Past Tense: June 7, 2018
70 years ago – 1948
Due to error, Dick Elliott’s name was omitted from the ballot in the school district election. But the diligence of his supporters resulted in 160 write-in votes for Elliott, and he won.
65 years ago – 1953
Steven Simpson baked a magnificent cake for school play day. It was red, white and blue.
60 years ago – 1958
Arnaiz Stables purchased a buckboard and announced plans for a hillbilly taxi service.
55 years ago – 1963
A Lynwood glider pilot unexpectedly set his craft down on a green at Tahquitz Lake Golf Course. He wasn’t high enough to get over the peaks to the desert.
50 years ago – 1968
The proposed new leash law created a furor in town. Public sentiment was running for dogs being able to run free.
45 years ago – 1973
With nearly everyone in town attending, Anza dedicated the newly refurbished Little Red Schoolhouse Library and Minor Park. James Minor donated the park land.
40 years ago – 1978
More than 50,000 people visited the mountain area over the Memorial Day weekend. No incidents, injuries or accidents were reported.
35 years ago – 1983
Dog owners were warned to check their dogs for heartworm after seven cases were reported on the Hill. Abnormally heavy rains had provided a favorable environment for the breeding of mosquitoes that transmit the disease to dogs.
30 years ago – 1988
Demonstrations of chainsaw art were a popular attraction at the Fine Arts Festival sponsored by the Idyllwild Art Guild.
25 years ago – 1993
Several inches of snow fell on the Hill during a late spring storm. It didn’t stick in Idyllwild, but Thousand Trails employee Everett Starnes had to get the plow out to clear the roads at the Pine Cove resort.
20 years ago – 1998
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved, free of charge, an eight-passenger van for Idyllwild transportation needs.
15 years ago – 2003
Out of 800 fire-hazard abatement inspections in Idyllwild, 500 properties failed the first inspection.
5 years ago – 2013
The Idyllwild Community Center/San Jacinto Mountain Community Center was to celebrate the first birthday of its popular Idyllwild Playground on Saturday, June 8.
1 year ago – 2017
A young black bear making rounds in area neighborhoods was possibly to be a long-term resident.
