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

In the prior segments 1 and 2, in the 1978 and 1979 festival book, we advised our many friends of the purchase of the Clubhouse In 1974, the construction of the handball court in 1978 and the purchase of the additional three acres for the picnic area in March of 1979. Since that time a great deal has been done.

Lawn and trees were immediately planted and as you can see are doing quite well. It is estimated that in two years we will have all the shade we need.
Cement was poured and picnic serving area had improvements made both for the serving lines and barbeque pits. Member Martin Etcheverry and his firm of ERNST BROS INC. constructed the cover for the pit area for both weather protection and ventilation. Martin also donated and set up the flag pole
that today proudly Is flying the American and Basque flags.
In the fall and winter of 1979 the building housing the restrooms and showers were built behind the handball court. This is an additional investment to the buildings and is completely paid for. In the month of January 1980 the Clubhouse took on a new look when it was rented out to a movie company for the filming of "Hard Country", a movie about trucking in Texas and will soon be seen at all movie theatres. It was this rent money that made it possible to pay off the new restroom-shower facilities.
In April of this year the Basque Club - Bakersfield hosted the Mexican Olympic handball players that our players had met in Europe during the 1979 world handball Olympic finals. Many friendships were renewed and I'm sure the Mexican team will long remember the exceptional hospitality of various members and the various Basque restaurants. The Bakersfield Club had a Handball-Dinner-Dance program while they were in our city at which time racketball finals were held and trophies handed out to the recipients.
MUS championship for our Club was again won by the 1978 winners Jose Garnio and J.B. Veschembes. These men will represent Bakersfieid at the National Finals to be held in Elko, Nevada on the fourth of July of this year. Winners will again get a trip to the World Finals this year to be held in San Sabastian, Spain in September. Last year's world final in August in San Francisco was won by the team from Spain. Winners of the world finals host the finals for the following year in their own country, which is therefore the reason for the finals being held in Spain in 1980. We wish our men "Suerte On" (good luck).
The Building and Land Fund was graced in 1979 by the generous donation made by Theresa Anne Morris in memory of her grandfather Raymond Castanchoa. Their names have been engraved on the perpetual plaque on the North wall of the Clubhouse. Donations are greatfully accepted and any for the amount of $250 or more are honored by engraving their names on the Perpetual Plaque. What a wonderful way to remember your loved ones.

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