Brad and Jackie Rechtfertig, owners of the new Grand Idyllwild Lodge (www.grandidyllwildlodge.com), are quietly performing what is an often-shared Idyllwild impulse, giving back to others. The Rechterfigs are not alone in following this impulse, Brad stressed.
They’re doing it under the radar because, as Brad, who designed and built the lodge, said, “We have fun doing it and we feel it’s important to be part of the community.” Brad and Jackie are partners in their enterprise, with Jackie having provided most of the decoration and ambience elements for the lodge.
Recently they hosted one of their gourmet dinner and music events, this one to benefit the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series. Brad said the event, at which Marshall Hawkins and friends performed, raised more than $2,000 for the series. Two previous events raised just over $2,000 for the Idyllwild Community Center building project.
“We’ve long been part of supporting the ICC project,” said Brad. “We began by hosting their meetings, and we’re always looking for a good reason to throw another gala.”
The next event, planned for the Saturday of Jazz in the Pines, will help fund Marshall Hawkin’s jazz education effort, the Seahawk Mojo Modern Jazz Orchestra, with a mission of introducing jazz to youth with concerts at schools throughout Southern California. “Marshall will bring many of his jazz colleagues, we’ll sell tickets and cap attendance at 80 or so, and make it a very special event for a very special purpose,” said Brad.
Asked what else they had done since opening just before Thanksgiving 2013, Brad said they had raised about $600 for the HELP Center, and, with donated room stays to other nonprofits, he thinks the total raised to date is between $5,000 and $6,000.
“Our business is doing well and this is something we can and will continue to do,” said Brad.