• Community Profile: Chateau Couveau

I always love being able to share a hidden treasure with the rest of Wildomar. If you use Palomar you may have seen this sign before. 

Very inviting sign as seen from Palomar.

Wondering what was beyond the sign I stopped and chatted with owner Cynthia Couveau. I asked her about the idea of having a field full of lavender.

"The idea is that it brings peace, it's beautiful, it smells wonderful, and you can do lots of things with it too; essential oils, hydrosols. You can pick it and use it in your homes for culinary, and baking goods, dry it, and use it in sachets, in baths, or in drawers. There are a lot of things."

A good price and a fun activity rolled into one.

The idea came during the Covid lockdowns. The first plantings were done about two years ago, at the end of Spring 2021. They're in the middle of their second bloom which is generally between June and July.

This sign is visible even when lavender picking season is over.

I was trying to guestimate the size of the field and if this had been The Price Is Right I would have lost by overbidding by quite a bit. I had guessed between two and three acres, and all that beauty is confined to a little over half an acre. 

This is a bee haven. The sound of buzzing is everywhere, but they are too busy to bother with you, at least they were too busy to bother with me and I got right up in their space trying to get a picture of them in action for this blog.

They have about 840 plants. They started with about 900 plants, but as Cynthia was pointing out, there's always a little bit of loss in planting. Everything is natural, they don't use pesticides or erbacides.

They hand hoed, hand mowed and hand-cut... except they do have some additional help, but you have to go to the bottom of the blog to see what it is. 😊

Below is a super-short video of a bee doing its pollinating dance among the stalks of lavender.

It's the perfect hobby compared to the rigors of a traditional business. She puts her sign out around her schedule. It can be from around 10am to 5pm, other times from 2pm to 5pm. On her Instagram page, she'll let people know what the hours are that day. 

A look at Cynthia's vendor cart. 

It's located on Palomar, on the dirt portion of Wesely. Pull to the side of Wesely and use the bell that's near their gate if you don't see her out and about. 

Less than 100 yards from the road is a delightful sight of row after row of lavender in bloom. This view is from the bottom of their slope looking towards the west.

Such a great view.

I asked about picking and she let me know that it's $12 to pick a bundle. That goes for either variety, but I don't know if you can mix the bundles as you're picking them. 

She also sells pre-picked dry bundles for $12. 

In the future, they're looking to propagate some of the lavender and offer plants for sale... but that's not this year.

From this angle too.

Cynthia and her husband Josh have been in the community for twenty-six years. 

It's always nice to meet fellow Wildomartinis, (Wildomartians or Wildotuckians works too). Friendly people, we'd all love to have as neighbors, that are the backbone of Wildomar.

The resident weed eaters, two Olde English Southdown Babydoll sheep. 

Be sure to look them up on Instagram. Use this link. 

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The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence.

– Norman Vincent Peale

Wildomar Rap would add lavender and NOT reading comments on social media to the list if you're pursuing inner peace. 

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• Richard Heil Memorial Service

This morning, while maintaining distances per the governor's "request" to self isolate, a medium sized crowd of friends and loved ones attended the memorial service for longtime Wildomar champion Richard Heil. 

I've asked Kristen Lloyd if she'd be able to pinch hit for me today... and supply some photos and a write up so we could share the info this week. Many thanks to her. ☺

—  —  —

Today, I am filling in as cub reporter for Joseph. We both attended the celebration of life for Richard Heil but he was asked to provide a video for the family. So, although he was front and center for the event, he is taking the backseat for this article and is busy working on editing video and writing another compelling “rap”.  

I digress, back to Richard. Richard Heil was a long-time resident and very active community member of Wildomar. Richard passed away earlier this year on January 18th, 2020. It took a while to organize family members travel and plan exactly what he had time to write down in his final wishes.

One of the collages at the memorial.

Today’s celebration of life was planned well before the outbreak of the “Covid19” and it was a shame that social distancing and executive orders kept many away. Sharon understood but it was hard to see an audience that wasn’t fully representative of all those who held such high regard and respect for Richard. If it weren’t for the state of affairs the room would have maxed the capacity with “Standing Room Only.”

The event was one of the first that blended a military procession and service with an ELK formal tribute. The honor detail performed a ceremony that included the most beautiful rendition of taps on a bugle that I have ever heard and the folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin. Sharon also received three bullets in a velvet bag that were fired in honor of his time in service from Arlington Cemetery Honor Brigade.

Sharon and RIchard Heil.

I had never attended an ELK formal tribute and it is filled with ceremonial rites and readings that touched my heart. They honor the time Richard served as an ELK member, which he took an oath to embody the principles and purpose of; four cardinal virtues: Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; and to cultivate good fellowship. Richard was all of these things and more. A true ELK.

City Council member Ben Benoit represented the mayor, the other council members and city staff that were not able to attend. 

Ben spoke back to when he was a junior council member that both Richard and Sharon were his benchmark to know if the city was moving in a positive direction. Sharon would sit and knit in the front row at council meetings and if things were going well, she continued to knit. If occasion arose that things weren’t sounding quite right, she would put her needles down. And, when things were starting to turn, Richard would put his hand on hers and assure her that everything would turn out okay. I am certain that she is missing that blessed assurance hand pat given today’s uneasiness.

There were two speakers that praised his service with the VFW and American Legion as a member, veteran, and fellow countryman. It was also my privilege to speak a few words on behalf of just one of the many organizations that he was a part of. 

Missed by his family and friends.

I was there to speak on behalf of the Historical Society, which was just many of the organizations he was an active member of for so many years. But you can’t  start in the middle of the story. My husband and I have been lucky to serve alongside Sharon and Richard throughout the years. Richard’s acts of service molded my husband and I as community members and citizens on this big blue planet.

We first moved here in 2001 and John met Sharon and Richard at a MAC meeting. (Municipal Advisory Committee – meetings that moved action with the county prior to cityhood.) Soon after that John got involved with re-opening parks and they both joined him at the meetings. They were encouraging, willing to say yes, and showed up.

They too thought it was so important for the children to have a place to play. They were selfless in their efforts. They put their actions behind their beliefs. Always attending meetings, functions, helping set-up and tear down, volunteering to serve where needed.

Their yesses were yesses. Their character was exemplary, something that we try to achieve. We’re always learning and maturing and it was so wonderful to have a couple that we could mirror.

And yes, of course we were able to open parks with their help.

They initiated the contact between the HOPE pantry and Grace Point Nazarene church in 2008 at a community event. Because of that introduction, Grace Point began to provide a location locally for the citizens of Wildomar to pick up fresh produce and pantry goods. This was during one of the most difficult downturns in the economy for the world.

I am proud to say that this program has been going strong since then and now there are other locations throughout this area that also are part of that fresh food program. This program has helped hundreds in our local community make it a little further along each month. The introduction has exponential growth and stories of grace and mercy that we will never know. 

Some of the flowers at the memorial service.

John joined the ELKS, with Richard’s help. He worked with him on projects with the VFW, and the American Legion to name just a few of the organizations that Richard was involved in. But he couldn’t keep up. Richard was the energizer rabbit. Giving where he could and to his fullest potential.

Lending a hand to others is their acts of service and we are forever grateful for their example and friendship. We never really knew what it was like to have one without the other, they worked as a well-oiled machine.

Richard would start a conversation, Sharon would add or Sharon would start a conversation and Richard would add his two cents, I mean memory of events.

It was a pleasure working with them helping to preserve the history of Wildomar. They offered up their ancient treasures to Wildomar Elementary History Day presentation for many years. The kids would be so curious as to what a dial phone was, an adding machine, a typewriter, a homemade kite. The awe and wonder in their faces truly inspired us. It was a highlight each year that we were able to participate.

Richard would tell of museums he went to on the trips that Sharon planned. Their ideas were boundless on what the historical society should strive for. We’re working on it but without their help it’s been a turtle’s pace.

I think that his love of history came from his own past and service in the military that lent to preserving the American way. He had strong feelings in for protecting personal beliefs and freedoms. He continued to dedicate his life to veterans and practiced acts of gratitude with both the VFW and American Legion in many chapters and locations throughout the county.

He is missed by many and I know the community will also miss his ethics, character, and shining example. In today’s turbulent times it would have been nice to have him on your side.

There are three things in this life: Faith, Hope, and Love.

The greatest of these is love and it was so apparent to all of us….
His love for Sharon…
his family…
his community… 
and God.

He was able to spend his last days writing his wishes down. The celebration of life was his and planned to perfection, no detail too small or left undone. Jan Ebel sang two beautiful songs. The ELKS Chaplain ended the formal ceremony with, “He is home and we will see him soon.” 

Fred Mlakar

The celebration ended with the accordionist, Fred Mlakar playing a few of their favorite polka tunes while we enjoyed breaking bread together.

He and Sharon made plans to travel, visit museums, and places of interest with him by her side. Seat belted and ready for adventures in his American flag themed urn.

I would count myself lucky to visit with her and hear about those adventures.

If you are missing a loved one, know that whatever you do today, tomorrow and each day that follows that you carry them with you….love remains!

----

Kristan Lloyd and her family have been part of the community since 2001. Her day job is as an Administrative Management Specialist working with public water systems. She is also a Grief Recovery  Specialist with a purpose to create potential for a better tomorrow.

• Legends of Wildomar: Tall Tales of How it Got Its Name

Opening night of Legends of Wildomar, a play written about Wildomar by writers that live in Wildomar, was a huge success.

The cast singing Wildomar Song (The Happy Wanderer) to conclude the show. House lights were up and the audience were encouraged to sing along... lyrics were in the program.

It was a full house (I estimate there were more than 130 people in the audience) with ticket sales between 106 and 113. Part of the discrepancy was due to some with tickets for the 14th (my wife and I were among that lot) came on opening night instead.

The play started with the beloved narrator, played by Dan Kuttner, introducing the acts as they came. 

Every play should have a beloved narrator to keep the pace and the audience on track.

Act I had a Wildomar family at the lake, seems the daughter had been attacked by a sea monster, though the park ranger, played by Charles Golden suggested she just bumped into a submerged tree.

Ivonne Quinteros, Melodie Erickson, Charles Golden and Don Smith consider the possibilities. Photo courtesy Richard Deskin

Act III had a wild eyed Wild Roamer telling Rosa to dream big in life.

Scott Westwood, as Wild Roamer, and Ivonne Quinteros, as Rosa, starred in Act III.
Photo courtesy Richard Deskin

Eve Gaal, as Rosa's mother, sings to the audience.

Act IV explored the possibility of Wildomar being named after a prized horse named Wildy Mare. Adrienne Nemes played the silent role perfectly as she danced and pranced on the stage, and through the audience.

Charles Golden played the part of Cowboy Bill, Don Smith was the ranch hand, and Mary Jane Jazarowski played Milly.

Act V featured a love triangle of sorts, in the 1800's, where the affections of Wilhelmina was being wooed by two suitors; Marcus and Dolan. Later, as the townspeople were searching for a name for the area, they were inspired by the etching on the tree Wil-Dol-Mar (apparently shortened to Wildomar by some county bureaucrat later on...lol).

Marcus points to the etching on the tree that says Wil+Dol before he adds Mar at the bottom.

The proceeds from this play will be going to the charity known as BRICK, Brain Research in Cancer Kids. There is another performance if you missed opening night, next Saturday, the 14th. 

Link to July Blog about Legends of Wildomar

The program was first rate!

•                •                •

Chance makes our parents, but choice makes our friends.
– Jacques Delille

Wildomar Rap must be your friend, because it was your choice to read it.

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• Legends of Wildomar: Stage Production

Q: What happens when a group of Wildomar writers get together with the idea of penning a play about local legends? 

A: You get four tall tales, five songs and a poem that ties it all together.

I sat down with three longtime Wildomar residents and had a good gab... some of it was even about their play that is set to debut on Saturday, September 7th (with an encore performance the following week: Saturday, September 14th).

The three creatives (under the name StageLight Playwrights) are Karen Robertson, who moved to the area 48 years ago to take a job as a teacher in Murrieta where she was one of five teachers there. Suzanne Saunders came to Wildomar in 1997 to raise her daughter on horse property that was plentiful here at the time. Eve Gaal got her first house here in 1988. 

"This is a play written by Wildomar authors, in Wildomar, about Wildomar."

Karen and Suzanne have been neighbors for twenty-two years and they met Eve about two years ago at a writer's guild in Hemet. That's when the synergy kicked into gear and the three of them hooked up as a team. 

"But we're as different as you can get," Karen added with a grin. 

The Legends of Wildomar: A play in 6 acts.

I asked how the writing process went for this play, and I learned that they each wrote a "tall tale" about how Wildomar got its name. They would then meet once a week to share their progress and then to revise what they had. 

They got to the point that they brought readers in so that they could determine how well the dialog flowed, or didn't. With that input, they'd go back to revise and rewrite again until they were satisfied.

A shot of an early rehearsal.

There are five songs throughout the play, but it's not a musical. Each of the writers composed two apiece (hmmm my math is bad here  lol). There's the Wildy Mare song, Wilhelmina's song, La Palomar song and The Wildomar song. The play is going to be performed at Le Grande Playhouse at the Lakeland Village Community Center.

Ticket info. See link below to purchase.

Proceeds go to a good cause

As an aside, all three of the authors are cancer survivors, and $10 of every ticket sale goes to support BRICK. The mission of BRICK (Brain Research In Cancer Kids) is to improve the quality of life for pediatric brain tumor patients and survivors through the funding of brain tumor research carried out by Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.

 Use this link to get your tickets

Link to Facebook event page

There are still opportunities to sponsor this play and get into the playbill. For more details about that, please feel free to contact StageLight. 

Link to StageLight Playwrights Facebook page

•                •                •

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.

– William Shakespeare

Wildomar Rap is not one to argue with The Bard. If he says the world's a stage, then it's a stage.

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• Community Spirit: Indy Purkiss

Let me introduce you to a remarkable young person named Indiana, Indy for short. 

She's a 10 year old Wildomar resident, student at Ronald Reagan Elementary and first came across my radar when she delivered a public comment to the city council in February 2019. 

Indiana Purkiss as seen from the dias.

Her cause deals with a park in her neighborhood that has been closed longer than she's been alive.

This was taken during the height of our rains this year. 

She'd like to see it reopened. Below are the highlights of her public comment.

My brother and I want to redo it (Canyon View Park) but we need to get your permission first. Our plan is to organize some neighborhood cleanup weekends where we can: 

1) sweep and repaint the basketball court; 

2) cut and pull out all the weeds in the grass and make it look nice; 

3) clean up the whole hill and make it look nice; 

4) pay for and put together a playground and a basketball hoop; 

5) invite friends and family to come and play at the park. 

Pretty cool, huh? I just need your permission for a cool park in our neighborhood.

April, Indy, Dallas and Matt Purkiss

We don't have any parks in our neighborhood, and it would be really cool to have one. A lot of kids live here and we would love a place to run around and play. It would be really great if you could consider letting us build up this abandoned park into a useable space for us kids to play. I look forward to hearing from you.

-Indy Purkiss, February 13, 2019 

Take a look at the two and a half minute video below, it takes a lot of courage to speak in public, especially when it's in front of elected officials.

Wanting to know more of the history of the shuddered park, I was directed to John Lloyd, a longtime champion of Wildomar parks. 

He gave me a brief overview as he remembers it. Note, he refers to it as "The Pit Park".

Ah The Pit!

The County accepted a Flood Control Basin as a park in the late 80’s early 90’s. Developers for County communities were allowed to free wheel and cut corners frequently.

If you take Canyon Ranch Road off of Bundy to the north and follow it all the way up to Gafford Road, then turn left and go a block to Great Falls Road you are at the corner of The Pit Park.

You can see the walking trail that goes around the lower park, but is fenced off.

There used to be a walking trail around the top of the pit and a basketball ½ court with picnic tables down in the bottom.

The old Parks system used to maintain the park and people used it all the time. I tried unsuccessfully to get the walking path at the top re-opened but I was shut down each time.

The walking trail.

When Supervisor Buster couldn’t get his additional park tax in the late 90’s he threatened and eventually closed the parks. Huge mistake. Since the parks were closed all forms of park funding were revoked, tightening the budget would have fixed the issue but he was determined to make a point, we all paid that price.

Flood control took over the Pit since there were no park funds to keep it safe and the area needed to have a good working flood control basin. At the same time all the other parks were fenced and closed.

A look at the basketball court from beyond the double fencing.

Later, Flood control refused to return the park to the community. They felt it was not a safe location for a park and at the time they wanted the County to take over all responsibility for it if it was re-opened as a park. The County backed off and in no time at all the Pit became a graffiti nightmare.

Later when we became a City I asked to see about getting it re-opened but City Council wouldn’t support the idea because the cost to maintain it wasn’t included in the park tax and being a flood control basin the maintenance can be pretty heavy.

I still think it should be re-opened if possible. The community has nothing in that area and folks used to really appreciate that little park.

So that’s the history of The Pit Park.

Where there's a will, there's a way. I've heard reports of homeless activity in the park and in one of the other photos above you can see bike jumps. The fence is only keeping regular folks from using it.

I don't know what can be done about this long closed park, but I think it's worth asking. If this is something that interests you, consider emailing the city with your thoughts on it. 

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Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.
– Walt Whitman

Wildomar Rap would have to wear a hat and sunglasses to follow this advice... I hate squinting.

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