News from Glen Ellen courtesy of Sylvia Crawford

It's been a busy few weeks in our little village. Long ago, my now deceased, dear friend Barbara Ginter told me she always referred to May as the month of madness. Barbara knew of what she spoke. Having worked in schools throughout her long career, she always approached May with trepidation; it is always one of the busiest months. But filled with happy activities I'd add.

Lee Armstrong (who not only sings with the Vox Pop choir, but animates puppets for all ages), I attended the entirely enjoyable and excellent Vox Populi concert, “Climb the Stairway to Heaven,” at Roger and Diana Rhoten's Sebastiani Theatre. What a delight.

Last week, notified by

Since the early days, when I was a member of the choir (later being joined by Sweetie), the choir has improved significantly. Ditto for band Plan Be who add deliciously to the harmonies, and melodies, keeping the rhythm going.

The choir has perfected timing and tone quality, still keeping the good selection of rock and roll tunes that director Mark Dennis founded the choir to sing.

The choir plans to “Climb the Stairway to Heaven” in a reprise of at the Sonoma Woman's Club, 574 First Street East, Sonoma on May 21, at 7:30 p.m. I hope to see the show again to hear the beloved songs. Tickets at $18 are on sale at Heidi Geffen's Tiddlewinks, 115 E Napa St. or 939-6933 and at the door. All proceeds will help fund the Woman's Club, a worthy Sonoma charity.

Tree planting in Golden Gate ParkDawn Mittleman Longoria. Dawn has been serving as the president of the San Francisco Garden Club this busy year. After the death of her 90-year-old mother, Dawn vowed to honor her mother during her year of presidency with the Garden Club.

Good news arrived recently from my Sonoma Valley friend

That was accomplished late March when she, and other officers of the SF Garden Club, began the year of planting 90 trees in Golden Gate Park in honor of the Club's 90th anniversary. The first tree planted, in the Fuchsia Dell was, appropriately, a Dawn Coast Redwood. The gift celebrates 90 years as a club with a mission to “beautify San Francisco, preserve scenic and historic points of interest and to aid and benefit horticultural activities.”

Longoria, Golden Gate Park Director Eric Andersen, Trish Turner-McConnell, 90th Anniversary Celebration Chair, and committee members Lau Hodges and Eva Monroe.

The first shovels of dirt were spread beneath the newly planted tree by SFGC President Dawn

Dawn paraphrased a Greek proverb for the occasion: “A society grows great when women plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” After the planting, lunch followed at the Conservatory of Flowers, another part of Golden Gate Park that the SF Garden Club has done much to preserve.

The tree donations will include Monterey cypress and olive trees in locations around Sharon Meadow, ornamental magnolia and cherry trees on the perimeter of the San Francisco Botanical Garden and the Japanese Tea Garden, canopy and ornamental tree replacement in the park's Rhododendron Dell, and a variety of Monterey cypress, Catalina ironwood pittosporum and Norfolk Island pine plantings in the western portions of the park.

In remarks, Dawn said, “The San Francisco Garden Club is proud to partner with SF Recreation and Park Department in Golden Gate Park today and to celebrate our 90-year mission to beautify the city of San Francisco for the benefit of generations to follow.”

Thank you Dawn for the beauty you have added to our beloved Golden Gate Park and the dear friendship you share with folks in Sonoma and Glen Ellen. You make our hearts sing.

Student writers show creative talent Karen Buchanan, the Tour and Education Manager at Jack London State Historic Park. Early this spring Karen ran a “Call of the Wild” writing contest for third grade through high school students. There were scores of essays and stories, highlighting the creative talents of students throughout Sonoma County and beyond.

Quite by good luck in these past few months I have been afforded the opportunity to test my teacher chops, more than a few times. First up was the invitation from

Kathleen Eschleman, Dinah Lee, Alison Manchester, Susan Rodkin and myself.

Karen invited a team of local writing teachers to judge the essays. That included

On a rainy, gloomy Saturday morning, we sequestered ourselves in the basement of Charmian London's House of Happy Walls. Huge gaping cracks on the walls, an uneven concrete staircase and an almost lifesize photo of the demolished Santa Rosa Courthouse (showing the effects of the 1906 earthquake) welcomed us that day. The alarming photo towering over our work table, added a silent caution to our occupancy of the basement room.

I had noted that a 3.0 earthquake occurred earlier in the week in about that same vicinity, but I calmed myself by fantasizing that sweet Charmian would never allow the building to collapse with us within. And it didn't.

All was well, as the team worked through the morning to discover the very best among many excellent stories. The “Meadow of Hope,” by middle school student Kayla was a sure winner, applauded by all judges. She and other winners of the contest were then honored and celebrated in a ceremony at the JLSH Park several weeks later. I relished meeting the talented writers who are following in Jack's footsteps.

Kathleen Eschelman invited me to be one of the judges for the Sonoma Valley Middle School Writing Faire. Again, I was impressed with the quality of writing being produced by young people today. Have no fear that reading and writing are dying arts; clearly they thrive in this valley.

Last week I again had the honor of judging student writings when

Woodland Star celebrates May Day Natalie O'Neill to watch her daughter Olivia Hamilton in the May Pole Dance. Among the guests, seated near the table offering fresh strawberry shortcake was poet and essayist, Jonah Raskin, enjoying the day among grandparents of Waldorf students. I also saw Glen Ellen Historical Society Executive Director Jim Shere and his wife Maria, among many other local folks, both young and old.

Last week I also visited Woodland Star Charter School on Arnold Drive to participate in their May Day celebrations welcoming the season of Spring in all its flowered glory. What a lovely day that was. I attended, invited by my dear friend and neighbor (third generation Glen Ellen native)

Louann Carlomagno, and Sonoma Valley School District Trustee,Nicole Abaté Ducarroz who made their dream of a Waldorf School a Sonoma Valley reality and gift to our valley.

The May Pole dance was an intricate, artistic event that I've often read about but never witnessed. The acknowledgment and celebration of seasonal changes is a hallmark of Waldorf education and this particular day showed how blessed the students are by these activities. I am grateful, especially to district superintendent

Dastardly Deeds at DunbarKate Kennedy assisted by parent volunteers, the show is performed by a talented and high-spirited crop of fifth graders. The result will, as always, shape into a memorable Memorial Day weekend of family fun and long-standing tradition. Public performances for this 24th annual production will be staged on the evenings of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 27, 28, and 29.

More good news from local schools comes from our neighborhood campus, Dunbar School, where the fifth grade students have been rehearsing for their annual melodrama show, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. “Dastardly Deeds at Yoursin Mine (or Yukon Take it With You).” Directed by

Shannon Lee, publicity volunteer for Kennedy's show notes, “It takes a village to make this happen every year and donations are now being accepted, along with ticket orders. Various levels of offered support come with the benefits of tickets to a performance, ad space for your business or a good luck message slot in the playbill, and a rustic sign on the stage itself. If you would like a donation/ticket order form emailed or mailed to your home or business, or if you have any questions, please contact Shannon Lee at shannonlee@me.com or on 818-399-0425. If you would like to make a direct donation checks can be made out to Dunbar School Fifth Grade Play and sent to the school: 11700 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442.”

We look forward to seeing this year's production, along with a passel of Dunbar Alums who gather to re-live their best days at Dunbar School. Kate always has the former melodramists stand to be honored and each year the legion of returnees grows. The Spring play is not just a Dunbar tradition, but a rite of passage for all fifth graders, an opportunity for growth and change, as they head into their three years at Altimira Middle School.

The Glen Ellen news continues online. Columnist Sylvia Crawford can be reached at 996-5995 or P.O. Box 518, GE 95442, or creekbottom@earthlink.net.