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Remember When Week of February 3

80 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Jan. 31, 1930)

Members of the American Legion post of Sonoma County, numbering 125, recalled incidents of the World War, played pedro and checkers, banqueted and had a general good time in the city of Sonoma Wednesday evening. It was the first outpost meeting of the year and was staged at Maurel Villa. … There was a large attendance at the Sonoma Valley Improvement Club on Tuesday night of last week. The principal event of the evening was the cremation of the mortgage – the ceremony being conducted by a well-known undertaking firm. James Kearney officiated in person with such a sympathetic attitude it went straight to the hearts of the old timers. … The Vienna Coffee Garden, at Fetters Springs, has been rebuilt by its owner, Herman Weghofter, and will be the scene of a housewarming on Saturday and Sunday. The Vienna Coffee Garden is among the popular resorts in this section and guests may be assured of a good time and fine dinners. … J. F. Prestwood, principal of the Sonoma grammar school, went to Santa Rosa on business Saturday. … A whist party for the benefit of St. Francis parish will be held in the parish hall Wednesday evening. This game is being sponsored by parishioners whose names began with the letters, H, J and K. … The Salinas Rodeo Association, which features the best talent in the West, has set June 1, at the ate of the Sonoma Valley, all-star show at the Millerick ranch, Schellville. The association, by scheduling all the rodeos, avoids conflicts and makes it possible to get the best performers.

 

81 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 6, 1931)

This afternoon at 2 o’clock, the mid-year graduation of Sonoma High School will be held in the high school auditorium. This is the first time that formal graduation exercises have been held at the half year period and it is hoped that the public will take advantage of the opportunity. … On next Friday, Feb. 13, Earl A. Rowell, California head of the White Cross anti-narcotic organization will speak before the high school student body and the general public on the present day condition concerning narcotics. The address will be in the high school auditorium. … Albert Fred Larsen of Sonoma and Miss Clamera Viviani also of our historic city, took out a marriage license to wed last week and the ceremony took place at St. Francis church in the presence of the families of the contracting parties. The young couple will make their home here. … Armine Von Tempski, whose latest novel, “Lava,” has created a furor, will be here from Hawaii shortly, a visitor to the Jack London ranch. … The directors of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce at their last meeting, elected Wade H. Wilson secretary-manager, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Emily Batto who had been secretary of the chamber for several months. With Wilson’s election to the office, the duties have been increased by making him manager as well as secretary, thus relieving the directors of much activity in looking after details.

 

80 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Feb. 5, 1932)

The city council at its regular meeting Wednesday evening, took steps toward further beautification and improvement of the city plaza, by granting the request of Fire Chief Jep Valente, that the firemen’s plot be extended to take in a larger area, to be cared for by the department. The members also voted $300 to be used in other sections of the park to enhance its beauty and attractiveness. … Sunday, Feb. 28 has been set as the tentative date for a pilgrimage to Sonoma of a host of visitors, who are coming to this historic city for the purpose of stimulating interest in the purchase of the Gen. Vallejo home and grounds, and making it a part of the state system of parks. The total purchase price for the home, including approximately 17 acres in grounds is $17,300. … Mr. and Mrs. John Mohr, Mrs. Rose Pinelli and son, August, witnessed the basketball games on Tuesday night at the Kezar pavilion, when teams from the University of San Francisco clashed, the San Francisco College boys defeating their rivals 21 to 17 in a hard fought contest. … The Cotillion Club will meet Saturday evening at the Sonoma Mission Inn, where the members will enjoy a dinner dance. … Fred Batto, head of firm of Batto and Sons, stated following the fire which destroyed the company’s warehouse and general store near Vineburg early Saturday morning, that he had not yet formulated plans for rebuilding. He estimated the loss at approximately $30,000. … For the first time in four years the Sebastiani cannery at Sonoma, will this year operate on tomatoes. This was announced this week by the management of the cannery, and at the same time tomato growers in the district were asked to give the acreage they would plant, should conditions and prices be favorable. The cannery management feels that they should be assured of at least 1,500 tons of tomatoes, in order to work out their plans for distribution and sale of the canned good and warrant their starting the cannery on this crop.

 

 

 

77 YEARS AGO

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

The re-establishment of a farm for narcotic addicts and delinquent women at Buena Vista is again being urged by San Francisco clubwomen. Pointing out that the hospital is still a substantial nucleus for the institution where the former Kate Johnson mansion once stood and was used as the main building until its destruction by fire, advocates of the plan urge that the farm be rebuilt and that inmates be committed here for detention and treatment. …  Mrs. A. Pauli, of the Sonoma Western Union office, reports that more than 200 Sonoma Valley people sent birthday greetings to President Roosevelt Wednesday. The Western Union, which collected 25 cents from each person, forwarded $54.75 to the infantile paralysis fund as part of Sonoma Valley’s contribution to the philanthropy. … “The People of the Pueblo, or the Story of Sonoma,” written by Mrs. C. G. Murphy and later to appear in book form, will be published in serial form in the Index-Tribune the next few weeks. This year, the 100th anniversary of Sonoma’s founding, was chosen as the most opportune time to give the story to readers. … A public works project which has been approved by the Sonoma County office of the federal department to promote the hiring of workmen and the betterment of communities has gone to the PWA headquarters for approval, and the widening of Napa Street seems certain. It has been planned to take three feet off the sidewalk between the American Trust corner and the C. E. Johnson property. 

 

76 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 7, 1936)

The same crew that put in the fine bridge near Madrone station on the S.P. railroad in 1915 were here last week preparing to takeout the span across the creek and ship it to the Sa Joaquin Valley where it will be reassembled. The abandoning of the railroad between El Verano and Glen Ellen makes the bridge no longer necessary so it is being utilized elsewhere. … The President’s birthday whist party and dance given on Thursday night of last week in the Grange hall and sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Democratic Club, was a grand success. More than 30 tables were filled with whist players. A total of 38 prize had been donated, mostly by Sonoma merchants, so it was a gala night for the card players. … While plans are as yet indefinite for Sonoma’s 1936 fashion show, Harold Hotz, leading merchant, returned from the spring showings in San Francisco at the Palace Hotel this week, all enthusiasm for another revue. … The main order of business at the meeting of the Dunbar Mothers Club this week was the election of officers for 1936. Mrs. Edith Bruning was elected president; Mrs. Frank Whitehead, secretary; and Mrs. Erie Sutherland, treasurer. … Not only is there a deterioration of morale as a result of the depression and stress in economics and political upheaval, but there is likely to be a breakdown of the nerve cells which is destructive of ambition and permanent in character, said Dr. George T. Pomeroy, of the U.S. Veterans Hospital at Yountville, in a talk at the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday night.

 

75 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Feb. 5, 1937)

Mrs. Anita Leiser, prominent Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club member, for many years secretary of the County Federated Clubs and more recently vice president, was nominated for county president at a meting of the nominating committee in Santa Rosa last week. Mrs. Leiser, niece of George Breitenbach of Sonoma, has long been identified with club work and is deeply interested in the organization, both local, county and state. … Sonoma Valley experienced rather peculiar, if not “unusual weather.” After a very heavy rain during the night of Jan. 28 the following morning found every thing frozen and snow on the hills. Jan. 29, the hills received another white blanket. … Ralph and Harold Hotz of the Sonoma dry goods and furnishing store, visited San Francisco for the opening displays of Market Week and got a slant on Spring styles in all lines. … Sonoma Valley now has a Red Cross First Aid Highway Station. It has been established at Boyes Springs with headquarters at the Valley of the Moon firehouse with Chief Delaney and his aides cooperating. The Firemen’s Auxiliary will also do all possible to aid the good work. Dr. Andrews will assist in first aid training.