65 years ago – 1947
A wave of ladybugs buzzed through the village, coming out of hibernation. Somebody proposed an annual village lottery on the date the yearly flight would take place.

60 years ago – 1952
The Froehlichs were readying their new Rustic Theatre for a mid-June opening. Promised features included “a sloping floor, loge seats so relaxing you can barely lift your popcorn to your mouth, and a crying room for infants who don’t fancy the feature.”

45 years ago – 1967
Ernie Maxwell was returned to office for his 20th term as president of the Izaak Walton League.

40 years ago – 1972
The woods were cleaner after the “America’s Cleanest Forest” mission of local volunteers and a county road camp crew from Banning spent the weekend cleaning the area. The America’s Cleanest Forest Program was sponsored by the Izaak Walton League.

35 years ago – 1977
Progress on the first phase toward a possible wastewater treatment system for all of the mountain area was heard at a special meeting of the Mt. San Jacinto Water Study Agency. The only item on the agenda was a report from study engineer Peter Pountney of Hirsch & Co.

30 years ago – 1982
Most of the 35 people attending a meeting of the Hemet Unified School District Board of Trustees voiced support for the proposed secondary school in Garner Valley.

25 years ago – 1987
Mt. San Jacinto State Park marked its Golden 50th Anniversary with a big celebration.

20 years ago – 1992
Highway 243 from Ridgeview Drive to South Circle Drive was closed to through traffic due to the Strawberry Creek Bridge being replaced with a more stable, earthquake-proof bridge. The road was expected to reopen Sept. 9.

15 years ago – 1997
Idyllwild Arts graduated 63 seniors.

10 years ago – 2002
Increased costs caused Idyllwild Fire Protection District to raise its ambulance fees 21.4 percent.

5 years ago – 2007
A bald eagle chick wasmaking a strong recovery after falling from its nest near Lake Hemet. Hopes were the eaglet would soon be returned to its home.

1 year ago – 2011
Hemet Unified School District was able to retain 52 out of the 60 certificated and classified personnel slated for dismissal. Among them was Idyllwild School fifth-grade teacher Brennen Priefer, who took a position at Hemet High School, but will be returning to Idyllwild School in the fall 2012.