I was the lucky winner of the bid at the Mountain Disaster Preparedness Fundraiser for a dinner prepared by the Idyllwild Fire Protection District, which was served to six happy guests.

It turned out to be a surprise 81st birthday party for my husband, Bill, who is a retired firefighter of 31 years with the City of Torrance. It brought back many memories, including the not uncommon dinner interruption when duty called.

The crew had a walk-in emergency, which they attended to, and dinner was put on hold. We had no problem picking up the conversation, learning where everyone lives, where everyone came from before Idyllwild, and about families and friends.

Bill enjoyed the always existing feeling of “firefighter brotherhood.” The crew made us all feel very special, but isn’t that the feeling always, and … Only in Idyllwild.

Ginny Millard
Idyllwild