The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

After three years of living in California City, Travis, Tonya and Grady Gidner have moved to Tehachapi. They said the feel of community really attracted them as well as our seasonal weather. They came to California from Madison, Wisconsin, as the result of Travis’ work on life support systems at the Air Force Test Center and then at the NASA Test Center in Mojave.

Travis was born in East Lancing, Michigan, and graduated from Michigan State University. He remembers that while he was in school there, he had the opportunity to follow the team to California for a Rose Bowl Game. His parents and his brother still live in Michigan. After college he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base near Kansas City, Missouri. That is where he met Tonya.

Tonya was born and raised in Kansas City and graduated from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. Most of her family, including her three brothers, is still living there. She said that she is still a “dyed-in-the-wool” fan of the Kansas City Chiefs football team.

The couple spent five years stationed in Aviano, Italy, a little town near Venice, and that is where their son Grady was born. Grady is now an active eight year old and in the third grade. He told me that one of his favorite things to do is play the block building internet game Minecraft and his parents told me that he has created an entire town online with that program.

When he is not working, Travis likes to camp, hike, hunt and fish. He is currently training Heidi, the family’s German shorthair to be his hunting companion. She came from Visalia in the Central Valley and although she is very young and energetic, promises to be a first class hunting dog.

To all of the Gidner household, “Welcome to Tehachapi!” We know you will enjoy your new home.

The Cheshiers are not totally new to Tehachapi. Bob and Misty had lived here just before they moved to Bakersfield. Now they are back, and, as Misty says, “We love it here! It’s home!” Also glad to be back in Tehachapi is Bob’s father, Chuck, who is now retired from 35 years in commercial concrete construction and lives with Misty and Bob.

Chuck was born in Arkansas and told me about his move to California in 1936 with six people packed into a Model A Ford. Not a pretty picture! Chuck said that he has lived in Tehachapi twice, Placerville twice and Bakersfield three times; however, he spent over 30 years living in the Simi Valley.

Bob, who was born in North Hollywood, has worked with his father for years and is now a superintendent with Bethlehem Concrete Construction near Shafter. He is still making the drive to the valley every day. He has a sister, Debby, who also lives near Shafter. When he finally gets some “down time”, Bob loves to play golf and work with old cars.

Misty was raised in the Simi Valley and was trained as a hair stylist before she found her calling in senior care. She is now retired from her job at Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield, where she was personnel manager. She loves to garden and has been a quilter for about eight years. Her favorite things to work on are a series of small quilt blocks called “Dear Jane”. The series is 225 intricate patterns in blocks that measure about five inches and date from the Civil War. She also likes traditional applique quilts in the Baltimore Album style. Both of these are a great test for good eyesight. (Ask me how I know this.)

She and Bob have four children. They have two daughters living in Bakersfield, a daughter in Redondo Beach and their son, Jake, who lives here in Tehachapi and works with his father in commercial concrete construction in the valley. They also have five grandchildren.

Joining the Cheshiers in their new home is a ten year old golden retriever named C.J. (short for Cheshire Jewel), and five cats. Misty also owns a 30-year-old grulla quarter horse named Delicious Kisses, who is retired, but is played with almost daily.

We are glad that the Cheshier family has finally returned to Tehachapi. Welcome to you all!

If you have moved to the Greater Tehachapi Area within the last six months and would like to know more about your new community, call (661) 822-8188. We will be happy to make an appointment for a hostess to come by and give you lots of helpful information, some valuable coupons, gifts and much more. Many families and individuals who come to the area are pleasantly surprised with the amount of knowledge they gather about their new home. Publishing your welcome article is completely voluntary and is not a requirement of being welcomed.