"Grand Traditions: In Celebration of Grandparents" takes place Saturday -- Grandparents Day -- at the Sutter Home Ranch in St. Helena, and will feature a talk by renowned author and expert on intergenerational relationships, Arthur Kornhaber, M.D. The event will also honor Jack and Donna Morgan of Angwin who have supported family health, education and the arts causes for decades, and who have been heroic grandparents in their own family.

"There are 2,700 children with disabilities in Napa County," says Joan Lockhart, executive director of ParentsCAN, which is sponsoring the event.

"Grandparents often play a critical role in helping these families survive and prosper. Since the success of families with disabled children is our goal, we thought it would be terrific to celebrate the role of grandparents on Grandparents Day."

Kornhaber is a clinician, researcher, medical writer and the founder and president of the Foundation for Grandparenting. A leading authority on the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, he is the author of seven internationally recognized books and numerous articles on the topic. Kornhaber speaks widely, and appears regularly in the media, including network morning shows, to raise grandparent consciousness, and to educate people of all ages about intergenerational and family issues. He is also the grandfather of Anna-Claire DeWitt of Napa.

Jack and Donna Morgan have been dedicated to health, education, the arts and various community projects during the 18 years they've lived in Napa Valley. Both are active in church responsibilities.

Jack Morgan has served on the Opera House board and both Jack and Donna have served on the Friends of Lincoln Theater board, leading efforts to renovate this important cultural resource. Jack has had a long career with Scripps League Newspapers including as publisher of the Napa Valley Register. He is currently president of Scripps Enterprises Inc. and is a member of the PUC Advisory Board and the Brigham Young University Department of Communications Advisory Council.

A full-time homemaker, Donna helped draft the 10 year master plan to end youth violence in Napa County, served as a member of the Angwin Community Council, is currently a CERT volunteer and is an active participant in Napa County Firewise program.

The Morgans have nine grandchildren: Kate Morrill, Isabel Morgan, Olivia Morgan, Luke Morgan, Kai Morgan, Finn Morgan, Uriah Morgan, Isaiah Morgan and Ezra Morgan. "Now our four children are grown," Donna says, "grandparenting is the best part of life. We look forward to having the grandchildren come for 'overnighters' where we tell 'old time' stories, read together, play games, tease and laugh."

The Grand Traditions event will feature a talk by Kornhaber, a reception with wine tasting, appetizers, silent auction and a sit down dinner at the Sutter Home Ranch in St. Helena. For more information about the Grand Traditions event, please contact ParentsCAN at 253-7444.

Kornhaber will present a free workshop for parents and grandparents on Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 2840 Soscol Ave. in Napa.

Kornhaber's talk will focus on the importance of grandparents on family life, grandparents raising grandchildren, and the grandparent experience with children with disabilities and their parents, among other topics of interest. Attendees will be able to participate in breakout sessions and have their personal questions answered at the interactive two-hour session.

Space is limited and registrations are a must. Call 253-7444 for more information and to register.