“26 years ago a small boy of 5 was
having a funeral and as we saw the family it was remarked to the father of that
boy, that the only time any of us see the family together is at a funeral or a
wedding, with this feeling we thought we should set aside one day in the year
to gather together. No one having a house large enough to hold us, it was
decided that a park would do very well, as it has for these 25 years.”
“The day was next to be decided,
after much thought, knowing that the mother of these 14 children had left this
earth, we were concerned for the father. Many of the family went to their wives
homes for Fathers Day so we decided on the day before, being a Saturday, making
it more convenient for the most of us.
The
signing of the book was originally to keep a count of how many would be
gathering to enjoy the day. I feel that it has been very successful. I have a
book of signatures and also a book of the vital information of each of the
children and their children which now has 6 generations recorded.”
Uncle Tib decorated the binders that we sign each year. We
have all written in them at some point. These binders are now in the possession
of Aunt Mary, and have been scanned and added to the family archives. There
were no records kept for the very first Ortega Day Picnic in 1951, and the
pages for 1987 cannot be found.
Grandpa
lived at 448 Goettingen Street
in San Francisco
when this photo was taken.
According to Momma (Aunt Mary), they were gathered and
wanted a family picture, they waited for Uncle Joe, but Uncle Vic had to leave
for work before his brother arrived.
Many of us have warm memories of our Aunts and Uncles that
were formed at the Ortega Day Picnics. The first picnic was held at Flood Park
in Palo Alto,
and then moved to Blackberry Farm (1978?) because of its swimming pool,
playgrounds, and softball field. In 1981 we moved the picnic to Huddart Park and by 1989 had moved back to Flood Park.
I think the picnic can best be summed by Karyn when, in 1985,
she wrote concerning the importance of Ortega Day:
“July 15 –
reminiscing over the “books’”
“The happiness that comes of
this day is an ‘event’ to say the least. The old memories of childhood
playmates (cousins of course), & the young adult memories of partying with
these folks is always drifting on our minds & tongues on this day. Many of
those party events were family picnics & campouts!”
“I sure do miss Uncle Willie and Uncle Fritz. Funny how Gordon is of that same magical personality as
Uncle Fritz and Uncle Tony – God Bless you. I wish my children would know you
all. But anyway, they got to know Fritzy. Praises to God for the goodness they
met in him.”
“There is a reverence towards
this family of Ortegas felt by all. This I credit to Ortega Day. I know that
without this day set aside, we just would have good intentions instead of good
visits & good relationships. How many times as a child did I go from the
picnic directly to a cousin’s for a week or two. It’s a starting place – a
catalyst. It opens not only our hearts but our minds it alerts of the years
passing & reminds us to look back into the soul of this family for
strength. AMEN. Three Cheers for ‘Ortega Day’!!!”
Since Flood
Park was slated to
undergo major renovations during 2011, and because the family had been
discussing a more centralized meeting place for years, the hunt began for a new
location. A facility closer to most, that also provided additional amenities
for the kids. We held the 61st annual Ortega Day Picnic at Morton's Warm Springs
Resort in Glen Ellen, California.
This park was much more readily accessible to a larger portion of the family,
but meant a longer drive for those closer to Flood Park
(like Momma and Uncle Julio).
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