Around Oakley: Pocahontas club celebrates diamond anniversary

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

For 75 years, the Degree of Pocahontas has hosted a chapter in Oakley. In recognition of its diamond anniversary, the local club will host an open house Saturday and unveil its new historical museum at the Red Men-Pocahontas Hall.

The idea for the museum started after longtime member Bill Mullen passed away and his family donated his collection of Red Men-Pocahontas memorabilia to the club.
Mullen was a former president of the local and state chapters of the Order of Red Men.

"We are all going to be surprised when we open the boxes that Bill left with the historical items," said Jane Crocket, secretary of the Oakley group.

Crocket said the boxes will be opened and displayed right before the open house.

As president of the state club, Mullen had collected items from various Red Men clubs throughout the state. Crocket suspects that there will be some programs, pamphlets, artifacts and headdresses.

Along with Mullen's collection, Pocahontas member Shirley Darling will donate some of her Degree of Pocahontas collection to the museum.

Members of the club spent the past few months building cabinets to hold the memorabilia.

When the Pocahontas started its Oakley chapter in 1935, the group didn't have its own building and met at the sheriff's annex on O'Hara Avenue. Later, it met at the Flor Do Oakley Hall and St. Anthony Church. The Red Men and Pocahontas clubs finally purchased what is now the Red Men-Pocahontas Hall at 1403 Main St. in 1962.

The hall has several rooms, including a full kitchen. The museum will be located in the back room, where those who attend meetings and rent the hall will be able to see the items.

The Pocahontas is the women's affiliate club of The Improved Order of Red Men, which started its group in Oakley the year before the Pocahontas. The national organization began in 1885. The organization takes its name from Pocahontas, daughter of the Native American Chief Powhatan of the Algonquian Indian Tribe.

The Degree of Pocahontas engages in fraternal and social affairs. The national group, in conjunction with the local clubs, works to raise money for several nonprofit groups, including Alzheimer's disease research.

Some of the upcoming events include the ninth annual Halloween Festival, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 22-23. The festival will feature a haunted house, games and activities for children of all ages. For more information, call Irene Martinez at 925-625-1102.

On Nov. 6, the group will take a bus trip to Black Oak casino for the day. Everyone over age 21 is invited to attend. The fee is $29, and the ride includes refreshments for the drive home.

The bus leaves at 7:30 a.m. and returns around 6:30 p.m. Call Shirley Darling at 925-625-0596 for more information.

The group's annual Holiday Boutique takes place Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 5. Spaces are still available for vendors interested in selling crafts, collectibles, baked goods, scrapbooking, beauty and hobby products. Call Martinez for details.

The group will also host a pork chop dinner fundraiser for Alzheimer's research in early December.

Roni Gehlke is an Oakley resident. Reach her at ourbackyard@comcast.net.