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August 14, 2002
Saratoga, California Since 1955 |
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Saratoga Sampler
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Hannibals take their annual trip to Lake
Butt, but ...
By Mary Ann Cook
TRADITIONAL SUMMER FARE: The senior
Hannibals—Warren and
Glenna—began taking their family to
Lake Butt in Amador County for camping
vacations some 40 years ago. And the number
of campers has steadily grown throughout the
years—the clan gathering has climbed to a
population of nearly 200 and now includes
friends of the family as well.
The site was chosen almost accidentally. With
Lake Almanor, the original destination,
booked up, the family started looking at
smaller, nearby lakes—and settled on Butt.
Warren's birthday is July 25, so that date
provides another excuse for the summer
gathering of the Hannibals. Stays are
generally from one to three weeks. The Butt
Lake camping grounds are owned by PG&E,
and there's water but no power, so they're
roughing it to some extent.
"And what with so many of us, we pretty much
take over the entire campground," explains
grandson James Hannibal. This year the
tradition of a camp talent show was
reinstated, bringing back silly skits and
providing entertainment for all the campers.
One evening is spent in a songfest around the
campfire. Tents, sleeping bags and RVs cover
the gamut for sleeping arrangements. One of
the most popular dishes for mass dining is
the Mexican tossed salad, also a tradition.
Careful planning is called for—the nearest
supply source is a half-hour away.
This year there were some wasps in the
ointment: Brazen bears wrecked havoc by
ripping open coolers and cupboards; the camp
supervisors, former prison guards, proved
surly; and the yellow jackets were a menace.
There are so many rules at the campgrounds
now, this may have been the last year there,
James notes.
Two of the second generation of Hannibals
live within a block of their
parents—Susan and Ross and
their children, Steven and
Laura; and Rich and Sarah
(Hannibal) Lovgren and
their children, Maren and
Hayley. Farther afield are Lee
and Toni Hannibal. They live in Idaho
with the aforementioned James and other sons
Zachary, Brian and
Callen. Other Saratoga families who
often wend their way to these campgrounds
include the Renns and the
Mehaffeys, longtime family friends of
the Hannibals.
NSF COMPETITOR: Anna Ryan of Saratoga
competed in three categories—track and
field, table tennis and swimming—at the
fifth annual National Sports Festival for the
Disabled held this summer at Connecticut
College in New London, Conn. Some 500
athletes from 40 states and five countries
competed at the festival.
NEW OFFICERS, SARATOGA ROTARY: New officers,
Rotary style: Tom Stoiber, president;
Dane Christensen, president-elect;
Ken Gortz, secretary; Simon
Chin, treasurer; Paul Conrado, art
show chairman; and Chuck Page,
bulletin editor.
Others are Jim Slacke, club service
and programs; Don Perez, community
service; Ian Geddes, fellowship;
Fred Peterson, international service;
David Montagna, vocational service;
and Jitka Cymbal, youth service.
Information management for a service club?
Sounds like a spin doctor at work for a
politician's campaign.
DOFFING OF HATS: It's the 50th anniversary of
West Valley Republican Women (WVRW), and a
party with a hat contest for the most
patriotic hat is in order. The anniversary
event will be held Aug. 17 at the home of
Georgia Nelson. Some 15 former WVRW
presidents are expected to show.
For more on this, call Kay Young at
408.446.4144. Think back, those who can. What
was happening in 1952? I'm thinking we "liked
Ike" and enough of us voted for him to assure
his election.
In other Republican gatherings, the
Association of Republican Women will host a
brunch Aug. 21 to introduce Linda Rae
Hermann, candidate for Congress in the
15th District. The special speaker will be
state Sen. Ray Haynes, minority whip.
Galen Call, pastor of Los Gatos
Christian Church, is also on the program.
The brunch will start at 9:30 a.m. at La
Rinconada Country Club, Los Gatos. The $16
ticket includes brunch and door prizes.
Reservations are required; call Barbara
Wales at 408.379.0727 or Ann
Collins at 408.268.4678. The
Christophers, a men's chorale, will
entertain.
OFF TO EDINBURGH: I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland,
as you read this, attending what's billed as
the world's oldest fair, the Edinburgh
Theater Festival, for which every pub and
meeting place in the city converts an
upstairs or little-used area into a theater.
All degrees of polish and professionalism are
offered in the 1,500 or so plays that
transpire during the festival: There is no
screening process for the theater groups who
want to participate.
You can witness theatrical examples from
every country in the world from early in the
morning—10 a.m.—to very early in the
morning—3 a.m. There's music and dancing,
jugglers, magic acts, mimes and street
vendors.
I may well run into some Saratoga Sister City
travelers while there. They are on their
England-Scotland-Ireland merry-go-Anglo spin
and will be in Edinburgh at the same time I'm
there. Just hope I come back with a
convincing version of a Scottish brogue, as
well as some thick yarns, worsted and verbal.
Got a story? My email address is
maryanncook@earthlink.net.
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