30 years ago in your local newspaper

This year, in August, the Mountain Community’s newspaper will enter its 50th year of service. In the countdown to our birthday in 2016, we’ll be publishing items from our archives to entertain and surprise you. This week, publisher Gary Meyer put together a few pages to show you that in 1985 The Mountain Enterprise was already publishing what is now ‘Frazier’s Finest,’ known then as ‘Friday’s Child.’ Kenny Parker and Anthony DeLessio were in first grade, pictured with their Frazier Park School classmates.

There was a Sheriff’s Log, filled with a variety of naughty events.

The February 1, 1985 issue tells of a malicious vandalism investigation in the Pine Mountain area. Someone broke into a woman’s house, tore the doors off her kitchen cabinets and burned them in a bonfire.

In 1985, a column called Piñon Pines News by Mel Reel said that the firehouse roof was being installed: “We need a big work party for this phase; no experience required bring your own hammers.”

The Crandall family donated their electricity. Mountain Mini Mart gave discounts on food and beverages.

The pages have their share of ‘grip and grin’ shots also: President Oleta Denson of the Hill Garden Club gives a check for $100 to Bob Frye to refurbish the South Kern Search and Rescue Team van.

By the way, next Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 our current Search and Rescue Team is holding a meeting to recruit new members (see Spotlight on page 11 of this week’s Calendar).

If school children, mischief and philanthropy are constants over time, so too is entrepreneurship.

In 1985, Tracy’s Video had two locations (Lebec and Lake of the Woods). They announced plans to open soon in Frazier Park. These were clearly innovators with vision. Their ad announces: “Beta Movies now available at Lebec! Just 99¢.”

May I translate? That breathless announcement refers to Betamax videocassettes, Sony’s entry in the great techno-duel with JVC—the Betamax vs. VHS videotape format wars. That was the Mac OS vs. Windows, or iPhone vs. Android battle of its day. If you are under 40 you won’t remember that, but yes, Dorothy, video streaming was once done on long magnetic ribbons called videotape. Amazing, but true.

This week, see pages 17, 18 and 19 [of the print edition] to tune in to your own personal time machine. We’ll carry more from past decades as the countdown to the big 5-0 continues.

—Patric Hedlund, Editor

To see full stories with photos, please purchase a copy of the newspaper at one of the locations listed below.

Or, have your newspaper delivered via mail and include internet access! Just call 661-245-3794.

The e-Edition is available now with full photos and stories at The Mountain Enterprise e-Edition

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Pick up your copy of The Mountain Enterprise at these locations:

Frazier Park
Frazier Park Market
Frazier Park Post Office
Don’s Liquor Market
Caveman Cavey’s Pizza
Frazier Park Pharmacy
Alpine Lumber & Hardware
La Sierra Mexican Restaurant
Factory Direct Appliances
Ace Hardware / Frazier Park Lumber
Falcon’s Nest Restaurant
Big John’s Restaurant
Tecuya Feed
Coffee Cantina

Lebec
Sam’s Liquor Market
Flying J Denny’s entrance
Shell Gas Station
Chevron Gas Station
Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant
Clinica Sierra Vista
Lebec Post Office
Ridge Route Antiques

Lake of the Woods
Midway Market
Mountain View Market
Mike’s Pizza Co.

Pinon Pines
At the mailboxes

Pine Mountain Community
Pine Mountain Post Office
Pine Mountain General Store
Bear Claw Bakery
Mommy’s Roadhouse Restaurant
Pine Mountain Pizza Co.
Cafe Silva Bella
Pine Mountain Clubhouse (Bistro entrance)

Gorman
Carl’s Jr.
Gorman Plaza Market

West Antelope Valley
Antelope Acres Market
Wee Ville Market
Centennial Market

This is part of the January 30, 2015 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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