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Remember When Week of April 22

Tidbits from Sonoma Valley

83 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune of April 20, 1928)
An improvement which will add much to the appearance of Broadway, one of Sonoma’s principal business and residence streets, is that to be made by Dr. A. K. McGrath, who has let the contract for a new office and residence. The physician has purchased from H. F. Bates the 78 foot corner at Maple Avenue adjoining the Louis H. Green home. … The Sonoma Valley Sportsmen’s Club will meet next Wednesday evening, April 25, at 8 o’clock in the Sonoma city hall. Mr. Lencioni, the county chief game warden, will outline the new deputy arrangements for his Valley, to the end that the laws may not be violated. … R. W. Murphy was the successful bidder on the new Flowery school house to take the place of the fire-swept building on the highway. Work has already started and men are making ready for the new structure. … The Plaza day last Sunday was very successful. Kiwanis Club members, led by J. J. Hayward, were joined by other public spirited citizens n cleaning up Sonoma’s historic park. There were two tractors loaned for the good cause and in addition to the disking and cutting of dress, the hoe brigade did heroic work in laying low unsightly grass edges along the walks and driveways. … The ballroom of the Sonoma Mission Inn, at Boyes Springs, was crowded to capacity last Saturday evening on the occasion of the dinner dance under the auspice of the North Bay Shriners’ Club, with the Aahmes Temple of the mystic Shrine assisting.

82 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune of April 19, 1929)
Sonoma gets some attractive publicity in Motor Land this month in an article by O. Harvey. The author says our town has “it.” “Personality plus,” Harvey says. … One of the loveliest social affairs for many years in the Valley of the Moon was the bridge luncheon given at the Sonoma Mission Inn Golf and Country Club by Mrs. F. M., Burris to 60 or more lady friends on last Saturday afternoon. … The N.W.P. excursion to Sonoma Valley last Sunday brought over 700 people to spend the day. Ten coaches filled to capacity were noted and the special rate and advertising were responsible for the best Sunday in many months. Another excursion is scheduled for May 5, and will probably demonstrate to the railroad that people will come this way by rail of travel is made attractive and Sonoma property advertised. … The response to the Plaza clean-up day was not as good as it might have been on a clear, bright day, for rain threatened and the program was sort of “up in the air.” However, the enthusiasts who appeared for work found plenty to do and the day ideal for wielding hoe and spade. … Another big weekend will go down in history for the Sonoma Mission Inn with the coming of the North Bay Shrine Club to the hotel and golf links Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21. Tomorrow night there will be a brilliant banquet at the Inn, to be attended by 400 Shriners led by Potentate Claire Homer, of Ashmes Temple and Past Potentate Ezra Decoto, of Alameda County.

81 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune of April 25, 1930)
The new ice cream parlor known as the Mission Bell which the Sonoma Mission Creamery opened in its new building last Sunday was visited by many friends and also tourists from the old Mission, who remarked on the fine improvement and conveniences provided by the enterprising firm, Joseph Vella and associates. … Just once in 360 years do people have the opportunity Sonoma gets Monday to view a total eclipse of the sun. This town is in the narrow path where the total eclipse will be visible. … Sonoma’s volunteer firemen have completed the building and assembling of their new fire fighting unit and it was given a tryout Monday. The new piece of apparatus is a pump engine equipped with a Northern pump mounted on a Ford chassis. It carries over 300 gallons of water and has the unique and valuable quality of pumping while in motion. … A local flying club is being organized and aviation enthusiasts who have joined included Roy Bilyeu, Joe Baccaglio, Armand Franquelin and Cecil Hunter. … Maintaining that the rough and impassable condition of the road to Cavedale is keeping people from trading here as well a discouraging non-resident property owners from making the Valley their home, residents of that section are protesting. The rains have made it almost impassable and more permanent improvement is sought.

75 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune of April 24, 1936)
Rev. A. B. Weaver, pastor of the M. E. Church, is convinced that Monday is a good day to go fishing. At Camp One along Sonoma creek, he hooked a 12-pound striped bass and landed the big fellow in a half hour. … New faces, added interest and another season, that is the baseball set up for Sonoma Park Sunday afternoon when Manager Ray Tynan parades his latest edition of the Sonoma club before Mr. and Mrs. Fan. Local color will be the theme for the year’s campaign as for the fist time in many a moon the lineup will be all hometown boys. … Cherry picking has started in Sonoma Valley the first time since 1930 that the fruit has been ready for the market so early. Picetti Bros., report an unusually large crop despite some damage by rain. Prices appear to be good according to opening quotations. … Outstanding feature of the regular monthly meeting of the Marin County Association of Fire Departments held in Corte Madera firehouse last week was the presentation by Assistant District Attorney Harold Haley, on behalf of the Marin firemen, of a beautiful flag to the Valley of the Moon fire department of Sonoma. … In addition to the Standard Oil service station which is to be erected on the site of the F. Clewe building in Sonoma, another station is being built on the Norrbom property just outside the westerly city limits for Messers. Jos. Keiser and Harry Dwyer. … Verdiers French resort, which plans something new in the way of improvement each season for its guests, has just completed a fine swimming pool, 35x40 and a tennis court, which will add greatly to the pleasure of visitors registered there this year. … Sam Sebastiani, public-spirited citizen of the U.S.A., sent 200 cases of California peaches, packed at his cannery here, to the Italian Red Cross this week. The shipment to his native land will be greatly appreciated by war sufferers overseas.

71 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune of April 26, 1940)
City Gardener Brown is justly proud of the rose garden all abloom in Sonoma Plaza. The roses, many choice varieties, purchased by the garden man for the city, made a gorgeous display the past week. Some of the varieties are new and others date back to the Chicago World’s Fair when they were revealed in all their loveliness. … The Boyes Springs Boosters club met at Sycamore Lodge Wednesday night with about 30 business people from the Springs section. Talks were made by Supervisor Howard Knight, Bob Moir and his guest Major Patterson of the C.C.C. It was the most interesting and enthusiastic meeting the Boosters have had. … Virgil Revie, son of Archie Revie, of San Francisco, had his picture in the San Francisco Chronicle that week in references to some high school activities in the city. He is a fine looking lad. … El Verano Grammar School held its first flower show last Friday and it was highly successful. Miss Catherine Henley and her intermediate grade pupils arranged for the gathering and display of the many beautiful and interesting varieties. … Jack Shepard, U.C. student, brought a group of his college friends t the Jack London ranch for a barn dance last Saturday night. … The Sonoma Mission Creamery is making some fine improvements. Not only has the outside been repainted and retrimmed by contractor Downey but the interior will be enlarged and redecorated. New furniture of Spanish California type is being made to order for the ice cream parlor and lunch room.

66 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune of April 27, 1945)
Sonoma Valley’s annual rodeo will be held this year at the Millerick ranch on June 24, is the plan of the A.W.V.S., sponsoring the show. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Sonoma Community Hospital furnishings. … Mrs. Chas. E. Cooke, chairman of the Seventh War Loan drive in Sonoma Valley, announces the gift of $50 bonds for the first girl baby and the first boy baby to arrive at Sonoma Valley’s new community hospital. The donor of the bonds is Frank Bartholomew of Buena Vista. … The Sonoma Valley Community Hospital, located on the Buena Vista property east of Sonoma, will open for business on Tuesday, May 1, states Dr. C. B. Andrews, president of the Hospital Association. Thus will be realized the efforts of hundreds of our Valley residents and Sonoma Valley will have a modern, well equipped hospital of which we are justly proud. … The acquiring of land for the erection of a grandstand, arena and accommodations for horses of trail riders or exhibit stock on a proposed Sonoma fairgrounds were subjects of discussion last Friday night at the Chamber of Commerce office. … Mrs. Emile Long hs returned to Sonoma Mission Inn after several weeks stay in Las Vegas for the benefit of her health. She is much improved and was greeting friends at the Woman’s Club Friday.