Okei Memorial

This is a very cool spot in El Dorado County...and most people don't even know it exists....but we do.  And now you know too!

From our friends at Coloma.com... "For a few years, Gold Hill was the site of a small Japanese settlement. Encouraged by a German soldier of fortune named John Henry Schnell and a samurai named Lord Matsudaira, up to 26 Japanese — apparently the first Japanese group to settle in California — arrived here in 1869 to establish the Wakamatsu Tea Colony. Grandly, Schnell planned for extensive production of silk and tea. However, the relatively dry climate and investor difficulties doomed these crops, and the colony faded away. Schnell ran out of money, selling his land to Francis Veerkamp. A young Japanese girl, Okei, had arrived with the Schnell family as a nursemaid. She stayed on, working for the Veerkamp family until she died at the age of 19. She is buried on a lonely hill on private Veerkamp property close to Gold Trail School. Her story became the subject of a best-selling novel in Japan. A shrine next to the school honoring Okei was dedicated years ago by Ronald Reagan, then governor of California. Today the shrine remains a favorite California destination for visitors from Japan."

If you happen to be out tasting this way, or visiting Coloma State Park, stop by here and take a moment to enjoy this peaceful spot.

Coloma Blues Live is back! June 4th, 2011

Welcome Blues Fans!
The 6th Annual Coloma Blues Live!
Music Festival is on June 4, 2011 at Henningsen-Lotus Park, Lotus, CA!

This a general admission event, festival-goers are asked to bring blankets and low-profile chairs (up to 30” with a seat height of no more than 10”). Handicap/high-back chairs have designated area; umbrellas are OK only in this area and only on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring personal bottled water, sunscreen, hat, and spray bottles.

Parking

Parking near Lotus Park is limited. Shuttles will be available; follow parking signs. Festival parking is $5 (cash please) — with free shuttles available; follow parking signs. Parking is also available at Marshall Gold State Historic Park at their normal rates; a shuttle will run between the concert and the State Park. Gates open at 10 AM, music starts at 11 AM. We reserve the right to refuse entry. No refunds, no exchanges, rain or shine. Artists subject to change. Handicap accessible — call (530) 295-3496 for information.

Please do not bring food, alcohol, cans, bottles, containers, coolers, cameras with removable lenses, recording devices, or digital video cameras into the event. Still cameras are OK We reserve the right to not allow any cameras into the park whether they have removable lenses or not. No pets, except service animals.

Handicap parking is available at the main Henningsen-Lotus Park parking lot — all other festival goers will be directed to alternate parking area(s). Please follow the signs on Lotus Road and Hwy 49.

Okei-San Month at David Girard

Look what our pals at David Girard have in store for you!!!

Okei-San Month at David Girard
Wakamatsu Ranch Tour
October 16th 10am-12pm

Alan Ehrgott, ARC's Executive Director, will host the ranch tour in Gold Hill and be a guest speaker at the winemaker dinner this month.

DG is offering a special price to ARC members as well as DGV members of $75.00 for the winemaker harvest dinner catered by Mulvaney's Culinary Specialists. Dinner will be held in the tent and the price includes dinner, wine with each course, tax, tip & gratuity.  Reservations are required by 10/18.

10% of all Okei-San wine sold is given to ARC for the Wakamatsu restoration project.
This property is of historical significance as it includes the grave site of one of the Japanese colonists, Okei Ito.  A young girl of 17 when she arrived, Okei died at the age of 19 in 1871.  She lies buried on a hill on the Veerkamp property .  Okei is believed to be the first Japanese woman to die in America and has become a minor but popular folk hero in both Japan and here in California.   Contact David Girard Vineyards for tour or dinner reservations at 295-1833.

Memorial Day weekend

Ahh, summer officially starts for El Dorado County on Saturday--the high schools all graduate and that always seems like summer to us.  Besides, this is a great time to try out one of our favorite things--rafting on the American River or wandering thru the Gold Discovery Park in Coloma.  Maybe you will even come visit and find a geocache or two.

Best part is....we still have a room at the inn for you this weekend if you would like to get away from it all...Lily would love to see you.

This weekend Dec. 8 & 9

Christmas in Coloma
Annual old-fashioned Christmas, with period crafts, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th century children's games, and wreath making. A visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus is a colorful highlight of the day. Vendors offer hand-crafts aswell as a variety of foods. Snow is guaranteed! 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, 8 miles north on Highway 49 from Placerville in Coloma. The admittance fee is only $7.00 per vehicle, everything else is free (except $3.00 cost of photo with Santa). Children can visit Santa for free without a photo. www.marshallgold.org For more information contact: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, call the events line (530) 295-2162

OR
Annual Historic Country Inn Holiday Tour
Tour 12 inns decked out in seasonal finery, meet the innkeepers and enjoy Inn specialties and refreshments. Weekend tickets available, good for both Saturday and Sunday.Portion of proceeds benefit local charities Each day from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a self guided tour going to the Historic Country Inns located throughout El Dorado County. $15 in advance or at the door. Tickets are available at every member inn or www.goldcountrylodging.com or call Historic Country Inns 8772624667

Marshall Gold Discovery Park is a great reason to visit Placerville

One of our favorite places to go for the day is the Gold Discovery Park in Coloma where gold was found in 1848 at Sutter's Mill on the South Fork of the American River by James Marshall.

This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades and led to California becoming a State. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma, California is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation.

Daily Park Hours 8:00 am to Sunset
Museum Hours: April 1st through June 30th - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
July 1st through March 31 - 10:00 am -3:30 pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

For more information visit Marshll Gold Discovery SHP.