PHOTOS: This Week in Idyllwild: November 24, 2016

Jayden Emerson of Idyllwild, (center, no. 97), finishes 32nd in the NCAA Division 2 Western regional championships earlier this month. He and his school, California Baptist University, qualified for the NCAA Division 2 championship to be held in Florida. Photo by Jessica Priefer

Nico Yasko (second from left), a junior at Idyllwild Arts, told the audience at Silver Pines Lodge about his development as an actor on Thursday, Nov. 17. The presentation was the second of IdyTalks, jointly sponsored by the Idyllwild Community Center and Idyllwild Arts Academy, and included some of Yasko’s acting scenes. James Jones (third from left), a senior, and Jesse Gilbert (right), also a junior, helped with the scenes. Eduardo Santiago (left) is faculty co-advisor for the events.
Photo by Tom Kluzak

Soroptimist International of Idyllwild members invited potential members to an event last Wednesday at Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery where the club shared details of their work and enjoyed food from Ferro. Here, President Theresa Teel talks about local programs. Photo by Halie Wilson

George Hall, who recently died, was a valued, long-time resident of Idyllwild who was an important member of the Mountain Commmunity Patrol. He also loved his participation with the U.S. Forest Service and served weekly at the Black Mountain Fire Tower for 10 years. The Forest Service has installed a memorial plaque to honor his service at the fire tower. Photo courtesy Diana Kerr

Hill kids can now post their letters to Santa in a special mailbox in the customer service section of the U.S. Post Office at Idyllwild. Post office employees (from left) Christina Reitz, Sherry Kaufman, Kelsi Lehman and Kelly Gates show Evelyn Johnson, 9, and Carter Johnson, 10, where the letters go. By special arrangement with Santa, the Town Crier will be permitted to open the box so kids’ letters to Santa can be published in the Dec. 22 newspaper. Letters need to be in the box by Saturday, Dec. 17, one week before Christmas. Photo by Jack Clark

The newest member of the Idyllwild Rotary Club, Jim Wise (left), received an Idyllwild Rotary mug from President Marc Kassouf after Wise explained a little about himself to members at the weekly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Photo by Tom Kluzak

Members of the Garner Valley Gals, a service organization, presented a $1,000 donation to Gina Perrin and Mike Hitchcock, representatives of Heavenly Horse Haven in Anza, on Monday, Nov. 14. H.H.H. rescues and cares for a variety of animals, and attempts to find homes for them. GVG also contributed $200 to Living Free, as that organization plans to take in rescued horses as well. Shown (from left) are Hitchcock, Teresa Beith, Perrin, Carole Winch, Vicky Hurn (seated), Kathy Bowman, Kerry Manos (kneeling), Diane Bell, Andrea Garcia and Dallas Lauzier.
Photo courtesy Kathy Bowman

After early morning showers and scattered rain, a rainbow made a vibrant showing over Garner Valley on Monday. Photo by Halie Wilson

On Friday, Pete Olson entertained at Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery. Photo by Amy Righetti

Anna Lucia LoPresto enjoys some cotton candy at Idyllwild School’s first Fall Festival last Friday. Photo by Amy Righetti

Carole Winch and Marcia Willert at the Garner Valley Gals’ annual Craft Faire last Saturday at the Garner Valley Common. Photo by Kathy Bowman

Last week, the Idyllwild Arts Dance Department presented its first concert of the school year, the Fall Dance Concert. In conjunction with the concert, there was a 100th-birthday celebration of dance legend Bella Lewitzky. In her honor, the students performed three pieces that Lewitzky choreographed. In 1954, Lewitzky became the founding chair of the Dance Department at Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts (now Idyllwild Arts), and taught at the school until 1972. In the early 2000s, her daughter, Nora Daniel, continued teaching her mother’s techniques. Idyllwild Arts is one of the few dance programs in the United States that offers Lewitzky Technique as part of its curriculum. Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Ellen Rosa Taylor, chair of the Idyllwild Arts Academy Dance Department, speaks to audience members in the Fireside Room on campus during a Friday night reception in celebration of the late Bella Lewitzky. Her daughter, Nora Daniel, also spoke, as well as IAA President Pamela Jordan (left) and Bob Krone, son of the school’s founders Max and Bee Krone. Lewitzky was the first chair of the Dance Department at the school. The reception preceded the Fall Dance Concert in which some of the dances were Lewitzky’s. Photo by Becky Clark

Anthony Negrete (standing on left), of Idyllwild, is finishing his basic training at the U.S. Army’s Fort Benning in Georgia. He will graduate from basic training in early February as an M1 Abrams tank crew member.
Photo courtesy Mike Vladika

The Winter Wonderland Mini Show opened at Higher Grounds Gallery on Friday, Nov. 18. Sponsored by the Art Alliance of Idyllwild, this is one of three pop-up galleries, and features art works that are about 5 inches or less. The show will be open until Jan. 3.
Photo by Tom Kluzak

The Art Alliance of Idyllwild completed its first election process. Joining the board this coming Jan. 1 will be (back row) Rob Padilla, Judy Hoyt, Jerry Baccaire and (front row) Martha Lumia. Officers will be announced at that time.
Photo by Peter Szabadi

Kate and Vic Sirkin enjoy the Town Crier while traveling through Indiana’s Amish country. Photo courtesy the Sirkins

Nancy Borchers, son Jake and granddaughter Abby take time out from Abby’s ECNL soccer tournament in Phoenix to enjoy the Town Crier.
Photo courtesy Nancy Borchers