The Olympics were originated in 776 BC in Greece as a religious festival to honor the greek god Zeus. The games went on, every 4 years (a time period called an olympiad) for about 1200 years and only men were participants (women could “sponsor a chariot” – kind of like owning a racehorse). The men competed “naked” to show their physical prowess ( and because those togas were hard to run in). Married women were not allowed to attend, and originally it was just a single foot-race called a stade (which is where our word stadium comes from). Wars were put on hold so different city-states in Greece could participate. There was only one winner and if an athlete won, their city would award them a cash prize of what today would be $100,000. In appx. 393 AD with the Romans now in charge of Greece, the Roman Emperor Theodosius ended the games in an effort to promote Christianity. He didn’t want any festivals honoring other “gods”.

1500 years later, using the same ancient field that the original greek games were played on, the olympic games were reconstituted. The first was in Greece, but the 2nd and 3rd were in Paris France and St. Louis, MO as part of World Fair’s. They weren’t well attended. In fact sometimes, people attending the Fair would enter the Olympic games. After that, an Olympic Committee was formed and they became their own event that still happened every 4 years and rotated locations between different participating countries. The only events that women were originally allowed to participate in were equestrian events, tennis, sailing, croquet & golf.

There was only Silver & Bronze awards for the 1st two Olympics, then Gold was added in 1904. The winter Olympics didn’t come along until 1924. After so many men were wounded in WWII, the Paralympics (Parallel Olympics) were initiated to encourage healing & acceptance of handicaps. Some of the sports included over the years that no longer exist today were hot air ballooning, live pigeon shooting, & tug-of-war (this year a tug-of-war demonstration will be included in the 2024 games). As you watch this year’s Olympics, know that you’re participating in something with a very long history. And ENJOY!

Saturday July 27th
Garden Club Class
“Birdhouse Building“
Community Garden
Alderwood & N. Circle
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Birds are an integral part of any beautiful garden. Today, you’ll build a simple birdhouse to attract our feathered friends to your garden. If you have a portable drill, bring it along. In addition to the $10 class donation, we are asking for a $5 materials fee that can be paid on the day of the class.

Saturday July 27th
“Bird Walk”
Idyllwild Nature Center
25255 Hwy. 243
9:00 am

Bring your Binoculars or borrow some of ours for this walk through the yellow pine forest. Discover the fun hobby of birding, its natures scavenger hunt!

Saturday August 27th
IDYLLWILD ARTS SUMMER
FILMMAKING SHOWCASE
Rustic Theatre
9am – 1pm

Saturday July 27th
Historical Society Annual Meeting
Guest Speaker: Stephen Sutton
Talk about Ernie Maxwell
Everyone welcome!
Idyllwild Library
2:00 pm

Saturday July 27th
MA Music Medicine
Ark of Light
54445 North Circle Dr.
3:00 pm
$50

Saturday July 27th
Associates of Idyllwild Arts
Annual Meeting & Concert
Keisha D
4:00 pm
Free for Members
$40 for Non-Members

Sunday July 28th
Group Hypnosis Event
Ark of Light
54445 North Circle
7pm – 9pm

Tuesday July 30th
Artist Reception – Erin Dutton
Idyllwild Library
5:30 pm

Join us for our Gallery Opening and come meet the artist, Erin Dutton. She is a local artist who teaches at IAA and displays her work at Middle Ridge Winery. Her art has an emphasis on connection and feeling held by the universe. It honors love, which she hopes translates to the viewer, and offers hope for the world we live in.  She enjoys working with bright colors and pure pigments.  She will be displaying her nature and fantasy art.   Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Idyllwild Library.

Wednesday July 31st
Kids Program
“Ice Age Animals”
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am

Join us for a fascinating presentation for children about Ice Ages that roamed our area.  Presented by Leya Collins from the Western Science Center.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Idyllwild Library.

Saturday August 3rd
Plein Air Art Event
Multiple locations in Idyllwild
7am – 6pm

Tuesday August 6th
Author Talk
Lane Igoudin
“A Family, Maybe”
Idyllwild Library
5:30 pm

Wednesday August 14th
Author Talk
Tim Parks
“The Best Laid Plans”
Idyllwild Library
5:30 pm

Sunday August 25th
Ping Pong Tournament
Town Hall
1:15 – 5:00

Saturday Sept. 14th
Home Tour
Tickets on Sale Now

Saturday / Sunday
Sept. 21-22
Reggae under the Pines
Rustic Theatre

26890 Hwy. 243
951-659-1122

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. Download the Volunteer Application below, fill it out, take a photo with your phone and send it off to hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com or drop it off at The Art Dept. on lower Pine Crest.

Order by Monday Aug. 5th
Next Food Delivery Thursday Aug. 8th, 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.

Summer Pick-up will be at the Mormon Church on Tollgate
www.MountainAid.net

Click Here to go to the
PCT Information Page

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. I’m not sure what time yet.

Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com

Body & Soul

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

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

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

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

Camp Idyllwild Cabaret
July 22 – Aug. 2
Town Hall

Sunday August 25th
Ping Pong Tournament
Town Hall
1:15 – 5:00