Editor:

Under the able leadership of Chairman Patrick McHenry, the East Contra Costa Historical Society held another successful Annual Community Barbecue on Sept. 11, 2011. It was held on the grounds of the Byer/Nail Museum on Sellers Avenue.

Over 350 guests were served a delicious meal and spent the afternoon touring the museum and its other attractions: horseshoeing demonstration by Danny Love, yarn spinning by the Handspinners of Brentwood, Civil War display and gold panning, the restored 1947 Byron fire engine, the recently renovated train caboose, farm equipment from yesteryear, and especially visiting with friends and neighbors.

The event would not have been possible without the hard work of volunteers, members and non-members alike, and the generous support of East County. We wish to acknowledge the following for their contributions: Brentwood Rotary Club and Rotary Interact, G&S Farms, Smith Family Farms, McCauley Olive Grove, Wild West BBQ & Catering, Delta Pure Water, Harvest Park Bowl, Winery by the Creek, Sweeney’s Bar & Grill, Oren Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility, Delta Debris Box Service and several generous financial contributors.

In addition, ECCHS thanks Madeline and Olivia Bustos, Rod Linn and The Buzzards, Brentwood Community Band, and The Cat’s Meow Barbershop Quartet for providing musical entertainment during the afternoon. And a special thanks to Karen Spann of The Monthly Grapevine, American Legion Post #202, the Brentwood Police Department and Mayor Robert Taylor for their participation. ECCHS is very grateful for the continued support of East County.

We invite anyone interested in the history of this area to join ECCHS (annual dues are $20 for individuals, $25 for families and $50 for business concerns), to become docents for the museum (open on Saturdays from April to October) to aid the historians who spend countless hours in preserving and cataloging valuable records from yesteryear, or to just tour the museum.

Shirley L. McCall

Secretary, East Contra Costa Historical Society