Palms to Pines Magazine • July-August 2015

Palms toMagazine Pines

July-August 2015 | Vol. 2 No. 4 palmstopinesmagazine.com

A Lifestyle Magazine Serving Idyllwild and the Desert Cities

COMPLIMENTARY

Thousand Trails in Idyllwild makes for a great family outdoors escape Palms to Pines Magazine, March-April 2015  1

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INDEX

Welcome ...................................... 4 Camping Done Right-Thousand Trails. ................................................. 6 Idyllwild’s Hidden Enterprise.......10 Camp Ronald McDonald – Kids being Kids...................................14 Camp Alandale – Divine Inspiration . ............................................... 18 Redefining Family Travel.............20 Town Hall Summer Camp............24 Idyllwild Library – Family Fun......26 The 22nd Annual Jazz in the Pines ............................................... 28 Lake Hemet................................30 Fern Creek Medical – Beyond the Standard of Care ....................32 Treats: Town Baker & Idyllwild Ice Cream .....................................33 Morongo Casino – a Solid Bet.....34 Cahuilla Casino............................36 Agua Caliente – Be a Winner.......38 Stratford Players – The Lion Roars Again....................................... 39

Hot Fun in the Summertime!

T

his issue is dedicated to families and we’ve started you off with a taste of the Idyllwild camping scene at Thousand Trails. I must admit, I’ve lived in Idyllwild for quite a while now and I had never been there for a visit. (It took me living in the desert for 10 years before I ever rode the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.)

In both instances, I wish I had visited much sooner.

In this issue we also tackle a difficult subject, families with children living with cancer, in our piece about Camp Ronald From left, Lisa Streeter, Advertising Sales and Comic Relief; Halie McDonald for Good Times®, Wilson, Creative Director, Graphics Guru, Webmaster & Finn’s and despite the subject matter Mom; the Spunky Becky Clark and the Fashionable Jack Clark, we think you’ll find some Owners of Idyllwild House Publishing, Inc., (Jack is also known inspiration in the positive impact as “Fashion Jack,” for the column he writes for the Town Crier), the Camp is having on so many Jay Pentrack, Editor, Magazine Partner, and Slave to the Goddess; families. If your family is similarly Dolores Sizer, Goddess of All Things; Jenny Kirchner, Photography impacted, please use the contact Wizard, and Teresa Garcia-Lande, Graphic Design Assistant, All Around Amazing Assistant and Mom to Kaysa and Keenan. information we have included in PHOTO BY JP CRUMRINE the article. It could change your life and that of your entire family. summer and fall – so be sure to check out

If you get a chance this summer, come the Idyllwild Calendar on Page 42. We on up to Idyllwild, and while you’re here, really do enjoy it when you visit! stop in at our Visitor Center at 54405 N. Speaking of families, enjoy this Circle Drive and say “Hello.” In addition photo of our Palms to Pines Family. We to the milder temperatures on the Hill, have a great time doing the magazine you’ll enjoy the warmth and kindness and we hope you enjoy it as well. Have a of the folks who live here. We also have safe and wonderful summer! lots of events planned throughout the – Jay Pentrack

Idyllwild Innocents Abroad..........40 Idyllwild Calendar – July/August.42 Palm Desert Aquatic Center – Hassle-Free Fun.......................43 Summer Art Camp at the Museum ............................................... 45

Publisher | Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd. Editor | Jay Pentrack (jay@palmstopinesmagazine.com) Creative Director / Webmaster | Halie Wilson (halie@palmstopinesmagazine.com)

Palm Springs/Desert Cities Calendar ............................................... 47

Graphic Design Assistant | Teresa Garcia-Lande Advertising Sales | Lisa Streeter (lisa@palmstopinesmagazine.com) Goddess of All Things | Dolores Sizer

Advertiser Index..........................48 The cover photo features Garrett, Natasha, Parker and Owen Woods, who had a great time recently at Thousand Trails. The photo is

by Jenny Kirchner 4

Palms toMagazine Pines

July-August 2015 | Vol. 2 No. 4 palmstopinesmagazine.com

A Lifestyle Magazine Serving Idyllwild and the Desert Cities

Photographers | John Drake \ Jenny Kirchner Contributing Writers | Chris Clemens \ Donna Elliot \ Neil Jenkins \ Shanna Robb General Counsel | Jack Clark Palms to Pines Magazine is published bi-monthly by Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd., P.O. Box 157, 54405 N. Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549.

Please send subscription and change of address requests to the above address.

Please allow up to two weeks for requests to be processed.

All contents of Palms to Pines Magazine are copyrighted by Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd. © 2014-2015 all rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written consent of Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd.

COMPLIMENTARY

Thousand Trails in Idyllwild makes for a great family outdoors escape Palms to Pines Magazine, March-April 2015 1

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Idyllwild House Publishing Company, Ltd. is located at 54405 North Circle Dr. (P.O. Box 157), Idyllwild, CA 92549 (951) 659-2145 or toll free at 1-888-535-6663 email: info@palmstopinesmagazine.com Full magazine online at www.palmstopinesmagazine.com

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camping done right Thousand Trails

Thousand Trails has a regularly stocked fishing pond. The Woods boys get a fishing lesson from their parents.

Story by Jay Pentrack

P Photos by Jenny Kirchner

C

amping is a favorite summer outing for families across America and no one does it better than Thousand Trails. With over 80 locations in 22 states from Alabama to Wisconsin, as well as British Columbia, Canada, wherever your wanderlust takes you, it is likely you’ll find a Thousand Trails campground to call your home away from home.

What if I told you that within two hours from most So Cal locations you could arrive in a world so dramatically different from your day-to-day that it could literally take your breath away?

Well, pack up the car, grab the kids and the dog, and get ready to be amazed! In Idyllwild-adjacent Pine Cove, you’ll discover a world of alpine splendor nestled high atop the San Jacinto Mountains.

Reaching 7,100 feet in some areas of the campground, the views are more spectacular than you can imagine.

A Bit of History and Campground Philosophy

The campground was established back in the 1970s with Thousand Trails taking over in the early 1980s according to Jeff Gutman, Manager of the property. “I think it used to be called Wilderness Pines before it became Idyllwild Thousand Trails.” Jeff has been with the property for 4 years and is a stickler about the quality of the experience he offers his visitors. “You could eat off of the floors in our shower areas and restrooms,” he says smiling.

And despite having a staff of only about 8 during the winter and 10 in the summer months, the property is indeed spotless. Certainly Jeff’s background as a retired Marine leading about 8,000 guys was great training for his current position. “[Much] like in the military, we work as a team, and we have a great team here; we all work together.” On arrival you’re greeted warmly by a staff ready to help you get your adventure started.

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July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Endless Fun for the Entire Family

With temperatures reaching the mid-80s during the summer months, families will enjoy the heated pool (Mother’s Day to Labor Day) and comfortable, expansive pool area, complete with a “kiddies” pool. Imagine relaxing among the Pine and Oak trees under an endless blue sky while the kids splash and play in a pool made just for them. Mom and Dad can look forward to a quiet evening under the stars while the kids, exhausted from a long day of fun, enjoy sweet dreams of S’Mores and sunshine and family walks among the trees.

For anglers big and small, the 26-feet deep fishing pond Thousand Trails stocked with Blue Gill, Catfish and, occasionally, Tilapia will Amenities provide hours of enjoyment Amphitheatre and quite possibly the main Basketball dish at dinnertime.

Billiards/Game Room For aspiring Blake Clubhouse Dog Park Griffin’s or Lisa Leslie’s, there Fishing is a basketball court where Horseback Riding the kids can hone their skills Horseshoes or enjoy a pick-up game with Laundry Facilities other visitors. Racquetball, Library shuffleboard, horseback Nature/Hiking Trails riding and 8 different hiking Pets Welcome trails located within the 200Picnic/BBQ Area acre campground offer ample Playground opportunity for an activityRestaurant Restroom/Shower Facilities packed visit. “Some of the trails RV Storage are a mile and a half, some are Shuffleboard 3 miles, and some are 5 miles.

Store We have a map available for Swimming Pool visitors,” Jeff offers.

Volleyball Are you an avid hiker WiFi

or walker? Join the “Walk the Trails” program; as you walk, you have the Activities Director at participating Thousand Trails’ parks initial your mileage; when you reach 100, 200, 500, 1,000 you receive a Guided horseback, donkey and mule rides are also available. pin for each milestone. Hit a 1,000 miles and your achievement will be noted in the Thousand Trails ‘Trailblazer’ magazine. It makes for some serious bragging rights!

Kids love being recognized for the good they do and Thousand Trails “Club Blazer” does just that. Kids that do good things like protecting the environment, picking up after themselves, and so on, are rewarded. Each “good deed” earns the child a bear, fox or other animal pin. Keeping the kids entertained is a priority at Thousand Trails - “We have a lot for the kids to do; last weekend we started something new called “Find the Golden Horseshoe.” We hide it in the park and we give the kids hints, kind of like a scavenger hunt. If they find it, they win a prize.”

Nothing tastes as good as a nice hot breakfast cooked camp-side, but when cooking is just not practical, Thousand Trails has a restaurant.

The on-premises restaurant is open on major holidays.

“We [serve dinners] for some of the holidays like Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Oktoberfest. Usually we have breakfast on Sundays; most of See Camping, next page

Idyllwild Ice Cream

Ice cream & GeLaTO • Hand-Dipped Giant Ice Cream Bars • Shakes

Soft Serve • Chocolate-Dipped Bananas and Cheesecake Fruit Smoothies • Shaved Ice (dozens of flavors) Cold Drinks • Nachos w/Cheese • Caramel Dipped Apples Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs • Giant Pretzels • Angus Burgers Hot Drinks: Hot Chocolate (Marshmallow, Peanut Butter, Peppermint, Pumpkin and White Chocolate) Starbucks • Cider • Chai Tea • Specialty Drinks

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Activities July 2-5: 4th of July Weekend – Movie Under the Stars, S’Mores Social, fishing tournament, $1 Hot Dogs, games, crafts and a performance by “Hit Men.” July 10-12: Beach Mountain Weekend – Design your own sun visor, Hula Hoop and Watermelon eating contests. Music and Karaoke by DJ Dominic Dimare.

More fun stuff in the works!

July 17-19: Bluegrass Weekend – Enjoy a weekend of Bluegrass music and jam sessions, campfires with S’Mores, and crafts and games.

July 24-26: Luau Weekend – This popular weekend celebrates everything Hawaiian. Make your own Lei, play games and join us for our Hawaiian Luau, complete with Hawaiian dancers.

Nathan Goss, 11, visiting from Palm Desert, jumps right in on a warm summer day.

CAMPING Continued from previous page the time it’s buffet style and people like that,” Jeff explains. “Instead of cooking on Sunday they go and eat a nice breakfast and then ship out for home.”

The folks at Thousand Trails go all out during the summertime with fishing tournaments, drive-in-like movies, S’Mores for the kids, and live entertainment – Bluegrass, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Folk Music. Popular with locals as well as guests, each event draws an energetic crowd of music lovers who tap their feet, sing along, or get up and dance.

It’s always a fun time and you can even bring along the (well-behaved) family pet - there’s a special area just for you!

Tents, RVs and Cottages I’ve been to campgrounds where the campsites are as close to each other as condos in the city, and it is a huge turn-off. For me, vacation means open space, some peace and quiet, and a time to relax with my family. I give Thousand Trails an A++ on the size and location of their RV and tent campsites; many have incredible views (remember you are at over 6,100 feet) and most are spacious offering room to spread out a bit with some measure of privacy. Each RV site comes with a BBQ and many have storage sheds.

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With 250 total sites divided into tent sites, RV sites and cottages – there are approximately 85 tent sites, 150 RV sites and 15 cottages/cabins – there’s plenty of room to arrange a gathering of your friends and family. Be sure to ask about the “Getaway,” a two-story cottage with an upstairs loft of sorts, perfect for the kids. Note: the Getaway requires a special membership.

Great News for Locals and Visitors Alike

Discovering Thousand Trails was a real bonus for me. As a [fairly] long-time Idyllwild resident I was happy to learn that for $10 I can purchase a day use permit and come and enjoy the facilities – the pool, the trails, the music and the fun. According to Jeff, lots of locals take advantage of the property especially during the week. So Mom and Dad, it’s a great way to spend a fun day at the pool with the kids while getting to know some of the out-of-town visitors to our beautiful mountain.

Membership is not a requirement for you to enjoy Thousand Trails, the fees are just a bit higher for you to RV or camp at one of their many locations. Membership has many benefits, including unlimited camping all year long in your Zone. For example, there are 17 Thousand Trails Campgrounds in the Southwest Zone that includes California. Your first 30 days of camping a year are free with a $3

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

July 31-August 2: Wild West Weekend – Got Chili? Enter our annual Chili Cookoff Contest or just come by and sample the entries!

Saturday night entertainment will be Glen Smith (he brings along instruments for the kids)!

August 7-9: Wilderness Weekend – Hike with Pat and enjoy our wilderness. Learn about the many things that make Idyllwild such an amazing place. Lots of activities and Richard and Mary will be performing Saturday night.

August 21-23: Oktoberfest Weekend – This weekend is a favorite with our guests. Start off by sampling several German beers and enjoy a yummy German dinner. The Movie under the Stars is Madagascar 3 – Europe’s Most Wanted.

daily usage charge once you exceed the 30 days. There are several membership levels for you to choose from and all are budget-friendly and some even offer payment plans.

One of these weekends (or weekdays) when you’re trying to think of something fun for the family to do, take a drive up to Idyllwild and ask the folks at Thousand Trails to give you a tour. If you are as impressed as I was, you’ll be booking your next weekend getaway or vacation at Idyllwild Thousand Trails.

For more information visit them online at thousandtrails.com or give them a call at 877-730-5935.

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Story by Robert Smith Idyllwild Area Historical Society

P Newcomers to Idyllwild may not be aware that our largest and longest-lived industry is organized camps.

The biggest of them, Idyllwild Pines, can see upwards of 16,000 campers a year, but they remain nearly invisible, because campers typically don’t venture downtown.

At least 34 camps have operated in the area at various Until Azalea Trails was opened in 1942, Camp Emerson hosted times. There are 14 currently Riverside Girl Scout campers. active, and while some quickly PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY faltered, nine former camps actually enjoyed lifetimes of 17 to 40 years. The most common question of Idyllwild Area Historical Museum visitors is “Where was my camp located?”

Idyllwild developer Claudius Lee Emerson, as part of his strategy for seeding a stable, familyfriendly community, started the industry here in 1921, when he began donating land to religious and scouting organizations.

Emerson’s first gift was to the Riverside County Boy Scout Council, five acres on Strawberry Creek where he’d allowed the scouts to camp informally for two summers. He was so pleased with that first year’s 433 campers, he added another five acres in 1922. Camp Emerson, now at age 94 and grown to well over 150 acres, is one of the oldest camps west of the Mississippi River.

With the precedent set, a wave of new camps followed during Idyllwild’s Roaring Twenties construction boom.

In 1923 Harriet Snyder opened her Peak and Pine girls camp on the site of today’s Rainbow Inn, with equestrian facilities near the head of Tollgate Road.

Emerson’s donations and discount land sales in 1924-25 seeded still-thriving Idyllwild Pines religious camp, as well as the Long Beach Like most of the religious camps, Idyllwild Pines had its amphitheater Boy Scout Council’s Camp for outdoor worship & instruction.

See Camps, page 12 PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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CAMPS Continued from page 10 Tahquitz, located on land that’s now home to the Idyllwild Nature Center.

Idyllwild Pines was a favorite of Emerson’s, receiving nearly 50 acres from him during the 1920s.

In 1929 the Seventh-Day Adventist Church launched J.M.V. Pathfinder Camp on borrowed land near Idyllwild Pines, as a prelude to buying 16 acres at the foot of Lower Pine Crest Avenue in 1932.

Also in 1929, Emerson’s rival developers Frank Strong and George Dickinson offered the Los Angeles County Christian Endeavor Union acreage on South Circle Drive in proportion to the number of buyers the organization could sign up for neighboring vacation lots. That ploy was only partially successful, but the CE union was able to raise money to purchase the rest of its 18 acres for the Tahquitz Pines Conference Grounds.

1931 saw the opening of a summer camp at High Castle, a lodge overlooking Idyllwild near Saunders Meadow, run

by Desert Sun School in Mecca. In 1937 Desert Sun abandoned that outgrown facility and moved its camp to Hurkey Creek. But school founders Edith and Richard Elliott, became so enamored of Saunders Meadow that they leased it in 1941, then bought it after the war and moved the whole school there.

Camp development wound down during the Depression and World War II. But the Riverside Girls Scout Council in 1942 still managed to open Azalea Trails camp on leased Forest Service land high in remote Dark Canyon. And in 1944 the Pasadena YWCA took advantage of a fire sale – literally – to create Camp Tahquitz Meadows on the charred ruins of Tahquitz Lodge resort near today’s Mountain Center.

A second, much larger, wave of startups followed the war, with more than a dozen new camps appearing through the 1950s. Religious and youth organization sponsorship continued to dominate.

Riverside YMCA perched Camp Lackey on the remote north slope of Fuller Ridge. The Reorganized LDS Church started Buckhorn Camp at Dutch Flat, and the Advent Christian Church created Camp Maranatha next to the state park campground in town.

In Garner Valley, Orange County Girl 12

Mealtime meant waiting lines at J.M.V. Pathfinder camp.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Scouts created Camp Joe Scherman on the former Wellman Ranch, and the Boys Club of Palm Springs started Pathfinder Ranch on the site of Kenworthy, a shortlived 19th-century gold rush boomtown.

Long Beach Girl Scouts turned an old apple farm at Vista Grande into Skyland Ranch.

A new wave of entrepreneurs followed Harriet Snyder’s example, typically pursuing personal ideals. For example, Harry James started his rugged Trailfinders Camp above Lake Fulmor to stimulate character development in boys.

Ann Lay founded Idyllwild InstituteFiesta as a combined finishing school and citizenship program for Junior ROTC girls. Max and Bee Krone created the ever popular Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts summer program, now expanded with the world-renowned, year-round Idyllwild Arts Academy.

At Hurkey Creek, Dan Slater built Camp Roosevelt for children and families (now Camp Ronald McDonald). Beverly Hills attorney Oscar Lawler deeded his elegant lodge and land in Dark Canyon to Riverside County for the Lawler Lodge youth camp.

As time went by, even long-lived camps that were personal projects of their founders couldn’t survive the founder’s passing. Peak and Pine Camp closed in 1962, Trailfinders became the James Reserve in 1966, and Idyllwild Institute-Fiesta closed its gates in 1997.

Changing economic times led several scouting and “Y” camps to shut down or consolidate elsewhere. Thus, Horsemanship was a central focus of Peak & Pine girls camp.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IDYLLWILD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Camp Tahquitz was split between the county park and neighboring Cedar Glen subdivision in 1958; Camp Lackey was sold to the Desert Water Agency after its 1987 closure; and after Camp Tahquitz Meadows closed in 1980 its land became the Living Free Animal Sanctuary. A threat of water rationing prompted JMV Pathfinders to buy Pine Springs Ranch near Garner Valley, and its Idyllwild property was acquired by the Jewish organization Habonim Dror, which ran Camp Gilboa for 20 years, before selling the property to Idyllwild Pines. Desert Sun School (renamed Elliott-Pope) folded in 1990, and Guided Discoveries Inc. turned its campus into a science center now known as AstroCamp.

Getting away from everyday cares to absorb the mountain environment, make new friends, and focus attention on higher ideals can be an exhilarating experience at any age. Its importance only increases as society becomes more urbanized. While balancing idealistic aims with adolescent hormones can be a challenge, and exhilaration fades once the home routine resumes, fond memories do persist. Again and again, they have lured former campers back to Idyllwild, to visit, vacation, or live here permanently.

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Kids Being Kids Camping with a Greater Purpose

Story by Jay Pentrack

P

Photos by Jenny Kirchner

I

n 1982 a pediatric oncologist, a pediatric oncology nurse and the Mother of a child with leukemia had an idea.

Dr. Stuart Siegel, Chairman of Pediatric Oncology at Children’s Hospital in L.A. was the doctor, Barbara Britt was the oncology nurse and the Edmonston’s were parents to the child with leukemia. As Board Members for the Ronald McDonald House directly across the street from Children’s Hospital L.A. they wanted to do more; they wanted to have more of an impact on the lives of children living with cancer and their families.

“Each of them had attended camp as kids,” according to Brian Crater, Director of Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®, “They really saw that they had the opportunity to really change these kids lives by getting them out of the hospital and letting them just 14

be kids, just doing the regular camp stuff, plus they had all of the nurses and doctors there to help support their medical needs. That was really how it started. From there they said, ‘okay, this works,’ and we’ve been going ever since; that was August of 1982.” The first camp hosted 60 kids with the help of numerous volunteers in the Thousand Oaks area.

Until the late 1980s the Camp was put on entirely by volunteers, but as more people became aware of it, the enthusiasm built. “We’ve been very fortunate in that [some] very notable people jumped on board very early,” Brian explained.

“Dustin Hoffman jumped on right away with one of our first donations, as a matter of fact the

dining room is named after Blanche and Eddie, which was his request. When Ronald Reagan was President, and the charity was lucky enough to be chosen as one of his eight charities during his presidency, so there were a lot of people that jumped on board and to move this whole thing forward. At that point we were one of only two camps in the country serving kids with cancer.”

Freedom to Be

The Camp is situated on 60 acres in Garner Valley, an area so awe-inspiring that Hollywood took notice in the 1960s and filmed several movies there. The Camp is located about 15 minutes from the Village of Idyllwild. The property was purchased by the charity in 1994.

“Children with cancer are like candles in the wind who accept the possibility that they are in danger of being extinguished by a gust of wind from nowhere and yet, as they flicker and dance to remain alive, their brilliance challenges the darkness and dazzles those of us who watch their light.”

– Unknown

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Summer sessions are six days for the kids; last summer Brian estimates that they hosted 664 kids; during the family camp sessions in the Spring and Fall he estimates that they hosted 628 family members.

“It’s going to be like any other camp you go to; we have a swimming pool, an archery range, we have horseback riding, we’ve got climbing challenge courses, we have nature activities, cooking classes, sports activities, camp fires, all of those kinds of things you’d normally do,” Brian explained. “For a typical

summer session for instance, we’ll have 150 youth up here. We put them together according to gender and age so we have [something] like three camps, one camp with different age groups and they are all cabined together whether or not [they] are a patient or a sib[ling].” (In addition to sessions for children with cancer, there are family and sibling sessions.)

“The interesting thing is that you get patients that meet other patients, you definitely get sibs [siblings] that meet other sibs, you also get patients that meet other siblings that are not their own, which puts the whole experience into perspective,” Brian explains.

“There is this whole psycho-social support network piece that happens just [from] being a kid. Adults, we deal with things very differently, we want to sit down and talk about it. Kids want to do it as they are walking over to the pool or they sit down and say, “Where’d you get that scar,” they talk about it in totally different ways, so we make it comfortable for them.”

The camp experience restores a sense of normalcy into the child’s life.

Brian recalled a story that Ethan Lipton, a patient and counselor at the Camp, had told him. “He was always ‘the kid with cancer’ everywhere he went. Ethan said that Camp was the one place where he could take that nametag, and put it in [his] pocket with other things he was known for. He said, ‘that’s where I became a person rather than a cancer patient.”

See McDonald, next page July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

MCDONALD

Continued from previous page Primary in all of this is the goal of the Camp to allow the kids to be kids. “That’s why I say we’re like any other camp, [the kids] learn how to work with other kids. Some of our kids are really good at working with adults because that’s what they learn in the hospital, but they can’t talk to other kids,” Brian offered. “It’s about getting that normalcy back. The things that happened to us happened on the playground, they happened between sibling relationships, they happened at school; but we learned how to deal with peers as we go through life, hopefully in a healthy way. That’s what has been pulled out of these kids. Those are the experiences they don’t have. That’s what we give them back, the chance to be a kid.”

The Camp experience gives the kids a new perspective on who they are. They realize that they are more than their disease – they’re a person who can fish, they can create art, they’re a friend, a confidant, a brother, a sister, a person; not just a person with cancer.

Camp Ronald McDonald and Your Family

For families with a child with cancer, attending Camp is as easy as a phone call or a visit to their website - http://rmhcsc. org/camp. For patients at a facility, the nurses and doctors are familiar with Camp Ronald McDonald and can guide you.

“If there is a need, we’re here for you,” Brian emphaszied.

“Not just for that one year, we have relationships with our families for years and years and years.”

Families can come to Camp annually and attend more than one session. For parents unsure or fearful of allowing their child to attend Camp, Brian counsels, “It can be a scary thing, especially [given] the illness, so we work with the families. If they want to come to family camp to see what it’s like and how it happens and everything else, we’re more than happy to do that, and usually from there it’s, ‘Okay, got it, they can come to summer camp and we’re good.’ We’re here to support the family, it’s all about the kids and the families.”

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July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Mission Statement

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, we express our mission through our programs, which include six Ronald McDonald Houses in Bakersfield, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena. We also operate two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange and CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital.

Importantly, we are also one of very few Ronald McDonald House Charities chapters across the world that operates a cost-free, medically supervised Camp for children with cancer and their families, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times.

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Individual & Group Bookings Available July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

17

Camp Alandale ­–

Divine Inspiration

Story by Jay Pentrack

P

Photos by Jenny Kirchner

W

hen Karen and Robin Wood married 46 years ago, they weren’t sure what their path would be but they knew in their hearts it would be something special. “When we got married and Robin and I were on our honeymoon, as we were driving out, the song came on, ‘The Impossible Dream,’” Karen recalled.

“We were in the car and we started singing it and all of a sudden we were screaming it; we were looking at each other and we said, ‘That’s what we want to do with our marriage,’ it was heavy. It implanted on our hearts at that moment that [the purpose of] our marriage was to do something impossible to help, and these are the impossible kids. We take the kids that nobody else can reach.”

In the Beginning In 1980, Karen and Robin were approached with the idea of starting a Christian camp for underprivileged children. And despite the fact that they had no experience in running a camp – as a young man Robin had been to youth camp and Karen had experience with youth

18

programs in her church – they believed that God showed them the way. “It wasn’t our plan to ever start a camp; everything just came to us and we knew we had to do it,” Karen said.

Their “impossible dream” was fast becoming a reality – Camp Alandale.

The First Camp The first summer camp sessions began in Idyllwild in the summer of 1980.

“We came to work with underprivileged kids, and it totally got switched with abused children because that’s the kids that were coming predominately,” Karen explained.

“There was just a lot of them in foster care with abusive backgrounds. All of a sudden it was like, ‘Oh, we are supposed to be

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

working with abused children.’”

So after that first summer, the purpose of the camp changed and Camp Alandale began working with abused children from social services.

Tentative First Steps

For abused children, the unknown is frightening, so when they arrive at camp for the first time, they are justifiably guarded. “The ones who haven’t been here before are very leery and they’re looking at you sideways through their hair [that is] down on their face or they’ve got their hoodies on,” Karen recounted. “The thing that’s great is we have kids returning [to camp] all the time so most of the time at least half of the kids are coming back.

We always invite a child back once they come.” The familiarity, trust and affection shown by the returning kids who can come to camp each year from the 4th grade until they graduate high school goes a long way in reassuring the first timers. “When they arrive and all of the returning kids are going, ‘Yay, we’re back home,’ and they’re falling into everyone’s arms to get a hug because they are so desperate for love and this is the only place they feel loved.”

The camp counselors are thoroughly vetted by Karen, Robin and the camp’s Board.

“The average age of [Camp Alandale] counselors is 38; we look for the best for these kids and in doing that there are a lot of mature people who know how to love and have had the life experience, and

they’re able to give [the kids] the answers they are looking for,” she explained. “We have a 4 page, single spaced application that we came up with and we have been using it ever since. It gets us the quality people. Many of our counselors are married couples so [the kids] get to see functional families.”

A Question of Faith According to Karen, most of the children that come to camp have only heard of Jesus and God as a swear word. “It gets more so every year, they have never ever known that there is a God,” she said. “The atmosphere of all of these Christians, they start to open up to God; I have watched it for years. When they finally crack a little bit to let God’s love in, it’s amazing. It’s totally a blessing to be able to see that.”

Belonging The foster experience is not always pleasant; many of kids have been to at least one foster home where, Karen tells me, they were locked in a closet, not fed, sexually abused, used as slaves, or trafficked. “It is so unbelievable when they share it. They have this long story of what happened in their family, and then they have their story from being in the foster system. They are angry kids; a lot of them get moved from place to place to place.”

At Camp Alandale the kids are not

being psychoanalyzed, they are having fun. For some, it is the very first time they have been out of the city and in a mountain setting. At camp the kids do all of the things you’d expect - hiking, swimming, crafts, campfire songs, sleeping in tents, cooking, non-competitive games, a low ropes course, guitar lessons, and archery, along with Bible studies, Scripture memorization.

“The program is very much teaching life skills and relationship-building; there’s no TV, no this, no that, it’s getting them totally away from everything. The thrill of life is making relationships and becoming a person.”

The Camp, located off of Highway 243 about 6 miles from the Idyllwild Village, is rustic and effective in removing kids from their living environment. The camp setting helps the kids in building trust and fosters a spirit of teamwork; for many, it also gives them a sense of family. The Woods discovered that this kind of wilderness program assisted the campers in detaching from their modern lifestyle; while the camp has been somewhat modernized through the years, the goal of the Woods is to keep the positive qualities of the original program.

Stopping the Cycle of Abuse Through Education

As a ministry, the Woods offer seminars to parents at no charge on how to keep their children safe. “After working with so many damaged kids over the years, you get

to the point where you want to prevent it,” Karen explained. “This is our piece of the prevention. We explain to parents what you need to do and how to talk to your children about this without scaring them.” There is also a seminar handbook available online that can be downloaded for free. The Woods are also in the process of securing the future of the Camp through a succession plan that includes new camp leadership with Matt Pritchett and wife, Tarrah, taking the helm over the past 2 years. Although their successors are in place and managing the day-today operations of the camps, the Woods are still busier than ever working on starting new camps, an accreditation manual and an endowment fund. Karen is also working on her second book; the first, Lord, Take Care of Me! was published in 2002.

“Securing the future for society is part of what we’re doing,” Karen said. “When you think of the job that social services has done where 80 percent of the [people] on death row or the most violent are foster kids, there is such a need for more Camp Alandales. Think of what society has to pay for all of these kids that are going to jail.”

“God is amazing; he gave us a passion that we didn’t even know we would have.”

For more information, to donate or volunteer, visit campalandale.org or call 951-659-5253. You can also email info@ campalandale.org.

FERN CREEK MEDICAL CENTER Family Practice & Therapeutic Lifestyle Medicine Kenneth C. Browning, D.O. Jodi Cunningham, Lifestyle Educator

Open 6 days a week • 951-659-9912 (available after hours & Sundays for emergencies) Located at 54910 Pine Crest Ave. at Fern Valley Corners in Idyllwild. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fern-Creek-Medical-Center/264525963620226 July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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New Spirit Vacation Homes Redefines Family Travel

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By Jay Pentrack

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ach year more and more vacationers are spending their weekend getaways or extended vacations at vacation rental homes. And there are compelling reasons … cost, convenience and service.

Traveling with a family isn’t easy or cheap. If you have a few kids, and grandparents and other relatives traveling with you, you’re dropping some serious coin just for hotel rooms. Meals at restaurants get expensive very quickly and there’s always someone in the group that is impossible to please. [You know who you are.] This is all after paying for airfare or gas or both. Cha-ching.

If you like privacy on your vacation, hotels are probably not your best bet.

If you’re like me, I don’t want to hear the domestic dispute or drunken party in the room next to me, and I don’t enjoy the heart attack I get when my door flies open and someone yells, “Housekeeping.” And when I finally make it to the pool, I detest the search for a lounge chair because I didn’t get up at the crack of dawn and put my towel on one. Is that even fair? And when I finally get settled with my lady and head for the water, (if I can get over the fact that it looks like an oil spill because of all of the lotion, sunscreen and tanning oil in it), I don’t want to be splashed by 30 ill-mannered children with runny noses screaming at the top of their lungs; and seriously, you really never know who is relieving themselves in the pool do you?

Aren’t vacations supposed to be relaxing? If you cringe at the thought of planning your family vacation, I’m here to tell you – there is a better way!

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July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Home Away from Home

Vacation home renting is growing faster than other hospitality choices like hotels, resorts, and cruise lines. The vacation rental industry has been growing steadily as more and more travelers discover that in addition to being cost effective, it is also a great way to travel – truly a home away from home!

WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get)

We all have a nightmare vacation story where the hotel you booked is nothing like the hotel you “thought” you booked online. The spacious rooms are cracker boxes, the carpet looks like a crime scene, the walls are paper-thin, the linens are more like cob webs, the water pressure is a drip at best and there’s not even a small refrigerator in the room to hold sodas or water; and that’s just the rooms – wait ’til you get outside and see the green pool with cracked decking!

Even worse is the attitude you get - once someone actually pays attention to you – when you dare to ask for a refund.

Sound familiar?

What makes New Spirit Vacation Homes different from other vacation rental companies is that they listen.

They actually listen to what you want and then suggest the perfect home for your stay. The perfect home for your vacation will differ based on the occasion – your list of “wants” for a

Finding that Perfect Getaway – A Checklist ƒƒ Select your destination. ƒƒ Finalize the number of guests in your party. ƒƒ Make a list of the amenities that are most important to your group and discuss them with your New Spirit Vacation Homes representative.

romantic holiday will be quite different than what you might expect on a fishing trip with the guys or a shopping trip with the ladies (or vice versa). So be specific and let them help you find the home that is just right for you. You can rest assured that the place you rent will actually look like the pictures and the description of amenities will actually match the property.

If you’re celebrating Aunt Martha’s 95th birthday with a family gathering, Mom & Dad’s Anniversary or some other celebration, the folks at New Spirit Vacation Homes are happy to help.

If you’d like flowers delivered for a special occasion, restaurant reservations, discount tickets, or anything else available in the area, if they don’t have it, they’ll do their best to find it for you

It’s Personal

When you arrive at your vacation home you’re met by a real person – not a note or lockbox [with a code that doesn’t work], and a list of instructions on how to turn on the lights, adjust the thermostat or heat up the Jacuzzi. The person who greets you knows where everything is and how it works. The staff also helps you navigate the area – you’ll need to know where there is a grocery store, a pharmacy, gas station, restaurants and fun things to do in the area. And if you have a problem, you’re not on your own to solve it. The response is immediate – 24/7.

Each home comes equipped with what you’ll need during your stay. So tell Mom not to pack the sheets and towels and pillows and toilet paper See New Spirit, next page

ƒƒ Set a budget, but be as flexible as you can. A property that costs a few dollars more may make a difference in the experience you and your group have. In the alternative, we may also be able to save you some money! ƒƒ Take into consideration the recommendations you receive from your New Spirit Vacation Homes Representative. We have years of experience with our properties and want to help you have the very best experience possible with your group. ƒƒ Call us! We are always happy to answer any questions you have.

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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PHOTO BY JENNY KIRCHNER

NEW SPIRIT

Continued from previous page and paper towels and fry pan and can opener and silverware and on and on and on … it’s all there.

If you need something ask the friendly person that welcomed you when you arrived.

And that, my friends, is why New Spirit Vacation Homes has been succeeding in the vacation rental business with 25 years combined experience. In addition to their homes in California – Idyllwild, the Desert Cities, Temecula, Lake Arrowhead, and So Cal beaches – they also offer homes and villas in locations like Florida and Hawaii, and in ultrahip international destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and just about anywhere else in the world you want to go. Your best bet is to go online where they have photos and descriptions of all of their locations or give them a call.

By constantly adding new properties to their already impressive inventory, New Spirit 22

Vacation Homes can help you find the perfect home in the perfect place for your vacation.

Vacation Renting Your Home

It is definitely something you should consider if you want to create extra income to offset your day-to-day costs.

Additionally, many homeowners are able to cover the mortgage/insurance payment/utilities and even then some. There are homes within Southern California that rent for thousands per month, per week, and some even per night [have a look at their “Yosemite” photo in the Desert section on their website).

If you don’t have time for the management and operation of your vacation home yourself you may want to consider a management company. If you hire a management company, it is important that you do your homework because partnering with the right company is essential to your success. Give them a call and let them help you by outlining the considerations and lending you their assistance.

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

About New Spirit Vacation Homes, Cabins & Resort Properties

New Spirit Vacation Homes is sister company to New Spirit Love which was founded 9 years ago as a non-profit organization serving the local Idyllwild community as a retail boutique outlet with proceeds going back to the community in terms of annual events and giving to those in need during holiday periods. New Spirit Vacation Homes operates in 4 Inland Empire resort territories and worldwide though an exclusive ambassador partnership with Starwood International.

Find us at www.newspiritvacationhomes. com or call 909-910-5005

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July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

23

Summer Fun at Town Hall

By Wendy Watts & Jacqueline Rodriquez

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W

ith summer in full swing, families may be looking for something fun for their kids to do while on school break... Just think back to when you were a kid when summer break meant crafts, freeze tag and ice cream socials outside with your friends. Well, Town Hall in Idyllwild will give your children the chance to experience all of that and more for themselves! Town Hall was originally built in 1946-47 by local volunteers and ever since then it has been providing fun recreational activities for families. Among other things, the Riverside County Parks and Open Space District is providing a summer camp for local children. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday kids aged 5 -13 can come and join in the fun for free! Children who wish to stay from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. can do so by paying a nominal fee of $10.00. Kids will get to participate in field trips, crafts, games and most importantly make new friendships that will last a lifetime. Whether they choose to cheer on their favorite Swashbuckler at Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park or visit their favorite animal at the San Diego Zoo, the kids are sure to have a fun time!

Every summer Riverside County hosts a Summer Reading Program.

Mondays at 10:30 am the Town Hall kids will have the opportunity to be part of the fun by listening to Storytellers and participating in craft projects. So if you live here or are just visiting this small town for the summer, come by and visit the historic Town Hall and see what this summer has to bring! We are located at 25925 Cedar Street Idyllwild CA 92549 and can be reached at (951) 659-2638. Hope to see you soon! * small additional fee for Field Trips ** 15.00 Summer Camp Starter Park will include a T-Shirt & backpack.

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July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Where are you in your dreams?

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Idyllwild Library Family Fun All Year Long

By Wendy Watts and Shannon Ng

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P

ave you ever thought about going to the moon? Have you ever defeated a giant and the top of a Beanstalk? Well you can do that anytime you want right here in town at the Riverside County Idyllwild Library. With a state-of-the-art facility complete with computers, community room and children's reading corner, you and your kids can enjoy many different adventures. All you need is a library card and your imagination.

The library was moved and remodeled to the previous Cornet Building in 2012. Library staff and volunteers have brought several activities to the families in this small town. Most Mondays 26

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

you can find a special themed story time where kids hang on each word read to them as they are magically transported to worlds they didn't know existed. In the summer these stories are enhanced by a corresponding craft and snack.

On Wednesdays homeschooling families can join Maria

Reyes for free Spanish lessons; they also offer several adult activities as well. Is knitting your thing? Come join the Knit-Wits on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 1 p.m. each month. On Mondays at 10 a.m., join the Forest Folk Senior Community for a game of Cribbage. New activities are always being added, with some that are seasonal. For more information give them a call at (951)659-2300 or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ IDYLLWILD LIBRARY.

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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Idyllwild Readies for the

22nd Annual Jazz in the Pines

Presented by Idyllwild Arts

By Jay Pentrack

O

Deanna Bogart

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARTENS

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n August 15th and 16th, Idyllwild Arts will present the 22nd installment of one of the mountain community’s flagship events, Jazz in the Pines. At the helm this year is John R. Newman, Director of Business Operations at Idyllwild Arts.

“We have assumed operational management of the event while continuing to depend on the tireless support of all of the volunteers,” John explained. “The Associates are still very much involved and we have an excellent relationship with them. Two past Chairs of Jazz in the Pines are serving as members of the Jazz Committee which is comprised of a number of sub-committees that handle, for example, the Patron’s Dinner. Anne Erickson will be responsible for hosting the Patrons Dinner which will be on Friday, August 14th.”

And while Idyllwild Arts has assumed much of the responsibility, they depend heavily on the 350 volunteers from the community to insure that things run smoothly.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to go online at IdyllwildJazz.com and complete the simple online volunteer application.

There are a lot of familiar faces this year as well as some exciting new acts, according to John. “In some cases players who have played the festival in the past are now returning after not having played for a few years. I know that Charles McPherson was a part of some of the earliest years of the festival, as long as 20 years ago, and we’re bringing him back with his quintet to headline on Sunday.” A number of alumni, including Evan Christopher, Jason Jackson, Graham Dechter, Casey Abrams and Summer Program Alum, Lisa Haley will entertain jazz fans at the Festival.

The program promises a variety of music evidenced in part by the Sunday morning line-up. “I want to emphasize the variety of music styles that we’ll bring to the Festival again [this year] which has been a tradition,” John offered. “On Sunday morning we’ll have simultaneously on the Main Stage a Gospel Choir, in the

Paul Carman

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARTENS

French Quarter, Zydeco, and in Stephens Recital Hall, a jazz and bluegrass fusion band. It’s all very exciting and interesting – something for everyone as we like to say.”

New to the Festival this year is the West Valley High Big Band. “To my knowledge there has never been a big band featured at the Jazz Festival, so we thought it would be an exciting opportunity to invite high school age kids who are very accomplished to come and share the Main Stage,” John said excitedly. “Not only is it an opportunity [for them] to entertain us, but indeed for them to have an opportunity to play professionally.”

When Marshall Hawkins, jazz legend and founder of the Idyllwild Arts Academy Jazz Program, met T.J. Hepburn, director of the 30-piece band, and listened to them play, he was impressed, telling John on his return, “We’ve got to get these kids.”

From the beginning, the educational component has been important to the Festival organizers. “It has always been important to the Festival, dating all the way back 22 years as part of its mission to incorporate an educational component and our being an art’s academy in addition to hosting things like Jazz in the Pines and a great summer program and other outreach efforts,” John explained. “We are first and foremost a school and so it’s important for us to help to educate everybody about jazz music and its importance to American culture.”

This mission is echoed by Idyllwild Arts Academy President, Pamela Jordan.

“We’re really delighted to play more of a leadership role this year, but as you do in schools, I’m already looking ahead to next year when we’ll just be able to incorporate things like jazz clinics for our students, and really have more involvement,” she said.

“I think that was the original intent of the founders to promote this music but also to really give access to kids in this genre. Jazz in the Pines is such a part of Idyllwild Arts, such a part of Idyllwild, and as we think about building toward our future, which is of course my role here, I can’t think of a better event to build on and to just embrace. It’s part of our history and part of our future.”

Jeff Olson

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARTENS

Saturday, August 15 MAIN STAGE: 11:00am - 12:15pm: David Garfield & The Afro Cuban Jazz Project 12:45pm - 2:00pm: Evan Chistopher's Clarinet Road with Jason Jackson 2:30pm - 4:00pm: Graham Dechter Quartet Featuring John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton & Tamir Hendelman 4:15pm - 5:30pm: Euphoria Brass Band FRENCH QUARTER: 10:30am - 11:45am: Euphoria Brass Band 12:15pm - 1:30pm: Greg Jones Band 2:00pm - 3:30pm: Ruby and the Red Hots 4:00pm - 5:30pm: Deanna Bogart STEPHENS RECITAL HALL: 10:45am - 11:45am: Joshua White 12:00pm - 1:15pm: Paul Carman's Quarket

1:45pm - 2:45pm: Harry Pickens with Marshall Hawkins & Roy McCurdy with special guest Rose Colella 3:15pm - 4:15pm: Definiens 4:45pm - 5:45pm: Henry Franklin

FRENCH QUARTER: 10:30am - 11:45am: Lisa Haley & The Zydecats 12:15pm - 1:30pm: Chuck Alvarez Band 2:00pm - 3:30pm: Yve Evans Band 4:00pm - 5:30pm: Peter Sprague Quintet

IAF THEATRE: 6:15pm - 7:30pm: Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra (MOJO)

STEPHENS RECITAL HALL: 10:45am - 11:45am: Jazzgrass 12:15pm - 1:15pm: Mutts of the Planet, Joni Mitchell "Mingus" Tribute with Robin Adler, Joshua White, Rob Thorsen,Duncan Moore,Tripp Sprague, and Dave Blackburn 1:45pm - 2:45pm: Peter Sprague String Consort 3:15pm - 4:15pm: Holly Hofmann & Mike Wofford Quartet Featuring John Clayton & Jeff Hamilton 4:45pm - 5:45pm: Seahawk Jazz Jam Session Featuring a line-up of special guest stars.

Sunday, August 16 MAIN STAGE: 11:00am - 12:15pm: Yve Evans & V.I.P. - Voices in Praise Gospel Choir 12:45pm - 1:45pm: West Valley High Big Band 2:30pm - 4:00pm: Charles McPherson Quintet Featuring Gilbert Castellanos, Joshua White, Rob Thorsen, and Chuck McPherson 4:15pm - 5:30pm: Casey Abrams With special star guest Haley Reinhart

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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Before the first swimmers were admitted into the water in 20-minute shifts, several hundred people waited in line.

PHOTO BY MARSHALL SMITH

Lake Hemet Water Park Opens

By Marshall Smith

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he 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 The California Parks Company, managers of Lake Hemet Campground and Market, handed out life vests to a long line of intrepid swimmers not discouraged by lake temperatures estimated to be in the high 50 to low 60 degree range.

Adults, toes in water, did not evince the same enthusiasm as the kids for charging into the lake, inasmuch as swimming out to deeper water is how one gets to the floating inflatables that make up the new recreational attraction. But all waited expectantly eyeing the floating water park structures as the countdown to the ribbon cutting began just before 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6.

Kelly Lam, California Parks Marketing Director, estimated 250 to 300 waited for the signal to be first in the water. He explained that 30 swimmers can be in the

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PHOTO BY MARSHALL SMITH

water for 20 minute shifts and are then rotated out so that a new group can be admitted. Two lifeguards were stationed in raised chairs to monitor the cordoned off area of the lake that hosts the water park and to regulate the number of swimmers.

Promptly at 11 a.m. California Parks’ officials cut the ribbon formally opening Lake Hemet Water Park. The first group of 30 eager swimmers charged into the water. Soon they were occupying the water

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

park attractions that include a floating trampoline, a climbing “mountain” and a water slide. The park will remain in place until Labor Day as a new recreational venue at the popular campground. It joins an expanding list of park recreational opportunities including camping, bike, boat and kayak rentals, fishing, horseshoes, outdoor summer movies, tetherball and bocce ball.

Shuttles ran from the market parking

Lake Hemet and campground from above.

PHOTO BY JOHNNY WILSON / BELOW PHOTOS BY HALIE WILSON

lot to the water park located north of the campground’s main entrance. By 12:15 p.m. Campground Site Manager Jonathan Patterson estimated over 1,500 were in the campground, with many headed to the water park and swimming area.

Marshall Pike, California Parks senior vice president for business development said his company would maintain a water testing regimen, and submit results to the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District, owners of the lake and campground complex. Pike said water testing will continue until Labor Day to determine if the water park adversely affects lake water quality. Pike said his company would also monitor how the water park and its user traffic impact lake campers and long term renters over the summer. Pike indicated subsequent water park seasons would

depend upon the results of these studies.

After festivities at the water park, California Parks officers and LHMWD board members gathered on the deck of the Lake Hemet Market for a celebratory lunch, cake and champagne toast to the campground’s newest attraction. California Parks CEO and President John Koeberer said he was pleased with the deck on the front of the market, facing Highway 74. He noted that hot food service would begin soon. Equipment has been purchased and is awaiting county approval for startup.

California Parks currently provides a variety of services for parks and campgrounds in California and Oregon.

Those in Southern California include Lake Gregory, Lake Hemet, Diamond Lake and Vail Lake near Temecula.

Visit lakehemet.org for more information.

Lake Hemet Amenities Fishing Horseshoes Boating Basketball Hiking Volleyball Bicycling Baseball Bird Watching Stargazing Cookouts Outdoor Movies in the Summer Bocce Ball & Tetherball Kayaking

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PHOTO BY JENNY KIRCHNER

Where Western Practice Meets Therapeutic Lifestyle Medicine

By Sandy Browning Fern Creek Medical Center Correspondent

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rom the moment you call in to our office to the time when you are finished with your visit, you will have experienced the utmost in personalized care by our knowledgeable, caring staff who are there to ensure you walk away knowing you’ve come to the right place to get well. This attention to personalized care begins with Dr. Kenneth Browning, D.O. who has dedicated his time and energies to providing a blend of Westernized Medicine with what is now recognized as the leading edge of patient care through Therapeutic Lifestyle Medicine or Functional Medicine.

This approach offers the best of both worlds! While traditional medicine and pharmaceutical therapy may be indicated initially to ensure patient care, Dr. Browning offers to partner with patients to get to the root cause of symptoms and ailments. Once these causes are identified,

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he continues this partnership by making recommendations in their lifestyle that will ultimately lead to better quality of life and overall health. And isn’t that what we all want? We want to feel good, move well, sleep well, all so we can enjoy our family and loved ones for as long as we can!

And Dr. Browning can’t do this alone…..there just isn’t enough time in a day. So he has also partnered with our new Nurse Practitioner, Deborah Wondoloski, new Physician Assistant, Gilda Bidet (not pictured) and Lifestyle Educator Jodi Cunningham Sutherland. Each of them brings a wealth of knowledge and vast experience to expand and deepen the level of care that we offer. We’re here to walk you through every aspect of this journey.

As patients begin to make this transition to good health, we, as a staff, all love doing the ‘happy dance’ to celebrate each milestone a patient reaches, encouraging them to make this a new way of life!

And to further expand this circle of support, Fern Creek Medical Center is helping to form the Idyllwild

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Health Alliance which comprises local practitioners and businesses that have come together with unique gifts and expertise to make known all that this wonderful community has to offer those who are on the path to good health. This includes all aspects of healthy lifestyle, from the foods we eat, to cardio exercise/ strength-training, to stress management, to physical therapy/therapeutic massage, to mental health, to acupuncture, to yoga, to meditation, to dental care and the list goes on! No one needs to do this alone when there is so much power in numbers!

Whether you are a long-time resident or a visitor to this beautiful, healing mountain, you are most welcome. And we’ll work with you to bill your medical care to your insurance company, and where needed, offer our cash discounted pricing so this is available to as many as possible. Our goal is to make this mountain a community that truly unites to bring restoration.

Reach Fern Creek Medical Center at 951-659-9912 or find us on Facebook.

Treat Yourself Town Baker

By Jay Pentrack

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s I take the last bite of my delicious bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich from The Town Baker, I find myself wishing I had purchased one of their blueberry almond scones for dessert. A creature of habit, I visit them just about every morning, and I have never been disappointed. From their mouth-watering pastries to their hearty and healthy breakfast plates, you can look forward to something new and delicious almost daily.

Paul Amick and Ken Urias purchased what was previously known as Honey Bunns & Joe located just off of North Circle Drive and Cedar Street, and, in addition to the new name, they have greatly expanded the menu to include a full breakfast menu – complete with Biscuits & Gravy; Bacon, Ham or Sausage and Eggs; Waffles and much more.

As many newcomers do, the pair discovered Idyllwild while hiking the PCT (Pacific Coast Trail). “I hiked through here last year and there was still some snow on the ground and I said, ‘This is a winter wonderland and I have to live there,’ and it just kind of worked out perfectly. I just threw it out there and said, ‘That’s where we’re going to be,’” Ken explained. Ken’s intention became a reality when he brought Paul to see his discovery. “It was a complete accident really. [Ken] found this place and tried to get me to come over. When I did, I overheard [the owners] say that they were trying to sell it,” Paul recalled. “I came back and gave him my number and they called back the next day and that’s how it happened. Within 30 days or so it was ours.”

In addition to the expanded menu, the pair has made many improvements to the property including new paint, an expanded entry and new flooring. All of the renovations were done by Paul, with more improvements planned for the future.

Paul and Ken’s focus is on the locals.

“This place is packed every morning for breakfast from the locals. We keep the prices low,” Paul explained. “Our goal was to go after locals and that was the main focus and that still is the main focus. I tell people I don’t cater to tourists, I cater to locals and tourists are an added value.”

The Town Baker is located at 54385 N. Circle Drive in Idyllwild.

The Town Baker’s counter offers a myriad of tempting and delicious treats.

PHOTO BY JENNY KIRCHNER

Idyllwild Ice Cream & Jerky

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uring those warm summer days spent exploring the Idyllwild Village, the entire family will enjoy a stop at Idyllwild Ice Cream and Jerky just next door to the Rustic Theatre, Idyllwild’s only movie house.

A full selection of ice cream, gelato, and soft serve along with delectable handdipped ice cream bars, bananas and cheesecake, all offered with a variety of toppings, make for the perfect place to relax, chill and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

If you crave the exotic, they have just the thing to indulge your taste for the wild – jerky! Not just any jerky mind you … sink your teeth into Alligator, Boar, Pheasant, Kangaroo, Buffalo, Venison, Elk, Ostrich, or one of the many other exciting jerky flavors. Of course, if you just want to stay with your old favorite, beef jerky, you can sample one of their many beef flavorings – Inferno, Draft Ale, Teriyaki, Sweet & ­ Spicy, Barbecue Mesquite, Spicy Sriracha Style and more. In addition to being delicious treats, they also make for a great gift for friends and family.

Drop in and give your taste buds a thrill!

Idyllwild Ice Cream & Jerky is located at 54282 N. Circle Drive in Idyllwild.

Cool off at Idyllwild Ice Cream & Jerky.

PHOTOS BY JENNY KIRCHNER

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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By Jay Pentrack

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A

hh, vacation - a time to bring the family together for some quality time. For kids it conjures visions of amusement parks or camping or visits to grandma and grandpa. The mere mention may elicit squeals from your smaller kids and groans from your teenagers. Whatever the response, almost everyone loves the family vacation and your teenagers, will eventually surrender to the fun once they are away from their friends.

For adults it means planning an adventure that the entire family will enjoy.

It also means a lot of work – reservations; getting the car serviced or making airline, train or bus reservations; it means sunscreen, hair ties, bug repellent, Billy’s favorite jeans, Diane’s pink sundress and Dad’s plaid Bermuda shorts and his lucky fishing T-Shirt.

After you’ve planned activities for the kids, it’s time to plan for some grown-up fun – an adult amusement park if you will – with fine dining, entertainment, dancing and exciting games; a getaway so distant from your everyday that you can unplug, relax, rejuvenate and reconnect.

If you live in So Cal, it is likely that you are within an hour or two from the luxurious, entertaining and relaxing Morongo Casino. Simply put, your visit can be anything you want it to be – low key or all out exciting or both. The folks at Morongo have created an oasis rising high above the desert floor where your every need has been considered.

Morongo Casino A Solid Bet

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July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Stay So often in this age of online everything, in booking your hotel you must rely on the hotel’s website descriptions and reviews from prior guests. Pictures are helpful, but sometimes, a picture does not tell the entire story. At Morongo the story is not pure fiction and the photos actually represent what you can expect on your arrival. What you’ll find is a clean, spacious and comfortable room with plenty of amenities and a concierge on duty to make your stay extra special. The 310 rooms (many with incredible views) include deluxe rooms and suites; for the ultimate in a romantic getaway, check out the ultra-private casitas (there are six of them) at the Oasis, each with a private pool. Oh lala!

Eat A great meal should also be part of your (adult) vacation plan. From fine dining to tasty fast food you’ll find something delicious to whet your appetite at Morongo. The upscale Cielo situated high atop the Morongo tower defines fine dining in both ambience and menu. With

a starter menu that includes a phenomenal Seafood Symphony of Lobster Tail, King Crab Legs, Jumbo Prawns, NZ Mussels, Pacific Oysters, Snow Crab Claws Lemon, Cocktail and Mignonette Sauces to Entrées Cioppino, Steak and Lobster, and Hand-Harvested Sea Scallops, it is a sure bet for a great dining experience. And on those occasions when you just don’t feel like doing the dress up thing, there are plenty of relaxed dining options – Serrano serves creative American cuisine, the Portreo Canyon Buffet, the Sunset Bar & Grill (at the Oasis Pool), Tacos & Tequila, Natural 9 Noodle Company, and the Food Court.

Play

After the many board games (or PS2, Wii, or Xbox) with the family, on your adult night out, have a go at some of the stateof the-art slot and video games where you can win a bit more than just a high score – I’m talking some George Washingtons!

Wager a penny or a few bucks, and see if you’ve got the good mojo going.

For fans of Blackjack or other table games, there are plenty of opportunities to test your skill (and luck). Friendly dealers and wait staff help to make your experience a positive one. And if you feel like whooping and hollering – try B-I-NG-O! There are sessions daily and you can win some big jackpots.

The Pit Bar is located in the heart of the casino and is a great place to celebrate your big win and Vibe Nightclub ramps up the action to a fever pitch with some of the best DJs in the world. With Ladies Nights, DJ competitions and other themed nights, it’s is always hopping at Vibe.

Don’t even get me started about the Oasis Pool area – picture this - a sandy beach entry around a large heated pool, two heated Jacuzzis on different levels, an exciting waterslide and lazy river to float your cares away set in lush gardens with a tropical atmosphere and cocktails

Upcoming Events

July 10, 17 & 24 – Fifty Shades of Men July 31 – Michael McDonald July 31 - Fifty Shade of Men Aug 7 – Jay Leno Aug 21 – Three Dog Night Aug 28 – Rodney Carrington

poolside. And if you remember nothing else, remember this - the private Cabanas are so worth the money!

Back to the Kids …

After your “adult” night out (hopefully you got to do an overnighter), you’ll be refreshed and ready for more time entertaining the family and enjoying fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, board games, campfires, sing-a-longs, ghost stories and all those wonderful nerdy things that make a family vacation so memorable.

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What’s New in Anza?

By Kasaan Hammon

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he newest stop on the mountain for fuel, great food, and fun is the Mountain Sky Travel Center in Anza, opening Summer 2015. The travel center is located on Highway 371 in Anza, just ten miles off of Highway 74 when coming from desert cities or Idyllwild. It is the latest enterprise of the Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians, along with the existing amenities on site including Cahuilla Casino, Roadrunner’s Bar & Grill, and the Cahuilla Smoke Shop.

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The travel center features a 24-hour convenience store and gas station adjacent to the casino. The store sells hot food and takeout featuring made-toorder pizza and fried chicken.

Late night road trippers now have a place to stop for snacks and fuel as well as relaxed casino action. The popular Cahuilla Smoke Shop moves inside the travel center and continues to sell a wide variety of native brand cigarettes and tobacco products at competitive prices.

Cahuilla Casino is in the midst of a hiring campaign to bring in qualified staff for the casino and travel center. The casino is proud of its great benefits for employees, 36

including health care coverage, generous PTO, employee meals and discounts, and employee giveaways. Career opportunities at the casino include convenience store supervisors, food service, slot floor hosts, accounting and administration, housekeeping and maintenance positions.

Interested candidates can download an application online or are always invited to stop by the Human Resources office at the casino property in Anza.

Cahuilla Casino is celebrating its 19th Anniversary in June. Established in 1996 by the Cahuilla Band of Indians, the casino features over 350 slot machines

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Gre

c.

In

ear Solution B s en

A Medical Cannabis Collective in Idyllwild featuring the hottest new games to all-time classics. The casino was remodeled in 2013 and frequently adds new games. Cahuilla Casino’s player’s club offers $20 in rewards upon signup, plus all members receive weekly MatchPlay and Restaurant Rewards.

“We customize our rewards to the player, so every single member of Club Cahuilla has their own personal weekly offer,” says Marketing Manager Kasaan Steigen. The casino has giveaways, promotions and slot tournaments year round. Popular giveaways include the annual Memorial Weekend Giveaway, Carnival of Cash in August, and Ladies versus Knights Slot Tournament every spring.

Roadrunner’s Bar & Grill is a full service restaurant serving lunch and dinner daily, plus brunch on weekends. Roadrunner’s serves casual American fare and are best known for our generous portions, amazing burgers, and classic crispy fried chicken.

Cahuilla Casino is open 24 hours, 365 days a year, for players 21 and older. Smoke shop open 7 days a week. More information and directions can be found at: cahuillacasino.com. Address: 52702 Highway 371, Anza, CA 92539. Phone (951) 763-1200.

Indoor & Outdoor flower

Registered & Licensed

Edibles and Concentrates

Professional Service

Cannabinoids & Lotions

Committed to Providing Quality Products

To make an appointment, please call (951) 296-4522

Serving our Members Since 2010

HIGHER GROUNDS

Come visit Idyllwild ...

... in the cool air of the San Jacinto Mountains and have a cup of our Fresh Roasted Coffee.

We are just a short hour away. Our organic coffee is roasted on location and served with assorted pastries.

Open Sun.-Thurs. 7am-7pm • Fri. & Sat. 7am-9pm LIVELY MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT.

IdyllwildCoffeeRoasters.com • 951-659-1379 54245 N. Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549 July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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W

By Jay Pentrack

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hen the much-anticipated Agua Caliente Casino opened on April 6, 2001, followed by the 16-story hotel tower on April 18, 2008, it was the toast of the town. And when The Show, a 2000+ seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue, opened in February of 2009, it celebrated a Trifecta and it quickly became the goto venue for exciting nightlife, impressive shows and state-of-the-art gaming.

Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa with its 45,000 sq.ft. casino floor with slots, table games, and poker; its luxurious guestrooms with pillow-top mattresses, down comforters, Egyptian-cotton sheets, and signature linens (to name just a few

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Winner Winner

Be Be aa

of the many amenities); the Sunstone Spa offering skin care treatments, massage, and a salon; and their 50,000 square foot Pool area with two pools, a spa,10 cabanas and outdoor bar and grill are just some of the many reasons to plan your next outing at this jewel in the Coachella Valley.

Whether you’re spending your summer vacation in sunny Palm Springs or among the pines in Idyllwild, Agua Caliente is a short 15-20 minutes from almost anywhere in the desert and about an hour from Idyllwild. And since Mom and Dad also need to reconnect and rejuvenate on vacation, hire a babysitter (hopefully the grandparents) for the kids and head out for some adult fun at Agua Caliente. Enjoy dinner at the award-winning and romantic Steakhouse Restaurant, catch a show (America, Steve Miller Band, Boyz II Men,

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Upcoming Events @ The Show

July 3 – Calibre 50 & Banda Carnaval July 25 – America July 31 – Steve Miller Band Aug 7 – Russel Peters Almost Famous World Tour Aug 15 – Gladiator Challenge Showdown Aug 22 – Thompson Square Aug 29 – Battle of the Badges

Heart) at The Show, and try your luck in the casino. The Lounge located inside the casino and near the entrance to the Show offers tasty cocktails and some great acts in a relaxed setting and there is no cover charge; and Elevate (located poolside) starts at 9 p.m. and is a great place to get your groove on outside among the palms and under the star-studded sky that the desert is famous for. With good planning, you’ll be able to enjoy at least one romantic night enjoying your in-room wet bar and spa tub in a luxuriously appointed Executive Suite.

Be it a few hours or a few days, you’re a winner on any visit to Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa.

Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa is located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. Visit them online at www.HotWaterCasino.com. For reservations call 888-999-1995.

The Lion Roars Again Stratford Players Welcome Allen Purchis

By Marsha Kennedy

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llen Purchis, one of the finest actors in the Inland Theatre scene, enters the stage once more to reprise his powerful role as King Henry II in “The Lion in Winter.”

Local acting troupe Stratford Players presents this full production of James Goldman’s masterpiece in Idyllwild this September.

“Normally this would be the time of year that we present our Shakespeare collage, Will in the Woods,” says Stratford Artistic Director Marsha Kennedy, “But we love working with Allen, and when he said he would join us for “Lion,” we couldn’t pass up that opportunity. I have often said that “The Lion in Winter” is positively Shakespearean in terms of passionate characters with high stakes, so the play does fit in our Shakespeare slot.”

Unpretentious and charming offstage and a force of nature on it, Mr. Purchis has earned a devoted following.

His award-winning performances in recent years have included “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” ”The Men of Mah Jongg,” Stratford’s “Freud’s Last Session,” and King Lear and Iago in Stratford’s The Best of Will. Purchis first played Henry II a number of years ago and, next to Lear, counts the fiery, stage-filling British monarch as his favorite role.

Veteran Broadway professional and Stratford troupe member, Kathleen Walker will portray Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry’s estranged spouse and every bit his equal in onstage fireworks. Also performing in “The Lion in Winter” will be Stratford regulars Christopher Morse and John Wesley Leon as the couple’s sons Geoffrey and Richard (the Lionhearted).

The year is 1183. King Henry lets his wife out of prison to join the family for Christmas, and the scheming begins.

At issue: which of the pair’s three sons will inherit the aging Henry’s crown and empire? Plot is matched by counterplot; violence looms; alliances are formed and hastily betrayed. All families squabble, but when the Plantagenets

Allen Purchis returns to the stage as King Henry II. PHOTO BY ALICIA DUFOUR

square off, entire nations go to war.

“Oddly enough, it’s not as heavy as it may sound,” Kennedy assures us.

“There is actually a good deal of wit and comedy in the play, as well as moments of tenderness between the estranged Eleanor and Henry. This most powerful couple in western Europe can’t stand each other yet at the same time share an enduring love.”

“The Lion in Winter” was made into an Academy Award-winning film in 1968, with Peter O’Toole, Katherine Hepburn (Best Actress) and Anthony Hopkins in the starring roles.

The Lion will roar again for five performances, September 13 – 27 at The Caine in Idyllwild.

Theatre is good. Come play with us.

For reservations and further information visit Stratford’s website: www.stratfordplayers.com.

Kathleen Walker plays Eleanor of Aquitaine.

PHOTO BY MARSHA KENNEDY

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Idyllwild Innocents Abroad

By Donna Elliot

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ne must travel to learn” proffered Mark Twain in his book, “Innocents Abroad”.

Some people who live in Idyllwild embrace this sentiment wholeheartedly. They revel in change, and the uniqueness of other places and cultures. Unexpected events translate into memorable adventures and new friendships. Different countries provide a wealth of cerebral and visual stimuli with scenery, people and colors ranging from sublime to flamboyant.

What compels some intrepid souls to leave the comfort and safety of their home?

Dreams

Be it on a “wish” or a “bucket” list, there are some places you dream of visiting … someday. Perhaps that day is on your next vacation or when you retire. Perhaps that place is because you’ve heard or read about it or someone else has been there, or no one has been there. Somehow, it holds some magic you wish to discover.

Passion I, personally, have a passion for travelling. I think I have gypsy blood! I pick up a book with exotic-sounding place names and they excite my imagination.

Very rarely am I disappointed. There is always something interesting to see, do, experience, photograph, love and learn.

Challenges

Whether running for the right train along the Trans-Siberian route or climbing the world’s highest mountain, you won’t know if you can do it until you try. Many people rise to the challenges posed by foreign travel with its unfamiliar signs, language barriers, strange food and bizarre customs and become stronger and more confident as a result.

If you are looking to find yourself … or lose yourself, far-flung places offer a unique opportunity to learn who you are and to open your eyes to the many wonders of the world.

Idyllwild Innocents Abroad If some of your neighbors aren’t around for a while, it could be that they have wandered into the big, wide world for some, or all, of the reasons above. Here are a few of their stories.

Robert Hewitt and Janice Murasko Robert and Janice epitomize the passion for new experiences and places.

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Robert Hewitt makes fast friends.

Janice Murasko on safari.

In the last twelve months, they have visited South Africa and Kauai, Hawaii.

New adventures await on Turtle Island, Fiji, this Summer and they plan another trip to Kauai this Autumn.

“I think we really love experiencing new cultures and meeting and visiting with locals. Some places we’ve visited remind us of how much we have for which to be thankful.”

Kauai is their favorite Hawaiian Island and their frequent visits often include their son and daughter-in-law. South Africa had been on Janice’s wish list since she was in high school. Janice and Robert were invited to join another couple on Turtle Island. Their friends had visited the island twice and that seemed a hearty enough recommendation to expand their horizons.

Being integral proponents of Idyllwild’s ARF, it is not surprising that Janice and Robert found their safari experience “life changing.” It was Mother Nature at her rawest: leopards, impalas, lions, elephants, bull buffalos, birds and squirrel monkeys.

Europe also holds a special place in their hearts. Janice loves the people, the pastoral countryside, the culture and the wine of France. Scotland is Robert’s ancestral home and he is drawn to the rugged, breathtaking beauty of its lochs, glens and mountains.

Many of the obstacles that would deter others, only serve to make Janice and Robert more resourceful. For example, driving on the “wrong” side of the road, maneuvering a French rental car onto a car elevator or escaping a narrow dead-end alleyway, and deciphering (or not) heavilyaccented Scottish road directions.

With the right attitude, imagined setbacks turn into humorous anecdotes.

Helpful locals demonstrate how kind

people are around the world. Such acts include a Scottish local leading them to their destination; questions about wine translated from French to Spanish to English in an attempt to answer them; waiters willing to translate local menus into recognizable meals, be it “moo,” “cluck cluck” or “oink oink.”

What have Janice and Robert learned from their travels?

“People are people, and they essentially all want the same things in their lives – love, security, family, happiness … and we sincerely believe that people are good. Our favorite part of travelling is venturing off on our own and meeting the locals. We have intentionally made our way into small towns/communities and found such wonderful people in diners, wineries, etc. They are so welcoming.”

PHOTO BY JANICE MURASKO

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

PHOTO BY ROBERT HEWITT

John Simpson As owner of the Rainbow Inn in Idyllwild, John has the best of both worlds:

John Simpson, left, with fellow travelers and the captain of the Crown Princess (background).

PHOTO COURTESY JOHN SIMPSON

he ventures out into the wide world and visitors from the wide world come to stay with him.

John travels extensively from the East Coast to the West Coast with his partner, David Maxwell, and explores places that have opened up a whole new perspective for him. Through his own eyes and that of his camera, John is able to see the places he visits in a new way often with someone who is experiencing these places for the first time.

Roaming further afield, John has taken cooking classes in Lyon, France and Montreal, Canada. He believes that “travelling broadens perspective and enhances appreciation for all that life has to offer,” even if a chef in France did nearly throw him out of a class because his French was so bad!

When asked if he had a favorite country, John responded: “Columbia and Tanzania hold a special place in my universal heart because I so connected with people and culture and in places I hadn’t expected. “ Mistaken for a French author on a train, his meager French left him unable to contend with a French woman who thought he should be able to converse in fluent French. The amused English travelers nearby who enlightened him about the encounter thought the same.

On a more personal and happy note, John related this story: “On a visit to Ireland in 1994 to trace my family history I was overwhelmed by those I found! I had a photo of my Grandmother, Marianne O’Brien, who left Ireland in 1925 and an address of a distant Cousin. I showed up to their home in Dunmanway, Ireland, just outside of Cork, and met my 92 year-old Aunt…it was quite moving. My Cousin took me around to meet so many of my relations I was physically and emotionally drained by the end of the day.”

What John enjoys most about travelling is the challenge and reward of being out of his comfort zone. He has learned that “contrary to most geopolitical agendas, people are eager to exchange experiences and perspectives. No matter where in the world I have been the goodness in mankind is always apparent.”

Erin O’Neill

Erin’s love of nature is one of the reasons that drew her to Idyllwild; it is also one of the reasons that take her to other magical places, such as the Galapagos Triangle (Socorros and Cocos Islands), the Philippines, Cuba, Utila in the Honduras, Fiji and Tonga. Her stunning photographs of great Antartic Humpback whales, sea life, wildlife and those of mustangs in the California hills pay tribute to these enchanted places.

Besides her love of hanging out in the underwater world and with her friends, Erin travels to witness different cultures and learn from the natives of unusual places.

It is hard for Erin to choose a favorite destination, but she says “right now I’m very

Erin O’Neill photographing a whale shark.

PHOTO COURTESY ERIN O’NEILL

high on Cuba, such a fascinating history, enchanting people, wonderful state of preservation, their waters are pristine.”

It is a privilege that Erin is sometimes able to spend 2-3 months in a place and really learn a country and its folks. One beloved place is Nepal where she has been trekking twice, even to Everest base camp.

After weeks and weeks of trekking, you understand a place much better and see it with different eyes than those who can only pass through in days.

Erin’s travelling karma allowed her to glimpse a massive sea serpent in Thailand and a snow leopard in Nepal. Her travelling companions were not treated to these wonders, but we aren’t either as she did not get any photographs. Perhaps she will on subsequent adventures there.

With planes, boats, trains and social media, the world is becoming smaller and more accessible. However, it is still important to learn about local customs and cultures and be respectful while there. Erin found through experience what to wear, which hand to use when shaking hands with people in India, and to make sure to have extra contact lenses as, once lost in the ocean or desert, they are hard to find!

Emerson wrote “though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not”. This rings true for Erin: “I’ve always valued the wider world and the people and customs spread across it. I hope it makes us wiser, more aware and kinder, more humane and concerned, less self-centered. We are so fortunate compared to so many other peoples.”

Donna Elliot and Neil Jenkins

My love affair with exotic places began early with my first trip around the US, Canada and exploring caves in Mexico when I was a teenager. Upon returning, my mother said “I hope you got it out of your system”. I’ve

been on the road to somewhere ever since.

Did I mention my “gypsy” blood? With a friend in 1977, I hitchhiked from England to Australia via a caving expedition in Papua New Guinea. We visited places such as Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, destinations that would not be considered safe any more.

For a while, I called Australia, England, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai home.

Right now, I am writing this from the very tip of the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. The sea views are stunning.

Neil’s service with the British Army took him to some interesting places such as Canada, Northern Ireland, Germany, Belize, France, Italy and Cyprus.

He and I met in Wales, got engaged in Switzerland, danced at a ball in Vienna, married in Singapore and then, out of all the places in the world we could have retired, we chose Idyllwild.

Like so many of my fellow Idyllwild travellers, we are drawn to Idyllwild’s tranquility, its beauty and the community spirit of the fabulous people who reside here.

John Simpson expresses it well for all of us: “Wherever my travels take me, be it Hemet or Delhi, the center of my universe is still Idyllwild … I will always think of Idyllwild as where my spirit is most at home.”

And Dorothy in the “Wizard of Oz” captures it best of all “ … there’s no place like home.”

Donna and Neil atop Red Pike Mountain.

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July 4th, Conservation, Art & Butterflies 4th of July Parade, Chili Cook-Off & Street Fair Take a seat and enjoy a local tradition that will leave you reminiscing about your own childhood. Truly a homegrown experience, sponsored by the Idyllwild Rotary, the Independence Day Parade is sure to please.

After the parade, from Noon to 4 p.m. the mountain village of Idyllwild transforms with a chili cook-off, and street fair with games for the kids, art for the adults and music for all.

Lemon Lily Festival - Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12th The Nature Center is gearing up for the 6th annual Lemon Lily Festival. A festival that has caught the heart of both locals and visitors, attendees will be welcomed by the musical talents of Penny Royal Players (pennyroyalplayers.org) both days. Pioneer town will feature make-your-own jewelry and t-shirts along with vendors selling their wares! Festivities will be held at the Nature Center located at 25225 Hwy 243. Visit www. lemonlilyfestival.com for more details.

Judged Art Show & Gallery Tour – Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 Art is alive and well in Idyllwild. Leading the path towards making Idyllwild a nationally recognized fine art center is the Art Alliance of Idyllwild. During this two-day public art show, member artists will have their work on display and for sale. Free to the public, this judged event includes original artwork under $100 and features one-of-a-kind art by local artists. In addition to the art show, visitors will be treated to local artists creating original masterpieces at each of our unique galleries! For more information, including details about the public reception on Saturday night, visit www.artinidyllwild.org.

Nature Center Butterfly Daze - Sunday, August 9 This annual one-day event is perfect for families. Hosted by the Idyllwild Nature

Alexandra Wright takes the opportunity to view a butterfly up close during the Idyllwild Nature Center’s annual Butterfly Daze.

PHOTO BY CHERYL BASYE

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Center (25225 Hwy 243), Butterfly Daze features the Monarch Butterfly and takes visitors on a journey of learning. Enjoy hands-on opportunities to learn more about this lovely creature, jump into an arts & craft activity, or simply enjoy the lovely grounds of this pristine mountain location.

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., entry fee is only $3 Adult, $2 Kids, and $1 dogs. Visit www. rivcoparks.org for more details.

2nd Saturday Art Fair - Saturday, July 11 and Saturday, August 8

Beautiful, serene Idyllwild is the setting for a monthly art event offering up the best of local artistry and music. Set under the pine and oak canopies of this idyllic community, Idyllwild 2nd Saturday Art Fair offers the best of ceramics, woodworking, glass art, jewelry, photography, painting, fibers, music and much, much more. The second Saturday of each month, May through October, more than 40 artists present their original creations between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in this cool and quaint community, a lovely one-hour drive from the desert.

Idyllwild 2nd Saturday Art Fair organizer and glass artist Scott Finnell began the event with the intent of offering a venue for locals to sell their work on a regular basis. After just two years, the fair has quadrupled in size and now includes artists from other southern California locations. “We have so much to offer,” explains Finnell. “We have an abundance of talent in our community, it was a shame not to share it. We created Idyllwild 2nd Saturday Art Fair just for that reason. Now we can share that creativity, our locale and amazing weather with everyone during our summer months.”

Les Walker, photographer and ceramics artist, is a regular at Idyllwild 2nd Saturday Art Fair. “I just love the outdoor setting and I get to meet many people from off the hill. It’s a great venue for artists and visitors alike.” A long-time resident of Idyllwild, Walker added, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to show-off our little town as well as sell our art.”

In addition, music plays a big part in the monthly event. Talented musicians supply the perfect musical background to the browsing and shopping held at the ICC Property on Highway 243.

Idyllwild is nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains on Highway 243. Providing majestic landscapes, charming inns, adorable boutique shops, amazing restaurants, hiking, biking, and gorgeous weather, it is a lovely respite from the traffic and heat of summer. Temperatures are on average 30 degrees cooler than the desert during the summer months.

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

Idyllwild’s traditional July 4th parade is followed this year by a Chili Cook-Off and Street Fair.

FILE PHOTO

Around Town Built with Love Walking distance from the middle of town is the Idyllwild Community Playground. Located among the trees, this playground is heaven for kids of all ages and encourages exploration. Opened in 2011, the playground features bridges, forts, rock climbing, and more. Communitybuilt, event YELP gives it 5 STARS!

Paws Down Wonderful Well behaved four-legged “kids” are welcome in Idyllwild. A petfriendly community, for those dogs needing some off-leash time, the town has an enclosed dog park with a side for smaller dogs. Located off Hwy 243, while small in nature, it is set in nature and is walking distance from the center of town!

Palm Desert Aquatic Center

Hassle-Free Fun

PHOTOS BY JENNY KIRCHNER

By Chris Clemens

I

P

f you’re like me you might enjoy some aspects of taking the kids to the water park – to see their smiles and hear their laughter, to be a kid again yourself, and to eat unhealthy but tasty food. On the other hand it can be an exhausting adventure because, after-all, you’re doing the planning, the driving, monitoring for safety, and let’s not forget that adults just don’t have as much energy! A meet in the middle option is Palm Desert Aquatic Center.

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This water play park is a small center that offers two slides, diving boards (which you don’t find at other water parks), a small kids water play area with fountains, smaller slides and a climbing structure in the water.

Because it’s not such a production, this can even be a great option for a weekly outing versus a once a summer visit to a water park.

And, the price is right! For $3.75 to $6 for nonresidents of Palm Desert, depending on age, you can feel good visiting for only an hour, or the whole day. It’s also a great birthday party option with a private party room.

After being a kid for awhile with your own, you might consider using the lap pool for some time to yourself while getting some exercise in. Alternately, if you are a group exercise person, you might plan the visit around the fun water classes offered, including a Shallow Water Exercise, Deep Water Boot Camp, and even a Basic Arthritis and Injury Rehab Water Exercise class. The cost of water classes is $8 per class for nonresidents.

Summer is also the time for swim lessons, and the aquatic center is an excellent location since the kids can enjoy the other play areas after improving their swimming skills. Youth swim lessons are available for ages 6 months to 17 years old.

The sessions begin every two weeks and are held Monday through Thursday for two weeks, providing eight lessons total. The

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cost is $80 per student for non-residents.

Last but not least, you can still sneak in that tasty food since there is a concession stand offering barbecue burgers, hot dogs and burger combo meals, pizza, nachos, traditional snacks, and fountain soda drinks (bringing outside food and drinks into the Aquatic Center is not allowed). In my experience, this is some really good food too, unlike the menu offered at other water parks!

The summer hours for the aquatic center vary for the different areas, which are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all activities including the swimming pool, diving boards, splash playground and slides; while the splash playgrounds and slides will remain open an additional two hours until 7 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays all areas will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are interested in lap swimming, the pool will be open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Palm Desert Aquatic Center is located behind Palm Desert Civic Center Park at 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive, and is owned by the City of Palm Desert and operated

by Family YMCA of the Desert. For more information on swim lessons, water classes, birthday party options, and more, visit www.PDPool.com or call (760) 565-7467.

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

MUSEUM PHOTO COURTESY PALM SPRINGS BUREAU OF TOURISM

Summer Art Camp at the Museum

By Chris Clemens

W

ith school out for summer your kids now have a lot of time on their hands! The learning doesn’t have to stop but it can be pursued in a more creative way than the typical school academia. And, considering the cutbacks in many school districts for the arts, this can be the time to get your kids in touch with their inner Picasso!

Palm Springs Art Museum is a bit of a drive from the mountain communities, but it can be a great outing for Mom and/or Dad while youngster attends an enriching and fun Museum Art Camp. The museum offers half days as well as full days with a variety of themes— from painting, sculpting, photography and drawing camps, to acting and singing plus more. The camps take place at not only the main museum in Palm Springs, but also the Palm Desert location. There are also some incredible resort and spa deals to be had to keep yourself busy while the kids are enjoying camp.

Campers get to explore a range of art materials while being instructed by experienced museum educators and visiting artists. The engaging hands-on projects provide the children an opportunity to make a personal connection to art. In addition, they will See Museum, next page July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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MUSEUM Continued from previous page be taken on a tour of the museum galleries, discovering different types of art and artists.

Each week the four-day camps take place Tuesday through Friday, with sessions beginning at Palm Springs Art Museum the week of June 23 and going through the week of July 13, while Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen and the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden offers sessions the week of July 7 through the week of July 13, 2015.

Half day of camps might be the way to go with having to make the drive down the hill as well as finding things to do while junior is enjoying all the culture at the museum. However, keep in mind that many of the resorts in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and the surrounding area offer incredible room rates and spa deals during these hotter months.

For example, The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa has an $88 per night room rate (need to book two nights).

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Parents do need a break too and a little pampering and rejuvenation with a luxurious spa treatment for $79 bucks (for a 50-minute massage or facial at Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa) could be a perfect fit for this outing to Palm Desert or Palm Springs.

Another fun option for Mom is to stroll El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of the desert. This summer you can find spectacular discounts and specials at the El Paseo shops, boutiques, salons, day spas and restaurants with the Summer Chill program. For the most up-to-date information from June through August on any special offers, visit ElPaseoSummerFun.com.

Of course, don’t overlook the opportunity to put some art and culture into your own life, and peruse the museum while the kids are in camp!

If you are opting to make the drive each day, make it a week of fun by planning things to do with your child after camp, such as playtime at Palm Desert Aquatic Center. This 8-acre water play and swim center is only $6 per person. There are water slides,

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

diving boards, a water play area for smaller kids with spouting fountains and small slides, and more.

A full camp schedule, and instructions for signing up, can be found in the brochure available at the following link: http://www.psmuseum. org/educational-programs/museumcamp/. The four-day sessions for a half day cost $120 for members and $140 for non-members, while a full day session is $200 for members and $210 for non-members. Half day sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon, while full day sessions are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For additional information about Museum Art Camp you can contact the museum’s Interim Director of Education and Public Programs, Irene N. Rodríguez, at (760) 322-4837. For more information about Palm Springs Art Museum visit www.psmuseum.org or call (760) 322-4800. Palm Springs Art Museum is located at 101 Museum Drive in downtown Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen is located at 72-567 Highway 111 and can be reached at (760) 346-5600.

Memorible nights at the Village Festival in downtown Palm Springs are a must. PHOTO COURTESY PALM SPRINGS BUREAU OF TOURISM Splash House is a whole new kind of party. PHOTO COURTESY SPLASH HOUSE

Desert Events: July - August 2015

4th of July Fireworks & Power Baseball Game Saturday, July 4, 2015; 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Palm Springs Stadium 1901 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs

Independence Day Celebration benefitting AIDS Assistance Program July 4, 7:30 p.m. $125 per person. Advance purchase required.

Historic O'Donnell House 412 W Tahquitz Canyon

Way, Palm Springs 760-325-8481

4th of July in Palm Desert July 4, 7:30 p.m.

Live Music/Fireworks Show Civic Center Park 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert 4th of July in La Quinta July 4, 9 p.m.

Fritz Burns Park, La Quinta Community Park, 77-865 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta

Splash House August 8-9 www.splashhouse.com

Village Fest in Downtown Palm Springs To: September 25; Thursdays 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Highway 111 Palm Springs www.VillageFest.org College of the Desert Street Fair To: September 27; 7:00 a.m. Saturday & Sunday 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert www.codstreetfair.net

July-August 2015 \ Palms to Pines Magazine

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Palms to Pines advertiser index Advertiser Index.......... Page #

Fern Creek Medical..................... 19

Living Free Animal Sanctuary.... 13

New Spirit Vacation Homes ..........

Ferro Restaurant......................... 13

Mile High Café ............................ 11

..... Inside Front Cover & Page 1

Golden Acorn Casino................. 25

Palm Springs Subaru ................... 17

Morongo Casino...............................

Grand Idyllwild Lodge................... 2

Silent Valley Club ........................ 17

........................Inside Back Cover

Higher Grounds Coffee House.37

Sky Island Organics....................... 7

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla

Idyll Awhile Wine Shoppe &

The Fort.......................................... 9

Bistro ............................................ 13

Thousand Trails........................... 25

Idyllwild Arts Academy............... 27

Tommy’s Kitchen......................... 25

Idyllwild Hypnotherapy............... 25

Tortuga del Sol............................. 44

Idyllwild Ice Cream and Jerky...... 7

Triangle Inn................................... 46

Jack Farley’s Art Supplies .......... 11

Village Properties-

La Casita Mexican Restaurant .. 11

Johnny Wilson.............................. 25

Indians ...........................Back Cover Alhatti Christian Retreat Center............................................ 17 Blue Bird Cottage Inn/Fireside Inn/ Wooley’s......................................... 5 Café Aroma.................................. 17 Cannabis Collective ................... 37

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