A closer view of Lily or Tahquitz Rock, about a mile below the take-off point at Humber Park in April 1954. Seen from any point in the valley, the rock was often called the “Monk of Tahquitz.” Photo by Ernie Maxwell, File photo
A closer view of Lily or Tahquitz Rock, about a mile below the take-off point at Humber Park in April 1954. Seen from any point in the valley, the rock was often called the “Monk of Tahquitz.”
Photo by Ernie Maxwell, File photo

65 years ago - 1949

Twelve students were in the seventh-grade graduating class at Idyllwild School. Their teacher was Keith Sanberg.

 

60 years ago - 1954

Searchers were relieved when Jimmy Hartman, 3-1/2 years old, was found unharmed but cramped inside an abandoned ice box. He had been missing for eight hours.

 

55 years ago - 1959

Ruminating on the water shortage problem, Ernie Maxwell came to this conclusion: “By eliminating baths, clean clothes and dishwashing, there would be more water for important things like fishing.”

 

50 years ago - 1964

Margaret Humber donated the former library building to the Boy Scouts. It was to be moved to Camp Emerson.

 

45 years ago - 1969

Dr. Joseph Saetveit gave local Boy Scouts a shortwave radio demonstration. He made a “patch” hookup to American Samoa, and the Scouts were able to talk to their former school principal, Emsy Dunn.

 

40 years ago - 1974

The Bear Flag Festival, a four-day event, had events spread all over town.

 

35 years ago - 1979

A woodwind quartet concert scheduled at USC-Idyllwild was canceled because of the gasoline shortage.

 

30 years ago - 1984

At the Western Days parade and festival sponsored by the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce, festival goers thrilled to a “Bank Robbery,” featuring the Hemet Valley Gunfighters.

 

25 years ago - 1989

At the Rotary’s Memorial Day weekend pancake breakfast, 150 pounds of pancake mix, 10 gallons of syrup, 32 pounds of butter, three cases of ham, 40 gallons of juice and 150 dozen eggs were used to feed attendees.

 

20 years ago - 1994

Idyllwild’s “Lilac Lady,” Reva Ballreich, was giving public tours of her lilac garden.

 

15 years ago - 1999

Idyllwild’s Ajax Rock coed softball team had a victory barbecue at Charley Clayton’s home to celebrate their championship in the Hemet Division I league.

 

10 years ago - 2004

Citing the light winter snowfall, Jerry Holldber, Pine Cove Water District general manager, explained the need to continue a Stage 2 water emergency status. He offered to provide wood chips for people to spread around outdoor plants in order to hold in moisture.

 

5 years ago - 2009

Three young men, Paul Rose, Matt Walker and Scott Williams, friends since high school, soccer players and self-professed “glee club nerds,” were using what they do best, singing and delivering a message, to raise money for disabled veterans.

 

1 year ago - 2013

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, honors men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. At 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, American Legion Post 800 held its annual honor guard ceremony, the emotional centerpiece of the Memorial Day weekend.