MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A contra dance will be one of the offerings this weekend in connection to the Battles at the Mansion event.

The dance will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at the Middletown Mansion, 20650 Highway 29.

Celia Ramsay, one of the most popular Contra callers in Northern California, will front the Cobb Stompers Mountain Stringband to insure a welcoming experience to all comers.

Contra dancing may indeed be “as old as the hills.” Forerunner of square dances and the line dances and barn dances enjoyed by most of our ancestors, it was first formalized from longstanding informal country dances in Britain in the 1600s. 

The secret to enjoying contra dancing is simply to relax enough that your body can feel the rhythm and then let it move.

A dance typically starts with two lines of participants facing each other. In response to the caller’s instructions the dancers pair off and follow her directions, perhaps forward, back, left, right, twirl. The caller’s creativity and alertness to her audience determines the moves.

Beginners are coddled by the caller and by seasoned dancers, all eager to help them learn to enjoy this healthy, enjoyable, easy recreation. 

Partnering morphs with differing dances as part of the process; it’s a great way to meet new friends – that you may forget tomorrow or stay in touch with for a lifetime. Contra is especially family-friendly.

Ramsey lists herself as singer, songwriter (with several successful CDs) and voice coach as well as contra caller, and is less well known as a partner in Kent Ramsey Winery.

The Cobb Stompers are headed by Patricia on fiddle and “Dock” Jekel on banjo, usually joined by David Leonard, who teaches at Cobb Mountain elementary, and other local musicians as circumstances allow. Patricia also teaches classical piano, plays mandolin, and is a flute player with the Lake County Symphony.

The dance is open to the public. There is no charge, but a $5 donation is requested to compensate the musicians. Organizers have also noted that anyone who offers to hang around a bit after the dance to help clean up will be truly appreciated. 

Further information can be found at www.friendsofgibson.com or call 707-295-7174.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Tuleyome, a nonprofit conservation organization based in Woodland, most noted for its work on the establishment and protection of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, has a new executive director.

Bret Hewitt is widely recognized as a leader firmly committed to strategic growth. 

He has contributed significantly to business success at numerous organizations of varied size and purpose, among them a Fortune 50 firm, a tech start-up, a leading international investment consulting firm, a major research university, nationally recognized nonprofits, an innovative municipality and an arts organization.

When Tuleyome’s former executive director stepped down to take a position with another nonprofit in Southern California, Hewitt stepped up to the plate.  

According to Tuleyome board president, Andrew Fulks, “Bret has extensive leadership and nonprofit experience, as well as a strong financial background and background cultivating donors.”  

He will be a major factor in the future expansion of Tuleyome’s programs, donor base, and regional presence.

Hewitt received an MBA from Stanford University, and a BA (honors) and MA from University of California, Davis.

He has remained a dedicated volunteer for UC Davis, including board leadership on its alumni association and foundation, and on advisory councils for both the campus’ largest college and its public arboretum. 

His volunteer service was recognized with the Fielder Award (1991), the highest alumnus award from a UCD’s alumni association. 

He has also provided leadership for the Studio Theatre Board for 22 years, strengthening its capacity to become one of Washington DC’s most influential theatre companies. 

Additionally, he has served on the City of Davis Planning Commission, helping to guide that city’s innovative land-use and energy conservation policies.

Hewitt currently lives in Davis with his daughter Clare.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Highlands Senior Service Center is staying open longer to serve community members in need of a place to cool off.

Mayor Russ Perdock said that the center is staying open in the afternoon to help seniors, the medically fragile and others who need a break from the heat wave.

Perdock thanked Vice Mayor Bruno Sabatier and Councilwoman Joyce Overton, who also is the executive director for the center, for offering this location and extending hours at the center.

The center is located at 3245 Bowers Ave., telephone 707-994-3051.

The California Department of Water Resources Acting Director William R. Croyle on Friday announced his retirement, effective July 1.

Croyle put his original retirement plans on hold in January 2017 when he was asked by Gov. Edmund G Brown Jr. to serve as acting director of the department. 

Cindy Messer, DWR chief deputy director, will serve as acting director of the department until a new director is appointed. 

Prior to his appointment, Croyle served as deputy director for statewide emergency preparedness and security at the department, a role that uniquely prepared him to manage the Lake Oroville spillways incident in February.

“California is extremely fortunate to have had Bill at the helm of DWR this year, especially during the Oroville emergency,” said Secretary John Laird, of the California Natural Resources Agency. “We are all grateful for his commitment and public service.”

In nearly ten years with DWR, Croyle served as the drought emergency operations manager, representing the department on Gov. Brown’s Interagency Drought Task Force and various other drought task forces. 

He also served as the department emergency program manager and spent more than six years as chief of flood operations.

Croyle also worked more than 23 years for the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board in Sacramento, where he served in a variety of capacities.

“I am honored to have served with many talented, dedicated people throughout my career. I am very proud of the work we have accomplished over the years bringing California through drought, flood and most recently, through the Oroville Spillway incident,” stated Croyle. “And now I’m looking forward to picking up my retirement plans where they left off six months ago.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services announced that the Eastlake Landfill in Clearlake and the Public Services office in Lakeport will be closed Tuesday,  July 4, for the July 4 holiday.

The Eastlake Landfill and the Public Services office will reopen on Wednesday, July 5.

Curbside service will be delayed one day for the rest of the week.

Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, call 707-262-1618.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The picnic area at Highland Springs Reservoir Park will be closed for an annual county departmental function from 5 p.m. Friday, June 23, until noon Sunday, June 25.

During the closure, the disc golf course, park trails and the reservoir will be available for use by the general public. 

Access to the reservoir will be available from the west side of the park.

For more information contact Lake County Department of Water Resources at 707-263-2344.