Desert Trail Column for January 5, 2017

Wayside Chapel, Glass Outhouse Gallery

Wonder Valley’s Glass Outhouse Art Gallery re-opens on Saturday, January 7 with an Artists Reception from 1 to 5 p.m. Featured artists will be Maggie Wright and Dana Bowden. Refreshments will be served, and music will be performed by Mike Shaw. This show will run January 7 through 29. The art gallery is located at 77575 29 Palms Highway at Thunder Road. Look for the giant Pepsi can and the tiny little chapel, which by the way is open 24/7. It is called a Wayside Chapel where travelers can rest, stretch their legs, pray for safe travel or just enjoy its quaint beauty inside and out! For more information, call Laurel at (760) 367-3807.

On Monday, January 9, the He Provides Ministry will be at our community center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road at Blower Road, at 9:30 a.m. with free clothing and household items for those who need them. Then, from 10:30 to noon, the USDA Food Distribution will take place. Call Ric at (760) 367-9880 for further information.

The Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council meeting will be held on Monday, January 9, at the Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst, at 6:30 p.m. Wonder Valley’s representative Teresa Sitz will be there to pass along our issues to San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos. Everyone is invited to attend. For information, call Teresa at (760) 865-9550.

Karen’s Commentary: I’m running behind in my thank-you’s! Thanks to Diane Brooks for stamps, to cousin Annie for cards and coupons, and to Jan Peek for all of the above! Everything is appreciated.

Darlene’s Commentary: Well, another year passes and 2017 is brand new. I feel really optimistic about this year for some reason. (Maybe that’s why they’ve nicknamed me “Pollyanna.”) I am looking forward to many things upcoming this year. The community center volunteers will meet this month to discuss activities for the coming year such as Game Days, Bingo, interesting speakers, outdoor yard sales, an indoor holiday bazaar, how-to-do-it demonstrations, collecting recyclables, dumpster days for trash and tires and a possible Slice of Life Reunion. If anyone has a suggestion or idea, please call Ric at 760-367-9880.

Check out the Wonder Valley website at www.wondervalley.org. It has a wealth of information about our area and some fun stuff to look at. Ken and Teresa Sitz do a great job keeping this website interesting!

Handy Hint: Paint a different color of nail polish on each of your keys so you can quickly grab the one you need.

Thought for Today: At birth, a kangaroo is smaller than a bee, ranging in size from 0.2 to 0.9 inches.

Until next time . . . remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.

The Mill at Old Dale, Highway 62