If you didn’t notice, the halfway point of winter is coming up tomorrow (Monday Feb. 3rd). That’s basically why Groundhog Day was invented…to give people something fun to think about while they’re trying to survive winter.

In ancient Roman times, hibernating animals were used to predict when winter would end. But they didn’t have groundhogs…they used hedgehogs. After the fall of the Roman Empire, this tradition was combined with a Christian holiday around the same time called “Candlemas” where folks in Europe took a candle to church to have it blessed which they felt would bring their households blessings for the remainder of the winter. When German immigrants brought their traditions to America in the 1700’s, primarily to the Pennsylvania dutch region, there were no hedgehogs so groundhogs were the closest thing to them (in Canada they use marmots). Groundhogs are giant chunky squirrel type animals that hibernate. Legend says if a groundhog pokes its head out on Groundhog Day (the halfway point in winter) and it’s snowy, cold, or it sees its shadow, we’re in for at least 6 more weeks of hard winter. But if it pokes its head out and it’s sunny, warm and no shadow, we’re headed for an early spring in about 4 weeks. Of course the predictions are rarely correct, but it gives everyone something fun to talk about and makes us realize that we’ve made it halfway through winter.

Here’s a fun little video on Groundhog Day. Click Here.

Jan. 31st – Feb. 2nd
Listening Room Songwriting Retreat
Spirit Mountain Retreat

A weekend of inspiration, education and ‘Community Through Co-writing’ in beautiful Idyllwild. The $295. registration price includes song circles, co-writing prompts and constructive input on all collaborations.

Postponed…

Saturday Feb. 1st January 24th
Spring Music Dept. Showcase
Idyllwild Arts
Lowman Concert Hall
4:00 pm

The Music Department Showcase is an opportunity for audiences to immerse themselves in performances from all facets of the Music Department: Classical Instrumental, Piano, Songwriting, Jazz, Contemporary and Classical Voice, and even Spoken Word performances make an appearance at these invigorating presentations of our young artists!

Sunday February 2nd
Groundhog Day

Tuesday February 4th
Feed America
Food Distribution
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
10 am – 12 pm

No sign up necessary. Just line up in your car.

Tuesday February 4th
Radio Club Meeting
Middle Ridge Winery
6:00 pm
All are Welcome!

Wednesday February 5th
Kids Story Time
“Valentine’s Day”
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am

Saturday February 8th
Bingo Night
Town Hall
5 pm

Proceeds to to ICC to help finish the new Community Center next to the playground.

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.

ORDER NO LATER THAN MONDAY 2/10…

Food Distribution – Thurs. Feb. 13th, 2025

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

Body & Soul

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

Emergency Radio Station

In Idyllwild, have a portable radio with batteries available and tune into WNKI AM 1610 Radio station for Emergency announcements in Idyllwild.

Delivery in Idyllwild

Bear Necessities Delivered
Groceries/Restaurant Food/Mail/Pharmacy/Etc.
Call or Text: (951) 512-0800
Available 7 Days a Week
Monday – Wednesday 11 am – 8 pm
Thursday – Sunday 8 am – 8 pm
Deliver to Idyllwild, Pine Cove & Mountain Center.

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

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