Here’s a look at past Julys in Canyon Lake

Here’s what was in the news in Canyon Lake in the month of July over the past 40 years.

40 Years Ago

In July 1976, new Executive Chef Kenneth Stanfield planned a continental menu for the Lodge,

America’s Bicentennial birthday in July 1976 saw many changes in Canyon Lake’s 8th year of development. A new executive chef was at the Lodge; he was the former recipient of the “Chef de Cuisine” award at the annual Chicago Food Exposition. Kenneth Stanfield planned a new continental menu for the Lodge with matching staff uniforms in a nautical motif.

The POA Board of Directors was headed by President Chuck Bryant and Directors Glen Foster, Mabel Gay, Howard Niles Dick Bailey and Jim Cross. The Board was dealing with various problems such as boats being tied to public docks, fishing from the docks and overnight camping at Indian Beach. Bill Votaw was the POA General Manager.

With staff wearing matching uniforms in a nautical theme

Ski Club president Tom Nagle reported that his group had grown from its formation in 1968 to the point that it now sponsored 10 club tournaments and a pair of sanctioned tourneys.

The July 1976 Lighthouse Magazine pictured the Art Association displaying the works of 20 talented artists at the Fiesta Day festivities. They were joined at that popular event by the Lions Club, Men’s Golf Club, CLAMS, Canyon Lake Community Church and other local organizations.

The 4th of July Independence Day celebration at the Lodge featured an old-fashioned chicken dinner, corn on the cob and kegs of beer for $3.95 per person.

That same month, a two-day hot air balloon show saw several of the craft launched from several sites in the community.

A two-day balloon show thrilled local residents with colorful hot-air craft launched from several sites within the gated community.

By mid summer there were 570 residences in Canyon Lake completed and another 96 under construction. A waterfront lot was advertised at $14,500, a Golf Course lot at $12,900 and others at $5,100 to $8,900. A three-bedroom waterfront home on the Main Lake could be purchased for $69,500. A Golf Course home “with excellent view” was available for $55,000, and a one-bedroom condo at $42,900.

35 Years Ago

In July 1981, after being elected president in May in a hotly contested Property Owners Association campaign, Bill Cozad promised that the new Board of Directors would be more responsive to members’ concerns.

Pictures from Fiesta Day in the July 1981 Lighthouse Magazine showed visitors checking out the CLAMS and Women’s Club booths.

Extension of the Lodge, improvements on the Campground, changing the POA annual year to end to December 31 and other issues were on the POA Board agenda. Serving with Bill were Chuck Bryant, Mildred Browning, Hap Johnson and Mavis Kerr. Jack McLean was the General Manager, and was deeply involved in coming up with a plan to ascertain the damages to the community’s following heavy rains in late May.

Glen Foster, president of the Homeowners Cub, announced that his organization had the goal of achieving a membership of 1,000 in 1981. Their major projects were the annual Residential Directory, a Neighborhood Watch Committee, community calendar, parking guidelines in Canyon Lake and a cleanup campaign.

Thirty-nine international students enjoyed a five-day visit to Canyon Lake as a part of the AFS program.

Canyon Lake Community Church sponsored a concert by the Continental Singers, just back from a tour that included the Republic of China.

It was reported that the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club had hosted its 7th annual Spring Home Show spotlighting five local residences.

Local homeowners were warned that the hot weather being experienced had attracted rattlesnakes to many garages and yards. While fireworks were prohibited due to the extreme fire danger, there was a fireworks display scheduled in Lake Elsinore that Canyon Lakers were urged to attend.

Lot clearing was under way with residents having the choice of cleaning their own properties or notifying the ACC to have a POA contractor do it. The Volunteer Fire Department was called upon to deal with vegetation fires, structural conflagrations, traffic accidents, medical emergencies and many other incidents within the gated community. They were still looking for additional volunteers.

A new three-bedroom, two-bath 1,400 square-foot home “with all the goodies” was offered at $74,000, and Golf Course lots with a view were on sale for $14,900.

30 Years Ago

In July 1986, hot air balloons again were in the Canyon Lake news as some 100 flights took place from the nearby Perris Airport.

Cora Vandehey, president of the Home Owners Club, and Joe Hill, president of the POA Board of Directors, announced that the Community News would enter into a new contract with the Sun-Tribune to have the Lake Elsinore publication print, distribute and sell ads in the Canyon Lake newsletter. The POA and the Home Owners Club would continue to have complete editorial control, and would retain the services of editor Carolyn Knight. A new format was to be determined for the monthly publication.

With the warm weather season in the Southland, Children’s Hospital of Orange County physician, Dr. Ralph Rucker, warned parents and others with responsibility for infants and youngsters of the hazards of accidents around pools and other bodies of water used for swimming and boating.

POA General Manager Bill Stewart announced that the Board had arranged to purchase a $1,000,000 comprehensive liability insurance policy package to cover fire, theft, vehicles, boats, security operations and all other POA common areas and recreation facilities.

Jane Dague, president of the Lioness Club, reported that her organization had contributed over $3,000 to various local projects and charities.

Floyd Smarr of the Anglers Club announced that POA had approved the purchase of 1,000 pounds of catfish and another 1,000 pounds of large-mouth bass measuring from 5 inches to 7 inches each to be added to the lake’s finny population.

A “Canyon Lake Aquatics Team” had been formed involving some 72 boys and girls planning to enter several meets in future months.

King Videocable announced that it would be increasing its rates to $11.20 per month, with additional outlets charged $1.85.

The Home Owners Club requested that Riverside County provide a three-way traffic signal at the intersection of Goetz Rd. and the East Gate.

The Friends of the Canyon Lake Public Library hosted a wine tasting event with favorite wines to be recommended to Restaurant Manager Al Blalock for addition to the Lodge wine list.

Local herpetologist Lance Buchanan asked residents to be sure that snakes they encounter be of the 95-percent harmless variety before dispatching them.

The Jr. Women’s Club was asking for suggestions from the POA for how the $9,000 raised by the club’s recent Chili Cook-Off could be used to benefit the community.

25 Years Ago

In July 1991, permanent “No Parking” signs were ordered by the new City of Canyon Lake to be placed on Railroad Canyon Rd. and Goetz Rd.

By July 1991, Mayor Bill Trembly headed the City Council for the brand new city formed six months earlier. The community’s new police force was employed from the City of Perris, and Perris Police Chief Joel E. Patton was named to serve Canyon Lake in a similar capacity.

Permanent “No Parking” signs were ordered by the City to be placed on Railroad Canyon Rd. and Goetz Rd. to bring relief from those who had parked there with “For Sale” signs.

An informational meeting was held at the Golf Clubhouse to investigate forming a Chamber of Commerce in Canyon Lake. Among those in attendance were Marie Fowler, Colleen Bishop, Clint Warrell and Vick Knight.

The new City Council approved a 1991-1992 preliminary budget in the amount of $2,750,911, according to City Manager Jeff Butzlaff.

A form was printed in The Friday Flyer asking Association members to voice their views on having motorcycles permitted in the community. This long-standing rule had been the object of other groups in the past demanding rescission, and POA President Bill Schelb asked that POA members once again respond to this proposed change in the rules as requested by pro-motorcycle proponents.

The City of Canyon Lake entered into an agreement with the Lake Elsinore Animal Friends (LEAF) organization for such animal control services as impounding, removal of dead animals, trapping of undesired animals, quarantining as prescribed law and resolution of complaints.

Residents were advised that it is against federal laws to affix signs or bulletins to mailboxes. Penalties are severe and can carry fines of as much as $1,000.

The EVMWD announced that the utility had approved a $3.6 million general obligation bond issue to upgrade the Railroad Canyon Rd. Wastewater Treatment Plant serving Canyon Lake. The bonds would increase the annual tax roles by approximately $87 per household within the improvement district within Canyon Lake.

As of July 1, Canyon Lake was 80 percent built, with 76 homes under construction. Of the 3,643 total residences, 2,539 were owner-occupied, 422 leased and 76 rented on a month-to- month basis. There were 537 weekenders and 69 spec homes. There were still 980 vacant lots left in the gated community.

20 Years Ago

In July 1996, Canyon Laker Boni Clark-Yanigisawa was named the Women’s U.S. International World Champion, Brown Belt Division, in Karate.

In July 1996, POA General Manager Bill Hallman reported Assembly Bill 3056 successfully passed through the State Senate’s Land Use Committee, and final approval would mean that Canyon Lake and a handful of other homeowners associations that have existing covenants banning motorcycles will be exempt from such legislation. Property owners in Canyon Lake the previous year upheld the 28-year motorcycle prohibition and added it to the CC&Rs by more than an 80 percent margin.

Thirty-two young Brazilian students came to Canyon Lake for the month of July as part of the EF program.

A fish caught in the lake that was originally thought to be a dreaded South American piranha was later identified by the Department of Fish and Game as a harmless species called a “Pacu”

The temperature reached 112 degrees in the community with no relief in sight.

Three POA employees completed the program of the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers and received the coveted CMCA designation; they were Bill Hallman, Clint Warrell and Marti Van Houten.

The Community Theatre group continued to provide both young and adult thespians with opportunities to practice their art.

Canyon Laker Boni Clark-Yanigisawa, former Miss Elsinore and Homecoming Queen at Temescal Canyon High School, was named the 1996 Women’s United States International World Champion, Brown Belt Division, in karate.

Three residents pulled papers to become candidates for the City Council in the fall election, according to City Clerk Kathy Bennett. The three were Frank Kessler, Tom Nagle and John Zaitz.

Police were on the alert to identify those involved in a rash of thefts from Canyon Lake vehicles.

The Operations Department refurbished the signs identifying Canyon Lake Estates. Jack Wamsley continued to lobby for a separate U.S. Postal Zip Code for Canyon Lake, saying he was unhappy over confusion of sharing the 92587 designation with Sun City and Quail Valley.

As of July 1, Canyon Lake was 82 percent built, with eight homes approved by the ACC for construction since the first of the year, Of the 3,817 total residences, there were 2,762 owner-occupied, 521 leased and another 25 rented on a month-to-month basis. In addition, there were 372 weekend homes and 137 spec homes. There were still 940 vacant lots and 23 homes were currently under construction.

15 Years Ago

In July 2001, construction of the new Canyon Lake Middle school was on schedule and under budget.

In July 2001, it was announced the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors had passed an ordinance to protect the Upper San Jacinto River Reach of Canyon Lake from exposure to MTBE discharged into the lake from two-cycle boat engines. As a drinking water source, Canyon Lake represented 10 percent and approximately five millions gallons of water per day of the total drinking water used by the EVMWD customers in its 96-square mile service area.

Under construction, the new Canyon Lake Middle school was on schedule and under budget.

Vandalism closed the Lodge’s community swimming pool as someone tossed animal waste into the popular facility. This was one of a number of similar incidents and “accidents” that caused the pool to be closed for turnover of the filter system and disinfecting with additional chlorine. This occurred during the annual July heat wave with over 100-degree weather.

As if the rising costs of electricity bills were not enough, residents also learned that the EVMWD would be asking residents to pay an additional $7 each month to help the EVMWD meet its operating and capital improvements budget, according to Director Ben Wicke.

The curtain rose on the production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” children’s cast of the Canyon Lake Community Theatre group.

The CLPD warned residents of several telephone scams attempting to defraud local citizens.

As of July 1, Canyon Lake had 4,106 total residences. Of these, 3,290 were owner-occupied, 421 leased, and 16 rented on a month-to-month basis. Weekend homes numbered 239 and spec homes 140. There were 613 vacant lots and 56 homes under construction.

10 Years Ago

Ben Shafer took this photo from his home on Cross Hill Dr. of a lightning strike near Canyon Lake in July 2006.

In July 2006, The City Council unanimously approved a five-year extension to the law enforcement agreement with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, which outlines the contract services provided to Canyon Lake. Council also voted to join a number of other area cities and agencies to form the Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Task Force.

City administration included City Manager Bernard Strojny, City Clerk Kathy Bennett, Dep. City Clerk Nancy Greenhalgh, Office Assistants Sue Hoover and Mary Schiavi, City Attorney Elizabeth Martyn and City Council members Marty Gibson, Mary Craton, John Zaitz, Frank Kessler and Carl Armbrust.

It was a night for boots and denim as Cotillion members danced at their annual Western Night in July 2006.

Canyon Lakers were awakened from their sleep early one Monday when a thunderstorm swept through the area, brightening the sky with lightning and producing deafening thunderclaps. Weatherman John EIliano reported .27 inches of rain fell that night, bringing temporary relief to the heat that had plagued the community for several weeks.

Canyon Lake Community Theatre put on the all-kids production, “Wonderland,” directed by Ilene Moore and produced by Sue Collins. CLCT also was holding auditions for the fall production of “42nd Street.”

Longs Drugs (now CVS Pharmacy) was one of the first stores to open in the newly constructed Canyon Hills Marketplace.

Bob and Ellie Clow were celebrated as “teammates for 50 years” in a July 2006 article in The Friday Flyer, which spoke of the many sports they shared together and the fact that they met in a sporting goods store and were married June 30, 1956.

Seven Queen Anne palms were planted at the Senior Center. They were transplanted from Big Tee Dr., where they were in the way of drain pipes that are being installed for the new subdivision in the area.

It was a night for gingham, boots and denim as Cotillion members got together for their annual Western Night in the Holiday Bay Room. Ed Strong was facilitator of this popular etiquette program.

In conjunction with his 80th birthday, Canyon Lake golfer Bob Hart hosted the 16th annual Hart Scramble with 25 foursomes, along with a chartered three-hour cruise around Newport Harbor. The Golf Course was to get new monument rocks, matching tee markers, ball washers and waste containers. Golfer Robert Funk was the 2006 Mid-Amateur Champion, and, in July won the 103rd Trans-Mississippi Amateur Championship title in Dallas, Texas.

In July 2006, The Friday Flyer’s Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Superman Returns,” “Pirates II–Dead Man’s Chest,” “A Scanner Darkly” and “Lady in the Water.”

5 Years Ago

In July 2011, approximately 380 cubic yards of concrete was required to create a deck 7 to 10 inches thick on the new Goetz Rd. bridge over Salt Creek. It took about 38 trucks arriving at approximate 10-minute intervals to provide the concrete.

In July 2011, Sgt. Nigel Kelly, 26, was remembered on the 4th of July after he lost his life fighting in Afghanistan in late June. He was a former resident and TCHS Class of 2003 graduate. Also on the 4th of July, a surprise mid-afternoon thunderstorm sent a few celebrants scurrying for shelter.

The Lighthouse Restaurant once again began hosting Sunday Champagne Brunch. At the same time, Sunday Brunch was discontinued at the Country Club.

An armed security force? Rhinos and Rangers on the streets? Stallions at the Equestrian Center? Wall-to-wall over-seeding of the Golf Course? Reduction of the dues by $15 per month? The POA Board’s July meeting saw discussions on all of the above topics and more, as Board members considered their own agenda items, as well as the concerns of the equestrian and golfing communities.

The Board also announced the Association was recruiting for a General Manager, and that the Board would start holding its meetings at the Lodge in August.

Dave Carlton announced that his company, Sky Blue Investments, Inc., had filed a lawsuit in Riverside County Superior Court against the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association, with complaints having to do with the plaintiff’s property on Goat (Goetz) Hill: breach o

Sgt. Nigel Kelly, 26, was killed in action in Afghanistan just before 4th of July 2011.

f contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, willful trespass and nuisance. It sought injunctive relief and unspecified monetary damages.

Railroad Canyon Rd. was a busy place in mid-July as concrete crews worked on the Goetz Rd. bridge at the eastern end, and SCE crews placed electrical riser poles toward the middle and western ends in preparation for putting the power lines in front of the Towne Center underground.

The CLCT all-kids summer production was “Honk Jr.” Motocross Pro Sara Price competed in X-Games at Staples Center.

The Canyon Lake Little League 9 and 10-year-old All-Stars won the Section 9 Championship title with an 11-8 win over North Corona Little League. It was the first time a Canyon Lake team had ever won Sectionals, according to CLLL President Lisa Rains-Campbell.

In July 2011, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Cars 2,” “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Zookeeper,” “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” and “Captain America: First Avenger.”

1 Year Ago

In July 2015, temporary fire chief, Mike Wilson, was pictured with Canyon Lake Mayor Jordan Ehrenkranz.

In July 2015, the City of Canyon Lake announced that all efforts had been unsuccessful to get the County to the table to discuss the ongoing fire services dispute, “leaving the City no choice but to declare a State of Local Emergency and ask that the County or State Offices of Emergency Services step in to provide interim fire services until the City’s fire department is up and fully functional. The City anticipates that process being complete before the end of July.”

Furthermore, it was announced the City had hired former Cal Fire chief and veteran Indio City Councilman Michael Wilson as the City’s temporary fire chief. Mayor Jordan Ehrenkranz later said, “I would like to take the time to reassure residents that the City is still covered for emergency medical and fire services . . . City staff is diligently working on putting in the necessary items to fully staff the station, taking a task that is normally a six- to 12-month process and trying to implement it in four to six weeks.”

Early in July, the Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority (LESJWA), which monitors lake water quality in Canyon Lake, conducted water quality testing in various parts of the lake and recommended residents avoid bodily contact in the cove areas, where water is stagnant, because of potential danger due to algae blooms.

The annual Waller Family Bike Ride on the 4th of July was used as an opportunity to hold a fundraiser for the Danny Baine family. As always, the fireworks show later in the day thrilled a crowd of thousands.

Playground work began at Sierra Park and Rob Caveney Park.

The Family Matters Club hosted its first Quarter Mania event at the Lodge. Vendors were sought for the August Mermaid Festival.

The Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomed new Executive Director Alison Burrafato.

Canyon Lake Community Theatre put on the all-kids production of “Flower Power.”

In July 2015, Bryan Purdie caught this 34-pound carp while fishing near the East Port launch ramp.

At the Lake Elsinore Planning Commission meeting on July 21, Pardee Homes asked for approval of 456 residential units northwest of Railroad Canyon Rd.

At a meeting of the Canyon Lake Property Owners Board of Directors, former POA Treasurer Sean McDonald (2011-2013) presented a packet containing 286 signed petitions calling for the recall of President David Eilers, Treasurer Bruce Yarbrough and Secretary Doug Gordon.

Many Canyon Lakers were keeping their fingers crossed that the forecasted “El Niño” would bring rain to their parched state and end the need to cut back even more than they already have on water use. Nevertheless, El Niño didn’t figure into the water district’s budget plans for the coming fiscal year, with customer costs going up 27 percent beginning in August.

Summer showers and the resulting runoff into lake the didn’t dampen the spirits of those who showed up for the Canyon Lake Wakeboard Club’s third “Learn To Ride Day” of 2015.

Bryan Purdie caught a 34-pound carp while fishing in a float tube near the East Port launch ramp. He snagged it with 8-pound test line, then caught it by its tail.

In July 2015, Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed “Max,” “Terminator Genisys,” “Minions,” “Ant-Man” and “Paper Towns.”