Christmas time 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Since you may have missed hearing the carols at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, here is another opportunity to hear these arrangements sung in a festive, Victorian setting. Tea will be served by the volunteers of the historical society.

Where?  at the Camron-Stanford House

http://www.cshouse.org/visit/

The Camron-Stanford House is located at 1418 Lakeside Drive on the banks of Lake Merritt in the City of Oakland. Open EVERY Sunday for tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. and by special appointment (call 510-874-7802).Admission

Adults $5.00 Seniors $4.00 Children Free

When? SUNDAY 12/27 – Tomorrow – between 1 pm and 4 pm

What? Tea and baked goods in a beautiful setting, surrounded by art work, the latest exhibit of the historical society and four part, acapella harmonies of Christmas carols from 1860 and earlier.

–Suzette L. Davidson, Proprietor
Malvena Pearl’s Emporium

holly

Many things to Do and Tell about

So, do tell! Our proprietor went to her 20th Mills College Reunion yesterday and she saw lots of long-lost pals and even met some new ones whom she had only known in her volunteer capacity as Class Agent from 1994 to 2007 or so.  She even did some (gasp) Networking for her day job status, as she has only recently been offered a Temporary Full Time Job at her old stomping grounds, UC Berkeley. Aherm. What does the Queen of England have to say about this? Let’s find out:

COSCon MN 2013 Queenie 1 Queenie from the rear endQueenie in stocks 2013

 

We were So Pleased to see our buddy and pal Jane Cudlip King, from the class of 1942, at the lunch on Toyon Meadow! We also saw Redwood Mary and hung out with her for most of the day, meeting friends and classmates of hers, getting caught up, getting our photo taken and hearing part of a dramatic reading of Letters  written to Mills College President Aurelia Henry Reinhardt, during the Japanese internment period of American History (talk about infamy, holy cats, why did the government force people to live at race tracks?!) that was being read at Danforth Hall. Our proprietor could only stay for an hour and a half of that before she had to go to her Class Dinner at a classmate’s home, which was also awesome in many 21st century ways, unlike walking back into the past when seeing all the wonderful alumnae and staff who were Kind to her. That is what we take away from the day at Mills.

Also? The lunch didn’t suck and she got to give out information about her latest volunteer organizations, the East Bay Children’s Book Project and the Next Step Learning Center for adult literacy in Oakland.

Speaking of life during World War II, Here are some Photos of the Fires of Wisdom: Mills College Alumnae Oral History Project at a few of the annual Tea outings, which keep the Mills Tradition of Having Tea and Schmoozing up a storm. CAN YOU TELL WE LIKE HATS? Yes. Yes we do. Old hats. And outfits that recall the Tea Parties of Yesteryear. We keep this Fire alive to Stay Connected and share Experience, Strength and Hope.  To share our activies and triumphs, stories of our travels and job huts. And to give scoop on what vintage clothing stores and thrift shops are still in business or what flea markets for charity had the best deals on gloves. (not really a huge topic but sometimes…)

The first photo is of the Fires of Wisdom group at a performance of our Dramatic Reading at Alumnae Reunion at Mills A note from our proprietor:  HI JANE! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU ARE STILL CONDUCTING THE CAMPUS TOURS! We LOVE YOU and WE HAVE MISSED YOU SO MUCH! I almost burst into tears when I hugged you, yesterday! SEE YOU SOON!

Fires of Wisdom 2006
Fires of Wisdom 2006
2008
2008
Fires of Wisdom 2011 Tea at Lovejoy's in San Francisco
Fires of Wisdom 2011 Tea at Lovejoy’s in San Francisco
2009
2009
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Cecille, Kathleen, Moya, Betsy, Jane, Beth, Erika and our own Malvena Pearl’s Emporium Proprietor

2013 Spirit of Christmas in East Vassalboro Maine

Thank you for your patience over the last few months, friends. It’s been quiet as our Emporium has been relocated and adjusting to a new time zone.

We’d like to promote an event that will feature local crafters, musicians and friends

Spirit of Christmans Holiday Craft and Music Celebration, this Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 9 am to 2 pm at the East Vassalboro Grange Hall located at 357 Main Street, East Vassalboro, ME. The Grange is just north of the center of town on ME-Route 32, East Vassalboro.

Come hear some live music and see the handiwork of local craft makers and bakers. Celebrate the season with music from:

  • The Phelps Family
  • Charlie Hartman
  • Suzette Davidson
  • Chris Farris
  • Annie Nixon
  • Ben Clark
  • Remillard Family
  • Christine Little
  • Mena Han Lalime

Hemphill’s Horse Rides 11-1 Pam & Dusty Haskell

11- 2 pm Vassalboro Public Library right across the way: Hot cider, Stories of Christmas Read Aloud, and a stocking stuffer sale! (Library is open from 11-6!)

Vendors:

  • Cates Pottery
  • Charlie Hartman
  • Full Circle Farm
  • Cheryl Black
  • Quaker Luncheon & Crafts
  • 3 Level Farm
  • Mena Han Lalime
  • Jewelry & paper arts from Kate Pestana & Kate Westervelt
  • Christmas wreaths for sale on the porch