WawonaNews.com - January 2026
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Jan. 13
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Request that various items be placed on the next agenda for discussion and/or action.
2nd Interim Budget Report
2025-26 Auditor selection
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Jan. 13
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- 2024-25 AUDIT REPORT CERTIFICATION, AUDIT FINDING CORRECTIVE ACTION AND AUDIT FINDING CERTIFICATION APPROVAL
- APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A SCHOOL CELL PHONE
- APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH SIERRA OUTDOOR SCHOOL IN SONORA, CA.
INFORMATION ITEMS
- DISCUSS THE UPGRADE OF INTERNET SERVICES THROUGH STARLINK
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- DISCUSSION OF FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Request that various items be placed on the next agenda for discussion and/or action.
2nd Interim Budget Report
2025-26 Auditor selection
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Pine Tree Market Potluck
Pine Tree crew are ready to party. Come join them this Friday (Feb. 6th) for a pot luck at 6ish!!
Pine Tree crew are ready to party. Come join them this Friday (Feb. 6th) for a pot luck at 6ish!!
To our readers:
If you would like to express your thoughts about Larry Duke we would be glad to post them on this page. Please send them to:
[email protected]
________________________
It was a blessing to know Larry, to share in his fun, to be his Spelt Road neighbor, and to just talk and laugh with him. Whether seeing Larry at the school helping with the recycling or seeing him share his love of art with others at the library or just enjoying a laugh at a party, Larry was a gem and a good friend. I know he is out there hiking the Cougar trail right now. RIP Larry and may your journey be safe and fun, always!
Mark and Laura Dowdle
_____________________________________________________________________________________
We are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He was an iconic figure in our very unique town of Wawona. It was always a pleasure to have him stop by the Pine Tree Market and chat with its denizens. It sure made some long days seem much shorter. We miss seeing him very much and will remember him fondly.
Paul DeSantis and Family
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Spelt Road isn’t the same without Larry! He was our Wawona Ambassador.
Larry was a special friend! He could often be found at our home in the morning for coffee and happy hour in the evening.
Larry was a valued member of our Wawona Friends of the Library, serving on the Board as well a being Secretary for a number of years. From the Wawona Bassett Memorial Library’s opening in 1997, he was our Art Chairman. In addition to having two shows displaying his own work, Larry could often be found assisting visiting artists hanging their work.
Unknown fact about Larry: He recorded all episodes of Gunsmoke which he enjoyed watching.
Dave and Pat Sischo
____________________________________________________________________________________
This is a big loss for all of us who knew and loved Larry. Larry was an amazing artist, hiker, guide, conversationalist, companion and, most importantly, genuine friend. He made himself close to our whole family and his Spelt Rd. community. Rest in peace dear friend.
Katy & Rick Jacobson
____________________________________________________________________________________
We will all miss Larry. We have lots of great memories. What an amazing person he was.
Sharon Granoff
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Such a loss for the Wawona community. He was a kind and creative man.
Christy Hurlburt
_____________________________________________________________________________________
His kindness and sense of humor will be missed. Thank you for posting this beautiful tribute.
Jeff Lahr
____________________________________________________________________________________
I’m glad we moved here in time to get to know Larry the bit that we did. His humor and character came through right away. Artists often have that glint of magic, and I think we’ll be hearing of Wawona adventures involving Larry reflecting that magic for many years.
Rich Apple
____________________________________________________________________________________
We shared many adventures with Larry. Laughter was most often the theme of the day.and at the end of the day, wine, cheese and dessert at the Sischo’s. And stories!
Jennifer Wuchner
_____________________________________________________________________________________
He was such a nice guy. A great sense of humor. I've missed him and MJ since they've left.
Joe Edgecomb
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Larry,
Thinking fondly back to the time I visited you in Portland two summers ago with my friend Sahara.
Your life as an artist and a man of the mountains has always been an inspiration to me, and I am thankful to have been your friend.
Shea Devlin
If you would like to express your thoughts about Larry Duke we would be glad to post them on this page. Please send them to:
[email protected]
________________________
It was a blessing to know Larry, to share in his fun, to be his Spelt Road neighbor, and to just talk and laugh with him. Whether seeing Larry at the school helping with the recycling or seeing him share his love of art with others at the library or just enjoying a laugh at a party, Larry was a gem and a good friend. I know he is out there hiking the Cougar trail right now. RIP Larry and may your journey be safe and fun, always!
Mark and Laura Dowdle
_____________________________________________________________________________________
We are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He was an iconic figure in our very unique town of Wawona. It was always a pleasure to have him stop by the Pine Tree Market and chat with its denizens. It sure made some long days seem much shorter. We miss seeing him very much and will remember him fondly.
Paul DeSantis and Family
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Spelt Road isn’t the same without Larry! He was our Wawona Ambassador.
Larry was a special friend! He could often be found at our home in the morning for coffee and happy hour in the evening.
Larry was a valued member of our Wawona Friends of the Library, serving on the Board as well a being Secretary for a number of years. From the Wawona Bassett Memorial Library’s opening in 1997, he was our Art Chairman. In addition to having two shows displaying his own work, Larry could often be found assisting visiting artists hanging their work.
Unknown fact about Larry: He recorded all episodes of Gunsmoke which he enjoyed watching.
Dave and Pat Sischo
____________________________________________________________________________________
This is a big loss for all of us who knew and loved Larry. Larry was an amazing artist, hiker, guide, conversationalist, companion and, most importantly, genuine friend. He made himself close to our whole family and his Spelt Rd. community. Rest in peace dear friend.
Katy & Rick Jacobson
____________________________________________________________________________________
We will all miss Larry. We have lots of great memories. What an amazing person he was.
Sharon Granoff
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Such a loss for the Wawona community. He was a kind and creative man.
Christy Hurlburt
_____________________________________________________________________________________
His kindness and sense of humor will be missed. Thank you for posting this beautiful tribute.
Jeff Lahr
____________________________________________________________________________________
I’m glad we moved here in time to get to know Larry the bit that we did. His humor and character came through right away. Artists often have that glint of magic, and I think we’ll be hearing of Wawona adventures involving Larry reflecting that magic for many years.
Rich Apple
____________________________________________________________________________________
We shared many adventures with Larry. Laughter was most often the theme of the day.and at the end of the day, wine, cheese and dessert at the Sischo’s. And stories!
Jennifer Wuchner
_____________________________________________________________________________________
He was such a nice guy. A great sense of humor. I've missed him and MJ since they've left.
Joe Edgecomb
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Larry,
Thinking fondly back to the time I visited you in Portland two summers ago with my friend Sahara.
Your life as an artist and a man of the mountains has always been an inspiration to me, and I am thankful to have been your friend.
Shea Devlin
New Wawona Listing
8067 Chilnualna Falls Rd, Wawona, CA 95389, 3beds, 2baths, 1,451sqft $1,300,000. Click here for more info
8067 Chilnualna Falls Rd, Wawona, CA 95389, 3beds, 2baths, 1,451sqft $1,300,000. Click here for more info
Larry Duke 1939-2026
February 1 - Larry Duke, long time Wawona resident, renowned illustrator and dear friend, passed away last night peacefully after a long illness in Portland, where he had been residing for the last 6 years. Details about a memorial service will be announced when details are available.
Personal note: In life, many of us are lucky to have a group of close friends we trust, admire, and love as if they were part of our family, and Larry was very much in that category for me. Larry was our next door neighbor in Wawona and together we had countless dinners, laughs, hikes, several rafting trips on the Merced with my dog, and even a trip with friends to Martha's Vineyard. Larry was very much like a brother to me. My wife and I are fortunate to have visited him in Portland one last time just last week and to have had a chance to tell him how much we loved him. As we were leaving, and though he was weak and bedridden, he was able to reach for my hand, held it tight, and thanked us for the visit. His memory will live forever in us and in so many of his Wawona friends.
Fede Peinado
February 1 - Larry Duke, long time Wawona resident, renowned illustrator and dear friend, passed away last night peacefully after a long illness in Portland, where he had been residing for the last 6 years. Details about a memorial service will be announced when details are available.
Personal note: In life, many of us are lucky to have a group of close friends we trust, admire, and love as if they were part of our family, and Larry was very much in that category for me. Larry was our next door neighbor in Wawona and together we had countless dinners, laughs, hikes, several rafting trips on the Merced with my dog, and even a trip with friends to Martha's Vineyard. Larry was very much like a brother to me. My wife and I are fortunate to have visited him in Portland one last time just last week and to have had a chance to tell him how much we loved him. As we were leaving, and though he was weak and bedridden, he was able to reach for my hand, held it tight, and thanked us for the visit. His memory will live forever in us and in so many of his Wawona friends.
Fede Peinado
One of Larry's amazing illustrations, in which he often inserted himself because, as he said, "I was close at hand."
Tom Bopp LIVE IN WAWONA
Musical Nights with TOM BOPP
FREE EVENT
3 Saturdays, 6pm - 9pm
June 27
August 22
October 17
At The Redwoods Fireside Room & Deck
8038 Chilnualna Falls Road, Wawona, California 95389
Bring Your Own Grub - we recommend stopping by the
PINE TREE MARKET
to get food and beverages
I'll bring my Yamaha digital piano to serenade you for three hours of
Songs of Comfort from Yon Days of Yore
When you book your room or cabin, let them know you’re coming to hear Tom – maybe the extra room sales will turn into more performance dates!
But wait – there’s more:
AUGUST 28, 2026
THE LEE VINING CENTENNIAL
https://www.monobasinhistory.org/
Outdoor Dinner 6pm at the Mono Inn Restaurant, Lee Vining, CA
with Vintage music by TOM BOPP
Dinner limited to 100; tickets & price to be determined
details to be posted at:
monobasinhistory.org
Tom also plans to perform at the Centennial Fair on Aug. 29, between 10 am and 4pm
At Guss Hess Community Park
Wawona School at Badger Pass
Jan. 28 - It’s Wednesday and the Wawona school is at Badger Pass today. The tradition continues! Conditions were great and the mountain was empty, except for the Wawona, El Portal and Yosemite Valley school kids.
Michael Mariant
Yosemite National Park’s Ski Area Is Officially Opened For The Season
Badger Pass Ski Area has officially opened for the season as of Friday, January 16th. The ski area sits at a base elevation of 7,200 feet and relies entirely on natural snow.
Thanks to the past few weeks’ winter storms, the ski area has enough snow to start up a season of downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Please note that sledding and other snow play is not allowed at Badger Pass. However, Yosemite Hospitality operates a snow tubing hill, with innertubes available to rent for snow sliding. A snow play area is also available at Crane Flat and just outside the park south of South Entrance.
Badger Pass is open 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm, offering rentals, lessons, a ski shop, and a sundeck. Full-day lift tickets are available for $79 for adults (Seniors Ages 65+ $30 Must Present ID). and $59.50 for children aged 7-12. (children 6 and under Free). Single lift ride tickets can also be purchased for $6.50.
Badger Pass is one of only a few ski areas inside National Parks, the others being Hurricane Ridge located in Washington’s Olympic National Park and Boston Mills Brandywine Resort, located inside Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Badger Pass Ski Area has officially opened for the season as of Friday, January 16th. The ski area sits at a base elevation of 7,200 feet and relies entirely on natural snow.
Thanks to the past few weeks’ winter storms, the ski area has enough snow to start up a season of downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Please note that sledding and other snow play is not allowed at Badger Pass. However, Yosemite Hospitality operates a snow tubing hill, with innertubes available to rent for snow sliding. A snow play area is also available at Crane Flat and just outside the park south of South Entrance.
Badger Pass is open 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm, offering rentals, lessons, a ski shop, and a sundeck. Full-day lift tickets are available for $79 for adults (Seniors Ages 65+ $30 Must Present ID). and $59.50 for children aged 7-12. (children 6 and under Free). Single lift ride tickets can also be purchased for $6.50.
Badger Pass is one of only a few ski areas inside National Parks, the others being Hurricane Ridge located in Washington’s Olympic National Park and Boston Mills Brandywine Resort, located inside Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Little Wawona Bear Cub Caught!
Jan. 15 - The injured bear cub who had been roaming around Wawona for the past several days was caught this afternoon around 4:30 PM near The Redwoods office by Wildlife Management. No other details are available yet but hopefully his leg will get the necessary care for him to be released into the wild elsewhere and lead a normal life.
(video courtesy of Peter Mark)
(video courtesy of Peter Mark)
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Dec. 9.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
Gail and Rick Stevens Fund $1,000
Michelle Stauffer $1,000
Ed Mee $1,000
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Dec. 9.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
Gail and Rick Stevens Fund $1,000
Michelle Stauffer $1,000
Ed Mee $1,000
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVE THE AUDIT FINDINGS FOR THER 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
- PURCHASE OF A SCHOOL CELL PHONE
INFORMATION ITEMS
- REVIEW P1 ATTENDANCE REPORT
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- DISCUSSION OF FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Injured and Orphaned Bear Cub in Wawona Needs Help
There is an injured orphan bear cub in Wawona. Several people – Mike Mariant, Peter Mark, Rich Apple, and Katy Jacobson – have posted photos and are now talking about getting help for him. If you’re interested, you can see them on the Wawona Community Facebook page.
Here’s the information they have to report where he is, if you see him:
If/when you do see the little bear, FIRST do call local Wawona Dispatch at (209) 379-1992, and then the office at (209) 375-9520. You'll get an actual person, and they are here locally. But then by all means call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 to get the info into their Little Bear Dossier.
Trish Peterson
There is an injured orphan bear cub in Wawona. Several people – Mike Mariant, Peter Mark, Rich Apple, and Katy Jacobson – have posted photos and are now talking about getting help for him. If you’re interested, you can see them on the Wawona Community Facebook page.
Here’s the information they have to report where he is, if you see him:
If/when you do see the little bear, FIRST do call local Wawona Dispatch at (209) 379-1992, and then the office at (209) 375-9520. You'll get an actual person, and they are here locally. But then by all means call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 to get the info into their Little Bear Dossier.
Trish Peterson
Badger Pass Will Open for Nordic Operations on Friday 1/9
The news we've all been waiting for! Badger Pass will officially open for the season with Nordic (cross-country skiing and snowshoeing) opening this Friday 1/9, and Alpine (downhill skiing and snowboarding) and the grill will open the following Friday, 1/16! (C. Layman
The news we've all been waiting for! Badger Pass will officially open for the season with Nordic (cross-country skiing and snowshoeing) opening this Friday 1/9, and Alpine (downhill skiing and snowboarding) and the grill will open the following Friday, 1/16! (C. Layman
