Support volunteer firefighters in North San Juan
12:01 a.m. PT Apr 30, 2008
In 1862 the citizens of North San Juan contributed funds and labor to build a reservoir for the town. This reservoir, supplied with water from the Eureka Lake Ditch, made a local fire agency possible.
The first piece of firefighting equipment, Hydraulic Hose Cart No. 1, was acquired on Oct. 13 that year, quickly followed by Union Hose Cart No. 2 on Oct. 29.
The North San Juan Fire Department has continued as a purely volunteer organization in service to its community from that day on. It is the oldest such organization in Nevada County.
In the April 24 edition of The Union, Tim Drainville eloquently described the need for community support for all fire departments. We commend The Union for providing this exposure, and we supported the Nevada City Fire Department's second annual spaghetti feed on April 27.
On Mother's Day, May 11, the North San Juan Fire Auxiliary will present its 47th Annual Scotch Broom Breakfast, Raffle, and Plant Sale for the benefit of the volunteer firefighters of North San Juan. This is their major fund-raising event of the year, and all are welcome.
Items purchased for the firefighters by the Fire Auxiliary in the last few years include gear used for fighting both wildland and structure fires, communication equipment, and med-kit bags.
Breakfast will be all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, ham, fruit salad, orange juice, coffee, and more. We all need to make our money go as far as possible, and due to the generosity of local merchants we have been able to keep the price of the breakfast at only $5 for adults, and $3 for children under 12.
Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. till noon at the Community Hall (Station No. 1) in beautiful historic downtown North San Juan.
After breakfast why not return home down Pleasant Valley Road, past the western terminus of the first long-distance telephone line in the country (that's right!) in French Corral, and visit the longest single-span covered bridge in the U.S. at Bridgeport?
Or maybe go north on Highway 49 a few miles and visit the charming town of Downieville? Or just go up Tyler Foote Crossing Road to Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park and see the museum at North Bloomfield?
Continuing a tradition started in 1981, the grand prize of the raffle will be a handmade quilt. Dozens of other prizes donated by local businesses, artists, and individuals will also be up for grabs. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
In addition, literally hundreds of plants will be available for the price of a donation.
Although heavily restored, the original Union Hose Cart No. 2 is on display in a small museum in the Community Hall. An added attraction will be members of the Gra-Neva A's, who will be displaying their beautiful vintage automobiles.
Mark your calendars for Mother's Day, May 11 and bring the family. It's a win-win deal. You get a great breakfast and a nice drive in the country, and the volunteer firefighters of North San Juan get much-needed equipment that otherwise might not be in the budget. The weather looks like it will be great, but then it always is on the Ridge!
Details of the Scotch Broom Breakfast, information about the North San Juan Fire Protection District, and links to sites describing Bridgeport, Malakoff Diggins, and other interesting places on the San Juan Ridge can be found on the Web at www.nsjfire.org.
Ed Beckenbach is a Nevada County resident.
