Page 44 - Sonoma County Gazette Janaury 2019

A fresh breeze, warm, aromatic, tantalizing has been wafting over Guernewood Park—a tease, a promise in the shape of a cafe called Baked on the River. Courtesy of chef Helena Gustavsson Giesea, we have a new bakery in (near) town and I could wax ecstatic over the treats and inviting ambience, and you may read the reviews, but it’s really all about the notorious H.G.G.
To Give Thanks: 2018 has been an interesting year to say the least. Although Rio Nido is a tiny little hamlet it packs a punch when it comes to stuff going on in the area-no kidding!
Swedish-born Helena Gustavsson Gisea was passionately focused on becoming one of the world’s great chefs—a goal rooted in a childhood spent, with her brother, in her mother’s kitchen as well as her family’s extensive organic garden.
I want to give thanks to the Rio Nido Homeowners Association particularly Douglas Misner, Beverly Bird and John Calonico for hosting all the Summer picnics. It’s a very big undertaking and is appreciated by a great many Rio Nidans as well as past and present generations. The memories made will last a lifetime.
A graduate of S.F. City College culinary school, and a pastry intern at the City’s prestigious Fleur de Lys restaurant, Helena also worked Cyrus restaurant in Healdsburg and Forestville’s Farmhouse Inn followed by her Charizma Wine Lounge in Guerneville before aligning her skills with architect Leslie Bahr at Main Street’s late White Tail Wine Bar.
Thank you for all your hard work. I also want to thank Brad and Raina Metzger of the Rio Nido Roadhouse for all their charity events and music venues.
Helena’s cumulative experience (not to mention her rankings in Sweden’s Miss Fitness competition) should provide the foundation for a worthy establishment cherished by scores of happy locals. Baked on the River’s open days and hours are still being determined but a call to 865-6060 should answer any relevant questions. Baked on the River., 17071 Hwy 116, a mile west town
The Friends of Rio Nido: I have so many good things to say about (FRN) it will take way, way too long to write about. Making life better here in RN is what (FRN) is all about.
A Bit of History...As remote and laid back as Guerneville might seem, it has been touched occasionally by “heavy hitters” who barely caused a ripple.
Russian River Recreation & Park District: I am blown away with all the work Russian River Rec & Park does for Rio Nido. Taking care of our dog park and parklands in RN really shows. It’s hard work and has made a huge difference. I also want to thank them for being on top of towing cars that park in the guest parking spaces.
Two years ago, following a wedding at Bohemian Grove, Hon. Nancy Pelosi attended a post-nuptials reception at Jerry Knight’s River Theater.
Closely watched by secret service agents, Nancy caught Jerry’s eye as
well and he couldn’t resist introducing himself. Nancy was, of course very impressed with Jerry’s unique amalgam of oddities and collectibles (Sinatra’s pool cue?!) and told him she’d “never seen anything like it”.
Citizens make the calls and before you know it CHP is out tagging and then towing the abandoned vehicles. We don’t mess around.
Never one to shun the spotlight, Knight made sure the event was chronicled in photos of the delighted couple, arms around each other.
Speeding: Speeding up and down the Canyons is no longer tolerated. Concerned citizens have been making calls to CHP and reporting speeding vehicles. This community is growing fast and changing and certain things are no longer tolerated. So SLOW DOWN! Better safe than sorry.
And then there was the time when two of the Supremes learned of the existence of Guerneville. The Notorious RBG, 85-year-old Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, recently recovering from serious lung surgery, has become a cultural rock star as well as an amazing being
of wit, wisdom and character. RBG is given much media attention,
is widely revered and discussed, and her life is being chronicled on screens (big and small) and in the voices of the talking heads which report daily on ‘whassup’ in the world.
Resurgence: The Rio Nido Lodge has had a record breaking year. Under new management and a new team of Innkeepers, it has resurrected from its long slumber. We are grateful for all of our new and repeat customers. The Lodge is still undergoing exciting changes and has a lot of interesting surprises in store for 2019.
A big shout out goes out to all the Board Members for their steadfast and true dedication and perseverance to this little magical village.
The new Winky Moon sign on 116 is a true testament of FRN’s dedication to this wonderful little community.
Although I haven’t heard of RBG actually visiting Guerneville, in the early 90s I wrote something which told the story of Passover
Be sure to keep your gutters clean and debris away from your homes. Let’s hope for a lot more rains to come this chilly winter.
as an historical “poem.” Since it was RBG’s birthday, I sent her a copy of “PassoveRap” and wished her the happiest B-day ever.
Rio Nido Pet of the Month: Put your paws together for January’s Pet of the Month, Sasha! She has been part of the family since she was adopted at six
Mail to the Supremes needs to be written out on paper and snail-mailed, which is what I did, never suspecting it would grab anyone’s attention, but amazingly, it managed to land on her desk/lap, where she read it! Imagine my disbelief when I found a manila envelope with the U.S. Supreme Court as the return address—with “Justice Ginsburg” in script above it! Dayenu!*
weeks of age from South Texas. Sasha is a fun and spirited
There is going to be a big celebration coming in April when the New Winky Moon will be erected. You will be able to see Winky from River Road.
Stay tuned for more thrilling news.
Rains: We sure have been fortunate for all the beautiful rains we have been receiving from Mother Nature. This is something many of us have been praying for.
It’s been cold, very cold, so please be sure to keep yourselves and your pets warm. Rio Nido looks so lush an beautiful with everything so green all around us.
New Year’s Resolutions: I don’t believe in them, so I’m not going there! Just do the best you can every day.
Inside, she had photocopied and sent to me a memoir she had written for an anthology assembled by Joyce Antler called “The Journey Home” Jewish Women and the American Century.
girl who loves people, especially children. Sasha loves carrots, toys, spontaneous trips to Jenner and her Husky posse—Chai and Snowball. You might see her strutting her stuff on her daily walks in Rio Nido. If you see her, stop for a “body wag” and a kiss in exchange for a pet. Let’s hear it for Sasha!
On the front page she wrote the following in script: “3/14/97 - Appreciation for the birthday greeting and Passover Poem (which revived memories of Seders in the years of my youth).”(signed in script) “Ruth Bader Ginsburg”
*Dayenu (literally “it would have been enough”) also carries a deep amount of wisdom.
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