Thursday, November 20, 2008

THE PLEDGE PADDLE TRADITION

Beta Chapter Pledge Paddles - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2008 - from a scrapbook donated to The Museum by Jerry Berns (click on image to enlarge)

The Brothers of Phi Delta Psi Fraternity were very proud that they did not swat pledges as did other organizations. The only paddle in a Phi Delt house was the ritual emblem of a pledge class. Each class selected and made its own paddle with the names of each initiate in its group. They were proudly displayed in the Fraternity's meeting room.

PLEDGE GEORGE CONZALES IN 1966

George Gonzales 1966 - Archive of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Scrapbook donated by Jerry Berns 2008 - Photo only partially exposed.


George R. Gonzales pledged our Brotherhood in the Spring of 1966, at Los Angeles Pierce College. According to Br. John Bogdanoff, George practices law in the San Diego area. In 2007, he was living in Poway, California.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

FIRST ANNUAL WALK-IT-OFF - AN AFTER THANKSGIVING ADVENTURE

If you're in town for the Thanksgiving holidays, you might want to join Brs. Fredburg, Fecht and Talbot on this adventure.

FIRST ANNUAL WALK-IT-OFF - AN AFTER THANKSGIVING ADVENTURE

Woodland Hills, California November 19, 2008
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is pleased to announce its first WALK-IT-OFF - great post Thanksgiving guide stroll through historic North Hollywood. Sponsored by the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Walk-It-Off is a leisurely exploration of one of the San Fernando Valley's most important cultural and historic areas.
The great Walk-It-Off takes place on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 , from 10:30 am until 1 pm. The guided walk will begin at the Amelia Earhart statue on the north-west corner of Tujunga Avenue and Magnolia Street. it will culminate at the same location.
The guides for the event will be, Dr. Jerry Fecht (president of The Museum and emeritus professor of history/humanities at Moorpark College, and the eminent preservationist and actor, Richard Hilton.
The event is the first of several upcoming Valley tours designed to introduce area residents and visitors to the amazing history and culture of the San Fernando Valley. A donation of $10 per person is requested, with proceeds used to produce the future Valley awareness activities of The Museum. Public parking lots and on-the-street spaces are readily available in the NoHo.
Participants are encouraged to contact The Museum to insure a place among the adventure group. Since it is chiefly an outdoor event, good walking shoes, sun-block, a hat and a camera are advised. There are good places to eat and enjoy a leisurely coffee in the NoHo.
About The Museum of the San Fernando Valley:
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is in its developmental stage; obtaining input and gathering support from Valley residents, gaining support from the business, public, private, and non-profit sectors. The Museum’s organizational goals and objectives will always be a work-in-progress in order to meet the changing needs of a dynamic society. At the present, the San Fernando Valley has no significant museum of history and culture, serving the 1,800,000 residents of the area.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is an educational and cultural institution. Its purpose is to acquire, display, and preserve artifacts, documents and records related to the San Fernando Valley and its residents. It strives to accomplish this through mobile exhibits, an interactive website, tours for schools and organizations, performances, lectures and an artifact loan program for San Fernando Valley schools.
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A few of the topics on the tour
Harry Chandler - Amelia Earhart - Lankershim Station - John C. Freemont - Alan Ladd - Marilyn Monroe - Andres Pico
The Tongva - De Anza - De Portola - Father Lausein - Isaac Lankershim - Bonner Fruit - Weddington Brothers
Andres Pico - Laurel & Hardy - Nudie - Susan Sontog - Bob Hope - Bing Crosby - Lucille Ball - Lenny Bruce - NoHo Arts District - and much, much more

Contact:

Gerald R. Fecht,
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Museum tel: 1-(818)347-9665
email: gfecht@sbcglobal.net