Chamber sponsors event-filled holiday event

77 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Dec. 13, 1940)

Sonoma’s most ambitious Christmas festivity in its history will get under way this weekend with the adding of final touches to the colorful holiday street decorations and the lighting of the beautiful community Christmas tree on the Plaza. The elaborate yuletide program, sponsored by the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Sonoma City Council, valley-wide fraternal clubs, service groups and Sonoma merchants will also include caroling excursions around the Valley, a free theater party for children, appearances of Santa Claus, an outdoor Christmas tree lighting contest and a retail gift display. ... Watson Garoni was among the successful at the recent state bar examination so the former Agua Caliente boy is now Attorney Watson A. Garoni. After four years, the Sonoma high school graduate was successful and it was no easy accomplishment. After leaving Sonoma, he made his home in San Francisco and was engaged in the linoleum business. At night he attended the San Francisco Law School. ... A field meeting of the orchardmen of Sonoma Valley will be held at the R. L. Watt ranch this afternoon, Dec. 13, announces H. A. Weinland, county agent. Spraying and pruning problems will be discussed and demonstrated. The Dinitro sprays for aphis will be explained.

76 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Dec. 19, 1941)

George C. Streiff has an active group of adults and high school boys who are operating the air raid reporting station. This station has been located on top of the Sebastiani Apartments and is being manned on a 24-hour basis. Mr. Sebastiani is constructing an enclosed glass lookout tower which will be heated for the convenience of the observers. ... In a new ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisor of Sonoma County Dec. 9, laws governing the blackout and air raid alarms are stated and are effective throughout the county immediately. The ordinance provides a fin of $300 for violators or three months in the county jail or both. A like ordinance will prevail in Sonoma and other municipalities. ... Lt. Commander William Shackleton is the new title bestowed on the State Board of Equalization’s former tax administration in this district. Lt. Shackleton, naval reserve with the U.S. Navy, was called for duty just a year ago and was assigned to Hawaii eight months, part of the time for duty aboard the USS Colorado.

75 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Dec. 18, 1942)

This year it’s “hide your light under a bushel,” announces the Outdoor Christmas Tree Association of California, which points out that despite the general ban on outdoor illumination, we can still have plenty of cheering holiday light inside. ... Mrs. Bessie W. Campbell, director of the Sonoma County Social Service Department has reported a renewed activity in the way of applications for licenses to care for children as well as the aged from leading citizens of all sections of Sonoma County. The department is particularly interested in such applications at this time due to the increased demand for both day care and full care of children of dense workers and those employed in seasonal crops of the county. ... Eddie Ferrendo was up from Hamilton Field and attended the Christmas concert at the high school Sunday. He is an airplane mechanic and son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ferrendo. ... Mrs. Louise Nagode and her daughter, Julia Lombard, came here about one year ago and brought the Auto Court restaurant. They are from Montana where they operated a very successful restaurant and are now well pleased with Sonoma. They will serve a home-cooked turkey dinner on Christmas. ... Due to rising cost of news print, The Sonoma Index-Tribune will be $2.50 per year on all subscriptions in 1943.