Valentine Tea for Eight in an Historic Home

by Helen Halmay

(Click photos to see larger versions.)

A brilliant day of sunshine, great friends, and good food interrupted mid-February's grey, rainy weather on the Sunday before Valentine's Day, to lift the spirits of eight history-lovers who met for a Valentine's Tea at the historic home of Kristine and Scott Napora, in Lemon Grove.

I was very fortunate to have won this tea and home tour at the raffle following a January Historic Home Tour, held by the Lemon Grove Historical Society (LGHS). The coveted prize was a High Tea for me and my husband, Andrew, (and two other couples of our choice) to be given at the Napora's home, the 1897 "Plumosa Ranch," a white, two-story Dutch Colonial-Revival house, on Palm St., in Lemon Grove.

I was especially happy to win, as I had missed being able to view the restored home when it was on the Lemon Grove tour in 2004. Recently I had enjoyed hearing a talk given by Kris about the reasearch she and Scott had done on their house, and was very impressed by their dedication. (Kris also is the membership chair for the Lemon Grove society).

To join us at the tea, we invited our friends Richard and Carol Hann (Richard is Congress of History president; Carol has been a board member), and friends Stan and Laural Schwartz (long-time mainstays of the Jewish Historical Society of San Diego; Stan is their president and Laurel their newsletter editor).

The six of us gathered at my home, in Lemon Grove, then drove in a caravan over to the Plumosa Ranch. A break in the weather gave us all a chance to leave our umbrellas at home, so it was a happy crew that arrived for tea at 1:00 a.m.

Our host, Scott, met us as we got out of our cars, and gave us a tour of the yard, which included tall, impressive palm trees in the expansive front lawn. Scot explained that at one time, in the past, this type of palm tree used to have the botanical name of Plumosa, meaning "having plumes or feathers" (probably in reference to their long plume-like flower fronds). Hence the name for the home, "Plumosa Ranch."

We were interested in the various additions that had been made to the house in the past, which Scott pointed-out to us. We also were very impressed by the brick-work patio he had painstakenly created in the back yard.

Our hostess, Kris, greeted us when Scott brought us onto the inviting front porch, and in through the front door. They've decorated the home as beautifully on the inside as outside. Pale green plaster on the living room walls is highlighted by deep burgundy curtains and a brick fireplace at the east end of the room. The furnishings were a variety of antiques gathered over the years by the couple, and handed-down from both sides of their familes.

After introductions all around, Kris left us to finish preparing the high tea, while Scott told us some of the history of this fascinating house. It had started as a small, one-story home, surrounded by 10 acres of lemon orchards; then it had been remodeled several times, to its present sizs: with three-bedrooms, two and 1/2-baths, and two-offices, his and hers.

Over the years, some of the people who have lived there include the Goodbody family (founders of Goodbody Mortuary) and the Dorman family (son James Dorman was Lemon Grove's first mayor).

We enjoyed hearing the tales of the history they had discovered while researching the house, and seeing the many historic photos they had gathered. Over the years, as the house grew, the property got smaller (as lemon ranching became less profitable) and portions of the ranch were sold-off. The home now sits on 3/4 of an acre, facing Palm St., set back from the road by a wide lawn.

We then took a tour of both the downstairs and upstairs in the lovely home, hearing the stories of interesting quirks that every old home seems to have. "We think this might have been the original, screened back porch," Scott told us as we walked from the kitchen into the enclosed service porch, which then led us to the flight of stairs up to the second floor.

The Naporas found that, long ago, when the second story was first added to the house, the stairs ran up from inside the front door, dividing the house into two rooms in the front. When the Goodbody family (of Goodbody Mortuary) bought the home, Mrs. Goodbody played the piano and liked to entertain, so her husband had the stairs reversed, to go up from the rear of the home, creating one spacious front room, with plenty of space for a piano.

On the other side of the "new" staircase downstairs (off the service porch), is Kris' office, in what was once a room for the housekeeper/cook. A large family room, that was added on the west side of the house in the 1950s (when the swimming pool also was built), has been turned into the Napora's master suite, with no staircase to have to climb!

After the interesting tour, we went into the diningroom, where Kris had set a beautiful Valentine's Day themed table, with a golden tablecloth and golden napkins to match. Sparkling cut-crystal water glasses joined a lovely service for eight, in matching plates, tea cups and saucers, in a Victorian rose design with golden scroll-work throughout. Kris mentioned that she loves collecting dishes and tableware, and her artistic sense was displayed by the lovely table she set.

The happy theme also was carried-out by a pink and white floral centerpiece and two glass candlesticks, with winged cupids on them, holding long candles that added a glow to the table setting.

Steaming hot tea and wonderful conversation flowed, while we enjoyed meat and cheese sandwiches, fruit, and pastries. Adding to the festive atmosphere, one of the tea pots had a music box in it that would play a happy little tune whenever it was picked up.

We talked about mutual interests, including our personal experiences in attempting to savelocal history over the years. Some great tales were told and problems shared. It's so nice to be with folks who have "been there" and understand. We finished with delicious chocolates from a red, heart-shaped box, and final cups of tea.

It was time to go, much as we all hated to leave. The Norporas were wonderful hosts and we thanked them over and over again for such a lovely afternoon. Photos were taken around the table and on the front porch, and then we really had to leave.

As the Naporas waved good-bye, and each visiting couple drove off in their own direction, the late afternoon sun glowed on the historic home, as if she were also saying "goodbye and safe journey" to her visitors.

From - the Editor's Column in Adelante, Member Newsletter of
the Congress of History