What happened in May of past years in CL?

Here’s a look back at Canyon Lake news over the past 45 years.

45 Years Ago

In May 1971, one could purchase a lot for $4,950 with Amber Realty Company, which also offered rentals by the day, week or month as well as opportunities to trade for “a better waterfront, golf fairway or view lot.”

The second annual Canyon Lake Fishing Derby was scheduled, and the registration fee of $1 was payable at Martin’s Landing on Loch Lomond Dr. Canyon Lake had a Romoland or Sun City address at the time.

A Mother’s Day menu at the Lodge featured a complete dinner of prime rib at $4.95, with turkey and dressing priced at $3.95. Chef Joe Schmidt, formerly of the Mission Inn in Riverside, also offered breakfast at the Lodge on weekends.

The Property Owners Association Annual Meeting in 1971 was held at Landis Auditorium at Riverside City College.

The first annual Member Guest Golf Tournament was held on a blustery day with 52 participating.

The Architectural Control Committee reported approving 94 homes, with 46 completed and 19 under construction. In addition, they approved 44 mobile homes with another 33 completed and an additional 24 condominiums completed and 12 approved.

Complete ready-to-move-in homes and do-it-yourself pre-cut kits from 915 to 1,220 square feet were offered and priced from $8,000 to $14,000, with 80 percent financing on a 25-year package, including house and Canyon Lake lot. For $31,500, one could buy the view lot home located at 22800 Canyon Lake Dr. North, and waterfront lot 103, tract 22846 was on sale for a “sacrifice” $17,500.

40 Years Ago

By 1976, new four-bedroom lakefront homes were being offered for $80,000, and one could rent a private U-dock on Little Bass Cove for $15 a month. A fully furnished condo ready for immediate move-in with a waterfront panoramic view of the lake could be had for $67,000.

35 Years Ago

In May 1981, it was reported in the Lighthouse Magazine that Doris Albert hosted a special “Husband’s Appreciation Night” with a series of spaghetti dinners held at various homes throughout the community.

A travel company advertised a 10-day jet flight to three Hawaiian Islands with escorted tours and superior hotel rooms at $399 per person.

Members of the Men’s Golf Club were reminded to post their scores for each 18 holes played. The penalty for not posting one’s score was to have a 71 posted on the neglectful golfer’s score.

The annual POA Meeting was scheduled for the gymnasium at Elsinore High School. The big news in the Lighthouse Magazine was the balloting for the POA Board and the allegation that the Election Committee Chairman personally collected and opened the mailed ballots instead of the CPA firm employed to monitor the certified election. A re-voting of the entire election to ensure that that it was not compromised was called for by the General Manager and POA President.

A group calling itself “Alarmed Canyon Lake Property Owners” advised Association members that another faction, the so-called “Canyon Lake 1st Committee,” had lost its first suit against the POA but was now collecting money for their second lawsuit, asking $2.5 million in damages, under the name of “Committee to Retain Canyon Lake as a Planned Private Committee.”

POA president Jim Cross reported the IRS had handed down a ruling that the Association was no longer a tax-exempt amenity.

The use of effluent water on the Golf Course was under consideration in discussions with the EVMWD.

The Canyon Lake Lions Club hosted a dance at the Lodge to raise funds to support the construction of a portable concession stand for community activities. Chuck Lafferty was in charge of the Lodge party that attracted some 110 residents and their friends. The Lions Club planned a Memorial Day weekend potluck sale for the benefit of the new building for Canyon Lake Community Church.

The Lioness Club invited First Lady Nancy Reagan to become an honorary member; the President’s wife declined the invitation, but thanked the local group for thinking of her and wished them a successful year.

The Travel Club planned trips to the Garment District in Los Angeles, a performance of “Camelot” in Hollywood and the Ramona Pageant.

The Ski Club embarked on a project to rebuild the jump ramp and landscape the popular recreation site. The Twirlers planned another of their classes at the Quail Valley Country Club, and the Jr. Women’s Club carried out a series of “Taps and Jazz Variety Shows” at various local venues.

On an early Saturday morning, a Canyon Lake Security Patrol vehicle was struck by what was alleged to be a bullet from a high-powered rifle. The Sheriff’s department was investigating the incident.

By 1981, a waterfront lot on the Main Lake was being offered for $115,000, while a Golf Course lot could still be purchased for $18,500.

30 Years Ago

The May 1986 cover of Canyon Lake Community News showed off the new monument sign that had been installed at the Main Gate entry. Pictured were General Manager Bill Stewart, Randy Lord, Don Wicen, Ed Walker, Val Field and Hank Albert, who first had the idea for the monument sign.

In May 1986, the Lions Club dedicated a new monument sign at the Main Gate as beautification project and example of community spirit.

A highly successful Chili Cook-Off netted approximately $18,000 with some $9,000 earmarked for a special community project, according to chair Pam Jandt. Bob Dyer’s BJ Chili won 1st place in the annual competition.

The Annual Meeting for the POA Board election attracted 12 candidates for the five open positions: Rob Caveney, John Feiger, Joe Hill, Irv Howard, Bob Kerr, Pat Kubis, Matt Lewis, Bob Nipper, Jerry Schnock and Wendell Smith.

The Home Owners Club sponsored its popular “Colorful Canyon Lake” contest to honor landscaping and pride of ownership within the gated community.

Fiesta Day Committee members Mike Davis, Cora Sue Vanderhey and Sherm Futak planned another spectacular event with the CLAMS serving as parade marshals.

Canyon Lake’s Carolyn Knight was honored by the Southwest Region of Soroptomist International with the group’s “Women Helping Women” award at a conference in Ontario with 700 club members on hand.

Of the $57 increase in POA assessments for the 1986-87 year, $43.30 was identified as going towards liability and general insurance, $3.70 for the Lake Lease and $10 for the general operating budget.

General Manager Bill Stewart was to be the speaker at the monthly meeting of the Home Owners Club, and Don Wicen was the new president of the Lions Club. The newly formed CARS Club met at Roadrunner Park and held a display of antique and unique vehicles, and the Travel Club planned a trip to the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose in Long Beach.

25 Years Ago

In May 1991, the newly incorporated City of Canyon Lake employed Jeff Butzlaff as its first City Manager. The new City began negotiations with neighboring Perris to provide a police force.

There was both good and bad news about the annual Chili Cook-Off. The good news was that the event sponsored by the Jr. Women’s Club raised about $18,000 for local charitable activities. The bad news was that fighting among young male partygoers resulted in injuries and arrests as well as numerous cases of vandalism and indecent behavior. Liquor sales, underage drinkers and unruly guests made the sponsors consider changes if the Cook-Off was to be held in the future.

A Temecula car dealer advertised a 1991 Pontiac LeMans for $6,288 and a 1991 Pontiac Firebird for $12,815.

Stage II Mandatory Drought Measures were e

In May 1991, June and Harry were honored as grand marshals in the Fiesta Day Parade for their many years of service to the community, including being volunteers at Fire Station 60.

xplained by the EVMWD in response to continuing dry conditions.

Marti Norris was judged winner of several 1st place awards in the annual Lake Elsinore Woman’s Club Flower Show.

Canyon Lake was awarded a new Zip Code by the Post Office, and what was 92380 became 92587.

Elected to serve on the POA Board with Jack Wamsley and Ed Fair were Don Miller, Bill Shelb and Lori Ziegler.

The theme of Fiesta Day was “New Beginnings.” Among the entertainers were the Twirlers, the Choraleers, Nikki Handy’s Preschoolers, singer Judy Boyko, and Tony D’s and Co. June and Harry Pahel served as grand marshals in recognition of their years of dedicated service.

As of May 1, 1991,Canyon Lake was 79 percent built, with 39 new homes approved and an additional 74 homes under construction. Of the 3,636 total residences, 2,547 were owner-occupied, 397 leased and 88 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 531 weekend homes and 79 spec houses, with vacant lots numbering 986.

“Prime vacant waterfront lots” on San Joaquin, Village Way and Big Range were offered for prices ranging from $245,000 to $325,000.

20 Years Ago

In May 1996, POA General Manager Bill Hallman and Directors Tom Wysocki and Lori Ziegler attended the annual conference of the nation-wide Community Association Institute in New Orleans where Canyon Lake was named the best Association in the United States, coming in ahead of 17,000 similar organizations nationwide.

Waterski Magazine named Canyon Lake as one of the nation’s 10 best places to live and water ski.

After a disputed count of proxy ballots, auditors finally certified the POA election and named Dawn Haggerty and Doug Warr to join John Zaitz, Lori Ziegler and Walt Zollinger on the Board.

Phase II of the soundwall project on Railroad Canyon Rd. was well under way, according to City Clerk Kathy Bennett.

In May 1996, Mavis Honaker, mother of Canyon Lakers Julie Honaker, Robin Suitt and Sue McCarthy, caught this 13-pound bass. She had been fishing in Canyon Lake for 20 years.

Canyon Lake’s Dee Dee Davis won the “Liz Taylor Look-alike Contest” at the Hemet Harris’ Department Store.

High school students Dustin Griffin and Ryan Mails entered and won honors in a USC School of Urban Planning and Development competition, where they presented the merits and accomplishments of Canyon Lake’s Teen Center. They were assisted by POA Director John Zaitz.

The Friends of the Canyon Lake Library held a highly successful used book sale. “Beethoven,” canine star of the movie of the same name, was a special guest at the golf tournament held to raise funds for LEAF, the local animal shelter.

The week of May 8, the temperature topped 105 degrees. Infestations by bark beetles affected numerous Canyon Lake pine trees in parks and on private residences.

Passage of “Measure L,” a bond issue on the June ballot, was urged by local school officials in view of the increased enrollment facing LEUSD.

Marty Gibson’s 40th birthday party brought many well wishers to help him celebrate at Pepe’s Restaurant. Mavis Honaker caught a 13-pound bass.

A group of Brazilian students was to visit Canyon Lake under the auspices of the EF foreign student program.

The 1996 Scholarship Pageant was held at Elsinore High School. Crowned were April Freeman, Miss Canyon Lake; Dana Carew, Miss Teen Canyon Lake; Courtney Elin-Taylor Blohm, Wee Miss Canyon Lake; Tara Miller, Miss Pre-Teen Canyon Lake; Stephanie Vecchione, Jr. Miss Canyon Lake; and Leah Lathrop, Tiny Miss Canyon Lake.

The Canyon Lake Community Theatre production of “Steel Magnolias” was held at Indian Beach’s Moonlight Theater. The theater group began holding auditions for the fall production of “Oliver.”

In spite of chilly weather, Fiesta Day turned out to be another super success with a long and colorful parade and numerous booths.

Tuscany Hills principal and Canyon Lake resident Colleen Andersen was named Riverside County’s Principal of the Year in a gala event at Riverside Community College in an annual activity sponsored by the County Board of Education.

As of May 1, 1996, Canyon Lake was 82 percent built, with only 946 vacant lots remaining. Of the 3,814 total residences, 2,755 were owner-occupied, 530 leased and 31 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 374 weekend homes and 124 spec houses. Nineteen homes were under construction.

15 Years Ago

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 643 was a popular entry in the 2001 Fiesta Day Parade. Pictured are, from left, Brittany Goulart, Kati Bolton, Carley Potter, Renee Stifle, Salina Pacheco, Becca Lord, Chloe Howard and Morgan Brown.

In May 2001, Canyon Lake Councilwoman Cora Sue Barrett traveled to Washington, D.C., with members of the Riverside County Transit Agency to review several items of local interest, including the future status of BLM sections 26 and 24, adjacent to Canyon Lake.

Cars for sale continued to clog the parking lot in the Towne Center and were said to be an ongoing problem for local shoppers.

At its May meeting, the POA Board of Directors approved the concept of installing video cameras at the community’s five gates.

Construction of an EVMWD lift station at Indian Beach was a topic of much discussion among nearby homeowners.

Marty Gibson, Suzie Kessler and Walt Zollinger were elected to join John McNamara and Carl Armbrust on the POA Board.

Tara Miller played “Maria” in the Temescal Canyon High School production of “Westside Story.” She was among several Canyon Lakers featured in this well-received musical. Temescal Canyon High School held its prom at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda.

Travis Kisgen, 13, had a supporting role in the Mobile Masterpiece movie, “Song of the Lark.” The son of Michael and Toni Kisgen, Travis had been busy filming several commercials and TV roles in 2001, including a lead role in the 13-episode series called “Mystery of the Black Rose Castle.”

Several Canyon Lakers were among those from Elsinore Middle School who had the opportunity to meet world-famous scientist Dr. Jane Goodall at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium Distinguished Speaker Forum.

More than a dozen Canyon Lake boys helped Alec Burns celebrate his 13th birthday at the Rancho BMX track in Temecula, which his father, Bob Burns, rented out for the occasion.

Fiesta Day and the opening night for the play “Nunsense” provided special activities for locals to attend. Taco Tuesday continued to attract large crowds of participants at the Lodge as the weather warmed up.

As of May 1, there were 4,090 total residences in Canyon Lake, including 3,291 which were owner-occupied, 401 leased and additional 11 homes rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 238 weekend homes, 141 spec homes and still 622 remaining vacant lots. There were 53 homes under construction.

10 years ago

The Canyon Lake Golf Club team won the 2006 SCGA Saturday Team Play championship. Team members were Daryl Ver Doorn, Michael Gargalis, Galen Thurner, Anthony Gangitano, Jon Keigwin, Larry Drew, Don Skidmore, Jim Eminhizer, Richard Hamilton, Todd Lloyd, John McCaffery, Todd Hayes, Tom Fuhrman, Dale Poelvoorde, Terry Loy, Robert Decker and Kevin O’Leary.

In May 2006, Canyon Lake Mayor Pro-Tem Mary Craton reported on a trip to Washington, D.C to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) Congressional City Conference where she met with Congressman Darryl Issa regarding topics of interest to the City of Canyon Lake. “Of prime interest to our community is the request to secure federal funding to revamp the I-15/Railroad Canyon Rd. interchange,” Mary said.

A public workshop concerning the issue of the failing Quail Valley septic system was held to allow for public comment and review of the agency’s proposed plan to prohibit the use of onsite septic systems in all new construction.

A new group calling itself Canyon Lake Property Owners for Fiscal Responsibility formed in reaction to the year’s 20 percent rise in assessments, believing that property owners needed to exercise more control over the Board and POA management.

Elected to join Jordan Ehrenkranz and Kreg McCoy on the 2006-2007 POA Board were Travis Montgomery, Roger Windeler and Denise Jordan.

The Operations Department completed retooling the dredge project dewatering plant. According to Operations Manager Paul Johnson, his department would be steadily increasing production as the crew became familiar with this new dewatering process.

The Canyon Lake Golf Club won the Saturday division of the 106th Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) Team Play final on May 6 at the SCGA Golf Course in Murrieta. This was the first time in Canyon Lake history for a team to win the tournament, and 30 years since a team had gone undefeated in the SCGA Tournament.

The Jr. Women’s Club held a “Speakeasy Casino” fundraiser at the Lodge. Cotillion held its Mad Hatters Ball. The Choraleers offered their spring concert, “Celebrating American Music.”

In May 2006, six engines and 20 firefighters were dispatched to this house fire.

The Friday Flyer put the spotlight on graduating high school seniors Danielle Libring, Katy Ness, Brennan King, Chad McCain, Alsiha Heglund, Megan Williams, Brittany Tibbet and Lindsay Bean; and on college graduates Angela Martel, Jody Spoon and Michelle Cross.

Performing the lead roles in Canyon Lake Community Theatre’s production of “Nunsense II–the Second Coming” were Mary Anne Stevens, Suzanne Bolton, Leslie Vecchione, Janine Gompper and Coco Morrison.

The theme for Fiesta Day was “Salute to the American Spirit.” Mayor Marty Gibson served as grand marshal.

Six engines and 20 firefighters were dispatched to a house fire on Yellow Feather Dr., which was contained to the garage and a second floor game room. .

In May 2006, The Friday Flyer’s Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Akeelah and the Bee,” “Mission Impossible III,” “Poseidon” and “Da Vinci Code.”

5 Years Ago

In May 2011, residents continued to be informed about the Measure E public safety tax that was to be on the June ballot. They also were invited to review a proposal written by Pat Colleary for Canyon Lake to have its own fire department.

Canyon Lake Community Theatre invited Canyon Lakers to “check in”for the Broadway and movie smash comedy, “California Suite.”

The deterioration of the seawall at the Tennis Courts was brought to the attention of the POA Board, which voted to hire Albert A. Webb Associates (the POA’s civil engineer) for planning and

In May 2011, Vick Knight gave the Friends Out of Water walking group a tour of his backyard vineyard and tortoise habitat.

design services related to seawall, drainage and erosion improvements.

Residents were invited to a Golf Course Master Plan overview meeting.

During a visit by the “Friends Out of Water” walking group, Vick Knight shared an interesting story at every stop along the way in his backyard vegetable garden, waterfall area, miniature vineyard and desert tortoise enclosure.

It had been years in the works, but an agreement was finally reached between the City of Canyon Lake and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that allowed the City to enforce laws, regulations and ordinances in 800 acres of BLM land adjacent to Canyon Lake for the purposes of public safety and resource protection.

Canyon Laker Nick Fener was in a skydiving accident, sustaining massive trauma to his legs and spine.

The Jr. Women’s Club held its inaugural “Spring Play Day for Special Needs Kids” in the parking lot in front of City Hall.

Four trucking teams delivered 12 127-ft., 72.6-ton reinforced, pre-stressed concrete bulb tee girders to the Goetz Bridge site. Riverside County Construction Engineer Ward Maxwell explained the bridge would be 128 feet long and 100 feet wide, with room for two lanes going both directions.

Sean McDonald, Dawn Haggerty and Lawrence Neigel were elected and joined Paul Chenette and Chuck Newsom on the 2011-12 POA Board.

The theme for Fiesta Day was “Country Fair.” Kathie Barnes Berg, a longtime employee of the POA who helped with planning Fiesta Day and other special events for many years, served as grand marshal.

In May 2011, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Fast Five,” “Thor,” “Furry Vengeance” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”

1 year ago

Art and Dee Zasio were grand marshal of the 2015 Fiesta Day Parade.

In May 2015, there was a full house at the CLPOA Board of Directors meeting as members sought answers on a number of issues. By far the most talked about subject was the Lake Lease. But members also wanted to hear clarification on the Board’s decision to allow outside play on the Golf Course. With four items on the agenda having to do with the Main Gate Project, many in attendance stayed late into the evening to voice their opinions on that project. The meeting didn’t conclude until almost 11:30 p.m.

Relected at the CLPOA Annual Meeting and Election were incumbents Eric Spitzer and Bruce Yarbrough; newly elected was Ted Horton. They joined David Eilers and Doug Gordon on the Board of Directors.

Some 100 Canyon Lakers showed up at the water district’s headquarters in Lake Elsinore for the EVMWD board meeting. Waving signs with various slogans, residents for the most part were there to ask that the EVMWD Board meet with the CLPOA Board to come to an agreement over the Lake Lease.

Canyon Lake teams did well at the Inland Empire’s Senior Chair Volleyball Games. Representing Division 1, Bert Barbay’s team brought home the bronze medal. Nancy Green’s Division 2 team won the gold, and Judy Blanks’ Division 3 team captured the silver.

It was announced that the Turf Reduction Program on the Golf Course was complete, although CLPOA Director Bruce Yarbrough wasn’t quite ready to celebrate umtil Metropolitan Water District sent a rebate check for some $1.5 million.

A backhoe started removing the berm next to the East Port launch ramp to make room for a new dog park.

The Quilters Dozen presented a Quilt of Valor to Sean Pisapia, a U.S. Army officer from Canyon Lake who sustained a spinal injury while serving in Iraq. Lioness Club members delivered the club’s annual collection of pull-tabs – 158 pounds worth – to Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda.

The Choraleers presented an afternoon of nostalgic melodies at their “Thanks for the Memories” concert at the Lodge. The Lodge was the site for Canyon Lake’s 3rd annual Day of Prayer.

The Friday Flyer put the spotlight on graduating seniors Chloe Cargnelutti, Jovana Cohen, Logan Gallagher and Alexander Landau. Canyon Lakers Blake Echt and Bailey Hanson were named Students of the Year at Temescal Canyon High School.

The theme for Fiesta Day was “Fiesta Under the Big Top.” Art and Dee Zasio were named grand marshals of the Fiesta Day Parade. The couple earned this honor through many years of involvement and service to the community via a variety of clubs and organizations.

In May 2015, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Ex Machina,” “Avengers; Age of Ultron,” “Hot Pursuit,” “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Tomorrowland.”