Who says there’s no good news? In response to my query here for the best thing that happened to you in 2023, responses rolled in. Some of you said your families expanded this year. “Due to happy chance, both of my daughters were married in 2023,” says Aggie Jenkins of Jurupa Valley. “They each waited a while for ‘the one’ and both men were certainly worth the wait.” The weddings, one in spring, one in fall, brought together family and friends. “I am at the age when family tends to gather more for funerals,” Aggie says, “so this year was a welcome and happy change.” “The highlight of this year was the birth of my first grandchild in November. Happiest day of 2023,” says Tressy Capps of San Bernardino. “I got the news while I was in Hawaii.” She attached a photo of the sunrise that day.

Elizabeth Adame of Riverside welcomed her first granddaughter, as did Gloria Perry of Jurupa Valley, while Bob Terry of Alta Loma and Jeanne Blackburn Munz of Redlands each became great-grandparents. Some of you gave birth to creative projects. “The best thing that happened to me in 2023 was the completion of my book. After 13 years, my writing partner and I held a copy in our hands. The last word had been written and the final edits made,” says a satisfied Walter Parks of Riverside. “As a writer, I am sure you appreciate that special moment.”

I do. I like writing, don’t get me wrong, but I prefer having written. Wanda DeHaven Pyle of Claremont has published five novels of historical fiction, more for personal pleasure than monetary reward or attention. You can imagine her surprise, then, when two book clubs, one local, one in Oregon, chose a book of hers to read, engaged in a thoughtful discussion and encouraged her to keep writing. “It was truly a highlight of my year,” DeHaven Pyle says.

Meanwhile, Steve Lech of Riverside, who writes a regular history column about Riverside County, finally finished and published his book about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. “That was too long in the making,” Lech admits. Which reminds me I still need to both read his book and ride the Tramway. “I started my Spanish podcast ‘2 Gatos en Tierra de Perros’ with a friend I attended school with in Madrid, Spain, in 1980-81,” says Joe McGaha of Montclair. “So far, we have interviewed journalists, lawyers and politicians, and we’re just getting started.” Some of your news involved pets.

Michelle Dubas of Ontario took her oldest dog to the vet, who reported that Opal wasn’t strong enough to survive surgery to remove a mass in her chest. As an alternative, she says, the vet suggested “that we could just take her home and love her, feed her and treat her like a queen.” That was in January 2023. Opal is thriving with this hospice-like home care. “We are hoping,” Michelle says, “that we can treat her like a queen in 2024 as well.”

When Sue Payne of San Bernardino looks back at 2023, the best thing, she reflects, may be simply that she had “an entire year of excellent health,” allowing her “to appreciate and enjoy not just some days but every day.” “My great experience in 2023 was turning 90 years old,” Dick Hulse of Upland says. “My mother died at 50 and my father at 65. I have had a number of medical problems so reaching 90 was an accomplishment.

My excellent brain health is as good as when I was 30.” If I can’t find my car keys one day, perhaps Dick will know where to look. Art Murphy of Moreno Valley promised in this space a year ago to lose 30 pounds, and he has. “I just cut out most of the junk food I love, increased my activity and try not to eat anything after 6 p.m.,” Art shares.

He’s a faithful subscriber and reader, but I think even more of him now that there’s less of him. Julia Parra of Upland had a left hip-joint replacement after a couple of years of walking with a limp. After physical therapy, Julia says, “I now am looking forward to traveling, hiking, pickleball, working out at the Claremont Club and whatever else presents itself. Look out, 2024, I’m back!” JoAnne McKaughan of Upland hadn’t thought she had done much in 2023 until my column prompted her to think back.

Besides travels with husband Bob to Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and Paso Robles, she drove to Claremont to take in a bagpipe concert. “Which was excellent and which you’ve missed for some reason for four years,” she chides. Avoiding bagpipe concerts is among my 2023 highlights, thank you. Genevieve Tyler of Riverside’s highlight came Dec. 15 at the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn. Not the lights, but the entertainment by the Ramona High arts magnet program.

Students were “magnificent,” Genevieve marvels, with piano music, singing and choreographed dancing, which included gymnastics. “I was just awestruck,” she says, and left with the thought that with high achievers like this, the future is in good hands. Thanks to everyone for sharing your good news and helping make the past two columns a bit brighter.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various author’s articles on this Opinion piece or elsewhere online or in the newspaper where we have articles with the header “COLUMN/EDITORIAL & OPINION” do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints or official policies of the Publisher, Editor, Reporters or anybody else in the Staff of the Hemet and San Jacinto Chronicle Newspaper.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post Readers share their 2023 highlights from throughout the Inland Empire appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Last week we took the community to task for not giving their support to the Ramona Play’s 100th Anniversary celebration. Lo and behold the turnout at Dattilo’s Ristorante fundraising bash was jammed to the wall, speculated to have brought in about $8,000.

The diners included many of the local politicos. Recently re-elected Hemet Council member Linda Krupa’s table partner was retiring Councilman Russ Brown joined Kinda for the evening; he is being replaced by newcomer Jackie Peterson, a retired Navy veteran.

Past mayors of Hemet, Lori Van Arsdale and Robin Lowe made the rounds, speaking with old friends and finding new ones,

Former San Jacinto councilman and Golden Era Studio’s publicity director were instrumental in making the event a smashing success. Sequined ladies and their tuxedoed husbands mingled with anyone who is anyone in the valley.

Last week we were on deadline and could only speculate as to how the event went. Now I will relate what really happened. To begin, the food was scrumptious as always. Joseph Dattillo’s son, operates a first-class Italian kitchen.

And now, to the entertainment, The mystery show was right out of the Keystone Cops. It was worthy of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Here is the cast of actors who had the audience belly-laughing all evening. I’m sure most of their Abs never ever ad so much exercise.:

1. Hailey Jones – Silent film actress, Charlene Chaplin

2. Kevin Kreiger – Movie producer – Harry Roach

3. John Norris (VERY) – Italian Chef Buca DeBeppo

4. George Alvaliotis – Waiter/Wannabe – Anthony DeBeppo

5. Isaac Kessler -Mysterious Customer – Otto Sumseeen/Detective Sunseem

6. Shannon Kuccovaty – Playwright Ellen Hunt Johnson

7. Guest shot Theatre – Food critic Monica from the audience

PLOT:

Harry comes to Hemet with his wife to scout new talent for the Ramona Bowl. On opening night, there is a party for Alessandra (Hailey Johnson), starring in a new play at the famous Italian Ristoranti, known for its Squid Lasagna. Chaos takes over, starting in the kitchen from the very first words spoken by an actor.

Then comes the enigma – who poisoned Harry?? We find out that Harry and

Ellen has a love child. Enter the audience. The audience tags Anthony, who turns out to be Detective Sunseem, who has a bone to pick with Harry, who has connections with the Mob.

Unbelievably, the scene gets more idiotic at this point. Charlene and Ellen – bitter enemies in the past, decide they will produce a great movie themselves and do not need Harry.

All’s well that ends well and once again there is proof positive that live theatre beats the hell out of any movie.

Kudos, especially to Hailey Jones, who wore several hats in this production. She wrote the play, produced and was the star. We’re sure to see more of her. It is amazing how someone you never heard of pops up out of nowhere to brighten our entertainment menu.

Last week we went to press before the play was shown. That’s one of the reasons for a follow-up. Support the Ramona Play and the local playhouses – there is some amazing talent in this valley. We don’t have to go to Los Angeles to see good theatre – we have it all right here in our beautiful valley. Just sayin’

rustystrait@gmail.com

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post When newspapers speak, readers still listen appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Defunding the police won’t completely get rid of all of the funding police get. As of right now, the police get more money than they actually need. Defunding the police would take some of that money and put it back into the communities in ways that would help lessen the load on police officers. It would put more money into public health, improving our mental health services and resources…something that is very much needed here in our small community. It would put more money into parks and recreation for kids and for adults to enjoy and help improve their mental health. It would put more money back into the communities to help give them more resources. It would help more people directly instead of funding for the last resource people turn to. It would help our communities be more proactive in stopping a lot of crimes because it would be giving people more resources to live better lives.

Evelyn Giselle Barajas

Hemet

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: our readers

The post Letters from our readers appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

It was inspiring to see on T.V., the granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. carrying on his message of peaceful marches to protest injustice.

Now is the time for the media to stop calling this tragedy happening to our nation a protest. It is promoting publicity for a group of radicals, creating violence and the destruction of the economy and life in America. It has nothing to do with the justice for George Floyd he deserves.

My opinion of this group of young, destructive looters shown on T.V. seem to have been raised without a value system, conscience or faith. They appear never to have heard of the Golden Rule.

Maxine Connor

Hemet

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

Search: Our Readers

The post Letters from our Readers appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.