Remember when: Mervyn Hotel holds barbecue and picnic

89 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Sept. 19, 1925)

A grand free barbecue and picnic will be given at the Mervyn Hotel grounds at Glen Ellen on Sunday, Sept. 27, for the benefit of St. Francis church, of Sonoma. The public is invited and the church organizations of the county have been urged to cooperate to make the affair a success. … Miss Zolita Bates gave a shower to Miss Celia Thomson, bride-to-be, at the Bates home on Broadway, Saturday. Many lovely gifts were presented to the guest of honor and a delightful time enjoyed. … With thick clusters of grapes hanging in the in the vineyards of Sonoma Valley and the rain falling at intervals since Thursday, the 1925 crop now being harvested is in danger of great damage, if not serious loss. Considerable damage is already reported and unless a north wind and warm weather ensues, the vineyardists will be hard hit.

79 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Sept. 20, 1935)

Plans are complete for tomorrow’s grand benefit and festival being arranged for the benefit of St. Francis Church by Sam Sebastiani, and which will be one of the largest affairs of the year. Opening with an entertainment at the theatre, consisting of vaudeville, music and moving pictures, and winding up with a big dance at Sebastiani hall and a buffet supper to be served free, the affair, widely advertised, should bring crowds from all over the county. … A new ordinance has just been passed by the supervisors to protect the dairymen of Sonoma County. The owners of herds in this tubercular-free area should not be thrown into competition with those marketing their products of untested herds, declares the board. … It’s beginning to be the chief topic of discussion about town. Yes siree, it’s resting in the top seat of importance – this annual duel for baseball supremacy – the married men’s versus single men’s baseball battle which although scheduled for Sept. 29, one week from Sunday, has both opposing managers hustling to get their teams in shape.

69 YEARS AGO

(From the I-T of Sept. 21, 1945)

The Ford agency in Sonoma had a visit from a thief last week who stole four tires and was careful to wear gloves while handling the booty and getting into the building on Broadway. The barking of a dog in the neighborhood gave officers an idea of the time of the theft. … After an abnormally slow start due to statewide growing conditions the tomato pack at the local cannery is now getting into full swing with some 8,000 boxes being received each day for processing. … Frank H. Bartholomew of the United Press who left his Sonoma ranch for Japan a few weeks ago, has been on the trail of Hitler, said to be in hiding there. Acting on clues that Hilter escaped in a submarine and landed at Yokosuka Naval base, the San Francisco and Sonoma journalist went in a jeep to Ashinoyu Mountain hideout which the 3,000 Germans in Japan call their favorite retreat.