Thank you to Sam Sperry, Colleen and Bill Lund for the successful 42nd Anniversary Banquet on October 26th where one hundred members and guests of the Moraga Historical Society enjoyed Brother Mel Anderson humorously describe his years as St. Mary’s College President. The raffle of the framed Old Town Moraga photo was popular, adding a new tradition to this annual function.

December was a busy month at the Society. Ron Louis and Carole Lucas manned a successful booth at the Moraga Farmers’ Market, selling merchandise and networking with citizens. Ron and I had the pleasure of working in the Moraga Barn during the Moraga Women’s Society Holiday House Tour. We again displayed our merchandise, shared Moraga history and enjoyed the hospitality of Chris Avant, owner of the Barn and Canyon Construction Company. Look for the grant opening of the Barn in the near future.

The nominating committee has been active and will have new Board members to announce at the January 31st meeting when California historian and author of Earthquake Exodus, 1906, Richard Schwartz returns to the Moraga Historical Society to review his latest novel Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley. “Focusing on the period 1850 to 1925, Schwartz brings to life Berkeley’s defining men and women; squatters and speculators; missionaries and mystics; vendors, inventors and industrialists.” As witnessed by Richard’s last visit to the Society, Nilda Rego does any excellent job in arranging speakers for our delight.

Susan Sperry, January 2008