What's Up in Bear Valley Springs?

Our valley has lost two noteworthy members in the past few weeks. Eldon (Don) Kordes was well-known as a member of the CSD Board for a few years. He was also very talented as a woodcarver and donated pieces to the Tehachapi Heritage Museum.

As a veteran, he will be interred at Bakersfield National Cemetery on April 3 at 10:45 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Tehachapi Heritage Museum at noon that day. Meanwhile, his carvings will be on display through the month of March at the museum.

James Phillips Carmichael has also been lost to us. He passed on Feb. 18. Jim, as he was fondly known, was very active in the community and very well known as our local bagpiper. He played at all the services at the Veteran’s Memorial at Cub Lake, as well as being a Scout Master, a ranger, a docent at the Tehachapi Depot Museum, a member of VIPS for the Tehachapi Police Department and a member of the Masonic Lodge, to name just a few of his contributions. And he played the bagpipes at Bakersfield National Cemetery to honor his veteran brothers. He even played at the Grand Opening of the Nature path in BVS, across from Cub Lake. His service was held on March 11 at Tehachapi Community Church with interment at Bakersfield National Cemetery and a reception at the American Legion Hall.

Heartfelt condolences go to the families of each of these noteworthy men.

Bear Valley Springs is a private gated community in which the residents pay an annual association amenities fee. To visit, a non-member or non-resident must arrange with a friend or family member in the community for a guest pass that would permit them to engage in the activities. Guest passes will be checked.