Edition:
January 25, 2008
Public Notices - DBA Info • CONTACT
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35 years ago
In 1973, Canyon Lake was entering its fifth year of existence, and the first month of that year brought cold air and low temperatures to the growing gated community. Polar Bear Day attracted some 125 participants, thanks to the efforts of the Ski Club. The Canyon Lake Women’s Club was planning to co-host a pancake breakfast with the Quail Valley Volunteer Fire Department, with the proceeds earmarked for fire and rescue equipment to be shared when emergencies require their use.
According to the Canyon Lake Lighthouse Magazine, there was some discussion regarding the Property Owners Association administration, with members taking sides as to which resident will best represent their neighbors in the POA election. The community’s by-laws could not be amended if “made prior to January 1, 1980,” unless approved by the vote of two-thirds of the membership.
Ralph Brogdon was the POA president and Rae Simonson and Don Martin were vice-presidents. A major issue at the time was the proposal to increase boat registration fees. The Western Riverside County Area Planning Council approved 44 condominiums for Tract 4075 and the POA studied the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s proposal regarding the purchase of sewer plant effluent.
Lot 52, Tract 3718 on Giant Fir near the causeway was offered for sale at $5,900, and a Villa on Canyon Club Drive with “stove, dishwasher, carpeting and drapes” could be purchased for $37,000.
30 years ago
The big news locally was that a new telephone number had been assigned to connect any department of the POA; it was (714) 679-6841. A new trophy case was approved to display the many awards and plaques received by local groups. All who attended the Canyon Lake Community Church’s event hosted by Pastor Peter Van Dyke enjoyed a family night.
As of January 1, 1978 there were 250 completed homes in Canyon Lake, and the fishing committee reported that bass were running about 2 lbs., 10 to 20 feet deep and were being caught with “black and purple plastic worm on rocky shore lines.”
POA General Manager Floyd Fitler reported that the Association would soon be building a new snack bar at the corner of the Lodge shuffleboard court where it could be easily reached from Sunset Beach and the pool and patio area. He also introduced the new Lodge chef, Mark Hartman, who had been highly recommended for the position.
All 4,725 POA members were urged by Home Owners Club president Chuck Bishop to take more interest in the Association’s activities and vote in elections. The Canyon Lake Rocketts, a local dance group, performed at several local events over the recent holidays. Once again, Polar Bear Day attracted brave skiers who bypassed wetsuits and received coveted Polar Bear Patches for their efforts.
Bill Gault was reported to have gotten a good start on the planned ballpark and said he’d welcome helpers and donors to take part in this community activity for local youth. There was a notice in the Lighthouse Magazine that a ”girl will be attending the East Gate on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon on a trial basis.”
The lake level was said to be 1373.39, and there was little anticipation that the area would see more water until spring. A waterfront lot, with a “view of the entire lake” on Canyon Lake Drive with "full-grown olive tree” was offered at $50,000, and other homes in the gated community were listed from $52,000. At the same time, Quail Valley homes were on sale from $14,600, while a “Custom 50’ waterfront with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths” was advertised at $135,000.
25 years ago
By January of 1983, the Canyon Lake Community News was the joint publication of the Property Owners Association and Home Owners Club, and POA general manager Bill Stewart announced that the Lodge expansion project would be getting under way in February, subject to obtaining building and health permits and completion of the bidding process for construction. Channel 3 offered free publicity or all Canyon Lake clubs and organizations to help promote local events.
A major issue under discussion was the proposal by the Elsinore Municipal Water District to construct a wastewater treatment facility on Railroad Canyon Rd. Some local residents opposed the proposal due to the cost and other factors, while the EVMWD pointed out that the present facility was overloaded and inadequate to accommodate future anticipated growth of both Canyon Lake and the surrounding service area. A public hearing was planned for February at Elsinore High School to review the proposal and expected benefits and concerns.
Dee Dee Davis of the Home Owners Club announced the winners of the recent annual Christmas Decorating Contest, and Jules and Corrie Wesselink, William and Mary Marsh, Amous and Laverne Cann, Bob and Betty Connors and Helen Scott were among those honored.
The Ski Club and the POA agreed to jointly construct a spectator platform at the North Causeway to accommodate those who would like to view activities on the slalom course.
20 years ago
Canyon Lakers learned that the Riverside County Road Committee and the Riverside County Traffic Committee denied the request for a signal or a three-way stop at the intersection of Canyon Lake Dr. South and Railroad Canyon Rd. at the East Gate. The county report said 80 percent of the vehicular traffic was on Railroad Canyon and only 20 percent from Canyon Lake Dr. North. “To attempt to stop 9,390 vehicles on Railroad Canyon Rd. to yield to 2,360 would be an inappropriate use of stop signal control,” read the report.
A “Letter to the Editor” complained that the Campground had initiated a $2.50 a day fee for pets that accompanied their owners at the facility.
A total of 40 people, ranging in age from 4 to 77 took part in the community’s annual Polar Bear Day.
Bill Gault was soliciting donations for bleachers and players’ benches at the community’s ballpark. Canyon Lake had just added a second field but there was no place for spectators to sit and enjoy the games.
15 years ago
In 1993, The Friday Flyer reported the operation of family day care facilities within Canyon Lake’s boundaries was a matter of concern to both the POA management and local residents. State requirements, insurance, Health and Safety Code provisions and other conditions were under study with advice from the POA’s legal firm.
More than 30 Canyon Lake families were victims of a tire-slashing spree by unknown vandals with a $1,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
A new recycling program was undertaken by CR&R with new blue, green and black trash containers delivered to homes within the community. The 1993 Canyon Lake Residential Directory featured Kathy Jones’ photo of her son, Brandon, with his dog Skippy.
As of January 4, Canyon Lake was 80 percent built, with 38 homes under construction. Of the total 3,718 total residences, 2,582 were owner-occupied, 366 leased and another 51 rented on a month-to-month basis. There were 546 weekenders and 93 spec homes. There were also 1,012 vacant lots still available.
The initial community Blood Bank was held at the Fire Station, under the supervision of the San Bernardino/Riverside Blood Bank mobile unit. Canyon Lake’s own “Dr. George” was Mike Rucinski, as the local weatherman began a weekly column in The Friday Flyer documenting climatic conditions in his hometown. He reported on January 15, 1993, that rainfall and runoff from storms caused water to cascade over the spillway of the Railroad Canyon Dam as the lake reached its 12,000 gallon acre feet capacity. With increasing rain and more storms in the forecast, the dam was expected to overflow for several days. Flooded causeways were responsible for the Marine Patrol to begin a shuttle service for stranded residents the Main Boat Launch to the Lodge.
Bill Trembly, Canyon Lake’s first mayor, celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife, Beth.
Five young men, including four from Canyon Lake, decided to cruise downstream from the dam to Lake Elsinore and became stranded in the San Jacinto River some 120-ft from the shore and had to be rescued by two helicopters.
City Manager Jeff Butzlaff declared a state of emergency over the flooding and its consequences and commended residents, City and POA personnel and others for acts of courage and dedication during the community crisis. More than $1,000,000 in costs including damages to City streets was estimated due to the flooding. Planning continued to develop Holiday Harbor by grading, clean up of foreign materials on the property and building of a seawall, in spite of recent rainfall and flooding conditions. Charles E. “Chuck” Bryant was re-elected as president of the board of directors of the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District.
Gas pumps at the East Gate advertised unleaded fuel for $1.28 per gallon.
10 years ago
Despite windy and rainy weather, a new seawall was completed at East Port. Also newly built were a restroom/storage building, a motorcycle structure and walkways.
Canyon Lakers joined a petition-signing campaign to bring a traffic signal to Greenwald and Hwy. 74, a road known by locals at the time as “Blood Alley” or “Dieway 74.”
Bone-chilling cold didn’t stop 72 “polar bears” from taking a spin around the lake during the annual Ski Club event.
A “Letter to the Editor” encouraged Directors to consider a skateboard park in Canyon Lake.
The POA installed street signs to direct residents and others to local parks and other venues.
The Canyon Lake CARS Club held a parade of classic cars through the community’s streets. Cars were then on display at Holiday Harbor.
A smoking ban in bars was proving controversial as smokers and non-smokers clashed on personal rights. “If people don’t like to smoke, open non-smoking bars for them. But don’t take it away from people who do like to smoke,” said a local bartender.
A meeting was held to gather input from property regarding a new Lodge. Residents were asked to offer input on whether the Lodge building should be renovated or torn down to be replaced. In a survey, 68 percent of respondents agreed with building a new Lodge and 77 percent said there should be a restaurant at the Lodge.
The City of Canyon Lake entered into negotiations to purchase property for a new City Hall, while the POA was directing its efforts toward preparing for a special meeting to vote on term limits for Directors. The proposition read that Directors would be limited to two terms or four years, after which there would be a four year waiting period before a Director could run for office again.
The Chamber of Commerce named Cora Sue Barrett and Jeff Butzlaff Citizens of the Year, while Debby Gagnon and her Pack, Wrap and Post won the honor of Business of the Year and the Canyon Lake Community Church was named Organization of the Year.
5 years ago
During the first week in January, 2003, the weather was the topic of conversation. The week began with balmy temperatures in the 80s but Santa Ana winds that followed were the worst longtime residents say they’d ever seen. Sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts that reached 80 mph felled trees all over the community.
A new law went into effect requiring the wearing of a helmet for anyone under 18 using a skateboard, scooter or inline skates.
A controversy arose in the community when the City Council decided to explore the possibility of moving the Senior Center to the City Multi-purpose Room. Doing so, the Council reasoned would mean that the city could take advantage of more than $200,000 in grants – money that could not be used if the facility remained within the gated portion of the community. The suggestion set off a firestorm of protest from senior citizens, who believed the Council was “kicking them out of the senior center” and relegating them “to the basement.”
That same month, the POA approved improvements to the Senior Center at the Main Gate to the tune of $279,123 as well as another $14,000 for the relocation of communications conduit located at the facility.
Coldwell Baker celebrated 20 years of business in Canyon Lake with a gala banquet at the Lodge.
A number of Canyon Lake girls were on the Temescal Canyon High School Dance Team that was chosen to participate in the 2003 Super Bowl, held at Qualcomm Stadium that year.
1 Year ago
After the Tuesday Work Group (TWG) searched the environs surrounding the Canyon Lake Golf Course, they found giant boulders to accommodate plaques at each tee box for what became known as the “Rock Monument Project.” The volunteers put in more than 120 hours installing boulders on all the tee ground areas with some boulders weighing in at over 3,500 lbs.
Canyon Lakers were blown away January 5 by the force of a windstorm that brought sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph according to the National Weather Service. The Operations Department reported the POA received several calls from homeowners who needed help because of boats and docks that had broken away after being buffeted by winds all day. Operations crews helped Marine Patrol in securing anything adrift. Crews also were kept busy removing trees and branches that had been blown down.
The Ski Club had to postpone its annual Polar Bear Day January 6 at Sunset Beach because of the windy conditions and low humidity that made skiing impossible and a bonfire prohibited. Skiers finally took a turn around the Main Lake January 20 without the benefit of a wet suit – only swimsuits and a life vest were allowed for those wanting to earn their 2007 Polar Bear patches.
January’s POA Community Forum attracted a score of members and staff to review concerns and conditions facing the gated community. Those in attendance were concerned about the Campground, postal service, the dredge project, barking dogs, the SolarBees, the need for a new Canyon Lake logo, reduced hours at the Lodge and County Club restaurants, the entry sign at the Main Gate and dog parks.
With a great puff of arctic air, Mother Nature turned the tables on Canyon Lakers last January with a light flurry of snow. It was so cold sprinklers on Railroad Canyon Rd. turned into miniature snow machines, coating bushes in the median with a layer of the white stuff.
Some residents reported temperatures on their thermometers as low as 19 degrees and others reported frozen and burst water pipes. The cold snap broke records across the state.
Operations crews scrambled to repair frozen heat pumps on the roofs of the Lodge and Country Club and, at the Equestrian Center, Manager Luis Martinez purchased 55-gallon barrels to provide water to the horses after a break at the water main. Water mains at Sierra, Harrelson, Diamond Point and Roadrunner Parks had to be shut down, and Blue Bird Hall was closed altogether with events relocated. Crews were also working on problems at Lucky Cove, the Senior Center, the Campground and the North Ski Area.
After serving as Canyon Lake City Manager for two years, Bernie Strojny stepped down from his position, saying, it was time “to retire for real.”
The POA printed a survey in The Friday Flyer to garner opinions on the Lighthouse Restaurant, a Main Gate facelift and possible projects such as the Lodge bar expansion, Tennis Court Clubhouse and an East Port Recreation Center, among others.
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