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Wilsonia Times: The Official Newsletter of Wilsonia Village Inc.
Volume 21, Issue 7, July 2021
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This Weekend in Wilsonia
 

Happy Birthday America!! 
 

The July 4th weekend in Wilsonia is typically one of the busiest and best attended. This year we have many of our traditional events: a nature walk, potluck (at the Clubhouse), parade, ice cream social, plus a bonus concert on Saturday afternoon. The line-up for the weekend is shown at right. Please enjoy your time in Wilsonia and join us for one or more of these community events. 

Read on for some news and recaps of some of the great events that have taken place already this summer. Included is our second "In Memoriam" feature, some important updates, including the new Park-wide fire restrictions, and how to get involved in other events this summer… you definitely won’t want to miss out on A Taste of Wilsonia!

Thanks for continuing to read the Wilsonia Times. We have strived to keep you informed and connected for over 20 years, and we’re still going strong. We plan to publish at least once a month for the rest of the summer, to ensure you’re getting the latest information about Wilsonia, and will slow down in the off-season. If you’ve missed any past issues, you can catch up at wilsoniatimes.com.

WILSONIA VILLAGE
Upcoming Events:


Saturday, July 3, 10am
Wildflower/Nature Walk

Saturday, July 3, 2pm
Valley Liberty Band at 83662 Park Road

Saturday, July 3, 6pm
Potluck Dinner
at the Clubhouse

Sunday, July 4, 10am
Independence Day Parade

Sunday, July 4, 1:30pm
Ice Cream Social

Monday, July 5, 10am
WHDT Meeting at 83731 Hazel Lane

Mon-Sat, July 12-17
Quilters’ and Crafters’ Retreat

The complete Wilsonia Village 2021 Calendar of Events can be viewed here.
Calendar Corrections
All event times and locations in the Wilsonia Village Calendar of Events are accurate as of June 30. Some event details were incorrectly reported in the most recent edition of the WHDT's "Wilsonia News" publication. The Wilsonia Times is published by WVI and remains the official source for information about WVI-sponsored activities.
Fire Restrictions for Wilsonia
 
Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks has announced that, effective July 1, fires will be prohibited within the parks, including in Wilsonia. The official announcement stated:
ALERT: Due to extreme fire danger, record setting temperatures, drought, and commitment of firefighting resources both regionally and nationally, the parks are increasing fire restrictions to Stage 3 – their highest level.
Effective at 12:00 p.m. on July 1, 2021, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are enacting a parks-wide campfire and smoking ban. This includes all campgrounds, picnic and day-use areas, and wilderness locations inside the parks. There are no exceptions to this change.
For information on the other fire restriction stage levels, please visit https://go.nps.gov/sekifirerestrictions  #NPSFire #FireYear2021 #PreventWildfires

This means that until further notice, campfires, wood-burning stoves, charcoal barbecues, and outdoor smoking are all prohibited in Wilsonia. Gas grills are still permitted at this time. As we head into the 4th of July holiday weekend, please remember that fireworks are always illegal in Wilsonia and the National Parks.
According to John Ziegler, the parks’ fire management officer, “This ban on all campfires in our front-country and wilderness areas is designed to reduce our risk from unwanted human-caused fires during the hottest and driest part of the year.” He added, “We must all do more than before to be extra safe and cautious this year.” These restrictions will remain in effect until conditions in the area have progressed to a point where minimal public hazard remains, as determined by the Parks’ Superintendent.
For more details on the restrictions, visit the park’s fire restrictions page. While it may be disappointing to miss out on s’mores and barbecued burgers this weekend, making these small sacrifices will help protect Wilsonia from fire danger. 
Banda Liberdade do Vale (Valley Liberty Band) - July 3

Come see the Valley Liberty Band perform at Mixters’ Kozy Korner (Park and Lilac) at 2pm on July 3. The band will be performing some patriotic favorites and their diverse collection of music that is sure to entertain all. Some of the band will also be riding in the parade on Sunday, July 4, and will make stops along the way to play a few tunes.
The band and their guests (approximately 25 people) have been invited to attend our potluck dinner at 6pm on Saturday. We ask that you consider "adopting" a band member by bringing extra food, drinks and place settings for our musical guests!
July 4th Parade

The Parade is on! We will be following the same route that was used during the 2018 Wilsonia Centennial, plus a big loop through Wilsonia. Please join this fun event and help demonstrate the presence and spirit of Wilsonia to all the Park residents and visitors. Rally your family and friends and plan your patriotic entry into this Wilsonia and Grant Grove tradition, Sunday, July 4 at 10am.
 
A map of Wilsonia and Grant Grove illustrating the parade route. The route begins at the fire station, proceeds through Grant Grove, and then proceeds clockwise around Wilsonia.
Parade Route - Participants meet at Fire Station at 9:45.
Parade goes through Grant Grove and then continues through Wilsonia.
Drawing of a bear in a chef costume, advertising A Taste of Wilsonia, Saturday, July 24th.
A Taste of Wilsonia - Saturday July 24
There’s still plenty of summer left after the 4th of July, including one of this season’s most exciting events: A Taste of Wilsonia is coming up on July 24. Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out!
 You can buy tickets online or reserve your ticket in person at the July 4 Ice Cream Social. Tickets for this fundraising event can be secured for a $25 donation ($10 for children 12 and under). We will have maps, menus and some suggested routes available for ticket holders. A big thank you to all the cafe hosts and to all of you generous supporters of Wilsonia Village.

 
Buy tickets now
In Memoriam
Photo of Dede Virgo
Photo of Wayne Wagner
Photo of Don Workman
Photo of Ferne Wilson
In Memory of Dede Virgo, Wayne Wagner,  Don Workman and Ferne Wilson
Thank you to those who have shared with us the names and photos of Wilsonia friends and neighbors who have recently passed away.
We have shared some photos and memories here.


We will occasionally feature names, photos and memories in future issues of the Wilsonia Times. If you would like to contribute information about a friend of Wilsonia who has recently passed, email wilsoniatimes@gmail.com.
Serving on the WVI Board
There will be two WVI board member seats up for election at our annual General Meeting, which will take place on August 7. Freeman Stone will be retiring, and the seat of Linda Montgomery, who retired last year, is open (Susan Harper was appointed to fill that seat for 2020-21).
WVI Board members meet four times during the summer and once in February. We manage the Clubhouse, schedule all Wilsonia Village events, and provide multiple services to Wilsonia including garbage and recycling, fire safety programs, the Wilsonia Village website, The Wilsonia Times and other social media. 
Board members are elected for a three-year term. During a term, serving on the WVI Board does not need to be a huge commitment, and some put in more time than others. You might be a great board member if you:
  • Visit Wilsonia frequently during the summer months
  • Have ideas about how to improve life in Wilsonia
  • Are energetic
  • Have good technology skills
  • Enjoy working with others
  • Are not afraid to organize and head up projects or events
  • Have a vision for the future of Wilsonia and reaching next generation Wilsonians
If some (or all) of these things sound like you, please contact a board member and/or reply to wilsoniavillage@gmail.com if interested and willing to serve.
Wilsonia Yard Clean-Up Day - Recap
The annual Wilsonia Yard Clean-Up Day was a huge success. On Saturday, June 26, more than 40 volunteers from Wilsonia and NPS Fire raked, loaded and removed over 30 dump truck and trailer loads of needles and branches to the Park Dump. Thanks to all who cleaned ahead of this day, those who left piles to be picked up, and those who made a donation to the WVI Fire Committee. If you find that your piles were removed from your property, please consider making a donation to the Wilsonia Yard Clean-Up Day fund
Thank you to the following people who helped make Wilsonia more fire safe:  
  • Susan and Don Harper for donating hamburgers for the lunch.
  • Chuck and Penny Burgin for organizing the lunch and cooking the burgers and hot dogs.
  • Dutch Scholten for operating the loader and supervising the dump site.
  • Bill and Wendy Bright, Nancy and David Tomlinson, Dean Borba, John Wilson, Paul Finck, Lyle and Carly Metcalf, and Dick Haile for providing dump trucks/trailers.
  • David Wiens for providing a tractor with a bucket loader.
  • Crew Chiefs: Ty Parkinson, Dean Borba, and Jason & Katie (Wilson) Padrick.
  • The NPS for providing a skid steer and trailers.
  • Neal Mixter (WVI) and Jeff Singer (NPS) for organizing this event.
And a huge THANKS! to ALL who labored, donated food for lunch, and donated money for the day! This is how a community comes together... BRAVO!
Even though the Clean-Up Day has passed, it’s still not too late to clean around your cabin. 
If you will be taking your needles and branches to the Park dump, please be advised that we are now dumping on the right hand side, instead of against the hill on the left. The fuel has been smoldering since spring and has reignited with the addition of all the new fuel brought in during the last two months. No trash, lumber or any other discards are allowed in this area. Please close the gate behind you and lock it once you leave the area.
A group of kids participating in the Duck on a Stick challenge.
Kids and adults participating in the Duck Toss.
The Great Wilsonia Duck Race
contributed by Sara DeJager-LoBue

With little or no water running in the stream that passes through the north end of Wilsonia, a creative approach to Rubber Duck Racing was found. About seven young Wilsonians enjoyed the event, and several more who are young at heart.
The first race of the day was Duck on a Stick. Participants balanced a small rubber duck on the end of an 18” by 3” board while running up and down Lily Lane.  First place - Teagan Ramirez, second - Ryan Gibbons, and third - Charlotte Gibbons.
Next came the Duck Toss! Teams of two threw their designated rubber duck back and forth, backing up after each pair of throws. Ultimately, it’s a good catcher who wins.  First place - Teagan Ramirez, 2nd - Ryan Gibbons, and several tied for 3rd. 
Then, the “Quack-a-pult” made its debut, an 8-foot PVC catapult brought to Wilsonia for this event. All the kids’ rubber ducks were loaded in the catapult and launched several feet, with the furthest landing (or rolling) duck winning. The lack of oxygen might have contributed to the low flying ducks. Winner:  Teagan Ramirez, 2nd - Oliver Wolcott and 3rd - Noah Wolcott.  Special consecutive races won by Oliver Wolcott, 2nd - Ryan Gibbons, and 3rd Charlotte Gibbons. All participating children received prizes and chocolate ducks donated by Sara DeJager-LoBue.
Finally, the adult Quack-a-pult round was won by Sheri Parkinson, who donated her winnings back to the club.
Thank you to everyone who attended, and thanks to Mr. Mixter’s 8th grade STEAM class for building and loaning us the Quack-a-pult.

 
Power Outage

The power was out in Wilsonia on June 19-20 from 5pm until 1am. As temperatures continue to soar and the power grid is at capacity, outages may occur. To help prepare: 
  • Keep some frozen water bottles or ice packs in your freezer to help preserve your food. 
  • Keep some water on hand in covered buckets or water jugs to flush toilets. 
  • Have a supply of batteries and working flashlights available.
The Bear
 
The bear has been sighted again passing through the north side of Wilsonia. Let's all be diligent in food storage and handling of garbage. We want to keep this bear honest and wild.
 
Recycling in Wilsonia
 
The new recycle bin is for BAGGED plastic, glass and metal recyclable materials only. Please do not dump loose recyclables or trash in this container. Loose recycling is still allowed in the old recycle bin.
 

In our next issue

We'll have a recap of the Black Pot Cook-Off and 4th of July events,
and a preview of the Wilsonia Treasure Hunt: Moonlight Edition.

Pay dues online
Cabin Classified
Cabin for Sale

83793 Lily Lane
 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath
Modern & Fully Furnished

Contact owner:
(559) 638-9802
(559) 908-1013
Cover art of Jana Botkin's book The Cabins of Wilsonia, featuring a pencil drawing of a cabin.
Ad for Paul Finck, General Contractor. Contact Paul at (559) 358-5797.
Jana is a freelance artist and compiled this wonderful book of pencil drawings of Wilsonia Village scenes. Preview and order the book here.
Paul is a Wilsonia resident, and has many work references in the village. He can be contacted at (559) 358-5797.
Want to contact a Board member? Click here for their contact information.

Bear problems? Contact the NPS Bear Tech at (559) 565-4490 or Park Dispatch at (559) 565-3341.
The Wilsonia Times is the official newsletter of Wilsonia Village Inc.
Editor: Neal Mixter
Visit wilsoniatimes.com to read past issues.
Questions about the Wilsonia Times? Email us at wilsoniatimes@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2021 Wilsonia Village Inc, All rights reserved.


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