Dennis W. Parker

Dennis W. Parker passed peacefully on March 2, 2022, in his hometown of Cloverdale, California. Born in San Francisco to Walter and Irene (Gianoli) Parker on October 7, 1943, Dennis was raised in Cloverdale, a 1961 graduate of Cloverdale High School.  He played French Horn and was a star athlete (baseball, basketball, football). He was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman throughout his entire life.

The first time Dennis left California was to attend the US Coast Guard Academy.  He sailed the USCG Barque Eagle to Europe in 1963 and through the Panama Canal to San Francisco in 1965.  He graduated in 1966 and married Katie Wilhelm the next year.  Two weeks later he deployed to Vietnam for one year aboard the USCG Cutter Gresham.

After returning stateside, completing Naval flight training in Pensacola and USCG flight training in Mobile, he became a Search & Rescue helicopter pilot.  Dennis and his growing family (daughters Joanne and Judy) served tours in Astoria, Oregon; Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Ogden, Utah; Kodiak, Alaska; San Diego, California; and Washington, D.C.  Through it all he continued his education, earning two Masters’ degrees (Business/Counseling) in Puerto Rico and teaching Air Force flight school in Utah.  Dennis earned several Commendation Medals, Ribbons and Meritorious Citations during his career.  He was especially proud of his Air Medal earned for a July 4, 1978, rescue in Kodiak.  He cherished his life-long friendships with his Coast Guard classmates and participated in veterans’ organizations with pride.

Wilhelmina “Willi” Castagnetto

Wilhelmina Diane Thoeni-Castagnetto, departed her loving family on March 4th, 2022 at her residence in Cloverdale. Willi was born in Florida in 1958 and was later adopted in 1960 by Evelyn Alaska Thoeni and Kenneth Christian Thoeni. Willi was a mother to three sons who she raised with love and devotion with her husband Kevin.

An avid animal lover, Willi was known to foster animals, giving them a second chance at life. Her fun and eccentric personality was always on display, through her fashion, love of amazing food, and appreciation in a variety of music.

She is survived by her sons, Nicholas Lopedota, 40, Travis Castagnetto, 34, Wyatt Castagnetto, 30, husband Kevin Castagnetto, 62, and brother Rick Thoeni, 73.

She was laid to rest at Olive Hill Cemetery in Geyserville on March 11th. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sonoma County SPCA can be made in Willi’s name. 

by David Maciel
Sponsored by Ray’s Food Place, Furber Plaza
Easter is approaching and I enjoy scalloped potatoes with the family dinner. This version uses three cheeses so it’s very rich and hard to put the fork down. I use Yukon potatoes, they are much more flavorful.
Ingredients
• Salt and pepper
• 4 pounds baking potatoes, scrubbed
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère or crumbled Blue cheese (about 5 1/2 oz.)
• 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3 bay leaves
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, set aside until potatoes are cool

In a small skillet, melt 1 Tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring until tender, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a medium bowl.

Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a large baking sheet with foil. Generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and place it on lined baking sheet. Add Gruyère, Cheddar, Parmesan, thyme, 2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper to onion mixture and stir until well combined.

Peel and slice potatoes 1/4-inch thick. Arrange 1/3 of potatoes in baking dish, and sprinkle with 1/3 of cheese mixture.

Repeat layering twice, finishing with cheese. Pour cream over potatoes, press bay leaves on top. Bake until cream is mostly absorbed and top is golden brown and bubbling, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

Let cool 10 minutes and serve.