Field of dreams for a real DHS diamond

AMUCH-DESERVED HONOR ... I am immensely pleased that from now on Davis High School will play its varsity baseball games on Dan Ariola Field.

It’s a rare honor to have a field or arena named after you unless maybe you wrote a check for $10 million, which Dan did not do. No, he was selected for this honor because of the person he is and the numerous and varied ways he helped countless athletes through their teenage years.

Indeed, he was Davis High’s head baseball coach for 24 years and led the team to an impressive 474 wins, eight Delta League championships and three Sac-Joaquin Section titles in that span. In other words, Dan Ariola molded Davis High School baseball into a consistent contender in Northern California baseball.

But he was so much more than balls and strikes and stolen bases and teaching his team how to score more runs than the other guys.

He was a teacher, a mentor, a leader and a friend. He took seriously the lives of the young men entrusted to his care through the sport of baseball.

I’ve watched how he coached in practice and in games. He was a consistent and inspirational presence. He taught his players how to win and how to lose. His teams were known throughout the region for their sportsmanship.

In Davis they generally make you wait until you die before they name anything after you. Not so with Dan.

It will be great to see him sitting in the stands next spring, a Blue Devil through and through, watching as kids round the bases on a field that bears his name.

Nice to see one of the good guys of this sport so honored, though I know Dan would say the honor truly belongs not to him, but to all the folks who helped him along the way.

Partly true, to be sure, but Dan Ariola Field is named for the man who pulled it all together.

Can’t wait to hear the words

“Play Ball” when spring rolls around once again.

DAVIS HIGH GRADUATION HITS A HOME RUN ... Graduation ceremonies at any level can be highly emotional for participants and parents and other involved individuals, but they can also be boring and predictable, especially when it comes to keynote speakers.

Davis High School’s graduation last Friday night on the football field was the exception to the norm, bringing in a famous keynote speaker who brought down the house and certainly had the undivided attention of the 600 or so graduates decked out in their all-blue caps and gowns.

Chris Gardner, author of the bestselling “The Pursuit of Happyness,” had everyone’s attention from the second he climbed the steps to the stage and approached the microphone.

He didn’t talk about himself or his compelling story, but about the students and their individually evolving stories. His words were short, but moving and very much to the point. In a word, he was brilliant.

Don’t know who was responsible for arranging this treat, but he or she deserves an “A” on their final transcript.

ABOUT THOSE BLUE DEVIL GRADUATES ... Having attended both the Davis High Senior Awards night several weeks ago and last Friday’s graduation ceremony, it was hard to ignore the amount of talent and dedication and desire to change the world for the better all wrapped up in the Class of 2023.

Student commencement speakers Emily Haws, Nicolas Montano and Niko Doss all had perfect words of advice and encouragement for their classmates, who responded with long and loud and heartfelt rounds of applause.

Many of these students will go off to some of the top universities in the land, while others will serve their country in the military or enter the workforce or take gap years to assess their future in a meaningful way.

Best wishes and Godspeed to them all.

In the words of St. Ignatius, “Go forth and set the world on fire.” — Reach Bob Dunning@ bdunning@davisenterprise.net.

Rangeland Trust celebrates 25 years of conservation

Special to The Enterprise

Last month, the California Rangeland Trust celebrated the fruits of its labor, commemorating 25 years of rangeland conservation at its signature event, A Western Affair. On May 20th, 400 people gathered at Yolo Land and Cattle Co. in Esparto for a pasture-toplate dinner while honoring the bounty of the land and the Golden State’s western heritage. An exclusive pre-party was also held the evening prior to the signature event at the California Agriculture Museum in Woodland.

The celebratory weekend kicked off on Friday, May 19th at the California Agriculture Museum with 80 people in attendance. The evening featured food and wine pairings from acclaimed local chefs and wineries throughout the region. Participating chefs included: Juan Barajas of Savory Café (Woodland, Calif.), Steven Gordon of Lucy’s Café (Esparto, Calif.), Bobbin and Patrick Mulvaney of Mulvaney’s B&L (Sacramento, Calif.), and Elena Winks of Franquette (West Sacramento, Calif). Participating wineries included: Beryessa Gap (Winters, Calif.), Grindstone Winery & Vineyards (Esparto, Calif.), Great Bear Vineyards (Davis, Calif.), and Haarmeyer Wine Cellars (West Sacramento, Calif.). A special presentation was also made by Scott and Karen Stone of Yolo Land and Cattle Co.

By Andy Jones

1. Science. The name for the softest commercial hardwood comes from the Spanish word for “raft” who conserved their ranch in perpetuity through the Rangeland Trust in 2005.

Name it.

2. Pop Culture — Television. What is the last letter in the German name for Sesame Street?

3. Film. Born in the 1860s, what was the last name of notable filmmaker brothers Auguste and Louis?

4. Books and Authors. Whose best-known novels include “Sons and Lovers,” “The Rainbow” and “Women in Love”?

The Stones talked about the positive impacts of the conservation easement and the peace of mind they have knowing that the property will forever remain an open working landscape thanks to their partnership with the Rangeland Trust.

On Saturday evening, guests gathered outside on the ranch at Yolo Land and Cattle Co. for the main event. Surrounded by lush grasslands and towering oak trees, attendees enjoyed the setting’s scenic beauty. Following a lively cocktail hour, which featured an array of western specialty items in the silent auction, guests were treated to a delicious family-style dinner consisting of slices of beef steamship round, paired with local produce cooked to perfection. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of conservation awards during the dinner program.

Steve Sinton, a rancher in San Luis Obispo County and the founding chairman of the California Rangeland Trust was honored as the 2023 Conservationist of the Year, which recognizes extraordinary achievement in volunteer conservation by a private landowner in California. In addition to helping get the Rangeland Trust off the ground 25 years ago, Sinton and his family chose to voluntarily conserve their ranch in 2017 through a conservation easement held by the Rangeland Trust. Sinton and his family have prioritized the sustainability of their property so that it may be productive and working for generations to come.

Sinton remarked, “While I am honored to follow in the footsteps of many past recipients of this award, I want to acknowledge that conservation is the effort of many not just one. The work that the Rangeland Trust and their landowner partners are doing in this state is making a huge difference for our industry and the state.”

Dr. Jaymee Marty was also recognized as the recipient of the 2023 Conservation Impact Award, which recognizes an individual who has excelled in environmental protection and made significant contributions to the advance- ment of conservation. Throughout her career, Marty helped tackle many complex conservation issues; notably, her research has shown the beneficial role grazing plays in the management of California’s vernal pool ecosystems.

Following the awards presentation, the event was capped off with an exciting live auction and dancing to live music by Buck Ford. Overall, the event raised $360,000 to support rangeland conservation efforts throughout California.

“We are humbled by the amount of support that we received at A Western Affair this year,” said Michael Delbar, CEO of the California Rangeland Trust. “This event brought together friends and supporters from throughout California to celebrate 25 years of rangeland conservation and help us raise significant funds to conserve more of California working lands that are so critical to our state’s social, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being. Together, we are working to keep ranchers ranching and secure a brighter future for all.”

A Western Affair 2023 was made possible by a wonderful group of sponsors including: Visit Yolo, Farm Credit, Raley’s, Van Vleck Ranch, Cook CPA Group, and Wells Fargo Advisors.

5. Countries of the World. What country whose name starts with N has 29 places named after Queen Victoria?

Answers: Balsa, Sesamstraße, so the letter E, Lumière, D.H. Lawrence, New Zealand.

— Dr. Andy Jones is the former quizmaster at de Vere’s Irish Pub and author of the book “Pub Quizzes: Trivia for Smart People.” His pub quiz is now seeking a new home. Meanwhile, Dr. Andy is also sharing his pub quizzes via Patreon. Find out more at www.yourquizmaster.com.