PMC is listed by the State of California as a CDP — a “Census Designated Place”. Not a city, or even a township, bur certainly more than just a wide spot in the road. A “Community “ for sure. Begun in the very early ‘70’s, that nascent community began with the arrival of just a handful of people: some single, some couples, and a few with their families. Among this earliest group were a couple in their thirties, hired by the developers to run the new PMC Stables. (Equestrian Center would come much later.)
They weren’t “horse people “ per se— Jerry Keller had been a driver for specialty hauler Bigge Trucking— those huge, long trucks with a jillion wheels that haul cranes, and bridge girders. Jerry and Judy were “people people”: knowledgeable, patient (sometimes to a fault), and easy going. They complemented each other— Jerry was a good listener, and Judy was a talker.
The Kellers were among the first people we met when we first visited PMC, about 1973. There weren’t as many choices for activities then: the General Store, Clubhouse, Pool, Golf Course, and the Stables. That was it —- no shops, bars, or restaurants. When we bought a lot for a possible future second home, and became weekenders, we often stayed with Jerry and Judy in their boxcar cabin on Freeman Drive — the three of us, a cowhand or two, and Jerry and Judy. Two small bedrooms, one bathroom— all in about 400 square feet. Some of the best times of our lives!
We weren’t treated as guests— more like family. You were very welcome, but expected to help out with chores, cooking, etc. We were young, and luckily, we learned a lot: about mountain living, about animals, about PMC’s internal workings. And of couse, Judy was willing to share what she knew about everybody that lived in, or visited, Pine Mountain Club.
I couldn’t say how many of us had the privilege of having Jerry and Judy as surrogate “parents” over the years they spent at PMC and Mil Potrero Park west of the Community. It would definitely be in the dozens, or more! No one could ever repay the favors that they did for all of us, especially Jerry. Firewood when you ran low, a can if gas, a jump start, a tow, a pull out of a ditch. He really was indispensable. And he never asked for anything in return— although a bottle of George Dickel went a long way in repaying a favor!
When PMC management and the Kellers were unable to agree on a contract after several years a as managers of the PMC Stables, a new chapter opened up in their lives. Mil Potrero Park, owned by the Westside Recreation District out of Taft, just west of the boundary of Pine Mountain Club at Cedarwood Drive, had an opening for live-in manager/caretaker/maintenance person, camp host (you name it) and Jerry and Judy moved to the park into the onsite mobile home there. With the able assistance of Assistant Gary Morin, the Park became one of the best campgrounds in the area. Many, many parties: weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, barbecues, etc. took place in the Lodge at the park, with its full kitchen, pool tables, and huge fireplace. And lots of shenanigans! Jerry was a master of shenanigans- he once rode his horse through the General Store- to the chagrin of proprietor Floyd Bolton, and to the delight of the rest of us!
