The day could not have been more beautiful. A few clouds danced through an otherwise brilliant sky, a light wind ruffled the lake surface, several kites flew nearby and people clustered around picnic tables as an expectant crowd of mostly young swimmers waited to be the first to swim in the lake. Top brass of…

Idyllwild’s Rotary Club volunteers are planning another big Independence Day parade this Thursday. Organizer Bob Parish said the parade has about 80 entrants and people are still calling him with more entries. That compares to about 60 entrants last year. Grace Moore, 91, of Gracie’s Thrift Shop, is this year’s grand marshal. On a sad…