CAVE CREEK Serving the Community Since 2002
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MAYOR FRANCIA WRITES... By Mayor Vincent Francia
September is a fulcrum month, caught between summer’s last throes and the arrival of autumn. It’s also the month that kicks into gear the annual major promotions’ rollout in Cave Creek. The party jump-starts September 26-27 with Harold’s 80th Birthday Bash. The iconic watering hole, which doubles as the “known center of the universe” for generations of locals, pulls out all the stops to usher in its eighth decade of fun, frivolity and the MAYOR Town of Cave Creek chance for everyone’s 15-minutes of fame. Thousands of taste-testers are expected for the two-day Taste 480.488.1400 www.cavecreek.org of Cave Creek, October 14-15, at Stagecoach Village. In addition to being “The Place” to sample all the local fare restaurants have to offer, “The Taste” is the social scene of the fall season where friendships renew and new ones are made. The Historic Core goes spooky October 31 with Cave Creek Wicked. The all-day, all-night celebration of Halloween features costume contest for kids as well as activities for the adult kids at heart. Bar crawl with the best of them. And since you’re in costume, who’s to know if you get really silly. Come November, we all get to be a cowboy/girl with Wild West Days November 6-8. This multi-activity event celebrates the Town’s heritage and enduring spirit and claim to being the “West’s Most Western Town.” If you’re into spoked wheels then the Cactus Classic on November 14 is the place for you. The bicycle race not only tests endurance over the 23-mile course, but does so while winding its way through the stunning Sonoran desert. With such beautiful vistas, you’ll forget you’re sweating. Rounding out the annual major fall promotions is the Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour and Sale sponsored by the Sonoran Arts League. This event dazzles and is the perfect venue for collectors of serious art and for those searching for that one-of-a-kind Christmas gift for that special someone.
It’s Time To Celebrate The Creek By Kathryn M. Miller
The 2015-16 Cave Creek season returns in October, and the Town of Cave Creek has a lot in store for locals and visitors alike. And kicking off that season is the Town’s signature event, Taste of Cave Creek. “Cave Creek is fast approaching our busy season,” says Town of Cave Creek Marshal Adam Stein. “This year’s A Taste of Cave Creek takes place on October 14 and 15. Enjoy food from over 25 local restaurants and enjoy craft beer, tequila tastings and wines from the Oak Ridge Winery. Listen to great music from the Ryan Sims Band and come and have a great time in Cave Creek.” November is a busy month in Cave Creek – the biggest event of which is the 12th Annual Wild West Days. Stein invites folks to, “Come on out Friday, November 6, and enjoy the Dirty Money Cowboy Company Open Invitational Rodeo at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena. We will have great food, great fun and another amazing rodeo to watch. Saturday, November 7, we have the annual Wild West Day’s Parade starting at 9am in Downtown Cave Creek. Plan on staying the day as we feature the Prescott Regulators and their Shady Ladies. We will also be featuring a vendor area and Kids’ Zone, Pig Races, Bathtub Races, Mutton Bustin’ and of course our all new…Rocky Mountain Oyster Eating Contest.” From October and on into the hot summer months, a host of other events will be in store for those of all ages and interests. “Like the autumn harvests, Cave Creek’s promotional season offers a cornucopia of treats for locals, visitors and especially for families with children,” says Cave Creek Mayor Vince Francia. Learn more about all of the upcoming Cave Creek events in the 2015-16 Calendar of Events, beginning on page 42. |CST
The Lawman & The Archaeologist Cook Pair brings new flavor to Buffalo Chip By Kathryn M. Miller
In life, some change is inevitable, but it is comforting to know that there are still some constants. In Cave Creek, one of those constants is the Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse. Since its opening in 1951, it has retained its western flavor and is still a local favorite. One recent development, though, is the addition of well-known cook “Big Marv” Dickson, whose claim to fame is working the grill for 54 years at the recently shuttered Pinnacle Peak Patio – and cooking some 11 million steaks in the process. “When I heard that Pinnacle Peak Patio was going to be closing its doors, I waited a month or so and went to Marv, and Marv said. ‘You know, when I get done with everything here, I’ll come talk to you,’” says Larry Wendt, a Cave Creek resident since 1975, retired Maricopa County Sheriff Deputy Chief and current owner of the Buffalo Chip. “A gentleman to his word, he did, and we decided that Marv did the first half of his career for 54 years at the world’s largest steakhouse…he’ll do the next half of his career, and another 11 million steaks, at the Buffalo Chip.” “I’ll tell you what, I was really welcomed here,” says Dickson. “I told my wife that after 54 years I’d have to find another job, and we kind of laughed. Then I came and met with Larry and it was like another world opened up. It’s a new chapter in my life.” L-R: “Big Marv” Dickson and Larry Wendt A Kansas native, Dickson started working at the Pinnacle Peak Patio out of high school. “I started at the Peak when I was 19. I went up there about a month before I graduated from Paradise Valley High School, and I’d been there ever since.” That is until the restaurant closed in June of this year. “It is hurtful to think of the number of places that have left. Western places have just not survived well in Phoenix or Scottsdale,” says Wendt. “Fortunately, and I’m gonna say thanks to this Town council and mayor – they support Harold’s and Buffalo Chip. Everyone is pretty well warned, ‘Hey if you move to Cave Creek, these people have been here 50 or 75 years, they’re not gonna change Cave Creek for you.’ That’s been their guarantee to us, and we’ve been successful with it, growing every year.” See Steak & A Story, page 51
Publisher Lorrie Pomeroy Publisher Emeritus Hope H. Ozer Editor-in-Chief Kathryn M. Miller Creative Director Jenifer Lee Assistant to the Publisher Darlene Keberle Account Representatives Eloise Donati-Kopec Bob Hesselgesser Susan Pine
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