Mike Reed/Pages From The Past
100 Years Ago
June 1921
— A jazz Dance will be given by Novato Grove No.113, U.A.O.D. at Loustaunau Hall. Music by Fumsasoli Jazz Orchestra of San Francisco. Dancing 9 p.m. until 2 a/m/ Admission; Gents 75c; Ladies 25c; including war tax.
— Novato Woman Buys A Paige Sport Car – C. W. Leppia, local distributor for Paige cars, with temporary quarters in the L. S. Lindsley garage in Main street Petaluma, this week has delivered an Ardmore 4 passenger sport model to Mrs. Rob Brown, of Novato. The Ardmore makes the third Paige car Mrs. Brown has owned, and she declares no other car can compare with her favorite.
100 years ago, Novatoan Mrs. Brown bought her third Page sports car. Above is the 1917 Paige Ardmore roadster.
75 Years Ago
June 1946
— The death of Antone Dilena at the age of 82 at his home of his daughters, Mrs. Stella Sampietro in San Rafael, caused regret among old timers in Novato. The Dilena family purchased 10 acres of land in 1913 on the road leading to Hicks valley, now the Novato Boulevard where he built his home and established a ranch. His wife died many years ago and he went to San Rafael to live with his daughter. He was a native of Switzerland but came to California in young manhood.
— The very attractive new theatre and store buildings being built by A.W. Bowman is nearing completion. The new sidewalk was poured this week and the front of the buildings are beginning to take on that about-finished” look. Opening date of the theatre is not yet definitely known but should be in the near future. The show house is one of the most modern in the state and will be a credit to Novato and the surrounding area.
50 Years Ago
June 1971
— Directors of Western Weekend, Inc., are firming up plans for the Western Country Fair, to be held June 17-20 at the east end of Rowland Boulevard. The Buckaroo Breakfast, scheduled for 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the Lee Bros. parking lot. The tug of war between the chamber of commerce and the Jaycees, scheduled for Sunday. The water ball fight between the Novato and Kentfield volunteer firemen, slated for Sunday.
— A record turnout of an estimated 400 persons lined the street to watch the seventh annual Bogey Lane Invitational Soapbox Derby Monday in Marin Golf and Country Club Estates. The competition featured different classes with 15 cars in each class. The top race was in Class C, a nonrestricted class, with the top three drivers finishing within tenths of a second of each other. Gordon Walker was first in 29.3. Richard Sisk, second, 20.5, and Jeff Borchardt, third, 20.6. Mike Mani received the sportsman award and Brad Dinsmore’s car was judged the most original.
— Rising costs have forced the Novato Volunteer Firemen’s Association to raise the price of adult tickets for its annual chicken barbecue. Tickets for adults will now be $2, an increase of 50 cents. Children under 12 will still be admitted for 75 cents. The annual barbecue on the Silveira Ranch on High 101 north of Novato is set for June 13. Food will be served at noon. Games and activities for persons: of all ages will be offered during the afternoon.
— Bill Almeida has been named “officer in charge” of the Novato post office. His new title became effective Saturday. Retiring Postmaster Harry Overly’s last day with the post office was Monday. “Almeida joined the post office in Novato in 1953, just after getting out of the Army. He has been assistant postmaster since 1981. Almeida was born and raised in Novato, attending the Grant Avenue School and graduating from San Rafael High School in 1947. He now lives with his wife Joan and daughter Linda, 17. Overly retired after 17 years with the post office. He has been postmaster in Novato since 1961.
25 Years Ago
June 1996
— The Novato Senior Citizens Club is arguably Novato’s most active organization; it is unarguably its largest with more than 750 members, and it is indisputably the most fun. It is also one of the community’s oldest clubs. This year it celebrates its 30th year of incorporation, although it is really 32 years old, having been formed in 1964. The club donated $30,000 for architectural plans for the Margaret Todd Senior Center and later donated a check for $100,000 to the city for furnishings for the center. All totaled, the Novato Senior Citizen’s Club has contributed close to $200,000 to the Margaret Todd Senior Center—and this from a club that charges just $8 a year per member dues. The money is raised the old-fashioned way, through bake sales, a Christmas boutique and other club-inspired fund-raising events.
— The Novato Theatre is in the process of getting a facelift, thanks to members of the Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise which gathered Saturday morning to paint and clean the front of the building. A second work party is planned for this coming Saturday when members of the Novato Community Players, Miss Marin Pageant, Novato Music Association and San Marin High School Music Department will decorate the theater windows with photographs, programs and graphics and hang banners reading “Coming Soon” to demonstrate the variety of shows that will be coming to the theater once the current restoration project is compete. The restoration will convert the movie theater into a performing arts center with 335 to 350 new seats, a balcony and state-of-the-art sound, lighting and air-conditioning systems.
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