Looking back at September in past years

45 years ago

In 1971, tons of dirt and rock were removed from beneath the bridge to Treasure Island to open up the waterway for boat passage. This photo appeared inthe Canyon Lake Lighthouse publication, published monthly in Wildomar by Ann S. Holdan.

In 1971, tons of dirt and rock were removed from beneath the bridge to Treasure Island to open up the waterway for boat passage. This photo appeared inthe Canyon Lake Lighthouse publication, published monthly in Wildomar by Ann S. Holdan.

In September 1971, the major news in the local monthly publication, The Canyon Lake Lighthouse, was the fact that Jay Keegan Jr. was appointed to the new position of “POA Administrator.” Keegan had been elected the previous May to the POA Board, but on July 1 resigned, citing in a letter that he had sold his home on Canyon Lake Dr. North and was moving to Florida. Frank Holden, then POA General Manager, signed a contract to buy a mobile home lot and, two days later, was fired.

The POA Board abolished the position of General Manager and replaced it with a new position, Administrator. At that time, the POA attorney resigned. Two days later, Jay Keegan Jr. reported for work as the new Administrator.

The Canyon Lake Realty Company offered lots for sale priced from $4,950, with “financing available.” Meanwhile, Canyon Lake Properties reported its firm would build a three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,120-square-foot home on an individual’s lot for $13,700, with garage or carport extra.

Owners could stable their horses for $19 a month, which included 16 pounds of hay and two pounds of grain daily, as well as cleaning. Stalls could be rented for $45 a month.

The dining room at the Lodge was considered “the ideal spot for leisurely luncheons and dinners on balmy autumn days and nights with soft music in the background.”

40 years ago

By September 1976, one could still purchase a “fully furnished, two-bedroom, two–bath home with swimming pool” for $67,900. A similar waterfront home without the pool was listed for $59,900. There were then 701 homes completed in Canyon Lake. The good news that month was that the section of highway that slowed down traffic to Corona was on the list for Caltrans to be enlarged in 1977.

The Department of Health ruled that overnight camping would no longer be permitted on the community’s beaches except for Moonstone, Sierra and the Ski Area. The 11 p.m. curfew was being strictly enforced so that all minors were to be inside by that time.

Charles Bryant, POA president, informed General Manager Bill Votaw that he had contacted the Cypress City Planner regarding the development of a Master Plan for Canyon Lake.

Dress code for the Lodge was under review by the POA, with comments regarding “see-through cover-ups, tank tops, bathing suits and bare feet” being inappropriate. Bermuda shorts were considered acceptable.

The POA’ s annual assessments on Lots 1 and 2 of Tract 3829 were waived for the Canyon Lake Community Church.

35 years ago

In 1981, the POA president was Bill Cozad, who reported that he took Chuck Bryant’s suggestion to rename Lions Park in honor of a long-time resident and active community leader as the “Lion Chester Wilson Memorial Park.”

The “Clinard litigation” to limit the POA annual assessment to $250 per year established the by-laws in 1968 ended in favor of the POA.

General Manager Jack McLean announced that plans for an addition to the Lodge were at the Riverside County Planning Department and approval was anticipated.

Bleachers were completed at Gault Field, and a contract was let to landscape the area of the popular ball field.

The annual Luau was being planned, and the Miss Canyon Lake pageant was to be held at the Lodge.

Some 245 tickets at $6 each were sold for the Canyon Lake Lioness’ 3rd annual Street Dance held on Redwood Dr.

Bill Ryan, Bud Reidt and their committee organized a Neighborhood Watch Program formed under the sponsorship of the Home Owners Club. One of their projects was to clean up the community’s perimeter from the East Gate to the Main Gate. They also were involved in a Main Gate beautification effort, including wrought iron fencing. Their initial effort was to complete grading the median strip on Railroad Canyon Rd.

Travel Club members returned from a highly successful Mediterranean Cruise aboard the SS Navarino. Future trips were to include one to Catalina and another to La Paz at the El Presidente Hotel.

Ruthe Lee was planning a potluck dinner for the Twirlers Square Dance Club. The Volunteer Fire Department was recruiting membership with the County, paying trained firefighters $7.17 per hour when out on call.

A Main Lake waterfront lot “with excellent view” was offered at $89,000, while one could purchase a “brand new 3-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home near the Main Gate, Golf Course and Indian Beach” for $119,000.

30 years ago

The featured article in the September 1986 Community News publication dealt with the $20,000 contribution by the Men’s Golf Club to the POA Board of Directors to purchase furnishings for the soon-to-be-completed Golf Clubhouse.  This represented the largest donation the Men’s Golf Club had made, but not the first. The organization had a long history of both fundraising and volunteer activities to benefit the course and its facilities.

The featured article in the September 1986 Community News publication dealt with the $20,000 contribution by the Men’s Golf Club to the POA Board of Directors to purchase furnishings for the soon-to-be-completed Golf Clubhouse. This represented the largest donation the Men’s Golf Club had made, but not the first. The organization had a long history of both fundraising and volunteer activities to benefit the course and its facilities.

Negotiations were under way for the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District to purchase Canyon Lake, the dam and associated water rights from the Temescal Water District.

The POA Board of Directors consisted of Joe Hill, Rob Caveney, John Feiger, Irv Howard and Bob Kerr. The Home Owners Cub officers were Cora Vandehey, Dave Flaherty, Joyce Benner and Bill Marsh. Bill Stewart was POA General Manager.

Complaints against 12- to 16-year old golf cart drivers resulted in the POA issuing warnings regarding the number of passengers, rule violations and the need to fly a red flag at all times.

CARS Club member John Simpson announced that he was pleased with the fact that 18 classic vehicles caravanned from Canyon Lake to Deer Park in Escondido that month.

An “ultra custom new home on Beacon Court with unique floor plan and three-car garage” was offered at $142,950.

The new traffic signal at the Main Gate was completed after 23 months and $40,000 raised by the “Save our Signal” Committee, chaired by Glen Foster. Riverside County Supervisor Norton Younglove took part in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event attended by local residents.

25 years ago

In 1991, an ad hoc committee was formed to study alternatives for a new park,  Holiday Harbor. At a community-wide meeting, Ben Wicke, coordinator of the committee, provided an update on the plans to develop a community center at that prime location.

In 1991, an ad hoc committee was formed to study alternatives for a new park, Holiday Harbor. At a community-wide meeting, Ben Wicke, coordinator of the committee, provided an update on the plans to develop a community center at that prime location.

The 1991 Canyon Lake Classic 10K Run was planned for October when the weather was expected to cool down. This was to be the first of what was hoped to be an annual event in the community, said sponsors representing the Home Owners Club.

The POA announced that only a new photo identification card would be valid by October 1, and residents had to have their pictures taken by that date if they wished to gain entrance through the gates.

The Twirlers, organized initially in 1974, continued to invite residents to “swing their partners.” A surprise birthday party for Margie Zingg at Indian Beach brought out many of this popular Canyon Laker’s friends to honor her.

Immigration officials at the Roundup Jr. Market at the East Gate rounded up a dozen undocumented laborers. Elinor’s Restaurant at the Lodge was to be smoke-free for the month of October, the POA Board announced.

The body of a male shooting victim was discovered floating in the BLM land above the North Ski Area.

Mindi Beth Neill, Miss City of Canyon Lake, was named “Miss Photogenic” at the Miss California USA Pageant held in the Bay Area.

The ACC reported that Canyon Lake was 78 percent built, with 2,555 owner-occupied homes among the 3,658 total residences. There were 417 leased homes and an additional 71 rented on a month-to-month-basis. Weekenders numbered 548; there were 67 spec homes and 69 new homes under construction. There were still 1,040 lots remaining vacant.

20 years ago

In September 1996, the Temescal Canyon High School Titans football started as defending CIF Division VIII champions.

In September 1996, the Temescal Canyon High School Titans football started as defending CIF Division VIII champions.

Welcome news from Sacramento in September 1996 came as Canyon Lakers learned that California Governor Pete Wilson had vetoed a bill that would have prohibited common interest developments such as Canyon Lake from banning motorcycles on their private streets. The bill, AB3056, was sponsored by the American Motorcycle Association and contended that bans against motorcycles were discriminatory and unreasonable. General Manager Bill Hallman and the POA Board of Directors lobbied against the bill because it set a precedent that allowed the State legislature to supersede the wishes of those who lived within private communities and agreed through rules and regulations and CC&Rs to live with certain restrictions.

Canyon Lake was 82 percent built. Of the 3,823 total residences, 2,777 were owner-occupied, 513 were leased and 29 rented on a month-to-month-basis. There were 366 weekend homes and 141 spec homes. There were still 932 vacant lots.

In 1996, Canyon Lake Community Theatre presented the popular musical, “Oliver,” at the Indian Beach Moonlight Theater.

In 1996, Canyon Lake Community Theatre presented the popular musical, “Oliver,” at the Indian Beach Moonlight Theater.

The Jr. Women’s Club honored Sue Lincoln as “Honorary Member of the Year” and Ellen Innocenti as “Woman of the Year.”

The opening football game between Temescal Canyon and Perris High Schools was moved to Elsinore High since the Diamond was to be occupied on the original date for a California Baseball League play-off game. The Titans started as defending CIF Division VIII champions.

A 51-pound catfish, believed to be the largest fish to ever be caught here, was landed by Shane Chilton in Big Bass Cove over Labor Day weekend. The 110-degree weather brought scores of local residents to the beaches and swimming pools of the community.

This year marked the 15th time that a Concert Under the Stars at Indian Beach was hosted by the Home Owners Club, and the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band from El Toro was the featured attraction. According to Cathy Zaitz, the late Rob Caveney was the originator of the annual fall concert, and once again, a large American flag was provided by Carl’s Jr. Restaurants to grace the site, thanks to Carolyn Knight’s association with the company.

POA General Manager Bill Hallman announced his resignation to accept a similar position in his native state of South Carolina.

Candidates for the three seats on the City Council appeared on a “Meet the Candidates” forum. They were Gene Bourbonnais, Tom Nagle, Emily Chase-Smith, Frank Kessler and Shifton White.

15 years ago

In September 2011, construction was underway on the Veterans Memorial.

In September 2011, construction was underway on the Veterans Memorial.

Ryan Augustine was one of three members of the Canyon Lake Wakeboard Club to compete in the Wakeboard World Championships, held in Lake Elsinore in 2001. The other two were Cody Hall and Damien Klaas.

A judge postponed a hearing that would have permitted the City of Lake Elsinore to force the release of 1,500 acre-feet of drinking water from Canyon Lake to Lake Elsinore. That would have raised Lake Elsinore by six inches, but would have lowered Canyon Lake’s level by three feet, according to EVMWD officials.

Tickets for the production of “Fiddler on the Roof” were selling rapidly as residents and their guests were looking forward to the musical featuring Monty Jordan, Gloria Tremolini and Terri Matlock.

Don and Elinor Martin, pioneer Canyon Lakers when it was known as Railroad Canyon Reservoir, celebrated 50 years of marriage, and Lou Krohne celebrated her 70th birthday.

The community rallied to offer support and prayers for the victims of the September 11 attacks on the nation. World Trade Center fundraisers were scheduled by several local organizations including the Woman’s Club, Home Owners Club, the Youth Action Council, the Canyon Lake Royal Court and the POA.

Members of Canyon Lake Community Church gave a resounding standing ovation for Bryan Giardinelli, who returned to church after being in a coma following a bicycling accident on Railroad Canyon Rd. the previous month.

CLPD Deputy Tony Pelato presented Bryan with a new helmet, saying the helmet Bryan wore in the accident probably saved his life.

Deputy Todd Kelly arrested a Lake Elsinore resident at the Canyon Lake Condos for possession of narcotics.The community was informed over the future of “Mobey’s Landing” and the possible purchase of this large property by the POA.

Local world traveler Norma Horrocks returned from her trip to Africa and shared her experiences with her Canyon Lake friends and neighbors.

Numerous residents protested the inappropriateness of the current baseline rate before the California Public Utilities Commission and urged the CPUC to recalculate baselines and redraw electrical regions so that those with similar regional temperatures, winter and summer, are grouped together.

10 years ago

Canyon Lakers enjoying one last celebration to close out the summer season were taken by surprise on Labor Day when a storm cell descended on the community, flooded streets and downed tree limbs across the community. The storm brought strong winds, buckets of rain and even hail. A number of large tree limbs were snapped off in the high winds.

The Canyon Lake Motorcycle Club sent a letter to POA President Jordan Ehrenkranz asking that a motorcycle measure be placed on the ballot in May, rather than hold a special election in the fall. General Manager Clint Warrell and Corporate Counsel Pete Racobs said it was legally too late to step on the brakes for the special election.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a moratorium on new septic tanks in two specific areas of Quail Valley. Riverside County Ordinance 856 established a septic tank prohibition in the areas between Newport Rd. and Kabian Park, and along Vista Way and Casa Bonita Ave.

There was food and drinks, fun, games and music when the community attended the Street Carts of Canyon Lake Golf Cart Show.

Lioness President Barbara Weatherman and Lion President Phil Cohen invited the community to attend the Lions/Lioness Western Barbecue.

In a complaint filed September 2006 in L.A. County Superior Court, Mark Bolanos asserted that the waterways of Canyon Lake should be open to the public. Balanos, who was not a property owner here, had entered the community via a rubber raft, evidently from upstream on the San Jacinto River. He was found fishing in the private lake without permission.

Temescal Canyon retained its title of City Champion in a battle of the defensive lines, besting Elsinore’s Tigers 7 to 3 – the same score as the previous year’s game between the cross-town rivals.

Canyon Lake mothers were invited to exercise with their babies in a new class offered by the POA. “A lifetime of fitness” was the motto Canyon Lake resident Leslie Kahn chose to represent her class.

The Friday Flyer’s September 22 “Police Blotter” listed several incidents that occurred that month: a 6-year-old was injured by a boat propellor when he fell from his family’s pontoon boat; a westbound pickup truck sheared off a median palm tree in a one-vehicle collision on Railroad Canyon Rd.; following that accident, a driver drove through the roadblock and was pursued and arrested by police for DUI, felony evading and running a police roadblock; a bank robbery took place at the Canyon Hills Bank of America.

5 years ago

In September 2011, there was a new kid in town – actually, a new Kids Club! The Canyon Lake Kids Club was sanctioned at the September POA Board meeting to replace the former YMCA “mommy and me” program. According to Club President Nickey Frakes, the Canyon Lake Kids Club would be a program for young children and their parents or grandparents to enjoy crafts, music, exercise, games, sports and a snack for $2 per session.

The 6th annual Car Show and Cruise featured more than 200 pre-1973 classic and custom cars.

At the September POA Board meeting, interim General Manager Jovan Grogan reported that Directors met in executive session to discuss three contracts, including the contract with Golding Publications to print POA news in The Friday Flyer. The Board decided to put out a Request for Proposal on this contract. They also discussed contracts for Lodge dock replacement and the Country Club remodel.

An imaginary curtain rose on the Moonlight Theater stage for Canyon Lake Community Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.

The September 11 issue of The Friday Flyer was dedicated to memories residents shared of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Canyon Lake Community Church held a Patriot Day service.

The City of Canyon Lake City Council held a special meeting to review Railroad Canyon Rd. widening bids and award the contract.

Members of the Canyon Lake Motorcycle Club continued to fulfill their commitment to the City of Canyon Lake “Adopt A Highway” Program by collecting enough trash along Railroad Canyon Rd., between the Chevron station and Canyon Lake Community Church, to fill seven large trash bags.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Underwater Search and Recovery Team (Dive Team) conducted “Heavy Lifting Operations” training in Canyon Lake. The training site was limited to the North Ski Area.

Crews working for Southern California Edison were trenching and installing structures and duct work on the south side of Railroad Canyon Rd. in preparation for putting the utility lines that run in front of the Towne Center underground.

Temescal Canyon High School received a $100,000 grant from Lowe’s home improvement center, and the ceremonial check was presented to the school at halftime during the September 23 football game.

In golf news, the Family Golf Club’s 2011 Gargalis Cup Winner was junior golfer Norman Xiong. Norman was recognized at the September POA Board meeting for making a 50-foot putt for a contest at the Ray Chenette Memorial Golf Tournament. The junior golfer was ranked no. 1 in the world in his age category.

The Lions/Lioness held their eighth annual Western Barbecue Hoedown.

The Marine Band concert drew an appreciative crowd that watched from chairs on the slope overlooking the theater at Indian Beach and spilled over into several rows of folding chairs and golf carts. The backdrop for the band was a large set from “The Wizard of Oz,” along with the magnificent flag from Carl Karcher Enterprises. Audience members waved small flags provided by the Home Owners Club.

Plans were moving forward and construction was underway for a Veterans Memorial that would be dedicated at a renovated pocket park in the Canyon Lake Towne Center on November 11, 2011. More than $21,000 had been raised to pay for the memorial park and landscaping, including a $10,000 donation from Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone.

1 year ago

Conner Felt and Ethan Clark watch as Justin Gerlek loosens the U.S. flag trom the pole at Gault Field. The three friends had noticed the flag hanging upside down and almost dragging on the ground after the September 9 storm.

Conner Felt and Ethan Clark watch as Justin Gerlek loosens the U.S. flag trom the pole at Gault Field. The three friends had noticed the flag hanging upside down and almost dragging on the ground after the September 9 storm.

Three candidates completed the paperwork necessary to run for the Board of Directors in the Special Meeting of Members Recall and Election scheduled for October 15. They were George Irvine, Michael J. Harris and Jonathan Jackson.

At a regular meeting of the CLPOA Board of Directors on July 21, former POA Treasurer Sean McDonald (2011-2013) presented a packet containing 286 signed petitions calling for the recall of Directors David Eilers, Bruce Yarbrough and Doug Gordon. The number of petitions met the minimum required for a recall election in Canyon Lake under the Davis-Stirling Act.

A fast-moving storm swept through Canyon Lake, uprooting several large trees, flooding streets with rain runoff and damaging patio covers, docks and other personal and Association property. Trash cans, lawn furniture and other items could be seen blowing or floating down streets.

The CLPOA Board meeting was short on Board business (only one action item) but long on information, with Corporate Counsel Scott Levine providing information on three topics: An update on the Lake Lease, Board Meeting Protocol (or a lesson in good manners at Board meetings), and an explanation of the process the Board plans to undergo with regard to the Main Gate Project.

Maui Monday was fast becoming another popular tradition in the community with many saying that last year’s aloha-to-summer luau was the biggest to date with a crowd of hundreds.

Residents were told that Fire Station 60 wouldn’t be manned any time soon; however, they no longer would  have to rely solely on American Medical Response (AMR) for medical emergencies since the neighboring cities of Lake Elsinore and Menifee agreed to the two contracts for Fire Services that the Canyon Lake City Council approved at their September meeting.

When a large tree blew over at Gault Field on September 9, it drew the attention of many passersby, but former Cub Scouts Ethan Clark, Conner Felt and Justin Gerlek, 9th graders at Temescal Canyon High School, saw the American flag had been partially torn from its rope and was dragging upside down almost to the ground and knew that had to do something about it.

 

 




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