Mother’s Day and Lilacs just seem to go hand in hand…especially if you live in Idyllwild. Did you know that Mother’s Day was originally started by a woman in West Virginia as a way to not only celebrate mother’s, but bring former union and confederate soldiers together? Anna Reeves Jarvis had been teaching “mothering classes” in West Virginia prior to the Civil War. After the war, she implemented “Mother’s Friendship Day” to bring soldiers together. After her death in 1905, her daughter started a letter writing campaign to the U.S. Government to designate a Sunday in May to visit your mother. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson finally declared the 2nd Sunday of May as an official holiday. After it became official, the flower & greeting card business began to commercialize it, and believe it or not, Anna’s daughter (also named Anna) was arrested for disorderly conduct in 1925 protesting the commercialization of Mother’s Day. She wanted it to be a sentimental holiday, not a commercial holiday. She actively fought to have it removed as a national holiday right up until her death in 1948.

Common Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris)

These flowers were brought over in the 1700’s from Europe and cultivated all over the United States. They only bloom for a few weeks, usually in May in a variety of colors from white to magenta and a variety of pinks and light blues in between. They are extremely fragrant, and some of the most fragrant are cultivated in France and used to make perfumes. Many towns in the U.S. have their own “official lilac” as registered with the International Lilac Society. Many of those “official lilacs” were cultivated right here in Idyllwild, as you will see, Idyllwild has a very interesting history with Lilacs.

California Wild Lilacs (Ceanothus)

You have probably been noticing all the beautiful bushy purple flowers along the highway lately… they are Wild Lilacs. They are very hearty and drought resistant. They are endemic (specific) to California and a tasty treat for butterflies and other animals at this time of year. They are edible if you feel like picking some for your salads. The Historical Society’s garden has several beautiful Wild Lilacs blooming right now. It’s free to visit and meander around. Bring a picnic and sit on the picnic tables.

Click Here to go to the
PCT Information Page

Thursday May 8th
Sadie’s Clinic
ARF
26890 Hwy. 243
9 am – 3 pm
Call for appt. 951-659-1122

Friday/Saturday/Sunday
May 9th-10th-11th
Celtic Faire
Hurkey Creek Camp Ground
Noon – 6 pm

Cancelled Both Days

Saturday & Sunday May 10th & 11th
Idyllwild Actors Theatre
“Motherhood Out Loud”
Rustic Theatre
2:30 pm

Saturday May 10th
BINGO Night
Town Hall
25925 Cedar St.
5 pm

Funds to benefit Living Free Animal Sanctuary

Monday May 12th
Full Flower Moon
Moonrise: 8:07 pm

May’s Flower Moon name should be no surprise; flowers spring forth across North America in abundance this month!
The Cree names Budding Moon and Leaf Budding Moon celebrate the awakening of local flora, which really begins to leaf out now in many areas. Similarly, Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota) marks the time when seeds should be started for the farming season ahead. The activities of animals marked spring’s arrival, too, which is highlighted by the Cree names Egg Laying Moon and Frog Moon, as well as the Oglala term Moon of the Shedding Ponies. All three names indicate that warmer weather is on the way! (From Farmer’s Almanac)

Monday May 12th
Chamber Music Concert
Idyllwild Arts
Lowman Concert Hall
7:30 pm

Tuesday May 13th
Artist’s Reception
“Huang Lim Lee & Chun Park”
Idyllwild Library
5:30 pm

Wednesday May 14th
Kids Story Time
“Bugs“
Idyllwild Library
11 am

Come buzz with excitement at our “Bugs!” storytime! 

Wednesday May 14th
STEAM Program
Idyllwild Library
3:30 pm

Learn about robotics, math, and programming/coding with OZOBOTS!

Supplies provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Idyllwild Library.

Wednesday May 14th
Student Choreography Concert
Idyllwild Arts
fisher Dance Studio
7:30 pm

The Idyllwild Arts Dance Department presents their Student Choreography Concert! Come see the hard work our students have put into their end of year performance.

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

Fridays
Yoga for Seniors
Town Hall
25925 Cedar St.
10:45 am – 11:45 am

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall

Mondays
12-pm – 1pm

Tue/Wed/Thur
10am – 11am

Fridays
12-pm – 1pm

Mondays
Tai Chi Class
1st Class Free
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
10:30 am – 11:30 am

Gymnastic Classes
Thursdays
Town Hall
4pm – 6pm

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.