Foothills Sentry December 2021

Page 7 Foothills Sentry December 2021 Bells ring, bells toll Road eco-warrior You’ve seen him for over a year picking up trash on Santiago Canyon Road, truck parked on the gravel as he collects all variet- ies of detritus dropped or chucked from vehicles, items big and small purposely or accidentally left to despoil our canyon thoroughfare. This heroic dude prefers anonym- ity, but you might be inspired to mimic the charitable, if Sisyph- ean, actions of our visiting Good Samaritan. Aviation agitation Late October, and acorns hang heavy in the oaks. Dozens of band-tailed pigeons do their clumsily balletic dance, feeding off the bounty. But their amus- ing avian antics are modest com- pared to the Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30 fly-over by three private planes performing a bewildering, if entertaining, bespoke air show above our canyons with low-al- titude buzzing of Modjeska and a couple of turnarounds on their way back to Chino Airport. Ac- customed to military planes, fire survey and rescue helicopters, the surprise attack alarmed some res- idents, if only temporarily putting the pigeons off their fall buffet. Big government ! In SMRPD news, Zach Dupre achieves immortality this month. The longtime organizer of the Sil- verado Summer Concerts series will be honored with a plaque in recognition of his work, to be in- stalled --- where else? --- on the stage. Rock on, Zach! No plaque, but there’s a thank- you T-shirt in it if you donate blood at Silverado’s Community Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21 be- tween 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sign up with the American Red Cross (redcrossblood.org) by clicking “Find A Drive” and en- tering sponsor code “SMRPD.” Save lives and put some soul in the Solstice. Proposed upgrades of both SMRPD park sites include a possible “natural water park” at Silverado and new ground cover at Modjeska. The board solicits comments for the “splash pad” advocated by parents with small kids needing relief from high summer temps. In addition to la- bor and design, features of both project proposals include planting trees, landscaping and irrigation. Plans and photos available online. County Emergency Liaison Joanne Hubble encourages resi- dents to enroll in the 2022 Canyon Emergency Preparedness Acade- my, with applications due by Dec. 11, and spots limited. The course meets six consecutive Sunday evenings, with Superbowl off. Unsurprisingly, Joanne is herself a graduate, several times over, and looks forward to renewing her CPR certification this time around. The modest $30 fee for materials might be recouped in a football pool. Call OCFA Station 16 (714) 649-2500 or email --- who else? --- Chief Bruce Newell at brucenewell@ocfa.org. Back from a two-week COVID shut-down, Children’s Center income is down, with added ex- pense incurred from hiring an ad- ditional teacher to respect health protocols. A good moment to make a charitable contribution to the work of this enduring and vi- tal childcare facility. Finally, the not-for-profit orga- nizers of Christmas in the Can- yons are back, with (holiday) bells on: Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown Sil- verado. Intrepid local activist Mary Schreiber compares CITC to a Phoenix or Thunderbird ris- ing out of the ashes. They lost all decorations in the Bond Fire except Santa’s sleigh and the Christmas tree. “The Canyon Moms” will decorate with lights and tinsel to welcome Saint Nick, and kick off a day of holiday mu- sic, food, and arts and crafts for sale. Also a petting zoo, wine bar and photos in Santa’s Snow Cave. Rain or shine. (Shine preferred.) Modjeska residents better watch out, and better not cry, and antici- pate details regarding Santa’s ar- rival at Station 16. Gene Robinson, RIP Forty-year resident and can- yons activist Gene Robinson was memorialized by 250 friends and fans at Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange, where he and Mary were congregants and choir members. Extremely quotable Mary Schreiber, a friend, re- calls: “Gene was one of the first organizers of our Canyon Watch GMRS radio communication sys- tem. He helped locate and install the Franklin repeater, trained new radio operators and when the Station 14 siren went off (before PulsePoint) he got on the radio to report whether the engine was go- ing up canyon or down. A true ex- ample of how we should take care of and care about each other.” Ralph Voehl, RIP Another iconic longtime resi- dent has left the canyons. Or not. His spirit, embodied in his ancient if reliable Chevy pickup truck, robust woodpile, carefully restored rustic cabin and in the echo of a hearty laugh and gruff wit, endures. The handsomely bearded, barefoot, and becapped Ralph Voehl, often encountered chatting with drivers-by in the middle of Modjeska Canyon Road, eschewed footwear, either out of discomfort and frustration with shoes or as an ostensible symbolic gesture made after mili- tary service, where they require boots to be worn. Ralph nursed wife Maureen after her medical crisis and was known as a gen- erous neighbor, ran a landscape business, and was a man who maintained lifelong friendships from his childhood in Santa Ana. Peace. Wayne and Mary Silzel Grand marshals announced for VP Boat Parade Villa Park Community Ser- vices Chair Ed Carter announced longtime residents and commu- nity volunteers Carolyn and Jim Reichert as the 2021 Villa Park Dryland Boat Parade Grand Mar- shals. Wayne and Mary Silzel, the 2020 Grand Marshals, did not get to participate in the parade be- cause it was cancelled due to CO- VID. They were given honorary recognition again this year. Jim and Carolyn Reichert To promote career technical education and raise funds for scholar- ships, Brian Dozer, president of the nonprofit Vital Link, pedaled around high school and community college campuses in Orange Coun- ty. He visited Orange High School and its farm, Oct. 15, one stop on the Pedal-Ed tour designed to encourage donations for community col- lege student scholarships. The Pedal-Ed tour exceeded its fundraising goal of $20,000. Ralph Voehl's reliable Chevy Five members of the 1971 Pony League World Series Champion base- ball team received proclamations from the City of Orange and County Supervisor Don Wagner, Nov. 9, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their winning season. From left, Orange Mayor Mark Murphy, team members Chuck Linnert, Dave Wheeler, Bob Ansari, Rick Gaulden, Kevin Triggs and Pat Buttress, representing Supervisor Wagner. Photos by Tony Richards