December 21, 2006

And to all a good night

Annual NAQCPA celebrates the season with good old-fashioned fun and friendship

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

With a nip in the air and a ho-ho-ho, the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association celebrated at its annual Christmas Party at Mike and Doreen Boulland’s adobe home, which was recently renovated for Doreen’s mom, Dot Wilson.

NAQCPA President Kitty Monahan and docent Jeanne Carevic share a joyful moment. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

One by one, members and docents of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association [NAQCPA] arrived with carefully prepared family recipes for a potluck dinner and bearing white elephant gifts to celebrate the season. Even Santa Claus was invited—looking suspiciously like Art Boudreault.

“We try to do something every year for our members at NAQCPA; the docents at the museum, the trail volunteers and active board officers,” said NAQCPA President Kitty Monahan. “The event is our way of thanking them for their hard work. And Mike and Doreen Boulland’s mother’s historic house was a wonderful setting and the food was fantastic. We’re all happy to get together during the holidays and thank everyone.”

The Boulland’s newly renovated house known as La Casita de Adobe is in the New Almaden historic district and is one of four buildings built in the late 1800s. The Boullands spent several years restoring and constructing additions to the back of the home in preparation for the arrival of Doreen’s mother from Hawaii. The results are a melding of the old and the new decorated with the colorful flavors of the season for the annual celebration.

If you left hungry it was your own fault. Appetites were whetted by an assortment of hors d’oeuvres followed by main dishes of honey baked ham, roasted turkey, a cornucopia of side dishes and of course, desserts.

And there were a few surprises for members. Monahan presented Dot Wilson with a charming lamp for her new residence as well as appointment books to volunteers who keep the park pristine and the museum staffed. NAQCPA board members received gold star ornaments.

And there was a special surprise for NAQCPA members Sid and Peggy Melbourne, who were celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary. Besides a burnt almond cake they received a gift of a baby white elephant atop a mother pachyderm candle holder bringing instantaneous laughter among the congenial crowd since every year Sid says the white elephant gift exchange is ridiculous.

If you left the NAQCPA party hungry, it was your own fault.

After enjoying the meal, the group gathered around the Christmas tree for a good old-fashioned gift exchange where hotly contested items of a miniature buckboard, an antique carbide lantern, millennium Santa and talking bear that sang “over the hill and gaining speed” were stolen three times until each items reached their rightful owners. Monahan even stole the St. Anthony’s Church birdcage, which caused one member to comment “she used to be a nun so she had to have that.”

“All the New Almaden people are really a nice community,” said NAQCPA member Bob Boydston between munching on a barbecue rib.

“Yes, they are all wonderful,” agreed docent Shari Sullivan.

But perhaps New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum park interpreter Terri Sanislo summed up the annual Christmas party best.

“We love the NAQCPA party,” said Sanislo. “We all leave with our tummies full, warm with friendships and very happy.”