Two young members of the Twentynine Palms Community were named as “Little Pioneers” Wednesday evening (10/15) as the 89th annual Pioneer Days celebration kicked off in Twentynine Palms.
 
The Annual Pioneer Days Little Pioneers program is a special event just for our youngest community members. Open to children ages 4-6, this fun and lighthearted program gives contestants the chance to shine as they answer simple, age-appropriate questions about their favorite hobbies, pets, talents, and more.
 
The event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms with Larissa (Jo-Jo) Rodney as the Master of Ceremonies. After a delightful interaction with the contestants, the volunteer judges selected Winners William Dandurand and Tammy Randall.
 
The 29 Palms Rotary Club, established March 15, 1948, is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall.

 
Photo:
William Dandurand and Tammy Randall high five each other after being named as “Little Pioneers” for the 89th annual Pioneer Days in Twentynine Palms. (Rotary Photo)

At a recent Demotion/Induction event, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms said thank you to outgoing 24-25 President P.J. Welch and swore Jermaine Rodney in as their new President for 25-26.
 
Rotary District 5330 Assistant Governor Bryan Sullivan was on hand to officiate at the event, which marked the end of the 24-25 Rotary year of service.
 
After swearing in Rodney, Sullivan then gave the oath of office to the new 2025-26 Board of Directors, John Cole, Dawn Benton, Jamie Wayt, P.J. Welch, Pat Welch, and Anna Stump.
 
Chartered in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org
 

The 29 Palms Rotary Club is making supporting excellence in education a priority this school year. During the past few months, they have awarded certificates and gift cards to local Teachers and students of the year chosen by the principals of 29 Palms area schools.
 
This week the club gave out significant scholarships to graduating seniors from both Twentynine Palms and Black Rock High schools. Seven scholarships in total were given out, with student essays being the criteria used to ascertain the eligibility and amounts, Rotarian John Cole headed up the club’s scholarship committee. Smaller amounts were awarded to four students with larger scholarships given to Maryam Langdon and Kieu Huynh of 29 Palms High School and Julia Scott from Blackrock Continuation High School.
With 22 members, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms meets on Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert meeting room.  

The Twentynine Palms Rotary Club continues its program of honoring outstanding students and teachers from our local schools. Under the leadership of Youth Services Chairman John Cole, the ongoing award presentations are part of the service club’s commitment to support and honor education.
 
At their meeting on May 28, 2025, honorees from Palm Vista Elementary and Twentynine Palms High Schools were feted. The Rotary Club awards a distinctive certificate and a gift card
 
For Palm Vista Elementary, Principal Dr. Claudette Onumah introduced their teacher of the year, Tracy Campese, saying, “Tracy started out at Palm Vista as a sub but quickly advanced into a classroom as a full-time teacher. She has a unique way of motivating kids to success and is working to bring more sports to the school.”  
 
For Palm Vista student of the year, Onumah introduced Godus Bernard, saying, “Godus is the type of student that says nothing can stop me! In addition to her positive attitude, she excels in her reading skills.”
 
For Twentynine Palms High School, principal Mike Ruggiero had high praise for his teacher of the year, Jean Caravella. “Jean makes Twentynine Palms High School a very special place”, he said. “Jean was a huge part of bringing a program to the school where kids can get college credits while taking high school classes and serves as our dual-enrollment liaison with Copper Mountain College. She teaches advanced placement classes and has cut the failure rate in some math classes by 50%.”
 
Caravella accepted the award, giving credit to the community, “I have taught in New York and Florida, and I am happier here because of the close-knit community and their support.”
 
The 29 Palms Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. They meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org.
 
 
Photos:
(From left) Palm Vista Elementary Principal, Dr. Claudette Unamah, joins the presentation for teacher and student of the year with Club chair John Cole, Teacher of the year Tracy Campese and Student of the year Godus Bernard. (Rotary photo)
 
(From left) Twentynine Palms High School Principal Mike Ruggiero introduces Teacher of the year Jean Caravella with Club Youth services chair John Cole looking on. (Rotary photo)

We are busy in our community this Spring, collecting food and trash!

As part of their ongoing efforts to support and honor education in their community, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms recently honored the teacher and student of the year from Oasis Elementary School. Supporting the youth of the community is one of the priorities of the Rotary Club.
 
At a meeting May 21st at the little church of the desert meeting room, Rotary Youth Services chairman John Cole introduced school assistant principal, Dr. Mundy Viar, who announced the two honorees to a packed house of Rotarians, co-workers, family, and supporters.
 
Viar brought up the “Student of the Year”, 6th grader Dominic Aldrich, saying, “Dominic is not just a great student, he is a natural leader who is always looking to help out where he can.” Aldrich then thanked the club and his family for their support.
 
When introducing the “Teacher of the Year”, Viar had high praise for Aleana Craven saying, “Aleana is a resource teacher who works with both Special Ed and General Education students to create strategies to develop a path for their success and any additional support they need”. Craven accepted her kudos, thanking Viar for the opportunity and the club for the honor.
 
Aldrich and Craven were both given certificates to memorialize the awards as well as a gift card.
 
Chartered in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org.
 
Photos:
From left - Assistant Principal Dr. Mundy Viar introduces “Oasis Elementary Student of the Year” Dominic Aldrich as Rotary Youth Services chairman John Cole looks on. (Rotary Photo)
 
From left – Dr. Mundy Viar, Assistant Principal of Oasis Elementary School, presents the “Teacher of the year” certificate to Aleana Craven with Rotary youth Services chair John Cole adding in a gift certificate. (Rotary Photo)

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms recently honored the “Teacher of the month” in support of excellence in local education. Twentynine Palms Junior High School Principal Derek Swem said he selected Carrie Cole as the “Teacher of the Month” because of her outstanding work and dedication. Swem said Cole makes a big difference for success for students with an active in-depth English program and in the classroom with a positive attitude and well-prepared instruction.

Cole thanked the Rotary Club and said the community support was appreciated and inspirational.

Rotarian John Cole, the chairman of the Teacher of the Month committee, presented Cole with a certificate and a gift card from the club. Supporting the youth of the community is one of the priorities of the Rotary Club.

Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org
 
 
Photo Caption:
(From left) “Teacher of the Month” recipient Carrie Cole accepts her kudos from Committee Chair John Cole presents as 29 Palms Junior High School Principal Derek Swem looks on. (Rotary Club Photo)

Tennessee Williams’ powerful and iconic portrayal of love, lust and loneliness
 
Theatre 29 continues their 24-25 season with Tennessee William’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” opening February 28 for a 3-week run. Generally regarded as one of the finest plays of the 20th century, the classic was written by Williams during a period of change in America after World War II. It was first produced and published in 1947 and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for that year.  
 
After losing her home to creditors, Blanche moves in with her younger sister and brother-in-law, Stella and Stanley Kowalski. Undermined by romantic illusions, Blanche is unable to cope with life’s harsh realities. Though she finds a moment of hope in Stanley’s friend Mitch, Blanche cannot face the truth of her own troubled past and ultimately descends into madness.
 
Director and designer Gary Daigneault has crafted the production carefully to honor the playwright and pay homage to the American classic. His set, based on the original, is a two-bedroom apartment on the first floor of a building in New Orleans' French Quarter. The set is designed to allow the audience to see outside and observe the characters on the street. A special touch is a live street musician, master trumpeter Matthew Bennett, who provides both the ethereal theme of the show and the New Orleans vibe while perched on an onstage balcony.   
Making this a must-see production, the core cast is made up of working professionals who have recently moved to the desert and auditioned to hone their craft at Theatre 29. Leading the impressive cast is Bobbie Breckenridge as Blanche DuBois, Victoria Shupe as Stella Kowalski and Deacon Ledges as Stanley Kowalski. The cast is completed by Ronald Erickson as Mitch, Sharianne Greer as Eunice, Booker Harrap as Steve, Dennis “Easy” Boos as Pablo and Greyson Hayles as the collector. The ensemble is made up of Joe Rego, Laura Harwood, Britney Vachon-La Guardia, and Lula Allen.

Joining Daigneault on the production team is lighting designer Nena Jimenez (on a brand-new LED lighting system), sound design by Ron Bottorff and costuming by Tera Bottorff. The Stage Manager is Mike Lipsitz, Assistant Director is Cindy Daigneault and Cam D’Angeles is assistant to the director. Kevin Maddrey is the scenic artist with construction by Mark Van Horn. 

“A Streetcar Named Desire” will run for nine performances from February 28 – March 16, 2025, with a gala opening night hosted by the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club. Opening night tickets are available for $25.00 from the Rotarians, with some available by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office.

The Friday and Saturday night performances are at 7:00pm, and the Sunday matinees are at 2:30pm. After opening night, Tickets are $20.00 for General Admission, Seniors and Military $17.50, and $15.00 for Students with ID, service fee is included. Because of mature themes the show is not recommended for children under 16. Tickets are available at theatre29.org or by calling the Theater 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151.
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Theatre 29 was founded in 1999 and is an all-volunteer, non-profit Community Theatre organization. Donations are being actively sought and will be greatly appreciated.
 
Photo:
Deacon Ledges as Stanley Kowalski in the Theatre 29 revival of The American classic “A Streetcar Named Desire” opening February 28th (Cindy Daigneault photo)

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms recently welcomed two newcomers to their ranks. Dann and Emily Rothwell came to Twentynine Palms in of April of 2024, and became members of the Club in January 2025. They bring a background in art, music, and community event planning. 

Emily has a background in caregiving and tutoring for special needs children & young adults, while Dann has a longstanding career in the specialty coffee industry. They moved to Twentynine Palms with plans of opening a sit-down coffee shop “Kooks Café” downtown. Dann recently launched Twentynine Palms' first skateboard shop, Escapade, located inside Corner 62 downtown, and plans to offer an all-ages skate school.  

The 29 Palms Rotary Club, established March 15, 1948, is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. 

Photo:
From Left, Rotary President PJ Welch, Inducting officer Gary Daigneault, Dann Rothwell, Emily Rothwell, and sponsor Matthew Finnegan. (Rotary Club Photo)