This is Jan Siegel's column appearing in Friday's editions of The Capistrano Dispatch
At the August 4 City Council meeting, a number of residents spoke to the City Council regarding the Hispanics in our community. I have never before witnessed such vitriolic language. Our community is rooted in many cultures and that is our strength. On Sunday, September 13 the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society will host its Annual Heritage Barbecue at the Amantes Camp on Rancho Mission Viejo. This is the perfect time for all residents of San Juan Capistrano to come together and celebrate our heritage.
This will be the 23rd year that the event has taken place. In 1987, it was the idea of the Historical Society to bring together the many generations of families that have called San Juan Capistrano home. It was a chance for the old families to get together and reminisce about San Juan “in the good old days.” In the beginning it was by invitation only.
In 1987, according to the Register, members of the Olivares, Manriqaues, Yorba, Lobos, Belardes, Nieblas, Hunn, Ramos, Garcia, Sepulveda, Doram and Forster families gathered at the ranch. Tony Moiso, president of Rancho Mission Viejo and great grandson of Richard O’Neill Sr., welcomed everyone stating, “we are here to celebrate your heritage.”
At that first gathering, Paul Arbiso recalled walking to Dana Point to gather abalone; Marguerite Lobo spoke about collecting acorns in the spot of the Barbecue; Bernice Valenzuela told about her father, Jose Doram, who spoke seven languages including all of the Indian dialects; Eloise Dunn recalled how her father, Fidel Sepulveda owned the first telephone in San Juan Capistrano. These are the stories that are the fabric of our community.
In 1989, Missy Yorba Hanson told the Capistrano Valley News that she would “begin video taping interviews with some of the town’s older residents in an effort to preserve local lore. It took a long time to convince them because many get embarrassed to be recorded while talking.” But once they started they could not stop, remembering times and events that happened years before.
In 1989, the town’s matriarch was Juanita Rios Foy. When she was asked at the barbecue that year, how a certain family was related to someone else, she shrugged and said, ‘we are all related in some way or another.”’
In 1991 Tony Forster became El Presidente of the Historical Society. One of the first things that he did was to open the Heritage Barbecue to all Society members and guests, not just old timers. Today, the old timers are honored and recognized, but now everyone gets the opportunity to talk to members of the old San Juan families and enjoy their stories.
The menu has not changed in the 23 years. It still includes barbecue beef, chicken, beans, salsa, salad, and rolls. Water and soft drinks are also included. Executive Chef is Brian Vermeulen, this year’s Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Connie Vermeulen, the Chamber’s Woman of the Year, will be at the information table along with Gwen Vermeulen, Historical Society Secretary. The cost is $30 per person and reservations are a must. Reservations can be made by calling Gwen at the Historical Society office at 949.493.8444. You can bring your own camp chairs as sometimes seating at the tables becomes very crowded. There are also many choices of prizes to be won from the opportunity drawings. And don’t forget the music generated by the Jesse Hughes band, which goes on all during the event.
The Barbecue starts at 3 p.m. and goes until 6 p.m. Amantes campground is five miles east of the San Diego Freeway along
This is the perfect event to spend a Moment in Time reflecting on what life was like in San Juan a generation or more ago and to take pride in the heritage that is so much apart of our community.
Jan Siegel is a longtime downtown tour guide and member of the Cultural Heritage Commission. Her name appears on the city’s “Wall of Distinction.”
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