Out and About in the neighborhood
Consider it “déjà vu all over again” when I write, as did Myrna David in her last column, that I haven’t been out and about much recently. My excuse is a sore knee, so I’m grateful that a cancellation allowed me to get in for a MRI on Sunday, rather than have to wait until January. However, I will have to wait for the outcome and “next steps” — just not too long, I hope. Naturally, I’m anticipating a “perfect MRI.” As my mother once said, “It’s hell to get old.” So true, Mom.
Fortunately, I can still drive. So I was able to get to Wine Time and enjoy the wines and stories of local vintner Mark Jessup, theoriginal owner of Jessup Cellars. Two weeks later we tasted Petite Sirah, when Wine Time host Tom Bardessono shared his own bottle and two more from Quixote on Silverado Trail and Mettler from Lodi. Thanks, again, to all of the hosts this semester, as well as Susan Townsley Swartz and Samantha Holland for keeping this Golden Ticket class going.
If you’re a reader, and enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend “33 Place Brugmann” by Alice Austen. It was chosen by my recent book club host, Linda Krautz, and all of us agreed that it was a well-written example of WWII resistance.
A visit to nurse practitioner Keri Montgomery revealed that she had previously lived in Yountville for five years. Discovering that we had friends in common, she asked to be remembered to former neighbors, Kathy and Joe Tagliaboschi, Inez Brocco, and two more that everyone knows, Rob Stout and Rita Simke.
Because I’m flying to Washington state for Christmas with my family, I chose to stay nearby for Thanksgiving. Liz Moffitt graciously invited me to her home to share a traditional turkey dinner with her family. I happily added buttery, garlicky mashed potatoes to the menu, along with a few bottles of wine just in case anyone was thirsty. Fortunately, Liz, Dave and Mary Ann Moffitt, Alex and Lauren Herr and Lucy Herr were able to determine the wines’ drinkability. The grandchildren, Charlie and Isabel, refrained.
I wanted to find someone who attended Jeff Durham’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner and report the names of diners, but my search revealed that Lorraine Visovsky was not only not partaking, but was in Vail, Colorado – lucky her! My other source, the aforementioned, Rita shared that she and Rob would be dining at North Block. I later learned from her that their meal was most excellent, but they seemed to be the only locals in attendance. So, it as a relief to note the photo and comment on Nextdoor Yountville from Lawrence Koga, who did attend the dinner and thanked Jeff and Traci Bailey and all the volunteers, where “wine flowed as did the conversations.”
Speaking of Nextdoor Yountville, I enjoyed the humorous post from Hos Padmesh sharing the photo advertising New Yoga in Napa. The photo leads to more questions, and one might have to try it out.
Because this is a particular season of giving, out of one’s goodness or adding another tax deduction before year’s end, I am getting countless requests for donations in my mailbox and online. I have chosen to contribute through Can Do’s Gift Guide Napa Valley to If Given a Chance, but their options seem endless, and a visit to candogiftguide.org will allow anyone to help a local cause.
Diane Bartholomew invites everyone to her 13th annual Yountville Art Studio Celebration. The studio will be open for viewing Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 6, 7, 20 and 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by 6620 Jefferson St. or email [email protected] to find out more about ceramic mugs, one of a kind T-shirts, greeting cards, original paintings and more available for sale.
I’m not one for outdoor lights and holiday decorations, but it’s a pleasure to look over my back patio and enjoy the festive yard of my neighbors, Nathaniel and Tawnya Dorn. A drive on Oak Circle takes me by another decked out front yard belonging to neighbor and retired town manager Steve Rogers. Holiday thanks to anyone brightening the neighborhoods, and our spirits, with lights and all the trimmings.
Returning from my “perfect MRI” on Sunday, I stopped to check out the Yountville Kiosk near the Post Office driveway. Two friendly Yountville Parks and Recreation Department employees, Charlotte Siemsen and “just Adrian” greeted me and answered my questions about the holiday offerings. Especially lovely was the original artwork on greeting cards and gift tags by local artist Ivy Zellmer. I left with my purchases and promised to return, hoping that Samantha Holland is able to reorder some T-shirts with a particular design and in a particular size for my grandson’s Christmas loot.
Here’s wishing everyone a most joyous holiday season and happy new year.
Cheers!
Susan
[email protected]
Sponsored
Author
