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I want to thank you for doing what you do. Besides all your Real Estate duties you are the one on Palomar that keeps every one up-to-date on pertinent news, activities, events, mountain history, and so much more. Palomar is such a special place to more people than we will ever know and you keep it all together for everyone. I never did live on Palomar full time, but did spend every summer and most weekends on the mountain while growing up. Palomar, past and present, will always be part of my life. Thanks, Steve Bailey, Denver, Colorado since 1972
All of us here on Rancho Palomar thank you for your constant and diligent reporting of the mountain news, especially during, and following, the firestorm events. Your energy and enthusiasm for all things "Palomar Mountain" is awesome. You have so many talents and use them in caring, loving, beneficial ways. . .thanks! Bruce Druliner
Just wanted you to know how interesting I find life to be up there on the Mountain, with all the news reports and whatnot. I'm extremely impressed with your dedication to the Mountain. I know we didn't know each other all that well, it was all about selling the Palomar property, but I have gotten an insight into the life up there and I never knew how much there was going on, and it's just been very illuminating. I think Palomar Mountain, and its residents and animals (!) are VERY lucky to have your help with everything, your insight, your updates, information, the newsletter, your commitment and love for your home territory is just incredible. The service you provide people is immeasurable. Just thought I'd let you know, as a bystander looking in........they're lucky you're there. Best regards, good luck to all of you, Stephanie Voss
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you so much for being the voice of Palomar Mountain. Especially through these challenging times. You truly make a difference in your community and I want you to know how much we all appreciate you. B. J. Williams, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, County Crime Prevention Specialist, San Marcos
we always enjoy getting your e-mails...especially this one with the good news about the fire...you have one of the best web sites we have ever seen...we have sent some of your "for sales" to our real estate friends to show them what a great job you do...keep up the good work...betty ann and david johnson
I just want you to know how much we appreciate your dedication in getting the word out to all of us who are so concerned about the fire on Palomar. While there has been some news reporting from the media concerning our beloved mountain your messages are so much more informative. We are totally relying on YOU to provide us with accurate information. So keep up the good work.. Thank you again...Joanne Marugg, President, Palomar Mountain Mutual Water Company
My daughter Celena informed me this morning about your website. I just had to take a look and see for myself. It brought back some really good memories of that most beautiful "Mountain". We used to live there back in the mid 80's till the mid 90's. I was employed with the Forest Service (fire) and we lived at the Guard Station for 10 years before moving on with the changes of life (bitter sweet). I could of retired up there, but destiny takes the lead. I see a lot has changed, new faces mixed with some familiar ones. I do miss the small community life and the atmosphere that the "Mountain" gives to those who embrace and cherish. Oh, I just had a flashback of riding in the back of Dutch's horse trailer singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. . . It was pleasure to visit this site and I do plan on visiting again in the future, with a smile on my face." Robert M. Sanders, Salt Lake-Cache National Forest, Battalion Chief, "old fire dog who doesn't know when to quit"
Speaking for everyone up here on the mountain, Bonnie, you really help us out with your news, updates and resources. You and Don are great neighbors and friends. Love, Casey and Kathy Derengowski
Thank you so much for taking us around the mountain. Your willingness to share your knowledge and experience is greatly appreciated. We look forward to being on your e-mail list and becoming a part of the community.
Sincerely, Suzann & Bill Leininger, Escondido
Please keep me on the list to receive all the news of Palomar Mountain. Thank you very much for all the effort you put in to keep us informed. You're a realtor and a journalist and we appreciate you for doing such a good job at both! Dennis Huckabay, Oceanside
Greetings from Colorado! I've been getting your e-news for about a year. I love it! ! Makes me want to come back to my roots. My sister who lives in the Bay area has been getting forwards from me and I think it is time that she has her own subscription. We had a family cabin at The Bailey place for many years but had to close it out in 1992. It is fun to read about the doings and some of the names are ones we recognize. Keep up the good work! Sincerely, Tom Pogue, Fort Collins, Colorado
From the Sheriff in "Creator Lake Monster", filmed on Palomar in the 1970's:
Just a short note to say "thanks" for keeping me on your list even though I live miles away from the mountain. I always read your emails and the ones I received today are super! Mike Johnson's photos are excellent! As a photographer, I can really appreciate his composition and the exposure, in such difficult conditions, is right on the money. Kudos on keeping us lovers of Palomar informed! Richard G. Cardella, Hydesville, CA
Thank you for your splendid and professional efforts to create my web page on your Palomar Mountain News internet site. I've received many compliments, several job offers, and CD sales since your announcement. So let me direct the compliments to you . . . nice job! Bruce Druliner, Rancho Palomar, www.mypalomarmountain.com/brucedruliner
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Town Focus Palomar Mountain - Wired Wilderness
E-mail broadcast keeps cabin owners up on Mountain News
Bonnie Phelps started an e-mail broadcast of Palomar Mountain news
that goes to more than 500 property owners and residents. By Cheryl Walker, January 2003, Community News Writer
Palomar Mountain -- Bonnie Phelps enjoys a slower-paced life on Palomar Mountain. But when it comes to communicating with her neighbors, it's fast and easy with e-mail.
In 1998, Phelps casually started an e-mail broadcast that could be viewed as an electronic newspaper. It allows her to let cabin owners on and off the mountain know about Palomar's news.
I thought it would be fun to do," she said. "I thought I'd probably end up with 30 e-mail addresses, but to my amazement, it goes out to more than 500 property owners and residents. We have cabin owners around the United States as well as other places in the world. One owner currently lives in Saudi Arabia, and there's another family in Antigua."
Phelps and her husband, Don, bought a house on the mountain in the 1970's. Don Phelps was a sheriff's deputy assigned to that area. Later they sold the house and moved to Escondido. In 1998, they decided to move back to the mountain, buying back their previous house. Now, she works out of her home as a real estate agent and occasionally commutes to an office in Escondido.
"We love the mountain," she said. "I like how much time you have. It's a life that's a step back in time. I love the four seasons, the smell of a wood fire burning, and I can see deer from my window usually several hours a day."
Phelps as well as other people living on the mountain found communicating by e-mail especially helpful during trying times such as bad weather or an emergency.
"It was the LA Jolla Indian Reservation fire in 1998 that really expanded my e-mail address book," she said of the 1999 fire that burned several thousand acres. "It was a wonderful way to let people know evacuation information."
Electric broadcast has also helped residents if they've needed a handyman, baby-sitter, tree trimmer or contractor. It's even helped residents sell their homes.
"We had a resident who had a serious illness and had to be hospitalized. He had to sell his lifetime dream home, and it had been on the market for over three years. I wrote a story about it on e-mail, and it sold immediately."
Phelps has received many appreciative responses to her broadcasts. The majority of cabins here were built in the '20s and '30s and have been passed down from generation to generation. It's like a family, and even if people no longer live here, they still remember families who do."
Phelps loves being able to get the word out on mountain happenings, especially when it's good news. She didn't have to worry about missing anyone on the list when she celebrated her 50th birthday at the Palomar Mountain Lodge. And it was especially nice when the mountain received it's first snowfall this season, and residents gathered at the lodge for an impromptu celebration.
"After I sent out the notice about the first snowfall, I got a response from a couple in Oregon who no longer have a cabin. She wrote that her heart raced when we celebrated the first snow and told us to have a cup of hot chocolate for them. All these little things really brings us closer together as a mountain family."
By Cheryl Walker
Community News Writer, The San Diego Union-Tribune
Saturday, January 11, 2003
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