On Wednesday afternoon there will be a ceremony in front of the Creamery Building to pay tribute to the life and work of Dave Mitchell. The event will start at 2 PM on Wednesday, October 21st and we plan to broadcast the speeches live on KWMR.
This is from Lynn Axelrod, Dave’s partner:
At the public memorial for Dave at Toby’s in April 2024, a couple of speakers mentioned that there should be something permanent in town to remember him and what he did for the community. I took this to heart and commissioned a bronze plaque. The dedication of the plaque will be at the creamery building in Point Reyes Station, outside the front doors of what is now WM Community Services. It will be about an hour. Mesa Road will be partially open and WMCS will be open for work. There will be several speakers. Matt Gallagher will “host.”
The late Dave Mitchell. Photo: Ben Stocking / Point Reyes Light
Many of us knew Dave Mitchell, but if you did not, read about him HERE. His book “The Light on Synanon” is a great slice of history here in West Marin and the Point Reyes Light won the Pulitzer Prize for this reporting.
The plaque will be mounted on the Creamery Building not far from the commemorative Chazmo Bench that was funded by KWMR founder Charlie Morgan’s Sister Alexandra Morgan. If you knew Charlie, he likely remembered your birthday. Well, I forgot that last Tuesday was actually Charlie’s birthday (I am terrible at birthdays).
Charlie’s good friend Robert Van Peer had a nice tribute to Charlie that he sent to me. It’s pretty sweet. You can read it HERE.
I remember back in October of 2021 when we dedicated the bench, it was delivered and was all wrapped up. We were unpacking it and getting ready to bolt it to the sidewalk. We ripped off all the packing material and a used leather baseball rolled out onto the ground. I contacted the manufacturer, and he knew nothing about a baseball. But it was there. It still gives me chills.
If you knew Charlie, in addition to birthdays, he really loved baseball and would announce the games from Love Field on KWMR with Jerry Lunsford and Gus Conde.
Whether you can make it tomorrow, or you swing by and have a look at the plaque for Dave Mitchell, you can also take a load off and have a seat on the Chazmo bench.
Sincerely,
Amanda Eichstaedt Station Manager and Executive Director
P.S. If you missed Sharron Drake’s Community Orchestra concert on Saturday, you missed out on some amazing music, Turkish Delight, and Elisabeth Ptak’s delicious chocolate chip cookies. Jim Stopher, who played the piano and conducted Mozart’s D Minor Concerto. Bravo!
