Longtime Big Bear local and former Woman of Distinction honoree Marie Wanke passed away on Monday, with her family at her side, including husband Gary, her Big Bear High School class of 1956 classmate and husband of nearly 49 years. Prior to her passing on November 3, Wanke, age 69, had worked for the Bear Valley Unified School District for 21 years (as secretary to the … [Read more...] about BBHS Class of 1956 Graduate and 21-Year BVUSD Employee Marie Wanke Passes Away on Monday
General
Long-Standing Poplar Tree at Meadow Park Felled by Rec and Park Staff as Limbs Overhung Tot Lot
Passersby along Park Avenue this morning in the 7am hour may have noticed a large tree down in Meadow Park, near the playground or "tot lot" area off the tennis courts. As it turns out, a crew from the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District cut down the poplar tree, guesstimated to be about 70 years old, as a safety precaution, as had been the case with another, smaller … [Read more...] about Long-Standing Poplar Tree at Meadow Park Felled by Rec and Park Staff as Limbs Overhung Tot Lot
Longtime Valley Resident Mac McAlister Passes Away Tuesday, in His Family Home on McAlister Road
Longtime Big Bear Lake resident James “Mac” McAlister died in his family home on McAlister Road yesterday afternoon (July 29), though the San Bernardino County Coroner's Department has not yet released the cause of death. McAlister, who had jokingly referred to himself as one of the Valley's “historical relics” during a Big Bear Valley Historical Society presentation in 2006 … [Read more...] about Longtime Valley Resident Mac McAlister Passes Away Tuesday, in His Family Home on McAlister Road
Memorial Service for Dave PonTell, Pioneer of Modern Big Bear Lake, to Be Held at the PAC on May 17
Dave PonTell, described by loved ones as a pioneer of modern Big Bear Lake, passed away on Sunday, May 4, of natural causes at his home in Redlands. PonTell and wife Donna (aka Dee) had been residents of Big Bear Lake for 38 years. The PonTells owned Eagle Point Cottages (at the site now occupied by McDonalds), and Dave went on to establish PonTell Harper Realty, and was … [Read more...] about Memorial Service for Dave PonTell, Pioneer of Modern Big Bear Lake, to Be Held at the PAC on May 17