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Remember When Week of March 30

91 YEARS AGO
(From the I-T of March 26, 1921)
The immediate prospects of state highway work between Schellville and Santa Rosa looks exceedingly promising. Sen. Herbert Slater, who is giving valued assistance at Sacramento in our behalf has had the assurance of President Darlington of the State Highway Commission that a hearing will be given the local delegations as to the routing of the highway from Beltane when the commission meets in San Francisco. … In order to avoid any possibility of the spread of measles which has been prevalent among a number of families, the grammar school was closed this week for a 14 day vacation by order of the trustees. Sixty children were absent one day. … Among the 11 candidates made members of Santa Rosa lodge of Elks Wednesday night were W. L. Murphy of Sonoma and Geo. C. Bailey of Kenwood. The prize winning degree team from Petaluma officiated. … “The Little Food,” a moving picture story from the pen of Jack London, will be shown on the night of March 29 at Panerazi’s Auditorium, Glen Ellen. … Bearing the date, Aug. 24, 1816, and dated at town of the Angels, an interesting old document, signed by B. F. Stockton, Commander in Chief and Governor of California, has been found by Trustee Geo. Breitenbach, among old papers in Sonoma’s city hall. … The plan to build a $250,000 speedway like those at Fresno and Los Angeles and to put Sonoma county and Northern California on the map by drawing the immense crowds to the international circuit events which would be staged here twice a year has been stirring up a lot of interest in Sonoma Valley. As a result, progressive citizens who are anxious to aid in the big plan to develop this section are readily subscribing for the $100 life membership certificates which are to fiancé the project.

89 YEARS AGO
(From the I-T of March 24, 1923)
At the Grammar School Auditorium on Wednesday, March 21, the first tryout of the newly organized Sonoma Park Band, 21 strong, proved very satisfactory. The next rehearsal is set for Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the above named place. P.C. Meinhardt calls on every musically inclined citizen of Sonoma Valley who is interested in a band, to join. It is looked for with great anticipation that horn, tenor and bass players will come forward and register as members of this new band. … The old wooden bridge between Sonoma Vista and Boyes Springs which was being constructed by Sonoma County, collapsed Friday of last week and three workmen had a narrow escape of the wreck. The men were on the bride when the structure, from which most of the under-pinning had been removed, suddenly gave way and fell into the creek, a drop of 16 feet. … Last Saturday evening, Miss Marion L. Lovett, popular store keeper of Boyes Springs and H. E. Greene, manager of the Boyes Springs Lumber Co., stole away to Vallejo and were quietly wed. They planned to surprise their many friends but the secret got out during the week and now they are being showered with congratulations.

83 YEARS AGO
(From the I-T of March 24, 1923)
This year’s school election promises to be a lively one in two Sonoma Valley precincts, where opposition has developed. In the Dunbar Union School district Steve Mayer Jr., fire chief of Kenwood, representing the western end of the district, is up for election and recently E. A. Ranker, well known railroad man of Glen Ellen, announced his candidacy. Mr. Ranker states that he is in favor of a new school building for the district. … Another substantial addition to the business section of West Napa Street was assured this week when Dr. E. J. Finnerty awarded a contract to C. C. Ban for the erection of a new office adjoining his residence. The building, 28x45-1/2 feet, will consist of an operating room, X-ray room, dark room, electrical treatment room and dressing room, in addition to the waiting room and private office. … The school of Sonoma were closed Thursday and Friday for the Easter vacation. L. H. Golton, principal of the high school, spent the week in San Francisco attending the annual convention of principals and superintendents of city schools. … A two-da frolic for Shriners and their wives which will center around the Sonoma mission Inn has been set for April 20 and 21. Members of the order from all north of bay counties have been invited to attend. … The Vineburg Cubs split a double bill Sunday, defeating the high school 10 to 1 before noon and losing to the Petaluma town team by a 7 to 5 score in the afternoon. Kenneth Roeder is coming along fast. His exhibition Sunday was the best this year. Ken fanned 15 of the high school lads in seven frames and three of the Petaluma boys in two innings, making a total of 18 batters in nine innings.

78 YEARS AGO
(From the I-T of March 30, 1934)
Carl Willets of the Old City Bakery has leased the store in the new Sebastiani theatre building adjoining the Poppe block and has already installed a handsome soda fountain of the latest type which runs the length of the store and will accommodate many theatre patrons as well as other customers. His bakery will be moved to the new location and modern electric oven will turn out the finest bread, cakes, rolls, cookies and pies. … Mrs. Audrey Hendry was the speaker at Kiwanis Tuesday evenings. The well known teacher spoke very interestingly of her trip to the Boulder Dam. … Miss June Leveroni recently entertained a number of her young girlfriends at a picnic-party. … Miss Zolita Bates, of the Sonoma grammar school faculty, has been spending the Easter vacation in San Francisco and San Jose. … Sonoma will participate in the Rose Carnival at Santa Rosa this year, according to plans initiated at the directors meeting of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce Monday night. A committee, consisting of Louis Martin of Vineburg and W. L. Murphy of Sonoma, was appointed to make arrangements for a float in the parade. … Contractor C. C. Bean is busily engaged in the remodeling of the former Christian Bosse residence for the new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. The grounds are also being beautified and restored to their former high state of cultivation. … The formal announcement of the opening of the new theatre completed last week by Sam Sebastiani has been announced. Sonoma’s palatial new movie house will give its premier performances on Saturday, April 7 with matinee and evening shows. The opening show will begin at 2 o’clock when the picture “Fugitive Lovers” with Madge Evans and Robert Montgomery will be the feature.

75 YEARS AGO
(From the I-T of April 3, 1936)
Sam Sebastiani has returned to his Sonoma home after three and a half months in New York. He had a very successful business trip but I glad to be back in California and Sonoma where he has big business interests and many friends. Mr. Sebastiani states that business is improved in the east and he came back with many orders for his well known Sebastiani Villa wines. … The election of fire commissioner next Monday for the Valley of the Moon, with three candidates in the field and much interest being shown in the choice of a representative. The district is now represented by Ed Qua, who is a candidate for reelection. The other members of the board are Tom Corcoran and William Locarnini. … The frost which hit Sonoma Valley the past week has damaged figs 75 percent, apricots 25 percent, cherries 50 percent, according to Elmer Peterson of the Grange. Grapes also suffered. … A monster barbecue is to be given on July 4 at Koerner’s Oak Grove by the Marin-Sonoma Councils of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, comprising the Posts of San Rafael, Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Sonoma. It is planned to entertain 1,000 guests on that day, so eat your Fourth of July dinner barbecued with the Vets.

74 YEARS AGO
(From the I-T of April 1, 1938)
Last Monday afternoon a party of tourists sightseeing in the vicinity of the old Mission and Blue Wing, had a spectacular accident in which the driver of an Oldsmobile sedan lost control of her car and crashed into the Blue Wing’s adobe wall. The automobile knocked off a post and went right into the old building which houses the museum of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce. … G. Verbeck, in the tailor business here for many years, has decided to retire to his El Verano home. He was formerly in the Denny block. … Mr. and Mrs. James Frazier of Boyes Springs have a nine pound son, born at Burndale. James Gilbert Frazier is the name of the little new road master. … Tom Corcoran is unopposed for director of the Valley of the Moon Fire District. The election is on April 4 and Tom has it “in the bag,” declares his friends. … Opera comes to Sonoma with lovely Emily Hardy to appear in concert here April 28. Acclaimed by critics in New York, were she sang operatic roles at the Metropolitan, the young star of the San Francisco Opera Company is to appear at the Sebastiani Theatre. Seats are on sale at Hotz’s store.