> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # πŸ—žοΈ Riverside News- March 15, 2026 - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-march-15-2026/ - Published: 2026-03-15T12:00:19.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T02:15:04.000Z - Description: Strachan's lasting packing house, Mission Belles spotlight, remote writing prompt... - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: Newsletter ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/03/Static_Social-X_800x418_Hadestown_2026_Regional_FoxTheater_0413.jpg) **Sunday Gazette: March 15, 2026** **Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday!** We're kicking off the week with something fun: a chance to win two tickets to see [Hadestown at the Fox Theater](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/hadestown-touring-/16641314/2026-04-13T19) on April 13. Hadestown is Broadway's Tony and Grammy-winning Best Musical, and we want to send you there. Here's how to enter: snap your favorite photo of your favorite spot in Riverside, tell us what it is and why it means so much to you, and submit it at [raincrossgazette.com](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) by this Friday, March 20\. One photo will be chosen, and we'll announce the winner next Sunday, March 22\. Every photo submitted will also be featured as a newsletter photo in a future edition of the Gazette. This is your city. Show us the corner of it you love most! --- 🧑 Thank you to the Subscribers who became paid supporters this week: Gayat Adame and Patti McGinnis. [Your ongoing financial support](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/riverside-news-november-16-2025-2/#/portal/account/plans) is vital to our success in serving Riverside with the news it deserves! --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169513/image/0?seed=20260315)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169513/click/0?seed=20260315&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [HISTORY](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/history/) ## Packed and Gone: The Rise and Fall of Strachan Fruit Company Alexander Strachan arrived in Riverside with little history and left behind a packing house that outlasted his company by more than a century. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/03/8-Salt-Lake-Route-1.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/packed-and-gone-the-rise-and-fall-of-strachan-fruit-company/) Postcard of the Limited, a Passenger Train for the Salt Lake Route, Traveling through the Orange Groves. (Author's collection) The early history of Riverside was closely tied to the citrus industry. By 1882, there were more than 250,000 citrus trees in Riverside. By 1895, the citrus industry had made Riverside the wealthiest city in the country per capita. Many of the early Riversiders entered this thriving citrus industry. One such early Riverside resident connected to the citrus industry was Alexander Strachan. Alexander was born in 1879 in Ontario, Canada. According to US Census reports, he immigrated to the United States in 1897\. His name appears in Riverside newspapers by early 1903\. Later that year, in early October, Mr. and Mrs. George Seger announced that their daughter, Helen Hardenburg Seger, was engaged to Alexander Strachan. The wedding occurred at the Seger home on October 24, 1903\. Mrs. Seger was the former Sarah Jane Hardenburg, the sister of Isabella Hardenburg, Frank A. Miller's first wife. Thus, through marriage, Alexander Strachan became Frank Miller's nephew. City directories of the time list the Strachan couple living at the Glenwood Hotel. In the 1905 Riverside City Directory, Alexander Strachan was listed as an officer of the G R Hand & Company. Hand soon ran into difficulties. The Strachan Fruit Company was incorporated in July 1906 as a reorganization of the G. R. Hand Company, with the same officers, packing houses, and citrus brands. At that time, they had facilities in Riverside, Casa Blanca, Upland, and Rialto. [Read and share the complete story...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/packed-and-gone-the-rise-and-fall-of-strachan-fruit-company/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169515/image/0?seed=20260315)](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169515/click/0?seed=20260315&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [NEIGHBOR OF THE WEEK](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/neighbor-of-the-week/) ## Neighbor of the Week: The Riverside Mission Belles Neighbor of the Week is a series profiling the hidden heroes of Riverside, doing incredible works of service throughout our different neighborhoods. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/b2/b3b29e3b-298e-485f-86ca-3034c21e3784/content/images/2026/03/RG-Feat-Image-Template-31-1.jpg)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/neighbor-of-the-week-the-riverside-mission-belles/) Members of the Riverside Mission Belles, dressed in their signature black and red, pause for a photo during a holiday Sing Out. (Courtesy of The Riverside Mission Belles) For more than 80 years, the Riverside Mission Belles have been bringing music to the people of the Inland Empire β€” from local schools and community clubs to senior living centers and the Festival of Lights. The women's chorus traces its roots to the PTA Mother Singers of the 1930s, who performed at schools across town, and later became known as the PTA Choristers before taking their current name. Today, members come from throughout the Riverside region and share a simple mission. "To bring joy and music to the hearts of the community," says Debbie Schwartz, Mission Belles member, "and to offer a place for interested women to sing with others." The Belles hold weekly rehearsals most Wednesdays, where members enjoy the camaraderie of harmonizing light music together. The group welcomes any woman who can "carry a tune and learn songs" β€” no audition required to join. Their outreach, which they call "Sing Outs," takes them to senior centers, convalescent homes, and retirement communities throughout the Riverside area and beyond, with especially busy seasons around the holidays. The Mission Belles are also affiliated with the California Women's Chorus (CWC), an umbrella organization that brings together approximately 80–100 voices from choruses spanning Santa Barbara to San Diego. Each year, the CWC hosts a Scholarship Concert awarding $1,000 grants to three vocal students between the ages of 18 and 25\. This year, [that concert comes to Riverside β€” on Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. at California Baptist University](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/california-women-s-chorus-concert/16862130/2026-05-03T14). [Get to know The Mission Belles...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/neighbor-of-the-week-the-riverside-mission-belles/) --- Advertisement ([Become an advertiser](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/advertise/)) [ ![Advertisement](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/169514/image/0?seed=20260315) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/169514/click/0?seed=20260315&ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- #### [CREATIVE PROMPTS](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/tag/creative-prompts/) ## Remotely Possible A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns. [![white and black remote control](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1621703455854-050a995b6d10?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDh8fHJlbW90ZXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzM0NDMwMTh8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/remotely-possible/) ([James Yarema](https://unsplash.com/@jamesyarema?ref=raincrossgazette.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit)) This week, we’re staying put again β€” but this time, we’re reaching for control. Your creative nudge is the remote control. Look around. How many remotes live in your house? One for the television. One for the sound bar. One for the ceiling fan. One for the garage door. One that claims to do it all. And at least two whose original purpose has been lost to time. The remote was designed with the human in mind. It is a symbol of convenience, a friction remover. Why stand up to change the channel when you can simply move your thumb? Why cross the room when you can command from the couch? The remote allows us to alter our environment without altering our position. It promises efficiency. It delivers access. [Read and share this week's full Creative Prompt...](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/remotely-possible/) --- πŸ“£ ****See something? Say something.** Your tips and ideas are what fuel The Raincross Gazette. If you know of something newsworthy happening in our city, please [share it with us](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/contact/). --- ## This Week in Riverside ### Sunday, March 15 - [Prayers and Public Information Meeting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/prayers-and-public-information-meeting/16726617/2026-03-15T11) at Riverside Baha'i Center - [Gardening Tool Preparation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/gardening-tool-preparation/18023208/2026-03-15T09) at UCR Botanic Gardens - [Plant Pop-up Shop](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/plant-popup-shop/18023521/2026-03-15T09) at UCR Botanic Gardens - [Orange Terrace Library | Shamrock Wands (Take and Make)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/orange-terrace-library-shamrock-wands-take-and-make/18133194/2026-03-15T10) at Orange Terrace Library - [Panda Day Craft](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/panda-day-craft/18157422/2026-03-15T14) at Marcy Library - [BrincosDieras - El Desmadre Continua Tour(18+)](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/brincosdieras-el-desmadre-continua-tour18/17660587/2026-03-15T18) at Fox Performing Arts Center ### Monday, March 16 - [Volunteer Interest Hour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/volunteer-interest-hour/18161070/2026-03-16T09) at Riverside Meals on Wheels - [Goeske Bingo](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/goeske-bingo/17920930/2026-03-16T09) at Janet Goeske Center ($20- $100) ### Tuesday, March 17 - [Lunchtime Jazz Concert Series](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/lunchtime-jazz-concert-series/18303070/2026-03-17T13) at Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties - [Orange Terrace Library | No-Sew Pillow Making](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/orange-terrace-library-nosew-pillow-making/18163556/2026-03-17T15) at Orange Terrace Library - [Riverside Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-official-st-patricks-day-bar-crawl/17713989/2026-03-17T17) at Palenque kitchen by Mezcal - [ScotSurplus Public Sale](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/scotsurplus-public-sale/17279943/2026-03-17T11) at ScotSurplus, UCR Corporation Yard - [Karaoke Tuesday Competition at the Hideaway](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/karaoke-tuesday-competition-at-the-hideaway/18262381/2026-03-17T19) at The Hideaway ### Wednesday, March 18 - [Stretch & Dance Class](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/stretch-dance-class/17541755/2026-03-18T09) at Janet Goeske Senior Center - [Reading Assistance Program](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/reading-assistance-program/17973404/2026-03-18T15) at My Learning Studio - [World Recycling Day Art](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/world-recycling-day-art/18157615/2026-03-18T14) at Marcy Library - [Riverside Reads | Ethnic Studies Lecture](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-reads-ethnic-studies-lecture/18226251/2026-03-18T18) at Main Library - [La Tinta Invisible - Book Launch with Victor](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/la-tinta-invisible-book-launch-with-victor/18120397/2026-03-18T18) at Zacatecas Cafe ($25) - [Riverside East Rotary Club](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-east-rotary-club/13565436/2026-03-18T07) at Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern - [Riverside Mission Belles](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-mission-belles/16691431/2026-03-18T09) at Victoria Presbyterian Church - [Riverside Open Mic Music Series](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/riverside-open-mic-music-series/15529475/2026-03-18T17) at Back to the Grind - [History on the Rocks - Round Two! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/history-on-the-rocks-round-two-presented-by-the-mission-inn-foundation/18169146/2026-03-18T17) at Mission Inn Foundation ($60) ### Thursday, March 19 - [Empowered Leadership: Cultivating Influence and Impact](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/empowered-leadership-cultivating-influence-and-impact/17934420/2026-03-19T08) at Work Well ($165) - [Family Storytime](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/family-storytime/17755264/2026-03-19T11) at Lincoln Park - [Movie | Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/movie-willie-wonka-and-the-chocolate-factory/18157630/2026-03-19T16) at Marcy Library - [Pour Decisions a Comedy Wine Tasting](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/pour-decisions-a-comedy-wine-tasting/18120554/2026-03-19T19) at Canyon Crest Winery ($39.19) - [Savvy Chic Kids Spring Consignment Sale](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/savvy-chic-kids-spring-consignment-sale/18172205/2026-03-19T09) at Mission Grove Shopping Center - [Drag Queen Bingo Supporting the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/drag-queen-bingo-supporting-the-mary-s-roberts-pet-adoption-center/18296211/2026-03-19T18) at VIP Nightclub & Restaurant ($25) - [History on the Rocks! Presented by The Mission Inn Foundation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/history-on-the-rocks-presented-by-the-mission-inn-foundation/18169143/2026-03-19T17) at Mission Inn Foundation Store ($60) - [Snow Tha Product](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/snow-tha-product-before-i-crashout/17597129/2026-03-19T19) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ### Friday, March 20 - [Certified Farmers Market](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/new-certified-farmers-market-january-9-at-farm-house-collective/17808448/2026-03-20T10) at Farm House Collective - [Murder Mystery Co. Dinner Theater Show at The Old Spaghetti Factory](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/murder-mystery-co-dinner-theater-show-at-the-old-spaghetti-factory/18000822/2026-03-20T19) at The Old Spaghetti Factory ($69) - [THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: FLOWERS TOUR](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-devil-wears-prada-flowers-tour/17499179/2026-03-20T18) at Riverside Municipal Auditorium ### Saturday, March 21 - [LiTEArature: A Fairy-Themed Afternoon Tea - SOLD OUT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/litearature-a-fairythemed-afternoon-tea-sold-out/18160499/2026-03-21T14) at Heritage House ($25) - [Afternoon Tea Fundraiser for The Mission Inn Foundation](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/afternoon-tea-fundraiser-for-the-mission-inn-foundation/18131826/2026-03-21T14) at Historic Battles House ($71.21) - [Harold Lloyd - Safety Last - Silent Movie Screening](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/harold-lloyd-safety-last-silent-movie-screening/18120488/2026-03-21T12) at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa ($30) ## Save the Date - March 15: [Fourth Annual Victoria Woods Neighborhood Garage Sale](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/fourth-annual-victoria-woods-neighborhood-garage-sale/18314211/2026-03-15T08) at Victoria Woods Neighborhood - March 19: [Empowered Leadership: Cultivating Influence and Impact](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/empowered-leadership-cultivating-influence-and-impact/17934420/2026-03-19T08) at Work Well ($165) - March 21: [LiTEArature: A Fairy-Themed Afternoon Tea - SOLD OUT](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/litearature-a-fairythemed-afternoon-tea-sold-out/18160499/2026-03-21T14) at Heritage House ($25) - March 23: [Sip with a Scientist](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/sip-with-a-scientist/17942951/2026-03-23T17) at Bar Ni Modo - March 26: [She Built This City: Women and the Making of Riverside](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/she-built-this-city-women-and-the-making-of-riverside/18309147/2026-03-26T18) at Riverside Main Library - March 28: [Goeske Spring Festival](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/goeske-spring-festival/17846140/2026-03-28T10) at Janet Goeske Center - April 5: [Easter Celebration](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/easter-celebration/18317726/2026-04-05T10) at First Congregational Church of Riverside - April 11: [Olivewood Cemetery Tour](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/olivewood-cemetery-tour/18153476/2026-04-11T10) at Olivewood Cemetery ($21.20) - April 12: [The Expeditions of Juan Bautista de Anza through Riverside County](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/the-expeditions-of-juan-bautista-de-anza-through-riverside-county/18308461/2026-04-12T13) at Riverside Medical Clinic Basement Meeting Room - April 17: [Frozen: The Broadway Musical](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/frozen-the-broadway-musical/18267129/2026-04-17T19) at Woodcrest Christian School Royals Pavilion ($15- $20) - April 18: [Walk with the Animals - Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/walk-with-the-animals-mary-s-roberts-pet-adoption-center/17926667/2026-04-18T09) at Fairmount Park ($20 to $40) πŸ—“οΈ [See More Events](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/)πŸ“ [Submit Your Event](https://hub.cityspark.com/Event/Submission/Raincross?ref=raincrossgazette.com) --- πŸ“Έ [Submit a photo](http://raincrossgazette.com/submitphoto?ref=raincrossgazette.com) to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts. πŸ† [Nominate a remarkable Riversider](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) as Neighbor of the Week.