The Return of the Bonita Glarfs: Honoring Jerry Goss’s Creative Legacy
In a heartfelt and joyful gathering at the Bonita Museum, community members, elected officials, students, and artists celebrated the long-awaited return of a beloved piece of local history: the Bonita Glarfs—whimsical, dinosaur-like sculptures created by the late Jerry Goss in the late 1950s.
The Bonita Glarf Celebration, filmed by Love Life Photography, paid tribute not only to Goss’s enduring legacy but also to the team of volunteers, civic leaders, and artists who helped restore the statues and secure their place once again on Bonita Road.
The event opened with a warm welcome from Miss Chula Vista Isabel Caballero and Miss Bonita Alicia Ontiveros, followed by remarks from Sophia Petrulius, chairwoman of the celebration and a psychology major at Southwestern College. “We are thrilled to have you here today,” Petrulius said, “as we celebrate Rumby and Rangai and the extraordinary community that stood by them.”
A Tribute in Music and Memory
A powerful rendition of “Stand by Me” performed by Saria Plato and the Bonita Vista High School vocal department set a reflective tone early in the program. The musical performances continued throughout the event, featuring original compositions inspired by Goss’s life and work, including “Dream About Dreams” and “Where Do You Hide a Dinosaur?”
The audience was then treated to Kyler Avery’s stirring ballad “Phoenix,” a tribute to resilience and rebirth—an apt metaphor for the journey of the Glarfs, which were lost for decades before their recent restoration.
Remembering Jerry Goss
Ella Aldridge, a San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts student, offered a detailed history of the Glarfs. Created by Jerry Lee Goss when he was just 15 years old, Rumby and Rangai were made from chicken wire, concrete, and rhubarb as birthday gifts for his mother. Installed in his family’s yard—dubbed “Veral Janass”—the sculptures quickly became a local attraction. Goss’s imaginative vision extended to creating Dinosaur Land in Alpine and other community decorations before his untimely death in a 1963 car accident.
Nancy Goss Williams, Jerry’s sister and guest of honor, shared touching anecdotes from their childhood. She described camping under eucalyptus trees and enduring the infamous jumping cactus of the Bonita hills. “Jerry would be so proud to know that his vision is still alive,” she said, holding back tears. “To see the Glarfs welcoming people back to Bonita means the world to me.”
Civic Leaders Champion Restoration of the Bonita Glarfs
Former and current public officials were on hand to recognize the years-long effort to restore the sculptures. Supervisor Nora Vargas and Supervisor Greg Cox were both credited with securing neighborhood reinvestment grants and logistical support for the project. Chula Vista Mayor John McCann presented a special proclamation honoring Kelly Tracy, the sculptor who led the physical restoration.
“Kelly Tracy is the Michelangelo of Bonita,” McCann proclaimed. “His work has not only saved these sculptures, but also strengthened the bond of this community.” April 12, 2025, was officially declared “Kelly Tracy Day” in the City of Chula Vista.
Tracy was recognized for his extensive restoration work dating back to 2004, including repairing Rumby’s head, recreating Rangai, and reinforcing both structures with modern materials for durability and public safety.
A Community United by Imagination
The event culminated with the debut of Bonita’s official song, “Home in Bonita,” written and performed by Ella Aldridge. The lyrics—evoking hills, breezes, and lifelong memories—left few dry eyes in the room.
As the final musical number faded, a resounding message echoed through the museum: the Glarfs are more than just sculptures. They are a symbol of community, creativity, and the enduring power of love. As one speaker poignantly stated, “Jerry put so much love into his Glarfs, and we can still feel it today.”
For the residents of Bonita, that love has never left—it simply took a little time and a lot of dedication to roar back to life.
