Communities Rising: Homecomings and Halloween in Indian Valley
By Meg Upton
My son was in town for 24 hours and as we drove past Nellz Towne Pump in Greenville he said what I’ve been thinking all week. “Wow! Nellz looks better than it ever did.”
He was referring of course to the brand new and clearly bigger than better than ever, new mini-mart building and its smooth clean lines and brand new snack merchandise. He’s right. It does look better than the old building. It’s good to remember sometimes how many of our buildings had less than perfect foundations. Some downtown buildings appeared to have no foundations and seemed to be sinking slowly into the earth pre Dixie Fire. Some things do look better.
Judging by the sheer number of events in Greenville this weekend, someone forgot to tell us that we aren’t here anymore. We’ve heard that rumor too. That no one lives here. I beg to differ. If you’re coming to Indian Valley this weekend, here are the events you have in store.
Friday, October 28
Homecoming
Greenville High School’s football team’s homecoming game is this Friday night, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at the GHS football field. The team this year is comprised of students from Plumas Charter School and Greenville High School, (two from GHS, nine students from Indian Valley Academy, and one student from Plumas Charter School, Quincy). Come cheer them on to hopefully another victory.
Students cheering on the team are expected to dress in “whiteout” (wearing all white).
Following the game is an Indian Valley Academy sponsored Homecoming Dance from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Historical Taylorsville Hall. Tickets are $15 per person. The theme is “Haunted Mansion.” Formal dress is expected. There will be snacks provided and a DJ hired for the evening dance. Guests not attending IVA need to fill out a guest pass and get it signed by their parent or guardian. Passes are available from the IVA office in Taylorsville and can be faxed or emailed.
Halloween Costume Contest
The Spot is hosting a Halloween Costume Party starting at 7 p.m. down at the Spot (205 Pine Street) in downtown Greenville. DJ Kevin and Christi encourage participants to “bring your singing voices for karaoke.” Prize given for the best costume.
Saturday, October 29
The annual Halloween Carnival at Greenville High School gym (put on by the Greenville Elementary School is back! This year’s event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Costume contest at 7 p.m. Enjoy games, facepainting, a cake walk, and plenty of food and treats. Sponsored by the Indian Valley Parents Club.
For adults later on in the evening is a Halloween party at the Taylorsville Tavern complete with a costume party.
Monday, October 31
It’s a day’s worth of Halloween activities in Taylorsville starting at 9 a.m. with the IVA elementary school costume parade. At 6 p.m. a ‘Trunk or Treat’ candy giveaway is planned, along with a Haunted House at Indian Valley Academy at 7:30 p.m.
Spooky Vaudeville 4
Canceled twice by COVID in the last two years, Pachuca Productions annual Halloween show is back. This time around we’ve changed venues to the West End Theatre on Monday, Oct. 31, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. after Safe Trick or Treat in downtown Quincy. Come watch the dramaworks students and our players perform skits, dances, sing macabre songs and perform magic tricks. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and are available at www.westendtheatre.us. The dramaworks teen program takes students from all over Plumas County. We have a few students from Indian Valley too. Come cheer them on too.
Silver Linings: Speaking of Fire, Deadline October 31.
Our long awaited, reader’s theatre project showcasing what students have learned about themselves in the year since the fire, will take place after the November 19 Dixie Fire Collaborative meeting from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Greenville Elementary School Cafeteria. This show will feature Indian Valley students from all schools in the valley, Dixie Fire Stories Project gallery wall, music by local musician Levi Mullen, and essays by this reporter and Jane Braxton Little. Winners of the student essay contest and prizes will be announced then. Admission is free. This Pachuca Productions project is supported by the Almanor Foundation and the California Humanities and Plumas Arts.
It’s not too late for your students to send in their essay or artwork. Principals and English teachers at GHS and IVA have information about the contest. Or you can email [email protected] for more information. Deadline is October 31.
Christmas at Crescent Country
The 37th annual Christmas open house is November 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Crescent Country in Crescent Mills.
Taylorsville Lights Parade
Have your idea for a float in mind? The Taylorsville Lights Parade wants your float in the 2022 parade that takes place on Saturday, November 26 on Main Street in Taylorsville. Contact Bob Sheridan at (530) 284-7620 for details.
Thanksgiving Art Night
The Wobbly Potter’s Ceramics and Art Studio is hosting a Thanksgiving Art Night on Friday, November 18 at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Spot in downtown Greenville. Christi Hazelton says “come join us as we create Thanksgiving themed arts and crafts! Participants can look forward to creating cool projects.”
Hazelton will have music playing, punch and healthy snacks, and art. Participants take home all projects. She adds that art makers should “dress for the mess.”
The art studio is next to Region Burger. Donations of art supplies appreciated.
Grand Openings
Word has it that Nellz Towne Pump will have its grand opening for its completed new building and store this Saturday, October 28. Come out and support Pete Singh’s business’ complete transformation and the bigger and better building in downtown Greenville.
Save the date November 19, for Riley’s Jerky grand opening along highway 89 outside Greenville. We’ve all been excited to see the building, salvaged Dixie Fire wood fencing, and trees go up on Kaley Bentz’ property. The grand opening will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. To attend, sign up at this website: www.rileysjerky.com.
Veterans Day Weekend activities are coming together and will be in the next column. Have something to share? Please send to [email protected] or text to (714) 746-4093 for possible coverage of an event.
