There will be a Celebration of Life event for former Shasta County Supervisor Molly Wilson at 10 a.m. Saturday at Redding Christian Fellowship (2157 Victor Ave.). Then, at 2 p.m., an additional service will take place at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, where Wilson will be buried.
Molly Wilson as a teen in 1946.
Though not a veteran herself, Wilson, who died last Saturday at age 84, was one of the key forces in landing the veterans cemetery in the area. She was also instrumental in securing the future veterans home (planned for a site on Knighton road in south Redding) during her tenure on the board — 1989 to 2005.
"If it weren’t for Molly, we wouldn’t have a veterans cemetery and a veterans home on the way," said former Shasta County sheriff Jim Pope, when I spoke to him this week.
Pope and his wife Sandy were close friends and neighbors with Lou and Molly Wilson. Last Saturday was Lou Wilson’s 86th birthday.
Molly Wilson had battled Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.
She was born and raised in England and was teenager in Great Britian during World War II. As a 16-year-old, she helped assemble British fighter planes for her country. After the war, she moved to the United States and became a citizen while living in Texas in 1951. She moved to the north state in 1960.
Wilson donated her entire salary as a supervisor one year between the Shasta County Women’s Refuge and the Central Valley Library. In addition to her veteran causes, she also worked hard for the Shasta County Library, for senior programs and for the homeless.
She hosted numerous parties in her beautiful English garden and was also a fine cook.
Pope said he likes his wife Sandy’s quote on Molly: "She was the best of the best."
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The esteemed bluegrass duo of Megan Lynch and Bill Evans perform at 8 p.m. tonight at Bernie’s Guitar (3086 Bechelli Lane; 223-2040) in Redding (tickets are $15).
Bill Evans and Megan Lynch.
First off, Megan’s a Redding native who has gone on to do great things with her music career. While she lived here, she taught fiddle to all kinds of kids, including Trinity County’s Tristan and Tashina Clarridge, who have gone on to significant music careers of their own.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Lynch and Evans perform at the Strawberry Music Festival where they were very warmly received. I also remember the terrific concert by Lynch and the band Three Fox Drive a few years ago at the Cascade Theatre. At the time I remember thinking, "If country radio played this kind of country music, I’d start listening to it."
Lynch, a former national champion fiddler, has performed and collaborated with the likes of Pam Tillis, Due West and Tony Trischka.
On Saturday, Lynch and Evans will host a bluegrass jam workshop for beginning and intermediate players. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and cost is $30.
If you’re planning to attend, bring a little extra cash to purchase Bill and Megan’s excellent CD "Let’s Do Something." To hear samples, click here .
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The Dance Project did a fairly significant teaser performance of its upcoming show "Steppin’ Out" at Wednesday’s Sundial Film Festival Gala at the Cascade Theatre.
The show looks absolutely amazing. It’s incredible that the company just seems to keep outdoing itself.
In fact, when the film festival’s guest speaker Doug Stanley, director of photographer for "Deadliest Catch" on the Discovery Channel, got up to talk, it was obvious he was still blown away by the performance.
He said something to the effect of, "You know how you feel when you’ve just seen something that you know is truly great?"
A tip of the hat (yet again) to Dance Project director James Santos. The show begins March 19-20 and continues March 26-27. The choreography, dance performances, vocal performances, costumes and lighting are absolutely pro. You don’t want to miss this show, folks.
For more information on the Dance Project, click here .
And speaking on the Sundial Film Festival, it continues today and Saturday at the Cascade Theatre. For a schedule of films and more information, click here .
