Pulse Publications #20 - October 2023

Safe Driving for Older Adults

While many older adults value the independence of driving, changes that happen with age may alter a person’s ability to drive safely. You may notice driving becoming more difficult over time for yourself or for your loved ones. Changes in health, including medical conditions or injuries, also may impact a person’s driving skills. Learn more about the different factors that can affect driving as you age and signs of when it may be time to stop driving.

A Big Bear Getaway

Living in the Los Angeles area, we thought that a few days near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains would be a pleasant summer break - trees, the lake, a bit cooler weather, and more. After looking up potential activities, we booked four nights at an Airbnb in Big Bear for late July.

Our first full day in Big Bear, we headed to Boulder Bay with a picnic lunch. This is a lovely lakefront park with a big covered picnic area and an adjoining beach. Complete article on page 18

Oro Grande Cemetery on Route 66 - Page 28

HIGH DESERT NEURO DIAGNOSTIC

High Desert Neuro Diagnostic is widely known and respected for the expertise of their staff and the superb quality of their care.

They treat patients of all ages and are strongly committed to the care and compassion of their patients.

Sonia Nayyar, MD

Eduardo Gallegos, MD Neurology and Neuromuscular/EMG

Kandys Pups ‘N’ Stuff PET HOTEL

IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, I met Kandy Yanes, the owner of Kandys Pups N Stuff pet spa, hotel, boutique, and café. It is located at 204 N. 3rd Ave. Suite D and E in Barstow. I had toured the facility for an article that appeared in the April 2023 Pulse. It was an amazing tour of a surprisingly high-end pet care facility that is family owned and operated. They have a well-stocked boutique with just about anything you may need to spoil your pet. There are some yummy looking treats in the pet café. The grooming salon/spa area is very clean, organized and upscale.

For the canine fur babies, there are three choices. The Luxury Suite, under construction during my last visit, is now available to spoil your dog in a large, private room. Luxuriously equipped with a queen-sized people bed, a chandelier, and a big screen television. My wife and I recently stayed in a high-end hotel while at our granddaughter’s wedding. The television there was much smaller and there were no chandeliers. For stays over six days, a spa treatment is included. Of course, room service and one-on-one play/exercise time is included. The luxury suite is $100 per night.

By John Wease

after seeing Kandys, we couldn’t imagine entrusting their care to anyone else.

For any boarding option, special diets are no problem. One of our dogs was finishing a course of medications and that posed no issues either. Grooming or spa treatments can be scheduled while they are there. Some owners request videos, or photo updates, or ask to speak to their pets by speaker phone. Not a problem at Kandys. They are truly caring providers, and understand just how crazy we pet owners are. For their senior citizen or disabled customers, they are willing to pick up the pet free of charge anywhere in Bartow for boarding or grooming. And, speaking of seniors, Kandys gives a ten percent discount to seniors and military. In fact, military families make up about half of her business.

As they were pretty much booked up that day, Kandy invited me back for a closer look at the pet hotel facilities. As with everything at Kandys (the apostrophe is intentionally omitted) the hotel facilities are above and beyond. All are located inside the climate-controlled interior of the building and care is provided 24-7. New, since my last visit, is a “cattery” for boarding feline fur babies. Apparently, it is a popular addition as the cattery was nearly fully occupied.

The second option is the Mini-Suite. For $75 per night your poor dog must be content with a smaller television and a dog bed. A very nice dog bed but no queen-size for your little princess. The room service and play/exercise time is also included. The television in either suite option can play television programs, cartoons, or music as requested by the owners. Some owners provide a list of their regular programs so the dog feels more at home.

The Econo-Suites are only $50 per night. They are the white, western slatfenced suites. Sorry pooch, no TV at all. Room service, play/exercise time is provided as with the other options. While we were suffering in the hotel with the small TV and no chandeliers, our two big mutts had a four-night vacation sharing an Econo-Suite at Kandys. Our dogs are not the types to wear the bling or fancy little outfits available in the boutique but

As the only facility like this in the High Desert they are pretty busy. They are open to giving tours so check them out. For boarding or spa services a reservation is required. Even to schedule a tour, it is probably best to call first. Their hours are 9:00-6:00 every day. Their phone number is 760-912-5260. I’m a big fan. I think you will be too.

PULSE PUBLICATIONS October 2023

It’s Fall .. Y’all

Schedule of Events

OCTOBER

1 0 / 3 - P a i n t i n g w i t h P a t 2 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e

1 0 / 6 - B i r t h d a y P a r t y 1 1 : 3 0 S e n i o r L o u n g e S P O N S O R : B e l l v i e w H o s p i c e

1 0 / 9 - C r a f t i n g f o r a C a u s e - 1 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e ( H D C a n c e r C o n n e c t i o n )

1 0 / 1 1 - K a r o k e a t t h e L o u n g e - a f t e r l u n c h

1 0 / 1 2 - I n t e r g e n e r a t i o n a l D i n n e r & G a m e s a t t h e L o u n g e 5 p m

1 0 / 2 5 - C e l l p h o n e c l a s s w / K a t i a n n & F r i e n d s 1 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e

1 0 / 3 1 - B I N G O i n C o s t u m e - 1 p m T o w n C e n t e r S P O N S O R : B e l l v i e w H o s p i c e

NOVEMBER

1 1 / 3 - B i r t h d a y P a r t y 1 1 : 3 0 S e n i o r L o u n g e S P O N S O R : B e l l v i e w H o s p i c e

1 1 / 3 - W e i g h t L o s s w / D r K - 1 0 a m T o w n C e n t e r

1 1 / 7 - P a i n t i n g w i t h P a t 2 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e

1 1 / 9 - T r i b u t e t o V e t e r a n s 1 1 : 3 0 S e n i o r L o u n g e S P O N S O R : C a l s t r o H o s p i c e

1 1 / 1 0 - F a l l C r a f t - 2 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e S P O N S O R : C h a r t e r H o s p i c e

1 1 / 1 3 - C a r e g i v e r T i p s S e m i n a r 2 p m T o w n C e n t e r S P O N S O R : D e s e r t V i e w

1 1 / 2 1 - L i f e , L o v e & L o s s ( G r i e f ) W o r k s h o p w / C i n d y B o s t i c k B a r s t o w 1 : 3 0

1 1 / 2 9 - B I N G O f o r P r i z e s - 2 p m T o w n C e n t e r S P O N S O R : D e s e r t V i e w

* * C L O S E D F O R L U N C H 1 1 / 1 0 , 1 1 / 2 3 & 1 1 / 2 4

DECEMBER

1 2 / 1 - B i r t h d a y P a r t y 1 1 : 3 0 S e n i o r L o u n g e S P O N S O R : B e l l v i e w H o s p i c e

1 2 / 5 - P a i n t i n g w i t h P a t 2 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e

1 2 / 1 1 - A d o p t a S e n i o r M e e t & G r e e t 3 - 4 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e

1 2 / 1 1 - I n t e r g e n e r a t i o n a l C o o k i e D e c o r a t i n g & D i n n e r 5 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e

1 2 / 1 2 - C e l l P h o n e c l a s s w / K a t i a n n & F r i e n d s 1 p m S e n i o r L o u n g e

1 2 / 2 0 - B I N G O f o r p r i z e s - 2 p m T o w n C e n t e r S P O N S O R : D e s e r t V i e w A d o p t a S e n i o r N o v e m b e r 1 3 t h - D e c e m b e r 8 t h ( s e e p a g e b a c k i n s i d e c o v e r f o r d e t a i l s )

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS!

Reservations Required 760.338.0914

760.338.0914

IHAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS on issues that pertain to this newspapers, TEAM, reader’s, and advertiser’s. Trying to keep it simple on what we are doing to make the publication better, our goals are to become a resource for our readers and advertisers, as well as our contributors as ‘content is king’. My function is to bring all this together to make every issue better than the last one. One way to achieve that task is to get feedback. I answer every phone call, or return the call, or e-mail.

We will be sharing in our next issue a Survey Monkey link. We will be reaching out to our readers for feedback and comments to make our publication better. We will be asking questions, that your answers, will enable us to listen to what you have to say.

Summer is almost over which means fall, then winter, and fewer hours of daylight. Nighttime driving, for everyone, requires more attention to our driving habits. There are some great points in the article on Safe Driving for Older Adults in this issue.

October is also a very busy month for some really great events happening all over the high desert. Many of them are listed in this issue of the PULSE. The announcements are spread thru out the newspaper. We support all of them but will only be able to attend a few.

A new feature in this issue is a photo and contact info on our writers. This section is below on this page. We, at the PULSE are truly honored to have them on our TEAM.

P O Box 290066 - Phelan, CA 92329-0066 10405 Mountain Road - Piñon Hills, CA 92372

JAMES CONKLE Publisher 1 760 617 3991 jim@motherroadenterprises.com

JORGE LEANDRO RODRIGUES Graphic Designer 55 16 99991 0229 leandro@motherroadenterprises.com

LEN NORDMANN Artist 1 951 678 5555 Lennord@motherroadenterprises.com

LORI WESTON 1 760 680 9472 Lori@motherroadenterprises.com

TIFFANIE WILLIAMS 1 442 364 4884 Tiffanie@pulseofthehighdesert.info

TOM SCHIBUSCH

1 760 559 9403 Tom@pulseofthehighdesert.info

Low Desert Edition

BILL BAILEY 1 760 995 5024 Bill@pulseofthehighdesert.info

Lucerne Valley Edition

Sales@pulseofthehighdesert.info

the like for decades, writing on a variety of topics.

Jaylyn and John Earl Happy Wanderers Exploring the Mystery and Majesty of the Southwest Deserts thedesertway.com

A Chat About Parkinson’s A

S I WRITE THIS, it is a beautiful sunny day with only a light breeze that gently nudges the trees. I want the experience of reading A Chat About Parkinson’s to be a positive one. However, today it occurs to me that some advice might be appropriate, and it’s for anyone and everyone, not just people touched by PD.

Someday, we will all leave this earth. If you are the first to exit, it’s important for your loved ones left behind to know a few important things. Too often I have seen that one person in the family oversees all the business, all the finances, all the dealings with various companies. When that person leaves, the one left behind is often baffled and confused. In addition to the grief, they must take over all these details.

Therefore, IN ADVANCE, TODAY! make a list of things they will need.

• Where is the gas meter, the electric meter, the water meter? What about property lines, if applicable?

• Where to locate the marriage certificate, if that applies.

• Where are the life insurance policies?

• Where’s the checking account and what is the number? Where is the check book? How do you balance a • check book? What about a savings account?

• What is your Social Security Number, and theirs?

• Is there a will or a trust? Where is it?

• Where’s the key to the safe deposit box at which bank, or the combination to the home safe?

• Is there a funeral plan or policy? Which funeral home?

• Will you have a service at a church or chapel, at the funeral home, or graveside only?

• What about a reception afterward? (If you have it after mealtime, you can only serve desserts and beverages.) Do you even want a reception? Where will you have it?

• Who do you want to officiate, the local pastor, a friend, a priest?

• Music for the service, recorded or live? (I had a flute at the church service and a violin at graveside.)

by Ann Miner

• Food and lodging for outof-town family members and friends. What will be out-of-pocket expenses, and will there be money for that?

• Who should they notify of your passing? I have a list on my computer, and I must remember to give it to my gang! Suggest they get one or two friends to help with phone calls or emails.

• And oh yeah. Your phone and computer passwords.

Whew! This is a lot. But how about tearing out this page and keeping the list handy. Then discuss these things long before anyone needs to know. My children have all this information, but sometimes they don’t want to talk about it. But talk anyway. It will save so much stress in the future.Meanwhile, have a happy day, knowing you have done what you could to leave your survivors in the best shape possible. And keep looking up!

Ann Miner

Parkinson’s Advocate

Parkinson’s Support Group meets first Monday at 1:00 at Choice Medical, 19111 Town Center Drive, Apple Valley. Everyone welcome. 760-954-2859 for info.

Which of These

Costly Homeseller Mistakes Will You Make This Fall When You Sell Your High Desert, CA Home?

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.

Safe Driving for Older Adults

WHILE MANY OLDER ADULTS value the independence of driving, changes that happen with age may alter a person’s ability to drive safely. You may notice driving becoming more difficult over time for yourself or for your loved ones. Changes in health, including medical conditions or injuries, also may impact a person’s driving skills. Learn more about the different factors that can affect driving as you age and signs of when it may be time to stop driving.

Sheila’s Story

At age 78, Sheila thinks she’s still a good driver, but this year, she’s had one minor accident and several near misses. She’s also noticed a few new dents on her car and doesn’t know how they got there. Lately, her daughters have begun offering to drive her places that she normally goes to on her own. Sheila wants to keep driving as she gets older but is starting to wonder how she can stay safe behind the wheel.

What can change driving ability with age?

Common health conditions and medication side effects may influence your driving skills.

Older adult woman driving a car.

• Stiff joints and muscles. As you age, your joints may get stiff, and your muscles may weaken. Arthritis, which is common among older adults, might affect your ability to drive. These changes can make it harder to turn your head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely. If pain, stiffness, or arthritis seem to get in the way of your driving, talk with your doctor. Think about getting hand controls for both the gas and brake pedals if you have leg problems.

• Trouble seeing. Your eyesight can change as you get older. It might be harder to see people, things, and movement outside your direct line of sight. It may also take longer to read street or traffic signs or even recognize familiar places. At night, you may have trouble seeing things clearly. Glare from oncoming headlights or streetlights can be a problem. Depending on the time of day, the sun might be blinding.

Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as some medicines, can also cause vision problems. If you are 60 or older, get a dilated eye exam from your eye doctor every one to two years. If you need glasses or contact lenses to see far away while driving, make sure your prescription is up to date and correct.

• Trouble hearing. As you grow older, your hearing can change, making it harder to notice horns, sirens, or even noises coming from your own car. These sounds warn you when you may need to pull over or get out of the way, or when there is a possible mechanical issue with your vehicle. Have your hearing checked at least every three years after age 50 or more frequently if you have had chronic exposure to loud noises or have other risk factors for hearing loss. Discuss your concerns with your doctor as there may be treatments that can help.

• Medications. Some medicines can make you feel drowsy, lightheaded, or less alert than usual, which can make driving unsafe. Some drugs include a warning about driving, but even those that do not might have a negative effect. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your health problems or medications might make it unsafe for you to drive.

• Slower reaction time and reflexes. As you get older, your reflexes might get slower, and you might not react as quickly as you could in the past. Stiff joints or weak muscles also can make it harder to move quickly. Loss of feeling or tingling in your fingers and feet can make it difficult to steer or use the foot pedals.

• Some medical conditions make it unsafe to drive. The uncontrollable movements and loss of coordination and balance due to Parkinson’s disease make it unsafe to drive. Similarly, many of the loss of control of limbs or other movement limitations following a stroke can mean it is no longer safe to drive.

Dementia and driving

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, some people are able to keep driving. But, as memory and decision-making skills get worse, they will likely need to stop.

People with dementia often do not know they are having driving problems. Family and friends need to monitor the person’s driving ability and take action as soon as they observe a potential problem, such as forgetting how to find familiar places like the grocery store or even their home. Work with their health care team to let the person know it’s no longer safe to keep driving.

Learn more about driving safety and Alzheimer’s disease.

Tips for older adults to drive safely

Maybe you already know that driving at night or in rainy weather is a problem for you. Some older drivers also have problems

with certain routes or driving on busy highways, for example. Consider these tips to help you make safe choices about driving:

• Talk with your doctor. If you have any concerns about your health and driving, see your doctor. Don’t risk hurting yourself or others.

• Be physically active. This will help you keep and even improve your strength and flexibility, which may help your driving abilities.

• Consider your car. If possible, drive a car with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and large mirrors. Newer cars come equipped with backup cameras, which can make parking and backing up easier, as well as other sensors that can alert a driver to a nearby object or vehicle before an accident occurs.

• Take care of your eyes and ears. Always wear your glasses or contact lenses if you need them to see clearly. If you use hearing aids, be sure to wear them while driving.

• Avoid driving certain times of day. Cut back on or stop driving at night if you have trouble seeing in the dark. Try to avoid driving during sunrise and sunset, when the sun can be directly in your line of vision.

• Check in with yourself. Don’t drive if you feel lightheaded or drowsy. Be sure to check any warnings on your medications. Try to avoid driving when you are stressed or tired.

• Don’t crowd. Leave ample space between your car and the car in front of you and start braking early when you need to stop.

• Plan your timing. Avoid heavy traffic areas or rush-hour driving when you can.

• Plan your route. Drive on streets you know and find a way to go that requires few or no left turns. Choose a route that avoids highways or other high-speed roadways. If you must drive on a fast-moving highway, drive in the right-hand lane,

where traffic moves more slowly.

• When in doubt, don’t go out. Bad weather, such as rain, ice, or snow, can make it hard for anyone to drive. Try to wait until the weather is better, or use buses, taxis, ridesharing services, or other alternatives.

• Wear seat belts. Always wear your seat belt and make sure your passengers wear theirs, too.

• Limit distractions. Eating, adjusting the radio, or chatting can all be distracting. If you use your cellphone while driving (for navigation, for example), use it hands-free and use voice activation when possible. Never type on your phone while driving.

• Use window defrosters. These will help keep windows and windshields clear.

How to check and improve your driving skills

Are you concerned that your driving skills are declining or could be improved? Consider the following:

• Have your driving skills checked by a driving rehabilitation specialist, occupational therapist, or other trained professional. The American Occupational Therapy Association maintains a national database of driving specialists, or you can ask

your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or your doctor to recommend someone who can test your driving skills. Note that there may be fees associated with these types of assessments.

• The American Automobile Association’s (AAA) RoadWise Driver Course is designed to help older adults adjust to agerelated physical changes to extend their safe driving career.

• Try an online self-assessment, such as this one from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to gauge your abilities.

• Ask your family and friends for feedback about your driving, including any concerns.

• Take a driver safety course. Some car insurance companies may even lower your bill when you complete this type of class. Organizations such as AARP or your car insurance company can help you find a nearby resource.

Signs your loved one should no longer be driving

Are you worried about an older family member or friend driving?

It can be hard for some people to recognize or admit when it’s no longer safe to drive. You might want to observe the person’s driving skills or ask them to consider doing a self-assessment of their driving. If it’s not possible to directly observe the person’s driving, watch for these signs:

• Multiple vehicle crashes, near misses, or new dents or scrapes on the car

• Two or more traffic tickets or warnings within the last two years

• Increases in car insurance premiums because of driving issues

• Comments from neighbors or friends about erratic, unsafe, or aggressive driving

• Anxiety about driving at night

• Health issues that might affect driving, including problems with vision, hearing, and movement

• Complaints about the speed, sudden lane changes, or actions of other drivers

• Recommendations from a doctor to modify driving habits or quit driving entirely

Having “the talk” about driving

Talking with an older person about his or her driving is often difficult. For many older adults, “giving up the keys” means a loss of freedom of choice and movement. Many people are afraid of being dependent upon someone else for getting around. They worry about losing the ability to run errands, attend appointments, and participate in activities that they did on their own for decades. They may be concerned about becoming socially isolated and missing out.

Here are some tips that might help when talking with someone about no longer driving:

• Be prepared. Learn about local community services to help someone who can no longer drive before you have the conversation with them. Identify the person’s transportation needs.

• Avoid confrontation. Use “I” messages rather than “you” messages. For example, say, “I am concerned about your safety when you are driving,” rather than, “You’re no longer a safe driver.”

• Stick to the issue. Discuss the driver’s skills, not their age.

• Focus on safety and maintaining independence. Be clear that the goal is for the older driver to continue the activities they currently enjoy while staying safe. Offer to help the person stay independent. For example, you might say, “I’ll help you

figure out how to get where you want to go if driving isn’t possible.”

• Be positive and supportive. Recognize the importance of a driver’s license to the older person. Realize they may become defensive, angry, hurt, or withdrawn during your conversation. You might say, “I understand that this may be upsetting,” or “Let’s work together to find a solution.”

• Consider broaching the topic gradually. Some experts suggest a gentle introduction of the driving conversation, and then revisiting it gradually over time.

The NHTSA has a helpful guide to help concerned families and friends better understand older drivers and suggestions on how to begin discussions.

Is it time to give up driving?

We all age differently, and for this reason, there is not one recommended age to quit driving. So how does one know when to stop? To help decide, ask yourself:

• Do other drivers often honk at me?

• Have I had some accidents even if just “fender benders”?

• Am I having trouble seeing road signs, exits, or lane lines?

• Am I still flexible enough to turn my head to check mirrors and blind spots comfortably?

• Have physical conditions or medications slowed my reaction time?

• Do I get lost frequently, even on familiar roads?

• Do cars or pedestrians seem to appear out of nowhere?

• Am I often distracted while driving?

• Have family, friends, or my doctor said they’re worried about my driving?

• Am I driving less these days because I’m not as sure about my driving as I used to be?

• Do I have trouble staying in my lane?

• Do I have trouble moving my foot between the gas and the brake pedals, or do I sometimes confuse the two?

• Have I been pulled over by a police officer about my driving? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be time to talk with your doctor or family members about your driving, or to consider a driving assessment.

How will you get around?

Are you worried you won’t be able to do the things you want and need to do if you stop driving? Many people have this concern, but there may be more ways to get around than you think. For example, some areas provide free or low-cost bus, subway, rideshare, and taxi services for older people. Some communities offer a carpool service or scheduled trips to the grocery store, mall, or doctor’s offices. Religious and civic groups sometimes have volunteers who will drive you where you want to go.

If you have a smartphone or a computer, you could consider

using mobile apps available for services like meal, grocery, or prescription deliveries. Most of these are paid services but may have free or lower-cost options for some older adults.

Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you find local services. Call 800-677-1116 or search the Eldercare Locator online. You also can try searching Rides In Sight or calling 855607-4337, a service of the nonprofit ITN America that provides information about transportation options for older adults.

You can also think about using a car or ridesharing service. While these may sound pricey, remember that owning a car can be expensive. If you no longer need to make car payments or pay for insurance, maintenance, gas, oil, tolls, and other related expenses, then you may be able to afford other transportation or to buy gas for friends and family members who provide rides.

For more information about driving

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

800-232-4636

888-232-6348 (TTY) cdcinfo@cdc.gov www.cdc.gov

Eldercare Locator

800-677-1116

eldercarelocator@n4a.org https://eldercare.acl.gov

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

888-327-4236

800-424-9153 (TTY) nhtsa.webmaster@dot.gov www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/older-drivers

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

202-638-5944

info@aaafoundation.org

https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/senior-driver-safety-mobility www.aaafoundation.org

AARP

888-687-2277

877-434-7598 (TTY) member@aarp.org

www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety

American Geriatrics Society

800-247-4779

info.amger@americangeriatrics.org

www.americangeriatrics.org

Clearinghouse for Older Road User Safety (CHORUS) roadsafeseniors@neweditions.net

www.roadsafeseniors.org/guides/older-drivers-guide

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Don’t miss out... events are fillin’ up!

Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce

Monthly Chamber Member Meeting

3rd Thursday of the month, 6:00 p.m., Community Service

District Community Center 30884 Newberry Road, Newberry Springs CA 92365

Contact info - Rose Beardshear, President, 760-447-3432

Monthly Route 66 Swap Meet

1st Saturday of the month, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., The Barn on Route 66 , 44560 National Trails Hwy, Newberry Springs, CA

Contact info - Robbie Skidmore, Director, 760-454-9059

Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival

November 4, 2023, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Community Service District Park, 30884 Newberry Road, Newberry Springs CA 92365

Contact info - Rose Beardshear, President, 760-447-3432

Seniors with Inquiring Minds

Percy Bakker Community Center “E” Avenue, Hesperia, CA

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Thursday, October 5

Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce

October 14

Chili Cook-Off Salsa

Join us for our Annual Chili Cook off, Jeep show & Salsa Contest under the pines and in a beautiful mountain setting! Taste great homemade Chili’s with special recipes that will make you melt!

November 24 & 25

Wrightwood Mountain Holiday Celebration

Kick off the holiday season with us! Join us for the Parade & other festivities! Be sure to support our local businesses and get some shopping done!

For detailed information: writhwoodchamber.org Call 760-249-4320 or wwchamberoffice@gmal.com

Barstow Senior Center

Bingo

Every Wednesday and Friday, doors open at 4 pm, games begin at 6 pm. Open to the public.

555 Melissa Ave. Barstow, CA 92311 760-256-5023 x 205

October 12

Marie Gomez, President Hesperia Unified School Board of Education Superintendent Olney

Leah McEnteeWould you rather have dandelions or skunks?

Widows or Widowers of High Desert

Saturday at 9am Questions call 702-526-6421 Trinity Luthern Church, 16138 Molina Dr. Victorville

October 19

October 26

Tammy SamuelsonAnnual Medicare Enrollment

Jim OsborneThru-the-Ages Music

Apple Valley Library

14901 Dale Evans Parkway Apple Valley, CA 92307

Noon to 1:00 PM

Tuesday, October 10 Jake Zylman - Library Manager APPS for personal and Library use

October 7th. Bingo

October 14th. Member John Calderone will speak on his world travels

October 21st. Breakfast at the Denny’s on Main Street in Hesperia at 10am.

October 28th. Halloween Celebration

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

Lucerne Valley Middle/High School Prepare for Homecoming with “Mustang Mayhem”

By Christian Barajas

IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS YEAR’S HOMECOMING, the ASB club at Lucerne Valley Middle/ High School planned an exciting event called “Mustang Mayhem.” This month-long event involved individual grades competing against each other in a variety of games, such as basketball, a t-shirt-design contest, tug of war, and even Loteria! At the end of the month of September, points from each of the games will be totaled and the winning class will be awarded $250 to spend as they wish; in addition, the winning class will have a pizza party to celebrate their accomplishment.

When asked how the ASB club came up with the idea for Mustang Mayhem, Cynthia McDonough, the Lucerne Valley Middle/ High school ASB advisor, said, “It was a long process involving the entire club; we first thought of an idea for an event that would last the whole month leading up to homecoming. We then got together and brainstormed a bunch of different sports and games students could play. We wanted to include all students. We hope

everyone will recognize homecoming as a big event and that Mustang Mayhem may help do just that.” Everybody was impressed with the variety of sports and games that were available to the students. It was a fun time for everybody involved and an excellent and unique way to get everybody excited about homecoming.

Lucerne Valley Middle High Welcomes New Teachers and Changes as the 2023-2024 School Year Begins

By Yesenia Cazales and Nathan Bhojwani

ON AUGUST 7TH, the Lucerne Valley Unified School District started the 2023-2024 school year strong with a variety of changes and additions. At the district’s elementary school, a large field of artificial turf grass was installed over the summer in addition to three portable classrooms being added. At the middle/high school, four new portable classrooms were added and six new teachers were welcomed to support the district’s current enrollment of 1,111 students. The six new teachers are Jessica Alley (SAI/Intervention), Ashley Lear (Culinary Arts), Mary Vasquez (Art, Ceramics), Cynthia Parker (Math), Abigail Jimenez Ochoa (Biology, Anatomy, Physical), and Connor Wiedman (AG Biology, AG Earth, Veterinary Science).

One of the new teachers at Lucerne Valley Middle/High School, Abigail Jimenez

Ochoa, said “I am very excited to begin my teaching career here at Lucerne Valley Middle/High School.” She also added, “I am very happy to be teaching at a small school; it’s definitely my favorite part so far.” The new math teacher at the middle/ high school, Cynthia Parker, stated “I had heard so many good stories about the school before coming here and I’m very happy that my journey has led me here.”

She also said, “The students here have been really cool and I’m excited to do my part to make math more interesting for all the students here.”

Everybody was excited about the new changes and additions and about the start of the new school year. The students and staff of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District are looking forward to another amazing and productive year.

Lucerne Valley Middle/High School Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

STARTING ON SEPTEMBER

15TH , Hispanic Heritage Month officially began and the Lucerne Valley Middle/High School Spanish club began planning a multitude of events to celebrate. In addition to a day of celebration for the independence of Mexico, the club intended to celebrate Hispanic culture and to bring Hispanic culture and traditions to the people of Lucerne Valley who may not have had the opportunity to experience it or learn about it in the past. Spanish club advisor Rene Jaime stated, “We are very excited about this year. We really want to expand the events that we do around the school, and we really learned from last year what works and what doesn’t, so we can plan better, so everyone gets more enjoyment out of what we do.”

This year, the Spanish club invested in a brand-new dunk tank, which has already proven to be very popular among not only the students but also the faculty. While

listening to music and learning about Hispanic culture during lunch, students had fun trying to “dunk” their friends and teachers. In addition, the club also planned a dance competition and sold tickets for various food items, such as ice cream and candy. Everybody involved enjoyed themselves and appreciated the opportunity to celebrate and learn. The Spanish club was pleased with this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and

By Yesenia Cazales and Nathan Bhojwani

are already busy planning an event to celebrate the Day of the Dead. According to Rene Jaime, “Since we may have a very cold winter this year just like we did last year, we really want to do as much as we can before we have to hibernate until March or April.”

By John Wease

THE OLD EXPRESSION, “IT’S A DOG’S LIFE,” was used centuries ago to describe a miserable, subservient life. If you saw my spoiled mutts, lazily snoozing on their plush beds as I peck away on my keyboard, you would maybe wonder. For many dogs here in Newberry Springs, and the High Desert in general, life is not that great. Almost daily postings on social media about dumped, lost, or abandoned dogs found along our roads or freeways are nothing short of heartbreaking. The harsh desert environment, and predators such as the coyote, can bring a cruel end to these poor unwanted creatures.

A part of the problem is the unchecked population growth. The well-meaning person that brings home that oh so cute free puppy quickly learns that it is pretty expensive to properly care for one. Vaccinations and spaying or neutering can cost hundreds of dollars above the cost of food and other supplies. The dogs not altered, of course, create more dogs. The large number of unvaccinated abandoned dogs has led to a spread of Parvo, distemper, and other canine diseases at an alarming rate. Newberry Springs residents, Pat and Kelly Murphy, founders of Route 66 Animal Rescue, along with Diley Greiser and Tessa Anderson, founders of High Desert Animal Coalition (HDAC), and Arlene Martin, a local HDAC volunteer, have banded together to answer the need for affordable spay/neuter services and vaccinations. Under the clever name of BARC, Barstow Animal Rescue Clinic, they have been holding low cost spay/neuter clinics for dogs, and free vaccination events for dogs and cats. Since beginning in April 2022, 291 dogs have been spayed or neutered so far. They have been using the services of Doctor

Beeks and her Angel’s Touch Mobile Veterinary Unit for the procedures. It is a complete veterinary surgical theater on wheels. She has held spay/neuter clinics in many of our High Desert communities. Most recently, the clinics have been held at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 580 Victor Street in Barstow. Thanks to the generous support of Worthy Grand Master Br. Andrew Gonzales, Gil Girule, former President of the Knights of Columbus, and his assistant, David Tamez, their hall has been made available as a climate-controlled post-operative recovery area and waiting area for the owners at no charge. They provide volunteer helpers as well and have their bar open for any waiting owner that wants a soda or other beverage. The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society that hosts bingo and other activities as well as renting their hall for weddings and other events. Their support of the spay/neuter clinics is definitely in keeping with their principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

BARC will soon be opening their own clinic at 1238 E. Main Street in Barstow. It is the site of the former ABC Veterinary Clinic. Once they receive their veterinary clinic certification, they will begin providing spay/neuter services and vaccinations from there. The BARC clinic will employ “fear free” veterinary care. The goal is to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress for their canine patients. I’m guessing it will help calm their anxious

human counterparts as well. It may sound “New Agey” but apparently it helps to maintain a tranquil environment. Fear free uses things like soft lighting, music, aroma therapy, and calming pheromone diffusers. The canine visitors are approached slowly and calm, soothing voices are used. Our two mutts are nervous wrecks from the time they enter the vet’s lobby. I think it would be worth a try.

Vaccination events, for now, are held on the first Saturday each month at Dana Park in Barstow between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. On the second Tuesday each month they are held in outlying communities. Every odd numbered month the events are in Newberry Springs at the Family Center. On even numbered months they are at other communities. Vaccinations are free and administered by veterinary technicians. Funding for all services is by generous donations from individuals, businesses, and corporations. Both the Route 66 Animal Rescue and the High Desert Animal Coalition are registered 501c3 non-profits. Donations are tax-deductible and very much appreciated. Both organizations have rescued dogs in need of forever homes. Volunteers for both clinic events and at the shelters would be useful as well.

Maybe, with the generous support of enough donors, and the assistance of dedicated volunteers, we can make a difference in the lives of these wonderful canines. Maybe the term “a dog’s life” could mean the life they deserve for their undying love, loyalty, and devotion.

A Big Bear Getaway

Editor’s note: another lovely trip recap from TRT’s newest writer, Jackie, to a place I haven’t been since I was a little kid. For more of her travels,visit her index page at https:// theroyaltourblog.com/jackie-gish/.

LIVING IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA

, we thought that a few days near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains would be a pleasant summer break - trees, the lake, a bit cooler weather, and more. After looking up potential activities, we booked four nights at an Airbnb in Big Bear for late July.

Our first full day in Big Bear, we headed to Boulder Bay with a picnic lunch. This is a lovely lakefront park with a big covered picnic area and an adjoining beach. We strolled along the lake and ate our lunch and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The small beach had quite a few people enjoying the water, kayaking, and swimming. Further out on the lake we could see motor boats.

Following that we headed to the Marina and our tour of the lake on the Big Bear Queen. This was a 90-minute boat ride from one end of the lake to the other (about seven miles long and one mile wide). Chris, our skipper/narrator, told us all about the history of the lake, including that it was man-made and originally designed to serve as a reservoir for the city of Redlands, which sits at the base of the mountain. Now the lake is just for recreation and the water no longer goes to Redlands. Prior to the creation of the lake, the region was mostly cattle farms.

By Jonathan Berg, The Royal Tour blogger

individual homes, businesses, restaurants, and other commercial enterprises. The north side of the lake is mostly owned by the Forest Service, so it has many more trees and small cabins. It also has the Solar Observatory, built by Caltech. They do offer tours, but unfortunately they were booked months in advance.

He pointed out the dam, various old cabins with lovely views (but tough to walk up to) as well as homes of movie stars, new mansions, and more. One home was owned by Mel Blanc, who voiced Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and others. His son, Noel Blanc, is sometimes there and came out and voiced Porky Pig for us!

The south side of the lake is mostly

There are several marinas at the lake, and individuals can come up for the day and use the docks. He contrasted this with Arrowhead, another man-made lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, which is totally commercial with much more restricted access to the lake.

The next day we first headed to the Big Bear Valley Historical Museum. This museum has a collection of old buildings (and recreations of old buildings) which were moved to this location. The buildings date from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

View of Boulder Bay and kayakers from Boulder Bay Park

View of Boulder Bay beach, boulders, and homes from Boulder Bay Park

View of Big Bear Lake with mountain in background

View of Big Bear Lake with dam

View of boulders at Big Bear Lake

General Store at Big Bear Valley Historical Museum

The buildings include a general store (with post office boxes), old cabins, school house, carriage shed, and more. All the buildings have artifacts from the region. There is also a blacksmith demonstration and children of all ages can pan for gold (gold was discovered not far from Big Bear Lake in Holcomb Valley). The museum is currently building a Serrano Village; the Serranos were some of the Native Americans who lived in this area. Later that day, we went to the Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve, which is an area of the lake that is being restored as a habitat for birds of all kinds. We had a lovely, peaceful stroll on the boardwalk, but only saw a few birds, perhaps because we were there close to midday and it was quite warm.

one of the black bears is that it broke into a honey farm and caused thousands of dollars of damage. One eagle lost its eyesight. The two snow leopards, which were born in the Seattle Zoo, each only has eyesight in one eye. One raccoon is a blonde raccoon, which prevents him from thriving in the wild. Some animals were raised as pets for a while and hence cannot be released.

We were fairly near some hiking trails and enjoyed seeing the wildflowers, as well as an abundance of boulders (boulders seem to be a theme at Big Bear). We also had some delicious food - there are lots of choices of restaurants. The Village area, in particular, has nice restaurants, lots of flowers along the street, and many stores as well.

On our final day we first went to the Alpine Zoo. This is a very unique zoo because it has only rescue animals - such animals as black bears, grizzly bears, various kinds of foxes, raccoons, birds (owls, eagles, crows, ravens and more), and many more. The first enclosure had a very large black bear. He was eating peanuts with their shells - picking them up in his mouth and then spitting out the shells! Each enclosure had a sign which described “when man meets animal”basically how the animal is faring in the wild - and “special adaptations” which the animal uses to survive. Next to this sign is a QR code which describes the specific animals which are in the enclosure and how they ended up at the Alpine Zoo. Some of the animals got into trouble when they were wild. A funny story of

Our last activity was to visit the Big Bear Discovery Center in Fawnskin. This center, run by the Forest Service, has a few small exhibits but has a lot of weekend activities, especially for kids, as seen by the sign. Unfortunately, we were there on a weekday and just looked at the exhibits.

In addition to all these activities, we often walked in the neighborhood of our Airbnb.

We enjoyed our short Big Bear getaway for the fresh air, lovely lake, and the other activities, especially the boat ride and the Alpine Zoo.

View from boardwalk of Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve

Signs at Grizzly Bear enclosure

Grizzly Bear at Alpine Zoo

Big Bear Discovery Center

Weekend activities at Big Bear Discovery Center

Flowers along a sidewalk in Big Bear Village

Mitsubishi Cement hosts golf tourney, sponsors bowling tourney to help seniors

More than 30 former and current employees of the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation (MCC) gathered on a warm Sunday afternoon to putt, drive and try to avoid the sand trap at the company’s 2nd annual golf tournament. The event was held at Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville. David Rib, manager of the Cushenberry plant in Lucerne Valley, said the tournament was paid for by MCC Employee Activity Funds which itself is funded by refunds from recycled materials like cardboard and scrap metal. The tournament was formerly called the High Desert Esquire Golf Tournament and included contractor sponsorships to help collect money for local charities.

In August, MCC also sponsored the 15th annual Bowl-A-Thon which took place at Canyon Lanes in Cabazon. Proceeds from the bowling tournament went towards the Smile for Seniors Foundation, a Yucaipa-based nonprofit which provides emergency assistance and safety net services to low-income seniors in the area. Rib said the company has sponsored the event every year it has been held. MCC paid for two lanes and had seven participants: Rib, Maintenance Manager Steve Tyrrell and his wife Kim, Safety Supervisor Gerald Jones and his wife Diane, Electrical Supervisor James McWilliams and Environmental Superintendent David Riddle. Steve and Kim both took home separate trophies for the highest scores in the men’s and women’s division.

Today’s Woman Foundation Board members, Ambassadors, 2023 Honorees, Nominators, and a few Past Honorees all convened on August 24th at the Bear Valley Country Club in Spring Valley Lake. The evening was truly amazing as we had the opportunity to eat and visit with each other before the Black Dress Gala on October 7 at the Courtyard by Marriott.

As of today, we have less than 20 tickets available, so if you wish to join us in celebrating these talented, beautiful and inspiring community servants, visit our website at the bottom of the page.

In recognition of breast cancer awareness month, we expect to see many shades of pink in the ballroom. We promise you will be uplifted as together we celebrate these remarkable women!

Top Row: Liz McGiffin, Heather Brown, Karen Sanchez, Christina Keneti, Sylvia Romo

Bottom Row: Heidi Battaglia, Linda Titus, Cheryl Sislo, Ambar Palacios, and Sarah ShaBazz-Ugwumba

Marcy’s Musings

Happy Trails Parade Rolls Down Highway 18

Rojas. Ten Mohahve Historical Society members and three community volunteers presented “Genuine Desert Animals” of Apple Valley and Lucerne, featuring Leo Eiffert on guitar and Gary Whiteside keeping the beat. With cowboys Rick and Dennis in the cab, we were off!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9 was a great day for a parade--good and HOT, but no wind or rain. The combined Mohahve Historical Society/ Apple Valley Legacy Museum float was #6 in the line-up, right behind the outstanding combined Granite Hills / Apple Valley High School Marching Band, under the direction of Mr. Javier Alcantara-

PULSE PUBLICATIONS October 2023

The cheering spectators seemed to enjoy the creative costumes and props, as we rolled down Outer Highway 18 singing a jingle about each animal including: the Apple Valley cow and burro, the Apple Valley Inn pigeon, the Jess Ranch turkey, the children’s toys DeeGee Bunny and Lucerne BunnyDuck, TV stars Trigger, Buttermilk and Bullet, and of course, the good ole desert tortoise. “We all are genuine...desert animals...Apple Valley and Lucerne...the places we call home.” Happy Trails everyone, and see you next year!

Victor Valley NAACP Branch #1082 Summer Jam Event

ON THE AFTERNOON OF AUGUST 27, 2023, Victor Valley NAACP Branch #1082 hosted a well-attended Family Summer Jam at the Adelanto Event Center. With a theme of “Black Excellence,” the event featured lunch by Caterer Gator, music by DJ Jamar, a NAACP history lesson by President James Campbell, an opportunity drawing for exciting prizes, as well as tables hosted by various local vendors and organizations- something for everyone!

Apple Valley Legacy Museum, presented a display honoring one of the vintage businesses in Apple Valley during the 1950’s and 1960’s era, the Terri Lee Doll Factory. The operation, which originated in Nebraska and moved to Apple Valley in 1952, employed many locals, including wives of Airmen stationed at George, to produce the Terri Lee family of dolls and their friends. The bodies, which were made in a factory on Central, were sent to a building on Wakita, right next to the airport runways, and what is now the Civic Center Park and swimming pool. There the ladies sewed the clothes, made the wigs, hand painted the faces, and got the dolls ready to become the new playmates of area children and children all across the country.

A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of High School Scholars Excellence Recognition Awards to five deserving students from the Victor Valley and Apple Valley Unified School Districts. These kids are going places! Keynote speaker Dr. Kenisha L. Williams, who kept the crowd fully engaged as she was on the move circling the room to deliver her message, taught attendees the importance of dealing with adversity in a positive manner, by accepting and moving on, not an easy thing to do.

Marcy Taylor, a member of the NAACP Executive Board and founder of the

These dolls were unusual for several reasons. They were the first dolls (before Barbie) who had their own line of furniture, books, records, storybooks, and lots and lots of complete outfits and accessories for every occasion. There were even “Unsinkable” dolls that could be taken into the tub or swimming pool. But most importantly, during the Jim Crow years, when Victorville was a “Sundown Town” and Apple Valley had housing restrictions

in the CCRs, Terri Lee and her brother Jerri Lee, and their younger sisters Connie Lynn and Linda Baby, all of whom were modeled after real children, had lots of friends of many nationalities and races. These included Nanook, an Eskimo girl from the “Land of the Midnight Sun;” Guadalupe, a Hispanic friend from “South of the Border;” and Bonnie Lou and Benji, African American children from “Down South,” who also had a baby brother named Little Coco, made from the same mold as Terri and Jerri’s baby sister Linda. A Black female syndicated cartoonist, Jackie Ormes, a close friend of Duke Ellington and other “movers and shakers” of the time, made her own Terri Lee doll in her own likeness, and gave her the name Patty Jo, a character in her political cartoons. Patty Jo had this to say: “My name’s Patty Jo. What’s yours? I do hope there is room in your heart for me, because I am one of Terri Lee’s playmates, and all of us represent America’s colorful garden of many peoples. Originally I was created in pen and ink for readers of “The Pittsburg Courier,” a national Negro newspaper, that has more than 300,000 subscribers. My creator, Jackie Ormes, was determined to make me available in doll form, and maybe bring a bit more happiness to kids of all races. Although Patty Jo and Benji were made from the same molds as Terri Lee and Jerri Lee, Jackie gave Patty Jo pigtails, and changed their eyebrows and some other features to make them distinct.

So I am happy to say that Apple Valley not only had the Murray’s overall Wearing Dude Ranch, that welcomed visitors of all races, but also had the Terri Lee Doll Factory, that sold dolls to happy children in the High Desert, and also shipped them all across the country. Today they are real collectibles with quite a history. You can meet 35 of them at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum at the Historic Apple Valley Inn, and seven more at the Town of Apple Valley’s Heritage Room. Thanks to President James Campbell for inviting me to set up this display and share some local history at the NAACP Summer Jam event.

CalicoHaunted

THIS PAST JANUARY, I wrote an article concerning the history of the California Historical Landmark #782. Those in the know would recognize that as the official status given Calico back in 1962 by the state of California. In a proclamation signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2005, the town actually became the Official State Silver Rush Ghost Town. Another old mining town, named Bodie a little further north along the 395, became known as the Official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.

Not sure where the Official State Bronze, Tin or Recycled Beer Can Ghost Towns are, but we will keep looking fervently. Actually, I’m not going to bother to look – except a recycled beer can ghost town could be fun. Probably a lot of happy spirits reside there.

With Halloween just around the corner, we wanted to see if there’s any truth to how haunted this once bustling mining town of Calico really was.

Of course, when visiting such places in search of the paranormal, it is crucial never to trespass or do anything else which may be considered illegal or in poor taste.

An example of illegal would be, breaking and entering supposed haunted buildings, houses or other property. In poor taste, would be running down the street with a sheet over your head, screaming for ghosts to show themselves. Of course, that may even be considered crazy.

There are some pretty interesting hauntings going on in the little burg of Calico. I mean really interesting in the realm of: “OMG, there’s a ghosty right

there. I can’t wait to Instagram my friends with this selfie, well, after I post what I had for lunch, of course.”

Laureen and I decided to take our four legged wards on an overnight camping trip to the historical 1881 silver mining town, but not before I made a sensible suggestion.

“You know, we can leave them home. They are dogs, after all.”

Laureen looked at me solemnly. “They’ll miss us.”

“For five minutes, and then they’ll be sleeping and drooling all over the furniture.”

We loaded our four beasts into the motorhome, and we were off for the short jaunt to Calico.

By John Beyer

The San Bernardino County Park has plenty of spaces for camping large rigs, not so large rigs, tents, and even cabins for rent. Some guests haul out their off road toys and enjoy cruising the hills behind Calico looking at this or that.

When looking at this or that though, be mindful that there are open vertical mine shafts – those are the ones that go straight into the earth. Some of these old mines are not safe and very deep. So deep, that I’ve heard in one of them, colonies of trolls live, waiting for an unsuspecting off-roader to miscalculate and end up as a troll entre for dinner.

But seriously, when cruising anywhere abandoned mines are located – extreme caution should always be used. I travel off road a lot and am always on the lookout for dangerous road or trail conditions –and also groups of trolls.

So, we arrived at our camp site, set up everything, and made sure the doggies were well taken care of inside the motorhome – water, food, air conditioning, blinds closed, and Jimmy Buffet playing softly in the background.

The dogs had it so good, I wanted to stay and have a cold one, while listening to Margaretville. But Laureen was adamant.

“Listen here, Buster. We’ve got ghosts to find.”

Funny thing, when we hit town, everyone wanted to talk to us about how haunted the place is. Mr. Anonymous had great stories to tell us. Ms. Anonymous had even better stories to tell us. Baby Anonymous had by far the greatest of all the stories.

Sounds like something out of the Goldilocks fairy tale. Actually, when people talk about ghosts, unless they are high paid television paranormal types, they don’t want their name used in public.

“They’ll think I’m crazy,” stated a woman wearing a tin foil hat.

“I doubt you believing in ghosts will be the giveaway,” I replied.

One story we heard about was a little girl who haunted the wooden bridge which spans a deep gulley near the one room schoolhouse.

Seems, as the tale goes, back in the late 1880’s, a school teacher had a young

daughter – maybe ten or eleven years old. One day, tragically, the girl fell off a high cliff near the bridge and perished from her injuries.

Ever since then, people claim this girl wanders the location of the bridge, talking to children. What she is saying, is very sad but sweet. According to many we spoke with, the ghostly little girl is warning the children to stay on the bridge, and to be careful about falling down the steep sides of the ravine.

Stranger, only children see her. Adults have had their children tell them that a young girl, dressed in a long white dress with a white bonnet, has been scolding them about the dangers of not looking when running and playing. Parents look, but to no avail. The ghost who cares is gone.

“Even my friends this year, told me their kids said this little girl approached them, warned them and then just disappeared,” Mr. “I don’t want to be identified” stated. And no, this person was not donning a tin foil hat.

We walked across that bridge a thousand times. No ghostly apparition of a tyke in period clothing. I even crossed it a few times on my knees to make myself look smaller, in case I could outsmart the girl.

No such luck, but, just because we adults didn’t see her, doesn’t mean she doesn’t exist.

“You have got to check out Hank’s Hotel.” Someone stated. “That place is really haunted. Doors slam shut when there is no wind. Things get tossed across the rooms. People used to stay there, but by dark, they were heading for their cars.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Would I lie to you?”

“I don’t know. You won’t even tell me

your name.”

The hotel was locked. Laureen and I peered through the windows. Nothing slammed. No things were thrown around the rooms. But that doesn’t mean the place isn’t haunted.

Another person with no name, told us that some shops in town have poltergeists. Those are the angry, or misunderstood ghosts that like to throw items at people, hitting them and sometimes causing injury.

We walked through every store that was open, and the only thing which got hit, was my wallet. A store means purchasing in Laureen’s world.

The cemetery. Now, that had to be haunted. All those souls on boot hill. They couldn’t have been happy, and probably spent the evenings wandering around complaining to each other.

When it was plenty dark, we carefully and respectfully wandered the tombstones. Laureen thought she saw an eerie light floating toward us. Nope, just other tourists looking for a close encounter with a being from the after-life.

Is Calico haunted? Could be – but just not on our visit. But perhaps, if you drive out there – it may be.

Oro Grande Cemetery on Route 66: Haunting We Will Go

By Jaylyn and John Earl

THE SLEEPY DESERT COMMUNITY of Oro Grande is located on Route 66/National Trails Highway, five miles northnorthwest of Victorville, California. Besides being a stop along Route 66, and having one of the finest pizza parlors around, it has the oldest cemetery in San Bernardino County.

The first burial in the almost forgotten cemetery was in 1852, and there are approximately 132 marked graves, as well as an unknown quantity of unmarked, and undiscovered graves. The unmarked graves are believed to be those of Native Americans, the original tenants of the land.

Most of the people interred at the cemetery were miners, cement workers and their families. Oro Grande Cemetery is also known as Oro Grande Historic Memorial Park and as the Manuel P. Rodriguez Memorial Cemetery, in Honor of local citizen Lt. Manuel Rodriguez, killedin-action in World War II. The Rodriguez family still resides in Oro Grande.

First known as “Upper Crossing,” and then “Halleck,” Oro Grande was later named after the first mine found nearby. The history shows that the town began as a mining camp, but when the railroad came through in 1885, it was named Halleck either after the chemist at the stamp mill or General Henry Halleck, U.S. Army–no one is sure at this point. However, the name could be a misspelling of Hallock, who was one of the investors in the original Oro Grand Mining District. No photos are known to exist of either the chemist, or the investor.

The Halleck post office was established in January of 1881. In 1886, there was a movement afoot to rename the town Marble City for the many marble quarries in the area, but that fell through. During the early 1900s, a cement factory was built, which is still in operation today.

Even after the small town became known

as Oro Grande, the post office remained known as Halleck through the early part of the 20th Century.

The Oro Grande Mining District was at, or near, Oro Grande. Gold mines were active during the 1880s, in the early 1900s and again in the 1930s. It is also known as the Silver Mountain Mining District. The name Oro Grande translates to “big gold” in Spanish. At the time, and even now, some of the digs in the district included the Apex, Branch, Carbonate, Dents Grandview Lode, Gold Bullion, Gold King, Oro Grande I and II, Sidewinder, and Western States mines.

The main part of town. Always a small stop along the way, Oro Grande is as tough as the minerals in the ground around it.

General Henry Halleck (circa 1865). A veteran of the Mexican-American and Civil Wars, the general was assigned to duties in California between the two wars, and was one of the principal authors of the California Constitution in 1849.

Oro Grande wasn’t just all about mines and cement though. Even from the beginning, the area grew into a rural agricultural-industrial community. Ranching was done along the Mojave River side of town, where there were “more than a thousand acres of alfalfa and other crops under irrigation” on various small farms. Cattle ranches and dairies followed and, until a few years ago, the area was a major ranch area for race horses during the off season at Hollywood Park and other tracks.

Oro Grande didn’t come easily into the

20th Century. It wasn’t until 1917 that the town had a permanent trail depot. Before that time, all railroad business was conducted out of a boxcar parked on a siding. One night, during a Christmas party at the town hall, the boxcar mysteriously went up in flames.

Witnesses report that a bucket brigade was soon formed, with the goal of putting out the fire. A local dignitary was seen to run up to the budding fire fighters and say, “Folks, look at you! You’re getting your good clothes ruined! And besides that, we need a new depot!” Naturally, this compelled Santa Fe to build a real wood, in-the-ground depot. Sadly, it was demolished in 1969, and there has been no regularly scheduled passenger train service since that time.

Education was not forgotten in the desert village in the early years. After all, there were now numerous families with many children. In 1890, the growing population merited a second elementary-secondary school. It is still being used to this day, only in the guise of a local church. Except for minor upkeep, the building is nearly original.

Finally, On 25 May 1927, the post office was officially renamed Oro Grande, in keeping with the wishes of the rest of the town. Halleck disappeared after that time. There are still a few families living in town, with some having been here for many generations. Often, the cemetery was the last stop for their relatives, and it is still maintained. The last burial here took place in 1963.

If you want to get into Oro Grande Cemetery, you’re going to meet Joe Manners, the Honorary Mayor of Oro Grande. Joe lives just a couple of houses away from the locked cemetery. If you stand at the gate and face Route 66, look for the second house on the left. That’s Joe’s house. It’s fenced and he has a

guard dog, but if you call hello from the street, chances are Joe will come out to greet you.

Besides being the unofficial mayor, Joe is the caretaker and tour guide. You can also call Joe at 760-241-6174. But don’t waste your time emailing him; like most folks in Oro Grande, the Mayor has no internet.

Mayor Joe told us that the big cement water tank was the source for the town’s water when he was growing up here in the 1940s and 1950s. He recalled, “We used to bring the cars up from the dealer down on the highway, and wash them with the overflow. Kids would come up and play in the water.”

A lifelong resident of Oro Grande, Mayor Joe is a warm and gregarious man with a wry sense of humor and the physical fitness that belies his mature age. He graciously unlocked the gate for us, and accompanied us throughout the cemetery, regaling us with interesting stories about the people buried there, and the history of the area. Joe personally knew many of the people before they were interred and effortlessly recounted details about their lives.

Mayor Joe explained the gate and fence was built in recent years from a grant the cemetery received. The project cost $8,000 dollars. Ground penetrating radar was used by the fence company on the perimeter to make sure there were no unmarked graves in its path. Our tour continued. We asked Mayor Joe a lot of questions, and he never hesitated answering them. The passion and respect Mayor Joe has for the cemetery and its tiny ghost town is almost palpable.

Mayor Joe told us San Bernardino County gives the whole town of Oro Grande only $4,000 dollars a year to maintain the entire town. Granted, Oro Grande is not a major metropolis, but still that money gets stretched mighty thin very quickly. To make ends meet, Joe offers tours to anyone interested and gratefully accepts donations, which go towards the upkeep of the historic cemetery.

Mayor Joe keeps the gates locked and monitors the cemetery to deter looters and vandals. He revealed that some statues and crosses have been vandalized in years past. Joe declared it wouldn’t happen on his watch. In addition, Joe meticulously maintains the grounds by hand, pulling weeds, picking up trash and other chores.

Mayor Joe said he also offers night tours. He smiled and said, “Kids really go out for that kind of stuff.” He added that most of the young people scare themselves silly before they even walk through the gates of the cemetery. Joe recalled one such instance when he was planning to lead a small group of youths thru the cemetery but realized his flashlight batteries were getting weak.

He pocketed a couple of extra batteries and headed out. As they entered the cemetery, his young guests asked if the ghost stories were true. “Well, maybe we’ll find out tonight,” Joe remarked then added, “I’ve heard that spirits soak up energy from things. That’s how they get around.”

At that precise moment, Joe’s flash light lost power, plunging the frightened youths into pitch darkness. After the shrill screaming stopped, Joe replaced his batteries and the tour continued among nervous giggles from the young thrill seekers.

“We get a lot of interest from bonafide paranormal investigators too,” Joe explained. Although the cemetery hasn’t been featured on a ghost hunters-type television show yet, Joe figured it was just a matter of time.

He added how paranormal investigators who have been there so far bring all kinds of recording equipment and specialized technical gear. After spending the night in the cemetery, they tend to conclude that multiple spirits inhabit Oro Grande Cemetery.

Walking about the cemetery, we’d have to agree. It has a certain heaviness in the air. Something that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. When we first entered the front gate, it was sunny and warm. We didn’t even need light jackets. But as the tour continued, the February skies grew overcast.

By the time we reached the far side of the cemetery, the wind had kicked up. We got a dose of the creepy crawlies while Mayor Joe regaled us with ghost stories. Joe merely shrugged and remarked the weather changes frequently in Oro Grande and if you don’t like it, wait a minute and it will surely change.

Mayor Joe told us that one of the oddest things that occurred at the cemetery was the day PG & E tried to sneak into the cemetery without Joe’s permission and dig a trench line from one side to the other at the back of the property to lay a new pipeline. (Yes, the same infamous PG & E of infamous Hinkley, but that’s a story for another day).

informed us that it is actually an ancient Indian burial ground discovered by the cement plant in its very early days. It was then covered under tons of rocks and dirt.

The Mayor showed us where teenagers Maddy and Tony were buried within their fenced final resting place. He told us both had been tragically struck and killed by a train and how their families decided to bury them together side by side.

Joe recalled one day some visitors were observing the graves when a nearby train whistle blew. Both were rattled to the core when they heard young panicked voices suddenly cry out, “Quick! The train’s coming! Run!” There was no one else around, except sad memories on the wind.

Mayor Joe explained how it is his understanding that graves face east towards the rising sun. He pointed out how at least two graves face another direction. He suspected they were both “bad men” so the honor of a traditional burial was denied them.

Many unmarked graves are located at the back of Oro Grande Cemetery. Because ground penetrating radar is expensive, this area continues to hold secret its undiscovered graves. Txi Riverside Cement Oro Grande Plant looms in the background. Notice the airplanes on the distant hillside at Southern California Logistics Airport, former George AFB.

Mayor Joe explained the tallest cross in the cemetery, towards the back, is called Boot Hill. Since there were no boots at its commemoration, a friend of Joe’s offered his unneeded ski boots at the base of the cross to mark its dedication. They’ve remained ever since.

We highly recommend you look up Joe and partake in his lively and historic tour of Oro Grande Cemetery. Whether you discover a spiritual presence there or not, you will still have a good time and I bet you will even learn a thing or two. It’s really the best bargain in town. The cemetery depends on donations, since the county does little to help.

As luck would have it, Joe was home and saw the trucks go past. He walked over to the cemetery and saw them park on the other side of the fence before he approached to inquire about their intent. They explained they could jump the fence to lay lines. Joe patiently informed them there were multiple unmarked graves in the area. Joe made a few quick phone calls and the men were radioed to work on the outside of the fence. “That was a close one,” Joe remarked.

Native Americans occupied the Oro Grande area many centuries before settlers arrived. Joe pointed to a large manmade mountain behind the cemetery, and

Ask Mayor Joe to point you in the direction of the nearby one room schoolhouse with its whimsical Victorian bell tower, then towards “downtown” Oro Grande where Cross Eyed Pizza and all the funky antique stores stretching from one end of town to the other are located. This desert town curls up at 4 p.m., so give yourself plenty of time to enjoy Oro Grande, and all it has to offer.

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