Our May Founders Day dinner was an elegant event thanks to co-chairs Sandie Iverson and Nancy Jenkins. More than 60 members gathered to honor Marlene and Bruce Beal (photo inset below) for their volunteerism and enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner while appreciating the sunset views from the Dana Point Yacht Club where Bruce and Marlene are officers. 
Mistress of Ceremonies Nancy Jenkins named the Beals’ contributions to the Society, which include participating in the Home Tour Committees, creating five oral history interviews of surfing pioneers, writing A Beach History of Dana Point and later compiling the “Oceanic Heritage Outline.” The outline is currently 67 pages and growing, with 608 documented references to the significant events, people and institutions of surfing and oceanic history of Dana Point area beaches. It is available for viewing on the DPHS web site. Nancy called on guest speakers to highlight other nonprofit groups in 
Dana Point that the Beals have helped achieve nonprofit status and assisted with their legal advice. These include: Councilman Scott Schoeffel, Dana Point Symphony; Pete Hammer and Terry Rifkin, Fifth Marine Support Group and Marine Corps League-South Coast; Commodore Bob Purdue, Dana Point Yacht Club; Robbie Roberson and Donna Yost, Hobie Memorial Foundation; and Heather Johnston, DP Chamber of Commerce. On behalf of the Dana Point Historical Society, I had the pleasure of presenting Marlene and Bruce with a proclamation declaring them Founders for their contributions to the Dana Point Community and the Historical Society.
Speaking of guests, we have had recent visitors researching topics with Museum Docent Mary Crowl. Architect Ted Wells is researching Knowlton Fernald Jr.’s work as an architect and as Vice President of the Laguna Niguel Corporation’s planned community. Chris Jepsen, Orange County Archivist, stopped in to research newspaper articles and photos documenting the August 29, 1966, Dana Point Harbor Rock Placing Ceremony of the time capsule in preparation for the 50th Anniversary celebration to be held this August 29th (see page 4 for more information). 
On May 31st, 14 members of Las Buenas Amigas (pictured at right), a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to worthy organizations that serve youth and/or seniors in South Orange County, visited to see and hear an overview of Dana Point History as illustrated in our permanent exhibits and to hear Bob Minty’s presentation on whaling history that incudes his amazing Scrimshaw Exhibit now on display.
My thanks to Heidi Hyde, Recording Secretary, who as Scholarship Chair organized the committee that read the scholarship applications and chose the recipients. I have had the privilege to present Alison Oliver of San Juan Hills High School with the Lucy C. Saunderson $1,000 Scholarship, and Sarah McCauley of Dana Hills High School with the $1,000 Doris I. Walker Scholarship at their respective Senior Award Ceremonies. We look forward to meeting these deserving young ladies and their families at our ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FIESTA DINNER FUNDRAISER ON JUNE 22 at DOHENY STATE BEACH! Heidi would appreciate your help with the Fiesta Dinner! Jack Saunderson’s El Patio Café is once again preparing the delicious Mexican Cuisine, but we need your assistance in donating prizes for the Opportunity Drawing and helping to set up our raffle items and drinks. You will have the pleasure of lending a hand to a good cause and many hands make light work setting up and later returning items to our cars after dinner. Our Doheny event is always fun and we look forward to seeing you there!
Barbara Force Johannes