“Summer Nights” applauded, will be back again next summer

Summer Nights on the Green for 2003 came to a conclusion last
Thursday evening with a concert — both whimsical and rollicking —
by the San Francisco Klezmer Experience. The large crowd did not
seem eager for the series to end.
“We’ve been to every concert for the last two summers,” said
Maria Van Kruining who, with her husband Nick, and friend Nely
Kemp, was enjoying a bottle of wine around a folding card table.
“This one’s my favorite,” she said of the Klezmer concert, “and the
Gator Beat — they were all good.”
Mike and Bev Look have lived in Windsor since April 2002. They
attended three concerts at the town green this summer.
“We love what they’re doing with the shops,” said Mike.
“I deliver welcome baskets to people just moving into town,”
said Bev. “They just think this is fabulous.”
Praise for development around the town green was a recurring
theme among concert goers.
Milo and Bonnie Strawn have lived in Windsor for 40 years. For
many years Mike was a firefighter and Bonnie worked for the school
district.
“I just marvel at what they’ve done,” said Milo. “The buildings
are not modern, but yet it’s all new.”
The Strawn’s refused to be pinned down on which concert they
enjoyed most this summer. “Every one was good,” said Bonnie. “We
just liked them all.”
Vince and Arlene Odale have lived in Windsor for five years, and
attended two concerts on the Green this summer. “Next year we’ll
take them all in,” said Vince. “This is very good for Windsor.”
Rose Marie Stewart, a 14-year resident of Windsor, recently
moved into a condominium in the Thiessen building across the street
from the Green. She’s been to all the concerts this summer.
“This is the last one,” Stewart lamented. “I don’t want it to
end.”
Three generations of a Santa Rosa family came to enjoy the
Klezmer concert. “We got a CD of their music before,” said Ilana
Stoelting, 15. “I love it.” Her brother Oren, age 12, agreed.
Sitting near Ilana and Oren was their grandmother, Ethel Schy,
and their mom, Leanne Schy.
“Windsor has just done a great job with this,” said Ethel.
“This really is a lovely place,” Leanne agreed. “This is just
totally pleasant.”
“I think our audiences have been as wonderful as the performing
groups,” said concert series organizer Jeanne Mitchell of the Town
of Windsor Economic Development and Community Services Department.
“The groups have commented on how the audience is both respectful
and responsive. And we have noticed that a faithful, devoted core
has developed. We have striven for a wide variety of music and the
audience seems to approve.”
Mitchell also noted that the town’s Recreation Department has
designed family games to complement the concerts. “The idea is that
parents will feel comfortable bringing their children,” said
Mitchell. “This is a family-friendly event.”
Mitchell said that dozens of kids, along with some of their
parents, have participated in the games each week.
Mitchell also said that plans are not yet finalized for next
summer’s concert series, but there will be at least as many
concerts as there were this summer. “It will be a mix of local and
Bay Area talent,” she said, “and we think we’ll also have the
Cotati Philharmonic Orchestra back again next summer.”
“We’re so excited about what’s happening with old downtown,”
Mitchell continued. “From now on, businesses will be opening
monthly. It’s going to be a happening place.”