Geyserville Grapevine by deTraci Regula - May 2018
While April gave us some more rain, the fourth month of the year also gave us some glistening sunny days. Now the vines are starting to leaf out and it feels like new life has really begun to spring up. There are still plenty of reminders of the fires last fall – right by 101 the black branches of trees that once stood by a tiny stream are a few of the haunting reminders of that terrible time. But delayed weddings are keeping winery locations busy and the visitors who stayed away in the aftermath of the fires are now returning like bright, welcome migrating birds. And we start to turn to the coming summer and its many activities.
As we look ahead with hope, let’s not completely forget that lovely May is technically the beginning of the fire season, and as the rains taper off, let’s all use this time to make ourselves and our communities safer.
One way of doing that is by attending the COPE meeting and breakfast at the Oriental (Grange) Hall in Geyserville on Sunday,May 6th. Organized by Pocket Fire evacuee, Margie Hanselman, this particular COPE group focuses on the northeastern parts of Geyserville, but the information shared will be of use to anyone and all are welcome. Hanselman hopes that others will organize COPE groups throughout the rest of Geyserville.
Among other disaster-preparedness activities at this meeting will be a hands-on demonstration of how to use a chainsaw to remove debris and clear escape routes in an emergency. While much of the information will be fire-related since that is on everyone’s minds, COPE is actually designed to help communities cope with just about anything big and sudden – including fires, floods, and earthquakes. The idea is to foster resilience by learning useful skills and forming a community which is already in communication with each other, so the unexpected can be dealt with more effectively.
One bright spot in the month of May
is Geyserville’s long-standing May Day Celebration, held this year on May 6th from noon to 4pm in the afternoon. This event began in about 1925 and continues vigorously to the present day. Admission is free but you will want to bring enough cash to participate in the taste-testing for the Kiwanis Rib Cook-off and to enjoy the other tasty food and snacks available. The traditional crowning of the May Queen will take place at 1:20pm and the 3rd-grader May Pole Dance at 2pm, along with music by Hilary Marckx and dancing from the local Ballet Folklorico. The fun is at the Hoffman Picnic Grounds at the north end of Geyserville, just beyond our iconic Red Barn on the east side of Geyserville Avenue – also known as the Redwood Highway.
Art lovers alert
– there are still a few tickets available as of this writing for the annual Oliver Ranch Tour where participants have a rare close-up look at the 18 art works adorning the 100-acre preserve devoted to site-specific art. The Oliver Ranch was created by Steven and Nancy Oliver with the first piece of art commissioned in 1985. Be aware that the art trail covers about 2.5 miles and there is some uneven ground, so wear good shoes. There are no restrooms and no wheelchair access. It’s usually a sell-out and it’s unusual that there are still tickets available so close to the date, so don’t miss your chance. You can order tickets on-line atgeyservillechamber.com/product/oliver-ranch-tour/. For more information, contact Karen Waelde at 707-857-1728 ormoreinfo@geyservillecc.com. The tour is limited to 50 people.
