125 years ago – March 21, 1901
Forced out: The Great Eastern disposing of their stock of goods
Those in need of clothing, shoes, hats, etc., should call on the Great Eastern Clothing House at once, as they are selling out regardless of cost and must vacate their store by April 1st, as the following notice will show:
“Messrs. Rosenberg & Cerf—Take notice that you are hereby requested to quit and deliver up to me the possession of the premises now held and occupied by you, being the premises known as the first floor of the northeast side of the Masonic block, situated on the west side of West street, between Matheson and North streets, in the City of Healdsburg, at the expiration of the month of your monthly tenancy of said premises, commencing on the first day of March, 1901, and ending the first day of April, 1901. This is intended as a month’s notice to quit for the purpose of terminating your tenancy aforesaid. Henry Fox. Dated at Healdsburg, Cal., Mar. 4, 1901.”
75 years ago – March 22, 1951
Premiere of ‘Life in Healdsburg’ held yesterday
First showing of the natural-colored motion picture “Life in Healdsburg” filmed during the past week throughout the Healdsburg area was premiered yesterday at the Aven Theatre. Stars of the film were the town Healdsburg, its citizens and its numerous activities.
Produced, photographed and directed by Robert Allen, the president of Reelife Productions, Los Angeles, the film depicts the activities of the city of Healdsburg. Starting on Tuesday, March 13, Allen has taken shots of various clubs and organizations in action, church functions, fire, police departments, schools, local industries and a number of street scenes. The film, narrated with a musical background arranged by Allen, will be shown at all regular performances tonight. The natural-colored motion picture, upon its final presentation, will be kept in Healdsburg for use by local organizations.
50 years ago – March 18, 1976
High School band asks: Pledge those nickels and dimes
The countdown on the downbeat has begun. Tonight, 43 members of the Healdsburg High School band and their 41-year-old director Lew Sbrana will try to sleep like they have never slept before because tomorrow, at 8 a. m., the music will begin and it will go on, and on, and on–for 50 straight hours band members try to set a world record for continuous play, and pick up $7,000 or $8,000 in spare change along the way.
It’s all part of the band’s effort to raise the $15,000 necessary for members to fly to Washington D.C. for the June 14 Festival of Nations. Healdsburg is the only Northern California band to be invited and band members have been selling pledges for weeks to raise funds for the trip. Donors agree to pay a specified amount for each hour that the band continues to play as it tries to break the 48-hour record set by a Eureka band.
During the 50-hour concert, a number of alumni and friends of the band are expected to “sit in” for a number. Mayor Robert Sauers and Schools Superintendent Robert Malone are among those who will spin out some sweet (or sour) notes. The evening will be punctuated by the appearance of guest conductors — at $1 a try Pastor Bill Hayes has promised to pray for the right beat as he conducts, attorney Mike Welty says he won’t take the band to court if it can’t follow the swing of his baton, and Dentist Don Watts will try to drill out a snappy number or two.
Salvation Army Field Representative Don Torgerson, a singer, will maybe shake a tambourine with the group to help the band members through the long nights. Special appearances by various characters and animals will be made in Frost Hall, where it all takes place. Players are allowed a five-minute break every hour and, fortunately, they can accumulate their break time. Parents will have “tons of food and oceans of beverages” on hand, they proudly report.
