Sunday E-dition: We have so many reasons to be thankful
By Dave Stoneberg
NAPA, Calif. — Good morning! I want to thank you for reading our stories on Napa Valley Features, I hope you’re finding them useful and interesting. I want to thank you for subscribing, as more than 1,250 of you have. And if you can pay a little bit — less than a fancy cup of coffee at your favorite morning place — to support our efforts to bring you journalism that you won’t find anywhere else, all of us at Napa Valley Features would appreciate it.
We’re a reader-supported effort. We’re not trying to sell you anything other than good information, and we really appreciate your being here. Without you there’s no point in us writing anything. Please subscribe if you haven’t yet done so, and please pay the low rate of $5 a month if you can. Thank you.
We started this online effort in mid-May, and so far we’ve published 97 stories at 6 a.m. every morning, just in time to read with your cup of coffee.
Last week those stories included a variety of news features from all over Napa County. Who knew that there’s only one certified rattlesnake catcher in all of Northern California? Tim Carl knew and told us about Len Ramirez. It’s a story worth reading.
I’m not much into horses, but I do love a parade — my summer’s not complete without seeing at least one — and I especially love the mounted riders. Rosemarie Kempton told us about a celebration of Napa County’s cowboy culture.
Also on Tuesday my journalist buddy Anne Ward Ernst shot us an email telling us about Brad Suhr, a well-respected businessman in Calistoga. While he was on vacation on the East Coast he suffered bleeding in the brain and was airlifted to a hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. The story was told through Facebook posts, mostly by his wife, Sharon, but also by Brad’s brother, Garrett. I shared the story with help from Tim Carl. A Thursday post from Sharon said Brad’s healing continues without complications, although the doctors still don’t know where the brain is bleeding. And she says Brad’s pain is becoming more manageable.
She continues, “We have so much to be thankful for,” including the prayers, love and support from all of you. Brad and Sharon raised their three daughters in Calistoga, and he’s the owner of the Calistoga Bikeshop. Thank you for your continued prayers and good wishes.
On Wednesday and Thursday two new writers joined the fray: Kathleen Reynolds told us about a tiki exhibit at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville, and Jeni Olsen wrote about the work she’s doing with youth and their mental health. Thank you, Kathleen and Jeni, for sharing your stories and experiences with our audience.
A late-breaking story happened on Thursday night: It was probably the last locals’ night at Gary’s Wine & Marketplace in St. Helena. Owner Gary Fisch said the demise of the business was because of too many disasters, challenges that could not be overcome despite their best efforts. The last day of business is uncertain, but Gary’s will probably close by mid-August.
On Friday veteran newsman Paul Franson admitted that he was tired just reading about all the events he could attend over the weekend – there was a slew of them – and Saira Bates wrote about the beauty of her hollyhocks, representing the Master Gardeners of Napa County.
Finally, on Saturday veteran features editor and reporter Sasha Paulsen wrote about the opening of a new hotspot for wine, cocktails and more in Napa called The Fink and operated by the team of Judd Finkelstein and Andrew Salazar.
Looking forward to next week, John Dunbar, former Yountville mayor, has written a detailed report on Napa County’s wildfire mitigation efforts; Eduardo Dingler writes about the past, present and future of downtown Napa in relation to bars, wineries and cocktail lounges; and I will tell the story of the 10th anniversary of a local Volkswagen club, North Bay Air Cooled. That’s in addition to Paul Franson’s story on weekend happenings and the Master Gardeners report. I’m sure more Napa County features and news will be uncovered by our staff of journalists. Please join us here to find out what’s happening.
Dave Stoneberg is a journalist who worked for the St. Helena Star from 2006 to 2020. He started his California newspaper career in Calistoga in 1979.
Thanks to all of you, and keep it up!
ps Have you thought about adding a letters to the editor section?