Looking Back

Here’s a look back on events, stories and news in May over the last 45 years in Canyon Lake.

45 Years Ago

In May 1974, this picture of the lighthouse was published to show how much the water level rose after Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District purchased water for the lake. File Photo

In 1974, Canyon Lake was six years old. Jim Cross was the president of the POA.

The POA Board approved a $165 assessment fee for the 1974-75 year.

Plans were in the works for a ball diamond to be constructed next to the equestrian center. Don Martin and Al Rogers co-chaired the project.

Without any apparent warning, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District purchased and stored approximately 2,000 acre-feet of water in Canyon Lake and, by doing so, increased the water level of the lake by two feet. This caused those with docks to note some becoming waterlogged as they were not built for capacity water level. Canyon Lake’s signature lighthouse was somewhat submerged at the time.

40 Years Ago

Canyon Lake’s POA president in 1979 was Conrad Lange. Floyd Fidler was general manager.

The latest ACC Report indicated that there were 1,084 completed homes in Canyon Lake, with another 120 under construction. There were 111 mobile homes with an additional three under construction. There were 4,729 residents in the gated private community.

Fire Engine Company 60 was about to get a new home with a new building in the works. Donations were accepted to help raise money to complete the station, buy equipment and landscape the area adjacent to the north causeway.

A level lot on Emperor Drive with ACC approved plans for a two-bedroom house was offered at $16,900. Waterfront view Lot 336/Track 3719 could be purchased for $34,900.

Dottie Herendich was Fiesta Day chair. The Parade route started at the Post Office, now known as Blue Bird Hall, and ran to the lodge.

Canyon Lake’s Volunteer Fireman’s Auxiliary raised $148.65 during a bake sale at the lodge.

35 Years Ago

In 1984, Bill Stewart was POA General Manager and John Feiger was Home Owners Club President. Four incumbent POA Directors, as well as a new resident, threw their hats into the local political ring in the spring election. They were Mary Johnson, John Giardinelli, James Cashman, Ike Runner and newcomer Robert Rackstraw.

Canyon Lake’s 3rd annual Chili Cook-Off transformed the community into “Chili City, USA.” Sponsored by the Jr. Women’s Club, the annual event was a crowd-pleaser and offered the occasion to raise funds to underwrite many local activities.

The Presidents Committee hosted a performance of “The Barber of Seville” at Indian Beach. A touring company composed of 25 instrumentalists, actors and singers provided the program, the first opera to be performed in the community.

A Milk Carton Boat Race, now known as the Cardboard Boat Race, was scheduled for Fiesta Day. The event was sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board.

The Presidents Committee solicited funds to pay for the 4th of July Fireworks Show. It was anticipated that $3,000 would have to be raised.

30 Years Ago

In May 1989, two announced candidates for the POA Board, Lori Ziegler and Jennifer Stickles, announced they would no longer be in the race since each had discovered she could face personal liability in the event of future lawsuits against the private community. Those still in the running were Warren Kelsey, Bill Schelb, Harold Shaw, Jack Wamsley and Don Wicen.

New regulations for operating golf carts within the community were approved by the POA.

Canyon Lake was 72 percent built and had 13 homes under construction. Of the 3,237 total residences in the community, 2,264 were owner-occupied, 358 leased and another 109 rented on a month-to-month basis. In addition, 475 homes belonged to weekenders and 42 were spec homes. There were 1,247 vacant lots left in Canyon Lake.

Carolyn Knight and Rob Caveney served as grand marshals in the 1989 Fiesta Day parade.

Local Parents were vocal over the plans of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District to reassign elementary students to different schools to balance enrollment in the growing district. Some claimed the youngsters had already been to three different schools in their brief time in the district.

25 Years Ago

Lake lease negotiations were completed between the POA and the Lake Elsinore Municipal Water District. Thanks to the efforts of EVMWD Director Chuck Bryant and POA Directors Lori Ziegler and John Zaitz, successful surface rights of the lake for recreational purposes were completed in May 1994.

As of May 1, the gated community was 81 percent built, with six homes approved for construction that year.

In May 1994, homeowners helped with cleanup after the Fairway Estates turned into a muddy mess when a contractor using a bulldozer severed a 12-inch water main. A flood of mud, water and debris cascaded through the estates, as deep as three feet in some areas, before the water district could get the flow turned off. File Photo

The Fairway Estates turned into a muddy mess when a contractor using a bulldozer severed a 12-inch water main. A flood of mud, water and debris cascaded through the estates, as deep as three feet in some areas, before the water district could get the flow turned off. It took 16 firefighters and between 500 and 600 sandbags to stem the muddy water. The incident happened after dark, complicating matters even more.

The Equestrian Club hosted a successful dog show with 200 spectators and more than 100 pups participating. Lake Elsinore Animal Friends, now known as Animal Friends of the Valleys, also attended, finding homes for two pets and selling 30 licenses.

Canyon Lakers were recycling their aluminum cans and plastic bottles to offset the $5,000 cost of the 4th of July Fireworks Show.

Chief Mark Hartman of Elinor’s Restaurant, now known as the Lighthouse Restaurant, started a six-week course called “Mark’s Cook Shop” and taught students how to prepare four-course meals in just 60 minutes.

Tom Wysocki and Jerry Blakemore were elected to the POA Board of Directors. A quorum was met that year with 51.2 percent of Canyon Lakers voting.

Members of the active Canyon Lake Theatre announced auditions for the fall production of “Peter Pan.”

The theme for the 1994 Fiesta Day parade was “A Look at the Past.” A total of 73 booths were set up at the lodge, and in keeping with the theme, Don and Elinor Martin set up a video of the history of the community, which was shown in the Fireside Room of the old lodge.

Wells Fargo, the company that once provided security for gold shipments, railways and stagecoaches, took over the Community Patrol function for Canyon Lake.

The POA’s controller won $3.2 million in the California Lottery. Not surprisingly, she retired from her position. She was not the first Canyon Lake employee to hit it big in the Lottery. Five years prior, Community Patrol officer Richard Shade won more than $350,000, thanks to a ticket he purchased at the Roundup Jr. Market near the east gate.

Canyon Lake resident Ruth Wysocki was inducted into the California Community College Coaches and Athlete’s Hall of Fame, the first woman to ever receive this distinction.

20 Years Ago

A ban adopted by the City Council no longer permitted skateboarding, rollerblading and rollerskating on the grounds of the Towne Center.

As of May 1, 1999, 25 new homes had been approved by the ACC. Of the 3,953 total residences in Canyon Lake, 3,068 were owner-occupied, 427 were leased and another 21 rented on a month-to-month basis. In addition, there were 281 weekend homes and 156 spec homes. There were 45 homes under construction and vacant lots numbered 737.

The new and long-anticipated POA headquarters in the Towne Center was under construction with plans to locate all offices and services in August.

In the POA election for a two-year term, Chuck Datillo, Marty Gibson and Chuck Whitehead were elected. John McNamara was chosen president with John Zaitz taking over as vice-president. After serving on the POA Board for nine years, Lori Zeigler said goodbye and turned to new challenges. The proposition that would have changed the quorum requirement from 50 to 33 1/2 percent failed.

For her volunteer efforts at the Hospice of the Valleys, Ellen Kellett received a plaque, a crystal trophy and letter from President Bill Clinton.

Canyon Lake’s Carolyn Knight journeyed to Washington, D.C., to represent the Inland Empire’s Susan G. Komen Foundation at the national “Ten Star Salute to Breast Cancer Survivors” celebration. She was feted by Vice-President Al Gore and his wife for her efforts and many hours of service to breast cancer causes as a founder of the Bosom Buddies group, grown to more than 70 members. In addition, Carolyn learned that she has been honored as Riverside County “Staples Community Star” with a personalized porcelain star inscribed with her name and permanently displayed in Los Angeles’ Staples Center courtyard.

The Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) revealed that a recent study predicted that Canyon Lake would grow by 359 “units” by July 1, 2005. That would indicate, the study said, that Canyon Lake’s residences would increase from the current 3,953 to 4,312.

15 Years Ago

In May of 2004, Canyon Lake already had 4,292 total residences, close to that number predicted five years earlier for 2005. Of these, 3,391 were owner-occupied, 14 of which had developed adjacent lots. There were 452 leased homes and 33 rented on a month-to-month basis. In addition, there were 331 weekend homes and 84 spec homes. A total of 28 homes had been approved and five were under construction. Only 408 vacant lots remained.

The Railroad Canyon Rd. Westbound Pavement Reconstruction Project got underway. The Chamber of Commerce hosted a representative from the proposed Audie Murphy Ranch development to give a progress report on the proposed development.

The 2004 Fiesta Day theme was “Thanks for the Memories: A Tribute to the USO.”

Canyon Lakers were surrounded by reminders of nearby fires as smoke and ashes filled the air and water-toting helicopters made use of Canyon Lake’s water supply to assist local fire lines. At times flames were clearly visible.

Tim Tait was hired as the new Lighthouse manager and said the facility was a great one, but one that had lost its way. With enthusiasm, he promised to bring the restaurant back to life as its “Lighthouse Keeper.”

The Lions and Lioness Clubs recognized LaRue and John McNamara for a decade of service to the community. John passed away later that month.

Ground was broken for commercial centers on both sides of Railroad Canyon Road, just outside Canyon Lake’s boundaries in Lake Elsinore.

10 Years Ago

As the state suffered through a third year of drought and edged closer to mandatory water rationing, the City of Canyon Lake was taking steps to make sure its residents were prepared for what was ahead by hosting the first-ever Water Summit at City Hall.

International Pavement Solutions (IPS) began the road construction portion of the Phase II Road Project, starting on Longhorn Dr. at the Campground and moving north in approximately 1,500-ft. increments.

The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) announced the completion of the Longhorn Drive Sewer Replacement Project. The project involved construction of a new sewer pipeline and laterals on Longhorn Drive from Bronco Court to the new Longhorn Lift Station, just north of Strawberry Lane.

The City Council approved an emergency ordinance requiring all owners of foreclosed properties to notify the city by June 1 and pay a $130 annual registration fee. Owners of new foreclosures would have 15 days to register with the city or face fines of up to $1,000 a day.

Concern about potential quagga mussel infestation was escalating to the point that the POA Board agreed to join with four other agencies to fund a “Risk Assessment and Response Plan” to specifically research the risks of Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore. The research would be carried out by Dr. Michael Anderson of the University of California Riverside.

Three directors were elected at the Alternate Annual Meeting held May 14. Joining Randy Bonner and Guy Kestell on the 2009-2011 POA Board Directors were Michelle Gordon, Steve Salazar and incumbent David Johnston.

It was announced that, for an unprecedented 10th time, Barbara Kryka was crowned the Women’s Golf Club Champion.

Motocross racer Sara Price set the fastest lap times and was running first until she experienced mechanical issues in the women’s division of the Maxxis MiniMotoSX in Las Vegas.

With the Fiesta Day theme of “Small Town American Heroes,” the grand marshals of the parade were Col. Arlie Blood, Lt. Col. John McSpadden, Sr. Master Sgt. John Basham, Sgt. Vern Knip, Airman Brenda Adams, Petty Officer 1 Matt Williams, Lt. Col. Art Zasio, Sgt. Megan Conners, Lt. Commander Darell Basham, Chief Petty Officer Michael Todd Elliott, Petty Officer 1st Class Mike Meeks and Major Thomas Innocenti III.

Reel People Ron and Leigh Martel reviewed the following movies in May 2009: “The Soloist,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Star Trek,” “Angels and Demons,” “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” and “Terminator Salvation.”

5 Years Ago

On May 1, 180 Canyon Lake residents and guests gathered in the lodge for Canyon Lake’s 2nd annual National Day of Prayer.

Canyon Lake residents Cathy Buell, Bonnie Wade, Sally and Don Wedehase and Jeannette Williams were joined by several friends on a Travel Club adventure to the Kentucky Derby on May 3. That was the 140th year for the Kentucky Derby. The winner – appropriately enough for the California tourists – was “California Chrome.”

Bonnie Wade, the late Sally Wedehase, Jeanette Williams and Don Wedehase are pictured at the Ken-tucky Derby on May 3, 2014. File Photo

Two men and two women were arrested in connection with the home invasion robbery that took place on May 7, 2014, on Channel Way Drive in Canyon Lake. According to police, the four suspects forced their way inside the victim’s residence and tied up the victim using packing tape. The suspects ransacked the residence, took the victim’s property and his 2012 Kia Sol. One of the male suspects had brandished a weapon.

The Holiday Bay Room was filled with patriots on May 10 for the Choraleers spring concert “We Sing America.”

Several members of the Chair Volleyball club celebrated May Day with a visit to their old friends and charter members, Bud and Jetsy Aronson, who relocated in 2011 to the community of Royal Oaks, in Bradbury, after residing in Canyon Lake for several decades.

Resident Bert Barbay served as grand marshal of the 2014 Fiesta Day parade.

The Fiesta Day 2nd annual Cardboard Boat Challenge consisted of 28 boats made of nothing more than cardboard and duct tape which lined the shore at Sunset Beach. The challenge was to paddle through a course adjacent to the swimming area and make it back to the shore in one piece.