• The number of Sages in Petaluma has increased over the past 49 years. The original Sage was a make-believe Petaluman named J. Abner Peddiwell, Ph.D., a professor at Petaluma State University (which never existed). Dr. Peddiwell wrote a book titled, “The Sage of Petaluma,” that was published in 1965. In reality. the author’s name was Harold Benjamin, Dean, College of Education, University of Maryland.

In 2007, this blogger initiated a conversation/discussion group called, “The Sages of Petaluma.” All of the active participants in this group deserve to be recognized as “Sages of Petaluma.” Several Sages have already had interviews  recorded on video or audio tapes. We hope to share their individual stories about growing up in Petaluma via this Petaluma360 site in future blogs. Here is a partial list of the current Sages who were either born in Petaluma and/or have lived here for over 60 years:

Dick Dunbar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Diane Dorfman                                                                                                                                                                               ShepShepard                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   JimGiovando                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         JackWithington                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Linda Morretti                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          HelenMcGaughey                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Betty Soldate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Barbara McCorkel                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Clint Grove                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Ray Elliot

Over the coming months we hope to record additional oral history interviews with these Sages and encourage them to share their memories in writing that will be posted on this blog. The younger Sages, those who have lived in Petaluma less than 60 years, will also be identified in future blogs. Stay tuned.