Idlewood 3…

Marie Butler
Yellow mustard grass is blooming in the vineyards, ruby tulips
pop up in unexpected corners and little lambs dance the gavotte on
hillsides. Must be heaven…or Healdsburg. Same thing. Send newsy
items to “IDlewood 3…” – your “who, what, where” column. “Hedda
Healdsburg” wants to know all!
Stalwart St. Patrick’s Day parade groupies gathered bright and
early at the B&B on the recent, very chilly St. Pat’s morning.
Irish coffee and hot chocolate warded off potential frostbite.
Rotary members sported bright green hair to draw awareness to their
Polio Plus campaign. Our ubiquitous Supervisor, Mark McGuire, wore
a wild wig and glasses, but we knew who he was. Meredith Dreisback
carried the proverbial pot-of-gold. Silvia and Conroy Smith were in
attendance. When bagpiper Hal Wilkes blew the opening notes,
everyone marched, trotted or rode toward the Plaza. Mary Madden
unfurled an Irish flag and was at the front of the parade, along
with our new Mr. Healdsburg, Tejpal Singh Sekhon. He sported a
green robe for the occasion and proclaimed the event, “fun and safe
for everyone – and maybe a little crazy.” Healdsburger Emily Farmer
was the designated Queen. Pets trooped along, too; who knew there
were so many Irish dogs in town? Jason Liles looked around and
deemed the group “Healdsburg’s finest.” Carol and Joe Vaughan and
their doggie, Annie, observed from a corner. “Many years ago there
were 40 people,” they reminisced. “Now it rivals the FFA parade.”
John Ballachey gifted us with a tender rendition of “Danny Boy” at
the finale. Once again, the B&B was preparing free corned beef
to be served later: 275 pounds.
Golfers, the Seventh Annual Steve Hockert Memorial Golf
Tournament is on April 29th. The tournament will be at Windsor Golf
Course; a 1980s-theme dinner-dance follows at the Villa. Money
raised helps Healdsburg High School sports programs and
scholarships. For info or to volunteer, call Becky at 431-2123.
The Chamber’s Trade Show offered fun, lots of great food (Big
John’s bountiful table) and “green” displays. Healdsburg Nursery
and Dragonfly Floral had colorful plants and trees, while Geared
for Growing and the City booths had “eco” displays. Chamber
Past-Chair Lucy Lewand said, “It’s a lively crowd and great
businesses, as usual.”
Lucy also reported that in the midst of the terrible earthquake
in Japan, she received an email from Tokyo. A couple, huddling
under their desk, contacted her at the Camellia Inn to book a room
over Easter. They said they wanted something positive to look
forward to!
Museum Curator Holly Hoods is very pleased. “The ‘Russian River
Good Old Days’ exhibit has been extended to the middle of August,
because of its popularity and other local events.” Holly encourages
folks to come forward with photos, artifacts and stories about fun
on the River.
Kudos and congratulations to three star volunteers, Dorothy
Studer, Ray Holley and Bill Domenichelli, who were recognized at
the April 4th City Council meeting. Mayor Tom Chambers welcomed the
standing-room-only audience. Tom Peterson commented on Bill’s many
volunteer accomplishments, calling him a “guy you could count on.”
Karen Tappin listed the activities of busy Dorothy Studer: food
pantry, Soroptimists, Relay for Life, Boosters…and more. Jerry
Eddinger introduced Ray Holley, and enumerated his volunteer
efforts, beginning in 1988, up to the present with CASA and the Rec
Park grandstand. As Ray said about our little town, “Healdsburg
makes it happen.” The honorees were feted later at a reception held
at the Senior Center. Recreation Manager Sonja Drown observed,
“These are three deserving recipients.”
Hop to the Healdsburg Rotary’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, on April
23, 9 a.m. at Fitch Mountain Elementary School on Monte Vista.
Hundreds of dyed eggs will be provided for Healdsburg kids under
age 12. There will be McDonald’s gift certificates and candy from
Powell’s Sweet Shoppe. Three bikes will be raffled. Separate egg
hunting areas for the different age groups will be set up. Parents,
bring your cameras; the Easter Bunny will be there for photo ops.
Call Kent Mitchell for more info, at 433-2475.
Local aspiring film-makers Wes Matheny and Hannah Waterbury just
had their video chosen to be shown at the Petaluma Film Fest on
April 23rd. The name of the film is “Yes We Will,” and it’s based
on a song written by Healdsburg musician Stephanie Chevalier. Wes’
mom, Susan, commented, “Stephanie is very talented. Wes was so
taken by the song that he decided he had to make a video.” Wes and
Hannah were both taking a film class together at S.R.J.C. Petaluma
when they decided to enter the Student Film Fest. They spent about
two months filming and editing this true “labor of love.”
Celebrate May Day with the Garden Club’s annual plant sale and
luncheon on May 1st, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Villa
Annex will once again be filled with a wide array of perennials,
annuals, shrubs, trees, and vegetables, all at bargain prices.
Delicious, homemade lunches will also be available. Proceeds
benefit the club’s scholarship fund for future horticulturists.
Learn more at www.HealdsburgGardenClub.org.
The 21st Historic Healdsburg Homes Tour takes place on May 15th,
1-4:30 p.m. Sponsored by the A.A.U.W., this year’s tour showcases
seven homes, ranging from a Tuscan-style villa, to an Italianate
mansion, to a 1901 Queen Anne Victorian cottage. The event supports
scholarships and local public education. Tickets are $35 in advance
or $40 on the day of the tour and can be obtained at the Museum,
Levin & Company bookstore or by calling 473-0313.
Rumors are swirling about a secret, celebrity wedding scheduled
here the first weekend in October. The Hollywood “who’s who” is
booking rooms. But, lips are sealed. Almost.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg
resident for over 23 years. Growing up, she spent summers at her
family’s Del Rio Woods home and had an Idlewood phone number.