These benches, located at Jo’An’s, were donated decades ago to the Izaak Walton League from Gorman Kelley. His granddaughter, Susan Cowper, recommended needed maintenance and relocation of the two benches to the Idyllwild Area Historical Society grounds. Photo by J.P. Crumrine
These benches, located at Jo’An’s, were donated decades ago to the Izaak Walton League from Gorman Kelley. His granddaughter, Susan Cowper, recommended needed maintenance and relocation of the two benches to the Idyllwild Area Historical Society grounds.
Photo by J.P. Crumrine

A community potluck dinner, including a discussion about the Idyllwild Historic Preservation District, is being planned.

IHPD Local Review Board members are hoping to host a potluck dinner late in May where they aim to have a member of the Riverside County Planning Department explain the procedures for modifying buildings deemed resources within the district that roughly parallels North Circle Drive from The Fort to Fern Valley Corners.

Ron Kammeyer, a member of the Idyllwild Historic Preservation District Local Review Board, studies a letter to the board during last week’s meeting.       Photo by J.P. Crumrine
Ron Kammeyer, a member of the Idyllwild Historic Preservation District Local Review Board, studies a letter to the board during last week’s meeting. Photo by J.P. Crumrine

Examples of the proposed topics include standards for preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of these buildings considered historic resources within the district.

Property owners within the district are the board’s principal target, but other Idyllwild residents are welcome to the event.

During the citizen comment period, Susan Cowper asked the board to support her request to move two benches from Jo’An’s to the Idyllwild Area Historical Society property.

Her grandfather, Gorman Fae Kelley, originally donated the benches to the Izaak Walton League when the area was known as Eleanor Park. Cowper and her aunt, Mary Fae Kelley, are willing to pay transfer expenses.

While she hasn’t approached the IAHS yet, she plans to solicit its support. LRB President Warren Monroe indicated he would speak to Joann Lackey to entreat her agreement.

Cowper also recommended that the IHPD erect some permanent maps in the center of town so visitors would have an idea, not only of where they are, but what other resources are beyond their view.

“They don’t know where to go,” she explained to the board. “With a map, they would locate sites such as Humber Park and the Idyllwild Arts campus.”