Retired local makes history

Leslie Bruce

Debbie Adams expertly thumbed through a pile of black-and-white

photographs from years gone by, pausing a few moments every so often.

She finished her perusal and placed the stack neatly on the table in

front of her, folding her hands into her lap.

Adams, a 17-year Costa Mesa resident, has been donating her

post-retirement time to making a difference at the Costa Mesa

Historical Society.

“I think it’s important to give back to the community,” Adams

said. “It brings a sense of belonging.”

As the second vice president in charge of membership, Adams

organizes all membership data, manages the annual membership drive

and single-handedly built an online membership list.

“I really like computer work,” Adams said with a shrug.

In addition to her duties as membership chair, Adams also helps

input photographs and the Lions Club archive collection into the

computer system.

“She does whatever needs doing,” said Mary Ellen Goddard, Costa

Mesa Historical Society board member.

Adams, a five-year historical society member, normally spends

three days a week volunteering for the society, depending on the time

of year.

“As we get nearer to the Orange County Fair, I work every day,”

Adams explained.

However, during a recent battle with breast cancer, Adams was

unable to spend any time volunteering; she was gone for three weeks.

Adams enjoys her time at the historical society. It helps keep her

mind active and occupied, she said.

“She helps out all the time ... whenever we have an open house,

she’s there,” said Dave Gardner, president of the Costa Mesa

Historical Society.

With all of her family back in her hometown of Groveland, Mass.,

Adams found a support network in the historical society.

“They always give me a hug when I come in,” Adams said. “It’s a

sense of family here.”

A retired AT&T; employee, Adams also spends her free time

volunteering for the Friends of the Library and writing their

quarterly newsletter.

A staunch Costa Mesa enthusiast, Adams enjoys giving back to the

city.

“People here know each other’s name,” Adams said. “I never want to

live anyplace else.”