Here's a look at what was happening in the month of June over the last 40 years in Canyon Lake.
40 Years Ago
In 1974, Canyon Lake was six years young, and still growing. Richard Nixon resigned as president, Mao launched his Cultural Revolution, heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army and inflation was determined to be 13.9 percent. “Jaws” by Peter Benchley topped the bestseller list, but no sharks were observed off Indian Beach.
Jim Cross was president of the Property Owners Association, and Smith Falconer, Jr. was general manager. Exclusive condominium homes on Treasure Island were offered for $62,750.
Ruthe Lee reported that the Home Owners Cub was considering filing a formal complaint with the Public Utilities Commission regarding the Edison Company’s rates for those living in an all-electric community.
After a worship service held at the Lodge, residents were invited to the Fireside Room to view a model of the new Canyon Lake Community Church being built on Railroad Canyon Rd.
35 Years Ago
In June 1979, Canyon Lake Lighthouse Magazine Editor Dorothy Southern asked residents to answer the question: "Do you think the gas shortage will affect Canyon Lake, and how? In the magazine's "Candid Corner," three out of four residents who answered felt it would affect Canyon Lake positively because, as one said, "It will increase the use of the recreation areas out here because we're so close to the city, and probably increase real estate sales."
The Canyon Lake Yacht Club held its inaugural open house, hosted by Commodore Sammy Lewis; 70 people were in attendance. Members were told they soon would receive their sailing flag with Canyon Lake logo and membership cards.
One could still buy a vacant lot on Pintail for $8,800, a three-bedroom, two-bath home on Early Round for $79,500 and a waterfront residence with dock on Big River for $160,000.
POA General Manager Floyd Fidler was in the hospital, recovering from a heart attack. Bill Reitzell was Home Owners Club president and the POA Board was composed of Mildred Browning, Bill Cozad, Emmett O’Donnell, Ben Price and Gerald Zahrte.
Featured in the June issue of the Lighthouse Magazine were pictures taken in the Lodge Fireside Room of the Woman’s Club musical, “Nostalgia Time.” The event included an elegant dinner and entertainment by local residents.
Having the newest Canyon Lake amenity named “Gault Field” honored Bill Gault, who was instrumental in convincing the Association to build a new baseball field. (Pictures of the April 29 dedication weren't printed until June.)
Fred Dalby, Campground manager, announced that he had received many compliments on the improved conditions at the facility.
Pat Ness, president of the Lioness Cub, reported that the group was planning to publish a cookbook and wanted to have local residents provide recipes to be included.
30 Years Ago
In June 1984, Jim Cashman, Mary Johnson, John Giardinelli, Robert Rackstraw and Ike Runner were the Property Owners Association Board members.
The Presidents Council spearheaded a fund-raising drive to collect the estimated $4,000 to cover the expenses of the 4th of July Fireworks Display. It was suggested that the Lodge and Sunset Beach would be the best places to view the spectacular show.
With the coming of summer and warm weather, more than 20 snakes were encountered by Canyon Lakers during the month, according to local herpetologist Lance Buchanan, who picked them up and removed them to a more hospitable environment.
A fencing project was approved by the Property Owners Association that would secure the Fairway Estates and a portion of the Golf Course at the east side of Railroad Canyon Rd.
The Dirty Dozen women’s softball team announced a summer schedule that would start the new season as defending league champions.
The Jr. Women’s Club announced that they raised $5,235 to be contributed to various Canyon Lake clubs and projects from recent Chili Cook-off proceeds.
Home Owners Club President John Feiger reported that Chuck Bryant of the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District would be the speaker at their monthly meeting and would respond to questions about the Lake, sewage treatment plant and possible rate increases.
The Men’s and Women’s Golf Clubs co-sponsored a golf tournament to benefit the Canyon Lake Public Library.
A 17-year-old Wilmington boy drowned near the East Bay Ski Jump, located outside the fenced area where the general public can gain entry from Greenwald Street – an area over which the Marine Patrol had no jurisdiction.
The Lodge announced new hours, with the lounge offering live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dinners were served Wednesdays through Sundays with a Sunday Brunch special menu.
25 Years Ago
In 1989, the active Home Owners Club sponsored a community forum dealing with the “Big One,” a long-anticipated earthquake that could impact Southern California.
Local parents were up in arms over school board plans to change attendance boundaries.
The Jr. Women’s Club presented the Presidents Council with a check for $17,147, the profits from its 8th annual Chili Cook-Off.
According to Myron “Mike” Davis, the chairman of the Presidents’ Council, $3,650 was collected to help underwrite the annual 4th of July Fireworks Display off Skipper’s Island.
The POA settled its lawsuit with the insurer over expenses involving a case with a former Canyon Lake businessman.
A resident attempting to leave the Golf Clubhouse on a left turn was broadsided by another vehicle and suffered major injuries. This resulted in the decision to build a median. (A signal at the Country Club entrance wasn't installed until 2012.)
A grand re-opening of the Canyon Lake Fitness Center was scheduled for July with major re-fitting almost completed. The Canyon Lake Sr. Men’s Slo-Pitch Softball team sponsored by Canyon Lake Appliances was a trophy winner in the league.
A preliminary study dealing with the pros and cons of Canyon Lake incorporating into a city was being studied.
20 Years Ago
By 1994, Canyon Lake was 26 years old. Auditions were being held at Indian Beach for Canyon Lake Community Theatre's production of “Peter Pan.” Earlier summer, CLCT's Pat Train and Vick Knight, the "Wizard” in the group’s first production of “The Wizard of Oz,” were grand marshals at the Fiesta Day celebration.
A free electric shuttle bus was in operation that summer thanks to the Riverside Transit Agency, the City of Canyon Lake and the Southern California Edison Company. This made it easier for young people to get from one amenity to another, as well as to the Towne Center, during their summer vacation.
As of June 7, Canyon Lake was 81 percent built, with 10 new homes approved in 1994, and 17 new homes under construction. Of the 3,767 total residences, 2,684 were owner-occupied, 487 leased and another 43 rented on a month-to-month basis. Weekenders numbered 481 and there were 721 spec homes. There were 999 vacant lots in the gated community.
The POA’s past president, Lori Ziegler, passed her gavel to newly elected president John Zaitz in a televised ceremony.
The City Council asked Canyon Lakers to submit designs for a monument sign that would welcome people to the city at its western boundary on Railroad Canyon Rd.
Wells Fargo, the company that provided community patrol services in Canyon Lake, was considering a junior Lake patrol for teens 14 and up that would work with Marine Patrol in maintaining safety on the Lake.
Canyon Lake hosted a Chautauqua at which historical figures Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frances Wright discussed their lives and works during the 1800s. The event was held at Indian Beach and was co-sponsored by the Community Theatre and the Inland Empire Educational Foundation Humanities Coalition.
Five-year-old Brent Miller was bitten by a brown recluse spider and acted as a warning to fellow Canyon Lakers of the painful condition caused by the arachnid.
15 years ago
In June 1999, Canyon Lake Community Theatre held auditions for its fall production of “Annie.” Co-director Leslie Vecchione said she was looking for a large cast of kids of all ages, 4 years old and up.
Lions Club President John McNamara and Flag Day Chair Henry Perez presented U.S. flags to 650 students at Railroad Canyon Elementary School during patriotic assemblies coordinated by GATE teacher Glenda Haas. Lionesses Frances Cota, Marge Eannucci and Lucy Perez helped with the presentation.
The Women’s Golf Club held a special “Rally for the Cure” tournament and made $1,615 to donate to breast cancer research. Members of the Bosom Buddies aided them at the registration table.
Clubs were rallying to provide funding for the community’s new Youth Center, which was due to open in August. Kids were being asked to let the Recreation Department know what kind of activities should be offered there.
An article in The Friday Flyer said that 27-year-old Supercross legend Jeremy McGrath had sold his waterfront home on Emperor Dr. after obtaining his sixth Supercross title in seven year earlier in the spring.
On a Tuesday morning, Canyon Lake Police responded to a call concerning a suspicious object near Blue Bird Hall and found a pipe bomb in a newspaper kiosk. Traffic was diverted while the Sheriff's Hazardous Devices Team removed the device without incident.
The June 25, 1999 issue of The Friday Flyer provided a full page of information called "The Lodge Perspective," containing pictures of floor plans created by GKK, Inc. for building the new Lodge. The Facilities Planning Committee reviewed the floor plans and made them available to the pubic for review earlier in the month. Members of the FPC were Rich Croson, Mavis Schaffner, Tony Boyd and Jack Wamsley. Board liaisons were Marty Gibson and John McNamara. Staff liaisons were Clint Warrell and Paul Johnson. Design subcommittee members were Mavis Schaffner, Tammy Kennedy, Dave Madden and Audrey Barrows.
A sign went up on a building in the Towne Center declaring it the future home of the POA administration. The 9,100 sq. ft. facility was expected to be ready for occupancy in August.
10 years ago
In 2004, the community was informed that the long-anticipated dredging project in the East Bay was to begin “soon.”
Jillian Haney, the youngest child of Canyon Lake’s Steve and Bev Haney, was honored as Temescal Canyon High School’s “Female Student of the Year” and one of several valedictorians, including her Canyon Lake classmates Cali Johnson and Jeremy Rice.
The new Senior Center by the Main Gate was unveiled, and the Property Owners Association and the Emergency Preparedness Committee scheduled a “Babysitting Class” for Bluebird Hall.
Auditions were held for participation in the next production of Canyon Lake Community Theatre’s production of “Sound of Music.”
Allegations of special treatment requested by a Board member for swimming pool access caused numerous “Letters to the Editor” to be written.
POA Directors were studying the possibility of establishing a dog park within the community. Carlee Blakemore and Trenton Paddock were named the top two graduates of Elsinore Middle School and presented with the coveted Cass Award, named after one of the Elsinore District’s early administrators.
As of June 7, 2004, there were 4,300 total residences in Canyon Lake. Of these, 3,401 were owner-occupied, 453 leased and 45 rented on a month-to-month basis. In addition, there were 317 weekend homes and 84 spec homes. There were 54 homes under construction and only 408 lots remained vacant.
5 Years Ago
Members of the CLPOA Board in June 2009 were Randy Bonner, Michelle Gordon, Steve Salazar, David Johnston and Guy Kestell.
Canyon Lake residents were told that the East Gate would be closed to all traffic, with the exception of emergency vehicles, for two weeks beginning June 15, so that International Pavement Solutions (IPS) could remove and replace the entire roadway, as well as the concrete at the East Gate guard shack.
EVMWD approved a design contract with Albert Webb and Associates for the replacement of approximately 7,200 linear feet of old waterline on Longhorn Dr. from Appaloosa Ct. to Vacation Dr.
New Hope Community Church received approval from the City Council to relocate the church and all of its existing programs, including Hope Learning Academy, to the Towne Center. It took over the building that had previously housed Curves, and before Curves, Calvary Chapel of Canyon Lake.
The Women's Golf Club congratulated two of its players, Mary Leathley and Marion Ewing, for getting holes-in-one on hole 15 on two separate days.
Canyon Lake anglers Jack Wamsley, John Sullivan, Howard Berkowitz, Robb Smith, Leroy Madera, Neil Wagerley and Gene Jones took their 11th annual fishing trip to the Fern Creek Lodge in June Lake.
The band "Kulayd" provided entertainment for the Fine Arts Guild's annual picnic and dance at Holiday Harbor.
Steven Brooks competed in the U.S. Waterski Team Trials in Florida and earned one of four available spots on the U.S. team.
Gault Field was awash in colorful booths and inflatable jumpers as Canyon Lake Little League hosted its annual closing day ceremonies and carnival. Girls Softball completed its first successful season.
Debby Gagnon's Honda Accord was stolen from the parking lot in front of Pack Wrap and Post, but was recovered undamaged one week later in the parking lot of the Menifee Valley Athletic Club in Menifee.
In a hearing in the City Multi-purpose Room, a hearing officer found that the show, “Seduction: Exotic Men of Magic,” staged at Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant earlier that year, did not violate City municipal code and dismissed the administrative citation issued against owner Marty Gibson, ordering the City to refund $300 in fines paid by him to the City.
Street Carts of Canyon Lake held its annual Poker Run, raising funds to benefit Lauren Couden-Morrison, the ill daughter of one of the members. The Poker Run was the first official event to be hosted at the newly re-opened Indian Beach.
Graduating seniors who were featured in The Friday Flyer's "Spotlight on Seniors" were Althea Wagoner, Trevor Heglund, Matt Rhoads, Erika Czach, David Hemm, Kalie Reams, Don Dennert, Aubrey Zenteno, Daniel Basubas, Brooke Hanson and Ava Shih.
The Department of Fish and Game partnered with the CLPOA, City of Canyon Lake and EVMWD to provide a training clinic for detecting the dreaded quagga mussels on boats coming from outside waterways.
The Friday Flyer's Reel People reviewed the following movies in June 2009: "Up," "The Hangover," "The Taking of Pelham 123" and 'The Proposal."
1 Year Ago
Members of the CLPOA Board in June 2013 were Dawn Haggerty, Bruce Yarbrough, Eric A. Spitzer, George Middle and David Eilers. Bryan Knechtel, CPA, was hired as the new controller for the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association.
Big changes were proposed for the Main Gate entrance to the community and residents were invited to get involved in the discussion by attending a meeting of the Facilities Review Committee. Steve Libring, a 32-year traffic engineer and chair of the Facilities Review Committee, presented a preliminary proposal to demolish the current guard shack and create three inbound lanes and two outbound lanes at the Main Gate.
The City Council voted to delay the decision regarding the possible closure of Fire Station 60 until the November election. At that time, a measure would be on the ballot for a special public safety tax to fund the operation of Canyon Lake Fire Station 60.
Southern California Edison began a five-week major road project on June 17 at Big Tee.
Members of the Canyon Lake Car Club brought home a number of awards from the "Rods & Rails" car and motorcycle show on June 8, at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris. As a group, the club picked up the "Club Participation Award." Dave and Judy Deboe's 1960 Chevrolet Corvette was chosen as the Car Club's June Car of the Month.
Hope Suhr, owner of Hope’s Chest Co., a bra and lingerie boutique in the Towne Center, was selected to receive the Small Business Administration’s 2013 Region IX Women in Business Champion of the Year Award.
For the second year in a row, Lenox Custom Plumbing was champion of the Canyon Lake Men's Softball League.
The Art Association held its annual "Art at the Lake" show at the Lodge.
The team of Shannon Perkins and Greg Hackett won the annual Bassmasters Member Guest Tournament with a five-fish limit of 22.10 pounds.
Graduating seniors who were featured in The Friday Flyer's "Spotlight on Seniors" were Sean Larson, Evan Hieter, Yash Pandey,
It was announced that Hunter Newlin, a freshman at Temescal Canyon High School, had won the Sunbelt League High School Championship by shooting a 71 (one under) at PGA West, beating the other league golfers by six strokes. He went on to the CIF finals; then advanced to the Southern California regional finals before missing the cut to continue in the playoffs. He was one of only three freshmen to make the state regional finals.
Hunter was awarded the Temescal Titans' MVP award, along with a scholar-athlete award for straight A's. He also won the championship flight of the Canyon Lake City Championship.
The winner over field of the Women's Golf Senior Championship was Inga Loy. The Super Senior Champion was Carla Cords. Janet Marquardt won the women's flight of the Family Golf President's Cup.
Dwayne Fuhrman, owner of Canyon Lake Storage at Summerwood Landing, once again made available aerial photographs of Canyon Lake that he paid to have done by a professional aerial photographer.
The Terry Williams Band was the featured performer in the Art Association's annual picnic and dance at Holiday Harbor.
Reanea Maslach sent a picture of a mother barn owl and her two babies on the chimney of her house on San Joaquin Dr. West.
Mike Shroyer of Good Time Entertainment invited everyone to bring glow lights for "Glow Light Dancing" prior to the start of the fireworks show on the 4th of July.
The Friday Flyer's Reel People reviewed the following movies in June 2013: "Now You See Me," "After Earth," "Man of Steel" and "World War Z."