Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, June 10, 2023

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Mountain View News Saturday, June 10, 2023 


WALKING SIERRA MADRE - The Social Side

by Deanne Davis


Looking at the results of the Mt. Wilson Trail 
Race a couple of weeks ago, all one can think is 
that these people flew up there with their feet not 
touching the ground once! 1:07:04! Seriously!!

The Race was better than ever and a great time 
was had by all. Hoping my daughter, Leah, will 
consider entering and running the race once 
more next year.

July 4th is less than a month away, friends and 
neighbors, and it was such a delight to see that 
Doug and Heather Parker are among the Hometown 
Heroes. John and I walked by the Parker 
house most days while he was still doing his walking 
here, instead of heaven. When the pumpkin 
seeds were planted, we observed the growth of 
those gorgeous orange globes from the first tiny 
leaves to giants that needed a fork lift to move. 
I met the Parkers and, in fact, did an interview with them a few years back that 
appeared in this column. Here’s a little information on their pumpkin patch: The 
pumpkin growing started in 1999 when the store-bought pumpkins they had carved 
started to cave in, as jack-o-lanterns sadly do. Doug tossed them out into the Back 
40 and, much to their surprise, these pumpkins put down roots and started to grow. 
At their peak year, 35 or 40 giant beauties grew on Parker Acres and, in spite of 
the deer, there are pumpkins galore of all shades and sizes. Who knew deer loved 
pumpkins, but they do. Parker once stepped away from the fenced enclosure where 
the tender young vines, laden with pumpkin blossoms were stretching themselves 
toward the sun when a marauding deer noticed an opening, slipped through and ate 
every single pumpkin blossom. So discouraged he almost quit the pumpkin business 
altogether, Parker received so many encouraging notes on the Sierra Madre 
FaceBook page that he kept on cultivating. Hometown Heroes, indeed. The Parkers 
make Halloween on Alegria an exciting event every year and this year will be no 
exception. The picture of Doug and Heather and a few of their giants is from a few 
years ago, but you get the idea…they do love their pumpkins!

Today, June 6th, is the 79th anniversary of D-Day. I didn’t realize that until well into 
the morning, which started with a great walk around the neighborhood, admiring 
the full moon which was still up a little after 5:00 a.m., getting granddaughter, Jessie, 
off to day camp and sharing breakfast (cheese omelet and sausage) with daughter, 
Crissy, while we watched a couple of episodes of “The Great” on Hulu, which, in 
case you didn’t know, is a series based, extremely loosely, on the life of Catherine 
the Great. Catherine attempted to murder her husband, Emperor Peter, all sorts of 
people were shot, stabbed, tortured, and quantities of dreadful things occurred and 
we enjoyed every bloody minute.

And then I opened the newspaper and there was the classic Charles Schulz “Peanuts” 
comic strip showing Snoopy in a helmet swimming through the barbed wire 
and wreckage. It is entitled “To Remember.” Taking a few minutes to see what historic 
comments were made to those who were about to embark on this heroic and 
most likely fatal undertaking, I found the following speech made by Gen. Dwight D. 
Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, June 6, 1944:

“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to 
embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. 
The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people 
everywhere march with you. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-
trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the 
year 1944! The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to 
victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. 
We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good luck, and let us all beseech the 
blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

Without the brilliant planning and heroic sacrifices of the D-Day invasion, the Allies 
may never have defeated the Nazi forces in Europe. On June 6, 1944, more than 
156,000 American, British and Canadian troops stormed 50 miles of Normandy’s 
fiercely defended beaches in northern France in an operation that proved to be a 
critical turning point in World War II.

“History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. 

When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty 

are the brave men and women in our armed forces.” Tim Pawlenty

On a lighter note, a friend sent me these “Amazing Simple Home remedies,” and I 
thought I’d share them with you. 

1. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to 
hold the vegetables while you chop.

2. You only need two tools in life: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and 
should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.

3. If you can’t fix it with a hammer, you’ve got an electrical problem and need 
to buy a new one.

These handy household hints ended with a Thought for the Day: Some people are 
like Slinkies – not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when 
they’re pushed down the stairs.

On that helpful and positive note let me end by encouraging you to enjoy June 
gloom. It will be over 100 degrees every day for months very soon.

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Where you’ll find the Emma Gainsworth Kindle novelettes, 

Along with other goodies like “A Treasure Map, A Drunken Owl

And 47 Rattlers in A Bag” True Tales of Early California

SIERRA MADRE POLICE BLOTTER


WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT - May 28 – June 3, 2023

The following represents a summary report of some of the major incidents handled by the 
Sierra Madre Police Department during this period. This list is not intended to be considered 
exclusive or all-inclusive.

Sunday, May 28 Theft from Motor Vehicle

At approximately 8 PM, officers responded to the 300 block of W. Carter for reports of a 
theft. The reporting party discovered that unknown suspect(s) made entry to their vehicle 
and stole various items. The Detectives Bureau is following up on this incident.

Wednesday, May 31 Warrant Arrest

At approximately 5 PM, officers contacted a male subject who was loitering outside of a 
business in the 00 block of W. Sierra Madre Blvd. During the investigation, it was discovered 
that the male had a warrant for his arrest from a nearby city. The subject was subsequently 
cited and released in the field for the warrant.

Thursday, June 1 Stolen Vehicle Arrest

At approximately 5 PM, officers received a license plate reader notification for a stolen 
vehicle in the area of Lima St. and Orange Grove Ave. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic 
stop of the vehicle, and took the driver into custody without any further incident. The 
dirver was arrested and booked at Pasadena Jail for various charges.


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