Events.
Film Preview & Complimentary Wine Tasting at Wildest Restaurant & Bar
You are invited to a special event!
Come celebrate with us at Wildest from 2 - 4, Thursday April 17th with appetizers and wine tasting curtesy of Wildest.
This event at Wildest is a celebration of the award Nina Paul Shumway received as the 2025 recipient of the History Award from Daughters of the Revolution. We will be showing a trailer of the documentary we are producing about Nina “God, Guts, and Grit.”
Through her two books, “Your Desert and Mine” and “Mountain of Discovery”, along with her poetry and other writings, Nina offers a glimpse into her extraordinary life and accomplishments. The homes she built in the high desert, now designated as historical landmarks, stand as a testament to her careful planning and dedication. Her commitment to preserving nature—fueled by her own healing journey—has left us with a lasting gift: a legacy of conservation, resilience, and deep respect for the land.
For Reservations, email: nvtheatre01@aol.com
or call: (714) 401-0324
Press Release
Come enjoy complimentary Hors D’oeuvres and taste incredible wine on Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 4 PM – 6 PM outside at Wildest Restaurant + Bar (72990 El Paseo, Ste 3, Palm Desert, CA 92260), learn about the inspiring and exciting new documentary film God, Guts and Grit (The Legacy of Nina Paul Shumway), written, produced and directed by Emmy-Nominated filmmaker Pamela Peak.
Nina Paul Shumway, one of the Coachella Valley’s very first conservationists was recently awarded A Women in History Award 2025 by The Daughters of the Revolution (DAR, Cahuilla Chapter). Her niece, Cathy Brant, who helped Nina write her book, Mountain of Discovery, was on hand to accept the award.
“With the view of The San Jacinto Mountains as a backdrop, the award-winning Wildest Restaurant is the perfect place to hold an event about Nina Paul Shumway and tell her moving story”, says filmmaker Peak. “Nina loved those mountains; she was the last homesteader in those mountains when she and her husband Stephen obtained their incredible land 4,000 feet up. This area and the desert were Nina’s inspiration, and after reading her two books about her life as an early settler, the desert has become an inspiration for me too.”
The Wildest Restaurant + Bar is owned and operated by Bill Hay and Charissa Farley-Hay. Their mission is to create a ‘Napa-style’ with-Palm-Springs-flair farm-to-table dining experience by offering a delicious twist on locally sourced food with a fun, unique and approachable wine list. The complimentary hors d’oeuvres and available wines blend beautifully with the local story of Nina Paul Shumway, as Peak and her executive producers John and Yolanda Kalb, residents of Pinyon Crest, address the crowd at the foot of the mountains and show a moving trailer from the film God, Guts and Grit (The Legacy of Nina Paul Shumway).
Emmy-Nominated, Award-Winning Filmmaker Pamela Peak, whose films have inspired millions on PBS, will be there to address the crowd. Pamela, also an inspirational speaker, has an unparalleled ability to weave history into deeply moving and personal stories. Her past works include Colorblind and Voices of a Never-Ending Dawn, both appearing nationally on PBS and throughout PBS Canada.
The Story of Nina Paul Shumway
Nina Paul Shumway’s extraordinary story is at the heart of God, Guts, and Grit. A young woman from a pampered Victorian upbringing, Nina was thrust into the harsh realities of desert farming in the early 1900s when her father, W.L. Paul, left a prosperous farm in Nebraska to help establish the date industry in the Coachella Valley.
Nina’s poetic writings and vivid descriptions of life as a settler form the soul of this documentary. Her books, Your Desert and Mine and Mountain of Discovery, offer a powerful testament to the physical, mental, and spiritual fortitude required to build a life in this unforgiving land.
“Nina’s writings are nothing short of profound,” says Peak. “Reading her work, I was struck by the sheer strength and grace it took for her and others to endure the challenges of desert life. Her story deserves to be told, and I’m honored to bring it to life in this film.”
“Experiencing Nina Paul Shumway receive A Women in History Award from The Daughters of The Revolution Event on March 21st, was also such an honor.” says filmmaker Peak.
“As I studied Nina’s life through her books, poetry and writings, all I could think of was that honoring this great woman is so fitting. She led a life of courage and strength and laid the foundation for generations of Americans to come. Through Nina’s well-written poems and books, she truly has left a legacy for all of us to follow – it is a legacy that exemplifies the resilience of The American Spirit.”
A Community Collaboration
The documentary film about Nina Paul Shumway is spearheaded by Executive Producers John and Yolanda Kalb, residents of the Pinyon Crest area, who first brought Nina’s story to Pamela Peak. Yolanda and John Kalb operating New Vision Theatre are thrilled to see this story come to life. Yolanda has also played a pivotal role in researching the film, with invaluable support from the Coachella Valley History Museum, The Historical Society of Palm Desert, and the Palm Springs Historical Society, archivists and researchers.
The film also features the expertise of local historian Harry Quinn and area resident Kitty Kiely Hayes, the great-granddaughter of Coachella Valley pioneer and businesswoman Nellie Coffman.
Kitty Kiely Hayes, who knew Nina Paul Shumway personally, will be present at The Wildest Restaurant Event and will share her experience with Nina Paul Shumway.
An Invitation to Experience History
“My goal, as a filmmaker, has always been to make history personal and meaningful for people of all ages,” says Peak. “And it is my pleasure to honor Nina Paul Shumway - a great woman from The Coachella Valley who had a wonderful courageous spirit. Nina was an artist who was far ahead of her time as a woman and it’s time that her story be told."
Event details are as follows:
What: An event at the Award-Winning Wildest Restaurant + Bar in Palm Desert, featuring a preview of the film God, Guts and Grit, it’s producers and members of the cast.
Enjoy wine samples and hors oeuvres along with a beautiful view of The San Jacinto Mountains.
When: Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 4-6 PM
Where: The Wildest Restaurant + Bar at 72990 El Paseo, Site 3, Palm Desert, CA 92260
For more information about The Wildest Restaurant + Bar see:
For more information about Pamela Peak and the film God, Guts and Grit (The Legacy of Nina Paul Shumway) see:
https://www.pamelapeakproductions.com/
&
For more information about Executives Producers John and Yolanda Kalb, New Vision Theatre Company see:
https://www.newvisiontheatre.com/projects/god-guts-grit-documentary
To support the completion of this film as a tax-deductible donation see:
https://www.newvisiontheatre.com/donations or call (714) 401-0324
Women in History Award Ceremony - Nina Paul Shumway
We’re thrilled to announce that Nina Paul Shumway will be recognized for her incredible contributions to our region during Women’s History Month!
🏅 On Friday, March 21, 2025, from 11:30 AM -2:30 PM, The Daughters of the American Revolution will honor Nina for her legacy as a true pioneer and American trailblazer.
📍 Location: Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, CA
If you’d like to join us for this special event, we would love to see you there! Lunch is $37, and you can RSVP by reaching out to Joanne Hardy at hohojo2@earthlink.net.
Press Release
Coachella Valley Pioneer and Preservationist To Receive A Women in History Award!
On Friday, March 21, 2025, at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA, Nina Paul Shumway, a pioneer and one of the very first conservationists of The Coachella Valley will receive A Women in History Award from The Daughters of The Revolution (DAR, Cahuilla Chapter). Cathy Paul Brant, Nina’s niece, who helped Nina write her book Mountain of Discovery, will be on hand to accept the Women in History Award.
Also present on March 21st will be John and Yolanda Kalb, Executive Producers for an inspirational documentary film called God, Guts and Grit (The Legacy of Nina Paul Shumway). It is a tribute to Nina Paul Shumway and the grit and resilience of the early pioneers of The Coachella Valley.
The film, about Nina Paul Shumway’s life, is being created by Emmy-Nominated, Award-Winning Filmmaker Pamela Peak, whose films have inspired millions on PBS. Pamela has an unparalleled ability to weave history into deeply moving and personal stories. Her past works include the Colorblind and Voices of a Never-Ending Dawn, both appearing nationally on PBS and throughout PBS Canada.
The Story of Nina Paul Shumway
Nina Paul Shumway’s extraordinary story is at the heart of God, Guts, and Grit. A young woman from a pampered Victorian upbringing, Nina was thrust into the harsh realities of desert farming in the early 1900s when her father, W.L. Paul, left a prosperous farm in Nebraska to help establish the date industry in the Coachella Valley.
Nina’s poetic writings and vivid descriptions of life as a settler form the soul of this documentary. Her books, Your Desert and Mine and Mountain of Discovery, offer a powerful testament to the physical, mental, and spiritual fortitude required to build a life in this unforgiving land.
“Nina’s writings are nothing short of profound,” says Peak. “Reading her work, I was struck by the sheer strength and grace it took for her and others to endure the challenges of desert life. Her story deserves to be told, and I’m honored to bring it to life in this film.”
“Experiencing Nina Paul Shumway receive A Women in History Award from The Daughters of The Revolution Event on March 21st, is such an honor.” says filmmaker Peak.
“As I studied Nina’s life through her books, poetry and writings, all I could think of was that honoring this great woman is so fitting. She led a life of courage and strength and laid the foundation for generations of Americans to come. Through Nina’s well-written poems and books, she truly has left a legacy for all of us to follow – It is a legacy that exemplifies the resilience of The American Spirit.”
A Community Collaboration
The documentary film about Nina Paul Shumway is spearheaded by Executive Producers John and Yolanda Kalb, residents of the Pinyon Crest area, who first brought Nina’s story to Pamela Peak. Yolanda Kalb has also played a pivotal role in researching the film, with invaluable support from the Coachella Valley History Museum’s archivists and researchers.
The film also features the expertise of local historian Harry Quinn and area resident Kitty Kiely Hayes, the great-granddaughter of Coachella Valley pioneer and businesswoman Nellie Coffman.
Kitty Kiely Hayes, who knew Nina Paul Shumway personally, will be present and will also speak at The Daughters of The Revolution Award Luncheon as well.
An Invitation to Experience History
“My goal, as a filmmaker, has always been to make history personal and meaningful for people of all ages,” says Peak. “And now, a wonderful courageous spirit – Nina Paul Shumway - who was far ahead of her time as a woman, is being honored by The Daughters of The Revolution (Cahuilla Chapter, DAR). I only wish Nina Paul Shumway was here to accept this well-deserved award. But somewhere in my heart I know Nina will feel it! She had such a love for The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountain areas, and I want to thank The Daughters of The Revolution for making this all happen.”
Event Details:
What: Nina Paul Shumway, a pioneer and one of the very first conservationists of The Coachella Valley will receive A Women in History Award from The Daughters of The Revolution (DAR, Cahuilla Chapter).
When: Friday, March 21, 2025 – 11:30 – 2:30 pm
Where: Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA
To RSVP for the luncheon at Mission Hills Country Club please contact Joanne Hardy, Chairman at hohojo2@earthlink.net It is $37.00.
To reach Executive Producers of the film, God, Guts and Grit (The Legacy of Nina Paul Shumway), John and Yolanda Kalb, please call: (714) 401-0324 or email them at: nvtheatre01@aol.com
To reach writer, producer, director Pamela Peak of the film God, Guts and Grit (The Legacy of Nina Paul Shumway) please call: (949) 439-8735 or email Pamela at Pamela@PamelaPeakProductions.com
Past Event: God, Guts & Grit Fundraiser
Fundraiser Poster
Join us on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the Coachella Valley History Museum, located at 82616 Miles Ave, Indio, CA 92201, for an inspiring live event about the making of a profound film. Meet Emmy-nominated producer and director Pamela Peak to discover how inspirational films are created. Connect with Kitty Coffman, the great-granddaughter of Nellie Coffman, a pioneering businesswoman of the Coachella Valley, and Tina Wilson, who provides the beautiful voice of Nina Paul Shumway in this impactful film. To RSVP, please contact Yolanda Kalb at (714) 401-0324 or email NVtheatre01@aol.com.
We are also delighted to present the incredible Cahuilla Music of Steve Rushingwind.
Rushingwind’s enchanting flute music is Native American and also New Age. He is an International Two Time Native American Music Award (NAMMY) winner. His works have been featured on PBS with Ken Burns. He will grace the stage for this event at 3:40 PM on January 26th.
To hear Steve Rushingwind's music, see: stevenrushingwindmusic.com
