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Remember When Week of December 2

99 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Dec. 7, 1912)

Burglars effected an entrance into Duhring’s store late Monday night, but singular to relate nothing was missing, the burglars evidently becoming alarmed and making off before they had time to secure anything of value. They mad their getaway in a handcar purloined from the tool house of the NW Pacific railroad. … Last Monday the pulling out of the vines in one of the largest and finest vineyards in California commenced. It is the property of the P.O. Co. here. It is said that the foreman, who soon leaves for Oakland, wishes to leave a remembrance behind him. At any rate, Frank, the wine making will go on whether you leave or stay and the saloons will run without you. … Leon Monyer went to the metropolis Sunday to view the new champion, Willie Ritchie, at the Empress theatre. Leon says the native son is there with the goods and a large crowd assembled to greet California’s first lightweight champion of the world. … Sonoma was visited by a delegation of ladies and gentlemen from Petaluma Thursday. The object of the visit was to boost the poultry show being held there this week. The trip was made in four large touring cars which paraded around the Plaza a number of times. … Miss Louise Weber, who will be married this month to Mr. Grover Rubke, was tendered a surprise shower by the members of the Rebekah lodge Tuesday night. An enjoyable evening was spent by all.

 

87 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Dec. 6, 1924)

Rumors are current that Sonoma Valley may be offered as a possible location for the U.S. Army Air Base in a much as Crissy Field San Francisco is declared to be located in a fog area and otherwise inadequate. Congressman Lea was of the official committee of Congress which investigated and secured data on army flying needs while here and now that he is back in Washington, will undoubtedly be called upon to suggest favorable sites where army flying can be fully developed and taken care of. … Mrs. Alfred Rubke of Schellville entertained the Flying Needles Wednesday at a unique indoor picnic at her attractive bungalow. Decorations from the hills, picnic ground signs, weenie roast on willow sticks over the fireplace and lunch spread on the “ground” were features. … The acceptance of seven or eight rights of way for the proposed sewer extension by the City of Sonoma at the meeting of the Board Wednesday night indicates the intention to proceed with the $30,000 sewer bond election. Those who donated the rights of way across their property according to easements on file are C. Poncia, Helen Johnson, Adamis, Rubke, Dresel, Bosch and the California state highway. Other deeds are in the process of delivery to the city. … Owing to the expense which the rebuilding of the present steeple of the Congregational church would entail, it has been decided to remodel that part of the church. The familiar landmark is undergoing repairs by Contractor Bean and the edifice is being painted by Contractor Bulotti. … The regular monthly dance for the benefit of the Jack London memorial library takes place Dec. 13, next Saturday evening, and the Women’s Club of Glen Ellen cordially invites all to attend. … The marathon race planned for New Year’s day in Sonoma Valley is awakening considerable interest. Contributions totaling 50 percent for the $100 purse for the winner are already gathered. It is already apparent that many athletes are interested in the holiday race.

 

82 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Dec. 6, 1929)

The days of romance continue to be reflected in unexpected places in and about Sonoma, and this week buried treasure was unearthed when the walls of the adobe house of Otto Rufus were being torn down on the ranch at Buena Vista. The house was originally built by Caleb Carriger in 1851 and was afterwards tenanted by the late Major Rufus and his family. The gold was quartz, about two ounce, and was in a buckskin sack, the treasure carefully cached in an old Tillman & Bendel mustard can, concealed between the walls. … The Sonoma Valley Grange had an enjoyable whist party Monday evening, with 64 players participating. Prize winners were Mrs. J. N. Beach, H. F. Stone, Mrs. O. Brown, Mrs. A. J. Riecke and Mrs. W. J. Jones. Dancing to the Steiger-Hanley orchestra with old fashioned dances and a social hour, culminating in delicious eats, made the party very enjoyable. … Fred Schell Jr., who has been employed by the Standard Oil Company for the past six years, in Napa, has won a nice promotion, having been selected representative of Flamo in this and surrounding communities. Mr. Schell got the territory on his record which has been one of much merit and it goes without saying that the former Sonoma boy will make good in putting Flamo in the homes, where gas will be a boon to housewives. … The new Dunbar union school being erected for the children of Glen Ellen, Dunbar and Kenwood districts, is looming up in fine style and the contractors will have it ready for occupancy following the Christmas vacation, so it is hoped.

 

70 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Nov. 28, 1941)

At a meeting of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night the matter of a campaign of beautification which would include the erection of bronze statues of Gen. M. G. Vallejo, statesman and solider and of Jack London, world famous California author, was advocated. … Elmer Awl, genial host of Sobre Vista ranch, director of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce and leader of the Valley of the Moon Vigilantes was called as a Naval Reserve this week and embarked for Panama. Squire Awl wins the title Lieutenant and aside from the weather in the Canal Zone thinks he will like the navy. His wife, Alma Spreckels Awl, intensely patriotic, will keep the home fires burning while her husband is away helping Uncle Sam protect American possessions. … The benefit dance at Glen Ellen for the fire department is tomorrow night. Music will be by Vincent Trombley’s orchestra and the door prize is a $300 lot. The dance will be at the Jack London Memorial hall and a fine time is in store for all who attend the benefit for the fire department in the upper Valley. … This weekend, Bank of America will put checks in the mail, timed to reach as many Christmas club members throughout California on the morning of Dec. 3. Total disbursement will exceed $18,000,ooo. In this community alone, approximately $11,000 will  be paid out to 128 club members, according to figures just released by C. Forni, manager of Bank of America in Sonoma.

 

67 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Nov. Dec. 1, 1944)

A. B. Peluffo has sold his Broadway and First Street West holdings including the Safeway store property in Sonoma to a Vallejo investor. The deal includes the new cottage erected by Mr. Peluffo on the former Kate McDonell property in Sonoma. The Safeway store was also built by Peluffo after acquiring the Broadway tract which he subdivided and highly improved. … On land adjoining the present Flowery School in the Springs district a new three room schoolhouse will be erected. It was designed by Clarence Felciano of Santa Rosa and will be built under the supervision of Irving Lichtefield of San Rafael.  The new building was made necessary by the growing 200 attendance and five teachers. … The Board of Supervisors has set the date of the election for the creation of the Valley of the Moon Recreation District. It will be held Dec. 16. There will be one polling place, the fire house at Boyes Hot Springs. The election was ordered after a hearing last week which gave property owners an opportunity to protest inclusion of their property within the proposed boundaries of the district. … The Native Daughters Parlor of Sonoma is the originator of the idea of having the U.S. Post Office Department issue a commemorative stamp for the 100^th anniversary of the making of the Bear Flag in Sonoma. This emblem is California’s official flag of state. … Geo. J. Wyllie, of Napa, branch manager of Standard Oil and Standard Stations, Inc., was in Sonoma Wednesday and announced that Standard was buying $4,000 worth of Sixth War Bonds toward Sonoma Valley’s quota. … Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood Coffin, of San Francisco and San Rafael, have purchased the beautiful 38-acre McCracken ranch “Wannoah” near Kenwood. They will highly improve it. The sale was made by P.O. Rupp, realty broker of Boyes Hot Springs. … Dr. and Mrs. Wm. Newman of Sonoma, are the parents of a baby girl, their second child. … James Little, for the past 10 years superintendent of the Martini vineyards, is moving to the former Hyde ranch purchased recently by Miglioretti brothers. He will become their superintendent and plans to set out the 240 acre ranch to grapes including Riesling, cabernet and pinot.

 

64 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Nov. 28, 1947)

Last Saturday afternoon at  3 p.m., the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered in St. Francis Solano Church by His Excellency Thomas A. Connelly Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco to a class of 85. … Leading college coaches and athletic leaders will congregate at the Sonoma Mission Inn from Dec. 7 to 10 fro the annual important meeting of the Pacific Coast Conference Intercollegiate Athletic Association, this year scheduled for the Sonoma Valley Spa. Hotel manager Charles Harris announces that reservations have been received by “name” coaches and officials from throughout the Pacific Coast area including Oregon, Washington and Idaho. … The sale of the Broadway Market at the Four Corners was announced last week as Frank Stout and son of Santa Rosa took over at the new spot from Marius Nelson of Sonoma who opened the market some six months ago. … The State Highway Commission has approved the expenditures of $375,000 for widening, grading and resurfacing the Black Point cut off from the Ignacio Wye to Petaluma Creek, the State Division of Highways announced last week. He said that most of the $375,000 appropriated for improvement of the cut-off would be used to realign the bad curve at Black Point. The dirt removed from the hill to straighten out the curve will be used to widen the remainder of the road. … Mr. and Mrs. I. Shainsky’s hospitable home was the scene of a Thanksgiving party of 30 for their children and college friends. … Gen. Mark Clark, Sixth Army Commander at San Francisco, and hero of World War II, was a recent guest of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Coblentz at their historic Sonoma Valley home.