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Church camp a summer staple

Earlier this summer the Glen Ellen Community Church offered an excellent week of summer camp for local youngsters. While it's too late to participate now, I'm sending you this information as a "heads up" for next year.

So, if you are the parent of an older toddler, a school-age student or even if you are a middle-school student, listen up. Clip and save this column for next summer and get ready for a unique experience in our little burg.

Young folks from all over Sonoma Valley are welcome, with classes for 4- to 11-year-olds. Teenage helpers are necessary, too.

The church members advertised it as fun and fabulous, and from the shouts of laughter that we could hear down the street, that was true.

This year's theme was kitchen fun at "Shake It Up Café." Who among us can't remember the times as a child that you and a friend spent foolish time cooking up concoctions in mama's kitchen? Add a little ketchup to sour cream, blend in a couple of leftover sardines and serve it on a saltine: Yum ... turns out that was pretty good.

Better than the angostura bitters over ice cream and sauerkraut: Yuck.

Instead of weird food experiments, the children at the church camp became chefs-in-training, and discovered God's recipe for living and loving. Even if you'd normally shy away from such blatant religious indoctrination, don't avoid this camp. It's richer and cleaner and clearer than that may sound.

The kids made their own art projects at "Tangy and Tart Arts," sang songs at "Wok and Roll Hits," explored science at "Foodology Factory, participated in crazy games at "Spork Sports" and enjoyed tasty snacks at the "Takeout Treatery."

Kids were entertained by each other in four evenings of pure fun. In fact, two of the camp leaders, Chef Amore and her helper, Rhubarb, performed a charming and upbeat YouTube version of "Let's Get Cookin'" which you can watch here:

The final evening of Kids Kamp, all parents and family members were invited to a camp barbecue. Pastor Jim Hill, along with his trusty sidekick, Brenda Hill, ran the camp.

Among the other lively adults who helped at the camp were Suzie and Dan Snetsinger, Barbara Powers, Dorothy Johnson, Kathy Prentice, Claudia de la Pena, Mourveen Hutchison, Liz King, Scott Messmer, Laurie Bray, Barbara Eck, Ali and Grant Snetsinger, Zoe Teeter, Ana Maria Cruz, Armando Zimmermann, Marie Hunter, Bill and Sherri Lewis, Earl Broderick and Joanne Bender. Diana Spry served as camp director and Serens Spry was her assistant.

A sad farewell to a well-respected woman from Glen Ellen. Geraldine Raffo passed away in July. Rosemary Haver, one of Dunbar School's beloved former principals, called with the news.

She especially noted that Gerry was an enthusiastic and hard-working volunteer at Dunbar. Rosemary reminded me that it was Gerry Raffo who helped Susie Fridell create the first costumes for the melodrama.

Working endless hours herself, as well as encouraging other parents, Gerry helped make that first performance a hit. As Rosemary recalled, Susie, who had been a professional dancer, had extravagant and elaborate plans for costuming. Yet Gerry didn't rebuff her; she took on the task and helped create scores of fabulous costumes. Rosemary admits it was a monumental task but Gerry did it happily and willingly. Gerry Raffo will be fondly remembered by her many friends from Dunbar School.

Ed Davis, former school board member and businessman, keeps me apprised of the Carrtunes performance schedule. They're a great group of talented Glen Ellen folks who can keep our toes tapping and our skirts awhirl. This coming Friday evening, July 22, beginning at 7 p.m. the Carrtunes will be performing at Sebastiani Winery in Sonoma. The band plays only until 9 p.m. so this isn't one of those typical Sonoma Valley events where you can arrive late. Do be on time and join my Sweetie and me dancing to the Carrtunes tunes. As Ed says, "Whenever we play this incredible venue it really feels more like a party than a gig; if you've attended before you know what I mean."

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Share your good news with friends and neighbors in Glen Ellen. Call or write me at the numbers up there by my smile. Or email me at creekbottom@earthlink.net. Glen Ellen chatter rarely requires timeliness; however, if your news does, please be sure to contact me at least two weeks before the run date.