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The Latchstring Is Out
by Dorrie Hepner Moitoret
We have been spending considerable time here at 658 Santa Ray Avenue polishing up our best and most beautiful latchstring, which we prepare to hang upon the front door on July third, in order that the first arrival for the convention will find it and a welcome.
Somehow I approach this convention with different emotions than the rest of the Oakland club. I am not looking forward to the choice of proper officers; for that takes care of itself. I am not concerned with transportation problems and entertainment details; for those are being managed beautifully by the committee. But I am having a busy time conjuring up pictures of our home as I hope it will be during those few exciting days.
I want to see the table spread its entire length, added by a few card tables, and bring in breakfast for the Mellingers and the Hollubs and others of the old days, and make waffles for the children of the amateurs who were my friends in my own days of active service. If only all of that second generation could come and let me know them, how happy a time it would be for me.
I picture all the beds filled in this big house (of course most of them are partly filled with our horde) and extra cots stuck here and there if need be, and such a wealth of laughter and fun flying through the air that the house will sing back at me for days to come.
And I want to have my little car filled again and again with those who trust my driving, and I want to take them to the rim of the hills beyond our house and share with them the view of sea and field and hill and city, such as they can see in no other place in America. (Providing the summer fog does not shut us off, as it regularly does in the summer time.)
I want this to be my personal invitation to all who knew me in the old days, or care to know me and my tribe in these new days, to come to the convention by fair means or foul; sell the family jewels if need be; hock your watch; hitch-hike, fly or swim; but do come. We have so much here to offer you, you can not regret the sacrifices necessary to make the trip. We want you, and will co-operate with you to make your stay a thing to be remembered.
The latchstring is out, shining and gay, at the turn of the first hill. Come and lay your hand upon it, and we will swing wide the door to let you in.
A Trip on The River Boat
by Felix Moitoret
An interesting trip to take in California is the river boat trip made from San Francisco to Sacramento. This trip can be made on either the “Delta King” or the “Delta Queen,” both owned by the river lines. The boat starts at San Francisco pier at 6:30 p.m. After the boat pulls out, the gong rings for dinner. Excellent foods are served at moderate prices.
At the first of the trip one can view both the Oakland-San Francisco bay bridge and the Golden Gate bridge. Later you pass Alcatraz Island where the federal prison is located. Another prison to be seen is the San Quentin State prison, the lights of which are just beginning to twinkle.
On one side of the bay rises Mt. Tamilpais, while on the other, the top of Mt. Diablo can be seen on a clear day. Other sights are Angels Island, and Red Rock. After a while you will pass under the Carquinez bridge, which carries the main highway from Oakland to Sacramento across Carquinez strait. On the shore beside the bridge is the C. and H. sugar plant.
The boat does not get into the river until ten o’clock which is past time for all good children to be in bed. The cabins are as clean as any small room in a hotel. Some of them are equipped with baths, while others have showers. In these cabins a good nights rest is assured.
If you wake up early in the morning you are in the beautiful Sacrament River. If you sleep late you will awaken in the Sacramento harbor. Straight ahead you can see the new bridge which is another link of the Sacramento-Oakland state highway.
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START PLANNING NOW FOR YOUR VISIT TO GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, IN 1936.
Why not use the route of the Western Pacific Scenic Limited through the most beautiful spots in America. Investigate our special low rates.
The Western Pacific Railroad Co.
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The Little Red School House
by Virginia Winkelman
The little red school house is covered with dust,
As condemned and lonely it stands,
As it waits for an earthquake to come and take
It out of the people’s hands.
Time was when the little red school house was new,
With children and laughter so fair
And that was the time when our little red school
Was proud to be standing there.
Ay, faithful to faded years it stands,
While its children laughing and gay,
Now go to school in shacks and tents.
Which are safe for work or play
The school house wonders while waiting there,
In the midst of its musty prime,
What has become of its occupants
And prays to the blessing of time.
(With apologies to Eugene Field).
(Editor’s Note: By an act of the California State Legislature in 1933, hundreds of schools were condemned as dangerous in case of earthquakes.)
The Victorian
An amateur paper published irregularly by
Victor A. Moitoret
Oakland, California
Member of the National Amateur Press Association and the Oakland Amateur Press Club.