KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum historic building, considered to be one of the oldest “stick built” buildings in Lake County, was moved from its prior location on Highway 29 in 2007.

After the move, Lake County’s Public Services Department took on the task of installing the building on the site, bringing in utilities, restoring the inside and constructing the entrance, driveway, and parking area.

Since then much progress has been made in transforming the property into the vision under which the original project was conceived.

It is time to recap the progress made and show special appreciation to those individuals or businesses whose contributions have helped us grow into one of the most important educational and historical centers in Lake County. 

Much research, creativity and effort was required to restore the main house into the showcase it has become today, from wallpaper selections to construction of the beautiful wrap-around porch. 

What resulted is a beautiful museum with ever-changing displays for the public to enjoy.

The house has been used for a variety of fund-raising events such as a Farm-to-Table Dinner in 2012, the annual June Picnic on the Porch in 2013 and 2014 (with a repeat planned for this year) and a Whiskey In America tasting in 2014.

The annual Art and Science Camp, sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Art and Science, has been co-hosted by the Stage Stop and the Taylor Observatory in Kelseyville for the last three years.

The living history presentations by Stage Stop docents are always a hit with the fourth through sixth grade students. The camp returns for a fourth year in May.

Excitement really grew as the first barn construction got under way. The completed structure affords a refuge for our stage coach, various wagons, and other equipment needing protection from the elements.

Gracing the barn is the Carpenter’s Star quilt block, donated anonymously through the Lake County Quilt Trail Project.

The block was temporarily mounted on the wrap-around-porch, but it now has a permanent home on the barn.

The carpenter theme highlights the many hours of manual labor volunteers have donated to make this first barn possible.

The barn has also become a popular event venue. The Stage Stop partners with the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Association on the first Sunday of each month for Fiddlers’ Jam Sessions.

Lake County has a bounty of talented musicians and the barn has proven to be the perfect venue to  celebrate these local musicians and the American music heritage from the Ely Stage Stop Victorian Era. Our community has passionately embraced this cultural opportunity.

On the fourth Saturday of each month local historians come to the main house from noon to 2 p.m. to visit with guests and answer questions regarding different aspects of Lake County history. As these visits are recorded, the stories of Lake County's history are being preserved.

Sturdy picnic tables afford picnicking on the grounds in fair weather. An historic 1890‘s cable car and “Wiley” signal light reside at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum for the public’s enjoyment.

When you drive by 9921 State Highway 281 – better known as Soda Bay Road – you will know exactly where to find the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum.

The long-awaited signage was erected in May of 2014. Bearing the striking Ely logo, the sign greets visitors and lures passers-by regardless of which direction they are traveling.

The current project being undertaken is the all-volunteer building of a working blacksmith shop which will serve as another interpretive and living history exhibit. Phase one of that complex is shaping up now next to the first barn.

All of this progress could not have been made without the support of so many local people and businesses through donations of money, materials, time or hard work.

The Lake County Historical Society wishes to extend special appreciation to the following: Jim Adams, Eric Andre, Jim Bengard, Rob Brown, Kelly Cox, Randy Craig and Erica Lundquist, Steve Devoto, John Everett, Charlotte Griswold, Carson Holdenried, Marilyn and Myron Holdenried, Gene Kirkendall, Richard Kuehn, Barbra and William Lane, Pat and Ven Marshall, Tony Oliviera, Elizabeth Paddock, Jerry Raub, Alex Reid, the Seeley Family, Josephine and Gerry Shaul, Jr., Wilda Shock, Sam Slayden, Eric Stephensen, Sid Stokes, Justine Stottsberry, Beverly and Dave Thomas, Sharron and Brock Zoller, Braito’s Marina, Clear Lake Lava Rock, Clear Lake Redi-Mix, Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis, County of Lake, Foods, Etc., Kelly Moore Paints in Marin, Kelseyville Lumber, Kelseyville Scrap Metal, Konocti Conservation Camp CC#27, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lake County News, Lake County Quilt Trail Project, Lake County Record-Bee, Mt. Konocti Growers, Plaza Paints, RAH Outdoor Signs, Ray’s Food Place, Red & White Store, Rent-a-Center, Riviera Foods, Safeway in Clearlake, T & T Storage, Tri County Scrap Metals LLC, UCC Rental.

Thanks also to the many anonymous and other unnamed donors who have contributed to this ongoing project to preserve Lake County history. We could not have accomplished so much without all of you.

Linda Drake is a volunteer at the Ely Stage Stop.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Need food? Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa helps to enroll qualified households in CalFresh, also known as SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

And, as of April 1, people with felony drug convictions who were previously denied assistance are now eligible.

CalFresh can provide up to $700 or more per month for families to purchase healthy, nutritious food.

Catholic Charities also offers Medi-Cal enrollment assistance for children and information on Covered California health insurance.

For more information on any of these benefits, call 707-284-3850, Extension 374, or visit Catholic Charities' main office at 987 Airway Court in Santa Rosa from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa is a nonprofit agency that provides assistance to those most in need without regard to religious affiliation.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The North Coast Opportunities Governing Board will meet on Wednesday, April 22.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at the North Coast Opportunities office, 850 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.
                    
Timed items are as follows:

3 p.m.: Call to order, roll call, introductions, approval of agenda.
3:05 p.m.: Public input.
3:10 p.m.: Consent agenda.
3:15 p.m.: Introduction of guest Carlos Diaz Castillo.
3:20 p.m.: Good Farm Fund presentation, request for fiscal sponsorship.
3:35 p.m.: March financials.
3:40 p.m.: Update on Human Race.
3:45 p.m.: PPC update/shared governance training review.
3:55 p.m.: Approval of Revised Head Start and Early Head Start 2015 Priority Rating Scale.
4 p.m.: Approval of HSCDP Recruitment Plan revisions.
4:05 p.m.: Executive director evaluation update.
4:10 p.m.: Executive director's report.
4:15 p.m.: Board resolution for CSD grant.
4:20 p.m.: “Kitchen Cabinet” goal review and discussion.
5 p.m.: Brief reports and announcements.
5:05 p.m.: Parking lot (presentation of topics for consideration/agenda for future     meeting).
5:10 p.m.: Adjourn to closed session (if necessary).

For information, or if you need disability modification or accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please contact the NCO executive secretary 48 hours before the meeting at 707-462-3200, Extension 201.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is using National Safe Digging Month (April) to encourage California residents and businesses to continue to lead by example and always call 811 before any digging project.

It is a fast, free service that ensures you know what’s below ground before you dig.

Homeowners and contractors will help protect the safety of their communities’ and can prevent outages with a simple call to 811.

In California, contractors are required to provide notification of their intent to dig two working days in advance. Failing to do so can result in costly fines and delayed projects.

When calling 811, customers are connected to a local center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies – such as PG&E – of their intent to dig.

Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate of underground lines – gas, sewer, water, etc. – with flags, paint or both.

“We’re seeing an increase in construction projects – from backyard improvements to major development – thanks to an improving economy. Unfortunately, we’re also experiencing a dangerous uptick in the number of incidents where our gas and electric lines are damaged, which is a significant public safety risk. Whether you’re building a deck, trenching or planting a tree, calling 811 is easy, free and required by state law,” said Jesus Soto, PG&E‘s senior vice president of gas operations.

PG&E offers the following tips for safe digging:

– Mark your project area in white: Identify the location where you will be digging by drawing a box around the area using white paint, white stakes, white flags, white chalk and even white baking flour.

– Call 811 or go online for a USA ticket two working days before digging: Be prepared to provide the address and general location of the project, project start date and type of digging activity. This free program notifies PG&E and other utilities so that we can identify whether there are underground facilities at your project area.

– Get marked: Utility companies will locate and mark their own pipelines, telephone, communications, water or other underground lines.

– Dig safely: For your safety, use hand tools when digging within 24 inches of the outside edge of our underground lines. Leave utility flags, stakes or paint marks in place until you have finished digging.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County Websites & Computer Repair offers computer workshops for novices to intermediate users.

This month’s workshop is entitled “Safety on the Internet – To Click or NOT to Click.”

It will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at 15642 Armstrong St. in Middletown in the Jazzercise Center (two blocks behind the post office).

Admission is $15 per person.

The workshop features hands-on learning for beginning to intermediate computer users.

Learn about free anti-virus programs, storing passwords, what is safe to click on and what to avoid, how to steer clear of viruses and scams and what to do if your computer or accounts have already been compromised.

The presenter, Mark Rudiger, is the owner of Lake County Websites & Computer Repair in Middletown and has more than 20 years of experience installing, trouble-shooting, and working with computers.

If you have a laptop, bring it along and connect to the high-speed Internet. If you don’t, you will still get all the same information. Rudiger’s laptop screen will be projected on a 120-inch screen so you can follow along.

To keep informed and receive information on future workshops, go to www.facebook.com/lakecountywebsites and “Like” the page.

To register, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Mark Rudiger at 707-987-1923 by April 24.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Some lucky raffle winner at Gibson Museum’s First Anniversary Gala May 3 will walk away prepared to take a friend on a memorable trip above the captivating landscapes of Lake County.

The event begins at 3 pm Sunday, May 3, at the Twin Pine Event Center south of Middletown, with dinner at 4, the show at 5 p.m. and the raffle drawings at 6:30 p.m.

A 20-minute glider flight for two has been donated by Crazy Creek glider port south of Middletown. Crazy Creek regularly draws visitors from far and near for this adventure.

Gibson volunteers’ eyes continue to sparkle as they describe other prizes donated for the May 3 Anniversary celebration raffles. The event is expected to be the signal fundraiser for the museum, which is funded entirely by donations and operated solely by volunteers.

Middletown High School’s ag class is turning donated wine barrels into items that will delight several winners – a pair of garden chairs, a table, a wine rack, a lazy Susan and serving trays.

Another winner can invite a party of four to play a round of golf at the Hidden Valley Lake course accompanied by a professional golfing coach to offer pointers and tips.

Probably the first-ever wedding ceremony to be performed in the parlor of the historic Stone House will be offered to another raffle winner.

The size of the party will be limited to 12 or less because the Stone House is so small, but arrangements for a coordinated reception will be available at the Greenview Room.

The Stone House Historical Society has just started offering this privilege after many years of requests.

Someone will go home with two bottles of wine from Congressman Mike Thompson’s vineyard. Guests who arrive in historical costume may vie for prizes and other raffle participants will carry home wine bearing highly regarded labels. 

The group was so taken by their colleague Linda Moran’s watercolor, “Cows,” that they voted to have a silent auction for it rather than offer it as a raffle prize.

Middletown’s own “Music Man,” David Neft, will play before and during dinner. Historical photos and fun-filled games and raffles promise an exciting day.

For the show following dinner, Sophie Lauterborn has drawn from an early Pomo Bulletin, the newsletter of the Lake County Historical Society.

Before the nation experienced the Volstead Act, Lake County several times had its own Prohibition, resulting in considerable rivalry between Lakeport’s Wet Band and Dry Band.

This interpretation by local thespians and musicians, offering their own inimitable music, will induce a lot of laughs.

Ticket sales, at a recommended donation of $30 each, will go toward funding the second year of operation for Gibson Museum. Call 707-295-7174 or 707-987-4695, or order online at www.thegibsonmuseum.com .