I've been traveling to this little town for 30 years now. It is not just for its quaintness but it is the home of my college friend Leslie (a major part of my life since 1982).
My timing was perfect to catch a matinee performance at the historic Beekay Theatre. How cute is this theatre? The story of the old movie house and its incredible journey is as unlikely and heart-warming as any Hollywood film. It began during the Great Depression when two Tehachapi businessmen, Frank Baumgart and Leo Kanstein, decided to build a movie theater to entertain the local population.The two entrepreneurs combined the initials of their last names and spelled them out to form the name BeeKay and opened the doors in 1936. Local residents streamed in to watch double features of black-and-white movies and animated shorts. The BeeKay was a hit.
The movie marquis outside was the only neon sign in the valley and people would drive by just to marvel at the lighted sign (if only I could stay out until after dark). The movie theater soon became a landmark of the downtown. The years went by and while other businesses came and went, the BeeKay persisted — the solid building even withstood the 1952 Tehachapi earthquake with very little damage, though most of downtown was destroyed. Like all things, it fell on hard times but has risen through the 'rubble' to become a delightful performing arts venue. What a Tehachapi treasure.We were there to see The Big Five-Oh!, described by the director as “It’s Dick Van Dyke meets That ’70s Show.""Whoever said life is better after 50 had better be right! George Thomas is turning 50 on Saturday, and it has been a terrible week. His dog is sick, his son is a slacker, and his daughter wants to marry a Republican. With a neurotic wife and a widowed neighbor providing more challenges than even George can overcome, this may be the worst week of his life. Through these trying days, George will discover the wonders of family, the responsibilities of parenthood, and the results of his latest physical. The Big Five-Oh is a hilarious, sometimes touching account of a grown man coming to terms with his age, his relationship with his son, and his future."What a fun look at life and what a heartwarming conclusion about what's truly important. With this being Day 22 of my Birthday Month, it seemed a perfect way to celebrate. Bravo to all!The rest of my time there consisted of many rounds of Scrabble, long walks with Leslie and her dog, and two mornings of amazing sunrises. Leslie's porch is one of my favorite places to be!Another true Tehachapi treasure is Leslie's mom, Barbara. We spent both days at her home dining on wonderful meals, playing games, and just delighting in each other's company. Ging Hunter wrote, "You should enjoy the little detours. To the fullest. Because that's where you'll find things more important than what you want." Now on to Lake Tahoe!
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