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Easter egg dyeing in GE

Recently, on one of those lovely, sunny spring days, my sweetie and I strolled through the regional park. Our favorite "private road" sign at Yell guided us in the right direction down Carmel.

We saw scores of early spring wildflowers and met dozens of familiar folks in the park, but one family in particular is pertinent today.

That would be the Joseph trio: Edmond, the landscaper, Theresa, his sweetheart and lovely young Ruby Marie. Having recently celebrated her 4-4-4 birthday, Ruby was a vision in pastel pinks yet trail hardy. Already a first-grader, she was eager to share the ultimate direction of their hike: Betty Kelly's delightful Wine Country Chocolates.

Papa Eddy is also known as the I.C. of our Glen Ellen Volunteer Firefighter's annual Easter Egg Hunt. What's an I.C.?

That's fire fellow speak for incident commander, and each event has one. For years, Ed's been the head of the hunt. He's well qualified for that role, having raised three of his own girls (in addition to Ruby, there's Jessy and Jennifer, along with his three lovely stepdaughters Ellie, Jesse and Brianna).

This fellow surely knows all the rainbow pastel colors of Easter egg dyeing.
And that's just what Ed, Ruby and a passel of helpers will be doing this Friday afternoon, April 22 at 3 p.m.

That's when firefighters and young friends (older Dunbar students are especially invited) arrive at the firehouse at 13445 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, to decorate 120-dozen eggs donated by Don Shone, Dale Downing and Sherry Shone. We truly appreciate their generosity ... almost as much as Ed appreciates all those older kids who help him dye eggs. Call the fire department's business phone, 996-9266 or I. C. Edmond at 975-2222, if you have questions. All hard-working kids are welcome.

Early Saturday morning, April 23, young egg seekers should arrive at Dunbar School, corner of Dunbar and Henno roads, in plenty of time for the 10 a.m. Easter egg hunt.

The fun begins promptly at 10 a.m. with fire trucks (old and new), a visit from the bunny himself (always the newest recruit in costume) and grand chocolate prizes (yes, from Betty Kelly and her daughter, Caroline, of Wine Country Chocolates). Be sure to bring your own basket for carrying eggs and arrive early.

As for our flora discoveries on that same hike where we encountered the happy Joseph family? That included popcorn, milkmaids, white baby blue eyes, buttercups, sunshine and sun cups. Meadow foam and every variety of legumes were in evidence, along with shooting stars, lupine and iris. The display has migrated from white and purple to orange and yellow and still is bountiful and beautiful.

Meanwhile we're awaiting word from Rusty Sims, aka Captain Flapjack about this year's gala May 8 Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast at the Arnold Drive firehouse. It's one of the best events of the year for meeting local folks and sharing the year's news. I never miss it. I know that Lisa Hardy is working hard to make sure the Glen Ellen Village Quilt will be ready for display and the firefighters are flexing their wrists getting ready to flip those cakes.

Meanwhile Rusty: write me with the details so that I can share it with our friends and neighbors in Glen Ellen.

Good news also arrived from Jim Hill of the Glen Ellen Community Church, "Hello Friends. This Holy Week will find your little 116-3/4-year-old community church busy with Lord's Supper Service on Good Friday, April 22, at 7 p.m., and of course, Easter Sunday morning service at 10 a.m. April 24. The Good Friday is a moving service of reflection, while the Easter Sunday service is a celebration of joy. In our Sunday children's program, there will be a mini-walk along some of the Stations of the Cross, as well as a traditional Easter egg hunt. After our Easter Service, there is a lovely Easter brunch for all at no charge. Come worship at your historic Glen Ellen Community Church on the corner of Henno Road and O'Donnell Lane."

Finally, an important local event to note on your calendars.

Next Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. members and friends of the Glen Ellen Historical Society will meet at Mayflower Hall (right next to the church) to reminisce about good old days in Glen Ellen. Jim Shere, president of the society, reminds folks to bring their family photographs and happy stories to share. See you there.

And speaking of seeing folks. Last week's lecture by former Sonoman Gaye LeBaron and her husband, John, at Cynthia Scarborough's Vintage House was great. Gaye and John have an easy and comfortable rapport and their sharing is filled with anecdotal tales of life in Sonoma County. There may still be room to attend the next four Thursday afternoon lectures. Call Vintage House for more information, 996-0311.

Finally, at that LeBaron lecture, Anne Goodwin noted that this April 20, tomorrow, would be David Bouverie's 100th birthday. He'd love to see all of us celebrate by observing nature, wherever that might be for you: out the window, your own backyard, or on one of the many delightful trails in our area (for suggestions, see my former student Stephen Cosgrove's blog on the Lifestyle page at sonomanews.com). Happy Trails, David! We think of you often and always with affection.

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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.