100 years ago – June 27, 1918
Eight inches to be maximum height for ladies’ shoes
Melville M. Rosenberg, of the Rosenberg Shoe Store, attended the conference of the retail shoe merchants of California, which was held at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. A telegram was read from the president of the shoe retailers, stating that the War Economy Board of the United States had decided on a maximum height of eight inch shoes for ladies, and on confining the colors to white and black and one shade of brown, unless good reasons could be given for changes. The California Shoe Retailers asked for 8.5 inches and also to have one shade of gray added, which will be decided by the board later. This applies to shoes for 1919. The California Shoe Merchants’ Association was formed with the purpose of trying to protect the retailers’ and customers’ interests against the machinations of the big packers and tanners, who appear to have the situation so well in hand that prices have been advanced beyond all legitimate reason.
50 years ago – June 27, 1968
Patriotism in vogue now
Open expression of patriotic feelings is fashionable again, at least in Healdsburg for the next few days — the week preceding the Independence Day Holiday. “Patriotic Week,” culminating with a giant fireworks display the night of July Fourth, has been proclaimed by Mayor Doug V. Badger. The opening event will be a flag raising ceremony in which the mayor and representatives of a number of local organizations are to participate. Starting today, business personnel throughout the town will be sporting straw hats and striped red, white and blue vests to publicize the observance. Many local stores are cooperating in a citywide “Red, White and Blue Sale” running today, Friday and Saturday.
25 years ago – June 30, 1993
Supporters try to save curator’s job
In the wake of the city’s slashing of the museum budget for the coming year, museum supporters have launched an independent fundraising campaign to raise enough money to keep a curator at the Healdsburg Museum. Nearly half of the $25,000 needed has been donated in less than a week. Norbert Babin, a Historical Society board member, decided to take action to protect the position, the museum and the extensive history of artifacts that it houses. Babin stated that one of the most important duties includes keeping a history of the town the museum represents. “It really takes someone of responsibility to do the things museums are supposed to do.” If the museum were to lose its present curator, Hannah Clayborn, the biggest loss to Healdsburg would be “the experience and knowledge that she has about the city and the artifacts we have.”
