Hikers take part in the first Sierra Club Wildflower Walk of the year on Saturday, April 10, 2011. Photo courtesy of Kim Riley.

The walk was led by Karen Sullivan and Kim Riley, along with Sierra Club hike leader Steve Devoto.

Plants were identified by both Latin and common names by botanist Ed Dearing.

As an added, unplanned surprise, bird photographer and naturalist Brad Barnwell was coincidentally at Highland Springs as well and loaned binoculars to the wildflower group to view a soaring bald eagle above the dam parking area.

The weather was perfect for hiking around the different trails in search of bitterroot, butter and eggs, popcorn flower, blue larkspur, scarlet larkspur, baby blue eyes, purple mouse ears, shooting stars, sickle leaved onion, birds eye gillia, cream cups, Western Hounds Tongue, checker lily, California Fawn Lily, lupine, California Buttercups, goldfields, white baby blue eyes, Indian warrior, blue eyed Mary, and Purdy's Lily.

Whew! And there’s more blooming left to come!

More wildflower pictures can be seen on the new kiosk at the Highland Springs dam parking area or, better yet, come to our next Sierra Club Wildflower Walk on Sunday, May 1, 9 a.m.

You can make your reservations by emailing Steve Devoto at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information about the trails at Highland Springs, contact Highland Springs Trails Volunteers Karen Sullivan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Kim Riley This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Some of the wildflowers seen along the Sierra Club Wildflower Walk of the year on Saturday, April 10, 2011. Photo courtesy of Kim Riley.

The new kiosk at the Highland Springs dam parking area features wildflower pictures. Photo courtesy of Kim Riley.

This event is at the Middletown Methodist Church Social Hall, 15833 Armstrong at Washington, Middletown starting at noon.

Lunch reservations are requested.

Lunch will be served by Catholic Charities Rural Food Program volunteers at a cost of $5 per person.

For lunch reservations and information, contact Helen Whitney, 707-928-9812 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Middletown Luncheon Club (MLC) meets every third Wednesday of the month from January through November, providing informative speakers and presentations to the community.

Different local nonprofit organizations provide lunch each month and receive a donation.

The sale will take place at 375 E. Highway 20 in Upper Lake.

The group is raising money for high school scholarships.

Donations are being accepted for this event.

Please call 707-349-0636 if you have anything to donate.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Foster's Freeze, located at 6252 E. Highway 20 in Lucerne.

Pregathering starts at 11 a.m.

The public is welcome.

The 2010 Lake County Rodeo provided plenty of action, and organizers are planning an exciting event for 2011. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Rodeo Association.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Rodeo Association is preparing to bring the 82nd annual Lake County Rodeo to the fairgrounds in Lakeport on July 8 and 9.

The association board of directors is pleased to announce the names of the following persons recently inducted as new directors for the Association: Lloyd Wells of Lakeport, Johnny Jones of Kelseyville, Juan Dominguez of Kelseyville, Angel Purdy of Lakeport, 2008 Rodeo Queen Stormie Shores of Kelseyville and Lou Riccardi of Lakeport.

A new feature this year is a special rodeo kick off dinner/dance being held on Saturday, May 14, in Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Rodeo President Steve Estrada said the dance is a fundraiser so the group can have sufficient funds to help them bring the rodeo to the community.

Tickets for the dinner and dance are $25 per person with dinner being served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and dancing from 8 p.m. to midnight, featuring Lake County’s own LC Diamonds.

“We know folks really enjoy dancing to the LC Diamonds, “so it should be a great evening for everyone,” said Lou Riccardi, co-chair for the event.

Angel Purdy, co-chairing with Riccardi, has been working hard on soliciting raffle prizes from around the county.

Tickets for May 14 are available from rodeo directors or at the Lake County Chamber, 875 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport at Vista Point.

Current Lake County Rodeo Association Officers are President Steve Estrada; Vice President Adam Peters; Secretary Greg Scott; Treasurer Melissa Fulton; and Past President John Fulton.

The association began working on the 82nd annual rodeo last August, following the successful 81st annual rodeo in July 2010.

Sponsors for the 82nd annual rodeo in 2011 to date are Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino, Platinum Spur Sponsor; Eagle Distributing in Ukiah is sponsoring the Rodeo Dance on Saturday, July 9; Kelseyville Pharmacy is once again sponsoring the Barrel Races, with Greg Scott and Stormie Shores co-sponsoring the Local Team Roping Buckles. The Clear Lake Junior Horsemen and the Scotts Valley 4H Horse Group are sponsoring the Cutest Cowpoke Contest again this year.

Two very popular activities for children at the rodeo are the cutest cowpoke contest for boys and girls ages 4 to 8 years and mutton bustin’, also open to boys and girls up to 8 years who do not weigh more than 50 pounds on the night they ride.

Applications will be available at the May 14 dinner/dance and also on the rodeo Web site at www.lakecountyrodeo.com.

Applications for the local team roping and local barrel races are available on the Web site. This newly updated and vastly improved Web site has been created by Marc Hooper, who is still adding features.

On Saturday, July 9, at 11 a.m. on Main Street in Lakeport, the annual Lake County Rodeo Parade will take place.

Parade Chairs Lonne Sloan and Teresa Harborth have already been at work on this years’ parade.

The 2011 Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal is Patty Patton, who has been involved in the Lake County equestrian world for decades.

“This is a California State Horsemen’s Association sanctioned parade, so we know many equestrians will be participating,” said Sloan.

Kim Cipro of Middletown is the California State Horsemen’s Association-sanctioned judge for all equestrian entries. The parade is also open to all farm related equipment including antique tractors.

The Lake County Rodeo is an all-professional rodeo, sanctioned by the California Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association, with all the pro rodeo events you would expect at a professional rodeo.

West Coast Rodeo out of Fortuna, a well-respected company which provides stock for many California rodeos, is the stock contractor for the Lake County Rodeo.

The excitement will begin at 6 p.m. each day, one hour earlier than in the past.

Leading off the evening will be the Diablo Ladies Drill Team and the mutton bustin’ event. The Clear Lake Junior Horsemen’s Drill Team also will be performing each evening.

The 2011 Rodeo Queen and Princess Competition package is also available on the rodeo Web site. The competition is open to young women in Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Colusa and Napa counties.

Look for more Lake County Rodeo news and updates soon.

The Lake County Genealogical Society maintains the Lenore Clark Genealogy Library, which is located inside the Lake County Visitor Information Center building, 6110 E. Highway 20, Lucerne.

The library has a large collection of historical and genealogical information on Lake County.

This collection also includes books from other states, maps and charts to do your family research.

Volunteers from the Lake County Genealogical Society are available to assist researchers Thursdays, Fridays and the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and other times, by appointment.

Contact Research Coordinator Anita Crabtree at 707-275-2144 for more information.