idlewood 3…

Meandering through May
May is skipping forward. Send any upcoming news tidbits to “IDlewood 3…” at id*******@hb*****.com. “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all!   
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A standing room only crowd attended the recent museum reception featuring local author Ted Calvert. He spoke about our beloved Fitch Mountain, its history and evolution. Wine and delicious appetizers were served, of course. Look for Ted’s book, “A Sense of Place: Legacy of Fitch Mountain,” at the museum and around town.
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Guests strolled in and out of the six beautiful homes showcased in the AAUW Healdsburg Homes Tour. The predominant interior color palettes seemed to be greys, fawn and white.
The Schetino de Rosa Castro and Hill’s Queen Anne home was an example, even to its leather-look black granite kitchen counter top.
The Allan home, a 1919 Vernacular Bungalow, has been expanded, but retained some of the original rich flooring and three tall bay windows.
An 1884 Italianate Cottage, owned by the Heid and McGraw family featured some surprises, including a loft-office space overlooking the entry, a barn door to the master bath and other green improvements.
Have you seen a Blu house yet? The Leech and Furst home combined two Blu Home modules with a site-built living/dining room.
Refreshments were served at the Wentzel’s 1885 Victorian. The second story porch and balcony afforded views of town, and the yard had meandering paths with roses, sweet peas and … chickens.
The Bowling and Sacksteder’s 1915 Craftsman, surrounded by trees, is still undergoing restoration, including the conversion of a barn into an entertainment area, designed by Carole Chapman.
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The sun sparkled off the Edelbrock engines at a May car show, held at HHS in conjunction with Analy High School. An array of cars and trucks with names associated with the past were lined up for inspection: Riviera, Impala, Bel Air, Barracuda – and so many more. There was great food and vintage music. Cool.
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At cowbell o’clock on a foggy morning, the Saturday Farmers’ Market began its 2015 season. Nine-year-old Miss Una Lowe had the honor of ringing the bell. She’s the daughter of new Market Manager Kenny Lowe. “Una thinks that it’s cool I’m doing something that she’s gone to all her life,” he commented. The refrain heard throughout the morning was ‘it’s nice to have the market back.’ Echoing that thought was Susan Matheny. “It’s like the first day of school. This is my 24th year of being a loyal farmers’ market supporter,” she said. Guitarist Fred McCarty played mellow music to start things off. Shoppers could find chard at Blue Leg, roses and lettuce at Ridgeview and bountiful greens at La Bonne Terre. A line formed at Bernier Farms for onions and more. Healdsburg Charter School was selling tomato plants, started from seed by the first-graders. Students Alexa Cervantes and Max Morris were among the students taking the first shift.
Another young farmer and entrepreneur, the almost five-year-old Elijah Matson, has his own personal egg business and is busy selling eggs to Chalkboard. He has a flock of 21 chickens – all named. As a toddler, Elijah helped collect eggs with his “Nana Chris” and thus began this fascination.
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The Healdsburg Garden Club held its annual plant sale at Healdsburg Senior Living. They had an array of greenery: vegetables, flowers, succulents. Cynthia DeMartini encouraged shoppers to make a purchase; it was all for a good cause, their scholarship fund.
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It’s not every day you see a gorilla on Healdsburg Avenue. This one, waving to passing drivers, was drumming up business for a recent rummage sale at Becoming Independent on Center Street. Funds raised supported the Human Race.
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On the industrial end of Grove Street is the WareHouse, a space for artists. Over Mother’s Day weekend, they held an Artisan Marketplace featuring handcrafted gifts. Dianne Hoskins had wearable art – hats and scarves – made from Merino wool and silk. Heather Frye and Camille Rowan-White’s Venn Floral arrangements were perfect Sonoma County still lifes. The folding wine barrel chair by Whit McLeod looked inviting. And, the tea and teeny cucumber sandwiches from the Russian River Tea Company? So civilized.
Jackson Scheibal, 10 years old, had just made his first sale. He hails from an artistic local family and was there with mom Emily, a sculptor. Jackson said he usually works in clay, and had a couple of concrete, abstract “cartoony” figures on display. Jackson, who attends West Side School, explained his initial interest: “I took a class at school on clay, and learned water is used as the glue.” The WareHouse also features classes. Contact in**@Wa*****************.com.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 25 years. Growing up, she spent delightful 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.