whiskey flat claimjumper 2014

Whiskey Flat Days!Enjoy the old-fashioned fun as Kernville returns to the 1860’s for

Whiskey FlatClaim Jumper

A lot of visitors wonder,as they enjoy Whiskey FlatDays in the town of NewKernville, exactly where thetown of Old Kernville was.They know the original loca-tion is out in the lake bed, butwhere was Whiskey Flat?

A clue to where WhiskeyFlat was is the old part of theKern River Valley Cemetery,which was a part of OldKernville originally and isnow part of the town ofWofford Heights.

Exactly where was the townof Old Whiskey Flat?

Map of the Flat on page 10-11Join us inKernvilleFebruary 14-17, 2014

INSIDE:


Let your mind go back intime, back 150 years when theCalifornia was a state only 12years old, when large portionsof it were still Spanish landgrants. The mighty Kern Riversplashed unfettered by con-crete, dams or controls of anykind, down to a swampy SanJoaquin Valley. The swamplanddown below, a vast area knownas Tulare Lake, was full of tulereeds and was home to mil-lions of birds.

In those days, there was lit-tle travel in the San JoaquinValley itself because of thealmost impassable land. Travelexisted mainly in the foothills,where rivers and streams stillhad to be forded, but riding byhorseback or muleback wasmuch easier.

Gold had been discoveredat about the same timeCalifornia had become one ofthe United States. Gold seekerscame from every corner of theworld, many by sailing shipinto the port of San Francisco.They streamed overland intothe interior portions ofCalifornia.

Gold was rumored to havebeen discovered at a placewhere two forks of a big rivermet, a place called the KernRiver Valley.

They streamed over theGreenhorn Mountains thatformed the western boundaryof the valley, their wagonsslowed on the downhill side by

of money by selling what manyof the miners craved after ahard day’s work – a drink ofspirits.

So he led his burro ladenwith two barrels of whiskeydown the eastern side of theGreenhorns. He had heardabout a gold strike at the bot-tom of the gulch he was travel-

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim JumperCheers - To mayoral canadates “Nickel and Dime Nicole” and “Rango Rocky Stone”


With “Nickel and DimeNicole” counting her nickelsand dimes to come up withenough to buy one dollar bribesand “Rango Rocky Stone”wearing a hat big enough to fitthe whole town of Kernville,the Whiskey Flat Mayor’s racehas begun.

Each year the KernvilleChamber of Commerce holdsWhiskey Flat Days and the pre-tend mayor’s race to raise theopperating funds needed forthe year.Meet the MayorCandidatesRango Rocky Stone’

Rocky Stone, a NativeAmerican Tubatulabal Indian,was born in Onyx in 1953 andraised in the Kern River Valleyand attended SouthforkElementary school in Weldonand graduated from KernValley High School.

Rocky and his wife Judi havea very large extended family ofchildren and grandchildren inthe Kern Valley. He is employedby Next Era Energy Solar Plantat Kramer Junction and spendshis leisure time working at theWhite Blanket property. He isalso an active team roper.

"Rango Rocky Stone" iscampaigning for Whiskey FlatMayor selling bribes to supporttwo organizations that repre-sent the rich heritage of theKern Valley.

The first is the Tubatulabaltribe. The Tubatulabal Indiansare the original inhabitants ofthis beautiful valley and havebeen working diligently foryears to preserve their languageand culture, along with obtain-ing national recognition fortheir tribe.

The second is the Kern

See Mayors pg. 4

The frogs arehoppin” at

Whiskey Flat

Learn how to fixup some cowboy

grub so’s you won’tstarve.

The fun startswith the

Whiskey FlatCalendar

of events

What the heck isthis riches to rag

publication?

Make sure thatyou know all the

Whiskey Flatgun requirements.

February 2014 Whiskey Flat, Californiia

1919

Whiskey Flat Daze Wild West Rodeo on pages 16-17

Old westtownreturnsto life

Townmayoralrace hasbegun

Wofford Heights is adja-cent to the former site of OldKernville. Wofford Heights isnamed after an old-timerancher by the name of IrvenWofford, who sold off part ofhis ranch to valley folks whoneeded new places to livewhen the lake went in duringthe early 1950s.

Old Kernville was locatedjust to the northeast ofWofford Heights. Look in thelake bed just south of the OldCemetery and you’ll see foun-dations. Those were part ofOld Kernville. There are stillpeople in New Kernville who

can tell you what buildingsthose foundations belongedto. Many of them serve asdocents at the Kern ValleyMuseum in Kernville, justdown from the post office.

In years when the lake ishigher, you can’t see the foun-dations at all. They’re coveredby the waters of Isabella Lake.

But in lower water years,the former location of OldKernville/Whiskey Flat is visi-ble again. The lake recedesand little sandy flat where OldKernville was becomes muchas it was, with the placid KernRiver as it did in the old times.

See Old West pg. 6

WildWestEncampment

rides into town

pages 6 & 7

FREE

1515

99

22

55Dicover the townthat Holywood

found in the1920,s

44

big logs cut for that purpose.They came in mainly

through Keyesville and downover the route that is now StateHighway 155.

In the year 1860, a man bythe name of Adam Hamiltonwas one of those who made thetrip over the GreenhornMountains. He was anAmerican entrepreneur whodecided to make himself a bit

February 2014 Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

We carry a full line ofPurina Grain & much more!Alfalfa $16.65

Gateway Hardware6259 Highway 178, Inyokern760-377-4571

Providing Seniors withCompanionship, Securityand Peace of Mind. We Encourage ourResidents to be

Kern Village32 Burlando Rd. Kernville, CA

760-376-6733LIC#157200475

The Burlington13 Sycamore Dr. Wofford Hgts, CA

760-376-6474LIC#155801223

Active in Family,Community and EventParticipation. A Touch ofthe Resort Atmospherein the Kern River Valley.

Openingsnow

available

The Burlington & Kern VillageASSISTED LIVING

For anyone wanting to carry a weaponduring the Whiskey Flat Days celebration,a weapons and ammunition check isrequired. There will be a weapons checkstation at the corner of Piute and Big BlueRoad Kernville and for enactors it will beat the "Sheriff's" tent in Whiskey FlatCamp (across from the rodeo grounds)Thursday evening though the weekend.Those carrying weapons in the WhiskeyFlat Parade can have a weapons check atparade line up/check-in on Saturdaymorning starting at 9 a.m.

Each participant must sign a releaseagreeing to the following rules:

1. Safety is our prime concern; forthe re-enactor and the viewing public.

2. Read and acknowledge your rightand responsibilities under AB-144 and PC 26350.

3. In order to be eligible for weaponcarry, participants must be in periodcostume and participating in theparade or organized event as author-ized by the Kernville Chamber ofCommerce, such as costume contest,WFD Encampment, etc.

4. Handguns must be carried in aholster. No "belt" carrying allowed.

5. No live ammunition to be carriedin the weapon or on your person at any time. If live ammunition is found,

that individual will not qualify for"open carry" for this event and theSheriff's Department will be notifiedand the applicant will be so advised.

6. Dummy ammunition only. Spentprimers are preferred. Participantswith live primers will have to demon-strate that the cartridge contains no

powder.7. For those participants engaging in

'Gunfight' routines, blank rounds shouldonly be chambered just prior to the rou-tine, and removed immediately after itconcludes.

8. Participants will be issued a ribbonindicating that they have agreed to therestrictions listed above and thoserequired by law (AB-144 and PC 26350).This ribbon should be displayed promi-nently on the participant's costumeabove the waist.

The ribbon means that the weaponwith or without blank ammunition, con-firmed as "dummy" type ammuni-tion "for show only" has been checkedby authorized designee appointed by theChamber and the participant hasread/signed the required waiver.

9. Weapons carrying participants maybe subject to random checks by the KernCounty Sheriffs Department to confirmthey are in compliance with the aboveregulations and AB -144.

All parade and Whiskey Flat Days opencarry gun checks are provided as a courtesyservice to the Kernville Chamber andat all times, are subject to any directivesand/or restrictions of the Kern CountySheriff's Office. Kernville Chamber ofCommerce and gun check personnel willnot be held responsible for any gun displayor use beyond that whichis permitted by theweapons carry regulations or state law.

Weapons carrying participants may besubject to random checks by the KernCounty Sheriffs Department to confirm they are in compliance with the above regu-lations.

On January 12, 2012, a new law wasenacted in California related to the opencarry of unloaded handguns. The new law,PC 26350(a)(1), makes it a misdemeanor toopenly carry an unloaded firearm in public.

Local law enforcement is committed tokeeping the residents and visitors of KernCounty safe and secure. They have also com-mitted to enforcing both the spirit of the lawas well as the letter of the law. They recognizethe long time tradition of the Whiskey Flatcelebration. It is the intent of local lawenforcement to enhance the safety of boththe spectators and those participating in thecelebration. This will require a commitmentof the Kernville Chamber of Commerce incooperation with the Sheriff's Office to noti-fy the public attending the Whiskey Flatevent.

Penal code 26375 states, "Section 26350does not apply to, or affect, the open carryingof an unloaded handgun by an authorizedparticipant in…[an] event, when the partici-pant lawfully uses the handgun as part of thatproduction or event, or while the participantor authorized employee or agent is at thatproduction or event, or rehearsal or practicefor that production or event."

The Kern County Sheriff's Office willrequire the following:1. On Saturday, February 15, 2014 during the

parade and events on Piute Street, thepublic will be exempt from PC 26350providing they and their weapon havebeen checked at an official inspection siteand are visibly wearing the proper identi-fying marker indicating their weapon hasbeen inspected.Or2. They are a member of an officially rec-ognized reenactment group performingduring the event; and their weapon hasbeen checked at an official inspection siteand are visibly wearing the proper identi-fying marker indicating their weapon hasbeen inspected.Or3. They are within the Whiskey Flatencampment; their weapon has beenchecked at an official inspection site andare visibly wearing the proper identifyingmarker indicating their weapon has beeninspected.

Law enforcement has the authority toinspect weapons upon demand, makearrests; issue citations and seize weaponsas evidence if the law is violated. It is theSheriff's Office's intent to insure the visi-tors and participants of the Whiskey Flatcelebration adhere to these requirementsin order to provide a safe environment forall in attendance.

Message from theKern County Sheriff's Office

Whiskey Flat Celebration 2014Weapons Carry Regulations

There is nothing more exhilarating than to be shot atwithout result. --Winston Churchhill (1874-1965)“ ”

Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper February 2014 page 3

24 Sirretta StreetKernville, CA760-376-2345

■ Full Hook-Ups■ Shaded Campsites■ 30/50 Amp Service■ “Free wifi”■ Tents Welcome■ Table & Fire Ring/Grill■ Hot Showers (Included)■ Air Compressor Station■ Dump Station■ Ice & Firewood For Sale■ Laundry Available■ Year Round CampingYou can find us between Ewings Rapid and the

Kernville Bridge with over 1,000' of Private Shoreline!Every site is equipped with water and electric (mostinclude sewer)... no generators here!Our downtown location is easy and convenient for ourguests to explore the restaurants and shops.Come visit us today to take a look around and bookyour next vacation to the Kern River Valley!

c am pk ernv i l le .c om“Now Taking Online Reservations”

Monthly (Long term) Sites are Available CirclePark

CampKernville Bridge

Kernville Road

N

Sirre

tta S

t

■Ewings

Drag your wagon toCamp Kernville

Own your own Vacation Mobilehome@Camp Kernville

Find us on Facebook

WeekendGetawayRetreats

FORSALE Visit our Open House

8am to 6pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday.Flyers and maps of the park are located in the office.

Where the River, Lake and Sequoia National Forestare in your backyard.

Like Martin the mule, the Law Office

of Phyllis M. Hix team

is looking forward to helping you solve your

legal problem.We'll be in the office

from our rides, Mondaythru Friday, 9am to 3pmCall us at 760-376-3761

or see us at 112 Buena Vista,Kernville, CA 93238

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim JumperHoofin’ it - Equestrian units are always a crowd pleaser at Whiskey Flat Days.


“Serving Eastern Kern County”

10%Off With CouponOffer Expires 2-28-14

5131 Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake Isabella

760-3379-22130

CARQUESTAUTO PARTS

WESTERN AUTO

BBeett ttyy BB’’ss JJuusstt iinn TTyymmeeCottages in Historic Kernville2 & 3 bedroom comfy Cottages

80 & 82 Sirretta St. Kernville. Stay 2 nights, 2 weeks ormore. Located steps from the Kern River, Parks, Shops,

Diner’s, Taverns, Museum & Adventure Tours. Completelyfurnished cottages w/satellite TV, Private fenced yards,

Driveways & BBQ areas-Child and pet friendly. Visit ourwebsite for pictures and rates.bettybsjustintyme.com

Cell: 714-814-3720 Local:760-376-4677

2007 Alfa See Ya40’ Motor HomeOnly 31,306 milesWell cared for with lots ofextrtas $84,900obo

Call Fred @360-904-8812

Valley 4H Club which is lead by many hardwork-ing volunteers including retired Kern Valley HighSchool agricultural teacher Gerald Wenstrand.The dedication of 4H insures that our storiedagricultural past is alive and well in the hearts andminds of our Valley youth.

Rango Rocky Stone says that "Every townneeds a hero, and every story deserves a happyending."

"Nickel and Dime Nicole" Nicole Kent'sfamily moved here when she was seven years oldand she attended Southfork Elementary, WallaceElementary and Junior High. She began playingsaxophone at the age of nine and was theyoungest member to ever join the Kern ValleyOrchestra at age 12. At Kern Valley High Schooland played on the tennis team, took part inAcademic Decathlon and was a member ofFHA-HERO. In her senior year, the familymoved to Oregon and Nicole played in an awardwinning marching band.

Nicole got her first job at age 14 washing dish-es at Frank's Diner and soon became a waitress.She worked at Frank's until he took over Nelda'swhere she followed. After high school Nicolemoved back to her "home town," the Kern Valleyand worked at the Superior Court in Lake Isabella

Mayorscontinued from pg. 1

and Frank's Diner. She now is a banker at Alta OneFCU.

Nicole is in the band White Lightning that playsat the Kernville Saloon. Playing in the band is herfavorite thing to do because she shares her love formusic with her two favorite guys, her dad James onthe drums and her boyfriend, Peter on the bass. Theband is like a big family.

Nickel and Dime Nicole is selling bribes to sup-port the gazebo in Circle Park and for the KernValley chapter of Small Miracles that helps parentsin the struggle when they deal with cancer in theirchildren. Small Miracles Foundation accumulatesthe resources to assist families meet their daily chal-lenges.What the Whiskey Flatmayors race is all about

In 1991, the Kernville Chamber was havingtrouble getting Whiskey Flat Mayor candidates.Then Chamber president, Lanny Borthick gotthe idea of splitting profits with charitableorganizations. The group then agreed on a60/40 split with 60 per cent going to theChamber. "That 60 percent promotes localbusiness, promotes tourism, and keeps the visi-tors coming," said Cheryl Borthick, the currentKernville Chamber President. "An organizationmakes more money in a six week period thanany other way. Whiskey Flat Days is the biggestfour day event in the county."

Mattress Shortage causes Mrs.

Tuttle’s Tea and Ale house to closeWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Mrs. Tuttle has had to close her teaand ale house on the far outskirts ofWhiskey Flat temporarily because ofa severe mattress shortage.

“We like to serve our tea and ale tothose rough miner boys on puredown mattresses,” said Mrs. Tuttle.

“Straw pallets just aren’t good enoughfor us.”

Her 19 serving girls are out ofwork, she explained, until some newmattresses can be procured.

“Some of them girls just really loveto peddle their tea and ale on nicemattresses,” she said, “and they justcan’t wait to get back to work.

What in the heckis this riches to ragpublication?

The publication you’re holding is called the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper.It’s published once year, especially for the Whiskey Flat Days festival.And this is our 10th year!

In 2004, then Kern Valley residents Dolly Ogawa and Allyn Amskstarted this little gem of a paper, followed shortly thereafter with theintroduction of the Kern River Courier.

Back then today’s publisher, Michael Batelaan, was the ProductionManager for this upstart paper. Other papers had come and gone andthey said this one would never last, but here it is, ten years later!

In 2009, Michael Batelaan and Michael Devich purchased KRV pub-lishing and all its publications from Ogawa and Amsk, who had decidedto leave the Kern Valley for other pursuits. They were both experiencednewspaper men who relished the idea of promoting the Kern RiverValley and all of its virtues.

Then in 2011 Devich decided to retire, leaving Batelaan alone to keepthe dream alive. Batelaan’s goal is to highlight the advantages of visitingand living in the Kern River Valley.

For a few days every February, Kernville residents pretend it’s the1860-1864 era of the Gold Rush, when the town went by its originalname, Whiskey Flat.

The Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper has always been put out by the folkswho publish the Kern River Courier, a weekly newspaper in WoffordHeights.

If you like this Claim Jumper, be sure to check out the Courier. It’s afree newspaper, available for pickup all over the Valley every week.

Each week the Courier is also posted on the internet so up to dateKern River Valley information can be assessible to you if you aren’t ableto pick up a paper.

Or if you want the convenience of getting the Courier in your mail,you may want to subscribe. Get the Kern River Courier in your mailboxevery week and find out what’s happening here in the beautiful KernRiver Valley. It’s only $65 a year.

Here’s a list of some of the Courier folks and friends who contributedto this year’s Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. (If your name isn’t here, forgiveus!): Michael Batelaan, Sara Wakeman, Val Minoux, Robert Bowman,Bodfish Bob, the folks at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, and toomany others to list.

The Kern River Courier and Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper love to hear fromits readers. If you’d like to make a comment on the Claim Jumper or get ahold of us at the Courier, here’s our contact information:

Mail: P.O. Box 1145, Wofford Heights, CA 93285. Phone: (760) 376-2860. Fax: (760) 376-2862. E-mail: [email protected].

••

••

••

••

•••••••••••

••

••

••

••

••

• • • • • • • • • • •

••

•

•10

thA

NNIVERSARY YEA

R•

K

ERN RIVER COUR

I ER01


Wimmer’sFLOOR COVERING

5129 Lake Isabella Blvd. (Next to Carquest)Tile • Carpet • Vinyl • Wood • LaminateWindow coverings too!

760-379-4966

Whiskey Flat WeekendFriday February 14th

thru Monday 17th

9:00am to 6:00pmRiverside Park Basketball Court

The Elks Lodge& Ladies of the Elks will beservin’ up mouth waterin’

Tri-Tip BBQSandwiches

Hot Links

Hot Dogs

Water & Sasparilla

All proceeds after bills,go to support the Elks charities, which includescholarships and other youth activities & Veteran’s needs in VA Hospitals.

Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Old Kernville was a real Old Westtown, but in the late 1920s, after itsOld West day had passed, Hollywooddiscovered the town as the Westernmovie craze grew. The townresponded to accommodate theincreasing numbers of crews arrivingto shoot movies by building a specialstreet parallel to Old Kernville’s mainstreet especially for them.

The late Bob Powers, in his book“North Fork Country,” wrote aboutMovie Street:

“Movie Street in Old Kernvillewas a replica of a typical frontiermain street. Originally called GraniteStreet, it was about two blocks long

and ran north-south along the hill westof town. The Methodist CommunityChurch and the grade school were atone end, and a large barn on the A.Brown property closed the other endof the street. The fronts of otherbuildings (the backs of which wereonly shells) were built, including, onone side, a general store, assay office,jail and livery stable. On the other sidestood a blacksmith shop, saloon, dancehall, hotel and harness shop. It washard to realize when walking along thestreet or viewing the set in movies thatmany of these buildings were onlypropped up like billboards.”

“On this street gallons of ‘blood’were shed and from the large old cot-tonwood tree in the schoolyard, many

a hangman’s noose swung.”In the evenings, many of the

movie’s stars and crew would takepart in local community activities inOld Kernville. Sometimes they wouldform a baseball team with the likes ofRoy Rogers, Humphrey Bogart andJohn Huston filling the positions.

Powers says in his book that otherfamous movie stars seen in the valleyover the years included Dale Evans,Gabby Hayes, Yvonne DeCarlo,Victor McLagen, Audie Murphy, AndyDevine, Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson,Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry andHarry Carey.

The Mountain Inn, at the time theonly hotel in Old Kernville, served asheadquarters for the film companies.

Many local people served as doubles,stand-ins and extras in the movies.Some working as extras donned cow-boy costumes for a chase scene oneday and then Indian costumes the nextday for that side of the chase.

Irven Wofford, owner of the ranchthat would someday become WoffordHeights, provided much of the live-stock for the films as well as wagons,buggies and other equipment. He alsoacted in some of the films.

A list of films wholly or partiallyshot in the Kern River Valley is avail-able at the Kern Valley Museum inKernville. The list was assembled bythe late Billy Couch, at the time thecurator of the museum. Powers wasalso a curator of the museum.

Movie Street

Old Kernville made for Western films


We hope you enjoyed readingabout Old Kernville. There are manymore historical photos than we couldpossibly use, and lots of stories andartifacts and maps and all kinds ofgood stuff at the Kern ValleyMuseum in Kernville. It’s not hardto find-- it’s across the street fromAlta One Credit Union on Big BlueRoad.

If you like exploring the history ofthis area (and there’s a powerful lotof history here), the museum is agood place to start.

Join the Kern River Valley

Historical Society. They can tell youhow at the meeting, because they runthe place.

If you want some great history,pick up Bob Powers’ books (he wrotenine of them) at the library, or MargePowers will be selling them again atWhiskey Flat Days.

Ardis Walker’s books are a require-ment, too. Ken Wortley was another.

A memoir of Old Kernville justbefore the lake went in is available, ifyou want to read about what theplace was like. It’s called “RiverChildren,” written by Barbara Hinkeyand Pat McPherson. You can get it athttp://www.riverchildren.net/

More history is to befound at museum

Live Music8-10pm

Friday Night, Feb 14

•••22 & 64oz

Bottles to Go!•••

Great FoodFamily Friendly

•••Open 11:00amto 11:00pm


Professional Auto Glass Replacement & Repair

(760) 379-1900

Located across the bridge in Whiskey FlatLITTLE STORE • LOTTA STUFF

☞You’reAlmostThere

Serving the Flatwith only thesweetest tastinwater, using onlythe most modernwater storage andundergrounddelivery systems.

7138 LakeIsabella Blvd.Lake Isabella,California

760-379-5336

California WaterService Co.

"Use Water Wisely, It's Essential".

The Indian campwill show youthe Native Americanexperience,fire pit cooking authenticfoods, Native Americangames, crafts, and artifactsfrom the past!

Experience theWhiskey Flat

historicalEncampment

Find out what it was like in the 1800’s.There is a chuck wagon with cookin’and coffee, ax throwing, period tool

demonstrations and more!

Celebrate Valley History with the Kern River Valley Historical SocietyYou will find artifacts and memorabilia which make the history

of this valley come alive.

Native American Objects • Gold Mining • Lumbering • Farming • Ranching • Western Movies • Gift Shop and Art Gallery.

Museum HoursThursday ~ Sunday, 10am to 4pm ADMISSION IS FREE

49 Big Blue Road, Kernville (760) 376-6683(Next to the Post Office)

WELCOME TO WHISKEY FLAT DAYSCome visit us at the

KERN KERN VVALLEY MUSEUMALLEY MUSEUM

Old Westcontinued from pg. 1

ing down. It was some mighty well-paying ore,and there were a lot of miners working in a minecalled the Big Blue.

So Hamilton found the center of the miningcamp, found a plank of wood, set it across histwo barrels and started selling his whiskey.

Unfortunately, the spot he picked was in themiddle of folks who did not care for the evils ofspirits. They asked him to move his makeshiftbar away from that spot, and he did.

The spot he picked was on a little sandy flatnext to the river, now more placid than it washigher up in the mountains.

The miners started moving their own campsdown closer to his establishment. As the oneswho enjoyed a tipple now and again gravitatedthere, a town started to grow. That town wascalled by several names, but the one that stuckwas Whiskey Flat.

Four years later, things had changed a lot.A new county, Kern County, had formed.

There were houses and hotels in the town, someeating houses and a few stores.

There were real streets, a dry goods store, afeed stable, some saloons, a blacksmith shop anda brewery.

The town was now too civilized to be calledWhiskey Flat any more. So it was renamed. Thename that they chose was Kernville.

Kernville in its original location existed foralmost 100 years. It survived the years when thegold ran out. The citizenry switched to ranchingand similar pursuits. Kernville saw the coming ofhydropower plants put in to serve the electricity-hungry city of Los Angeles.

The area was later discovered by Hollywoodas an ideal place to make Western movies, andfrom time to time, stars like Tom Mix, RoyRogers and Hopalong Cassidy could be seenhere. John Wayne came here to shoot a scene forthe classic “Stagecoach.”

WWII came and went, and then the Kern

See Old West pg. 14


"NUUI CUNNI""Our House"

Native American Intertribal Cultural Center & MuseumLocated at one of the most beautiful settings on Isabella Lake

at French Gulch Recreation Area 2600 Hwy. 155

OPEN ALL YEAR 'ROUNDTuesday-Saturday…9 a.m.-4 p.m

Winter Hours May Vary

FARMERS' MARKET, (Saturdays)

NATIVE PLANT GARDEN,PRAYER GARDEN & So much more…

Bring the entire family! The Coffee is always on!

760.549.0800Sponsored by the Kern River Paiute Council under a special Use Permit with the U.S.

Forest Service on a nondiscriminatory basis.

NELDA’SDINER

5120 LAKE ISABELLA BLVD.LAKE ISABELLA, CA 93240

379-8448

CHERYL’SDINER

11030 KERNVILLE ROADKERNVILLE, CA 93238

376-6131

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER • SERVING UP HOME COOKED FOOD FOR OVER 200 YEARS

HOURS:6am to 9pm

Whiskey Flat Weekend

HOURS:7am to 9pm

Whiskey Flat Weekend

HEALTHINSURANCE

CA Lic.0621106

We represent most major Californiainsurance companies Since 1982

Harry P. ThalInsurance Agency

[email protected]

~ Event directors ~Producer: Mike Woodward, Lone Star

ProductionsWhiskey Flat Camp Director: Dave

RyskampMountain Man Camp & Indian CampDirector: Horse Robinson and

Kate DevriesWhiskey Flat Camp Manager: Francis

MooreMountain Man Camp Manager:

DeeDee MooreMiner & Sawmill Camp Manager: Perry

SteinhoffSafety Officer: Francis MooreStory Telling Coordinator: Dave

RyskampWeapons Check Coordinators: DaveRyskamp, Francis Moore, Dean

Marshall~ Groups represented ~Lone Star Productions, NativeAmerican Indians, Old West MountedLawmen’s Assoc, BreckenridgeBuckskinners, Blacksmithing, GoldMining Sawmill & Small EngineHistorians, 1st North Carolina Calvary,LawDawgs, Sweetwater Outlaws.

Thanks to the Folks that help makeWhiskey Flat Encampment possibleKernville Chamber of Commerce for

on-going assistance.Mike Ludiker for our Web PageUSFS for camp woodKern County Sheriffs Department

for outstanding cooperation and support.

Kern County Sheriffs SAL KidsChuck Barbee for Documenting the

History of the Valley in "Wild West Country" on DVD.

EncampmentCast & Credits

Lone Star Productions

Whiskey Flat Encampment is back. It'shard to believe this year is the 11th anniver-sary of Lone Star Productions WhiskeyFlat Encampment. Every year theE n c a m p m e n thas grown andlast year it wasestimated thaton Saturdaythere wereupwards of5,000 visitorstreated toabsolutely peri-od correct expe-rience by over100 re-enactors.This Camppromises a veryunique histori-cally accurateexperience forthe whole familyagain this year,says MikeW o o d w a r d ,Producer ofWhiskey flate n c a m p m e n t .We even have asurprise or twoin mind for thenew and repeatvisitors. ThisCamp is dynamicand offers newe x p e r i e n c e severy year.When: February 14 thru the 16 duringWhiskey Flat Days. Camp events begin atNoon Friday Feb. 14 and ends at 2 p.m.

Sunday Feb. 16.The Encampment is across from the

Rodeo Grounds down in the "Flats" by theRiver. There will be three camps for yourenjoyment: The Whiskey Flat Camp,Mountain Man Camp, and the Native

American IndianCamp. Theseattractions showyou the realWhiskey Flat andhave been a fea-ture of WhiskeyFlat Days celebra-tion for a decadenow.

The Encampmentis designed to givethe whole family aglimpse at what lifemay have been likeback in the 1800's.Camp activitieswill be interactiveand there will bemany opportuni-ties to speak withthe residents ofWhiskey Flat,Mountain Men,and NativeAmerican Indiansfrom the 1800's.Come smell theCowboy Coffeeand experience lifeas the Pioneersdid. Old FashionTrain Servicebegins from the

Museum to the Whiskey Flat Encampment.The Whiskey Flat Encampment will fea-

ture hold-ups and gunfights, immigrant

Encampment’s 11th year

EncampmentSchedule

Friday: Noon to sundownSaturday: Immediately follow-ing the Parade to sundownSunday: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It’s an educational encamp-ment with authentic demonstra-tions of life in the Old West! OnFriday and Saturday at 2 and 4p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m,you’ll see history and gunfights.All day there will be a WellsFargo station and eatery, Chuckwagon cook'n and coffee, ahorse trader and livery. There’llbe horse shoe'n and horse doc-tor'n, the Whiskey Flats Saloon,a Justice of the Peace, a Saddlemaker and leather craft, a Bathhouse, Beautifier and Hygienist,storytellers of the Old West,mining and sawmill demonstra-tions and a Civil WarConfederate camp! Old Westchurch on Sunday at 10 a.m.

wagon with period music, cowboy cookin',horse tradin', livery and wagon sales, black-smithing and handmade trinkets, horseshoein' and horse doctorin', Whiskey FlatsSaloon with dancing girls, Justice of thePeace and old west church service onSunday at 10 a.m., saddle maker and leathercraft, old west chuck wagon, old saw milland mining demonstrations and story tellersof Old Whiskey Flats: Stories acted out byreal actors and actresses of how Miners,Cowboys and Outlaws got along (or didn'tget along) in the old days.

A Hold-up or two of the scheduledcoach service to the Whiskey Flat Camp willthrill the Coach Riders (or scare 'em todeath).

The Native American Encampment ledby Horse Robinson will include authenticcrafts, Native American hand games, NativeAmerican food, demonstration on basketmaking, beading, regalia making, and otheritems, drumming, singing, dancing, speak-ing in local native language, NativeAmerican cultural displays using artifactsfrom their ancestors, and actual building ofthe huts from natural native resources.There will be a display and Information ofthe local native plants used by Local NativeAmericans and activities throughout the dayand constructed houses used in the 1800'sby the Native Americans in this area, anopen fire pit used for cooking and a storyteller of Native Americans from the Valley.

The Mountain Man Camp will includeFur trading, Tee Pee's, trapping and huntingdemonstrations, period cooking demonstra-tions, mountain man shelters, winter campand clothing.

For further information and a schedule ofevents go to whiskeyflatcamp.org/ or on Facebook'Whiskey Flat Encampment"

Lanny BorthickGeneral Contractor

ConsultingResidentialCommercial

Lic. #269081P.O. Box 910 Kernville, CA 93238

Office/Fax 760-376-2419


Coming soon

A Full Service Real Estate CompanyDon't list your home until you talk to us. We get it sold with our

unique listing system. Call for information today!760.600.5665

Located at 6392 Wofford Heights Blvd., Ste CSee you soon!Broker Ron Sullivan

Sully & Associates Realty [email protected]

www.iknowrosedale.comBRE # 00913130

3801 Lake Isabella Blvd., Bodfish, California 93205Ring: (760) 379-3010

REICHENBACH’SAUTO BODY & PAINT

We’ll repair and paint your Wagons,Buggys and Horseless Carriages

REICHENBACH’SAUTO BODY & PAINT

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Grill mastered - There’s no chance of going hungry this weekend.

Just 8 miles north of Kernville

on Highway Mountain 99

across from the Wild and Scenic

Kern River

Round Up Special

Bring your broncs, mules and jacks. Reserve early

because we've only got six corrals. We have plenty of

parking for your stock trailer. Bring your own feed, or

reserve a bail of alfalfa. Book 4 nights (prepaid) and

the critters stay for free.

FREE Shuttle Service

Throughout the Whiskey Flat Celebration, (noon, Feb

13 through noon, Feb 18), we will provide shuttle serv-

ice to Kernville from 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM for our

guests that book two or more nights.

*Corral Creek Resort FREE STAY COUPONS

One "FREE STAY" coupon will give you your choice of

one of the following free stay or discount options:

■ Stay third night for free on any stay of 3 or more days

(includes holiday weekends).

■ Ten percent (10%) off of our seasonal weekly rate

(3 week maximum).

■ Fifteen percent (15%) off of any stay less than 6

days.■ Some terms and restrictions apply,

For Lodging and Valentine Package Reservations

Please enquire or visit:

www.corralcreekresort.com

(760) 376-3601

Corral CreekResort

❤

Whisky Flat Days

Special Deals

❤Sweehearts Special

Bring your squeeze and we'll treat you right.

Party long as you please on Valentines night.

On Friday, February 14, our shuttle will take you to

your favorite watering hole in Kernville and bring you

back between 6:00 PM and 1:00 AM. Book 3 nights (pre-

paid) and you will receive a very special valentines treat.

With 4 nights you get the fifth night free or a

FREE STAY COUPON*


This schedule of events is subject to the informationavailable to the Claim Jumper and the Kern River Courier atpress time. All event times and locations are subject tochange at any time without notice. Events may be canceled,postponed and/or rescheduled at any time due to weather,or any other circumstances beyond the control of theKernville Chamber of Commerce, its independent enter-tainers, vendors, volunteers and groups involved.

No matter where you ride to, that’swhere you are.

FridayFebruary 147 a.m.Breakfast All 'Round the ValleyFind your favorite eatery. In Kernville, there is Cheryl'sDiner, Cracked Egg Café, El Rio, Jacalito's, Big Blue Bear,and breakfast items are available at Sierra Gateway andPrimo's.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Kern Valley MuseumOpen on Big Blue Road next to the Post Office. HistoricalSociety, mining info, Indian exhibits, artifacts and photosfrom yesteryear when Kernville was Whiskey Flat, 1857.

High NoonGolden Gulch opens.Circle Park, Frontage Road, Riverside Park. Crafts, hand-made jewelry, info booths, art and more! Food vendors arenon-profit organizations: Kern Valley FFA, Sweet Adelines,Tubatulabal Indians, Rotary Club of KRV, Elks Lodge, andMt. View Baptist Youth Group. Whiskey Flat Headquartersand Info is on the corner of Kernville Road and TobiasStreet selling Whiskey Flat shirts and memorabilia. Pick upyour Claim Jumper, Whiskey Flat Miner and the most "up-to-date" Schedule of Events!

Contest Applications available At Kernville Chamber info booth:Adult Costume ContestChild Costume ContestPet Parade ContestWhiskerino ContestEpitaph Contest: Tombstones on display at theEncampment. Check ‘em out!

Noon to SundownWhiskey Flat EncampmentCowboy and Mountain Man Encampments, on ScodieAvenue across from the Rodeo Grounds. Life in the OldWest! Save the leather on yer boots and catch the WesternExpress Railway Train in town and ride to the encamp-ments. Watch hold-ups and gunfights, horse shoein' andhorse doctorin', turn of the century saw mill demonstra-tions. There's cowboy cookin', a Whiskey Flats Saloon, andOld West Mercantile Shoppe, shot gun weddings, saddlemakin' and leather craft, and more! Story tellers, DaveRyskamp, Dave "Horse" Robinson, and Nathan Eddy willtell stories about miners, cowboys and outlaws. Open tilsundown.

Children's ActivitiesRiverside Park:by the Wild and Scenic Kern RiverChildren can fish in the "Fish Tank" by Friends of theHatchery. Amazing Bounce, with bounce houses, Monkeyjump by Kiddie Amusements, and roll on water with BubbleFun!

1 p.m.Buffalo Bill’s Wild West ShowIn Riverside Park.

5 p.m.Schoeppner Carnivalopenson Kernville Road, across from PizzaBarn, by the Forest Service Work

Center. Great adult and children's rides and games. Chillsand thrills. Save 50% on presale tickets: sales throughoutthe Valley until February 16! Open until 10 p.m.

Dinner is servedAll around town at all your favorite restaurants.

7 to 9 p.m.Street DanceOn Piute Drive. Music by "Obsidian." Bring yer lawn chairand dancing shoes!

7 p.m.Whiskey Flat MelodramaThe Treasure of Shiver River, by Sierra Performing Arts.Kernville Elementary School Auditorium, $7/adults,$5/kids under 12. Cheer the hero, hiss the villain! You’lllaugh! you’ll cry!

Never follow good whiskey withwater, unless you’re out of goodwhiskey.

SaturdayFebruary 157 to 10 a.m."Breakfast"$7 a plate, tickets at the door. Kern River Masonic Lodge,562 James Road, Kernville. Turn uphill past SierraGateway Market. Always a favorite breakfast: get thereearly!

8:30 a.m.VIP Parade breakfastKernville Chamber.

9 a.m.Golden Gulch opensCircle Park, Frontage Road, Riverside Park. Crafts, hand-made jewelry, info booths, art and more! Food vendors arenon-profit organizations: Kern Valley FFA, SweetAdelines, Tubatulabal Indians, Rotary Club of KRV, ElksLodge, and Mt. View Baptist Youth Group. Whiskey FlatHeadquarters and Info is on the corner of Kernville Roadand Tobias Street selling Whiskey Flat shirts and memora-bilia. Pick up your Claim Jumper, Whiskey Flat Miner andthe most "up-to-date" Schedule of Events!

9 a.m.2012 WFD Parade Line UpOn Sierra Way.

Children's ActivitiesRiverside Park:By the Wild and Scenic Kern RiverChildren can fish in the "Fish Tank" by Friends of theHatchery. Amazing Bounce, with bounce houses, Monkeyjump by Kiddie Amusements, and roll on water withBubble Fun!

Schoeppner Carnival opensOn Kernville Road, across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center. Great adult and children's rides andgames. Chills and thrills. Open until 10 p.m.

Trout Hatchery OpensMuseum and Visitor Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sierra Way,one mile north of Kernville. Free admission.

Kern Valley Museum OpensOn Big Blue Road next to the Post Office. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Historical Society, mining info, Indian exhibits, artifacts andphotos from yesteryear when Kernville was Whiskey Flat,1857.

When you’re tryin’ somethin’ new, thefewer people who know about it, thebetter.

11 a.m.Whiskey Flat Days ParadeBoots, Belles and Bulls 157th anniversary of the Town ofWhiskey Flat, a.k.a. Kernville. Sierra Way at Kernville Road.Awards given at 2:30 p.m. at Circle Park Center Stage. Getyer spot early!Parade Schedule: National Anthem, 2014 Grand Marshals,“Harley” Charlie & Jeanette Rogers-Erickson,2013Whiskey Flat Honorary Mayor, "T. Totalin’ Tony",2014 WFD Mayor candidates, Nicole Kent, "Nickel &Dime Nicole" and Rocky Stone "Rango Rocky", SpecialVIP guests and delightful parade floats! Parade announcer,Geoff Emery, KUZZ Radio.Parade route: From Sierra Way and Kernville Road, south.Across the bridge to Kern River Drive by Riverside Park.Around Riverside One Stop and up to Kernville Road toTobias. Then Piute Drive to Big Blue Road and end atKernville United Methodist Church, Big Blue Road andSirretta Street.

High NoonWhiskey Flat EncampmentImmediately following the Parade. Cowboy and MountainMan Encampments, on Scodie Avenue across from theRodeo Grounds. Life in the Old West! Save the leather onyer boots and catch the Western Express Railway Train intown and ride to the encampments. Watch hold-ups andgunfights, horse shoein' and horse doctorin', turn of thecentury saw mill demonstrations. There's cowboy cookin',a Whiskey Flats Saloon, and Old West Mercantile Shoppe,shot gun weddings, saddle makin' and leather craft, andmore! Story tellers, Dave Ryskamp, Dave "Horse"Robinson, and Nathan Eddy will tell stories about miners,cowboys and outlaws. Open til sundown.

1 p.m.The Rock Bottom BoysImmediately following the parade. A new millenium vaude-ville approach excites and entertains all with their spine tin-gling four part harmonies, homespun vocal styling, bootstomping music and well-seasoned showmanship. Check‘em out at Circle Park!

Makin’ it in life is kinda like bustin’broncs: you’re gonna get thrown a lot.The simple secret is to keep gettin’back on.

1 p.m.Whiskey Flat Days RodeoMcNally's Rodeo Arena. Cotton Rosser's Flying-U Rodeosponsored by Bud Light. Open Team Roping, Bull Riding,Hide Race, Open Barrel Race, Junior Barrel Race, CalfScramble, Sheep Riding, and more. Entertainment!!Sponsored by Bud Light and Alta One.

1:30 p.m.Buffalo Bill’s Wild West ShowCowboys and Indians exhibition at Riverside Park.

See Schedule pg. 12

“”

“”“ ”

“”

Calendar of EventsWhiskey Flat Days


Always take a good look at what youare about to eat. It’s not so importantto know what it is, but it’s critical toknow what it was.

2 p.m."First Heat" of the Frog Jumpin'Contest held at Piute Drive by Center Stage. Watch "Pie alaToad" and "Sir Richtoad" compete, along with many morefrogs. Bet on the Jumpin'est Frogs in the West! FinalsSunday at 11:30 a.m. Free admission.

2:30 p.m.Parade awardsAt the announcer's stand in Circle Park.

3 p.m.Buffalo Bill’s Wild West ShowRiverside Park.

3 p.m., 4 p.m.& 5 p.m.The RockBottom BoysA new millenium vaude-ville approach excites andentertains all with theirspine tingling four partharmonies, homespunvocal styling, boot stomp-

ing music and well-seasoned showmanship. Check ‘em outat Circle Park!

7 p.m.Whiskey Flat MelodramaThe Treasure of Shiver River, by Sierra Performing Arts.Kernville Elementary School Auditorium, $7/adults,$5/kids under 12.

Don’t worry about biting off morethan you can chew. Your mouth isprobably a whole lot bigger ‘n youthink.

7 to 9 p.m.Street DanceOn Piute Drive. Music by Obsidian. Bring your lawn chairand dancin’ shoes!

SundayFebruary 167 a.m.Breakfast All 'Round the ValleyFind your favorite eatery. In Kernville, there is Cheryl'sDiner, Cracked Egg Café, El Rio, Jacalito's, Big Blue Bear,and breakfast items are available at Sierra Gateway andPrimo's.

9 a.m.Golden GulchopensCircle Park, Frontage Road, RiversidePark. Crafts, handmade jewelry, infobooths, art and more! Food vendors arenon-profit organizations: Kern ValleyFFA, Sweet Adelines, TubatulabalIndians, Rotary Club of KRV, ElksLodge, and Mt. View Baptist YouthGroup. Whiskey Flat Headquarters andInfo is on the corner of Kernville Road

and Tobias Street selling Whiskey Flat shirts and memora-bilia. Pick up your Claim Jumper, Whiskey Flat Miner andthe most "up-to-date" Schedule of Events!

Children's ActivitiesRiverside Park:by the Wild and Scenic Kern RiverChildren can fish in the "Fish Tank" by Friends of theHatchery. Amazing Bounce, with bounce houses, MonkeyJump by Kiddie Amusements, and roll on water withBubble Fun!

9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Whiskey Flat EncampmentsCowboy and Mountain Man Encampments, on ScodieAvenue across from the Rodeo Grounds. Life in the OldWest! Old West Church Service today at 10 a.m. Savethe leather on yer boots and catch the Western ExpressRailway Train in town and ride to the encampments.Watch hold-ups and gunfights, horse shoein' and horsedoctorin', turn of the century saw mill demonstrations.There's cowboy cookin', a Whiskey Flats Saloon, and OldWest Mercantile Shoppe, shot gun weddings, saddle makin'and leather craft, and more! Story tellers, Dave Ryskamp,Dave "Horse" Robinson, and Nathan Eddy will tell storiesabout miners, cowboys and outlaws.

You can’t always tell a gunslinger bythe way he walks.

10 a.m.Schoeppner Carnival opensOn Kernville Road, across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center. Great adult and children's rides andgames. Chills and thrills. Open until 10 p.m.

Trout Hatchery OpensMuseum and Visitor Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sierra Way,one mile north of Kernville. Free admission.

Kern ValleyMuseum OpensOn Big Blue Road next tothe Post Office. 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Historical Society, min-ing info, Indian exhibits, arti-facts and photos from yes-teryear when Kernville wasWhiskey Flat, 1857.

11:30 a.m."Final Heat" Frog Jumpin'ContestHeld at Piute Drive by Center Stage. Watch the Jumpin'estFrogs in the West! These are the finals: Cheer on yourfavorite Jumpin' Frog. Free admission.

High NoonLots of Contest Sign Ups!1860's Costume Contest sign ups. Adults and childrenforms at WFD Info Booth. Judging starts at 12:30 p.m.

Pet Parade Sign Ups!Forms at WFD Info Booth. Judging at 2 p.m. Pet Paradesponsored by Critter Sitters.

12 p.m.The Rock Bottom BoysA new millenium vaudeville approach excites and enter-tains all with their spine tingling four part harmonies,homespun vocal styling, boot stomping music and well-seasoned showmanship. Check ‘em out at Circle Park!

12:30 p.m.Old Fashioned 1860'sCostume ContestAdult categories include Frontier Lady and Man,American Indian Lady and Man, Fancy Lady and Man,Authentic Indian Dress, Modern PowWow, Best OverallFamily. Children categories include Frontier Girl and Boy,American Indian Girl and Boy, and Fancy Girl and Boy.Prizes awarded. Entry is free.

1 p.m.Sign Ups for Whiskerino ContestWhiskers, beards, all mustaches apply. Ribbons awarded -Free to enter! Forms at WFD Info booth.

Whiskey Flat Days RodeoMcNally's Rodeo Arena. Cotton Rosser's Flying-U Rodeosponsored by Bud Light. Open Team Roping, Bull Riding,Hide Race, Open Barrel Race, Junior Barrel Race, CalfScramble, Sheep Riding, and more. Entertainment!!Sponsored by Bud Light and Alta One.

2 p.m.OldFashionedWhiskerinoContestSponsored by Val's BeautyShop. Sign up by 1 p.m. PiuteDrive by Circle Park.

Pet ParadeFive Categories: WFD's Theme, Matched Pair, Smallest,Largest, Funniest! Grand prize and ribbons awarded - Free.Sponsored by Critter Sitters.

Any time a large herd moves througha civilized area there’s a lot of #?@%!to clean up.

3 p.m.2013 Honorary Whiskey FlatMayor Announced!Who will be the 2014 Whiskey Flat Mayor? Piute Drive byCircle Park. Drawings: Who will win candidate’s raffles andthe $500 shopping spree?

3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.The Rock Bottom BoysA new millenium vaudeville approach excites and enter-tains all with their spine tingling four part harmonies,homespun vocal styling, boot stomping music and well-sea-soned showmanship. Check ‘em out at Circle Park!

MondayFebruary 179 a.m.Golden Gulch opensCircle Park and Frontage Road, free admission.

Children's ActivitiesRiverside Park:By the Wild and Scenic Kern RiverRiverside Park by the Wild & Scenic Kern River.

10 a.m.Schoeppner Carnival opensOn Kernville Road, across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center. Great adult and children's rides andgames. Chills and thrills.

If you’re gonna drive cattle throughtown, do it on a Sunday. There’s littletraffic and people are more prayerfuland less disposed to cuss at you.

Ya'll comeback, nownext year,ya hear?!

Schedulecontinued from pg. 9

“”

“ ”

“”

Calendar of EventsWhiskey Flat Days

“”

“”


Lake Isabella’sFull ServiceRv Resort• Free Ice Cream Social,

Outdoor Movie Night, Pancake Breakfast**summer season

• From Tents to Cabins• OHV ride in/out• Rates vary by claim size• Outdoor Camper Kitchen• CampStore & onsite beer/wine pub• Great family fun and more...15627 Hwy 178 Weldon, California

lakeisabellakoa.comRing: 1-800-562-2085

6400 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella across from the Senior Center

Store: 760-379-2041 Cell: 760-549-3330Hours: Monday, thru Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday 12:00am to 4:00pm

If what you need is not already in stockwe will gladly order it for you.

Delivery Available

Store: 760-379-2041 Cell: 760-549-3330

For your family of animals,fromhounds to horses,pigs to poultry

and lots in between

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim JumperMayor race - Many fundraising events are hosted by mayor candidates.


Rick Gonzalez760-379-4422

Aaron Dretel661-867-2390

Serving Kern County& Surrounding Areas

Complete Water& Solar Systems

River Valley saw something new coming in thatchanged the face of it forever.

Kernville was told its days were numbered.Residents who had grown up here, some whosefamilies had been here for generations, weretold they had to move away. A governmentflood control reservoir was coming into theKern River Valley. The citizens of Kernvillewere told they had to move to higher ground orhave their houses by covered by the rising lake.

Kernville refused to lose almost 100 yearsof history. Many of the citizens of Kernvilledecided to move en masse to higher ground afew miles to the north, onto the formerBurlando Ranch, where they could establish anew Kernville.

By the early 1950s a new Kernville stood.Some of the original buildings from OldKernville were moved there; others were newlybuilt. The people of New Kernville picked uptheir lives and started a new history.

But the citizens couldn’t forget the originaltown’s old history, a colorful Gold Rush pastthat was matched by very few communities.

So the townspeople decided to hold a year-ly celebration in the winters when times wereslower and people could enjoy the fullWesternmountain experience and remember theGold Rush times.

Each year the townspeople of New

Old Westcontinued from pg. 6

Advertising • WeddingsTransportation • Events

Serving theKern River Valley

Mike Woodward

310-480-4252kernvillecarriageco.com

[email protected]

Kernville Carriage Co.

Town loves a parade


Curb appeal - The Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade takes place on theSaturday morning of Whiskey Flat Days.


The Whiskey Flat Days Parade start-ed about the fifth year of the festival in1961. John E. McNally was master ofceremonies that year, and he announcedthe parade for many years before hepassed away in 2007. Lloree Knowles, alocal real estate agent, organized thefirst parade and was chairman for manyyears.

Over the years, the parade has grownto become possibly the highlight ofWhiskey Flat Days. Each year manythousands of visitors and locals lineboth sides of Kernville Road and other

locations in Kernville to see the manyfloats, equestrians, marching re-enactorsand clowns make their way along theparade route.

The parade starts at the corner ofKernville Road and Sierra Way, ready tocross the bridge and enter the CirclePark area. From there the parade turnsleft on Kern River Drive and goes alongRiverside Park. Then it turns right onKernville Road again around RiversideOne-Stop and up Kernville Road toTobias, the street on the east side ofCircle Park. Then up to Piute Drive toBig Blue Road and another right turn toWhitney Drive.

The Treasure of Shiver River

Best melodrama ever!Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

The 2014 production of the WhiskeyFlat Melodrama is "The Treasure Of ShiverRiver," Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at theKernville School. It is, in a word, hilarious. Itis a marvelous cast, including the incompa-rable Chuck Smith as the villain, RodEnreel.

Valley newcomer Jennifer Colley is theheroine, Heidi Claire Sanders. Local riverguide Tom Peltier plays her dashing white-hat hero, Marshal, Marshal Law, Lawman.Our favorite radio personality and eventemcee, Charlie Busch plays Heidi's father,Colonel Sanders.

Joining the ranks of evil-doers are RodEnreel's girlfriend Paige Turner, played byDawn Modrovich Jordan, and con-artist

and master of all accents, Doctor OpheliaPayne, played by Kathleen Creighton Fuchs.

Lydon Olivares plays hotshot reporter"Scoop" O'Malley, and Django Stauffer takeson the thankless role of long-suffering GailNail, wife of auctioneer Rusty. Rusty isplayed to comedic perfection by JoshGordon. His is a performance not to bemissed!

Roberta Piazza Gordon is pirate queenBurlap Bonnie, sidekick of crusty oldprospector Orin Gold, played by DanChristenson. These two have been looking forthe Treasure of Shiver River for years andyears.

Last but not least, Mary Hanawalt, playsinnkeeper and reformed gambler, Lotta Luck.

This may be one the best Whiskey Flatproductions ever.

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim JumperBoo, hiss - Don’t miss seeing the villian of Whiskey Flat.

Kernville put on their Western duds andprepare to greet the many thousands ofvisitors who come to join in the celebra-tion that celebrates the 1860-64 days ofWhiskey Flat.

People come from all over to see theWhiskey Flat Days Grand Parade and theshoot-’em-up shows, take part in the manycontests such as the old-time costumecontest or the frog jumpin’ contest, par-take of the carnival rides, enjoy theshenanigans of the Honorary WhiskeyFlat Mayor contest (during which the can-didates try to out-joke each other), eatsome great food, or just walk around andenjoy the clean mountain air in one of thenicest little towns you’ll ever see.

People flock to the Kern ValleyMuseum to see photos of the originalKernville, maps of the area before the lakewas here, and displays featuring the histo-ry of the Indians called this area homelong before settlers came.

Want to see some of the other originalbuildings from Whiskey Flat? Go to SilverCity Ghost Town in Bodfish, where theymoved a lot of local old-time historicalbuildings in order to save them.

Enjoy the music, the parade, the old-fashioned contests, the mountain views,even the weather as we celebrate the era of1860-64 all over again, when OldKernville was Whiskey Flat.


PoolShuffleboardKaraoke& Live Music

7062 Wofford Blvd.Wofford Heights760-376-4717

LakeViewHideAway

LakeViewHideAway

S A L O O N

How to fix cowboy grub so’s you won’t starve

KELLEE SCOTTInsurance Agent

License #0833364

Phone: (760) 376-8703Fax: (760) 376-8603

13425 Sierra WayKernville, CA

‘KICK’EM UP KEL’2004 WHISKEYFLAT MAYOR

We Be a’Protect’n • Wagons • Homesteads

• Butts & Concerns

Carne Seca Y Arroz)6 -8 sticks of dried smoked beef jerky

1 quart boiling water 1 tablespoon lard or 1 tablespoon veg-etable oil 3/4 cup rice 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped 1 yellow onions, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 whole dried chilies 1 green sweet peppers, cored seeded anddiced (optional)

In stockpot add boiling water and jerky.Let set 15 minutes. Take out of water andcut in small pieces. Return to pot.Heat onlow setting.In frying pan, add lard or oil, add rice andonions and salt. Brown the rice and cookthe onion until slightly browned. Addtomatoes and chili pepper. Cook for about10 minutes. Add all ingredients to stock-pot.Simmer about 15 minutes until rice iscooked. Take out whole chili pepperbefore serving. There should be enoughsalt in the jerky so you do not need to addexcept for the 1/2 tsp of salt called for inthe recipe. Serve with tortilla chips.

Bodfish Bob’sCoca Cola Barbecue

SauceCook 1 chopped onion and 2 chopped

cloves garlic in 2 tablespoonsbutter until soft.

Add: 2 c. Catsup6 oz. Coke1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce1 tsp. Mustard2 tbsp. Vinegar

Simmer 1 hour or until thick.

Bodfish Bob’sCandied Bacon

8 thick slices Smoked Bacon

Recipes by Bodfish Bob

Bodfish Bob’sScrambled Eggswith Bacon and

Avocado2 slices bacon 2 large eggs Coarse salt and ground pepper 1/4 avocado, diced Toast (if desired)

Brown bacon in a small skillet overmedium heat, 3 to 5 minutes per side.Remove bacon; pour off all but 1 tea-spoon fat.In a bowl, beat eggs with 2 tablespoonswater; season with salt and pepper. Pourinto pan; cook, scraping bottom fre-quently with a flexible heatproof spatula,until just set, 2 to 3 minutes.Transfer to a plate. Crumble bacon overtop; sprinkle with avocado. Serve withtoast, if desired.

Bodfish Bob’sBarbeque Sauce

3 cups tomato sauce1 chopped onion6 tbsp. vinegar4 tsp. celery seed2 tsp. sugarGarlic salt and hot sauce

Mix and simmer ingredients 20 min.Add garlic salt and hot sauce to taste.Add water to thin for marinade.

Bodfish Bob’sBacon Wrapped

Smokies1 pound sliced bacon, cut into thirds1 (14 ounce) package beef cocktail

wieners3/4 cup brown sugar, or to taste

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165degrees C). Refrigerate 2/3 of the baconuntil needed. It is easier to wrap thewieners with cold bacon. Wrap eachcocktail wiener with a piece of bacon andsecure with a toothpick. Place on a largebaking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar gen-erously over all.Bake for 40 minutes in the preheatedoven, until the sugar is bubbly. To serve,place the wieners in a slow cooker andkeep on the low setting.

Bodfish Bob’sBeef Jerky & Rice

Soup (Sopa De

About ¼ Cup Brown or Raw SugarCayenne Pepper, for sprinkling.

Preheat oven to 400?F.Line a large baking pan with tin foil.Place a wire rack on top of the preparedpan. Arrange bacon slices in a single layerand coat evenly with sugar. Lightly pressthe sugar into the bacon, sprinkle themwith cayenne pepper.Bake for about 20 minutes, flip over, andcontinue to bake for another 8 to 10 min-utes or until the bacon caramelized withdeep red color. Remove from the ovenand let cool completely.

Bodfish Bob’sLiver and Onions

2 pounds sliced beef liver1 ½ cups milk, or as needed¼ cup butter, divided2 large Vidalia onions, sliced into rings2 cups all-purpose flour, or as neededSalt and pepper to taste

Gently rinse liver slices under coldwater, and place in a medium bowl. Pourn enough milk to cover. Let stand whilepreparing onions. (I like to soak up to anhour or two, whatever you have time for.)This step is SO important in taking thebitter taste of the liver out.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a largeskillet over medium heat. Separate onionrings, and sauté them in butter until soft.

Remove onions, and melt remainingbutter in the skillet. Season the flour withsalt and pepper, and put it in a shallowdish or on a plate. Drain milk from liver,and coat slices in the flour mixture.

When the butter has melted, turn theheat up to medium-high, and place the

coated liver slices in the pan. Cook untilnice and brown on the bottom. Turn, andcook on the other side until browned. Addonions, and reduce heat to medium. Cooka bit longer to taste.

Bodfish Bob’sChinese Barbecued

Spareribs1/3 cup hoisin sauce1/4 cup soy sauce3 tbsp. Dry sherry2 cloves garlic, finely chopped2 tbsp. Sugar3/4 tsp. Red food coloring1/4 tsp. Chinese five spice powder1-2-lb. Slab spareribs cut into individual

ribs

Whisk together hoisin, soy, sherry, gar-lic, sugar, food coloring, and spice powderin a large bowl. Add ribs; toss to coat withmarinade. Set aside, covered with plasticwrap, to let marinate at room temperaturefor 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350°. Arrange a bakingrack on top of a rimmed, foil-lined sheetpan. Remove ribs from marinade (reservemarinade); arrange on the rack, meat (notbone) side up. Place pan on middle rack ofoven; pour in enough water that it reacheshalfway up the sides of the pan, makingsure the water does not touch the ribs.Bake ribs for 35 minutes. Baste ribs withreserved marinade; flip and baste again.

Bake for 35 minutes more. (Add morewater to pan if it dries up.) Raise heat to450°. Flip ribs again; baste with remainingmarinade. Continue baking until ribs areglazed, browned, and tender, about 20minutes more. Serve with Chinese mus-tard or duck sauce, if you like.


6392.B Wofford Blvd. Wofford Heightsfx.760.376.2862

Copy&Print760.376.2860


The Kernville Whiskey Flat wild WestDaze Rodeo is the town's first Rodeo ofthe season and a rip roarin' western gath-ering. Get your boots and saddles and headon up for this leap back to the good ol'wild west days. The 2 day event is held atMcNalley Rodeo Arena in Kernville at 1:00p.m.

KernvilleRodeo History

Irwin Wofford had the contract to pro-vide horses and cattle for these Westernsand John E. McNally, Jr. was one of theranchers who rented out his stock to themovies. In the 40s and 50s, McNally alsosupplied horses and cattle for rodeos as faraway as Nevada and Oregon. He suppliedanimals for the Kernville Rodeo and main-tained the grounds and buildings for severalyears. The Kernville Chamber ofCommerce named those rodeo grounds the"John E. McNally Rodeo Grounds" andthey remain in active use. McNally alsoworked as a logging truck driver for MountWhitney Lumber Company. He drove a

DW-20 while working on the Isabella Damproject in the late 40s, early 1950s. Alongwith author/historian, Ardis Manly Walker,John helped to start the annual WhiskeyFlat Days Parade in 1957 and he was thereannouncing from a portable stand in CirclePark for 28 years. He also served as theparade's Grand Marshall. Before his deathat age 94 in July 2007, John E. McNally, Jr.said, "I wouldn't trade anything I've done.I'd do it all over again. My life has beenvery interesting with lots of experiences."

Barrel RacingIn this event, time is the only enemy

and horsemanship is a rider's greatestweapon. Because of barrel racing's fast andfurious pace it is always a crowd favorite.Each contestant enters the arena on asprinting quarter horse at full gallop. Anelectronic eye begins time the moment therider enters and ends the instant they leave.Every contestant must ride a cloverleafpattern around three barrels before exitingthe arena. A five-second penalty is awardedfor each overturned barrel; however nopenalty is given for touching or moving abarrel. The final times are recorded to thehundredths of a second.

Bull RidingThis is one rodeo contest the novice

spectator can enjoy fully as much as doesthe hard core fan. It, of course, demandsathletic skill and hard-won knowhow. But,essentially this is a contest of raw courageand a true, deep-seated spirit of try. Inshort, it takes good, honest guts.

A loose rope straps a man's hand tothree-quarters of a ton of awesome power.There isn't time to think and react. It mustbe natural, automatic coordination anddetermination that keeps the man on top.If the spirit hesitates for a split second,even subconsciously, the rider is doomed.

Though the rider isn't required to movehis feet as in bronc riding, you will seemany cowboys do so. They are scramblingto keep contact with the bull, whose poweris too great to permit a solid lasting holdwith the rider's feet. The animal is stilljudged for how hard he bucks, and thebulls that perform in a tight, fast spin usu-ally draw the highest scores.

Steer RidingThis event is offered for our teenaged

cowboys and cowgirls ages 12 to 15. It issimilar to bull riding only the riders aremounted on steers-which can buck as anybull! The rider must stay mounted for eightseconds and is judged on how the animalbucks as well as how the contestant rides.

Kernville's Whiskey Flat wild West Daze RodeoJohn E. McNally Arena Kernville Saturday & Sunday February 15th & 16th


A lot of bull - Rider and spectators get a run for their money at the rodeo.

The cowboy or cowgirl with the highestscore wins.

Mutton BustinThis even has evolved over the past sev-

eral years for our young buckaroos ages 5 to7. These youngsters can give you a run fortheir money as they bounce out of a chutemounted on the back of a wooly sheep. Norope is used, and these youngsters, wearingprotective helmets, can give as exciting aride as seen anywhere. Each buckaroo isawarded a ribbon and bandana for theirdaredevil ride.

Hide RacingThe hide race is exciting and unique to

the Kern River Valley. The race consists ofa team of two of any gender. One person ismounted on horseback; the other is mount-ed on a rawhide attached to the end of a lar-iat. The person on horseback holds theother end of the rope usually dallied aroundthe saddle horn and races around the arena,pulling their teammate on the rawhide. Theexcitement comes as the one on the rawhideis dragged around the arena flipping, turn-ing and eating arena dirt at breakneckspeed. The team with the fastest time wins.

Bell CalfRoping

For this event, the calves have turnedinto young steers. A group of steers isturned loose in the arena, and one wears abell around his neck. At the same time, allmounted contestants, cowboys or cowgirls,enter the arena on horseback with ropesready. The contestants attempt to rope thesteer wearing the bell. The one who ropesthe belled steer first wins.

Team RopingIn team roping, two riders are in a race

against the clock to rope both ends of asteer. The "header" rides from the left-handbox behind the barrier. The header's task isto rope the steer first, ideally by the horns,but no penalty is awarded for catching it byeither the neck or "half head," which is onehorn and neck. After the catch, the header"dallies," or wraps the roe around the saddlehorn, and turns the steer to the left in awide arc. His teammate, the "heeler," whorides from the right box, stays behind thesteer until the header turns it. The heeler'stask is to rope both the steer's back legswith one throw. If he manages to catch onlyone hind foot, the team receives a five-sec-ond penalty. Time is stopped when bothropes are tight and cowboy's horses are fac-ing each other.

Two grizzlies foundkilled by one shotWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Mick Schlick, who lives up atCorral Creek, a couple of days agofound two grizzly bears killed by asingle shot under unusual circum-stances.

The Forest Service found this tobe doubly unusual because grizzliesare supposed to be hibernating thistime of year, yet one was out andabout.

The day before, Schlick heard ahog squealing.

He and and another man, retireddeputy Allen Montgomery, went tothe spot and found the hog deadfrom a grizzly’s attack.

Supposing the bear would return

to eat the pig, Schlick that eveningfixed a gun with a string attached tothe hog.

During the night the gun went off.On returning in the morning, Schlickfound, not just one, but two grizzliesdead.

“It was amazing,” Schlick said.The Alice McGill, of the local

chapter of PETA, was shocked thatsomeone would entrap an innocentbear in this manner.

The grizzlies happened to be closetogether when the gun was dis-charged, and one ball passed throughboth of them. Each bear weighedabout 300 pounds.

Game Warden, Zeke Cartwright,said that no citation would be issued.


Sustainable ArchitectureEnergy Efficient Design, Materials and Systems

• Solar • Strawbale • Adobe • ICF’s • SIP’s •• New Construction • Additions • Remodels •

• Design-Build Service Available •

Nancy Shebesta Architect License # C27215760-549-0075 [email protected]

RodeoTerminolgyWhiskey FlatClaim Jumper

Arena DirectorThe person responsible for conducting a

fast, smooth-running rodeo.

AverageAt rodeos with more than one g-round,

contestants earn money for each go, andthose with the best total scores or times winadditional money.

Bareback RiggingA leather fixture with a suitcase-like han-

dle that the rider grips with one hand.

Barrier A line stretched across the roping box that

is released when a calf or steer crossed thescoreline. If the contestant rides through,breaks the barrier before it is released, a ten-second penalty is added to his total time.

Bull RopeA flat, braided rope that circles the bull's

chest and is the rider's only means of holdingon. No cinches or buckles are allowed-it'sheld in position by the grip of the rider. Aheavy bell attached to the rope pulls the ropefree after the ride.

CantleThe seat back of a bronc riding saddle.

The rider attempts to reach the cantle at theend of a spurring stroke. This is called "can-tle-boarding."

Catch-as-catch-canA calf roper is allowed to catch the animal

in any way he chooses as long as he turnsloose of the rope when throwing the loop,and so long as the rope hold the calf until theroper reaches it.

Contact RuleStates that bucking horse riders must

place their heels above the horse's shoulders,making contact until the first jump is com-pleted. If the rider fails to do so, he "missesthe mark" and is disqualified.

DallyA turn of the rope around the saddle

horn. Team ropers dally their ropes after acatch to secure the steer.

DinkA bucking horse with a reputation as a

poor bucker.

Dog-fallDowning the steer in steer wrestling so all

four feet and the head are not facing the samedirection. Illegal. To get a time, the cowboymust turn the steer over or let it up and throwit again legally.

DrawStock selection.

Entry feeThe money paid by the contestant before

he can compete at a rodeo. Contestant mustpay a separate entry fee for each evententered.

Fair(Legal) Catch: In team roping, the header

must catch the steer around the horns, head orneck.

FlagmanRodeo Official who signals the end of

elapsed time in the timed events.

Flank StrapA sheepskin-lined strap with a quick-release

buckle that is passed around th flank of abucking horse or bull. It causes no pain butencourages the animal to buck.

Free HandThe hand not used to hold on during a ride.

The rider is not disqualified if he touches theanimal, himself or his equipment with his freehand.

Go-roundThat part of a rodeo event in which every

contestant has competed on one head of stock.Hazer

A cowboy who rides alongside a steeropposite the steer wrestler. His job is to keepthe steer running straight and close to the con-testant's horse.

High RollerA horse that leaps high into the air when

bucking.

HondoThe eye in one end of a lariat through

which the opposite end is passed to form asliding loop.

HooeyThe half-hitch knot a calf roper uses to tie

three of the calf's legs.

Lap and TapAn even start where the cattle in timed

events do not get an advantage of 10 to 30feet; used in small arenas.

No Time (NT)Failure to qualify on timed event cattle, sig-

naled by field flagman waving his flag side toside.

Pickup ManMounted arena official who assists bare-

back and saddle bronc riders in dismountingfrom their horses.

Piggin' StringSmall soft rope, six feet long used by calf

ropers to tie the animal's feet.

Pulling leatherWhen a saddle bronc rider touches any part of

the saddle with his free hand during the eight-sec-ond ride he is said to be pulling leather, or "grab-bing a the apple" and is disqualified.

RakeSpurring action of the rider on rough-

stock. Bareback and saddle bronc riders arerequired to continue spurring throughout therides; bull riders are not, but sometimes scorehigher when they do so.

Re-rideAnother ride given to a bronc or bull rider in

the same go-round when either the animal or

cowboy is not afforded a fair opportunity toshow his best, such as a chute-fighting animalthat is impossible to get mounted on, when theanimal falls or drags the cowboy off the chutegate.

RowelCircular, notched, bluntly pointed and

free-wheeling portion of a spur. They do notcut a bronc or bull.

Score1. Distance between the chute opening and

the score line; the head start timed event cattleare given in roping and steer wrestling, deter-mined by the size of the arena. 2. The markinggiven rough-stock riders by the judges after aqualified ride.

Turn OutTo withdraw from a competition.

Kernville's Whiskey Flat wild West Daze RodeoJohn E. McNally Arena Kernville Saturday & Sunday February 15th & 16th

Barrelsof fun -Barrel racing isalways a crowd favoriteat the Whiskey Flat DazeRodeo Saturday andSunday at 1 p.m. atthe McNally Rodeogrounds.

Michael BatelaanWhiskey FlatClaim Jumper


Century 21 CrewThe Best Team In The Valley

Marty O’Hara, Julie Jones, Becky Starr-Harris, Linda Phillips, Betty Heins, Paul Mooney, Broker, Linda Mooney

Free market analysis for sellersList of all properties in the valley

760-379-3684http://www.century21lakeisabella.com


Grounds for fun - Thousands have enjoyed McNally’s legacy.

Rodeo Grounds namedafter McNallyWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

One attraction of Whiskey FlatDays that is not to be missed is theWild West Daze Rodeo, held Saturdayand Sunday at 1 p.m. at the John E.McNally Rodeo grounds on the northend of Kernville. You can get thereon the Western Express Railway trainthat runs through town.

There has been a rodeo in theKern River Valley for many years.The late John E. McNally producedthe Sierra Roundup Rodeo at ScovernHot Springs during the 1940’s beforethe lake came in and the town ofIsabella moved onto and around thesite. The McNally barn is still there,behind Isabella Supermarket.

McNally went on to be a rodeo stockcontractor until the mid-1950’s, pro-ducing shows not only in Californiabut Nevada as well.

McNally and his wife Pauline start-ed a steakhouse in the late 1940’s atFairview that still bears their name.

Retiring from the resort business,John E. McNally became a legendaryTulare County Sheriff deputy, cover-ing 1,000 square miles of back coun-try.

McNally passed away in 2007 at theage of 94. He was truly a legend larg-er than life.

Today, the Whiskey Flat Rodeo ispresented by Cotton Rosser’s Flying Urodeo that has been around for 58years, 43 in the Kern Valley.

Whiskey Flat Februay 2014 page 19

Yes! I want to receive a one year mail subscription to the KernRiver Courier, 52 issues, for just $65.00.Name__________________________________________________

Mailing Address__________________________________________

City____________________________________________________

State ____________________ Zip ___________________________

Kern River CourierP.O. Box 1145, Wofford Heights, CA 93285ph: 760-376-2860 fx: 760-376-2862

Complete and mail subscription form, check or money order for $36.00 to:

EXTRA!EXTRA!Mail subscriptions

to the

“Everything Oldis News Again!”

Frog doping scandalcontinues at a leap

In 1863, a young journalist namedSamuel Langhorne Clemens, travelingfrom San Francisco, CA to Virginia City,NV spent the night in Angels Camp,Calaveras County, California. Here, heheard the story of Daniel Webster, afamous frog who jumped higher and fur-ther than any other frog around.

His owner, local gambler Jim Smileynever got tired of placing bets on his cel-ebrated jumping frog. One day, a strangertook the bet. But when Jim wasn't look-ing, the stranger poured quail shot intoDaniel Webster's mouth making itimpossible for him to jump at all. Thestranger won the $40 bet and escapedbefore Jim realized the con.

Sponsor Frog NameAlta Sierra Broadcasting Tastes Like ChickenAlta Sierra Broadcasting Don’t Fear the Leaper

Alta One FCU LOAN-ly LeaperAmazing Bounce Amazing Bounce

Betty B’s Justin Tyme Betty’s “Justy Boy”Cheryl's Diner Pie Ala Toad

CJ’s Hair and Nail Salon Fine as Frog’s HairClick Realty Slick Click

Cowboy Bail Bonds Coffin City PeteCynthia Cowden Investments Fast Bucks

Erskine Creek Water Co. Liquid GoldGeorge & Darlene Randall Leroy

Harry P. Thal Insurance Bud-wei-serKern River Candle Company Wick It

Kern River Courier Claim JumperKern River Valley Gun Association Hop-a-long

Kern Valley Sun Sun SpotKernville Chamber Sir Richtoad

Kernville Inn FloydL & M Lumber Knot-Head

Lanny Borthick General Contractor Douglas Fir BanksOld West Kettle Corn Lola AnnShepherd of the Hills Saved by Grace

Sportsman’s Trailer Park Sportsman’s TrailSweet Adelines 4-part Hoppity

The Drug Store Pill PopperThe Mother Lode Mother’s Free Loder

The story was first published in 1865 inNew York's Saturday Press and the youngjournalist used the pen name Mark Twain.It not only laid the foundation for his fame,it also put the tiny mining town AngelsCamp on the world's map.

Here at Whiskey Flat, we celebrate thishistory with a frog jumping contest of ourown. Everyone has a fun time placingwagers on the frogs and cheering the littleguys on. It is fun to try to beat the odds.The winning frog nets you "frog bucks"script worth merchandise at local partici-pating Kern Valley merchants.

See Whiskey Flat schedule for the timesand place of the races on Saturday andSunday.

Why the leap to frog jumping?

Illegal doping has been detected inthree of the frogs scheduled to jumpat the Whiskey Flat Frog JumpingContest this year.

Contest officials were tipped offby a neighbor of an unnamed frogowner who said he saw frogs in theneighbor’s back yard jumping all theway over the house to a pond in thefront yard.

“These was no ordinary frogs,”said the neighbor, who has asked toremain anonymous due to the knowncutthroat tactics of champion frogowners.

“They is a devilish lot, those frogfolks,” he said.

Contest officials rushed to thehome along the river in Whiskey Flatand, using a baseball mitt, were ableto capture three frogs as they plum-meted from a 100-foot height.

After the watching crowd did theWave, the three sample frogs wererushed to a laboratory, tested fordrugs and came up positive.

“This is a scandal of the highestproportion!” hollered the current

mayor of Whiskey Flat, “Tee Totalin’Tony.” “We won’t rest until we findevery single one of these illegal frogs.The Whiskey Flat Frog JumpingContest has always been an honestracket... er, I mean competition, and wedon’t cotton to no fixin’ of the con-test.”

“Except by me,” one former mayorof Whiskey Flat was heard to say, whogoes by the handle of Rapid Richard.

Contest officials were unsure ofhow to handle the scandal, but it wasgenerally agreed that all the frogsshould be tested and all those that test-ed positive would be disqualified.

“It may be a coincidence and it maynot be, but I’m planning a special onfrog legs the day after the contest,” saidCheryl Borthick of Cheryl’s DinnerHouse. “Actually, I’m hopin’ there’ll bea lot of disqualification goin’ on.”

The following unnamed frogs willnot be competing in this year’s contest:Springer, Jerry Atrick, Ker’Mi’,Napolian, and Forget Me Not.Surprisingly, Pill Popper was not sus-pended from this year’s event.

Claim

Jumper

Frog Jumpinglineup

WhiskeyFlat


The newly reorganizedEnvironmental Interference Agencyhas found dangerous levels of water inthe whiskey at Whiskey Flat, they saidin a statement released Thursday.

“The government has found thatthe whiskey sold in Whiskey Flat alongthe Kern River in California,” thestatement says, “is contaminated withlarge amounts of water. The levels ofnitrates, arsenic, cyanide and mousedroppings are just fine--good whiskeyneeds that for flavor--but unadulterat-ed water is bad for your health andshould be avoided.”

The EIA has warned local WhiskeyFlat saloons that in case any of theirpatrons gets a water overdose to servethem lots of Corn Nuts, and buffalowings with their whiskey to compen-sate. Beer is also a good alternative,since the brewing process tends totemper the negative effects of thewater.

The Claim Jumper consultedWhiskey Flat local, Eric Giddens, PhD.advises that large quanities of locallybrewed beer should counter any illeffects of water overdose. He recom-mends beer that is just outstanding.

For more information, telegraph theEIA in Washington D.C.

Dangerous Levelsof Water found inlocal whiskey


Just a hop, skip and jump outside Whiskey Flat4700 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, 760-379-4631HOURS: Monday - Friday 7- 6 Saturday & Sunday 8 - 5

Talk to the ACE Hardware experts atTalk to the ACE Hardware experts at

LL &&M LUMBER!M LUMBER!CUT TO ORDER LUMBER • NAILS, NUTS & BOLTS

PICKS & SHOVELS • PIPE & FITTINGSBRICK, BLOCK & MORTAR • HOUSE & BARN PAINT

PUT SOME ROOTS DOWN WITH OUR FLOWERS, PLANTS AND TREES!

WE DONE GROW’D TO OVER 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF

HARDWARE HEAVEN HAPPINESS

FENCINGWIRE &POSTS

TOOLS OFALL

TRADES

whiskey flat claimjumper 2014

Documents

whiskey flat mayors

townof old whiskey flat

whiskey flatmayor

whiskey flatdays

whiskey flatclaim jumperlet

kernriver valley

town of kernville

years old