How Sonoma has changed: Assessing the transformation of the Valley

The Sonoma of 2020 is barely recognizable from the Sonoma of 1950, but has being young here really changed that much?

Historian and longtime Santa Rosa Press Democrat columnist Gaye LeBaron will be in conversation with former Index-Tribune editor and publisher Bill Lynch at the next Sonoma Barn Talk. The conversation will be moderated by Sonoma Valley High School history teacher Andy Gibson.

The topic: 'How Sonoma Valley Has Changed.'

The two speakers are uniquely qualified to assess the transformation of the Valley. Lynch, Sonoma Valley High School (SVHS) class of 1960, spent nearly 50 years covering the news of Sonoma as the editor and publisher of the Index-Tribune. LeBaron, SVHS class of 1953, has written more than 8,000 columns for the Press Democrat over the past 60 years, on topics ranging from human interest to cultural events to local politics. And leading the discussion is Gibson, SVHS class of 1997, who now teaches American history to SVHS students.

The talk is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Cuneo Barn, 800 Fremont Drive. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Barn Talks began in mid-2017 as a means of promoting public speaking and student engagement in Sonoma Valley public schools. The event is put on by the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation.

LeBaron said she will be looking back at how Sonoma Valley – and Sonoma County overall – has changed since she moved to Boyes Hot Springs at age 14. LeBaron attended Santa Rosa Junior College before graduating from UC Berkeley. She wrote her first column in 1959.

Lynch worked for the Index-Tribune throughout middle and high school and during college summers. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara and serving as an officer with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, he returned to the I-T in 1969 as sports editor and general assignment reporter. In 1989, he took over as editor from his father and in 2003 became co-publisher with his brother Jim.

Gibson oversees the high school's social sciences department. After Sonoma Valley High, he graduated from Saint Mary's College and received his teaching credentials from Sonoma State. He returned to SVHS to teach soon afterward in 2004.

The three expect the topics covered to range from how the growth of the wine industry changed the face of Sonoma; the long-standing appeal of the town to tourists and home buyers and resulting changes in the real estate market; the evolution of local news; demographic shifts; and changes in the character of both the Springs neighborhoods and downtown.

'The changes Sonoma has experienced are not necessarily bad or worse, just different,' said LeBaron.

'Sonoma has lost certain things – things that I miss – but there are also things that we have gained,' added Lynch.

Gibson said he would like to focus not only on what is different but what is not.

'We all walked the halls at the high school,' said Gibson. 'I'm interested in the commonality… the common experiences that all Sonomans have. Has being young here really changed that much?'

General admission is $35, wine and beer are $5 and students attend for free. Seating is limited. Tickets are online at svgreatschools.org. The proceeds of the event benefit the SVHS Model UN Club.

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.