November, 2016

Wawona’s New Look!

PG&E crews are removing all

dead/diseased trees in Wawona
that are 100’ in either direction
from their power lines.

If you have other trees on your

property that are dead or dying,
The Park Service strongly recom-
mends that you cut down any that
may fall on your house or on a
neighbor’s house or on an access
road before a high wind or heavy
snowfall.
 WAWONA RANGER UPDATE
Eric Scott ~ Wawona District Ranger

As the park transitions from a warm, busy fall season into the winter season, I wanted to pass
along some updates on various projects going on. Beginning the second week of November,
Federal Highways will place K rails along the roadside and blocking the current exit lane going
out. The temporary exit lane will be driving to the old three way intersection. The diversion is so
Federal Highways can begin working on the new large traffic circle that will control the intersec-
tion of Hwy. 41 and the Mariposa Grove Road. This construction and traffic diversion will contin-
ue throughout the winter and early spring until the traffic circle is completed. This roundabout
project also includes resurfacing Hwy. 41 from the Park boundary to just North of the South En-
trance where the Hwy. 41 resurfacing project started in 2010.

Crews from the Wawona Fire Station have been working hard to complete construction of a new
structural fire training facility located adjacent to the new fire station. The live fire facility will
allow Yosemite structural firefighters to train using live fire burn exercises inside the metal struc-
ture. It also will allow Yosemite NP to host the NPS Basic Structural Firefighter classes to other
national parks that have brigade members to get certified and maintain their live fire refreshers.
Special thanks to Wawona Station Captain Parker Bevington, Firefighters Kyle Cook, Hank Knox,
Shanelle Saunders and others who worked so hard to get this facility put together.

As the winter driving season quickly approaches, I also wanted to remind residents and property
owners to ensure the vehicles you are driving in Yosemite are ready for the quickly changing
driving conditions. Most importantly, ensure you vehicle tires are in good condition with ade-
quate tread. See below for more details about Chain Control in Yosemite.

TRAFFIC ALERT – WINTER CONDITIONS

Winter conditions now exist in Yosemite National Park. Drivers must be able to install their own
chains on the proper wheel axle. Chain installation charts can be obtained at the following web-
site: http://www.dot.ca.gov/cttravel/winter.html
Chain Requirements:
Autos & Pickups with Snow Tires OK (R1): Chains or tractions devices are required on the
drive axle of all vehicles without snow tires (M/S, M+S, MS, or Mud and Snow stamp on
sidewall AND a minimum of 6/32” tread depth). Additionally, all vehicles over 6000
pounds unladen weight must install chains. If a 4WD vehicle is between 6000 and 6500
pounds unladen weight, it does not need to install chains but it does need to activate
4WD.
4WD with Snow Tires OK (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except
4WD/AWD vehicles under 6500 pounds unladen weight with snow tires.
No Exceptions (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on ALL vehicles with no excep-
tions.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the Wawona Ranger Office, (209) 375
-9520, or by email: Eric_scott@nps.gov.
 The Redwoods In Yosemite
Donna Davis ~ Vice President & General Manager

The Redwoods In Yosemite Gift Shop is filled

with holiday decorations and unique gifts for
your Christmas shopping. Mention this ad
and get 15% off of your entire non sale items
purchase.

Arriving in December we will have 4 students

from Bolivia on our Redwoods Team. If you
have any winter projects that you'd like a
little help with please call Donna at 375-6670.

We have openings for holiday parties at The Redwoods Event Center. Local residents receive
a 50% discount on the Event Center rental. Non profit organizations are Free all winter. Call
Janine at 375-6666 to book your event

UC Merced Yosemite Field Station

Anne Kelly ~ Director

“Happy Holidays” from UC Merced’s Yosemite Field Sta-

tion! We’re planning some great events in the coming
months; please email akelly5@ucmerced.edu to join our
mailing list, or stop by the office at 7799 Chilnualna Falls
any time!”

Yosemite Updates

Please note that the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is currently closed for restoration until
2017. Learn more from the National Park Service: Restoration of the Mariposa Grove.
 Big Tree’s Winter Holiday Schedule
Welcome to the holiday season at the Big Tree’s Lodge!
Friday, December 16th – Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
2:30pm – The Big Tree’s Lodge doors open, revealing our traditional holiday décor.
Master of Ceremonies Tom Bopp
5:00pm to 9:30pm – Big Tree’s annual tree lighting ceremony complete with singing and stories.
5:00pm to 6:00pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
*************
Saturday, December 17th – Christmas Ornament Making
2:30pm to 5:00pm – Christmas ornamental gourd painting in the Petite Dining room located in the main lodge. Display your ornament on a tree in
the main lodge.
4pm to 5pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
5:30pm to 9:30pm – Enjoy Tom Bopp’s musical travels through the Wawona History.
***********
Sunday, December 18th – Holiday Bingo
2:30pm to 4pm – Holiday Bingo will be played in the Petite Dining room ~ fun for the whole family.
4pm to 5pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
***********
Monday, December 19th - Christmas Ornament Making
2:30pm to 5:00pm – Christmas snowflake making will be taking place in the Petite Dining room. Display your ornament on a tree in the main lodge.
4pm to 5pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
************
Tuesday, December 20th – Crackling Fire Ambience
4pm to 5pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
************
Wednesday, December 21st – Winter Solstice
2:30pm to 5:00pm – Christmas ornamental gourd painting in the Petite Dining. Display your ornament on a tree in the main lodge.
4pm to 5pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
5:30pm to 9:30pm – Enjoy Tom Bopp’s musical travels through the Wawona History.
6pm - Burning of the Traditional Yule Log in the Lobby.
************
Thursday, December 22nd – Holiday Cookie Decorating
2:30pm to 5pm – Cookie decorating will be taking place in the Petite Dining room located in the main lodge.
4pm to 5pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
 Friday, December 23rd – Graham Cracker House Making
2:30m to 5pm – Graham Cracker house making in the Petite Dining room ~ fun for all ages. Share your creation in the dining room.
4pm to 5pm - Complimentary cookie and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate served in the lobby
***********
Saturday, December 24th – Christmas Eve Celebration
2pm – Santa Claus comes to Big Tree’s Lodge for storytelling and photo opportunities with the kids.
Santa Claus will present gifts and read a story by the fireplace.
Bring gifts to the Front Desk before noon, one gift per person. Label gifts with first name and last name.
2pm to 3pm - Cookies and Chef’s specialty hot chocolate for everyone to enjoy in the lobby.
5:30pm to 9:30pm – Tom Bopp at the piano with vintage and holiday favorites.
************
Sunday, December 25th – Christmas Day Celebration
12pm to 9pm – Traditional Christmas Dinner served in the Big Tree’s Lodge Dining room.
-Advance reservations are required for dinner
5:30pm to 9:30pm - Join Tom Bopp at the piano with carols and holiday favorites.
************
Monday, December 26th
Enjoy an evening in the lobby by the fire with board games and puzzles available at the Front Desk.
***********
Tuesday, December 27th
Enjoy an evening in the lobby by the fire with board games and puzzles available at the Front Desk.
**********
Wednesday, December 28th
530pm to 930pm – Enjoy Tom Bopp’s “Songs of comfort” from yesteryear.
***********
Thursday, December 29th
530pm to 930pm – Enjoy Tom Bopp’s piano and vocal stylings.
7pm to 8pm – Enjoy a fireside story telling program in the Sunroom.
***********
Friday, December 30th
530pm to 930pm – Tom Bopp at the piano serving up musical warmth for the winter night.
***********
Saturday December 31st – New Year’s Eve Celebration
530pm to 10pm – Tom Bopp begins the New Year’s Eve Celebration with his dazzling array of musical selections at the piano.
10pm to Midnight – Live music by the…….
530pm to 10pm – New Year’s Eve Dinner in the dining room Advanced reservations required for dinner
************
Sunday, January 1st – Big Tree’s Lodge Closing for the Season ~ Guests must check out by 12pm.
***********
Happy New Year ~ 2017
 Important Web Site:
Check out local events and news
on the Wawona website:
www.wawonanews.com
Many thanks to Fede Peinado for
maintaining our
www.wawonanews.com website!
Wawona School News
For the latest Yosemite
Wawona Elementary Charter
School news, check out the
school website:
www.yosemitewawonacharter
.org
No- vember 24 : Happy Thanksgiv-
ing!
November 27—December 16:Wawona Hotel Closed
December 16: Wawona Hotel reopens for the holi-
days
December 16: Wawona Hotel Annual Tree Lighting
Dinner 5 p.m.
January 1: Wawona Hotel Closes for the Winter after
Sunday Breakfast
Hotel Reopens for the 2017 Season: Date TBA
April 8: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9.a.m.
April 8: Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter
School Silent Auction and BBQ 11:30 a.m.
June 3: WAPOA Wawona Community Center 9 a.m.
June Date TBA : Pine Needle Pickup
September 2: Wawona Friends of the Library Book/
Bake/Craft Sale
September 9: WAPOA Wawona Community Center
9 a.m.
September 9: Large item pickup
 Friends of the Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona

NEWSLETTER
PO Box 2008, Wawona, CA 95389 November, 2016

Community Appreciation Extra Summer Hours Challenge

The 20th annual Book, Bake and
THANK YOU, SARA!!!
Craft Sale held on September 3 was
Thanks to everyone who made donations to-
another success with sales and dona-
wards the Extra Summer Hours Challenge.
tions totaling over $2000!
Sara Miller McCune matched the dollars do-
The Friends of the Bassett Memorial
nated and we were able to keep the library
Library and chairperson Kathy Scott
open 6 days a week from Memorial Day to
would like to thank all of the volun-
Labor Day—adding 3 days to the County
teers who donated books, baked
funded 3 days a week. We found most of the
goods, crafts and hours of work to
extra hours were used by the Redwoods sum-
support our community library.
mer guests, hotel guests, and campers from
the Wawona Campground.

August ~ November 2016

Memorial Donations
Wawona Bassett Memorial Library
Hours
Labor Day 2016 through Memorial Day 2017
209-375-6510
Free Internet & Wi-Fi Available
Monday: Noon – 5 PM
Wednesday: Noon – 5 PM
Russ &Teresa Bassett
Friday: Noon – 5 PM
Winnie McCarty
Saturday: 10 AM – 3 PM
Betty Morrelli
Don Robinson Closed Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday,
Scott Sanders & Holidays
Frank & Margie Yost
 Wawona Community Newsletter
P.O. Box 2008
Wawona, CA 95389

2016 MEMBERSHIP WAWONA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Please print information for mailing list: April 1 ~ March 31

Name_____________________________________________________ Phone___________________

Address_________________________________________ City_____________________Zip________
Membership Categories: Email Address_______________________
___Individual $ 5.00 ___Gold Friend $15.00
___Family $ 10.00 ___Gold Panner $25.00
___Business $ 50.00 ___Gold Miner $50.00
___Life $ 100.00 ___Gold Strike $75.00
___Golden Patron $ 500.00 ___Wawona Fund Booster Unlimited
Additional Contributions: (Include address for acknowledgement)

$_____Memorial for (Name)_________________________________________________________________________

$_____Gift in honor of (Name)________________________________________________________________________

$_____Extra Hours Donation_________________________________________________________________________

I am interested in assisting with the following:

___Membership ___Telephoning ___Volunteering in library
___Serving on the Board of Directors ___Fundraising ___Book Sale
___Help at Special Events ___Newsletter ___Other

Make checks payable to:

WAWONA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ALL DUES AND DONATIONS ARE

P.O. Box 2008 TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
WAWONA, CA 95389