Year in Review – Part 3

The beginning of the year is not only a time to look to the future but it’s an apt time to reflect on the changes and revisit some of the things that happened in the community over the past 12 months.

Last week, The Friday Flyer featured part two of Year in Review with a look back at some of the things that happened in the community from April to June 2017.

This week, The Friday Flyer features part three of a Year in Review and will look back at things that happened in the community from July to September 2017. Next week, the Year in Review wraps up with a look back at things that happened from October to December 2017.

July

Fire Station 60 reopened after 2 years of negotiations with the county. A Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony was held to celebrate the reopening.

Canyon Lakers celebrated the Fourth of July with friends, family, barbecues, water fun and a spectacular fireworks display. In the morning, approximately 150 residents came together for the 13th annual Waller Family Bike Ride. What started as a group of neighbors coming together on the Fourth of July for a morning of bike riding and breakfast turned into an annual event that has also served as a fundraiser for Canyon Lake families in need.

Mechanical harvesters could be seen around the lake in early July as the POA’s continuing battle to remove the spiny-leaf naiad in the lake. A nuisance plant, the spiny-leaf naiad grows at the bottom of the lake, breaks loose floating to the surface creating a hazard to boats.

More than 200 people attended a Reptile Party hosted by the Canyon Lake Library. The petting and handling portion of the party had to be moved outside due to the size of the crowd.

The Tennis Club held a Fiesta Doubles Mixer. The winners were Devlin Knott, Henry Valdez, Jimmy Aguilar, Peggy Babubas, Michelle Porter, Phil Braun, Bill Van Vleet and Tiffany Kepford.
Canyon Lake Car Club member

Anthony Garcia won the Best Street Rod award at the New Joy Baptist Church Car Show in Riverside.

Bassmasters Club monthly tournament winners were Travis Smith and Jack Smith with 14.98 pounds of fish.

Canyon Lake resident Kristen Malone took first place in the School Bus Rodeo State Competition. Kristen, who drives for the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, received a trophy and an all-expense paid trip to the Roadeo International Championships.

More than 180 kids participated in the Jr. Golf Camp at the golf course. Participants were divided by age and skill level. The kids with the top scores were Austin Killery in the five to six year old division, Noah Geeves in the seven to eight year old division, Londyn Laurtizen in the nine to 10 year old division and Brayden Byrnes and Jacob Venier tied for top score in the 11 to 18 year old division.

Thirteen-year-old Kylene Evens treated members of the Bible Fellowship Club with a harp performance.

The Woman’s Club held a Mermaid and Pirate Pool Pre-party Fundraiser at the home of Lyne Hall as a lead up to the club’s annual Mermaid Festival at Indian Beach.

The Triathlon and Fitness Club hosted its annual Summer Triathlon Barbecue at Indian Beach.

Canyon Lake resident Anton Riniti appeared on the ABC television show Steve Harvey’s Funderdome. His invention, Bean Bagglz, won him $50,000.

Canyon Lake Community Theatre presented Willy Wonka Jr. at the lodge.

The Family Matters Club hosted a free spaghetti dinner for seniors at the senior center.

The Canyon Lake Association of Men (CLAMS) held its annual picnic at Holiday Harbor Park where attendees enjoyed food and fellowship. CLAMS President Harry Larson presented Kevin Cochran of CalPortland a Certificate of Appreciation for his $1,000 donation to the club.

Country music artist Suzy Bogguss performed at the lodge as part of the POA’s Concerts at the Lodge series.

The Women’s Golf Club hosted its 18th annual Pink on the Links Breast Cancer Tournament. Ladies Flight winners were Teresa Roberson, Kathy Sanchez, Linda Kielty and Kathy Homewood. Men’s Flight winners were Roger Kielty, Don Raworth, Phil Coughlin and Dennis Franks. Mixed Flight winners were Dorothy and Joe Washle and Rich and Sandy Dawson.

August

The POA Board of Directors approved funding for new main gate entry monuments. The board approved $227,680 plus 5% contingency for the installation of two entry monument signs with water features.

The Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild treated residents and their guests to a free concert at Holiday Harbor. The Little Lies Band, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, performed as attendees danced and sang along by land and in boats.

Madison Curcie was the grand prize winner of the Canyon Lake Library Summer Reading program. She won a Meccasaur for her efforts.

A fire broke out on the 30500 block of Pauma Pl. Two adults were displaced as a result of the fire. Damages were estimated to be $100,000. No injuries were reported.

Headliners Hair and Nail Salon in Towne Center celebrated 30 years in business.

Bombshells in the Towne Center was named a finalist in the Global Boutique Awards.

Canyon Lake Library held a Buck-A-Bag Sale. The week long sale raised $267 to go towards library programs and materials.

The POA reduced the cost of the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) vehicle transponders from $20 to $10 to encourage more residents to utilize the RFID lanes.

The Canyon Lake Fitness and Triathlon Club hosted its 6th annual Paddle Pedal Regatta at Indian Beach. More than 100 people participated in the fundraising event where participants paddled and pedaled from Indian Beach to East Port and back. Funds raised were donated to Rady’s Children’s Hospital.

A fire broke out in the garage of a home on Canyon Club Dr. The fire was a result of a vehicle fire. It was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.

The Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for JBL Insurance, a new business in the Towne Center.

Canyon Lake Car Club members won several awards at the Big Bear Car Show. Dave Deboe won Best of Show, Joe Landin won Top 20 and Gil Losi won Best Paint.

Canyon Lake resident Norman Xiong won the Junior PGA Championship in Rumford, Rhode Island and earned a spot on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team.

Canyon Lake resident Sara Price, a professional motocross and supercross racer, earned a place as the first female participant on the Stadium Super Truck team.

A golf cart accident on Canyon Lake Dr. South and Village Way Dr. resulted in the death of resident Roger Crocker. Roger fell from the passenger side of a golf cart he was riding in and succumbed to head injuries he sustained.

Canyon Lake Tennis Club hosted an Open Junior Tennis Tournament.

Two shade structures were installed at the dog park at East Port Park.

A soft opening was held at the new pickleball courts at East Port Park.

Lorilee Bajema joined the Canyon Lake Choraleers as the new music director.
The Family Matters Club held its first Western Barbecue at Indian Beach. Attendees enjoyed games, food, contests, vendors and horse rides.
The Women’s Golf Club held its annual Couples Eclectic Golf Tournament. Overall Gross winners were Mary Burns and Carlos Yebra. Overall Net winners were K.K. and Jesse Beecher.

Canyon Lake teen Nattie Dunn was named Teen Miss Regency International in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Woman’s Club held its annual Mermaid Festival at Indian Beach. Attendees enjoyed the annual Cardboard Boat Race, bounce houses, contests, food and vendors. The annual fundraiser raised more than $8,000 for the club’s philanthropic donations.

A group of Canyon Lake residents participated in the Red Bull Soapbox Race in Los Angeles. Residents Matt Szymanski, Scott Covey, Dave Rowan, Anthony Rowe and Nate Duer designed and built their soapbox “Street Taco.” The team did not place in the race but when word of the Street Taco craft reached Taco Bell, Taco Bell invited the team to bring their craft to the Taco Bell worldwide headquarters in Irvine where they were given a tour and offered a year’s worth of free tacos.

The Ski Club hosted Learn to Ride Day at the north ski area. Boats and equipment were provided.

September 

Chris Mitchell bid farewell to the POA and his position as general manager.

Santa Rosa Academy employees and students held a donation drive for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Executive Director Laura Badillo and her husband personally delivered the donations to Texas. The charter school serves more than 100 Canyon Lake students.

Residents said good-bye to summer with the annual Maui Monday celebration at Sunset Beach. Residents celebrated with food, dance contests, vendors and a kids fun zone. Attendees were treated to a water ski show by the ShowCal Skiers, music by DJ Mike Shroyer of Good Time Entertainment and a performance by the Polynesian Entertainment Group.

Canyon Laker Norman Xiong helped Team U.S.A. win the Walker Cup golf tournament in Los Angeles, CA. Norman was the youngest player in the competition and the second youngest player ever selected to the American team.

The POA Concerts at the Lodge presented country music artist Ty Herndon. Local artist Lance Allen opened the show.

Bombshells in the Towne Center was awarded Favorite California Boutique by the 2017 Global Boutique Awards. Bombshells competed with 4,000 other boutiques and is the only California boutique to make it to the finals in two categories.

A Lemonade Stand Fundraiser was held at Indian Beach in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The event was organized by Cara Garcia whose daughter Juliana was diagnosed with cancer at the age of three. Cara wanted to give back to organizations that gave support to her family. Proceeds from the fundraiser were donated to the MaxLove Project and Carsyn Neille Foundation.

The Bassmasters Club held its 31st annual Kids Fishing Derby. Kids ages five to 15 reeled in fish for trophies and prizes. Every child who participated went home with a prize.

Operations planted new trees at the dog park at East Port Park. The trees were paid for with funds donated by the Woman’s Club.

Three Canyon Lake Car Club members won awards at Menifee’s 2nd annual Freedom Run Car Show. Russ Smith won Best 50s, Mark Bann won Best Modified and Joe Dombay won Best Engine.

The 7th annual Oktoberfest was held in the Towne Center. The event, hosted by the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce, offered traditional German food, live music, beer and wine garden, kids zone, carnival games, vendors and contests.

The Canyon Lake Lions Club held its annual Pancake Breakfast at Holiday Harbor where residents could purchase a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and juice for $6.

The Men’s Golf Club held its Paradise Classic Member Guest Tournament. Fifty-four players participated.

The Chair Volleyball Club held its 4th annual Lobsterfest.

The Woman’s Club celebrated its 45th anniversary. The non-profit, non-partisan, philanthropic club is one of the oldest and most active clubs in Canyon Lake. Its membership is made up of women ages 18 to 95.