Roundup: March 11, 2020

Almansor Court – 700 S. Almansor, Alhambra, CA.
Social Hour: 5:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 PM

A .pdf of the Roundup Announcement can be downloaded here. 

Our Speaker: Bruce Merritt
His Subject: The Founding of the Society of Colonial Wars in Los Angeles in 1895

The Founders of the Society of Colonial Wars in Los Angeles were a group of notable individuals in early Los Angeles.   Most were prominent individuals.   These included two Mayors, a US Senator, a major banker and more!

According to his site, Bruce Gordon Merritt is a retired trial lawyer with a passion for history.  Born in Iowa City, Iowa, he grew up in Southern California and attended Occidental College, where he majored in history.  Intent on a career as a historian, he was admitted to a doctoral program in American History at Harvard.  His studies, however, were interrupted by the draft and by the time he returned to civilian life, he had decided upon a career in the law.  He attended Harvard Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1972.  Following a clerkship with a law firm in London, he began that practice of law in Los Angeles.  In the 1980s he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and handled several high profile criminal cases, including the successful prosecution of the president and general counsel of CalAm Corporation, once the nation’s largest tax shelter promoter, and the case of Nikolai and Svetlana Ogorodnikov, who were convicted of recruiting FBI agent Richard Miller for Soviet intelligence.  Following his time as a federal prosecutor, he joined the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton as a litigation partner, first in Los Angeles and later in New York.  In 1992, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Since his retirement from the law, Bruce has pursued his passion for historical research.  He has published articles in both the Journal of American History, and the Southern California Quarterly.  Bruce has also authored a book, St. Mark’s Journey, on the history of a pioneer church in Glendale, CA.  

Attend this Roundup to learn about several prominent and colorful citizens who were founding members of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of California! 

Register for the March Roundup before the Thursday deadline to reserve your place at this historic event!    The deadline to register is March 5th, for our March 11th Roundup!   

Final Dues Reminder

This is a final reminder to our members to renew their 2020 Corral dues.   As per our Range Rules, we will begin to send out late notices for dues after February 15th with an added late charge of $10 for dues received after March 1st.

Future Los Angeles Corral Events

April 8, 2020
Mike Post
The Chimineas Ranch of the Carrizo Plain National Monument

May 13, 2020
Steve Baker
Notable Women of Monrovia and their Enduring Impact on Society

June 20, 2020
Fandango!
Preparations are underway for a memorable event! 

Dinner Fees, Reservation Deadline & Meal Choices

Please make your reservations by Thursday, March 5th, so that we can include your meal preference when placing the food order for our event.   This month, your entrée selection is beef, fish and vegetarian.  The beef selection is bacon wrapped USDA prime Top Sirloin grilled & wrapped in thick applewood bacon.  The fish option is Baked Atlantic Salmon seasoned & topped with a whole grain mustard sauce & toasted lemon wedge.  This month, the vegetarian option is Pasta Primavera with tomato basil sauce with a medley of carrots, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms & green beans.  Our dessert will be Panna Cotta!

Please observe the registration deadline and  place your order no later than Thursday, February 6th 

The Roundup Dinner Fee is $40 for those who register before the deadline.  Those who register late or walk-in will be charged $45, and may be limited to their choice of meal.  If registering online at www.lawesterners.org, the Roundup Store can be reached through the Members Only tab.  Be sure to select your meal option, then pay using a PayPal account or by credit card.

New Mailing Address for Roundup Reservations & Dues

Our Registrar of Marks and Brands position is currently vacant.  Until this position is filled, the Trail Bosses kindly request that all Roundup reservations and membership dues be sent to our Keeper of the Chips, Mr. John Shea, at 13613 Barlin Avenue, Downey, CA 90242-5107.  Questions or late reservations?   Please direct all reservation or membership dues questions to John Shea by phone at (562) 408-6959.  

Los Angeles Corral Ongoing Book Auction

Did you know that donated books are available for purchase throughout the year?   Books can be purchased outside the Fandango and Rendezvous by contacting Past Sheriff Brian Dervin Dillon directly.  After payment is received, books can be picked up at one of our Roundups, or other arrangements can be made.    Request a copy of the new, 2020 book list with an Email to:  briandervindillon@gmail.com.  If you place your order via Email, books can be delivered to you at the monthly Roundups! 

 You can find the updated list of auction items here.

Registrar of Marks and Brands         

If you read this notice in its entirety, you may be an excellent candidate for our open Registrar position.   Contact a Trail Boss for more information!