April 2010

Photos from the planned burnof the Dead Horse RanchDebris Pit, March 18, 2010.

EmersonTrushel,

BillTurner,Justin

Swiger,TonyViotti,JackPratt,and

MargieSanchez

submitted by Les Bovee

The youngest visitor at the park wasNathan, son of Rebecca and EricBuzonas, volunteer coordinator atDead Horse. He seemed to enjoy allthe attention, pretty much the way hisdaddy does!

Volunteer VentureVolunteer VentureVolunteer VentureVolunteer VentureVolunteer Venture

A tent created a shady spot for volunteers from all overthe state at Volunteer Venture, held this year at Rockin’River Ranch, now part of DHRSP. Nicole Armstrong-Best (director of AZSP volunteer program) is speakingto the group, and drawing numbers for door prizes.

A popular spot at the VolunteerVenture was the give-a-waytable, loaded with goodies ifyour number was drawn.However, it ended up that therewere so many items to give awaythat nearly everyone gotsomething. A good meal wascatered by local eatery Randall’sRestaurant. The owner’s wife isRanger Linda Hauk (officemanager at DHRSP).

Renee Bahl(director of

AZSP) talkedat length with

interestedvolunteers

about the stateof the parks,

and some billsthat might help

with fundingdown the road.

The site stewards discuss andphotograph an agave roasting pit neara ruin above Camp Verde. About 40people also got to look at a larger ruin,50 to 60 rooms, nearby. The tours wereled by Ken Lamont and Ned Greeneltch.More than 800 site stewards acrossArizona help to protect resources whichare in their area.

submitted by attendee, Nan Hephner

Volunteers Raise AwarenessVolunteers Raise AwarenessVolunteers Raise AwarenessVolunteers Raise AwarenessVolunteers Raise Awarenessof DHRSPof DHRSPof DHRSPof DHRSPof DHRSP

We need your help, more than ever before, for the Verde Valley BirdingFestival. We are pushing the “Kid’s Day” events and need volunteer’s helpfor that event especially. The “Kid’s Day” events will be held on Saturday,April 24, 10 am to 2 pm. Please come anytime in between those hours and

earlier for setup and, if possible, later for cleanup too.Please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Ranger Eric Buzonas, to help with kid

projects, setup, etc., by calling 928-634-5283 or emailebuzonas@azstateparks.gov.

Plea to All Volunteers and All WhoPlea to All Volunteers and All WhoPlea to All Volunteers and All WhoPlea to All Volunteers and All WhoPlea to All Volunteers and All WhoWould Volunteer!Would Volunteer!Would Volunteer!Would Volunteer!Would Volunteer!

Some of the volunteers at DHRSP decided tosee what could be done using volunteers topromote the park in the local community.Nothing political is involved, and it does notinvolve the rangers, except to keep themapprised of what we are trying to accomplish.Gary and Sharon Munson, along with PatHawker and Bill LeFleur, have beeninstrumental in getting this movement going.We are now setting up our booth at severalkey locations in Cottonwood. The goal is toprovide information about the park, and letpeople know the myriad of activities availableto them, just across the 10th Street bridge.Nan Hephner created two photo boards, whichshow various activities at the park. Bob Akeybuilt us a sign that says “Explore! Dead HorseRanch State Park.” That goes along with a newbrochure, along with a few photos, puttogether by Nan, which goes into detail aboutactivities at the park.So far, several volunteers have worked boothsset up at Sears, Fry’s, Safeway and Ace. Garyis hoping to get us a spot at Walmart. Some ofthose involved include, Gary & SharonMunson, Bill LaFleur & Pat Hawker, Jim Harris& Maryan Pharo, John Ward, Karen & EmersonTrushel, Keith & Judi Mangels, Wes & CarolynScott, Nan Hephner, Bob Akey, and others.Pat provided her kayak and bicycle as propsfor the booth.Maybe other state park volunteers will startsimilar programs, so that town residentsbecome more aware of the parks in theircommunities, and more supportive when aclosure threat looms in the near future.

Park Manager Les Bovee, just happened to stop bythe Volunteer Booth on its first day at Safeway.Meanwhile, volunteer Gary Munsell talks with formerRanger Larry Busby, who managed BuckskinMountain SP, about the upcoming VV Bird Festival.

submitted by Nan Hephner

When the straw hat blew off thehorse skull way up on the top of thebookshelves at the DHRSP meeting,there were a lot of “oh mys,” and“what shall we do, it is too high forus delicate females!” All of a sudden,out of the quiet and seemingly outof nowhere, Ranger Randy cameleaping into the fray to perform amiracle rescue. He quicklydetermined that even he could notreach the problem area to fix the hat.So he dashed through the hallwayand came back carrying a stool. Alas,it was still not enough. But not to beoutdone or defeated, Ranger Randygrabbed a stick, stretched hismuscled torso as far as possible, andafter a couple of tries, pulled the hatback onto the bald steed’s head.When he descended the ladder, asmile of “victory” and pureexhilaration lit up his face from earto ear. Cheers to Ranger Randy, whocame to our rescue yet again!

Despite cloudy skies andchilly temperatures (41degrees when this photo wastaken), the fishermen stillmade it out to Dead HorseRanch State Park onMonday (February 22nd).Here, Feather Ross, ofCottonwood, displays a carpthat easily exceeds 12pounds. Don’t worry, hedidn’t throw it back in!!submitted by Randy Victory

Gone Fishing!Gone Fishing!Gone Fishing!Gone Fishing!Gone Fishing! (above) In theearly morning,Volunteer JimHarris tookthis photo ofthe Bald Eaglesin the lagoons.They are alsofrequentfishermen andreally enjoy thetrout stockingat DHRSP.

A fishing clinic was held for kids at DHRSP this month. ArizonaGame and Fish brought in a shipment of trout on Friday. On Saturday,kids coming to the clinic got free fishing rods and information wasprovided by the Game and Fish. The project was a big hit and thelagoons were lined with participants of all ages. And yes, that isRanger Randy Victory at right taking photos of the clinic, as Dispatchphotographer, Nan Hephner, captures him at work(?).

The semifinalists gathered for a portraitafter the two dudes in the center wonthe championship. Asst. Manager JustinSwiger and partner (former volunteer)Cyril Soukup, were the winners. Cyril andhis wife, Mary, volunteered at the parkfour years ago, and have remainedfriends of Dead Horse and its volunteerssince their departure. Cyril filled in for

Horseshoes and Baggo TournamentsHorseshoes and Baggo TournamentsHorseshoes and Baggo TournamentsHorseshoes and Baggo TournamentsHorseshoes and Baggo Tournaments

submitted by Eric Buzonas

A Baggo tournament was held,and as you can see by JohnWard, (far right) form waseverything, even in a lightdrizzle. Other participants, left toright, are Volunteers Wes Scottand Norm Hephner, Asst.Manager Justin Swiger, formervolunteers Cyril and MarySoukup, and volunteer KarenTrushel. Behind John is hisopponent, Ranger MargieSanchez.

Volunteer Jim Harris, who has a bit of a medical problem that kept him from throwing. (So did Cyrilwin, or did Jim?) The runners up were Volunteer Carl Hartman, and Ranger Tony Viotti. Prizes, ifany, will be handed out at the Wild West Chili Cookoff Monday, March 29. Just a reminder, you canstill attend, sign up as a chili judge or entry, and come and join the fun!

Dear Friends , We are going to be away from our regular email server for a while. We will be on a cruiseand then when we come back we will be going up to Show Low to our summer place until November 1st. During this time we will not have high speed internet. We do pick up our messages on the web mail, butit is limited. So, we have the following request. We don’t want to lose contact with you but do requestthat emails be limited to text messages. No pictures, attachments, forwards, WMV files, or any big filesplease. Thanks for understanding, Bud and Loma Jenkins

submitted by Nan Hephner

Volunteer NewsVolunteer NewsVolunteer NewsVolunteer NewsVolunteer NewsComing & GoingsComing & GoingsComing & GoingsComing & GoingsComing & Goings

Dates to RememberDates to RememberDates to RememberDates to RememberDates to RememberAprilAprilAprilAprilApril

Tuesdays - 6:30 Gamenight,Greenway, bring snack, beverage,game, learn a new one4 - Easter Sunday5 - Volunteer Meeting, 9 am19 - Volunteer Meeting, 9 amApril 21-25 - Verde Valley Birdingand Nature Festival

* April 1st Frankenrose QuailLoop #41 (No Joke!)* Laurie Blitsch back to site #42for 1 month (Just returned fromBluegrass Festival!)* Laurie Blitsch leaving April 30th* Jack & Robbie Bard CoopersHawk April 26th* Norm & Nan Hephner leavingApril 30th (Carolyn is sobbing!)* Jim & Maryan Harris leavingApril 30th* Gary & Sharon Munson leavingApril 30th (Rumor has it they’reheading back to the North Pole!)* John & Wanda Ward leavingApril 27th* Karen & Emerson Trushelleaving April 30th

April MileStonesApril MileStonesApril MileStonesApril MileStonesApril MileStones3-Ruby Stolze4-Joan Gray6-Emerson Trushel10-Toni Mann11-Bill & Anne Zeller13-Tom Sanor15-Brenda Mullins20-Anne Howe20-John Pauly21-Shirley Oltmanns27-Russ JonesMarch MileStone missed...22-Eric & Rebecca Buzonas

submitted by Nan

It was a very nice get-together and many sharedmemories about how bobbers were obtained and whofell in the water, etc. Mrs. Johnson shed a few tears,but she is doing well.

Bobber MemorialBobber MemorialBobber MemorialBobber MemorialBobber Memorial

Honoring ourBobberman, RoyJohnson, wereVolunteers: SandyKendall, Bill LaFleur,Pat Hawker, CarolJohnson, NanHephner, andManager Les Bovee.

Mrs. Johnson isholding the collage,made by Nan andbeautifully framedby Pat and Bill. Lesis holding thepainted rock madeby Mac, when Royachieved 1000bobbers.

At last the weather here in Florida isbeginning to warm up. We had shortson yesterday for only about the thirdtime. We hope we will be able to get tothe beach soon, until now the wind hasbeen too cold to make beach goingenjoyable. Hope we can get a little suntan before we head home (Canada).Florida has had more rain than usual.The river here in Myakka River StatePark is higher than usual, so that meansit is great for boating and kayaking. The bird life is also more abundant thisyear. Hope you are all well,Anne & Tom Howe

In answer to Carolyn’s question,“What Happened To Gary?”Sharon Munson wrote back, “Hecut his foot with a chainsaw lastThursday afternoon. A VERY smallcut on the top of his foot, no ligamentsor tendons or bone cut, only 12stitches. Eric and Justin say he stillcan’t get out of working. Saw thedoctor today and he is doing fine.”

Carolyn, thanks for the news letter. We like hearing all the accomplishments that rangers and volunteershave done. I filled out another volunteer form with address, phone number and e-mail last time Jud and Iwere there. Soooo glad to hear that our favorite park has been able to stay open. Let us know if we can helpin the future. Till then Jud and JoAnn Munsell

RecipesRecipesRecipesRecipesRecipesOriental Salad by Sharon Rooker

1 head Napa Cabbage shredded3 green onions chopped1 Top Ramen (chicken)8 oz. chopped almonds2 T Sesame SeedsFrozen peasBreak noodles up, mix in almonds andsesame seeds and toast to goldenbrown (don’t use oil).Dressing:2/3 cup oil1/ cup vinegar2 T sugarRamen flavor packetMix all together, pour over cabbage,chill and serve

TTTTThhhhheeeee

y ’y ’y ’y ’y ’rrrrreeeee

BBBBBaaaaaccccckkkkk!!!!!