Celebrate old and new at Picnic Under the Palms

Celebrate old and new at Picnic Under the Palms
The Palm Springs Historical Society invites you to join in celebrating vintage hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs at their 60th annual picnic. The Picnic

Under the Palms has become a place for Palm Springs residents and visitors old and new to celebrate, honor, and share the unique history of our city. This

beloved tradition is a tribute to Palm Springs’ past and everyone interested in attending is welcome.

The event began in 1955 when the Palm Springs Historical Society, Palm Springs City Council, and Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce organized an event to

celebrate the pioneers of Palm Springs. Dubbed “Founder's Day,” the first annual picnic was held at Tamarisk Park (now Ruth Hardy Park) the Sunday before

Thanksgiving. Four hundred attendees included seventy pioneers were asked to dress the way they did when they arrived in Palm Springs. Subsequently, guests

arrived in turn of the century attire, 1920s movie star garb, elaborate western regalia, and most memorably, full grown adults arrived dressed as children,

some wearing only diapers and bonnets.

In those days, the event was truly a picnic and attendees were asked to bring their own lunch. This continued for many years, even after the event moved from

Tamarisk Park to Moorten Botanical Garden and onto the then Society President's (Elizabeth Coffman Kieley) own patio garden at Smoke Tree Ranch.

“It’s always a nice ‘down-home’ event, reminiscent of when Palm Springs was a sleepy little village,” said Historical Society Board President Kieley in

1985. It wasn’t until 2004 that the picnic moved to the exclusive and historic O’Donnell Golf Club and became a fully-catered event.

Lola Hotaling and unidentified man at O'Donnell Golf
Lola Hotaling and unidentified man at O'Donnell Golf Club, photo by A.G. Wright (Photo: Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Historical Society)
Over the years, the Historical Society has honored many local groups at the annual picnic including the Desert Riders, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla

Indians, Palm Springs Teachers, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and Palm Springs Life Magazine. This year, Chairman of the Historical Society’s Board of

Directors, Greg Hough, will emcee and speak with three legendary locals, Paul D’Amico, Mel Haber, and Burt Spivack about their favorite remembrances of Palm

Springs celebrities, hot spots, and their very own establishments.

D’Amico was the owner and operator of Paul D’Amico’s Steakhouse which opened in 1970. The successful restaurateur hosted not only the local politicians,

business owners and developers but famous celebrities as well as national political heavyweights. Evening entertainment was provided by many of the top

entertainers of the era and it was not uncommon for celebrity dinner guests to give impromptu performances.

Haber has been the owner and proprietor of the Ingleside Inn and Melvyn's Restaurant in Palm Springs, California since 1975. While visiting a friend in Palm

Springs, Haber stumbled upon the Ingleside Inn in 1975. The property, located at 200 Ramon Road, was in a state of disrepair thanks to an absentee owner.

Haber shut down the inn that summer and spent $500,000 in restoration costs, including Melvyn's restaurant. The inn re-opened on September 15, 1975 and was

an immediate success.

Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn
Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn (Photo: Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Historical Society)
Over the years, the inn has hosted U.S. presidents, royalty, aristocrats, captains of industry, and celebrities visiting Palm Springs. They include Frank

Sinatra, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Marlon Brando, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Sylvester Stallone, Liza Minnelli, Liberace, Jerry Lewis, Barry

Manilow, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Rita Hayworth, Pat Boone, Debbie Reynolds, Larry King, John Travolta, Sidney Sheldon, David Hasselhoff, President Gerald

Ford, George Hamilton, and celebrity travel columnists Donald Pile and Ray Williams.

Haber not only has been a successful with both the Ingleside Inn and Melvyn’s Restaurant but he has written two books, "Bedtime Stories of the Ingleside
clubwear mini dresses Sexy Lingerie Outlet Sale Wholesale Bikinis Inn" and "Palm Springs á la Carte: The Colorful World of the Caviar Crowd at Their Favorite Desert Hideaway," which was co-authored with biographer Marshall

Terrill. Both books highlight stories of those who have enjoyed the hospitality of the Ingleside Inn and Melvyn’s Restaurant.

Spivack ran the Spa Hotel from its opening in 1963 through 1985.  He was hired as comptroller of Palm Springs Spa, Inc. in 1962, ascending to president and

general partner in 1966. Spivack was known for his personal touch when it came to the guests who stayed at the Spa Hotel.  He became close friends with many

of the guests who returned year after year to enjoy the sun and the hot mineral baths at the Spa Bathhouse.

Spa Hotel circa 1966, photo by George Aquino.
Spa Hotel circa 1966, photo by George Aquino. (Photo: Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Historical Society)
The 2016 Society Calendar full of photographs of 1950s and ‘60s hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs will be premiered and for sale. One of the highlights of

the afternoon is the annual raffle which will boast terrific prizes donated by local businesses.

EVENT INFO:

Event info: Picnic Under the Palms

What: Celebrating vintage hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. Plenty of tempting food and a great atmosphere will be on hand at this very special

celebration. A no-host bar will be available.

When: Sunday, Nov. 15, noon

Where: O’Donnell Golf Club, 301 North Belardo Road, Palm Springs

More: $40 Members, $50 Non-members. Space is limited. Reservations are required. (760) 323-8297