Palm Desert Country Club Association Celebrates 50 Years

More than 200 people attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Palm Desert Country Club Association Saturday.

The event, organized by PDCCA Board Director Bob Gonia, was held at the association's community building. (Read more about the history .)

Milly Richards, 88, said she has lived in a home on Warner Trail for 42 years, and has seen the area change dramatically over that time.

"We had to take the dust pan and broom to get all the sand out,'' Richards recalled. "There were no trees, just desert."

She said she worked at the Post Office on the corner and got to know the local residents. Richards still enjoys living in the PDCC and enjoyed the celebration.

"I don't hardly recognize anyone anymore,'' she said.

Jeannie Homen and her daughter, Mary, attended the event, where the family was recognized for having four generations live in the PDCC.

"This little Palm Desert Country Club is like a city within a city,'' Jeannie said. "It's  a true community.''

She said she moved to Palm Desert with her parents in 1959 and her father, Robert Romine, started up Little Grass Shack landscaping.

"He was a real quiet guy,'' she said, adding that he died following a struggle with cancer in 1990.

Her mother, Norma Romine, still lives on Florida Avenue, she said, adding that her sister also lives in the PDCC.

For Wendy Johnson, who lives with her husband, Ken, on Warner Trail, the community center has special meaning.

"We had our wedding reception here, in the community hall,'' she said, adding that they celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary Friday, Feb. 25.

She said she loves living in the PDCC.

"It's a great little community. It's affordable. People are friendly,'' Johnson said.