This January, Park Hall will once again echo with stories of grit, ambition and larger-than-life characters who helped shape Ben Lomond and the greater San Lorenzo Valley.
On Thursday, Jan. 15, Park Hall and the Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) invite the community to gather for “Rugged Rogues and Fearless Mavericks: San Lorenzo Valley Adventurers in Ben Lomond – The Early Years,” a lively history talk and fundraiser presented by local historian and Realtor Ronnie Trubek.
This event marks the first installment of a three-part lecture series that spans the full arc of Ben Lomond and San Lorenzo Valley history—from its earliest settlers and scoundrels to later builders, dreamers, and civic leaders. While the talk has been presented before, this January’s program is back by popular demand with expanded material and newly uncovered photographs, giving even returning attendees plenty of fresh discoveries to enjoy.
Trubek’s presentations have earned a reputation for being anything but dry history lectures. Instead, Trubek’s storytelling unfolds like well-told campfire stories, rich with eccentric personalities, unexpected twists and vivid details that bring the 19th-century valley to life. Outlaws, entrepreneurs, pioneers and oddballs all make appearances, revealing how a remote mountain settlement grew into a resilient and close-knit community.
According to Blake Holiday, president of the Ben Lomond Village Alliance, that sense of immediacy is exactly what makes the series so compelling.
“Ronnie doesn’t just recite dates and names,” Holiday said. “These talks are interesting and interactive—you feel like you’re right there with these people, watching Ben Lomond take shape in real time. It’s history that grabs you.”
The Jan. 15 talk focuses on “The Early Years,” setting the stage for the rest of the series. Parts two and three, scheduled for March 12 and April 16, will continue the story forward, ultimately covering the full sweep of Ben Lomond and San Lorenzo Valley history. Attendees can purchase individual tickets or discounted series passes, making it easy to follow the entire series over the coming months.
Beyond storytelling, the evening serves a critical purpose for one of Ben Lomond’s most cherished gathering places. All proceeds from the event benefit the Park Hall Community Center Fire Sprinkler Fund and the Ben Lomond Village Alliance. Park Hall, a historic landmark that has hosted generations of dances, meetings, performances and celebrations, is in need of significant safety upgrades—most notably a modern fire sprinkler system.
Holiday emphasized just how impactful the fundraiser will be.
“This isn’t an abstract cause,” he said. “The proceeds from this event will directly help Park Hall make critical improvements to the building. That means protecting a historic venue and ensuring it can continue to serve the community safely for decades to come. Supporting this event is a way to invest in Ben Lomond’s future while learning about its past.”
The evening begins with doors opening at 6:30pm, giving guests time to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere of Park Hall before the talk begins at 7pm. An intermission with concessions provides a chance to mingle, discuss favorite characters from the presentation and reconnect with neighbors—an experience that has become a hallmark of previous talks.
Given the popularity of past events, early ticket purchases are encouraged. Tickets can be purchased online at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/tales-of-ben-lomond. They may also be available at the door.
At its heart, “Rugged Rogues and Fearless Mavericks” is a celebration of local identity, a fundraiser with tangible impact and a reminder that the stories of Ben Lomond are best told—and preserved—together. As Holiday put it, “When we pack the hall for nights like this, you can feel the community pride in the room. It’s exactly the kind of energy that keeps a town like Ben Lomond thriving.”
