IdyllwildIMagazined & y Visitor’sll Guidew Winter/Springil d2009-10 A publication of the Idyllwild TownTown Crier newspaper Jukebox Wizard Fern Valley Emporium proprietor Don Zeigler. Idyllwild in the ’40s Adventure and tragedy on the Hill. Calendar of Events The most comprehensive listing of winter and spring events and entertainment in the Idyllwild area. PLUS: Dining, Nightlife & Dessert • Lodging Directory • Car Camping Mountain Biking • Rock Climbing Fishing • Area Map & More! Idyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide, Winter/Spring 2009-10 1 Call Us! Put us to the test Dora Dillman Use the Best! Maggie Morphett Village Center Office North Circle Office Cell: (951) 288-5604 Cell: (951) 316-5213 [email protected] [email protected] www.lovethehill.com www.lovethehill.com Sheila Zacker Steve Taylor Village Center Office North Circle Office Cell: (951) 675-0715 Cell: (951) 288-1945 [email protected] [email protected] www.lovethehill.com Experts in www.idyllwildproperty.com Mountain Jim Billman Bill Sperling North Circle Office Log Cabin Office Cell: (951) 206-0868 (951) 659-4673 [email protected] Real Estate [email protected] www.idyllwildcalifornia.com/billman www.lovethehill.com Wayne Johnston Linda Allen Ron Schingo North Circle Office Log Cabin Office Log Cabin Office Cell: (951) 236-1998 (951) 659-0593 Cell: (951) 212-9172 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.lovethehill.com www.lindaallen.com www.lovethehill.com Fresh Baked Bread “Your Supermarket on the Hill” Serving the local community and all its visitors since 1982. Come on in and check out our weekly specials. 54111 Village Center Dr. (near the Post Office) Idyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide, Winter/Spring 2009-10 1 Fern Valley Emporium Fern Valley Corners - On The Creek Only 1/2 mile Above Village Center 54965 Pine Crest - 951.659.1926 Thursday — Monday 10—5 Jukeboxes, Pinball Machines, Records, Old Radios Antiques, Collectibles, Furniture Estate Jewelry Hand Made Quilts Lamps, Lights and Lanterns Kitchen Collectibles Pinecone Art Vintage Cabin Collectibles Four Corners Fine Art Gallery Landscapes by Elena Kern Reserve Our Deck For That Special Occasion Car Club Destination, Reunions, Meetings Http://www.fernvalleyemporium.com EMAIL: [email protected] 2 Idyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide, Winter/Spring 2009-10 Welcome to the Mountain dyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide is your bite to eat in one of our many dining establishments, I directory to having fun on the mountain — or grab a quick coffee or ice cream as you browse our whether that’s relaxing, strolling throughout the village shops. We offer something for everyone. or enjoying adventure in the wilderness. This guide is For absolute tranquility spend a day or two in chock-full of who, what and where to get you there. one of our inns, prop your feet up and do absolutely An abundance of events are listed in the Calendar nothing. on pages 8-10 in this issue. It also is available on our Each time you come for a visit you can rely on Web site: www.towncrier.com/entertainment.html. going home renewed and refreshed, and wanting to You can download the entire Idyllwild Magazine & return again to this peaceful setting. Visitor’s Guide or any of our other special publications Again, on behalf of the Pine Cove Property Owners at www.towncrier.com/publications.html. This is a Association, a tight-knit community of Idyllwild, and Becky Clark busy community. There’s always something fun to do our neighbors, we welcome you and hope you will Publisher-Editor in Idyllwild. return soon. Idyllwild Magazine Whatever isn’t listed here most likely is in the Idyllwild is a magnifi cent place to visit, but even a & Visitor’s Guide weekly Town Crier newspaper, available at newsstands better place to call home. Town Crier newspaper throughout the mountain communities and by AnnaMarie Padula subscription. An abundance of local and tourist information is online at www.towncrier.com.We hope you visit us again very soon. On the cover Becky Clark IdMagazine & yl Visitor’slw Guide Winter/Silpring d2009-10 Idyllwild Town Crier he peaceful natural setting of the San Jacinto A publication of the Idyllwild Town Crier newspaper News Editor J.P. T Mountains welcomes you to the mountain Crumrine took this photo communities of Idyllwild, Fern Valley and Pine Cove. As you walk our quaint village, stop for a moment to of a whimsical bear enjoy the majesty of our surrounding mountains, and playing in the snow. breathe in our refreshing clean mountain air. AnnaMarie Padula On behalf of the Pine Cove Property Owners President Association, we wish to extend a welcome to you and Pine Cove Property thank you for visiting. Idyllwild proper has much to offer in the form of art and nature, with its many art Owners Association Idyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide, Winter/Spring 2009-10 1 galleries, quaint shops and hiking trails. Stop for a Where is Idyllwild? Driving Distances From Idyllwild Idyllwild, an oasis of sanity in Southern Banning (via Hwy. 243) 22 miles California, is less than one hour from Palm IdyllwildMagazine & Visitor’s Guide Escondido (via Hwy. 371) 68 miles Desert, Hemet, Anza or Banning, and has no Hemet (via Hwy. 74) 25 miles Published By … traffi c backups on the way. Long Beach (via Hwy. 243) 103 miles EDITOR Becky Clark Each of the routes to Idyllwild is scenic and OPERATIONS MANAGER Jim Crandall unique. Los Angeles (via Hwy. 243) 100 miles STAFF REPORTER Marshall Smith Idyllwild nestles in the San Jacinto Orange County (via Hwy. 243) 93 miles ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Grace Reed Palm Desert (via Hwy. 74) 47 miles ADVERTISING SALES Kathy Bryson Mountains. This southern, isolated section of ADVERTISING SALES James Larkin the San Bernardino National Forest, a forest Palm Springs (via Hwy. 243) 47 miles GRAPHIC DESIGN Jim Crandall that includes Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, Riverside (via Hwy. 243) 51 miles PRODUCTION & DESIGN James Larkin also encompasses the Santa Rosa Mountains San Bernardino (via Hwy. 243) 57 miles COPY EDITOR Beth Nottley close by. San Diego (via Hwy. 371) 114 miles STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Jim Crandall, J.P. Crumrine, Jenny Idyllwild was once the summer home of the San Fernando Valley (via Hwy. 243) 121 miles Kirchner, Beth Nottley Cahuilla Indians. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Halie Johnson Santa Monica (via Hwy. 243) 117 miles CUSTOMER SERVICE Sandy Burns Temecula (via Hwy. 371) 48 miles The Idyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide is published semiannually by Idyllwild Publications Inc., P.O. Box For Everyone’s Safety: “Slower traffi c use turnouts” 157, 54295 Village Center Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549, The scenery is beautiful but the drive may be a bit daunting. So if you need to pace yourself when (951) 659-2145, fax (951) 659-2071, itc@towncrier. com. driving in the mountains, please use courtesy when faster vehicles are following and pull over in the turnout areas provided for you. Idyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide, Winter/Spring 2009-10 3 “THE FORT” Unique Shops & Businesses with Something for Everyone! 54225 North Circle Drive 88 Far East International, Inc. What’s There To Do In Idyllwild? Paint Your Own Pottery! 951-659-4481 www.earthnfire.net We’re not just a store … We’re a great Activity! (951) 659-5066 We also carry Fine Art Supplies Espresso • Fine Food • Spirits Forest Whispers Cowboy & Indian Collectibles Irresistible Forest Animals El Diablo Café Mystical Gnomes & Enchanting Fairies Warm Blankets, Hiking Sticks & Amusing Signs In the FORT Reservations: 659-2560 (951) 741-9780 HOUSE OF JERKY Lady of the Lake Buffalo ~ Venison ~ Ostrich ~ Elk ~ Beef Mythical, mystical books, gifts & clothing Turkey ~ Alligator ~ Salmon for the evolving human spirit. Psychic Readings – Weekends The Best Jerky In Any House! Aura Photos & Psychic Faire – Monthly 951-659-2593 (951) 659-5115 z z and SOCK SHOPPE z z “the Sole of Idyllwild” Idyllwild’s boot & shoe headquarters for 23 years. A TRUSTED NAME IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1977 FeaturingFeaturing aactivective & seasonalseasonal stylesstyles from:from: UGG MERRELL TEVA MINNETONKA DANSKO KEEN MLS www.robinoates.com (951) 659-4295 z z z 951 659-1997 • 1 888 658-2889 z SEE ALL OUR LISITNGS & INTERIORS AT DYLLWILD Over 100 The Spruce Moose I Vintage Style SODA POP Soda Pops Woodland Gifts & Home Décor Idyllwild Postcards & Souvenirs & Nostalgic Candy SWEET “The Spruce Moose Soy Candle Collection” SHOP A Blast from the Past Handmade Native American Flutes (951) 659-6456 (951) 659-5556 Visit “The Center of Idyllwild”! 4 Idyllwild Magazine & Visitor’s Guide, Winter/Spring 2009-10 IdyllwildIMagazined & y Visitor’sll Guidew Winter/SpringWinter/Sipringld 2009-10 Features 8 Calendar of Events Complete listing of winter and spring events and celebrations throughout the Idyllwild area. 21 Jukebox Wizard Fern Valley Emporium proprietor Don Zeigler turns jukeboxes, pinball See page 8 machines and other antiques into functional memorabilia. By Marshall Smith 23 Idyllwild in the 1940s The author shares her memories See page 21 of adventure and trajedy during her childhood in Idyllwild. By Olive Walburn McLaughlin Departments See page 23 In House Recreation Calendars & Charts Yesterday 3 Welcome 29 Car Camping 8 Arts & Entertainment 33 Legend of Tahquitz 5 Contents 31 Camps & Retreats Calendar 39 Idyllwild Area 7 Advertising Index 34 Mountain Biking 13 Dining Chart Historical Society 46 Idyllwild Map 35 Rock Climbing 17 Lodging Chart Museum 48 Phone Numbers 41 Fishing 37 Hiking & 40 How Idyllwild Got its 42 Trees Backpacking Charts Name 45 Adventure Pass 38 Church Services Volume 3, Number 2 IdyllwildIdyllwild MagazineMagazine & Visitor’sVisitor’s Guide,Guide, Winter/SpringWinter/Spring 2009-10 5 A MOUNTAIN TRADITION HILLTOPHILLTOP Est. 1972 1-888-675-4025 REALTYREALTY “Metropolitan“Metropolitan Close ... FFeelseels LikLikee a Million Miles AAway”way” Larry Bischof FAMILY€ TREASURE Lovely single-story home close to the Village and Idyllwild Arts.