Sharon Bernice Valenti

107 Years Ago Dec. 24, 1913

• Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Simonds have moved into their modern and comfortable bungalow, which is considered a valuable increase to the Weller Addition. It is finished in natural wood with every desirable convenience. Louis Andreani did the carpenter work and Henry Little had charge of the painting and designing.

• Mrs. J. E. Weller and daughter, Lucile, Miss Grace Gray and Mrs. A. G. White returned this week from an extended visit in New York. Mr. J. Weller met the party in San Francisco and accompanied them home Sunday. The ladies reported a most enjoyable time.

• Mr. George Lewis and Alice De Vilbiss were quietly married at Ukiah Sunday by Father Brennen.

Mr. and Mrs. G. A. DeVilbiss, of Rockport, parents of the bride were present at the ceremony which was sprung as a pleasant surprise to the popular young couple’s many friends. The bride is a member of the efficient teaching staff of our grammar school and the groom is the genial proprietor of the Westport Cannery. They started on their wedding trip to the southern part of the state.

• The largest Christmas tree ever shipped to San Francisco left here Thursday on the morning freight. The tree was 80 feet high and large in proportion. It took a crew of men a day to cut and load it on two large flat cars. The San Francisco Board of Trade ordered the tree and it will be erected in Golden Gate Park for the

Christmas festivities.

77 Years Ago Dec. 22, 1943

• One thousand pounds of liver from a shark, whose weight the fishermen at Noyo estimate at five tons, was the haul of Carl Endberg and Bob Hiberson who took this big fish with their 24foot launch “Nina” off the north coast opposite Usal. They brought their catch into the Noyo River Thursday afternoon on the high tide and beached it north of the packing house. They towed it all the way from the point where it was taken. The shark could be plainly seen from the highway going north from the Noyo Bridge. It was a Busiton Shark and the liver was not as valuable as most species. It only brought the fishermen 20 cents a pound which netted them $200. The main carcass of the fish was not utilized.

• Pvt. Wallace Niemi, U.S.M.S. at San Diego, has just set up an enviable record in marksmanship. Out of 63 in the group, he made a perfect score which entitled him to the honor of being the best rifle shot. He is the son of Mrs. Ladimar Alto.

• Sgt. G. B. Erickson, of Camp Santa Anita, is enjoying 18 days furlough. He is a brother of Mrs. Adolph Backlund.

55 Years Ago Dec. 30, 1965

• The crab-fishing vessel “Moon Glow” of Noyo was damaged last Wednesday afternoon when it was slammed against the jetty at the entrance to the river by high seas as ownerskipper Robert Higgs was attempting to bring her to port. The boat is believed to have sustained a broken keel, rib planking and a rudder. The boat was reported to have been caught by a huge swell and carried toward the jetty. When gears were shifted to reverse, the engine died which let the waves throw the boat against the rocks, where it was battered until pulled off by crewmen of the “Coastal Nomad,” another fishing vessel entering the harbor. None of the three men aboard was hurt.

• Mr. and Mrs. Herman Miller, of Sherwood Road, will be honored at a reception marking their golden wedding anniversary at the Trinity Lutheran Church social hall. Hosting the reception will be their children and families:

Fred Miller, of Santa Rosa; Mrs. Ollie Peterson, Harold Miller and Mrs. Don Celeri, all of Fort Bragg.

• Requiem Mass was celebrated here Tuesday for Mrs. Carlotta A. Rinaldo, 78, of Fort Bragg, who passed away in a local hospital Friday, following an illness. Born in Switzerland, Nov. 8, 1887, Mrs. Rinaldo came to this country at the age of 25 and settled on the Mendocino Coast where she had lived continuously since that time. She was first married to John Botani in Switzerland. He was accidentally drowned in Petaluma in 1919. She later married Giuseppe Rinaldo, who preceded her in death in 1950. Burial was in Rose Memorial Park. Escorts were Ronald and Darrell Luzzi, Dennis Botani, Gary Costa, Steven Halberg, Eddie Colombi and Allen Giannini.

• The Fort Bragg Womens Bowling Assn. Tournament was held Monday at Noyo Bowl. Winners in their different divisions were Ann Johnson, Judith Davidson, Beva Empe and Janet Tarantino.

• The Flying Fillies Drill Unit, Fort Bragg girls riding group, will have their first practice of 1966 under the direction of Mexican Charro Manuel Sanchez on Jan. 9. Practice will be for their first parade scheduled in 1966 at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair in February.

• Rock Hudson, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Walter Slezak and Dick Shawn star in “A Very Special Favor.” Anthony Quinn and James Coburn star in “A High Wind in Jamaica.” Elvis Presley, Mary Ann Mobley and Michael Ansara star in “Harum Scarum.”

40 Years Ago Dec. 31, 1980

• Lura Stoker of Fort Bragg and Suzie Shippey of Ukiah have been named Mendocino County 4-H delegates to the 1981 Citizenship Shortcourse in Washington, D. C. The girls will spend the Fourth of July in Washington, D. C. They will have an opportunity to visit their own U.S. Representatives, Senators and Aides as well as those from other parts of the country.

• At Coast Twin Cinemas: Walt Disney’s productions’ presents “Herbie Goes Bananas.” Gena Rowlands in “Gloria.”

• The music of Brahms, Benjamin, Chopin and Weber will be played by Eric Van Dyke, Tyler Lincoln, Marcia Sloane, Richard Herr and Marcia Lotter Sunday at the Mendocino Arts Center.

• Happy New Year. Every day in every way we hope your year will be the best ever!

Sharon grew up in the care of her beloved aunt and uncle. As a young girl, Sharon enjoyed summers on her cousin Janet’s Farm. They stayed connected in each other’s lives and family.

Sharon graduated from California State University, Sacramento. Sharon was integral in her youngest brother Eddie‘s life, growing up and watching his family bloom.

In later years, Sharon reconnected with her stepbrother Fred, Fred’s daughter KC, her children and grandchildren. Along with service to her community, family, friends, watching old movies and travel filled her retirement days in Fort Bragg with joy and love.

Sharon believed in service to her community which included donating her time and resources. She was a member of Soroptimist International of Fort Bragg, the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, and other service organizations of the Mendocino Coast.

A gift to a food bank would honor her memory.