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Falling in love in GE and beyond

Now that the calendar has officially rolled around to summer, we seem to be celebrating spring in Glen Ellen. Last week after the rains, a beautifully gorgeous only-in-spring day arrived. As I walked across O'Donnell Lane's brick bridge, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and (if you'll excuse the cliché) the brook was babbling. As I sat on the bridge, feeling the soft breezes waft up carrying the fresh scents of spring I could hear Tennyson's voice, sonorous and clear.

Well, maybe not Tennyson, since I never really heard him - probably was that handsome English professor I had freshman year at Humboldt. While I can't recall his name, his voice springs up easily from the bubbling creek bed, "In spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love."

Though it's not spring, and unlikely that Tennyson's spirit resides in our stream, nonetheless thoughts of love abound in our town. And not unrequited love (a favorite theme of Tennyson) but a true and honest hometown love story. This news comes from proud and pleased mother Barbara Dumont.

Barbara's daughter Autumn grew up in Glen Ellen, attending Dunbar School. Her mom says one of Autumn's favorite teachers was Mrs. Sullivan. (As I recall it was Mrs. Sullivan who invited students to her home for an English-style tea party, using the best silver and encouraging the best manners in her students. Cool teacher.)

While Autumn thrived at our school, her mom worked for the Glen Ellen Fire Department. Autumn's Godparents are Linda and Lon Herbert who make their home on Sonoma Creek. Along the way Autumn lived in Holland as an ASF exchange student and celebrated an all American Thanksgiving with Glen Ellenites Tom and Esther Phillips, who were temporarily living in Holland. After graduating from Sonoma Valley High School, Autumn eventually found herself working in Los Angeles with her longtime friend Lela Tillem.

Meanwhile (down Valley), while Autumn was enjoying childhood in our town, Andy Mannle was growing up surrounded by the joyful chaos of his mother, Barbara Mannle, and her Gingerbread House Day Care. It was in Los Angeles that these two Sonoma Valley "kids" met and fell in love. This month they'll be celebrating that love in a Sonoma Valley country-style marriage.

Autumn currently works in the fashion industry and Andy writes for numerous magazines in his work with sustainable, green and solar energy. Last year, Andy coordinated the Green Conference in San Francisco. Congrats to this happy couple. We wish them continued blessings in their lives.

Last year, another glorious wedding celebration took place here in Glen Ellen. In fact, right in my own backyard. Creekbottom House never looked so beautiful. But it wasn't our doing ... it was simply the aura and ambience of love that accompanied the assembled folks, especially the bride and groom. That would be my dear friend Jeanne Bowman and her sweetie, Alan Jay Rosenthal. That was last June. This June they celebrated their first anniversary with a trip to England. We wish them continued love and happiness, this year, next and on into old age. Love you both, Jeanne and Alan. 

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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.