Looking back at February of past years in Canyon Lake

Here are a few of the people and events reported in the month of February over the past 40 years in Canyon Lake.

40 Years Ago

In February 1975, torrential rains caused some discomfort to residents, but minimal property damage was noted. Water and fishing enthusiasts were encouraged to learn that the lake was to be filled another four to six feet and that trout had been planted for their angling enjoyment.

Condominium homes at exclusive Treasure Island were being offered for $63,500, and a waterfront lot near the Lodge was for sale at only $13,500, while a Golf Course lot on Early Round could still be bought for $12,500.

Home Owners Club members announced that they had collected $400 to purchase 90 trees to be planted on designated lots throughout the private community. The newly planted trees would then be watered on a regular basis until they matured and began to provide shade for local property owners.

35 Years Ago

Sales of homes in Canyon Lake took a big jump. By February 1980, a Main Lake waterfront home was for sale for $220,000, and a waterfront lot near the Lodge was listed at $68,500.

The annual Valentine Dinner Dance was limited to 126 guests, and at only $6 for each participant, a full house was anticipated at the Lodge. The active Twirlers Square Dance Club was conducting classes at the Lodge and planning to participate in the community’s Clean-up Campaign.

The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club was operating the local Library in the Towne Center and kept its doors open to the reading public each Monday through Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Travel Club boasted 125 members and planned a series of exciting trips in 1980. The Home Owners Club claimed to be the private gated community’s largest sanctioned organization.

Development of the new Gault Field baseball diamond was progressing, with appeals for donations of cash, labor and fill dirt being made.

In February 1985, golfers made donations of trees at a “Tree Tourney,” co-sponsored by the Men’s and Women’s Golf Clubs.

In February 1985, golfers made donations of trees at a “Tree Tourney,” co-sponsored by the Men’s and Women’s Golf Clubs.

30 Years Ago

By 1985, Canyon Lake had begun distribution of the Community News, a joint publication of the Property Owners Association and the Home Owners Club. The POA general manager was Bill Stewart, and the Home Owners Club head was Mike Davis.

The Presidents Committee scheduled a performance of “The Barber of Seville,” the popular Rossini comic opera, featuring the Los Angeles Sinfoniette, a 25-piece orchestra. Sung in English, the production was to be held at Indian Beach.

The Home Owners Club announced it would conduct a drawing to raise funds to pay for a traffic signal at the Main Gate. The drawing was to be held at Fiesta Day, and proceeds would be applied to the expenses involved in the proposed signal. The first prize at the drawing was to be a 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan.

Local dog owners were reminded that Riverside County regulations regarding leash laws were enforced within the community’s gates, and unleashed dogs would be subjected to impounding.

Canyon Lake golfers were pleased to learn that plans were under way to widen and improve the entrance to the Golf Course.

A survey was being conducted by the POA to predict what recreational needs of the community would have to be met by the year 1990. A “forest of trees” was donated by members of the Men’s and Women’s Golf Clubs in a drive to beautify the greens.

The swimming pool at the Lodge was undergoing a “facelift” and retiling. For the fourth year in a row, the Jr. Women’s Club announced it would be holding a Chili Cook-Off at Indian Beach.

25 Years Ago

In February 1990, the question of whether young unlicensed drivers should drive golf carts was the hot topic being considered by the POA.

In February 1990, the question of whether young unlicensed drivers should drive golf carts was the hot topic being considered by the POA.

In February 1990, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters verified the validity of signatures on the petitions for incorporation of the newest city in the County as Canyon Lake. This action was taken in spite of the efforts led by Sun City resident Bill Folsom who also claimed that local school children should attend Perris High School and Menifee elementary schools.

A coalition of neighboring, unincorporated Sun City and Menifee opposed the incorporation of Canyon Lake. POA Director Warren Kelsey and Canyon Lake Home Owners Club President Vick Knight attended early meetings of the Sun City group and told the group that they considered their proposal inappropriate and not feasible.

Local attempts to bring a new Post Office to Canyon Lake were addressed by Sun City Postmaster Bob O’Donnell with the possible use of a small structure in the Towne Center. Five businesses applied to operate the Post Office facility in Canyon Lake.

The new Engine Company 60 dedication was attended by local officials and firefighters.

Unsightly motor homes that extended into the street and caused visibility problems were to be addressed in a proposed May ballot of POA members.

The Jr. Women’s Club planned to host its annual Casino Night at the Lodge.

A new simplified menu with an all-you-can-eat barbecued ribs feature caused a gain in participation at the Lodge, according to POA officials and Food and Beverage Manager Mark Hartman. A $5.95 spaghetti special dinner on Wednesdays was very popular.

Parking used cars for sale on Railroad Canyon Rd. resulted in $235 parking tickets and towing of the illegal vehicles in a crackdown by the Highway Patrol.
Railroad Canyon Rd. was to be closed by the City of Lake Elsinore for major renovations, causing Canyon Lakers to find new routes to and from the neighboring city. A minimum of a six-month timeline was thought to be involved before completion of the project.

Due to a rash of problems caused by young, unlicensed golf cart drivers, a May ballot measure had been approved for a local vote.

The Home Owners Club planned to bring a dinner theater to the community with a “Mark Twain Tonight” program featuring Lake Elsinore’s Jack Fry.

As of February 1, Canyon Lake was 78 percent built. Of the 3,443 total residences, 2,421were owner-occupied, 345 leased and 108 rented on a month-to month basis. There were currently 1,062 vacant lots, 86 spec homes and 167 houses under construction.

In February 1995, the Twirlers were pictured celebrating their 20th anniversary at the Lodge.

In February 1995, the Twirlers were pictured celebrating their 20th anniversary at the Lodge.

20 Years Ago

In 1995, heavy rains and debris in the lake caused the Marine Patrol to close the popular amenity. Between 20 and 30 railroad ties and telephone poles, creating hazards for boaters and others, were hauled out of the lake.

The active Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce honored local residents and businesses at its Installation Banquet. Former Mayor Alfred “Bill” Trembly was named “Man of the Year” and City Clerk Kathy Bennett was singled out as “Woman of the Year.” Golding Publications, publishers of The Friday Flyer and the annual Canyon Lake Residential Directory, was named Business of the Year for 1995.

Six local students were honored for their academic achievements; they were Brandon Ferrera, Paul Egbert, Jonathan Kirshner, Lindsay Frasier, Zack Masterjohn and Kevin Kennedy.

A welcome change from the storms of January, Canyon Lakers experienced a heat wave in February with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees that month.

As of February 1, Canyon Lake was 82 percent built, with six homes approved so far that year and 18 homes under construction. Of the 3,777 total residences, 2,709 were owner-occupied, 501 leased and 34 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 60 spec homes, and weekend homes numbered 370 with 976 lots still vacant.

The major issue under discussion that month was the question of whether motorcycles would be permitted on Canyon Lake’s private streets. POA members would vote on this in March with a CC&R Amendment measure.

The Twirlers celebrated their 20th anniversary as a sanctioned club.

LEUSD superintendent Dave Long assured parents that the District would permit students to take advantage of open enrollment in magnet schools.

In February 2000, Bill Gault and grandson Michael Gault were pictured at Gault Field, named in Bill’s honor.

In February 2000, Bill Gault and grandson Michael Gault were pictured at Gault Field, named in Bill’s honor.

15 Years Ago

In February 2000, Mobey’s Landing, a proposed 44-acre storage facility off Loch Lomond Dr., was the topic of conversation in Canyon Lake as a special election was set for March. Moving day for the Library was underway to the City Hall building.

Rain continued to pour on the community, causing the lake to rise and rainfall to exceed the total for all the year before.
Construction to add to the popular Gault Field facility was completed. Several drug busts and burglaries kept the Canyon Lake Police busy during the month. World traveler Norma Horrocks returned home from a trip to South Africa and Australia.

As of February 1, Canyon Lake had a total of 4,007 residences. Of these, 3,175 were owner-occupied, 40 leased and another 17 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 277 weekend homes and 134 spec houses. Fifty-six homes were under construction and vacant lots numbered 690. A residential care group home for juveniles on Tumbleweed Dr. made plans to relocate out of the gated community.

A group of local residents petitioned the POA to turn the building at the Main Gate into a functioning Senior Center. They presented their concept to General Manager Clint Warrell.

In February 2000, Ellen Iacono, Ruthe Lee and Zelda Dunn were gathering signatures in support of turning the former Community Services building into a Senior Center.

In February 2000, Ellen Iacono, Ruthe Lee and Zelda Dunn were gathering signatures in support of turning the former Community Services building into a Senior Center.

10 Years Ago

In February 2005, seven governing bodies met for the sole purpose of discussing Canyon Lake’s water quality, contamination issues and guidelines for closing and reopening the lake. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Eastern Municipal Water District, Riverside County Health Department, the City of Canyon Lake, the Canyon

Lake Property Owners Association and Supervisor Jeff Stone’s office.
Citizens of the Year were Jack Wamsley and Shirley Beuttas; Volunteers of the Year were Gloria Tremolini and Tara Miller; Youths of the Year were Bryan Tivenan and Chelsea Reaves; Organizations of the Year were Jr. Women’s Club and Lions Club; Large Businesses of the Year was Coldwell Banker; and Small Business of the Year was Auto Care USA.

The Equestrian Club enjoyed milk and cookies as they kicked off their first event of the year with the Great American Cookie Ride.
Peter and Jayne Stanyon established the Heart to Heart Foundation in memory of their daughters, Hollie and Kirsty, who died in separate car accidents. Following her death in January, Hollie’s organs were donated to a number of people via One-Legacy.

Special Enforcement Officer Bob Bohan and a new committee began meeting to address the concerns of lake contamination. Max the Border Collie and his trainer, Mary Anne Pritchard, were in the community five days a week to chase coots from the Golf Course, parks and beaches.

Canyon Lake bicycle riders were invited by organizer Jim Lake to get together with other riders on weekday mornings for recreational rides throughout the community and surrounding areas.

For the second time in three years, Canyon Laker Dale Ebberts captured the Overall and Class 1 victory in the 11th annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge (a feat that took place in January but was featured in the paper in February).

Canyon Lake’s normally lush Golf Course was looking a little drab, but a conversion plan was underway to eradicate the dreaded kikuyu grass and replace it with improved varieties of Bermuda grass.

During February’s meeting in 2005, the City Council voted to approve $55,000 for modifications to the intersection of Railroad Canyon Rd. and Canyon Lake Dr. South. The planned modifications include upgrading the existing signals, which were more than 20 years old, to bring them in line with current technology.
Prior work to alleviate the congestion, which included re-striping the exit lanes from the community to include a second right-turn lane, did help to lessen the backup for vehicles leaving the main entrance. Before the addition of the second right turn lane, cars exiting the community to turn right onto Railroad Canyon Rd. sometimes would be queued nearly as far back as Blue Bird Hall, causing wait times to be extended by several minutes.

According to Weatherman Lou Elliano, Canyon Lake had experienced 1.76 inches of rain during the second week of February, bringing the year-to-date total to 19.51 inches.

It was definitely a winter no one would forget. Television commentators were reporting that the amount of rain that season could rival historical records. That didn’t surprise Canyon Lakers, many of whom said they couldn’t remember so much rain in such a short time – more than six inches one week alone in February 2005.

According to EVMWD officials, floodgates in the dam were open, but water was flowing into the lake faster than it could be released. To complicate matters, the Hemet Dam overflowed, sending even more water throughout the watershed.

Swift running water through Salt Creek caused flooding and closure of Goetz Rd. and the Main Causeway. The North Causeway also was closed because of runoff from the San Jacinto River.

School buses could not pick up local students, and frustrated residents attempting to get to work found detours gridlocked and the I-215 a “parking lot.”

The dredge and auxiliary equipment were scheduled to be delivered in February. However, because of the rain that had caused the site at Eastport to be completely saturated and full of mud, the POA asked the manufacturing company to postpone delivery.

The Jr. Women’s Club announced it would hold a 25-year anniversary luncheon and reunion in March. Temescal Canyon High School basketball won the CIF quarterfinals the last Friday in February.

City Councilman Frank Kessler was appointed by the League of California Cities to the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Advocacy Committee.

In February 2005, The Friday Flyer’s Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Million Dollar Baby,” “Sideways” and “Hitch.” They predicted “The Aviator” would win the Oscar for Best Picture.

5 Years Ago

In February 2010, the normally yawn-provoking subject of contracts became a hotbed topic as the Property Owners Association Board of Directors considered whether to put Golf Pro Dave Lindeman’s contract with the POA out for bid.

The Riverside County Division of the League of California Cities elected Canyon Lake Council member and former Mayor Mary Craton to a two-year term on the League’s State Board.

After more than a year of being dry, the fuel pumps were reactivated at the former Round Up Jr. Mart, outside the East Gate. The convenience store got a new name and a new owner: Eastport Market, owned by Abed Taha.

Residents were invited to travel to the Civil War era Orchard House as curtains rose on Canyon Lake Community Theatre’s production of “Little Women.”

Five residents announced their candidacy for the POA Board of Directors. In alphabetical order they were Paul Chenette, George Irvine, Sean McDonald, Lawrence Neigel and Charles Newsom.

Corporal Ole Williams of CLPD reported an increase in check fraud stemming from mail theft within the gates. He said all deputies had at least one reported theft they were working on but he could not confirm the number of suspects involved. As many as seven Canyon Lake residents had reported up to 12 incidents of check fraud in recent months.

The bank in the Towne Center formerly known as Guaranty Bank became BBVA Compass. Residents were invited to stop by all day to enjoy refreshments and give-aways, and learn about the new bank’s programs.

The Association sponsored a five-week group dog-training course at East Port Park.

Canyon Lakers were stunned at the end of February to discover that Randy Bonner had resigned as POA President, spurring rumors of a health problem. Directors called an emergency meeting and elected Guy Kestell to serve as president until the Annual Meeting in May.

Two Canyon Lakers, Lee Arth and Jeannette Williams, brought home the gold from the 10th annual Palm Desert International Sports Festival and Senior Games held in Palm Desert.

February 17, 2010 marked the end of competition for “American Idol” hopeful Tori Kelly, as judges on the Fox Network show announced the top 24 finalists. The Canyon Lake teen proved her mettle and made her friends, family members and Facebook fans proud by out-singing tens of thousands of contestants to reach the top 13 female finalists.

Three clubs sponsored events the last Saturday of February 2010: The Motorcycle Club hosted a Pet Drive for Animal Friends of the Valleys. The Equestrian Club hosted a Play Day at the Equestrian Center. The Family Golf Club hosted a beginner and intermediate golf clinic.

In February 2010, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “The Hurt Locker,” “Edge of Darkness,” “From Paris with Love,”Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief” and “Shutter Island.”

1 Year Ago

At the February 2014 meeting of the CLPOA Board of Directors, members learned that the lawsuit against former legal counsel Peter Racobs and the law firm, Fiore, Racobs & Powers, had been dismissed.

Articles and letters in The Friday Flyer discussed the promised dog park and complained that funds previously approved for the park had been reallocated to the Main Entrance.

The second of five alum treatments in Canyon Lake began February 10. The application by Aquatechnex was to be repeated September 2014, February 2015 and September 2015.

Residents with a view of the East Bay and some sections of the Main Lake noticed an unexpected reaction to the alum treatment when the surface of the water developed a foamy scum. Officials said the warmer weather created an algae bloom just prior to the start of alum treatment.

After the scum formed, Marine Patrol attempted to break up the worst of it in the coves by driving through with their boats. In addition, Aquatechnex sprayed water on the impacted areas with hoses over two days, with the goal of helping the alum sink to the lake bottom.

Three hundred players on 26 teams paraded around Gault Field as Canyon Lake League and Girls Softball held their opening ceremonies.

The City Council announced the appointment of Keith Breskin as the new interim City Manager.

Just ahead of the rain, an inmate conservation crew from the California Department of Corrections cleaned up large items and garbage from dump sites on the eastern BLM land.

Tribute artist Jim Curry and his band performed the music of John Denver for a sold-out audience.
Cotillion held its annual Valentine Dance. It was announced there was a newly sanctioned Family Matters Club, founded by Shawna Bowen with assistance from Tammy Macias, Dana Coolbaugh and their daughters.

Mayor Randy Bonner presented City Proclamations of Appreciation to Canyon Lake Students of the Month Patrick Dennison and Brienne Finch.
The Temescal Canyon High School Wrestling team won the CIF Division 3 dual meet championship on Saturday, surprising everyone after being seeded 4th in the division. The team last won the CIF title in 2011.

The Canyon Lake Property Owners Association announced that seven individuals turned in a “Notice of Intent to Run” packet. They were David Eilers, Harold Larson, George Irvine, Douglas Gordon, William Buchanan, Lawrence Neigel and Don Potenza.

In February 2014, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Blue Jasmine,” “Labor Day,” “The Monuments Men” and “Winter’s Tale.” They predicted that the Oscar for Best Picture would go to “American Hustle.”




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