Documentary showcased the lives of six beloved local seniors
Published in the Sept. 30 – Oct. 13, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Connor Noyes
Photo by Marty Cheek
Scott Parker and Leah De Lane perform a “fashion show” comedy skit as Hiram Morgan Hill and Diana Murphy Hill during the historical society’s Founders Day Dinner.
Morgan Hill couple Leah De Lane and Scott Parker kicked off the 46 annual Founders Day evening Sept. 19 with a comedy sketch portraying community founders Diana Murphy and Hiram Morgan Hill.
The two portrayed the Victorian-era pioneer couple in period costume, with Parker, as Mr. Morgan Hill, amusing the audience of about 200 guests by presenting a humorous fashion show with formal wear, a farmer’s overalls, and a 19th-century bathing suit complete with beach ball.
“Since there is limited knowledge about Hiram and Diana, it’s hard to be always be historically accurate,” De Lane said with a laugh.
The couple last year developed the comedy skit seeking to add a little light-hearted fun and married-couple banter to the event at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center hosted by the Morgan Hill Historical Society. Despite their worries of finding new and accurate material, their quick-witted segments kept a smile on everyone’s faces.
De Lane said her inspiration in helping organize this event is to preserve the community’s past.
“Keeping history alive is really vital,” she said. “This town is wonderful and it’s such a close-knit community, back then and now, it always has been, so I think having an appreciation for what we have today, you have to understand where this came from.”
Scott Parker and Leah De Lane at this year’s Morgan Hill Historical Society’s Founders Day Dinner honoring those who have contributed to Morgan Hill and lived here at least 50 years. The couple portrayed Hiram Morgan Hill and Diana Murphy Hill, pioneers of the city.
The Founders Day event was started in 1976 to honor residents who have made a positive contribution to the community during a span of 50 or more years. The event buzzed with an appreciation of history and small town pride while guests enjoyed humorous skits and lively presentations.
The main attraction was a 38-minute film showcasing the lives of six longtime Morgan Hill residents who have contributed to the community: Paul Ward, Vic Locarnini, Gladys Payne Martin, Elena Oberg Moreno, Peter Musachia and Maxine Edes. The film was a compilation of their stories detailing their everyday lives and significant contributions they made to the community. The lively storytelling left the audience laughing and with a greater respect for everyone in their community, especially the senior citizens.
Mattie Scariot was a producer of the film with her husband Nils Myers. The couple co-own the Gilroy-based 152 West Productions and enjoy capturing the story of people’s lives on video.
“These stories connect with the audience,” Scariot said. “I think watching these kinds of documentaries bring people into the community and creates a sense of pride. And that’s what needs to happen more and that’s what great about it.”
There is a vast amount of knowledge to be gained by getting to know those who have come before us, said historical society President Kathy Sullivan. The Founders Day Dinner is essential to the Morgan community because when residents stop telling the stories of family and friends of the past, history can be lost.
Connor Noyes is a student at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose. He wrote this story for Morgan Hill Life.
