St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman proclaimed Tuesday "Charles M. Schulz Day" in honor of one of the city's best-loved hometown boys, the creator of the comic strip "Peanuts."
Craig Schulz, son of the late artist, who wrote and produced "The Peanuts Movie," spotted his former next-door neighbor, Irene Villella, and her daughter, Diane, rear, in the front row and greeted them before the program at the Landmark Center got going Tuesday evening in St. Paul.
Craig's mother, Joyce, and Irene were friends when they lived next door to each other on Wentworth Avenue in Richfield and their families were close. Diane, in fact, babysat for Craig and all of the Schulz children.
Coleman handed the proclamation to Craig Schulz after reading it to the assembled crowd. Others sharing the stage were the kids who voiced some of the characters in the movie, which opens Nov. 6.
Tazhanae Gant, 15, above, had a Snoopy painted on her face. She's a big "Peanuts" fan, she said.
Staff report
Globe-trotting archeologist who drew comparisons to Indiana Jones dies at age 94
Hundreds in Peru mark Clown Day in hopes of getting the holiday official recognition
Richard M. Sherman, who fueled Disney charm in 'Mary Poppins' and 'It's a Small World,' dies at 95
3 falcon chicks hatch atop the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City
