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Ben and Jerry’s is local

  Mike Stephen’s final paragraphs in his Jan. 29 letter to the editor (“Hotel is best way for town to thrive”) ended with his frustration at the types of businesses our city should never allow on our Plaza.

  As the owner of Ben and Jerry’s, Sonoma Plaza, I commented to my husband, “We are in the paper again!” It’s the same issue we’ve heard before and I think it’s important that people are offered a glimpse of Sonoma’s Ben and Jerry’s. The real-story of this locally owned franchise may offer some people the insight needed to help defend our ice cream shop.

  We are a local couple, both graduates of Sonoma Valley High School. Both Troy and I grew up in this awesome Valley in the ’70’s. We attended Dunbar and El Verano, Altimira and SVHS.

  My favorite memory is riding my horse to the Plaza from Glen Ellen with girlfriends to meet all the boys on moto-cross bikes from the east side of town. Brundidge’s was where we got our ice cream.

  We have three kids, all of whom attend the local schools. Upon opening in 2008, we reached out and gladly sponsored Valley of the Moon Little League, Sonoma Valley Little League and Sonoma Valley Girls Softball Association. With utmost pleasure, it did not stop at youth baseball; we find it an honor to give back to this great town.

  When you think about having a scoop of ice cream in Sonoma, you have very local choices and one of them is Ben and Jerry’s Sonoma.

Dawn Marmaduke

Sonoma