Quotes, Newspaper Article and Invocation
Joan
Carol Stone: “I’m grateful to District Supervisor Michael Antonovich, ex-Mayor Jo Anne Darcy and all the Santa Clarita and County of Los Angeles officials who helped make ‘The Cliffie Stone Trail’ a reality! In 1950, Cliffie and his first wife, Dorothy, bought a ranch in this area and raised their children - Linda, Stephen, Curtis and Jonathan. They contributed to this community’s growth in countless ways. At one time, Cliffie was quite a horseman and he told me about all the trails he used to ride in the Santa Clarita Valley. So I can just imagine him dancing around his bass in heaven over this honor! Thank you.”
Curtis Stone: “Speaking for the entire family, we are all quite moved and honored that Dad had this Equestrian Trail named after him. When we moved to the Santa Clarita Valley area in 1950, Dad started all of us riding along many of its narrow trails. Some day, I hope to come back to my boyhood home and have a long ride with my saddle pals on Dad’s trail; and I’ll tip my hat toward heaven where Dad is.”
Jonathan
Stone: “We rode horses all the time, and we have very fond memories that we’ve passed down to our own families.”
Dick
Clark:“I can’t tell you how pleased I am that the ‘Cliffie Stone Trail’ is being dedicated today! I know he would have been so proud to have his name immortalized on this Equestrian Trail. He was truly a trailblazer! He was a country music pioneer and helped so many throughout his career. So it’s very appropriate that generations to follow should be reminded of his contributions.”
Fifth District
Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich: “We are proud to honor Cliffie Stone who was a vital member of our community and a great trailblazer. He encouraged young talent to follow their dreams and to develop their God-given talents. We will remember him for his love and dedication to his family, to his fellow artists, musicians and writers….”
Mayor
Laurene Weste: “We are so proud to be able to keep the memory of Cliffie Stone alive. This trail represents a little thread of Americana, and a rich heritage that will be passed on for generations to come.”
The Signal ~ newspaper of Santa Clarita Valley, CA ~ printed this article on 9-07-2001
"Equestrian Trail Named in Honor of Cliffie Stone"
By Margie Anne Clark
Signal Staff Writer
It was ‘happy trails’ to beloved country western icon and longtime Santa Clarita resident, Cliffie Stone, whose memory will live on with the newly named “Cliffie Stone Memorial Trail.”
The trail is located in the new Tesoro del Valley project site. In a special tribute to Cliffie Stone, District Supervisor, Michael D. Antonovich, and the Department of Parks and Recreation, held a special ceremony commemorating the renaming of the San Francisquito Trail. This equestrian trail is part of the “Master Plan of Trails” that run through the newly approved housing communities located in North Valencia off of Copper Hills Drive.
Prior to the ceremony, guests enjoyed a continental style breakfast, provided by Montalvo Properties. The event opened with an Invocation by Rev. Jody Milligan and the ceremony began with opening remarks by Regional Recreation Director, Karen L. Grant. Frank Gonzales served as Master of Ceremonies. Lisa Torres sang the National Anthem.
Supervisor Antonovich spoke following the Anthem: “We are proud to honor Cliffie Stone who was a vital member of our community and a great trailblazer. He encouraged young talent to follow their dreams and to develop their God-given talents. We will remember him for his love and dedication to his family, to his fellow artists, musicians and writers. Just as Cliffie was very important to our valley, equestrian trails are also a very important part of the heritage of the Santa Clarita Valley.”
Mr. Antonovich went on to describe Stone’s career as a founding member of the Academy of Country Music and an original member of the Country Music Association. He said that Cliffie also had a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Cliffie and his family have lived in SVC since 1950 and Mr. Antonovich mentioned some of Cliffie’s contributions such as: serving as president of the school board; serving on the board of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital; being an Honorary Mayor of the Santa Clarita Valley; and being one of the first to be inducted into the Santa Clarita Walk of Western Stars.
Supervisor Antonovich then talked about development of future trails. He said to the effect that to expand the trail systems, the Los Angeles County office has been working with the city, county staff, the community and property owners to put into place a temporary trail network through the Tesoro del Valley project and the Santa Clarita Trails Valley Advisory Community.
Mr. Antonovich said he was pleased with the expansion of the trail system in the SCV and then recognized the many individuals, organizations and companies involved in making the trails a reality, which include: Conal McNamara (field deputy); Millie Jones (field representative); Bill Rattazzi (Sun Cal Properties); John Evans (a Montalvo Properties L.L.C. agent); and Bernie Clougherty (fifty year owner of the Clougherty Ranch property).
Several other announcements were made by Mr. Antonovich such as the upcoming County Trail Ride on 10/21/2001 and that the county has recently acquired land next to Vasquez Rocks.
Following his address, Mr. Antonovich introduced Joan Carol Stone, Cliffie Stone’s widow, who expressed her thanks to everyone who made the trail dedication possible (see her remarks at the beginning of Quotes).
Several of Cliffie’s children (Curtis and Jonathan) also made comments (see their remarks at the beginning of Quotes).
Mayor Laurene Weste also spoke: “We are so proud to be able to keep the memory of Cliffie Stone alive. This trail represents a little thread of Americana, and a rich heritage that will be passed on for generations to come.”
Invocation - Rev. Jody Milligan
“Before offering a prayer, I’d like to say that I’m honored to participate in the ‘Cliffie Stone Memorial Trail’ dedication. My husband, John, and I have been guests at Cliffie and Joan Carol’s warm, inviting home, which displayed not only Cliffie’s many awards, but exhibited their mutual interest in native American culture. Cliffie’s spirit is here with us today as are the Tataviam ancestors who began living in the Santa Clarita Valley over 1,500 years ago. Please bow your heads:”
“Great Spirit: We send up our voices today to honor one of your children. We honor the four directions and all the ancestors who have walked here before us. We honor sacred Mother Earth who gives all that nourishes us. We give thanks to the sky that gives us the air we breathe, to the sun that warms us, to the rain that falls gently on our faces and for the beauty that surrounds us. Help us to honor, protect and cherish this great Mother Earth so that our children and our children’s children are protected and have a place to dwell in beauty. We ask for and accept your blessing upon this trail that is being dedicated today as the ‘Cliffie Stone Memorial Trail.’ May it bring blessings to all who travel on its treasured namesake. We know that Cliffie’s love and energy will be felt by those who walk or ride the trail and we pray they do so with honor. We ask for and accept all these blessings in all the beloved names that thou are known by.” Amen and A ho’.