Dr. Kenneth Pauley

CURRENTLY WORKING ON:  An article for the Branding Iron entitled “Aviation in the West circa 1880-1920.”

NEEDS INFORMATION ON/FOR:  Anything related to early aviation history in Southern California

RECENT PRESENTATIONS:  He was the speaker for the November, 2011 Westerners meeting where he spoke on the topic “Samuel H. Colt – An American Icon.”

OTHER:  Dr. Pauley has done extensive research on the California missions.  He has made several presentations, including a 4-part presentation on “Weights and Measurements in California’s Mission Period.”  He has authored and co-authored many articles and books, including “From Victory to Vicissitude: Los Angeles in 1946” (Westerners), The California Missions – Then and Now (California Mission Press), and The 1910 Los Angeles International Air Meet (Arcadia Publications).  Dr. Pauley was also the editor of the Westerners, Los Angeles Corral Brand Book #20 in 1997.

 

Paul McClure

CURRENTLY WORKING ON: Paul is crrently researching the citrus era of the Pomona Valley and working toward recognition of the Old Spanish Trail

RECENT PUBLICATIONS: Folk History of the San Gabriel and Inland Valleys: The Settlement Years 1542-1878, Infinity Publishing: West Conshohocken, PA, 2012.

RECENT TALKS: “Old Spanish Trail” at San Dimas City Hall; “A Tile in the Los Angeles Mosaic, Los Angelitas de Pueblo;” “Document Preservation” at the San Dimas Festival of Art; “Kwenangna Village” to the San Dimas Historical Society.

RECENT AWARDS: Fred Olds Cowboy Poetry Award, International Corral of Westerners, 2012.

Steve Lech

CURRENTLY WORKING ON:  Steve’s main focus in research presently is the history of the development of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.  He is also working on the story behind the incorporation of Cabazon, California in the 1950s.  He is always working on several items for his continuing bi-weekly “Back in the Day” articles in the Press-Enterprise newspaper.

NEEDS INFORMATION ON/FOR:  Would like to hear from any Westerners who may have information or reminiscences about the beginnings of either the Palm Springs Tramway or the City of Cabazon

RECENT PRESENTATIONS:  He has given talks on the formation of Riverside County to the Westerners (April 2013) and other groups, along with presentations on Riverside County’s Regional Parks, the Pines-to-Palms Highway, and various subjects related to the Mission Inn in Riverside.

RECENT ENDEAVORS:  Steve was appointed to the Riverside County Historical Commission in January, 2014, and was appointed to the City of Riverside’s Historic Preservation Fund Committee in October, 2013.

Steve also sponsors (with 2 friends) the annual Riverside County History Symposium held in various locations throughout Riverside County.

OTHER:  Steve was born in Riverside, California, and lives in the home his grandparents built.  He recently retired after 27+ years as a planner with various departments for Riverside County.

 

Ernie Hovard

CURRENTLY WORKING ON:  Ernie is still collecting Indian and western lore after 60 years!

PROJECTS:  Ernie is extending an open invitation to all Westerners to visit his home and see his collection (see photo).

RECENT PRESENTATIONS:  Several individuals and groups have come to see his house and collection.

Abe Hoffman

CURRENTLY WORKING ON:  A book entitled From Dead Sea to Environmental Treasure:  A History of Mono Lake, to be published by the University of New Mexico Press.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:  “Mining in California’s Mono Basin Region,” which was published in the California Territorial Quarterly for Fall, 2012.

RECENT PRESENTATIONS:  A talk entitled “Boyle Heights Memories,” given to the Los Angeles City Historical Society on February 22, 2013.

CURRENTLY WORKING ON:  Loren is continuing to write poetry and refining his magic.

NEEDS INFORMATION ON/FOR:  Would like to hear from any Westerners who may be interested in his collection of western magazines, including True West, Frontier Times, and others.  Some of these date back over 40 years!

RECENT PRESENTATIONS:  He has written several articles for the Tombstone Epitaph, the Branding Iron, and others.  In addition, many other articles have appeared in The Kansas Cowboy (where Loren is member #1159, known as the “Kansas Kid).

OTHER:  Loren was born in Woodbine, KS and moved to Ontario, CA in 1941.  He and his wife Betty were married in 1947 and they have 2 sons, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-granddaughters.  Loren worked for the Southern California Gas Company from 1947 to 1984 when he retired as District Manager for the Covina area.  Since that time, he has held many other positions, some paid, some volunteer.  He has also been named the “Honorary Mayor of Wrightwood!”