Re: “Hail Mary, Full of Organizational Grace”
EDITOR: Even as a semi-practicing Catholic, I found your assumed-facetious use of the Virgin Mary’s prayer, “Hail Mary,” to be in very poor taste.
Sincerely yours,
Bonita Behun
Sebastopol
EDITOR: You have the best headlines ever. “Hail Mary, Full of Organizational Grace,” I love it! This headline is perfect for Mary Gourley. She is a saint for putting up with all of us who need help navigating the system, is one of the most organized people I know and carries herself with amazing grace. Thank you, Mary, for all you do and congratulations for being recognized for being as great as you are. You absolutely deserved being named the City Clerk of the Year for the whole state of California. I’m glad you got your due!
Andrea Hagan Schmitz
Sebastopol
Another Apple Blossom success
EDITOR: Apple Blossom Festival 2019 is in the book. This year’s theme, “It Takes a Village to Blossom” was most appropriate (thank you, Rei Blaser, for your inspiration). The theme reflects the commitment and contributions the chamber of commerce receives from so many of our fellow citizens.
Our award-winning parade down Main Street was again a highlight with thousands of people lining the sidewalks. I still marvel at the tradition of folks putting out their chairs and blankets the night before to get a birds-eye view of the procession. Once again they found them right where they left them. Small town integrity.
The festival continued at the arts center and Ives Park for two days of food, fun and good music highlighted again by Blues by Bowker.
A successful event like the Apple Blossom Festival takes the support and contribution from so many. As festival chairperson, it is my honor to say thank you to those who made it happen. My apologies if I forget to mention anyone. So, to the following I say “Thank you so much for your efforts. Let’s do it again next year and make it even better!”
The Parade: To all entrants, thank you! You are the reason we have won Best Parade in Sonoma County from year to year. Thank you Tim Johnson for your team’s coordination of the parade. The job is yours. I need to recognize the efforts of Chief of Police Conner and his staff and, likewise, Dante del Prete, Nate Sutton of Public Works and their terrific team. Your efforts behind the scene keep things orderly. Thanks to Dutton Ranch, People’s Music, John Fore, Umpqua Bank and Merge Studios for the viewing stages, sound systems and electricity. Thanks to the parade announcers and judges.
Festival Volunteers: Well-earned appreciation goes out to both Rotary Clubs of Sebastopol, the Lions Club, Explorers, Nor-Cal Renegades Softball Team and Green Acre Homes. Thank you to Pat Innes and Russ Ono for their support and selfless contributions. Appreciation to Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club for generously providing golf carts and gators; they were invaluable! Thank you to Recology for helping achieve Zero Waste. Doug Buonaccorsi, thank you for your work on the banners!
Palace D’ Vine: A very special shout out to Ken Silveira and Kristi Mohar of Pacific Market for co-sponsoring. You and your team were once again amazing. Equally deserving of my full appreciation are Doug Bishop and Dan Allingham of Sebastopol Hardware. You guys are awesome. Without your co-sponsorship there would not have been a Palace D’ Vine. I cannot thank Pacific Market and Sebastopol Hardware enough. You do so much for our community! This year’s attendance in The Palace was double what it was from last year. The participation of 20 wineries and five craft breweries was a winner!
The Chamber of Commerce: A very special recognition and appreciation to Linda Collins and Lisa Garcia of the chamber staff. You ladies rock! You did a stellar job of pulling the festival together. To the board of directors, I’m so pleased with your support and efforts that you can all stay on the board for as many years as you like.
Thank you all! Here’s to next year’s Apple Blossom Festival! It truly does take a village!
Bob Aita, President
Board of Directors
Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce
