Here are a few of the people and events reported in the month of March over the past 40 years in Canyon Lake.
40 Years Ago
The Canyon Lake Lighthouse Magazine was published monthly in Wildomar and edited by Zalia Dawson. The March 1975 issue featured an article by Chuck Bishop dealing with the native population of rabbits, some of whose descendants still populate the community, he said
Among those mentioned in several stories were early property owners including Vernon Gingrich, Marilyn Cozad, Hal Skinner, Dorothy Herendich, Don and Elinor Martin and Glen Foster. According to the Readers’ Digest-sized ads, one could purchase a waterfront lot in 1975 for $13,500, a Golf Course lot on Early Round for $12,500 and a two-bedroom condo on Treasure Island for $63,500.
35 Years Ago
In March 1980, Dorothy Southern, publisher of the Lighthouse Magazine, reported that Ben Price was the POA president and Bill Haas chaired the Home Owners Club. Among those advertising in the Lighthouse Magazine were Dr. Richard T. Blowers, Billy L. Maxwell and Emilio’s Italian Restaurant.
Extensive rain damage caused closure of both causeways as well as the lake to all traffic due to extremely high water levels. Five feet of water flowed over the dam, and four fairways of the Golf Course were significantly eroded.
The new Canyon Lake Library, a storefront in the Towne Center, was set to open on March 15, with the sponsoring Woman’s Club committee, headed by Virginia Householder, planning a reception with donations of books and money requested of residents.
Family films were being screened by Canyon Lake Community Church on Monday evenings at the Lodge, and Miss Canyon Lake Lorie Moore was on hand to greet those in attendance.
The Jr. Women’s Club held its first meeting. A 15-cent postage machine was installed at the Main Gate for residents’ convenience, and the County Board of Supervisors approved the expenditure of $180,000 to construct a low-flow crossing on Railroad Canyon Road at Salt Creek.
A three-bedroom, two-bath home near Indian Beach was available to rent for $375 a month. A “good size lot with water access and easy terms” was listed for $24,900, and a Main Lake waterfront home with five bedrooms and two fireplaces was advertised for $340,000. A “spacious 2,500 sq. ft. home overlooking three fairways” was being offered at $169,000
30 Years Ago
In March 1985, there were 153 homes under construction, bringing the total number of developed lots to 2,270, a story in the Canyon Lake Community News revealed.
Myron “Mike” Davis was president of the Home Owners Club and Bill Stewart was POA General Manager.
A major issue under consideration by property owners was the status of approximately 800 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property adjacent to the community’s borders. Congressman Al McCandless was urged to take the matter up with the federal authorities and Secretary of the Interior James Watt.
Tickets for the 4th annual Chili Cook-off were on sale, and Rob Caveney of the Men’s Golf Club asked that children be advised of the perils of playing on the Golf Course. Jim Medford announced that the Lions Club still had tickets for the Ramona Pageant, and the POA announced that it was time for those wishing to be candidates for the Board of Directors to file notices of intention to run.
“The Barber of Seville” was to be presented at Indian Beach to benefit the Canyon Lake Library, the first such local event according to Harry Glover, the opera’s coordinator.
The “Support our Signal” fund-raising effort to construct a traffic light at the Main Gate was ongoing, and Channel 3’s King Video announced a new series of informative programming for the area.
Residents of the community were about to have their telephone number prefixes changed from 679 to 244.
A new 1,500 square foot library was to be built in the Towne Center to replace the 720 square foot space it had occupied since opening in 1980, according to Bea Peterson.
25 Years Ago
In March 1990, the big news was still the pending closure of Railroad Canyon Rd. for an anticipated six months to provide for the widening of the thoroughfare from two to four lanes.
POA Directors Jack Wamsley and Bill Shelb hosted a tour of Riverside County’s newest incorporated city by members of the County’s LAFCO group.
The Home Owners Club planned to sponsor a special dinner-theater presentation of “Mark Twain Tonight” at the Lodge featuring Lake Elsinore resident Jack Fry, licensed by the University of California’s Bancroft Library to perform this one-man show.
Children and unlicensed drivers of golf carts on the community’s streets was a matter of concern to officials. Landscape violations topped citations by ACC inspectors. Canyon Lake’s new unified trash contract with Canyon Lake Disposal was predicted to limit traffic on the community’s private streets.
There were 3,456 residences in Canyon Lake and, of these, 2,415 were owner-occupied, 354 leased and 108 rented on a month-to-month basis. In addition, there were 482 weekend homes, 99 spec homes and 166 houses under construction. Improvements on the new community docks at the Lodge continued with keys to be distributed to each property owner renting one of the slips.
Ed Fair, Warren Kelsey, Kathleen Rogers, Bill Shelb, Jack Wamsley and Lori Ziegler took out papers to run for the POA Board of Directors. EVMWD director Chuck Bryant explained the new monthly billing procedures of the local water board, and the Home Owners Club’s beautification committee arranged to landscape POA property at the corner of Vacation and Lighthouse.
New license plate frames bearing the motto “Canyon Lake: a Bit of Paradise” were displayed by Tom Wysocki and were made available to local residents.
20 Years Ago
In March 1995, it was announced the EVMWD would begin a $6,500,000 improvement project to renovate the Canyon Lake dam, increasing the spillway from 193 feet to 375 feet.
POA President John Zaitz led the attempt to thwart the plans of local motorcycle owners to fight the CC&R amendment to ban the use of their motorcycles in the gated community.
The POA entered into a contract with America Tang, Inc. for the development of Holiday Harbor Park. The Board also approved the conceptual plans for Outrigger Park.
A mountain lion was sighted near the water tank off Railroad Canyon Rd.
Local resident and Nazi death camp survivor Imre Weil returned to Buchenwald to attend a 50-year reunion of the American liberation of that German concentration camp.
The POA Board raised the annual assessment of property owners by $6 per month, making annual payments $1,212. As of March 3, 1995, Canyon Lake was 82 percent built, with 20 homes under construction. Of the 3,781 total residences, 2,707 were owner-occupied, 484 leased and 31 rented on a month-to-month basis. Weekend homes numbered 462 and spec homes 93 with 974 vacant lots.
General Manager Bill Hallman marked the end of his first year as the POA’s professional leader. City Manager Jeff Butzlaff announced the plan to complete construction of sound attenuation barriers (block walls) to replace the chain link fences on Railroad Canyon Rd.
A new menu was announced for Elinor’s at the Lodge with corned beef and cabbage planned for St. Patrick’s Day.
Kelli Collins, Shari Jernigan, Gabrielle McColgan, Leann Martinez and Lisa Dacki were candidates for the coveted title of “Miss Canyon Lake.” In the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event, Shari Jernigan was crowned Miss Canyon Lake, Michelle Weimer Miss Teen Canyon Lake, Kristen Zaitz Jr. Miss Canyon Lake, and Caitlin Vecchione Wee Miss Canyon Lake.
The Canyon Lake Lions Club observed its 20th anniversary as a local service club.
In club news, Cotillion was getting ready for the Mad Hatter Ball. The CARS Club had a St. Patrick's Day breakfast cookout at Indian Beach. The Twirlers hosted a "Green Things Dance." The newly-formed RV Club had taken trips to the Rose Parade, Quartzite and the Indian Date Festival. In Women's Golf, Joyce Westwood was named President's Cup Champion.
Five residents announced their candidacy for service as members of the POA Board of Directors; they were Tim Chizo, Bob Krause, Peter Mortensen, John Zaitz and Lori Ziegler. Association members eagerly awaited the results of the March 31 election to add the prohibition of motorcycles to the community’s CC&Rs.
High wind speeds caused damage to trees and homes in Canyon Lake.
Local educator Gale Bjelland was honored by the Los Angeles Music Center’s Art Education Division for her leadership in arts education with the Lake Elsinore Unified School District.
Many Canyon Lakers were involved with Temescal Canyon High School's fundraising event, "Great Cow Plop," designed to raise funds for the school's first Grad Night.
It was announced the theme for Fiesta Day would be "Clowning Around."
15 Years Ago
In March 2000, a team of 21 workers began the task of collecting information for the 2000 Federal Census.
The Canyon Lake Library turned a new page as the local facility, first operated by the Woman’s Club, opened its new and expanded facility in the City Hall building.
Despite rains buffeting the community and filling the Lake, construction on the new Lodge continued on schedule.
A special POA election was planned to vote on the acquisition of 44 acres purchased from Don and Elinor Martin by a group of local residents wishing to convert the parcel to a new storage facility to be known as “Mobey’s Landing.”
Plans were underway to solicit items for a time capsule to be buried at City Hall during a scheduled Masonic event the following month.
As of March 1, there were 4,005 residences in Canyon Lake with 3,191 owner-occupied, 398 leased and 16 rented on a month-to-month basis.
The breast cancer support group known as “Bosom Buddies” offered discounted or free mammograms to those who were uninsured or short of the cash needed to pay for these life-saving tests.
A production of the musical “Grease” was to be preformed at Temescal Canyon School featuring a number of local young thespians. Krystal Norris, a TCHS junior, won the Lions Club’s annual public speaking contest.
Eight residents announced their intention to run for the two positions up for election on the POA Board; they were Carl Armbrust, Gilbert Mascarro, Suzie Kessler, Ellen Innocenti, Lyman Lee, David Johnston, John McNamara and Joseph Kruse.
The Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce moved to a new location in the Towne Center and announced that Lee Clark, a former Commissioner for the City of West Covina, would take over as Chamber coordinator.
Lake Chevrolet and Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant were completing plans for “Sport of Speed IV” to be held in front of the restaurant, featuring NHRA dragsters, funny cars and custom vehicles.
The POA Board entered into an agreement to design and construct restrooms at the Lodge swimming pool.
10 Years Ago
In March 2005, both the Fire Department and the POA Operations Department were kept busy during rainstorms, responding to hundreds of calls from frantic residents concerned about backyard landslides, flooded lower stories and water seeping up through concrete slabs and driveways because of saturated soil. Between the two agencies, as many as 1,000 sandbags were distributed.
Canyon Lake Friends of the Library were planning a reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the community’s library.
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District announced that the long-awaited Continental Lift Station project would break ground the following month. The estimated 15-month long project would construct a new lift station adjacent to the park at Indian Beach.
Five candidates were in the running for three seats on the POA Board of Directors: Jordan Ehrenkranz, Kreg McCoy, John Reid, Bill Trembly and Robyn Valdez.
A “Heart to Heart” fundraiser held in memory of Hollie and Kirsty Stanyon was a great success thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and many people in the community who wanted to support the Stanyon family after their second daughter, Hollie, died in a car accident in January. Her donated organs benefitted 40 people.
Water sports enthusiasts lost no time getting on the lake when it reopened in mid-March. Some of the credit for getting the lake open to skiers and boaters, at least in the North Ski Area, went to Al Van Beenen and Bruce Yarbrough, who hauled logs and debris out of the storm-swollen water.
Four residents participating in the Ski Club’s “Sun and Snow Day,” which began with water skiing in Canyon Lake and concluded with snow skiing in Big Bear, were involved in a plane crash on their way home Sunday. Dee Johnson, his son Caleb, and teen friends Brandon Barrett and Cameron Stout walked away from the crash with minor injuries.
The annual Easter Egg Hunt and Carnival was co-sponsored by the Jr. Women’s Club and the Men’s Golf Club.
With water still flowing into an already swollen Lake and rain anticipated, the EVMWD opened the floodgates at noon Friday, March 18, and left them open until the following morning at 10.
Reconstruction of the Lamb’s Fellowship facility was well underway. The congregation had almost finished building in 2003 when, on July 3 of that year, a fire broke out and razed the church facility, along with more than 400 acres of hillsides.
The most winning season ever for Titan Boys Basketball came to a close in a CIF Southern Section Division 1A semifinal match-up at Saddleback College against Aliso Niguel High School.
It was announced the theme for Fiesta Day would be "Hands Across America."
In March 2005, The Friday Flyer's Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed "Cursed," "The Pacifier," "Be Cool," "Hostage" and "Robots."
5 Years Ago
In March 2010, residents were urged to participate in the National Census.
On March 1, General Manager Clint Warrell tendered his resignation. Clint had been the GM since 1996 and had served as Operations Manager before that.
After almost two years of delays, construction to finish “new” Newport Rd. was set to begin, according to County Construction Engineer Mike Call.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Ronald Taylor determined there was enough evidence to send Susanne Kessler, wife of former Mayor Pro Tem Frank Kessler, to trial for 23 felony charges that include five counts of grand theft, 15 counts of writing fraudulent checks and one count each of embezzlement, misappropriation of funds and burglary.
The City Council/Building Code Appeals Board granted an appeal by seven property owners of the burned Towne Center building that would allow them to construct a building shell designed by Steve Gibson.
One of the highlights of Canyon Lake Little League’s opening day ceremony was the presentation by the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station Color Guard of an American flag that had flown in Iraq. Also, American Idol contestant Tori Kelly (who made it into the top 13 females) sang the National Anthem.
Five men were vying for two positions on the Property Owners Association Board of Directors. They included George Irvine, Paul Chenette, Lawrence Neigel, Charles Newsom and Sean McDonald. George later decided not to run.
The Chamber of Commerce's annual award winners were Citizens of the Year, Margie Zingg-Donaldson and Ken and Dorothy Cable; Volunteers of the Year, Daryl Schwarz and Al Van Beenen; Youths of the Year, Melody LeBaron and Erik Larson; Organization of the Year, Mommy and Me; and Businesses of the Year, AutoCare USA and Pac West Financial.
The Inland Empire Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge honored four Canyon Lakers: Bert Barbay, Debby Gagnon, Joanna Spiller and Kasey Crawford.
The Lake and Marina Committee made a recommendation to move forward with implementation of a boat inspection program to help prevent quagga mussels from entering Canyon Lake. The program was presented as a 1st Reading at the March Board meeting.
Members were sought to serve on the Ad Hoc Executive Golf Professional Proposal Review Committee in order to review and evaluate RFPs (Request for Proposal) for golf professional services.
Two Canyon Lakers were sent to Haiti as members of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2). They were Paramedic Lewis Francescon and Fire Captain Ron Horetski, who trained regularly for the task of saving lives following major earthquakes.
Kristy Ness presented a check for $11,674.82 to the founders of the Haiti Endowment Fund. The money was raised through a “Hoops for Haiti” event Kristy organized at Linfield Christian School.
Kendra Burns, then a CLMS 8th grader, out-spelled 25 other students from across Riverside County in the 33rd Annual Bee, sponsored by the Riverside County Office of Education and The Press-Enterprise. She was the first LEUSD student to win this prestigious contest.
City Manager Lori Moss participated in the National League of Cities (NLC) Emergency Management Training Program to learn the roles and responsibilities of local officials during an emergency, disaster or terrorist attack.
A police helicopter was called to assist with the search in Canyon Lake for a suspect who fled the scene after a routine traffic stop. The driver fled the scene on foot. Backup arrived and the helicopter aided in the search for the driver, who was not a resident and who had an outstanding felony warrant. He was arrested and also charged with possession of a gun.
The Property Owners Association Board of Directors announced the hiring of David Rudat and Jovan Grogan of Management Partners Incorporated to serve as an interim general management team to help the Association with day-to-day operations and the search for a permanent general manager. They were contracted month to month until the general manager’s position could be filled.
It was announced the theme for Fiesta Day would be "Country Faire."
In March 2010, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel predicted "The Hurt Locker" would win the Best Picture Oscar. They reviewed "Alice in Wonderland," "Green Zone" and "The Bounty Hunter."
1 Year Ago
In March 2014, Canyon Lake got 2.67 inches of rain and the lake level rose to 1,381.24 feet. A weekend storm knocked down at least one large tree. Grass and wildflowers began bursting out on formerly parched fields and hillsides.
At a meeting of the Public Safety Committee, it was reported that coyotes had become more brazen, walking into yards and on streets, especially in the Early Round neighborhood.
Canyon Lakers Aaron Allard and Derek Hayward, Titan wrestlers, won a spot in the State Finals in Bakersfield.
Candidates running for the POA Board of Directors were David Eilers, Harold Larson, George Irvine, Doug Gordon, William Buchanan, Lawrence Neigel and Don Potenza.
The Lighthouse Restaurant was closed and demolition work at the Lodge began with the removal of the grand staircase. The Association had hired Dalke and Sons as the construction company to make a larger bar and lounge area by enclosing the covered patio, as well as removing the center staircase to create space for a new dance floor.
The Twirlers celebrated their 40th anniversary at their regular monthly dance in the Holiday Bay Room. According to spokesperson Andy Abeles, there were 19 squares (more than 160 people) in attendance. After the dance, some of the members had Italian Wedding Soup, along with wine, beer, pasta and salads at Troy's Pizza Oven in the Towne Center.
Canyon Lake resident Lee Harman was inducted into the Pac-12 Conference Basketball Hall of Honor at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Carolyn Knight donated her late husband Vick Knight's extensive collection of W.C. Field memorabilia to W.C. Fields Productions. Allen Fields, president of the organization and the famous Fields' grandson, came to the Knight home to collect the boxes of memorabilia and was said to be "amazed" by the collection.
Bike riders participated in the 4th annual Tour de Canyon Lake, hosted by the Fitness and Triathlon Club.
ShowCal Skiers became Canyon Lake’s newest sanctioned club and California’s first amateur Water Ski Show Team.
The Woman's Club was holding pre-parties for the "Roaring 20s" themed Fashion Show. The Bassmasters held their annual Jr. Bassmasters Tournament.
The Canyon Lake Property Owners Association budget for the 2014-2015 was approved with no increases in dues.
CR&R and the City of Canyon Lake provided an opportunity for residents to conveniently dispose of bulky items like e-waste, old furniture and appliances in the parking lot at Canyon Lake Community Church.
The City of Canyon Lake and the CLPOA held a public meetingin the Holiday Bay Room to explain the roles of the Association's Community Patrol and the City of Canyon Lake’s Police and Special Enforcement.
In March 2014, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed "Pompeii," "Son of God," "Need for Speed" and "Divergent."