BEVERLEY WHITAKER RODGERS, AUTHOR
Reflections from box 150
Chronicles of a Childhood Growing Up on the U.S. Horticultural Field Station near Torrey Pines, La Jolla, California
Capturing a bygone era through short stories and vignettes, Beverley Whitaker Rodgers chronicles her childhood growing up on the U.S. Horticultural Field Station near La Jolla, California from the 1930s to when she graduated from La Jolla High School in 1952. Her stories explore such topics as war, childrearing, disease, politics, religion and typical childhood hobbies like horseback riding, playing with friends and school activities. During her childhood, Beverley’s father, Dr. Thomas W. Whitaker, of Hispanic and Irish descent—descending from the first settlers of Los Angeles (Pobladores)—became an accomplished ethnobotanist, experimenting with growing vegetation in the dry, Southern California terrain, specializing in iceberg lettuce and Cucurbits (melons and gourds). He instilled in Beverley an inherent interest in agriculture, as well as the Mexican-American Experience. Her mother, Mary Beverley Somerville Whitaker, descended from the First Families of Virginia and instilled in Beverley southern values and manner, as well as an insatiable interest in history. These stories are told with humor, wit and historical accuracy, weaving narratives that will hold the reader’s attention, passing on tales of a more innocent time.
EVENTS
10/8/2022
Torrey Pines Conservancy (Private)
Presentation, book signing and reception
10/23/22
2:00 PDT 
Casa de López Adobe
1100 Pico St, San Fernando, CA 91340
Presentation and Book signing
Followed by reception and tours of the museum!
Free! Guests Welcome!
rsvp: taylor@preservethepast.com
4/10/2022
Warwick’s Book Store, La Jolla, CA.
Weekends with Locals book signing 12 pm – 2 pm. Family, friends and guests welcome.
4/13/2022
Presentation and book signing followed by luncheon.* (Private)
*Please contact us if you are interested in hosting a house party.
5/23/2022
Vroman’s Bookstore Local Author Day (via Crowdcast) 6:00 pm PST
CROWDCAST REGISTRATION LINK
6/16/2022
The Photographic Historical Society, Rochester, New York 7:30 pm EST
Presentation and Book Launch
PRESENTATIONS
Are Pictures Worth a Thousand Words: Using Photographs in a Memoir” by Taylor Whitney, a presentation to The Photographic Historical Society, Rochester, New York
TESTIMONIALS
Please send questions and comments to info@preservethepast.com
“An extraordinary memoir written with wit and style about growing up in America in the early decades of the 20th century. Rodgers’ recollection of her childhood spent on the U.S. Horticultural Field Station near Torrey Pines brims with savvy and nostalgia, a treat for both the mind and the heart.”
Carol Olten, La Jolla, California Historian
“I love this book! Beverley’s personal perspective of a time in history provides the reader (and youngert generation) a unique understanding and appreciation of life in the era of World War II and after. I always like to quote, ‘If you can’t learn from the past, you are bound to repeat it.’ It was a pleasure to take this journey with Beverley to her past. Enjoy the trip. I did!”
Patricia Daly-Lipe, Author, Artist, Speaker, La Jolla CA
“It is an amazing achievement, and I am impressed with Beverley’s collection [of archives]; I wish I had her collection for you to write a book.”
“I finished the book… amazing work… underpriced… they got a bargain.”
Dr. Lawrence Brockman, Beverley Hills, CA
“This year’s unicorn that transcends generations to come.”
Dorien Saito, Los Angeles, CA
“I recommend this book to anyone who likes history and who loves to read about daily life in the 40s and 50s. Reading “Reflections of Box 150″ was so enjoyable, that I plan to read it again.”
Ray Tiede, Rochester, NY
“Kudos to you for sticking with this project. I’m only half way through the book, but it is very obvious that a huge amount of work went into it on Beverley’s part and yours as well.”
John Bohn, Oceanside, CA
“Bev’s book arrived today (4/12/22) and I have immediately plunged into it. So many of the pictures are familiar; we obviously had more than I remembered! I know I will thoroughly enjoy the book, and all the memories it will bring back.”
Mary Triplette, cousin, Sylvia, NC
