Here's a look at what was happening in the month of August over the last 40 years in Canyon Lake.
40 Years Ago
In August 1974, Canyon Lake was six years old. A "Hollywood Style" western barbecue was featured at the Lodge Pool and attended by a large group of local residents and their guests.
With a community church still in the planning stages, worship services were held on Sundays in the Lodge Fireside Room. The Corona Land Company donated a vacant lot off Railroad Canyon Rd. for an anticipated sanctuary, and pledges and donations to a building fund had reached $15,000. Among those serving on the church board were Don Martin, Rae Simonson, Jerry Lee, Marlene Lord and Elaine Sanderson.
Greg Hedrick, then a 17-year-old senior at Perris Union High School, was featured in the Lighthouse Magazine as a “young man who could do a lot toward the betterment of Canyon Lake.”
A grand opening of Eastport “luxury waterfront villas” was advertised with “lakefront living from $33,900.” At the same time, Treasure Island Condominium Homes in Canyon Lake were under construction with prices starting at $66,000 with 30-year financing. View Lot 679, Tract 3861 on Longhorn Dr., was offered for sale at $6,500 including house plans, and Lot 314, Tract 3178 could be purchased for $15,900.
35 Years Ago
The Property Owners Association welcomed Jack McLean as acting general manager following Floyd Fidler’s resignation for medical reasons. Floyd had served in that capacity for four years. A fundraising drive was under way to underwrite the cost of a basketball court at Eastport.
POA President Ben Price announced the assessment for members would remain at $350 for the 1980-1981 Fiscal Year and that the Board was actively pursuing a solution to the “new but ailing” card entry system.
Home Owners Club President Bill Haas reminded residents his group would be working with the Roadrunners Club to install blue buttons on local streets to help identify the location of fire hydrants.
Gabe Hrab was introduced to members as the new golf professional. His wife was expected to help with the Pro Shop.
Values and costs were both growing in the private community, as was evidenced by a “three bedroom, two bath, waterfront home with a beautiful view down Silver Cove” listed at $139,000, and another home that would permit one to “walk to the Lodge from this beautiful home, including furniture and a power boat” for $105,000.
The POA was planning to host a Fall Variety Festival at the Lodge to help raise funds for the local Volunteer Fire Department. The event was to feature a musical entitled “Nostalgia Time,” presented by members of the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club. Admission was $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.
30 Years Ago
In August of 1984, the POA sponsored a Summer Day Camp with all kinds of activities around the Lodge, the Equestrian Center and the Golf Course.
The annual POA Luau was a popular end-of-summer activity with dining under the stars in a beautiful Pool setting, feasting on tasty Hawaiian roast pork and being entertained by the music and movements of Polynesian dancers.
POA General Manager Bill Stewart announced a new data processing program was to be installed so that Community Patrol could screen requests for guest entry with a single telephone call instead of multiple calls to all gates.
Plans were under way to deal with the traffic problems at the Main Gate where those wishing to leave Railroad Canyon Rd. and turn left into Canyon Lake Dr. South without a traffic light could be able proceed safety.
A property owners group calling itself the South Shore Marina filed plans to develop the parcel known as Lot 78 on Village Way Dr. (now Holiday Harbor) into four single family lots and several commercial lots.
In 1984, member annual assessments were $450. The POA was increasingly concerned over escalating costs of the Lake Lease with Temescal Water Company.
A project to secure the Fairway Estates was completed and involved installing wrought iron fencing between the mobile home portion of Canyon Lake and the Golf Course, Towne Center and Railroad Canyon Rd.
Property owners and guests were pleased to learn that the Canyon Lake Campground’s restroom facilities were completely refurbished and new showers, plumbing and toilets had been installed.
Many Canyon Lakers traveled to Elsinore and were seen cheering the Olympic Torch as it continued down Mission Trail towards San Diego; this once-in-a-lifetime event preceded the highly successful Los Angeles Olympic Games held later at the Coliseum.
25 Years Ago
In 1989, a newly reactivated Neighborhood Watch program was credited with a major drop in the gated community’s crimes and car theft incidents. Long-time employee Mark Hartman was promoted to the new role of Food and Beverage Manager at the Lodge. Mark was a graduate of New York’s Culinary Institute of America.
Members were asked to submit items for a “Wish List” being assembled for future improvements for the use of the Long Range Planning Committee.
The recently formed Cotillion Club, under the direction of Margene Ziff and DeeDee Davis, attracted many local youngsters to the classes featuring dancing, etiquette and manners.
The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District struck a deal with the owners of the Temescal Water Company to purchase the 102-year-old firm and its assets, including the Canyon Lake reservoir. EVMWD Director Chuck Bryant, a Canyon Lake resident, hailed this purchase.
The POA was reviewing a report dealing with the feasibility of a possible incorporation of the private community as the City of Canyon Lake.
The realignment of Railroad Canyon Rd. was included in plans for development of the proposed Audie Murphy Ranch east of Canyon Lake and this brought about the possible need of a traffic signal at the East Gate.
With the 1990 Census coming up soon, Canyon Lake’s Howard Ziff got his exercise taking part in a field study conducted in neighborhoods throughout the nation. Pre-planning for Canyon Lake’s fourth annual Oktoberfest sponsored by the active Home Owners Club was under way.
As of August 1, 1989, Canyon Lake was 76 percent built. Of the 3,340 total residences, 2,348 were owner-occupied, 359 leased, and 103 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 340 weekend homes and 60 spec houses. Vacant lots numbered 1,123. There were, at that time, 208 new homes under construction.
Young water skier Rhoni Barton put Canyon Lake on the map when she took the gold medal at the National Water-Skiing Championships in Louisiana.
20 Years Ago
The focus of many of the community events taking place in August 1994 was raising funds for the Steve Kundrath family. Steve, 35, had recently been diagnosed with rapidly spreading tongue cancer. The community rallied around his family in a big way with plans for a dinner-dance and auction. Prizes flooded in for the auction. Other fundraisers were a golf tournament, basketball tournament, rummage sale and bake sale.
The Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band, stationed at El Toro, accepted the Home Owners Club invitation to play in the annual fall concert at Indian Beach.
Tara Miller sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at a Storm baseball game in Lake Elsinore. The annual Kids Fishing Derby, hosted once again by the Anglers Club, attracted a record number of young fishing fans.
The City Council was approached by a firm interested in the possibility of building what was described as “the Canyon Lake Resort and Entertainment Center” with legalized gambling on land owned by Don and Elinor Martin, west of the Golf Course. Council members decided to get the opinion of voters with an advisory ballot measure. They indicated that, "given the limited economic options available to Canyon Lake, its elected officials have the public obligation and responsibility to consider any possibility for improving the long-term financial viability of the City."
The Canyon Lake Police Department and Fire Company 60 got a new water rescue boat. At the time of purchase, Fire Company 60 had 15 volunteers and was recruiting for more.
POA General Manager Bill Hallman reported that an overwhelming number of members did not want to have the Rolodex entry system reinstated.
Elinor’s restaurant at the Lodge planned a Sunday night steak cookout for families on the patio featuring a New York steak dinner for $8.95, with kids paying $4.50. Meanwhile, the Country Club planned to serve a hamburger, potato salad and baked beans for $5 per person, plus tax.
City Clerk Kathy Bennett reported that five Canyon Lakers had filed to run for the City Council and four others had picked up papers at City Hall. Thomas Nagle, Cora Sue Barrett, Steven Graff, Sandra Robertson and incumbent Albert “Bill” Trembly officially filed for the two seats available and Helen Scott, Mark Weaver, Glen Vining and John Carroll had also drawn papers.
Local thespians were rehearsing for a production of “Peter Pan” at Indian Beach.
The high temperature in Canyon Lake for the week of August 10 was a sizzling 116 degrees!
The POA Board established a Youth Action Council to help coordinate young residents’ activities.
15 Years Ago
The big news in 1999 was the plans for replacement of the current 30-year-old Lodge with a “crown jewel” of a new facility that was proposed by the Facilities Planning Committee. Rich Croson, chair of the committee, said his group “was given the job of designing a Lodge within a certain budget to meet the current and future needs of the community.” The POA Board reported that a special election had been set for September for a vote by members whether or not to continue to follow the committee’s plans for a new facility.
As of August 1, there were 3,978 residences in Canyon Lake. Of these, 3,105 were owner-occupied, 418 leased and another 24 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 277 weekend homes, 150 spec homes and 57 homes under construction. Vacant lots numbered 717 at the time.
A new pool at the Lodge was another community improvement project under consideration by the POA Board. A 75-ft by 25-ft facility was being investigated.
A bomb scare in March and a serious accident on Railroad Canyon Rd. in July caused traffic to be re-routed through Canyon Lake’s private streets. The POA was to look into a policy to deal with such emergencies in the future.
The annual Jr. Golf Tournament was another success in bringing the gated community’s young golfers an opportunity to learn their links skills.
Tickets for “Annie,” the fall production of the Canyon Lake Community Theatre, were selling well at the box office.
For the 18th year, the Canyon Lake Home Owners Club sponsored a military Concert Under the Stars at Indian Beach. In 1989, the concert featured the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band stationed at the Miramar base. The annual event was coordinated by Cathy Zaitz and once again featured the massive United States flag provided by Carl‘s Jr. restaurants.
Ian Trapp and Imre Weil were the youngest and oldest competitors in the Western Regional Waterski Championships held at Helena, Montana.
10 Years Ago
In August 2004, newly elected Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone was to address the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce at its monthly luncheon at the City Multi-purpose Room.
As of August 3, there were 3,422 owner-occupied residences here. In addition, there were 426 leased homes and 47 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 333 weekend homes and 82 spec houses. There were also 53 homes under construction and only 399 lots remained vacant.
Marlena Randall won the major role of Maria in the Canyon Lake Community Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
Local residents were told that they should prepare for a waiting period of at least two years that Railroad Canyon Rd. might be under construction and delays would be inevitable. A new fire station and shopping center were in the future plans.
Jessica Simpson, the prior year’s winner at the annual Scholarship Pageant sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, crowned Kristen Zaitz Miss Canyon Lake.
The Governor was expected to sign a law that would exempt Canyon Lake’s swimmers and boaters from a law prohibiting bodily contact in drinking water reservoirs.
A spectacular lightning storm caused many Canyon Lakers to send their pictures of the event to The Friday Flyer.
As school resumed after the summer vacation, traffic once again became heavy at the gated community’s entries. Some 800 Canyon Lakers and their guests were present at the end-of-season Taco Tuesday event at the Lodge.
With all the military bands deployed, the Home Owners Club signed The Valley Winds for the 1994 Concert Under the Stars.
5 Years Ago
Throughout the month of August 2009, stories of loss, cleanup and survival filled the pages of The Friday Flyer as owners and merchants in the Towne Center building destroyed by fire on July 17 told their stories.
In his report at the POA Board of Directors meeting, President Randy Bonner talked about the fire and expressed condolences for the store owners, merchants, employees and customers. He also expressed appreciation to the Fire Departments, Police, EVMWD and the City and POA staffs. In addition to Bonner, Directors at the time were Vice-President Michelle Gordon, Secretary David Johnston, Treasurer Steve Salazar and Director Guy Kestell.
A $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the fire that occurred at the Lake House on July 18. Riverside County Fire investigators determined arson as the cause of that fire, reported at 4:44 a.m., just one day after a major fire leveled the Towne Center building that housed a total of nine businesses, including another bar, the Sports Stop.
Rumors were circulating that the cause of the first fire, which began in the Sports Stop, was the work of an arsonist. The rumor had not been denied or confirmed by CalFire investigators. Some merchants were saying insurance representatives told them an accelerant allegedly found at the Sports Stop may have indicated arson.
The Public Works Committee held a meeting to present the plan to widen Railroad Canyon Rd. from four lanes to six lanes. Attendees were told it wasn't likely they would see a six-lane highway cutting through the community anytime in the near future, but the reality of a super thoroughfare between I-15 and I-215 was only a matter of time and funding. City officials wanted Canyon Lake’s portion of the project to be “shovel-ready” in the event funding became available.
For the second time in as many months, Canyon Lake’s business people faced down the Canyon Lake City Council regarding a controversial modification to an ordinance that would require individuals working as independent contractors, specifically Realtors, to file for a business license.
The annual Canyon Lake Junior Golf Clinic was held August 3 to 7, with 186 kids participating. Fifty volunteers helped with the clinic, which was led by Golf Pro Dave Lindeman and his staff, Ian Nelson, Sean McCaffery and Jerry Hefferon.
Cliff Miller, patriarch of the multi-talented Miller family (Debbie, Tara and Brent), was in ICU following a motorcycle accident in San Diego.
Canyon Lake wakeboarder Jacob Valdez took 1st place in the junior boys division of the Vans Triple Crown National Championship in Indianapolis.
Forty-eight Canyon Lake Travel Club members and guests toured central California on a “Waves to Vines” trip.
Ninety-two Canyon Lakers escaped the Canyon Lake heat and went on a golf outing to Pismo Beach, California. The outing was organized by Joe Kamashian and Fran Pothier.
The City of Canyon Lake, along with the Canyon Lake Fire Department, approved the installation of lettered signs in locations around the lake to serve as identification markers during an emergency.
The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District approved the Longhorn Dr. Waterline Replacement Project, designed to replace 7,200 ft. of existing waterlines under Longhorn Dr., from Vacation Dr. to just south of Appaloosa Ct.
Guaranty Bank in the Towne Center (and elsewhere) got a new name when it was taken over by BBVA Compass. BBVA stands for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, the second largest bank in Spain, which acquired Compass in February 2007.
The military band concert at Indian Beach lived up to the hype of being a beloved community tradition since 1982, with an estimated 500 community members in attendance to hear the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band of Twentynine Palms.
On July 20, Americans celebrated the 40th anniversary of the day astronauts from Apollo 11 walked on the moon. Canyon Lake resident Velta Nichols watched the news coverage of the anniversary with great interest, recalling the part she played in that historic event as one of only two women to be involved in the Apollo manufacturing program at North American Rockwell.
Fisherman Greg Ferris and his 4-pound test line were both tested by a 12-pound Koi carp when he hooked it at Diamond Point Park. It took an hour and five minutes to reel it in. After weighing, the big “goldfish” was returned to the Lake.
Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed the following movies in August 2009: "Aliens in the Attic," "Julie and Julia," "District 9" and 'Inglourious Basterds.'
1 Year Ago
At its August 2009 meeting, the Canyon Lake City Council voted to put a Fire Safety Special Tax measure on the November ballot, with Mayor Mary Craton explaining that, because of the economic recession and increased fire costs, the City no longer had enough revenue to cover fire expenses without using all of the City's reserves. The special tax was expected to generate $1,340,287 annually for five years.
Also for the November ballot, City Council planned to seek a popular vote to advise them of community sentiment regarding grading Goetz Hill for retail development.
The Falls Fire began August 5 about five miles west of Lake Elsinore in the Cleveland National Forest. The closure of Ortega Highway was expected to affect commuters for several weeks.
The 27th annual Kids Fishing Derby was deemed a "whopper of a success." Austin Moreno and Jenna Lane won the biggest overall weight for boys and girls.
Other community events held in August were the Jr. Women's Club's "Summer Splash" and the Fitness and Triathlon Club's "Pedal and Paddle Regatta."
The Equestrian Center was the site of two Horse Camps conducted by trainer Kathleen Elliott. Residents were invited to schedule a "pet reading” with animal communicator Lydia Hiby when she visited the Equestrian Center.
Because of her 1st place standing in the Valley Junior Golf Association (VJGA), Canyon Lake junior golfer Baylee Barckley was invited to play in the Veritas World Junior Tournament, where she shot 74, 74, 74 on the par 72 course to win 1st place in her division.
Members of the Car Club won awards at two car shows during August last year. Bringing home trophies from the Big Bear Fun Run were the Meeks and Kathy Smith. The Delias won a trophy at the Wheels and Windmills Car Show in Solvang.
In the Women's Golf Club Couples Eclectic, Julie and Tom Faia were overall Gross winner and Lou and John DeYoung were overall Net winner. In the Men's Golf Club Senior Championship, the winners were Dick Messer, Frank Brown and Bruce Wallace.
A group of water skiers began meeting informally every Wednesday in the North Ski Area to learn several show ski skills. Ted Schiafone, a former professional show skier with Cypress Gardens and Sea World of Florida provided the instructional support.
The Property Owners Association welcomed Lynda Shoemaker as the new Activities Manager.
At the Library, Sandra Brautigam became the new librarian, and children were invited to practice reading out loud to a therapy dog in a program called "Pawsome Reading.
Residents learned about the "echoes of Railroad Canyon's gold mining past" in an article about Paul and Kathi Price. The couple had a large collection of early California mining equipment and artifacts on display at the San Diego International Airport. The display was called "Myths of the West," and contained many items found in the nearby Good Hope gold mine.
Late in the month, Canyon Lakers were awakened at about 4:30 a.m. to the sights and sounds of a freak lightning storm and rain shower.
Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed the following movies in August 2013: "The Wolverine," "2 Guns," "Elysium," "Lee Daniels' The Butler" and "Jobs."