Past Tense: May 3, 2012
60 years ago – 1952
Work began on a new bridge across Strawberry Creek at Fern Valley Corners, replacing a 25-year-old wooden structure.
55 years ago – 1957
It was the wettest May anyone could remember. The season’s total rain and snowfall was 5 inches under normal, but the late rains and snows were extremely beneficial as summer approached. A good crop of wildflowers was assured for June and July, and the storms delayed fire duty for the Forest Service.
50 years ago – 1962
The Brankovs wrote from Jelsa na Hvaru, Yugoslavia: “This island is noted for its perfect climate, and the hotels do not charge their patrons if there is freezing weather, rain for three hours, or one hour of fog.”
45 years ago – 1967
Roberta Gray won a $500 scholarship for her junior year at UCR.
40 years ago – 1972
The Bear Flag Festival, Idyllwild Chamber officials announced, would be scaled down and not tourist-oriented — due to water shortage.
35 years ago – 1977
Faced with an unusual number of highly qualified candidates, trustees of the Idyllwild Scholarship Fund appealed to the public for additional donations.
25 years ago – 1987
Gene Schneider was presented a cash award and plaque from the U.S. Forest Service in appreciation of his nine seasons as the Tahquitz Peak lookout.
20 years ago – 1992
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors upheld a denial of a public-use permit that would have allowed a single-family home in Idyllwild to hold religious conferences for married couples.
15 years ago – 1997
A plan to replace the Idyllwild Transfer Station with community drop-off centers was being proposed. The plan preserved an arrangement where trash bins would be positioned at several spots around the village.
5 year ago – 2007
Southern California Edison crews had tagged the historic A.C. Lovekin cedar tree, across from the Fern Valley Inn, for removal.
1 year ago – 2011
A small group of women, led by Reba Coulter, had begun meetings to plan and develop more recreational activities for adults and seniors as part of the County Service Area (CSA) 36 recreational program.
