Today’s Woman Foundation Honors Local Eagle Scout

DANIEL WHITE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS PRESIDENT’S AWARD from the Foundation recently. “The award was established several years ago to honor a local community member who has contributed mightily to the work of our organization” shares President Shannon L. Shannon. Daniel has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 5679 in the High Desert since the age of 11. He is 14 years old, in the 9th grade, and taking honor classes. When deciding on what project he wanted to work on for his Eagle Project, Daniel instantly knew that he wanted to do something to help cancer patients who were newly diagnosed and/ or in treatment. He contacted the Today’s Woman Foundation and after talking with Executive Director Cindy Bostick, a plan was formed and Daniel was on his way to getting his project started. Eventually, the plan became a two-part effort working in conjunction with the Foundation.

The first part involved fund raising for 105 “Bundles of Hope” boxes for cancer patients. Daniel and his troop created encouraging hand-made cards and worked as a team to fill the boxes with other items, many hand-made by local community volunteers. The second part of his project was to fund 20 containers and materials for the Foundation’s Empowering Women for Self Sufficiency program for domestic violence survivors and others in shelter and transitional housing.

Daniel White successfully completed his Eagle Project on August 21, 2022 and the Foundation formally honored him on October 1, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Hesperia.

~ The Today’s Woman Foundation

Tavern and Inn

A Piece of Local History

The High Adobe Guest Ranch, circa 1947 has been known by the locals as Carmen’s Ponderosa Guest Ranch since 1978. The Hilltop Tavern is now owned and operated by its heirs, Ken and Lana Rayburn. Embracing the Guest Ranch’s long time reputation as a Wedding and Entertainment venue, Ken and Lana have created the go to place to enjoy high quality Vegas style entertainment. They feature all genres with tribute shows from legends like Queen, The Eagles, Journey, Selena, Garth Brooks, and more. Last July, the Hilltop hosted a local star Chayce Beckham, who started his career at The Hilltop Tavern.

This New Years Eve The Hilltop Tavern will present, Turn The Page tribute to Bob Seger. Follow the concert list at hilltoptavernandinn.com/ and for information regarding the Party Bus, stopping at Spring Valley Lake and Jess Ranch Communities. In the coming new year of 2023 they will be hosting more National Acts from Nashville, Las Vegas, and more!

Post WWII was a Guest Ranch Boom in the Southwestern United States and in Apple Valley the High Adobe and Roy Rogers Apple Valley Inn were established during the same time in 1947. The Hilltop Tavern and Inn is beyond doubt the best place to stay in Apple Valley and Ken says many families choose the Hilltop facility for their Holiday visiting relatives. All the rooms have a pristine view of the entire valley and mountains and is the only public venue to witness the grandeur of the valley and the stars above.

Mojave River Valley Museum

By John Wease

SINCE THEN, THE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION has become independent and self-supporting. It is staffed entirely by volunteers. The association members I met while there were very welcoming and helpful. The museum building is now over 4,000 square feet and includes a gift shop area and book store, with nearly five hundred titles. They could really use twice the space as the museum is bulging at the seams with artifacts. Artifacts were largely donated by generous local residents. The walls are lined with display cases, and more artifacts are displayed on top.

The display cases are well organized by types of artifacts, and everything is labelled well. The displays include a wide range of artifacts depicting the history of our area back to prehistoric times. There are many mastodon and other fossils as well as cast replicas of the stone tools found at the Early Man Site. Several cases display artifacts of the different indigenous tribes of the Mojave Desert. Artfully woven baskets, pottery, stone tools and arrow points as well as old photos are plentiful.

Of course, agriculture, mining, and pioneer life are all well represented. Outside, the displays continue. The old iron bar jail from Daggett, a Mexican arrastre (a mule-powered manner of crushing ore without a stamp mill), an old passenger rail car, log cabin, mining and farming equipment, an old freight wagon, and other items are present. The old stone walls and historic sign were all the work of the Women’s Club way back in the beginning.

The museum is located at 270 E. Virginia Way and is open daily from 11:00 until 4:00. Admission is free. If you are a parent, and hear from your children that there is nothing to do here, pry their little fingers from their cell phones, and take them to the museum. It is a fascinating, and very educational place to spend some time.

The museum association is a 501c3 non-profit. Donations are tax deductible, and always welcome.

You could also support the museum by joining the museum association. Annual membership is only $20 ($25 for family). Association members receive the monthly newsletter “The Desert Tailings,” participate in field trips, and receive a 10% discount in the bookstore. A monthly meeting on the last Wednesday of the month (except November, December, July and August) at the museum feature guest speakers that cover a broad range of subjects. For those with 4X4, there is the Desert Explorers Club within the museum association. They have their own fieldtrips and activities as well. In a separate back room, there is stored a vast quantity of archives, newspapers, maps, and other information, pertaining to the history of our area.

The sign on the front door says it is free admission. Be warned, it is a very interesting museum. I couldn’t leave without joining the association. And, so, as the newest member of the Mojave River Valley Museum Association, come and visit us soon!