January 27, 2015: San Francisco Seals field is almost ready

75 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Jan. 26, 1940)

Pouring of concrete for the new grandstand and bleachers at Fetters Field started this week. It won’t be long now until the San Francisco Seals are here in the Valley again to start their spring training. Messrs. R. Lichtenberg and A. Maffei report donations to the new ball park coming in good. ... The San Francisco Argonaut of last week published a beautiful portrait of Mrs. Alma Spreckels Awl and wrote an editorial commending her great gift of Samarkand to the Infantile Paralysis Foundation. ... Before taking an action on the matter of securing surplus commodities for the free lunches at Dunbar union school, there will be a discussion of the plan at a PTA meeting today. To secure lunches it is not necessary for the families to be on relief. It is possible for the lunches to be prepared from surplus commodity lists and to have contributions from those unable to pay. ... The way merchandise is being purchased and bargains taken advantage of at Hotz’s store indicates that the big sale being continued the coming week will be record beaker. All regular stock and some new spring goods are being cleared at very attractive prices. ... The spring semester at the Santa Rosa Junior College will start Monday, Feb. 5, President Floyd P. Bailey announced this week. Students of Sonoma Valley who wish to register for the new term must do so Thursday, Feb. 1, or the following day. ... Both the official meeting of the State Park Commission and the luncheon to be held in connection therewith, in Sonoma, on Friday, Feb. 9, will be open to the public. The luncheon will be held at the El Dorado Hotel and will be open to anyone who desires to participate and pay the required charge of $1 a plate, plus tax.

70 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Jan. 26, 1945)

At the regular monthly directors meeting of the Sonoma Valley Community Hospital held Thursday, Jan. 18, Paul Wolters reported all construction work on the hospital at Buena Vista complete and ready for the painters. The elevator will be in operation by Feb. 1. He reported the gift of the Hammond Lumber Company of lumber in the amount of $311. ... The United Rink Operators of California join in presenting the “March of Dimes” roller skating show at several big rinks including Sonoma where on Monday, Jan. 29 at the Sebastiani Rollertorium the benefit show directed by Paul J. Gilbert will be given. ... In a Washington, D. C., telegram from Congressman Clarence F. Lea yesterday it was revealed that the Secretary of the U.S. Navy has approved erection of bachelor officers quarters, seven buildings and Wave officer’s quarters, three buildings, including mess hall facilities, walks and services at the Skaggs Island in the amount of $22,800. ... Rev. Edward Perry will remain as pastor of the local Congregational Church. Recently Mr. Perry tendered his resignation as pastor to the Board of Trustees of the church and made plans to accept a pastorate elsewhere. On being invited by the members of the church to reconsider his decision, he elected to remain at his present post for another year.

66 YEARS AGO

(From the Index-Tribune of Jan. 28, 1949)

At the annual meeting of the board of directors of the Archbishop Hanna Center For Boys held a week ago Monday at the Family Club in San Francisco, the 12 final general contracting bids at the Hanna Center to be erected in Sonoma Valley were entered. Motion pictures of the Hanna Center groundbreaking ceremonies at Agua Caliente were shown and a recording of Monsignor Fulton Sheen’s speech heard. ... Dr. Fred O. Butler, the greatly beloved man who for the past 30 years has guided the destinies of the Sonoma State Home at Eldridge, and who is responsible for making it one of the finest institutions of its kind in the world, retires as superintendent at the Home and from state service this weekend. ... The Sonoma Valley sanitation director, formation of which is the initial step in installing a $576,000 sewage system in this area, was officially organized by the county board of supervisors on Monday. One hundred and fifth thousand dollars of the above figure is for a sewage treatment plant, which the board assumes the city of Sonoma would use and help pay for. ... The days of ‘49 are to get off to a flying start with the centennial dance planned by the Sonoma Valley Festival Association for Saturday, Feb. 19. Plaid shirts, overalls, slouch hats, cutaways and what have you are urged for the men folk and women can wear long skirts, sun bonnets, bustles or bonnets to suit their fancy for the “days of gold, the days of ‘49.”