Portrait of a columnist

For years, readers have awakened to his column in The Press-Enterprise and on PE.com.

Dan Bernstein fans have grown accustomed to tales about wayward sheepdogs, his wife fixing everything around the house and the foibles of public officials.

On October 14^th, readers got a chance to ask Bernstein about all the stories he has relayed in print and online for nearly three decades.

At a “Good Morning Beaumont” breakfast, the audience peppered Bernstein with questions about his craft, what inspires him, the watchdog role of a free press, and even how he became a champion “whistler.”

Beaumont Chamber president Lynn Bogh Baldi introduced Bernstein to those gathered in the dining room at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon.

“Four times a week, his talents as a writer, humorist and chronicler of life in the Inland Empire have made us laugh, made us cry, and made us think, and after all these years, he keeps us wondering—how in the heck can he be so clever?” Baldi said. “I could only be talking about the Inland Empire’s answer to the great, old-time newspaper columnists like Jimmy Breslin, Herb Caen and Jack Smith.”

Voice for the Inland Empire

Bernstein, who has been a P.E. columnist for almost 30 years, started by whistling the well-known tune, “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning!”

The columnist began whistling decades ago when his wife spotted an advertisement in the New Yorker about a contest. Bernstein and a buddy won the “novelty” portion of the competition, in which Bernstein whistled a song called “Blue Skies.”

When it comes to writing a column, Bernstein said he picks topics that he feels strongly about and can have an opinion on.

“I try to write with some intelligence, although that might be debatable, and some passion,” Bernstein remarked. “Readers are very smart and I respect their intelligence immensely.”

Remembering our soldiers

A question from the audience about a recent column titled “Portrait of a young man” showed how Bernstein can be very insightful.

Someone had written the newspaper upset about one in a series of “American Hero” banners that hang near Fairmount Park in Riverside. The 9-foot-high banners pay tribute to soldiers who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan or after they left the service. Most are shown in their uniform. But a highly decorated sniper, Shaun Paul Raymond, was shown bare-chested, tattooed and with a large rifle over his shoulder.

On a recent weekend, Bernstein sat with Raymond’s family in their home for an hour and half. He came away touched by the excruciating pain of trying to summarize their child’s life in a single picture.

Bernstein wrote: “We like our wars smart and tidy, our soldiers crisp and clean.”

Then, he invited readers to take a drive out to see the banner.

“You’ll see a young man named Shaun Paul Raymond."

Columns like this one about a soldier and countless others that Bernstein has written, along with lighthearted tales and political satires and biting commentaries about government waste and corruption, are what makes the columnist almost a living legend among loyal readers. He has written thousands of columns, with many more just waiting for the telling … along with a whistle or two.

Water turns gold

For more than a century, the history of water in the Pass has been about epoch moments of innovation that have defined this region and heralded a bright future.
From hearty farmers who dammed up mountain creeks to flood their fields to gutsy drillers who punched the first wells, water visionaries have made their mark.

On the 50th anniversary of the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, the Beaumont Blogger is honored to pay tribute to these pioneering forces in our region.

For decades, Pass Water Agency worked tirelessly to see that a state pipeline was built and extended to the Pass. That dream became a reality in 2003. Now a fresh supply of water gushes into a big pond in Cherry Valley and percolates beneath the surface to replenish our groundwater.

Big day

On Sept. 29th, Pass Water Agency held a golden anniversary celebration to mark decades of service to the region. Many were also honored for their pivotal role in bringing a state pipeline to the Pass.

“This is an historic moment,” said guest speaker Rich Atwater, executive director of the Southern California Water Committee. The nonprofit group educates millions of people about the importance of water.

The East Branch Extension in the Pass is the last link of the State Water Project, which is a series of dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, rivers, pumping stations and power plants that store and deliver water across a 600-mile swath of California.

The underground pipeline in the Pass runs for 13 miles between Redlands and Cherry Valley. So far, Pass Water Agency has sent 38,000-acre-feet of water from Northern California into our regional groundwater basins. It’s the equivalent of about 12 billion gallons or enough water for a year for about 50,000 homes in the Pass.

Honoring water pioneers

At the 50th anniversary event, speakers took turns recounting the Pass Water Agency’s historic contributions to our area. They praised the vision, foresight and can-do attitude of a 1960 committee of local businessmen and farmers that included Ted Silverwood, A.C. Dysart and Omar Barker. In those days, it was difficult for a sparsely populated and bucolic area to tax itself to bring in state water, but they rallied the community for a grand undertaking. Pass Water worked with the state to design and oversee construction of the pipeline.

During the celebration, Director Dave Dysart’s thoughts turned to his grandfather’s dream and the vision of others who longed to bring a reliable, new supply of water to the region. “It was quite an adventure, and we honor them today for their accomplishments.”

Sharing the history of Beaumont

“If you want to understand today, you must search yesterday.”
—Author Pearl S. Buck.

History can be saved if you try.

Bruce Murrill proved that recently, and future generations will love him for it.

Murrill got a call from a good friend who discovered a stack of old newspapers in the garage. The yellowing pages from nearly 40 years ago seemed to bring the stories alive. The history of the Cherry Festival and the fun of living in a small town—it was all there!

Murrill, a board member of Cherry Festival Association, hopped into his truck, headed for Lyle Millage’s house and collected the old editions of The Record-Gazette.

“History, especially in a small town, is a fragile thing,” Murrill said. “Once you lose it, it’s gone forever.”

History on display

With the city of Beaumont about to celebrate its 100^th anniversary, Murrill is sharing his find with the community. He has decided to loan the Cherry Festival editions to Beaumont for display in glass cases at the Civic Center. He hopes many local residents will join him by bringing in and loaning their old newspapers, keepsakes, photos, letters and other flat items.

From those pages, here is a glimpse of time gone by:

· 1940: A total of 6,000 cherry pies were sold in June, mostly during the Cherry Festival.

· World War II: In an era of rationing, a carload of cherry lovers got a free tank of gas if they picked 150 pounds.

· 1956: A black-and-white photo showed boys kneeling, hands behind their backs, at a picnic table lined with cherry pies. It was a race to see who could eat a pie the fastest.

· 1983: Chappy’s next to the fire station on Sixth Street sold country fried chicken dinners to go for $2.79 during the Cherry Festival.

Beaumont wants to see a neighborly campaign to share a bit of the past during the centennial. Maybe you’ve got articles tucked away from our original hometown papers like The Beaumont Leader and The Gateway Gazette.

We’re looking for timeless items that can be displayed starting this November. Please contact Customer Service Coordinator Ashley Starr at 951-769-8520 or astarr@ci.beaumont.ca.us

The city’s 100^th anniversary is Nov. 18, 2012. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our city,” said Mayor Brian De Forge.

“The past is never dead, it is not even past.” —Novelist William Faulkner

Make new memories at the hometown library

A hundred years ago, the whole town turned out on Election Day to create the Beaumont Library District.

It was Aug. 12, 1911.

Some people climbed into wooden wagons pulled by plough horses. Others cranked up newfangled “horseless carriages” and drove to the polls.

When the votes were counted, a new Library District was born by a 2-1 margin.

New celebration

Now, the whole town is being invited to come out again—this time to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Beaumont Library District, one of the city’s most enduring public institutions. The Memory Festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, at the Beaumont Library, 125 E. Eighth St.

The festival promises fun for youngsters and adults alike.

Community organizations will be on hand to elicit memories of the Library, the community and our own lives through journaling, quilting, games, crafts and music. Local historian Bill Bell of the neighboring Banning Library District will do oral history interviews with special guests, including Beaumont Mayor Brian De Forge. The interviews will be posted later on the Library’s web site: www.bld.lib.ca.us

There will also be appearances by mime Mark Wenzel and national bestselling mystery author Earlene Fowler, who wrote “Spider Web.” Free hot dogs and lemonade and a special anniversary cake will be served.

Paying tribute

De Forge, who as a youngster often did his homework in the library, will present a proclamation paying tribute to the Beaumont Library District. The mayor vividly remembers walking to the library and spending time surrounded by books.

“It was a place of solace and knowledge,” De Forge said. “A place of quiet reflection, where an entire new world was waiting for my mind to explore.”

As the Library District’s centennial anniversary nears, De Forge says, “Our hometown library has served this community long and faithfully. With reading, we’re able to enrich our own lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren and create lasting memories.”

Cherry Jubilee: A sweet event for all ages

The Cherry Jubilee & Gift Exchange has something for everyone. And the cherries at this jubilee come sweetened with celebrities, sports memorabilia, an auction, homemade desserts and pastries, and even more!

In other words, it's just about time for Beaumont's annual Cherry Festival!

From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12th, Beaumont prepares for the city's signature event by celebrating at the Cherry Jubilee. The festivities will raise thousands of dollars for college scholarships for seniors at Beaumont High School.

Crowds are expected to gobble up "all you can eat" cherry delights at the Albert A. Chatigny Sr. Community Recreation Center, located at 1310 Oak valley Parkway. Between bites of cherry cake, brownies, ice cream and cheesecake, they'll catch fast-talking TV auctioneer and Yucaipa resident Dan Dotson of "Storage Wars" taking bids on everything from an autographed Willie Mays bat to a signed photograph of Yogi Berra. Dotson and his wife Laura, who host "Storage Wars," are grand marshals for the 2011 Cherry Festival. You'll find plenty more baseball memorabilia to bid on, and boxing fans will have a chance to go home with a signed photo of Jake La Motta, who slugged it out with "Sugar" Ray Robinson in a match that helped inspire the movie "Raging Bull" starring Robert De Niro.

"This is an opportunity for everyone in the Pass to come out and support young people and have lots of fun in a family-friendly atmosphere," said Bruce Murrill, a volunteer for the Cherry Festival Association.

Scholarship fund

To raise money for scholarships, local merchants are selling $1 raffle tickets at their stores for baskets full of merchandise. In all, more than 50 baskets will be given away during a drawing. The city of Beaumont is also taking part, donating three baskets provided by City Hall employees, the Community Services Department, and the Police Department.

Other prizes will include tickets for a Dodgers/Padres game in San Diego, a boat rental at Big Bear Lake, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians will be donating gift baskets from Hadley's, dinners to the buffet, a stay at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, and a spa gift certificate.

Last year, the Cherry Jubilee raised $6,000 for scholarships.

Proud history

Nine years ago, the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Rotary Club came up with the idea for the Cherry Jubilee. The event is sponsored by Rotary in conjunction with the Cherry Festival Association and the City of Beaumont.

The Cherry Jubilee is the first of many fun activities during the 93rd annual Cherry Festival celebration, which runs from June 2nd to 5th. The jubilee promises to be a memorable night. For starters, enjoy homemade cherries jubilee - sweet, ripe cherries, a little sugar, cherry liquor - all whipped together, flambeed and spooned over vanilla ice cream. What a great way to celebrate the start of Beaumont's legendary Cherry Festival and raise money for local scholarships!