whiskey flat claimjumper 2013

Welcome to Whiskey Flat Days!Enjoy the old-fashioned fun as the California Gold Rush town ofKernville as it returns to the 1860’s when it was “Whiskey Flat”

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 15-18, 2013

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. The people ofthe day reported seeing cloudsof birds in the sky so thick thatthey blotted out the sun.

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. They suppliedthemselves with provisions atVisalia and then aimed them-selves and their wagons at theSierra Nevada. Gold wasrumored to have been discov-ered at a place where two forksof a big river met, a place calledthe Kern River Valley.

They streamed over theGreenhorn Mountains thatformed the western boundaryof the valley, their wagonsslowed on the downhill side bybig logs cut for that purpose.

They came in mainlythrough Keyesville and down

spirits.So he led his burro laden

with 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-ing down. It was some mightywell-paying ore, and there werea lot of miners working in a

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim JumperMayoral gun play - Canadates ‘Sharp Shootin’ Jami’ aka: jami Ward and ‘TeeTotalin’ Tony’ aka: Tony Julio shake arms at the start of the Whiskey Flat mayoral race.


In 1991, the KernvilleChamber was having troublegetting Whiskey Flat Mayorcandidates. Then Chamberpresident, Lanny Borthickgot the idea of splitting prof-its with charitable organiza-tions. The group then agreedon a 60/40 split with 60 percent going to the Chamber."That 60 percent promoteslocal business, promotestourism, and keeps the visi-tors coming," said CherylBorthick, the currentKernville Chamber President."An organization makesmore money in a six weekperiod than any other way.Whiskey Flat Days is thebiggest four day event in thecounty."Meet the MayorCandidatesSharp Shootin’ Jami

“My sidekick, SureshotHeather and I have been inthis town for a lotta years.Life has been good and ourchillens are right happy. Theyare so happy that they cheer.

The distillery in this townlets me serve up their brew,and that makes my husbandhappy too. I am trying to getall you folks to ante up withsome bribes, and in turn I willmake sure that y'all havemore fun than you everdreamed of.

If you think the politicsare dirty, just drink up anoth-er one of the brews I serve,and it won't much matter toyou no more! Just drink tillshe's pretty and the politickin'is clean, that is what I say.

Buyin' some of my bribeswill keep my girls a cheerin'and this will be a right happi-er town!

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 rishes to rag

pubication?

Make sure thatyou know all the

Whiskey Flatgun requirements.

February 2013 Whiskey Flat, Calif.

1919

Whiskey Flat Daze Wild West Rodeo on pages 16-17

Old westtownreturnsto life

Townmayoralraceunder way

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

1717

99

22

55Dicover the townthat Holywood

found in the1920,s

44

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

February 2013 Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Located across the bridge in Whiskey FlatLITTLE STORE • LOTTA STUFF

☞You’reAlmostThereCelebrate Valley History with the Kern River Valley Historical Society

You will find artifacts and memorabilia which make the historyof 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

Annette PoundsBroker/OwnerDRE #01221717NMLS #251840

11017 1/2 Kernville Road, Kernville CA 93238760-382-9893

Fax: 760-376-4393Email: [email protected]

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]

6112 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella 760-379-8614Open 9am-5pm Monday thru Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday

Outfittersof yourentire outfitFatigues, knifes, long johns, boots, duffel bags, cast ironcook’in ware, all the gearto set up camp.

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 Kernville Roadand Tobias Street 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 16, 2013 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 2013Weapons Carry Regulations

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

Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper February 2013 page 3

24 Sirretta StreetKernville, CA760-376-2345

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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

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Watch BatteriesFaxes & Copies


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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…

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Satellite Internet

What in the heckis this riches to ragpublication?

The publication you’re holding is called the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. It’spublished once year, especially for the Whiskey Flat Days festival. And this isour 10th year! For a few days in February, Kernville residents pretend it’s the1860-1864 era of the Gold Rush, when the town went by its original name,Whiskey Flat. The Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper is put out by the folks who pub-lish the Kern River Courier, a weekly newspaper in Wofford Heights. If you likethis Claim Jumper, be sure to check out the Courier. It’s a free newspaper, avail-able for pickup all over the valley every week. Or if you want the convenienceof getting the Courier in your mail, you may want to subscribe. Get the KernRiver Courier in your mailbox every week and find out what’s happening herein the beautiful Kern River Valley. It’s only $36 a year, less than $3 a month.

Here’s a list of some of the Courier folks and friends who contributed tothis year’s Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. (If your name isn’t here, forgive us!)

Michael Batelaan, Mike Ludiker, Sara Wakeman, Val Minoux, Bodfish Bob,the folks at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, and too many others to list.

If you’d like to make a comment on the Claim Jumper or get a hold of us atthe 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].

KERNVILLE APOTHECARYHAS FOR SALE A FULL ASSORTMENT OFGENUINE FAMILY MEDICINES,

Selected with the utmost care.Also, an extensive supply of

PATENT MED IC INES ,LEECHES, PERFUMERY,AND FANCY ARTICLES,Such as comprise the usual Stock of anApothecary of general accepted size.

known also as

The Drug Store111 Piute Drive

376 - 2 2 1 6

My charity, Kern Valley Youth Footballand Cheer, is a non-profit organization that isdesigned for the youth of the Kern RiverValley. It allows ages 4-14 learn Team Buildingand how to get along with others. It allowsthese children to do something other than sit-ting in front of the TV. My goal is to helpthese girls get enough money raised for newuniforms, sponsors for those that can't affordthe cost of the program, ability to pay the feesthat the school charges for practices andgames.”Tee Totalin’ Tony

“I think it is high time this here Valley didits best to clean up the dippin' in the Poor-Pocketed People's Poke that is going on in theless reputable speakeasies and saloons in ourValley.

Mayorscontinued from pg. 1

“I have been a cowboy in these here hills andvalleys fer 65 years. Life has been good for meand the little missus and our youngens but whenI heard that our little distillery was putting ayoung lady up to running for Mayor of ourValley, I knew that Dirty Politics was in play.

So being mostly honest and kinda truthful, Itossed my hat into the ring. As Mayor, I will domy best to make sure as I can to rustle up all thebribes possible honest or kinda honest to makeour Valle y a fine place to bring up the youngensright and proper.”

“I am raising money for Small MiraclesFoundation, that helps families with childrenwho are stricken with cancer. Providing trans-portation to get to the doctors, food on thetable, or help with the electric bill are just someof the Small Miracles this Foundation is basedupon. And my fundraising will also helpSouthern Sierra Council Boy Scout Troop 690,our local troop.”


NELDA’SDINER

5120 LAKE ISABELLA BLVD.LAKE ISABELLA, CA 93240

379-8448

CHERYL’SDINER

11030 KERNVILLE ROADKERNVILLE, CA 93238

376-6131

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNERSERVING UP HOME COOKED FOOD FOR OVER 200 YEARS

HOURS:6am to 9pm

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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 reading aboutOld Kernville. There are many morehistorical photos than we could possi-bly use, and lots of stories and arti-facts and maps and all kinds of goodstuff at the Kern Valley Museum inKernville. It’s not hard to find-- it’sacross the street from Alta One CreditUnion on Big Blue Road.

If you like exploring the history ofthis area (and there’s a powerful lot ofhistory here), the museum is a goodplace to start.

Join the Kern River ValleyHistorical Society. They can tell you

how 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. Look for her ad inthis Claim Jumper.

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 the placewas like. It’s called “River Children,”written by Barbara Hinkey and PatMcPherson. You can get it throughhttp://www.riverchildren.net/

More history is to befound at museum


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KELLEE SCOTTInsurance Agent

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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

The indian camp will show youthe Native American experience,a fire pit cooking authentic foods,Native American games, crafts, andartifacts from the past!

Experience theWhiskey FlathistoricalEncampment

Find out what it was like in the1800’s. There is a chuck wagon with

cookin’ and coffee, ax throwing, peri-od tool demonstrations and more!

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

Old Westcontinued from pg. 1

mine called the Big Blue.So Hamilton found the center of the mining

camp, 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 KernRiver Valley saw something new coming in thatchanged the face of it forever.

See Old West pg. 14


Open Monday - Friday8:00am -5:00pm

Saturday 9:00am-1pm

5304 Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake Isabella

760-379-5133

Tires • Wheels • RepairsCars • Trucks • Motorcycles

RV’s • Trailers

TIRETIRESTEWART’SSTEWART’S

Air pressure checks as well as tire inspection

is always complimentary at Stewart’s Tire

The Largest Selectionof New & Used Tires

in the Valley!

Bob PowersBOOKSB o o k s b y t h e l a t eBob Powers , LocalHistorian and Author

A eight-volume historicalaccount of the Kern River Valley. All nine books are presently in print, beautifully printed and bound and willbe available in Circle Park during Whiskey Flat Days.

South Fork Country, North Fork Country, Hot Springs Country,

Kern River Country, Indian Country, Desert Country,High Country and This Old House.are $30.00 each

See Marge in Circle Park February 15, 16, 17 and 18during Whiskey Flat Days. Or place your order by mail to:

Marge Powers P.O. Box 204 Kernville, Ca 932387 6 0 - 3 7 6 - 2 3 2 9

Visit our booth in Circle Parkduring Whiskey Flat Days

~ Event directors ~Producer: Mike WoodwardSheriff: Francis MooreWhiskey Flat Camp: Francis Moore,

Dave RyskampMountain Man Camp: Dee De

MooreIndian Camp: Horse Robinson and

Kate DevriesMounted/ Equestrian/ Cavalry: Mike

Woodward, Perry SteinhoffGunfighting /Skits and shows:

Nathan Eddy, Rob Lambert,Richard Rasner Troupe

Mining/ Sawmill/ Blacksmithing:Perry Steinhoff

Chuck Wagon: Randy Hoskins,Dennis Young, Bill Schonhorst,Rose McLaughlin

Settlers: Jeannie HawkinsOutdoor Church Service: John

Spoon (Pastor Jesse Lee Bennett),Jeannie and Jerry Clearwater

(music), Eileen Bissmeyer

Thanks to the Folks that help makeWhiskey Flat Encampment possibleKernville Chamber of Commerce for on-going assistance.Mike Ludiker for our Web PageGeorge Randall and talented staff for their exceptional interest and

heavy equipment for grounds preparation.

USFS 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 10th 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 15 thru the 17 duringWhiskey Flat Days. Camp events begin atNoon Friday Feb. 15 and ends at 2 p.m.

Sunday Feb. 15.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. TheEncampment isdesigned to givethe whole family aglimpse at whatlife may have beenlike back in the1800's. Campactivities will beinteractive andthere will be manyopportunities tospeak with the res-idents of WhiskeyFlat, MountainMen, 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 10th 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 demon-strations of life in the OldWest! On Friday and Saturdayat 2 and 4 p.m., and Sunday at11 a.m, you’ll see history andgunfights. All day there will bea Wells Fargo station andeatery, Chuck wagon cook'nand coffee, a horse trader andlivery. There’ll be horse shoe'nand horse doctor'n, theWhiskey Flats Saloon, a Justiceof the Peace, a Saddle makerand leather craft, a Bath house,Beautifier and Hygienist, story-tellers of the Old West, miningand sawmill demonstrationsand a Civil War Confederatecamp!

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"


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Calendar of EventsWhiskey Flat Days


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.

ThursdayFebruary 14High NoonEpitaph Contest JudgingAlta One Credit Union forms available at KernvilleChamber and at Alta One, Kernville. All epitaphs will bejudged Thursday noon and placed in Boot Hill, at the cor-ner in Circle Park on Friday. Contest sponsored by PatTurnham Realty.

5 p.m.Cowboy AuctionAt Ewing's on the Kern, Kernville. Open: 5 p.m. Sign Ups:6 p.m. Auction: 7 p.m. Contact Tony Cain at 760-378-3408.This is always a popular event!

FridayFebruary 157 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. to 5 p.m.Kern River Valley Art Association Arts & Crafts atKernville Oddfellows Hall, corner of Tobias and Scodie.

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.

10 a.m.Annual Kern Valley Women'sClub LuncheonAt the Elk's Lodge in Wofford Heights. Doors open at 10a.m. Presale tickets only, admission $15. Call the KVWomen's Club at 760-376-4578.

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 Contest: Sponsored by Stella EnterprisesChild Costume Contest: Sponsored by the Pizza BarnPet Parade Contest: Sponsored by Critter SittersWhiskerino Contest: Sponsored by Val's Beauty ShopEpitaph Contest: Tombstones on display at Circle Park.Check ‘em out! Sponsored by Turnham Realty

Noon to SundownWhiskey Flat EncampmentsCowboy 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, and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. There's cowboycookin', a Whiskey Flats Saloon, and Old West Mercantile

Shoppe, shot gun weddings, saddle makin' and leathercraft, and more! Story tellers, Dave Ryskamp, Dave"Horse" Robinson, and Nathan Eddy will tell stories aboutminers, cowboys and outlaws. Open til sundown.

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, Rockwall by Kiddie Amusements, and roll on water withBubble Fun!

1 p.m.Buffalo Bill’s Wild West ShowCorner of Kernville Rd and Valley View Dr Across fromthe Pizza Barn.

5 p.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. Save 50% on presale tickets: salesthroughout the Valley until February 15! Open until 10p.m.

Dinner is servedAll around town at all your favorite restaurants.

7 to 9 p.m.Street DanceOn Piute Drive. Music by "Obsidian."

7 p.m.Whiskey Flat MelodramaThe Ratcatcher's Daughter, or, Kern Valley Daze, by SierraPerforming Arts. Kernville Elementary SchoolAuditorium, $7/adults, $5/kids under 12.

I've had no more luck than a duckwith a doorknob.

-Bob Burns as Hank York in "Wells Fargo".Filmed in Kernville 1937

SaturdayFebruary 167 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. to 5 p.m.Arts & Crafts showKern River Valley Art Association Arts & Crafts atKernville Oddfellows Hall, corner of Tobias and Scodie.

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, Rockwall by Kiddie Amusements, and roll on water withBubble Fun!

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

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.

Some men are like books written in astrange language, and that makes itawfully hard to read them

- John Wayne as Chris Morrell in "'Neath the ArizonaSkies". Filmed in Kernville, 1934

11 a.m.Whiskey Flat Days ParadeMusic on Movie Street. 156th 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, 2012 Grand Marshals,Sweet Adelines and Out of the Blue, 2012 Whiskey FlatHonorary Mayor, "Flower Filly Sue", 2012 WFD Mayorcandidates, Jami Ward, "Sharp Shootin’ Jami" and TonyJulio "Tee Totalin’ Tony", Special VIP guests and delightfulparade floats! Parade announcer, Geoff Emery, KUZZRadio.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 EncampmentsImmediately 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, and Buffalo Bill's WildWest Show. There's cowboy cookin', a Whiskey FlatsSaloon, and Old West Mercantile Shoppe, shot gun wed-dings, saddle makin' and leather craft, and more! Storytellers, Dave Ryskamp, Dave "Horse" Robinson, andNathan Eddy will tell stories about miners, cowboys andoutlaws. Open til sundown.

1 p.m.Line DancingBy "TLC" -Totally Loves Country. Circle Park CenterStage. Free Admission.

Frenchy: Get out before I kill you!Tom Destry Jr.: You mean youhaven't been tryin'?

-Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart as Frenchy andTom Destry Jr., respectively, in "Destry Rides Again".Filmed in Kernville 1939

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!!

See Schedule pg. 12

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1:30 p.m.Buffalo Bill’s Wild West ShowCorner of Kernville Rd and Valley View Dr Across fromthe Pizza Barn.

"…You see, the thing is this - womenare... uh, well, they're uh... Well, son, Ican tell you what an Indian will do toya, but you never know what awoman will do.

-Gary Cooper as Wild Bill Hickok in"The Plainsman" Filmed in Kernville, 1936

2 to 6 p.m.Concerts by the River BeginMusic in Riverside Park. Free admission. Come hear yourfavorite band.Concert schedule is subject to change.2 Wonderland Soup Kitchen3 Another Roadside Attraction4 Out of the Blue5 Jest Reason

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 ShowCorner of Kernville Rd and Valley View Dr Across fromthe Pizza Barn.

3 p.m.Concert by the River3 Another Roadside Attraction.4 Out of the Blue5 Jest Reason

7 p.m.Whiskey Flat MelodramaThe Ratcatcher's Daughter, or, Kern Valley Daze, by SierraPerforming Arts. Kernville Elementary SchoolAuditorium, $7/adults, $5/kids under 12.

Steve Andrews: A fine way to treat alady! Virginian: How was I to knowshe was a lady? She was with you,wasn't she?

-Sonny Tufts and Joel McCrea as Steve Andrews andThe Virginian, respectively, in "The Virginian".Filmed in Kernville 1946

SundayFebruary 197 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 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 and

the most "up-to-date" Schedule of Events!9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Arts & Crafts ShowKern River Valley Art Association Arts & Crafts atKernville Oddfellows Hall, corner of Tobias and Scodie.

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, Rockwall by Kiddie Amusements, and roll on water with BubbleFun!

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. Save theleather 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,and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. There's cowboycookin', a Whiskey Flats Saloon, and Old West MercantileShoppe, shot gun weddings, saddle makin' and leathercraft, and more! Story tellers, Dave Ryskamp, Dave"Horse" Robinson, and Nathan Eddy will tell stories aboutminers, cowboys and outlaws. Open til noon today.

Have you heard the Mayor candi-dates speechifyin' yet?

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 Valley Museum OpensOn Big Blue Road next to the Post Office. 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Historical Society, mining info, Indian exhibits, arti-facts and photos from yesteryear when Kernville wasWhiskey Flat, 1857.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Concerts by the River BeginMusic in Riverside Park. Free admission. Come hear yourfavorite band. Concert schedule is subject to change.11 Garden Fellowship12 Down Finger1 Fight Like This3 Allasso

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.Adult costume contest sponsored by Stella Enterprises &child costume contest sponsored by Pizza Barn.

Pet Parade Sign Ups!Forms at WFD Info Booth. Judging at 2 p.m. Pet Paradesponsored by All Creatures Feed & Supply.

12 p.m.Concert by the RiverDown Finger.

12:30 p.m.Old Fashioned 1860'sCostume ContestSponsored by the Pizza Barn. Piute Drive and Big BlueRoad: Circle Park. Note: Adult categories include Frontier

Lady and Man, American Indian Lady and Man, FancyLady and Man, Authentic Indian Dress, Modern PowWow,Best Overall Family. Children categories include FrontierGirl and Boy, American Indian Girl and Boy, and FancyGirl 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. Contest spon-sored by Val's Beauty Shoppe.

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!!

Concert by the RiverFight Like This.

2 p.m.Old Fashioned WhiskerinoContestSponsored by Val's Beauty Shop. 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.

3 p.m.2013 Honorary Whiskey FlatMayor Announced!Who will be the 2013 Whiskey Flat Mayor? Piute Drive byCircle Park. Drawing: Who will win the $500 ShoppingSpree?

Concert by the RiverAllasso.

MondayFebruary 189 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.

Dobbs : If you're the police, where areyour badges?Gold Hat : Badges? We ain't got nobadges. We don't need no badges! Idon't have to show you any stinkin'badges!

-Humphrey Bogart and Alfonso Bedoya asDobbs and Gold Hat, respectively, in"Treasure of the Sierra Madre" Filmed in Kernville 1948

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

Schedulecontinued from pg. 9

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Calendar of EventsWhiskey Flat Days

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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 American com-munities.

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 NewKernville put on their Western duds and

prepare 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 Indian tribe that called this areahome long before the American settlerscame.

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.

Old Westcontinued from pg. 6

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Town loves a parade

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Flaim Jumper

The Whiskey Flat Days Grand Parade takes place on the Saturday morning ofWhiskey 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.


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How to fix cowboy grub so’s you won’t starveRecipes by Bodfish Bob

Camp Fire Breakfast1/2 lb bacon 1 medium onion2 lb. bag of frozen hash brown potatoes 1/2 lb. grated cheddar1 doz eggs

Small jar of salsa-about 1 cup (option-al) This recipe requires 6-9 bottom coalsand 12 -15 top coals.

Pre-heat 12" Dutch Oven. Slice baconand onion into small pieces and brownuntil onions are clear. Stir in the hashbrown potatoes and cover. Removecover and stir occasionally to brown andheat potatoes (15-20 minutes).

Scramble the eggs in a separate con-tainer and pour the mixture over thehash browns. Cover and cook until eggsstart to set. (10 - 15 minutes)

Sprinkle grated cheese over egg mix-ture, cover and continue heating untileggs are completely set and cheese ismelted. Optional: Pour small jar of salsaover cheese/egg mixture. Cover andcook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Sliceand serve.

Chili Verde2 pounds boneless pork butt (shoulder), cubed and dusted with flour seasoned with black pepper 2 tablespoons bacon drippings or vegetable oil 3 cups chopped onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon oregano 2 tablespoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons salt 6 (4-ounce) cans diced green Chiles,drained 3 (14 1/2-ounce) cans chicken broth 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste

1. Heat fat in Dutch oven over medi-um-high heat; add pork cubes and brownevenly on all sides. Add onions and gar-lic to pan; cook and stir until onions aretender, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients andbring all to a boil. Lower heat to a sim-mer, cover and simmer until pork is verytender and liquid is slightly thickened.

3. Serve immediately over hot cookedrice, if desired. Garnish with freshcilantro sprigs.Serves 8.

Pot Roast2 Tbs. Bacon grease or olive oil1 Tbs. Balsmic vinegar2 tsp. Dry rosemary; rubbed3 Tbs. Brown sugar2 med. Yellow onions; sliced1 Tbs. Soy sauce4-5 cloves garlic; sliced1 bay leaf3-4 lb. Beef chuck roast1 tsp. Black peppersalt and pepper to taste1-2 lbs. Baby carrots1 cup hot beef stock or broth6-8medium red potatoes; skins on, cut into chunks1/4 cup honey barbecue sauce1 tsp. Thyme2 Tbs. Red wine vinegar1 Tbs. Parsley flakes

Heat a 12" deep Dutch oven using 20-22 briquettes bottom until oven is hot.Add bacon grease or olive oil, rosemary,and onions; cook 2-3 minutes until youstart to see a little color on the onionsthen add the garlic. Cook for 1 minutelonger. In a large measuring cup com-bine the beef stock, barbecue sauce, redwine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, brownsugar, soy sauce, bay leaf, and black pep-per; stir to mix then pour juice slowlyinto the oven. Season the roast with saltand pepper then add roast to oven andcover with as many of the onions as youcan.

Replace the lid then reduce the num-ber of coals on bottom to 10 and place14-16 coals on the lid. Cook for 30 min-utes rotating oven every 15 minutes.After 30 minutes add carrots and pota-toes. Season with salt, pepper, thyme,and parsley flakes. Replace the lid andcontinue baking for 60-90 minutes untilvegetables are fork tender.Serves: 8-10

Chorizo and Eggs3 links of Chorizo sausage links½ c chopped onions6 eggs, beatenSalt & pepper to taste8 flour tortillas

Remove sausage from casings. Cookwith onion over medium heat for 8 to 10minutes in a skillet. Add eggs to sausageand scramble. Serve on hot flour tortillas.

Smoked Green Beans1 smoked ham hock

1 lg. Can green beans2 tbsp. SugarDrain green bean juice into large pot.

Skin tough skin of ham hock off toexpose meat and fat. Cook ham hock ingreen bean juice about 1/2 hour. Add 2tablespoons sugar and green beans topot. Cook another 1/2 hour. Stir juiceover beans to flavor.

Collard Greens withNeckbones

1 pound pork neckbones2 bunches of collard greens1 teaspoon of salt1 tablespoon bacon drippingsDash of red pepper sauceSalt & pepper

Boil neckbones in a large saucepan.Remove from the broth. Add the greens(wash well before cooking) to thesaucepan. Cook on low heat until tender.Add bacon drippings, red pepper sauceto greens. Season with Salt & pepper.4 to 6 servings

Potato Biscuits1 cup mashed potatoes2 tbsp. Butter2 cups flour 1 tbsp. Honey1 cup buttermilk1/2 tsp. Baking soda2 tsp. Baking powder1 tbsp. Brown sugar

Mix ingredients and roll out on waxpaper. Cut biscuits and bake at 400º Fabout 10 min.


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A long-closed mortuary on Main St.will have a new life as a barbecue restau-rant.

Sam McAllister has bought the build-ing that formerly housed Orville'sFuneral Home and Crematorium andwill open a barbecue restaurant as soonas the first of the month.

However, McAllister says that severalpeople have stopped by the building andregistered complaints.

"I think people may be jumping toconclusions," McAllister said of the cre-matorium, which is still located at the

back of the building and whose smoke-stack still dominates the Whiskey Flatskyline.

"We will be doing our grilling on aportable barbecue out on the street," hesaid, noting that many people lookedrelieved when he gave them that bit ofnews.

The former crematorium will be usedto store spirits. Offered will be whiskey,ale and bourbon.

McAllister said he will be hiringOrville Sonderville, the town's formerundertaker, to be the cook.

Former Orville’s Crematorium inWhiskey Flat to sell barbecued meats


The Kernville Whiskey Flat wild WestDaze Rodeo is the town's first Rodeo of theseason and a rip roarin' western gathering.Get your boots and saddles and head on upfor this leap back to the good ol' wild westdays. The 2 day event is held at McNalleyRodeo Arena in Kernville at 1:00 p.m.

KernvilleRodeo History

Irwin Wofford had the contract to providehorses and cattle for these Westerns and JohnE. McNally, Jr. was one of the ranchers whorented out his stock to the movies. In the 40sand 50s, McNally also supplied horses andcattle for rodeos as far away as Nevada andOregon. He supplied animals for theKernville Rodeo and maintained the groundsand buildings for several years. The KernvilleChamber of Commerce named those rodeogrounds the "John E. McNally RodeoGrounds" and they remain in active use.McNally also worked as a logging truck driv-er for Mount Whitney Lumber Company. Hedrove a DW-20 while working on the IsabellaDam project in the late 40s, early 1950s.Along with author/historian, Ardis ManlyWalker, John helped to start the annualWhiskey Flat Days Parade in 1957 and he wasthere announcing from a portable stand inCircle Park for 28 years. He also served as theparade's Grand Marshall. Before his death atage 94 in July 2007, John E. McNally, Jr. said,"I wouldn't trade anything I've done. I'd do itall over again. My life has been very interest-ing with lots of experiences."

Barrel RacingIn this event, time is the only enemy and

horsemanship is a rider's greatest weapon.Because of barrel racing's fast and furiouspace it is always a crowd favorite. Each con-testant enters the arena on a sprinting quarterhorse at full gallop. An electronic eye beginstime the moment the rider enters and endsthe instant they leave. Every contestant mustride a cloverleaf pattern around three barrelsbefore exiting the arena. A five-second penal-ty is awarded for each overturned barrel;however no penalty is given for touching ormoving a barrel. The final times are recordedto the hundredths of a second.

Bull RidingThis is one rodeo contest the novice spec-

tator can enjoy fully as much as does the hardcore fan. It, of course, demands athletic skilland hard-won knowhow. But, essentially thisis a contest of raw courage and a true, deep-seated spirit of try. In short, it takes good,honest guts.

A loose rope straps a man's hand to three-quarters of a ton of awesome power. Thereisn't time to think and react. It must be natu-ral, automatic coordination and determina-tion that keeps the man on top. If the spirithesitates for a split second, even subcon-sciously, the rider is doomed.

Though the rider isn't required to movehis feet as in bronc riding, you will see manycowboys do so. They are scrambling to keepcontact with the bull, whose power is toogreat to permit a solid lasting hold with therider's feet. The animal is still judged for howhard he bucks, and the bulls that perform in atight, fast spin usually draw the highestscores.

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.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 a rideas seen anywhere. Each buckaroo is awardeda ribbon and bandana for their daredevilride.

Hide RacingThe hide race is exciting and unique to

the Kern River Valley. The race consists of ateam 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 the otherend of the rope usually dallied around thesaddle 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, turningand eating arena dirt at breakneck speed. Theteam with the fastest time wins.

Bell CalfRoping

For this event, the calves have turned intoyoung steers. A group of steers is turnedloose in the arena, and one wears a bell

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 a widearc. His teammate, the "heeler," who ridesfrom the right box, stays behind the steeruntil the header turns it. The heeler's task isto rope both the steer's back legs with onethrow. If he manages to catch only one hindfoot, the team receives a five-second penal-ty. Time is stopped when both ropes aretight and cowboy's horses are facing eachother.

Bull RidingSitting atop an 1,800 pound bull is a dan-

gerous and often terrifying experience.However, if a rider has enough courage,lightening reflexes, strong muscles and thebody control of a gymnast, he can have asuccessful ride. A flat-braided rope is thehandhold a rider has in this roughstockevent. Using his grip and some dry resin, hekeeps that rope tight around the girth of thebull, just behind the front legs. The ride issupposed to last eight seconds and pointsare awarded for an aggressive riding styleand for the bucking ability of the animal.Additional points can be earned if the rideruses spurs or "marks out"; however that isnot required.

Kernville's Whiskey Flat wild West Daze RodeoJohn E. McNally Arena Kernville Saturday & Sunday february 16th & 17th


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RodeoTreminolgyWhiskey 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 event entered.

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-second ride he is said to be pulling leather, or"grabbing 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 cow-boy is not afforded a fair opportunity to show hisbest, such as a chute-fighting animal that is impos-sible to get mounted on, when the animal falls ordrags the cowboy off the chute gate.

RowelCircular, notched, bluntly pointed and free-

wheeling portion of a spur. They do not cut abronc or bull.Score

1. Distance between the chute opening andthe 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 16th & 17th

Vintage photo courtesy of Chuck BarbeeThe A. Brown Store was in the center of Old Kernville.


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The gentle citizens of Whiskey Flat haverebelled against proposed taxes on bingo.

“I’ll rip their arms off and feed them to myhogs,” screamed Lettie Honeybutter, who nor-mally spends her days doing pettipoint and mak-ing lace curtains while listening to her Victrolawhen she’s not playing bingo down at theWhiskey Flat Social Hall. “Nobody messes withmy bingo!” Only she didn’t say “messes.”

Unleashing a string of profanities that wouldleave a motorcycle gang member staring inshock, Lettie raised her cane and made a threat-ening motion toward the Claim Jumper reporter.

“I only have my Social Security check and mycouple of thousand shares in AmericanTelephone & Telegraph. And that’ll never beworth nothin’,” said Lettie as she quivered inindignation.

“What’ll they take next, my false teeth?”

The Whiskey Flat city fathers claim that theyneed to tax the paltry sums that senior citizenswin from bingo.

“We gotta raise taxes so we city fathers canget our semi-annual, semi-monthly, semi-hourlyand semi-minutely raises,” said ToadlyLardbottom, a city father (well, he’s father toabout half of the kids in Whiskey Flat, anyway).

Scheduled for further taxation are baby bug-gies, baby buggie bumpers (a separate tax) andrubber baby buggy bumpers (a separate tax fromthe regular, non-rubber baby buggy bumpers).Oh, and babies will now be taxed as well.

“And if we could figure out how to tax theactual act of procreation, we’d tax that too,”thundered Lardbottom.

Safe from taxes for now are people’s land andtheir incomes, but who knows, someday theguvmint will figger out how to do that too.

Whiskey Flattians fightback against bingo taxes

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Doping scandal hitsfrog-jumping contest

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.

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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 for

drugs and came up positive.“This is a scandal of the highest

proportion!” hollered the currentmayor of Whiskey Flat, “Flower FillySue.” “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.”

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Mattress shortage causes Mrs. Tuttle'sTea and Ale House to close down

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 enough

for us."Her 19 serving girls are out of

work, she explained, until some newmattresses can be procured.

"Some of them girls just really loveto peddle their tea and ale on mattress-es" she said," and they can't wait to getback to work."


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