The next Milpitas Historical Society meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11, at 7:00 pm. Our presenter at this meeting will be John Boessenecker, a writer, attorney, and charismatic speaker, who will tell the story of the famous California outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez, the subject of his latest book, Bandido: The Life and Times of Tiburcio Vasquez.

By John Boessenecker

He’ll also tell us about some banditry that went on in our very own area in those Wild West days.

Vasquez (1835-1875) grew up in Monterey, robbed and romanced his way through much of California for 20 years after the Gold Rush, and was finally captured in Los Angeles, tried and hanged in San Jose, and buried in Santa Clara.

Special Note: Once again, our meeting will not be held in the Community Room (Auditorium) of the Milpitas Library, but in the Library’s cozy Children’s Activity Room in the children’s wing, where we met in January. We will set up signs to show you the way.

The public is invited, no charge. Light refreshments will be served. See you there!

Our speaker will be John Kimball, a history fan, Valley resident since 1950, and the presenter of two historical films to the Society last year. He will show a film about the Dust Bowl years in the 1930’s and demonstrate, with other films, some words of John Steinbeck, and music of Woody Guthrie, how that era affected our own Santa Clara (now Silicon) Valley.

The public is invited, no charge. Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

160 North Main Street
Milpitas, CA 95035

Ms Orlenko will also discuss preservation supply vendors and conservation treatment options. She began her long career as a conservator in the Conservation Office of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C and now has a private business in conservation of art on paper and of rare books and documents, and acts as consultant on preservation issues to various institutions and private collectors.

For further information on Kathleen Orlenko, and on her career and work in this field go to her web site.

Light refreshments will follow the meeting.

The Program for the evening will be a presentation by Marie Strait, president of the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association.

Quilting has been her passion for more than 35 years, and she has taught nearly as long. Marie works with and enjoys teaching scrap quilts, fast piecing techniques and fabric art using fusing techniques. She holds a California College teaching credential in sewing and needlecrafts. She began teaching in a quilt shop in Stockton, then Manteca Adult School, Merced College, Madera Adult School, in her own and other quilt shops and for many quilting groups in California and Virginia. She enjoys putting a contemporary twist to traditional quilts, and will bring some to show.

Marie will give a short synopsis of the history of quilting and explain her various techniques. Members may bring in one quilt to share at the meeting and get input from Marie.

On Thursday, April 29th members are invited for a field trip to the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, 520 S. First Street in San Jose. Joan Schulze, fiber artist, will meet the group and give a tour of her exhibit at the Museum.

The meeting is open and guests are welcome to come and meet Marie Strait and see some of her beautiful quilts.

By Harriett McGuire
President
Milpitas Historical Society

Guest Speaker – Dorothy Wuss

Dorothy’s maiden name was Bernell. Bernell Road in south San Jose was named for her parents. She will be speaking about the De Anza expedition on through to her Bernell history.