Email  Print

Day to celebrate in Glen Ellen

 

  No matter where you call home, be it our beautiful burg of Glen Ellen or even far beyond, you will want to be in our town this coming Saturday, June 30.

  Begin your day with a leisurely walk through our Regional Park. Although the creeks have dried, the canopy of oaks, bays and buckeyes provides a pleasant shade that shields you from the sun. The air is warm, and the summery golden aroma of wild oats lends a sweet perfume. While I can’t guarantee the scores of hummingbirds I once witnessed, I can assure you a pleasant stroll. See you on the trail.

  Get your sandwich from our Glen Ellen Village Market: one provides a sufficient meal for two. Then enjoy your lunch at one of the many picnic sites (my favorite being the table honoring Joe and Molly Donovan in a shady glade just off mid-trail).

  Near 1 p.m. or so, wander into the village of Glen Ellen and find your way over the tiny Calabasas Creek bridge to Mayflower Hall, 5311 O’Donnell Lane, at the corner of Henno Road.

  At 2 p.m., the Glen Ellen Historical society presents their summer gathering, “Our Great Big Picture Show.” The society board has a delightfully entertaining slide show of pictures spanning more than a century, featuring the places and faces of our town. Among my favorites are surely C. C. O’Donnell’s Riverside Hotel at Calabasas, and the painting by Etienne Narjot of swimmers in Sonoma Creek.

  If you have photos to share, bring them along. Steve Lee and Jim Shere will scan your photos, adding them to the society’s collection.

  As ever, these meetings attract a big crowd, so arrive early. You can share in the treats that the society always provides (thanks to boardmembers Margie Everidge, Dorothy Johnson and others). While the show is free, donations and memberships in the Glen Ellen Historical Society are always welcomed.

  Between the Historical Society’s show and the evening, I suggest a nap. You’ll need to rest up for the evening.

  At 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30, the social event of the season commences in Glen Ellen. It’s our annual Firehouse Dinner and Dance, a grand summer party celebrating our Glen Ellen Firefighters Association. They put on the whole shebang, we reciprocate by buying tickets and showing up to enjoy it.

  The party continues until midnight, but to get the best of the barbecue, arrive early. By 9 p.m. the roasting fires are quelled and the dancing begins. You’ll find many Valley wines and local brews available to facilitate your dancing groove to the tunes of Trenz.

  This firehouse dance is the oldest in our Valley – even older than me, though not by much. It’s a grand place to catch up with neighbors and friends and to meet new ones. Between the eating and the dancing, be sure to visit the silent auction, in its 16th year.

  All this takes place at our main Glen Ellen Firehouse, 13445 Arnold Drive. The cost is a mere $25 a person, $15 of which makes up a donation. If you can, increase that donation part to show your appreciation to our local firefighters. Their skill, dedication and hard work are essential to the safety of our town. Let them know they are appreciated.  

  If you send a check early, you will be entered in the raffle prize drawing. Use the address above, or give our Glen Ellen Fire Department folks a call at 996-9266, their non-emergency number. Meanwhile, check out their website at www.glenellenfire.org.

  Next week, I’ll tell you a bit more about a couple of special folks at our firehouse. For now, see you at the dance.   

• • •

  Share your good news with friends and neighbors in Glen Ellen. Call or write me at 996-5995 or P.O. Box 518, GE 95442. Or email me a creekbottom@earthlink.net. Glen Ellen chatter rarely requires timeliness; however, if your news does, please be sure to contact me at least three weeks before the run date.