One of our readers suggested I tell you the history of the painted deer you see all throughout our town. In the late 90’s 2 local art gallery owners, Chris Trout & Grace Songolo started the Art Alliance of Idyllwild (AAI) to promote Idyllwild as a place to come and enjoy art. In 1998 it was listed in the “100 Best Small Art Towns” book by John Villani.

Art in Idyllwild began to blossom and in 2013, Shannah Robb, then President of the AAI had an idea to create a community art project that would encompass the whole town. After much brainstorming, 22 aluminum deer were purchased and applications were accepted from local artists that wanted to paint on the 22 initial deer in the herd. Themes had to be related to Idyllwild in some way. Sponsors were easily found to pay the $475 price tag and their info was included on the plaque that would be displayed in from of each finished deer. Some sponsors named their business, some named a loved one in remembrance. It was not hard to find sponsors, or businesses or local spots in town where the deer, once completed could be prominently displayed. And thus, in 2013 the “Painted Deer Herd” was formed.

Only artists who were members of AAI were eligible to submit ideas and paint the deer. The designs cover a range of things relating to idyllwild such as the film industry, nature, rock climbing, and there’s even a Mayor Max deer.

Two expansions to the herd have been made since then, one in 2013 and another in 2020. There are now 62 deer and 2 coyotes placed strategically around town where visitors can hunt them down, take photos, and appreciate the beautiful artistry of local artists and choose their favorites.

New “Deer Sighting Maps” have just been reprinted and you can pick one up at the Visitor Center on N. Circle, at the Idyllwild Historical Museum, or many of the local galleries located in Idyllwild. To learn more about the Art Alliance of Idyllwild, _{CLICK HERE}

To see a digital copy of the map, click on the QR Code below.

Community Giving Opportunity

If anyone would like to drop by a donation of a toy that Santa can give out to children during the “Meet Santa Experience” on Monday 12/23, please drop them off at the Rustic Theatre BEFORE Monday. Thank you.

Parents who want Santa to give their child a specific gift when they visit Santa should drop it off with your child’s name clearly marked by Monday as well.

Saturday December 21st
Paint & Battery Disposal
All day at the Dump
8 am – 4:30

Saturday December 21st
Winter Solstice
Shortest Day of the year
Longest Night of the year

Saturday December 21st
FREE Christmas movie
“LOVE ACTUALLY”
Rustic Theatre
6:00 pm

Sunday December 22nd
Winter Solstice Celebration
Silver Pines Lodge
25955 Cedar Street
4:00 pm
presented by Spirit Mountain Retreat

Monday December 23rd
Santa at The Rustic
12 pm – 2 pm
3pm – 3 pm

Letters to Santa available at The Rustic Theatre – Mailbox on Patio. Send your letters from North Circle to the North Pole!
Using the letters mailed at The Rustic, the Elves will call names to come up on stage and meet Santa.

Tuesday December 24th
Soundbath with Lily
Present & Positive (The Yurt)
26875 Live Oak Ln.
10 am – 11 am

Join me for a relaxing soundbath in a beautiful yurt in the heart of Idyllwild. Perfect to recharge before the festivities. Treat yourself, you deserve it. $25 *free for members

Tuesday December 24th
Christmas Eve Mass
Queen of Angels Catholic Church
54525 N. Circle Dr.
4:00 pm

Wednesday December 25th
Christmas Day Mass
10:00 am

Tuesday December 24th
Christmas Eve Service
St. Hugh Episcopal Church
25525 Tahquitz Dr.
4:30 pm

Tuesday December 24th
Christmas Eve Service
Idyllwild Bible Church
54400 Pine Crest Ave.
4:30 pm

Tuesday December 24th
Christmas Eve Service
Idyllwild Community Church
54400 N. Circle
6:30 pm

Kids Basketball
Registration Open
Grades 3rd – 5th
Grades 6th – 8th
Idyllwild School Gym
Starts Jan. 8th
Wed. & Fri.

Adult Basketball
Registration Open
Agent 15 +
Idyllwild School Gym
Wednesdays
6 pm – 7:30 pm
Free if you coach a kids team.

Dec. 20th & 23rd – 27th
Holiday Camp
Town Hall
9 am – 5 pm

Registration

Dec. 20th – Jan. 3rd
Winter Video Club
Town Hall
Ages 11 – 15
10 am – 4pm

Registration

Sunday December 29th
Chanukah in Idyllwild
Idyllwild Town Hall
25925 Cedar St.
4:30 pm

New Years Camp
December 30 – January 3
Town Hall
Ages 5 – 14

Tuesday December 31st
New Years Eve Party
American Legion
54360 Marian View Dr.
8 pm – Midnight

Snow Plow/Shoveling Services

This list will move toward the bottom of Good Morning Idyllwild in the next issue so if you need it, look further down each newsletter in the “Need to Know” section.

Body & Soul

Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.

Order any time prior to the Distribution but…
Order NO LATER THAN NOON Monday Dec. 16th
Next Food Delivery Thursday Dec. 19th, 2024

MOUNTAIN AID
Need food or other items?
Want to help those who do?
Twice monthly food boxes for every budget.
By ordering a food box, you help pay for those who can’t pay.

Pick-up at Camp Maranatha on Maranatha Dr.
www.MountainAid.net

The New Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm

Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night.

Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com

Idyllwild Churches

All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall

Mondays
12-pm – 1pm

Tue/Wed/Thur
10am – 11am

Fridays
12-pm – 1pm

Kids Basketball
Registration Open
Grades 3rd – 5th
Grades 6th – 8th
Idyllwild School Gym
Starts Jan. 8th
Wed. & Fri.

Adult Basketball
Registration Open
Agent 15 +
Idyllwild School Gym
Wednesdays
6 pm – 7:30 pm
Free if you coach a kids team.

Mondays
Tai Chi Classes
10:30 – 11:30 am
Town Hall
$10 per class or $35 a month

Dec. 30th – Jan. 3rd
New Years Camp
Town Hall
Ages 5 – 14
9 am – 5 pm

Starting in January
YOGA for Seniors
Town Hall
Mondays & Fridays

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 10am – 4pm.

If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com.

Click Here to go to the
PCT Information Page