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Coloma-Lotus News and Information
 In October of this year, Coloma local Kelley Kalafatich was hospitalized and diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a rare virus which paralyzed her from the waist down. Hospitalized since, she is undergoing intensive physical therapy in hopes of recovering some mobility. Kelley is a graduate of El Dorado High School, and became a river guide soon after. Her outdoorswoman and river guide skills have gained her employment in Arizona, Alaska, South America, Central America and Africa. She was the stunt double for Meryl Streep in the film "The River Wild," and co-produced her own film, "Three women, Three Hundred Miles." Her phenomenal worldly accomplishments are surpassed only by her gracious humility, generosity, kindness, and loyalty to friends. After release from the hospital she will reside in Fair Oaks with her boyfriend Kurt, and her furry four-legged friend Wilbur. There was a fundraiser for Kelley on Sunday, December 9. Event Planners were pleasantly overwhelmed by 225 people who attended a dinner and auction hosted by the Sierra Nevada House. Special thanks go to Howard Penn, who donated the dinner, the staff, and the facility. A longtime friend of Kelley's, Howard made friends of everyone by serving celebratory shots to all the volunteers at the end of the night, a more generous host I've never met. The Event Chairperson, Janice Stanley, did an outstanding job orchestrating over 30 volunteers and 75 product donors in just 3 weeks to make this event successful. Thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, donors, and attendees who stepped up; the list of supporters is too long to recount here! Kelley has clearly touched many people's lives, I'm certain she feels grateful for each and every act of generosity. Our community is lucky to have her, many people who attended the event who didn't even know Kelley. Yet we all left with a warm sense of security having seen our community take action when the need arises. Labels: community, Kelley Kalafatich
 Step back in time with this annual old-fashioned Christmas. Period crafts, music, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th-century children's games, and wreath making. A visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus is a colorful highlight of the day. Vendors offer hand-made crafts as well as a variety of foods. Snow Mountain guarantees kids will have fun. The Park's historic buildings will be open for visitors' enjoyment. New this year, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9. Located in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Cost is $7 per vehicle. For more information, call (530) 295-2162 or go to Marshall Gold Discovery Park Association. Photo courtesy Betty Sederquist, and may not be reprinted without her permission. Labels: Coloma, Gold Country, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
 Located in Pilot Hill and fronting Hiway 49, the decrepit brick Bayley House has fallen into disrepair, although it used to be a beautiful 3 story hotel and winemaking facility. Built in 1862 by Assemblyman, attorney and entrepre neur A.J.Bayley, he built this large hotel hoping to capitalize on overnight railroad travelers. Later he turned it into his private residence when the train was instead routed through Auburn. It hosted such notables as the "Big Four" railroad barons; Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins, and Collis Huntington.  Built with 300,000 bricks that were made on location along the John Fremont Trail between Placerville and Auburn (now known as Hwy. 49) the Bayley House encompasses 10,000 square feet and has 22 small rooms. A circular staircase climbs to the the Grand Ballroom, and at the top is the "widow's walk", offering panoramic views of the Sacramento Valley, Sierra foothills, and nearby towns. In 1978 the Old Bayley House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Friends of the Bayley House in Pilot Hill are raising money for the Bayley House Restoration Project by selling old bricks that were made on-site in 1862. They are laser engraved with the words "Bayley House" and all of the proceeds go directly towards meeting their non-profit's goal of raising $100,000. The bricks are very attractive, can be purchased for a minimum donation of $25, and should be available for purchase by November 12. Go to http://www.bayleyhouse.net/ for more details about the restoration, or to purchase bricks.
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In October of this year, Coloma local Kelley Kalafatich was hospitalized and diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a rare virus which paralyzed her from the waist down. Hospitalized since, she is undergoing intensive physical therapy in hopes of recovering some mobility. Kelley is a graduate of El Dorado High School, and became a river guide soon after. Her outdoorswoman and river guide skills have gained her employment in Arizona, Alaska, South America, Central America and Africa. She was the stunt double for Meryl Streep in the film "The River Wild," and co-produced her own film, "Three women, Three Hundred Miles." Her phenomenal worldly accomplishments are surpassed only by her gracious humility, generosity, kindness, and loyalty to friends. After release from the hospital she will reside in Fair Oaks with her boyfriend Kurt, and her furry four-legged friend Wilbur.
