Greenville Rising: March 16
By Meg Upton
Last night at near dusk, I went back to where my office in Greenville once stood for the first time in months with a big empty banker box, to collect what, I wasn’t sure. It hasn’t been cleaned out yet and I was thinking perhaps I’d run out of time to visit it anymore very soon. The rain and the snow had dissipated much of the ash, and now many rusted remnants of metal items were revealed that hadn’t really revealed themselves in the prior months. I also saw new trash and more things broken at the edges to tell me that vandals have also been through here lately.
It was the first time I could recognize my office as my office. The burned radiator heater was directly across from my roll-top desk. I turned around and looked at the ground to a straight pile of rusted spiral notebook edges where a giant pile of notes for my novel had been. The skeletal spiness of three ring binders—where I kept all the tech notes and scripts plays and performances of Pachuca Productions lay next to them. Sigh.
But I wasn’t there to mourn—I was there to see what I could recognize before this moment passes forever into memory. I went next door to the sheriff substation, which—in my artist’s mind—looks beautiful even in its decay and decrepitude. I’m struck by the ancient ruins vibe I get from it now that it didn’t have before and I know I’ll feel bad once this is gone too. Its grand arches remind me of buildings of colonial decay and transported me to trips to Malaysia and Cambodia and Laos where architecturally archways in various states of chipped paint and cracks remain. Beautiful even in its demise.
This week with the rain, Indian Valley has slowly reminded us of her beauty despite her burn scars. We see swaths of green pushing through everywhere—a great reminder to us of time marching on, of nothing quite staying the same, and of the positive aspects of time marching on. Over two-thirds of our lots have been taken down to dirt. It’s hard to fathom where anything was anymore and it’s probably not the healthiest way to view it anymore. I can now only tell where things were by the trees that were on properties that were distinctive. There are blue rings around them all and soon those trees will be gone too.
But enough melancholy—the sun is shining today and it’s a warm spring day. There is much to be thankful for. Here are some new items and upcoming events in Indian Valley worthy of note.
Important Meetings
[Re] Build Greenville Meeting
This Saturday, March 19 is the monthly [Re] Build Greenville Meeting in the Greenville Elementary School Cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting is hosted by supervisor Kevin Goss and the Dixie Fire Collaborative. More about the group and the meeting can be found at www.dixiefirecollaborative.org.
Indian Valley Thrift Shop Association
When you’re finished at the DFC meeting, come on down Saturday, March 19 to Crescent Mills at 3:00 p.m. for the Indian Valley Thrift Shop Association meeting at the Mt. Huff Golf Course café.
The thrift shop board invites any and all residents who would like to see the thrift shop return this spring. “We are working on the possibility of opening a temporary site, either in Greenville or in Crescent Mills, but we need ideas on how to get restarted and potential volunteers. We will be reviewing our recent community donations and discussing how else to support the community,” said organizer Sherilyn Schwartz.
The meeting also serves as an opportunity to say farewell to long time volunteer and assistant treasurer, Margie Meeker, who will be moving off the mountain in April to be closer to family.
The Indian Valley Thrift Shop Association has been active in the seven months since the fire. Though its downtown Greenville shop was lost, its storage unit did not burn. It’s also been active in granting funding for Indian Valley related events such as providing lunch for Dixie Fire Collaborative, helping with the Speaking of Fire: Youth Voices project, funding towards the sixth grade watershed trip, and contributing to both the Senior Prom and the Class of 2022 graduation party.
Carol’s Café Anniversary Fundraiser
Last September, Carol’s Café celebrated their 50th anniversary by having a fundraiser for Greenville and Canyon Dam. They raised $35,000. This winter Carol Franchetti disbursed funds to Terry Penny for a new hot dog stand for Canyon Dam, and funds to Rachael Goings for her Daily Grind food truck in Greenville. On March 17, Shelley’s Nails salon, which relocated to Crescent Mills, will also receive funding.
Yoga
There’s a free yoga class coming up on April 6 at 4 p.m. at the Southern Baptist Church in Greenville. Interested readers can sign up at https://www.plumascounty.us/2956/CalFresh-Events.
Resource Center
The Rebuilding Greenville Resource Center (RGRC) has significantly downsized its list of needs during this time while it is moving to its new location. The following items are still requested: gift certificates for groceries, gas, auto repairs, and other local services, first aid kits, and monetary donations for unmet needs of survivors (https://form.jotform.com/213464470431046).
Donors that have large items such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and furniture for people setting up their new homes can create an ad for free items and post it on the Rebuilding Greenville Resource Center Facebook page.
The RGRC reopened at its new location – 15771 CA Highway 89, Unit B, Crescent Mills today. The case management office will be ready, but other areas will be unavailable during painting and setup. The donation area will not be open at this time.
Case management services continue to be available to survivors via phone. This can include anything from identifying needs to putting together a plan of action to get re-established, including assistance to apply for financial support from the Dixie Fire Collaborative. For case management support, contact Nancy Presser at (530) 283-2735 x832 or Irshad Stolden at (530) 283-2735 x831.
For all other unmet needs, donations, and questions about RGRC, contact Coordinator Lara Wheeler via text (preferred method of communication) at (530) 778-4309, phone at (530) 283-2735, x833, or fax at (530) 778-4309.
Volunteers for Upcoming Projects
There are a number of events coming up in May that will need volunteers (Senior Prom, Class of 2022, Music on the Green Revival) or funding. I’m happy to put the right people in touch with the right people. Email [email protected] and I will see what I can do.
