In February, 1987, to celebrate Jazzercise’s first anniversary in Idyllwild, instructor Theresa Gray, center, offered a free class. Working out with her are Fiona Wohlman, left, and Paul McAndrews, right. File photo

55 years ago – 1957
During what used to be conservation week, Izaak Walton League hosted the Junior Rangers and Girl Scouts at the town hall, where together they performed a playlet and multiple skits about conserving natural resources.

50 years ago – 1962
Dr. Earl Herald, curator of the Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, showed a presentation at the town hall that told the story of his collection of cannibalistic frogs, four-eyed fish, and the Hawaiian Hum-uhumunukunukuapua’a. (Try saying that 10 times fast!)

40 years ago – 1972
The Idyllwild County Water District and the Idyllwild Property Owners’ Association presented its report on the community water resources – the big concern was that, if it didn’t rain any more for the rest of the year, “we will be in serious trouble.”

35 years ago – 1977
Investigation into the death of Craig Kuhn, the 16-year-old deemed the incident accidental — the youth had been killed when he stepped in front of an auto on Tahquitz McCallum Way.

30 years ago – 1982
Brian Wilson, a 15-year-old Boy Scout from Long Beach died after being struck by a dislodged boulder while climbing out of a fire pit. By the time he was transported to Loma Linda hospital, he was in critical condition with head and internal injuries.

20 years ago – 1992
The Pacific Rim Design Team submitted its proposal for a school of the future to the New American Schools Development Corporation and was hoping to get a $17 million grant.

15 years ago – 1997
Howard Friedman, the Pine Cove merchant who was sued for allegedly taking more than $200,000 from the Girl Scout camp he managed for nearly two years, posted bail following his arrest on three criminal charges.

10 years ago – 2002
The Idyllwild HELP Center learned that the organization would receive a $13,754 grant from the California Endowment.

5 Years ago – 2007
Carl Edward Eck. 61, of Hemet, died of lung cancer.

1 year ago – 2011
Riverside County Superior Court jury convicted Jason Howard Runnels, 34, and Lucia Janet Martinez, 30, of the Dec. 31, 2008, murder in Poppet Flat of Rick Macias, 33, of Brea, Calif.

Similar Posts

  • Past Tense – August 29, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 The PTA raised $150 at its first Hill social event. 60 years ago – 1953 The thunderstorm that drenched Idyllwild proceeded northward, leaving 300 lightning strikes in the Six Rivers National Forest. 55 years ago – 1958 Charlotte Gorzny, an eager youthful reader, read 47 books to top all other…

  • Past Tense: Feb. 16.2012

    55 years ago – 1957 Police called off the search for Stephen D. Gallagher, who was reported missing while hiking in Tahquitz Canyon. All that was found of him were his clothes and shoes, which he removed before his disappearance. 50 years ago – 1962 Three women joined the Pine Cove fire department’s rescue squad…

  • Past Tense: Dec. 1, 2011

    65 years ago – 1946 Mrs. Huston at the Cedars Cafe in Fern Valley, beside Strawberry Creek, advertised that she wanted to trade a lawn mower for snowshoes. 55 years ago – 1956 Members of the class in government at Desert Sun School journeyed to the Hollywood Bowl to hear President Eisenhower speak. 50 years…

  • |

    Past Tense: May 17, 2018

    70 years ago – 1948 Plans were being made for  The Wild Idle Days celebration to be held in July. 65 years ago – 1953 Dick and Virginia Homan took over operation of the Hillbilly Variety Store while owner Edith Oliver recuperated from surgery.  60 years ago – 1958 Idyllwild’s first massage parlor was opened….

  • Past Tense: November 13, 2014

    65 years ago – 1949 A group of volunteer searchers plucked a lost deer hunter out of the rugged North Fork canyon just as he was about to spend his second night in freezing weather without food.   60 years ago – 1954 The Izaak Walton League honored its Woodsmans Breakfast crew for a year…