With the opening this week of the new Lily’s Restaurant, I thought it would be good to do a little history of the building at Fern Valley Corners. You can date your arrival to Idyllwild by what restaurant was there when you came to town.

Most of the buildings at Fern Valley Corners (the intersection of North Circle & South Circle) were built in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. The first restaurant was a german restaurant called “Schwarzwaldhaus” which means Black Forest House in German. You can see it in the background of the filming of the Kid Galahad movie in 1961 across the street at Creekstone Inn (Alpine Market at the time). Notice that the building does NOT look like the building we see today.

In 1966, a chef named Warren Jacober who was a cook at Desert Sun School, but trained in Belgium and the Four Seasons in New York, took over and named it “Chef in the Forest”. It was high-end food and people loved it and came up just to see the “Chef”. He did cooking shows in nearby San Diego for television and was quite the character. He and his family marched in the 4th of July town parade with a banner reading “No Ketchup”. You can read his entire story here. The “Chef” died in a car crash returning from a television shoot in San Diego and died just 29 months into owning his new restaurant at the age of 41. It was sold to the Chart House Restaurant company.

The Chart House was well known for their unique buildings, and they hired reknowned architect Kendrick Kellogg to remodel the building to have the Chart House vibe. According to Jane & Lanny Wagstaff, the roof you see today that comes almost to the ground was placed on top of the original roof. Many locals remember working or at least eating at The Chart House from 1969 – 1995.

After the Chart House closed, Lanny Wagstaff bought the property and it went through several iterations. Jane & Lanny ran it as a wedding venue called The Creek House from 2001 – 2011. Another person ran it as Creekside Charlie’s Restaurant, then The Creek House Restaurant, then finally Idyology which had 3 different owners. The last owner actually died while she owned it and it got returned to the lender. In 2025, Shane Stewart bought it out of foreclosure, refurbished it and put it on the market as either for sale or lease.

This week, local Dave Bradish and his family will open “Lily’s” steak restaurant and continue a long line of culinary experiences in this iconic building.

Friday April 24th
Celebrate Earth Day
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
11 am – 1:00 pm

Plant a tree – Forest Clean up
Join us!

Saturday April 25th
Garden Club Class
“Greenhouse Construction Part 2”
Community Garden
Corner of Alderwood & N. Circle
10:00 am – 11 am
$10

Join Tricia Pilkington and Todd Fowler again to learn about maximizing the growing season.  We will outfit our ICG greenhouse space with shelving units, irrigation system, recycled containers, and climate control with the goal of high yield production for summer and into the Autumn for year round food sourcing. Please RSVP for this class. 

Saturday April 25th
Woods Walk & Talk
with Peter Kindfield
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
11 am – 1:00 pm

Find out how to love the forest even more than you already to!

Monday April 27th
Audrey M, Sonya C and Ollie K’s Songwriting Recital
Idyllwild Arts
Stephens Recital Hall
7:30 pm
Everyone Welcome

Please join Idyllwild Arts Music majors Audrey Morella, Sonya Cheris and Ollie Kurr for their space-themed Songwriting recital! 

Tuesday April 28th
“Financial Literacy & Fraud Protetion
with PNC Bank
Idyllwild Library
5:30 pm

Join us for an informative session hosted by PNC Bank. Whether you are looking to sharpen your budgeting skills or want to learn how to spot the latest sophisticated scams, this presentation covers the essentials of modern money management.

Wednesday, April 29th
Storytime at the Library
“Dia de los Libros Y Ninos” 
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Celebrate the joy of reading and the wonder of childhood with a “book-tastic” fiesta for everyone to enjoy!

Wednesday April 29th
Songwriting Concert
Idyllwild Arts
Stephens Recital Hall
7:30 pm

Join us as we celebrate the heart, growth, and artistry of our Idyllwild Arts Songwriting students!

Throughout the year, these young musicians have poured their hearts into writing, revising, and performing original songs that reflect their voices, experiences, and dreams. They’ve collaborated deeply, challenged themselves creatively, and grown not only as songwriters and performers – but as individuals finding confidence and authenticity through their art.

This showcase is a tribute to their dedication, courage, and evolution as artists. Come share in their stories, their music, and the joy of witnessing how far they’ve come.

NEED A RIDE?

The Idyllwild Shuttle Service is availble to anyone who needs to get somewhere in town and also for trips off the hill on designated days. All you have to do is call.

Call for a ride anywhere in Pine Cove and Idyllwild Monday thru Friday.

951-426-9688

Thursday April 30th
Community Benefit
For Julie & Miles
Middle Ridge Winery
6:00 pm

Booster Club Sponsorships

For decades, Idyllwild School has carried on a magical tradition: sending our students into the great outdoors to learn, grow, and make memories that last a lifetime. From the starry skies of AstroCamp to the coastal wonders of Catalina, these trips have shaped the lives of thousands of local kids—and we want the 2026-2027 school year to be the best one yet!

Making the Impossible, Possible

Every student deserves the chance to experience the wonder of AstroCamp or the thrill of an island expedition. However, we know that for many families—especially those with multiple explorers at home—the cost of camp can be a steep mountain to climb.

This is where you come in! Your generosity ensures that no student is left behind. Whether it’s a small gift or a full sponsorship, your contribution makes these life-changing adventures accessible to every child in our community.

The Idyllwild Middle School Booster Club is a dedicated nonprofit working hard to lower costs for everyone. We fund the buses and bridge the gaps, but your tax-deductible sponsorship goes directly to the families who need it most.

• Average cost per student: $400
• 6th Grade: Adventure TBD (Stay tuned!)
• 7th Grade: Journeying to AstroCamp 
• 8th Grade: Setting sail for Catalina 

Drop off check or cash (made payable to Idyllwild School Booster Club)
or By Mail: 
Idyllwild School 
Attn: Elyse Snyder, Booster Club
PO Box 97
Idyllwild, CA 92549

New Times for Tai Chi
Mondays 10:30 – 11:30
Fridays 9:45 – 10:30
Town Hall

Saturday May 2nd
Bounty Hunters Fan Tribute
Rustic Theatre
12 noon – 8 pm

Live Mural Painting
Fan Film Screenings
Cosplay Competition
DJ

Saturday May 9th
Comedy Gone WILD!
Rustic Theatre
7:30 pm

Saturday & Sunday
May 23rd & 24th
Art in the Park
Playground Parking Lot

Body & Soul

Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis 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
Everyday: 11 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

Idyllwild TOWN HALL
25925 Cedar St

Chair Exercise Class
FREE
Town Hall

Monday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 12:30pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Friday
Yoga for Seniors
Town Hall
10:45 am – 11:45 am

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall
Tuesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Wednesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am

Mondays
Tai Chi Class
Free!
Town Hall
Mondays:10:30 am – 11:30 am
Fridays: 9:45 am – 10:30 am

Every Other Thursday
Starts Jan. 22
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
5:30 – 6:30

Every 3rd Thursday
Chess League
Community Center
54201 Ridgeview Dr.

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 4 pm.

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.