Found Stuff

Above, the two ECV "sheepskins" I found today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the past two days, I've been looking for a locking case that contained two of my dad's handguns. It contained a Beretta 635 Brevet and a Pistole Modell (Italian, I think) Model 27.

The last time I remember seeing the case was in 2016. I may have packed it in a box when I moved to New Mexico in 2018. I checked everywhere inside the house, but it was not to be found.

However, I did find several portraits of my parents and daughter yesterday. 

Today, I found two "sheepskins" (membership certificates) from two E Clampus Vitus chapters. One was from De La Guerra Y Pacheco Chapter from 1991 and the other was from Matuca Chapter in 1984. I remember having the De La Guerra one since I attended the chartering clampout, but I was surprised about the Matuca one since it is a long-established chapter. I forgot that the chapter mailed it after attending a clampout of theirs in 1984.

The De La Guerra one is tattered a bit. 

Along with those, I found some proof and uncirculated coin sets my dad bought. Those will be now kept with my other coins.

I think the gun case is somewhere packed in the garage. I'll try to go through boxes there tomorrow. 

Matuca's "Columbia Reunion" In 1984

Above, the main street of Columbia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the first Clamper events Glenn Thornhill and I attended after joining E Clampus Vitus was to attend the "Columbia Reunion" in Columbia, California put on by the Matuca Chapter in May 1984.

It was my first foray into the Mother Lode country of California and Glenn and I enjoyed the scenery of the area. We took the winding Highway 49 to Columbia.

Columbia is a Gold Rush-era town that has been restored as a tourist attraction.

According to Wikipedia:

Columbia is a town located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, in Tuolumne County, California, United States. It was founded as a boomtown in 1850 when gold was found in the vicinity, and was known as the "Gem of the Southern Mines." 

The town's historic central district is within the Columbia State Historic Park, which preserves the 19th century mining town features. The U.S. historic district is a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Above, at the Hall of Comparative Ovations. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Clamper event was a one-day event, but we stayed at a motel in nearby Jamestown.

Above, Glenn Thornhill (right) and Armand at the Hall of Comparative Ovations.

The event included a visit to the St. Charles Saloon in Columbia, along with initiation rights at the Hall of Comparative Ovations and a barbecue lunch. We also joined the other Clampers for adult beverages (Glenn and I both had put away quite a few drinks).

It was a fun trek.