In my last blog, we reported the volunteer activities of the Petalumans of Yesteryear, when they were alive and active in the community affairs of our favorite River Town. As we approach the annual Butter & Eggs Day parade, this coming Saturday, when the Petalumans of Yesteryear will be the Parade Marshals, we want to document the volunteer activities of the Petalumans who have adopted the personalities of these earlier Petalumans and demonstrate that our community spirit of volunteerism is still alive … today.

Susan Coolidge (Clara McNear) moved to Petaluma in 1997 and is still active as a walking tour guide of historic downtown Petaluma for the public, school children, chartered tours, as well as other special events sponsored by the Petaluma Historical Museum & Library. She also serves as a volunteer for the Polly Klaas Foundation and the County Library’s book sales, Susan is an accredited judge for the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and has bee the State Flower Shows Awards Chairman since 2011. In addition, she is currently the Co-President of the Santa Rosa Flower Arrangers Guild and has been on the board of the Luther Burbank District of California Garden Clubs, Inc. for over 10 years.

Marshal West (Isaac Wickersham) came to Petaluma in 1995 and is currently serving as a director for the Petaluma Historical Society and Sons in Retirement (SIRS) Chapter #58. (Also past Big Sir, Little Sir, and treasurer.) He conducts walking, bus, and boat tours of historic Petaluma. Is the treasurer for Elim Lutheran Church and Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association. Over the years, Marshall has been a volunteer for the Art & Garden Festival, Sonoma Marin Fair, and the Petaluma Arts Council, plus Petaluma Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee, treasurer for the Petaluma Trolley Corp, Old Adobe Association, Petaluma Museum Association, and the Finance Committee for Cinnabar Theater, as well as Santa Claus for the Sons of Norway Christmas parties.

Stay tuned for additional volunteer contributions, by the Petalumans of Yesteryear to the Petaluma community.
Today