Nestled in a corner off Encinal Avenue are four streets of mostly Craftsman and Midwestern style houses and cottages that just may qualify as Menlo Park’s most hidden neighborhood. Ask people where Felton Gables is located and they either scratch their head – or think it’s in Atherton
“We’re kind of an island,” says Russ Peterson, current resident of the Felton Gables Homeowner’s Association. “That in itself ties us together. But our annual 4th of July party, held in front of 200 Lennox (pictured above), cements those ties.”
There’s no way to go through Felton Gables – only around it. Because of that the neighborhood doesn’t get much traffic, although that seems to be an enduring topic of the homeowner’s association. “I was reviewing notes from a 1947 meeting and people were concerned about speeding,” says Russ. “We still are.”
Russ provided InMenlo with a tour of the neighborhood, pointing out the “secret” passage way (left) to Holbrook Palmer Park – “our defacto neighborhood park,” says Russ – that used to be a speedy way to get to the Atherton train station before fencing was put in place. Most of the homes were built in the 30s and 40s on land that once housed the estate of Senator Charles Norton Felton.
Felton Gable residents seem to get stuck on the place. Children grow up and buy their parents home. “People get drawn back,” says Russ. “The Hobbs bought one home, then a second, and then a third. They moved out to Woodside and then came back. They’ve owned the most houses.
“People have lived here a long time – and loved it a long time.”
Photos by Chris Gulker
The Italian-American Social Club of Menlo Park continues its rich tradition with a monthly dinner for club members, occasional bocce ball tournaments and quarterly family-dinner nights. Membership in the club is open only to Italian-American men, defined as men with an Italian surname or maternal grandfathers with same.
Having wrangled an invitation to the June dinner, I arrived at the clubhouse about 6:oo pm. The building consists of one large room about 40×40 feet with a speaker’s alcove on one side opposite a large stone fireplace and a second long narrow room across the back. A few members were sitting in the main room that was set up with long folding tables and chairs. Others were gathering in the back room that serves as both a bar, and where later in the evening, the food is served.
Adrian Dioli, the club historian, collected my $12 for the meal and promised me a plate and utensils — not being a regular, I hadn’t realized that to save costs members bring their own. Adrian told me that typically 60-80 members show up for dinner. On family nights there are often 120, which is about the capacity of the clubhouse.
Catching up with the cooking team
I then wandered out to the kitchen which is in a separate small building in the back. The cooking team for this meal was already at work. Larry Milillo and Richard Durando (pictured in photo, second from right and far right) are experienced cooks. Tony Magagnini and Tony Della Morte (far left and second from left) were helping and learning. Jim Meola, also on this team, was not present.
Three cooking teams rotate for the monthly meals. Ralph Yob, who is in charge of the kitchen operations, came by to chat and offer advice. The kitchen is well equipped. I watched while four large trays of fresh cod fillets — driven down that day from Eureka — were professionally prepared for the oven. Simultaneously two large vats of water were heating up for cooking the pasta. Everyone was having a good time.
Club members span multiple generations
Outside, an informal bocce ball game was in progress (there are three courts). By about 6:30 I was back in the bar. A much larger group of members had congregated. Italian aperitifs, American mixed drinks, and beer were popular appetizers to go along with old friends and relatives greeting each other and simply enjoying the evening. I was introduced to some of the younger crowd: Bobby and Mike Budelli, David Dossola, and Brian Ferrari. They all are sons or grandsons of present or former club members.
David then took me into the main room and introduced me to his father, Aldo. Aldo’s father, Joe Dossola, was one of the club founders. Aldo explained that for the first few years after the club was founded in 1930 they met in a building that was in the parking lot that is now between Draeger’s and Peet’s. The present clubhouse on Oak Lane was completed in about 1937. At the time its location seemed rather remote. In earlier days there were many more social events, but today these are somewhat limited by the small size of the clubhouse. Partly in deference to neighbors, the clubhouse is not rented out for social events to others.
Seven o’clock is dinnertime. I was seated as a guest of honor next to the president, Carl Bianchini, whose father, Charlie, was another founder. Magnums of Italian wine (Gabbiano 2008 Chianti) were already open on each table. First a leaf salad with vinaigrette dressing was brought to each table in large bowls. After the salad, everyone lined up to get their plates loaded in the back room. Each helping of pasta was topped by a simple tomato sauce. Despite the mass cooking procedure, the cod came out perfectly done — moist and tasty. Seconds were available if wanted.
The dinners are pretty much a break even deal for the club. The annual membership fee is $60. A few fundraisers such as raffles provide additional income. The clubhouse is fully paid for (and if ever sold the proceeds would go to charity), so this modest income along with some sweat labor is sufficient for the club’s financial needs. For me it was a fun evening, so much so that I’m thinking about a name change, maybe just dropping the last letter of my family name. How does “Clendeni” sound?
Russ provided InMenlo with a tour of the neighborhood, pointing out the “secret” passage way (left) to Holbrook Palmer Park – “our defacto neighborhood park,” says Russ – that used to be a speedy way to get to the Atherton train station before fencing was put in place. Most of the homes were built in the 30s and 40s on land that once housed the estate of Senator Charles Norton Felton.
