Communities Rising: October 18
By Meg Upton
It’s officially fall––I turned on the heat this morning for a little bit to take the edge off the cold. I don’t build as many fires as I once did, as I don’t really like the smell of them anymore. With this column, we here at Plumas News have officially changed the name of the Greenville Rising column to Communities Rising to take in all communities rising from the Dixie Fire. I think of this a good deal as I drive the highway to Chester and see Canyon Dam and its attempts to come back as well. Have news about the Canyon Dam, Warner Valley, North Arm, Indian Falls, Feather River Canyon communities? Send it to me.
Last week, I took the week off from the column, not because there wasn’t news, but because I’m the co-editor of an anthology of essays to be published in 2023 by HeyDay Books and our big deadline was October 15. Our book is called Red Flag Warning: Northern Californians Living with Fire, and contains so many powerful essays to document our experiences, our expertise, and our stories. It’s been a wonderful palate cleanser after that series in the Los Angeles Times tried to deal us a deathblow. My coeditor, Dani Burlison, is from Red Bluff but has lived in Sonoma County for decades. Together we assembled writers from all over northern California to serve as both guides in a how to survive and also to provide us and the rest of the state with the knowledge we need to rebuild and to make decisions about our lives in Northern California. I’m also happy our editors at HeyDay were as excited as we were to include so many voices from Plumas County—and those with Indian Valley ties in particular, (Jane Braxton Little, Danny Manning, Beth Rose Middleton Manning, Margaret Elysia Garcia, Pat Bradley and Rose Buzetta, Zeke Lunder, The Pew Family, Trina Cunningham and more). If you felt our voices were missing from the Los Angeles Times series, rest assured we are well represented in Red Flag Warning. I look forward to its publication next fire season (2023).
In other news, Greenville Fire Cats announced that they’ve been able to rehome 10 cats or kittens. There are still more that need homes if you’re willing. Contact Kimberly Price on her facebook page Greenville Fire Cats.
And finally, everyone in Indian Valley by now has heard the sad news of the death of Mark Delizio. I’m picturing him the way I always ran into him, eating his breakfast with friends at Anna’s Café across those middle tables by the front door on any early weekday morning, telling a joke or shaking his head at something political. He’d wave to the whole restaurant as he headed out the door with a smile on his face. He was a fixture and a presence in Greenville. May he rest in peace. There’s a Celebration of Life this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Historic Taylorsville Hall.
As usual, if you have an event or announcement, please send it to [email protected] for inclusion in the community column.
High Sierra Ballet Academy
Congratulations to Natalie Landfield for starting High Sierra Academy. She reports having over 20 kids in her ballet class, which started on October 4 in Taylorsville. She’s taking on students ages five to 8 on Tuesdays between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. and held at the Historic Taylorsville Hall. For more information call (707) 502-6797 or email [email protected].
Halloween Art Night
The Wobbly Potter’s Ceramics and Art Studio is hosting a Halloween Art Night on Friday, October 21 at 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Spot in downtown Greenville. Christi Hazelton says “come join us as we create Halloween themed arts and crafts! Participants can look forward to creating any and all of these cool projects: Custom Trick or Treat Bags, Pumpkin Painting, Mask Making, Paper Jack O Lantern Craft, and Paint Spooky Night Pictures.”
Hazelton will have Halloween music playing, punch and healthy snacks, candy 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.
Movie Night at The Spot
Also this Friday is free movie night at The Spot. The film is The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. There will be popcorn and hot coffee and hot cocoa. Fire pits will be roaring. Participants are asked to bundle up and bring a blanket for this outdoor event.
Grand Openings
Word has it that Nellz Towne Pump will have its grand opening for its completed new building and store this Saturday, October 22. 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.
GHS/IVA Homecoming
The big homecoming game is on Friday night, October 28 at 6 p.m. at the GHS football field. 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 Happenings in Taylorsville
Halloween is definitely happening in Taylorsville! On Monday, October 31 there’s an IVA elementary school costume parade at 9 a.m. along Main Street, followed by a 6 p.m. Trunk or Treat candy giveaway then at 7:30 p.m. IVA Haunted House gets underway.
Golf Tournament
On November 5 at the Mount Huff Golf Course, Mountain Valley Parents Club presents a golf tournament fundraiser. $70 per person or $280 for a four-person team. Includes 18 holes and lunch. Features a four person scramble, putting contest, and chipping contest. To register, contact Kaley Bentz at (530) 228-9390.
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.
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, October 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.
Silver Linings: Speaking of Fire
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.
