Page 30 - Sonoma County Gazette June 2017

It is coming up on Memorial Day weekend as you read this, so there is not much time for you to mark your calendars for the Camp Meeker Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Memorial Day Weekend Pancake Breakfast. It will be at the usual time and place: Sunday, May 28 from 8 am to 1 pm at the Firehouse. There will be the usual attractions: shiny red trucks, delicious pancakes, the high-tech rotating pancake cooker, raffle prize, fun and games for the kids, neighborly camaraderie, and maybe even Sparky the fire dog.
Dear Readers
I have enjoyed writing this column for the last 4+ years, but the time has come for me to move on to other adventures. Are you interested in writing this column? Of course, you would make it your own, in your own style. This is a wonderful chance to support your community and joyfully exercise your writing skills. For information, contact Vesta Copestakes, vesta@sonic.net.
Youth Park BBQ
If you’ve been to one of these before, you know all this and wouldn’t miss it come heck or high water. It’s well worth the price of admission just for all the items above, without even remembering that your donation goes a long way toward funding our Volunteer Fire Department, and let me tell you we get our money’s worth. Living way out here in the forest has its many advantages, but as such we are a little more vulnerable to some things than city folk. Out here, the first responders are more critical than ever, and they are our friends and neighbors in the VFD.
At last, theYouth Park BBQ is back! First, the Parade, “Stars and Stripes,” (sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce) begins at 10 am Saturday, June 3, at the corner of First and Front streets in downtown Forestville. Prizes for each category: youth group, commercial, non-pro t organization, musical group, and individual. Watch out for the traditional ruckus between kids with water baloons and remen with big nozzles! (For a place in the Parade, contact Gary Harris – gsequoia@gmail.com or Jessalee Mills – Jessaleemills@gmail.com.). What fun!
After you’ve filled up on pancakes, wait an hour and then head over to Monte Rio beach for some sunbathing and wading in the river. The beach will be newly open for the summer, and there is plenty of water in the river. Be careful! The current is pretty strong. I’ve gone swimming the last couple of weekends, and swimming upstream is almost exactly like a lap pool. You can swim forever and not move an inch. If you’re not a strong swimmer, stick to the shallow water and don’t overdo the beer.
The Parade wends its way to the Youth Park where the BBQ and festivities are held 10am-8pm both Saturday and Sunday, 6/3 and 6/4. [Note: Hwy 116 through the Downtown will be closed for the Parade.].
Yes, the bell has been wrung on another Russian River summer. If you’re
a grown-up with grown-up responsibilities, you are probably planning your summer several weekends ahead. You might already be booked through Labor Day. If you are a big city tourist refugee, reading this on a weekend getaway, I will give long odds that the above is true. So I will just tempt you with the other activities that will liven up your weekends in the hot months:
Sunday June 4: the Monte Rio Vineman Triathlon. Yes, it’s true: there are people whose idea of fun is to swim, bike, and run until half dead with exhaustion. There are difficulty levels from beginner up to Olympic if you are just catching the bug. Also the Great Russian River Race for those who like their athletic self-flagellation exclusively bicycular.
The weekend of June 24, there is the Russian River Rodeo in Duncans Mills. Yeah, y’all though we were just a bunch of granola crunchin’ hippies, didn’t ya? Admit it. Get your cowboy on this weekend. Ridin’, ropin’, wranglin’, barrel racin’, cute dudes and dudettes in boot cut Wranglers.
July 4 weekend: it’s all about the beach in Monte Rio. Big Rocky games. Inner tube races, canoe races, swim races, rock skipping, and ice cream eating. Then settle in toward dusk for the water parade, the Cavalcade of Patriotic Music While Stirring Images Are Projected On a Curtain of Falling Water (sorry I know it probably has an official name) and of course the Fireworks, the best fireworks show since Ever.
Weekend of July 15-16: this is a big one. Civil War Days in Duncans Mills (two battles a day, Saturday and Sunday), plus the opportunity to mingle with the Living Historians and get your Period Rush. Then head on over to the Union Grove outside Occidental for the Occidental Fireman’s Picnic: barbecued chicken and tri-tip, plenty of cold beer, and dancing amongst the sawdust bales to some hot country band.
August: the Russian River takes a bit of a breather. Just hang out on the beach and read a book. Start perusing your calendar for all the apple festivals, crab feeds, Mermaid days, polenta dinners and all the other what not the local Volunteer Fire Departments use to fund themselves. Make a point to go to all of them. We’ll be glad you did.
That’s what we get up to here in a Russian River summer. You’ll want to clear your schedule.
This is a true celebration of the Forestville Community and what we can do when we join together for a good cause, our youth. Have a beer, soda, or glass of wine – enjoy the great live music – chat or dance with old and new friends – shop the unique handicraft booths – dive into a great barbeque meal – dare to enter the pie and water melon eating contests – let your children and the child in you enjoy the carnival rides and arcades. All to bene t our beloved Youth Park – this is the major fund-raiser for the YP which is owned and managed by volunteers/us. Renew or start your membership at forestvilleyouthpark. org and be entered in a drawing for some awesome prizes. ...I can already smell the garlic fries.
Farmers Market
The Forestville Chamber of Commerce invites you to Opening Day of the Forestville Certi ed Farmers Market on Tuesday, June 20th, 4p to 7 p, now in its 5th year! ...Enjoy live music on Opening Day + local farmers, delicious foods, local crafters, beer & wine! Shop, eat, drink, and visit with friends and family. There are plenty of picnic tables and giant redwood benches throughout the park. For more info: info@forestvillefarmersmarket.com or 707-766-4597. 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars for every Tuesday afternoon through the summer! If you are a musician and would like to volunteer to play at the Market, use contacts above.
Grant applications are due by June 15! Go to 95436.org and click “community fund” for more info and online application form. Paper apps also available at the Service Station and the Forestville Pharmacy.
What?
Community Fund
-The huge piles at the Downtown Park? Mulch to be laid under the oak trees to protect their roots (Forestville Planing Association).
-Clearing of lot next to Forestville Club? Lot purchased at tax sale; reported intention is to build 2-4 units.
-Boarded up barber shop next to Forestville Club? Car accident--car went through front window.
-Oddfellows Hall? Sold to two young men who have redone the oors, cleaned the place up, and are now o ering to rent the space for parties and events
EVENTS:
Hawaiian Lion Gold Tournament: El Molino School Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser to support schools, teachers, and students – day
of golf, auctions, dinner, ra e and fun. Friday, June 16, at the Windsor Golf Course. Check in at 11 am, shotgun starts at 1 pm. $125 for 18 holes, lunch and dinner. Dinner only option available. More info at elmofoundation.org
30 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 6/17
FORESTVILLE cont’d on page 31