When will this community stop it? Week after week, this blogger has been involved in community events; each one has been a prime indicator of Petaluma’s Sense of Community (SOC). On Friday night, the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its establishment in 1906 with a lavish celebration at the Sheraton Hotel.
The fact that nearly 200 Petalumans gathered together to install officers for the 2006-2007 year and to recognize officers, board members, and committee chairpersons for their service to the community for 2005-2006, is another indicator of the Sense of Community of the Petalumans of today. I say, “today,” because the event also featured the Petalumans of Yesteryears. Remember them? They were the Grand Marshals in this year’s Butter & Egg Days Parade. They have been the focus of previous blogs. (See Then & Now #1, 3, 7, 10, and 13.)
Capt. Thomas Baylis, Mrs. John A. McNear (Clara), Mrs. George P. McNear (Ida Belle), Mrs. F.H. Atwater (Addie), and Mr. William Howard Pepper got “special permission” to leave their resting places at Cypress Hill Cemetery in order to share with the Chamber celebrants historical bits of information about the business enterprises and community enhancement activities in which they were involved over 100 and 150 years ago. Each personality had three minutes and 20 seconds (according to the hourglass timer), to share their stories. These prominent Petalumans of Yesteryears, plus many other citizens were the community leaders that built the foundation for the community “spirit” that still exists today.
It will be groups like the Chamber of Commerce and other civic and social organizations, that will continue to lead our historic river town through the 21st Century and continue to strengthen the bonds that connect all sectors of a healthy, safe, and thriving community: education, government, commercial, health, and non-profit organizations. On this particular occasion, the Chamber leadership had the opportunity to highlight the role of its Ambassador program for the community, as well as their efforts to insure an adequate water supply, a SMART transportation plan, a Green Building initiative, and a sound economic development component in the City’s General Plan.
Our Chamber’s 100 year old tradition of supporting the business and commercial interests of Petaluma was transferred by outgoing president, David King, to Carol Kneis, the incoming president, who will lead the PACC as it enters its second century of meeting the “changing face of business in Petaluma.” When you consider all the “indicators” that we have mentioned in recent blogs, you’ll understand why we say, “Our community is second to none!” (Check out – Our Petaluma #1, 2, 3).
Historical Note: Back in 1906, women were not members or officers of the Chamber. The first woman to serve as president was JoAnn Ritko Pozzi in 1978. They have come a long way in 100 years. Mrs. Addie Atwater’s comments certainly demonstrated the many contributions of Petaluma women to our community over 100 years ago.