Past Tense: Sept. 25, 2014
65 years ago – 1949
The Lucks, who manned the community telephone switchboard, figured the average number of calls serviced daily during the summer was 1,800.
60 years ago – 1954
The Idyllwild School term opened with 166 pupils, a 20-percent increase over the previous year.
55 years ago – 1959
Bow and arrow expert Frank Gorzny was the only archer to get a deer during the 10-day season.
50 years ago – 1964
The Palm Springs Tramway celebrated its first year of operation by dropping fares to $1. More than 13,000 riders in three days took advantage of the deal.
45 years ago – 1969
The Izaak Walton League was seeking community-wide support for its “America’s Cleanest Forest” program.
40 years ago – 1974
The third-annual Idyllwild Bluegrass Invitational was held at Town Hall.
35 years ago – 1979
Among the new teachers at Idyllwild School was Vic Scavarda, the new music specialist.
30 years ago – 1984
After year-long negotiations, the Idyllwild Arts Foundation and the University of Southern California worked out the final details to complete the separation of ISOMATA from USC.
25 years ago – 1989
Parents of Idyllwild Elementary School students were asked to make recommendations to the Hemet Unified School District board about whether their children should remain at the school for sixth to eighth grades or be bussed to Hemet.
20 years ago – 1994
Virginia and Bob Gray, owners of Gray’s Photo & News Store, announced that they were retiring. They had owned and operated the store for 54 years.
15 years ago – 1999
Wendy Skean of Garner Valley came in first for the female-solo category of the 24-Hours of Adrenalin bike race held at Hurkey Creek. She completed 11 laps in 24 hours, equivalent to 110 miles.
10 years ago – 2004
Riverside County’s Economic Development Agency was soliciting proposals to use the logs and wood remaining from the many dead and dying trees that had been cut down on the Hill.
5 years ago – 2009
Valley Health System directors approved a tentative agreement with the local physicians’ group — Physicians for Healthy Hospitals — to purchase the hospital district that includes Hemet Valley and Menifee Valley medical centers.
1 year ago – 2013
The San Jacinto Mountan Community Center board shared its plans for the Idyllwild Community Center site and the next steps, which would result in groundbreaking within 12 to 18 months.
