by Amie Rodgers, now a card carrying Jeep Club Member
I always knew I wanted a Jeep. I’ve never owned anything else. (Well, there was that one time I had a Mercedes, but that was a long time ago… I was young… and she meant nothing to me. ha/ha) Jeep owners are funny. We often wave at other Jeeps, just because. We are especially complimentary when we see a nice wench, snorkle or safari rack. I have never had a Jeep pass me without stop­ping to help should they see me …

Every once in a while (more often if you’re lucky) you meet a character so rich and colorful that it can be intimidating for someone like me to convey the ex­perience of their story and depth of their knowledge on the mere page. Master horseman L. Dutch van Dierendonck is one of them. This September, he will even be an honored volunteer at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.
Dutch may be a lot of things, but I wouldn’t consider him a cowboy. Maybe it is just because I …

Lavender is wonderful as a landscaping plant. It combines well with so many other plants in the landscape. It is easy to grow, drought resistant when established, and repellent to insects and deer. With its silvery green leaves, it is lovely even when it is not in bloom. As an added bonus it produces fragrant purple lavender flowers and is useful for cooking.
Lavender plants are perennial so once you plant them; you can enjoy them for many years. The fol­lowing are a few ideas of how you can add …

Spring is upon us and for those of us suffering extreme cabin fever, it is not a moment too soon. With the bulk of the winter storms behind us, I would like to take a moment to appreciate snow… Yes, it is cold and tends to make everyday life just a little more interesting in the Mountains, but few can argue the kind of quiet beauty a clean blanket of snow brings to the world. If you are still not feeling the love, consider this: Near the end of February …

Local Experts Offer Practical Ideas for an Elegant Event

Life is full of reasons to celebrate. One such occasion is a wedding, one special day that celebrates love, devotion and the beginning of married life. Whether the event is formal or casual, traditional or funky, it is all about the bride and her vision of the day.
Given the amount of importance piled onto this special day, it is understandable that planning a wedding can be a laborious and stressful task. We’ve asked local experts from Show Low, Snowflake and Payson to …