Bishop - Good Ole Days back and better than ever

Attendees at last year?s Good Ole Days make candles by hand. At this year?s event there will be several other demonstrations, from saddle making to basket weaving, all starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Laws. Photo by Mike Gervais

9-20-2007

It’s time to once again to head out to Laws Railroad Museum for an annual visit back in time to days gone by.

The annual Good Ole Days celebration at Laws is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 from 2-8 p.m., when local residents will be discussing the history of the valley and demonstrating some of the skills everyday families needed to make it in the old west.
Sue Cullen and Kathy Henderson, who are organizing the event, noted that along with theusual, popular activities, there will be some “very special” additions to the entertainment at the seventh annual Good Ole Days event.
As always, demonstrators will be showing local residents some of the skills needed by frontier settlers to survive and make livings, from blacksmithing to candle making, quilting and weaving. Demonstrations of basket and pottery making will also be running until dark.
In a Living History presentation, Terri Geiffinger will tell the story of a young girl’s journey from Denmark to Bodie at its heyday. “She’s going to act out the demonstration,” said Cullen.
Cowboy poet Elvie Henderson will be reading poetry beginning at 6:20 p.m.
Raymond Andrews will be leading a story-hour beginning at 6:40 p.m. at Laws where he will be telling some of the traditional Paiute stories and sharing the history of the Owens Valley tribe.
Also, members of the Bishop Fire Department will include the audience in a demonstration of a bucket brigade, showing residents “the hard way” firefighters had to battle blazes in the times before fire hydrants and generator-powered hoses. “They’re going to be getting the kids and the crowd involved,” said Cullen.
The fire department will also be selling Bishop Centennial coins, with all proceeds going into the city fire department fund.

Max Cox poses on the Slim Princess at last year?s Good Ole Days. He is one of several local ?historians? known to walk the grounds in period costume during the event. Photo by Mike Gervais

The demonstrations and fire brigade fun aren’t the only entertainment available at Good Ole Days this year.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the Bishop Community Band, Charlie Broten and friends, and the Norm Harris Band.
Keeping with the tradition of celebrating the good ole days, organizers this year have recruited Judith Butler, author of “Nevada Bell and the Forgotten Women of the West.” Butler will be on hand from 2-5 p.m. to sign copies of her book and discuss her knowledge of the old west (see story on page A-10).
According to organizers, Good Ole Days continues to grow and improve each year, but never forgetting the basic tenet on which it was founded: “It’s free entertainment for the whole family. It’s just a fun day,” said Cullen
Seven years ago, longtime local resident and former educator Roberta Matlick was concerned about the disappearance of old-time, home-town celebrations and, together with Laws Museum and a committee of seven, launched Good Ole Days in the pattern of an earlier event. The free, fun-filled evening was designed for the whole community as well as motel visitors on a Saturday night. With the help of a Gold Country Tobacco Prevention grant and despite a tight budget it was an overwhelming inaugural success and the celebration has continued to appeal to residents and visitors each year ever since.
Now, more than three dozen new tables will provide plenty of room for all who wish to picnic, whether it’s a lunch they bring, corn dogs from the Lions Club booth, barbecue, the Sunrise Rotary’s root-beer floats or Daughters of the American Revolution’s homemade cookies.
Link Stanley, a longtime Laws volunteer and community member, will be hosting one of his famous deep-pit barbecues beginning at 4 p.m. He’ll be serving up barbecued beef, bread and salad. The cost for the barbecue is $17 for advance reservations and $20 at the door. Kids under 10 years old will eat for $10.
“Also, picnicers are welcome too,” if anyone wants to pack their own lunch and bring a blanket to relax on the lawn and enjoy the sites and fellowship, said Cullen.
One of the highlights of the evening will be the pie auction with John Young as auctioneer. New this year is a silent auction and a raffle.
Kids are not forgotten. Prizes for the pre-event coloring contest will be awarded. City councilmen Jeff Griffiths is in charge of kids games including “the bizarre suitcase race.”
All museum buildings will be open and many staffed. The Brill Car, refurbished by the Railroad Committee, will be on display. Demonstrations of such pioneer activities as weaving, woodcarving, candle making, quilting and saddle-making are planned. The entire community will find a wealth of things to do throughout the afternoon and evening, and for some it’s just a great time to visit. Remember: Admission is free. For answers to questions, call the museum at (760) 873-5950.