March 2022 Big Bear Today Magazine

Page 10—March 2022
`Freezin’ for reason’ at Polar Plunge
Big Bear Today
“Freezin’ for a Reason,” the 10th annual
Polar Plunge into Big Bear Lake, returns
April 2, as participants get wet in a
“cool” fundraiser.
Brazen swimmers have a “License to
Chill” as they run, walk or dance their way
into the lake at Veterans Park, where they
can expect water temperatures dipping into
the 30’s. All to raise money for Inland Empire
Region’s Special Olympics of Southern
California. Big Bear’s event has become
one of the region’s largest and most
popular, annually attracting hundreds of
plungers who raise $100,000 or more each
year.
Plungers decide how long they stay
in the water, be it for a minute or longer.
Some only get their ankles wet while others
swim around till lifeguards make them
get out of the water. Portable hot spas apres
plunge help ward off the chill.
Participants pay for the privilege, with
those raising at least $50 in pledges from
`Lilies of the Field’
The classic tale of a traveling handyman
who befriends a group of German
nuns Lilies of the Field comes to life at Big
Bear High School’s Little Theater on
March 4-6 and 11-13.
Join talented student performers as
they present the family-friendly drama by
F. Andrew Leslie, adapted from the novel
by William E. Barrett. Handyman Homer
Smith, played by Mark Karnopp, answers
the prayers of the nuns which in turn leads
to self-discovery and faith that changes his
life, and the lives of the nuns, forever.
Cast members include Brad Bishop as
Father Gomez, Sophia DeMarco as Mother
Maria Marthe, Juliana Toner as Sister
Elizabeth, and Charlotte Boda as Sister
Gertrud.
Shows are at 7 p.m. with 2 p.m. Sunday
matinees. Tickets are $15, senior/student
$10, available at the door (351 Maple
Lane) or online at bbhspac.booktix.com.
family, friends and coworkers receiving an
official Polar Plunge longsleeve T-shirt,
goody bag and lunch. Along with 2-for-1
lift ticket at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain.
Raise more than $50 and there’s additional
cool prizes like towels, hoodies,
duffle bags with tumbler and solar backpack.
Special Olympics supporters who
prefer to stay out of the water can stay in
the “chicken coop” for $50 in pledges and
receive a “I’m Too Chicken to Plunge” T-
shirt along with the other goodies.
Be sure to bring cameras along for
photos and video to prove you really got
wet during winter months. Costumes are a
staple at Polar Plunge events, almost like
Halloween, and awards are given for the
best, judged by creativity and how wacky
they are.
“All it takes is a few seconds in the
chilly water for plungers to discover why
we refer to it as `Freezin’ for a Reason,’ ”
said Special Olympics Southern California
regional director Abbey Leffler. “They
will immediately feel their hearts warm up
with joy because they know they are giving
to a great cause. Eighty six cents of
every dollar raised goes directly to Special
Olympics program costs.”
Opening ceremonies at 11:45 a.m. include
a special torch arrival by the San Bernardino
County Sheriff’s Department.
Other Polar Plunge activities include family
fun area with games, rock wall (weather
permitting), arts and crafts, entertainment,
law enforcement and fire department displays,
and more.
Register at Veteran’s Park at 10 a.m.
with coffee and pastries with plungers
jumping in at noon. Admission for spectators
is free and they can purchase lunch
for $5. Proceeds provide year-round training
and sports programs for those with intellectual
disabilities in the Inland Empire.
Register as a plunger by calling (951)
703-6502 or www.sosc.org/bigbearplunge.
Jump in the lake for a good cause at the annual Polar Plunge on April 2
Rare Doble tales, photos at meeting
Join author Anne Roark for a “Fresh
Look at Doble,” the venerable old mining
town that first put Big Bear on the map,
during a free presentation on March 10.
At Big Bear Valley Historical
Society’s monthly general meeting, Roark,
author of “When Big Bear Was Wild and
Wooly,” will present little known tales and
photos of Doble, some of which come from
her book. Much of the book’s material is
the result of research by Anne and Rip
Rosemier, who began interviewing mountain
old timers in the 1960’s.
The pair’s plans to write a book based
on their interviews, which continued
through 1971, never materialized. Roark
inherited the research and brought the book
to fruition, letting the subjects tell their own
stories based on their own recollections.
Many photos and maps accompany
the interviews, which were carefully transcribed
and verified when possible. The
memoirs are from people who came to Big
Bear from 1900-1910, but the stories span
much longer, stretching back to the wild
west days of Doble.
Roark’s book will be available for sale
and signing by the author. Opportunity
drawing and refreshments including delicious
desserts are other highlights.
The 7 p.m. meeting, free and open to
the public, is held at Bridges Presbyterian
Fellowship at 579 Knickerbocker in Big
Bear Village.
Wyatt’s bands...
Continued from page 8
turns April 1-2 with Terry McRaven Band
on April 9 and 22. Cumberland Gap plays
April 15 and 29-30 with American River
Band on April 16.
Cowboy Church under the pine trees
is held at Wyatt’s each Saturday at 1 p.m.
Enjoy an inspiring nondenominational service
with message by Pastor Eric.
Wyatt’s at the Convention Center is on
the boulevard at Division 1-1/2 miles east
of the supermarkets. Call (909) 585-3000.
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