Wake the Bard Celtic Music Group July 18 in Outdoor GVL Garden! No Charge!

Enjoying life in a rowboat on Green Valley Lake.

Those of us who are old enough to remember the late, great Rickie Nelson one of his big hits was “Garden Party.” Well, they’ll be a Garden Party at the Green Valley Lake Community Garden on July 18. The free fun will begin at 5:30 p.m. so take a folding chair, a sweater or blanket and get set to enjoy every second. While you’re there enjoy the ambiance of this delightful community that is located at the top of Green Valley Lake Road (off Hwy. 18) between Snow Valley and the community of Arrowbear Lake. Check out the menu at the Lake Inn or browse through the charming market for a bite to eat.

While there’s no charge any donations are appreciated and they will go directly to the Green Valley Lake Community Garden that started a few years ago and just gets better and better.

Plan to attend this fun outdoor event. It may not be the Hollywood Bowl…..but it’s even better. You don’t have to climb up sections upon sections of hard wooden seats, the parking is much  easier, the weather is cool, the atmosphere is delightful, you don’t have to climb over people to get to your seat, there’s no charge to park (ever) and you’ll just enjoy every second.

Summer in the mountains just doesn’t get any better than this!!!!

Enjoy!

 

Wake the Bard: Your Favorite Irish Band Playing in Big Bear

Faith ‘n begorra, the mountain’s favorite local Irish band, Wake the Bard, will be playing at The Pines Lakefront Restaurant in Big Bear on Sunday, March 15. This talented group that plays fabulous Irish and other Celtic music will keep your feet tapping and your hands clapping1

The fun will be held from 3 to 6 p.m.

This event is a fundraiser for the “Bear Valley Guild for the Arts” in Big Bear. The admission is $20 and there’s an Irish buffet after the performance.

The restaurant is located at 350 Alden Road in Big Bear. It must be right beside the lake as it the called the Pines Lakefront Restaurant.

Come and enjoy this incredible Celtic music group. They are so talented and once you’ve heard them you will want more…..and more….and more….and more.

See you there!

Green Valley Lake’s Outdoor Concerts this Summer

If you’ve never been to a concert in Green Valley Lake you simply don’t know what you’re missing. Well, you can remedy that by attending one or all of the fabulous music events during th upcoming  July Concert Series.

Entitled “Sunset on the Lake,” the concerts will include four outdoor events in the area next to the community garden on Green Valley Lake Road. Each of the performances will begin at 5:30 p.m.  and all four of them will feature a different style of music. With the lovely lake as a backdrop the concerts should be very special.The following is the summer line-up: July 5–Woodland Winds Quintet (Mozart by the lake and patriotic music); July 12-Wake the Bard (Hand clapping Irish music); July 20–Grits and Grady (traditional American music); and July 26-smooth jazz with Liz and Gerry. All the concerts are free but a  donation would never be turned down!

The concerts will all be held outdoor (think Hollywood Bowl without all the layers of  seats and the crowds).  All the performances are free but donations would be appreciated with the proceeds going to the expenses to maintain the   delightful community garden.

The concerts are all sponsored by the  Mountain Community Alliance which is headquartered in Green Valley Lake. This organization is a 501C3 non-profit organization and while these charming events are free they will be passing the hat for donations. All of the money raised will go right back into improving the delightful community garden.

If you love to camp make reservations at the beautiful shady campground at the end of Green Valley Lake Road that is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. There are  camp sites in the sun and many in the shade and I drive through there frequently just to enjoy it the tranquil atmosphere.  For more information on camping or to make a reservation at the Green Valley Lake campsite  log onto http://www.recreation.gov. Reservations for this camping area can be made with 24-hour notice (providing sites are available) or up to six months in advance. The area has 37 campsites, some with lots of beautiful shade while others have more sun. Amenities include picnic tables, toilets, drinking water and parking. The charge is $22 per night  which includes one vehicle. An extra vehicle parking area is $5. No ATV or Office Highway Vehicles are allowed. Enjoy your “concert” in Green Valley Lake and then enjoy your campsite. There’s a small beach by the lake that children and adults can all enjoy.

Get out that tent you’ve had stored in the garage, sweep it out, roll it up, pack the kids in the car and come on up to the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains. You’ll love Green Valley Lake and sites are available. Come and enjoy a weekend in this very wonderful community that is 7,000 feet above sea level. If you’re looking for crazy night-life you might want to go to Vegas instead but if you just want to enjoy nature you’ll love the small community of Green Valley Lake.

 

Pack your bags and get ready to breathe clean mountain  air. If you live in a congested city you’ll love the tranquility, the fresh air, the friendly people and the very “small town” atmosphere of Green Valley Lake  so what’s not to like?! Come for the concerts………..you’ll sing your way home!

 

Green Valley Lake’s the Place to be on Memorial Day Weekend

Each Memorial Day weekend Green Valley Lake businesses are alive and well and while it may not be with the sound of music it’s definitely the place to spend some time. For years this small, wonderful community has hosted their annual Artisan’s Tour and other events for the opening of the summer season. This year is no exception!

The Green Valley Artisan’s tour will be held on May 24, 25 and 26 and this fun event involves getting a map to the artist’s studios and then picking the one you want to visit. Maps are available at the local businesses and the post office  along Green Valley Lake. This Artisan’s Tout has been a “staple” of this weekend for many, many years. Go enjoy visiting the artists’ and artisans studios. It’s great fun and it’s fascinating to see how talented they are.

In addition to the Artisan’s Tour be sure to grab some great stuff at the annual Green Valley Lake Rummage Sale. Held at the community garden on Green Valley Lake Road (right in town)  this is always a great event to  attend, especially if you love yard sales, garage sales or any other kind of sales. If you have items you’d like to donate call Diane at (909) 939-0339. The sale, which begins at 10 a.m., will be held on May 24 and 25.

Feel like enjoying some wonderful down-home country music with an emphasis on the toe-tapping sounds from Grits and Grady? Well, you’re in luck because they’ll be playing at the Lake Inn from 6:30 to 9 pm. on May 24 and again on June 21. This talented group of musicians is so much fun to hear (and watch) so be sure to spend a little time at The Lake Inn. You’ll love the entertainment and you can order great food all at the same spot.

On Saturday, the CSA 79 board will hold a meeting at 1 p.m. at the community center (which is also known as the Lilleberg Museum) on Green Valley Lake Road. This annual meeting is important to keep fulltime and part-time residents up to date on issues or plans regarding County Service Area 79.

For some great music go to the Lake Inn on May 24 because from 6:30 to 9 p.m. “Grits and Grady” will keep your feet tapping with their great Appalachian-based music. You’ll love it…I promise! The Lake Inn is located right on Green Valley Lake Road directly across from the lake. You can’t miss it and if you do you might want to make an appointment with your eye doctor.

Have a great time in this small town. What a wonderful way to start an early summer vacation or just a short visit. There’s something very special about this small community at the top of Green Valley Lake Road, off Hwy. 18.

 

 

 

Free Concert Series Offered this July in Green Valley Lake

July is just around the corner and with the seventh month of the year comes the July Concert Series in Green Valley Lake. Trust me, get out your calendar or your date book (or both) and jot down the dates and be there.

Every Saturday in July in the crisp wonderful mountain community  there will be a different band performing at the Green Valley Lake Community Garden. The garden is located on Green Valley Lake Road directly across from the lake so you can’t miss it. (If you do, perhaps you should see your eye doctor!)

You’re welcome to take a picnic or buy a box supper at the concert. All that is required is to sit, relax and enjoy the great music right across the street from the lake. Think of it as a mountain “Hollywood Bowl” without the bowl and all the traffic but a far better and cooler atmosphere and a lovely view.

July 6 the Woodland Winds Quintet, with “John Grady and Friends”  will celebrate our nation’s 237th birthday with marches, show tunes and other music composed by Americans. This concert will most likely have you clapping your hands throughout the performance. Why not wear something red, white and blue to add to the festive atmosphere?

The next event, on July 13, will feature “Grits’n Grady.” You’ll enjoy all the Appalachian sounds of the hammered dulcimer, fiddle, guitar and vocals. I heard them a few months ago when the group premiered “Grits n’ Grady” and all I can say is, “What’s not to love?” The answer to that question would be……”nothing!”

The original group, “Wake the Bard” will perform on July 20 with traditional Irish singing to traditional jigs and reels. If you can manage to stay in your chair or not clap your hands I’ll be very surprised. “Wake the Bard” is like taking a trip to Ireland and sittin’ in a pub and sippin’ Irish whiskey. You’ll love it!

The last of the concerts will be held July 27 when “Looney’s Fortune” takes the stage. This dynamic trio of Patti Amelotte on hammered dulcimer and accordian, Georgina Hennessy on fiddle and Matt Tonge on guitar, will be playin’ a thrilling mix o songs and tunes from everyone’s favorite “Emerald Isle.”

While the concerts are all free of charge donations to the Green Valley Lake Community Garden Fund will be happily accepted. The community garden operates under a non-profit  501.c3 organization called the Mountain Community Alliance.

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Music is Alive an Well in Green Valley This July

Love sitting outside listening to great music? If so, you need to be in Green Valley Lake this July because every Saturday from 5 to 7 or 8 p.m. there will be a different band performing at the Green Valley Lake Community Garden.

Take a picnic dinner or buy a box supper at the concert. Then, sit and enjoy the food and the music as the sun goes down over the lake.

The first concert will feature the “Woodland Winds Ensemble” which is composed of John Grady and friends. The group will play a variety of familiar American tunes, including Broadway show tunes, marches and other Americana music. How appropriate because this fun concert will be held just two days after July 4, America’s Independence Day.

July 13, the wonderful sounds of Appalachia will feature Grits ‘n’ Grady. I heard this group a few weeks ago when they gave a concert at the Lake Inn and I’m telling you, you’re going to love it. Your toes won’t be able to keep from tapping to the tunes of the fiddle, hammered dulcimer and guitar. The vocals will be performed by Pat and Sandi Huckaby, Diane Grady and Clare Bellefeuille-Rice.

On July 20 “Wake the Bard,” Green Valley Lake’s own Irish band will sing and play wonderful Irish jigs and reels and you won’t be able to stay in your seat. I know you’ll want to get up and dance but you can always remain in your seat and clap along to the Irish sounds. It’s a whole lot cheaper to attend this free concert than pay for airfare to fly to Dublin.

The concerts end July 27 with “Looney’s Fortune.” The trio of Patti Amelotte on hammered dulcimer and accordion, Georgiana Hennessy on fiddle and Matt Tonge on guitar will play a thrilling mix of songs and tunes from the Emerald Isle.

If you’ve never heard this wonderful group of musicians and never attended a “Wake the Bard” or “Grits ‘n’ Grady” event you really don’t know what you’re missing. These concerts offer everyone the chance to go to Green Valley Lake, unwind and listen to some great music. Trust me, you’ll enjoy every second!

With the outdoor concerts and the lake just across the street these July events promise to make you think you’re in a gorgeous outdoor theater. Don’t worry, you will be and it’s the small community nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains that will welcome you with open arms. The garden is just across the short street from the lake so come and watch the sun go down, clap your hands, tap your feet and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Be sure to bring your own chair and you might want to bring along a  sweater because you will be outside and when the sun goes down it can get chilly. After all, you will be in the mountains and the community of Green Valley Lake has the highest elevation in the local mountains.

As a special July gift, all the concerts are free and faith ‘n begorra, you won’t find a better deal than that. Although the concerts are free don’t let that stop you from making a donation. All the funds will be devoted to the Green Valley Lake Community Garden Fund.

See you in Green Valley Lake in July. You won’t find a lovelier spot for music than this unique and delightful community.

Green Valley Residents Celebrate Holiday Season With Santa

Having a great time at the GVL Community Christmas Party. Between the gift baskets to bid on from local artisans or merchants, the music from Wake the Bard, Santa (of course) and the great company everyone had a wonderful time at the GVL XMAS party and tree lighting.

Santa was very busy at the Green Valley Lake Christmas Tree lighting party. The clubhouse was packed with excited children to got to tell Santa their Christmas wishes.

The Green Valley Lake Clubhouse was filled to the gills with fulltime and part-time residents who turned out in droves to bring in the holiday season on Saturday night, Nov. 24.It was easy to see that everyone was in the holiday mood

The weather was, not surprisingly, cold and chilly but about 250 people attended to bring in the Christmas season in the community. Santa made a visit to hear the children’s Christmas wishes, local businesses supplied wonderful items to bid on, it wasn’t too cold to sit outside and talk with friends. To put it mildly, it was another wonderful evening in Green Valley Lake.

“Wake the Bard,” the valley’s best gift to the mountain, played and helped lead singing Christmas carols as well as just wonderful Celtic music. There were so many people in the clubhouse that it was hard to hear yourself talk but that’s all part of the excitement and tradition of this holiday event.

And a great time was had by all…..Green Valley Lake residents poured into the clubhouse to enjoy the holiday fun during the annual Christmas Tree lighting/party on Nov. 24. Between the people in the clubhouse and all those outside I would say at least 200 people enjoyed the festivities. Santa was thrilled!

The evening was particularly exciting because it was the same night as the opening of the Lake Inn, which has been closed the past several years and has been an integral part of Green Valley Lake life for years prior to its closing. Like the clubhouse, to no one’s surprise,the Lake Inn was packed to the gills with residents who couldn’t wait to support the new owners, Randy and Pat Rosetti. The restaurant was filled with adults and children having a fabulous time and talking up a storm and relishing in the reopening of the local restaurant that has such a long history in this wonderful community. To top off the fun “Wake the Bard” played at the restaurant to welcome people to the grand opening……and a grand opening it was!

It was, to put it mildly, an exceptional night in Green Valley Lake.

Members of the wonderful, local Celtic group, “Wake the Bard, kept everyone’s toes tapping when they played and sang Christmas Carols at the big GVL Christmas party on Saturday, Nov. 24. What a special evening!