Lighting up Happy Camp Town for the Holiday!

How was your Christmas? That first Christmas wasn’t like any of us had this year, no doubt none of us were living in a stable. We didn’t have shepherds visit us after hearing angelic proclamations, or even wise men traveling from afar.

This year was different for many families, due to COVID-19. It was different for half the families in Happy Camp that are living in new places, most likely a Recreation vehicle or a trailer. My husband and I were blessed to be able to spend time together celebrating Christ’s birth at home, after I hadn’t been able to visit him in a care facility for about seven weeks!. I think we will be eating delicious leftovers for the next few days thanks to friends who brought us a Christmas Dinner. Such an appreciated kindness!

Many in Happy Camp have worked so diligently to promotes the joy and happiness of our town! Almost afraid to mention same of those with such generous hearts, because with all the loving kindness and thoughtful sharing, I’m sure to miss some.

We have been especially blessed by seeing the Community Christmas tree out in front of the Forest Service District Administration Building. That old tree Looks better than it has for years! It was trimmed up with new lights and a big star to top it all off. The Happy Camp Volunteer Fire Department did the work of getting it all together with help from Home Depot and Mountain Enterprises to help make our evenings merry and bright.

There was the Parade with lighted vehicles of all kinds, then for the tree lighting at the Forest Service Parking lot. Then a drive through with Santa and the kids got a number of treats!

One spot in town wasn’t enough! Driving home one evening around Thanksgiving I enjoyed seeing a bright Candy Land themed display at the Goodwin’s log cabin on Curly Jack Road1 It was great! Lifted spirits right away!

It was so heartening, that a group got together offering a $100 cash prize for the best lit home in Happy Camp. They probably didn’t expect the difficulty that they’d have selecting the winner! Many of those who still have homes got busy and decorated in order to lift the spirits of everyone in Happy Camp. It was amazing to see. Then a list was published and families could drive around and view the lights and make their vote.

The winner of the first place decorated home was Phil Parashis with a home on 700 Jacobs Way. Second place was Barb Snider with a home behind the Sub Stations. We’ve always enjoyed Kathy Tolands decorated home in Indian Meadows at 500 Indian Meadows Drive and it was looking great this year too. The Goodwin home of Doug and Jeanne at 1245 Curly Jack Road came in fourth place and was one of a number of brightly lit Curly Jack homes. Another got the 5th place, Betty Gates at 1418 Curly Jack Road.

Congratulations to those that won and to everyone that participated, we wish there was a prize for all of you.All brightened the view for everyone passing. It looked like everyone had fun decorating. You all did an excellent job lighting up our town. Are you looking forward to doing this again next yea– better even then the past.

The organizers wanted to say, “Thank you so much to the Happy Camp organizations, Connor Cardlock and the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority for your generous donations. You helped make this a exciting and fun event.”

There were businesses, like Kingfisher with lights, and Pizza House with painted windows with reindeers sharing pizza and elves and stockings. The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce would like to add a prize for the best business decorations. We would like to thank the organizers of the event this year, who wished everyone a, “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, stay safe everyone ??”

It’s Christmas time all over Happy Camp!

“It’s Christmas time all over the world, and Christmas here at home”…..here in Happy Camp we are enjoying Christmas.

David & Melissa Art & Cookies at the Grange

Carol Sharp serves soup!

Chris at the Grange Holiday Faire


The First Saturday was the Grange Holiday Craft Faire at the Happy Camp Grange.
The Second Saturday was the Christmas Lights Parade.
The third Saturday will be the Kids Christmas Party.
But the Fourth will be just before Christmas!

“It’s Christmas Time All Over The World
It’s Christmas here at home
The church bells chime wherever we roam
Så riktig god jul [Norwegian]
Feliz natal [Portuguese]
Shenoraavor Nor Dari (Dari) [Armenian]
To you……….It’s Christmas Time All Over The World

“In places near and far
And so my friend wherever you are
Ein fröhliches Weihnachten [German]
Kala Christougenna [Greek]
Yoi kurisumasu [Japanese]
This means a very merry Christmas (Christmas, Christmas)
To you”

Lyrics by Sammy Davis Jr.

Can Anyone tell me What Christmas Is All About?

christmascharleibrown
by Judy Bushy
We are going to see a Charlie Brown’s Christmas. I know, it is old. When I was working at the Art Instruction Schools office in 1965, Charles Schultz was one of our artist instructors for those who wanted to learn cartooning. At the same time, he was having his first full length movie, Charlie Brown’s Christmas. I’m sure you ‘ve heard it. It has a lilting little tune that stays in your head even when you haven’t heard it for a very long time but brings to mind Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and all the gang.

Last time we had to venture out of town, we did a little shopping. Mostly window shopping since trips usually fall before payday!!. It is ironic that one has to drive, usually at least an hour and a half, to go into the doctor’s office for fifteen minutes for lab tests! I shouldn’t complain, that’s better than the trip to Redding or Sacramento for the same lab tests!! But once one has driven all that way, some refreshments if not a full meal are required, gas and usually some little thing you’ve been waiting a week or a month to get out to where purchase is possible!

I was surprised. There were lots of decorations, snowmen, snowflakes, red ribbons and baubles and bows….but didn’t see one single thing that would tell whose Birthday we celebrate at Christmas. There was a interview on the street asking many people who were the people at the first Thanksgiving in America and none of them knew it was “pilgrims.” The only exception seems to be in the greeting card department, maybe only grandparents send cards anymore?

So I’m going to get busy and write some letters and watch Charlie Brown Christmas, because Linus knows why we celebrate Christmas!
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
““That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown

Santa Claus is coming to Happy Camp Town!

All Deced out for first meeting Santa!

ShuttleBugs Helped Santa & Serving Refreshments


by Judy E. Bushy

Thanks to Cathleen Searle for being in charge of the Community Tree Lighting plans for the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to all the others who helped with this event! Scott Valley Bank popped popcorn.Volunteer Fire made sure that Santa arrived in the fire truck. Friday, December 5th.

This annual event is held in the Forest Service Parking lot on Highway 96. The Shuttlebugs led by Dinah from Forest Lodge Motel will be serving refreshments. Chamber president, Bob “Javabob” Schmalzbach, offered to help hand out popcorn and apple cider, also. The ladies at the Scott Valley Bank popped the popcorn.

Chamber Member, Dan Effman, had his Kwik Dogs cart available for hot dogs and delicious hot chocolate for those who didn’t have time for supper.

That special visitor with white whiskers and a red suit will be arriving thanks to the Happy Camp Volunteer Firemen. Plan to bring the children. Don’t forget the mittens and caps to keep warm lining up to tell Santa their wishes and get their candy cane.

Happy Camp Elementary Holiday Show


Happy Camp Elementary Holiday Show

Patti Sherman had a bunch of Rocket students beating rhythms on drums and other percussion instruments. They practice after school and were amazing! After Casey Chambers welcomed everyone the 2nd & 3rd graders sang Rudolph and Jingle Bell Rock, Rock around the Christmas Tree. These beautiful singers were Syvana Arwood, Michael Beals Jr. Colin Brannon, Mekhia Gabriel, Keelan Hahn, Christian Kienlen, Chelsea Post, Rose Shuler, Shaggy Spence, Ian Tuttle, Hawkeye Valin and Matthew Wilson.

Rudtz Galindo played a piano solo and a duet with Eddie Davenport. The 1st & 2nd graders sang All I want for Christmas in My Two Front Teeth. Alyvia Arwood, Kaylee Bangs, Madeline Davis, Bridgett Aubrey-Harrison, Luke Robinson, Elyssa Thom, Timothy Thompson, Jessica Williams, Hannah Wilson. Elijah Beals, Blake Beals, Jozlynn Brink, Taylor Cortes, Kairi Harrison, Kimi Harrison Zachary Horvath, Justin Kroll, Luis Loya, Kohl Pinassi, Layla Titus, and Alexis Williams.

Then wise people with gold, frankincense and myrrh came on stage! They were accompanied by large colorfully wrapped packages. The Gifts that Don’t Cost was performed by the 4th grade class. The gifts were Joy, Peacebuilder, and Friendship etc. Lovely young Ella Galindo, was a beautifully decorated tree. The class sang O Christmas Tree and We Three Kings.
The 5th and 6th graders sang a rollicking version of Twelve Gifts of Christmas. Brittany Barnett, Dakota Estep, Maria Griffin, Malford “Chuuk” Harrison, Madison Offield, Matilda Peters, Lu-Lin Spence, Aaron Tuttle, Devon Tygart, Gage Welter, Travis Bledsoe, Kai Crockett, Samuel Davis, Beatrice Edwards, Nikkita Harrison, Miranda Hayes, Quinn Horvath, Curtis Kienlen, Carl Mayton, Jacob Rachal, Meranda Rasmussen, Nancy Shuler, Christopher Wilson and Silas Yamamoto. Silas kept singing the praises of the transistor radio!

The 7th and 8th graders had a special presentation of The Giving Tree, performed by Carl Blossomgame, Mitch Hokanson, Sydney Snider, Isabel Bryant, Emily Parry, Cierra Silva, Angel Griffin, Natalia Long, Jack Spence, Abigail Eadie, Ryan Randleman, Cody Sindle, Shawn Hillman Chauncey Lloyd, River Tuttle, Cody Haskell, Christian Robinson, and Taylor Soto. Mitch Hokanson also played some beautiful piano .

It was time for the littlest students to sing Up on the House Top and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The kindergarteners who sang were Ernie Beals, James Bledsoe, Emilie Cushman, Jason Day, Isabell Gomez, Charles Harrison, Michael Hauki, Devon Honza, Jessica Lantow, Alex Loya, Emily Mattson, Logan Nelson, Luis Osorio, Willow Rose, Priscilla Weeks and Spencer Wreath Jr.

The students returned to sing Winter Song first in the Karuk language , then in English. Then in a grand finale they sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Cody Sindle was the stage hand helping everyone for the performance. The teachers and staff at the school did an excellent job preparing the students for the performance.

A Happy Camp Christmas

2001 Community Christmas Dinner
2001 Community Christmas Dinner

Over 160 people came to dinner
Over 160 people came to the dinner.

Dinner was excellent
Dinner was excellent, as usual. Volunteers did a good job of decorating the old elementary school cafeteria – now the Karuk Community Center.

A good place for friends to meet
A good place for friends to meet.

Volunteer servers stayed busy
Volunteer servers stayed busy this year.

What a great dinner we had!

After weeks of rain and light snowfalls, Christmas in Happy Camp was sunny and unusually warm! We left our firesides to come together at the Karuk Community Center (the old elementary school cafeteria on 2nd Avenue) for another great holiday dinner.

Every Thanksgiving and Christmas for years now, the dinners have provided a community meeting place and food for anyone who wants it. While it gives us a wonderful alternative to the traditional family dinner for those who are far from their loved ones, or who might not have a family, it also is welcomed by Happy Campers who just want to be with the people who live in our town, remote as it is from the rest of the world.

Dinner is traditional. There’s always a turkey, dressing, ham, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans and corn, cranberry sauce and bread. At Thanksgiving we had green salad – this time someone made a big pink jello salad with marshmallows. A variety of beverages were served on a side table and at least three types of pies were served for dessert.

Outside, children played on the lawn and dogs waited for their owners, while a few adults chatted with one another in the sunshine.

These holiday dinners are very much appreciated. May they continue for many years to come!

Helen and Wilson Forbes with Coreen Davis and Scott Hampson
Helen and Wilson Forbes chat with musicians
Coreen Davis and her husband, Scott Hampson

Rae Walker and her daughter, Savannah
Rae Walker and her daughter, Savannah
helped serve the pies: pumpkin, peach and mincemeat.

1 2