Email  Print

Remember When Week of November 4

92 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune files of Nov. 1, 1919)

Chauvet Hall, Glen Ellen, was the scene of a highly successful masquerade ball last Saturday night. The Glen Ellen Womans Improvement Club who gave the affair have added new laurels to their spelndid record in building up a substantial fund for a library to be erected in memory of Jack London. … St. Francis Church Fair opened very auspiciously Thursday night and one of the best crowds in the history of opening night attended. In addition to the good cause and Rev. Father Byrne’s popularity, the magnet which drew the crowd was the presence of Hon. Samuel M. Shortridge who arrived according to schedule and whose talk on the League of Nations was listened to with immense interest. … Dr. F. O. Butler, prominent physician and superintendent of the State Home at Eldridge, took out a license in S.F. Wednesday to wed Tilly Fredericks, office employee at the institution and daughter of a prominent Petaluma family. … It has been decided to present “The Heart of a Nation,” the famous illustration of Red Cross work at the Don Theatre next Friday night as an aid to making Sonoma’s new membership in the Red Cross a proud record. The entertainment will be free and in addition to the slides, there will be music, including a vocal solo by Mrs. Hamil Wagnon. … Valley of the Moon Chapter has had the honor of having its Matron once again appointed to the position of District Deputy Grand Matron, 10^th District. The honor has fallen to Mrs. Burmester who was appointed at Santa Cruz in recognition of her brilliant work during the past year. Mrs. Burmester will be called upon to visit the lodges of Vallejo, Napa, Calistoga, St. Helena, Benecia and others place in her official capacity the ensuring term.

 

91 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune files of Oct. 30, 1920)

With $2,000 already pledged and $2,500 of it on deposit in a Sonoma bank, the funds for the $4,800 fire engine to be purchased by the community will no doubt be entirely subscribed within the next two weeks and Sonoma can order the Waterous Triple Combination Motor Propelled Fire Engine as recommended by the Business Men’s Association’s committee. … Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Prestwood and family motored to San Rafael last Sunday to see their new grandchild. … Bloss Keechler, the prominent dairyman of this Valley was married in Santa Rosa Thursday at high noon to Miss Lily Alexander, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rankin of that city. The ceremony was performed at St. Rose’s church in the presence of the immediate family. … At his Thanksgiving dance here on the 27^th, F. C.Wilson of Jazz fame will give away a 1920 touring car. Tickets for the dance are on sale at Simmons drugstore, Boyes Springs Hotel and Mullen’s Store, El Verano. Next Saturday night is the ravioli dance at Pancrazi’s. Everyone knows “Pan” and a good time at his Glen Ellen headquarters is assured.

 

90 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune files of Oct. 28, 1921)

The gymnasium and training quarters at Louis Parente’s, El Verano, is a busy place these autumn days, and quite a few visitors who are interested in the boxing game are watching with interest the work-outs of Buck Hooley, Frank Thurston, Larry Jones, Harry Jones, Young Thomas, Frank Dunning, Sal Carlo, Spec Reamer and Joe White. The boys are showing exceptional class and should give a good account of themselves later one. … At a well attended meeting of the Sonoma Farm Center’s poultrymen Tuesday night, great interest was manifested in the plan of the Farm Bureau to improve and standardize baby chicks by accredited hatcheries. The poultrymen pledged cooperation and passed a resolution endorsing the plan. … The sixth annual dance given last Saturday night by Sonoma Parlor, Native Daughters of the Golden West was largely attended and one of the most enjoyable ever given by the Parlor. … Peter Perazzo, who was formerly in the hardware business here has returned to Sonoma and will open a horse shoeing shop on the north side of the Plaza. Pete is a popular Sonoma boy, formerly in the Navy. … The fair for the benefit of St. Francis parish building fund which opened at Union Hall Thursday night has been well attended and liberally patronized. Many handsome and valuable articles are on sale and a good program to conclude with dancing has been offered. … The Native Sons of Glen Ellen Parlor will give one of their enjoyable dances at Chauvet Hall, Glen Ellen on Saturday night, Nov. 5. Perkins Orchestra will play. The popular young Natives in charge of the arrangements are sure to pull off a real good party. … To celebrate the new era of Sonoma’s new street improvement and the completion of the $60,000 paving contract just completed by Gorrill & Gorrill, the Sonoma Business Men’s Association has decided to stage a big celebration here on Nov. 12, with attractions in the afternoon and a big time in the evening. The streets will be illuminated.

 

81 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune files of Nov. 7, 1930)

The Sonoma city trustees met on Wednesday, and among other matters reported the completion of improvements to the city well on the northwest corner of the Plaza, for Plaza improvement and auxiliary fire protection. A. Calufetti rehabilitated the old well which was originally dug by the old Donahue railroad, whose roundhouse shops and yards were located in Sonoma years ago. A pump is now to be installed, the completed system is to cost $650. … The Sonoma business section, including Napa Street, is giving evidence of the new gas era this week, for the PG&E crew are laying mains in front of leading business houses as the final move of construction and connection for our city. Gas will be turned on in many homes about the 15^th of this month and by the first all of Sonoma will enjoy the novelty and convenience of natural gas for heating and cooking purposes. … Mrs. Eliza Shepard and Miss Charmain Byrne are home from Boston and the American Legion convention, in which Mrs. Shepard participated. The travelers arrived here Monday night and were met by Mr. and Mrs. Irving Shepard. … A meeting of the board of directors of the Golden Gate Bridge district was called for next Wednesday, at which time steps will be taken for issuance of the bonds and calling of bids, William P. Filmer, president of the bridge district, announced last night. … Mr. and Mrs. George Fetters, who motored east and have been seeing all the historic and famous places on the Atlantic coast, have also visited Atlantic City and Florida, where they got the latest slant on up-to-date resorts and novel attractions. With all these ideas, patrons of Fetters Hot Springs, popular California resort, can expect that 1931 will be a banner year with Geo. Fetters and his Valley of the Moon properties. … Sonoma Valley had a safe and sane Halloween, voted by the kiddies and older boys and girls to be the jolliest ever. The PTA pre-school group inaugurated a children’s costume parade and party which is expected to increase in popularity each year.

 

76 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune files of Nov. 1, 1935)

Robert Gilbert, of San Francisco, member of a pioneer Sonoma family, visited the scenes of his boyhood here Sunday, accompanied by his four grandchildren. Mr. Gilbert was particularly interested in the old Mission where his parents once resided. The Gilberts occupied the annex to the church, even when the parish priest was conducting services in the chapel, and his mother prepared a meal for the padre. … A. Helwig, Sebastopol contractor, whose bid of $3,785 was the lowest for paving Broadway from center to each curb line of Sonoma’s main thoroughfare, will arrive here next Monday with men and equipment and expects to complete the improvement within two weeks. … With the approval of the plans for Sonoma County’s new hospital by the WPA executives, the supervisors on Wednesday issued a call for bids on the entire project. The new institution, designed by John Easterly, Santa Rosa architect, working on co-operation with Peugh, will house 200 hospital beds, nurses quarters, operating and X-ray rooms, sterilizing equipment, a modern kitchen and other improvements. …  Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Gordon and son, Jim, formerly of Oakland, have opened a store in the Sebastiani theatre building, specializing on homemade candies. A soda fountain and refreshments are also a feature of the business, formerly conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Gordon at Boyes Springs. … Turkey Point was fisherman’s paradise Sunday, more than 50 fisherman being in that vicinity and all catching fish, the largest being about nine and a half pounds caught by Al Sanders. A five pound bass was caught by R. Baines and two 20-inch bass were landed by Hans Mundowski.

 

71 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune files of Nov. 8, 1940)

Local Draft Board 44 completed early last Tuesday afternoon the assigning of order numbers to its master serial list of 2,436 names, according to Chairman August Lepori and August Pinelli, local member. The task was started Monday morning, a few hours after the older list was received from the state adjutant general’s office in Sacramento. As soon as the assignment of numbers was completed, the board mailed out 50 questionnaires to potential selectees. … With the signing up of 250 new members during this month as its immediate goal, the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce today launches the most ambitious membership drive in its 10-year history. … Victor Devencenzi and wife of Oakland, have bought the Martha Jenkins place at Buena Vista and are to highly improve it. Mr. Devencenzi is president of the Oakland baseball team of the Pacific Coast League. He will be here during the spring training season when his team is at Napa and the Seals at Boyes Hot Springs, thus keeping in touch with the material of both teams and their progress. … Dario Marioni, plunging fullback for the California Aggie team, has proved one of the most consistent ground gainers on the Davis squad this year. He was named captain for the game with College of the Pacific last Saturday, a closely fought battle which was won by Stagg’s students, 7 to 6. … The annual Halloween party given by the VFW in cooperation with merchants who donated prizes, and the high school band and majorettes which headed the colorful parade was a grand success. With $48 donated, $32 was spent for prizes and $16 for candy.