2020 News for the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association

Contents: Home About NAQCPA, Membership, Donations News Newsletters Almaden Quicksilver Park Info Mining Museum, Museum Archives, Outdoor Museum Pioneer Days, New Almaden Days Media, Pictures Events Links _____________ Webmaster Contact	News: News Archive: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Old pictures of Kitty Monahan Pictures and videos of Kitty's Celebration of Life 2023 Latest news (2024) 2020 News: On 2/8/20, Chinese New Year Living History Day was held at the Casa Grande. There were decorations, demonstrations, displays, and crafts that were related to Chinese culture and Lunar New Year traditions. Above is a demonstration of Chinese calligraphy. The New Almaden Mines have Chinese connections. Chinese immigrants worked in the mines and in the towns. In the 1850's, valuable cinnabar and mercury from New Almaden was sent to China. In gratitude, the emperor of China sent a pavilion with carved walls and columns. It stood on the grounds of the Casa Grande until it was washed away in a flood. Parts of the pavilion, or Ting in Chinese, survived. A group called the Friends of the New Almaden Ting are working on restoring it. They had an informational display, including a model of the Ting. On 2/22/20, there was a Senior Resource Fair at Oakridge Mall. There were exhibitors providing information about resources and volunteer opportunities for seniors and the community. Johnny Khamis' office invited the Friends of Santa Teresa Park (FOSTP) and the Friends of the New Almaden Ting (FONAT) to participate. Both groups shared tables, staffed by Mike Boulland, Steve Crockett, and Jennie Yeung. For FONAT, they had the wooden model of the Ting, a 3D photograph of one of the actual columns, historic photographs, and informational pamphlets. The COVID-19 pandemic has had major effects on the County Parks, the New Almaden Community, and NAQCPA. COVID-19 restrictions, which started in March, 2020 and are in force until lifted, have resulted in the following: While most of the County Parks, including Almaden Quicksilver, have remained open for trail use, some facilities have been closed and some activities have been prohibited. The situation is subject to change. Check the County Parks' website for the latest updates. Live meetings of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association cannot be held. We have not been able to hold Zoom meetings. The Casa Grande, the home of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, is closed, including the office and archive area. That means all volunteer and interpretive activities, such as tours, archiving, and events, cannot be held. There will be no Living History Day and Play Like a Miner events. The NAQCPA newsletter cannot be published because it requires the facilities of the Casa Grande. Group events, both public and private, in New Almaden and in Almaden Quicksilver County Park cannot be held. That means there will be no New Almaden Parade/Carnival and no Pioneer Day. There will be no group hikes led by volunteers, interpreters, or rangers. Since County Park trails have remained open, usage has skyrocketed, resulting in parking lots filling up and trails becoming crowded. There are maps of some parks showing recommended road-width trails. The maps have been highlighted to show trails that are wide enough to maintain at social 6-feet social distancing when passing. There isn't a modified map for Almaden Quicksilver yet. In general, most of the trails in park are wide, except for the hiking-only trails, like the New Almaden, Cinnabar, Buena Vista, and Prospect 3. There have been personnel changes in the County Parks' Department since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic: Park Interpreter Chris Carson retired. Bridgett Orcutt-Diaz retired earlier. Park Interpreter Dan LaFlash left the department. Kelsi Ju also left before the shutdown. Park Interpreter Jan Shriner has been temporarily re-assigned to work on COVID-19 contact tracing, as has Patricia Vasquez, who worked in the Volunteer Program office. Volunteer Program Manager Julie Lee has been temporarily re-assigned to work in the County's housing program. Debra King is temporarily working in the Volunteer Program Office. Julie Kahrnoff in the Volunteer Program Office got married. She's now Julie Abbatelli. In May, she left the department to take a job in Valley Water. 2 new interpreters joined the department: Travis Trinh and Rob McDonnell, joining fellow interpreters Luke Bailey and Victoria Heyse. They are doing virtual programs now (see below). Rachel Caoili was hired as extra help in the interpretive department in the Calero/Almaden Quicksilver unit. Senior Ranger Holly Maximovich moved from the Calero/Almaden Quicksilver unit to Ed Levin. Ranger Sadie Webster is now the acting senior ranger at Calero/Almaden Quicksilver. While organized group events in the County Parks and open space preserves have been suspended due to COVID-19, videos and Zoom conferences are available from various organizations. Here are some examples (note: Facebook sign-in may be required): Santa Clara County Parks videos Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority videos, events Saved By Nature events Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) videos, events Midpensula Regional Open Space District videos, events California State Parks videos Wildlife Education and Rehabiliation Center (WERC) Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society videos California Native Plant Society - Santa Clara Valley Chapter events, Going Native Garden Tour (virtual) UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County events (online) East Bay Regional Parks Digital Learning Valley Water videos We are very sad to announce that Mary Lee Baiocchi, long-time NAQCPA member and docent at the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, passed away. Here is her Obituary in the Mercury News: Mary Lee Baiocchi January 6, 1934 - November 21, 2020 Resident of San Jose Mary Lee Baiocchi,"Cookie" to her family and friends, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 21, 2020. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and godmother. She is survived by her two sons Greg (Josie) and Ken (Stephanie), sister Barbara and niece Stacia. She is together now in heaven with her devoted husband Jerry Baiocchi, daughter-in-law Sharon Baiocchi, and sisters Georgia Lumley and Bea Lumley. Mary Lee was the daughter of George and Irene Smoot. She was a San Jose native and proud graduate of Notre Dame High School Class of '51 and San Jose City College. She worked as an instructor for Pacific Bell, becoming one of the first female supervisors and trainers in the San Jose area. After taking time off to raise her boys, she returned to the phone company, working in various roles until retirement in 1988. Mary Lee had a vibrant "second act" after retirement. As the granddaughter and daughter of New Almaden Quicksilver mine workers, she had a strong connection to the rich history of the area. She served as a history docent for over 30 years at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum and served on the board of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association, activities that she shared with her lifelong friend Kitty Monahan. She was recognized as the Santa Clara County Parks Volunteer of the Year in 2006. Mary Lee was involved with many other groups and activities, including the San Jose Women's Club, Almaden Valley Rotary Club, Transfiguration Catholic Church, Santa Theresa Women's Golf Club, and numerous book clubs. Mary Lee also acted and sang with the Almaden Senior Players acting troupe. Mary Lee had an inquisitive mind, a faith-filled heart and a thirst for knowledge. Her library is full of books that range in topics near and far. She loved all animals and enjoyed art classes and piano lessons. She loved to travel, explore cultures and meet people. Her favorite spot was Hawaii by far. Due to pandemic restrictions, Mary Lee was laid to rest in a private family service. A memorial mass will follow when it's safe to gather. We loved Cookie and if you knew her, you loved her as well. In honor of Mary Lee, you may light a candle or make a donation in her memory at San Jose's Notre Dame High School or Transfiguration Catholic Church. Top of page Copyright © New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association Visit our Facebook group. For more information about the organization and activities, send us an email at info@naqcpa.com. For questions about the website, contact our webmaster, Ron Horii. Updated 6/20/24.

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2020 News:

Calligraphy demonstration at Chinese New Year Living History Day

On 2/8/20, Chinese New Year Living History Day was held at the Casa Grande. There were decorations, demonstrations, displays, and crafts that were related to Chinese culture and Lunar New Year traditions. Above is a demonstration of Chinese calligraphy. The New Almaden Mines have Chinese connections. Chinese immigrants worked in the mines and in the towns. In the 1850's, valuable cinnabar and mercury from New Almaden was sent to China. In gratitude, the emperor of China sent a pavilion with carved walls and columns. It stood on the grounds of the Casa Grande until it was washed away in a flood. Parts of the pavilion, or Ting in Chinese, survived. A group called the Friends of the New Almaden Ting are working on restoring it. They had an informational display, including a model of the Ting.

Friends of the New Almaden Ting at Oakridge Mall

On 2/22/20, there was a Senior Resource Fair at Oakridge Mall. There were exhibitors providing information about resources and volunteer opportunities for seniors and the community. Johnny Khamis' office invited the Friends of Santa Teresa Park (FOSTP) and the Friends of the New Almaden Ting (FONAT) to participate. Both groups shared tables, staffed by Mike Boulland, Steve Crockett, and Jennie Yeung. For FONAT, they had the wooden model of the Ting, a 3D photograph of one of the actual columns, historic photographs, and informational pamphlets.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had major effects on the County Parks, the New Almaden Community, and NAQCPA. COVID-19 restrictions, which started in March, 2020 and are in force until lifted, have resulted in the following:

While most of the County Parks, including Almaden Quicksilver, have remained open for trail use, some facilities have been closed and some activities have been prohibited. The situation is subject to change. Check the County Parks' website for the latest updates.
Live meetings of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association cannot be held. We have not been able to hold Zoom meetings.
The Casa Grande, the home of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, is closed, including the office and archive area. That means all volunteer and interpretive activities, such as tours, archiving, and events, cannot be held. There will be no Living History Day and Play Like a Miner events.
The NAQCPA newsletter cannot be published because it requires the facilities of the Casa Grande.
Group events, both public and private, in New Almaden and in Almaden Quicksilver County Park cannot be held. That means there will be no New Almaden Parade/Carnival and no Pioneer Day.
There will be no group hikes led by volunteers, interpreters, or rangers.

Since County Park trails have remained open, usage has skyrocketed, resulting in parking lots filling up and trails becoming crowded. There are maps of some parks showing recommended road-width trails. The maps have been highlighted to show trails that are wide enough to maintain at social 6-feet social distancing when passing. There isn't a modified map for Almaden Quicksilver yet. In general, most of the trails in park are wide, except for the hiking-only trails, like the New Almaden, Cinnabar, Buena Vista, and Prospect 3.

There have been personnel changes in the County Parks' Department since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic:

Park Interpreter Chris Carson retired. Bridgett Orcutt-Diaz retired earlier.
Park Interpreter Dan LaFlash left the department. Kelsi Ju also left before the shutdown.
Park Interpreter Jan Shriner has been temporarily re-assigned to work on COVID-19 contact tracing, as has Patricia Vasquez, who worked in the Volunteer Program office.
Volunteer Program Manager Julie Lee has been temporarily re-assigned to work in the County's housing program.
Debra King is temporarily working in the Volunteer Program Office.
Julie Kahrnoff in the Volunteer Program Office got married. She's now Julie Abbatelli. In May, she left the department to take a job in Valley Water.
2 new interpreters joined the department: Travis Trinh and Rob McDonnell, joining fellow interpreters Luke Bailey and Victoria Heyse. They are doing virtual programs now (see below).
Rachel Caoili was hired as extra help in the interpretive department in the Calero/Almaden Quicksilver unit.
Senior Ranger Holly Maximovich moved from the Calero/Almaden Quicksilver unit to Ed Levin. Ranger Sadie Webster is now the acting senior ranger at Calero/Almaden Quicksilver.

While organized group events in the County Parks and open space preserves have been suspended due to COVID-19, videos and Zoom conferences are available from various organizations. Here are some examples (note: Facebook sign-in may be required):

We are very sad to announce that Mary Lee Baiocchi, long-time NAQCPA member and docent at the Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, passed away. Here is her Obituary in the Mercury News:
Mary Lee Baiocchi
January 6, 1934 - November 21, 2020
Resident of San Jose
    Mary Lee Baiocchi,"Cookie" to her family and friends, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 21, 2020. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and godmother. She is survived by her two sons Greg (Josie) and Ken (Stephanie), sister Barbara and niece Stacia. She is together now in heaven with her devoted husband Jerry Baiocchi, daughter-in-law Sharon Baiocchi, and sisters Georgia Lumley and Bea Lumley.
    Mary Lee was the daughter of George and Irene Smoot. She was a San Jose native and proud graduate of Notre Dame High School Class of '51 and San Jose City College. She worked as an instructor for Pacific Bell, becoming one of the first female supervisors and trainers in the San Jose area. After taking time off to raise her boys, she returned to the phone company, working in various roles until retirement in 1988.
    Mary Lee had a vibrant "second act" after retirement. As the granddaughter and daughter of New Almaden Quicksilver mine workers, she had a strong connection to the rich history of the area. She served as a history docent for over 30 years at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum and served on the board of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association, activities that she shared with her lifelong friend Kitty Monahan. She was recognized as the Santa Clara County Parks Volunteer of the Year in 2006.
Mary Lee was involved with many other groups and activities, including the San Jose Women's Club, Almaden Valley Rotary Club, Transfiguration Catholic Church, Santa Theresa Women's Golf Club, and numerous book clubs. Mary Lee also acted and sang with the Almaden Senior Players acting troupe.
    Mary Lee had an inquisitive mind, a faith-filled heart and a thirst for knowledge. Her library is full of books that range in topics near and far. She loved all animals and enjoyed art classes and piano lessons. She loved to travel, explore cultures and meet people. Her favorite spot was Hawaii by far.
    Due to pandemic restrictions, Mary Lee was laid to rest in a private family service. A memorial mass will follow when it's safe to gather.
    We loved Cookie and if you knew her, you loved her as well. In honor of Mary Lee, you may light a candle or make a donation in her memory at San Jose's Notre Dame High School or Transfiguration Catholic Church.

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