16 • November 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC. Larkfield Couple Shaped
Wine Industry, Promoted Ag Education
Bob And Shirley Dempel Honored For Lifetime Contribution To Sonoma County Agriculture
SANTA ROSA, CA. ~ Two farm kids, one from Sonoma County and the other from Mendocino County, who met at 4-H camp, married, had chil- dren, succeeded in business and personal endeavors, and dedi- cated the whole of their lives to furthering the heritage and community they love. This in short describes the 2015 Har- vest Fair honorees for Lifetime Contribution to Sonoma Coun- ty Agriculture. The Sonoma County Harvest Fair gratefully acknowledges Bob and Shirely Dempel of Santa Rosa’s Dem- pel Farming for their decades of outstanding dedication to the County’s agricultural industry
and commu- nity.
From their
livelihood to their so- cial life to their politi- cal involve- ment to their community contribu-
tions, Bob and Shirley Dempel have spent half-a- century at the heart of Sonoma County’s wine grape grow- ing industry and as champions of agricultural education for youth. They’ve served a lead- ing role—at the State Capitol
and in the board room and the classroom—as stanch protec- tors of California’s agricultural way of life, paving a path of Ag innovation and leadership for generations to come. “We just did what we loved and had a passion for doing,” said Shir- ley upon hearing of the award. “Bob and I are actually pretty surprised and humbled by it,” she adds. “We live in such a unique place, where so many people are so generous in every way and we’re blessed to be a part of it.”
Petaluma’s Oasis for Relaxation A Day Spa & Aromatherapy Boutique
• Massage • Facials • Waxing • Make-Up • Gift Certifi cates
• Essential Oils • Candles • Bubble Bath • Local & Organic • Skin Care
Authorized Retailer of Bare Escentuals
18 Kentucky St. #10, Petaluma
...and More!
www.soft
shellpetaluma.com 773-4950 16 • November 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC. When a child is born, so are grandmothers. ~Judith Levy In 1977, Bob & Shirley
started Dempel Farming with premium wine grape vineyards in Healdsburg and Hopland and later a large grapevine
... continued on page 26
17th Annual Holiday Guide LDER ISDOM ... continued from page 6
inclined to join clubs in gen- eral, and their membership has suffered. She also noted that people don’t collect things any longer (she’s a silver spoon and match book collector her- self), and you often can’t even give things away. Everything is push button today, even cars! She does appreciate modern conveniences, but wonders if we’ve gone too far... Russ died in 1966 and Gladys, then 51, who had been a dressmaker throughout her life, started working as a seamstress. Her fi rst local job was at a dress shop inside the lobby of the Flamingo Hotel, and she later opened an alteration and dress shop in Montgomery Village, back in the day when your purchases came in pretty packages with paper and bows- at no extra charge! She closed the shop when rent became too high, but continued doing al- terations from home and didn’t stop sewing until just last year when, at age 104, the sight in her left eye became too poor. Glady’s family hit local news- paper headlines in the early 1950s when her daughter Alice contracted polio. When Alice suddenly went limp at age 6, Gladys called a doctor-neigh- bor who came over, took one look at her, and brought Alice to the county hospital. She was then transported to the Oakland
Children’s Hospital, where doctors were ready to give up on her, but Gladys credits a nurse who located a positive pressure machine in Hayward for saving her life, along with excellent care at the hospital. Alice lost part of her right lung and throat, but she otherwise made a full recovery and re- cently retired (too young at age 69, according to her mother.) World Polio Day is October 24, and the fi ght continues- but we’re now very close to eradicating this deadly disease World-wide! Gladys credits her longev-
ity to keeping busy and focus- ing on the positive things in life. Don’t expect things to be handed to you (on that silver spoon?) In her youth, few peo- ple went to college, but many learned the lesson that hard work pays off, and experience is priceless. She is blessed with three living children, extended family
including two great
grandchildren, continued com- munity engagement, a com- fortable apartment and overall good health. What more could you ask for at age 105?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eloise Tweeten is an elder care advi- sor based in Santa Rosa, CA. If you know a wise elder who is willing to be interviewed for this column, please contact her at 707-570-2589
The
simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a
grandparent. Sam Levenson
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32