San Pablo Creek Bridge at Camino Pablo and Orinda Way, circa 1924.
Photo provided by the Orinda Historical Society.
History takes time.
History makes memory... Gertrude Stein
Charlie Vollmar was looking for something to sink his teeth into. He wanted his children, seven year-old twin girls, to have a sense of grounding, a sense of place. Running his own culinary business, Epicurean Exchange, and helping to manage his young family did not quite fill every minute of his day. And so, the Orinda Historical Society will probably never quite look the same.
Vollmar, recruited by longtime Historical Society President Lucy Hupp-Williams, recently came on board as the Historical Society's Vice President. "Orinda's history is a part of the 3rd grade curriculum for my children," states Vollmar, who has been actively reaching out to his own personal network of friends and associates to increase awareness and recruit young families as members of the Orinda Historical Society. "We live our history everyday," he adds.
Vollmar spent his early years in Orinda. "I lived here from age two to five before moving to the foothills. I attended nursery school at the Community Center," he explains, "I came back in 1992 with my wife to set down some roots."
As Vollmar became more involved with the Historical Society he looked for small projects that could encourage the involvement of young families, like his own, in the Society's activities. Obstacles such as time, insurance, and money did not pose as barriers to Vollmar's enthusiasm and drive. When he presented the restoration of the San Pablo Creek Bridge as a project that the City and Historical Society could work on together, he was pleased and reaffirmed by the City's positive response.
The San Pablo Creek Bridge, situated at the intersection of Camino Pablo and Orinda Way adjacent to Orinda Country Club golf course and at the entrance of Orinda Village, was built in 1920. The City designated the bridge as a historic landmark in 1990, but crumbling pillars and peeling paint has left the passageway in need of some tender loving care. The City agreed to manage the bigger repair work, and Vollmer has recruited a team of residents to add a fresh coat of white paint to complete the restoration job. Members of the Historical Society and friends will meet on Saturday, August 1st between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to paint the bridge. All are welcome. Bring a brush or roller, paint will be provided. To get involved, contact Charlie Vollmer at Charlie@epicureanexhange.com.
Members of the Orinda Historical Society and friends preparing for the bridge restoration on Saturday, August 1st. Photo A. Firth
History makes memory... Gertrude Stein
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA