Wanda Stadum | Ep 79

Before a long trip road, Wanda Stadum brought her dog to stay with a friend in Yucca Valley. After her trip, Wanda returned to retrieve her dog only to find he had gone missing. Wanda looked around, liked what she saw and decided to move to the desert. Wanda was no stranger to the Hi-Desert. She and her sister had tagged along with their Scoutmaster Dad when he'd bring his troops to camp and hike at what then known as Joshua Tree National Monument. With a background in graphic arts and a knack for hand-lettering signs, Wanda opened a sign business with her new found love, Bob. From her tipi, pitched in the backyard of her Yucca Valley friend, Wanda had waved at Bob as he rode by on his bicycle one evening - the rest is history. The business thrived for 30 years - their love, even longer. Since her arrival to the hi-desert, Wanda has been very active in her community and her involvement and dedication has been recognized by many organizations including the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, the California Legislature Assembly, the Elks, Soroptomist International, the Basin Wide Foundation and the organization she now leads as President/CEO, the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. Wanda loves being physically active as well - she's voluntarily taught water aerobics at two local pools for 35 years. She credits health and fitness as one of the main reasons she has the energy, attitude and time to give to her community. Wanda is currently reading 'First Colony', a sci-fi fantasy series by Ken Lozito and her recommended desert reading, especially for a view of life as a single woman homesteader, are books by Susan Lang.