# 148 - February 11th, 2009

Greetings one and all…Are you sitting comfortably - then I shall begin…Well the ‘Original’ Crab Feed to benefit St. Elizabeth Seton Church was once again a huge success and many thanks should go to Gloria Ross and her team of excellent helpers for their superb effort. The dinner was as good as ever but many people commented that this year’s servers/wait staff were the best yet and I must agree. They were very efficient and their attentiveness was excellent and, together with John Schultz and his assistants ensuring that the wine never stopped flowing, the dining experience was first-rate. Apart from the ‘Feed’ itself, as I’ve said many times before, it is arguably the best one-night Valley event of the year in terms of socializing and at which to experience the wonderful sense of community that exists in our little world with its wide variety of characters, backgrounds, and cultures...Oh, and for the traditionalists/historians amongst you – yes, I maintained my record and was the last guest to leave for the sixth year in succession, not to mention that I was also the first one to arrive on this occasion. “You must be very proud, Vulch” I can hear you say...
Certainly a strength of The Valley is its community spirit and unity, so in honor of President Lincoln, whose birthday is tomorrow (Feb.12th, with Presidents Day to follow on Monday 16th), here are his clear and concise words on this topic, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” This from a man who knew what he was talking about when it came to solving the problems of ‘divided houses’ – not that the Valley is faced with the kind of problems he had to confront of course...
With time a little limited this week let’s move straight to The Valley Quiz, now at it’s new (temporary?) position in the middle of the column – a subtle change suggested by my old friend Tommy, The Birmingham Buzzard – an avid reader and all-round newspaper connoisseur... Answers at the end...
1. Before it became known as Wellspring in the seventies what was the name of this resort in Philo?
2. In which period did Boontling, the local dialect, flourish before it began to fade away from everyday use?
a) 1855 – 1885 b) 1885 – 1915 c) 1915 - 1945
3. Who was the Ranch Manager at the Mailliard-owned Ornbaun Ranch following World War 2? (Clue – he continues to play a very important role at The County Fair Sheep Dog Trial to this day)...
p.s. If anyone would like to pose their own Valley Quiz questions feel free to e-mail them to me - the address is listed below...
Public Service Announcements...#214: The vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital will be here tomorrow (Feb. 12th) at Dig Supplies on Hwy 128, a mile or so north of Philo. For your pet care needs and to save you from going to Ukiah, be there between 2pm and 3.30pm... And # 215: No Barn Sale until March, I am reliably informed...Finally, #216: The 18th Annual Variety Show will be at The Grange on Friday/Saturday, March 6th/7th – call Captain Rainbow at 895-3807 to arrange an audition to get your act included. Animal acts are strongly encouraged but remember this is a family event! Having said that, I know I’m not alone in thinking that an ‘Adult’ Variety Show (not just for animal acts of course) at which all kinds of ‘entertainment for the ‘Over 18’s’ would be welcome. Is anyone out there interested in putting this together?...
Perhaps I should go now - I’ll get my coat shall I?...Meanwhile, be careful out there; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you... Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey”…Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture…
p.s. Sincere best wishes for a full recovery to Silver Swan who underwent surgery this past week – many people’s thoughts are with you so take care and I hope to see you soon...
You can contact me with words of support/abuse by e-mail at turkeyvulture1 @ earthlink.net…
Quiz answers...
1. Ray’s Resort, after its founder, Avon Ray.
2. b) - Boontling, originally developed in Bell Valley (The Belk Region), was used extensively in the Valley before World War 1.
3. Guido Pronsolino held that job during the years when sheep still played a big part in the Valley’s daily life. He has been the commentator at the Sheep Dog Trial for many years...