Dunbar Elementary School celebrates 150th anniversary
In the middle of the 19th century, the children of the northern Sonoma Valley attended school in a tiny schoolhouse on Dunbar Road. Today that schoolhouse has grown into a beautiful campus located at 11700 Dunbar Road in Glen Ellen. On Saturday, Oct. 13 and Sunday, Oct. 14, generations of students who have studied at Dunbar Elementary School will gather to celebrate 150 years of education and fun. Dubbed Dunbar Days, the three-day sesquicentennial celebration will include fun, games, living history and a chance to parade Dunbar pride down the main street of Glen Ellen during the annual Glen Ellen Village Fair.
Current Dunbar students and families, as well as Dunbar alumni, are planning a variety of activities to commemorate the 150-year anniversary. On Saturday, Oct. 13, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the Dunbar campus, face painting, bead and jewelry making, relay races, and other activities are all on tap. Concessions will be on site to provide refreshments, and all are invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy. A celebratory hoedown will be held in the multipurpose room from 7 to 10 p.m., complete with line dancing and callers.
Alumnus Jim Berkland, a renowned earthquake prognosticator, will host an open mike session during which fellow alumni can share memories of their Dunbar days. Other speakers will include Barbara Young, Sonoma Valley Unified School District superintendent, and Dunbar principal Leticia Cruz. An oral history of the school, compiled from interviews with alumni, is also part of the sesquicentennial celebration. For more information or to participate in the oral history project, visit the Web site at www.ewylsonoma.com/page97.html and take the posted survey.
On Sunday, Oct. 14, current and past Dunbar students are invited to join in the annual town parade down Arnold Drive during the Glen Ellen Village Fair. Dunbar alumni wishing to RSVP for the event and the parade must write to dunbardays@vom.com in advance.
Glen Ellen resident and Dunbar dad Arthur Dawson is spearheading the Dunbar Days organizing committee. He can be contacted at kulupi@vom.com, or you can call the school at 707.935.6070.
Free screenings for depression at Vintage House
Thursday, Oct. 11 is National Depression Screening Day and Vintage House, located at 264 First St. E., will offer free screenings. Mary Flett, Ph.D., will be on site from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for discussion, referral and information. Participants will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire that will aid Mary in providing referral to resources in the community. Referrals may range from primary care physicians to other mental health professionals and support groups. For more information call 707.996.0311.
Writing workshop offered at Vintage House
Vintage House will offer a memoir-writing workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. with Gordon Yaswen, certified instructor and originator of the “LIFELIST” method. At his ” Don’t Just Have a Past, Share It!” workshop, Gordon will demonstrate how to create and use “Life Lists” to revitalize the past into descriptions and anecdotes that can be used to make an artwork. No writing skills are required; if you can make a grocery list, you can create memoirs. The cost is $5 per person and light refreshments will be provided. Vintage House is located at 264 First St. E. For reservations, please call 707.996.0311.
Christian club for middle school students
“WyldLife,” a Christian club for middle school students, recently kicked off a semester of regular meetings with a barbeque. Future gatherings will take place at 7:40 p.m. on Friday evenings at 170 Andrieux St. Club meetings will include games, music, skits and snacks followed by an inspirational message. For more information call 707.938.8388.
Senator Pat Wiggins visits London House
Senator Pat Wiggins took time out of her busy schedule to make a visit to Beverly Living Center London House on Second St. W. in Sonoma. Sen. Wiggins toured the building and spoke with many residents and staff. She asked meaningful and pertinent questions about long-term care and what she could do to help. The visit culminated with Senator Wiggins having lunch with residents.
London House executive director Louise Merrick commented, “Any time we can show our legislators what good hard work we do here in the nursing home industry, we try to capitalize on it. And whenever someone who makes our laws can come in to our living center and see first hand what legislation we need, we take advantage of that. Our residents felt so special that someone as important as Senator Wiggins had time for them.”
For more information about London House, call 707.938.1096.
