Cottage industry is a term I seem to hear more now than ever. Perhaps it is in part due to the pandemic, or maybe the hyperinflation and shortage of products. It isn’t a new term. In fact, before the Industrial Revolution, most products were produced this way. Products were made by businesses owned and operated by individuals, or families, from their homes, or cottages, hence the term “cottage industry.”
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In April of 2019, just a couple days after returning to Los Angeles from my three month trip to France, I drove about an hour north from LA to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, just outside the city of Lancaster. This was my first time seeing the phenomenon known as the superbloom, where after a rainy winter, California experiences a huge blanket of colorful wildflowers highlighted by the golden poppy. After a few hours wandering the Reserve, which is run by California State Parks, I got back into my car and returned to LA. Lancaster itself was just a place I drove through, not to stop at all.
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A Chat About Parkinson´s - Page 5
News 4 Veterans- Page 10
A Nice Bit Of History - Page 11
Suporting Seniors in the ´New Normal´Page 17
Marcy´s Musings - Page 18
TAKING CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH year-round is important but the summer months are essential for your overall well-being as the days get longer and nature seems to come alive again. As the temperatures heat up, we find ourselves looking to ditch those sweaters and winter socks and get out of the house. Here are some tips to help you maintain good mental health during the summer months:
1. Practice self-care: Dedicate time to activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Engage in hobbies, read a book, take a walk-in nature, or do anything that helps you unwind and recharge.
2. Stay active: Engaging in regular physical exercise has numerous mental health benefits. Take advantage of the warmer weather by participating in outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, cycling, gardening, or even just going for a brisk walk. Make sure to plan these activities around the best times of the day so that you don’t run the risk of overheating or getting too much sun exposure.
3. Stay hydrated and eat well: Proper nutrition and hydration are vital
for your mental and physical wellbeing. Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated by drinking enough water, and minimize the consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks. Leafy greens are full of vitamins C, A, K, and folate which are good for stable dopamine and serotonin production as well as have anti-inflammatory benefits that have been shown to slow cognitive decline. Melons such as watermelon and honeydew are full of antioxidant vitamin C which helps control cortisol production.
4. Set realistic expectations: Summer often comes with high expectations of fun and excitement. Remember that it’s okay to have downtime and take things at your own pace. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on activities that genuinely bring you happiness.
5. Connect with loved ones: Summer is an excellent time to strengthen relationships and create lasting memories. Spend time with friends and family, organize outdoor gatherings, or plan activities together to foster social connections.
6. Limit screen time: While technology has its benefits, excessive screen
time can negatively impact your mental health. Set boundaries for yourself and engage in activities that don’t involve screens, such as reading a book, engaging in hobbies, or spending time in nature. It’s hard to justify spending the day in front of the tv while the sun is shining.
7. Get sunlight safely: Exposure to sunlight boosts vitamin D levels and improves mood. However, make sure to protect your skin from harmful UV rays by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat when spending extended periods outdoors.
8. Seek professional help if needed: If you’re experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, don’t hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional. They can provide guidance and assist you in developing coping strategies tailored to your specific needs.
Remember, everyone’s mental health journey is unique, so prioritize what you love most about summer. Whether that is the long days, being able to wear shorts and sandals again, or getting in touch with beloved childhood memories of summertime. Just focus on you, your happiness, and your health.
IF YOU ARE LIKE MY BURT WAS , you do not function well in the heat. Therefore, you may have decided to take a late vacation, or just not go anywhere.
Or are you perhaps apprehensive about leaving familiar surroundings?
Consider becoming a member of Travelin’ Talk Network. Google “Things to Know Before You Go.” You will find an amazing list of valuable resources for people with special needs. The list, compiled from a member’s personal experience, is too extensive to provide here.
The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT) is a nonprofit organization that provides important information to travelers with medical concerns. Travelers can obtain a directory of English-speaking doctors in foreign countries. The directory lists doctors who have had training in the United States, Great Britain, or Canada. IAMAT also has world immunization charts, malaria risk charts and world climate charts, and can tell you about the food and water in countries you plan to visit. www.iamat.org
Further, the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality is a nonprofit organization that acts as a clearinghouse for accessible tourism information. They are in contact with organizations in many countries to promote the development of facilities for people with disabilities.
Local travel.
Do you have trouble getting in and out of the car? There are devices that can help.
Search Amazon for Car Caddie and Handybar
Does your caregiver need help getting you into the car? Try tucking a vinyl tablecloth or a plastic garbage bag in the seat. The slippery surface helps so much.
Don’t let Parkinson’s limit your work. Just be sure to plan with your meds, your credit card or cash and anything else that needs to be easily accessible.
Go out and get going. You will feel better, maybe more alert, and probably be in a better mood when you return home, ready for your nap!
High Desert, CA - A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money.
This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today’s market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don’t get what they want for their homes and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their homes on the market.
As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable. In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a free special report entitled “The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar”.
To order a FREE Special Report, visit www.SellersTraps.com or to hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-833-298-4054 and enter 1000. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home.
SUMMER HAS FINALLY ARRIVED, well officially on June 21st. We had a great winter as far as snow levels being at their highest in many years. The Western USA is still suffering from long term droughts, but this past winter is a good sign of the future.
We here at Mother Road Enterprises and PULSE Custom Publishing are excited about our new products, Pieces&Bits and the revival of the Route 66 PULSE. In the publishing industry what we look for are NICHE MARKETS. Yes, many magazines/ newspapers are no longer in print, while some are in digital formats only. All of our publications are in both print and digital formats.
We strive to bring you, our readers and advertisers, content with information that is informative, entertaining, helpful and timely.
As a small business, we too support other small businesses within our communities. The Shop globally but BUY Locally theme is always our top priority.
If you are a small business, a ‘cottage industry business’ or run a satellite business and want to generate leads get in touch with us. We offer a no charge consultation on how to market your business.
Happy Memorial Day. Remember our fallen heroes.
HERE IN NEWBERRY SPRINGS, and I’m sure in other small, rural, desert communities as well, these cottage industry businesses have an important role in the local economy. Of course, with little conventional industry present, these enterprises play an even more vital role. The Newberry Springs Economic Development Association (NSEDA) and the Chamber of Commerce are both working to encourage them.
NSEDA’s goal is to develop the local economy while maintaining our rural lifestyle and values. Cottage industry is one of their four pillars to support their development plan, along with agriculture, civic hub, and tourism. They are hosting monthly seminars to help those with home businesses, or those that want to start one. The sessions deal with the various aspects of operating a home-based business. At the latest meeting, they helped everyone set up a Square Up account on their smart phones to enable accepting credit card payments. Other sessions have dealt with promotion, government grants and other assistance programs, etc. The NSEDA members with business experience lead the sessions and mentor those starting out.
taketh away, according to NSEDA, the biggest obstacle faced by homebased businesses here is the County of San Bernardino’s enforcement of regulations dealing with cottage industries. In their infinite wisdom, they decided one size fits all, and everyone in the county should have the same rules. Although this may sound fair at first glance, it means a person that wants to manufacture widgets in his garage in a densely packed urban housing tract is under the same restrictions as we are here in the desert. Here, in the rural desert, where neighbors are few and far between, and most of us measure our properties in acres rather than square feet.
Most of the property owners here can’t afford to buy or rent commercial space, or the other costs involved to start a business elsewhere. I have to wonder how many potentially legitimate businesses are forced underground by over-regulation to join the ranks of cash only, “under the table” businesses.
And, speaking of mentoring, there are mentoring programs available at no cost through the Small Business Development Center (909-983-5005) and SCORE Inland Empire (951-6524390). Both offer in person, or by video conferencing, mentoring sessions by experienced, successful business leaders that want to “give back.” Advice on making business plans, website development, obtaining grants, and other issues can be found through either organization. Both are part of the Small Business Administration.
Along the lines of the government giveth and the government
The county does allow some forms of home-based businesses under current regulations. You can manufacture products as long as all sales are by phone, mail, or internet. All employees must be family members living on the property. You cannot alter the character or appearance of the property or have business signs. You cannot have a residential address on any advertisements. Operating hours are restricted to 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and noise levels are not to exceed 55db.
You can sell produce from your own property or at flea markets or farmer’s markets. Farmer’s markets quite often have expensive permits required by multiple agencies. Eggs or other animal products are subject to County Public Health Department Title 3 health and sanitation codes. Such things as adequate and safe housing, a minimum 100 feet from domestic water well, feed and water. You can sell up to
fifteen dozen eggs per month to friends and neighbors. If you follow “Best Management Practices of California for Small Farm Safety” you can qualify to sell to permitted restaurants and cottage food operations.
Thirty-four types of baked or cooked items are allowed if sold at places like our Route 66 Swap Meet, or certified farmers’ markets as long as they contain no custard, cream, or meat fillings. Any food items require having a County Health Department food handler certification. In most cases, you would need a Class A Community Food Producer Cottage Industry Permit. Specific products must be listed and the label must have a “made in home kitchen” notice. It would be wise to check with the County Health Department for specific requirements before making any investment.
An example of an amazing cottage industry here is Patrick Family Farms (www.thepatrickfamilyfarms.com). Owned by Pastor Charles and Gwen Patrick, they have the Class A Food Producer certification to sell their delicious pies and jams, and the Certified Producers Certificate from the State of California that allows them to sell their vegetables offsite. In their spare time, they were given a grant to operate a farm to table program with the local school district. That program will be beginning soon.
Artisans are allowed to create their products at home and sell them at off-sight temporary locations such as swap meets, craft shows, or online. Misty Saldana, owner of The Lost Opal (www.thelostopal.org) makes custom and original jewelry designs that she sells online and at local shows. She hopes to someday turn her love of rocks into starting a small rock shop.
Another talented local artisan is James Rogers. A certified welder by trade, when not tending his 1,000 pistachio trees at his HVE Farm, he enjoys creating metal art. With his welding skill, flowers, birds, and other terrific items come to life from cold steel. He can be reached by email at 211jimbros@gmail.com.
And so, whether you want to support yourself and your family, supplement your retirement income, or just make your hobby a money-making venture, it is possible to start a cottage industry business here in the desert. It may not be as simple as it appears in the movies. It takes planning, promotion, and perseverance. The Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce is supporting cottage industry by offering free vendor spaces this year at their Route 66 Swap Meet held on the first Saturday of the month. The Pistachio Festival is another location to sell your creations. And this year, the Chamber is partnering with the Community Services District to host the Newberry Springs 3rd of July Celebration. I’m sure their enthusiasm will make that event another great festival to either be a vendor, or shop and support our local cottage industry artisans.
MEMORIAL DAY (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the MU.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers place American flags on the graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States.
The first national observance of Memorial
Day occurred on May 30, 1868.[5] Then known as Decoration Day, the holiday was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War. This national observance was preceded by many local ones between the end of the Civil War and Logan’s declaration. Many cities and people have claimed to be the first to observe it. However, in 2022, the National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credited Mary Ann Williams with originating the “idea of strewing the graves of Civil War soldiers - Union and Confederate” with flowers.
Official recognition as a holiday spread among the states, beginning with New
York in 1873.[8] By 1890, every Union state had adopted it. The World Wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all members of the U.S. military who fought and died in service. In 1971, Congress standardized the holiday as “Memorial Day” and changed its observance to the last Monday in May.
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FRANK SINATRA CONSIDERED
KATE SMITH the best singer of her time, and said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing “God Bless America” on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two.
Here are the facts.... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of “GOD BLESS AMERICA”. But before you watch it, you should also know the story behind the first public showing of the song.
The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we’d have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.
This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.
Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings”.
Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time.
Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring. She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow
Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote “White Christmas”) and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America . Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.
This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, “You’re In The Army Now.” At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it’s Ronald Reagan.
To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during
those years of hardship and worry..... And for many generations of Americans to follow.
Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you’ll enjoy it.
Many people don’t know there’s a lead in to the song since it usually starts with “God Bless America.....” So here’s the entire song as originally sung..... ENJOY! Please click the below:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0
For those that are not reading this digitally you will either have to go on line to view the article or type in the link address. IT IS TRULY WORTH THE EFFORT AS THE VIDEO IS AWESOME
(Did
We’re proud to offer “Student Stringers” articles from our Lucerne Valley Middle/High School students who are earning community points in their Helping Hands graduation program. These students are mentored by staff teacher David Prouty, who has an English/Journalism background. Each story is vetted and then passed along for publication within the Lucerne Valley section of PULSE PUBLICATIONS, publisher James Conkle.
This partnership is approved by LVUSD, Andrea Moretz Office Manager Helping Hands program, Rusty LaGrange, founder of the project, and owner/publisher of The PULSE PUBLICATIONS, James Conkle. For further Information on this project or for similar ones call 760-617-3991 or email sales@pulseofthehighdesert.info
THE LUCERNE VALLEY MIDDLE/ HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH CLUB
recently held their annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. The celebration was a two day event celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Each year, the LVMHS Spanish club puts on an event for students to enjoy Mexican and Latin music and play games. Some of the games at this year’s celebration included the “ring toss” and the “balloon stomp.” Students were also able to get their faces painted during the event and, as is always the case, the most popular event of the day was the “pie in the face.” The pie in the face is where students have the opportunity to purchase a ticket and participate in throwing a “pie plate” full of whipped cream at the teachers and staff. The students and staff always enjoy this event; it is a lot of fun and an interesting way to celebrate the date.
Share your next event for July.
Hurry! Space is limited. Must be placed by the 20th.
Spanish teacher Mr. Rene Jaime worked with the members of the Spanish club to plan and prepare for the celebration; they were happy to be able to teach students about an event that is very important in Hispanic culture. Mexico is a country full of tradition and culture, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations occur throughout Mexico and in the United States. When asked about his thoughts on the event, Mr. Jaime stated, “We had a lot of success with this event and we’re very thankful to everyone that came out.”
Call directly to the Chamber Office 760.248.7215 to place your free entry inside the calendar.
Three ways to pay: a 2-line listing only $10; a square box ½ biz card only $25 onetime; or your full-sized Biz Card placed around as a frame ad $75.
Call 760-617-3991 or email sales@pulseofthehighdesert.info
Each year, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation (MCCEF) is a proud participating donor in the Lucerne Valley High School Senior Awards Night On Thursday, May 18, MCC Plant Manager David Rib presented at this year's event, awarding a total of $44,500 in scholarships to 18 students Nine were returning awardees who've continued to meet MCCEF's eligibility requirements through continuing their education at a qualifying institiution Seven seniors were awarded Academic Awards based on their GPA, and two received Career Technical Education Awards Christian Gutierrez, the LVHS Class of 2023 Valedictorian, was given the top award of $3,000 for the Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship
Graduating with a 4 1 GPA, Gutierrez plans to study Environmental Science at UC San Diego
"My family isn't rich we don't have a lot of money," Gutierrez said "So this scholarship money really helps It allows me to go to college and focus on my studies to build my future "
Live Music by Dave:
Starting at 2 pm Variety of 60’s, 70’s & 80’s and a few originals.
And then at 4 pm “A Tribute to Neil Diamond”.
FOR MANY AMERICANS, life today feels typical — we’re back in school, returning to the office and are enjoying our hobbies and social lives. Connecting in-person with friends and family is once again a regular part of our routine.
Unfortunately, seniors (those aged 55+) have been more isolated than younger demographics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Restricted visitation in assisted and long-term care facilities, lack of community events and lesser access to digital social networks has led to an increased amount of social isolation among the aging population.
Even prior to the pandemic, 1 in 4 senior adults were socially isolated, according to the National Institute on Aging. Then in August 2021 a report published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depression among older adults increased significantly during the pandemic. Now, The Walgreens COVID-19 Pulse Check, a quantitative study commissioned by the healthcare retailer, reveals that an estimated 17 million (42%) of seniors agreed they are less socially active now than they were before the pandemic. Additionally, an estimated 8.2 million (20%) of seniors feel lonelier now than before the pandemic.
Luckily, there are tools caregivers can use to ease the physical and mental effects of social isolation among seniors. Finding safe ways to connect with the elderly and engage them in the latest happenings can do a world of good for those who might be feeling left behind.
Here are some top tips for supporting your aging loved ones in our ‘new normal.’
Does the senior in your life know how to video chat? Conversations held faceto-face — even through cell phones — can make a huge difference in decreasing feelings of loneliness. Consider listing out instructions for loved ones to follow so they can practice this skill and ‘see’ what’s going on virtually in your day-to-day life. Do they prefer to connect the old-fashioned way? Set up a weekly phone call or send friendly notes and gifts through the mail. Reminders that they are loved, appreciated and in your thoughts can boost serotonin
and help them feel a sense of inclusion. You could also consider local volunteering opportunities in the community to help create ‘in real life’ experiences with likeminded seniors. Look online for nearby groups or organizations and offer to be their taxi service to help them get there with confidence.
Part of feeling back in the swing of things is the ability to run errands and take care of day-to-day tasks. To make seniors feel comfortable when, say, shopping, look to stores that offer safe, accessible ways to make purchases. Trusted healthcare destination Walgreens hosts Seniors Day the first Tuesday of every month where senior shoppers 55 and older and caregivers receive a 20% discount off eligible regular-priced merchandise, including health essentials like Walgreens at-home COVID-19 tests and Free and Pure vitamins and even their favorite snacks and treats! At checkout, seniors should let a team member know they are shopping with the Seniors Day discount to apply the savings. They can also benefit from the discount online all week with code SENIOR20 at checkout (SundaySaturday of that week). Whether joining someone on a Seniors Day shopping trip or assisting them with placing an online
Walgreens enables safe, seniorfriendly shopping in a variety of ways.
COVID-19, now shifting to an endemic stage in the eyes of the federal U.S. government, is still contagious and can be more dangerous for immunocompromised people like our senior population. Take proactive safety measures to make sure all guests, especially seniors, are comfortable when gathering socially. Hosts should ensure seniors have transportation to and from the event and ask attendees to take an at-home COVID-19 test prior to arrival. Furthermore, seniors and their loved ones should take at-home COVID-19 tests regularly to best maintain a safe ‘bubble’ for socializing. Walgreens now offers their own at-home COVID-19 test available for purchase at a great everyday value. Be sure to arrange the event space in a way that makes social distancing possible and have hand sanitizer readily available. When possible, consider also offering programming in outdoor or large spaces — gardening or even a stop to a local art museum make for a great, distanced gathering. Just know that the more preparation you do, the more inclined a senior may be to join in on the socializing fun and ‘new normal’ we are learning to embrace.
ON MONDAY APRIL 17 Mary Dutro, otherwise known as “The Tortoise Lady,” made a quick stop at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum where Mike and Marcy were hard at work on the May “Muse.” She handed us a carton of “boxed water” and said she had to rush off to check on seven desert tortoises, whose “mother” had been hospitalized.
“What’s so great about boxed water?” Mike asked?
“Oh, it’s not just the water that’s so great,” Marcy replied. “It cuts down on litter. The box just evaporates into thin air if someone tosses it.”
Well, of course, Mary didn’t like my sense of humor. So she explained to Mike how she learned that “Boxed Water is Better” when she attended the 50th Anniversary of the Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area held in California City last March. (If you have a good memory, you read about that excursion in the May “Muse.”) The packaging of Boxed Water is made of 52% renewable materials, mostly paper, and its contents are pure pH neutral water with no additives, a great alternative to the bottled water sold in plastic containers and the many drinks that come in aluminum cans. If a careless person disposes of a Boxed Water container in the great outdoors, the box is guaranteed to disintegrate on its own, thus not ending up in a landfill.
And Mary was off! As it turns out, an elderly lady, who had suffered a spinal injury, was being admitted to the hospital, and from there would be sent to rehab. Her four female and three male tortoises, the first adopted in 1958 and the last in 1998, were all healthy and well-taken care of, but their home was in Blythe. Domestic tortoises cannot just be released into the wild, as 95% of them have a respiratory illness that, if passed onto their relatives in the wild, could decimate the local population. Since tortoises greet each other by sniffing noses, and wild tortoises have no immunity to the disease, domestic tortoises need someone to adopt them. The seven were all wide awake and
needing to be fed, and the kindly neighbor who reported the problem could not take care of them indefinitely. Fortunately Mary’s partner in Lucerne Valley , Regene Fonville, agreed to meet the lady half way and bring them back home to temporary housing in Lucerne.
When Mary was relating this story to me, I wondered if there are not other people who can help with the tortoise rescue operation. What, I asked, are the boundaries of her territory, or is there is such a thing? Well, the answer is NO. There are no boundaries. The only other chapter in this area is in Lancaster, but Fish and Wildlife first call Mary, as she is the Adoption Chairperson, who has the authorization to keep and transport the tortoises. In addition, Fish and Wildlife policy requires the males and females in captivity to be kept separated, and to leave it up to the “wild ones” to act wild and reproduce. Interesting!
Here are the current problems: #1-The tortoise habitats are overloaded. The Lewis Center habitat, for which Mary is responsible, was intended to have no more that 4 tortoises in each of the 10 paddocks, but 66 tortoises currently reside there, all wide awake and needing
to be fed. The Lucerne site is also over capacity. So far this spring Mary has had 5 calls with concerns or questions, but no adoptions. She is taking care of three sixmonth old babies born Oct. 19, now about 1 1/2 inches long, at her house, along with the hospital patients that live there permanently. #2- The great California Exodus to Texas, Florida, and other non-desert states, has compounded the problem. Either people turn the animals in like they are supposed to when they leave California, or they take the tortoises along, where they die in an unfriendly climate. Our state reptile needs a desert habitat! #3- People adopt cute baby African spur tortoises, not realizing they are going to grow VERY BIG (as in 170 pounds) so many are turned in.
Solution: Call Mary Dutro at (760) 2472364 or Regene Fonville at (760) 2489264 and they will inform you of your rights and responsibilities re. our beloved tortoises. Adoptive parents, who meet certain requirements, are greatly needed, and these two ladies will be happy to get you started down the right path.
IHAVE SOMETHING TO ADD TO MY RESUME. I was informed that I may be the only female to ever attend not one, but two E Clampus Vitus Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069 Greybeards dinners. My first experience was in October of 2021, when I attended with Councilman Art Bishop, at the invitation of Noble Grand Humbug (NGH) Eric “Pirate” Peterson. He presided over the placement of their first monument in Apple Valley, a tribute to Roy Rogers, which stands at Horseman’s Center Park beside the flag pole. I represented the Apple Valley Legacy Museum and MHS, while Art represented the Town of Apple Valley. Quite a few MHS members and a slew of Rogers relatives were at the dedication of this monument the following Sunday.
Friday April 28 I attended my second dinner at the invitation of NGH Dennis Parker of Hesperia. I had to do triple duty this year, as Councilman Bishop was on a previously planned camping trip with his grandchildren. These extravagant dinners, served in the open air, are attended by the current GHB (That’s the guy who is sponsoring the monument)
and lots of past NGHs, all of whom have placed monuments in historic sites of their choice, dating back to Oct. 1969 when their first monument was placed at Las Flores Ranch in Hesperia.
The Friday night dinners kick off the Clampout (that is not a typo) weekend, which culminates with the monument dedication on Sunday morning. Clampouts are held twice yearly, in April and October. Every six months a new Noble Grand Humbug is in charge, placing a monument of his choice at the site of his choice (or course with permission of the property owner.) The Sunday ceremonies, which are open to the public, are complete with speakers, a detailed booklet of the history of the site, t-shirts, and a lot of ceremony.
My thanks go out to NGH Dennis Parker of Hesperia. Providing him with a bit of history of Deadman’s Point, the Western Village, the race track, the rock sitter, and the movies made there, was a small thank-you for the tremendous amount of help he and his fellow Clampers have given to MHS over the past few years. They voluntarily attached 3 new plaques to damaged monuments, and
sealed another five against the elements, providing the materials and man power to get the job done.
Well, I’ll say this. Those Clampers do know how to have a good time, prepare and serve a gourmet meal, and treat a lady right, all in the name of preserving local history. The highlight of the evening was the screening of the 1955 movie “Tarantula” on a picture perfect evening at Horseman’s Center. In addition to recognizable scenes at Deadman’s Point, it was easy to spot cars racing down a nearly deserted Highway 18, with Bell Mountain and Catholic Hill clearly visible in the background. This early attempt at special effects, in the era of giant creature films, was somewhat corny, but nevertheless entertaining, frightening, and almost believable. There were even reports of frantic locals making calls to the Victorville Sheriff’s Office of a giant creature roaming the desert! (I am not making this up!) And our desert was definitely the ideal place to shoot this period film, and Horseman’s Center was the perfect place to enjoy it.
APRIL 27 at the Lone Wolf Colony to hear board member Eric Mandeson present “Lucerne Valley- In the Middle of Everywhere!” focusing on Lucerne’s monuments and the rest of Lucerne’s “monumental history.” Each of the 34 members and 3 guests in attendance received a ten-page color booklet highlighting 8 of the 10 stops scheduled for the following day’s fieldtrip. The beautiful photos and the snippets of history on each page made for a great souvenir, which could be either purchased for $5 or borrowed and returned. Of course, if you missed the presentation and fieldtrip, or forgot your cash, the booklet will be available at future meetings and at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum.
In addition to Eric’s informative and entertaining
talk, attendees were treated to tables full of books, with sections highlighting Lucerne Valley, vintage Lucerne Valley photographs, and interesting artifacts such as the famous “Bunny Duck” sold at a local motel, and the large section of a Greco-Roman arch, confiscated from the Nelson Studios prop site.
Best of all, long-time MHS member and Lucerne Valley pioneer Martha Rader was in attendance, to add some details to the presentation and answer questions. You can find her contributions all through the book “Lucerne Valley: A Wild West Town of Character(s),” and on page 142 of Mohahve 6, where she is pictured in 1956 with her tall handsome late husband Chuck, a resident of Lucerne since 1953. Thanks, Eric, for introducing this interesting town to the many people who said they only zipped through it on the way to Big Bear.
Friday April 28, the day 19
MHS members met at the Chimney Rock monument on Highway 18 and Rabbit Springs Road to begin the Lucerne Valley historic sites tour, hosted by board member Eric Mandeson. Stop #1, the site of the 1867 last battle between the local Indians and white settlers, actually has two monuments that discuss the ongoing conflicts over land. One was erected by the E Clampus Vitus group, and the second is Ca. State Historical Marker #737. On top is a peephole directing your eye to the actual chimney rock formation, a short distance away.
Stops #2, #3, and #4 were all right up the road. We were fascinated by Nelson Studios, a prop house specializing in ancient Greco and Roman artifacts. A return trip to this site may be in order, as there are quite a large number of interesting objects still on the property. Next we were off to the Lucerne Valley Memorial Park, where we stopped at the pioneer section, to observe a whole area of gravestones bearing the names of early settlers. Right across the highway we found the remains of the Box S Ranch, the site that was the beginning of what was to become Lucerne
Valley in 1905. “Lucerne,” the French word for alfalfa, reflects the agricultural roots of the area.
processed and distributed worldwide.
After a short rest stop at Pioneer Park, adjacent to the Lucerne Valley Historical Society (outdoor) Museum, it was off to stop #5, Old Woman’s Springs Ranch east of town. It got its name in 1856 when a group of Native American women were found camping at the water source. Two fairly recent Clampers monuments placed in 2019 can be found at Stop #6 on Camp Rock Road north of the highway. One is dedicated to the Mitsubishi Cement Company’s Cushenbury Plant, and the second honors the 50th Anniversary of ECV Billy Holcomb Chapter 1069, which was established in October of 1969 (get it?) Both monuments have tubes on top that direct your eye to the hills above the cement plant, where limestone was once mined for steel production, and is still
On our way to Stop #7, we pulled over in front of the third Lucerne Valley school house, which has been meticulously preserved and is still in use as an event center. Martha Rader related how she and her husband of many years had met at a dance there and the rest is history! Further down the road we came to Rabbit Springs, full of clear water where we took advantage of a perfect group photo op under the famous hanging tree. Many thieves and rustlers met their end right there. A short walk down the road took us to Stop #8, the gravesite of Uncle Pete Davidson, who is considered to be the “Father of Lucerne Valley.” Although his grave marker is on the side of the road, his actual grave site is said to be safe and sound under the asphalt.
We weren’t quite finished yet. Most field-trippers liked the last stop best of all, where they were treated to a delicious lunch and tour of Eric’s beautiful hacienda in the hills above Lucerne Valley. Eric was not only a great guide and booklet-maker, but an outstanding host as well. What a beautiful day to kick back and enjoy the plants and birds and gorgeous desert scenery! Now who says Lucerne Valley isn’t a great place to visit??
Of the eight MHS members in attendance at the dedication of the second E Clampus Vitus monument placed in the Twnm of Apple Valley, for five of them it was their first experience. The members of the Billy Holcolm Chapter 1069 were out in full force in their signature red shirts and black leather vests, many covered with decals of past events. Also front and center were the large group wearing the blue PBC vests, anxious to complete their initiation and become full-fledged members of the chapter.
To start things off, Dennis Parker welcome everyone and introduced Paul Renner, who read the detailed history of the site and the purpose of the monument. As Dead Man’s Point is half-way between Lucerne Valley and Apple Valley, and claimed by both, author Doc Johnson provided a brief history of both towns. This was followed by sections on the naming of Dead Man’s Point, the Western town often used as a filming site, the go-cart track, the “rock sitter” story, as well as the history of mining and movie making, thus explaining the monument’s title “Miners to Movies.”
The next speaker was MHS President Marcy Taylor, who thanked the group for placing Apple Valley’s second monument, and for the invite to the Greybeard’s dinner and screening of the 1955 “Tarantula” movie. She also expressed her appreciation to NGH Dennis Parker and crew, who gave of their time and expertise to refurbish and seal a number of Mohahve Historical Society monuments in need of tender loving care.
Next Marcy shared a bit about the history of movie making at Dead Man’s Point, in particular “Tarantula.” Of special historic interest were two items from Past MHS President Richard Thompson’s research. The six-page Universal International Summary of Production Budget” covering the dates of June 1-16, 1955, with 14 days of studio work and four days of on-site shooting in Apple Valley. (It doesn’t say Lucerne!) Included are a complete list of itemized costs such as wardrobe, hotel, meals, sets, crew, and extras totaling $346,625, not including cast. The second document dated June 9, 1955, is a Sheriff’s report, citing a large number of hysterical locals calling about a monstrous spider terrorizing the town. They were apparently
disappointed to find out that it was only a movie and not some creature from outer space descending upon the desert!
If you have not seen the “Miners to Movies” monument, complete with Tarantula on top, take a drive to Dead Man’s Point. The site is just outside the town limits of Apple Valley, where Bear Valley Road and Highway 18 meet. Park, walk on over to the monument, look around, and just imagine that there are no cars and trucks speeding by. What a great spot for filming, with a backdrop of these spectacular rock formations in our beautiful Mojave Desert.
Old Time Games & Contests
Vendors - Quilt Auction - Raffles
Petting Zoo - Bed Races
Western Jail
Hometown Parade Cornhole Tournament Live Music-Beer & Food Garden 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information & a full schedule of events visit: www.wrightwoodchamber.org
THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THAT 2019 bloom, California experienced another wet winter and another superbloom. So again, I decided to make the drive up. However, this time, I reached out to Destination Lancaster CA, the tourism bureau associated with the city of Lancaster, to create just a small itinerary to see what the city has to offer. Like the superbloom itself, I left Lancaster excited to see more.
The California wildflower blooms, and specifically the poppies at the Reserve, are the region’s top tourist attraction, and with good reason. While you can read more about what makes a superbloom, and my 2019 experience, here, let me give you the basics. Much of California, and Southern California especially, is a desert, and we have spent most of the past decade in a rather severe drought. However, with a good rainy winter, the hillsides that are normally just brown or grass-covered come alive with the colors of wildflowers. Golden poppies are the headliner (and 2019 had a full ground covering of those) but yellows, whites, and purples can also be found in abundance depending on the year.
don’t offer the same vibrancy of others - the carpets of yellow and orange were absolutely stunning!
Edwards AFB. Giants of flight like Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier in his plane Glamorous Glennis in the sky over Lancaster, have plaques with the highlights of their careers lining the street. Likewise, murals to some of them cover building facades.
This year’s superbloom was less a full covering of poppies and more a mixture of colors than my past experience. (This means each superbloom is different so I intend to see each one moving forward.) While fiddlenecks were the predominant wildflower this year - they are pretty, but
For most people, this would be the end of the experience, and they would turn around and head back to Los Angeles. But for me, seeing the bloom was only the first half of my trip. Lancaster itself, about 20 minutes from the Reserve, awaited. A city of just under 200,000, Lancaster began life as a railway depot. However, its more modern existence is tied up in the aerospace industry, which remains the area’s largest employment sector. Edwards Air Force Base is here, and with it offices and factories of most major aerospace companies.
Along Lancaster Boulevard, a stretch has been redone, featuring restaurants, shops, and some cool cultural hubs like the Museum of Art and History (MOAH). Dubbed the Blvd District, it is a trendy portion of the city’s downtown core. Parking is free, sidewalks are wide, and Blvd Ambassadors roam the area to help answer questions and offer recommendations. But I’m here for the aerospace history, found in the Aerospace Walk of Honor.
Begun in 1990, the Aerospace Walk of Honor recognizes those pilots who moved the industry forward, mainly from here at
At the corner of Lancaster Boulevard and Sierra Highway stands the largest cluster of plaques, nesting in the shade of an F-4 Phantom mounted for all to see. It is a cool and fitting tribute to the industry that grew the city, and an educational experience for a visitor like me. I eagerly move from one plaque to the next, in awe of the 10,000+ hours of test flying many pilots accumulated in more than 100
different aircraft, marveling at those pilots who were even awarded astronaut wings for flying their planes more than 50 miles up, in space itself.
Back in the Blvd District, food and drink options are plentiful. The District was redesigned to become a hub for both locals and tourists in the early 2010s, and the food scene here is a good one. I opt for Lucky Luke Brewing Company for a good burger and a great beer, but am intrigued by several other options for which I’ll have to return at a later date. Zelda’s 750 West, especially, looks like a killer bar!
The Blvd also has a line dancing club, an underground bowling alley, and even an old hotel turned museum. It also has
some of the coolest street art I’ve seen in a while! It’s quite an eclectic set of options, one my day only barely scratched the surface of.
In all, I am thrilled to have seen another superbloom, and to have experienced just a bit of what the city of Lancaster has to offer. Just outside of Los Angeles is a refuge from the craziness of my home, in a city large enough to have a huge variety of things to do, see, and eat. I’ll be back, maybe even before the next bloom!
Besides wildflowers and a lovely downtown, Lancaster offers plenty of hiking, some wineries, and a variety of cultural events (like an upcoming Juneteenth celebration) for those looking to escape Los Angeles for a weekend or to stop for a day or two on their way between LA and Mammoth or Death Valley. Hotel options seem plentiful, from an aerospace themed Residence Inn along the Blvd itself to my lodging, a lovely SpringHill Suites by Marriott just a short drive away. And, for those who simply only have time to stop for a meal, Lancaster has some great options both on and off the Blvd. Birria Superior makes one of the best shredded brisket burritos I’ve had, along with quesotacos. You’ll thank me.
Heritage Victor Valley Medical Group is excited to announce a new partnership with Victor Valley College. HVVMG Members can now take non-credit classes absolutely free of charge!
At Heritage, we strive to provide you with both a healthy body and a healthy mind! We’re pleased to offer yet another exciting benefit to our members!
For more information about the program, or if you are interested in participating, please email Bryan Liddi at bmliddi@hvvmg.com.
