idlewood 3…

Summer sightings
June showers, a thunderstorm or two and bright sunshine – happy summer! Send any news tidbits to “IDlewood 3…” at id*******@hb*****.com. “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all!
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The Antique Fair in the Plaza over Memorial Day weekend attracted a large and mellow crowd. In recognition of the day, there was a wreath at the statue of the little boy holding a flag, at the southeast corner of the Plaza. The museum table held “retro” Prune Packer items, posters and books on local history. Vendors had the usual jewelry, rugs, dolls, buttons, cookware and … a parking meter! Former Healdsburger Lynne Rosenthal displayed her glass art under the trees. “It’s my first museum antique and collectible show and it’s been going great,” she said.
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On Memorial Day itself, about 100 people attended a thoughtful ceremony held at Oak Mound Cemetery, sponsored by the American Legion. Small American flags dotted the graves of our town’s veterans, placed there by scouts and volunteers. Veteran Gary Greenough’s speech centered on the Vietnam War in 1965. Melanie Taylor, a local and national Legion auxiliary member, laid the wreath, and the moving gun salute and taps followed. People then dispersed to their holiday rituals, a little more cognizant of the day’s meaning and the sacrifices made.
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The new “Lake Sonoma – Before and After” exhibit at the museum is summer-appropriate. Photos and memorabilia from the old Skaggs Spring resort, Strawberry Ranch and other sites are displayed, including a beautiful, crystal-laden kerosene lamp that hung from an oak tree. Details and artifacts from the construction of the dam – and the community opposition to it – are on view, too; the project was not without protest. While there, see the 1905 Healdsburg Plaza built to scale, created by Jon Lacaillade with touches by Maggie Bates. It’s a delight, down to the 1901 model of the Ladies Improvement Club drinking fountain and the newly “planted” palm trees. Such details. The Louvre restaurant even has a tiny menu board with 1905 prices. Museum volunteer John Guilfoy, whose grandparents built a summer home on Fitch Mountain, reminisced about the old Del Rio Woods store of the 1960s (and the owners George and Joyce). “It was paradise coming up here as a kid,” he said. Indeed.
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Kip Miller is the model for our own version of “Uncle Sam” on the American Legion, Sotoyome Post 111 website. The photo, taken by local photographer Rick Tang, shows Kip in all of his red, white and blue splendor. And, our Uncle Sam wants YOU … to donate. Legion Member Bob Taylor advised, “The Fourth of July fireworks will be bigger this year. We’re trying to collect our target of $30,000.” Send a check to the Legion at P.O. Box 281, Healdsburg. Or, see Kip’s photo and make a donation online through PayPal at www.healdsburgfireworks.org.
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The recent American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser theme was “Celebrate – Remember – Fight Back.” The Relay was held at the High School track field. Amberlee Hannan was working the Starbucks’ coffee and snack booth. She was assisted by a sweet, helpful staff: her daughters, Taylor, age six, and Taryn, age two-and-a-half. Live music played throughout the day, inspiring and encouraging the walkers and participants. Colorful tents of red, blue and yellow lined the track and sported team names such as Redda’s Dreamcatchers, Canyon Rock, E&M, Team Momentum and more. This was the 30th anniversary of Relay for Life.
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I-scream, you-scream … the Moustache and Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar team of Osvaldo “Ozzy” Jimenez and Christian Sullberg have a new venture in mind: an ice cream cart. Ozzy said, “We’ve had so many people ask if we could serve at wineries, weddings, farmers’ markets. Christian and I were thinking, ‘What can we do to take it to the next level?’ And, we decided to do an ice cream cart, and let the community be involved.” The involvement takes the form of a Kickstarter campaign. They are already 40 percent funded; backers can receive an assortment of treats – big and small – for their pledge. If all goes well, look for the ice cream cart around town by late August. “It’s an adventure,” said Ozzy. Details on the campaign are at: www.kickstarter.com/projects/noblefolk/the-noble-folk-ice-cream-cart.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 27 years. Growing up, she spent summers at her family’s Del Rio Woods home and had an Idlewood number. She is the author of the children’s book: “Herbie – A Toy’s Adventures in Healdsburg” and other stories and articles.