From time to time in this column, I share anecdotes illustrating the adage that in order to be preserved, history must first be reconstructed. During my 17 years pursuing historical reconstruction as a post-retirement hobby, I’ve been particularly struck by how often sheer luck figures into the process. A rich example is the emerging story…
65 years ago – 1949 The Women’s Association of the Idyllwild Community Church was considering setting up a “bank” of food and clothing for needy families on the Hill. 60 years ago – 1954 Snow finally arrived — 9 to 11 inches of it. It was welcome, for Idyllwild had been through a very dry…
Happy Howlidays from Dozer, Harley and Chelsea and all of the ARF volunteers. The cattery chimes in, too, with a Merry Meow. Dozer is a young black Lab-mix looking for a forever human to throw the ball, throw the ball and then throw the ball again. You get it. And if you won’t, he will…
65 years ago – 1948 Not a single crack appeared in the rock work of Fern Valley Market, despite a terrific shaking in the earth. Town Crier declared it was a tribute to Bill Jolley’s skill as a stonemason. 60 years ago – 1953 Someone dropped off a load of pitch-gooey pine for Mr. Gruey’s…
While many of us celebrate the holidays with family and friends, some individuals fall into an inner depression. This pallor of joylessness can be very personal and deep, particularly when family is far away, ties are cut or family simply have passed on. We are blessed that people have places to go here where they…
Editor: A recent letter to the editor expressed a desire to make the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony more child-friendly. I completely agree, but it could also be made more adult-friendly as well. Don’t misinterpret my suggestions, please. I believe the tree lighting is one of the highlights of the year in Idyllwild and I would…
Editor: Each member of our class is working on a project called the “Parade of States.” We are responsible for gathering as much information as we can from a number of sources. I have chosen California for my state. If any of your readers would help me out by sending any pictures, postcards, a used…
Editor: Did you hear what he said, he being Nelson Mandela? From his hospital bed in 2011 he announced, “I am not sick, I am old.” Being 76 years old myself, and not always of sound body and mind, I find this statement to be dazzling and diamond-like in its clarity. Mandela tells me I,…
As the primary reporter of information about public agencies on the Hill, we need to attend about a dozen meetings a month. Readers depend on us to report what happens so, more often than not, we cover lightly attended meetings. A couple of weeks ago, I attended a meeting in San Francisco where we merged…
Dear, Santa Paws ARF four-leggeds heard you were coming to town soon. So we put our furry little heads together and came up with our special wish list. We call it special because the ARF angels always tell us we are such special cats and dogs. Mrs. Magoo stepped right up as the spokescat for the…
