A publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. …mtncare.com/documents/bear-facts-volume-10-issue-3.pdfPage 3 Volume 10 Issue 3 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. Check out old issues of the

A publication of Mountain C.A.R.E. (http://www.mtncare.com) Autumn 2016 Volume 10 Issue 3

Bear Facts Staff

Paul Tetreault Editor

Shirley Bauer Advertising Director

Carol Burgess Mailing Director

to submit Letters to the Editor

write to:[email protected]

Mountain C.A.R.E. President’s Message

We Are More Alike

by Jeff Schaefer

by Paul Tetreault, Bear Facts Editor

Mountain C.A.R.E. Board of Directors

Jeff Schaefer President

Rod Goodyear Vice President

Robin Dexter-Durham SecretaryJamie Orr Treasurer

Carol Burgess Subscription Director

Matt Bottenberg Member of the Board

Shirley Bauer Member of the Board

Jim McCune Member of the Board

Paul Tetreault Member of the Board

Please Support Us $15/yr

Our community has been at odds recently. I was beginning to feel like I didn’t even know my town anymore. I understand when certain events occur that emotions can run high. But we can’t jump to conclusions and react too quickly or immaturely. We don’t always know the whole story, especially soon after something disturbing happens.The recent bear shooting is just one example, trash is another that typically really gets me in a stir. But whether you agree or disagree with whatever events seem to be unfolding before us, remember, there are more things pulling us together than apart. Several of the law enforcement representatives at the Bear Safety meeting in early August reminded those in attendance that our community has a reputation of pulling together when times are tough; not one of tearing each other down.I know that our community has both hunters and tree-huggers, liberals and conservatives, people of different faiths and different levels of education. But we can’t look to the differences for anything but opportunity. It should be part of our strength, this diversity is something that can make us stronger.

I recently saw an ad on TV that was advertising a new technology, but the message being conveyed was not one of distinguishing their product from the others but rather one of unity. They were showing pictures of seemingly very different people while the audio was of Maya Angelou reciting her poem, “The Human Family”, check it out some time, but the crux of my using this reference is the kicker line in the poem, that, “We are more alike my friends, than we are un-alike.”I am not immune, and I’m not trying to preach but we can’t allow the anonymity and shelter of social media have us regress to a less-than-grade-school maturity. Any and all of us can be guilty of quick judgement and having our feathers ruffled. Rise above it, take a breath, give others the benefit of the doubt. Let’s end the chapter of threats and name calling and get back to the community I know and brag about. The one that has volunteers producing Souper Thursday, Music Night, Chili Cook-off and Carols in the street. We pull together to help a girl go on a trip to NY for a concert, we help put together a food bank so folks can make ends meet, we trade plant starts and make cakes so the Search & Rescue team can get new gear. We are more alike my friends than we are un-alike...

Mountain CARE, the organization who publishes the Bear Facts and provides a variety of useful services to our local towns has had a very good year so far. Our board, comprised of local residents who volunteer their time, have been busy with several initiatives that

directly or indirectly help to keep our environment clean and friendly.Recently Robin Durham, a Forest Falls resident, completely overhauled and updated our welcome packet. This well thought-out packet is full of useful information designed to help new residents adjust to living in our local towns, and living in the mountains in harmony with the local wildlife.

The packet includes a brochures with propane tank safety information, disaster planning materials, fire evacuation map for Forest Falls, and a refrigerator magnet presenting tips for keeping bears wild. A booklet is also included in the welcome packet. It contains a directory of phone numbers for local businesses, schools, utilities, and governmental services (both emergency and non-emergency). It also presents a list of useful websites and Facebook groups of interest to local residents.Perhaps the most important section of the welcome packet is the section on living with nature; the reason most of us live in the mountains. Guidelines for outdoor lighting fixtures will hopefully reduce light pollution at night. And there is a section presenting laws and ordinances regarding wildlife, and stressing the importance of eliminating incentives for bears to approach our homes.The welcome packets are distributed primarily through local realtors. We also have the welcome packets available in both browse-able and downloadable formats on our website: www.mtncare.com.

Page 2 Volume 10 Issue 3 A Publication of Mountain C.A.R.E.

Check out current community news at www.mtncare.com

Wallie and Jan Fagerstedt will celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary in November and their love story inspires everyone around them. Jan and her family moved from Maine to Mountain Home Village in 1943 and her parents bought a tiny one-bedroom cabin at the end of Bright Way where their four children slept in the living room. Jan vividly recollects, “One night, the roof blew off. It was raining really hard and we saw this light outside. This person was coming squeaking through the gate that went up to Bright Ranch. He said to my dad, ‘I’ll help you fix the roof.’” No one in her family knew who this kind stranger was except Jan, who said, ‘His name is Wallie.” She was only eight years old, but already aware of the handsome young stonemason. However, on that blustery night, a love story might have seemed unlikely since Wallie was almost eight years older.

The first time Wallie left home was in 1945 to serve in World War II. “I went into the Seabees and I was the youngest one in the whole battalion,” Wallie recalls. “It was just when I turned 17. I was here only three weeks and that was my boot camp.” He first shipped to Guam and then Japan, arriving shortly after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “I was right there,” Wallie pauses and his face looks haunted. It’s clear that he won’t talk about what he saw there. “I was in Sasebo where they built submarines. We were camped in these big warehouses where they built one-man subs and things. In fact, you could see where they laid their torches down and that was it.” It was an overwhelming experience for a young boy, especially when they put him in charge of the military police. “I was on guard duty and it was a great big ship. I had to disarm two guards who were drunk and then these guys were down in one of the holds stealing our winter coats and stuff off the ship. The captain said, ‘If you don’t kill them, they’re going to kill you.’ One guy I had to holler, ‘Stop or I’ll shoot,’ and he almost took off, but he didn’t. Those guys threatened to kill me after that, so they transferred me into the Marines. I was in Tokyo Bay when they signed the armistice. When I came back to San Pedro I couldn’t get discharged because I was in the Marines and I was supposed to be in the Navy.” When Wallie returned, Jan was still a young girl. But through

junior high and high school he was ever-present in her life. Her father wouldn’t let her go out on a date until she was much older, but Wallie would take she and a bunch of kids to the movies, for a burger at Torrey’s Tavern, or joyriding up and down the hills in his stripped down Model A Ford. He laughs about running over the same boy twice in one day. “The kid wasn’t hurt,” Wallie grins, “but boy, did he cuss! He swore until the flies started droppin’.” Then one summer day at the pool Jan dove in

and lost her top and Wallie says with a twinkle “I dove right in and saved her. That was the start of a romance.”But in 1950 the Korean War delayed that romance. Wallie returned to the Navy, serving aboard the USS Princeton aircraft carrier. After months at sea, they docked in port and something extraordinary happened. “I was down in San Diego and they gave us leave overnight. We had to be back by shift at 8:00 in the morning. Well, I decided that I was going to try to hitchhike home to get my car and come back. An old farmer dropped me off in Fallbrook and back in those days there was nothing out there except a dog or a coyote and maybe a light way off. I didn’t know what to do; I was sure I was going to get court marshalled. It was dark as pitch and I prayed to God, ‘I need help!’ Anyway, here comes a car and it was racing as it passed me then it screeched its brakes and backed up. ‘Get in sailor,’ I heard. I got in the car and it was Bob Clark! He had taken a girl back to San Diego and he brought me home. I was able to get my car and back to San Diego before 8:00 A.M. Unbelievable. It was just a miracle,” Wallie says with tears of gratitude to his childhood friend so recently gone.Timing always seemed to be difficult for Wallie and Jan. Her father refused to let Jan marry Wallie before she graduated from high school, “So, I get out of high school and he’s in Korea going up and down the coast,” Jan laughs. But the time did eventually come in November 1952. “We got married at the Asistencia. He was on ten-day leave. He was just about to get discharged, but he’d waited so long being nice to my dad and had to wait all through those teenage years.” Although they have had their share of sorrows, it has been a happy marriage built on a deep love. Jan has hunted, hiked, and camped with Wallie, been mother to their two children, and his partner in life. After more than six decades, every night they hold hands and sing to one another before they go to sleep. Jan beams, “He’s been a very exceptionally wonderful husband. He’s kind and gentle, but strong and tough, too. I like that.”

In the final installment of the Stonemason’s Tale, Wallie builds our communities, stone by stone and kindness by kindness. Stay tuned!

The Stonemason’s Tale – Part IIThe History of the Canyon

by Shannon Wray

Wallie in The Navy, circa 1945 (back row on right)

Wallie and Jan Nov 1952


Check out old issues of the Bear Facts at www.mtncare.com

THE YELLOW CROCUS by Laila IbrahimMy reader/writer friend and peer walked into my office not long ago and placed a sticky note on my computer screen with the book title and author above. In a fierce whisper she said, “You need to read this book!” Later that evening, she texted me. “I am crying through the last paragraph. Read it!” I read it. This story horrified me; I was angry, warmed and developed an understanding of brilliant women who struggle and yet seek the destiny of their souls with courage and determination. Read it!

Mattie, an enslaved wet-nurse, is separated from her own infant son to nurse “white” Lisbeth in the big plantation house. As Lisbeth grows, the relationship with Mattie intensifies and becomes endearing and strong. Black slave with a white child who doesn’t understand racial separation nor racial tension. The window in Mattie’s room overlooks the slave quarters and every night when she sees her family coming in from the fields, sees her

baby boy being held by her auntie, she whispers a prayer and a goodnight. Lisbeth at her side. Lisbeth finds warmth, love and comfort in Mattie. The bedtime scenes move the reader as Mattie sings an old Negro field-hand song that resonates throughout the story and into the young child’s heart. Lisbeth only feels loneliness in the company of her own mother. When she grows into a young teen, she finds ways to visit the slave quarters and finds other relationships that define her. Mattie’s determination, courage and dignity motivate her escaping with her still nursing infant baby girl to seek freedom in the North where her son and husband are waiting. A horrific journey.In the meantime, Lisbeth’s planned marriage is disrupted when she finds a shocking and brutal truth under the willow tree in her future in-laws’ plantation garden. She comes to understand the haughtiness of her own father and mother in owning and punishing slaves. Lisbeth, like Mattie, runs away to freedom in the North. The bravery of these two women conquered the slavery in both their lives; one a slave to her controlling, white, wealthy plantation owner father and the other a black slave working for him. The author says she was haunted by these characters and marathoned through the writing of this novel, her first. The title, Yellow Crocus, (a flower that pops-up just at the beginning of spring) becomes a beautiful part of the story in the beginning, the middle and the end. Yes, I cried throughout the last chapter; in fact, I wept. Read it!

Considering BooksMeet Your NeighborsMountain Folk

by Katherine Thomerson-Birdby Stephanie Sager

If you would like to see most of this issue’s photos in color, visit www.mtncare.com

Brad Hundman - Search And Rescue Team Leader and Guitarist extraordinaire

Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to cross paths with our loquacious neighbor on a rockin’ Saturday night at El Mex, where he’s left you to chuckle at a well-placed punch line, or nodding your head during his impassioned, cowboy-like renditions of country western songs dating back to the civil war era. Or, perhaps you’ve met him whilst you were being carried from the wilderness by Search and Rescue, during an unfortunate experience. No doubt, his kind eyes made you feel safe again. Perhaps you’ve gazed at one of his watercolors available at Jessica’s Treasures, while considering whether or not it might fill that void above your mantle. He’s our neighbor, Brad Hundman.Since coming to Forest Falls about four years ago, Brad feels he has healed and grown. He feels cupped in the hands of the mountains, and wouldn’t change a thing about our town. He greatly enjoys the self sufficiency of our community. As a young man, he was offered the wisdom from his great grandmother to “stay the course”. Some of his greatest inspirations are Charles M. Russel, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and John Muir. Charles Russel was a painter who was poor, but would find young saplings and chew the ends in order to create paint brushes. He figured out how to make it work. He didn’t get notoriety until the last few years of his life for his work. He had a purity in his soul to do what he needed to do. Brad is grateful, because painting, music, and the Home Ranch (his constantly developing home project), is in his soul. “All the things I was meant to be, I allowed myself to be.”When I asked Brad what message he would want to pass on to the youth, he said, “to have an appreciation for the land the way nature created it, learn from what’s there and don’t try to change it. Be a good steward of your Earth.”When asked, if he were an animal, Brad would be a bear. They are his brothers.If you see Brad around town (you won’t find him on Facebook), ask him about the story about the 51st yard line.

Some Helpful Phone Numbers

Highway Patrol 800-427-7623 for Road ConditionsCode Enforcement 909-387-4044 Illegal Dumping Building & Safety 909-387-4244 Building CodesFF Firehouse 909-794-4413 Non-EmergencyFish & Wildlife 909-484-0167 for Bear & Lion Issues



Recently the Mill Creek Canyon CERT program, which services Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village, offered an advanced CERT course called, Animal

Response I, and several of our members participated. The training included information on ways to include animals; service animals, livestock, wildlife, and pets in our personal Emergency Response Plan, and being prepared to help others and their animals in emergency situations.

We plan to offer this course annually to those who have completed the CERT basic training. For those that have not completed the training, we hope this information is of value to you.

So, how do you include your animals in your own Emergency Response Plan? First, make sure you have extra supplies (food, water, protection from weather) to shelter in place and supplies you’ll need to evacuate your pets (leashes, carriers, muzzles, an animal first aid, food/treats, toys) and a plan for where you’ll go with them (some friends and shelters may not allow pets). Keep photos and identification details, contact info and a list of their recent shots with their evacuation supplies. And, like your families’ Emergency Response Plan, discuss where you’ll meet in the case of an emergency situation and who in your family will be responsible for knowing where your animals are and gathering them. Evacuating with animals takes more time and it is wise to factor this into your plan. Anything you can do ahead of time, like updating your shelter in place or evacuation plan, will save time and reduce stress. Remember, in stressful situations, animals may become harder to handle and you’ll need to keep them close. In the case of a mandatory evacuation, a location will be selected to shelter larger animals but you will need to get them there. If you need to evacuate without your animals, post a sign for firefighters/disaster service workers with details on what animals, how many and where your animals are located.

In a disaster situation, CERT members will, if needed, assist their neighbors with their animals. During the training, we learned about animal behaviors and how we can support and approach animals.

Let’s continue to take care of our best friends.

For anyone interested in getting on the waiting list for the next CERT Basic course call Paul Tetreault at 909-794-0077For those who have already taken the Basic course and want to review or perhaps those who have started the course but did not finish, check the Mill Creek Canyon CERT page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/MillCreekCanyonCERT/ for more training opportunities. For more ideas on being prepared, check out the C.E.R.T Website: http://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams

The Year Round Fire Season On Being Preparedby Mill Creek Canyon C.E.R.T.by Captain Jeff Britton, Forest Falls, Station 99

By the time this edition of the Bear Facts comes out, summer will be winding down. However, the hot weather, drought, and winds will continue to haunt us for several more months. We cannot let our guard down against the ever-present threat of a wildland

fire. The severe winter storm that we experienced back in January brought down a significant number of trees and branches. Although we have done a lot to clear our properties, much remains to be done. The best way you can help the fire department protect your house is to provide “defensible space”. In the unfortunate event of a fire, homes with good defensible space have a much better chance of surviving. It has been demonstrated many times on various fires throughout the state that homes with poor defensible space cannot be protected from an advancing fire no matter how much equipment and personnel are assigned. So, what is defensible space?• Provide clearly visible address numbers visible from the street

(4” tall minimum and contrasting with background).• Weeds and grasses that are growing within 100 feet of a

structure need to be trimmed down to 4” or less.• All trees over 12’ tall must have all foliage and limbs removed

from ground level up to 6’ high.• All combustible (flammable) debris and trash must be

completely removed from the property.• Pine needles or other organic matter over 2” deep must be

removed from all areas of your property. • All dead trees must be removed completely.• Prune and/or remove shrubs to provide separation from the

ground and each other.• Clear all pine needles and leaves from roofs and gutters.• Remove all vegetation within 10’ of a chimney and make sure

your spark arrestor is in good shape. If you are unsure of what’s considered “defensible space”, the San Bernardino County Fire Department is offering free property assessments in areas with an increased wildfire risk. This public program is called the Residential Assessment Program (RAP). It is the goal of the RAP to provide residents with the most current information and best methods available to protect homes and property from destructive fires. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 909-386-8400 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Keep in mind that we now have to think about fire prevention year-round; not just the summer months. Remember, some of the most devastating fires in the history of the San Bernardino Mountains have been in November. Thank you for helping us provide you with an increased level of fire protection!



Fall is on its way and once again, we should be preparing our gardens for winter. Fall is the time we all spend raking leaves and putting down mulch to close up our gardens. Many of us have apple trees in our yards. The blooms are fantastic in the spring and summer and the anticipation of the tasty fruit for the fall is almost too much to bear. Apple trees do very well in our climate and there are

many varieties, all are tasty. They will happily grow with little help however there are a few things we can do to produce a better yield from a tree.

If you would like fewer, bigger apples. Trees should be thinned out in the springtime. Make sure to regularly water during the summer and in the fall and you should see a decent crop of large apples. If you choose not to thin out the tree, you will probably end up with a lot of smaller apples. Be sure to harvest the fruit regularly when it’s ready. This will keep the fruit from falling and making a mess of your yard as well as deter wildlife that may see a feast growing near your home. A bag of apples from your yard is always a good treat to share with friends and neighbors who aren’t lucky enough to have one of these amazing trees in their yard. If you know any bakers or bake yourself the abundance can be chopped up and stored in the freezer for months.

Gardening is not just about planting, it’s about caring for and sharing the beauty and bounty nature provides us. Please feel free to come share some time and maybe learn with our Frozen Green Thumbs Garden Club the third Monday of the month. If you want any mountain gardening tips, have any questions, or anything else about your garden, check out our Facebook page or pick up a Garden Club book at Jessica’s Treasures. https://www.facebook.com/Frozengreenthumbgardenclub

by Megan DannerMountain Gardening

Apples

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust ” ~ Gertrude Jekyll

READY! SET! GO!by Captain Jeff Britton, Forest Falls, Station 99

The San Bernardino Mountains provide some the most beautiful places to live, but it does not come without risks. Fire is, and will always be, a part of this landscape. Wildfires are now a year-round reality in San Bernardino County. This means that both firefighters and residents have to be on heightened alert for the threat of wildfires. Firefighters train hard and make countless preparations to be ready for a wildfire. Residents need to do the same. Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family, and your property. You do not want to have to do this when there is an approaching fire threatening your home.READY!-Provide defensible space (see associated article to the left)SET!-Create a Family Disaster Plan that includes meeting locations and communications plan (including an out-of-the-area family member as a point of contact).-Have garden hoses hooked up to all faucets. Do NOT apply water to your house or roof. It will quickly evaporate and can quickly drain our storage tanks, leaving no water for firefighters.-Assemble an emergency supply kit as recommended by the Red Cross.-Keep an extra emergency supply kit in your car in case you can not get home because of a fire.-Have a battery powered radio available so you can stay updated. In the event of a fire, electricity will most likely be shut off to the entire community.-Back cars into the driveway and load, or be prepared to load, the six P’s:

-People and pets (and pet food)-Papers (phone numbers, important documents)-Prescriptions-Pictures and paintings-Personal computers-Plastic (credit and ATM cards, cash)

GO! -Leave early enough to avoid being caught in smoke and road congestion.-Don’t wait to be told by authorities to leave. In an intense fire, there might not be adequate time or personnel to knock on every door.-However, if you are told to leave by authorities, LEAVE.-Shut all windows, remove lightweight window covering, shut off propane at the tank, leave a ladder up against the house (if available). Leave house unlocked so that firefighters can enter without causing damage.

With a little preparation, you can help make a stressful situation manageable instead of resorting to panic. If you would like to see more comprehensive information on the READY! SET! GO! program, please visit the San Bernardino County Fire Department website www.sbcfire.org.



Everyone is invited to have Thanksgiving at our Community Center on Nov 24th from 2-5 pm. We cook the donated turkeys and hams, make gravy, mashed potatoes and provide drinks. YOU contribute a side dish or dessert. If you would like to “work” please let Dee know. We appreciate all the help we can get. There is a lot to do. We get pretty tired so could really use clean up help. Sign up at the Oct. Souper Thursday or email [email protected]

19th Chili Cook-Off a Big Success

Music Night Going Strong for 2 Years

Nov 24thNov 24th

We do love to get together with our neighbors, it’s one of the best things about living here. In summer there are lots of opportunities to gather and socialize. Our biggest town event is Chili Cook-off, it’s a huge party held the first Sunday in July. Visitors and residents get together for a day of smiles and it’s always fun to see lots of former residents show up for mini-reunions. We had a record turnout this year. These things don’t just happen, the CCO committee starts planning months in advance for a town parade, games, music, raffle, festivities – and Chili! This year we had 11 chili cookers and here are your winners:People’s Choice Chili – 1st place – Forest Falls Firefighters Station 992nd place – Mark/Theresa/Hayley Eulberg3rd place - Mad Dog Terriers, RHS class of 1973Best cake – Kandi JacksonBest pie – Rachel HollandBest salsa – Mad Dog Terriers, RHS class of 1973All proceeds from the CCO go to support our community center, and this year $9887 was raised! This is almost half the annual budget of VFCCi - we quite literally couldn’t keep the doors of Big Falls Lodge open without this event. Many businesses and individuals make their annual donation at this time, so a special thanks to CCO sponsorship chair Patricia Drummond for gathering $4000 from 24 sponsors. And a HUGE thanks to everyone who came out and supported our community, you rock.Next year is the 20th anniversary of our Chili Cook-off, it’s sure to be better than ever. See you there!

Our Forest Falls Town Photo for 2016

Two years ago, August 2014 Conder and Tam Seasholtz decided to start a program in Forest Falls for new and experienced musicians to gather and play together on a semi-regular basis. Even though the founders of this fun program have moved out-of-state, the group has maintained a regular meeting under the care of Candi Loiseau. Meeting primarily on Monday nights from 6:30 pm to around 9 pm (with the occasional shift to Wednesday nights like when the 4th of July landed on a Monday) players and listeners, affectionately called pickers and grinners, of all levels are welcome. It’s Free!



Aug 28th Mountain Home Village Potluck

at the Mountain Home Community Building, starting at 4pm with an informational meeting on Tree of Heaven removal and the Families and Friends Photo. Please bring your own plates and silverware.

Sep 1st Souper Thursday & Food Pantry Drive

Dinner is FREE. Donations are encouraged. Please bring canned food items to Big Falls Lodge 4-7pm. Dee Konczal 909-794-0885 or [email protected]

Sep 4th Fire Department Labor Day Dinner

Starts at 4 pm at the Fire Station, serving Steak or Chicken with dessert adults -$10 children-$7, Raffle, T-shirts and more.

Oct 6th Souper Thursday & Food Pantry Drive


Oct 29th Haunt on the Hill at Big Falls Lodge, 5pm-9pm. Games, Food, Contests, and Spooky fun

Nov 3rd Souper Thursday & Food Pantry Drive


Nov 24th Thanksgiving Dinner Potluck

Everyone is invited. Big Falls Lodge 2-5pm. We cook the Turkey & Ham, you bring a Side dish or dessert. We appreciate all the help we can get. There is a lot to do. Sign up at Souper Thursday or email [email protected]

EVENT CALENDARAngelus Oaks - Forest Falls - Mountain Home Village

Autumn 2016

Forest Falls Fire Department

Meets every Tues at 6:30pm, Forest Falls Fire Station. 794-4413

Angelus Oaks Fire Department

Meets on the 2nd & 4th Tues of every month at 6pm at the Angelus Oaks Fire Station.

Valley of the Falls Community Church Youth Group

Meets every Wednesday 6pm-8pm. Ages 12-18. Valley of the Falls Community Church

Angelus Oaks Fire Safe Council

Meets periodically. Dates are announced on the A.O. FSC Bulletin Board in the Angelus Oaks Post Office.

Frozen Green Thumb Garden Club

Meets 3rd Monday every month. Call Marc Lester 702-575-3550 for monthly location. All are welcome.

Cub Scouts Pack #794

Monday 6:30pm Valley of the Falls Church FF Cubmaster Matt Gibson 909-208-4536 or Shawna Gibson 909-841-0145

Explorer Post 128Meets 2nd & 3rd Thursday 6pm & 3rd Saturday at Forest Falls Fire Station. New Explorers welcome. 794-4413

Mill Creek Canyon C.E.R.T.

Skills Maintenance Days are in the planning stage, to get on a waiting list for new courses call Paul Tetreault 794-0077.

Souper ThursdayFREE SOUP!

First Thursday of the month 4pm -7pm at Big Falls Lodge. Call Dee 794-0885 (VOLUNTEERS NEEDED)

Valley of the Falls Search And Rescue

Meets 2nd Monday each month, at 7pm Forest Falls Sheriff Sub-Station 909-389-2435.



AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support VFCCi every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as regular Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a .05% of the purchase

price to our community center. Simply go to smile.amazon.com from your web browser. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. The first time you log in you will be asked to select a charity, choose Valley of the Falls Community Center and it will automatically be remembered in your settings. Purchases that are not made using an internet browser (e.g., using the Amazon Shopping App or the Kindle Store) are not currently eligible for donations but going to the smile.amazon.com site before purchasing is a simple way for us all to donate.

Souper Thursdays have been a great success…thanks to all of you! Starting in November we will do a baked potato bar w/soups, beverages etc. Desserts will still be potluck and we do appreciate the community providing them.I thought you might like to know some stats from January 2016-August 2016 (Note: we did have to cancel 3 months): 671 people have attended$1609.40 was donated$1562.85 were expensesA few reminders: Children under 14 years need to be accompanied by an adult. Parents need to supervise AT ALL TIMES!!No riding of bikes or skateboards in the parking lot. Parents, PLEASE monitor your kids when outside.

All hyperlinks work and get you to more content and connections when you visit www.mtncare.com

Transparent not Translucent

Souper Thursday Stats

Help VFCCi at NO Cost to You

Lodge Available on Christmas Day

by Thom Wellman

Valley of the Falls Community Center News

Phone: [email protected]

AknowledgementsReal Estate

DeedsCourt DocumentsDivorce

CALIFORNIANOTARYPUBLIC

As many of you already know Forest Falls is a very interesting and distinctive community. Did you know that in the late 50’s early 60’s that we had a Chamber of Commerce? In the 70’s we had a community recreation program that ran for several summers offering swimming, games, movie nights! Remember the efforts of this community in the building of the new school? This community has always tried to improve itself, a somewhat daunting task when we think of how individualistic we all are. For many of us, that is why we live here.It is in that same vein that our community center is trying to provide a means by which we as a community can be just that – a community. All things under the umbrella of VFCCi - the Big Falls Lodge, the programs, the classes, the events have not always met with resounding success, but they have all tried to offer a means of community. This is NOT a business! Business’s do not continue operating at a loss, they see the bottom line and do not go past it. In reality, our community center has looked so far past the bottom line that we have been subterranean. Just ask anyone who has helped with Souper Thursdays.In an effort to change and to get above that line we have received a few generous donations and have even received a loan. We are finishing paperwork with the state and the County to see if we can recover property taxes we have paid for the past few years (that in itself is a great blessing). We are also seeking new avenues of funding our operations.Now to the title of this article, VFCCi has been seen by some community members as having some motive or agenda that might not pass the integrity test (sort of translucent). The intent here is to be 100 percent TRANSPARENT. All our records and financials are available to anyone that wants to take the time to review them, in fact, we would encourage community folks to do just that.Please remember, like many things in life, that this too is a work in progress and will only be successful by the efforts of all us (our communities). If you have a question or a concern please contact any board member, staff, or class leader. If we cannot answer the question - we will get the answer. Thank you for your continued support!

Mountain Communities Food Pantry 527 pounds of food was donated from Jan.- July 2016. (Compared to 1547# Jan.-July 2015). Some friends just needed a little help...others needed more. We have plenty of cranberry sauce, soups and green beans. We are in need of TP, soap, detergent, pasta, dried beans, canned fruit etc.If you can use some assistance please pick up a form at the FF Post Office or at Souper Thursday. Neighbors can also refer. Please continue to donate food at Souper Thursday and/or at the FF Post Office. THANK YOU...sincerely, Dee Konczal

Have you ever thought of renting Big Falls Lodge Community Center for a family gathering on Christmas Day???? The lodge is decorated and available. If interested contact [email protected]



- Check www.VFCCi.org calendar for events and updates Have a class or event to put on? Let us know! Call or email your suggestions to [email protected]

• Post Office Box 41, Forest Falls, CA. 92339 • A Charitable Not for Profit Organization • EIN 33-0876386

Think Big Falls Lodge for your next event…

Valley of the Falls Community Center Inc.

- Want to receive notice of community events? Not on our email list? Send your email address to [email protected] (put “Add to Email List” on subject line). We do not share our email list with others.

We are in need of Volunteer Event Staffers to be the primary contact for various private events. You will get the training you need and the support necessary to take on the responsibility of producing a successful event. This donation of time is critical to the maintenance and continued existence of Big Falls Lodge. Interested ? Call Dee at 909-794-0885

In 2006-2007, our town pulled together and made a gem out of a building in severe disrepair. We have recently revamped the VFCCi.org website to include a history of Big Falls Lodge written by our own Shannon Wray. It’s a fascinating account of the canyon from the perspective of one building and we hope you’ll have a look. Shannon is interested in adding more of the later year history, so if you have any input for her please get in touch at [email protected]. We are also documenting the transformation to its current beautiful state. A lot of you were involved

in this process, if you have pictures or a unique perspective please reach out to Carol Burgess at [email protected]

Craft Fairs, Breakfast with Santa, Souper Thursday, CERT Training, Garden Club Meetings, Community Swap Meets, Search & Rescue

Breakfast, The Haunt on the Hill, Canyon Clean-Up Kick-off, Weddings, Memorials, Birthday Parties - - How many of these have YOU attended?

Board of Directors

Linda Jones, President [email protected]

909.794.0734Thom Wellman, V-Pres [email protected]

909.255.2964Susan Iles, Secretary

[email protected] 909.794.5756

Bernadette Griffith, Treasurer [email protected]

909.389.9973Jeff Britton


Carol [email protected]

909.794.6731Erik Foxvog


Paul [email protected]


Katherine Thomerson-Bird [email protected]

909.794.8040

www.VFCCi.org

Event Coordinator Dee Konzal


Event Staffers Positions available

Caretaker/Custodian Deanna Short 909.518.1193

Operating and maintaining an aging multi-purpose building in our rural community has its challenges. Last year the carpet was replaced and the antiquated heating system was upgraded to a modern, more efficient unit. Current on the to-do list are some electrical repairs, plumbing upgrades to facilitate winterizing (the pipes

froze last year), structural reinforcements, refinishing the wood floor and some kitchen upgrades. We also hope to be able to purchase the adjacent lot for more parking and …. stay tuned!

Tree down from windstorm, Nov 2005

Memorials for families that live in our three Mountain Communities are rental free at BFL.



36930 Old Mill Creek RoadMentone, CA 92359

Office: (909) 794-1096 [email protected]

The Bear Facts is a publication of Mountain C.A.R.E., a non-profit organization.We appreciate the patronage of our advertisers and the services they offer to our readers.However, the subscribers and the Board of Directors of Mountain C.A.R.E., are not endorsing these companies simply by including the ads in this publication. The advertisers pay for the privilege to post their ads and The Bear Facts is produced in part by those fees. We hope you will enjoy the services these companies offer.

The Bear Facts Ad RatesHalf Page $350 /yearThird Page $275 /yearQuarter Page $250 /yearBusiness Card $150 /yearcontact Shirley Bauer [email protected]

Inquire about how easy it is to have YOUR business ad in The Bear FactsContact [email protected]



Steve England

License 0B63451

Office: (909) 793-0400

[email protected]

www.farmersagent.com/sengland

HOME

AUTO

LIFE

BUSINESS

RETIREMENT

5850 Manzanita Ave. Angelus Oaks CA 92305

(909) 801-4904

1438 Pacific St. Redlands CA 92373

(909) 798-7077

NOW OPEN

A Residential Care Facility for the Elderly

We invite you to visit us in person or take a video tour

Or just drop by for a visit! Thank you.

www.pacific-pines.com

Please call or email to set up an appointment



Inquire about how easy it is to have YOUR business ad in the Bear FactsContact [email protected]





by Ann Klingbeil by Paul TetreaultDog Tails 2016 Haunt Inspired by Film

Summer Time!!!! Fleas, ticks, bees and mosquitoes, Oh My!!!! Bites and stings from these bugs are itchy and painful and

the mosquitoes can inject heartworm into your dog, which is potentially fatal. The mosquitoes are now found in every state, including Alaska. This is due to climate change making warm weather last longer and cold weather is a shorter period.Vets now recommend year round heartworm preventatives.

** Heartworm Fact **Heartworm preventatives are highly effective, but not fail safe. Heartworm in some areas has developed a resistance to the preventative. One possible solution may be a topical medication called Vectra 3D that repels mosquitoes that cause heartworm.Also, at this time of the year, beware of rattlesnakes!!!!Dogs also need a sunscreen if they are going on a hike or to the beach with you. Place the sunscreen on dogs with thin coats, on the dog’s nose and any other place where there is little or no hair.

IN MEMORY OF “Buddy” Broman

NEW ORBIT COMMUNICATION

951-231-7890XTRAOUTLET

951-777-4488

Last year’s Haunt on the Hill was the most successful of the years it’s been running. More people attending and things to do than ever before. The carnival stylings seemed to work really well. This year in a similar yet different concept, the hopes are high that this Halloween event will satisfy all who attend.The 2016 Haunt (the sixth annual) has been inspired by a film that many canyon residents, especially ones younger than 25, will recognize. So in place of the standard film review that normally appears in this slot I am going to recommend you watch (or re-watch) The first Harry Potter film. Of course all of the Harry Potter films are chock full of monsters and magic, as well as cool scenes and plenty of shenanigans. When Harry gets invited to attend the prestigious Hogwarts School to train him as a wizard, he must go to a special place to acquire all of his school supplies. It’s the magic world’s Diagon Alley that has all sorts of specialty items just for that culture that inspire the Haunt’s theme for this year.Still in the planning stages as of the writing of this sneak peek, the theme that will encompass all of our Halloween magic this year is the Monster Mall. A spooky place of food and fun where creatures of all sorts can meander and enjoy special shops just for the monster community. Specialty themed storefronts will offer food items, trinkets, and activities to accent the Halloween atmosphere. If you don’t quite get the concept, check out, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.



Please make sure any ad artwork, articles, calendar updates, and photos are sent to [email protected] on or before the submission deadline (all submissions digital please). For questions call the editor, Paul Tetreault at 909-794-0077.

by Larry LinnHike to Constance Peak

Hike to Constance Peak from the Loch Leven Conference CenterDoes the thought of a Twelve-mile hike interest you? No? What if I included a stop for a nice lunch at a nice restaurant about half way along the trail? And what if you could catch a ride back to the Conference Center from the Restaurant if you don’t have any energy left? Well, you are in luck! We have just the hike for you, right here in our local mountains. Here is how you do it. First, create a car shuttle. Drive your car to the Angelus Oaks Restaurant on Hwy 38, and park in front of the now closed market. Have a co-hiker pick you up and drive both of you South about 13 miles on Hwy 38, to Mtn. Home Creek Rd. Turn right (north) and drive about one-quarter mile to the small parking lot across from the Loch Leven Conference Center. Park there. Hike on the semi-paved road up the hills into the mountains. It is ok to walk past the gates. While this area is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, parking permits or adventure passes are not required. Stay on the well-worn trail and in roughly 8-miles you will reach the community of Angelus Oaks. Continue walking past the lovely homes, up hill to reach Hwy 38 and turn left (North). The Oaks Restaurant is just a short stroll from there. Now you are faced with the biggest decision you will have to make during this hike: Should you stop in and get lunch now, or continue up the dirt road another 3.5 miles to Constance Peak? I would encourage you to continue up the road because the view from near the top of Constance is sublime, as John Muir would say.The route I have described does not exactly take you to the top of Constance, but you are very close. Sorry, I just don’t have space here to provide all the details. To get there would require some cross-country hiking on a somewhat steep hillside. A little Google searching with Google Maps or Earth will show you where that unmarked turn-off is from the dirt road. At the top of Constance, hidden in a pile of rocks, you will find the peak register where you can sign in. That will earn you the bragging rights for that hike. We discovered that the ants have claimed a large part of the peak as their home, so watch where you sit or place your equipment. Now is the time to head back down the 3.5-miles with your appetite and stop at the Oaks Restaurant. Their soup-of-the-day with iced tea is always great for rebuilding your energy.

The Bear Facts - New Release Dates Next Submission DEADLINE: Aug 5th

The new regular schedule for the Bear Facts submissions and issue dates are as follows:

Submission Deadline

MtnCARE.com post Date

In the Mail Issue Date

Issue 1 Spring Feb 5th Feb 20th Mar 1st

Issue 2 Summer May 5th May 20th Jun 1st

Issue 3 Autumn Aug 5th Aug 20th Sep 1st

Issue 4 Winter Nov 5th Nov 20th Dec 1st

To all residents of:Angelus Oaks, Mountain Home Village & Forest Falls The Bear Facts is sent out in Mar, Jun, Sep, & Dec. Do you have a mountain event coming up that would benefit by being included in an upcoming issue? The Mountain C.A.R.E volunteer staff gets excited every time the Bear Facts goes out to our three mountain communities, and to our canyon property owners who live elsewhere. Perhaps you would like to help with the newsletter’s production.Would you like to subscribe? Our valuable subscribers are folkswho support The Bear Facts with a $15.00 donation once a year.Our volunteer’s names are on the front of this Bear Facts issue. Weall are accessible. If you have an article or calendar entry for TheBear Facts, contact Paul Tetreault [email protected] ad concerns go to Shirley Bauer [email protected]

ECR WSS Postal PatronAngelus Oaks, CA 92305

Mountain C.A.R.E.P.O. Box 13Forest Falls, CA 92339

ECR WSSPostal PatronForest Falls, CA 92339

ECR WSS Postal PatronMountain Home Village, CA 92359

Autumn 2016 Volume 10 Number 3