 14 brothers and sisters wanted a day a year to share as a whole family. What made it work? Desire, yes, and the bonds that developed between the children- the anticipation and fulfillment of time together. We, as the children, couldn’t wait to see each other. We had friends made within family. But we (many who had no pools) swam together, ate together, filled our day with things of childhood delight. The pool seemed/ seems important. Yet looking at the generations we are appealing to, many have pools – I think. That may not be enough. Maybe the home thing would work. Maybe different parks with new excitement would work. Maybe pools signify summer fun and a way of processing personal fun while playing with others, and learning who they are. Young mammas bonded while watching children swim. There were portions to the day: the arrival and greeting, the swimming, the eating, the good byes.
I love your appeal to everyone. Maybe we can still save it. Rather than death of their family tradition, maybe our parents will get to witness a resurgence of what they, their brothers and sister lived for. It means everything to me that our parents have this connection to the generations following them. Even more, it means everything to me that the current generations know our parents, and their connection to strong lineage.
I will start searching.
I think that the campout has completely replaced the picnic for some. I know that, for many, it is a date kept in the heart, a date set aside at the beginning of each calendar year, a date life is planned around. But when I look at the core that keeps it going, its the same for both events. The difference, I suppose, is that my own kids will try to make the picnic knowing how important it is, but they won’t miss the campout. If its in my own mini family this way, how could I expect it to be otherwise for others? Guess its time to do or die. I’m in on the search. I will also send money to defray cost of this year. I would sure love to hear that others do the same.
I think we ought to see if we can get Kenny back on board with his brother, sister, and their family too. Family. It is the fire in our soul.
Maybe we need to make a list of our generation, see what actual cost break down per second generation cousin is, and ask the cousins to pitch in; to keep it alive regardless of their ability to make it each year. That’s not asking too much. It would be the picnic fund. We would have a date that folks send each year ...say June 1. Everyone wants it to survive. Maybe when they send their money to back it, they will remember its coming, important, theirs! That’s not a bad idea. Lets think on it.
Karyn
Thursday, July 3, 2008 10:29 AM
converted from Juli's original email
Karyn
I wish the whole family could read your email...for me as a child it was the swimming pool (even though we had a pool) because it was different and fun. Like cousin Linda said, it was a FULL DAY. Time to swim, time to play volley ball, time to go from table to table snacking and chatting. We all invited friends because there was something for everyone to do at Blackberry Farm, and frankly, it hasn't been the same since we left. I don't try to invite friends because it would be boring for them and their kids. I guess the cousins feel the same way too.
I'm not sure which house we'll be in next year. Hopefully the same one you saw last time, but if it sells, we're only moving one block away, still on the water, to our old house. The house is smaller, but the deck is bigger, and it has an extra bathroom! The biggest problem is having enough life jackets, but it usually works out with everyone sharing, plus usually people bring their own for their kids.
There's lots of swimming in the delta, and we can put up shade if it's hot. The sunsets are magnificent and we could rent tables beyond the 3 tables I already have. We could also rent a water trampoline for $300! Maybe there's no volley ball, but it would be like going to someone's beach house without the sand in your pants.
I'm not sure I have what it takes to put it out there to the family...but I live in a great place that the kids LOVE coming to. Did I even mention fishing? They fish till midnight here.
Again, it's worth $500, or more, if we have fun stuff for the kids to look forward to. That's how it'll grow to what it can be.
Here's some pictures. I even have the view from our old house. Oh, and do you recognize the fishing boat??? It was Uncle Chuck's dad's boat! Zack lives in it.
Julie
Friday, July 4, 2008 3:52 PM
converted from Linda’s email to Julie
My thoughts. I completely agree we need to do something. It's time! I would like to suggest these emails or one, maybe the three of us put together, be sent out to everyone in the family, and mailed to those who
don't have email.
My fondest memories of the family picnic were at Blackberry Farm. They are of course the swimming pools when aunts and uncles would take turns bringing the kids swimming, but are so much more. Aunt Carol would put together games and prizes for the kids. Gunny sac races, water balloon tosses, and so much more. There was the horse shoes, and as Cousin Julie said, volley ball. I'm willing to put together games for the kids next year as my contribution to bringing our family and their friends back together. This is sooooo important to me!
I'm not sure about having it at people's homes. I think Julie's might work, because of where she lives. It's a natural playground for all. This next couple of weeks, I will take the time to research places and ideas. I know there are a few lakes where day use areas can be rented, and those that come from far could camp if they wanted, or rent cabins. As I said to Julie, I know my area is far for some, but there are so many places up here, with unlimited possibilities. Also, I know Lake Sonoma has a day use area that is available for large groups. I will take the time to do the internet research and phone calls, put together a package of ideas, and forward to both of you ASAP!
I love you both and this family so much! Let's not let the Father's Day Picnic die. We have one of the most AWESOMEST, loving families in the world.
Cousin Linda
Friday, July 4, 2008 8:41:39 PM
converted from Shirley's original email
Hi Julie,
I think moving the park to another location is fine. It was different when more people lived closer to Flood Park. The last two years I was not able to attend, but I would be willing to contribute to the cost of the park. Set the fee around $25.00 to $30.00 depending on how many cousins contribute and let everyone know when you need the money ahead of time. Cousins could send you a check in mail and that way you wouldn't have to put the money up front. I know that there is a park in Crow Canyon off of 680 but I don't know what kind of facility it is. That park isn't any closer for some but for a few coming from Dublin ,Stockton or Sacramento Area.
Shirley
Post a Comment