Happy New Year, fellow Healdsburgers. Mother Nature threw quite the party this January. Please send your news items (waterlogged or not) to IDlewood 3…” at id*******@hb*****.com. Idlewood was the original telephone exchange for Healdsburg. Now, “Hedda Healdsburg” wants to know all!
If you stopped by Costeaux Bakery over the holidays for a French macaron or croissant, you couldn’t help noticing the nutcrackers of all sizes marching across the balcony, counters, tables and on any level spot. Perhaps you thought that there were too many to count, but, no. Owner Will Seppi held a contest to guess the number of nutcrackers and the winner will be announced soon. Hint: there were even more than last year.
The rain held off for the annual Menorah Lighting, Dec. 27 at Oakville Grocery. It was the fourth day of Chanukah and a crowd gathered on the patio and sidewalk to celebrate. The rabbi spoke of the ceremony and the tradition that represents “light, blessings and warmth.” The attendees held little candles and the small band nearby played traditional songs. After “The Dreidel Song” and prayers, the rabbi climbed a ladder and lit the Menorah candle. There was a “dancing” blue dreidel, latkes and refreshments for all.
On Jan. 8, at the height of the recent storm, an SOS went out on social media. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church set up an emergency shelter for the homeless population. They asked for ready-to-eat foods, towels, and tarps. Our town responded. Residents brought clothes, blankets and food. Area churches assisted as well. Rio Lindo Academy made a big donation and Healdsburg Community Church supplied breakfast the following morning. The Red Cross brought cots. The floors may have been wet, the night dark, but St. Paul’s was a beacon of light in the storm.
Other flood news: the otters returned – because of the rain and resulting high waters, there have been more otter sightings in the river, very close to town.
The Literary Guild’s Third Sunday Salon in January at the Bean Affair featured Ukiah poet laureate and high school teacher Michael Riedell, who graced the audience with a selection of poems from his two books. His poetry topics ranged from dogs in bed, an Irish cemetery, redwood trees, dogwood leaves and Shakespeare’s skull. Amusing and insightful, they were often short, but powerful poems that packed a punch.
Won’t one or two more brave gents step forward for the Mr. Healdsburg pageant on February 27 at the Raven? This riotous fundraiser for the Raven Performing Arts Theater is always a sell-out. Guys, you don’t need a specific talent, just being a good sport is enough. Look for a new event logo, too. Event Coordinator Carol Noack says, “When we first launched the Mr. Healdsburg Pageant, the Academy of Art in S.F. was looking for a class project, and contacted me. I asked students to develop an image for the show. I chose what I call the “hula guy” because it was unlike any event promo I’d ever seen and it conveyed the unconventional vibe of the pageant. But this year we’re creating a new Mr. Healdsburg icon. Local illustrator Joey Manfre (and former Mr. Healdsburg Mr. Congeniality winner) is creating a Mr. Healdsburg in formal attire but with whimsical attributes.” Folks will see it around town soon. Contact Carol at ca*********@ra**********.org.
The 25th annual Winter WINEland was a hit despite varying degrees of fog, cold and spotty sunshine. Downtown was hopping. Participants were enjoying local wines and locals were enjoying watching the tourists. It was nice to see artisans showing their wares at wineries and tasting rooms. Margie Koetzner of Wine Country Artisans was at Topel Tasting Room, her table aglitter with dichroic glass jewelry, vases and art.
Round and round we go. There has been much discussion about the new roundabout at the south end of town. City Council member Joe Naujokas related an amusing quote by his friend. “Clifford Grutze just returned from Canada where they have lots of roundabouts, with this simple but brilliant instruction posted at each one: Merge like a zipper!”
Marie Butler is a freelance writer and a full-time Healdsburg resident for over 29 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,” recent articles in Sonoma Discoveries magazine and other stories.
