BASQUE CLUB HISTORIOGRAPHY PART 2
By Jo Frances Ansolabehere - Read Part 1 | Part 3

This will be to further update the Part 1 segment of our historiography that has been printed in the prior years' program books. In Part 1, the history of the starting of the Kern County Basque Club, Bakersfield, Inc. was presented from inception in 1944 through the purchase of this property in
1974. At that time the assets were the $15,000 down payment on this building and the equity of the Basque Etchola at the Kern County Fair Grounds.

The "Etchola" is still the biggest single fund raising project, (the ten days at the fair serving Basque food) that makes it possible to continue the expansion of our building and property and maintain the day to day expenses. Another source of income is the renting of the hall for wedding receptions, parties, dances, etc. The Board of Directors tries to have one function a month for its members, usually a dinner-dance. Recently with the active Mus, racquetball and handball programs there have been award dinners well attended by players, members and their guests. No one event has ever been a money losing event.
Another money raising function has been this Festival. This is the seventh annual Festival and all officers, directors and active members will be found on one or more committees. This is our day of more work than play but attending the other Basque festivals in other California cities. Nevada and Idaho more than compensate for the work done here. The non-active members help by attending and bringing their friends.

In the four years and ten months since the purchase of this property we have purchased the three acres of land adjoining the original property, built the storage building, the rest-rooms, the picnic area and last but not least "Gure Amentsa" our dream, the handball court has become reality. Sure, the work is great, the mortgage payments must be met, the different ideas of some must be dealt with, but never, never are we not willing to work, play, donate and last but not least be PROUD TO BE BASQUE IN THE AMERICAN WEST.

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BESTA 2005

in Bakersfield