You know that spring has arrived when the sporting goods stores start restocking fishing equipment. Golden Era Productions hosted a fishing tournament for kids (now to become an annual event) on April 15th. There were nearly 130 kids in the tournament who angled in 145 fish of various sizes and ethnicity. Parents and guests applauded as the youngsters reeled them in.

Muriel DuFresne, Public Relations Director at Golden Era Productions, said, “There was an outpouring of community support to make this event come to be, which is reflective of this wonderful San Jacinto Valley community, and once again affirms the small town friendly atmosphere which historically has been so much a part of this valley.”

The Rotary Club prepared pancakes ala “everybody come,” Hemet Kiwanis Club BBQ’d hamburgers and hot dogs at lunch, Cal Fire Station 25 was on duty with a fire truck, AMR was there just in case and the Hemet Police Department brought over their vintage car. The Police Explorers and Grandfathers for Golf pitched in to make a happier day for the kids even more joyful.

Comments came from a mother, “We loved this event. Thank you so much. This is our second time here. We came in 2019 and that is what got my son hooked on fishing.”

A father commented, “I love this venue. Another, on his way out with his family, said, “My boys had a wonderful time today. They both caught fish. Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved in making this tournament come to life. We really had a blast.” Another said, “We sure hope that you are having this again next year.”

The largest fish was caught by Carron Phipps in the senior division. His catch weighed in at 5.2 pounds. James Irwin was the winner from the junior division and his fish weighed in at 3.6 pounds. Each received a trophy and gift certificate.

In the Senior Division, the 10 runner-ups were: Kathryn Irwin with a 4.13lb fish; Mikel Pleasant a 4.0lb beauty; Neil Levine, a 3.14 pounder; Ted Levine, a 3.10 pounder; Aubrey Morgan, a 3.1lb fish; Kacay Keeline a 3.1lb fish; Keegan Libeau a 3.09 pounder; Eliana Martinez with a 2.9 pounder and Haley Irwin with a 2.9 pounder. They each were awarded a medallion and a gift certificate.

Not to be forgotten were those in the Junior Division: Mason Wofford, 3.5 pounder; Daizy Molina with a 3.14 pounder; Analia Barrett, a 3.2 pounder; William Rathbone with a 3.09lb fish; Nevaeh Edwards, a 3.03lb fish; Averse Nace, a 2.8 pounder; Adam Lawry a 2.42lb fish; Aria Swope a 2.4 pounder; Amarize Partida with a 2.15lb fish and Charlie Brown (for real?) a 2.1 pounder.

The following sponsors are acknowledged and thanked for their participation in making this event a tremendous success.

Gold: American Legion post 53; Golden Era Productions, Soboba Foundation, Steve Dimemmo and Dr. Kristi Dimemmo.

Silver: Agri-Empire, Cloverland Foundation, Dr. Abid Hussain, HCN bank, Hemet Jeep Club, Hemet Police Officers Association, Larry Soares Appliance and Sysco Foods.

Bronze: Andy & Cindy Dominigoni, Backs Automotive, Brubaker Culton Realty, Cops for Kids and Communities, Inland Foundation Engineers, McDaniel & Associates, Meade Realtor, Miller-Jones Mortuary, Sylvan Learning Center and Toliver Tax Service.

One can only imagine how many parents and others at the event were wishing, “Oh, how I wish I were a kid again today.” And who wouldn’t? Anyone should be happy with the sizes of those fish caught. Just sayin

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On Friday, February 21, Valley Community Pantry (VCP) celebrated its 55^th year in serving its community. The event brought together local businesses, churches, and community members in recognition of the non-profit’s invaluable service to those in need.

The theme was emerald green at VCP – the color symbolizing 55 years – and over 80 community members were present for Friday’s event which offered barbequed burgers, hot dogs, drinks and raffles prizes which appropriately included a 55-inch flat screen television.

Following the singing of the National Anthem by the talented 14-year-old, Sage Jessee, businesses and community leaders were recognized and thanked for making the Pantry’s mission a reality; Ferguson Flooring, Trinity Lutheran Church and Linda Greilich from Golden Era were one of many for whom VCP is grateful – for without donations and services these businesses provide, VCP would be unable to continue serving those who need assistance.

“Everybody deserves to eat regardless of their background or situation,” says Jim Lineberger, VCP’s Executive Director and CEO who believes strongly in the principles of helping the less fortunate. He and over 65 volunteers work tirelessly to provide the community with groceries and services such as utility and rental assistance – also, new or used refrigerators.

“If you’re in the senior community, you need to go check on your neighbors . . . they’re often too proud to ask for help. To have a senior go hungry is heartbreaking and it simply should not happen . . . if you know somebody in need, bring them down here,” Lineberger adds, explaining that over 25% of their clientele are senior citizens who often find themselves in a financial bind after their spouse passes away. Veterans, single mothers and homeless make up the remaining percentage of clients.

Some stats since 2011.

VCP:

• Serves 46 registered homeless veterans
• Serves 413 registered inactive veterans
• Serves 190 registered disabled veterans
• Serves 2,419 registered disabled senior families
• Serves 2,700 who live on social security income only
• Serves 2,880 seniors 60 years and older
• Serve 3,188 single mom families
• Registers, on average, 65 new families per month
• 82% of clients are extreme low income ($0.00 to $14,150)
• 1% of clients are moderate income ($37,751 and higher)

When asked about his hopes for the Panty’s future, VCP President, Leonard Gleason says, “I hope to continue building awareness in the community, the business community, and gain their support. Without our volunteers, churches and business’s support, I’m not sure we’d get a whole lot done.”

To learn more about the Valley Community Pantry visit www.ValleyCommunityPantry.org

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Congratulations to the San Jacinto Valley Academy Middle School Lady Wolves for Winning the 2020 Championship game in their division last Thursday January 30, 2020. This is definitely one to remember: with one tied game, one loss and the first ever Championship in the school’s history, since it opened its doors in 1997.

The coaching staff and the girls came with confidence, determination and great skill. They ended in great fashion by defeating Santa Rosa Academy 5-4 and breaking Santa Rosa’s multiple year wining streak! The lady Wolves may have the deepest lineup, top to bottom, in Middle Division 1 with Avilika Arana, Priscilla Bidriezca, Jayde Boeckerman, Alix Buenrostro, Lilyanna Contreras, Leslie Hernandez, Paola Ixtlahuac, Annalise Magaña, Miriam Manzo, Madison Pastorius, Samantha Rodriguez, Treasure Rosales, Eleanore Stroffolino. Well-known coaches Sam Carbajal, Tera Felipe and Reuben Felipe also did a wonderful job.

Congratulations to the Lady Wolves Middle School representing the San Jacinto Valley. We can’t wait to see how far your bright futures will take you!

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A loss of any kind at any time, is hard to take. A loss of the life of a beloved community leader is even harder to take. Losing two such leaders…both healthy just days before their deaths, and losing them in the closing days of the holiday season is almost unbearable, but that’s what our valley is facing with the loss of Phil Brigandi, historian for Hemet, San Jacinto and Orange County and also, the loss of Steve Covington, owner of the Downtown Deli, and holder of several seats on several local boards, including a seat on the Ramona Bowl Board of Directors.

Phil Brigandi was historian for the Ramona bowl and the Orange County Historical Society, along with historian for San Jacinto at one time. Brigandi wrote about Orange County for more than four decades, but always came back to discuss the Ramona Bowl board and to help out, whenever he was needed. Lori Van Arsdale, past President of the Ramona Pageant was shocked at the passing of both men. “Phil was historian here at the Bowl, full-time, for 13 years, plus 17 years during the “Ramona” season…and he could reel off statistics and information like no one else. He was an amazing young man who came to work here at a very young age and always came back over the years to help in anyway he could. He’s done so much for the valley…as a historian and also as a friend of so many. This is just such a loss, not only of life, but of a valuable resource. And Steve was just such a visionary. It’s just so shocking.”

Van Arsdale remembered how Phil Brigandi stepped in and helped save a very special film: the 1928 version of Ramona, a silent film starring Dolores Del Rio which was found in Prague, Czech Republic. “Phil was instrumental in helping to restore the English subtitles for the film. The Library of Congress’ Moving Image Curator Rob Stone and Phil were there on March 29, 2014 at UCLA to view the restored version. I was very honored to have been a part of that evening. It was very special and Phil played a big role in that happening.”

One person who echoed Ms. Van Arsdale’s thoughts was Dorothy Bailey Vosburg-Wood, who played Ramona in the pageant a record 11 years. “Phil was such an absolute treasure. He was one of the best men who ever had anything to do with the bowl. I was blessed to be able to star in the pageant for 11 years starting in 1951. I took several years off for childbirth and then last appeared in 1971. Phil was just a very very special friend of mine.  We will never replace such a loss: he was an intimate friend and so very very knowledgeable. It’s a loss to the entire valley.”

Anne Jennings, Founding Curator of the Hemet view museum said that she, “… knew Phil from almost the time that he came to town up at the Ramona Bowl when he was not too long out of school. Monique Peterson who was in charge of the gift shop and museum basically brought Phil to town to make sense out of our archive and museum, and he stayed for a while, in many capacities. He wrote columns for the Hemet news and for the old Chronicle. He was also for a few years, curator of the San Jacinto Museum.”

(Valley stunned by death)

(Valley stunned by death)

Ms. Jennings said she got to know Brigandi well over the years because of his insatiable curiosity and the fact that he always looked up anyone who might have any historical information. “Phil always looked up the old-timers in town including my husband Bill Jennings. My husband Bill wrote for the newspaper and was also founder of the museum. My husband wrote for the Press-Enterprise back when it was a real powerful paper. Phil also did work for the museum but didn’t actually work for them. He was just that kind of giving individual. In 2015 Rich and Steve Lech produced and published a book of my husband’s columns called, “On my side,” which is published by The Hemet Museum.”

Ms. Jennings said that Brigandi’s kindness, caring and sense of humor was always at hand. “Rich had a larger-than-life personality. My husband Bill used to run the “Peg-leg Smith Liars Contest” out of the Anza-Borrego State Park. It was a group of people who could spin the wildest yarns. It was started before World War II. My husband Bill revived it in the 60s and when he could no longer do it…Phil stepped right in and took over. He was just a very very special young man.”

Darlene Ramirez, Office Manager at The Hemet Museum said she was in shock to hear of the passing of both men. “I know of Rich Brigandi’s impact here in this valley, so I know how important he was, and Steve Covington and I were good friends. He looked to me as a source of advice and we always had very good talks. I’m just in shock. He just did so much for this community. We had talked on Messenger not too long before he went into the hospital, and I told him to slow down and take it easy, but he wanted so much to succeed. He had a heart of gold and he never let up. I will miss him and miss our talks terribly.”

A vigil was held at 5pm this past Sunday outside of Covington’s “Downtown Deli,” and Harvard Street was nearly blocked off due to the amount of people. The crowd of mourners listened to speeches by Steve’s family, by past Ramona Bowl Pageant President Lori Van Arsdale and by former San Jacinto Mayor Russ Utz who said simply, “Hopefully this will bring this town together and teach us that we have to love one another.”

After the speeches were finished, and just as those of us who knew him knew he would have wanted, the Downtown Deli opened for business in Steve’s honor. A friend said, “We’re going to open as Steve would have wanted and we will have regular hours, closing at seven tonight.” For those who knew him, it was the way Steve would have wanted it to be. “He was such a driven person, but my God how decent. You always knew where he stood, and where you stood with him. It’s such a terrible loss,” said a mourner who wished to remain anonymous.

Friends of Steve Covington’s, Kathy and Gary Hakala said they had seen Steve just days before he was hospitalized. “He said he needed to slow down because he was feeling tired. He said his body needed to rest, and now…this.”

(Valley stunned by death)

Steve Covington’s friend and past Ramona Pageant President Lori Van Arsdale echoed the thoughts of many people at the vigil. “Steve had such as enthusiasm for the Downtown area and for his Deli. I’ve known Simon Chu (local real estate developer and close friend of Steve Covington’s) for many years, and what I have always appreciated is that Simon had a lot of tremendous ideas, and Steve, with his creativity, helped bring those to life with his renderings. He really was a visionary. We on the board were so looking forward to his applying his creativity to our upcoming projects. It’s just such a horrible shock and loss for the board, for the Downtown Deli, for his family…and the entire city.”

A somber, respectful but upbeat crowd gave Steve Covington the kind of memorial he would have wanted: people talked, laughed, children ran around the tables giggling, and some even waited tables. For those of us who were lucky enough to know this powerful, driven but very kind young man…there will be a permanent hole in the heart of this city.

A memorial service for Steve Covington will be held this Saturday, December 28 at 10am at The Ramona Bowl. A public memorial service will be held at 11am on January 29 for Brigandi at the Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary in Santa Ana. The Orange County Historical Society is also planning a tribute to Brigandi and a Hemet tribute is in the works and will be announced as soon as possible. Brigandi is survived by two younger brothers, Stephen and Chris and their families. Steve Covington is survived by wife Karen Covington, his mother Diana Covington-Hruska, and his grandfather and grandmother, Tom and Sally Covington.

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