Andrea McKenna • June 30, 2026
Queen Beatrix's 1982 Visit to Borrego Springs
Share
The Dutch monarch’s quiet visit to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park remained largely unknown until months later.
A December 19, 1982, story in The San Diego Union documented a little-known visit by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who quietly traveled to Borrego Springs during a U.S. trip earlier that year.
Queen Beatrix had become monarch of the Netherlands in 1980 following the abdication of her mother, Queen Juliana. In 1982, she visited the United States as part of events recognizing 200 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Netherlands, making stops in several states before her visit to Borrego Springs.
While in Borrego Springs, the Queen and her party toured the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center, where they viewed exhibits featuring cacti, desert bighorn sheep, and panoramic scenes of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
The visit was intentionally kept private. According to the newspaper, the Queen and her party entered and left the valley without publicity, and the community kept the visit confidential. It was only months later that details became public.
Although Queen Beatrix did not sign the Visitor Center guest register, a member of her party, Adriana Juander Graaf, signed on behalf of the group, listing an address in The Hague, The Netherlands. Volunteer Rose Dankjessen was on duty during the visit, and Mrs. Joe "Catherine" Stone later confirmed the June 20, 1982, date by checking the official register.
The story also noted Borrego Springs' growing international appeal. Visitor Center volunteers reported that more than half of their summer visitors were from Europe, despite temperatures reaching 110 degrees.
Today, the archived newspaper account preserves a unique piece of Borrego Springs history, documenting the day a reigning European monarch quietly visited California's largest state park and one of its most remote desert communities.
-----
These documents are part of the Borrego Sun materials acquired by Ram Media Foundation. Separately, The Borrego Sun archives are being preserved and digitized by the San Diego History Center, ensuring that decades of Borrego Springs history will be preserved for future generations.
To support the future of local media through Ram Media Foundation, please contact Andrea at andrea@rammediafoundation.org.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
California Newspaper Publishers Association Merit Awards presented to the Borrego Sun for Best Front Page in 1966 and 1967.
Hubbell’s dining room table bathed in warm light surrounded in beautifully crafted art in addition to surrounding heirloom art from Jones family. Photo courtesy Ilan Lael Foundation, 2020 East County News Services June 18, 2026 (Julian) — Hidden among 10 acres of oak woodland in the mountains of Santa Ysabel sits an architectural marvel that bridges the boundaries between art and nature — and this local hidden gem has now received new national acclaim. The Ilan-Lael Foundation announced recently that the home and studio of its founders, the late artist James Hubbell and his wife Anne, has been officially accepted into the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program, a prestigious coalition under the National Trust for Historic Preservation . By achieving this designation, Ilan-Lael joins an elite group of 93 sites across 32 states, placing Hubbell’s property alongside the creative sanctuaries of renowned American artists such as Thomas Hart Benton, James W. Washington Jr., and Dorothy Riester. James Hubbell (1931–2024) was widely regarded as both a visionary artist and an organic architect. Over a span of more than six decades, he and Anne constructed 13 distinct structures on their Santa Ysabel compound. Often described as “habitable sculptures,” the buildings are defined by their deep roots in the surrounding landscape, utilizing found natural materials, intricate mosaics, stained glass, and custom ironwork. Hubbell’s ethereal designs extend far beyond his mountain retreat; his public and private works have graced hundreds of spaces across Southern California and the Pacific Rim. “We are beyond honored to have received this designation that will help us continue to commemorate Jim’s legacy,” said Marianne Gerdes, executive director at the Ilan-Lael Foundation. “Since his passing, we have strived to uphold his belief that art and nature work harmoniously. The property has always been the best hidden gem of San Diego, and now the recognition helps us to share the magic with the public.” Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios operates as a peer-to-peer museum coalition dedicated to preserving the primary residences and creative workspaces of notable American artists. As the only national entity focused on site-specific narratives in American art history, HAHS provides expertise in historic preservation, visitor programming, and community outreach. For the Ilan-Lael Foundation, this induction reinforces its ongoing mission to act as a community educator and arts advocate. Following James Hubbell’s passing in 2024, the foundation has actively expanded public access to his lifework. Historically, the private property was only open to the community during an annual Father’s Day weekend tour hosted by James and Anne. Today, the ILF has broadened its reach to include year-round tours with expanded access to the Santa Ysabel headquarters and studios; public exhibition showcasing Hubbell’s work at prominent locations (including the San Diego International Airport and the Oceanside Museum of Art); and educational partnerships, fostering continuous learning environments with local institutions such as UC San Diego, Palomar College and the Julian Union School District. Through these initiatives, the foundation continues to explore new avenues to engage the community, inspire creativity, and sustain Hubbell’s vision of a sanctuary where art and nature coexist perfectly. To learn more about the Ilan-Lael Foundation, explore James Hubbell’s artistic legacy or schedule a visit to the newly recognized historic property, visit ilanlaelfoundation.org
Art, History, and Scenic Views Just 38 Miles Away
Borrego Springs ultra-endurance cyclist Sylvia Maas is preparing to take on one of the world's most demanding bicycle races while continuing her efforts to support local students through scholarships and mentorship. Maas will begin the NorthCape–Tarifa Race on June 20, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. from the North Cape in Norway. The self-supported race covers nearly 4,350 miles (7,000 kilometers) across Europe and finishes in Tarifa, Spain, the southernmost point of mainland Europe. The route includes checkpoints in Helsinki, Finland; the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania; Torun, Poland; Bregenz, Austria; Col du Galibier and Nice, France; Port d’Envalira, Andorra; Pico del Veleta, Spain; and Tarifa, Spain. Riders will cross multiple countries, mountain ranges, and some of Europe's most challenging cycling terrain. Maas, a retired teacher, is riding to raise awareness for Bike4BorregoKids , the scholarship initiative she founded after volunteering at Borrego Springs High School and recognizing the need for additional support for graduating seniors. The program provides scholarships, mentorship, leadership development opportunities, and educational experiences designed to help students prepare for college, trade schools, and careers.
Free hands-on clay, pottery, and glazing experiences planned for summer mornings in Borrego Springs. ArtPark continues to grow as a place for creativity, learning, and community in Borrego Springs. This summer, visitors can explore a new hands-on art experience as John DeLois, in partnership with the Borrego Art Institute, plans to offer free ceramics workshops at ArtPark. Participants will have the opportunity to work with clay, learn basic pottery techniques, try the pottery wheels, explore glazing, and have their creations fired and ready to take home. An open worktable will also be available for creative projects and demonstrations. Dates are still being finalized, but workshops are expected to take place on Saturday, and Sunday mornings throughout the summer. Located on the Borrego Art Institute campus, ArtPark combines community gardens, orchard space, outdoor learning areas, and public art, making it a unique place to discover something new. Whether you're interested in gardening, art, fresh produce, or simply enjoying the desert landscape, ArtPark offers opportunities to connect, learn, and create. Visitors are encouraged to stop by during the summer to see what's happening. You may find volunteers in the gardens, fresh produce available, a community project underway, or a pottery wheel spinning. For ArtPark information, contact Wade at (760) 767-5152 or email artfarm@borregoartinstitute.org .
Showing Up, Giving Back, and Inspiring the Next Generation At the Borrego Springs High School end-of-year awards ceremony, three women stood together who represent something deeply important in Borrego Springs: showing up for local students. Sylvia Maas, Corie Loera-Jaramillo, and Christina Portilla each serve the community in different ways, but their work shares a common purpose. They help educate, support, inspire, and encourage the children of Borrego Springs. Two of the women, Sylvia Maas and Corie Loera-Jaramillo, presented student awards that evening. Christina Portilla was there supporting her foreign exchange host students, but her presence reflected something even broader: she shows up for everyone. Whether through mentoring, volunteering, hosting students, or supporting local programs, Christina is one of the steady people helping Borrego Springs youth feel encouraged, included, and cared for. Sylvia Maas, an ultra-endurance cyclist and retired teacher, founded Bike4BorregoKids , an initiative that turns determination into opportunity for local students. Through scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, and educational experiences, Bike4BorregoKids helps Borrego Springs students prepare for college, careers, and life beyond high school. Through Bike4BorregoKids, Sylvia Maas has helped raise and award more than $30,000 in scholarships for Borrego Springs students for the third year, turning community support into real opportunities for local graduates. Her overall message to students is clear: don’t give up. In cycling, Sylvia often refers to the term DNF, meaning “Did Not Finish.” She uses that idea to remind students that school, work, and life will all bring difficult stretches — but the goal is to keep going, keep working, and finish what they started. Corie Loera-Jaramillo, who works at Borrego Outfitters in The Mall, has volunteered her time for over six years with the Interact Club at Borrego Springs High School , sponsored by the Rotary Club of Borrego Springs . Interact helps students build leadership skills, integrity, teamwork, and a commitment to giving back through service projects such as toy drives, field trips, community cleanups, and volunteer support at local events. Christina Portilla is known throughout Borrego Springs for her generous heart, creativity, and steady support of young people. She is a Girl Scout leader, foreign exchange student host, mentor, and volunteer for many local organizations, including OLAX, Soroptimist, American Legion, Bike4BorregoKids, and more. To many, she is like a mother to Borrego kids. Together, these women encourage teamwork, collaboration, service, and confidence. You will often see them at community events, not seeking attention, but working in the background, supporting students and helping programs succeed. Through scholarships, field trips, Dream It, Be It, service clubs, mentoring, and countless volunteer hours, Sylvia, Corie, and Christina remind Borrego Springs students that they are seen, supported, and capable of more than they may realize. Their work is powerful because it is consistent. They keep showing up. And for the children of Borrego Springs, that makes all the difference.
East County News Service May 31, 2026 (San Diego) – You’re invited to see James and Anne Hubbell’s acclaimed home and art studios near Julian, California. Docent-led tours are offered each Thursday through Saturday in June, starting at 10 a.m.An immersive art and nature experience, each 90-minute tour covers the art and architecture of famed architect and artist James Hubbell amid the surrounding unspoiled natural beauty of the Santa Ysabel landscape. Admission fees go entirely to support Ilan-Lael Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit dedicated to preserving the Hubbell property and its legacy of bringing art and nature to the community. Reservations are required. For tickets ($45) and details, visit https://ilanlaelfoundation.org/ .
Charles Robert Starrett was an American actor and singer, best known for his role as “The Durango Kid” in over 100 Western films. Born on March 28th, 1903 in Athol, Massachusetts, Starrett began his acting career in the silent era before transitioning to sound films. He passed away on March 22nd, 1986, in Borrego Springs, California.
SDVoyager feature recognizes the leadership behind the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center Martha Deichler, executive director of the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center (CRC), was recently featured by SDVoyager for her years of service helping families, seniors, workers, and individuals throughout the community. In the feature, Deichler shared how the CRC grew from a small food bank effort during the COVID-19 pandemic into a major hub for community support services. As unemployment and hardship spread through the area during the pandemic, local residents began turning to the food bank not only for groceries, but also for help navigating unemployment applications, vaccine appointments, Medi-Cal, transportation needs, and other essential services. What started as emergency food assistance eventually evolved into the Borrego Springs Community Resource Center, which today offers a wide range of programs including food distribution, English and Spanish classes, citizenship classes, grief counseling, transportation assistance, computer literacy support, AA meetings, and caregiver training programs. Deichler described herself in the article as a “connector,” someone who helps match people with resources, services, and support systems. Her background working in the school district and her ability to speak Spanish have helped her build trusted relationships with families throughout the community. One program highlighted in the story addresses the growing need for caregivers for older adults who wish to remain in the area as they age. Through the CRC’s caregiver initiative, local residents can receive training and assistance connecting with In-Home Support Services (IHSS) opportunities, helping seniors remain independent while creating employment opportunities locally. The article also emphasized the generosity of the community and the support that has allowed the CRC to continue expanding services over the past several years. At 77 years old, Deichler shared that she has no plans to slow down, continuing her work to respond to the changing needs of the community and strengthen programs that help residents access food, healthcare, transportation, education, and support services. The full SDVoyager feature can be viewed here: Read the SDVoyager feature on Martha Deichler
