Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society members that participated in this years event were
Joddie Heavner, Michael J. Foley, Don Foley, Keith Nofield, Peter Fiedmann,
John Pettly, Kristy, Comerer, Cregg Comerer, Gina Fallon and son Bobby and John Atwood.
Report by Keith Nofield
The 1997 Harvest Festival at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Newark, California was held October 18 & 19, 1997. The event gives the public the opportunity to view and learn about farming equipment used in the past, and help harvest winter corn that is grown on the farm. One of the big attractions is a tour of the historic Patterson House, which was built in 1857. Other attractions included: a blacksmith shop, where the kids could watch then get a freshly made horseshoe; bee keepers with fresh honey, "yum"; entertainment; and horse drawn hay rides for the entire family.
This was the second year that Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society (MDSHS) participated with a display of various historic surveying instruments and artifacts. The public thoroughly enjoyed our display, especially MDSHS member John Pettly and family who drove two hours for the festival, not realizing that MDSHS was going to have a display. John stayed and socialized for a good part of the day, it was fun.
One demonstration MDSHS held was how to measure the height of a tree using one of the first manual calculators, the Curta. Gregg Comerer operated not the Curta, but the Theodolite. Joddie Heavener operated the Curta, after a quick lesson, and John Atwood took historical field notes. Using the information they collected with their EDM (NOT), along with logarithms, the tree was determined to be approximately 129 feet tall. The public, along with Gregg, Joddie, & John didn't quiet know what to think of the demonstration, but everyone was happy when the correct answer was achieved. Good job crew.
Special thanks go out to Gregg and Kristy Comerer, Joddie Heavener,
Peter Friedmann, Keith Nofield. John Atwood, Gina Fa11on and son
Bobby, and the father-son member team of Don and Michael Foley who both brought some of their equipment to display. Special thanks to Don, who drove from Petaluma for one day to help participate, and I'm sure Michael had something to do with it. Our exhibit was a great success because of everyone's help.
The festival estimated over 6,000 people participated this year. Next years festival will take place on October 17 & 18. 1998. Mark your calendar now, and lets make the event another success.
First Published in the Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society's newsletter; twelfth edition, January 1998, Volume 7, Number 1 Copyright ©1998 Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society, all rights reserved.
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