The Nov. 1, 1946, TC, declared it would be published semi-occasionally, and that Betty and Ernest Maxwell’s policy “is flexible …”
Peppered throughout with a few of Ernie’s drawings — like a scribbled box with the words “Snow Scene” and nothing else drawn inside — the first issue was more of a newsletter about goings on in town.
But it did talk a bit about the stock market and also noted a prediction that experts were estimating that by 1952, 10 million people would live in Southern California. “Nobody seems to know just where they all will go,” wrote the editors.
As of 2010, that number has more than doubled and, if we knew the population of Idyllwild in 1950, I’m sure the number of residents now is more than double.
The Maxwells also urged their readers to vote. “Don’t forget that on Tuesday, November 5th, the polls are open for all voters. The Idyllwild Inn is the place to do your ballot stamping.
“Since our government is run by the persons whom we select, let’s have a good turnout for the mountain area. If you vote, you have earned your right to participate - if you don’t vote, be careful how you object to the way the government operates.”
And so, 70 years later, here we are — still with a stock market, a representative government and a local newspaper reporting on the goings-on in Idyllwild and sometimes larger areas when those affect us.
The possibility that the Town Crier would be outsourced to Beijing was a real threat back in 2013. It was that prospective buyer’s method to keep the paper alive. Jack and I believed otherwise.
So, despite social media and a slow down in advertising, we’re still here because people look to locals to report on local government, local happenings and local residents.
Becky Clark, Editor
