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The good news from Glen Ellen

As every year, I'm writing this column on Wednesday, almost a full week before you're reading it. Even with last minute corrections on Friday, I'm still not going to know about our lovely Glen Ellen Village Fair until Sunday. Ah, Sunday, the joyful day you've already experienced. Here's hoping the rain didn't dampen any spirits. We've yet to have a rainstorm stop our fair.

As for the rains, last week's showers brought the slumbering summer world alive with the kiss of rain heralding fall. The golden mellow grasses covering the hillsides in the regional park bent in humble thanks with the caress of water while the moss and lichen fairly glowed relishing the gift of moisture. Looking up, through the oaks and buckeyes, the blazing sky gave the biggest lift, a brilliant blue contrasted with mountains of white cumulus. I love the fall and find no better time to walk our welcome trails.

You too? Meanwhile, awaiting your words praising our fair, I'll share a little news of my favorite O'Donnell Lane friends.

Congratulations to the entire Witkowski family. With both Mike and Jane now retired, you'd think this couple might slow down. Not quite. After a summer adventuring in Alaska, they returned when Mike began this fall's docent training at the Bouverie Preserve. Next came a trip to the Sierras to celebrate their daughter's wedding.

Yes, lovely Teresa Witkowski (no longer simply one of the little kids on O'Donnell Lane and long since a Dunbar student) married Scoutt Balchowsky in a ceremony held in the high desert at Benton Hot Springs, in the eastern Sierra. The couple celebrated with many friends and family in a joyful ceremony and a hot springs weekend. From the summer heat of the Sierras to the cozy fog of the Bay, the couple makes their home on a houseboat in Sausalito. We send blessings to them all.

While the Witkowskis were celebrating in the Sierra Mountains, their nearest neighbor, little Sierra Rose Buttke, celebrated her fifth birthday. Congratulations kiddo and many blessings to Grandma Ruth, Mama Lynette, Papa Jeff, along with her many brothers.

More excitement on O'Donnell Lane is anticipated. Foremost is the imminent arrival of Chris Everidge's first grandbaby, a girl, is on the way even as this is being read. Congratulations to Tommy Everidge (famous ball player who was inducted into Sonoma State University's Fall of Fame this weekend) and Kellie, his beautiful bride of two years.

Along with that, Chrissy is also experiencing a sort of rebirth of one of her late husband Willie's dreams. He always wanted to add to the beauty of their Victorian cottage with a bit of cobbling in the yard and drive. Now, a whole team of his co-workers are honoring Will's wish. We've watched these workers, who are as entertaining in their banter as they are experts in their craft, turning a dusty bit of O'Donnell Lane into a small paradise. We applaud them and send special thanks to supervisor Rick Phillips and his workers from Shimmick. Guided by Willie's good-natured spirit they are making Chris's life brighter, just in time for the new baby.

Glen Ellen artists are also in the news today. The bounty of fall is apparent in Oak Hill's Red Barn where Jane Antee has paintings on display until Oct. 16. That same October weekend, Patricia Akay opens her studio for Art Trails. She's at 13125 Arnold Drive, just off Highway 12, next to Mayo Winery.

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Share your good news with friends and neighbors in Glen Ellen. Call me at 996-5995; write me at Box 518, GE 95442. Or email me at creekbottom@earthlink.net.