Year in Review – Part 4

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 events that happened in the community over the past 12 months.

Last week, The Friday Flyer featured Year in Review Part 3 with a look back at events that happened in the community from July through September. This week, The Friday Flyer wraps up this four-part series with a look back at events that happened in the community from October through December of 2018.

October

On Oct. 3, the City Council honored Riverside County first responders, Captain Jeff Roberts, Animal Friends of the Valleys, Hell’s Kitchen Motorsports Bar & Grill and resident Adam McNaughton for their efforts during the Holy fire and for their commitment to the community. The honorees also were acknowledged with certificates presented by representatives from the offices of Congressman Ken Calvert, Senator Jeff Stone, Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez and Riverside Country First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries.

More than 250 pre-1977 classic and custom vehicles sporting shiny reds, blues and yellows rolled into the lodge for the 13th annual Car Show on Oct. 6.

The Canyon Lake Golf Course closed on Oct. 8 for annual overseeding but not before Sam Theodora shot two strokes better than his age. On Oct. 3, Sam shot a smooth 77 with his playing partners looking on. On Oct. 11, Sam’s playing partner Carlos Ramirez played at Menifee Lakes Golf Course and shot his age with a score of 78.

Council member Larry Greene and his wife Sparrow celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal and reception with family and friends on Oct. 7 at the country club.

The Canyon Lake Jr. Women’s Club held its annual Rocktoberfest on Oct. 13 at Holiday Harbor Park. The theme was Red, White and Brews in honor of veterans. The event was well attended despite the rain.

Eighty ladies in witch costumes filled the senior center on Oct. 13 for the Woman’s Club first Witches Champagne Afternoon Tea. Attendees were treated to champagne, an assortment of teas, a spread of finger sandwiches, scones and a variety of mini desserts. Entertainment included a variety of fortune tellers, Best Witch Costume Contest and a Cackling Contest. The evening wrapped up with an opportunity drawing and auction that included Halloween-themed items.

More than 70 neighbors gathered in the cul-de-sac on Chaparral Way for the 20th annual Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 13. Canyon Laker Todd Stover organizes the annual event for the current and former residents of Chaparral Way. There were 17 entrants competing for Cook’s Choice and People’s Choice awards.

Residents had a spooktacular evening filled with music, laughter and festive concoctions at the lodge’s annual Halloween Costume Party on Oct. 20. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes in various categories. Entertainment featured live music by The Bad Dancers and the bar offered a variety of festive concoctions, such as Squirm Jello-Shots, Brew-Ha-Ha Punch and Spooky-Tai.

The POA held a private ceremony on Oct. 25 to unveil a new historical marker at Holiday Harbor Park. The marker is in honor of Canyon Lake pioneers Don and Elinor Martin, Evans Fish Camp and Martin’s Landing.

Elinor is the granddaughter of Henry Evans, who purchased the land Canyon Lake sits on in 1890. Her family owned and operated Evans Fish Camp and then went on to run Martin’s Landing, home of the Canyon Queen tour boat and Village Store and Marina. Martin’s Landing is now known as Holiday Harbor Park.

The Towne Center filled with kids in costumes on Oct. 27 for the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce’s 26th annual Parade of Frights. The event featured trick-or-treating at more than 45 Towne Center businesses, costume contests, a costume parade led by Thunder of Storm Stadium, music, carnival games and bounce houses.

More than 50 members of the Canyon Lake Association of Men attended the club’s October dinner meeting at the country club where they presented a $200 check to 4 Paws 4 Patriots, a licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides assistance acquiring and training service dogs for veterans and first responders with disabilities.

Ron and Leigh Martel celebrated their 14th year as weekly movie review columnists for The Friday Flyer.

The Canyon Lake Kids Club celebrated its 7th year anniversary.

November

The City of Canyon Lake held its 10th annual Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 10. Photo by Donna Ritchie

The Friday Flyer celebrated its 28th anniversary. The very first newspaper edition hit the streets in November 1990. That newspaper, printed with a full-page black-and-white photo and a single spot color logo, was a combination of a newsletter the POA had been publishing in conjunction with the Canyon Lake Home Owners Club and the weekly 8.5×11 single-page flyer handed out to residents at the gates every Friday. The Friday Flyer, as we know it today as a community newspaper, was born.

The Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild wrapped up its 2018 concert season with a Rod Stewart tribute concert on Nov. 3 in the Holiday Bay Room at the lodge. The full house audience sang along and danced to a continuous list of smash hits that included “Maggie May,” “Hot Legs,” “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Forever Young.”

Eighty-one turkeys and 115 bags of fixings were collected at the 8th annual City of Canyon Lake Turkey Drive on Nov. 5. The food was donated to HOPE, a non-profit organization that has been serving the less fortunate in the Elsinore Valley through its food ministry for more than 25 years. Services provided by HOPE benefit more than 100 Canyon Lake families.

Jeremy Smith and Kasey Castillo were elected to serve four-year terms on the Canyon Lake City Council on Nov. 6.

During the Regular Session City Council Meeting on Nov. 7, members of the City Council honored Canyon Lake residents Don and Elinor Martin in appreciation for their long-standing devotion to Canyon Lake and acknowledged their rich history with the city.

Members of the Canyon Lake Pickleball Club attended the USA Pickleball National Championships on Nov. 9 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.

The City of Canyon Lake honored veterans for their service and sacrifices at its 10th annual Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 10. The celebration kicked off with a flyover by the Warbirds West.

Thirty-two members participated in the Tennis Club’s Turkey Trot Team Mixer on Nov. 10. The winners were Kevin Kries, Jen Kries, Monica Johnson, Yasmin Johnson, John Haas, Michael Holodofsky, Vern Clayton, Sheila Walkington, and Sue Muscarella. The winners received festive pumpkins and gift cards to Stater Bros.

No turkeys were harmed during the Women’s Golf Club Turkey Shoot Jack and Jill Golf Tournament held on Nov. 11. Fourteen teams of four played a game where each person was assigned to be a turkey, pilgrim, pumpkin or Indian. The scores of two players were counted on each hole, but the teams did not know which player’s scores to count until arriving at the next tee box. After the tournament, players were stuffed with a turkey clubhouse sandwich.

Nearly 100 players participated in the Men’s Golf Club Member-Member Tournament on Nov. 17 and 18. John Stubs shot a hole-in-one on hole 8.

The 9ers Golf Club held its 3rd annual Glow Ball Tournament and Chili Cook-Off on Nov. 18. More than 40 players participated in the five-hole game in the dark. Glow balls and lighted hula hoops illuminated hole 2 and other targets on the fairway. Participants wore glow necklaces.

The Canyon Lake Triathlon and Fitness Club hosted its first community Thanksgiving Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Eighty runners and walkers met at Gault Field, adding fitness to a day known for family, food and fun.
The route followed Longhorn Drive to the campground and back, a distance of 3.1 miles. The first place female and male finishers were awarded pumpkin pies.

The City of Canyon Lake kicked off the holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 24 at the Veterans Memorial Park in the Towne Center. Canyon Lake Fire Station 60 staff escorted Santa to the event on a fire truck where he greeted visitors and posed for photos. The Choraleers serenaded guests with holiday carols and city staff served complimentary hot chocolate and treats.

The Men’s Golf Club hosted its annual Appreciation Lunch at the country club on Nov. 30. The lunch is held annually to thank the club’s sponsors and those who have supported the club throughout the year.

December

The Board of Supervisors of Riverside County honored Canyon Lake resident Paul Price on Dec. 11 for his long-time dedication and willingness to share his knowledge and passion for life sciences with the residents of Riverside County. Photo by Kathi Price

The Canyon Lake Woman’s Club hosted its annual Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 1. Approximately 450 tickets were sold, raising more than $10,000 for the club’s philanthropy projects.

With the help of the Jr. Women’s Club, the Canyon Lake POA kicked off the holiday season with a Tree Lighting Festival on Dec. 1 at the lodge.

Canyon Lake resident Josh Steeber organized an Ugly Sweater Golf Cart Poker Run on Dec. 1 to help raise money for charity. With more than 35 golf carts participating, the event raised nearly $1,500. The funds were donated to the Family Matters Club to go toward the club’s community-wide Winter Carnival at Holiday Harbor Park.

The Lighthouse Restaurant and Bar kicked off the holiday season with a holiday party on Dec.1. The party featured live music by The Bad Dancers, a variety of specialty holiday beverages and a costume contest.

The Canyon Lake Torah Club members gathered on Dec. 3 in the Magnolia Room at the country club for the club’s annual lighting of the second candle for Chanukah. Rabbi Stephen Epstein officiated the ceremony.

The Fine Arts Guild conducted its Annual Meeting on Dec. 5 in the Holiday Bay Room with festivities for more than 100 of its members. In addition to the business meeting, the holiday gathering consisted of dinner, music video presentation, live music and dancing, all at no charge to its members.

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District welcomed its newest board members. Jared McBride and Canyon Lake resident Darcy Burke were sworn into office on Dec. 7. Burke represents Division 1, which includes Canyon Lake.

More than 250 residents started their day the merry way with breakfast with Santa on Dec. 8 at the north ski pavilion. The Ski Club, with the help of “Pancake” Bob Burns, served up Mickey Mouse themed pancakes.

Canyon Lakers and their guests gathered at lakefront homes and parks on Dec. 8 for the Yacht Club’s annual Parade of Lights boat parade. Twenty boats paraded through the East Bay and around the main lake.

Residents lined Canyon Lake Drive on Dec. 9 for the 8th annual Golf Cart Parade and Toy Drive hosted by the Street Carts of Canyon Lake. According to organizer Mike Shroyer, 150 carts participated and more than 200 toys were collected for the Toy Drive.

Eighty Canyon Lake seniors attended a Christmas dinner party at the senior center on the evening of Dec. 9. The group enjoyed a catered dinner, music and performance by the Choraleers.

The Women’s Golf Club held its annual Christmas Tournament on Dec. 11. More than 100 toys were collected and donated to the Mattress Firm Foster Children Program, a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves 2,500 foster children in the Temecula Valley.

The Board of Supervisors of Riverside County honored and recognized Canyon Lake resident Paul Price on Dec. 11 for his long-time dedication and willingness to share his knowledge and passion for life sciences with the residents of Riverside County.

During the Dec. 12 City Council Meeting, newly elected City Council members Jeremy Smith and Kasey Castillo were sworn in and Larry Greene was appointed to the seat of mayor.

The country club hosted an Ugly Sweater Party on Dec. 14 that featured dinner and drink specials, contests, games, music and dancing.

The Family Matters Club held its annual Winter Carnival on Dec. 15 at Holiday Harbor Park. The event featured, photos with Santa, a Christmas tree drawing, train rides, face painting, falling “snow,” vendors and holiday music.

The Pickleball Club held its annual Christmas Party on Dec. 15 at the home of Char Mirich where more than 50 club members enjoyed a potluck dinner.

Santa ushered in the Christmas magic for young and old alike during brunch on Dec. 16  in the Holiday Bay Room. Each child who took a photo with Santa on the stage received a special gift from Santa’s bag. Brunch with Santa is an annual event hosted by the POA.

The 9ers Women’s Golf Club held its annual End of Year Brunch on Dec. 20 at the home of Linda Kielty. The women enjoyed a round of golf prior to brunch. Awards were presented to the outstanding 2018 players and the new members of the 2019 board were announced.

Twelve boats participated in the Bassmasters Club December tournament. The team of Danny Batinich and Dave Brittenham took first place with five fish weighing a total of 11.86 pounds.

The Travel Club and Woman’s Club joined together for the opportunity to raise money for the Salvation Army. Volunteers from both clubs collect donations in the red kettle for six days in front of Pack, Wrap and Post in the Towne Center. A total of $1,328.54 was collected.

The Canyon Lake Kids Club had a busy month in December. The kids made Christmas gifts for their families, had a fun holiday party that included a visit from Santa and enjoyed readings of Don’t Push the Button Christmas Adventure, Gingerbread Baby, 10 Trim-the-Tree’ers and The Mitten Tree. Crafts included button Christmas trees, gingerbread babies and snowman pictures made with cotton balls.

Canyon Lake seniors welcomed the new year at the senior center’s annual New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance on Dec. 31. The semi-formal event included appetizers, catered dinner, champagne toast and party favors. DJ Rob Robinson provided the entertainment for the evening.