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Remember When Week of July 1

78 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune files of June 30, 1933)
Publishers of Jack London have written Mrs. Eliza Shepard that stories of the burning of Jack London books by the Hitler government may have been exaggerated and the situation is giving them no concern. Any demonstration against books in circulation in Germany was the work of the National-Socialist Party and not of the government itself. … Last week at the famous Boyes Hot Springs, a new flow of sulphur water was tapped by A. Volquardsen, Sonoma well borer, and brought in at 120 degrees. The hot water is being utilized for the pool and tub baths at the big resort, this department being under lease to Rudy Lichtenberg, for many years previously associated with the resort. … Wood Valley, the scenic spot in the hills of Buena Vista section, has attracted another home owner and this week James E. Raymond purchased an 11 acre place there for a summer home. Mr. Raymond is connected with a large steel concern in the East Bay and resides on Colby St., Oakland. … Virginia Winston, daughter of Beth Trudgen Winston, will enter Franklin Hospital to train for a nurse on Aug. 1. She is a high school graduate, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Trudgen of, Sonoma. … Ben Elkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Elkins of Sonoma Valley, and for many years prominent on the floor of the Stock Exchange in Los Angeles, has been named the vice president, secretary and treasurer of the new coast air line service known as the Pacific Seaboard Air Lines.

76 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune files of June 28, 1935)
Tomorrow night, June 29, the benefit dance for the Valley of the Moon fire department will attract a record crowd to the popular casino at the Boyes Springs bathhouse. There will be door prizes and an augmented orchestra playing latest dance hits. … Californians will pay a tax of 80 cents a gallon the hard liquor they purchase after July 1, as a result of the 51st legislature’s efforts to raise enough money to balance the 1935-36 state budget. … A lively grass fire near El Verano Sunday communicated to the hedge on the Lombard ranch and for a while gave the Sonoma firemen a battle to control. However, the boys soon had the fire out and the neighborhood quieted. … It is reported the Boyes Springs lumber yard is reopening with a complete stock of lumber and mill supplies. W. C. Grundell of San Francisco is said to have purchased the property from the Kearney creditors. Geo. C. Stone will manage the plant. … The Past Presidents Association NSGW and NDGW of Sonoma County, led by Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Bora of Sebastopol, came here Sunday to clean up some of the landmarks and monuments which the order marked here some years ago. They made a stop at “Fighting Joe” Hooker’s marker on the Serres ranch, and then came to the Vallejo State Park, where at the gate they cleared grass from the area where a stone and plaque commemorate Sonoma’s founder. … The Chauvet Hotel had its opening under the new management last Saturday night. A special dinner, prepared under the personal direction of Bruno Bertini and dancing tot he Haywire Orchestra made the affair very successful.

74 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune files of June 25, 1937)
Putting up a substantial purse to encourage a real running race at the Sonoma Rodeo, is the “Lucky Lager” company, the famous beer people. As a result of their interest, some classy runners have been entered for Sunday’s big program at the Millerick ranch. … L. Mouyer, of Boyes Springs, reports sale of the Diebner property at Sonoma Vista to Foti Rigos, also sale of the Sotter place to Mr. and Mrs. Call of San Francisco. G. B. Tarrant of San Francisco has bought a lot in the Boyes Springs hotel grounds from Mrs. Gugliemetti and P. Menghetti. … Dario Marioni, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Marioni, of Sonoma, is receiving congratulations this week on being awarded the bronze plaque for the most orderly room during the year, in the High School Division of the San Rafael Military Academy, San Rafael. … Mrs. M. Y. Hansen was surprised last week by a visit from her son, Harold of Alaska. … Mrs. Vic Leveroni will be the new president of the Native Daughters. … With “white hopes” springing up fast to try and wrest the laurels from the new heavyweight champion, Joe Louis, the town of El Verano is proud to have that very promising boy, Bob Larue is training at Parente’s. He will work out at the gym there Sunday and the public is invited to the free exhibition. … Sonoma has gone western, and how! The Valley is filled to the brim with men and women gathering for the Ninth Annual Sonoma Rodeo and Free Barbecue, which will be held Sunday afternoon at the Millerick ranch. At the rodeo and barbecue grounds three mile south of Sonoma, finishing touches are being placed on the stands, fences and chutes, while in the stalls and pens the largest collection of rodeo stock in the history of the show awaits the opening event.

72 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune files of June 30, 1939)
Sonoma Plaza is attracting more attention each day because of its growing beauty and some of the gifts it is coming into. Among recent acquisitions has been the sun dial, a gift of Mrs. Mabel Rawlins of Orland, and her sister, Mrs. C. Fredericks, of Berkeley. Suitable placed, it is to be later inscribed by the Sonoma Valley Women’s club in appreciation of the donors generosity. … At a special meeting of the Sonoma City Council, Wednesday night, with Trustees Valente, Bean and Pinelli present, bids were opened for the new asphalt surface street improvement on West Napa Street. F. E. Crews, of Fairfax, who bid $1,430.25, seems to have been the lowest bidder. He was the contractor on the Broadway improvement some years ago. … Plans and arrangements for taking care of a record breaking weekend holiday crowd throughout the entire Redwood Empire, were going forward this week as result of a statement by Gov. Culbert L. Olson that he would issue a proclamation declaring next Monday, July 3, an official holiday thus making possible a vacation weekend extending from Saturday to and including Tuesday, July 4. … Theodor Brown, city gardener of Sonoma, has a new title. He is also a special policeman with control over the Plaza area. Brown takes pride in his lawns and gardens and will now have the authority to warn or arrest trespassers or those who break the laws and who often get away before the chief of police can be summoned.

70 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune files of July 4, 1941)
The 50-acre vineyard property adjoining Rhine Farm, for half a century the home of the Carl Dresel family, has been sold by Mrs. Rose Dresel to Mrs. Walter Bundschu, widow of one of the pioneer Bundschu family long associated with the Dresels in the production of dry wines. … “Dude” Martin and his celebrated Round-Up Gang, of radio and film fame, will appear in person next Saturday night, July 12, at the Sebastiani Hall, for a full four-hour entertainment show for the benefit of the U.S.O., it was announced yesterday. … Sonoma’s beautiful skating rink, the Sebastiani Rollertorium, is to celebrate its first anniversary July 13 and John Benedetto, the genial head of the amusement palace announces a fine program of entertainment including a swim at Boyes Springs after the afternoon events here. … As a result of the highly successful 1941 Sonoma rodeo, held under its sponsorship, the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce made a substantial profit for the first time in a number of years, despite its own heavy rodeo celebration expenses, it was disclosed last Monday night in a report submitted to the chamber’s board of directors. Due to the heavy barrage of publicity, more than 1,200 more rodeo fans were attracted to this year’s show than in 1940.

68 YEARS AGO
(From the Index-Tribune files of July 2, 1943)
Maxwell Johnson of the high school music department, George Angove and Morris Solen, also widely known for their musical talent and participation in community affairs, participated in the filming of “Happy Land,” the movie being made in Santa Rosa. They took part in the band scene of the play, sat in the stand at the park and received $18 each for their appearance. … H. D. Kyle has sent a copy of “The People of the Pueblo,” story of Snoma by Celeste G. Murphy, to his daughter living in Ketchakan, Alaska. Mr. Kyle lived in Alaska in the days of Rex Beach and Jack London when their fascinating stories of the north were being written. … The El Verano school collected and gave to the Red Cross war relief fund $14.15. The money was collected and presented by the efforts of Loring Dresel, president of the study body. … Mr. and Mrs. P. Guisto will move to Vineburg where the former has purchased the Anthenian ranch. Mrs. Guisto will teach at Huichica. … Sonoma has had some tree surgeons at work topping the tall eucalyptus in the Plaza and has been giving spectators including small boys a sample of aerial daring like the steeple Jack and man on the flying trapeze. … Mrs. Nellie Bishop is working at Mare Island and is much interested in her work as storekeeper.