City of South Lake Tahoe celebrates first 50 years

"South Lake Tahoe, you should be proud of yourself."

Those words, said by South Lake Tahoe Police Sgt. Brian Williams, were echoed throughout the evening as the City of South Lake Tahoe celebrated its first 50 years with a golden anniversary gala Saturday night.

Almost 300 people were at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel to share memories of the past, review of the present, and a look towards the future of a city that was formed because many of the residents were tired of being represented by a government in Placerville.

Mayor Hal Cole emceed the evening with help from City Manager Nancy Kerry and City Councilmembers Tom Davis, Austin Sass and Wendy David.

Over coffee and breakfast at Heidi's Restaurant in the Bijou area of the South Shore in the early 1960s, community members met to discuss how to become a city, one where police, fire and snow removal could be controlled by those that used them and not a city over on the west slope.

"They wanted to control their own destiny," said Steve Woods, STHS graduate from 1978 and son of Norm Woods who was on the first City Council and served as mayor eight times during his 21 years on the Council.

Woods traveled to Saturday's gala from his home in Logan, Utah where his mother Ruth still lives (her health prevented her from making the trip). Ruth and Norm moved to the South Shore in 1958 where he was a general contractor.

"The most difficult thing my parents ever had to do was to leave South Lake Tahoe, said Steve of their move to Utah in 1999 due to the elder Woods' medical issues. Norm passed away in November of 2003.

"I would have given anything for dad to be here tonight," Steve told South Tahoe Now as he signed the City's framed poster which served as a guest book.

Steve's wife Penny couldn't make the trip as she stayed home to care for her father, former Tahoe Daily Tribune publisher Don Wright. Penny and Steve met at South Tahoe High and have now been together 40 years.

Steve reflected on the first major duty of the newly elected City Council in 1965, and that was to remove the large, highway sized billboards that lined the major road through the city. The next big thing, he said, was bringing the high altitude Olympic trials to South Lake Tahoe in 1968.

The 27 tables at Saturday's gala were full of past and present government leaders, business owners, past and present residents and others who wanted to share in the celebration.

Councilmembers and guests on a video of the City's history shared memories of the town through the years, as well as accomplishments, and a look to the future that includes "One South Shore" and where state and jurisdiction lines disappear in order to provide the best for all residents. Besides seeing the video produced by Tahoe Production House, all guests received a book commemorating the City's history created by Bona Fide Book owner Kim Wyatt.

Wrapping up the gala, Mayor Cole wanted to highlight and celebrate a person he said is responsible to taking the city through the toughest financial times one could imagine. He honored Nancy Kerry with a framed proclamation and gift.

At the end of the evening, Mayor Cole joined his former band mates, The Movers, for several popular songs that filled the dance floor. "Stretch," also known as local realtor Don Bosson, proved he still has it as a lead singer, and Cole's skills on drums haven't wavered since the band performed over 30 years ago along the South Shore. Robert Cole joined his brother and former band mates on guitar.

See you in another 50 years South Lake Tahoe.