Well, it’s that time of year again, the one that kids dread and parents anticipate: back to school. I don’t know about you, but it seems like this summer has just flown right by, hardly even stopping to say hello. I think this might have something to do with the weather: it seems like we went right from wind season to monsoon season, without the usual month interval in between where it’s dry, hot, and summery. Well, whether it should be or not (I’m voting for not), summer is almost …

by Justine Wintersmith, Woman About Town
Walking into Ducks on the Pond, everywhere you look there are dozens of things to catch the eye, and one could easily visit the store several times in a single day and STILL keep finding treasures missed on the previous visits! Owner Sammie Haley has been collecting these items for decades just for the purpose of opening the store, and has truly followed her heart when choosing her items. With Sammie’s knack for color and design, the store could easily be considered a work of …

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 …

by Sharyn Jordan Hathcock Author, Environmental Healer, Symbolist
“The only transformer and alchemist that turns everything into gold is Love.” -Anais Nin
In these Times of Great Change, we are each given opportunities to be our very best selves. There is a 5,000 year old methodology called the Nine Star Chi (Ki in Japanese) that denotes one’s personal destiny starr pattern. It is not pre-destination for truly, you are always free to create your own cir­cumstances and outcomes. This ancient and highly revered system reveals the universal support im­bedded within you. …

by Doris “Moe” Kroupa, Trombonist
The White Mountain Big Band is ready to entertain you! Take a trip back in time to the “Swing Era” when music had a beat you could dance to, and songs had lyrics you could understand. Book a gig with Gene Peplowski at 928- 242-2651 or email me maverickmoe@yahoo.com. Our rates are reasonable and our greatest joy is playing for people who appreciate good music.
I know some of you not of my vintage may feel I’m a bit prejudiced, and you are probably right. …

by Amie Rodgers
The Northern Gila County Fair got its beginning when Payson’s rodeo (known as Arizona’s oldest continuous rodeo) was moved from Main Street to a local pasture. It is believed to have been around 1928 when viewing stands were built for the rodeo and people gathered under them to compete with their crops and canned goods. This “to do” was later moved to Pine and held there for the longest time. Over the years, there have been many people who upheld and continued the county fair tradition. According to …

By Amy Rodgers
I think it is safe to say that as long as we have grown food, tended animals and made things, we relish an opportunity to get together and show them off. A truly ancient tradition (known as a fayre around the 15th and 16th centuries), fairs are simply defined as a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival fun and entertainment. As an event showcasing all things homemade and home grown, fairs are …

by Jo Baeza
In a recent interview on Show Low’s City4 TV Connect show, Wendy Koch­heiser asked Steve Taylor, Chris Isaacs and me, “Why should people attend the White Mountains Roundup of Cowboy Poetry, Music & Art?” It didn’t take me long to answer, “Because it is one of the best cowboy poetry and art events in the country.” There are only two other major cowboy poetry events in Arizona, in Prescott and Sierra Vista. Aside from that, you’d have to travel out of state to find cowboy entertainers and artists …

by Amie Rodgers
When I think of NADCAR I think of fun loving people and funny little cars. I first discovered this noble sport through a friend of mine from Flagstaff. He introduced me to the jolly crew from JBJ Trucking (and their many followers who make the pilgrimmage from Flagstaff to hang out at Thunder Raceway and watch the races).
Given the fun loving nature of the sport, I was not sur­prised to find out one of my good friends Cathie Manville was a race car mama who invited me …

by Kim Mayfield, Summit Healthcare – Photos by Kevin Birnbaum
Summit Healthcare held the Second Annual Com­munity Health Fair on June 12. Because of the high winds at last year’s event, a big top tent was in place to protect the participants and visitors. Due to the excitingly high turnout, the tent was not large enough and people actually had to wait in line to get down the aisles! Next year, we promise to have a tent that is double in size in order to pro­vide more room for everyone.
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