Complimentary copy - Take one! January 2026 - Issue #47
SENIORS, VETERANS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES
Project Carryall:
Almost a Blast From the Past Senior Care Professionals
Marcy’s Musings
Barstow highlights
Stories inside
Check out the events going on in our area this month.
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January 2026
Editorial
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S WE START OFF THE NEW YEAR OF 2026, we do so with the same enthusiasm we did with every New Year. Hope-Optimism -Reservations and willingness to face whatever the year throws at us.
P O Box 290066 - Phelan, CA 92329-0066 10405 Mountain Road - Piñon Hills, CA 92372
My goal is to take care of our health, spending time with loved ones and friends as well enjoy life to its fullest. And to make it to the next new year of 2027.
FRANCES CONKLE
CEO Mother Road Enterprises 1 760 617 3774 FrancesConkle@gmail.com
As many of you know one of my passions is being SANTA. When I put that suit on, I BECOME SANTA. The smiles, from young and old, is worth al the effort. I want to thank my wife and family for driving me to all the Santa events. There would be no Santa without you.
JAMES CONKLE
Publisher 1 760 617 3991 jim@motherroadenterprises.com 66jimconkle@gmail.com
LORI WESTON
1 760 680 9472 Lori@motherroadenterprises.com
JORGE LEANDRO RODRIGUES
We want to recognize the great response San Bernardino County and other organizations provided our communities after the disastrous storm we had in December.
Graphic Designer 55 16 99991 0229 leandro.works@gmail.com
We also want to thank our PULSE MEDIA TEAM members, our Advertisers, contributors and readers. Each of you are important in making each issue of the PULSE a success. Let’s make 2026 our BEST YEAR EVER!
TIFFANIE NICOLE
1 760 221 9798 tiffaniepulsepublications@gmail.com
e l k n o C m i J
DEBBIE WALKER
1 760 900 9429 DWalker@pulsecustompublications.com
Inside •
Marcy’s Musings - Page 6
•
Don’t miss out... events are fillin’ up! - Page 25
PUBLISHED WITH
LOVE
Our Writers
Jaylyn and John Earl
Happy Wanderers Exploring the Mystery and Majesty of the Southwest Deserts thedesertway.com
John Beyer
John Beyer has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers and the like for decades, writing on a variety of topics.
J. P. Garner
John Wease
John is a retired high school John Wease is a football coach and veteran. published author, with his He has published two modern-day western fiction books, lives in Barstow, and novel “The Horseman” loves being a member of available at the usual online the HIgh Desert branch of sources. the California Writers Club.
Liz McGiffin
1 760.887.3427 Published author in local magazines, newspapers and book/Borrow SmartRetire Rich. Representing Senior Kicks Club
Marcy Taylor
1 760 985 1918 mltaylor@gmx.com President of Mohahve Historical Society and Founder of the Apple Valley and Victor Valley Legacy Museums
January 2026
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Route 66 at 100:
Illinois — Where the Mother Road Begins By Tiffanie Nicole – Pulse Media
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S ROUTE 66 APPROACHES its 100th anniversary in 2026, Pulse Media is proud to launch a year long storytelling series honoring one of America’s most iconic highways. Each month, we will spotlight one Route 66 state, celebrating its history, culture, and lasting impact on the Mother Road. We begin where the journey officially starts. Illinois is the birthplace of Route 66. The highway begins in Chicago, a city that in 1926 stood at the center of American industry, railroads, and ambition. When Route 66 was commissioned, it created a vital connection between rural America and major urban centers, opening a direct path west for commerce, travel, and opportunity. For generations, Illinois was the last taste of the familiar before the unknown. Travelers filled their gas tanks, stocked their cars, and posed for photos before heading toward wide-open landscapes and new beginnings. That sense of anticipation became part of the Route 66 experience. Illinois remains one of the most historically rich Route 66 states. It is home to some of the oldest surviving sections of the highway, including original brick pavement that still bears the marks of early automobile travel. The state also boasts 4
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an exceptional collection of preserved landmarks, diners, motor courts, and roadside attractions that defined midcentury American road culture. Illinois played a major role in shaping Route 66’s identity as the “Main Street of America.” Small towns along the route thrived as travelers passed through, fueling local economies and creating a culture of hospitality that still exists today. Many of those towns have worked tirelessly to preserve their Route 66heritage, making Illinois one of the best places to experience the road much as it once was. A common misconception is that Route 66 travels through twelve states. In reality, the historic highway passes through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas,
Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Over its 2,448 miles, Route 66 connected the Midwest to the Pacific, becoming a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the American spirit. This Illinois feature marks the first installment of Pulse Media’s Route 66 at 100 series. Each month, we will move west, just as travelers did nearly a century ago, highlighting one state at a time. We encourage readers to save each edition. By the end of the series, you will have a complete, collectible guide to all eight Route 66 states, celebrating 100 years of America’s most legendary highway. To enhance your journey, we also encourage readers to download the 'Route 66 Ultimate Guide' app (blue app icon) from your app store. The app is an incredible resource for travelers and Route 66 enthusiasts alike, offering detailed maps, historical insight, and real-time navigation along the original route. It was created by our good friend Scott McCoy of Illinois, whose passion for preserving Route 66 has helped keep the Mother Road alive for future generations. Next month, our journey continues into Missouri, where Route 66 begins to open up and the road truly starts to feel endless.
g n i w a r d e On th board now! The Pinon Hills Chamber is designing the new directory, asking for public ideas on what information would be useful for all readers. More Information – reach us at 760-868-7191 or email us: info@pinonhillschamber.info
Scan to read it online January 2026
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Marcy’s Musings
Mltaylor@gmx.com 1 760 985 1918
Why Not Get Lost in a Good Book?
T
HE FRIENDS OF THE APPLE VALLEY LIBRARY Christmas Celebration and Installation of Officers on Tuesday Dec. 9 was a fabulous event. Holiday music by the Dulcimer Duo, an amazing spread of delicious sandwiches and snacks, way too many desserts, and
a table full of Christmas gifts all added to the festivities. However, the most important part of the meeting was the swearing in of the 2026 Board of Directors by acting Parliamentarian Judy Odenbreit. Left to right holding holiday gifts are: Corresponding Secretary and Parliamentarian Marcy Taylor, First Vice
President Felice Ortiz, Treasurer Randy LaClair, President Barbara Betterley, Second Vice President Linda Cirk, 2 new board members Delvin Harbour and Debbie Walker, Past President Judy Odenbreit, and Membership Chairman Donna Knoch.
Local History Lesson Between Rain Storms
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ATURDAY NOVEMBER 22 was indeed a lucky day for our special local fieldtrip, "Roads, Rocks, Monuments, and Gravesites," which also included two statues and a museum visit. The drizzle quit by 9 AM and didn't start up again until 5 PM. So a group of 14 MHS members and 2 visitors from London (who confessed to bringing the rain) met at Trigger's fifth location on Apple Valley Road. Armed with maps, diagrams, and a fieldtrip guide, off we went!
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The "Roads" part referred to the first road into Apple Valley, across one of three earlier bridges, then through a couple of hairpin curves, and up and over the rocky slope. This treacherous road led to not only Apple Valley, but on to Lucerne Valley and Big Bear. A second road, on the south side of the current Highway 18, led to the stamp mill high up in the rocks. The John Brown Toll Road as well as the connecting roads leading to the Big Bear area mines were also discussed. The "Rocks" part took us first to the Vanyume Squaw, high above Stoddard Wells Road, and finally to Chief Mojave, looming over the train tracks and river. Getting to him required a half mile hike along the river, with very long noisy screeching trains roaring by. But by was it worth it! The "Monuments" part included four of our MHS monuments, all located near the entrance to Victor Valley Memorial Park.
(See Monument booklet 4th Edition pages 13-16.) We also visited the Veterans rotunda, honoring Air Force triple ace Captain Joseph McConnell, Jr., a well as the Veteran's statue erected by Colonel Felix Diaz in 1996. The "Gravesites" part took us to several more stops in the Victor Valley Memorial Park. In addition to Capt. McConnell, we visited the graves of the developer of Apple Valley, Newton Bass, and some family members; the graves of members of the Campbell family, who owned the
Mltaylor@gmx.com | 1 760 985 1918 northern half of the old Verde Ranch, now known as Kemper Campbell Ranch; and Clyde Tatum, who developed much of Hesperia and Victorville. Other stops were at the grave of Maria Chapuli, known as Indian Maria, a designated Historic Point of Interest; and the grave of Nolie Murray, whose gravestone reads, "Owner of the largest Negro dude ranch." It is interesting to note that well-known people of various races were all interred together. The next stop was the Route 66 Museum
History Room, where VP Delvin Harbour, with the help of large panoramic photos on the wall, summarized the early history of Old Town Victorville. Throughout the trip, several old timers added tidbits of information from personal experience. A big thank you goes out to Jack Barry for introducing us to the Vanyume Squaw and Chief Mojave in person, and for providing detailed handuts for all to enjoy as keepsakes.
Let There Be Peace on Earth
T
HE 26TH ANNUAL THANKSGIVING Celebration, presented by the Interfaith Council of the High Desert, lit up the High Desert Center for Spiritual Living on the evening of Tuesday November 25.
This service provided a time of reflection, with the purpose of promoting "mutual understanding, respect, and education among the various religions and faiths practiced here in the High Desert," and the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for different customs, beliefs, and traditions. The several Mohahve Historical Society members in attendance enjoyed the cello solo "Be Still My Soul" by board member Therese Moore, representing Trinity Lutheran Church in Victorville. Also taking part were members of Krishna Valley Temple, the Victor Valley Islamic Society, Jewish Congregation Bamidbar, Unitarian Universalist Society of the High Desert, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, Art of Living Foundation, and the Victor Valley Threshold Singers. The service ended with the enthusiastic
singing of "Let There Be Peace on Earth," followed by dessert and comradery in Fellowship Hall. Food donations collected that night are to be distributed by the Salvation Army.
Christmas Rolls Down Route 66
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HAT COULD BE A BETTER THEME for the 78th Annual Victorville Children's Christmas Parade than "Toyland"? The Historic Route 66 was filled with holiday cheer Saturday Dec. 6 for the Kiwanis-sponsored event, with Grand Marshall Regina Weatherspoon Bell leading the way. The Equestrian Color Guard was followed by the City of Victorville float, and an untold number of motorized vehicles: jeeps, motorcycles,
brightly after dark. And did you know the Route 66, which stretches from Chicago, Illinois, all the way to Los Angeles, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year? So make plans to attend some of the many upcoming Centennial events, and let's keep our local history alive! cars and trucks of all makes models and sizes, from the tiny shiny red Shriners' cars, to huge buses and work trucks, some pulling decorated floats. Thousands of others walked, marched, or danced down the two-mile route as members of bands, Cadets, scout troops, civic organizations, and cheer squads. During the entire month of December, Seventh Street was aglow with candles, bells, and reindeer, sparkling from every light post, with the Route 66 arch shining January 2026
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Mltaylor@gmx.com | 1 760 985 1918
Ten Speakers are Better Than One
Y
ES, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20 was a rainy night, but the 20 members and 17 guests who braved the storm were inundated with more information than most of our brains could handle. The speakers included knowledgeable historians and authors, as well as non-profit volunteers, all working together to preserve local history for the good of the cause. Nick Cataldo handled the San Bernardino area museums and Camp Cajon; Griz Drylie shared Hesperia sites and projects. Brent Gaddis covered Barstow's museums, in particular the Mojave River Valley Museum; Chelsea LaGrange and Eric Mandeson shared Lucerne sites. Delvin Harbour covered the two Route 66 Museums, as well as the road's upcoming Centennial; Bryan Taylor and Patty Hedges promoted the two Legacy Museums. Shannon Irwin discussed the Lone Wolf
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of things to learn and places to go in the Victor Valley and surrounding area, to get your fill of interesting and exciting local history. We'll look forward to seeing you at the many monthly excursions planned for 2026.
Colony and its Telephone Museum. Marcy taylor provided information on many more non-profit museums, with a tableful of brochures, as well as walking and driving fieldtrips, complete with maps and sets of directions. To summarize, everyone in attendance should now realize there's no shortage
Fritz Truan
The Fighting Cowboy By John Wease
F
RITZ TRUAN WAS BELIEVED by many to be the greatest rodeo bronc rider of his generation. He was born Frederic Gregg Truan, November 12, 1915, in Seeley, CA. Not much is known of his early years. It is not known how or why he ended up here in the High Desert as a teenager. He was hired as a ranch hand at the Camp Cady Ranch. Then ranch manager, Cecil Wilhelm, must have decided Fritz would be a pretty good cowboy. He became like a son to Cecil. Cecil married late in life and named his first son Fritz Truan Wilhelm. Camp Cady Ranch was a cattle ranch in the days when it was still possible to capture wild horses to break. Fritz was pretty good at that as well. He started competing in local rodeos, excelling in bronc riding. He became a professional competitor and joined the Cowboy Turtles Association in 1936. The Turtles later became the PRCA, Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. Professional rodeo in the 1930s brought much needed entertainment to a country still struggling through the Great Depression. Fritz was quite successful. He averaged winnings of $400 per week in the 19391940 seasons. That may sound like just a trip to Costco, but it is equivalent to over $9,000 today. He won the 1939 and 1940 World Championship for saddle bronc riding and the 1940 All-Around title. In 1941 he won the All-Around and Saddle Bronc at the Pendleton Roundup. He won championships everywhere he competed, including Madison Square Gardens, Reno, Calgary, Ellensburg, and more.
He liked nothing better than to draw broncs that were the “rankest of the rank.” He drew Hell’s Angel, considered by many to be the greatest bucking horse of all time, seven times. He rode him to the bell five out of those seven wild rides. He believed there wasn’t a bronc he couldn’t ride. He became a celebrity but remained down-toearth, and well-respected by other rodeo cowboys. He made radio appearances to promote rodeo. He had a comic strip in his honor, “Fritz Truan, Champion Cowboy,” and he appeared in an advertisement for Camel cigarettes. You may not know any rodeo stars, but you may have heard of some of Fritz Truan’s friends. Yakima Canutt was an actor and arguably the greatest stunt man of all time. Ben Johnson, who also was a rodeo world champion as well as an actor, Harry Carey, Jr, and John Wayne were a few more. Fritz met Norma Holmes in 1942. Norma was a trick rider with Gene Autry’s Flying A Rodeo. They married in 1942. A week later, Fritz enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He became known as the “Fighting Cowboy” or the “Soldier Cowboy.” In 1943, he was wounded at Tarawa Atoll. In 1944 he was granted 30 days leave to compete in the Honolulu Rodeo. He won the Bronc Riding championship there and then traveled to Cheyenne and Boulder to compete as well. He returned to Hawaii
and organized a benefit rodeo for his fellow soldiers recuperating from wounds. When his leave was over, he returned to the war. In February 1945, he landed on the black sand beach of Iwo Jima. Four days later, Sgt. Fritz Truan was killed in action, leading a charge up hill 382 in the sector known as the “meatgrinder.” On his uniform was the unauthorized pin in the shape of a turtle with the letters CTA for Cowboy Turtles Association. That August, at the Honolulu Rodeo, the contestants and six thousand spectators all stood in silence as a riderless horse was led into the arena. A Marine bugler played Taps. The arena at the Marine Air Station at Kaneohe Bay was named in his honor. John Wayne’s “Sands of Iwo Jima” movie is said to have been based on Fritz Truan’s final years. Fritz was posthumously inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1961. He was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2021. January 2026
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A
MASSIVE STORM HIT THE HIGH DESERT and mountain areas of San Bernardino County a few days before Christmas. For many of us longtime residents, who remember many storms, this one had a major impact on our communities with deep trenches, washed-out roads, mudflows, and debris, trapping some residents and 10
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requiring evacuations. Our local water sources were considered contaminated. The PPHCSD and Mills Hardware in Phelan provided water at no charge, I am sure there were locations in Wrightwood where bottled water was available. San Bernardino County, local CSD’s, Red Cross, schools and CERT stepped up
and provided much needed information, support and help. I am sure there were many churches and other groups, along with residents, that stepped up to assist their neighbors. We are not showing any of the destruction from the storm in our photos. We are sharing photos of the responders.
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January 2026
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We are the Champions... By John Garner
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E BE STATE CHAMPIONS! Little ol’ Barstow. The little choo-choo that could. The first time a High Desert school won a State Championship in football. The game began with three straight penalties— false starts again—and ended with three timely picks of rushed Husky passes. BOO-YAH! Defense! Defense! Defense! It was a thing of beauty. The first half, though, wasn’t. Least ways offensively. We were like the stepson who couldn’t get it right. One mistake after another. Penalties were undermining our efforts to get anything going. Sutter wasn’t beating us as much as we were beating ourselves. Then, after a failed field goal attempt by us, Sutter struck. A busted coverage led to a God-awful 80-yard TD pass that absolutely stunned us. How did that guy get so wide open, we were thinking! But we’re lucky as well as good. We didn’t
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know it then, but that was all the damage that Sutter would inflict on us. We were down 7-0 at half-time. The team gathered at the end zone where I was seated and I heard Coach Clay’s impassioned address to the players who seemed out of sync. Mostly because of the penalties. Sutter was not only against us, but the officials as well. Coach made no excuses though. He challenged the team. Man up! "I got your back!” When the third quarter started, the D took over. We shutdown the Huskies and then we scored after marching the length of the field like a Roman maniple through a horde of barbarians. One first down after another. That thing about a football game, momentum—good ol’ Mo—had shifted. Sutter and the officials weren’t going to stop us. When Gaoa busted through the Husky defense and scored, the elation that reverberated through the hundreds of Barstow fans in attendance was like being shocked back to life with a defibrillator. It was so sweet a feeling. There was this sense that we were back and there was no stopping us now. We be BAD, and they be sad. When Gaoa scored again later, it was Sutter’s turn to be shocked. They couldn’t believe it. They were certain at half-time that they had the game in hand. But we be slow at times. Often only in the first quarter, so that we took an entire half to adjust the size of the game were in—that we were maybe overwhelmed by being
in a stadium so large and so bright— was scary. But only for the first half. The second half was us. There’s Pacific Standard Time and there’s Aztec time. The second half was Aztec time. Defense! Defense! Defense! The thing that had saved us so many times before, did it again last night. It kept the Sutter attack in check and gave us time to rebound. The field goal—a 33-yarder that angled through the goal posts beautifully, sealed the deal. The Huskies tried to mount a comeback by throwing the ball, and they ate up yardage in chunks. It was a little scary because we didn’t want to beat them 1714. That sounded like a close game. The sprint-pass attack they used was like what AV had used some weeks before. It kept us from sacking their QB but it didn’t keep our defensive backs off-balance. Like laser-guided missiles, they zeroed in on the ball and picked it not once, or twice, but three times. Heck, the Sutter QB had only thrown 3 picks all season long, so for us to pick him in three successive drives, in the same quarter, at the end of the game was quite simply great defense. GREAT! And they more than made up for all the mistakes we made. 17-7 definitely has the feel of a championship effort. So much better than 17-14. But what sounds awesome—even amazing—is state champions. It wasn’t thought possible in August. CIF play-offs maybe. But state champs? Never. And that’s the thing you never say about a team born of faith and family because they always found a way. They never gave up. And that’s what champions do.
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Tiffanie Nicole
1 760 221 9798 tiffanie@pulsemedia.info
Fall Special
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Project Carryall:
Almost a Blast From the Past By Jaylyn And John Earl www.thedesertway.com
1964 was also the year that the blockbuster film, “Dr. Strangelove, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” was released. The political satire movie, written, produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick, was based on a thriller novel Red Alert written by Peter George in 1958. Just an aside. Anyway, since we all drive on both Interstate-40 and The Mother Road, it’s pretty clear that the project was cancelled, and regular old dynamite was used to clear a little of the Bristol Mountains. Here’s the scary part, though. It wasn’t cancelled because more rational heads prevailed. No! It never came to be because the money was needed elsewhere, in a country called Vietnam. So, enjoy your non-irradiated drive down Route 66 sometime soon, and have a great New Year.
T
HE BRISTOL MOUNTAIN range as depicted is between Ludlow and Kelbaker Road, on Route 66. On the other side of that big ol’ mountain is Interstate 40. Is this important? Maybe so. Every mountain has a story to tell, so you might wanna file the following information in your field folder under, ‘Dumb things my government almost did.’ It’s a good one, we promise. In 1962, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway began planning a new railway between Needles and Barstow through the Bristol mountains in California. A straighter, more level route would be 15 miles shorter than the old line, shaving 50 minutes off the trip. In 1963, while Interstate-40 was under slow and costly construction, and while Route 66 was still the undisputed way to travel, the Federal Government under President Kennedy had a plan. Now I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but when the Feds have a plan, Murphy’s Law pays attention. The plan evolved in what came to be known as, “Project Carryall,” and it promised to save time and money in the construction of the interstate, using a novel 20-year-old technology. A fly on the wall of the planning committee most likely heard something like this exchange: “Hey, I have an idea! Lets bury 16
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TWENTY-TWO NUCLEAR BOMBS, with 100 times more power than the Hiroshima bomb, and blow that damn mountain away!” We’d like to tell you that the other planners, and by then President Lyndon B. Johnson, might have thought this was just crazy. Insane, in fact! We’d like to say that, but we can’t. The President liked the idea. Congress liked the idea. Now some of you might remember elementary school in the 1960s. The standard drill for a nuclear bomb blast was to crouch under your desk and tuck your head in real tight. It was an age of innocence. In 1963, a feasibility study for Project Carryall was implemented under the aegis of the experimental Operation Plowshare project that began in 1957. Photo by John Earl
Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Weaver’s Needle: The Perils of Pauline
By Jaylyn And John Earl www.thedesertway.com
Thumbnail of Pauline Weaver: Public Domain, Illustration Created before 1925.
R
AMBLING DOWN OLD near the HIGHWAY 62, Coxcomb Mountains, tends to churns up images from the past. Not in a psychological or psychedelic way, of course. Just the history of this great land, and the people who came before us. About where this road is today was the route taken by a little known mountain man by the name of Pauline Weaver in the late 1830s and early 1840s.
Pauline, who started out with the first name of Powell, was of Cherokee and, most likely, Scottish heritage. When he married a Mexican citizen in 1832, Powell became “Paulino.” Finally, when the Europeans moved into the southwest, he became “Pauline.” Weaver left his mark all over this land. In Arizona, in the Superstition Mountains, “Weaver’s Needle” is named after him. If you’re a Lost Dutchman Goldmine fan you
know what that means. Pauline was one of the original settlers of what is now Prescott, Arizona, too. Being half Cherokee helped Weaver parlay with the local Native Americans, and he became a scout for both General Kearney and the Mormon Battalion. Pauline Weaver settled for a time at the foot of Mount San Gorgonio, near Banning, after being granted the land by the Mexican Governor of California, Pio Pico. He stayed for 10 years. Like any good mountain man, he was on the trail quite a bit during that time. In 1862, Weaver was chief of scouts for the Union forces who engaged Confederate troops in the Battle of Picacho Pass, near today’s Tucson, Arizona. Pauline Weaver was about 65 years old at the time. Just a few tidbits for your day. Top Photo Courtesy of Chris C. Jones, Creative Commons License, 22 October 2006. Weavers Needle, Superstition Wilderness, Arizona, USA. Original, no changes.
Happy 2026! January 2026
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Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew A January staple made for cold nights and slow evenings. Ingredients • 2 lbs stew beef • 4 cups beef broth • 4 potatoes, cubed • 3 carrots, sliced • 1 onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tsp thyme • Salt and pepper
By Tiffanie Nicole
Classic Chicken Pot Pie
A hearty, old-fashioned winter meal that never goes out of style. Ingredients • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots • 1 cup diced potatoes, cooked • 1 can cream of chicken soup • ½ cup milk • 1 tsp salt • ½ tsp black pepper • 1 refrigerated pie crust Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Stir chicken, vegetables, soup, milk, salt, and pepper together. 3. Pour mixture into a pie dish. 4. Cover with pie crust and seal edges. 5. Bake 35–40 minutes until golden.
Comfort food at its finest.
Oven-Roasted Lemon Garlic Chicken
Simple, flavorful, and perfect for a lighter January meal. Ingredients • 4 bone-in chicken thighs • 3 tbsp olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 lemon, sliced • Salt and pepper
Directions 1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. 2. Stir gently to combine. 3. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours. 4. Season to taste before serving. Even better the next day.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and always a crowd favorite. Ingredients • 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked • 2 cups shredded cheddar • 1 cup milk • 2 eggs, beaten • ½ cup melted butter • Salt and pepper Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. 3. Pour into a greased casserole dish. 4. Bake 35–40 minutes until set. Golden, comforting, and classic.
Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
Warm, cozy, and best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Ingredients • 4 cups sliced apples • ½ cup sugar • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1 cup oats • ½ cup flour • ½ cup brown sugar • ½ cup melted butter
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Place chicken in a baking dish. 3. Drizzle with olive oil and season. 4. Top with garlic and lemon slices. 5. Bake 40–45 minutes until cooked through.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon. 3. Place in a greased baking dish. 4. Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter. 5. Sprinkle topping over apples. 6. Bake 40–45 minutes until bubbly.
Bright flavors for winter nights.
A warm ending to any January meal.
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Three Hearts. One Mission. By Cindy Bostick
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Becky & Rosanne and standing Diana & Cindy
N COMMUNITIES EVERYWHERE , hope often arrives through small gestures infused with deep and genuine love. Through the Bundles of Hope project offered by Today’s Woman Foundation, more than 1,300 women undergoing cancer treatment have received thoughtfully prepared gift boxes—each one a tangible reminder that they are not alone. Behind every box are countless volunteer hours, and today, three extraordinary women are being honored for their steadfast dedication to this mission. Catherine Schinhofen, Rosanne Sholey, and Becky Bolding have each given far more than time. They have shared their creativity, their compassion, and their hearts with every box and every beanie they touch. Their careful attention to detail transforms each bundle into more than a collection of items; it becomes a symbol of encouragement, comfort, and unwavering
support. Through years of consistent service, these women have helped bring moments of light and hope during some of life’s most frightening and challenging seasons. Cindy Bostick reflects on the broader impact of the project, sharing gratitude for the many hands that make Bundles of Hope possible: “While we shine a light on these inspiring women, we extend gratitude to every volunteer and donor who continue to support our work. Your contributions— whether through sewing dolls, making bracelets or providing other resources, know that you have touched the lives of many grateful women, embodying the spirit of community and compassion. To all who have stood beside us, thank you! Your support is a beacon of hope and a reminder of the difference a caring heart can make.” Each of the women honored brings a
deeply personal motivation to her work, shaped by empathy, lived experience, and a desire to bring comfort to others. “A woman’s work is never done. Now, add a cancer diagnosis, followed by a myriad of treatments accompanied by the stress interrupting daily life, including relationships, work, and finances. It is my sincere hope that all recipients of a beautifully decorated, colorful box will experience JOY. It is a delightful, visual surprise that can evoke a sense of calm and comfort during their arduous fight against cancer.” ~Catherine Schinhofen “It brings me great joy to paint the boxes knowing it will bring a smile to someone’s face as they go through a really tough time. I consider it an honor to spend a little bit of my time to help someone else.” ~Becky Bolding “Diana Van Riel introduced me to the Bundles project. My family has a history of cancer. My mother died when I was four years old from leukemia. I crochet hats because I think sometimes people hide and a hat can provide a way of hiding the pain or sorrow. Honestly, I do it selfishly. It gives me a feeling of giving that I don’t get from other efforts. I enjoy crocheting different colors and patterns and hope it provides a few moments of joy and peace.” ~Rosanne Sholey Through their hands and hearts, these women—and so many others like them— continue to remind the community that compassion has the power to heal, uplift, and inspire hope, one bundle at a time. January 2026
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Slice of
G
O YOUR OWN WAY was the phrase that came immediately to mind as I listened to Kayla Stephens speak. Sounds like a song, doesn’t it? I think it is, in fact. Fleetwood Mac maybe. But here, on this FB story page, it isn’t. It’s an attitude ... an attitude about how to live; how to navigate a course through toil and trouble when things are upside down or how to embrace the sweet times when anything seems possible and generally is. It comes from a surprising source: an 18-year-old girl who has her own way of doing things ... her own way of viewing life. She’s independent, resilient, and focused. Traits not often seen in an 18-year old. Among friends and family, she’s known to be uniquely kind and generous. But on a wrestling mat, she’s anything but that. She’s a bad ass. In a recent dual meet at Barstow high school, she pinned her opponent in eight seconds. Eight seconds! Her mother showed me the video while Kayla described the maneuver depicted. It was like watching a quick WWE commercial. “I won my match with a head and arm throw,” she says with a smile. A head and arm throw. I try to imagine what that is, but it looked painful. “Last year my quickest pin was under fifteen seconds,” she adds, smiling more broadly now. She got into wrestling, she says, because it looked like fun. And while she has no goal of going to the WWE, she’s been wrestling for four years now. “I had two questionable years,” she admits, “… but then, last year, I kind of just said, ‘You know what, I need to be undefeated during my senior year.’ So that's kind of why I came back: to be a champion. I’m now four and oh.” Four and oh? What does that mean, I ask, thinking it’s some kind of weight class. Kayla laughs. Her mother too. “Four wins and zero losses,” she explains as she chuckles at my BIG duh moment. Because of her skill and prowess, Grand Canyon University is recruiting her. Other schools as well. “The big thing, though, is that I'm unsure about college wrestling because it's a lot more competitive than what it is in high school. Id be competing with people who have probably done it since they were like little kids ... , like five and up.” I’m dumbfounded. Kids can wrestles at five, I ask? “Yes, there’s a huge Barstow youth wrestling program here, and so 20
January 2026
Surf and Turf By John Garner
you have young girls that are like, four years old, that are wrestling.” I think immediately of the video I saw of what appeared to be a girl in a headlock, getting flipped to a blue foam mat. Kayla notices my confusion and explains that “… it looks like a headlock, except you can't do a headlock in wrestling. It's considered an illegal move. So you have to have at least the head and an arm.” Oh, yes, a head and an arm! That certainly makes the maneuver less gruesome. But such maneuvers are probably why her nickname is Anaconda. But the players on the football team better know her as the team manager. As such, she does all kinds of odd jobs, but important jobs that would be noticed if she didn’t do them well. And a lot of the times, she does things simply out of kindness, like Friday night she thought me cold and brought me hand warmers. Then, she snuck me a Kit Kat in case I got hungry ... and I did. She’s different from most 18-year-old girls. She’s serious about the things she loves to do. She’s no prom queen, or into frill, and she certainly isn’t prissy. She works on cars, likes her welding class, and her goal is to be an aviation mechanic. Any kind of work where she’s using her hands is fun. To train for wrestling, she lifts weights at Noble Fitness. “I like squats and dead lifts,” she boasts, but not in a boastful way. She was simply conveying her joy. There was even some pride in her voice when
she shared the amount of weight she lifts when she trains. “My squat is about threefifty or a quarter. And then a full deep squat is about two-twenty-five. But, my dead lift is a solid two-seventy-five.” She says that like there’s nothing to it. It’s no big deal, after all she’s been lifting for four years, which is about as long as she’s been wrestling. But wrestling isn’t the only sport she does. She’s does track and field as well. “I started last year with track and field. I do shot put, discus, and the 400 meters. I never really expected to do anything big with it, but then I found out that I had really good endurance. I can thank wrestling for that, because wrestling is definitely more of an endurance sport, especially when you have to go six minutes in a match. “People don't realize how long six minutes is.” My first impression of her was that she was shy until she got to know you, then she’d open up. But then she revealed that staying at home with her family is her favorite past-time. When she said that, I had to ask what planet is she from? She likes to read as well, and sometimes write too. And on Sundays, she can be found at Saint Joseph’s. Church and faith are important to her. Family too … and food. Food? “I love food,” she confesses with a slight shrug, as if that’s not an unusual as it may sound. If she wins the championship in her weight class at 140 pounds, her parents
will buy her a teak and lobster tail dinner, which is her favorite. “She's always been an overachiever,” her mother says. “She came out an overachiever. Even in the hospital. She started walking at seven months. She's always been in a rush to get to places. That's who she is. “Ever since she was small, she's always wanted to do more and be more. I mean, the first few years of school were hard for her because she just wanted to just keep going. My husband's military, so we moved around a lot. Kayla's lived in nine different states. And when we came here, she found her niche, and wrestling is it.” Her mother turns her gaze to Kayla and lays a hand on her shoulder before she continues. “But football gave her a home and made her feel comfortable. All the coaches came to me and said she was gonna be their football manager. I was like Kayla's not into that, she wants to go to college, and not date or anything.” Kayla chimed in, “I swear, I chose the wrong guys, but honestly, I think you should save dating for when you're out of school and when you have that personal
life that you can actually do it. When you have that time. I don't have the time … sadly. I'm busy.” Yeah, she’s that. She’s too kind too. Beyond measure. It comes natural to her. She doesn’t have to think about it. Her mothers says that when she was younger and they’d go out to give stuff to the homeless, Kayla would give them marbles for some reason as well because she thought they needed that to.
It’s that part of her that’s competitive. Not mean, but striving to win. It’s like how she wakeboards. She attacks it. No sweat. And right now, more than anything, she wants that steak and lobster tail dinner. In other words, surf and turf for a champion.
It doesn’t take much to picture her doing that. She’s like my buddy now, giving me candy and hand warmers, and just treating me with kindness. She’s many things but mostly that. She can’t pinpoint what music she likes because, as she explains it, “I tend to listen to all types of music. Like Japanese rock, regular rock, country, pop, K pop, anything outside of general music, which is funny enough, because heavy metal is definitely the music I want to listen to before a match, when I'm getting ready to get in there and absolutely demolish people.” Demolish people. I can picture that too.
January 2026
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Offroading near Calico Ghost Town By John Beyer
I
’VE WRITTEN ABOUT CALICO GHOST TOWN numerous times for various publications. In fact, one of those articles is still up on the County of San Bernardino’s website about the old mining camp not far north of Interstate 15, just northeast of Barstow. It is a wonderful place to spend the day or a couple of days while camping in the various rough or full hook-up spots that Calico has to offer. There’s a lot to see and do at Calico, but one experience that I had not explored was offroading in and around the famous ghost town. Recently, I decided to do just that. Contacting my good buddy, Paul, we grabbed a few days and loaded up my Can-Am, and off we went to see what there was to see along miles upon miles of dirt trails. We were not going to be disappointed. Just before leaving, a good friend of mine, Trevor, looked the car over and gave it a thumbs up for any activity but one. “Stay away from Odessa Canyon,” he said. “It’s pretty gnarly and you have to be practically an expert on it.” “You’re saying I’m not an expert at offroading?” I asked. We’ve been on rides together in the past. “No.”
John R Beyer with Britney Swenson
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One of the trails northeast of Calico Ghost Town
I like Trevor, a straight shooter who has seen me cringe on a 15-degree hill. Of course, I’ve seen him power up a 90-degree monster hill with no issue. Impossible? You haven’t seen him drive. “What did Trevor say?” Paul asked. “For me to stay on the flat paths.” The surrounding BLM lands bordering Calico offer any type of off-roader a plethora of options. There’s Mule Canyon, an easy ten-mile drive that allows for panoramic views of the desert while still enjoying the thrill of cutting up a few hills. There’s the Wall Street Canyon, which is a moderate road that most should have no issue with. I had to go and check on my portfolio - I’m going to tell my lovely wife, Laureen, time for a new Can-Am and a boat. Then there are the more difficult routes available, like Doran Canyon, which is seven miles of steep inclines and steeper declines. It is suggested that the driver is good behind the wheel, has 360-degree vision, and has not been drinking a sixpack of beer before attempting this trail. Then there is the Odessa Canyon. Eight miles of death-defying madness, including rock climbing - in a vehicle, over waterfalls, huge boulders, steep walls, and the occasional Sasquatch. We did enter the canyon but turned
around when I saw the posted sign, Think Hard! So, I turned the car around and headed out on the path - John has no idea where he is going. For the next seven hours, the Beast, which is what Laureen refers to as our Can-Am, Paul and I drove here and there. Up and down across the desert, canyons, ridges, and across a lake full of reeds. No, that was in Peru. Anyway, we had a great outing, as we did the following day, not knowing where we were but always finding our way back to camp for an evening of lying about our adventures. That is what guys do. The purpose of being outdoors, either with an off-road vehicle or not, is to relish in what nature has to offer. Peace and solitude. Sure, off-roaders may be noisy, but most drive to see things they haven’t seen and then stop, pull out some folding chairs, sit, and talk about the adventure. Most of the time, there are no phones, internet - just communicating with friends and sometimes people you have just met while on the trails. Paul and I ran into, figuratively, Sam a retired army vet who was camping near the Early Man site off of Minneola Road near Yermo.
deep shafts, and rotted timbers. Observe mining ruins from safe distances. Taking artifacts is illegal and destroys California's gold rush history for future generations. Years in the past, I would purchase a series of books titled Death in the National Parks by Randi Minetor and Michael P. Ghiglieri. The books detailed how people died in the many National Parks around the nation. An example would be a tourist who would want to take a selfie with a bison in Yellowstone National Park. The bison may be having a bad hair day and gore them while tossing them into the hinterlands.
The Beast ready to roll for the next adventure
Sam had been camping in his motorhome for nearly two weeks. A nice guy who sat with us on one of our stops. It was only a twenty-minute talk with him, but enough to appreciate how much he loved this country, obviously by his 25 years in the service, and was now crossing the country to see what he could see. Once back at camp, we decided to wander up to the town itself, where we met Britney Swenson working behind the bar at Lil’s Saloon. Britney has worked at Lil’s Saloon for years and entertained us with tales concerning the ghost town and the myriad of visitors exploring the old mining town. But the most interesting thing about Britney is the fact that she is in the Guinness Book of World Records. She is credited with weaving a blind horse, Smoke, through 5 poles in 6.5 seconds during the Desert Empire Fairgrounds and Event Center in Ridgecrest on November 19, 2023. I can’t even make it to the bathroom that fast in the middle of the night. After an hour and maybe a cold one or two, we called it quits and bade farewell to the Champ. As we packed up to leave for home the following day, I knew there would be an article, not about the town but the wonderful dirt trails awaiting those with an
Just one of the many signs detailing the history of the area near Calico Ghost Town
This could also be referred to as the Darwin Effect. So, the idea is to read the signs and not enter when instructed. Ride and enjoy the wonderful off-road trail offered near Calico Ghost Town, but do not become the next chapter in someone else’s book about what not to do when you are dumb. For further information: https://truckbrigade.com/blogs/trailguides/calico-ghost-town-off-road-trails
Some of the signposts for the road warriors
adventurous spirit. But caution needs to be taken seriously. According to Truckbrigade.com, offroaders need to be careful while venturing around and about the trails near Calico Ghost Town. Never enter open mines or mine shafts. These historic sites contain deadly hazards, including unstable rock, bad air,
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ world-records/709862-fastest-time-for-ablind-horse-to-weave-five-poles https://parks.sbcounty.gov/park/calicoghost-town-regional-park/ https://parks.sbcounty.gov/park/calicoghost-town-regional-park/#tab-food John can be reached at: beyersbyways@gmail.com
January 2026
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Federal Marijuana Policy Shifts as States Continue to Lead the Way By Tiffanie Nicole
This shift could make legitimate medical research easier to conduct. It could reduce regulatory barriers for doctors and researchers. It could also bring federal policy closer in line with state medical programs. What it does not do is legalize recreational marijuana nationwide or remove federal oversight.
Why This Matters to Veterans and Seniors
For veterans, medical marijuana has long been part of a broader conversation around pain management, post traumatic stress, and quality of life. While the federal order does not change how patients access cannabis in states like Florida or California, it may eventually reduce research barriers and provide clearer medical guidance that has remained uncertain for years. For seniors managing chronic pain, mobility issues, or long term health conditions, the shift signals growing federal recognition of treatments many patients are already using legally under state law.
A
RECENT FEDERAL ORDER signed by the president is drawing renewed attention to marijuana policy in the United States, particularly its recognized medical use, while leaving most decisions firmly in the hands of individual states. The directive instructs federal agencies to move forward with reclassifying marijuana under federal law. This step formally acknowledges what many states and medical professionals have recognized for years, that cannabis has accepted medical use. While the action does not legalize marijuana nationwide, it represents a meaningful shift away from decades old policy that treated the drug as having no medical value. For states like California and Florida, the move largely affirms systems already in place.
for qualifying patients, and the state’s program has expanded steadily in recent years. Recreational use, however, remains illegal. The federal order does not override any state law. Instead, it narrows the long standing gap between federal policy and state level reality, a divide that has complicated medical research, treatment guidance, and regulatory consistency for years.
State Laws Already Ahead of Washington
What the Federal Order Changes and What It Does Not
California legalized medical marijuana in 1996 and approved recreational use for adults in 2016. Today, cannabis is regulated statewide, with licensed dispensaries operating openly under established rules. Florida has taken a more limited approach. Medical marijuana is legal 24
January 2026
Under federal law, marijuana has long been classified alongside substances considered to have no accepted medical use. The new directive acknowledges scientific and medical evidence to the contrary and instructs agencies to move toward a lower classification.
A Step Forward, Not the Final Word
Supporters of the change say it is long overdue. Critics argue it does not go far enough, particularly for individuals with past marijuana related convictions or for states still navigating legalization debates. For now, marijuana policy remains primarily a state issue. California and Florida will continue operating under their own laws regardless of federal classification changes. Still, the order marks an important moment. It is a clear federal acknowledgment that marijuana is no longer viewed strictly through the lens of prohibition, but increasingly through medicine, regulation, and public policy. As federal agencies begin the next steps, the larger question remains whether national law will eventually catch up to what many states and many patients have already accepted.
. . . t u o s s i m Don’t
! p u ’ n i l l fi e r a events Upcoming
Community Events
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Victorville Senior Citizens Club
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14874 S. Mojave St. Victorville CA 92395 760-245-5018
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BINGO: Saturday January 10 & 24,
Jan. 12 - 6:00 PM Regular monthly meeting of NAACP Victorville Branch 1082 Jan. 13 - 11:00 AM Regular monthly meeting of Apple Valley Friends of the Apple Valley Library Jan. 19 - 10:00 AM Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace March, Civic Drive, Victorville Jan. 22 - 7:00 PM Mohahve Historical Society meetingLone Wolf Colony- Mark Landis "Big Pines Centennial" (doors open 6:30) Jan. 23 - 10:00 AM Fieldtrip to Adelanto Murals and Base monuments. Call (760) 985-1918 for more info
BUY IN $25, Pay Out $75-$200 Doors open 10:15am / game start 11:00am
Bid Whist fundraiser: Saturday January 31, 12:30pm, $15 in advance or $20 at the Door Valentine Dance: Friday February 13, 1pm-5pm ALL ABOVE EVENTS OPEN TO PUBLIC Country and Soul Line Dance: Country Line Dance- M &Th 11:15a-1:30pm Soul Lione Dance M & W 9am-10a Arts & Crafts: Friday January 16, 12:30pm–2pm For additional information regarding Membership & Hall Rental Availability Call 760-245-5018
The Caladium Arts and Crafts Cooperative
is hosting their Annual Tea on Sunday, January 25th at 2:00-4:00 p.m. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. at the Cooperative (132 East Interlake Boulevard, Lake Placid). Party down at the Mardi Gras with gourmet dining on tea sandwiches, fruit breads and decadent desserts. Join in on the Mask or Hat Contests, raffles, auctions, and more for additional fun! Tickets are currently on sale for $30.00 + tax, and seating is limited. For additional information, call 863-699-5940.
SWIM Speakers January January 1 January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29
Happy New Year No Speaker Off To Machu Picchu Mike Apodaca Animal Rights Randal Massaro Home Instead & Friends Connie Nutter Elephants Leah McEntee
Seniors With Inquiring Minds (SWIM) meets every Thursday from 1:00 – 3:30 pm in the Percy Bakker Center located at 9333 E Avenue in Hesperia, CA 92345
YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! TIFFANIE NICOLE
1 760 221 9798 tiffaniepulsepublications@gmail.com
Breakfast Lunch Dinner All day every day
Senior citizen over 55 years old 20% OFF EVERY MONDAY! 7am -9pm! 20% Military Discount EVERY DAY! (Excluding holidays, discounted items) 14236 Valley Center Dr #A Victorville CA 92395 - (760)955-1113
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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 for upcoming Art Shows Contact us for advertising space on our upcoming Business Directory. More Information – reach us at 760-868-7191 or email us: info@pinonhillschamber.info
Your banner ad could be here! Let PULSE be the voice and the door knocker for your business!!
Advertise with us!
Tiffanie Nicole
1 760 221 9798 tiffanie@pulsemedia.info
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