Grizzly Flats Rural Legends

…of course, we can’t call them “Urban Legends” because, well, we are not.

As is the case in any small town, rumors abound and often it is hard to separate the fact from the bull.  Again, Grizzly Flats Online is here for you.  Below are listed some of the most common rumors along with their assignment of fact or fiction with some clarification thrown in.  Feel free to submit your own to bossqueen@sbcglobal.net for consideration.

Jackie Lou Smelser has an internet porn site featuring her in various stages of saucy undress.

Sadly, this is not true.  None was more disappointed than her husband, Kevin Smelser, who spent all night Googling for it when he first heard this rumor.  This is the raciest photo we have ever been able to dig up of her and it’s more cute than naughty.  If you find that site, let us know so we can put up the “FACT” button instead of the “FICTION” one.  Someone out there knows where it is because they are the one spreading the rumor! 

Walt Tyler walked to the Somerset Post Office to pick up the mail in a snowstorm.

Not only did he walk to Somerset with a friend to get the Grizzly Flats mail when he was younger, but when he got back to Grizzly Flats to deliver the mail, he found that the mail bag they’d picked up was, in fact, for Outingdale.

Hobbits live in the secret door in the hillside on Logan’s Grade.

No Hobbits that anyone has seen so far.  Just the ghosts of a few miners.  The little door in the hillside on the South side of Logan’s Grade is actually a sealed off mine shaft.

Panning for gold in the river is a perfectly legal and enjoyable pastime.

All of the water through-ways in Grizzly Flats are included in mining claims that are owned by individuals.  This means that any minerals in that water belong to them exclusively.  When you pan or sluice for gold in our waters, you are literally stealing from other person.  For some of these people, mining is their livelihood and they take such theft very seriously.  For your own safety, PLEASE DO NOT mine in the rivers!

Each year, Mike Lawless is helicoptered in to play piano for the Jeepers Jamboree in the Rubicon.

It’s twue!  Several weekends throughout the summer, Mike tickles the ivories for rejoicing Jeep drivers.

Lyle takes requests for music to be played at Burger Night.

Newcomers can ask, but they will then get a request from Lyle.  ”Sit down and eat your burger and enjoy what I play!”

Lovely songstress, Boo Davidson, had one of their pet cows wander into her house and look around

She did indeed and the very clever gal lured the cow out again with a bag of Doritos.  That’s one of about 4000 reasons why we love Boo.

The “Queens of Grizzly Flats” are self-appointed and not actual “queens.”  

This is a hateful rumor spread by those who are not queens themselves.  The Queens of Grizzly Flats are 100% blue-blooded, crown-wearing, gloved-waving, sequined royalty and anyone who says otherwise is just plain jealous.  Queens are born, not appointed and if you were one, we would have told you by now.

The preacher’s wife caused an uproar during the Christmas season of 2006 by telling a Sunday School class that there is no Santa.

Yep and parents were PISSED!  Of COURSE there is a Santa!  We’ve seen him at our parades!

The sign at Grizzly Pines Elementary School stating that it was founded on November 14, 1997 is incorrect.

The school was actually founded on November 13, 1997.

November 13, 1997 is also the date on which a local couple was married.

Yes indeed.  That is the day I walked down the aisle with my sweet baboo, Eric.

G FORCE events were moved from Grizzly Pines School due to a falling out with Mrs. Kelley, the Lead Teacher.

G FORCE events were moved from the school as soon as the organization incorporated and acquired event insurance.  Using the school for events involved hours of time invested in disassembling and reassembling classrooms before set up for the event could even begin.  Additionally, the parking was inconvenient for guests to G FORCE events because they typically had to park at the bottom of that giant hill and walk up.  This was particularly tough for pregnant ladies and those with physical disabilities that are not severe enough to warrant a handicap placard, but are still uncomfortable.  

Grizzly Flats is home to an award winning chef.

Jennifer Andrzejewski has received recognition for her gourmet cooking and contributes wonderful recipes to our Grizzly Flats Recipes Page.

The Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council donates generously to other local community groups

It is not within the mission statement of the Grizzly Flats Fire Safe Council (grandfathered under the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council) to assist other community organizations.  Only fire-related causes are supported.

Postmaster Susan Hayne was once the bartender at the actual “Buck’s Bar.”

It’s very true!  Back when Buck’s Bar was an actual bar, Susan was the one tending it and was also the owner!  For those who do not know, Buck’s Bar is the quaint little house on the left just past the second single lane bridge to town (Middle Fork Cosumnes) with all the cool stuff out in front.

“Sarge” Furman is a grizzled old World War II veteran who lives on Capps Crossing.

Sarge Furman is actually a very dear lady who is a former active duty Army, Army Reserve and Army Guard E-5.  Her job, which should be an urban legend in and of itself, is that she literally taught “Spy School.”

The Editor of Grizzly Flats Online is a Witch

Sure she is.  Just ask anyone who has gotten really pissed off at her (or gotten her really pissed off).  They'll croak an answer to you.

Retired Postmaster, Steve Bishop, is the second generation of his family to serve as Postmaster of Grizzly Flats Post Office.

Steve’s Uncle Newt was also Grizzly Flats Postmaster, as was his Uncle George.  Steve took over the post office from Ruby Brown in 1976 and retired in 2006.  The new post office opened in the late 1990’s and prior to that, the old post office on Grizzly Flat Road was used.  When Ruby Brown (Maxine Tyler’s late mother) was postmaster in the late 1960’s, she would write herself a check every two weeks for $37.50 in wages.  The post office was only open three times a week and mail would be stored in the rafters so that people could come in when the office was closed and rifle through the boxes and find their own mail.  Ruby used to talk about a winter when the snow was so deep that they were unable to dig out the post office, so they actually tunneled through the snow to get to the front door and open it.