December 23, 2004

A New Almaden Christmas

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Christmas comes but once a year. For most it means endless hours of shopping for the perfect gift in crowded malls, chauffeuring the children to holiday events and not enough time. But the best thing about the holidays is spending time with friends and family. And in New Almaden, the residents celebrate the season with a true sense of community living in peace with goodwill to all.

Mike Boulland opening his white elephant gift as Jeannie Carevic, Chris and Nick Bullock and Dennis Moran watch. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association [NAQCPA] hosted its annual white elephant potluck Christmas party this past weekend. The lovely home of Nancy and Dutch Mapes was the venue for the invitation-only guests.

Dressed in Christmas green and red, members enjoyed a mammoth honey baked ham and assorted side dishes, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. In tribute to the old mining days of New Almaden area, Nick and Chris Bullock brought wild game dishes of antelope and elk.

Conversation ceased and was replaced with hoots and hollers when the white elephant gift exchange began. Of special interest were a mining lantern, candle stick holder, a cinnabar book marker and a blacksmith light. All went to the three exchanges allowed until they ended with a final owner. Christmas decorations were a close second, with a dancing Santa and a wooden Nutcracker being chosen by new recipients after their initial opening. An Arnold Schwarzenegger unauthorized biography brought laughter throughout the congenial party goers but no additional swap.

President Kitty Monahan presented gift ornaments to the NAQCPA board of directors and the docents who volunteer their time at the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum throughout the year.

Leaving the Mapes home with a full stomach and jaws aching from laughter the guests made their way home in the cold winter night. And not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

NAQCPA began in 1979 and anyone may join who is interested in the preservation of the historic New Almaden Quicksilver County Park and Mining Museum. For further information on joining NAQCPA write P.O. Box 124, San Jose, Ca. 95042 or call (408) 323-1107.