El Conquistador

      The Quarterly Meeting of the El Paso County Historical Society will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at the El Paso Museum of History at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Louis R. Sadler and Dr. Charles H. Harris III will present a talk about their new book The Secret War in El Paso: Mexican Revolutionary Intrigue, 1906-1920. Dr. Sadler and Dr. Harris are professors emeritus at New Mexico State University. They have authored numerous books and papers about the Southwest, especially the Mexican Revolution. Following the talk the authors will have a book signing of The Secret War in El Paso. The book has not been released but the authors will bring copies. We will serve refreshments to those attending the seminar.

Dear Society Member,

      One of the unique events sponsored by the El Paso County Historical Society was held Sunday, May 17, at the Burges House. The fifth annual Dolly Dingle's Tea Party was a tremendous success and the setting was just beautiful. Chef Peronneau H. Breese created and coordinated a magnificent menu to the delight of everyone. A special thank you to the co-chairmen, Magda Flores and Elizabeth Johnson, tea party committee Carolyn Buchanan, Patricia Kiddney, Carmen Stearns and Deen Underwood, volunteers including Jack McGrath, Canutillo High School students under the direction of sponsor Heather Cawley, vocalist Patricia Rasberry Steinmann, pianist Sherwood Kaip, M. D., violinist Daniel Rivera; Tea Time Etiquette Deen Underwood, Bernie Sargent, Six Guns and Shady Ladies, the Harvey Girls, Melissa Sargent and Alexandra Sealey, Language of the Fan, and Patricia Kiddney, interpreting the poem "Katie".

      The second annual Appraisal Fair is Saturday, May 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Woman's Club of El Paso. Mark your calendar and select those treasures you would like appraised. I hope you saw the program on the first appraisal fair on KCOS on May 23. Keith Erickson and his committee are working extremely hard to make this another success for the Society and our community.

      Hall of Honor nominations are being accepted from the general public as well as Society members for the 2009 Hall of Honor. If you have any questions, please call the office at (915) 533-3603 for additional information.

      You don't want to miss the next quarterly meeting of the Society. Dr. Louis Sadler and Dr. Charles Harris, professors emeritus at New Mexico State University will present a program on The Secret War in El Paso: Mexican Revolutionary Intrigue 1906 - 1920. The meeting will be June 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Museum of History.

      Thank you for supporting the El Paso County Historical Society.

            Lillian Crouch

Second Appraisal Fair Scheduled

The El Paso County Historical Society (EPCHS) announces its second annual Appraisal Fair to be held on Saturday, May 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the El Paso Woman's Club, 1400 N. Mesa. Expert appraisers will be on hand to evaluate items including antiques, collectibles, firearms, jewelry, artwork and personal items. Only items that can be hand carried will be appraised. Verbal appraisals will be available at $20 for the first item and $10 per item after that. For those wishing to attend the fair without items for appraisal, general admission is $5.

      During the event, Capstone Productions will videotape some items and their owners for use in a future broadcast. Highlights of last year's Appraisal Fair were featured on a television program that aired on May 23 on KCOS Channel 13/Cable 12. The program was based on the DVD "El Paso Appraisal Fair" that was produced by Capstone Productions Inc. in partnership with the EPCHS. The DVD will be available for sale for $32.50 in June 2009 at the Society. The broadcast showed examples of treasures brought in last year by the attendees, including a painting worth $35,000, a $20,000 Chinese bowl, original artwork by Jose Cisneros and Tom Lea, as well as valuable books and jewelry.

      Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day from Woman's Club.

      The El Paso County Historical Society is accepting nominations from the general public as well as from Society members for the 2009 Hall of Honor. Deadline for nominations is July 1. One living and two deceased persons will be honored at the Society's banquet to be held on Sunday, November. Nominees must be (1) outstanding men or women of character, vision, courage and creative spirit who have lived in what is presently El Paso County, and (2) who have consistently done the unusual which deserves to be written or recorded, or who have made El Paso County better for their having lived in it; and (3) who have influenced over a period of years the course of history of El Paso County, or by their singular achievements have brought honor and recognition to the El Paso community, and (4) who have directed us toward worthy goals and merit being remembered by all El Pasoans as an exemplary guide to our future.
     Nominations must be accompanied by a biographical resume that includes pertinent information about the nominee and the reasons for naming him or her. Please include the nominee's address and phone number, if living, date of death, if deceased, birthplace, years of residence in El Paso County, profession and name and address of nearest known relative. The person making the nomination must give his or her name, address and phone number and mail all information to Chairman, Hall of Honor Selection Committee, El Paso County Historical Society, P. O. Box 28, El Paso, Texas 79940.
      This year's Hall of Honor Banquet will be on November 2 at the El Paso Country Club. Please call the Society at 533-3603 if you have any questions.

      EPCHS hosted its annual Dolly Dingle Tea on Sunday, May 17. We had over 100 guests join us for tea. Many of the guests have made the tea party an annual event for their family.
      Chef Peronneau Breese donated his services to EPCHS and created and coordinated the menu for us. We heard nothing but raves for his Italian bruschetta, salmon crostini and chocolate walnut cookies. Tawnya Smith of let's do tea provided Earl Grey tea to complement the menu.
      We opened the garden at one p.m. and guests sipped on agua de melon as they strolled around, were photographed in their finery and bought tickets for the raffle items.
      The hardworking committee was composed of Carolyn Buchanan, Magda Flores, Liz Johnson, Patricia Kiddney, Carmen Stearns, and Deen Underwood.
      Thanks to President Lillian Crouch who provided support and helped bake the cookies. Thanks also to Bill Hooten, master gardener, who takes care of the grounds and always makes the lawn and gardens look great.