In any community there are proposals, policies and changes and not everyone agrees. We created our feature “Express Yourself” in Cloverdale Connect as a place to voice those concerns. After feedback from the community, we are making changes to how submissions will be considered for publication. See page 8 for details.

September is filled with great events and community spirit. Don’t miss the 32nd Annual Car Show and be sure to enjoy the Pancake Breakfast at the Senior Center that morning. The Connection is Prevention event, supporting mental health and well-being, occurs at the downtown plaza. If you love our river, you may want to sign up for the Russian River watershed cleanup. And be sure to go by and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cloverdale Saw & Mower. More details on all events on page 7.

If you crave Chef Ray Pesce’s delicious pasta, everyone will have the opportunity to order take out at the Senior Center on two special nights during October. See page 3 for details.

See you around town!

Dana

One of the things I love most about publishing Cloverdale Connect is the people I meet, and their stories. Thanks to Michele Armanino, Cloverdale Connect is able to highlight some of these each month and there are literally thousands more in our community. Everyone has life stories filled with happiness and accomplishments and grief. It’s through sharing those stories that we find compassion, friendship and fellowship.

Recently we lost a very loved member of our community, Elizabeth (see page 19). So many people have been sharing personal stories about her and they are so touching. Share stories now with each other, before it’s too late. We all have a story. Show appreciation and love, always.

On a cautionary note, I am seeing numerous warnings about rattlesnakes this year, and yellow jackets, so be careful out there when you’re hiking our great trails.

I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful summer – I am!

See you around town!

Dana

Cloverdale is celebrating Pride Month this June with a movie night at CPAC, a dance party at The Beet, Drag Bingo at La Tequila, and a picnic and karaoke in the park. You’ll find all the details inside this issue. It’s time to celebrate community!

June is also the month to acknowledge fire safety as our hillsides warm up and vegetation dries out. Maintain prudent fire break space between your home and vegetation; have a “go bag” ready and accessible; check flashlight batteries; keep phones charged; and check your fire extinguishers.

Don’t forget the “211” service that is provided by Sonoma County. This is a program of United Way of the Wine Country, During times of disaster, 211Sonoma coordinates with local and national emergency services to provide incident-specific information, including road closures, food and medical assistance, and shelter.

See you around town!

Dana

Spread out before me are packets of zinnia, sunflower, moonflower, coneflower and nasturtium seeds. It’s time! The ground is warm enough to spread these seeds in the garden and watch as they grow. Spring is the time for growth, renewal, and the magic of Mother Nature as our gardens come back to life. We are so lucky to live in such a gentle climate. The focus of this April issue is gardening. Whether it’s a small pot of flowers on your front porch or a landscaped backyard with a pool and a pagoda, it’s time to get out there and play in the dirt.

Every month, I am amazed at all the items that people send in so the word can get out into the community. I am thrilled that so many people see the value of Cloverdale Connect – “bringing our community together since 2020”. From painting fire hydrants to free feminine hygiene kits to the Veterans Hall renovations to the Little Free Food Pantry – we are an active, involved and caring community.

See you around town!

Dana

With the recent passing of Robert Duvall, I am reminded of the great novel, Lonesome Dove. It’s one of my favorites. I have read the book a couple of times, listened to the audio version several times, and watched the film version. I have always been an avid reader, and my father even built a beautiful library wall for my bedroom when I was a child, where I kept dozens of my favorite books.

This month in Cloverdale Connect, we are introducing two new features. The first is a monthly book review and the second is a spotlight on a local author from our community each month. Books provide comfort, adventure, information, and a respite from our day-to-day lives and the chaos of the outside world. We hope you enjoy these new features and the books that
are presented.

Cloverdale Connect is always interested in suggestions for new content, and welcomes reader comments.

See you around town!

Dana

February is here and it’s traditionally the love month. When’s the last time you told the people you care about specifically what you admire or are comforted by knowing them? I am at a certain age in my life when my contemporaries are passing. In December we had four memorial services to attend, so let’s have February be “appreciation” month where we stop and acknowledge the people who enhance our lives in both little tiny ways and in huge grand ways. It might make the world a little better. Instead of focusing on our differences, as we look at what we all have in common. Notice the good in people and say something out loud – that’s a great way to honor this love month.

I appreciate every one of our readers and the businesses that support this paper. I appreciate those who submit articles and the people who send emails or letters in the mail with their comments and words of appreciation. It all makes a difference.

See you around town!

Dana

I don’t know about your household, but in mine all the Holiday decorations come down between Christmas and New Year’s. Ready for a fresh start. January is the month where I go through my house and remove clothing and household items – anything I am comfortable parting with, and pass it along. This month happens to be a great time to do that as the new Thrift Store at the Grange Hall is opening! Please support them with your gently used and in-good-condition donations and by shopping there also. Drop by and see how many hard-working hands have dramatically transformed the space.

I find that everyone wants to be helpful and generous during the Holidays. Let’s extend that all year around by supporting our many non-profits in our community. They can all use our help whether it is financial or by volunteering our time. Our strong community is a result of all of us taking responsibility to assist each other.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year full of hope and surprises!

Dana

This month, let’s talk about community service. One definition is “a non-paying job performed by one person or a group of people for the benefit of their community”. Have you ever stopped to reflect on the extraordinary percentage of our local community that participates in this work? From service clubs to non-profits to individuals serving on committees or boards of directors to simple quiet compassionate acts assisting a neighbor, friend or stranger in need. We are so fortunate to live in a community that cares. As in all places, not everyone agrees politically; some see value in specific non-profits where some see no value at all. However, the work is getting done and our community is being served. If you have stories of compassion at work in Cloverdale, Geyserville and our surrounding areas, please share them with me at info@cloverdaleconnect.com. We will feature those stories in
future issues.

At Cloverdale Connect our mission is to “bring the community together with respect and dignity; uplifting community members while avoiding divisiveness, opinion, and negativity.”

I’ll see you around town!

Dana

Fall has arrived with a burst of rust and gold colors and rain showers. I love the smell in the air when it rains and how my garden perks up. I do regret that I can’t hang laundry outside for a while. It seems like I was just enjoying the 4th of July Parade and here we are with plans of Trick or Treaters, hints of upcoming Holiday Events, a chill in the air and a dash to grab a sweatshirt before running out the door.

I was chatting with a friend the other day about how much we love living in the Cloverdale area and that it is such a secret little gem in Sonoma County. Our community consists of people who have been here for generations and those who have made a conscious choice to move here and make this their home. What we have here is so very special and should ever be taken for granted. Ours is a unique community and a reflection of the hard-working business owners, volunteers, non-profit organizations and public servants who create a wonderful environment.

I’ll see you around town!

Dana

Irecently found an original hand thrown ceramic platter signed by Eric Norstad at the local thrift store, Heaven’s Closet. I wonder how that specific platter ended up in Cloverdale for me to discover, like a hidden treasure? It now sits in the center of our dining table, overflowing with fresh-picked tomatoes, blackberries, and peaches and apples from our trees. Sitting in my fountain in the backyard, I have four little ceramic angels that one of his potters at the Norstad Studio made for me; I keep my pens on my desk in one of Eric’s hand-thrown vessels; and I have a small Norstad vase where I put the roses I’ve cut from the garden.

I met Eric back in the 80’s and enjoyed a wonderful close friendship with him and his family for years. Decades have gone by and so many things are different; lives have changed, and yet today, I can enjoy that artwork in my home. Lifelong friends represented in pieces of art scattered throughout my property.

Find the treasures; honor the friendships; keep the memories.

I’ll see you around town!

Dana