By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
Scores of Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce members, with their families and U.S. Forest Service firefighters, came together at the elegant and spacious outdoor garden area at Arrowhead Pinerose Cabins resort in Twin Peaks on Thursday, Aug. 15 to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday. Sponsored by the Rim of the World Historical Society, the festive affair kicked off at 5p.m. with casual conversation between fellow chamber members and friends and neighbors, as they circulated through the backyard garden which has a creek flowing through it.
Local Historian Rhea-Frances Tetley brought taxidermied forest animals from the Mountain History Museum.
Adding to the occasion was a collection of taxidermied, furry forest animals – such as a black bear, bobcat, grey squirrel, fox, skunk pelt, raccoon and various birds – all native to the San Bernardino National Forest, provided by the historical society’s Mountain History Museum. This exhibit was especially popular with the younger set, many of whom had never been up close and personal with these furry, forest critters.
Before-meal snacks included taco chips with smoked salsa, cheese nachos, Smokey Joes (hot dog on a stick), fancy cookies, blueberry punch, wine and beer. The self-serve buffet featured baked beans, garden salad, Caesar salad, coleslaw, hot dogs and potato salad. Dessert consisted of chocolate and vanilla birthday cakes.
Following the meal, there was a multiple-choice trivia contest with 10 Smokey Bear and San Bernardino National Forest-related questions, such as, which U.S. President was in office when Smokey the Bear (his original name) was created? This reporter’s educated guess was Franklin D. Roosevelt, which was the correct response.
Pine Rose Cabins owner Trish Dufour dances with Smokey Bear.
Next on the agenda was a miniature duck derby, with each event attendee getting a duck with a number on it. The duckies were tossed into the creek by several Forest Service firefighters, who followed them downstream and into a small pond. This was followed by children and adults dancing and posing for photos with Smoky Bear.
This little duckie was the first one to reach the pond.
Since many of the chamber members were business owners, the Alpine Mountaineer interviewed several, including Brian Cohen, a principal at Arrowhead Premiere Properties and owner of Arrowhead Property Rental. Asked what inspired him to go into the real estate business, Cohen said he had been interested in property since he was 12 years old. “There is property everywhere you go – public property, private property and real estate. Everybody needs a place to live.” When asked how sales are doing lately, Cohen responded, “I’m ranked among the top 1 percent of real estate agents in the country and, in 2023, I was also recognized in the New York Times as one of the ‘Best of the Best’ real estate agents in the country.”
When asked how he accomplished all of these honors, Cohen said, “I treat people with kindness, confidence and transparency.
Jake Anderson, a financial advisor for Edward Jones Financial Services in Lake Arrowhead, was asked what he attributes his successful career to. “We believe in forming a true partnership where we care as much about why you are investing, as well as what you choose to invest in. This personalized approach to investing helps set us apart.”
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