Here are a few of the people and events reported in the month of November over the past 40 years in Canyon Lake.
40 Years Ago
In November 1974, Canyon Lake was 9 years old and Riverside County’s premier gated private community. An “All in the Family Ski Show” was planned and carried out by the Harry Harriman family, with silk-screened decals that said “Water Ski Tournament ‘74” provided to participants to give official-appearing authorization. The hosting Harriman family was pictured in the Lighthouse Magazine with Rose holding granddaughter Melissa, Harry, Steve and daughters Elizabeth and Norma Anita.
Ernie’s Mexican-American restaurant was a popular dining destination next to the Canyon Lake Motel on Railroad Canyon Rd. It later became “Pepe’s” and was eventually purchased by Marty Gibson, who took over the management.
The East Port Villas held its “pre-grand opening” ceremonies for the community’s newest waterfront condominiums. “Lakefront Living from $33,900” was the headline in the development company’s advertisements. Meanwhile, Treasure Island homes were offered and limited to 36 owners, with seven already sold, with prices starting at $66,000 and 30 years financing. Thanksgiving at the Lodge was planned with “turkeys served at your table” offered and reservations recommended.
35 Years Ago
By November 1979, real estate had taken off, and one could purchase a three-bedroom waterfront home “in excellent condition” for $136,000 or a brand-new custom quality home across from Emerald Cove with docks and water view for $169,000. Or, if you wanted to build your own new home, you could purchase a lot on Gulf Stream Dr. with a 50-ft. waterfront view for $53,900.
Volunteers placed blue reflectors on Canyon Lake streets opposite fire hydrants so that firemen would be able to easily see their locations. However, residents soon found that someone had stolen several and wanted to warn residents to be on the lookout for the vandals.
Local optometrist Dr. Richard Blowers advised Canyon Lakers that he had opened a second office in Perris.
Thursday evenings at the Lodge featured special menus including “German Night,” “Mexican Night” and “Italian Night” with appropriate themed dinners scheduled.
The new Roadrunners Park was under development, and tree-planting was a major project maintaining the beauty of local streets.
The Woman’s Club boasted that its annual “Wheeling and Dealing” Swap Meet was the “best ever,” and reported that $432 was earned and would be put to good use in the club’s many charitable projects in the community.
The 10th anniversary of “Happy Camp” was observed with the replacement of new fireboxes.
The Travel Club attended a Santa Ana dinner theater and enjoyed Neil Simon’s “California Suite.”
Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., the Twirlers Square Dancers met at the Lodge. Local postmaster and past Lions Club president Bob O’Donnell was the featured speaker at the local and very active service club.
30 Years Ago
The Canyon Lake Community Church announced plans in November 1984 to undertake an expansion that would increase the size of its sanctuary from one that could seat 200 people to one that could accommodate 1,200 worshipers.
The local cable company, King Videocable, began televising POA Board meetings and selected local events on Channel 3.
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner was offered at the Lodge for $7.95.
A French Mediterranean-style waterfront home with boathouse and dock could be purchased for $295,000.
Moonstone Beach was one of seven sites studied by the POA Board of Directors for improvements, including boat docking facilities, restrooms, a sand volleyball court, a parking lot and picnic spaces.
25 Years Ago
In November 1989, a feasibility study to investigate possible incorporation of the City of Canyon Lake was under review by the Property Owners Association following release of a report conducted by the firm of Christensen and Wallace. A cityhood election was proposed that would launch the new City on July 1, 1990.
The POA named Howard Ziff and Vick Knight as coordinators of a petition drive to get at least 25 percent of the community’s registered voters to approve the concept of incorporation to get the measure on the ballot.
As of November 1, 1989, Canyon Lake was 77.5 percent built, with 3,379 residences, of which 2,380 were owner-occupied. There were 67 spec homes and 1,107 vacant lots and 19 homes under construction.
The possibility of “year-round schools” was discussed because of the rapid growth of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District.
New aluminum rental docks with 52 slips were installed at the Lodge. In that month, the POA Board approved a proposal that the vehicles of property owners entering Canyon Lake would have some kind of identification in the lower lefthand corner of the windshield. For others, the Rolodex system for guest privileges was retained.
20 Years Ago
In November 1994, City Council candidates for the two positions open included Cora Sue Barrett, Loren Linville, Thomas Nagle, Sandra Robertson, Al Trembly and Glen Vining, while John Carroll and Ben Wicke were running to replace retiring Chuck Bryant on the EVMWD Board of Directors. Also on the local ballot was the issue of bringing a casino to the city.
According to City Clerk Kathy Bennett, 70 percent of the community’s registered voters turned out at the polls. Cora Sue Barrett and Bill Trembly were elected to serve on the Council. Ben Wicke joined the water district board, and the gambling measure was defeated by a three to one margin.
Canyon Lake was 82 percent built with 3,774 residences, of which 2,708 were owner-occupied, while vacant lots numbered 987.
A November 4, 1994 article in The Friday Flyer featured Mike Kidd's fully restored 19-foot 1960 wooden Chris Craft speedboat. Mike credited his wife Marga and kids Landon, Lacey and Lauren for helping him put in hundreds of hours getting their "twin cockpit runabout" ready. He was planning to put it in Canyon Lake's annual Boat Parade.
Golfer Brenda Adams was featured in her second career as a certified club maker: manufacturing, assembling and repairing golf clubs. Her business was known as "Canyon Lake Golf Masters."
Mary Van Dyke was crowned Homecoming Queen at Riverside Christian School, while the local Temescal Canyon High School varsity football team was chosen by the California Interscholastic Federation to participate in the post-season championship game.
The Allstate Insurance Softball team won its third straight championship in the Canyon Lake Men's Softball League.
Canyon Lake Community Theatre held its first murder mystery dinner, "W.H.O. Dunnit," providing an evening of intrigue, dining, dancing and vintage entertainment. The group also hosted a Talent Show at the Lodge with 11 acts making the final cut. Among those acts was one that had been popular at Fiesta Day: "The Three Elvises," performed by Brian Hoffman, Eric Myre and Tim Marman.
Irene Eckhoff was quite the angler in November 1994 when she caught one 29-pound, four 14-pound and two 12-pound catfish over a two-week period.
Canyon Lakers were invited to celebrate the City's 4th birthday and completion of the Railroad Canyon Rd. Improvement Project. "Our City's residents have endured the long process as our road has undergone its renovation," said City Clerk Kathy Bennett. The sound wall and landscaping were next on the agenda.
15 Years Ago
Although 1999’s Halloween was safe for local trick-or-treaters, the community experienced cases of arson and a traffic accident, while numerous accounts of malicious vandalism were reported. The Friday Flyer moved into new quarters as Golding Publications expanded its offices.
The annual “Race for the Cure” for breast cancer awareness attracted a large number of Canyon Lake participants.
Local, state and federal dignitaries were on hand as the City and POA celebrated the grand opening of their new adjacent facilities in the Towne Center. The Postmaster General’s office notified the City that funds had been allocated in the 2000 budget to build a new Post Office in Canyon Lake. When and where was to be determined at a later date following public hearings, which never occurred.
Residents had the opportunity to purchase souvenir stones from the fireplace in the Fireside Room of the soon-to-be-replaced Lodge as the local landmark was being demolished in readiness for the long-anticipated new structure.
A total of 1,060 largemouth bass were added to the lake to the delight of local fishing enthusiasts.
10 Years Ago
A record number of Canyon Lakers went to the polls to take part in the country’s national election. Local residents also had the opportunity to choose three members of the City Council: John Zaitz, Frank Kessler and Carl Armbrust.
Traffic calming devices were mounted atop signal poles to display drivers’ speeds, reminding them to slow down and encouraging speed limit awareness.
The Woman’s Club sponsored its annual Swap Meet in the Towne Center. The event included a “midway” for the younger set, complete with games for kids, as well as food booths selling breakfast burritos, tri-tip sandwiches and other barbecued dishes.
The Equestrian Club got a head start on the holiday season when the group sponsored a popular Play Day at the Equestrian Center.
For Canyon Lake senior football players Myles Eden, Ricky Youngquist, Chris Davis, Steve Mesner, Jared Zinda, Sean McElwain and Ricky Welshiemer, – aka "The Sensational Seven" – Friday night, November12, was not only a time to celebrate their seniority and their parents’ support over the years, but it was also a time to celebrate an accomplishment never achieved in Titan varsity football history – a perfect 10-0 season. By the end of November, they were 12-0.
Despite warm rays of the sun, which normally helps kill bacteria, Canyon Lake had been closed for many days. Runoff from heavy storms the month before caused two dangerous bugs – e. coli and enterococcus – to flow into the waterways here. Subsequently, the POA closed the Lake to all body contact. The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District was attempting to pinpoint where the dangerous bacteria was coming from.
Canyon Lakers were among the thousands of Southwest County residents who woke up to snow November 21. Early risers who went outside to pick up their newspapers were surprised to see their driveways dusted with fluffy white snowflakes. Neighbors began calling one another and meeting in the streets to build snowmen and to slip and slide on their lawns – not to mention the snowball fights that occurred.
The POA invited families to save the date for the 6th annual Snow Day at Holiday Harbor, when they planned to bring in 30 tons of snow for sledding fun.
Once again, Ellen Kellett was hard at work cleaning and sprucing up gently used stuffed animals, dolls and puppets to give to a number of local charities. Before Christmas she received donations for this ministry from Canyon Lakers.
On Thanksgiving weekend, hydrofoil pro Tony Klarich celebrated his 40th birthday by skiing 40 miles around the lake on at least 40 different items –from normal water toys to slightly more unusual gear like snow skis, a snowboard and a ladder. Adding to the 40 miles on 40 different devices were 400 maneuvers; hence the name of the event: “40-40-400.”
Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed the following movies in November 2004: "Ray," "The Incredibles," "Polar Express," "After the Sunset" and "National Treasure."
5 Years Ago
In November 2009, Operations crews collected more than 14 tons of dead fish in what was believed to have been the largest fish kill in Canyon Lake history, according to EVMWD board member and Canyon Lake resident Ben Wicke.
At the POA Board meeting, moving forward on items he had brought before the Board at past meetings, Secretary David Johnston asked the Board to approve Requests for Quotation (RFQ) on five items: redesign of Campground, redesign of Indian Beach (to add a playground), Roadrunner Park restroom, shade trees at the Equestrian Center and an automatic gate system. The only items to receive approval at that meeting were the Roadrunner Park restroom and Equestrian Center shade trees.
Because the plans and City approvals for a restroom at Roadrunner Park had been completed and it was ready to go out to bid, Directors voted 5-0 to approve a Request for Quotation on construction of a restroom at Roadrunner Park. (As of 2014, it hasn't been built.) Directors at that time were President Randy Bonner, Vice-President Michelle Gordon, Secretary David Johnston, Treasurer Steve Salazar and Director Guy Kestell.
In other POA news, Directors were giving members 30 days to comment on a non-binding advisory vote on a proposed Setback Vehicle Storage Rule. The proposed rule would prohibit the parking of RVs, trailers, boats, etc. in the portion of the Community Setback 4 ft. from the back of the curb.
A “settlement agreement and mutual release” was announced in the case of Mark Bolanos vs. the CLPOA, the City of Canyon Lake, the EVMWD and Allied Security.
A Veterans Day celebration in front of City Hall was a somber reminder of those who have lost their lives while serving their country. An estimated crowd of 350 people paid tribute to the ideals of freedom and democracy defended by active and former military personnel from all branches of the military. Major Thomas Innocenti III flew one of three historic T34 Heritage Foundation planes above the Veterans Day festivities.
“Turkey Day” arrived early in Canyon Lake as residents brought frozen turkeys to City Hall to give HOPE to those less fortunate in the 2009 holidays.
A group of quilters that calls itself the “Quilters Dozen Plus One” responded to an article in The Friday Flyer inviting needle workers to knit or crochet hats and scarves for Operation Gratitude, which was sending them to troops stationed overseas in cold areas.
Canyon Lake Community Theatre presented the kids’ musical, “Dear Edwina,” with Edwina Spoonapple (Tisha Romero and Sierra Stack) giving plenty of advice on manners, money, making friends and more.
Residents living in the area of Longhorn Dr. were able to invite their guests to Thanksgiving without a construction vehicle or pipe trench in sight, thanks to EVMWD’s Waterline Replacement Project finally being completed.
In November 2009, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed "This Is It," "A Christmas Carol," "2012" and "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."
1 Year Ago
In November 2013, improvements on the Golf Course were a possibility in the coming 18 months, with replacement of the aging irrigation system and reduction of the amount of water needed to water the course. Reducing areas of grass and putting in drought-tolerant plants was expected to reduce water use by 30 to 40 percent. The Association hired a golf course architect and an irrigation consultant, and was conducting interviews for a landscape architect.
Voters turned down Measures D and E. A total of 2,240 votes were cast for Measure D "Canyon Lake Special Tax Fund." Of those, 1,101 voted “Yes” and 1,139 voted "No." It would have taken two-thirds of those voting – or 1,493 “Yes” votes – to pass Measure D, a measure that would have raised taxes $204 or more per year to fund fire services and the operation of Station 60 in Canyon Lake for five years.
At the City's Public Safety Committee meeting, the Police Report was submitted by Lt. Earl Quinata, the replacement for Lt. Paul Bennet. Quinata came to Canyon Lake with 22 years experience with San Diego Harbor Police and Riverside Sheriffs.
The 5th annual Veterans Day Ceremony honored veterans of the Korean War , featuring special speakers Jim Lippen and Paul LeGrice.
Richard Messer, one of Canyon Lake's "wounded warriors" from the Viet Nam War, put together a golf tournament fundraiser to support wounded service members through the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
The Canyon Lake City Council recognized the dedicated Riverside County Family Services Association volunteers for making a difference in the lives of many Canyon Lake residents by providing them proper nutrition through its “More than a Meal” program (Meals on Wheels) for 11 years. Those recognized for volunteering the entire 11 years were Maxine Whalen, Alice Ramirez, Lorrie Cobb, Bobbie Gamble, Rose Marie Hand, Bonnie Harlow, Linda Johnson, Sheila Henderson, Barbara Horrigan, Linda Kamashian, Carol Newsom, Donna Nunes, Marilyn Serdinsky and Dorothy Washley.
It was announced in a November article that, for the first time ever, Canyon Lake water skiers qualified to compete in a collegiate championship at the national level. Steven Brooks (Arizona State) and Erik Larson (UCLA) competed in the 35th annual National Collegiate Water Ski Championships at Imperial Lakes, California.
The Temescal Canyon High School Girls Golf Team went undefeated in the Sunbelt League with a record of 10 wins and zero losses.
The Men's Golf Club announced the winner of the 2013 Player of the Year Award was Tom Faia.
The Fine Arts Guild's fall concert featured world-renowned piano entertainer Linda Gentille and her "Great Balls of Fire, Legends of Piano." Mickey and Daryl France's 1965 Ford Falcon Futura convertible was the Car Club's Car of the Month.
"Small Business Saturday" and the Towne Center Tree-Lighting event were held the same day last year on November 30. The event included carriage rides with Santa, a gingerbread house contest and chorale and dance performances.
In November 2013, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed "The Counselor," "Ender's Game," "Thor: The Dark World," "12 Years a Slave" and "Hunger Games: Catching Fire."