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AV 'old-timers' to gather for annual barbecue (10/14) |
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AV Press |
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Oct 2, 07 - 2:13 PM |
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rbreault@avpress.com |
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Antelope Valley |
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CATCHING UP - Reminiscing is the order of the day in 2005 at the annual Antelope Valley Old Timers Association Barbecue for attendees, from left, Paul Wheeler, a Valley resident since 1923; Paul Campbell, a resident since 1933; and Walt Primmer, a resident since 1920.
EVELYN KRISTO/Valley Press files
AV 'old-timers' to gather for annual barbecue
Event a reunion for longtime Valley residents
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.
By RICH BREAULT
Valley Press Senior Feature Writer
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LANCASTER - "Say, aren't you..." is a familiar phrase heard often at the annual Antelope Valley Old Timers Association Barbecue.
The association's 80th annual barbecue is set for Sunday, Oct. 14, in the J.P. Eliopulos Pavilion at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2551 West Ave. H.
It's a fitting venue, because the late J.P. Eliopulos was considered a Valley old-timer.
An old-timer is considered to be a person who has lived in the Antelope Valley for 25 years or longer. The barbecue is a reunion of several generations of Valley old-timers.
"You look forward to seeing your friends, some of whom are coming in from different parts of the country," said Frances Lane, who is in charge of entertainment for the event. "But you also notice those that are missing. Some of them have passed, (or) aren't there because they find it hard to travel.
"My parents (Frank and Yvonne Lane) won't be going because it would be too long of a day for them. People will ask about them, and I'll fill them in on how they are doing. They would be there if they could."
Many times, those old old-timers are replaced by new old-timers, Lane said. New to the Old Timers, but not new to the Valley.
"We need the new generations of old-timers to get involved with the event. We don't want to see it go away," said Pat Stevenson, who is in charge of servers for the event.
The pavilion doors open at 11 a.m., and a deep-pit barbecue will be served from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $13 per person. Parking is free. Reservations are not required.
The meal includes traditional barbecue beef, beans, potato salad, salsa and rolls. The beef is slowly cooked in a deep-pit barbecue at the Lancaster Elks Club and brought to the fairgrounds.
The chief cook is Hank Hooyerink, who has had that job for many years. He marinates the meat and supervises its cooking. He also prepares the beans and salsa, following special recipes.
Lane said members of the West Antelope Valley Historical Society will bring and display old photos of the Valley and its residents and old articles about the Valley. There also will be old Antelope Valley High School yearbooks to look through.
"We hold the barbecue around the same time the high school has its class reunions. That way, people here for the class reunions can also be here for the barbecue," Lane said.
"This will be my class' 50-year reunion. I graduated in 1957. It doesn't seem that long ago. I don't feel that old."
Nope, just old enough to qualify as an old-timer.
Lane will videotape interviews with some of the attendees to help preserve their memories of life in the Valley and stories of the past. Interviews from recent barbecues will be played during the event.
"It's a day for reminiscing," Lane said.
Vintage and classic cars will be parked in front of the pavilion, a reminder of "the way it used to be."
The barbecue, also known as the Pioneers Picnic and Settlers Day, has been held at various venues in the Valley over the years, including the Andrada Ranch in Leona Valley as well as the Lancaster Elks Club, Locust Garden, Antelope Valley High School and the old fairgrounds, all on Lancaster's east side.
The Old Timers Association was formally organized in 1933. The association's president is Craig Stevenson, the vice president is Hank Hooyerink, the treasurer is Sue Hooyerink, and the secretary is Barbara Sterk.
Youth from area 4-H clubs will help serve food at the barbecue, and the Valley's community queens will sell raffle and 50-50 drawing tickets.
One of the raffle items is a framed photo of a snow-covered Western Hotel, shot by Lane.
"There is no formal program, but we'll give out awards for things like the person who comes the farthest to the barbecue, the oldest person and more," Lane said.
For details, call Pat Stevenson at (661) 943-5057.
rbreault@avpress.com |
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