Ranger Doug to talk about firearm safety at museum potluck

Doug “Ranger Doug” Oliver, owner of Ranger Doug’s Shootists’ Emporium in downtown Ramona, will be the guest speaker at the June 18 meeting of the Ramona Pioner Historical Society.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner in the Barnett Barn on the grounds of the Guy B. Woodward Museum, 645 Main St. The public is invited. Those attending are asked to bring a main dish, salad, or dessert to serve eight.

Ranger Doug retired from the La Mesa Police Department after 32 years. Among his duties with the department were rangemaster and firearms instructor, sparking his interest in firearms. He opened the Shootists’ Emporium at 649 Main St. in 2007, saying, “The rest is history.” He will talk about firearm safety and he will give a brief history of firearms. A question and answer session will follow his talk.

Ranger Doug, who hosts an annual National Day of the American Cowboy celebration in Ramona the fourth Saturday in July, donated $1,500 to the museum after last year’s event. The money helped purchase video equipment to complete the self-guided tour audio stations at the museum.

In other museum news, May was a busy month.Classes from James Dukes and Barnett elementary schools toured the museum for a look at local history, and Ramona Cub Scouts came from their day camp to tour the museum.

Docents leading the groups were Mischa Dobrotin, Ken Woodward, Myra Arrendale, Alice Funk and Bert Byrne.

Also, Ramona Garden Club donated a bas relief sand cast sculpture by Charles Faust. The artwork will be on display on the museum grounds.

Faust, brother of former Ramona Pioneer Historical Society President Bill Faust, crafted large sculptures depicting scenes of Ramona and the area. They include a panel of historic tools, many of which are on display, and a rural scene that illustrates Ramona’s early heritage.

Faust helped design the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. His sculptures are also showcased at Lindberg Field.

Other donations to the museum include a dress from the 1800s that will join the museum’s millinery collection and a genuine egg scale. Joan Helland donated the dress and Mischa Dobrotin donated the egg scale.

The museum is open Thursday and Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Other hours may be arranged by calling the museum at 760-789-7644.