Amador County – The Kennedy Mine Foundation is looking to improve on last year’s inaugural Pioneer Day for 5th grade student, when more than 200 youths took part in the festivities. The foundation is seeking volunteers to help in the 2010 Pioneer Days, set for Thursday, May 13th. Dennis Price, School Tour Manager, requested Kennedy Mine Volunteers to mark the date for the second Pioneer Day at The Kennedy Gold Mine. Dennis Price said: “We are very hopeful some the community will help us make this year's event a success.” He said they “especially need help assisting presenters as we move 350-400 kids through the activities.” They are “also very interested in those who may want to present or demonstrate activities from our rich historic past.” Those unable to attend the event were asked to help the foundation “connect with the numerous ethnic and religious groups with deep historic roots in our county, as well as mining, logging and ranch families, the Native American community and anyone who would enjoy sharing early California history with Amador County 5th grade students.” The May 2009 Pioneer Day was attended by nearly 250 5th grade students. The students, along with teachers, began the adventure by gathering at the Kennedy Amphitheater for instructions and entertainment. They divided into smaller groups to experience, candle dipping, button whizzer making, yarn doll making, rope making, and plowing with youngsters pulling the plow. They saw cowboy skills and learned to throw a lasso. A logging demo showed how to debark a log and handle a two man saw. They saw yarn making with a drop spindle and story telling. They played an Indian game with the help of volunteers from the Indian Grinding Rock State Park. Patty Reid led doll making and there was a blacksmithing demonstration. They visited a working blacksmith shop, watched the Kit Carson Mountain Men organization, where they could throw an axe. They hobnobbed with the Mormon Battalion, and Company “C” Civil War presenters, led by Jim McGuirk Company C later being treated to two very loud cannon shots by that group. There was a chance to visit a traditional store to purchase memorabilia and watched the start of a Pony Express mail ride. The Kennedy Mine Foundation is dedicated to educating youths “in understanding what came before them and what molded the world, as they now know it.” For information, call Dennis Price at 296-3106 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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