100 years ago – May 14, 1925
STARBUCK RETURNS FROM AVIATION MEET
Arthur Starbuck, Healdsburg’s premier aviator, returned Sunday night after attending the two-day aviation meet at Sacramento. Arthur reports a most successful meet, and states that the wonderful strides in the progress of aviation is indicated in the fact that despite the continual flying of about 70 airplanes for two days, with landing and taking off, stunt flying, etc. there was not one air accident, save that of a parachute jumper, who landed too hard when he struck the ground.
75 years ago – May 26, 1950Â
LYTTON HOME WILL BE SCENE OF HORSE SHOW MEMORIAL DAY
On the grounds of the Salvation Army Boys’ and Girls’ home at Lytton, the Junior Russian River Riders will stage their fifth annual horse show on Memorial Day. The show will feature riders from one to 18 years of age who will engage in a combined total of 16 different tests of horsemanship. Sponsoring the affair are Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thrift, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Galian and Art Smart. Byron Gibbs will be the announcer for the event while the judge will be Jack Manners of Lafayette. The public is cordially invited.
Events, which are open to all classes, include but are not limited to: Peanut Horsemanship Class – under 8 years, Men and Women Trail Class, Junior Trail Class – 12 to 18 years, Senior Stockhorse Class, Junior and Senior Piggyback Race, Bareback Obstacle Race, Three-Legged Race, Special Event – Pole Bending, Bareback Junior Race, Relay Race (open), Musical Chairs, Children’s Mounts, (Western), Shetland Pony Class – 12 years and under. The Horse Show will begin at 1:00 p.m. Children of the Home will be in charge of a refreshment stand.
50 years ago – May 15, 1975
WINE FEST ATTRACTS RECORD CROWD
A warm afternoon and good wine combined to draw the largest crowd in the brief history of the Russian River May Wine Fest Saturday to the Healdsburg Plaza. Fourteen area wineries took part in the affair which began drawing a large crowd even before they were ready to begin serving. Preliminary figures from Chamber of Commerce Manager Frank Thrall indicated that about 3,000 people attended, 1,000 more than last year, and ticket chairman Julie Richardson reports brisk sales throughout the day. More than $3,000 was collected.
The event was marred by several fights late in the afternoon. As the afternoon wore on a number of young children were permitted by their parents to splash and play in the Plaza fountain. The children frequently squirted water on Fest guests and were difficult to control. Healdsburg Police arrested two men on charges of resisting arrest and disturbing the peace, after officer Don McNair was reportedly jumped by them. Officers were called as back-up and units from the county sheriff’s office began patrols.
Besides the problem of the fountain and numerous unleashed dogs, chamber members said later that they felt the affair’s hours might be shortened next year and that a quieter form of music should be played than some that was on the bill.
The Flashbackers are docents for the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society. The museum is featuring a new exhibit on Pomo basketry; open 11am-4pm Wednesday through Sunday.
