TG Magazine Prescott Valley | Winter 2021 | Let's Get Cozy

Cozy

Let's Get

TRAIN RIDE THROUGH HISTORY

All aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale

TRUE HOSPITALITY

Colt Grill serves up comfort food in Prescott Valley and beyond

BIG IDEAS FOR SMALL GATHERINGS Prescott's "Favour" sisters on elevating casual get-togethers

W INT ER 2 02 1 TAL K I NG G L ASS M E D IA TM

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delicious

bbq

Entire menu made from scratch

BA BY BACK R IBS SMOK ED CHICK EN PULLED POR K BURGER S CAT ER ING

three locations 804 N. Main St., Cottonwood 2970 N. Park Ave., Prescott Valley 6101 SR 179, VOC, Sedona

COLTGRILL.COM

CAST11.BUZZSPROUT.COM

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“

WINTER IS THE TIME FOR COMFORT, FOR GOOD FOOD AND WARMTH, FOR THE TOUCH OF A FRIENDLY HAND AND FOR A TALK BESIDE THE FIRE: IT IS TIME FOR HOME. Edith Sitwell

”

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EDITOR'S NOTE

When the concept of “cozy” comes to mind, we think of comfort, relaxation, and warmth. This definition seems closely related to the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”). The Oxford English Dictionary defines hygge as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).” Although hygge has long been associated with the Danish national character, the word is from the sixteenth century Old Norwegian term hugga, meaning to console or to comfort. It is no surprise that this Norwegian word is associated with the English word, hug.

Hygge seems to be more about Danish lifestyle than a single moment or a cozy blanket and fire. The Danes believe you can pursue the hygge lifestyle in everything you do. Whether that’s the passion found in your favorite foods, or the dirty work and toil found in your beloved hobby farm, hygge is, in a sense, creating sanctuary.

In this edition of TG Magazine we celebrate a number of sanctuaries found in our region. Why? Well, maybe something good happens to all of us when we experience coziness. Studies suggest when we get that “cozy feeling” it releases oxytocin in our bodies. Oxytocin is the “cuddle hormone”. A decrease in anxiety, increased empathy, positive emotion, relaxation and trust are all associated with oxytocin.

Find your cozy sanctuary right here in central Arizona.

Hugs, -Guy Roginson | Executive Editor, Talking Glass Media, LLC

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Shorter days and longer nights signal winter is here. A time of reflection, remembrance, and celebration, winter is my favorite season. There are few things as magical as curling up with a good book while listening to the crackle of logs burning in a fireplace or woodstove, and the sound of snow ticking against a windowpane. The season practically demands that you slow down just a bit and get cozy.

That cozy feeling is everywhere if you look for it. It’s in the unfettered laughter of children, the loud jokes of friends gathered in celebration, the smile of a stranger, the pattern of frost on frozen grass, the hoot of an owl late at night. It warms the heart and feeds the soul.

It’s hard to fully capture all that cozy encompasses, but we know it when we feel it and crave it more than ever during these long, dark nights.

Whether your idea of cozy is a hot drink with friends, an adventurous train ride through history, or a favorite handmade scarf, I hope you find that warm, wonderful feeling often this winter.

-Angie Johnson-Schmit | Assistant Editor, Talking Glass Media, LLC

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CONTRIBUTORS DECEMBER 2021 • WINTER Assistant Editor | Print Angie Johnson-Schmit Art Direction Dina Ponder

Assistant Editor | Digital Kristina Abbey Videographer Austin Morrison

DREW DESMOND Drew Desmond is Secretary of the Prescott Western Heritage Foundation, co-author of Murder & Mayhem in Prescott, and author of the Prescott, AZ History blog. www.PrescottAZHistory.blogspot.com

Media Manager Merilee Mills Sales & Events Director Elicia Morigeau Executive Editor Guy Roginson Contributing Writers Drew Desmond Janet Wilson Contributing Photographers Blushing Cactus Photography Tree Rose Photography How to Reach Us 3001 N. Main St., Ste #2-B Prescott Valley, AZ. 86314 To Advertise 928-257-4177

JANET WILSON Janet Wilson is a passionate plant enthusiast and owner of Prescott Gardener. She loves to inspire and teach people how to grow successful, abundant gardens in the Central Arizona Highlands. www.PrescottGardener.com

TALKING GLASS MEDIA, LLC Publishing | Advertising | Marketing 2982 N. Park Ave., Ste F Prescott Valley, AZ. 86314 Tel: 928-257-4177 Email: Editor@SignalsAZ.com

Publisher

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TABLE OF CONTENTS WINTER

2021

"I say to myself that I shall try to make my life like an open fireplace, so that people may be warmed and cheered by it and so go out themselves to warm and cheer."

- George Matthew Adams

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52

48

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1897 CHRISTMAS Drew Desmond gives a historical snapshot of Christmas Past in Prescott, AZ

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TRAIN RIDE THROUGH TIME Verde Canyon Railway carries passengers through history

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SMALL TOWN, BRIGHT LIGHTS Valley of Lights warms hearts of Prescott Valley residents

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HANDWOVEN WEARABLE ART Prescott Valley artist and weaver Pennie Alexander on creating wearable warms

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WINTER WANDERING Top 5 hikes guaranteed to cure cabin fever for people of all skill levels

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TRUE HOSPITALITY Colt Grill serves up smoked barbecue comfort food in Yavapai County

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LIGHTEN UP!

DESIGNING THE PERFECT COZY GATHERING

A behind-the-scenes look at how Jeff Schaffer keeps the Valley of Lights lit

The sisters behind One Hundred Chairs share their design tips for intimate get-togethers

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ADVENTURES WITH ALPACAS

FOR THE LOVE OF COFFEE

Wendy Dittbrenner on the joys of alpacas, farm life, and finding community

A conversation with Prescott Cofee Roasters owner Richard Gregory on the finer points of coffee

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HOW TO BREW A BETTER CUP OF COFFEE From grind to brew, Richard Gregory shares his top tips on how to make a better cuppa at home

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A WRITER'S LIFE Chino Valley author Joseph Rollins on his writer's journey

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WINTER READS FOR CHILDREN Prescott Valley Public Library shares their top cozy reads for children and young adults

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IN THE GARDEN WITH JANET WILSON 5 easy steps to grow fresh, delicious sprouts indoors this winter

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PRESCOTT VALLEY WINTER 2021 RECREATION GUIDE Winter fun in Prescott Valley, AZ

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1897 Christmas -Drew Desmond | Secretary, Prescott Western Heritage Foundation

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Christmas 1897 was a

delightful one for Prescott, Arizona.

D

ue to advances in plate-glass technology, the downtown business district had evolved into a veritable box of consumer eye candy. Previously, store windows were the same ones found in houses. Goldwater’s and Bashford-Burmister were the first stores to install them in 1872. By 1897, almost all of the downtown businesses had followed suit - and it was effective.

“At Cook’s Jewelry Store,” the paper related, “silver and gold and precious stones, [displayed] in magnificent array, shine out through the windows invitingly to passersby, causing them to a halt, investigate and buy.” Indeed, Prescott’s shops were so elaborate that the newspaper decided to describe them in detail.

Here is a sampling:

“M Goldwater & a Brothers’ store is rs te ar qu ad veritable he , old lyjol for the is white-whiskered Kr is e ac pl e th d an Kringle, we bo r transformed into a ate of beauty by delic ing dd bi e hands that do th .” ste ta of excellent

“Wooster’s Bazaar teems with the very gifts that please… and the necessity for extra clerks indicate that music, musical instruments, books, notions and novelties are in demand.”

Although there was no official contest for best window display that year, it would have undoubtedly gone to RH Burmister’s.

According to the paper, “The bottom of the window is covered with nuts forming the words Merry Christmas.” In addition, “tiers of circular shelves are arranged on the sides, on which are exhibited the most tempting delicacies…The background to these is in colors of various kinds surmounted by vines. At the top of the space, and well back from the glass, is a cluster of electric light globes of various colors. Propelled by a small electric motor underneath, these are turned on and off automatically.” This self-made, innovative device would turn on different portions of the lights, and then all of them, before auto-

matically turning them off at 10pm after the store had closed.

The novel, electrified display was quite popular: “The lights were turned on last evening for the first time and the window attracted a large crowd around it all evening,” the paper reported.

The Journal-Miner also noted the vast supply of groceries and delicacies available including candies, fruits and nuts. However, if one would rather eat Christmas dinner at a restaurant, there was ample opportunity.“The menu at the Burke hotel has been specially prepared for the occasion,” the paper announced. “The Sherman House, noted for its cuisine excellence, will be up to its usual standard. The Brinkmeyer, Prescott, Congress, Johnson House and Home Kitchen are each consulting the best culinary arts for the Christmas celebration.”

“The ladies of Pres cott would consider Christmas purchase s incomplete withou t a visit to Mrs. Blain e’s millinery parlors, wh ere many of the novelti es pleasing to the fair sex [can] be found. ”

an “The Barclay-Berrym is .

Co le nti Merca busy loading up holiday goods in large quantities for outlying districts to r bring Christmas chee s.” me to rural ho

One eating establishment announced its menu in advance: “The Comet Café will have a fine Christmas dinner where possum and prairie chicken will be the sacrifice to holiday hunger.”

Today, simply being served possum could completely sacrifice one’s holiday hunger!

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Come evening in downtown, the mood was jovial and cozy as folks partook in a Victorian Christmas libation called “Tom & Jerry,” a drink similar to eggnog, but served warm. “Tom and Jerry, the inseparable companions, who enjoy the conviviality of Christmas time, will take in the town, [including] the Cabinet, Palace, Golden Eagle, Kearney’s, Headquarters, and the Comet,” the paper remarked.

Finally, Christmas Eve came. “The streets are lined with people today,” the paper described, “and pedestrians with bundles under their arms plainly indicate that tomorrow is Christmas.” As the last purchases were being made, “nature…spread the white mantle of charity over the mountain, valley and plains as a carpet over which, with noiseless speed, old Santa Claus and his reindeers, sleigh laden with presents and toys for the girls and boys…which opens wide in wonderment childhood’s eyes on Christmas morning.” u

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For Prescott, 1897 would be a splendid and rare white Christmas.

Traditional Christmas Libation

TOM & JERRY INGREDIENTS: Boiling water, to rinse 1 ounce dark rum 1 ounce cognac 1 tablespoon Tom & Jerry batter* Whole milk, hot, to top

*TOM & JERRY BATTER: Separate 12 egg yolks and whites and set aside.

In a glass or ceramic bowl, whip the egg whites with 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat the yolks with 2 pounds of sugar, 2 ounces dark rum and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. When the yolk mixture is completely combined, gently fold it into the egg white mixture. Keep refrigerated.

GARNISH: Freshly grated nutmeg Ground cloves Ground allspice

DIRECTIONS: Rinse a small coffee mug (or white ceramic Tom & Jerry cup) with boiling water to warm it, then discard the water.

Add the rum, cognac and batter into the cup and top with hot milk.

Garnish with a mixture of 2 parts freshly grated nutmeg to 1 part each ground clove and ground allspice.

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TRAIN Taking a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad is a bit like time travel.

As the train winds its way through a large, unspoiled swath of the Verde Canyon, there is a sense of stepping back into history. Following a section of the original rail line built in 1911, the updated and upscaled train allows guests to experience unparalleled views of some of the most beautiful scenery Arizona has to offer.

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RIDE

THROUGH TIME -Angie Johnson-Schmit Photos courtesy of Verde Canyon Railroad

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he journey begins at the Verde Canyon Railroad depot at 300 N. Broadway in Clarkdale, AZ. Designed to delight travelers, the station has several features that make it worth an early arrival to allow time to explore. The patio area and sidewalks are lined with storyboards that have information about the train and region as well as photographs of local wildlife, topography, locomotives, and the people who settled the canyon.

When the railroad tracks were originally built, the mines in Jerome, AZ were producing over a million dollars a month in copper. The railroads were the main way to move that copper. “They had five railroad lines that came down that mountain into our little town of Clarkdale,” said Teresa Propeck, Vice President of Marketing and Passenger Services at Verde Canyon Railroad. “They smelted the copper into its purest form, and they put it on our rail line to take it out into the world.” Several hundred men spent an entire year living in the Verde Canyon during construction.

While the line was being built, several small towns popped up along the rail line, populated mainly by the families of the railroad construction workers. These little communities moved along as the project progressed from Clarkdale to the I-40 rail line.

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Photos courtesy of Verde Canyon Railroad

For serious history buffs, a stop at the on-site John Bell Museum is a must. Visitors will discover artifacts and learn more about the history of both the Verde Canyon Railroad and the surrounding communities.

The historical relationship between the railroad and the nearby towns is deeply intertwined.

that big railroads still use today. As rail track construction moved along, most of those small towns were abandoned.

The artifacts left behind by that original train construction crew give a snapshot of what life was like for them. “When you’re out there building the rail line and the harness broke on your horses, you didn’t haul it back to find a garbage can,” said Propeck. “All these things that were found along the tracks give us the history.” Items in the museum’s collection include medicine bottles, coins, and belt buckles.

After the demand for copper drastically dropped in the early 1950s, the railway was used to move freight instead of copper. However, it wasn’t profitable and was put up for sale. Current Verde Canyon Railroad owner Dave Durbano stepped in and purchased it. While he initially thought he could also use it for freight, a visit to the canyon changed his mind. His wife Linda had the idea to use the train for luxury trips to share the beauty and history of Verde Canyon. Their first passenger train rolled out in November of 1990 and has been running ever since.

Once “All aboard!” is called, it’s time for passengers to hop on and see that beautiful canyon for themselves.

The quarter mile long restored vintage train aims to ensure passenger comfort without scrimping on style. Guests have assigned seating in comfortable upholstered chairs or plush sofas and are presented with an appetizer tray and a beverage to enjoy. For an even better view, every passenger also has a second assigned seat in an open-air viewing car.

The open-air cars allow passengers to enjoy a 360° panoramic view. The train moves through rock formations, crosses five different bridges and trestles, and goes through a 734-foot tunnel blasted out of solid limestone. While the route curves away from Sedona, there are still plenty of red rock views. “What's cool is that if people get a chance to go up in this area, they realize that those red rocks and basalt

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canyons and all that limestone is everywhere in our area.”

Because no hunting is allowed in the canyon, there are excellent wildlife sighting opportunities. Elk are often seen along the route. “That’s their favorite place to spend their vacation during hunting season,” said Propeck with a laugh. In addition to the inevitable cattle and horses, passengers may see eagles, blue herons, deer, javelina and wild burros. “We truly believe the eagles enjoy coming out because they fly right alongside the train,” she said.

Verde Canyon Railroad has a special love for eagles and has a relationship with Liberty Wildlife, a raptor rescue and rehabilitation organization based in Phoenix. The group brings raptors twice a month and talks with passengers about the birds and their rescue, rehabilitation, and release program.

Even more exciting is that they bring a rescued bald eagle to ride on the train. “We’re the only train in the world that has an eagle that rides – and has been riding – for 10 years,” said Propeck. “Sonora (the eagle) has grown up on our train.” The eagle was badly injured at a young age and is unable to survive in the wilderness. She is a permanent resident of the rescue organization and seems to truly enjoy her visits to the Verde Canyon Railroad, where she can stretch her wings while taking a tethered ride in the open-air cars.

Almost 3 million passengers have traveled on the Verde Canyon Railroad, but none of them have set foot on the ground inside the canyon. “The only people that do that of

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course are our track crew for service and repairs,” said Propeck. “But that's how we protect the canyon, the wildlife. And we preserve this trip for generations to come.”

Photos courtesy of Verde Canyon Railroad

Next stop is the turnaround at Perkinsville. While there are still a few people who live in the town, Verde Canyon Railroad owns the depot and the train master’s property.

Passengers stay on board during this time as the train prepares for the return trip to the depot in Clarkdale.

In addition to regularly scheduled rides, the Verde Canyon Railroad also has several special event rides available throughout the year, including their Magical Christmas Journey™ rides, the family-friendly New Year’s Eve ride, and a Chocolate Lovers weekend Valentine’s Day event.

These specialty event rides are where Verde Canyon Railroad really pulls out all the stops.

For the Christmas train rides, the entire Verde Canyon Railroad staff put their elf hats on and kick their holiday spirit into high gear. Their trademarked children’s Christmas story, Magical Christmas Journey™ serves as the theme for the ride. The story is of a young girl from Clarkdale who discovers an injured eagle and is so sad she can’t help the bird that she cries. Santa Claus steps in to save the day and sends the girl on a magical journey.

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The adventure for the children on a Magical Christmas Journey™ train ride begins when they arrive at the Clarkdale depot. Children are loaned a pair of eagle wings so they can “fly” through a detailed miniature model of the town of Clarkdale. They’re encouraged to look through the town for elves and to make lots of noise to wake them up and tell them to get to work.

The staff dress up and join in the fun, too. Staff may dress up as animal characters from the story or animals from the Verde Canyon. “We’re goofy, okay?” said Propeck.

“We’re not normal Christmas. Like, I wear a Christmas tree. I have a Christmas tree on my head, and I’m all lit up.”

The adventure continues on the decorated train. During the ride on Santa’s secret railroad tracks, “elves” tell stories and Christmas music plays. After going through a short tunnel near the depot, the train emerges from the darkness to a brightly lit, elaborate tableaux of Santa’s Village. “We have a sleigh carwash,” said Propeck. “We have the reindeer flight school with a landing strip out front and we have the ugly sweater factory.”

No matter the occasion, the train is a great option for a relaxed, comfortable winter day trip. Whether you want to take in the wide open spaces, delve deeper into Arizona’s locomotive history, or celebrate Christmas, New Year’s or Valentine’s Day, the Verde Canyon Railroad is just the ticket for cozy winter fun.

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Bright SM AL L TOWN

Lights The winter holidays aren’t complete in Prescott Valley, Arizona without a visit to Valley of Lights.

••• Instantly recognizable by the animated toy soldiers pointing the way from Highway 69, the drive-through holiday light display is a favorite tradition among area residents. Ask any local and they are sure to have a story about their favorite experience at Valley of Lights.

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Photos courtesy of Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce

-Angie Johnson-Schmit

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t all began when then Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Lew Rees saw a lighting display at Branson, Missouri. The proverbial light bulb went off in his head, and he thought it would be a great idea to create a similar display in Prescott Valley. The Chamber agreed and some local businesses and organizations quickly got on board to sponsor the actual light displays.

There was no charge for admission, but donations to help with event costs and display maintenance were accepted.

Flash forward to 2021, and Valley of Lights is still using the same basic model. The Chamber of Commerce continues to host and run the event, while local businesses and organizations are sponsors. The original displays have been updated and are still in use, but the event has now grown to 62 displays and thousands of residents and visitors are expected to attend.

Located at 2200 N 5th Street in Fain Park, Prescott Valley, the event runs from Thanksgiving night through December 30.

Valley of Lights is open from 6 pm until 9 pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 pm until 10 pm on Friday, Saturday, and holidays. The event is still donation based, with a suggested donation of just five dollars per vehicle.

Part of the magic of Valley of Lights is the event’s uniquely small-town feel. The layout of the lights varies from year to year, older displays are constantly upgraded, and new displays are frequently added. Visitors can expect displays

with a wide range of spiritual, religious, patriotic, and fantasy themes.

Everyone has their favorite display, whether it’s the Noah’s Ark display, the manger scene, the penguins and igloo, or one of the tunnels of lit arches. “All of those arches have been redone,” said Marnie Uhl, current Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO. “Our most recent display was a cartoon kind of fire-breathing dragon,” she said. “There’s something there for everyone, and that’s what I love about it.”

A new addition for this year’s event is a low-power radio station featuring Christmas music. Visitors can tune their car radios to 100.3 FM and enjoy music during their drive through the Valley of Lights. “How are we doing that? By investing in the technology, investing in the repeater, and everything we might need for that experience,” said Uhl. The Chamber is always on the lookout for ways to improve the Valley of Lights experience for guests. One question Uhl got a lot of phone calls and emails about was if visitors could stop their cars and take pictures. It’s not safe to allow cars to stop, especially considering that a busy night might see over a thousand vehicles coming through the display, so the answer was no.

Still, the Chamber listened and tried to come up with a solution. After doing some research, they decided to close Valley of Lights to cars for one night of the season, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. For the first year’s Stroll through the Valley of Lights, they expected 500 people and instead had 2,500 show up. “It was amazing,” said Uhl. “I knew people would come, but not that many.”

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T H AT N OT I O N O F

community-giving L I E S AT T H E H E A RT O F

Valley of Lights.

FROM THE B U S I N E S S OW N E R S A N D O R G A N I Z AT I O N S T H AT S P O N S O R T H E D I S P L AY S T O T H E VO L U N T E E R S T H AT S TA F F T H E E V E N T, E V E RYO N E S E E M S T O

C R E AT I N G A N E X T R A BIT OF HAPPINESS FOR VISITORS.

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Photocredit: xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx

G E N U I N E LY E N J O Y

Photos courtesy of Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce

The following year the Chamber added dedicated parking crew, port-a-potties, a hot chocolate vendor, and traffic control. Valley of Lights is only open for three hours during the Stroll, but attendance has remained high with about 2,900 people walking through on that one night. The smiles on their faces make it worth it to Uhl. “Lights are all around you and people are happy and it’s really fun,” she said.

Valley of Lights is staffed by a range of volunteers. Uhl has a group of friends that she takes shifts with, and the Chamber of Commerce board members also volunteer. “You don’t know the business we’re doing until you go out there and experience it,” said Uhl. “You’re standing out there for three hours, meeting people from all over the state.”

Most of the volunteers are members of local organizations, service clubs, and churches. In addition, several families have made volunteering at Valley of Lights a holiday tradition. “We have a regular family that works Christmas Eve every year because they’re Jewish,” said Uhl. The family understands it can be difficult finding people to volunteer that night and do it as a gift to the community. Another family has made volunteering on Christmas Day part of their holiday tradition.

That notion of community-giving lies at the heart of Valley of Lights. From the business owners and organizations that sponsor the displays to the volunteers that staff the event, everyone seems to genuinely enjoy creating an extra bit of happiness for visitors.

Uhl noted that she tries to make sure everyone is represented. “That’s always been very important to me…no matter who you are, something is going to touch you and you’re going to say my culture, my heritage, my religion is represented here in the park.”

Every year, that spirit of giving and inclusion grows right along with the event itself. It may be a lot of work to put the event on, but the simple pleasure of giving back reflects the very best of small-town Arizona. Love of community, a desire to share, and a continuing tradition of heartfelt neighborliness are alive and well at Valley of Lights. u

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e t h g Li

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Valley of Lights

enUP -Angie Johnson-Schmit

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

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A lot of Prescott Valley, Arizona community members have grown up with a yearly visit to the Valley of Lights. There are young adults today who have never known a Christmas and winter holiday season without the annual drive-through light event. What is less well-known is who is behind setting up, wiring, and maintaining the Valley of Lights displays. For the last thirteen years, that role has been filled

by Jeff Schaffer and his crew from Advanced Electrical Contracting.

T

here’s an awful lot that happens behind the scenes to make the Valley of Lights shine so bright, but Schaffer and his crew are up to the job. They handle just about everything, including mowing the vast meadow at Fain Park, setting up and testing each piece of the displays, repairing damaged wires, and replacing any of the literally millions of light bulbs that illuminate Valley of Lights.

Schaffer doesn’t remember exactly how he first connected with the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce about taking over the role, but he has always loved Christmas lights. He had been turning his own home into a beacon of holiday cheer for many years before taking on the Valley of Lights job. “I won several awards for my personal house through the Valley of Lights when they used to do the judging,” he said.

His love for lights was infectious and a friendly competition sprang up between Shaffer and his neighbors. “One year they would get a first place and then we would get a first place,” he said. “It’d be back and forth.”

How serious was Schaffer about decorating his house for the holidays? “I drilled a hole through my roof just so I can hang a Christmas tree above my roofline,” he said. He put a 14-foot-tall pole through that hole and strung lights from it in the shape of a tree. “My wife’s family used to call us the Griswolds,” said Schaffer, referring to the infamous National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie characters. “That was our house, you know, it was obnoxious.”

While he didn’t usually have much in the way of animation, Schaffer more than made up for it in sheer wattage. He remembers when new neighbors moved in across the street

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and didn’t have window coverings yet. “It was so bright you could actually read a newspaper in their living room.” The lights from his house in Prescott Valley were so bright they were visible from the water towers near the Prescott Regional Airport. He still laughs about the electric meter. “It was just like the Griswolds, just spinning like that,” he said.

Schaffer brings that same skill and enthusiasm to Valley of Lights. These days he doesn’t go all out with his own home decorations, but he has a much bigger lightbox to play with now. “The whole layout of the park is always me,” he said.

“They (the Chamber of Commerce) just say, ‘I want it to work by this day,’ and everything else is my responsibility.”

Keeping the lights shining bright for Valley of Lights visitors is a time-consuming process that can start as early as spring. “If we’re doing a new display, we start in March,” said Schaffer. Some sponsors have their own display design ideas, but often Schaffer will develop the design and have a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing made. Once the Chamber has approved the design, he works with a local company, Superior Industries, to make the steel frame for the display. “They laser it out and they paint it and then I pick it up and run lights on it,” said Schaffer.

One of the fascinating parts of the process lies in the lights themselves. Schaffer waits until the very end of the season to buy new lights at the deepest possible discount. “I bought a truck full one year,” said Schaffer. “Everything they had, I bought.” Because he is an electrician, Schaffer has no problem taking a string of lights and cutting them to any custom size needed and safely add a new plug.

In June or July, Schaffer starts the planning process for the actual event. This means getting the event site mowed, working with the City of Prescott Valley and the Chamber of Commerce, and making sure he has enough employees on hand. Then, in September, Schaffer will bring everything out of storage. Four semi-tractor-trailers are loaded just with displays and the fifth tractor-trailer is filled with equipment, extension cords, stakes, cables, and spare lights. He and his crew immediately unload them and start checking all the displays.

There are 62 displays in this year’s event, with 549 separate lighted parts, all of which must be checked before they are set up. Thirty-two of the displays have motion control for animation.

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Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

According to Schaffer, the equipment trailer has “countless items that support or build displays that don’t have lights on them, six 55 gallon drums overflowing with extension cords, thousands of feet of road lights, four 55 gallon drums with anchor stakes to hold the displays in place and probably endless items I can’t remember that make the Valley of Lights possible.”

If the focus for the year is on upgrading existing displays, Schaffer hauls out the trailers as soon as late July. He and his crew will work on site rewiring older displays and swapping out the old bulbs for new LED lights. Some of the displays are over 20 years old and, as Schaffer noted, “The wires just get old and…the UV rays just disintegrate the wire.”

Once the update is complete, the display will be better and brighter than ever before.

After all the displays are checked and any repairs are made, it’s time to set them up and double-check that everything is working.

Schaffer likes to change things up every year to keep it fresh, but some displays are so large they need a big, flat area and are moved less often. The largest display currently is the patriotic flag.

“It is enormous, and we use a 65-foot boom to put it together,” he said. “Even in the air you don’t think it’s that big until

Then, of course, there is the issue of the electricity. Before the event opens Schaffer checks to make sure everything is working properly. “We do what’s called a load test,” he said.

“After we have all the extension cords all over the park, we put a tester on each wire at the breaker boxes.” There are multiple breaker boxes on the property, and tests are run to make sure none of circuits are overloaded. This ensures there is no reason to worry about electrical problems when guests are driving through.

Schaffer and his crew work seven days a week during the month prior to opening Valley of Lights. “My stress level gets pretty extreme toward the mid to latter part of November,” he admitted. “But I’ve got great guys and we’ve been doing it for many years.” He is quick to give credit to his crew, who are

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Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

you walk up and realize it’s four stories tall.”

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

mainly employees from his electrical contracting business.

Schaffer tries to schedule them around his other work, but if he needs to, he will bring in extra crew.

The work is by no means done once Valley of Lights opens to the public. Shaffer’s crew does daily checks to make sure everything is working properly before visitors go through the display. “We’re as careful as possible, but we also have Mother Nature. We have deer and javelina and cows, you name it,” said Schaffer. “They chew through wires and extension cords.” Schaffer and his crew are constantly checking and repairing the displays throughout the Valley of Lights event.

It may be a big undertaking, but Schaffer genuinely seems to get a kick out of his job. He may not be lighting up the end of his neighborhood with his home display these days, but he doesn’t seem to mind. His own children are grown and out of the house, so Schaffer gets to play Griswold for his whole community now. It’s a big job and takes a lot of his time, but he still loves it and that shines through every night during Valley of Lights. u

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Adventures

WITH

When Wendy Dittbrenner decided in 1998 that farm living was indeed the life for her, she purchased a 10-acre plot of land in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

“I knew with 10 acres, you do something,” she said. She started researching what she could raise or grow on her parcel of land. She fell in love with alpacas after seeing a photo of one in a magazine. “I saw the face and thought it was cute,” she said. Intrigued, she switched her research focus to alpacas.

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ALPACAS D

ittbrenner soon realized alpacas were exactly what she had been looking for. Closely related to llamas but much smaller, alpacas are raised for their thick, fluffy coats. This natural fiber is what the animals were originally bred for in South America and is used to make everything from blankets and sweaters to shoe inserts. The fiber is light, warm, soft, and highly valued. Alpacas are relatively easy to care for. The "cute factor" is a bonus.

Peaceful Prairie Alpaca Ranch began when Dittbrenner bought her first alpaca sight unseen from an owner in Idaho.

She learned a lot from her first alpacas and dove even deeper into learning how to raise and care for them. With a 15-to-20-year lifespan, it was important to her to provide the best care possible for her herd.

One thing she learned quickly was that while alpacas share some similarities with livestock commonly found in this region, they are quite different from sheep and goats. “Believe it or not, the veterinary care was here at that time,” said Dittbrenner. She credits Chino Valley, Arizona veterinarian Leonda Armstrong with providing good veterinary care for her animals.

While she has named each of the alpacas she keeps and speaks of them with genuine aff e c t i o n , Dittbrenner is very clear that she is not running a petting zoo. She loves raising alpacas, but she also wants interested visitors to understand that it’s a job. “I think it's important to share what it is and what it looks like, the good and the bad.”

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

After talking to another woman in the Coyote Springs area who raised alpacas and spending time with the animals, Dittbrenner was convinced. “You did not have to milk them once or twice a day and I didn’t have to slaughter them for meat,” she said. “They live for a good long time and all you have to do is give them an annual haircut and I thought that was very reasonable.”

-Angie Johnson-Schmit

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Dittbrenner soon became known as a woman who knows her alpacas and is currently a board member of the national Alpaca Owners Association. Between her own animals and alpacas brought in for breeding and boarding, Dittbrenner has frequently had over 100 alpacas at the ranch. “It was actually at 120 for a while,” she said. “We were feeding five to seven bales of hay a day at our peak.”

She currently has about 30 alpacas at Peaceful Prairie and is happy with keeping that number relatively low.

Dittbrenner cares for and breeds her alpacas with an eye toward improving fleece quality. All her research and work has resulted in a consistently high fiber quality that she is justifiably proud of. As a result, she has what she feels is a superior quality product with fewer of the coarser “guard” hairs.

This means her fleece has more of the valuable long, soft hair used to make high-end yarn.

She believes alpacas are “easy keepers,” but like any form of ranching or agriculture, it is not an easy lifestyle.

“There is no Netflix and soup during a snowstorm,” she said. Regardless of bad weather or personal illness, the animals need to be fed, watered, and cared for every day. “The flip side is I think that’s good for us,” said Dittbrenner. “That pushes me in a way that I think is ultimately good.”

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Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

“I love what I’m growing, but now we can’t find that much hay,” she said. “It’s hard to get, hard to source.” Ditbrenner feeds her alpacas orchard grass hay, noting “they need a grass hay with a protein content that supports their fiber growth.” With animals depending on her for their feed, ensuring a reliable hay source is an important consideration.

All of this hard work is done with one goal in mind: producing a quality alpaca fleece that can be felted or made into yarn.

Dittbrenner thinks the alpacas appreciate getting sheared. “I feel like some of them are really glad to get a haircut,” she said. Shearing day is typically scheduled in the spring so the animals can be cooler in the hot days of summer. “Think of a winter coat, a snow jacket,” said Dittbrenner. “This is what’s on an alpaca before we shear it and there would be heat stress if we didn’t (shear).”

She takes the safety and comfort of her animals seriously and is proud that she has not had any injuries during shearing. “We keep them still so they can’t move and get cut,” said Dittbrenner. “We know our shearer very well and it’s a good process.”

After shearing, the fleece is processed and used for a variety of textiles. A whole fleece may be sold outright, but the best ones will often be sent to compete in fleece shows like the one hosted by the Alpaca Owners Association every July. With up to 600 alpaca fleeces shown each year, competition is fierce.

Every part of an alpaca’s fleece can be used. “We shear literally from their long neck, down their body, and even their legs are trimmed,” said Dittbrenner. “Those can be very different fibers,

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

Five times warmer than just about any other natural fiber, alpaca fiber is also less itchy than wool due to its lack of lanolin. The strong, supple fiber dyes easily and comes in a wide range of natural colors, making it one of the most sought-after natural fibers in the textile industry.

On shearing day, Dittbrenner holds proof in her hands that a year’s worth of care has yielded the results she is looking for. Frequently shearing day at Peaceful Prairie is also a social event for Dittbrenner and other local alpaca owners. “We have a great time with friends,” she said. “Other people bring their alpacas here to shear and if they only have a few, we crank up the music and have a blast.”

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products directly via her website.

Each farm has its own system for processing their alpaca fiber, but the basic process is to sort the fiber and remove the guard hairs and then to sort according to color. The fiber is then sent to mills that, according to Dittbrenner, “make very specifically what I want and…are capable and known for using their equipment on fibers like ours.” The alpaca blanket fleece is sent to mills that specialize in making yarn, while the shorter fibers may be sent to a different mill to be turned into large sheets of felt.

“Obviously caring and shepherding this herd and these animals is the first step,” she said. “But next is, well, what does that do for us? And how do we honor the alpacas and enjoy this regional textile that we're growing?”

Her public events are part of the answer to those questions.

Because she runs a small operation, it’s not cost effective for Dittbrenner to sell her wares wholesale. Although she has been a vendor at local farmers markets, now she mainly sells directly to her customers. “I have open days here at the ranch for people that just know and seek it out,” she said. She also has plans to sell yarn and other 36 TG MAGAZINE W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

With much of her time spent attending to her herd and processing the fiber, Dittbrenner still finds time to consider the bigger picture.

She regularly hosts classes designed to teach and showcase the uses of alpaca fiber. These events tend to be equal parts education, art-making, and

social fun where visitors learn about things like felting and natural dye techniques while making crafts. Dittbrenner loves hosting these events. “When people come to the farm and they want to create, that is where my heart lies,” she said. One of her favorite events was a voodoo doll class. “Probably the best thing ever and we’ll definitely repeat it,” she said.

She may have grown up in the Phoenix area, but Dittbrenner found her true home on the range in Prescott Valley.

She put down roots in both the land and the community and found it to be a wonderful environment to raise her daughters. She noted that they made “lifelong friends from growing up here and going through our schools.” Her children are grown and have since moved away, but Dittbrenner is happy where she is. “I love where we live still,” she said. “It’s getting very busy, but it’s a great environment.”

To keep up with her alpaca adventures and public events, visit www.peacefulprairieranch.com or follow Peaceful Prairie Alpaca Ranch on Facebook and Instagram.

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

just like any animal that’s sheared for wool.” She uses the prime “blankets,” or the fleece from the shoulders to the haunches, for yarn. These blankets have the softest, longest fibers and make the best yarn.

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Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

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ndwoven

t r A WEARABLE

A CONVERSATION WITH

PENNIE ALEXANDER

-Angie Johnson-Schmit

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

F

or as long as she can remember, weaver and artist Pennie Alexander has liked to keep her hands busy. “I’ve always done something in the arts, from the time I was just a little girl,” she said. Alexander recalls playing in her backyard under a flowering tree and sculpting animals out of the thick carpet of yellow flowers on the ground. “I've always been into making things with my hands. Always,” she said.

gers, combined with an analytical mind and a deft sense of color, texture and structure turn yarn into beautiful, warm, wearable art.

Her studio is overflowing with evidence of those busy hands, with almost an entire wall filled with skeins of yarn and dozens of hand-woven scarves and wraps. Those skillful fin-

“I can be walking down the street and I’ll look at a tree and…look at the texture on the bark,” said Alexander. “So, where do I get my ideas? They just pop when I see something,” she said.

She is a spontaneous, experimental artist and finds inspiration and creative ideas everywhere.

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In addition to that ever-present creative spark, Alexander also has the analytical mind needed to master her medium of choice. She bought her first loom 40 years ago from a weaver in California. The woman was leaving the country and Alexander only had a day’s worth of instruction on how to set up and operate the loom. Fortunately, Alexander had done her research. “I'd read every book on weaving I could get at the library,” she said. “I looked at the loom and I knew the loom parts, so it came pretty easy.”

Alexander may have grasped the fundamentals quickly, but preparing a loom is no small task.

That process includes using a warping board to figure out exactly how much yarn you need and then fixing the cross on the loom before you even start dressing the loom. “You have to see it to understand how it’s really done,” said Alexander. Depending on the size and complexity of the weaving, it can take one day or several days to set up the loom.

SEE MORE OF PENNIE ALEXANDER’S WORK ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PENNIE.ALEXANDER.5.

SHE ALSO OPENS HER STUDIO ONCE A YEAR DURING THE PRESCOTT AREA ARTIST STUDIO TOUR (PAAST). FIND OUT MORE BY VISITING HER PAGE ON THE PAAST WEBSITE AT WWW.PRESCOTTSTUDIOTOUR.COM/PENNIE-ALEXANDER.

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When asked what it is about weaving that has held her interest, Alexander said, “I think basically it was the mechanics of it…it’s all done by you.” It takes time and experience to fully grasp the mechanics of weaving, but now that she has mastered the techniques, she can weave just about anything she can dream up.

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

“There’s more to weaving than just sitting down and weaving,” she said.

“Who’s going to put that yarn on a loom for you?

You have to learn the whole process.”

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

“If we all looked at it the same way, how boring everything would be."

Decades later, Alexander still never seems to tire of planning her next textile adventure. She likes to put her ideas into action as quickly as possible and does not like to repeat herself. It’s no surprise that each handmade piece that comes off her loom is one-of-a-kind.

A new project almost always starts with choosing her colors. “I have a nice, comfortable chair in my studio,” she said. “I’ll look at all my yarn and all of a sudden I’ll think, oh yeah, that color will work.” Her favorites tend to

be teals and purples as well as deep, bright jewel tones. “That’s what I think inspires me,” said Alexander.

“It’s mostly color and some texture in the yarn…it’s like eye candy.”

one can spot that difference, but the artist believes it’s part of what makes the world interesting. “If we all looked at it the same way, how boring everything would be,” she said.

Color is important to Alexander.

“There’s something about color,” she said. She understands the complexities of color and is fascinated that some people can’t see color in quite the way she can. “All these colors are blended, and you can have a red…but it’s a red with a hint of something else in it,” said Alexander. Not every-

“I like weaving different things,” said Alexander. “I prefer just wearables, but I've done blankets and different things.” However, her favorite weaving projects tend to be ruanas. A ruana is a type of poncho wrap that is “open on the sides and open down the front and you can throw it over your shoulder,” she said.

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Alexander especially likes the versatility of ruanas, noting that they can be made in any length and can be worn different ways for different looks. “There are just so many variables,” she said. “I like to do twisted fringe instead of just the long fringe, but…you can do all sorts of fun stuff.”

Although she uses a wide range of yarns, her favorites tend to be natural fiber yarns like alpaca, mohair, silk, and bamboo. She will occasionally use acrylic yarn, but she has a fondness for soft, supple natural fibers. “I love the yarns and I think that’s probably one of the reasons I started with the weaving,” she said.

She has taught several students over the years but is especially fond of her time teaching a young woman with autism to weave. Alexander noted that the woman did not speak, could not dress a loom by herself, and was often afraid of new things. While there were challenges, time and pa-

Weaving is at the heart of Alexander’s studio, but the artist works in other mediums as well. “I started off actually as a bronze and stone sculptor,” she said. “But now I’m 77 years old and the stones are getting a little bit bigger, too heavy to move on my own.” She isn’t ruling out a return to bronze and stone sculpting, but today you’ll find her focusing on carving and etching gourds when she isn’t at her loom.

Alexander has no plans of slowing down any time soon. On any given day, she’s likely to be found in her studio, working at her loom, or planning her next weaving project. “I need more hours of the day and I need another Pennie to do everything I want to do,” said Alexander. u

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

Before moving to Prescott Valley, Alexander and her husband owned a ranch in Colorado. At one point she considered raising animals to make her own yarn, but quickly decided that she preferred spending time at the loom rather than shearing animals. “That’s a really long, hard process,” she said. “So, I just said they’re pets and I bought my yarn after that.”

Another of Alexander’s great loves is teaching beginners to weave. She starts her students off with a simple project and enjoys the sense of accomplishment she sees when someone completes their first weaving. “I just love the excitement that they have when they first start to learn how to weave,” said Alexander.

tience proved to be key and the woman was eventually able to weave and sell her own scarves. “There were days that she would leave and I’m thinking, who got more out of this class, her or myself?” said Alexander.

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WINTER

Wandering -Angie Johnson-Schmit

It may be the middle of winter but there’s something about a warmish day, an impossibly blue sky, and the sounds of nature all around that makes you want to do a little winter hiking in Arizona.

Here are our Top Five Winter Hikes to take when you need to shake off some cabin fever and hit the open trail.

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Photocredit: Tree Rose Photography

GOLDWATER LAKES TRAIL #396 | PRESCOTT This quiet 8.1-mile hike leads through shady forest with lake views and is considered a great bird watching area. It is rated moderate difficulty, crossing creeks twice, ambling up hills and ridges on its way through dense stands of ponderosa pine, alligator juniper and chaparral-type vegetation.

The Goldwater Lakes Trailhead is 4.1 miles south of Prescott, AZ on Senator Highway.

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PEAVINE RECREATION TRAIL | PRESCOTT This easy trail is six miles long, running from the lush Watson Woods Riparian Preserve out to Point of Rocks, connecting with the Iron King Trail which leads east to Prescott Valley.

The trail follows the former Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railroad line and was inducted (along with the Iron King Trail) into the Rail to Trail Hall of Fame in 2010. Fans of wide-open vistas and railroad history alike will have a chance to enjoy the scenery as you leisurely stroll on this level trail.

The Prescott Peavine Trailhead is at 1624 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott, AZ. There is a $2 fee to park.

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GLASSFORD HILL SUMMIT TRAIL | PRESCOTT VALLEY How often do you get a chance to hike a volcano in Arizona?

This moderate difficulty 2.1-mile trail in the heart of Prescott Valley leads up and into the center of an extinct cinder cone volcano. Its last eruption was around 10 million years ago, so hikers will be safe, even if it is a tougher climb for small children and others. Interpretive signs, occasional high desert wildlife, and sweeping vistas make this trail a surprising bit of wilderness right in the middle of town.

The Glassford Summit Trailhead is at 6000 East Antelope Lane, Prescott Valley, AZ.

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WILLOW LAKE LOOP TRAIL | PRESCOTT This 5.7-mile loop around Willow Lake is like several trails in one. With a level path along the water, rock hopping opportunities, and panoramic views, this mixed difficulty trail also offers a bounty of bird-watching opportunities.

Photocredit: Tree Rose Photography

Willow Lake Loop Trail can be accessed from Prescott, AZ’s Heritage Park, Willow Lake, and Willow Creek Park.

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BEAR MOUNTAIN TRAIL | SEDONA Our final hike is the most challenging of the list. This 4.9-mile “out and back” trail located near Sedona, Arizona is rated as difficult with huge elevation gains and uneven surfaces. But the views are truly spectacular, and you won’t have to worry about sharing the trail with herds of casual hikers. If you are an experienced hiker looking for a challenge that leads to incredible views, this is the trail for you.

The Bear Mountain Trailhead is 9 miles northwest of Sedona on Boynton Pass Road. There is a $5 fee to hike this trail.

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Finally, remember your trail safety when hiking. The Forest Service suggests: •

Before starting out, do warm-up exercises.

Stretching gradually increases heart rate, temperature and circulation to your muscles. Also, after a night's rest, your muscles need warming.

Stretching gets the body going and increases your flexibility.

•

Start out slowly, gradually increasing your pace and distance traveled.

•

Let the slowest person in your hiking group set the pace. This is especially important when children are a part of your group.

•

Hike only on marked trails.

•

Hike and travel with a partner or in groups, especially during winter and in hazardous terrain.

•

Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member and check in with them upon your return.

•

Dress in layers. Mountain weather is generally cooler, cloudier, and windier than in lowland areas.

For every 1,000 feet of elevation, the temperature often drops three to five degrees.

•

Wear sunglasses and a hat when you hike.

•

Bring sunscreen no matter the season.

•

Bring a customized first aid kit tailored to your outing.

•

Take frequent rests.

•

Drink plenty of water. Water is heavy to carry, but thirst on the trail in our arid environment is a hazard.

Take a tip from athletes: before a hike, drink some water so you're well hydrated and energized. Never drink your total supply between refills.

•

Pack high-energy snacks, such as protein bars, granola, candy, or fruit. They provide an instant pickme-up on the trail.

Get out of the house, get a breath of fresh air, and break in those new socks.

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TRUE From left to right - Mandy Clouston, Brenda Clouston,

H O S P I TA L I T Y

-Angie Johnson-Schmit

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Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

Kori Clouston, Barret Clouston, Carson Clouston

There is nothing like the cold winter months to bring on a craving for comfort food.

Home cooks break out their finest recipes during the season, but sometimes the best comfort food is the food you don’t have to cook for yourself. For those in search of a warm, savory, homemade meal without the dirty dishes, Central Arizona’s Colt Grill restaurants have got you covered.

R Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

estaurateur Brenda Clouston has hit the sweet spot with her restaurants. Best known for their onsite smoked meats and barbecue, Colt Grill offers generous portions at an affordable price in a casual dining setting. It’s no wonder the restaurants have proven to be so popular with local diners.

Clouston was inspired to create Colt Grill during the drive home from a vacation in North Carolina. During a conversation with her husband, Clouston landed on the idea of a barbecue place “where you could feel at home and have that Western vibe that I love so much, that I grew up with.”

She also wanted it to be “casual enough that you didn’t have to spend a fortune.” The idea took root, and she went on to open the first Colt Grill in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Flash forward six years and Colt Grill now has restaurants in Cottonwood, Prescott Valley, Sedona, and a downtown

Prescott location due to open soon. The response in each community has been overwhelmingly positive. When the highly anticipated Prescott Valley location opened in 2020, there was literally a line around the block of hungry people eager to try it out. That enthusiasm hasn’t waned a bit.

At the heart of the barbecue restaurant’s success is their smoked meats. While they follow the traditional method of smoking their meats over hardwood, specifically white oak, Colt Grill has put their own spin on the process. “The way that we wrap it (the meat) and how long we wrap it…is a specialty that we do,” she said. “I don’t think it’s like anybody else’s, to be honest, because we just kept tweaking it over and over.”

Clouston’s son Carson custom builds the smokers, which feature design modifications to fit both the menu and production needs of the restaurants. According to Carson, the 53

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smokers are “challenging to fabricate and take about two weeks of welding and painting to complete.” Fortunately, Carson enjoys welding and takes satisfaction from knowing his smokers are used to produce something that pleases so many palates.

Their menu features a range of smoked meats, including baby back ribs, brisket, chicken, and turkey. Side dishes include the traditional coleslaw, beans (smoked or baked), potato salad and fries. For a real treat, try their fantastic smoked mac-n-cheese. And, Colt Grill makes a mean burger. “We fresh grind our hamburger here,” said Clouston.

“Something nobody else does.” It’s no wonder they’ve picked up some Best Burger awards.

Clouston knew she also needed salads on the menu. “I had to create a salad I would actually order,” she said with a laugh. She likes Caesar salads and made sure to include them. Another favorite of Clouston’s is the Filly salad. The Filly is made with romaine lettuce and spring mix greens topped with dried cranberries, sweet smoked walnuts, blue cheese crumbles and diced, smoked chicken.

space, décor, comfortable seating, and just the right atmosphere.

Fortunately, Clouston was able to call on her years as an interior designer to craft that space for her guests. “All the different elements play to them (restaurant patrons),” she said.

“The way everything feels, the leather table tops, the upholstered chairs…I'm just hoping and praying that when you come in the door, you're going to feel what I set out to design.”

At the heart of what she wanted to create was “a space that would make everyone feel comfortable,” that also reflected Clouston’s love for American traditions and the Western culture and lifestyle. “There is something sacred about our memories of growing up in the country, being able to hunt and fish and take the 4-H animals to the fair and just live that simple life of freedom,” she said.

The restaurants are very much a family affair, and Clouston credits much of their success to their involvement. Her daughter Mandy runs the wedding catering side of the business, as well as the marketing. Her son Carson not

Their menu features a range of smoked meats, including baby back ribs, brisket, chicken, and turkey. Side dishes include the traditional coleslaw, beans (smoked or baked), potato salad and fries. For a real treat, try their fantastic smoked mac-n-cheese.

Photocredit: Blushing Cactus Photography

Colt Grill offers a veggie burger that Clouston is proud of.

“Everybody wanted a vegetarian option, not just the salads,” she said. They worked on the recipe for several months before they found what they were looking for – a great tasting veggie burger that didn’t fall apart. Made of brown rice, black beans, carrot, barbecue sauce and potatoes, the veggie burger is a great soy-free choice for vegetarian diners. “It will fill you up,” said Clouston. “It’s huge.”

When it comes to comfort food, one of Clouston’s personal favorites is the brisket sandwich. “If I hadn’t had my food in a really long time…that would be what I’d order,” she said. “I love the tangy barbecue sauce with the brioche bun.” She is also a fan of the smoked chicken and avocado taco. “People think, oh, chicken tacos, no big thing,” she said. “But all those flavor components with the sauce really sing and I don’t get tired of it.”

Great food is the cornerstone for any successful restaurant, but Clouston also wants to create a great dining experience for the restaurant patrons. That means the right

only builds all the smokers, but also does steelwork, makes furniture, and helps with construction. Clouston’s husband is a general contractor and builds the restaurants. Even Clouston’s daughter-in-law Kori works in the office.

That generational, familial love is present in every aspect of Colt Grill, including the restaurant's handmade furniture.

“My father-in-law was almost 80 when he built the top of that bar,” she said, pointing at the bar in the Prescott Valley location. And Clouston wants Colt Grill’s diners to feel that love, too.

True hospitality is the thread that runs through it all at Colt Grill. It is the sense of genuine warmth, welcome, and comfort that guests feel as soon as they walk through the door. It’s the delicious homemade food and craft cocktails.

That true hospitality is there, too, in the comfortable chairs, the relaxed environment, and the sound of happy patrons in conversation. True hospitality. It’s the secret sauce, better than any flavor of barbecue sauce ever made. And it’s Clouston’s specialty. u

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Brenda's Favorite Winter Warm Up

HOT TODDY

INGREDIENTS: 2 tbls. bourbon 1 tbls. honey 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup boiling hot water Chamomile tea bag

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DIRECTIONS: Pour the bourbon, honey and lemon juice in a 6oz. mug.

Brew chamomile tea in a separate mug and pour over bourbon, honey and lemon juice mixture.

Stir until honey is melted. Enjoy!

Celebrating 60 Years of Building Community Residential | Commercial | Industrial | Build to Suit | Publishing

We understand that careful planning and community building require strong partnerships for thoughtful and meaningful growth that support opportunities for living a good life.

Fain Signature Group has been here for generations, and will work with the community for generations to come.

You have our word on it.

www.FainSignatureGroup.com

DESIGNING

y z o C

THE PERFECT

GATHERING

-Angie Johnson-Schmit

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reconnect with friends and family.

Photos courtesy of One Hundred Chairs

y

The winter months are a great time to

Hosting a cozy get-together is a wonderful way to do just that. Whether it’s a casual gathering around an outdoor fire pit, or a more elaborate event, good planning and event design can help take your celebration to the next level. If your party skills are in need of an upgrade or refresh, sisters Holly Favour Jones and Annie Sharp, of One Hundred Chairs have some tips for you. They agreed to sit down for a chat about how they would approach designing a smaller, in-home gathering. What follows is our conversation, edited for clarity.

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Holly: You want to start that one again?

Annie: We are sisters, born and raised in Prescott, as were our parents. Multi-generation Prescott. I think both of us, in different ways, have always had a love of events, parties, experiences, aesthetic design, helping people or being part of those kind of life milestones or reasons to celebrate and gather.

In 2017 we were approached to purchase this business, One Hundred Chairs, that was started by some other Prescottonians. We were very starry-eyed and without hesitation said, “Yes, please!”

We saw the potential for growth and to put our own spin on things. Very thankfully, even with 2020 in the mix, almost five years later, we've been able to grow the business pretty substantially while staying true to both our roots in Prescott and helping to create experiences more than just providing rental items.

TG Magazine: So, you do party and event planning, and you have the opportunity for people to rent unique pieces for their special parties and events. Is that right?

Annie: One Hundred Chairs is vintage inspired and unique rental pieces. We have a niche market in that. We also do event design and event styling. We don't do full event planning or coordinating usually.

We focus our efforts and talents on the aesthetic parts of the events and creating experiences for people that are unique.

TG Magazine: What would be your top tips for the average person who wants to do a cozy gathering of six to eight people? If they just want to have some friends over, and they want to make it cozy and warm and welcoming?

Holly: Ultimately, we think any event should be an experience. To create an atmosphere that carries through the event with different ways guests can experience them, we would recommend starting with your décor.

Then, how you want the evening to unfold might be a good question for them to ask themselves.

"One Hundred Chairs is vintage inspired and unique rental pieces. We have a niche market in that. We also do event design and event styling."

TG Magazine: For event styling, what would that encompass? Would that be, we're looking for these colors, we're looking for these fabrics, that type of thing?

Annie: That would be in our event design, really helping pull all of those wants and desires together into a cohesive look and considering all the different detail elements of it. Our event styling would be going and setting up the events and putting all of the pieces out.

If that's a dinner, or then after dinner, you move with a specialty cocktail to a fire, then you can decide, well, my fire aspect, how do I make that a very curated, special cove where they can enjoy that part of the experience in the evening? That's obviously where we feel special pieces and the décor play a big role in things. Oftentimes people think, oh I don't need décor, but it creates that experience for people.

More so than I think people even realize sometimes.

TG Magazine: Explain what you mean by décor.

Holly: Basically, you have two types of décor. The first would be your bigger statement pieces that you need to make that foundation of your event. And then you have your detailed items. That's your tabletop décor, the plate they're eating off, the things that layer on the table to make it feel cozy.

Candles, huge décor that we think any table should have. It makes the whole atmosphere come alive. That would be a cozy element that is pretty much a must have. Or, if you have an upholstered lounge area that's very warm and inviting and allows you to have a space where you can have conversation and enjoy the people that you've invited over.

Then you can add some small, detailed items there for décor like lush pillows and cozy blankets in there too. And then a nice side table so that they can set their drink down. They're comfortable and it's aesthetically pleasing.

TG Magazine: Well, that sounds...I want to go to that party.

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Photos courtesy of One Hundred Chairs

TG Magazine: Before I dig into my questions for you, do you want to tell me a little bit about yourselves and about your business?

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Annie: Some unassuming things can be part of the décor.

Things such as, and Holly touched on this, your dishware.

Choosing the type of plate that you're putting on the table.

Something that has a warm or soothing color or something that's bright and light and airy. Being very thoughtful of what type of glass you serve your specialty cocktail in takes a really yummy drink to the experience level. Those things you wouldn't necessarily assume as being décor, but thoughtfully put together, they become part of the décor and the “feel.”

Holly: We are very big proponents of pretty and practical. You need a chair to sit in, but that chair can have just as much of importance of what things look like and how the person feels sitting in it, that they're comfortable. All of those things play a part in it.

I think another question that they could ask themselves is how do you want it to evolve through the night? Where do I want my highlight or my emphasis of things to be? Do I want the dinner and the table to be where my main focus is? Or do we want it to be more outside by the fire and let's do a really great lounge area? It can be both but knowing where you want to spend most of your time or what you want the highlight to be helps you know your focus in the décor.

Photos courtesy of One Hundred Chairs

TG Magazine: If you're going to have a dinner and then clear off the table and play board games, then obviously the table would be the centerpiece.

TG Magazine: What would be the difference for you?

Holly: I would say, if you're going down the route of cozy and comfy, I would try to elevate some looks a little bit. Make the areas where you're going to be spending your time and kind of sitting still a little bit grander. That's where you're doing full place settings. You're making it a longer, more enjoyable dinner.

"...sometimes it's nice to keep things neutral and clean with creams and beiges. You can still get a cozy feel without

If you want a more active event, maybe you don't have a place setting for everyone. Maybe it's more like passed hors d'oeuvres or a grazing table so people don't ever actually completely sit down.

You want people up and moving. It slightly changes your approach to where you put the focus.

TG Magazine: Is there anything else you think somebody might want to ask themselves when they're planning a party?

Holly: Just knowing certain personalities.

Often you can pull in things, which if they're doing it in their own home, those are already around you. So maybe it doesn't apply as much here. Something we try to do is get to know the person and how you can integrate things. An example would be, we did a wedding for a couple that owned a bookstore, so in the centerpieces we made sure to use books.

If you have a theme that you want to stick with, try to find those subtle ways to do it.

If it's an intimate dinner party, it's really nice to do name tags. It looks like you've been very thoughtful to your guests.

You've been excited they're coming; you know where they're sitting. Those little touches go a long way.

going dark."

Holly: Yes. Then you're going to keep it a little bit simpler with the center piece, because it's just going to get moved. Maybe then you have a hot cocoa bar that people can go and get a hot beverage while you're clearing the table off for them to sit down, enjoy it, and have games. That helps you figure out how you want the night to evolve.

Annie: Another good question that we'll often ask clients is, what feel do you want through the night? Some people want relaxed and cozy and quiet conversation. Other people are like, we've been cooped up, we're ready to party. Answering those questions then helps guide them down to these other things we've talked about.

One tip would be, we tend to go towards the darker colors in the winter, but sometimes it's nice to keep things neutral and clean with creams and beiges. You can still get a cozy feel without going dark.

Annie: Some other tips Holly can explain more is texturing and layering when you're using these more neutral colors.

Holly: An example would be, when it gets cold you get bun-

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dled up. You can do the same thing with décor. You can give that feel through your décor. If you have a wood table, feel free to layer it. A soft runner with a woven charger and then a cream plate, for instance. That highlights the layering that you're doing, and makes it feel a little bit warmer and more inviting.

TG Magazine: What about the end of the event? Is there usually a closure to it or is it kind of open-ended?

Annie: We've seen a trend in weddings where you see a lot of sendoffs, whether it's a sparkler sendoff or a champagne toast sendoff that's going to happen at “x” time, which then signals to the guests that the event is closing or winding down.

I would say if it's something that is important to the host, and we didn't really talk much about invitations, that's something that I would pay attention to. Say that the party is running from begin time to end time.

Often as I host parties, it's less important to me when people leave and so I just will indicate the start time. As the guest reading that, it's less important that it wraps up at a specific time.

To find out more about One Hundred Chairs, visit their website www.onehundredchairs.com or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

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Photos courtesy of One Hundred Chairs

With some creativity, you could integrate something like that into a dinner party. Maybe it's dessert. You linger around the fire a little bit and go in for dessert or a dessert bar, or coffee is served before they leave or something to signal that the pace is changing. You could do something like a parting gift like, by the door is a bag of cookies for you to take.

Cozy Christmas Hot Chocolate

NAU G H T Y E L F INGREDIENTS: 1/3 c. cocoa powder ¾ c. granulated sugar Pinch of salt 1/3 c. boiling water 3 ½ c. whole milk 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ c. half and half Irish whiskey Cinnamon Schnapps Whipped cream Ground cinnamon for garnish

DIRECTIONS: Combine cocoa, sugar and salt in saucepan. Whisk in boiling water. Bring to low boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring constantly. Add milk and heat, but DO NOT BOIL. Remove from heat, add vanilla and half and half. Pour into large mugs.

Add 1.5 oz. Irish Whiskey and 1.5 oz. Cinnamon Schnapps to each mug of hot cocoa.

Garnish with whipped cream and light dusting of ground cinnamon. *Note: If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce sugar in hot cocoa to ¼ cup.

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Love Coffee FOR THE OF

-Angie Johnson-Schmit

Odds are, you’ve enjoyed a great cup of coffee from Prescott Coffee Roasters. Some may remember Richard Gregory, owner of Prescott Coffee Roasters, from his years owning the coffee shop of the same name in Prescott, AZ. Many more have tasted his coffee at some of the best restaurants, coffee houses, bakeries, cafés, and churches in Yavapai County.

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regory closed the retail shop in 2008, bought out his exwife’s share of the business, and shifted his focus to wholesale.

Now he sells his coffee through Corvis Distributing, located in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Gregory still personally roasts his coffee beans in small batches onsite, but he likes his current arrangement. “In the past, they (Corvis Distributing) would be calling the customer and saying, 'What kind of cups and stuff do you need?' And then I would be calling the customer and saying, 'What kind of coffee do you need?'

Now, it's one-stop shopping. The customer can order both at once and Corvis delivers all of it.”

ry. He wanted to preserve what he loved about the café and did not want someone to “ruin it or make it worse, or just not where it was.” Gregory went on to say that “the only thing that we did when we bought it was strip the floor down and re-coat it.”

When he purchased the business, Gregory had been working as a police officer for 16 years. He quickly decided to leave law enforcement and concentrate on learning the coffee business.

Prior to taking on Prescott Coffee Roasters, Gregory admits that he was a cream and sugar coffee drinker. After being encouraged to try tasting black coffee, he started to understand the

As his sense of taste sharpened, so did his opinions on which coffee varieties he preferred. “It is a weird thing,” said Gregory. “Sometimes I'll get a coffee in that is really interesting, but I don't want to drink that as a whole cup.” He discovered that while he generally enjoys drinking pure Ethiopian varieties, straight Sumatra is too earthy for his taste. He is, however, a big fan of using Sumatra in coffee blends.

Gregory has an interesting approach to creating his blends. “I talk about coffee flavors as like a graph,” he said. He places varieties on that chart according to their flavor profiles. “Where you've got the low notes would be the Sumatras, the earthy thing,” he said.

“When we decided to buy it (Prescott Coffee Roasters), I had to stop putting cream and sugar in the coffee,” he said. Gregory noted that once he started paying closer attention to what he was tasting, it also affected his taste in food. “I think that’s where I got maybe fussier about my food, or more appreciative,” he said.

While Gregory has always enjoyed a good cup of coffee, it wasn’t until he, his then-wife, and his brother decided to purchase the Prescott Coffee Roasters retail shop in 2006 that he started to really take it seriously. It was his brother who first saw the shop was was up for sale and approached Gregory about buying the business together.

The trio decided to put their money together and buy the café.

The shop had a strong local following, and Prescott Coffee Roasters was already a favorite coffee spot for Grego-

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importance of tasting the actual coffee on its own.

Once he had to depend on his sense of taste to judge the coffee he roasted, he became a straight black coffee drinker.

“When we decided to buy it (Prescott Coffee Roasters), I had to stop putting cream and sugar in the coffee,” he said.

Gregory noted that once he started paying closer attention to what he was tasting, it also affected his taste in food. “I think that’s where I got maybe fussier about my food, or more appreciative,” he said.

“The Colombia that I have right now, the Fairtrade one, has some earthiness to it, which is fine. So that's your low notes, and then you’ve got nutty and chocolatey in the middle, and then your high notes would be the fruity floral stuff.”

His preference is for blends that have “a little bit of bass and high notes, but mostly I like a good solid “sweetness.”’

One of the things he discovered after cutting out sugar and cream in his coffee is that “you can actually taste sweetness in the cup if you're not put-

ting stuff in it.” Gregory also likes “the interesting chocolates being predominant and then something to round it out,” comparing it to buying a high quality, expensive chocolate bar that lets you taste all the flavor notes.

Bagged coffee photo courtesy of Prescott Coffee Roasters

One thing Gregory cautions coffee buyers about is the tendency to save that expensive coffee. “Don't save your coffee,” he said. “If somebody gives you a pound of Coffee Roasters coffee, don't save it for a special occasion because it's going to go stale.” As he noted, even the best coffee beans start losing their complex flavor and scent almost immediately, so enjoy it while it is at its peak.

He also cautions high-end coffee buyers to make sure they are getting what they are paying for. Kona blends are especially notorious for having a very low amount of actual Kona coffee, so if you see an inexpensive bag of Kona, think twice. “The industry standard is 10% Kona, 90% something else,” said Gregory. “I think it's actually codified in Hawaii, if you put Kona on a label, it has to be at least 10%.”

The reason for this rule is because some grocery store brands were putting a tiny amount of actual Kona coffee beans in a blend and putting Kona on the label. Hawaii wanted to protect their coffee industry and set a legal standard to stop this practice. “Me being the way I am, I'm like, I'll do 20,” said Gregory. “So I do a 20% Kona blend.” He pointed out that it’s also important to use a reputable importer because of the number of counterfeit Kona coffees on the market. But, if you’re going

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to pay top dollar for coffee, it’s better to make sure you’re getting what you pay for.

Another aspect of coffee bean purchasing Gregory believes is important is the organic certification required to legitimately call coffee organic. That certification is expensive and time consuming, but Gregory feels it is important to follow the process.

“It costs me $1,700, like it does every year. I go through a ton of record keeping. I have to do things a certain way to keep that cert,” he said.

Those processes include storing the certified organic coffee separate from the conventional ones. “It can be annoying,” Gregory admitted. “But if I was selling coffee saying, ‘it's Fair Trade and organic,’ but not supporting the organic system that was helping me sell that coffee, being a law enforcement person, I wouldn’t do that. If you want to benefit from selling organic, then you should play the game completely.”

Gregory also supports Fair Trade certification for his coffee. A Fair Trade-certified coffee means that the coffee has been audited throughout the supply

chain to meet certain sustainability and labor standards. “Fair Trade is kind of a big program that has almost like a government layer to it,” said Gregory. “It has to administer this and figure out what is fair in Ethiopia, Peru, and Colombia. So, they're not perfect, but I don't have the time and money to visit all these places and figure out what's right so I'm trusting them.”

It’s been a long journey from that first cup of unadulterated coffee at someone else’s Prescott Coffee Roasters to his weekly pursuit of the perfect roast.

But Gregory feels a connection to his coffee and to the community that enjoys it. As one local restaurant owner told him, “I want to sell coffee that I would drink myself.” Gregory responded, “You and me both.” u

WANT TO TRY A CUP OF PRESCOTT COFFEE ROASTERS COFFEE? YOUR CHOICES INCLUDE: Prescott:

Cuppers Coffee House • El Gato Azul • Farm Provisions The Dinner Bell • Pangea Bakery • Outlaw Donuts Frozen Frannie’s • Triple Creek Kitchen and Spirits Talking Rock Master-Planned Community • The Local Gripstone Climbing & Café • Wing Space Coworking Joe Mudd’s Coffee and Bakehouse • Raven Café

Prescott Valley:

Carlitos Café and Coffee House • The Local Grab N Go

Chino Valley: Heidi Lane Café

Cottonwood:

Crema Craft Kitchen • The Old Town Cafe • Pizzeria Bocce

Sedona:

Geraldo’s Italian Kitchen • Rocky Road Ice Cream Company

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HOW TO BREW A BETTER CUP OF COFFEE For the hard-core coffee lover, here is some advice from Richard Gregory, owner of Prescott Coffee Roasters. Gregory recommends paying attention to water filtration first, followed by the coffee grinder and brewing method. He firmly believes filtered water and the quality of the coffee grind have more to do with making a good cup of coffee than people give them credit for.

Gregory also recommends trying different coffee bean varieties, blends, and roasts to find out what you like. “I really feel what is “good coffee” is subject to one’s own opinion, so play around and find your own level,” he said. “So what if you like it “weak” or somehow out of the norm? It is your coffee, right?”

Use Filtered/Scale Inhibited Tap Water

According to Gregory, “our city’s well water is a little on the “hard side.”’ He recommends using a high quality water filter in your home to cut down on the lead, chlorine and hard water minerals that can slowly damage your coffee maker.

Use a Burr Grinder

A burr coffee grinder crushes beans to a uniform size, allowing the water to consistently make contact with the coffee through the brewing process. Not only does burr ground coffee make a better tasting cup of coffee, it avoids clogging the filter, and gives you the flexibility to grind beans to the fineness suited to the type of coffeemaker used.

Coffee Maker

Gregory recommends two types: a coffeemaker certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (the same organization that sets the standards for most restaurant drip coffeemakers) or, for the best budget brew, a version of a French press.

Adjusted for our altitude, Gregory recommends 1 oz. of coffee for every 16-18 oz. of water heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using a French press, he recommends four to six minutes for steeping.

Choosing Your Coffee

Gregory points out that coffee sold in supermarkets tend to be older and a lower quality than coffee from a specialty roaster, which is why most don’t have a roast dated on the bag. This means that the coffee is typically stale, although it does make for a consistent taste, where every cup of supermarket coffee tastes like the one before. For best taste, buy your coffee within a week of roasting and brew it all within two weeks after roasting.

Finally, bear in mind that brewing great coffee is an art, not a science. While he understands that people would like more precise answers, Gregory noted that “very little in life is precise. This is why the good coffee at cafés is worth paying the $$ for.”

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L

Life

WRITER'S -Angie Johnson-Schmit

Joseph Rollins isn’t one of those novelists who knew he wanted to write from an early age. Instead, he

discovered his love of writing well after he graduated

from college. The Chino Valley, Arizona resident started down his writer's path by taking a creative writing

class at Yavapai College. His debut novel, Iron Spires

over the White City, was published in August 2020, marking the official start of his career as a writer.

B

efore delving into fiction writing, Rollins worked for several years in software and Information Technology (IT). He was never truly happy in the field, but it wasn’t until his wife graduated with her doctorate in psychology and opened her practice that Rollins seriously thought about becoming a novelist. About five years ago, when his wife asked what he wanted to do next, he didn't hesitate. “I think I want to farm, and I want to start writing books,” Rollins answered. “So that’s what I did.”

In keeping with his twin desires to farm and write, Rollins spends the spring and summer months focused on the farm.

“When it’s growing season, I’m usually spending most of my time outside with the farm,” he said. “I try to write a couple of times a week, but…I do it less and less starting in the spring.”

Once the growing season is over, Rollins switches his focus to writing. “I can do a lot more writing over the winter,” he said. “Every day I’ll get up and spend until noon just writing or editing.”

Rollins and his wife traveled frequently to visit her family in Arizona before deciding to make Chino Valley their permanent home. “We started traveling here to visit her dad on Thanksgiving and…touring Arizona and seeing some of the beautiful, natural stuff,” he said. The couple purchased two and a half acres and settled down. A few years ago, they planted about 500 wine grape vines and plan to explore winemaking once the vines mature.

His first novel is a combination of a mystery and an action/ adventure story. Filled with political intrigue and a kidnapping that leads to a multi-continent chase, Iron Spires over the White City can be best described as a steampunk novel.

Rollins describes the steampunk genre as an aesthetic. “It’s a way of thinking about history in a science fiction type way,” he said. “It allows a fun, imaginative ‘what if?’ kind of thing.”

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that backstory to develop characters and begin world-building for the book.

After hearing about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the annual event that encourages people to write 50,000 words during the month of November, he decided to try it. “I did my first NaNoWriMo and I wrote my first draft of this book,” said Rollins. He did several drafts before the novel was ready for publication, but he credits NaNoWriMo with giving him the motivation to complete that vital first draft.

He is currently at work on the sequel for Iron Spires over the White City and plans to use NaNoWriMo again as motivation to get a rough draft completed. “I do it every year and I’ve only won once,” Rollins said. “It’s hard to write that many words in a day and then Thanksgiving comes, but I never regret it. I’m sitting there with 35,000 words I wouldn’t have written otherwise, so I’m always very happy even if I don’t win.”

Even though the term is relatively new, steampunk themed works can be traced back to speculative fiction like H. G. Wells’ classic 1895 novella, The Time Machine. Japan’s manga comics and animé movies have embraced steampunk themes since the 1940’s.

Even those who aren’t very familiar with Japanese animé are probably aware of Hayao Miyazaki’s award-winning movies with Studio Ghibli. Several of his films, including Porco Rosso and Howl’s Moving Castle, feature complex steampunk inventions that have delighted fans for decades.

Rollins’ fascination with the genre lies in his love of science fiction, speculative fiction and alternative history. The foundation for his steampunk novel began in one of the creative writing classes he took. As a class assignment, Rollins wrote a 20 -page speculative history piece. “I just started writing a backstory, of all things,” said Rollins. “It was very boring, and I got a lot of negative critiques from that.”

Boring or not, that speculative history provided the foundation for his novel. “I played with what would change in the European power of wrestling for colonies if this tiny little thing had changed.” Rollins then turned around and used

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Rollins is also grateful for the vibrant writing community in the area. “I really have found a good friend circle with the creative writing community,” he said. “And that has been part of my structure, too.” He appreciates the support and has found many other knowledgeable and skilled writers. “There’s a lot of talent in this community,” he said.

In terms of process, Rollins likes to do a lot of what he calls “scaffolding” writing. “It’s writing that supports the writing that people read,” he said. “For example, I’ll write 3,000 words where I have a character just talk about themselves.” The benefit for Rollins is that it gives him a strong understanding of how the characters will act, what they will say, and how they will behave in different situations before diving into the full novel.

"To be a writer, all you have to do is write.

You can take a class, you can sign up for NaNoWriMo, you can put some structure around it if you want ... but just write."

There is a long-standing debate among writers about process. “Plotters” are writers who create detailed outlines of story structure and characters. Plotters like to know exactly what is going to happen, and when, before they write the first sentence of the actual novel. “Pantsers” are writers who prefer to jump in and write by the seat of their pants.

As for Rollins, his process lies somewhere between the two.

“I’m a ‘plantser,’ I think they call it,” he said. “I can’t outline too much or be too rigid with it because then nothing good comes out of the actual writing. But, if I don’t have at least a basic outline I’ll just go off on the wrong tangents and down the wrong story.”

Rollins may have already achieved what many aspiring novelists dream of by having a novel published, but he continues to pursue writing classes.

“I’m actually taking an online class at Yavapai College right now for historical fiction writing,” he said.

And, like most writers, he continues to read as much as possible. While his favorites books tend to be in the science fiction and fantasy genres, he also includes some of the classic “good” books. “I always have a couple of books going at once,” said Rollins. “I’m rereading East of Eden right now by Steinbeck.”

As far as advice for aspiring writers, Rollins has a simple answer. “Just do it,” he said. “To be a writer, all you have to do is write. You can take a class, you can sign up for NaNoWriMo, you can put some structure around it if you want…but just write.”

Book cover and family photo courtesy of Joseph Rollins

Find Iron Spires in the White City, by Joseph Rollins, on Amazon.com or at your local bookstore. To keep up with his latest work, visit, visit josephrollinsbooks.com.

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Winter

READS 76 TG MAGAZINE W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

It’s all too easy for kids to get sucked into too much “screen time,” no matter what time of the year.

Colder weather means more indoor activities, and a good, cozy book can be a ticket out of boredom for kids of all ages. Fortunately, the library in Prescott Valley, Arizona has plenty of options available for those who could use a vacation of the imagination.

If you’re not sure what to choose for your child, the children’s librarians at Prescott Valley Public Library have some great recommendations to

Kids

keep kids reading through the winter. And while you’re there, why

for

not pick up a cozy read for yourself?

Your friendly librarians are happy to help you find the perfect book.

Visit the PVPL at 7401 Skoog Blvd, Prescott Valley, AZ and prepare to get lost in your next good book.

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BOOKS FOR

YOUNG ADULTS

by Amber Topping | Young Adult Librarian Prescott Valley Public Library

SHIVER

By Maggie Stiefvater

Why I recommend it: Sometimes, you just need a

wintery paranormal story to warm up to on a cold day. One of the best YA supernatural romances, Shiver tells the story of Sam, a werewolf, who is a wolf over the winter and human during the summer. What happens when he falls in love? It's a thrilling star-crossed romance for anyone who loves books like Twilight.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

By Laura Silverman

Why I recommend it: Recommended for You is the ultimate cozy read with romance, comedy, a bookstore setting, and endearing characters. It's a holiday Teen rom-com with elements of You've Got Mail.

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DASH & LILY'S BOOK OF DARE

By Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Why I recommend it: Who doesn't love a romantic

Christmas story set in New York City? After Lily leaves instructions for a mysterious scavenger hunt in a red notebook in her favorite bookstore, Dash discovers her red notebook and soon the two share dreams and dares across the entire city, falling in love along the way.

OF CURSES AND KISSES

By Sandhya Menon

Why I recommend it: A contemporary retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," an East Indian princess goes to an elite Colorado boarding school and falls for Grey Emerson, an English lord. With romance, magic, and an entertaining feud, this is one swoon-worthy and charming cozy read.

SHADOW & BONE

By Leigh Bardugo

Why I recommend it: Do you love epic fantasy novels?

Shadow and Bone is a spellbinding story about Alina Starkov who must use her newfound magic to save the cold, Russia-like kingdom from the Shadow Fold. Meanwhile, there's a mesmerizing triangle between Alina, the immortal Darkling, and her best friend who loves her.

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BOOKS FOR

CHILDREN

by Lynette Christianson | Children's Librarian Prescott Valley Public Library

“These are my choices for cozy books because of the relationships between the characters or the focus of the books,” said Lynnette Christensen, Children’s Librarian at Prescott Valley Public Library.

Note: Board Books and Picture Books are designed for the youngest readers, while Chapter Books are typically written with the 7-10 y.o. reader in mind.

GOOD NIGHT ARIZONA

by Adam Gamble We have a series of board books for our youngest readers which highlight unique attractions in various cities or states.

They are fun to read before taking a trip to each place and re-reading it after they return. Perfect for helping little ones settle down before bedtime while encouraging an appreciation for some of the state's many natural and cultural wonders. (Board Book series)

MISS RUMPHIUS

by Barbara Cooney The narrator of the book tells of her great-aunt who had three goals in life: go to faraway places, live by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful. Miss Rumphius encourages curiosity, travel and community engagement with its heartfelt story and beautiful illustrations. (Picture Book)

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BECAUSE OF OF WINN-DIXIE

by Kate DiCamillo

With a focus on themes of friendship, loneliness, courage, and community, Because of Winn-Dixie is a great read for children ages 8 to 13. The story tells all the good things that happen to Opal because of her big ugly dog, Winn-Dixie.

HENRY AND MUDGE

by Cynthia Rylant

Newberry Award winning author Cynthia Rylant’s Henry and Mudge series focuses on Henry and his big dog Mudge, and their friendship. These simple, sweet stories are beautifully illustrated and are great for very young readers. (Series)

MR. PUTTER AND TABBY

by Cynthia Rylant

This series is about the relationship between an elderly writer and his cat. With gentle humor and everyday adventures, the books explore themes of friendship and dealing with distractions. These books are perfect for young ones who are transitioning to more challenging reads. (Series)

COBBLE STREET COUSINS

by Cynthia Rylant This series features two sisters and their cousin who go to live with their aunt for a year.

The three girls put their creative skills to work when they decide to make their own newspaper. With themes of friendship, creativity and community involvement, these warm and wholesome stories also feature beautiful illustrations. (Series) 81

FRESH. EASY.

Delicious.

For many home gardeners, winter is a quiet time. For those who want fresh greens in the winter, growing sprouts is a fun and easy way to garden indoors.

Loaded with essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin C, sprouts can be enjoyed on salads, in wraps, on sandwiches or by the handful!

SUPPLIES: Soil - standard germination mix Organic fertilizer - composted manure and sea kelp meal Tray - standard bread pans Seeds - Radish, alfalfa, broccoli, or sunflower

Newspaper - 1 full sheet per tray, black and white print only Watering can Measuring cups and spoons

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Grow Your Own

SPROUTS 1 2 3 4 5 6

-Janet Wilson | Prescott Gardener

Soak 1 tablespoon of seeds for about 8 hours. Refer to seed packet as soaking times may vary. Drain and rinse your seeds.

Set aside.

Sprinkle ½ teaspoon kelp meal and 1 tablespoon composted manure on the bottom of bread pan. Cover compost with 3 cups of soil. Sprinkle soaked seeds evenly on top of soil.

Cover bread pan with pre-soaked, lightly wrung-out newspaper.

Store tray in a cool, dark space like a kitchen cabinet for 2-3 days. Check daily to make sure it has not dried out. Sprinkle water on the seeds and re-soak the newspaper as needed.

Once the sprouts have started to grow, set pan on a bright windowsill. For the next 3-4 days, keep the soil moist without oversaturating.

When sprouts have reached desired height, harvest with scissors. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy!

I was introduced to this method through Peter Burke’s book, Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening, and I highly recommend it as a resource guide. Growing your own sprouts is a fun activity for the whole family with a fast reward – from seed to harvest in a week!

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Winter

Fun

FOR

EVERYONE! DISCOVER YOUR FAVORITE WINTER ACTIVITIES IN PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ. FROM ICE SKATING TO LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND SPORTS, YOU’LL FIND TONS OF EVENTS, CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO KEEP THE WHOLE FAMILY SMILING THIS SEASON. 84 TG MAGAZINE W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

T OW N O F P R E S C O T T VA L L E Y

RECR TI N AND

EVENTS GUIDE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

88 93 94 98 100 104 106 108 113

SPECIAL EVENTS ICE SKATING LIBRARY The 2021 Prescott Valley Recreation Guide has been

SPECIALTY CLASSES

made possible by Findlay Toyota Prescott and Desert Financial Credit Union. Published &

ARTS & CULTURE

distributed by Talking Glass Media, LLC.

SPORTS & FITNESS PARKS & TRAILS COMMUNITY DIRECTORY IDEALIOS

iDEALios

CAST

scan • click • save

TALKING GLASS MEDIA, LLC – a Fain Signature Group Company 3001 N. Main St., Ste #2-B Prescott Valley, AZ. 86314 Tel: 928-257-4177 Email: Editor@SignalsAZ.com

To Advertise Elicia Morigeau, Sales Director 928-642-3552 Assistant Editor/Print Angie Johnson-Schmit

PARKS & RECREATION OFFICE PRESCOTT VALLEY CIVIC CENTER

7501 East Skoog Boulevard | 3rd Floor | Prescott Valley

••• CASEY VAN HAREN

Community Services Director | Library, Arts, Parks & Recreation

@pvparksrec

Art Direction Dina Ponder

Videographer Austin Morrison

928.759.3090 • PVAZ.net/parks

@pvparksrec

Assistant Editor/Digital Kristina Abbey

Media Manager Merilee Mills

Executive Editor Guy Roginson

@prescottvalley1

Events & classes in this guide are subject to change.

To confirm or for more info, please visit our website at PVAZ.net and follow us on our social media pages listed above.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

WINTER EVENTS VALLEY OF LIGHTS Brought to you by: Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce

A Prescott Valley tradition for 22 years! Enjoy hundreds of light displays as you drive through Fain Park in Prescott Valley.

Every evening from 6pm to 10pm you have the opportunity to experience the joy and beauty Valley of Lights has to offer.

To get there just look for the Soldier in Lights to guide you in. There is no cost to enter, donations are accepted at the end of the drive.

Ages: All ages Cost: FREE/Donation Location: Fain Park 2200 N 5th St Date/Time: November 25 - December 30

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DEC. HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS & PARADE Brought to you by: Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce and Town of Prescott Valley

The Festival of Lights is an annual celebration of the holidays. The evening is filled with plenty to do including performances by local school choirs, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” the spectacular Civic Center Campus lighting, Santa’s North Pole Workshop at the Prescott Valley Public Library, Night Light Parade and the Mayor’s holiday message. Hot chocolate and mistletoe for sale from our local scout groups.

Ages: All ages Cost: FREE Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center

Theater on the Green Date/Time: December 3 • 5:00pm Santa’s North Pole Workshop will begin at 6:30pm

CREATE-A-TREE EXHIBIT Brought to you by: Town of Prescott Valley

Ages: All ages Cost: Ticket Prices Vary Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: December 11 • 7:00pm

CLINT BLACK & LISA HARTMAN BLACK Grammy-winning Country superstar Clint Black is hitting the road with Mrs. Lisa Hartman Black and they are making their only Arizona stop at the Findlay Toyota Center! The husband and wife team will be singing their hits and Christmas songs for our December date.

Having earned 22 #1 career singles, nearly two dozen gold and platinum awards (U.S. and Canada), a Grammy Award, numerous CMA, ACM, and American Music Awards, Clint Black has had one of the most storied careers in modern music. The Houston-raised musician has certainly come a long way from the Texas nightclub circuit where he first began. In his latest effort, Out of Sane, Clint Black continues to hold firm in making great music that doesn’t fit a mold or conform to current popularity.

Ages: All ages Cost: Tickets start at $45/VIP available Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: December 19 • 7:00pm

Photocredit: xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx

Join us in celebrating the 20th annual Create-A-Tree Art Exhibit! View trees and wreaths decorated for the holidays!

Ages: All ages Cost: FREE Location: Prescott Valley Public Library

7401 Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December 3 - January 7

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY VS. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA HOCKEY

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MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS

Do you remember the first time you heard the Christmas sounds of Mannheim Steamroller? Celebrate the holiday magic of Mannheim Steamroller when they bring their annual holiday tour to fans throughout the country. While 2020 was the first year the group was unable to tour in 35 years, 2021 will reunite the #1 Christmas music artist in history with its legion of long-time fans. Experience the music that has become the hallmark of the holidays and a tradition for multi-generational families: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas live in concert in 2021!

Ages: All ages Cost: Tickets start at $30 Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: December 27 • 7:00pm

MILE HIGH YOUTH WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

Arizona’s premier youth wrestling event! This year’s challenge is the biggest yet.

Awards: - Awards for the top 4 Individuals at each weight class.

- Award for team scoring the most points - 2 Outstanding wrestler award (1 lower & 1 upper weight) Ages: All ages Cost: Ticket prices vary Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: December 31 - January 1 • 8am

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NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION & FIREWORKS Brought to you by: Town of Prescott Valley

Join us for a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration and firework display! Enjoy games, hot chocolate, s’mores, and a big bonfire! Fireworks at 8:30 PM. Please leave your pets at home for their safety and yours.

Ages: All ages Cost: FREE Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: December 31 • 5:30 - 8:30pm

JAN. POLAR BEAR SPLASH Brought to you by: Town of Prescott Valley

Take the plunge into icy cold water - only a true Polar Bear could enjoy. After the plunge, warm up with hot drinks, food, and winter-themed games!” Jumpers must be 18+.

Please have ID ready when checking-in for Polar Plunge.

Ages: 18+ to splash/All ages for games Cost: FREE Location: Mountain Valley Splash 8600 E Nace Lane Date/Time: January 8 • 9:00am - 12:00pm

COWBOY COLLECTOR’S GATHERING

Western & Native American Collectible Antiques from some of the BEST DEALERS offering Western Collectibles such as... Spurs, Bits & Bridles, Saddles, Chaps, Hats, Hitched Horsehair, Horse Gear, Mining, Gambling, Native American Jewelry, Beadwork, Baskets, Rugs, Pottery, Advertising, Western Fine Arts, AND MUCH MORE! Please read our COVID-19 safety guidelines before arriving so you are prepared for your visit.

Ages: All ages Cost: $5/VIP available Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: January 18 - 19 • 9:00am - 5:00pm

TOUGHEST MONSTER TRUCK TOUR The Toughest Monster Truck Tour brings only the best and most skilled monster trucks and drivers in the nation to compete in 3 competitions each night on an all-dirt track with obstacles, jumps and turns that are considered the most difficult of any monster truck event. Only one can be the Toughest!

Ages: All ages Cost: Ticket Prices Vary Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: January 21 - 22

Pit Party: 5:30 - 6:30pm

Doors: 6:30pm

Event: 7:30pm

JUNIOR HIGH WRESTLING TOURNAMENT Ages: All ages Cost: Ticket prices vary Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main St Date/Time: January 28 - 29

FEB. DADDY/DAUGHTER DANCE Dress up with your daughter(s) and enjoy an evening of dinner & dancing!

Ages: 3+ Cost: $40 daddy/daughter • $20 addtl. daughter Location: To be decided - see website for updates Date/Time: February 12 • 6:00 - 9:00pm

RIVERDANCE

Riverdance, as you’ve never seen it before! A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite celebrated the world over for its Grammy award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Twenty-five years on, composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely re-imagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage, and costume designs. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary power and grace of its music and dance–beloved by fans of all ages.

Ages: All ages Cost: Tickets start at $47 Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main Street Date/Time: February 8 • 7:00pm

AIA STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Catch all the action and see which Arizona high school basketball teams are fighting for a chance to win a coveted state championship. The AIA is a voluntary association of almost 280 public and private high schools that strives to be a leader in many facets of high school sports and activities.

Ages: All ages Cost: Ticket prices vary Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main Street Date/Time: February 18 - 19 , 21 - 22

CHICAGO Chicago is back! The legendary rock and roll band with horns, Chicago, came in at #4, the highest charting American band in the chart’s history, in Billboard Magazine’s recent Top Bands And Duos. And Chicago is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades. Chicago was inducted into the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Chicago’s first album, Chicago Transit Authority, was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2014, and the band performed on the Grammy stage for the first time that year. Robert Lamm and James Pankow have become inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. These legendary songwriters wrote mega-hits such as, “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday In The Park,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “Make Me Smile,” and many others.

Ages: All ages Cost: Tickets start at $54 Location: Findlay Toyota Center 3201 N Main Street Date/Time: February 20 • 7:00pm 91

THE TOWN OF PRESCOTT VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION BELIEVES THAT ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN RECREATION. Our new Play It Forward scholarship fund will allow residents of Prescott Valley ages 17 and under to apply for reduced and/or no-fee Parks and Recreation programs.

Applications can be picked up at the Parks and Recreation office in the Prescott Valley Civic Center, located at 7501 East Skoog Boulevard, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314.

Our office is located on the 3rd floor and we are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 5:00 pm. For additional information about the Play It Forward scholarship program contact us at (928) 759-3090 or email parks@pvaz.net.

••• SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO PRESCOTT VALLEY RESIDENTS ONLY. 92 TG MAGAZINE W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

ICE SKATING FINDLAY TOYOTA CENTER ICE SKATING IS OPEN FOR THE 2021 SEASON! VIEW THE SCHEDULE ONLINE:

PICK YOUR DATE, PICK YOUR TIME, AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN ADVANCE! Ice skating admission and skate rentals are sold online only.

Tickets and skate rentals can be purchased at www.Universe.com/iceskating up to 2 weeks in advance.

Open skate sessions are 90 minutes long and the doors will open 10 minutes before the sessions start time. 2 adult spectators are allowed per child skater. Schedule is subject to change. No refunds or exchanges for any reason. All skaters will be required to accept the terms of the participant release/waiver before purchasing tickets online.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS Visit www.Universe.com/iceskating and select your skate date and time.

After purchasing online, you will receive an email confirmation.

There is no need to print your tickets. We will check you in by name or scan your mobile ticket at the door.

OPEN SKATE Open Skate is for all ages and skill levels. Skate rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis - we offer sizes from Toddler size 9 to Men’s 15. Tot walkers are available upon request for children ages 8 and under - our walkers are designed to assist children on the ice as they learn to skate properly and safely. Helmets, knee and elbow pads are recommended, but not required. Helmets are available upon request. No hockey sticks or pucks are allowed. Skate at your own risk.

ADMISSION: Ages 13+ • $7.00 | Ages 4-12 • $5.00 3 & Under • FREE SKATE RENTAL: $4 per pair/per session (sizes Toddler 9 to Men’s 13)

PRIVATE RENTALS Private Ice Rentals are available starting at $350/hour + skate rental. Contact Scott Rubke at 928-583-6085 or email at scott.rubke@spectraxp.com.

OPEN HOCKEY

Open Hockey sessions are available for hockey players that would like to drop by and join in a pickup hockey game. Must be 18 years or older and full equipment is required. Skate at your own risk.

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PRESCOTT VALLEY

PUBLIC LIBRARY NOON YEAR’S EVE - A FAMILY EVENT! Brought to you by: Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce

Since staying up until midnight can be hard for kids, we are going to ring in the new year at noon! We will have stories, activities, songs, share some fun activities. The festivities will culminate with the popping of bubbles at noon.

Ages: All ages Cost: FREE Location: Children’s Program Room Date/Time: December 31 • 11:00am - 1:00pm

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS PRESCHOOL STORY TIME

Come share short stories, fun songs, early literacy tips, and kindergarten skills.

Ages: 2 to 5 years Cost: FREE Location: Children’s Program Room Date/Time: Wednesdays • January - March 10:30am

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BABY TIME

Literacy can be introduced into your child’s life from before the day he or she is born! With our Baby Time story telling sessions at the library, your child will experience short stories, songs, bounce rhymes, some baby sign language and play time with other children and adults will get the chance to share with other parents! Also during these unique storytelling sessions with your child, you will have the opportunity to get involved in assisting your child with the activities, which can also be played at home for a fun family learning activity. No registration necessary.

Ages: Birth to 24 months Cost: FREE Location: Children’s Program Room Date/Time: Wednesdays • January - March 9:30am

TEEN PROGRAMS TEEN CAFÉ - NEW YEAR’S PARTY

BABYSITTING 101

Celebrate 2022 with New Year’s games, resolutions, and more! No registration required.

Ages: 12 - 18 year olds Cost: FREE Location: Crystal Room Date/Time: January 5 • 2:00pm

Interested in earning money as a babysitter? This workshop will “provide beginning babysitters with advice and tips for caring for kids of all ages.” At the end of the course, you’ll receive a certificate. You will need to bring or sign up for a library card before the start of the program.

Register at PVLIB.NET/TEENS Ages: 13 - 18 year olds Cost: FREE Location: PC Lab Date/Time: March 26 • 10:00am-2:00pm

HIGH SCHOOL RESUME WORKSHOP Are you applying to jobs and/or internships? Learn to create and update your resume and prepare for your future! Register at PVLIB.NET/TEENS Ages: High School Students Cost: FREE Location: PC Lab Date/Time: February 16 • 3:15pm

VIEW THE RECREATION & EVENTS GUIDE FROM YOUR PHONE!

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ADULT PROGRAMS WINTER LANDSCAPE POETRY

CHAIR YOGA

During this workshop we will explore the settings that hold special meaning to you through reminiscence activities. We will share our personal stories and, together, create a mural of landscape memories—captured in visual images, words and phrases. Registration required.

Ages: Adult Cost: FREE Location: Online/ Live Virtual Date/Time: December 10 • 10:30 - 11:30am

ONLINE COMPUTER CLASSES AND TECHNOLOGY BASICS

We belong to the interiors and exteriors of our lives, to the land, to the towers and waters. We often clearly remember the sun setting on a wheat field or the deepening shadows on the walls of a Manhattan skyscraper. We remember the pounding of the surf or the tire swing on the tree and the way the breeze felt in our face as we rode a bicycle down a dirt road in the summer. Poets write and singers sing about the land, the garden...home.

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Chair yoga allows you to keep doing yoga regardless of your ability. The chair can also be used as a prop to help getting into the poses a little easier. Not to mention there is no getting up and down from the floor worry. Yoga will help you keep and build your strength, flexibility and balance.

Ages: Adult Cost: FREE Location: 3rd Floor • Crystal Room Date/Time: Starting December 16 3rd Thurs./month • 1:30 - 2:30pm

Online learning available anytime!

Ages: Adult Cost: FREE Location: Online/Virtual Date/Time: Anytime

SIP AND PAINT - ACRYLICS

Join us for a step-by-step acrylic painting workshop with one of SilverKite’s professional teaching artists. Grab a beverage of your choice and spend an hour with us talking and making art together! Facilitated by Nani Trias.

Registration is required.

Ages: Adult Cost: FREE Location: Online/ Live Virtual Date/Time: December 18 • 1:30 - 2:30pm

MONDAY MOVIE NIGHT Visit the library website for movie listings. No registration is required.

Ages: Adult Cost: FREE Location: Auditorium Date/Time: Starting December 27 3rd Mon./month • 5:00pm

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SPECIALTY CLASSES

BASIC DOG OBEDIENCE

Learn the basics & get your dog trained with certified instructor Jann Watts! This class will be the foundation for a significant relationship between you and your dog.

Learn why it is so important “in a dog’s eyes” to be a leader. The instructor will teach all basic commands: heel, sit, stay, down, and come. Along with these basic commands, the instructor will address many typical behavior issues: barking, biting, housebreaking, jumping up, door bolting, and many more. The class will provide great mind and body exercise for both you and your dog.

Dogs must be at least 4 months old and current on vaccinations. Please, no aggressive dogs for this class.

Ages: 16+ Cost: $175/7-week course Location: The Valley Warehouse

5880 Prairie Lane Date/Time: To be decided - see website for updates

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TOTAL 360 KARATE (CHITO RYU KARATE) BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

Learn the basics of this progressive form of Japanese martial arts. Total 360 karate is designed to help students learn discipline, confidence, self-defense, team work, communication & respect. The classes teach a healthy lifestyle while using innovative and fun techniques.

Ages: 5+ Cost: $25/Dec. session • $30/Jan. session Location: Boys & Girls Clubs • Gymnasium 8201 E Loos Dr. Date/Time: December 6 -27

Monday’s from 6:30 - 7:45pm

January 6th -27th

Monday’s from 6:30 - 7:45pm

*Jan. 20th & 27th are subject to change

TOTAL 360 KARATE (CHITO RYU KARATE) ADVANCED

This class is advanced and requires students to be at least of a yellow belt level. This class moves at a fast pace and teaches practical self-defense applications.

This class has an advanced fitness element and helps students advance.

Ages: 5+ Cost: $25/Dec. session • $30/Jan. session Location: Boys & Girls Clubs • Gymnasium

8201 E Loos Dr. Date/Time: December 4 -18

Saturday’s from 9:00 - 10:15am

December 19 -26

Sunday’s from 6:30 - 7:45pm

December 18th • Blue Belt Test

SCAN THE QR CODE!

January 4 - 25 4 -18

Saturday’s from 9:00 - 10:15am *Jan. 18th & 25th are subject to change

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ARTS & CULTURE PRIVATE DANCE

Join instructor Hector Rivera for private dance lessons! If you are a new student it is recommended that you first register for the Introductory Private Lesson prior to registering for private lessons. Private lessons are scheduled for either Friday between 1:00 - 7:00 pm or Saturday 9:00 - 2:00 pm, lessons are one hour each. After registering for your introductory lesson please contact the instructor (contact information provided on receipt) to schedule your lesson.

Ages: 7+ Cost: $45/per lesson Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: Coordinated with instructor

BEGINNER HULA This class is designed to teach attendees the basics of hula—basic hands and basic feet—applied to Hawaiian music. There is no prerequisite for hula experience for this class. However, this class is open entry, meaning new students can be accepted at any time. When this occurs, basic instruction will be repeated.

Ages: 16+ (ages 16-17 accompanied by adult) Cost: $15/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December 11 & March 19 • 1:30 - 2:30pm

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ADVANCED HULA

This class is designed for adults (or at least 16+ years old) who have had at least 5 years of experience dancing hula. The instructor assumes that all attendees understand the terminology and methods of hula steps and hand movements. The finer points of hula choreography will be covered in this class.

Ages: 16+ (ages 16-17 accompanied by adult) Cost: $40/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December 11 & March 19 • 9am - 1:00pm

BEGINNER BALLET Enjoy the excitement and beauty of classical ballet with certified instructor Hector Rivera! This beginning level class develops an awareness of alignment and basic ballet vocabulary and technique. Your child will have a fun time learning the secrets behind becoming a great ballerina or danseur! This class will focus on ballet terminology and style through the execution center and across the floor exercises. Your child will clearly understand body alignment, movement quality, carriage of the upper body, and flexibility.

Ages: 3-7 Cost: $32/4 week class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center 8 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December - March

Thursdays • 4:15pm-5:00pm

INTERMEDIATE BALLET

Take your child’s ballet dancing to the next level with certified instructor, Hector Rivera’s intermediate class! This class focuses on ballet terminology and technique through the execution of center and across-the-floor exercises. Your child will clearly understand body alignment, movement quality, carriage of the upper body, and flexibility. With quality and knowledgeable teaching, and an encouraging environment, these classes will be a perfect fit for those who aspire to improve their dancing! Prior ballet experience is required.

Ages: 7+ Cost: $32/4 week class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December - March

Thursdays • 5:00pm-5:45pm

INTERMEDIATE TAP & JAZZ Make friends, explore movement, and develop dance skills with certified dance instructor Hector Rivera! Tap dancing creates a keen sense of rhythm, timing, and musical awareness. Jazz dance introduces a stylistic vocabulary for a fun, funky, and expressive way of dancing: emphasis on rhythm, basic technique, locomotor skills, and coordination. Tap & Jazz is a perfect combination class for young dancers ages seven and up. This class is a fun and well-rounded introduction to dance for young students. Basic knowledge and dance skills are required; previous dance experience is encouraged.

Ages: 7+ Cost: $24/3 week class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December - March

Thursdays • 5:45pm-6:30pm

ART AT THE CENTER GUIDED TOUR

Did you know that the town of Prescott Valley is home to the only outdoor art museum in Northern Arizona? “Art at the Center” is the town of Prescott Valley’s very own collection of fine art sculptures curated through purchase and on loan over the past 20 years and is available for public view across the entire Civic Center block. Recently, QR codes affiliated with each piece have been installed, and now with any smart device, you can access information and history about each work of art. For this guided “Art at the Center” tour, we will meet at the Jenkins Obelisk and tour this unique collection of over 25 works of art.

Ages: All ages Cost: FREE Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center

7501 E Skoog Blvd

Meeting at the Civic Center sign on the

west end corner of Skoog Blvd.

& Lakeshore Drive Date/Time: December 4 • 10:00 - 1:00am

COMMUNITY COLORING GROUP Come relax and color with us! Join us once a month to enjoy a calm mood and a soothing time to color. Supplies will be provided for you, and you are welcome to bring your own supplies too. Drop-in on the first Friday of the month starting in January 2022.

Ages: 16+ Cost: FREE Location: Prescott Valley Public Library • 3rd Floor

7401 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: January 14 • 1:00 - 4:00pm February 11 • 1:00 - 4:00pm March 11 • 1:00 - 4:00pm

INTRO. TO SEWING FOR TEENS Learn the basics of sewing: hand sewing and mending techniques, learn how to use and practice using a sewing machine, and learn how to use patterns (and how to make your own) to create projects.

Ages: 12 - 18 Cost: $10/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: January 5 • 2:00 - 4:00pm January 12 • 2:00 - 4:00pm January 19 • 2:00 - 4:00pm

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CARD MAKING WORKSHOP Whether you’re an avid crafter or want to learn a new skill, this is your class! Bring a friend or meet new ones as you get creative. During each 90-min. class, you will be led by expert crafter and instructor Dolly Werner in creating beautiful, unique greeting cards perfect for Birthdays, Holidays or just to send someone well wishes. Supplies are prepared ahead of time for you. You will do stamping and learn different techniques such as pressure embossing, heat embossing, die cutting, fancy folds, and others.

You will leave with a beautiful set of 4 greeting cards for only $20 per class, less than most store-bought cards!

Learn to make cards people will treasure! Whatever level of crafting skill set you possess, this class is for you!

Ages: 14+ Cost: $20/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December 7th

10:00 - 11:30am & 5:30 - 7:00pm

December 14th • 10:00 - 11:30am

January 4th 10:00 - 11:30am, & 5:30 - 7:00pm

January 18th • 10:00 - 11:30am January 25th Christmas Card Class 10:00 - 11:30am

February 1 10:00 - 11:30am & 5:30 - 7:00pm

February 15 • 10:00 - 11:30am

February 22 Christmas Card Class 10:00 -11:30am 102 TG MAGAZINE W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

INTRODUCTION TO PAINTING ACRYLIC

Class Description: Discover if painting is a new creative hobby you want to pursue! This fun & informative introduction class, led by art instructor Tom Blank, will teach you some painting basics as you create your own masterpiece. All supplies provided.

Ages: 14+ Cost: $30/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December 16 • 5:00 - 7:00pm

January 27 • 5:00 - 7:00pm

ACRYLIC PAINTING Designed specifically for the novice painter, students will explore composition, color blending, traditional painting techniques such as use of color, line and medium, as well as painting from observation. Each month, there will be a particular theme. All supplies provided.

Ages: 14+ Cost: $80/3 session block • $30/session Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: Winter in the Mountains December 8, 9, 10 • 9:00am - 12:00pm Winter in the Desert January 19, 20, 21 • 9:00am - 12:00pm Blooms in the Desert February 9, 10, 11 • 9:00am - 12:00pm

INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING

CREATIVE DRAWING FOR KIDS

Join art instructor Tom Blank, for a fun & informative introduction to drawing. You will learn some tips & tricks and leave class wanting to start drawing as a new hobby or artistic endeavor. All supplies provided.

Ages: 14+ Cost: $20/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: December 9 • 5:00 - 7:00pm

January 20 • 5:00 - 7:00pm

Students with some previous knowledge of drawing will take what they’ve learned and explore different possibilities with technique and design to develop their individual style and create unique drawings. We will be using pencil, pen, ink wash, tempura, and charcoal. Some Art History will also be incorporated.

Ages: 9 - 12 Cost: $30/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: Thursdays • 3:30 - 5:00pm Excluding holidays

DRAWING This class will address the basics of drawing principles including drawing from observation, understanding shadow and highlights, as well as foundational concepts, such as negative space and breaking forms down into simplified shapes. Each month, there will be a particular theme.

All supplies provided.

Ages: 14+ Cost: $50/3 session block • $20/session Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: Bears December 15, 16, 17 • 9:00am - 11:00pm

PIANO LESSONS Learn how to play piano or improve your skills! Playing piano is a great way to challenge yourself while having fun.

Join experienced instructor Leasa Chase for a half hour or full hour lesson each week!

Ages: 6 - 18 Cost: $20/lesson Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: Mon., Tues., Fri. • 3:00 - 5:00pm Excluding holidays

The Human Form January 26, 27, 28 • 9:00am - 11:00pm Horses February 16, 17, 18 • 9:00am - 11:00pm

BASIC DRAWING FOR KIDS Students will develop skills and different techniques using pencil, pen and charcoal. They will learn important principles about line, shape, value, how light affects objects, plus basic composition and design, which will increase their ability to “see” a subject and create a drawing. Some Art History will also be incorporated.

Ages: 9 - 12 Cost: $30/class Location: Prescott Valley Civic Center • 3rd Floor

7501 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: Tuesdays • 3:30 - 5:00pm Excluding holidays

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SPORTS & FITNESS PICKLEBALL

50+ TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING

Learn the basic stroke mechanics of the game, how to keep score, and general strategies for fun and competitive play.

Ages: 18+ Cost: Group Lessons: $50/per 4 sessions Location: Santa Fe Station Park • Court 1 6751 E Santa Fe Loop Rd. Date/Time: December • Tuesdays 8:00 - 9:00am

January • Saturdays 8:00 - 9:00am

February • Saturdays 8:00 - 9:00am

Enjoy a targeted workout for folks 50+ to get in shape, stay in shape, or just to have fun while exercising to a variety of music and movement! This workout will increase endurance, strength, posture and agility. Classes are taught by Mia Connolly,a certified instructor, who has 27 years of experience leading group fitness.

Ages: 50+ Cost: $3/class Location: Boys & Girls Club • Gymnasium 8201 E Loos Dr. Date/Time: December • Mon., Wed., Fri. 8:30 -9:20am

January • Mon., Wed., Fri. 8:30 -9:20am

February • Mon., Wed., Fri. 8:30 -9:20am March • Mon., Wed., Fri. 8:30 -9:20am

INTERMEDIATE PICKLEBALL Take your skills to the next level! Intermediate lessons will focus on lobs, drives, blocks and resets as well as learning strategies for WHERE to hit the ball and how to play as a team. Students should be able to demonstrate the serve, return of serve, 3rd shot drop and dinking.

Ages: 18+ Cost: Group Lessons: $50/per 4 sessions Location: Santa Fe Station Park • Court 1

6751 E Santa Fe Loop Rd. Date/Time: December • Tuesdays 9:00 - 10:00am

January • Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00am

February • Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00am

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VIEW THE RECREATION & EVENTS GUIDE FROM YOUR PHONE!

VOLLEYBALL Get your competition & camaraderie on for indoor volleyball this winter!

Teams must have at least six players on the roster. The season will consist of seven games and a league division tournament during the eighth week for the top three teams in each division.

Schedules will be handed out the first night of the league.

Games will be played every 20 minutes starting at 6:30pm. *Games will not be held when facilities are closed for school breaks, holidays and snow days. Please note that team(s) registering for multiple leagues could lead to schedule conflicts and potential game forfeitures.* Manager Mtg: This meeting is mandatory!

A team captain or a representative of

the team is required to attend this

meeting in order to participate* January 4 • 6:00pm

Prescott Valley Public Library • 3rd Floor

7401 E Skoog Blvd Date/Time: August 16 - October 4 • Sunday Ages: 15+ (under 18 must have a waiver) Cost: $175/per team Game Location: Boys & Girls Club • Gymnasium

8201 E Loos Dr. Date/Time:

January 10th - March 3rd

CO-ED A League: Tuesdays 6:00 - 10:00pm

CO-ED B League: Tuesdays 6:00 - 10:00pm

Women’s A League: Wednesday’ 6:00 -1 0:00pm

Women’s B League: Wednesdays 6:00 - 10:00pm

Men’s A League: Thursdays 6:00 - 10:00pm

Women’s A League: Thursday’ 6:00 - 10:00pm

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PARKS & TRAILS AMERICAN LEGION PARK

HOME FIRE PARK

SKATE & BIKE PARK

1559 N Home Fire Drive

8600 E Nace Lane

LION’S PARK

TONTO PARK NORTH

Robert & Yavapai Road

4700 N Tonto Way

BOB EDWARDS PARK

MOUNTAIN VALLEY PARK

TONTO PARK SOUTH

7201 E Long Look Drive

8600 E Nace Lane

COMMUNITY CENTER PARK

OVERLOOK PARK

3281 N Bob Drive

ANTELOPE PARK 6933 Cattletrack Road

9360 E Manzanita Circle

FAIN PARK 2200 N 5th Street

FENCE LINE PARK 1800 N Fence Line Drive

GEORGE ANDERSEN PARK 9500 E Superstition Drive

GRANVILLE PARK 5880 N Bronco Lane

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6935 E Lynx Wagon Road

PRONGHORN PARK 7931 E Rusty Spur Trail

QUAILWOOD PARK 380 N Vidal Street

SANTA FE STATION PARK 6751 E. Santa Fe Loop Road

SETTLER’S PARK 7764 E Roaming Way

4050 N Tonto Way

TRAILHEAD PARK 1483 N Lucky Draw Drive

URBAN FOREST 8700 Lakeshore Drive

VIEWPOINT PARK 7301 E Park Ridge Drive

VILLAGE SQUARE PARK 1276 N Destiny Drive

WANDER WAY PARK 1860 N Wander Way

GLASSFORD HILL SUMMIT TRAIL

Trailhead Location: 6000 E Antelope Lane One of our most popular trails! Summit Trail is a 4.5 mile out and back trail with a 944 foot elevation gain used primarily for hiking, walking, and biking. Free parking is available at the trail head. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed.

IRON KING TRAIL Trailhead Location: The end of Santa Fe Loop Road Known for great views of the Prescott Dells, Iron King Trail follows along the -railroad that once connected the neighboring towns. A 4 mile out and back trail, Iron King also connects to the Prescott Peavine trail system. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and biking.

Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed.

FAIN PARK TRAIL SYSTEM Trailhead Location: 2200 N 5th Street This scenic 100-acre park features a small hiking trail system that ranges from easy to moderate level trails.

Popular hiking loop options around the park include the Lynx Creek Loop, which is about 1 mile, and the Cavalry-Canyon Loop, which is approximately 1.6 miles. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed.

LOOKING FOR EVEN MORE WINTER FUN IN PRESCOTT VALLEY?

•••

SCAN THE CODES BELOW & VISIT OUR PARTNERS FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS & UPDATES!

The Town of Prescott Valley www.PVAZ.net/parks

Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce www.PVChamber.org

URBAN & MULTI-USE PATHWAYS Across Prescott Valley these pathways include the Central Core MultiUse Path that follows along Lakeshore Drive, the State Route 69 Multi-Use Path, and the PV Pipeline path that connects from Lakeshore Drive to Highway 89. These pathways are primarily used for walking and biking.

Findlay Toyota Center www.FindlayToyotaCenter.com

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PRESCOTT VALLEY ADVERTISING AGENCIES Talking Glass Media, LLC 2982 N. Park Ave. Ste. F (928) 257-4177 TalkingGlass.Media

Home to SignalsAZ.com, Cast11, Buzzsprout.com, TalkingGlassMag.com

APARTMENTS Homestead Talking Glass Luxury Apartments 3131 N. Main St. (928) 277-0184

Parke Place Rental Homes

3901 N. Main St. (928) 583-9997

BEAUTY - HEALTH SPA Cosmopolitan Salon 2982 N. Park Ave., Ste. A (928) 759-3397

Fantastic Sam’s

7025 Florentine Rd. Ste. 101 (928) 759-3550

Great Clips

3298 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 106 (928) 775-9952

Lynn’s Nail & Spa

7025 Florentine Road (928) 775-4339

DINING–FOOD Baskin-Robbins

3015 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 458-5600

The Boba Bliss

Fry’s Shopping Center Ste. 106 (928) 775-5823

Buffalo Wild Wings 2985 N. Centre Ct. Ste. A (928) 759-9800

Casa Perez

3088 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 104 (928) 772-7777

Chili’s

7281 Pav Way (928) 775-6918

Colt BBQ & Spirits 2970 N. Park Ave. 928-277-1424 ColtGrill.com

Dunkin’ Donuts

3015 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 458-5600

Firehouse Subs

3088 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 101 (928) 227-0557 FirehouseSubs.com

Flour Stone Café

2992 N. Park Ave. Ste. C (928) 277-8197 FlourStoneBakery.business.site

Gabby’s Grill

2982 N. Park Ave. Ste. B (928) 277-1787 GabbysGrill.com 108 TG MAGAZINE W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

Grumpy Sicilian

7025 E. Florentine Rd. Ste. 102 (928) 756-2783 GrumpySicilian.com

Mod Pizza

3007 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 212-1980 ModPizza.com

Panda Express

3140 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 105 (928) 775-5612

Papa Murphy’s Pizza

3298 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 105 (928) 775-7171

Rafter Eleven

2985 N. Centre Ct. Ste. B (928) 227-2050 RafterEleven.com

Robeks Juice

3140 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 102 (928) 227-0535

Rosa’s Pizzeria – New!

2992 Park Ave. Ste. B (928) 277-0633 RosasPizzaria.com

Starbucks

3322 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 642-7505

EDUCATION UNDERGRAD Humboldt Unified School District 6411 N. Robert Rd. (928) 759-4000

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY Yavapai College, Prescott Valley Campus

6955 E. Panther Path (928) 717-7911

One Main Financial

Sage Counseling

Post Net

The Landings Senior Living Community

2982 N. Park Ave. Ste. C (928) 772-0240

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

3298 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 104 (928) 759-3700

3201 N. Main St. (928) 772-1819

Scott A. Smith Insurance Agency

Findlay Toyota Center

Harkins 14 Theaters 7202 Pav Way (928) 775-2284

In The Game – Family Entertainment Group 2992 Park Ave. Ste. A (928) 775-4040

FINANCES – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Allied Cash Advance

3140 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 104 (928) 772-1290

BMO Harris Bank

7221 Florentine Rd. (928) 775-7600

Colt Cleaners

7025 E. Florentine Rd..

Ste. 108 (928) 775-0599

Edward Jones

7025 E. Florentine Rd. Ste. 105 (928) 772-5474

Foothills Bank

3044 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 759-8600

3298 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 103 (928) 772-7100

HEALTH CARE — IN-HOME CARE & COUNSELING All Ways Caring Homecare 3001 N. Main St. Ste. 1B (928) 275-6722

Arizona Dermatology Group 3001 N. Main St. Ste. 1E & 1F (928) 772-8553

Hospice of the West 3001 N. Main St. Ste. 2A (623) 363-6326

Miracle-Ear

3140 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 103 (928) 955-8109 Miracle-Ear.com

Mountain Valley Rehabilitation Hospital

3001 N. Main St. Ste. 1D (928) 237-9089

3500 N. Windsong Dr. (928) 445-3669

Yavapai Pediatrics 3001 N. Main St. Ste. 1C (928) 458-5470

YRMC – East

Yavapai Regional Medical Center 7700 Florentine Rd. (928) 445-2700 YRMC.org

IN SERVICE OF COUNTRY US Armed Forces Recruitment Offices 2982 N. Park Ave. (928) 443-8958

LOGISTICS Global Tranz

3001 N. Main St. Ste. D (928) 583-7295

MAGAZINES PRINT MEDIA TG Magazine

2982 N. Park Ave. Ste. F (928) 257-4177

3700 N. Windsong Dr. (928) 759-8800

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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY MISCELLANEOUS AZ Dept Of Corrections 3001 N. Main St. Ste. 2C (928) 277-2786

NEWS - DIGITAL MEDIA CAST11 Podcast 2982 N. Park Ave. Ste. F (928) 257-4177

SignalsAZ.com Website 2982 N. Park Ave. Ste. F (928) 257-4177

REAL ESTATE Fain Signature Group Properties, Inc. Ron Fain - Broker 3001 N. Main St. Ste 2B (928) 772-8844

Real Estate Development Residential – Commercial – Industrial Build To Suit

FainSignatureGroup.com

RETAIL – HOME – GARDEN Boot Barn

7321 Pav Way (928) 772-6665

Kohl’s

3280 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 772-0989

Mattress America

3298 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 101 (928) 775-5699

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Peddler’s Pass

6201 E. State Rte. 69 (928) 775-4117

Queen Esther’s Closet 7025 E. Florentine Rd. Ste. 104 (928) 899-5516

Prescott Valley Public Library

7401 Skoog Blvd (928) 759-3040

Town Of Prescott Valley, AZ.

Walmart

3450 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 499-3136

7501 Skoog Blvd Switchboard: (928) 759-3000 Water Billing: (928) 759-3120

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

TRANSPORTATION

Sprint T-Mobile

Groome Transportation Shuttle Service

3140 N. Glassford Hill Rd. Ste. 101 (928) 775-9945

TOWN RESOURCES Central Arizona Fire and Medical (CAFMA) 8603 E. Eastridge Dr. (928) 772-7711

Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce 7120 Pav Way Ste. 102 (928) 772-8857

Prescott Valley Civic Center – Recreation Area 7501 Skoog Blvd (928) 759-3000

Prescott Valley Economic Foundation (PVEDF) 7120 Pav Way Ste .106 (928) 775-0032

Prescott Valley Police Department 7601 Skoog Blvd (928) 772-9261

Pick-Up Location: 3001 N. Main St. (800) 888-2749

Maverick Gas Station & Convenience Store

3576 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 772-1126

VETERINARIAN – PET CARE Premier Pet Hospital

3322 N. Glassford Hill Rd. (928) 460-4211

Celebrating 60 Years of Building Community Residential | Commercial | Industrial | Build to Suit | Publishing

We understand that careful planning and community building require strong partnerships for thoughtful and meaningful growth that support opportunities for living a good life.

Fain Signature Group has been here for generations, and will work with the community for generations to come.

You have our word on it.

www.FainSignatureGroup.com

NOW OPEN IN THE PRESCOTT VALLEY FRY’S The convenience you need and the kindness you want are now in Prescott Valley.

Desert Financial offers a better way to manage your money—with all the conveniences traditional banks offer.

Online Banking

Top-rated Mobile App

Voice Banking

Mobile Check Deposits

Open an Account or Get a Loan Online As a member, you are part of something bigger: our movement of spreading kindness and sharing success with our communities. We invite you to get more and give more back just by banking with us.

FREE CHECKING BANKING

a better way.

BORROWING

PROTECTING

PLANNING

DesertFinancial.com/Prescott @DesertFinancial | Federally insured by NCUA |

Equal Housing Opportunity

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AN YO WITH

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Looking for a new and rewarding retirement?

Touchmark is different because of our awardwinning Full Life Wellness & Life Enrichment Program™. Focusing on the strengths, needs, and interests of each person, the program encourages residents to become more engaged in life and supports opportunities to build new friendships and fulfill aspirations.

Normally, I’m not always a sociable person, but it’s hard not to be sociable in an environment like this. I like it a lot. The people here are my large family now.

- Bob Goodwin, resident

HISTORY YOU CAN TRUST. Call 928-515-2486 to schedule a private tour.

TOUCHMARK AT THE RANCH FULL-SERVICE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY TOUCHMARKPRESCOTT.COM 2126450 © Touchmark, LLC, all rights reserved