Around Pleasanton: Time to help Milfleur’s Terri Carlson

Terri Carlson, owner of Milfleur in downtown Pleasanton, suffered a stroke March 12, the second but the most severe of two strokes she’s had. Although doctors speculate that she could face many months of rehabilitation, she recovered more quickly before. Let’s hope she’ll do so again.

As her daughter Sierra posted on Facebook this week, those of us who know Terri also know that she feels each person crossing the threshold of Milfleur does so for more than shopping. We come in to share a sense of community, soulful connection and friendship — the things Terri most values in life. We also visit just to hear her many ghost stories, her specialty. The Milfleur door is always open.

Terri recently closed Milfleur’s brief fling at 728 Main St. and moved back to the historic 166-year-old Kottinger Barn at 200 Ray St., between First and Main streets. There she’s created a magical oasis where you can find that special gift made by local artisans, unique home decor, antiques and “yard and barn finds” that earned Milfleur the Pleasanton Weekly’s Readers’ Choice awards in two categories last year.

Terri was at the counter in the Kottinger Barn location on Feb. 4 just four years ago when she suffered her first attack, a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.

UPS driver Eddie Tinga was waiting for a check when he noticed Terri seemed to be having a hard time organizing her thoughts. He insisted she call her husband Rick, who then rushed her to the hospital where the mini-stroke diagnosis was made. Five days later, she had recovered and soon was back at work.

Terri has been a businesswoman and supporter of the community since 1979 when she opened her first design studio and shop in Pleasanton. Called Mother Nature, the shop in Mission Plaza offered dried floral pieces and an intricate array of appealing home accessories.

She moved into the old Kottinger Barn in 2001, undaunted by its reputation for harboring ghosts. Built in 1852, the barn is all that’s left of the homestead of Murray Township Justice of the Peace John W. Kottinger and his family. The barn served as a jail for arrested banditos. That history and the stories of birds being trapped in the building over the years have led to countless tales of ghostly sounds and ghosts themselves.

Terri has her own tales to tell.

Once, up on a ladder, she felt someone touch her hair. She said the ghostly apparition was wearing a prairie-like dress and her hair was in a bun. She told Terri that she “used to feed the people here.” It’s one of many stories Terri tells to Milfleur visitors, especially during the weeks around Halloween.

As comments about her have stated on Facebook, Terri is known for her donations to local charities and the countless fundraisers for organizations such as Paws in Need, Open Heart Kitchen and the Amador Valley High School PTSA. Both her husband and Sierra assist with fundraisers and events as well as at the store.

Terri has been a blessing to our community for many years. Now, she and her family need our support. Please join in a community-wide fundraiser to help while she’s out of work and recovering. Donations and cards can be made at Milfleur, 200 Ray St., Pleasanton, CA 94566.

Editor’s note: Jeb Bing is editor emeritus for the Pleasanton Weekly. His “Around Pleasanton” columns run on the second and fourth Fridays of every month.

Editor’s note: Jeb Bing is editor emeritus for the Pleasanton Weekly. His “Around Pleasanton” columns run on the second and fourth Fridays of every month.

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