Last week was awash with local chances to catch the Xmas Spirit. Kicking it off was the tree lighting at the Boonville Hotel. It looked twinkly and enchanting in the hotel courtyard when we passed by and I’m sure the soup was delicious. Proceeds from $20 per person door charge went to the AV Grange.
On Saturday morning early a small army of craft creators and volunteers converged on Apple Hall and the Fairgrounds Dining Room. They were ferrying wreaths, tamales, antiques, and jewelry, knit goods, dried flower arrangements and much, much more.
At 10 AM the Bazaar was officially open for browsers. The P.T.A. sponsored Craft Corner opened in the Dining Room encouraging kids to make their own ornaments and keepsakes under the watchful eye of Starr. The library was open with a special selection of books that could make good gifts. The Teen Center partnered with the G.S.A. and the Student Learning Team at the snack bar with Deleh (Jennifer) Mayne and Donna Pierson-Pugh. Unique offerings included Posole made by Deleh with Antonia Marin (Perez) recipe. Sisters Anna and Silvia generously made 90 chicken and pork tamales and every one of them sold. Also sweets and that life-giving substance coffee were available.
The Unity Club organized the event as they have for over 30 years. This year Elizabeth Wyant, Alice Bonner and Mary Ann Grezenda teamed to do the job that One Super-woman Liz Dusenberry has done for many years. They had it very well in hand with Elizabeth dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, Mary Ann getting all of the silent auction items and Alice riding herd on the vendors- a real team effort. Nancy Wood introduced something new, The Unity Club Attic” selling “new to you” items like toys and house goods for very reasonable prices that even kids could afford.
Santa came to town in the form of Ray Langevin and the word is out that he was the best Santa we have had in years. Kirk Wilder snapped the Santa photos with Robyn Harper as his helper elf directing traffic. Other Unity Club members sighted (and forgive me if I did not sight you) included; Miriam Martinez, Janet Lombard, Anna Wakeman, Jean Condon, Eileen Pronsolino and Grace Espinoza.
Some of the articles for sale at the Bazaar included; jewelry, knitted everything, sewn everything, pottery, gourd art, dried flowers and the ever popular baked and preserved goods. It was wonderful to see everyone together after the Covid hiatus. As a vendor I made more money than I ever have before and other vendors I spoke with including jewelry makers, Judy Nelson and Lady Rainbow seemed satisfied too. Having the tables and chairs by the snack bar really gives people a chance to sit and catch up and many took advantage of this opportunity.
The High School Agriculture Department headed by teacher Beth Swehla sold out of their greens and wreaths and ended up taking orders for more. If you need a wreath or fresh greens for Xmas call the High School and leave a message for Beth at (707) 895-3496.
Thank you Unity Club for all your effort which really paid off for so many shoppers and vendors especially Jay Newcomer who was the raffle winner of the special $50 wreath. It could not have happened to a nicer guy.
On Sunday evening the Annual Holiday Dinner sponsored by the AV Grange and the AV Food Shed kicked off in the Grange Hall at 5 PM. What a relief to be able to see each other gain after 2 years of no gathering. The school district lent air purifiers to help keep everyone safer and the servers all wore masks. I heard through the grapevine that Bill and Gail Meyer were hugely instrumental in getting the whole thing going- so kudos to both of these community service veterans. Abeja seemed to be everywhere all at once and welcoming people in too. Mea Bloyd Grange secretary made a killer peppermint cake. Captain Rainbow promoted attendance, Laura Baynham, Jay Newcomer smoked 3 turkeys; Sophia Bates grew potatoes at Penny Royal Farm to make the potatoes. Gowan’s donated their delicious juice. The “Groaning Board” of food on offer had not a single last minute store bought item. From the roasted brussel sprouts to the Orvietto pasta salad everything was handmade and delicious. Some of the more unusual items included Wild Pig and giant Golden Chanterelle mushrooms harvested in Albion by a man named Currant.
There was a real mish-mash of people there and a pretty lively turnout. The conversation sound level during dinner was VERY high. People had a lot to say to one another. Sadly there were no kids running around. This is a side effect of life in an aging village with property selling so high that few young families need apply. Even without that youthful exuberance the energy was high. Live music provided by the “Deep End Woogies” Leslie and Michael Hubbert and Frannie Leopold from the coast did a lot to elevate the vibe all through dinner and Sara Songbird and her partner John took over to serenade us through dessert.
Other volunteers sighted (again forgive me if I didn’t sight you) were Jen Burnstad, Lynda McClure, Rob and Barbara Goodell, Mea and Amy Bloyd, Rainbow and Yvonne and Derrick of the very long blonde hair. Looking around the room it would have been easy to imagine that it was 1969 again. So many years later a segment of the AV population is still getting back to the land. The Grange with its farming roots and the Food shed are a natural pairing to host the community for a “Real Food” feast.
The whole show ran smoothly capped by many willing workers who jumped right on clearing, folding tablecloths, folding and stowing chairs and washing dishes. Thank you Grange and Food Shed. We are still basking in the glow and digesting all that wonderful wholesome food.
Captain Rainbow asked me to mention the upcoming Grange Pancake Breakfast on Dec. 11 8:30-11:00 which will include pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice, fruit and coffee all for a reasonable $10 and all the good conversation with your neighbors you can handle. The “Deep End Woogies” will be back to play. If you’ve been thinking of joining an organization in the valley this is a good chance to check out the Grange. You could also attend one of their monthly potlucks at 6:00 on the third Tuesday at the Grange Hall followed by a meeting for Members at 7:00.
Again we have to count our blessings. In an era when people yearn for “community” and are always trying out new strategies to build them, Anderson Valley already has one up and running. All you have to do is jump onboard.
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