09/03/04
Where do you live now? Tennessee
How many years were you in the desert? 7 years
Are you willing to help with pictures? Yes
Are you willing to help with stories? Yes
Comments:
In the spring semester of 1968 I took classes in Ridgecrest at the Desert Division of Bakersfield College, and was part of the staff of the school newspaper the Desert Knight. Mary Higbee was the journalism instructor. The Desert Knight was printed at the Valley Independent, the local weekly newspaper.
Years later, 1979 to be exact, I served a dual role as sports editor (beginning in 1978) at the Daily Independent (formerly the Valley Independent) in Ridgecrest and journalism instructor at Cerro Coso Community College. After not having a newspaper at the college for a while, I was appointed to launch a new one. I called it the Coyote Courier.
I had met the new publisher of the Independent in the late 1960s, Cliff Urseth. He told me at the time he was planning to convert the weekly to a daily publication. He did and it was a successful venture. I worked for Cliff and he was an extremely adept and gifted newspaper man, one of the best I’d say.
Here’s some info gleaned from Desert Knight ads:
…
MARCH 1968
Ridgecrest
Bill Bowles Insurance;
Valley Independent (newspaper) Phil Kelly worked there. Published by Hubbard Printing.;
Lee’s Strength and Health Center, Bob and Geri Lee, 415 W. Ridgecrest Blvd.;
Irene & Sharon’s Beauty Salon, 801 Balsam;
Sears Roebuck & Co., 135 Balsam;
French’s Pharmacy, 815 N. China Lake Blvd.;
Jim’s Tire Service, 633 Inyokern Road;
Bud Eyre Chevrolet, 321 N. China Lake Blvd.;
Champ’s Market, 230 Balsam;
mode o’day, Lois Ford and Licia Duwell, 245 Balsam;
La Fiesta, Victor Castaneda, 206 S. China Lake Blvd.;
Camilla’s Beauty Shoppe, Ruth Darling or Camilla Todd;
Triangle Sport Shop, Inc., “It Pays to Play,” 1635 N. China Lake Blvd.;
Vern Smith’s Chevron Service, 225 Inyokern Rd.;
Eliopulos Motors Volkswagen, “Relieves Gas Pains”;
Desert Motors, Ford Mercury Continental, Doug Butler, 1419 N. China Lake Blvd.;
A&L Tire Co., 317 Inyokern Rd.;
Blue Bird Taxicab, Raymond Eastman, 133 W. Church St.;
Western Auto, Jim Wheeler, 1541 N. China Lake Blvd.;
Balsam Coin Cleaners, 212 Balsam;
Hideaway Steak House, Louise and Bud Miller, 313 N. China Lake Blvd.;
Ridgecrest Pharmacy, 235 N. China Lake Blvd.;
Naval Weapons Center
Senn’s Coiffures, Bennington Plaza;
Shopping Bag Stores, Bennington Plaza;
Station Pharmacy, Bennington Plaza;
Trona
Al’s Hancock, County Highway;
Jim’s Union Oil, James Sanders, 76 County Rd., “Last Gas Stop/Gateway to Death Valley”;
Baker Bros. Home Furnishings, 3rd and D Sts., “Downtown Argus”;
Pioneer Point Market;
Trona Pharmacy, 82856 Trona Road, “In the Shopping Center.”
…
06/10/04
Where do you live now? Hood River, Oregon
How many years were you in the desert? 11
Are you willing to help with pictures? i have none
Are you willing to help with stories? yes
Comments:
i was just looking around of where i used to live...i havent been back in for ever but hope to move back soon....later
| Linda M. Hall (aka templework) | Email |
10/19/04
Where do you live now? Ridgecrest, California
How many years were you in the desert? 37 years in Ridgecrest
Are you willing to help with pictures? if I find any that might interest you
Are you willing to help with stories? if I find any that might interest you
Comments:
Have added your link to our Family Home page!
Thanks for the great website!!!
10/18/04
Where do you live now? Fairfax VA
How many years were you in the desert? Visitor 1980 - 1999
Are you willing to help with pictures? Sure
Are you willing to help with stories? Sure
Comments:
Random thoughts: Dad moved to Ridgecrest in 1980 to work at China Lake testing center. I visited over the years....Remember Dad working alone for a year at the base while Kathy finished High School back in LaCanada. For awhile Mom wasn't too keen on the desert, but Dad couldn't have asked for a better place to live. Where else can you grow artichokes and apricots side by side? Where else can you see for 40 uninterupted miles every day? Over the years visited often. Came to love hiking the hills, biking the hills, shooting, running, motor cross, swimming and recently an excellent micro brew at Indian(?) Springs brew pub prior to Jane's wedding. Shared a good brew with Dirck, Dad, Marve and Dan. I seem to recall a manly bock...Took a break from playing army over at the National Training Center in 1983, Dirck picked me up. One year there were so many jack rabbits Mark and I spent Christmas running them all over the desert. My kids still think that Ridgecrest is home away from home. Nice place to watch the stars and falling stars. Great place to visit. Been to death valley often..great place to do your tax return according to Grandma Rhein. Mom and Dad B spent a Christmas out there......bye for now.
04/09/04
Where do you live now? Lakewood, Washington
How many years were you in the desert? 3 very good ones
Are you willing to help with pictures? Sorry, I don't have any
Are you willing to help with stories? Yes, but you'll have to help me recall
Comments:
I was a tower operator leaving in '68. Had many very close friends during my time at China Lake.
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