Page 43 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2019

Jenner has lost the last of the Fierce Grand Dames with the passing of Elinor Twohy.
Elinor is best known for photographing and documenting the pinnipeds that are hauled out at the mouth of the Russian River a few yards from her home where she could see Harbor Seals, Sea Lions and occasional Elephant Seals. Her thorough documentation has proven invaluable to the Bodega Marine Laboratory which dovetailed with the Marine Lab’s own data, providing an overview of local ocean and wildlife
Elinor loved to go to the beach. When she married John Toohey, they both became early conservation advocates. In the 1960s, they moved with their two sons, Mike and Chris, to Jenner when the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Estuary were ripe for development.
Can the flood be a good thing?
Though many of us remember or have seen pictures of the “big flood of whenever” we really haven’t experienced a major flood in a while until February. Were we prepared for this? Why is flood insurance so cost prohibitive on the river as say compared to Sacramento? Why was there so much garbage, toxic debris and environmental damage to our waterways? Why didn’t we quickly get FEMA or SBA disaster assistance loans for our residents and our small businesses? Will we see this as an opportunity to change the way we live and do business, or will the next flood just be a rinse and repeat?
This time around it was a very local response. Business owners were out there doing what needed to be done day one. Our supervisor Lynda Hopkins fought to get us relief funds, so we could clean up and recover. Our county Board of Supervisors were there for us. First responders and neighbors did whatever was needed. As President of Russian River Alliance, I am proud
of the work of Jeniffer Wertz hitting the streets immediately after the flood handing out Safeway gift cards. She was also without power or propane heat for a week and took time off her job to make a difference. One of our initiatives is to support local businesses and our local workforce. These people contribute to our community every day. Many businesses closed, and workers lost their paychecks and, in many cases, even their homes. Having a strong reliable workforce in a tourism dependent resort area is not negotiable. We have been providing emergency rent assistance to our local workers before the flood through county grants and private donations. Landlords sell rental houses or convert them to vacation rentals, rents go up, hours are seasonally cut back,
but with the flood many lost their paychecks, their housing, and their personal belongings. There was a Safeway worker who has a disabled mother. They lost their home in the flood. They were living in their car in the Safeway parking lot and her work shift started at 4am. We were able to provide them assistance securing temporary housing. I am also astounded at the immediate outpouring of support and donations we received. Donations from $25 to $5,000. Donations from businesses, and people from as far away as Florida and Washington DC. The best way to prevent homelessness is to be proactive up front and help those that contribute to our community every day, especially when they need help to get back on their feet again. RussianRiverAlliance.org
conditions.
Growing up in Southern CA ,
Jenner had longed been eyed
for gravel extraction, residential development, and logging. The sensitive Estuary was going to be dredged to create a permanent deep-water port, serving a planned condominium project to be built on the hills overlooking the River.
For decades Elinor and the other Grand Dames of the community spoke up on behalf of the sensitive Coastal environment.
By the 90s, the Sonoma County
Board of Supervisors appointed
several citizens to a newly formed Jenner Water Citizen’s Advisory Committee (JWCAC), of which John was the Chair. They were determined to be heard. (Elinor, in her quiet way, would always be heard!) When she spoke up, Elinor would do so with Principle, Honor and Integrity.
The River has an opportunity to rebuild and be stronger and more competitive then it was before the flood. Thriving and welcoming come to mind. Pride in community comes to mind. Being open to change instead of being complacent with the way things are and lamenting the good old days. We can certainly have the good old days again, at least on a smaller scale. Think the Pink! The time for hate, pettiness, division, small town thinking, and government as usual, is over. There’s work to be done and not much time to do it. Tourist season is quickly approaching. Let’s show the world, that not only are we open for business, but that we have one of the most beautiful, diverse, civil, and welcoming communities the planet has to offer!
Elinor was also appointed by the CA State Parks to the Sonoma Coast Beaches Advisory Committee, allowing them a voice in a wide variety of coastal conservation issues. Elinor, with her vision and foresight, was the first to write directly to the Director of the CA State Park System, William Penn Mott, to encouraged him to ‘Acquire and Preserve’ the hills and watersheds surrounding Jenner; lands which would become the Jenner Headlands Preserve that we have today.
Over decades, Elinor and John became key figures in Jenner. As Post Mistress at the tiny US Post Office, she knew just about everyone in town. She eventually became known as the Town Historian. If you needed to know anything Jenner-related, you just needed to Ask Elinor!
On Sunday 4/14 the Friends of Monte Rio Spring Celebration will be held at, and hosted by, Monte Rio Union School. Festivities include: Egg Hunt and Games, Face Painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny, Bake Sale, a Raffle, and a new “Egg Catapult” to replace the “Egg Drop from the Bridge” event. Noon- 2pm.
Elinor loved music, went to concerts and had a grand piano in her seaside home. She was often seen at community gatherings with her metal tin full of her famous and delicious Macaroons. The tin was always empty by the end of the night! She was also a force to be reckoned with at the Ping Pong Table, and feared by all at the Scrabble Board! As a community advocate, Elinor hosted many meetings at their home to discuss issues that impacted Jenner.
The Wonderland Radio Hour Show featuring Monte Rio and Villa Grande originally scheduled for 4/13 has been postponed. Visit wonderlandradiohour. com to listen to and view segments from past shows and get information on when the new show will be rescheduled.
John & Elinor were strong forces and a great team, with diverse skills that complemented their relationship. They rallied other community members for the benefit of their mutual home. Early on, John was stricken and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but this did not hamper their accomplishments. They lived their lives with grace, dignity and purpose. For decades they contributed to addressing the issues and needs of our home.
Rodger from the r3 Hotel is putting on a fundraiser this month. Saturday 4/20 a Flood-Aid Show Extravaganza featuring full bar, comedy and a drag show at the Guerneville Vets Hall with MC Bruce Villanch, Shann Carr, and the Backwoods Barbies. $20 suggested donation. Show 6-10pm.
Elinor’s legacy is evident to everyone who lives or visits our beautiful Sonoma Coast, and certainly to those of us who shared life in our tiny hometown by the sea.
On Sunday 4/21 is Easter in the Plaza. All ages. BBQ, Easter egg hunt, karaoke, Easter bonnet building, and Parade. Noon-4pm.
A Memorial Gathering will be held at the Jenner Community Center, April 6th from 1 - 3pm. Please bring finger-food to share.
Vacation Wonderland, we just keep getting better.
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