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A respectful crowd of about 40-50 people gathered at the “little boy with a flag” statue in the Plaza to commemorate Veterans Day; a wreath of red and yellow roses, golden mums rested nearby. It was an overcast morning, the fog muting the already low voices. The American Legion Post 111 was in charge of this brief ceremony.
The post chaplain advised the day was to honor those serving in the military: “If you see a veteran, say thank you,” he said. The ceremony concluded with a rifle salute by the honors team, and then taps. Ninety-five-year-old former U.S. Army sergeant Harry Morse was in attendance — in uniform. Harry fought in three wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Later, children placed patriotic red, white and blue balloons at the statue.
On a sunny October Saturday, the West Plaza parking lot was transformed into a friendly farm for the Pumpkin Festival and Races. There were “lots of registrants” for the pumpkin carving, per Jan Morgan, who sported a fetching bee costume complete with oversize bee-eye goggles. Event MC Kip Miller, in his farmer-meets-scarecrow costume, opined that the carvers were “sculptors, all.”
Pumpkin shavings, innards and seeds spilled out over hay bales, as kids and parents whittled vigorously. The final creations included pirates, a turtle and one pumpkin who had obviously imbibed too much pie and couldn’t hold his seeds. Little Luca Giacomelli, 18 months old, set his sights on a white pumpkin, a third his size. His dad advised that Luca would be a dinosaur for Halloween. There was a Day of the Dead altar set up, and tables where kids could decorate white “skull” balloons and fans, or fold colorful tissue paper flowers.
Off to one side were the decorated pumpkins, awaiting the race and ready to roll. There was a Healdsburg firefighter in a truck, witches, a crow jauntily astride his white pumpkin perch, a Mad Max creation and one with a teddy bear driver. A dinosaur had green spiky leaf scales. Multi mini pumpkins made up a centipede. Squash chickens with wide carrot eyes drove race car number “23” (perhaps they were anticipating their wild ride down the ramp). A soccer ball pumpkin with apple wheels was the product of Violet Ullyott, of Healdsburg; a soccer player, 5-year-old Violet was even wearing her uniform that day.
Oh, and the farmers’ market was in full swing, too. It was a bounty of fall colors: orange persimmons, ruby pomegranates, golden marigolds, emerald squash and dusty brown potatoes.
The Howl-o-ween Parade, sponsored this year by Big John’s Market and the chamber of commerce, was a successful event for the Healdsburg Center, our branch of the Sonoma Humane Society. Doggies of all shapes and sizes were adorned in their Halloween best. The parade wound around the Plaza and featured butterflies, super heroes, spiders, fairies and ballerinas. There was a pair of “bubbles,” a stately king of the jungle (complete with crown) and a Florida alligator. One pooch (who was not a poodle) wore a ‘50s poodle skirt.
Some humans went for themed attire along with their dogs. There was a Tyrolean trio; the dog wore lederhosen. Another group was wearing matching black and white buffalo check shirts. Lucy, a 9-month-old dachshund carried by “mom” Brynne Thorpe, was a hot dog. Lucy was accompanied by little humans Kylie, who wore a red saucy ketchup shirt, and even littler Logan, who was the mustard condiment. Local metal artist Jendala Utsch pedaled a jungle cart carrying “lion” dog Gunner and his friends; a sign thanked people for saving the animals at Safari West, the wildlife preserve on Porter Creek. The cart’s wild decorations included enrichment toys that Jendala was presenting later to Safari West.
The Dia de los Muertos, “Day of the Dead” afternoon in the Plaza was an “event of the heart.” Presented by Corazon Healdsburg and the city of Healdsburg, the crowd grew as the day progressed. On Center Street, two tall fire truck ladders held up an oversized American flag and people gathered to thank our local first responders.
Tents sponsored by different groups featured altars with photos and remembrances of loved ones. There were sugar skulls, face painting and music. Aztec dancers began the event with a traditional ceremonial dance to help heal us from the recent fires. Food, dancing, community — it truly was an “afternoon of gratitude and giving.”
The Plaza is currently bedecked in lights, wreaths and holiday sparkle. Shops nearby are also twinkling. Head downtown for the annual holiday party, the day after Thanksgiving. Stop and visit with neighbors, friends and acquaintances. We can all benefit from touching base and asking, “How are you?” this year. Shop local has a nice ring, too. See you downtown, or at the many holiday events; the chamber has a long list: www.healdsburg.com.
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 30 years. Growing up, she spent delightful summers at her family’s Del Rio Woods home and had an Idlewood phone number. She is the author of the children’s book “Herbie – A Toy’s Adventures in Healdsburg,” and has an article in the Russian River Recorder’s Summer 2017 edition.
