Past Tense
75 years ago – 1948
A Christmas fire at the dump caught many firemen in their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. Swede Pitt tramped among the the burning debris in a starched white shirt and his best pants rolled to the knees.
70 years ago – 1953
Hope Bell, librarian, reported that circulation in the local library doubled in 1952 over the previous year.
65 years ago – 1958
California Water and Telephone scheduled visits by representatives to instruct adults and children on how to use the new dial telephones.
FILE PHOTO
60 years ago – 1963
Idyllwild firemen tallied 1962 calls — first-aid services was first (392), followed by 80 ambulance runs. There were 39 fire runs and nine wind patrols.
55 years ago – 1968
Joe Fichera, previously associated with Johnson’s Realty, purchased the Harold Taylor Realty Office in Fern Valley.
50 years ago – 1973
Despite freezing weather and a sprinkling of snow, 30 bird counters sighted more than 50 species in the end-of-year bird count. Two unusual varieties were spotted: the varied thrush and Clark’s nutcracker.
45 years ago – 1978
Lake Fulmor overflowed during heavy rain storms. Lake waters spilled into Hall Canyon.
40 years ago – 1983
A cross-country skier died and two hikers were rescued in the San Jacinto Mountains the previous week in three seperate incidents.
35 years ago – 1988
Doris Lombard’s third-grade class collected the most cans during the Canned Tree Drive and were treated to a party by the Idyllwild Board of Realtors.
30 years ago – 1993
Nearly 150 attended Idyllwild Fire Department’s New Year’s Eve dance. It raised $800 for the station.
25 years ago – 1998
Town Hall was transformed into a mythical undersea world, thanks to the music and dance of “O Lungo Drom” and friends. David Reid-Marr and Mark Taylor, with “O Lungo Drom,” joined with Jennifer, Jovielle and Vesper McEwen.
20 years ago – 2003
Dr. Candide Petrol and Dr. Ray Webb found an abandoned home on a hike, and turned it into the vacation home of their dreams. The Fern Valley home was featured on “Homes Across America” on the Home and Garden Television Network.
15 years ago – 2008
The Astronomical Society of the Desert held its monthly meeting and star party at sundown at the Sawmill Trailhead parking lot in Pinyon.
10 years ago – 2013
Vandals struck La Bella Montagna Italian Restaurant in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, breaking glass in a large bay window.
5 years ago – 2018
The Idyllwild Fire Department has announced the retirement of Capt. Alan Lott, who has served more than 25 years with the department. He started Dec. 1, 1989, according to Chief Patrick Reitz.
1 year ago – 2022
COVID was surging and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was considering recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot for ages 12 to 15. The Food and Drug Administration authorized such use the previous week.
