Museum gathering ties people to Colusa County’s story
WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) — The Sacramento Valley Museum became a place of celebration Saturday as community members 80 years and older were honored with a birthday party that was as much about memory as it was about age.
About 20 people gathered in the museum’s Alumni Room, a space lined with photographs of former Williams High School seniors, shelves of school memorabilia, and even old telephones from another time. For the guests, the setting was more than decoration. It reminded them that their own lives are part of the history the museum preserves.
“This is about more than just a birthday party,” said museum trustee Scott Arens. “It is a chance to thank people who built our community.”
A buffet table offered salads prepared by Rocco’s Bar & Grill in Colusa, along with drinks and plenty of cake. The turnout was larger than expected, and Arens admitted with a laugh that food might run short. “We may not have enough for everyone,” he said. “But we do have lots of cake.”
Arens also gave credit to museum board member Cindy Gobel for organizing the gathering. Guests lingered over lunch, catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, and sharing stories that stretched across decades.
Mary Anne Nation brought humor to the room with a quote from George Burns. “By the time you’re 80 years old you’ve learned everything,” she said. “You only have to remember it.”