News & Columns > Doe Huff > Our Town, October 10

Our Town, October 10

By Doe Huff
Friday, October 10, 2008

Are we having crazy weather or what? We got home from our trip last weekend and had to turn on the furnace; then here comes an absolutely gorgeous Fall day. A day later it was time to take out the shorts again with record heat down the hill. Now, I am not complaining, I love the cooler weather and you can do all the rain dances you want during October fire season. But, these cold and then hot temperatures can play havoc with allergies and worse yet, it usually brings on the start of flu season.

Speaking of flu season, it's time to think about getting your annual flu shot (like how I just sort of segued my way into that one?). Mountain folks have several opportunities to get the job done. Mountains Community Hospital will be offering shots for only $20 from October 13 – 16 at several locations. Be sure to check the Mountain Calendar of Events for the time and location of the hospital van coming to your location.

I get a lot of my nosey news from checking the various community Chamber of Commerce web sites. Running Springs has a particularly nice and helpful one. For instance, checking this site I found out it is estimated 36,000 people in the United States will die each year from influenza and accompanying infections and complications. It is especially important that our mature mountain residents – I just can't bring myself to say our mountain seniors since the age is creeping up on me way too quickly – anyway older folks over 65 years and especially those with heart disease really need to be vaccinated as well as our children under 5, and for care givers who attend to those in higher risk categories.

Everyone knows about being extra careful about washing your hands, using a hand sanitizer and covering your mouth when you cough. On the news last night I heard them say to cover your mouth with your elbow instead of your hand. Now I tried getting my elbow near my mouth, and that is just not possible so I assume they meant the inner part of your arm. Seems like the politicians are not the only ones these days that need to get their facts straight.

Another chance for flu shots is at this Saturday's, October 11, Running Springs Fire Department's Open House. The Arrowbear Lions Club will be hosting their 18th Annual Flu Shot Clinic from 10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. You can get your flu shot by making a donation to the Lions Club Scholarship Fund.

Also this Saturday, the Running Springs California Highway Patrol office is hosting an open house and car show with displays and activities for the whole family. "Lady" and I plan on being there, so please stop by and say hello. Maybe they will place us somewhere near their new CHP Dodge Charger. This sounds like a fun event with CHP K-9 demonstrations, the CHP Force Option Training Seminar, DJ Ed – Pure Intensity, a clown with balloons and a bounce house for the kids while they wait for a photo with Chipper.

Either before or after checking out the happenings in Running Springs, you should stop by the 2nd Annual Pine Cone Festival at the Twin Peaks Senior Center from 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. The Center is located right down the street from the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station on Grand View Avenue.

Since my car will be in the CHP show, I will have to miss this one, but I sure had a good time last year. Lots of organizations had games for the kids using pine cones – what else at a Pine Cone Festival? I thought Bill & Diane Boone of A Touch of Home had a really cute game of pine cone miniature golf. This event is put on by local businesses to attract tourism and community involvement. There will also be raffles, contests, a bake sale and musical entertainment throughout the day as well as lots of valuable information from various service organizations. Tell Dr. Bialecki I won't be late for my dental appointment next week.

I missed the Air Show at the Lost Ranch a few weeks ago, but I had several folks tell me it was worth the drive and they had a great time. Kelly Pajak sent me this wonderful photo of his 2 ½ year old son, Jayden. Now is there any doubt here is a barnstormer waiting in the wings?

Jayden Pajak can' t wait to fly with the big guys. (Photo by Kelly Pajak.)

This week I bring you the last of the essay contest winners from the 4th of July. John Collins won Secondary Prince of the Mountains with this look back from the future.

I love living in the San Bernardino Mountains because I'm able to live my dream and make memories for a life time. I see myself when I'm 60 years old looking back at my life remembering all the fun I had living in Crestline. It's there where I fished like a young boy on an adventure. I skated hard with my friends and chilled at the skate park many afternoons. My winter months were awesome with snowboarding with my buddies. But the most cherished memories are the few times I spent with my dad canoeing and sailing Lake Gregory.

I love to be free and independent, especially when I take off on my bike and go fishing. With the cool wind blowing in my face and my pack back and my fishing pole I race down to the lake. When I get there I meet up with my friends. Man, I love sitting in my chair looking at the ripples in the water, waiting for that perfect bite.

Did any of you figure out what Jack Heyser, George W. Wood and Opie L. Warner did on August 29, 1910 that changed mountain transportation forever? Jack was a Los Angeles automobile mechanic and along with his friends, George and Opie, they drove a 1910 stripped-down White Steamer from San Bernardino to Bear Valley, across what would become Rim of the World Drive to Pinecrest near today's Crestline and then back down to the valley below. This was the first automobile to make the loop, and with rest stops and wrong turns, they made the journey in just over 13 hours. And I complain with a 20 minute drive to the mall!

I have to thank my friend Roger Hatheway for this bit of trivia and the wonderful photo that follows. The photo is taken from Roger's great new book, Images of America – Rim of the World Drive.

Jack Heyser drove his 1910 White Steamer up and down the mountain in 13 hours. (Photo by Courtesy of Roger Hatheway.)

Most folks know that the Cliffhanger Restaurant on Hwy. 18 right before or after (depending upon which direction you happen to be traveling) the Narrows started out life as a gas station and cafe in 1927. This week I am asking where was the first stop on Rim 'o the World Drive coming up the mountain from San Bernardino?

I really appreciate the emails I am getting from my readers. Please keep them coming, especially if you know of someone having a special birthday, anniversary and something worth sharing. Remember, Doe@rimoftheworld.net. By the way, Happy 80th Birthday Hilda Shelgren, and thanks for a wonderful dinner.

Plans are in full swing for the Masquerade Ball to be held at the San Mortiz Lodge at Lake Gregory on Friday, October 24. This event is sponsored by the Rim of the World Historical Society and is the second of their two events that Jim and I take responsibility for. The other is, of course, the annual 4th of July Old Fashioned Community Picnic.

You really won't want to miss this Halloween shindig. Reggie Bannister and Friends, including Nothing Matters will keep the place rocking and Elvis will keep us ladies rolling. Tickets are now available at Bibby Realty in Crestline and TIPS Printing in Blue Jay. The cost for advance tickets is $20 and $25 at the door. Jim has already cooked down 40 pounds of London Broil for BBQ sandwiches and I have the decorations just about finished. We still haven't decided what costumes we will wear. Unfortunately we have both put on more than a few extra pounds since I purchased last year's get-ups for the Ball that Wasn't – due to the fire. Not to worry, anyone who knows me, knows I have a large stash of costumes in a variety of sizes!

Isn't it just great living in Our Town?

This article was first published on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 7:21 pm. This article has been viewed 593 times.

Doe and her husband Jim bought their home in Crestline 11 years ago and moved to the mountain full time eight years ago. Doe retired from the Federal government three years ago after working for NASA, The Army Material Command and the Air Force Academy. Doe worked in Colorado, Washington D.C., Jeddah Saudi Arabia, Isfahan Iran, Pasadena, and active duty Air Force at Glasgow AFB, Montana. Jim and Doe share their home with their dog Cassidy, kittens Charlie and Chester, and their 15 year old grandson, Paul.

Doe earned an Associates Degree in Journalism and a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Writing has always been a hobby for Doe and since living in Crestline she has written human interest articles for "On the Mountain Magazine" and was a news reporter for the Crestline Courier as well as writing a very popular weekly column.

Together Doe and Jim have three children and five grandchildren. They are both very active in the community. Doe has served as President for the Crestline Communities Development Alliance, was on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Communities when it was formed, is a member of the Lake Gregory/Crestline Rotary and was a Board member for several years with the Rim of the World Historical Society. Doe and Jim organized the first annual 4th of July Old Fashioned Community Picnic and just finished the fifth successful year for this event. Doe has been working for over two years to bring a dog park to Lake Gregory. They received a Certificate of Appreciation from County Supervisor Paul Biane for their commitment to the improvement and general well being of the Crestline Lake Gregory community. Doe is very proud to be a citizen of Our Town.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Doe Huff.