125 years ago – June 6, 1901
Commencement Exercises:
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to Be Given by High School Pupils
Thursday evening, June 20th, the commencement exercises of the Healdsburg High School will be held at Truitt’s Theater. The exercises promise to be very interesting, it being the close of the four-year course. Eleven scholars will graduate this year, and their diplomas will entitle them to enter the State University without examination, should they desire. The number of graduates is very creditable, and reflects honor on Professor Bull and his able assistants in the High School.
On the evening mentioned the scholars will present the beautiful fairy-story drama, Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The scholars have been rehearsing the piece for several weeks under the able direction of Mrs. J. B. Davis, and the entertainment will be a rare treat. “What fools these mortals be!” remarks Puck to Oberon, after witnessing some of the love scenes of the play. Those who intend to witness the performance — and doubtless nearly everyone does — should read the drama previous to its presentation.
75 years ago – June 14, 1951
Camp Maacama Building Nears Completion
Construction of a new administration building was started at Camp Maacama, the Camp Fire Girls’ Camp in Alexander Valley, last Sunday and Camp Fire officials believe that the new structure would be completed by today. The administration building replaces the old structure which was destroyed by fire of unknown origin early Saturday morning.
Cleaning of the area was started Saturday afternoon under the direction of Charles Haun, camp chairman, and by midday Sunday the debris had been cleared away and construction started on the new building.
Miss Helen Hermann, Area Director of the Camp Fire Girls, stated that “insurance covered the loss of approximately $3,500. Some $500 worth of handicraft material that had been brought to the camp building the week before, and much of the girls’ completed handicraft, were among other things destroyed.”
The fire was discovered by a passing motorist about 5 a.m. Saturday morning who turned in the alarm at Calistoga. Camp Maacama, with an enrollment of 110 campers at each session, is scheduled to open June 17.
50 years ago – June 10, 1976
Voters Reject School Tax
For the third time in a year and a half Healdsburg High School District voters have rejected a proposed tax revenue limit increase. In the final, unofficial tally, 52.7% of 2,785 voters opposed Measure “E” with 47.2%, 2,498 voting in favor of the tax boost. “I think we lost because the people don’t want to pay more taxes,” remarked a despondent Ed Sugars, principal of Mountain View High School, shortly after the final returns came in at 12:35 a.m. Wednesday.
Defeat of the tax measure may mean elimination of electives at Healdsburg and Windsor Junior High Schools, curtailment of extra-curricular activities at Healdsburg High, and dismissal of a number of teachers and classified employees. Voters rejected the measure, which would have brought an additional $467,000, roughly 69 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
The Flashbackers are docents with the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society. The Museum is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday, 11am to 4pm, at 221 Matheson St. healdsburgmuseum.org
