We love to hear from readers. If you’re interested in submitting a letter to the editor, please email editor Ray Holley at [email protected].
Christmas in June
EDITOR: Cloverdale continues to amaze me. This town is so caring and generous. When the event “Christmas in June” was created, it was to raise awareness of the Cloverdale Food Pantry and to help us meet the needs of our citizens who deal with food insecurity every day.
This event was started six years ago and has been very successful in raising awareness, filling the shelves at the food pantry and bringing in much needed money to help us keep our van going and pay our rent and utilities.
This year we brought in hundreds of pounds of rice, beans, boxed and canned goods, and over $6,000 in cash and pledges. We are so overwhelmed at our community’s generosity.
Special thanks go to the veterans hall, which allowed us a rent free venue. All of the food and wine served was graciously donated by Railroad Station Bar & Grill, Ray’s Food Place, Grocery Outlet, Dahlia & Sage, Papa’s Pizza, Kelley and Young Winery, Sbragia Winery and the Citrus Fair.
We had over 20 volunteers who work hard all year to help make this event happen and a success. We love them. We especially are grateful to all the Cloverdalians who come out and support our efforts.
Missed the event? Still want to help? Mail your checks to P.O. Box 1038, Cloverdale, Ca 95425 made out to the Cloverdale Food Pantry. Drop off food donations any Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. at 2nd and Commercial. Gardeners of Cloverdale, we love getting your fresh fruits and veggies during the summer months. It helps our clients eat healthier. Call 328-2147 for any questions you may have
M J Dellaquila
Chair of Christmas in June
Another dead fox
EDITOR: In response to the ‘Why are foxes dying?’ letter in the May 31 Reveille, on March 26, there was a dead fox on our Asti property. At first the fox appeared to be in distress and was turning in circles, and then it died. There was no visible injury to the fox.
We called Sonoma County Animal Services (SCAS) because Fish & Game told us that SCAS dealt with all dead animals in Sonoma County. SCAS told us to double bag it and throw in the garbage.
It seems odd that there were at least four dead foxes within a two-week period in approximately the same location. Why?
Julie Dilley
Cloverdale
Appreciate the water
EDITOR: I’m writing this letter to offer a huge thank you to Bob and Louise Anderson of Anderson Excavating, who offered to fill the Cloverdale Community Garden’s water tank on Memorial Day Saturday. Not only was it a holiday weekend, it was also a ridiculously hot day and I wanted to let the Andersons know that their generous offer was not lost on us. As we are working to revamp our water system, this was a much needed contribution and has helped to keep our fruit trees and landscaping watered during the past several warm days. Thank you.
Holly Nelson
Cloverdale Community Garden
State of the city
EDITOR: On Wednesday, June 6, Mayor Palla had a town hall meeting, “State of the City,” to report the current and future progress of our town’s various services and projects and the county’s support. It is amazing the work that is being done to repair and improve our town. What was most gratifying was to learn of the several elective programs in the high school and middle school – science, technology and creative programs. So much progress has been accomplished. Also, the update on the Alexander Valley Health Center was exciting. It has taken a lot of time and work, but it is going to happen soon.
We sincerely want to thank each of the panel members for all they do to serve people of Cloverdale: David Kelley, City Manager; Jeremy Decker, Superintendent, Cloverdale Unified School District; James Gore, Sonoma County Supervisor; Neena Hanchett, Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce; Debbie Howell, Alexander Valley Healthcare: Jason Jenkins, Cloverdale Fire Protection District; Katie Young, Cloverdale Citrus Fair; and Robert Redner, History Center.
A big thank you to Mayor Palla for organizing this community meeting. If you want to know the details of the meeting, you can access it on Cloverdale’s website and view the video. youtube.com/watch?v=IWcyAw5uG2k.
Shirley Davis, Valarie Jordan, Barbara Steel
Cloverdale
Make a difference
EDITOR: It is hard to think of a child being victimized. No one likes to think child abuse exists in their community. But sadly, in Sonoma County, approximately 500 children were found by the courts to have been abused or neglected by their families. When that happens, the child enters foster care, which can be a disorienting, frightening and an unsettling experience for any age child. Let us stand up for every child too young to speak for themselves.
One of the most effective ways to do this is by becoming a CASA volunteer. We are thankful that approximately 220 children in foster care in Sonoma County have a Court Appointed Special Advocate, a CASA, to help guide and advocate for them in the judicial and child welfare system. Unfortunately, at the same time we have 55 children still waiting for a CASA and referrals being received weekly.
Research shows that children in foster care, who have a CASA, live happier, healthier lives as adults. As little as 10-12 hours a month can make a child’s life brighter. Our sumner training begins July 19. Visit www.sonomacasa.org or call us at 565-6375.
Millie Gilson
CASA
Village doings
EDITOR: It takes a village to produce a sculpture exhibit, and that is what has happened over the past 15 years. During the past years I reached out to the community for a variety of tasks that needed to be done – welding, painting, engineering, photography, website, brochures, news articles, posters and more.
I would like to thank the 2018 Cloverdale village: the volunteers, especially my indispensable associate, Janet Howell, Tracy Valva for the delicious food and beautiful decorations at the artists’ reception, and the City of Cloverdale and the Cloverdale Historical Society, producers of the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail.
The village also includes donors and sculpture sponsors. Without financial support, sculptures in Cloverdale would not have had a life span of 15 years, and perhaps to continue for at least 15 more years.
I appreciate the help we received over the past 15 years and the continued support. A complete list of sponsors, donors and volunteers can be found at the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail website cloverdalesculpturetrail.org.
Joyce Mann, coordinator
Cloverdale Sculpture Trail
