Avila Storytelling Event !
Over 100 "Avilones" joined us for the 1st ever "sold-out" Avila Beach Storytelling Night hosted by the Foundation on October 20, 2017. It was a great evening with lots of fond memories/stories shared by past & current Avila residents about the "good old days". Special thanks to all of the Storytellers including Archie McLaren, Kirt Collins, Denny Wheeler, Pete Kelley, Saro Rizzo, Jean Nanney, Hardie Phillips, Lucy and Colleen Gnos, Dick Kelsey, Mike Harkness and Howard Nicholson for reminding us that the past had so much meaning, and special thanks to County Supervisor Adam Hill and Pacific Gas and Electric Company for sponsoring the event! Below are the videos from the evening. Grab some popcorn, sit back, relax and take a walk down Avila's memory lane! Enjoy!
Photo: left to right Colleen Gnos, Pete Kelley, Dick Kelsey, Lucy Gnos, Hardie Phillips, Jean Nanney, Denny Wheeler, Archie McLaren and Kirt Collins
Photo: left to right Colleen Gnos, Pete Kelley, Dick Kelsey, Lucy Gnos, Hardie Phillips, Jean Nanney, Denny Wheeler, Archie McLaren and Kirt Collins
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Storyteller: Kirt Collins
Background: Lived in Avila since 1957 & attended Avila School. Topic: Memories of living in Avila from 1957-1965 |
Storytellers: Lucy & Colleen Gnos
Background: Lucy lived in Avila from 1940 to 1966 & has 2nd home in Avila. Attended Old Avila Schoolhouse & father is Tony Sylvester who was an Abalone diver & owned the tugboat service that towed in oil tankers. Colleen is Lucy's daughter & also the artist that painted the Avila Beach Lifeguard Tower murals. Topic: Sears Roebuck Sunk Ship in 1940’s |
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Storyteller: Mike Harkness
Background: Chief of Fire Dept. when fire station was downtown Topic: Avila Beach Shark Attack in 2003 Storyteller: Dick Kelsey
Background: Longtime Avila/See Canyon resident. Opened Kelsey Winery in 1999 after retiring from family tugboat business. Wife is Dolores “Sylvester” whose father Tony was well-known abalone diver in Avila. Topic: Diving incident in mid 1950s while removing undersea anchors Storyteller: Jean Nanney
Background: GM at Surftide Hotel (Inn at Avila Beach) from 1987-89. Lived in Downtown Avila on & off since 1986. Topic: Surftide Days & some of the local “characters” |
Storyteller: Pete Kelley
Background: Lived in Avila since 1973. He owned Pete’s Café and is a local historian that also helped author a book about Avila’s History. Topic: Front St. Businesses incl Pete’s Café & Barbaras by the Sea Storyteller: Howard Nicholson
Background: Lived in Avila on & off since 1971 and is a Cal Poly graduate. Topic: the challenging year when "drafted" as Civic Association “Honorary Mayor”/President in 1976 Storyteller: Hardie Phillips
Background: Lifeguard at Avila Beach in late 1960s. Hardie is depicted on the Lifeguard Tower murals painted by Colleen Gnos. Topic: Lifeguarding at Avila Beach in the late 1960s |
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Storyteller: Saro Rizzo
Background: Saro help facilitate lawsuit against oil giant Unocal. His journey is highlighted in the "David, Goliath and the Beach-Cleaning Machine" book by Barbara Wolcott. Topic: Lawsuit leading up to big dig & how the park came to be |
Storyteller: Denny Wheeler
Background: Commodore of San Luis Yacht Club in 1977 & Avila resident since 2004. Topic: Yacht Club Relocation during Big Dig/Piling Parties & Custom House “bird cages” |