11

Mountain View News Saturday, May 10, 2025


OOOH, STRRRRETCH! This is 
our sweet "STEVIE WONDER," 
one of our sweetest and "most-
overlooked-for-no-good-reason" 
cats. 

With his soulful eyes and gentle demeanor, 
Stevie, age 9, has a heart of 
gold and a love for all things cozy 
and comforting. There's nothing 
this brown tabby enjoys more than 
curling up in a warm lap being petted, 
cuddled, or simply lounging by 
your side. 

Overlooked? While he may be a tad 
shy at first, don't let that fool you—once Stevie gets to know you, 
he'll shower you with endless love and loyalty. Funny eye? Just a 
remainder of a past eye issue. FIV+? Yes, but don't let that deter 
you. This condition requires no medication, and Stevie can lead a 
happy and fulfilling life just like any other cat. He gets along well with other cats, and loves 
his treats! This boy has never had a real home--

With your love and care, Stevie will be forever grateful for the chance to experience the 
warmth and comfort of a loving home. If you'd like the chance to meet this boy, just submit 
the application: https://www.lifelineforpets.org/stevie.html. We'll get back to you quickly.

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

 [Nyerges is an educator and the author of over two dozen books including “Urban Survival 
Guide,” “Extreme Simplicity,” “Foraging Californai,” and other books. More information at 
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]

WHO IS MOUNTAIN MAN TOM GROVER?


I began corresponding with Tom Grover, living in Idaho, married to his wife 
Joyce for 65 years, when he wrote to share his discoveries with me on how 
to make a fire-piston that actually worked. He sent me many which worked 
quite well, much to my surprise. 

Tom Grover was born in Driggs, Idaho in his grandmother’s bedroom on August 20, 1939. 
His father was an Eagle Scout, who guided Tom onto a path of wilderness adventures that 
would last a lifetime.

“Life in the woods was simple, 
with the hard work of 
cutting fire wood – lots of 
fire wood!” explains Grover. 
For six years, Grover was 
part of the Idaho Air Guard, 
learning a lot about fire, and 
fighting fires.

He lived in the woods most 
of his life but had recently 
moved into the city, Boise, 
because of age and health 
issues. He lost his hearing, 
and so didn’t take phone 
calls, nor did he use email.

Grover hunted alone 95% 
of the time. He learned a lot 
about survival from Tom Brown Jr., and the Woodsmoke journals. 

Tom and Joyce met in junior high school, and got married on August 3, 1960. “Joyce and I 
spent 10 years in a trailer below Palisade Dam at the south fork of the Snake River,” says Grover. 
“We lived there from the end of May to October each year, and we went back to Boise for 
the winter. However, we sold the trailer and the jet boat around 2016.”

While living in the woods, he ran a trap line, “before I knew better,” he quips.

He did lots of hunting, mostly with a handgun, and 
he has taken bear, deer, and elk with it. He points 
out that he has eaten everything from rattlesnakes 
to elk in the outdoors. 

Grover explains that he was a die-hard canoer, using 
a pole, and has travelled well over 3000 miles 
by canoe. According to Grover, “I think I am the 
only person ever to pole up north of Boise River to 
French Creek and back. It’s a very narrow canyon 
with fast rocky water! The territory has lots of rattlesnakes, 
and bears, wolves, mountain lions, and 
also deer and elk. It took me three days!” He’s also 
run white water jet boats on six western rivers.

“Joyce always said that I was the most dangerous 
person she ever saw. It’s fallout from ADHD (Attention- 
Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder)! But it 
saved my life several times, since I just do things 
without thinking,” he explains. “What got me 
started for a better fire-starter was the winter my 
canoe capsized in the rugged Buckhorn Rapids 
of the North Fork Canyon. I had stuck my canoe 
pole down to turn around and look upstream, 
but my pole got stuck between two rock. I fell 
out of the canoe trying to get my pole free. My 
camera did not survive! Temperatures were near 
zero, and I was alone. The difference between life 
and death was probably about a minute. But the 
ADHD saved my life because I did not get scared. I just did what I had to do without thinking 
about it, and very fast. I found the wonderful pine pitch vapors and learned how to use them. 
They are the easiest and best fire-starters on earth. I think I had help from God on that one.”

In fact, Grover described himself as being a life-long hobbyist with primitive fire-starting 
methods. He’s taken classes on primitive fire-starting and done extensive experimenting with 
flint and steel variations, the bow and drill, and the many possible tinders. 

He writes, “Primitive fire-starting has been a life-long hobby! Flint and steel, bow and drill, 
and fire pistons. I started my first primitive [fire] 68 years ago. My last class in primitive fire-
starting was 5 years ago. My first class in survival 57 years ago!”

Grover spent 40 years with the Boy Scouts, with whom he taught most of the wilderness survival 
classes he taught. He was a Wilderness Survival merit badge counselor for 20 years, and 
also taught canoeing, and primitive fire-starting. “I was probably the first to lead Boy Scouts 
on a canoe trip for 50 miles in the Bird of Prey Snake River Canyon.

HIS BELIEF

Grover wrote in one of 
his letters to me, “I try 
to read the scriptures 
every day, and say my 
prayers three times every 
day, 365 days a year. 
Anyone who thinks I 
would do that year after 
year if it was one-sided 
is very stupid!”

He adds, “My father 
drilled two things into 
me. One, never hit a 
woman! And two, The 
only reason for being 
late is if you are 
dead. I have zero tolerance 
for either one,” 
he says, adding, “Love 
is the power that holds 
friends and family values 
intact.”


Pet of the Week


Scrappy is a 20-pound chihuahua/hound 
mix with a heart as big as his ears—and trust 
us, those ears are epic. Sometimes they even 
get adorably stuck behind his head, and it's 
impossible not to smile.This sweet, medium-
energy pup is all about building deep bonds. 
Once he trusts you, Scrappy becomes the 
ultimate cuddle buddy, happiest curled up 
beside you for a nap or offering his signature 
paw-shake.

Scrappy has been in a foster home with a 
Pasadena Humane volunteer, and he’s gotten 
a great report. He’s fully house-trained, crate-
savvy (especially with some calming tunes), 
and knows a few solid commands like “sit,” 
“shake,” and “crate.” 

Scrappy’s ideal match is someone patient, 
consistent, and ready to love a quirky, devoted companion who just wants to be near his 
person. If you're looking for a pint-sized pal with a giant personality and unforgettable 
ears, Scrappy might just be your perfect match.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and 
age-appropriate vaccines. 

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable 
pets at pasadenahumane.org.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by 
phone calls or email.

The cabin built by Tom Grover’s parents, in between Boise and Idaho City.

 
Grover with the antlers of a bull elk that he 
killed with a .44 hand gun.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com