Callie and her father Tony meet Mayor Jack Gingles (right). Photo credit: Kim Beltran, Calistoga Tribune
You can’t make this stuff up. Here’s a story that couldn’t be more perfect in its illustration of how fondly people regard Calistoga. It involves a couple who named their child Callie in honor of the city and then recently brought her to see her namesake for the first time.
The story starts about 20 years ago, when Tony Harries, on a visit to the United States from his native England while researching a book, ended up in Calistoga at one point in his trip.
He fell in love with the beauty of the city and its welcoming nature. Later when he married his wife Rachel, they both traveled many times to Calistoga from their home in England.
When the Harries’ daughter was born in 2003, they decided to name her “Callie” out of their love for Calistoga, but never told her about the origin of her name, wanting to ultimately surprise her during a visit to the city.
Just recently, the Harries brought the now 7-year-old Callie to Calistoga, where they had prearranged for her to meet Mayor Jack Gingles and receive a proclamation from the City Council recognizing her as a “special individual with a strong connection to the community.” She also received a City of Calistoga pin from the mayor and a Lighted Tractor Parade t-shirt from the Chamber of Commerce.
Callie, endearingly shy and sporting strawberry blonde curls, accepted all with a quiet, “Thank you. I’ll always remember today.”
No doubt many who had a chance to meet Callie and hear her remarkable story will remember her for a long, long, time, too.
Tags: Callie Harries and Calistoga, Girl named for Calistoga, Travel to Calistoga
