11/19/2009 9:49:00 AM Gearing up for the holidays in Palo Verde
Jeanette Hyduke Palo Verde People
PALO VERDE - Vehicles are already pouring into Palo Verde on their way to Glamis Sand Dunes, setting up for the long Thanksgiving holiday. Trailers, RV's and other three-wheel sand travelers are already converging into the area.
Thousands of visitors and desert lovers look forward to enjoying the sand dunes. This of course brings added revenue to the small town as Palo Verde has the last gas fill-up before traveling into the dunes.
The Lagoon Lodge welcomes all the Thanksgiving travelers and makes sure their visit will be long remembered when they stop off for refreshment and food.
Wheelies Convenience store also welcomes the travelers.
On Nov. 24, a work team is scheduled to work on the Palo Verde Town Park. A plea has gone out to the residents to come and help make the town's park a place to be proud of.
Normally just a few volunteers show up but it is hoped that because of the cooler weather, folks will feel generous and help.
The free Thanksgiving dinner will be served at 3 p.m. on that date. The owners of the Lagoon Lodge will donate the turkeys, hams and other foods.
Town residents and their friends are asking to bring their favorite foods and share the recipes with all. There will be a contest for the most interesting and unusual dish brought to the feed. Our readers will find out more about this exciting day before Thanksgiving.
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the annual Poker Run will be held. Contestants should sign up by 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. This will be an all-day Poker Run and all contestants will meet back at the Lagoon Lodge at sundown. At that time the winners will be awarded the big prizes. In addition, there will be a 50/50 drawing where half of the money will go to the Palo Verde Christian Non-denominational Church
When the contestants come in from the run there will be food and entertainment waiting for them.
Ted Stortz is excited about the future of the area. "Although the economy seems to be down, many things are happening in the area," he said. "Several cellular companies are starting up new plants in the area west of Palo Verde. This will bring more people to the area."
Real estate is not selling but a number of short sales and foreclosures are about if one wants to invest.
The Pen and Quill organization is making their semi-annual trip to Palo Verde during the Thanksgiving holidays. They were in town this week scoping out the best place to camp this year. The group is made up of published writers and artist.
They spend a full three days taking notes, shooting photos and gaining as much information as they can about old cemeteries in the area, and abandoned mines.
Kathy Garcia, daughter of the late Karen Hyduke and well-known friend of many in Palo Verde, will marry Mike Cusick on Nov. 21 in Blythe. Her husband-to-be is the owner of the 76 Station in Blythe. Both are lifelong residents of the area.
Royal Churchill, pastor of the Palo Verde Christian Non-denominational Church, is confident that a church will soon become a reality.
There is no church in Palo Verde at this time as the last church was demolished because of the windstorm several years ago. In the meantime, Churchill has been holding services at the recreational hall at Coco Palms.
Fishing has been excellent this week. Martin White pulled in a 30-pound cafish, and his wife Dora beat him by pulling in a 34-pound flathead.
They make their own bait from sardines and minnows. Their children, Betty and Harmon, caught their limit of bass.
According to seasoned fishermen, the best bait is worms.
CJ Jones walked away with $600 from a penny machine last week, while another resident (who prefers to not be named) walked away with $1,200 from a penny machine at the new casino near Algodones, Mexico.
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