By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Following the devastating fire in 2007 – when 100 homes were lost in Green Valley Lake – the Mountain Community Alliance was created as the community’s main civic organization.
Patrick and Sandi Huckaby – the president and secretary of the Alliance – detailed the history and current focus of the organization at a recent meeting of the Women’s Club of Lake Arrowhead.
In addition to presenting scholarships to Rim High seniors, the Alliance puts on four summer events in the community garden, which they also sponsor. That area had been home to the Fox Lumber Company, which burned down in the 2007 fire. The Alliance now holds summer festivals on the spot – like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Music, the Huckabys told members of the Women’s Club, has always been a big part of Green Valley Lake. Their Lilliberg Museum – which features some Indian artifacts – was founded by Einer Lilliberg, a banjo player.
The Huckabys moved to the mountain community 20 years ago. They had had a band in Los Angeles and didn’t think they would be playing music anymore – but they were wrong!
“It was St. Patrick’s Day and we wanted to play some jigs,” Sandi said. “We went to the malt shop and found some other musicians. We started getting together at one another’s houses and one thing led to another.”
What grew out of that was the Celtic band Wake the Bard.
“We have jams all the time,” Patrick said. “Now the young kids are grown and joining the jams.” As retired teachers, they both love seeing the youngsters pursue the arts.
From the 2007 fire, the Huckkabys said, “We learned that no one knows we exist. We didn’t get a lot of help other areas on the mountain got. We have to be self-reliant.”
And that’s what happened during Snowmageddon in 2023. “We organized the nurses who live in Green Valley Lake to be ready, willing and able to help. We have a CERT trailer with medical supplies and food. The church has a cupboard with food for anyone who needs it in a time of disaster.”
In addition, volunteers went door to door to get information on who lived there. “We divided the town in 20 sections with zone captain,” Sandi said. “We found out what people’s needs are – for oxygen or wheelchairs, for example.”
Of the 1,000 houses in Green Valley Lake, fewer than 200 are occupied full-time.
“Caring for one another is an important thing,” Sandi said. “You have to know your neighbors.” To that end, they hold potlucks and break bread together, which they feel is essential for building community.
After those potlucks, it is time for some music. “Music seems to be a way to become more cohesive as a community,” Sandi said.
And with that, Patrick picked up his guitar and Sandi took her place at the hammered dulcimer, an instrument that dates back to the 9th century in the Persian empire.
They played a piece they called “Green Valley Breakdown,” much to the delight of the group gathered at the Mountain History Museum.
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