The Importance of Companionship
Iby Debbie Walker
N 2016, life was good until my mom died and my boyfriend of seven years left me. After that I fell into a deep depression and even contemplated suicide. I don’t think I would really kill myself, but I’m not going to lie to you and say that it never crossed my mind.
Last October I went on a trip to the east coast to visit several friends.One of my friends was attending a senior center that had all kinds of activities so when I returned home I decided to see what the High Desert had to offer. In doing so I discovered SWIM (Seniors With Inquiring Minds). SWIM is a group of seniors that meets at the Percy Bakker Center in Hesperia on Thursdays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Every Thursday there is a different speaker, musical group or presentation of some kind.
Although I was attending, I wasn’t really engaging and SWIM only meets once a week. The rest of the week I would sit in my house, feel sorry for myself and contemplate how lonely I was. I have several friends my age who have recently gotten married and are sharing their lives with someone and that was making me sad. My dog is my someone, but it’s not the same as having people who care about you in your life.
One Thursday the speaker at SWIM was a man named Jim Conkle, who happens to be the publisher of this newspaper. He is a very humble man and will probably be upset that I am mentioning him in this article but something he said changed my life. He asked if there was anyone in the room full of people who felt alone and lonely. There was another lady in the room who raised her hand. Jim told her that no one should ever feel alone and lonely in a room full of people. He gave her a business card and told her if she ever needed to talk to someone she could call him and he would listen.
I turned to my friend Pam and said, “ now that’s a nice man who cares about people.” About a week later I saw an employment ad in the Pulse Newspaper. Jim had me meet him at the Skillet Cafe in Phelan. After a long, casual talk, he hired me on the spot. That was the beginning of the major change in my life. He started sending me to events all over the High Desert. Chamber of Commerce meetings, social functions, health fairs, car shows etc.
I have lived in the High Desert for 40 years. In the first 30 days of working for the Pulse I have found out about places that I never knew existed. I have joined the Mohahve Historical Society, the Friends of the Apple Valley Library, the High Desert Chapter of the California Writers Club and SWIM. By the way, I’m the new President.
The highlight of my week and the people who brought me out of my loneliness and depression are the members of the High Desert Writers Club. Not only do we meet once a month for a formal meeting, we meet every Thursday at Corky’s Restaurant for an informal social meeting. On any given Thursday we can have as few as two or as many as 15 joining us for coffee and conversation. In the short time that I have known them, this group of people have become like a family to me. I am no longer feeling alone or sad. Instead of finding one companion, I found a whole new family. If you are home feeling sorry for yourself like I was, venture outside and meet new people. It will open up a whole new world for you. I don’t think about suicide anymore. I don’t have time. I’m too busy living.
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A Chat About Parkinson’s
by Ann Miner
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PLAYING PING PONG? Have you ever played, and did you like it? The latest research says that it is wonderful for Parkinson’s.
While an article in the San Bernardino Sun on August 11, 2024, talks about how ping pong can help people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, autism, ADHD, and anyone recovering from a stroke, the headline reads PING PONG FOR PARKINSON’S. That got my attention.
Some patients say it decreases their symptoms. There was a man who went into a ping pong program using a walker. As he left the game, he wasn’t using the walker because he was feeling so good.
There was also a study that showed older people who play table tennis improve cognitive function more than dancing (also an excellent exercise for PD peeps), walking or gymnastics. It’s a sport that can be played even competitively into old age. If you watched table tennis at the Olympics, you saw - what I thought was - a very strange type of serving. I asked my friend about it. Her sons have played the game competitively across the world, and she still plays at 85. “Oh, yes,” she said. “That’s the proper way to serve. If you don’t turn your palm up, and toss the ball at least 6 inches high, it’s illegal!”
WHAT??? I never heard of such a thing, but she should know. In any case, it won’t hurt any of us to find a ping pong table and get with it. I wouldn’t expect a “legal” serve from any of us, just do what we’ve been taught all along. The Ping Pong Police won’t be notified. And we don’t have to win or be judged!
Moving about, chasing all the shots we miss, is enough. Eh? And don’t forget to come to our Parkinson’s Support Group Meetings on the first Monday of every month, except when a holiday falls on that Monday – such as Labor Day in September. The next meeting will be October 7 with our member, Bob Weiser, a retired dentist, speaking to us. In November, Neurologist Dr. Sonya Nayyar, will speak. Then comes the Christmas party with lots of desserts and surprises! Can’t wait! 19111 Town Center Drive, Apple Valley, First Monday, 1:00 pm Questions? Call Ann, 760-954-2859. Caregivers are encouraged to call, and newly diagnosed, and anyone else. I love hearing from you. See you in October! Take big steps.
THE GOOD FIGHT PART TWO
THE PROBLEM ARISES from the constant care required by a child born with half a heart. It’s 24/7, 365 days per year . . . should the child survive its birth. In Cathyleen Willliams case, Caleb, her son, lived nine years and, as demanding and arduous as it was, she doesn’t regret a single minute of it. She’d have endured another nine years and more, he was so precious and so courageous . . . and so full of life. But during those nine years, unable to work and devoted entirely to childcare, life was expensive and a significant challenge because of the needs Caleb’s condition posed. Sure, she received state aid because of him, but when he passed, the aid stopped and, though told she was eligible for it, unemployment benefits were denied her. She was left penniless and unable to secure a job. That’s how it was—and is—for most parents whose child is born with life-threatening illnesses. Cathyleen decided to change that. Only four months after Caleb passed,
she started a one-person campaign to change the existing law in California and get parents in this situation much needed state aid and, as was reported in Part One of this story, she almost succeeded. She and the State Assembly, who she had galvanized behind the effort, got the bill in front of Governor Jerry Brown but he vetoed it. They had asked for a study but Brown said he had a group who could get them the answers. They never did..
“So, I decided to go there,” she said. “. . . to Washington. ”I [was invited] by the Latino Coalition, and [because of their connections] I had meetings with a lot of people and [also] anybody I could think of. I talked to senators, the majority and minority leaders in Congress, and even to Nancy Pelosi’s office.
“I went to the Latino Coalition meeting. I met the Prince of Ghana, the Treasurer of the United States, and Pence who was our Vice President at the time. They were all very . . . I don’t want to say excited . . . but definitely intrigued about what I was
By J.P.Garner
bringing to the table and talking about.”
Because part of the state’s funding for in-home support services was federal money, Cathyleen knew that, “in order to get [the money to the people who needed it,] we needed support from the federal government. But they were adamant that if we got it changed in California, then the federal government would be more apt to write a bill.”
It was then that Kam Lager, a California assemblywoman, authored a bill asking the state to change the law so that full-time caregivers are provided with security and unemployment insurance. The bill was run in the Assembly and Cathyleen was prepared to testify before
advisory committees when COVID hit and everything shutdown. Legislation kept moving, but instead of testifying in person, the meetings were conducted over the phone.
And, like before, the bill went through the Senate and encountered no opposition. But like before the bill was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom because it was federal money being discussed. And this was during a time when there was a surplus of money in the state. Enough money, in fact, to distribute relief checks to every taxpayer in the state when all that was needed was $200,000-$250,000 to get the program started for the caregivers
who had sacrificed everything to care for their child. Everyone who had dedicated so much time and energy to get the bill to the Governor’s desk was devastated because parents and spouse to be allowed to collect unemployment after losing their child or spouse.
“Our whole world stopped,” as Cathyleen described the reaction of the bill’s supporters. “It wasn’t necessarily the most important thing in the world, except to the people who were going to be affected by it. I was afraid for them because [it was such] a desolate time with no jobs and everybody was scared to death because of COVID”
To pick up the ball and run with it again, Cathyleen has joined forces with the United Caregiver Union who has promised her that there was a bill constructed. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez is supposed to be the author of that bill, and then there’s Congressman Jay Obernolte who’s been following this story since Caleb passed away. He reportedly is very excited about a bipartisan bill at the federal-level and would help getting it passed.
The major obstacle to getting the new bill passed now, however, is that the Republicans control the House of Representatives and Congresswoman Sanchez’s bill is not a priority. The bill has stalled and it doesn’t appear there will be any future movement unless the control of the House shifts to the Democrats.
In the meantime, Cathyleen has not given up. “I’m still plugging along trying to get answers, still trying to not let them forget that this is also very important. Children are dying. Spouses are dying. And it’s not just the state of California’s in-home support programs that are being affected.
“I feel very hopeless because to the feds it’s not important because it doesn’t affect them. But it’s affecting thousands of people. Because when you’re a caregiver, you are totally, totally, totally consumed by that person that you’re caring for, especially if it’s your spouse and definitely if it’s your child. And that’s the worst nightmare.”
From Barstow to Washington, with a stop in Sacramento, Cathyleen Williams has done more for the thousands of people impacted by this situation. If parents can be terminated from a job and collect unemployment why not the parent or spouse who provides in-home support every hour of every day, every day of every week when their spouse or child passes?
Amboy The Rebirth of a Ghost Town, Part 2
By John R Beyer
ACCORDING TO KEN LARGE, Operations and Logistics Manager for Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy, there are ongoing plans to rejuvenate this once prospering town into something for the future.
“When Albert passed away in 2023,” Ken said, “I wondered what would become of his dream of turning this once vibrant town into a go-to destination for those traveling along Route 66.”
Albert Okura, the founder of the popular restaurant chain Juan Pollo in Southern California, had purchased the nearly forgotten town of Amboy in 2005. Albert loved history, especially the history of Southern California and more importantly Route 66. When he purchased the town of Amboy, his wish was to do all he could to turn it back into the iconic spot where travelers from across the United States would stop along America’s Highway during its heyday.
He had big plans, but that was nothing unusual for this man who created a chain of cookeries which would later label him
the Chicken Man for the delicious food served in his nearly 30 various locations.
Albert knew he could recreate the thrill of travelers along Route 66 that was once felt after the route was completed in 1926. Sadly, Albert passed away on January 27, 2023 at the young age of 72 in Ontario, California.
But, his dream did not die. “His family have been wonderful in keeping Albert’s dreams alive here in Amboy,” Ken said. “Take a walk around and see for yourself all the construction being conducted to complete this place by the summer of 2026.”
That summer would be the 100th anniversary of the completion of Route 66, and there are huge plans being developed along that long river of asphalt stretching from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica.”
Rumor has it that a family of Sasquatches may attend the festivities somewhere along the nearly 2,500 mile highway - but of course, that is on a need-to-know-
basis.
And, I need to know!
Before I started walking the property, Ken did inform me that finishing the entire project may be a bit of a stretch but “... knowing Albert’s family as I do, I think we may indeed have everything up and running for the huge crowds that will be coming through. They are an awesome group of folks and I am sure keeping Albert’s legacy alive will be in the forefront of their thoughts.”
I’ve been through Amboy more times than I can count - either heading east or heading west. Did I stop each time? No, but everytime I passed by those stark white empty cabins, the large paned windowed reception area of the motel, and the gas station with its huge sign out front welcoming visitors, I felt a slight tug at my heart.
Amboy, once a bustling and hustling railroad stop for miners, travelers, shippers, receivers, and those that just wanted an adventure which then, as many
The famous White Stallion at Roy’s in Amboy, also ongoing construction for upgraded restrooms for tourists. (John R Beyer)
The famous White Stallion at Roy’s in Amboy, also onIconic original gas pump at Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy, CA. (John R Beyer)
such towns did, turned into a ghost town and was now being brought back to life, makes me smile.
The last time I visited and spoke with Ken, a large tour bus had just pulled up and about a million tourists exited. It was a very large custom made bus.
“We sometimes get up to three thousand people visiting a day,” he said. I just saw a million, so I suppose his math could be accurate, rounded off for the year.
As I was taking a snap of some of the construction going on, a tourist walked to me and in a very German accent and said he recognised me.
“Yes, I am John R. Beyer, the worldrenowned travel writer,” I humbly responded.
“Nein,” he retorted. “You look like the restroom attendant. Paper is needed in stall three.”
I nodded and then mumbled, “You probably meant number two.”
Ken advised me that 50% of the visitors are European, 35% from the United States, 10% from South and Central America and the remainder from Asia or perhaps the territory of Nauru.
As I wandered here and there, teams of construction personnel were wiring this, harnessing that, and pretty much doing what construction personnel did. They were busy rebuilding Amboy into what Albert Okura had imagined.
A town full of life which invited the tourist to stop for a spell for a rest, and perhaps a meal and then back onto the historic byway or Route 66.
In fact, in keeping to Albert’s plans, Ken explained that they hoped to have rooms ready to rent, a fully functioning restaurant, and other amenities which made staying in Amboy for more than a couple of hours a reality.
I asked about the family and their thoughts about Albert’s visions.
“I must say that Kyle, one of Albert’s children, comes here quite often and spends long weekends checking out how much work is getting done. Often, Mrs. Okura and other family members accompany him and they love it out here. They are a great and loving family.”
Years ago, my lovely wife Laureen, along with one of our daughters, Kelly, drove through Amboy and were delighted
to see the site was being used as a FlyIn. Planes of all makes and models were actually landing along Route 66 and taxing to the small airport located there.
Music, food, and other entertainment were in abundance for all to share in.
Other events which are being coordinated by Ken, the other staff members, and the family are motorcycle rendezvous, classic car shows, airplane fly-ins, music festivals, space alien conventions, and the list goes on and on.
“We also are also a venue for those who want to rent the place out for movie shoots, television ads, music videos, weddings, and the like,” Ken stated.
Recently a Polish singer by the name of Daria Zawailaow utilized the town for a music video. It is spunky, riveting, and I have no idea what she is singing about - my Polish is rather limited except for some old and now inappropriate jokes.
The below link will show just one of the musical talents who visited Amboy and wanted to share with their audiences what an iconic place this little town is and why it is important to visit.
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?app=desktop&v=CoMFkWwevjA
For more information: https://visitamboy. com/
John can be contacted at; beyersbyways@gmail.com
Historical marker in front of cottages undergoing renovations for future guests at Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy, CA (John R Beyer)
The original sign lit up at night for road weary travelers along Route 66 in Amboy, CA. (Ken Large)
ofLife
ANOTHER NUDGE
By J.P.Garner
IN THE MORNING, in Barstow, one can easily see the need for a good God to step in and takeover. We certainly pray that God bless the homeless as we drive along Main Street and see them on the sidewalks, pushing their shopping carts full of recycle and personal belongings, searching maybe for a place where they can be invisible. They already are to so many of us. It’s like Jesus said, the poor will always be among us.
Like most people, I do what I can and sometimes I feel a nudge to do more, especially when events are lined up in such a way that I’m the only person who can. That statement smacks of arrogance or conceit, but I assure you I feel neither. If anything, I feel a need to do the right thing because, but for the grace of God, there go you or I.
So, it was the other morning that I discovered that the pockets on two
T-shirts I had purchased at Walmart were sown near the armpit. I decided to exchange them for regulars and, as I was leaving where I reside, I encountered a homeless man with no shirt, seated near the sidewalk at the entrance. Without thinking, I turned onto Main Street and was about 50 yards along the street when I felt a nudge. That’s my best description
of whatever it was that compelled me to turn around and give the man the two T-shirts I had in a bag on the passenger seat.
Why me, I wondered? Why was it me who had the shirts the man with no shirt needed? Coincidence you think? Most likely. But once again I’m struck by the timing of events leading up to the moment I handed him the shirts. He was grateful and asked if I had water. I returned to my room, retrieved two bottles of ice cold water and gave them to him along with some cash. He was wearing one of the T-shirts. He thanked me then turned and walked away.
Maybe all I did was get him past the morning. I don’t think I gave him hope, which is the thing he most needed. As I watched him walk away, I sensed he has been on the streets for so long he has forgotten about hope or any other life than the one he was living. I then prayed, but not for him but for me. I asked for forgiveness for ever thinking that the life I was living was anything other than a gift . . . and I gave thanks. We all should.
So many are without the things we take for granted like water or a place to bathe . . . or go to the restroom.
THE QUEEN BEE
THE NEW STARBUCK’S hasn’t been open that long but it’s drawing a fair of the business coming off the I-15 at the eastern end of town . . . especially at its drive-thru. This particular morning I was a customer because of an interview scheduled there and I encountered a busy barista who reminded me of a Queen bee tending to her hive.
She was going from one end of the counter to the other, cleaning, sorting, and just generally putting things where they belonged and she did so with the biggest of smiles. She was happy at her work, which is not as common a sight as you might think. It was a delight to see someone who actually enjoyed their work.
When she took my order, she was still smiling which made me smile. And I thought how true it is that a smile can be infectious and even set the tone for the day that follows. She didn’t have to do any of that. I’d have gotten my coffee regardless, but the smile made a difference. Another small thing for sure but one that many of us need now more than ever. Her name is Emmy and she’s the boss.
By J.P.Garner
Auditions for the Twelfth Night
By J.P.Garner
AUDITIONS FOR SHAKESPEARE’S ROMANTIC COMEDY, Twelfth Night, were conducted in the Black Box Theater on August 12 and 13 in Barstow’s most beautiful building, the Performing Art Center at Barstow Community College.
“The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (disguised as Cesario) falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her, thinking she is a man which creates an hysterical love triangle.”
The play will be presented at the Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 8 at 7:00 pm thru Sunday, November 10 at 2:00 pm and Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 pm thru Saturday, November 16 at 7:00.
High Desert Cancer Connection
The Burrito Bros
By J.P.Garner
WE FIRST MET WHEN I WAS DOING AN ARTICLE about Billie’s Kitchen in Barstow—which was featured in an episode of America’s Best Restaurants—and he was busy chowing down on one of Billie’s specialties. His name is Alex Church and, according to him, “[We] go around Barstow and do food reviews at a lot of the mom and pop shops.” The “we” being him and the guy filming him. “People call us the Burrito Bros,” he said.
The Burrito Bros.
I had to smile. It kind of sounded like a comedy duo. You know . . . in the tradition of Cheech and Chong, or something you’d see on Saturday Night Live, except that Alex, born and raised in Barstow, is serious about his unique enterprise. “My goal,” he explains with much pride in his voice, ”is to bring a lot of positivity to Barstow. We [go to mom and pop shops] to get their best meal and present it to people so that they know there’s more to [our town] than just Burger King. There’s actually good mom and pop shops here.”
The videos of him taste-tasting the house specials of the mom and pop shop he’s promoting are featured on various Facebook pages but principally Barstow Rants and Raves. He also posts his videos at YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. And TikTok. “But now I started my own page,” he says. “It’s at Facebook and it’s called Alex Church’s Food Reviews. Go there and type in Alex Food Reviews.”
and I was surprised the audience[it got.]”
He’s been posting content video for three years but he started focusing on food reviews the end of last August and when I asked him what kind of following he has, he laughed and said, “[Well] I don’t know, but I do notice that every time I walk around [town], someone’s noticing me.”
And I when mentioned the possibility that the Burrito Bros branch out into the mom and pop shops in the High Desert, he lit up and explained that “My focus now is Barstow. [We have] such a bad name that if I could reverse it, I would do it. It’s not just food that’s good here. There’s also events that come up . . . and everybody loves food. So bringing that to the eyes of Barstow, I think, is a good start.”
A good start.
Where it will lead is anybody’s guess. That’s how it is at the beginning of dream. You start with an idea, you put in the work, and from that, good things can happen. Alex is putting in the work. “I’m posting once a week right now because life’s gotten busier. I’m still trying to keep it coming. [Right now] we’re just looking for the best breakfast in our town. But I’m hoping to do this full time eventually. The ultimate goal in the future is to keep this going.
First in Barstow . . . then, maybe, the High Desert.
When asked what inspired him to do food reviews, Alex collects his thoughts then says, “I’ve been wanting to do this since I was eighteen. But I just started three years ago. So some of the stuff that I was doing was more like, you know, not everybody was catching it. So, I wanted to do something for my town. [And] I was like, you know what? I’ll do some food reviews. And then it I did just one video
The Good Dad
IT’S BEEN SAID THAT ONE MEASURE OF A MAN, and maybe the truest, is how he treats people who can do nothing for him. In my time in the writer’s club here in the High Desert, in my seat in the back of the room at a meeting, I have often been able to observe others and adjudge their interactions as they arrive and intermingle.
As might be expected of people with a common interest, the friendship expressed between them is routinely joyful and genuine. But none stood out to me more than the kindness I saw Bob Isbill extend to everyone with whom he came in contact. His greetings were always warm, sincere, and heart-felt. There was in his expression—his smile—an acceptance that made the recipient feel like family. It could have been their first meeting, but they were instantly made to feel like one of us.
It is my memory of that which made me wonder what was the full measure of Bob Isbill that his passing has caused us to be better people. . .better friends. So that now we look to the future he envisioned to fill his absence, which is deeply felt by us all. But especially his two daughters, Alicia and Elaina. I draw from their memories of him as a father and find that their recollections are not so much a biography or a memoir, but more a tour of a life well lived and of a man who was the good Dad.
The tour begins with his love of Italian food. According to Alicia, “that was his favorite food, but he [also] cooked a lot of burgers. And then Mike Apadaca got him hooked on the frozen P.F. Chang dinners. He loved those [and] went through quite a few of those as well. [And] he made the best eggs. . .and the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever.”
The most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever would, by itself, enshrine Bob in the best Dad’s Hall of Fame, but he loved Bugs Bunny as well. You know, the cartoon character who encouraged us to try going left when nothing is going right. It seems that when he worked for Hostess, he had a quirky habit of showing up at home on Saturday mornings between 8:00 to 9:30 to watch the Bugs Bunny Roadrunner show when he was supposed to be out checking markets.
“He’d take a little nap and sometimes not but he liked Bugs because he said you only got [over on] Bugs Bunny once and [then] he was on to you and you weren’t
ever going to pull something over him twice.”
Bugs Bunny.
He came before the invention of the Big Mac, so many among us may not recall him chewing stoically on a carrot and asking, “What’s up doc?”.
But Bob’s job with Hostess also played a crucial role in feeding four pigs who the Isbill’s had in a portable pin in their yard. It was their mom’s idea that they would just move the pin around and the pigs could eat the weeds on Mountain View Acres. Bob, however, would also on occasion do the barrels of day old product from Hostess. The barrels were 33 gallon trash cans full of breads and cupcakes and Twinkies and Ho-Ho’s and their only problem was that they were a day old.
“Who cared?” Elaina says, thinking back to that time. “I was five years old and I didn’t know what day old meant. So, when they said you need to feed the pigs, I went out there and said, ‘a Twinkie for you, and a Twinkie for me. A cupcake for you, and a cupcake for me.’ It was a great gig, and I loved it. . .absolutely loved it because I had no clue what day old meant and everything tasted just fine.”
But sweets and Bob were accomplices in other crimes of the palate as well, as evidenced by the occasion he ordered a hot fudge sundae for dinner. Elaina recalls that, “My mom was not happy. She thought that was not a good example to set [but] he enjoyed it so much that when he was done, he ordered a second one.
“He didn’t make a lot of desserts or sweets but he did make peanut butter cookies. . .and they were huge. They were like five or six inches big. And the whole batch had six cookies in it. [One] cookie would last you a week. That was the only
By J.P.Garner
dessert I remember him making, but they were just the best peanut butter cookies.” Regarding Bob’s hankering for sweets, I can recall, as I’m sure many in the writer’s club can as well, how when he’d have a bus deliver him to Corky’s for our Thursday morning Roundtables, everyone else would order breakfast and he, on occasion, would order apple pie ala mode. It was so endearing to see him eat the concoction that I ordered it up one morning as well. The hot apple pie with vanilla ice cream melting over it was so damn good. And then, at the Roundtable the week after he passed away, in honor of his unique preference for breakfast, we all ordered up apple pie ala mode.
It would have been sweeter had he been there.
A man’s choice of sweets, however, is not the only thing that distinguishes him from his peers. As with any man, his actions define him, and that is no less true of Bob Isbill. Sometimes it is the smallest of things that grants us insight into a man’s character. “Bob was my stepdad,” Alicia clarified. “[But] even though [my sister and I] had a relationship with our natural father, Bob was our core parent. He was my dad. And the only time I ever referred to him as my stepdad is if I had to differentiate between him and our natural father. So Bob raised me.
“[One] of the first memories I have of him, [was] when he and my mom were dating, [and] he had gone out of town probably for a hostess cake business trip. He had stayed at a Travel Lodge. And back then, their little mascot was a sleepy bear. And he brought me one of those sleepy bears. [because] I love stuffed animals. I still have it. It’s a little tattered, you know, and pretty well-worn. But he still got the little hat and everything. So that was one of the first memories.
“And that always stuck with me,” she added as tears filled her eyes. We paused and took a deep breath before proceeding.
Unknown to his many friends, Bob was multi-lingual. He demonstrated his unique language skills one day when he and his daughters were in their car, and they drove by a turkey farm. According to Elaina, the youngest sister, Bob announced, “You know, I can talk to turkeys. When he said that, Alicia and I kind of looked at him, wide-eyed. We were three and five and going, ‘Oh, sure.’
“So he pulled the car over, got out and walked over to the fence. As he looked at the turkeys, they all just kind of stood and looked at him. All of a sudden he hollered, ‘Gobble, gobble, gobble!’ And all the turkeys. . .there were hundreds of them. . .answered back. I was like, ‘Wow! He really can’t talk to turkeys.’”
Talking to turkeys certainly gave Thanksgiving a new meaning, but it was Bob’s ability to speak simple English that saved Hostess in the High Dessert. When Hostess gave him a choice: work in Santa Ana or Victorville, he and Judi chose Victorville because they liked a small town. But once he started visiting stores in the area, he was shocked to learn that the guy he replaced had pissed off all the managers. Nobody was carrying Hostess anymore.
”He would go in and try to talk to the store managers and when he handed them his business card, they would just throw it back at him. They would see him coming and say, ‘Nope, we’re not interested in Hostess. . .get out of here,” Alicia explained.
Not one to shrink from a challenge, Bob proved to be relentless and tenacious. When he really believed in something, he was unstoppable. If he felt that something was a good idea, a good thing to do for whoever it was going to benefit, he would
not let it go. It is one of his many character traits that Alicia and Elaina so admired.
Maybe ordering a chocolate Sunday might have set a bad example about when to eat dessert—though I’d agree with Bob that is short, so eat dessert first—not giving up was the best of his examples.
In time, with patience, persistence and a positive approach, he got Hostess product back into every store plus he added others. He had an amazing knack for taking things that were failing or not thriving and turning them around. There was nothing he didn’t believe he couldn’t save. He did it for Hostess, the Toastmasters, and the Teamsters out at Fort Irwin. . .and he did it for where his heart found a home and where he could fully express his love of writing: the High Desert chapter of the California Writer’s Club.
“Growing up, he wanted to be a writer,” Alicia explains. “He was always going to write a screenplay. And he was always obsessed with movies. Even some that were like the worst movies ever. He loved going to the movies. But the thing he really interested in was screenplays. And I can remember from, oh, I don’t know, I think maybe junior high school, he would say he was going to write a screenplay. He’d say I’m going to be famous for writing a screenplay someday. And we made a deal that when he did that, he was going to buy me a Bimmer.
“So he joined the writers club. And there was only like. . .I want to say like ten members, maybe five. That’s all. And I think the writers club became something like a hobby. He could do it part time and write and it wasn’t too much away from my mom. But as with anything he saw that had a need and, like this club, was failing, he thought he could save it. He really had that type of personality.”
To stay a club, the HDCWC, which was how, later, the vanity plates on his car read, needed a minimum number of members. So the five talked their friends into joining. Then came the catering that Judi, his wife, and two daughters conducted and the membership grew. But the turning point was when the club sponsored the Howl at the Moon Writers Conference. And it just kind of took off from there
Both of Elaina’s kids were recruited. Her son writes poetry while her daughter is a fantastic writer who has been published in several anthologies and recently earned a First Place award for a short story that now appears in the Club’s Best of the Best Literary Review anthology for 2024. She was six years old when she was recruited to join the club.
The High Desert chapter that meets at the Jess Ranch Community Church the second Saturday of every month now has 106 active members who participate in
weekly Roundtables, bi-weekly critique groups, and monthly Salons and as well as publishes a monthly newsletter called The Inkslinger and here soon will publish a quarterly magazine featuring the work of its members called The Wordsmith. Sometime after Christmas, it plans to sponsor another writer’s conference.
“When Bob had an idea, and it was a good idea, he made sure he was going to do everything in his power to see that idea through. Whether he had to, you know, drive that train himself or if he could get other people on board to help out. He was very driven when he was passionate about something. He would get so excited. ‘I know,’ he’d say, ‘this is a good thing to do.’”
Not many people knew it, and those that did were surprised when they found out that Bob was legally blind. He had three different surgeries in each eye, eventually losing one and had poor vision in the other until he couldn’t drive. Still, he was very progressive for his age. Alicia says he loved to learn and that she knows people who were born in the computer era but they knew far less about computers than he did. He never let his disability stop him.
To get to the Club’s weekly Roundtable at Corky’s, he’d order up a ride on a city bus.
On one occasion, he didn’t have enough money to pay for his ride home. So, he had to cross the busy intersection at Bear Valley and Apple Valley Roads to get to a bank. Mike Apodaca volunteered to walk with him and held his hand as they crossed the streets. Mike recalls that, “I had to laugh when I wondered what the drivers in the cars were thinking when they saw two old men holding hands as they crossed the street.”
In Europe, no one cares. It’s a common scene, but here it’s funny because we’re still a young nation and unsophisticated. But holding hands, saving clubs and jobs,
and being gracious, loyal, and devout were merely glimpses into his character. Aspects of a man who was the sum of his parts. So much of what Bob Isbill was is not mentioned here for lack of space.
For this reason then, it is necessary to mention in closing some little things if you are to fashion a more complete image of Bob, like how when he was working with Hostess, he simply up and worked the routes of those drivers who were home sick and never uttered a complaint about it.
He never got mad as a boss. Or that which distinguished him genuine warmth. Can that be said of any of us? Not me for sure and it is because of it, I think, that I was drawn to him. . .and why now, as I put words to paper, I regret not having known him better.
The good people do often outlives them and that is true about Bob. His ideas, his energy, and his work ethic made people’s lives better. The vision he had for others and the confidence he felt for the many he came in contact made dreamers of us all. While the loyalty and love he felt for Judi, his wife of 51 years, was not only evidence of his faith, but the full measure of it.
And, too, it helped that, according to his daughters, he gave great hugs.
But the thing that is constant about being the best father. . .the good Dad, is that Bob Isbill had to be a good man first. The people who filled the sanctuary at his favorite church for his memorial knew that to be true about him.
He was at the Spirit River Café when he had his heart attack. He loved to go there as much as he did Juliano’s Italian Restaurant. He loved to eat out with friends. In the days following the attack, he had quadruple by-pass surgery. He started having complications ten days later. About a week before he passed, he spoke with Elaina, his youngest daughter, about dying. He sensed he was. She asked him how he felt about that and he said, “I’m okay with it. . .and I want you to be okay with it too. I know I’m not going to hell.”
Celebrating Excellence
SAVE THE DATE for the 7th Annual Black Dress Gala, hosted by Today’s Woman Foundation, on October 12, 2024. The event will honor exceptional women from the High Desert region who have demonstrated commitment to their communities through service, leadership, and resilience, inspiring others to strive for excellence. The Gala will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott, located at 9619 Mariposa Rd in Hesperia.
Each honoree has made significant contributions to community improvement through service, leadership, and mentorship of the next generation. Their resilience serves as a source of inspiration, highlighting the power of perseverance and dedication.
“We are honored to recognize nine local women who have made a profound impact on our community,” said Cindy Bostick, Executive Director. “They come from different generations and have truly inspiring stories, and we are delighted to honor their achievements. In addition to the nine honorees, we will be celebrating Diana Van Riel (2024 Legacy Recipient) and Karin Etheridge (2024 President’s Award) for their exceptional contributions.
Coleen Quinn from Y102 will emcee the Gala, which will feature live music by Daniel Morris, the incredibly talented violist. For more information about the event or to purchase a ticket, please visit Todayswomanfoundation.org or contact Todayswomanfoundation@gmail.com. Hurry, as the ballroom can only accommodate 200 guests and tickets are nearly sold out.
Today’s Woman Foundation is grateful for the generous support
of all its sponsors, and extends heartfelt thanks to the following top sponsors:
• First District Supervisor: Paul Cook (Retired)
• Desert Valley Hospital | Desert Valley Medical Center
• Choice Medical Group | Choice Physicians Network
• Providence St. Mary Medical Center
• IEHP Foundation
• Advance Disposal Co.
• Mitsubishi Cement Corporation
• ISU Armac Insurance Services
• Best Opportunities, Inc.
• Saddlerock Reverse Mortgage
Today’s Woman Foundation considers it a privilege to serve the High Desert region and honors its partnerships with many wonderful individuals and businesses.
Unlock Success:
Join Our Local Chamber of Commerce Today!
Dear Business Owner,
ARE YOU READY to take your business to new heights? Look no further than your local chamber of commerce! Here’s why becoming a member is the most brilliant move you can make:
1. Business Contacts That Matter:
• When you join a chamber, you’re not just getting a membership card but gaining access to a robust network. Imagine connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential collaborators, all with similar goals in mind. These contacts could be the missing piece to your next big breakthrough.
2. Credibility Boost:
• Belonging to a chamber instantly elevates your business. It’s like having a gold star on your storefront. Customers trust chamber members—they know you’re serious about quality, integrity, and community. It’s the equivalent of having a college degree when applying for a job.
3. Visibility That Pays Off:
• Let’s face it: In today’s digital jungle, visibility matters. Chambers actively promotes its members through various channels—online, offline, and even in the local coffee shop conversations. When
potential customers see your business associated with a chamber, they’ll be curious. Curiosity leads to foot traffic and sales.
4. Resources Galore:
• Need help navigating regulations? Looking for marketing tips? Want to attend workshops on business growth? Chambers are a step ahead, providing resources, educational sessions, and practical advice to make your life easier. Consider chambers as your business GPS.
5. Your Voice Matters:
• Ever felt like your concerns were lost in the noise? As a chamber member, your voice matters. When it comes to policies and procedural guidelines that benefit local businesses, we’re in your corner. Whether it’s zoning changes, tax incentives, or infrastructure improvements, if our membership roster doesn’t have that specialist you need - we’ll assist you in finding one. Together, we can amplify your business impact.
How to Join: Ready to seize these opportunities?
Joining the Pinon Hills Chamber is as easy as a handshake—call us at 760-868-5801, email us at INFO@PINONHILLSCHAMBER. INFO, or check out our website. Handshakes are still the best way to conduct business, and joining your local chamber is just as easy. We, as chambers, are networking to keep you connected. www.PinonHillsChamber.info
by By Cindy Bostick
Marcy’s Musings
Historical Helendale Adventure
OUR SATURDAY JUNE 15
“bonus fieldtrip” to three Helendale sites started with the ribbon cutting of the replacement “America’s Main Street Route 66” monument on National Trails Highway just south of Vista Road. Eleven MHS members welcomed eleven guests, most of whom had played a role in getting the job done, after the original 1993 version was destroyed by am errant driver a number of years ago. The monument’s plaque traces the history of the National Old Trails Road, which followed the paths of the Native Americans and wagon trains of the 1800’s, and which later became part of the Route 66 Highway, stretching across eight states from Chicago to Los Angeles.
The donors’ plaque on the reverse side recognizes the various organizations and individuals who contributed to the cause. In attendance, in addition to the MHS members, were six representatives of the Sunsetters Car Club, Ron Clark and Gail Guinn of the Helendale Community
Service District, as well as Greg Pearring of the Silver Lakes Market, and several other Helendale residents. Additional donors included the Silver Lakes Helendale Lions Club, Hi Desert Trophy and Awards, and members of the Pearring, Malone, Clark, and Dodson families.
Stop 2 took us to the 1992 Point of Rocks monument, also a joint effort of the MHS and the community of Helendale. It recognizes an important way station nearby, a stopping place for early travelers to rest and refresh. Stop 3 marked the location of the reburied 1990 100 Year Time Capsule, formerly located at Bob Older’s Palisades Ranch. The 2023 ceremony on the Elementary School grounds was a joint effort of MHS and the Helendale School District. A new plaque and surrounding fence were constructed
by MHS volunteers to mark the location of the way-in-the-future 2090 dig.
Thanks to all who attended the fieldtrip, and to those MHS and Helendale folks who collaborated to make these improvements possible. An updated monuments booklet with a map and driving directions will soon be available for anyone wishing to visit all 16 MHS monument sites.
Friends of the Apple Valley Library Stay Busy
THE HARDWORKING MEMBERS
of the Friends of the Apple Valley Library have had a busy spring and summer. The Friends bookstore is always busy, with donated gently-used books flying off the shelves faster than the volunteers can restock them, especially on Tuesdays “half-off” days. The April book sale was very successful, with all profits going towards supporting the many library activities offered. The Summer
Reading Program (SRP) was in full swing from June 3 through July 27 with thousands of youth and their parents attending to enjoy weekly entertainment and activities. The SRP ensures that plenty of reading material is available during the vacation days, so students are ready for the start of the next school session in August. This exciting and educational program is able to be offered summer after summer,
Happy Trails Funeral Parlor Ribbon
THE WELL-ATTENDED GREATER HIGH DESERT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ribbon cutting for the Happy Trails Funeral Parlor, at the Historic Apple Valley Inn Cottage #112, took place July 30th at high noon. Sitting under pop-ups on the Highway 18 side of the building, attendees could easily imagine what the Inn in its heyday might have looked like, with the pool and tennis courts in plain view. The talented Western singer, Fred Ahnert, who accompanied himself on guitar, added to the ambience with some well-known Johnny Cash, Toby Keith, Darrius Rucker, and George Straight favorites.
CEO Mark Creffield introduced proprietor Shawn LaValleur Adame, an ordained minister and licensed funeral director, as well as a death mid-wife or “doula,” who offers much appreciated services for end-
thanks to the commitment of the FAVL group of volunteers, who keep reading and education alive and well in Apple Valley.
of-life needs. Families are guided through all three stages of the dying process: before, during, and after, as they make decisions regarding the several options available for a green burial. After warm welcomes and presentations of certificates or plaques by Apple Valley Mayor Scott Nassif and representatives of various local dignitaries, the red ribbon was cut with the official large Chamber scissors. A facility tour, refreshments, and more musical entertainment followed. Although there were some initial questions about whether the Apple Valley Inn was the right location
for this type of business, any doubters have certainly changed their minds. Some eyes filled with tears as Shawn explained her role in helping families at their most vulnerable time, when dealing with the loss of a loved one. Some attendees shared personal stories, and others made appointments to ensure their family members and they themselves are prepared when their time comes. Congratulations, Shawn, and thank you for bring a much needed service to the Town of Apple Valley.
Summer Sunset Concerts in the Park
THE MOHAHVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY has for years supported the Apple Valley Historic Advisory Committee. Long-time member Fran Elgin was appointed to an early seat on the committee. More recently past VP Michelle Lovato and current President Marcy Taylor have represented us, with a number of other members attending and supporting Town of Apple Valley events. We were right there, at 7 of the 8 June and
July concerts, showcasing Apple Valley History, speaking to lots of interested attendees, and promoting upcoming events sponsored by the Town, the Apple Valley Legacy Museum, and MHS.
A big thank-you goes out to members Rick Schmidt, Meera Maheswaran, Jada Kaltenbach, Delvin Harbour, and Eric Mandeson for assisting with set-up and working the booth to continue our mission of sharing local history. You can catch us at he Concerts in the Courtyard every Thursday evening in September from 6-8:00. See you then.
“Grand Theft Auto” Draws a Big Crowd
25MOHAHVE HITORICAL SOCIETY members along with 29 guests enjoyed a beautiful desert evening on the porch of the Apple Valley Legacy Museum for our third movie night, featuring the 1977 “Grand Theft Auto.” It was exciting to watch a young Ron Howard, in his first ever movie (which he wrote, directed, and starred in) race down familiar streets and tear across the desert. Ron and his rich fiance, in her dad’s stolen Rolls Royce, somehow make it to Las Vegas, tricking and outrunning the many vehicles in pursuit, with the news helicopter overhead narrating their exciting journey.
It was not hard to recognize the Apple Valley Airport with Bell Mountain and Catholic Hill in the background, the open desert with the telltale joshua trees, and Barstow Main Street among many other locales. Did anyone count how many cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles were wrecked or blown up in that production? It’s a wonder anyone was still alive at the end, as the young lovers marry in Las Vegas to a cheering crowd at a demolition derby, while the rich dejected “fiance,” chosen by the bride’s father, kicks and cries to his mama.
A big thank-you to the many people who made this event successful: the Dynamic Dulcimers Rick, Donna, and Doug, accompanied on mandolin by Mike, for
the outstanding pre-movie entertainment; the one and only Director 4 Eric, for once again setting up the equipment and showing the movie; Jeff (and his wife Kathleen) for providing the snacks with their signature custom cookies; and MHS members Carol, Blanche, Geri, and Joe for their assistance. Lastly, thanks to the generous folks who made a donation or purchased books or collectibles to keep our nonprofits alive!
(PS: The September edition of the Muse will feature some personal stories of members’ experiences watching the filming of “Grand Theft Auto” in Apple Valley. In the meanwhile, pick up “The Boys” by Ron Howard and his younger brother Clint, and read what Ron himself has to say about filming in Apple Valley.)
NAACP Branch 1082: All Fired Up!
IT’S BEEN A BUSY LAST FEW MONTHS for NAACP Victor Valley Branch 1082, as members traveled to both Sacramento and Las Vegas to participate in events to gain knowledge and information to share with members for the greater good.
The California/Hawaii State Conference, entitled “Day at the Capitol 2024,” took place on Monday May 20. Victor Valley Branch President James Campbell and his wife Executive Committee member LaKeisha Kidd Campbell, along with Treasurer Vere Williams and Executive Committee member Ariel Latimore, attended on our behalf. It was a day for California/Hawaii representatives to let Legislators know our specific legislative goals and needs, namely: 1) SB 1403 the California Freedman Affairs Agency work on reparations, and 2) the Environmental Justice package 1824, AB 1567, and SB 867. Member Ariel Latimore stated that her biggest take-away was learning that an individual has the power to make positive changes in the community, not just on a small scale, but on a large scale. What a great networking opportunity to be able to speak with not only legislators, but many NAACP leaders from other parts of California and Hawaii.
Two months later the yearly National Convention was held in Las Vegas from July 13th through 17th. Once again Treasurer Vere Williams and Executive Committee member Ariel Latimore were in attendance, along with Executive Committee member Evelyn Glasper, and members Dr. Tasha Brown, Carl Willis, Curtis Wilson, and Kristine Wilson. The sessions focused on voting rights, the
importance of voter registration, rights to a quality education, and the treatment of black and brown students in terms of discipline, suspension, and expulsion rates. About 15-20% of attendees were young adults involved in the ACT-SO program, an acronym for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics, a major project of the NAACP. The young presenters displayed skills in the areas of art, science, technology, and other fields. Community support enables participants to pursue academic excellence and cultural pursuits. These young people are our future leaders. Member Ariel Latimore stated that she now feels more confident to better perform her role as a Youth Advisor, and is better prepared to serve the local community.
The NAACP is a Civil Rights organization that welcomes all interested citizens to join. Local general membership meetings take place the second Monday at 6:00 PM at the branch office located at 14240 St. Andrews Street in Victorville. Guests are always welcome to attend.
Upcoming Community Events
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26- Apple Valley Concerts in the Courtyard- music and history- 6-8:00
Sept. 7- Apple Valley Happy Trails Parade- 10 AM- goes west from Highway 18 and Central
Sept. 7- Street Fair and Car Show - James Woody Park following the parade 11-2:00
Sept. 14- Santa Fe Trading Co. Crafts Show - 7th Street Victorville- 10-4:00 bands, booths, food
Sept. 21-22- Hesperia Days Parade and Rodeo- Main Street to Hesperia Lakes Park - see website for details
Sept. 25- Mohahve Historical Society meeting at Lone Wolf Colony- Sid Hultquist “Desert Photography” doors open 6:30
Sept. 28- Mohahve Historical Society fieldtrip to Bartovian Fossil Beds/ Rainbow Basin- details at Sept. 25 meeting
What’s in a Name?
Monument Valley
MONUMENT VALLEY (Navajo: Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii,
meaning “valley of the rocks”) is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of sandstone buttes, with the largest reaching 1,000 ft (300 m) above the valley floor. The most famous butte formations are located in northeastern Arizona along the Utah–Arizona state line. The valley is considered sacred by the Navajo Nation, the Native American people within whose reservation it lies.
Monument Valley has been featured in many forms of media since the 1930s. Famed director John Ford used the location for a number of his Westerns. Film critic Keith Phipps wrote that “its five square miles [13 km2] have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West”.
by Jorge Leandro Rodrigues
Don’t miss out...events are fillin’
Friends of the Apple Valley Library
14901 Dale Evans Parkway Apple Valley, CA 92307
Sept 10, 2024
from 11:00 AM - 1230 PM
Speaker: Lt. Josh Conley - San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dept. Apple Valley Station
Topic: San Bernardino Sheriff’s Rodeo
. Oct 8, 2024
from 11:00 AM - 1230 PM
Speaker: Mike Apodaca - High Desert California Writer’s Club
Topic: Write the story you have always wanted to tell.
SWIM September Speakers
Sept 5 Route 66
Jim Conkle
Sept 12 Victor Valley Transit
Chris Ackerman
Sept 19 Through The Ages
Jim Osborne & Friends
Sept 26 Medicare Changes For 2025
Tammy Samuelson
Seniors With Inquiring Minds (SWIM) meets every Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in the Percy Bakker Community Center located at 9333 Avenue ”E” in Hesperia, CA 92345
WOW monthly schedule of events
Sept 7: Speaker Pat Curley Artists of the High Desert
Sept 14: Speaker Jim Schraedley of the American Legion speaking on POWS/MIAS
Sept 21: Breakfast at Denneys 10:00
Sept 28: WOW LARGE YARD SALE At Trinity Lutheran
Victorville CA 9AM
A Fond Farewell to Route 66 Mother Road Museum
ROUTE 66 HAS LOST ANOTHER GEM . On July 23, 2024, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, California, announced on their Facebook page they were closing. The museum’s webpage says that they are “closed indefinitely,” stating water repairs in another part of the building were being taken care of by the city.
Route 66 Mother Road Museum had its grand opening on July 4, 2000, celebrating the 2,448 mile long federal highway in use from 1926 until 1985. It originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica,
California. John Steinbeck, author of Grapes of Wrath, coined the the phrase, “The Mother Road” in 1936. Our gratitude to Deb and Ken Hodkin for many years running the museum and giving so much pleasure about Route 66 to countless visitors.
In a recent chat with Deb, she explained to us that the building where the museum was housed is owned by Barstow. After another flood occurred, she and Ken felt it best to distribute the contents to other area museums while they could before something worse happened. Deb and Ken have volunteered at the Route 66 Museum for 24 years and retirement was beckoning. Deb expressed there was some misinformation making its rounds in
By Jaylyn And John Earl www.thedesertway.com
gossip circles but in the end it was just as simple as that.
Jaylyn enjoyed visiting with an old friend at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum.
The museum had been open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and ran solely by volunteers. Visitors, both local and world-wide alike, dropped into the museum located at 681 N. First Avenue. Deb and Ken greeted visitors and answered questions ranging from Route 66 history, 100 Things to Do Within 100 Miles of Barstow with a free flyer, to local eateries, nearby museums, and favorite businesses. The museum even offered a free Daggett Historical Society Driving Tour and map, a four-page Auto Tour of Route 66-Victorville to Barstow, which are still graciously available for free to the public on the museum’s website.
A familiar red 1964 convertible Mustang on display was just one of several vehicles inside the museum recalling fanciful trips tourists made on Route 66. It belonged to Jim Bengal. The car was a favorite as many visitors remininsced about the early years on the Mother Road. There was also a 1915 Model-T on display in the museum which was owned by local Lawrence Dale. Vistors from around the globe enjoyed visiting the unique and interesting museum with its well-stocked bookstore and gift shop featuring all things Route 66-related, which became a destination in itself. Over the years we bought some great Route 66 books, shirts, aprons and bags to add to our ever-growing collection.
The Harvey House, originally known as the Casa del Desierto hotel and train depot, was built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and is located next door to the former Route 66 Mother Road Museum. The City of Barstow acquired the station in the 1990s.The official starched black and white uniform required for the young female servers was displayed at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum.
According to the second edition of Mojave Desert Dictionary (Schoffstall, 2014), Fred Harvey’s Santa Fe operations began in 1876 when he purchased the Lunch Stand and Eating House at Leavenworth, Kansas. Eventually he operated a chain of 84 hotels, restaurants and newstands at the larger Santa Fe Railroad depots until the 1950s. This included a Harvey House in Needles, another in Barstow, and a lunch room in Bagdad, 8 miles west-northwest of Amboy.
Deb and Ken said they will miss all the wonderful people they’ve met at the museum and gotten to know over the years. Many visitors made regular pilgrimages to visit the museum whenever they were in town. Deb and Ken took great delight when foreign vistors returned and it was always the highlight of their day.
The 2006 movie ‘Cars’ produced by Pixar was inspired by a cross-country trip on Route 66. Cars is set in a world populated entirely by anthropomorphic
Jaylyn enjoyed visiting with an old friend at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum.
Interesting displays awaited visitors around every corner in the large museum. The switchboard was the first one to be used on Barstow’s Main Street and was saved by the Zeliff family.
vehicles starring a race car named Lightning McQueen on the way to the most important race of his life and the cast of car characters he meets on the way.
One of the motorcycles on display at the museum was actually a compilation of many motorcycle parts beginning in 1946. The museum also featured a vintage Barstow Police Department trike, which belonged to the City.
World War II memorbilia served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices the local military made for our country. Barstow was a major stop on Route 66. Fort Irwin and the Marine Corps Logistics Base, home to the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, are the two closest military bases to Barstow.
Cowboy icons Roy Rogers and Dale Evans lived in Apple Valley and owned the Double R Bar Ranch in Oro Grande. Apple Valley Legacy Museum features a robust collection about their lives and careers.
Lavella owned most of the photo boards and they have since gone to the Mojave River Valley Musem at the top of Barstow Road and Virgina Way.
As the old saying goes, nothing lasts forever. The seasons in our lives may change but we must not let our history become a distant memory, one that is only pulled out of the shadowy recesses of our minds every now and then like a cheap card trick, for it is the essential fabric that binds us to each other. We owe it to our future generations to preserve our history and share it in interesting and interactive ways to understand how our communities developed and what heights they can aspire to.
We urge you to visit your local museums, discover new ones, share them with others, immerse yourself in learning more and to support museums in any capacity you can muster. It truly takes a village. The loss of even one museum is one too many. Just as importantly, explore Route 66 and all it imbues! Deb and Ken, you have our deepest appreciation for your loyalty to community, selflessness of commitment, and generosity of spirit at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum for nearly two and a half decades. We wish you a happy retirement and godspeed. The closure of the Route 66 Mother Road Museum is not the only thing in Barstow that has recently changed. The nearby First Street Bridge, built of steel and timber, has been replaced by a safer structure parallel to the old bridge during construction. The original bridge was deemed structurally deficient in its superstructure, substructure, and the overall structural evaluation in 2018. It was closed for nearly a month in 2022 for emergency repairs. Groundbreaking for the new $85 million dollar project began in January 2023. And to address the elephant in the room, Deb confirmed the building of the new bridge played no role in the closing of the museum.
On one of our many trips to the Route 66 Mother Road Museum we took a photo of the original First Avenue Bridge, also known as the Barstow Viaduct, built in April 1930 for the price of $158,000. It was later modified in 1943. The City of Barstow opened the historic bridge to pedestrians on July 10, 2024, for a symbolic walk. Demolition was slated to take place in late July 2024, despite protests from local historians.
Project managers said the new bridge is essential for those traveling to and from BNSF’s $1.5 billion master-planned rail hub known as the Barstow International Gateway. “The 4,500-acre BNSF site on the west side of the city will house a rail yard, an intermodal hub, and warehouses for transloading cargo from domestic and foreign containers,” the Victorville Daily Press reported. BNSF said its new rail hub would create 20,000 new jobs.
Several other museums we recommend are located in the Barstow area, namely the Western America Railroad Museum adjacent to the Harvey House, the NASA Goldstone Visitor Center located upstairs in the Harvey House, Mojave River Valley Museum, the Desert Discovery Center, and Daggett Museum. NOTE: The Desert Discovery Museum, operated by the Bureau of Land Management, has been closed since the pandemic in 2020. Daggett Museum is currently closed due to lack of air conditioning. Please contact all museums ahead of your visit for their current hours of operation.
Calico Days
CALICO DAYS, one of the biggest annual events at Calico Ghost Town, is coming September 28 and 29. The two days of festivities begin at 9:00 AM and last until 5:00 PM. On both days there are fun-filled activities, games, and music all day. The main difference between Saturday and Sunday is the Miner’s Triathlon contest is on Saturday and the Burro Run is on Sunday. Both are great fun to either participate in or to watch. The only obvious choice is to attend both days.
If you like music, there will be music all day from various locations around town. The groups include Mojave County Band, Lilies of the West, Blue Henry’s, The Mockingbirds, Orange Town Revival, The Blacksmith Boys, and the High D Boys. If you want to make your own sweet music, The Billhillyz will be giving interactive music lessons with the washboard or you can sign up for the Sing for a Pie contest. If you like games, well, they have games. They have games and contests to appeal to all ages. Some contests have contestant limits so be sure and stop in at the park office to sign up early. Saturday’s Triathlon has, of course, three events. Rock Pull is a timed contest to see who can move a boulder the farthest in the allotted time. Muck Raking, also timed, is filling an ore cart with gravel. The final event is Cliffhanger. It should be “Cliff Faller.” Two contestants, each balancing on a piece of wood, each holding one end of a thick rope, try to pull the other contestant off while trying to stay in place.
Sunday’s Burro Run is a must see. The contestants are drawn lottery style. Each contestant runs to a burro to begin. They place a simulated ore sack on the burro and lead it through a long course around the town. They stop at check points along the way. The first team back wins. The burros are not always cooperative. The Burro Run is closely monitored to ensure there is no mistreatment of the burros.
The other contests are generally less demanding. They include horseshoe pitch, egg toss, bubble gum bubble blowing, egg and spoon race, pie eating, bucket brigade, frying pan toss, and a guess how many silver coins in a jar. A costume contest is held to honor those visitors that come to Calico in period correct attire, as well as a beard and mustache contest.
Demonstrations of quick draw, blacksmithing, arrowhead making, and others take place throughout the day. The Calico Mountain Volunteers perform several times each day, putting their generally humorous spin on the murder and mayhem of the Wild West shootout. Other offerings include Victorian Magic, 1880s school house demonstration, and a living history show by the Victorian Muse Theater.
Of course, all of the shops will be open as well as the premium attractions such as the Calico Odessa train ride through the
By John Wease
silver mine and the Mystery Shack. If you are hungry, the Calico House Restaurant is a charming restaurant that serves great food at reasonable prices. For lighter fare, Lil’s Saloon has pizza and cold drinks. Lil’s Saloon is located in one of the few surviving original Calico buildings. Originally it was Doctor Rhea’s pharmacy. Made over as an Old West saloon, you can’t help but feel you are stepping back in time as you walk through the swinging doors. The faces of the Old West characters, famous and infamous, lining the walls over a display of period correct firearms, will be watching you as you belly up to the bar.
Another must see historical site is the Lucy Lane Museum. Lucy moved to Calico as a young girl in the 1880s. She married John Lane and they owned Lane’s General Store. Lucy lived most of her life there. The Lanes were unofficial tour guides and were at times the only residents left in Calico. Their house, now a museum, gives us a look at life in Calico.
Calico Ghost Town is a San Bernardino County Regional Park. It is located at 33900 Ghost Town Road. Camping and off-road trails are also available. Annual passes make it more affordable for frequent visitors. Calico was an important part of our local history. It is a refreshingly restful site. It is a nice place to step back to simpler times, out of our hectic modern day lives.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
The dedicated team at Sol Radiology provides a comprehensive range of cuttingedge diagnostic imaging services that include diagnostic CT scans, PET/CT scan, Mammograms & 3D Mammos along with Xrays and Ultrasound.
When asked why Dr Megha Gupta, Director of Women’s Imaging and Intervention chose to focus on Breast Imaging as her profession you could feel the passion as she shared the story of when she was a young girl “A family member knew something was wrong but was misdiagnosed several times She ended up having breast cancer and the process was delayed I knew then that I wanted to go into this profession so that other families can get the correct information in a timely manner Every moment counts when being diagnosed with cancer I am proud to say that our family member is doing well and is a breast cancer survivor! At Sol Radiology, we provide same day accurate diagnosis to the provider so that patients do not have to wait for their results “
Radiology reports will be generated and sent electronically to the ordering physician immediately following a dictation. This significantly decreases turn-around time of reports.
Relaxed, Patient-Friendly & Comforting Environment
Sol Radiology is gearing up for the month of October when Breast Cancer Awareness Month is encouraging everyone to schedule their annual mammogram Be sure to join their online mailing list to be informed of upcoming events.
With state-of-the-art technology and Radiologists that review the images quickly and efficiently, mixed with a friendly staff and beautiful surroundings It is an experience like no other!
Did you know that there is a local nonprofit that helps those that are battling cancer? High Desert Cancer Connecttion has 3 locations throughout the High Desert that provide wigs, chemo blankets, etc , & support groups, local resources HDCancerConnection com
A large facility reducing waiting times with 2 locations!
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Megha Gupta, MD & Director of Women’s Imaging