Mike Read/Pages From The Past
(Editor’s Note: Pages From The Past remembers Novato through the years via the pages of the historic Novato Advance.)
100 Years Ago
November 1922
– The election passed quietly and in order in Novato and notwithstanding the inclement weather a large vote was polled. Many of the county candidates having no opposition, workers were not as numerous as usual. A write-in candidate appeared at the eleventh hour in opposition to F. DeLucchi for constable, but he “went the way of most candidates who seek election in that manner. The following is the result of the combined vote in the two Novato precincts: Justice of the Peace— Rudolff -458, Lindsay (comp.) 6. Constable— DeLucchi-422, Lawrence 51. Supervisor Fifth District— Sweetser 453, Geary (comp.) 4. County Assessor— Sawyer 354, Pacheco 177.
75 Years Ago
November 1947
– Funeral services for the late Mrs. Adlee Larkin on Saturday filled the Williams mortuary in San Rafael with friends and relatives, A number from Novato included. Rev. Seth Parker, of Novato Presbyterian church, officiated at the chapel and at the graveside in Tamalpais cemetery where interment was made beside her late husband, Roy Larkin. The Larkins came to Novato from the middle west eight years ago and resided in their home on Virginia Avenue. Mr. Larkin was claimed by death, by a heart ailment in 1947. He had been a guard at San Quentin prison. Mrs. Larkin had been an operator at the Novato switchboard until she died from pneumonia. A 12-year-old daughter, Barbara, was orphaned by the demise of both parents within a year.
50 Years Ago
November 1972
– Requiem mass was celebrated Saturday in Sonoma for George Schilling, long time Novato businessman and philanthropist who died Wednesday at the age of 78. His death came 120 days after the death of his friend and business partner Clara Meyers who had left him half interest in the Mission Lodge Motel here providing he outlived her by 150 days. Mrs. Meyers had willed the other half interest in the motel, valued at $200,000, to the Novato Boys’ Club. Before his death. Schilling said he too intended to leave his share of the motel to the Boys’ Club. The Boys’ Club house, to be built on Wilson Avenue, will be named the “Meyers-Schilling Center” in honor of the two philanthropists. Officials of the club plan to use the profits from the motel’s income to operate the club. Schilling was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1917, settling soon afterward in the Novato area. He left no survivors. For more than 20 years he was a partner with the late Henry Meyers in Quality Bakery on Grant Avenue, and for 15 years he was a partner with Meyers’ widow in residential development. He moved to Sonoma in 1962.
– Redevelopment Agency Formed – The city council attacked the problem of fragmented shopping and listless business growth here on two fronts last night: It finally decided to go ahead and constitute itself as a redevelopment agency and it agreed on a new name and membership for the old Downtown Plan implementation committee. It also agreed to change the name of the committee to “Downtown’ Plan Implementation and Business Development Advisory Committee (DPIBDAC).”
– Less than $45,000 remains to be raised before officials of the Novato Boys’ Club can break ground for the much-needed youth guidance clubhouse on Wilson Avenue, opposite Sinaloa Junior High School. A one-year pledge of $5 monthly by 744 families would put the drive over the top. The drive to raise $150,000 for site purchase and construction costs began a little over 15 months ago. Supporters of the club have been successful in raising $105,392.13. This figure includes pledges by individuals, organizations and foundations; memorials; proceeds from the sale of the “Dream House;” special events and benefits; and thrift shop profits Club directors hope to break ground in the spring, providing the building fund drive is successful.
25 Years Ago
November 1997
– Bill McDill, a physical therapist whose good humor and willingness to help have touched young and old, is Novato’s Citizen of the Year. McDill was genuinely surprised when his good friend, David Price Jones, made the announcement of his selection at the Novato Chamber of Commerce’s annual Awards and Recognition Dinner. “Last Year we had Bronco Billy and this year we have Billy McDilly,” grinned Jones, referring to last year’s honored citizen, architect Bill Kelly. “I’m totally blown away,” said McDill after learning of the honor. “To be include with all the former citizens of the year is a wonderful honor* The naming of McDill came at the end of a gala evening that included the honoring of Novato Office Supply and Birkenstock Footprint Sandals as the city’s “Businesses of the Year,” and the installation of new Chamber President Nohemi Beissmann and her board.
– Novato Office Supply, 1608 Grant Ave., will close for business on Friday, Nov. 14. Owner Jim White says he will remain in the commercial office supply business and will soon begin his endeavor under a new name. Novato Office Supply has been in business for 31 years and was recently honored as the Novato Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year.
– Vowing to “emphasize what is good in Novato and listen to ways to make it better,” Carole Dillon-Knutson became Novato’s mayor Tuesday night. On a night that was all smiles and hugs, Dillon-Knutson took the mayor’s gavel from Pat Eklund on a unanimous vote of her fellow council members. Mike Di Giorgio was chosen mayor pro tern and is in line to become mayor next year. Eklund, although she moved out of the mayor’s chair, had her own reason to celebrate as she was sworn in for a second term on the council after receiving the most votes out of five candidates in the Nov. 4 election. Jim Henderson became the newest councilmember as he, too, was sworn into office by City Clerk Shirley Gremmels.
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