My FAVORITE TIME OF T h E y EAR , FALL, is upon us. I think this goes back to my youth knowing we would be spending time with our extended family. So many great memories, I hope each of you have them too.
We, PULSE MEDIA, were selected to receive Media Credentials to attend the recent memorial for Charlie Kirk in Arizona. Only 300 passes were issued, and we had 3 of them. See stories on pages 14 & 15. As a small newspaper to receive national recognition is awesome.
EDITORS NOTE: To read the full stories on pages 14 & 15 go to https://issuu.com/pulsecustommagazines
For those of you that have followed me over the years you know I have been very involve in Route 66. If you want to take a trip down the road with me, I will be the guest speaker at the October 23rd Mojave Historical Society monthly meeting held at the Lone Wolf Colony in Apple Valley. Start at 6 pm in their Community Center Building. Come join us as all attendees will receive a free Route 66 gift.
There are two major elements in bringing you the PULSE, our Advertisers and Writers. Please take a few minutes and let them know you saw their ad or article in the PULSE.
Jim Conkle
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Marcy’s Musings
Two Important Sets of Twins
MOST PEOPLE W h O KNOW anything at all about Apple Valley are familiar with Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger. When the first Roy Rogers Museum opened in Apple Valley in 1967, in the old bowling alley (that is now a bowling alley once again), a 24-foot tall 1300 pound fiberglass statue of Trigger stood on the roof. That beloved statue has been in five different locations, never very far from his fans. He galloped over to Victorville when Roy's second museum opened in 1976, and proudly stood out front until 2003, when he was off to the third museum location in Branson, Missouri. Then when that museum closed in 2009, it was back to good old Apple Valley to Sunset Hills Memorial Park, just a short distance from Roy and Dale's gravesites. Trigger now welcomes people to Apple Valley from his fifth location at the Spirit River Center on Apple Valley Road just north of Highway 18.
But did you know that "good old Trig," as Roy called him, has a twin brother? Anyone ever heard of the Denver Broncos? Check out the rearing horse on top of Mile High Stadium. If you look closely, you will notice that "Trigger, the Smartest Horse in the Movies" and "Bucky the Bronco" are identical twin brothers. Yes, Roy sold Trigger's mold to the Denver folks with three conditions: that the horse would not be named Trigger, that he would not be
painted to look like a palomino, and that after casting, the mold would be destroyed. So there you have it, the story of two twin brothers, Trigger and Bucky.
The second set of twins are fraternal, a male and female desert tortoise. Their story is a bit more complicated. According to a local Joshua Tree, California, newspaper story, "The desert tortoise was once the symbol of Joshua Tree, and the center of an annual parade and "Turtle Race," which started in 1946. A 1960's photo shows the Queen's float, with the contest winner riding atop the concrete sculpture. They are heading east on 29 Palms Highway, passing by the Trading Post Market, still standing. This 79-year-old "Myrtle the Turtle," (apparently no name rhymes with Tortoise), now sits across the highway from that store, underneath a sign welcoming visitors to Joshua Tree.
In 1992, 46 years after the first Joshua Tree parade, the Apple Valley Women's Club members, under the direction of Beverly Dudley, started fundraising to build a tortoise habitat and outdoor education area behind the Victor Valley Museum, at that time locally owned. The plan was to include a large concrete sculpture of a desert tortoise, modeled after the one Beverly had seen down in Yucca Valley (Joshua Tree.) Hometown artist and plasterer Bill Bascom was quick to volunteer, and didn't waste any time getting started.
Beverly arranged for Bill to make a trip to Joshua Tree to see their tortoise sculpture, and to meet with the sculptor, who graciously gave him some pointers on how to get started. Bill constructed the wooden skeleton in his garage and covered it with stucco. A concrete slab was poured at the museum. The frame was covered with a thick coat of plaster, and the tortoise began to take shape. With a live tortoise as a model, a head, eyes, legs and a tail were created. The familiar markings of the shell appeared, and the creature was given a shiny coat of paint. Just two years after the tortoise idea was conceived, at 10:00 AM on July 4, 1994, the concrete tortoise, at that time referred to as "The Ancient One," was dedicated in a grand ceremony.
In 2001, seven years later, "The Ancient One" was moved from his original location behind the museum to the front, where he is now very visible from the street. Bill Bascom and his relatives were back on the scene again to install a commemorative plaque. About 10 years after that, in an undated letter, Beverly Dudley laments the condition of the tortoise, who was broken during the move and never properly repaired. He was suffering from a detached head and front legs, and in desperate need of fresh paint. Unfortunately repairs were apparently not in the museum's budget. Fast forward to the Mohahve Historical Society's 2021-2024 massive monuments repair and relocation project, which included not only improvements to monuments, but also to the Time Capsule, and the good old tortoise. Brent Gaddis, sculptor and mason, reattached the head and legs, and recreated the tail and missing scales. Meanwhile, a few hours at a time, Marcy Taylor was painstakingly repainting each section of the shell, like a giant mosaic, as passing motorists gave it a thumbs up. Some stopped to get a closer look. A nice man brought Marcy lunch, and two children gave her some flowers they had just created at an arts and crafts session inside the museum. Unfortunately long-time MHS member Beverly Dudley, and local artist Bill Bascom, who started this whole project, did not live long enough to see the most recent results. However, relatives of both were in attendance at the June 28, 2022 Tortoise Rededication
and Ribbon Cutting. The late Mary Dutro, long time Adoption Chairperson for the California Turtle and Tortoise Club, renamed the tortoise Sherman. These two sets of "twins" have given me the opportunity to form new friendships and connections. I first learned about Trigger's twin Bucky the Bronco when
John Goertz of Denver, Colorado, sent me a photo of the rearing horse on top of the Mile High Stadium and told me about the three conditions. I took his Bucky photo out to Sunset Hills, where Trigger was residing at the time, and got the same shot. They stand side by side at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum.
While on a trip to 29 Palms just a few weeks ago, I stopped at the Visitor Center to inquire about the Community Murals tour. A friendly docent named Breanne Dusastre gave me all the information I needed. Hmmm, I thought, maybe, just maybe, she also knows the location of the Joshua Tree concrete tortoise. Lo and behold, she did! She got a little excited when I told her about the twin brother in Apple Valley. She didn't even know that their sculpture had once been the star of the yearly parade. So I was off to meet "Murtle the Turtle," and so happy to have finally found her. Breanne and I have been communicating and sending photos back and forth ever since, and our planned spring field trip to the 29 Palms "Oasis of Murals" will definitely include a stop to see both Myrtle and the 29 Palms Visitor Center.
Reminiscing With Roy and Dale
COUNTLESS BOOKS h AVE BEEN WRITTEN about Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, their movie careers, their family life, trials and tribulations. Dale herself wrote 26 books, from the first, 1953's best seller "Angel Aware," about lessons learned from their Down Syndrome child, to 1999's "Rainbow on a Hard Trail," published the year after Roy's death. Daughter Cheryl penned "Cowboy Princess;" son Dusty wrote "Growing Up with Roy and Dale." Granddaughter Julie published "Your Heroes, My Grandparents," and daughter Dodie is close to going to print on her autobiography. I don't know the title, but I know she arrives in Apple Valley in Chapter 9.
But tying all of these incredible stories together, is the 1992 "Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys," filmed at the Victorville Roy
Rogers Dale Evans Museum. Narrated by Roy and Dale themselves, with a little help from son Dusty, this down-to-earth informative, touching, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking account tells it all in their own words. Film clips from their movie and TV careers, interspersed with family joys and sorrows, kept the audience at the August 15 Apple Valley Legacy Museum movie night spellbound!
Our Projectionist, MHS board member Eric, got things started on a light note by showing Roy and Dale, dressed in matching orange outfits, merrily singing with the Muppets! Other highlights of the evening were Jeff and Kathleen's popcorn and Roy Rogers cookie treat bags, live music starring Boni on the Keys, museum visits, photos with the stagecoach, and remarkably good weather.
Sitting quietly in the back in the audience was local David Odell, a shy and
unassuming man, who many would never suspect is Roy Roger's blood relative. "Hey, aren't you the Old Town Dogs food vendor I see at the park?" "Wait a minute, don't you drive a forklift?" "Yes" to both of those. And that beautiful photo that Roy shares in the movie of himself and his three lovely sisters-- that includes David's grandmother Kathleen, who once lived on Thunderbird in Good Old Apple Valley.
To say the least, it was a memorable evening. Folks stayed around to reminisce and share stories. Dave's wife Ollie was anxious to get a copy of the movie to watch again and maybe share with friends and relatives. I think I'll watch it again myself. And as Old Roy would say, "Happy Trails, and may the Good Lord take a liking to you!"
Don't Rain on My Parade "D
ON ' T RAIN ON M y
PARADE !"
I'm sure you've heard that one before. And boy were we lucky with perfect parade weather Saturday September 13. There was no rain and no High Desert wind, as the Mohahve Historical Society / Apple Valley Legacy Museum musical float rolled down Happy Trails Highway.
In honor of our most famous residents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the Sons of the Pioneers were strummin' their geetars and singin', just like the good ol' days. Formed in 1934, the original group included Roy Rogers, then known as Leonard Slye, Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Hugh Farr, and Karl Farr. Also on board were Dale Evans and other members of the Rogers family, including daughter Dodie who grew up here in Apple Valley. Trigger, the Smartest Horse in the Movies, and Bullet the Wonder Dog, both movie and TV stars, were front and center. Sidekick Gabby Hayes had plenty of advice for all the varmints and persnickety folks lining the street. And Pat Brady was able to keep his jeep Nellybelle from going over the cliff, by screeching on the brakes with a loud, "Whooooah, Nelly!"
The MHS members and AVLM volunteers send out a big thank you to all the super stars on the float, as well as the rest of you who came out to cheer us on, and especially those who stuck around to visit our booth down at James Woody Park after the parade. "Happy Trails, and may the Good Lord take a likin' to you!"
Supporting VFW Joshua Palms Post 2924
APPLE VALLE y L OCAL R ICK
B UI is a self described "busy body." He says his passion for volunteering began at age 15 when he started work at the University of California Irvine (UCI) Medical Center in Orange County. After his father's death, he became more aware of what his Vietnamese family had endured during the Vietnam War years, and gained a profound respect and appreciation for the American servicemen and women who fought alongside the North Vietnamese to save his family and many others.
During the past ten years Rick has helped with numerous Veterans events, including with the Vietnam War Memorials events in Grand Terrace, Chino, Colton, and Montebello. He has assisted at the American Legions in Chino and Colton, made trips to Camp Pendleton to deliver food and toys for the holidays, and supported the American Warrior Initiative efforts to provide service dogs to Veterans. In addition, due to his career in finance, he has been able to help many Veterans receive their well deserved benefits and become homeowners.
Rick is the current President of the Apple Valley Rotary Club. His main Pillar of Service/ Community Outreach is to support local Veterans. The club hosts a yearly free breakfast event, and is planning a Veterans Benefit Car Show and BBQ to take place at the Singh Center for the Arts the Saturday before Veterans Day. Rick's most
ambitious project, that commenced last May, is the creation of an outdoor sanctuary for Veterans to gather at the Joshua Palms VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 2924 on Hesperia Road right across from the train tracks, where the original National Trails Highway runs right through the property. With help from about twenty volunteers, including kids from Scouts America, a dirt area with folding chairs has been transformed into a charming outdoor oasis, with seating around the firepit, and an interesting perimeter fence constructed of wooden pallets. Rick credits Lee Galvan from Xpress Junk Hauling and his assistant Matthew Renteria with most of the heavy lifting and dirty work. In their spare time, they have leveled the area with a tractor, picked up supplies, and set the fence posts among other jobs. Thanks to donated materials, labor, and monetary contributions, the hope is to finish the project before Veterans Day Nov. 11. On Friday September 5, I was privileged to spend a wonderful evening at the VFW,
which included a tour of the grounds by Rick and Post Commander Michael Croy II. Next I enjoyed a delicious steak dinner with Rick and 21-year Air Force Veteran Joe Jackson, when I learned of their unique bond:
Rick was born in 1976 in South Viet Nam in the midst of the war years. While just a tiny infant, he and his family escaped on a fishing boat, heading for they knew not where. Along the way commercial ships spotted them and provided food and fuel. They were eventually picked up by a US Military ship and transferred to the Red Cross, who got them to U-Tapao, Thailand, where Joe was stationed. They like to joke that Joe may have been the man that lifted the baby off the boat to safety. After one year in a refugee camp, the Bui family was processed and brought to the United States.
In conclusion, Rick remarks, "I love and appreciate our Veterans, and will always lend a helping hand to any of them." Rick would love to invite you to support our local Veterans as well as the Rotary Club, whose motto is "Service Above Self." He can be reached at (714) 305-2400.
Miss Route 66 Pageant
ON O CTOBER 11, 2025, Barstow will once again have their Main Street USA Festival. The event has grown to a must-see spectacular that includes a car show, vendors, youth activities and the National Miss Route 66 Pageant. This year’s MC will be the popular social media personality “Wonder Hussy.” The festival will be located downtown on the Historic Route 66/Main Street.
It all began with a car show hosted by the Saturday Night Cruisers car club. This year is their 26th annual show and is open to any type of vehicle. Kristine Watson of Newberry Springs wanted to help preserve the history of Route 66 and its importance to local area tourism. A couple of weeks before the 2001 car show, Kris put together the first Miss Route 66 pageant at the Barstow Mall. It was a fun beauty pageant, open to all, with no expensive wardrobe or other requirements. The winners would participate at the car show. With Kris’ background, a beauty pageant should have been no surprise.
Kristine has directed six different pageants in her over forty-five years of directing pageants. She was the director of Miss Barstow Pageant for thirty years. She has been on staff for a variety of pageants around Southern California. She was production coordinator for the Ms. America Pageant for five years. She has trained contestants for the USA and America systems and has sent young ladies all over the world. She was in the 2000 edition of Who’s Who of Women. Barstow’s pageant is meant to be a fun event open to all. With eleven different divisions there is a chance for anyone of any age. The divisions are Petite (under 2 years old), Tiny (2-3 years old), Little (4-6 years old), Junior (7-9 years old), preteen (10-12 years old), Teen (13-17, single), Miss (18-24, single), Mrs. (up to 49 years old, married), Ms. (single with child, divorced or widowed), Classic (over 50 years old), Whoopsie-Twinsies (two related, any age). The modest entry fee pays for the sashes and crowns. This year’s winners have the extra honor of serving through 2026, the centennial year. Because it is the 100th anniversary of Route 66, there will be many more events celebrating the ‘Mother Road.” There will be a lot more “roadies,” the enthusiasts who get their kicks driving it.
By John Wease
The Historic Route 66 passes through eight states between Chicago and Santa Monica. The pageant in Barstow is open to anyone living in those states. Kris also directs an online state pageant for each state. Contestants who win a Miss Route 66 state title are encouraged to contact the nearest Route 66 museum or association and offer their services to support the promotion of Route 66.
The pageant begins at 8:00 a.m. on October 11. It is located at the New Life Fellowship Church at 134 W. Main Street. They serve breakfast at 7:00. Come by and enjoy the pageant. Or throw your hat in the ring and you just might go home wearing a sparkly crown and sash. Either way, I think you will enjoy it. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Senior Care Professionals
Today’s Woman Foundation Launches First-Ever Scam Prevention Workshop
By Melanie Ajanwachuku
TODAy’ S W OMAN F OUNDATION is proud to announce the launch of our first Scam Prevention Workshop, a vital new initiative designed to protect and empower our community.
In 2025, TWF expanded its focus to address the growing and often unspoken challenges faced by seniors, especially the increasing risks of fraud and financial exploitation. In a world where scams are becoming more sophisticated and difficult to detect, this workshop reflects our ongoing commitment to listen to the needs of those we serve and provide meaningful solutions. The workshop has been developed and organized by TWF Ambassador Brigit Bennington and our Executive Director, Cindy Bostick, who believes deeply that when women are empowered with knowledge and resources, the entire community benefits.
Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to identify red flags, protect personal and financial information, and respond effectively to potential scams. Expert speakers include Deputy G. Raza of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Antonia Villasenor, Education & Outreach Specialist with the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation
We extend a warm invitation to seniors, caregivers, families, and community members to join us for this dynamic and interactive event. Together, we can take proactive steps to safeguard our loved ones and ensure a safer, more resilient community.
WhEN AND WhERE: Nov. 1, 2025, at the hesperia Library, 9650 7Th Ave, hesperia, CA 92345 PREREgISTRATION IS REQUIRED because seating is limited, so register soon!
Register with your name and phone # at: Email: todayswomanfoundation@gmail.com or Text: 760.953.1269
Melanie Ajanwachuku President, Today’s Woman Foundation
SCAM PREVENTION WORKSHOP
WHEN: Sat. November 1, 2025 3pm – 6pm
WHERE: Hesperia Library Community Room 9650 Seventh Ave. Hesperia, CA 92345
EXPERT SPEAKERS:
• San Bernardino County Sheriff Deputy, G. Raza
• California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation Education & Outreach Specialist, Antonia Villasenor
Registration is required!
Email: todayswomanfoundation@gmail.com or Text: (760) 953-1269
A Memorial of Faith, Family, and Freedom: Honoring Charlie Kirk
By Tiffanie Williams
Wh EN T h E CALL CAME LATE Thursday evening that I had been chosen to cover Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, I felt both humbled and determined. Out of the entire nation, only 300 members of the media had been selected, and Pulse Media was honored to hold three of those seats. For a small but growing paper, that alone felt historic. The reality set in quickly: there were no flights available out of Orlando or Tampa. The only path forward was Miami International Airport. So, in the dark hours of early Saturday morning, I loaded my bags, joined my brother and my 17-yearold nephew Tray, and set out on a drive across the state. At 1 a.m., the highways felt endless — headlights cutting through the night, adrenaline mixing with exhaustion. Tray sat up front beside my brother, quiet and reflective, carrying the kind of weight
you rarely see in someone so young. From the moment the news of Charlie’s passing broke, his heart had been heavy, and I could see it written on his face even in the dim glow of the dashboard lights. My brother kept his hands steady on the wheel, guiding us through the night as if guiding both of us through the moment itself.
From the back seat, I had the rare chance to simply watch. I saw a father-figure and a young man — two generations, side by side — and I felt a deep pull in my heart. In that silence, I realized how fitting it was: Charlie Kirk had spent much of his life urging young men to be good husbands, to get married, to raise families, to serve and protect. And here I was, watching my own nephew wrestle with those very lessons, absorbing the weight of what it means to live with faith and purpose.
It struck me that this trip wasn’t just about journalism. It wasn’t only about being one of 300 media voices chosen to tell the story. It was about witnessing a generational handoff — values being passed down, responsibilities being understood, and a young man beginning to see what it means to carry faith forward into his own life.
By the time we boarded our flight in Miami, weary but grateful, I knew every mile was worth it. And when we landed in Phoenix and made our way to the stadium, that truth became undeniable.
The Long Walk and the First in Line
We arrived at the stadium shortly before 4 a.m. on Sunday. Even at that hour, the lines had already formed, stretching out in anticipation. From media parking to the general admission line was a true hike — and yes, I made it in heels. The blisters I earned along the way, I wear proudly, a small reminder of the day’s significance.
At the very front of the line we met a father and his 10-year-old son who had driven all the way from Princeton, Wisconsin. They had been standing in the Arizona heat since Thursday morning at 11 a.m. — more than 72 hours. Can you imagine believing so deeply in a message that you would endure scorching days and long nights just for the chance to be part of this memorial? Their devotion was a testimony in itself. It was a glimpse into the kind of passion Charlie Kirk inspired in families across the nation — fathers passing convictions to sons, generations linked together by faith and commitment.
From Empty Seats to a Sea of Red, White, and Blue
At 6:45 a.m., our media team was escorted by Turning Point staff to a checkpoint where we passed through Secret Service security. The process took about an hour, a reminder of the magnitude of the day and the national attention it carried. Once cleared, we stepped onto the stadium floor.
From that vantage point, I watched as the vast expanse of seats slowly transformed.
At first, the stands were bare, shadows stretching across the empty rows. Then, one by one, families and friends began to file in, many dressed in red, white, and blue. Children held their parents’ hands tightly. By the time the service began, the emptiness had given way to a living sea of patriotism and faith.
And then the music began. Brandon Lake’s voice rose up, soaring through the arena, and the sound of worship filled every corner of the stadium. People stood shoulder to shoulder, some with hands lifted high, others holding onto loved ones as tears streamed down their faces. Veterans stood tall in quiet salute. Children sang along, their voices weaving with the choir until the entire arena became one great chorus.
It was absolutely beautiful — not just a performance, but an atmosphere. The kind of worship that lifts hearts even in the midst of grief, reminding everyone that faith has the power to turn mourning into hope.
The Heart of the Service: Mrs. Erika Kirk’s Words
Among all the moments of the day, none stood out more than the message shared by Mrs. Erika Kirk. With grace, courage, and unshakable faith, she spoke about her husband not in terms of power or influence, but in terms of his heart.
She reminded the stadium that Charlie’s mission was always about people — especially young men. He urged them to be good husbands, to get married, to raise families, to serve and protect their wives and children, and to put God first in all things. For him, strength was not measured by accolades or status, but by devotion to family and faithfulness to Christ.
Then, in an act of remarkable faith, Mrs. Kirk spoke about forgiveness. She said Charlie would have wanted even the young man responsible for his death to know Christ’s saving power. And with quiet strength, she herself offered forgiveness. It was the kind of moment that silenced thousands — not out of shock, but out of reverence for the depth of grace she displayed.
Sitting beside my brother and nephew, I couldn’t help but think of Tray. At 17, he is the very age Charlie so often spoke about — the kind of young man he longed to reach. Hearing Mrs. Kirk’s words while watching my nephew take them in was powerful beyond description. It was as if her message was being planted directly into the next generation, right before my eyes.
A Life of Service
Speaker after speaker shared how Charlie had lived with a sense of calling. He was described as a giver, never a taker. From his youth, he was already leading, volunteering, and speaking boldly about values that mattered. One remembered how at only 12 years old he carried a sign that read “Big Government Sucks.” Another recalled how he never shied away from sacrifice — even forgoing paychecks while dedicating himself fully to his work.
Yet what mattered most to him was never recognition. What he wanted was to see lives changed. He cared deeply about guiding young men — urging them to live with honor, to serve with humility, and to build strong families. For many, that message was the most lasting gift of his life: the reminder that service begins at home, and strength is shown in how we love and protect our families.
An Atmosphere of Unity
The sight of veterans standing with hand over heart, children singing hymns with clarity, and families holding one another close was unforgettable. People hugged as they wept. Strangers prayed together. The stadium felt less like a crowd and more like a congregation — united in faith, joined in grief, and strengthened by hope. One speaker said, “Charlie did more in 31 years than most accomplish in a lifetime.” That truth was visible in the faces of those who came. Seniors who had seen generations pass before them. Veterans who had served and sacrificed for freedom. Children who sang with voices that carried through the rafters. They were all touched by a man who gave his life to something bigger than himself.
Moving Forward
As the service came to a close, voices once again rose in gospel song. The tears remained, but so did the smiles. For those who were there, the message was clear: to honor Charlie Kirk is not simply to remember him, but to live out the values he embodied — faith, family, and freedom. For me, the long journey from Central Florida to Phoenix was worth every mile. To witness such a profound gathering of believers, families, veterans, and seniors was a once-in-a-lifetime honor. To share it with my brother, and especially with my nephew Tray, made it even more personal. In Tray, I saw what Mrs. Erika Kirk was speaking about — the very reason her husband gave his life to this mission. A young man, deeply moved, now carrying lessons of faith, family, and forgiveness into his own future.
Charlie Kirk’s life was cut short, but his legacy will live on in the countless lives he inspired. Through the love of his family, the faith he proclaimed, and the example he set, his story will continue to shape generations.
And for those of us who were there, his memorial was not simply a farewell — it was a charge to live with boldness, to serve with love, and to never forget that true strength comes from God
A Centered Account of Loss in a Left and Right World
By Anthony Folkner
A Family’s Grief Made Visible
AS I SAT AMON g T h E
CROWD , I noticed a woman’s jacket sleeve reach out, trembling, to squeeze her husband’s arm. She turned to find her daughter doing the same, both of them holding back tears until they finally embraced. In that moment, the memorial was no longer a headline, a program, or even a stage. It was a family mourning — and their grief made the loss real to everyone who witnessed it.
This is the weight of senseless violence: it does not take from a movement or an institution, but from flesh and blood — from those who love and remain.
Songs, Prayers, and Hope
Even amid the sorrow, there was something undeniable in the air. Songs rose, voices prayed, and speakers pointed not to despair, but to a higher hope.
One theme echoed again and again: courage rooted in faith. Pastor Rob McCoy recalled Charlie’s passion for truth, and Frank Turek reminded the crowd of the mission Charlie lived by: “To know Jesus, and to make Him known.” Former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard described him as a “warrior who fought with words,” urging those gathered to live with the same boldness and integrity.
Ben Carson drew from history and scripture to underline the point — that standing firm in what we believe is what makes this truly “the home of the brave.” And throughout the day, one verse seemed to linger over the crowd:
> “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7
A Farewell, Not a Rally
It was not a rally. It was not a spectacle. It was a farewell — one marked by tears, by stories, and by a shared resolve to carry forward the faith and courage Charlie professed.
And in the midst of all of it stood Erika Kirk, whose quiet strength and presence reminded everyone that this was not only the loss of a leader, but the loss of a
husband and a father.
Erika Kirk’s Strength
When Mrs. Erika Kirk took the stage, it seemed that it would take forever for her to be able to begin speaking. As she searched for footing at her husband’s memorial, the crowd stood in support — applauding not politics, not ideology, but the simple fact that an incredibly loving wife was determined to honor her husband.
She spoke of Charlie’s heart for his family: how love notes sustained them through chaotic travel, how his voice softened when speaking to their children, and how he was determined to shepherd young men at one of life’s most critical crossroads. She reminded us that the very age group Charlie worked hardest to reach — young men stepping into adulthood — is the same age as the man accused of taking his life.
Her quiet plea was not for vengeance, but for forgiveness. She shared that she had already forgiven him, and urged others to hold onto humanity, faith, and hope. In doing so, she embodied the very message Charlie lived to share.
Faith in Action
Sitting beside me was my own son, wearing his first media pass. This was our very first story to cover together, and as Erika spoke, I realized she was showing him something far deeper than politics or headlines. She was giving him a living example of faith under fire, forgiveness
in grief, and strength in love — a lesson I hope no child ever has to learn this way.
Beyond Politics
At the end of all of this, I want my readers to understand: this is not a left or right issue. This is not a political issue. This is about the sacred gift of human life.
Even in a deeply polarized world, we can stand together on some basic truths — that life is precious, that taking it should never be done lightly, and that grief is not a partisan matter. Parents should not have to bury their children. Families should not have to bury their sons.
As I reflected, I thought of a father and son who had traveled from Wisconsin to attend, and two brothers who had come from different states. They did not come for politics. They came because Charlie’s life had touched theirs, and because grief — real grief — belongs to all of us.
A Shared Mourning
If we set aside party lines, ideologies, and divides, what remains is simple: a family has suffered a loss, a community has lost a voice, and thousands have gathered to honor a life cut short.
This was not a campaign stop, not a rally, but a homegoing service — a memorial where people came to pay their respects to a man who encouraged them.
And maybe, just maybe, in a left-andright world, that reminder of our shared humanity is what Charlie would have wanted us to carry forward.
Remembering Charlie Kirk
WE REMEMBER A MAN renowned for his courage, faith, and character.
Approximately 90,000 people made the pilgrimage to the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and to the Desert Diamond Arena just across the street on Sunday, September 21st.They did this to remember and memorialize Charlie Kirk, along with millions of others from around the world who tuned in online through various news outlets. Within a few hours of opening, at 8 a.m. MST, the stadium was filled to its maximum capacity of 73,000 by people from all across the world. As people entered the stadium, they heard worship led by Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Cody Carnes, and Kari Jobe Carnes. The atmosphere was set by these individuals with tens of thousands of people singing praise to God. Many moments warranted goosebumps and caused a surreal feeling like no other.
The opening speaker, Pastor Rob McCoy, is a man who was called “pastor” by Charlie Kirk. He began with his experience with Charlie in Korea, supporting persecuted Christians in the country. They were having a conversation about how Charlie viewed him as “America's pastor” and about how Pastor McCoy disagreed with him, but in the end, while he was on that stage, he was, indeed, America's pastor. He spoke of Charlie's young life and how he had more experience and knowledge than most men will have in their entire lives. Pastor McCoy then prays a prayer of comfort over the Kirk family through their grief and sorrow. He then goes on to discuss the why behind Charlie Kirk's mission, the why being the guest of honor, Jesus Christ. The rest of his testimony is a call to action for people to turn to Christ and serve him as Charlie had served him, reminding us that we are not righteous except through him, that God wants to save us from sin because he loves us. He stated, “ Charlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus; he knew that if he could get all of you rowing in the streams of liberty, you'd come to its source, and that's the lord.”
Other speakers were Rebecca Dun,,n who had helped Charlie fund the very
By Tray Folkner
beginning of Turning Point USA. Turning Point USA members Mickey McCoy, Stacy Sheridan, Tyler Bowyer, and Justin Streiff. Each member gave a testimony of how Charlie had affected them, supported them, and mentored them, as their boss, leader, and mentor. Stacy Sheridan emphasized how the Kirk family had helped her and her daughter, Grace, through her husband's passing.
Tucker Carlson, host of the political talk show Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News, expressed awe of the memorial and how “ Whatever happens next in America, I hope it's in this direction, because God is here, and you can feel it.” He expressed that Harlie was “ultimately a Christian evangelist”. He spoke of how Charlie knew that politics wasn't the final answer and that the true solution was Jesus. Ḧe shared his agreement with Charlie in saying, “Politics at its core is a process of critiquing other people and getting them to change. Christianity, the gospel message, the message of Jesus, begins with repentance. Christianity calls upon you to change." He shared some words of Charlie on his view of hate, “That's a sad person, that's a broken person, that's a person who needs help, that's a person who needs Jesus.” In his closing remarks, he says that any attempt to extinguish the light causes it to burn brighter.
Andrew Colvet, the spokesperson for Turning Point USA and executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, described the building of the show and
his pride in the accomplishments of his and Charlie's combined efforts. He expresses the difficulty of producing the show since Charlie has been gone. He said that Charlie would read every single email sent to freedom@charliekirk.com and that he would debate people in email who had disagreements about the show. Culvert talked about how Charlie loved his audience and how his audience kept him working for what the people wanted, not what politicians said the people wanted. About how the campus debates they had were truly tent revivals, and how Christians grieve differently from the world, paraphrasing verses from 1 Corinthians 15.
Frank Turek shared his experience of what happened when Charlie was murdered. He describes “his team was amazing… you're going to see that his team did everything they were supposed to do.” he talks about how Charlie was dead instantly and in heaven right after. He said that it wasn't that Charlie was a good man that got him into heaven, but that Jesus sacrificed himself for the world's sins. He shared that Charlie knew the true purpose of life, stating, “the purpose of life was to know Jesus and to make him known, to make heaven crowded.” He then talks about how Erika Kirk is “a force of nature” and closes by calling people to live so that when they wake up, the devil screams.
Vice president JD Vance begins with how Charlie's voice is louder than ever. The assassin expected a funeral, but it
was a revival in celebration of Charlie Kirk and Jesus Christ. He spoke of how Charlie has changed the course of American history with his kindness, courage, and his commitment to open debate. Charlie knew that debate was the way to bring the light of truth to dark places. He calls Charlie a bringer of truth with Christian virtues that would make any man proud. Vance compares Charlie to Athens, the city of knowledge, ad jerusalem the city of faith, but says that though Charlie loved those places, America was his home. “In Charlie Kirk, we found a great American leader,” Vance speaks of Charlie's humility and his belief that everyone deserves to be treated with grace. And how because of Charlie he has spoken more about Jesus the past two weeks than he has his entire time in public. He tells Erika Kirk that we will all stand by her side. He says Charlie would tell us to put on the full armor of God and fight for the truth. He says it is better to sacrifice so that we may find peace in heaven. He closes by saying Charlie is a hero to the United States of America and a martyr for the Christian faith. He then sends love to Charlie and says,” We’ve got it from here.”
President Trump speaks of Charlie's martyrdom and how Charlie was America's greatest evangelist, and he is now immortalised, and neither we nor history will forget him, and how his voice will echo throughout history. He talks of Charlie's love for America and America's love for
Charlie. “It is agonizing to say goodbye to a patriot whose heart still had so much to give. He speaks of Charlie's high school times aligned with his 5th-grade devotion of his soul to Jesus Christ. Trump speaks of how Charlie helped most of Trump's cabinet get elected into office. He speaks of Charlie's humility in having no person too small. A lot of Trump's speaking was focused politically and not directly towards Charlie.
Mrs Erika Kirk began by thanking everyone for coming to celebrate Charlie Kirk. She talks about how Charlie was on fire for god and always focused on him. She shares how Usha Vance gives her comfort in an analogy of the last 15 minutes of an airplane flight and thanks her. She talks about how we didnt see violence, rioting, or revolution, and that we saw revival just as Cahrile had hoped he would see in the country. She welcomes new Christians to the body of believers. She shares how Charlie always gave 100% in what he did and that he died with incomplete work but not unfinished business. She shares how she always made sure that their home was a safe space for Charlie. She talked about how Charlie wanted to help young people just like the person who took his life. Then, in the most emotional moment of the entire memorial service, Mrs. Kirk forgives her husband's killer because it is what Christ did and what Charlie would do. She says, “The answer to hate is not hate, the answer we know from the gospel
is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.” She says she is honored to be the new ceo at Turning Point USA and that they will grow exponentially. The campus events will continue, holding open debates and dialogue, because when you stop the conversation, that's when violence takes place. She tells people to choose Christ and to choose all that is good; she tells Charlie she loves him and ends by saying God bless you all and God bless America. Of the speakers, Mrs Erika Kirk was the most moving, emotional, and non-political one on that stage. Charlie Kirk's memorial was not just a memorial; it was a revival of America and a call for people to fight for freedom. America's thoughts and prayers are with the Kirk family.
Recollections From a Desert Highwayman
By Jaylyn And John Earl
NOW, IF y OU ’ RE T h INKIN g this might be a story about the storied ‘Highwaymen’ of years long passed, you might want to read on and become elucidated a bit on southwest lore. Because this, dear friends, is a story about those desert dwellers who built and maintained the roads between Needles, California, and all points west in the great Mojave Desert and beyond.
Let us introduce to you Mr. George Robinson. Of late, a resident of Northwest Nevada, and for many years of his life, from childhood onward, one of the few brave, and often lonely souls who survived quite well in the desert, long before cell phones and satellite TV. It was–and is, after all, the desert way.
Presently in his mid-eighties and still as sharp as a NSA Cray supercomputer, George worked for the California Division of Highways and Caltrans for 39 years, mostly along the well known and underappreciated “Alphabet Towns” that existed to provide a stopping point for the railroads in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Naturally, highways followed the towns that followed the trains. That is how a young boy came to be raised among the sand and lava beds between Needles and Barstow with a few side trips to the more
occupied parts of the California coastal areas.
Misery for most adults? Perhaps. But possibly the ideal place for a kid to come of age, in the biggest sandbox one could imagine for a backyard.
George’s father worked out in the desert for the California Department of Highways, doing some of the early roadwork that would one day become Route 66, also known as the Mother Road. George naturally followed in his father’s bootsteps. Always wear boots in the desert; just a tip.
At the time, the Division of Highway Maintenance area of responsibility included train stations, small airports, rest stops and, naturally, the highways. Over time, there would be sixteen California Highway Maintenance Stations with affordable housing built between the late 1920s and 1945 for employees and their
families, such as it was.
George lived in Amboy, Newberry (Springs), Ludlow, Essex, Helendale and Yermo, all on Route 66. As an adult, he became acquainted with many personalities who occupied the desert communities, including Amboy's wellknown Buster Burris and Roy Crowl.
Other highway camps where George lived were Baker, Desert Center, Mountain Pass and Oasis, south of Indio.
"Some of the maintenance stations were built when roads were taken into the highway system. They were called camps," George told us.
"In Newberry (Springs) there is one old house with a green snow roof and a newer one. That location was sold in mid-70s, Amboy sooner. The house in your photo in Amboy on the left is newer."
George continued, "I was Supervisor in Essex when the final piece of Interstate 40 opened, Ludlow to Mountain Springs. Then, most maintenance stations in remote locations had cheap housing to get employees to go there."
"Desert Center and Oasis south of Indio also had houses. Hinkley had tents." George noted that at one time, he and his siblings lived in a tent, while his parents occupied a small structure nearby.
"Helendale on 66 west of Barstow had houses. Yermo, Baker, and also in Mountain Pass on 91. Some only had a supervisor's house," he clarified.
"Essex and Newberry had wells with good water and a public drinking fountain
They didn 't have radio, and no TV. They did have sand. California Division of Highways Maintenance in Amboy.
George's Mom and Dad on a day off.
Another view. Rte 66 is peeking through in the lower right corner.
out front that looked like a wishing well. You would not believe what went on in them in the hot summer!" "Do tell," we asked. George told us, "People plugged up the drain and took baths in the water fountains in about two and a half feet of water in the basin," unbeknownst to thirsty travelers.
"Amboy," George reminisced, "got their water by rail car from Newberry Springs. The railroad well cistern was by tracks, also a pressure pump and tank were in the yard."
"I think the state paid $25 for 10,000 gallons and the supervisor would tell you if he thought you were using too much water. Whenever the pump came on there was a light on the side of the tank house. There was no car washing."
These black and white photos of the Division of Highways Maintenance Station in Amboy, were provided by George Robinson's daughter, Kim. She also emailed us photos of her grandparents and Dad.
George explained, "The house on the left is the Supervisor's house and the one on the right is the second maintenance man's house. I lived in the third one (not in picture) during 1963 to '65. There was a gas house where oil and other service items were kept. Also kept there was a log for gas, diesel, and oil usage."
"There were similar maintenance stations in Newberry Springs. Essex, and Needles. I lived in three of the four mentioned, from 1963 to '73 off and on," George added.
Originally settled as a mining camp in 1858, the community of Amboy got its name from the Southern Pacific Railroad on December 21, 1903. Now we've circled back to the whole Alphabet Town subject.
Amboy was soon followed by Bolo (formerly Bombay, Bengal, Bristol) Cadiz, Danby, Essex (formerly Edson), Fenner, Goffs (formerly Blake then changed back to Goffs), Homer, Ibis, Java, and Siberia, all in alphabetical order to make them easier to remember for telegraphers and dispatchers.1.
When Santa Fe took over the lines a few years later, more stations were needed. Siam, Hartoum, Nome and Klondike were added.
Roy Crowl started with an auto repair shop, then Herman "Buster" Burris came to work for him and married Roy's daughter, Bessie. In 1945 they built a cafe and a couple of cabins for travelers waiting to have their automobiles repaired.
Crowl began construction of a motel in 1948, still standing. Mr. Crowl died in 1971, and Buster Burris took over management of Amboy.
Roy's Garage was a small auto repair shop originally built by Ben Benjamin and later run by Roy Crowl.2. It was east of Bender's Standard Station. A year or two later, Crowl built Roy's Cafe. The garage was directly across from where Roy's now stands.
According to George, Roy drove a 4-door DeSoto. "Back in the day, people could get permits to capture wild donkeys that freely roamed the area. Crowl was known for catching them by tossing a lasso from his Jeep," George recalled.
George's daughter, Kim, told us, "The Amboy photos are of the State yard in Amboy. My Dad worked and lived there when he first started his State service."
Early on in his life, George spent some years living in a rock house on Harvard Road and Highway 91 in the Mojave riverbed, twelve miles from Yermo. He noted that Yermo had a roundhouse, a train repair facility in the old style.
Good ol' President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. Under the act, the federal government supplied 90 percent of funding for interstate highways, with the state paying the remaining 10 percent.
couple of years in Amboy.
"Newberry was so lush and green," he said, compared to the dry desert he was used to. George lived on Hector Road, east of Newberry, when Newberry got its first dial-up telephone.
Before the late 1960s, many phones in the remote desert were hand-cranked party-line phones. Think of the old TV comedy, "Green Acres," and you'll be able to relate.
"Before then," George said, "the phones went through the operator in Colton and everybody knew who you were talking with, and you had to yell into the phone when the connection grew too weak, "Hang up the phone!" The connection would immediately grow stronger once the eavesdropping parties hung up.
Newberry became Newberry Springs in 1967 to avoid confusion with a similar sounding town, Newbury Park, north of Los Angeles.
George remembered when the isolated town of Essex had only one hand-cranked telephone, even with the town still thriving because Route 66 was open. As we talked, we mentioned to George that I recalled driving through Essex in 1971, and using that antique phone.
"I lived in Essex for 18 months, starting in 1971," He said, and then fondly recalled when entertainer Johnny Carson was responsible for bringing television to Essex, which had none.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) was formed to unify all transportation functions under a single department in 1973.
In 1977, the whole town of 61 people Essexites was bussed to Burbank to watch the production of The Tonight Show, because Essex did not have any television reception due to mountains blocking the signal. To the town's delight, Carson and crew took care of the problem, at least temporarily.
Most of the houses George lived in as a kid did not have electricity or indoor plumbing. They had all manner of animals though, including chickens and livestock.
George's family also lived in Daggett, and even Azusa, where he attended the third grade.
During his employment with the California Division of Highways, George was granted a transfer to Newberry Springs after serving a
George stated the Daggett Marine Base Annex used to rent housing to civilians in the 1940s for thirty or 40 dollars a month.
Division of Highways Maintenance Station from Rte 66, Amboy
Division of Highways Maintenance Station & Employee housing, Amboy.
George and family at Joshua Tree on an outing. That's George going topless.
Housing units, Division of Highways Maintenance Station, Amboy.
"The Department of Highway Maintenance supervisors ran patrols carrying diesel, motor oil and barrels of striping paint to workers," he said.
"They also carried corks to plug the holes after people shot at barrels along the highway."
George told us the last segment of Interstate 40 had to be done all at once from Ludlow to Desert Center to Mountain Springs.The completion of Interstate 40, of course, spelled disaster for local businesses.
The interstate eventually bypassed Route 66 altogether. Hurried travelers were no longer stopping at filling stations, restaurants and motels along Route 66, forcing them to shutter forever.
Some formerly popular locations became ghost towns while others were razed and disappeared. U.S. Route 66 was decommissioned in the 1980s.
Amboy continued to barely hang on by the skin of its teeth until Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, purchased the whole town in 2005 for $425,000 dollars.
Despite Albert's sudden passing in 2023, Amboy is still undergoing a resurgence thanks to the diligence of his son Kyle, the Okura family and dedicated staff, town manager Kenneth Large and Miss Nicole.
George spent 18 years of his career living in Desert Center in a two bedroom, 900 square foot house.
Desert Center was founded by "Desert Steve" Ragsdale in 1921, featuring a cafe, gas station, and pool. It was also the location of the Desert Center Army Air Field and Camp Desert Center, a World War II training base for desert combat. Almost nothing remains of either.
Although most of Route 66 in the California desert may seem abandoned, its popularity still thrives. Route 66 is not just a road, it's a slice of Americana.
Others commented, as well, "Before I retired from Caltrans, around 2011, rent for employees had risen to a point that there was little incentive to work in the remote yards.
I heard that right of way agents were using housing comps from cities like Needles, etc. to set rent for employees. I believe at least Essex and Mountain Pass were affected." ~Steve Frasier
If you would like to share your memories about Amboy, please contact Ken@ visitamboy.com if interested in sharing your story and Amboy experience.
Our appreciation to George for graciously sharing his recollections with us over the phone. Also, many thanks to his daughter, Kim, for emailing us the photos and to Steve for his comments.
Caltrans District 8 (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties) https://www. facebook.com/caltrans8
Department of Transportation Library https://dot.ca.gov/programs/ transportation-library/library-collection
Department of Transportation Oral Histories https://dot.ca.gov/programs/ transportation-library/short-summaries-oforal-histories
Amboy, Where the Past Melts the Present https://www.thedesertway.com/amboy-ca/
Amboy Cemetery, Dust in the Wind https://www.thedesertway.com/amboycemetery-ca/
African Lion Spotted in Amboy https:// www.thedesertway.com/african-lionspotted-in-amboy-was-a-cool-cat/
Bagdad Cemetery, Upon a Desert Driest https://www.thedesertway.com/bagdadcemetery-ca/
Barstow-Daggett Airport, A Life of Highs and Lows https://www.thedesertway.com/ barstow-daggett-airport/
Daggett, California: The Tiny Town That Changed Perceptions of the Mojave Desert https://www.thedesertway.com/ daggett-ca/
Ludlow, California: More Than Gasoline and Ice Cream https://www.thedesertway. com/ludlow-ca/
References and Resources
1. Schoffstall, Patricia M., Mojave Desert Dictionary, Second Ed., Mojave River Valley Museum, Barstow CA, pub. 2014.
2. De Kehoe, Joe, The Silence and The Sun, Second Ed., Trails End Publishing, pub. 2012.
Amboy Website: https://visitamboy.com
Ludlow Cemetery, Eternity Near the Tracks https://www.thedesertway.com/ ludlow-cemetery-ca/
Newberry Spring's Little House Under the Prairie https://www.thedesertway.com/ newberry-springs-ca/
Recollections From a Desert Highwayman https://www.thedesertway.com/div-ofhwys-route-66/
Top Photo: Aerial view of former Division of Highway Maintenance Camp in Amboy, California.
George Robinson in 2015, Amboy.
Imagine changing oil and greasing the joints when it's 120 degrees. Amboy yard in 2015.
Former State highway maintenance yard in 2015.
Another “Best” Rating for Barstow Community Hospital
By J.P.Garner
MAy BE y OU DON ’ T NOTICE it when you walk into the hospital, but it’s for certain you would if Environmental Services (EVS) hadn’t done its job. It’s natural for us to see mistakes first, to see where something is out of place or dirty instead of clean. It’s like John Rader, the hospital’s PIO, said, “when you walk into a dirty bathroom at a restaurant, you wonder about the cleanliness of the kitchen and the food coming out of it.”
That’s for sure, and the same can be said of a hospital. If it’s dirty, you wonder about the care.
But we’re lucky. We don’t have to have wonder about our hospital because it continues to be rated the “cleanest” in the High Desert by patients as measured through the HCAHPS patient satisfaction survey as reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The cleanest! Try to imagine what that means. Envision the level of commitment it takes to keep a hospital that clean seven-days a week, 24-hours a day.
Besides the actual cleaning, there’s much planning involved and much checking. When Hilda Gonzalez, the department head as of a year ago, comes to work, she makes her “rounds.” As she explains it, making her rounds entails, “Walking to the [different] departments to make sure we have everything we need, to make sure that all the staff is here, [and] to deal with
the issues [like] running out of supplies.”
The thing she stresses, though, and that which she is constantly looking for “. . . is the quality of the service provided. I want to make sure that the hospital is disinfected for patient safety reasons but also pretty or esthetically appealing for patients and their visitors.”
Pretty for the patients? Who thinks like that in the sterile confines of a hospital? Clearly, someone who cares. It is an objective uppermost in the minds of each team member. And not just pretty but also the most important part of their job descriptions: that the surfaces are clean
and disinfected. As one team member proudly described her work, “My attention to detail . . . allows health care providers to focus on patient care, knowing that the environment is hygienic.”
Hilda supervises a crew of 17 people who are divided among three shifts over a seven-day work week. There is no supervisor on the night shifts. “I trust my EVS team,” Hilda remarks with much confidence. Within that umbrella, is Cynthia Velasquez, who works in the Surgical Service department – also know as the Operating Room (OR). She cleans and sanitizes the hospital’s two operating rooms. She’s been with BCH since it was across the street. She cleans and sanitizes each of the operating rooms by herself.
“Sometimes we have a lot of surgeries, six to eight surgeries during the day, and I am very busy. I do my best to get the rooms disinfected and turned around for the next patient and surgeon. I get 15 minutes between surgeries to sterilize everything -- except the surgical tools which go to Central Sterile are cleaned through the autoclave. It's a real fast turnover but we have a process for doing it. I really enjoy working in the OR. The Surgical Services staff is very helpful.”
Enjoying the work seems to be a key to the EVS team’s success. The importance of the work is understood. Being good isn’t good enough. That’s why the comments on patient questionnaires are always favorable about the courtesy of EVS staff, who make it a point to check with patients before cleaning anything in thir room. It’s because of EVS’s dedication to excellence that Hilda and her team have improved upon the standard of cleanliness set when BCH first opened.
“My goal,” she said, “is to help this hospital become the very best in the High Desert, where everyone feels cared for and at home the moment they walk through the doors.” That attitude is shared by the entire staff at BCH, but in particular by the members of the EVS team. It’s reflected in
their work where they take much pride in their attention to detail.
And that’s the key, isn’t it? The attention to detail. It separates the good from the best.
It’s an expectation of the three shifts that work around the clock seven days a week.
YOURADCOULDBEHERE!
Hilda explains that employee training is a big part of their success. “They follow protocol, they follow their job descriptions. So, the patient satisfaction scores are a direct reflection of them. They take pride in their work.”
Pride in their work. What a concept.
There’s a saying in the military that any organization will eventually develop the personality of the person leading it. That’s particularly true at Barstow Community Hospital (BCH). Not only in the EVS department, but throughout the hospital as a whole, where the leadership has manifested itself in a patient-first approach that has resulted in BCH not only being rated the “cleanest” hospital in the High Desert, but the “best.”
The Power of Kindness in Uncertain Times
By Tiffanie Williams
ACROSS A MERICA , sadness weighs heavy on many hearts.
The stories we read, the conversations we overhear, and the tensions we feel can make it seem like division is the only story being written. But here in our towns, among our veterans, seniors, and neighbors, we know another truth: kindness is still alive—and it matters now more than ever.
Every Battle Isn’t Visible
Our communities are filled with people carrying unseen burdens. Some struggles are visible—scars of military service, health challenges, or financial hardships. But others are hidden: quiet grief, unspoken loneliness, or silent battles that never make the evening news.
When we pause to remember that every person is fighting something, it becomes easier to lead with compassion. A smile, a handshake, or even a kind word can lift a spirit in ways we may never realize.
Veterans and Seniors Show the Way
Our veterans have taught us that freedom is never free, and our seniors have shown us that wisdom is earned through trials. Both groups remind us of resilience, sacrifice, and the value of community. These lessons guide us to live with humility, accept differences, and honor the humanity in every neighbor.
We don’t have to agree on every subject to show respect. We don’t have to walk the same road to offer a helping hand. And we don’t have to share the same battles to recognize that we all bleed the same.
The Ripple of Grace
Kindness doesn’t need to be grand to be powerful. It can be as simple as calling a lonely friend, checking in on a veteran,
helping a neighbor carry groceries, or offering patience in a checkout line. Grace, when practiced daily, creates ripples— touching one life after another until an entire community feels its warmth.
And the beauty of grace is this: it costs us nothing, but it gives so much.
Passing It On
As seniors and veterans, we have younger generations watching us. Our children and grandchildren are learning from our choices—whether we choose criticism or compassion, division or unity, bitterness or forgiveness.
What if our greatest legacy wasn’t just the buildings we build or the titles we hold, but the kindness we show? What if our example of grace was the greatest inheritance we leave behind?
A Call to Community
Now, more than ever, we need to remind ourselves and each other:
• Kindness is free, but its impact is priceless.
• We are stronger together than we are apart.
• None of us are perfect, and all of us need grace.
So let’s take this moment in history, not to be hardened by the headlines, but to soften our hearts. Let us be the veterans who still lead, the seniors who still inspire, and the neighbors who still care.
Because when the story of these times is written, may it be said that we did not choose bitterness—we chose kindness.
College Corner: The Dream Job
IF NOT h IN g ELSE , Kristine Nelson is patient . . . or is it persistent? Probably both.
The mother of six got her start in theater back in 2014 and is now the Stage Manager for the BCC production of George Bernard Shaw’s play, “Pygmalion.” In that time, in spite of all the OJT she acquired and the Humanity degree she earned, “I'm one class away from being the first [person] at BCC to graduate with an associates in theater.”
One class. And it’s a class not currently offered at BCC: Stagecraft.
She tried to go to La Verne University, which has the class. “But I was traveling from La Verne four times a week. It got to be too [expensive] and I couldn't finish it. It was just too much.” And she’d go to VVC but, like she said, she wants to be BCC’s first with an AA in Theater. Earning that particular degree at BCC has a special significance for her because BCC is where she got her start in theater . . . which is now her first love..
“I came to Barstow Community College to get a degree in Psychology, but I got involved in the theater when the Performing Arts Center opened. I started out as an actor in the first show, a Midsummer Night's Dream, and I’ve just been changing roles with each show [ever since.”]
Kristine’s background is not in theater, but in choir because of her unique skill as a singer which, last year landed her the prized role as the Mother Superior in the PAC production of the classical musical, The Sound of Music. “That was a dream role,” she explains. “That was a dream forever. I had to audition just like everybody else did. [But] that was the only role I wanted, and if I couldn't get that role, I was just going to be Stage Manager.”
Just be the Stage Manager. She makes it sound like any ol’ job.
But the simple truth is that it’s an inadequate title for a job in which the
person doing it is overseeing every damn thing. Those things are best described by Google who says, “A stage manager's job is to be the primary organizer and communicator for a theatre production, acting as the central hub between the director, actors, designers, and crew from the first rehearsal to the final curtain call.
“They create and manage schedules, take notes on blocking and cues, ensure logistical details are handled, oversee backstage activities during performances, and maintain the production's integrity, ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely.”
Kristine didn’t acquire the skills described above in a class, but through the crucible of volunteering for different jobs in the production of a play while serving as an actor in it. Basically through hard work and sacrifice . . . and dogged persistence.
You know, the American dream.
She cites an example, “During my second show, Gypsy, I was the costume coordinator, and I had to do that as well as being in the show. That's what I tend to do is do things and be in the show.” In other shows, she’d do sets or lighting, and by doing the behind-the-scenes type jobs that make a production possible, she acquired the first-hand knowledge and understanding of what it takes to make a show happen.
“I remember one show last year.. It was a lot of work. As the stage manager, I’m the one who writes down all the blocking for the show. Blocking is the actions that happen on stage; what the actors are doing. I'm writing down that they're crossing from down right to up left or something like that. I'm writing in the script when they're moving. In things like musicals, you have to have very specific blocking. Where in things like straight plays, you have a little more freedom.
“And sometimes you have actors that didn't get a chance to write down what they were doing because they were so busy in their script that they'll come to me afterwards and see what their blocking was, what they did. But I also video it. I video it after each thing, and then they put it on the canvas page, so the actors can see their walking as well. It's a process.”
When asked how long she has been interested in theater, Kristine laughed when she explained that she did something
By J.P.Garner
in high school, but can’t remember the name of it. Was it that bad, I asked? “No,” she quickly replied. “It was a role that was created for me because I wasn't really an actor. I was a singer. I was in choir in high school,”
From choir, to actor, to Stage Manager, She’s is all of that, and now her goal is to be a Director like her mentor, Amy Ross, who runs the theater arts program at BCC and is the principal director of most productions at the PAC. Kristine has already directed four plays, the first being Dog Sees God, but she’s looking to direct on a grander scale. She wants to be the one with the vision of what a Broadway-like production should look like . . . the one who translates the scriptwriter’s imaginings into action. Being a stage manager brings her closer to that goal, and equips her with the tools and experience needed to sit in a director’s chair. “I'm the one who's running the show. I’m the one standing in the wings hushing. calling cues, making sure the lights and the sounds and all this set pieces go at, making sure all the actors are where they're supposed to be. That's my job.
“So in the end, I'm the one in charge.”
The one in charge. Looking back, Kristine can see it’s not the place she imagined herself to be back in 2014 when she showed up at BCCs campus, intent on earning a Humanity degree.
She did that.
But along the way, BCC opened another door for her which not only changed her life, but her as a person as well. College can do that. So can great instructors like Amy Ross. You start out in one thing, only to end up someplace else, and that place is most often what you love most.
Through patience and persistence, Kristine is at the place now.
Petersen House
IT SLOWLy RE g ISTERED that the woman standing next to me was quietly sobbing. As I turned, she was holding her face in her hands and I could see the slight trembling movement of her shoulders.
That crying woman was my own lovely wife, Laureen.
At 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865 Abraham Lincoln breathed for the last time. The 16th President of the United States had unintentionally ended his administrationan administration which had taken on the most terrible and divisive time in the young country’s existence.
The Civil War.
The previous evening, a man who wanted to be a hero for a lost cause, had cowardly and callously shot President Lincoln in the back of the head at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. at 10 p.m. Theater-goers panicked as the realization struck them of the horrible tragedy which had taken place near the end of the play, Our American Cousin, some gathering their senses as they realized the president had to be moved from the theater.
One report suggested that a few close friends of the president had said that it would not be suitable for the man to die in a place where actors frollicked on stage. As President Lincoln was carried out
of Ford’s Theater, a man in the street suddenly yelled to the crowd to bring the wounded man into the Petersen House, which was directly across the street from the theater.
As we visited our nation’s capital, we stopped by Ford’s Theater and then walked across the street to the Petersen House where President Lincoln had perished.
It is a narrow 19th century federal style row house - not really sure what all that means, located at 516 10th Street.
The one-time boarding house has a faded red brick exterior, stands three stories tall with a partial basement making up a fourth floor. Each floor features three windows looking out upon 10th Street and Ford’s Theater. The building is enhanced by a beautifully crafted marble frame encasing the front door, and a slightly curved black wrought iron bannister that borders the multiple steps leading to the house.
Pleasant enough to gander at, the craftsmanship during that time period was truly remarkable and the Petersen House looked like a place anyone may want to stay while conducting business in Washington D.C.
As I described in a previous article, Washington D.C. was a relatively small town and people tended to know one another in the 1860s.
By John Beyer
Perhaps they did not know each other well, but as I delved into the history of the town, it seems there were more coincidences than not.
In 1849, William A. Petersen, a German tailor had built the house as a single residence, and subsequently rented it in 1852 to John C. Breckinridge. Breckinridge would later serve as Vice-President under President James Buchanan from 1857 until 1861.
Breckinridge was personal friends with the Lincolns.
Coincidence?
Breckinridge would serve as a State Senator from Kentucky until he was booted from the senate after joining the southern cause and later became the Secretary of War for the Confederate States of America.
In 1865, the residence was divided into many bedrooms and served as a boarding house for visiting guests. Guests such as John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, had actually slept on the same bed that a month later would become the President’s deathbed.
The Petersen House became a museum in the 1930s and to this day, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors who want to wander the house remembering the tragic event which had occurred there so many years in the past.
The Petersen House, Washington D.C.
Ford's Theatre, Washington D.C.
Climbing the stairs and entering the home, there was a quiet respect that seemed to fall upon the tourists awaiting their turn to tour the rooms. We walked through the room where Mary Todd received the news. The room where his Cabinet waited. Then we moved to another room.
I walked slightly ahead of my wife. I was standing in that fateful room as she entered and I could feel something was a little off.
“What’s wrong?” I asked Laureen, while turning toward her.
“This is the room, isn’t it?” She shuddered a bit. “It’s so dark and heavy here.”
Glancing around, I could see pretty well. Early afternoon light was streaming through the exterior windows and there were even lamps turned on in each of the rooms we had sauntered through.
Nothing dark or heavy.
“Can you see my fingers in front of your face?”
With a large sigh, Laureen looked at me. “There’s an energy here and it’s very sad, maybe even scared.”
We had been standing in front of the bed where President Lincoln had died. Nothing fancy, just a wooden frame with a simple mattress and rather short for a six foot four man to lay on during his last moments. Then again, do any of us choose where and when we will die?
It was a solemn scene, and one deserving nothing but respect. Our nation's history changed on that morning of April 15, 1865.
“I have to leave,” Laureen said. Suddenly she stopped in her tracks and I reached out to her.
“Something just tugged at my right shoulder. It seemed to say, ‘Don’t leave.’”
I looked around and realized we were the only ones in that historic room.
And I knew I had not grabbed Laureen or whispered into her ear.
Even if I had, I wouldn’t share it in a
newspaper column. Certain things are secret among married couples.
Another group of tourists were coming into the bedroom where Lincoln’s last eternal sleep happened and I gently ushered Laureen out into the main hallway by the elevator.
“You okay?” I asked, though seeing the tears flowing, I knew better.
As she dabbed her eyes and nodded, I led her out of the room. It was some time before she spoke. “That was powerful. I felt like I was tugged on, twice, with an overwhelming sense of sorrow, and someone asking, begging me not to leavethey seemed so sad and lonely.”
I nodded, I did not know what else to do.
I don’t feel the sort of things Laureen or others I have met on my travels claim they feel or sense things as they do.
Hunger, I got it. Looking for a cold adult libation, I got it. Finding my car in a parking lot after I’ve lost it, I got it. Feeling ‘things’ from past events, I don’t get it.
Earlier, we had spent hours at the Ford’s Theater across the street.
Neither I nor Laureen felt any ‘spooky’ or ‘paranormal’ activity. Well, maybe when Laureen ventured into the gift shop - my debit card warned me about feeling lighter in a few minutes.
The building where President Lincoln was mortally wounded. The building where in 1893, during remodeling, a section collapsed and 22 people were killed.
All that and neither of us felt anything. I didn’t expect to feel any ghostly feelings but Laureen, she is more tuned for that than me.
Ford’s theater is haunted, or that is what can be learned from various online sources.
Gun shots, though there was only one, the night of President Lincoln’s assassination can be heard from within the theater. Panicky screams follow the shots and sometimes John Wilkes Booth’s apparition
can be seen jumping from the president’s private box to the stage below.
A stove-pipe hat has been witnessed floating across the stage. Even Mary Todd Lincoln can be seen looking down at the stage, as if potentially warning her husband of his impending doom.
I saw nothing and Laureen assured me that she had experienced no sense that the theater harbored anything other than visitors exploring a sad but iconic place in our nation’s history.
Jada, the gift shop clerk who checked us out as we were leaving the theater, told us she would not venture into the basement of the theater.
“Why?” I asked.
“People died here. There were a lot of workers here when the floor of the building collapsed. It’s too heavy for me to venture down to the basement again. Not for me.”
I asked her about the Peterson House.
“Nope, I went over there a couple of years ago and stopped at the front door,” Jada said. “There was no way I was going in. I started shaking and could not catch my breath. There is a deep and sorrowful sadness there.”
“Really,” was all I could think of to say.
“I’m not the only one,” Jada said. “Even though we are run by the National Park Service, our supervisors will not force any of us to go where we are not comfortable. There are spirits, both here at the theater and across the street at the Petersen House. It can be unnerving.”
I paid the tab, smiled and followed Laureen out the door of the gift shop.
“You want to try the Petersen House again?” I asked. “Perhaps this time I will feel something.”
A shake of her head and I knew that suggestion was dead to all hearing ears. Is either Ford’s Theater or the Petersen House haunted or do they have paranormal activity? Speaking to other Park Rangers, they admit that many visitors see or feel things which defy conventional explanation. For my part, I have no idea, but from what I experienced with Laureen’s reactions and speaking with Jada, I would not doubt that there is something in both places that may need more investigation.
For further information: https://www.nps. gov/foth/the-petersen-house.htm
John can be contacted at; beyersbyways@gmail.com
The bed President Lincoln passed away on in the Petersen House
A forever memorial for President Lincoln in the Petersen House
Kandy’s Pups ‘N’ Stuff Pet Spa & Hotel
AN y TIME I ENTER Kandys Pet Spa and Hotel I wonder if I have the same look of wonderment as I had in 1955 when I first visited Disneyland. It is an amazing facility and the only full-service spa and pet hotel in the High Desert. Kandys, and the apostrophe is deliberately omitted, is located in downtown Barstow and family owned and operated by Barstow residents, Kandy and Thomas Yanes. Both were raised on ranches in Riverside and have a love of all animals and pets.
Kandy is an AKC dog breeder and has been active in animal rescue for over twenty years. She opened the first pet spa and hotel in 2021 on East Main Street but quickly outgrew that location. Now located at 204 N. 3rd Ave, Suite D and E, the facility has an upbeat vibe and an energy accentuated by the vivid colors. It is extremely clean and bright, and all the hotel facilities are inside the climatecontrolled building.
The demand for dog boarding has led to a remodel of the facility. More canine suites are being built in the area formerly used for the pet boutique and bakery. And yes, this high-class pet hotel has suites not kennels. The three choices for canine guests include a luxury suite, mini suites, and economy suites. All suites include room service, individual play time, and 24hour care in air-conditioned comfort.
The luxury suite has everything a canine prince or princess might need for a staycation while their humans are away. It has a queen-sized human bed, a chandelier and a big screen television. A fenced yard area outside the suite is also included. Their favorite television programs or music can be enjoyed on the big screen and video calls with their humans are no problem. Longer stays include a spa treatment.
By John Wease
The mini suites have nice doggie beds rather than the queen-sized human bed and a smaller television. The economy suites have no television. We left our two mutts in an economy suite for two days when we went to our granddaughter’s wedding. I didn’t feel the least bit guilty about “abandoning” them. I knew they were in good hands and would be well cared for. My only concern was if they would want to go back home when we returned.
Pet hotel is an apt name as they also have cat condos. Emergencies and “life situations” are no problem. Whether a death in the family, or sudden military orders, Kandys is ready to assist as needed. They do free pickups in the Kandys van for seniors and military for boarding or grooming and offer discounts to both. Look for the colorful Kandys van in the Barstow Kiwanis parade on October 18. Hourly pet care is another popular service available.
The spa is also upscale. Any type of grooming imaginable is available. A full grooming includes a blueberry facial, massage, bath and blowout, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, sanitary trim, and pet mist. Additional services include nail polish, hair dye, paw pad trimming and moisturizing, and CBD oil massage. They groom cats as well. I’m trying to picture that with my psychotic attack cat. They do pro bono grooming for shelter dogs to help them look their best.
Dog training is another available service. Kandy will soon begin classes for the
owners in grooming and pet first aid. She is well qualified, and her certificates fill the reception area walls. She is certified in grooming, hair and skin care, pet boarding and sanitation, animal CPR and first aid, and infectious disease control.
Business is booming. So much so her husband, Thomas Yanes, left his trucking industry career to work full time with Kandy. A second facility for some additional services is in the works. Kandy has an infectious energy and enthusiasm that personifies the feeling around Barstow of economic revitalization, especially downtown. Like any upscale hotel, reservations are needed. To make a reservation for boarding or grooming, or to schedule a tour, call Kandy at 760-9125260. It has the approval of my two mutts. I think you will like it too.
Don’t miss out... events are fillin’up!
WOW Oct schedule of activities
WOW meets in Fellowship Hall(unless otherwise noted), at Trinity Lutheran Church 16138 Molino Dr Victorville For additional information call (442)319-5093
• Oct 01 3:00 PM - Happy Hour at La casita-Mexican Restaurant 12170 Spring Valley Pkwy, Victorville
• Oct 04 9:00 AM - Jeanette Kitzman with High Desert Pace
• also, a Representative of Ruth and Naomi Project, housing for seniors
• Oct 11 9:00AM - Tom Reynolds Video presenting John Denver's music
• Oct 18 10:00 AM - Breakfast Denny's 13165 Main St. Hesperia near Fwy
• Oct 25 9:00 AM - Halloween and Game day
Victorville Senior Citizens Club
14874 S. Mojave St. Victorville CA 92395 760-245-5018
ALL EVENTS OPEN TO PUBLIC BINGO
• 2nd & 4th Saturday
UpcomingCommunity Events
• Oct. 4 - Mohahve Historical Society fieldtrip to Antelope Valley Rural Museum Lancaster, meet at 9:45 AM
• Oct. 11 - Barstow Route 66 Festival and Car Show, Harvey House 9-4
• Oct. 13 - NAACP Branch 1082 General Meeting- 6 PM at the Victorville Office
• Oct. 14 - Friends of the Apple Valley Library General Meeting- Nurse Cathleen Winter Health Tips 11:15
• Oct. 23 - Mohahve Historical Society Meeting- Jim Conkle Route 66 Adventures, Lone Wolf Colony Fieldhouse, doors open 6:30
• Oct. 25 - Mohahve Historical Society fieldtrip to Clampers Monument sites- Barstow/ Daggett area, meet at Slash X10 AM
• Oct. 25 - Trunk or Treat- Historic Apple Valley Inn 4-7
Friends of the Victorville Library
14901 Dale Evans Parkway Apple Valley, CA 92307
• October 14 - 11:15am - Speaker: Nurse Kathleen from Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group - Topic: Winter Health
• October 14 - 9am-3pm - $5 bag book sale/including a great collection of cookbooks
S.W.I.M.
• Oct 2 - Intro to Artists of the High Desert - Craft included Lois Papner
• Oct 9 - 25 Documents Every Senior Should Have Lisa Gonzalez
• Oct 16 - Big Bear Museum - Jonni Vindiola
• Oct 23 - Eastern Sierras - Barbara Betterley
• Oct 30 - Pot Luck, Costume Contest, Craft, Prizes
Seniors With Inquiring Minds (SWIM) meets every Thursday from 1:00-2:00 pm in the Percy Bakker Center located at 9333 E Avenue in hesperia, CA 92345
Piñon Hills Chamber of Commerce
Networking during Chamber meetings, events and online - Be a guest speaker and stand in the spotlight!
Join and Share your Ideas & goals at a Membership Luncheon on the 3rd Tuesday of each month Where? – The Rodeo Café – 593 Hwy 138 – Piñon Hills - 11am to 1pm
Sign up to Showcase your business products or Services at Summerfest When? First Saturday each June - ALL day Event got Talent? – Sign-up for the Annual Art Show – When? 1st Saturday of each October during Phelan Phamily Phun Days. Where? Downtown Phelan.
