Miraloma Park Camp Fire Girls, 1949

Valerie Hoover, who was a Miraloma Park Camp Fire Girl in 1949, sent us this great photo and some detailed memories:

"The girls in the photo from left to right are:
Front Row:
Charlotte Signorelli, lived on Reposa Way; Louise Gallagher, lived on Teresita Boulevard; Pat Bridges/Bridge, lived on Rio Court; Shirley Larribeau, lived on El Sereno Court; Pamela Linnis, lived near Portola Drive; Margaret Pollio, lived on Melrose Avenue.

Back Row:
Shirline Label, maybe lived on Teresita; Betty Ann Shipsey, lived near Portola Drive; Penny Adams, lived on Bella Vista; Sheila Lyons, maybe lived on Teresita; Judy Nattress (her father was minister of Church in Miraloma Park--on Arroyo Way/Teresita Blvd.); Penny Stothers, lived on Stillings Avenue; Valerie Chester, lived on Stillings Avenue.

"The photo must have been taken at the Camp Fire Girl Headquarters [in the Richmond, on Arguello between California and Clement]. This would have been an 'awards cememony'. I see some of the girls holding their string 'beads' which they earned for accomplishing certain things. These wooden beads were of different shapes depending upon the category in which they were earned (for example, citizenship, sports, friendship, etc). The girls sewed each bead on their 'boleros' individually. We actually made those bolereos which were a stock dark blue felt, then decided on a group pattern. We cut out the pieces of other colored felt which made up the design. We then glued the smaller pieces onto the large dark blue piece. The beads were sewn on by us or our moms depending on the individual girl's idea of where they would look good.

"The fox was a ceremonial drum which was at the center, and the girl holding it was the daughter of the group leader. They thought it would add a nice touch to the photo. That girl and the girl to her right also have some type of ceremonial garb but I do not remember the meaning... they most likely found those dresses at the center and put them on to make it look more interesting. I never saw those dresses again, just in this photo.

Thanks Valerie! Read more memories (and leave some of your own) on the message board.

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Page launched 30 November 2006.