News & Columns > Doe Huff > Our Town, August 23

Our Town, August 23

By Doe Huff
Saturday, August 23, 2008

I'm back! Many of you didn't know I was gone if you never read my column in the Crestline Courier. Well, so many folks have stopped me and said how they missed my musings about Our Town so RIMOFTHEWORLD.net has agreed to allow me to resuscitate my column. Between you and me, my readership will probably end up being 10 times more than ever before!

I hope to expand reporting from Crestline to all across the mountain. I have no problem bringing nosy news from my neck of the woods, but I need help with other mountain communities. Please email any interesting tidbits to me at Doe@rimoftheworld.net. My interest lies in events such as 50-plus anniversaries, 90-plus birthdays, community charity events, and feel-good stories about your family, friends, and neighbors. I would also like to start a community calendar of events along with this blog, so bring it on.

Well, Labor Day weekend is coming up along with garage sales galore. The mania sometimes starts as early as Thursday. I must confess that Jim cringes when I start out because we really don't have room for one more thing, but you just never know when that something you can't live without bargain will surface!

The weekend is just jam packed with lots of fun family things to do in Our Town. The Lake Gregory Yacht Club is sponsoring a fishing derby on Saturday, August 30, at Lake Gregory. The cost is $10 per person and three trophies will be awarded, one for each age group. Prizes will also be awarded for those lucky anglers that catch a tagged fish. The fun starts at 7:30 a.m., and the weigh-in is at 4 p.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. I'm not a fisher-person, but I will be there helping with the awards, so stop by and tell me all about the one that got away.

I also have it from a reliable source that the merchants in Crestline's Top Town are trying to put on a street dance on Saturday. As this column goes to print, I understand that all of the permits are not finalized, but why not mosey on up there and check it out?

Something very exciting is happening at the Lake Gregory north beach bandstand this coming Saturday night, August 30. This will be the first Reggie Film Fest. Who or what is a "Reggie"? Reggie Bannister is the only film star I know personally and what a kick to see him on the big screen - albeit this will be a blow-up screen. I must confess I am not that much of a horror film cult connoisseur, but Reg and Gigi have worked very hard to bring filming to our mountain so I hope many of you will support this event. They also are the workforce behind the Crestline Creative Arts Foundation that filmed "Charlie" a few years ago using local kid talent. Funds raised from this movie will go toward the foundation with a goal of making another local film.

The playbill for Saturday is a showing of "Charlie" and the PG13 film "Kenny & Co." , featuring none other than our very own Reggie! I got a chance to preview both films. "Kenny & Co." , Reggie's second film right before he began the "Phantasm" series, is about three young boys coming of age - not a horror flick. Plans are in the making for this fall to show spooky-type Reggie films.

The cost is only $5 per person and the gates open at 7 p.m. Please, no alcohol. So bring your low-back garden chair, a picnic dinner and sit under the stars for what I believe will be a really fun Hot August Night. Be sure to stop by, say hello, and let me know the good news of what's happening in your life and any suggestions you may have for this column.

Speaking of movies, did you know that the Rim of the World Historical Society (ROWHS) has a free movie "Flick Night" every Tuesday at the Lake Arrowhead Resort? They also serve FREE popcorn. What a deal! The fun starts at 7 p.m. and this movie is open to the public. ROWHS President Lee Cozad has an extensive library of movies partially filmed here on our mountain and enjoys sharing them with mountain folks. This week's movie to be shown on August 26 and 29 is "Beethoven's 3rd" filmed in 2000 and starring Judge Reinhold and Julia Sweeney. A family camping trip goes from bad to worse (I'm sure most of you can relate to that!). You can call Lee at (909) 337-5850 for more information.

Finally, the good news and the not-so-good news of the Lake Gregory beach. Labor Day weekend is the final days of swimming, but I believe the boat house stays open for another month. The lazy, hazy days of beach summer always end with the annual sand sculpture contest. I had the good fortune to judge this event for two years. You should really check out the amazing stuff individual kids and families create and why not grab a bucket and join in the fun, but get there early as the spots quickly fill up.

Many other things on the calendar are coming up shortly. Don't forget the annual Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Communities Charity Auction to be held at the Lake Arrowhead Resort. The exact date hasn't been announced. These folks do so much for the kids in Our Town and like everyone else, these trying economic times are hurting them very seriously. For information on attending the auction, or just to see how you can help this wonderful organization, call (909) 338-0418.

Checking out the "What's Happening" in On The Mountain Magazine, I see that Big Bear will also hold its first marathon on September 6. For more information on this event, you can call (760) 963-9274.

This has been an interesting year for the Huff household; our 15-year-old grandson came to live with us. Now like just about every Grandma will tell you, my grandson is just about perfect in every way. Of course, our food bill has doubled and I have learned that buying a Monster does not refer to any kind of Halloween decoration. I also admit I don't much care for the music that permeates up from the first floor, but then I am old enough to remember when my folks thought my generation was sure going to ruin when girls screamed at the silver screen watching "A Hard Days Night"! On the bright side, it sure is nice having someone around the house that can move my 80-pound wooden tiki god from deck to deck.

I also am taking this opportunity of literary license to brag a little on my '65 Corvette, "Lady". I had her at last month's VFW car show in Our Town and I actually won a trophy! I must confess I had no idea what Best Open Cockpit was and was quickly informed that category was for convertibles and cars such as dragsters and hot rods that didn't have a roof. Jim keeps telling our friends I actually won Best Topless! I wish!

I always challenged my readers with a weekly mountain trivia question. I have been asked to continue this section of the column. The Lake Gregory-Crestline Rotary Club will be having their 10th annual golf tournament on September 22 at the Lake Arrowhead Country Club golf course. I will write more about this event next week, but this week's question is:

• Before there was a golf course, what was this land used for?

As a reader of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, you probably know by now all about the Mainer brothers. James was in a serious accident when he was hit by a car on Lake Drive. His injuries are very serious, and it has been touch and go. I don't know James very well, but whoever has a post office box in Crestline has got to know Roland. I am so proud of Our Town for rallying around this man! When I wrote my newspaper column, I once wrote about him and, always trying to get my facts straight, I researched some of the 900 charities and locals in need that he has raised money for over the past 40 years using his handmade donation buckets. This man is the most unselfish, caring person I have ever met. A great big Our Town thanks to each and every one of you who donated whatever you could afford to help one of our own. I am especially proud of my friends Sherry, Jerri-Lynn, Paul and all of the folks right here on ROTW that have pitched in to help wherever they can and for going the extra mile. If you see Roland at the post office or in front of the Oak Trunk, remember a kind word and a warm smile go a long way.

I know, you are probably thinking great things are happening in Crestline, but what about Our Town? What about Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, Arrowbear, VOE, Cedarpines Park, Big Bear, etc? That's a very good question. Please tell me about it.

It sure feels good doing something with our computer instead of just lurking around RIMOFTHEWORLD.net and playing bridge. I know, I have been known to do more than lurk once in awhile! If I can bring one smile or extol the virtues of one deserving person in our community, then I have accomplished what I have set out to do. Please help me with this goal.

Isn't it just great living in Our Town?

This article was first published on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 12:00 am. This article has been viewed 975 times.

Doe and her husband Jim bought their home in Crestline 11 years ago and moved to the mountain full time eight years ago. Doe retired from the Federal government three years ago after working for NASA, The Army Material Command and the Air Force Academy. Doe worked in Colorado, Washington D.C., Jeddah Saudi Arabia, Isfahan Iran, Pasadena, and active duty Air Force at Glasgow AFB, Montana. Jim and Doe share their home with their dog Cassidy, kittens Charlie and Chester, and their 15 year old grandson, Paul.

Doe earned an Associates Degree in Journalism and a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Writing has always been a hobby for Doe and since living in Crestline she has written human interest articles for "On the Mountain Magazine" and was a news reporter for the Crestline Courier as well as writing a very popular weekly column.

Together Doe and Jim have three children and five grandchildren. They are both very active in the community. Doe has served as President for the Crestline Communities Development Alliance, was on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Communities when it was formed, is a member of the Lake Gregory/Crestline Rotary and was a Board member for several years with the Rim of the World Historical Society. Doe and Jim organized the first annual 4th of July Old Fashioned Community Picnic and just finished the fifth successful year for this event. Doe has been working for over two years to bring a dog park to Lake Gregory. They received a Certificate of Appreciation from County Supervisor Paul Biane for their commitment to the improvement and general well being of the Crestline Lake Gregory community. Doe is very proud to be a citizen of Our Town.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Doe Huff.