Jan- Feb 2016 - River of Time Museum

Alan Cruikshank
River of Time Museum
Fountain Hills & Lower Verde River Valley
MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Debbie Skehen, Editor
January/February 2016
Dates of Interest
Jan. 20
Dinner Discussion
FH Community
Center
6-9 pm
Feb. 8
Docent Meeting
4 pm
March 30
Hall of Fame
Dinner
River of Time
Now Open
Tues - Sat 10-4
Legacy
Wayne/Anne Wicklund, WebWolf Internet Services
Keep Looking Up In
Fountain Hills
January 20, 2016 6-9pm
Astronomy has long been an integral
part of the Arizona experience.
Throughout the state observatories
have been built to take advantage of
the clear skies and continue to advance knowledge of the universe from the Lowell Observatory Flagstaff where Pluto was discovered to
Tucson and the ongoing research at
the Kitt Peak complex. These institutions have furthered science and
developed communities, but what
about the Lower Verde River Valley?
To answer that question come to
the January Dinner Discussion to
learn how you can discover the universe from Fountain Hills? Ted
Blank from the Fountain Hills Astronomy Club will talk about Astronomy in the Lower Verde River
Valley and why Fountain Hills has a
unique advantage as a stargazing
community.
Ted is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and a co-founder of the FH Astronomy Club, a group which provides telescopes and astro-guides for the monthly
Library public skywatch. As a passionate
"sidewalk astronomer" he can often be
found outside Bashas’ Market here in
Fountain Hills sharing the views through
his telescope with the public. His amateur
research interests include measuring the
sizes and shapes of distant asteroids.
When not enjoying Astronmy, Ted works
as a performance engineer for a large
software company.
Visit the events calendar at
rotmuseum.org/events
To make reservations or purchase tickets
On the Director’s Desk by Luke
Bate
What’s Next?
Hello and Happy New Year to all River of Time Museum members!
I want to thank everyone for the incredible member event followed by the museum’s grand reopening on the 26th anniversary of the incorporation of Fountain Hills. We’ve received such a positive response
on the first wave of changes to the River of Time. From minor things like a refined look for our logo and expanded public hours, to major changes to exhibits, graphic design, website, and mission, these new elements
are important tools. Using these tools effectively and efficiently will streamline short term planning, and finally provide the opportunity for long term planning and institutional growth. In 2016 these are the two areas I plan to focus on.
Short Term:
We now have a great new website, a strong professional graphic design, and a new local resource for signage. This year we’ll see new signage for the outside of our existing building and continue the new interpretative signage inside. In conjunction with a regularly updated content on our new website and other social media these efforts will go far in raising our visibility in the community and producing a strong marketing plan.
With the first stage of our exhibit design completed we now start developing the interpretative side of the
experience.
Long Term:
This past year has provided an incredible opportunity to develop new partnerships and renew our long term
relationships with the communities we represent. Lots of meetings and discussions about everything from
brainstorming new exhibits to the advantages and challenges of our physical location. We’ve heard some interesting and compelling ideas and now we need time to determine of they are feasible, and if we are able to
implement them.
Both our short term and long plans provide a unique opportunity to expand the role and opportunities for volunteers and we will be looking for people to help us take on these tasks. If any of these areas interest you please let me know.
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SOCIETY BOARD OFFICERS
BOARD
MEMBERS
President
Debbie Skehen
Executive Director
Vice President
Anne Wicklund
Luke Bate
Secretary
Treasurer
Gerard Bisceglia
Ruben Balderas
Gerry Colbert
Alan Cruikshank
Arlie Denomme
Pat Isaacson
Cynthia Magazine
Boe James
Aggie Kramer
Dr. William Myhr
Bob Wilson
Jane Wingert
Art Tolis
Kit Wyper
Jean Linzer
From the President’s Desk by Debbie
Skehen
At our November Annual Dinner meeting the membership approved a motion to enlarge the number of member slots on the Board of Directors. We
feel this is vital as we seek to expand programs and activities at the museum.
Subsequently, several new faces have become active in the operation of this
organization: Gerry Colbert, Pat Isaacson, Cynthia Magazine and Bob
Wilson. We welcome their energy and ideas as we move forward with more
activities and programs. We also are looking for talented people to step into new volunteer responsibilities. If you want to be challenged, interact with interesting, informed people and contribute to this unique organization in Fountain Hills, please let us hear from you.
After a hiatus of several weeks to erect new interactive exhibits, the museum re-opened with a
ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and a proclamation read by Mayor
Kavanagh. All comments were positive as people activated the working scale model of the town’s
fountain, pumped water uphill to simulate the Colorado River water coming to our homes through
the CAP canals, and connected the descriptions and photos of EPCOR’s processing of our clean
water. It is exciting to see the interest and interaction of visitors with our new exhibits.
The River of Time Museum hosted the Central Arizona Museum Association organization for
their annual holiday party. With beautiful weather that evening, we were able to accommodate the
members on our patio for refreshments and a brief talk about the history of our museum. Members donated baskets of gifts to a raffle which just about pleased everyone.
Welcome to the New Year at your museum. We hope to see you and your family and friends
often throughout 2016. With your help and enthusiasm, this will be a great year!
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Membership Report for 2016 by
Debbie Skehen
New Memberships
Russ & Sue Anger, Kay Conception, Nancy French-Laetz, Craig & Ruth Gimbel,
Anne M. Hayes,
Grady & Tammy Miller, Heather Nelson, Roger & Bev Nelson, Cindy Ruiz, and Bob & Pat Wilson
* Denotes Life Members
Wrangler Level:
$1500– or more
Adventurer Level:
$1,000-1,499
Pioneer Level:
$500-999
Wagonmaster Level:
$250-499
Arizona Historical Society
*Debbie Skehen
Senior Services, Inc.
*Alan & Diane Cruikshank
Friends in the Hills Club
*Fred & Barbara Hansen
Hosea & Lily Harkness
Stephen & Kathleen Kelbley
John W. Mooty Foundation
Phil’s Filling Station
Martin & Susan Dawson
*John & Linda Kavanagh
Karen D. Baker
Richard M. Carrabine
Gerry & Marge Colbert
Jeff & Marla Fryer
Robert & Barbara Hegwood
Elert & Chris Johnson
Sami Fine Jewelry
Wayne & Anne Wicklund and Snow
Dave & Jane Wingert
Jean Linzer
Alan & Cynthia Magazine
Larry & Jeri Munson
Jim & Roberta Urban
Kit Wyper
Pathfinder Level:
$100-249
Norman Allan
Kermit & Vicki Beseke
John & Sharon Brodhun
Dan Bros
Harold & Arlie Denomme
Tom & Carol Frederick
Bruce & Cassie Hansen
Franklin & Gloria Hardman
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Pat Hemmer
Charles & Marilyn Humes
Stephen & Diane Jones
Ed & Dolores Kehe
Ellie Kiewel
Jon & Diana Klesner
Marvin & Darline Leader
Robert & Joan Lickman
Ed & Kathy Madden
Elizabeth Matej-Horchem
Jerry & Jackie Miles
Grady & Tammy Miller
Peter & Leatrice O’Reilly
Jack & Monique Reynolds
*Dave & Edith Roberts
Dennis Robertson &
Andrea Mackie
Lee & Jane Robinson
Pat Solski
Joe & Nan Sommer
David & Ruth Springob
Bob & Pat Wilson
From the River Bank Store By GERRY COLBERT
The frenzy of the holidays is behind us and,
while hectic, it is always an enjoyable time
of the year.
The Holiday Mart in the lobby raised almost $5,000 this year
which greatly helps cover operational expenses at the museum.
The Mart also produced extra traffic for the store with resultant
sales. A special thanks to all the folks who volunteered during this time,
We now look forward to having the winter visitors join us
during the coming months. The
store is fully stocked with many
unique items. Stop by and spend
some time browsing in the store.
You will be surprised at the variety of items available for sale. Remember, no sales tax is
charged on any of the purchases.
The River of Time Museum store – reasonable prices, variety of attractive merchandise, great
volunteers, and best of all, the proceeds further the mission of the Museum. Drop in, you won’t
be disappointed.
From the Docent’s Den By JaneWingert
Everyone is coming back! It’s so exciting to see you all again! We have already had our first
outing of the year. We went to the Bashas’ Art Museum and then had a lovely lunch at the San
Marcos Resort in Chandler. We have started inviting anyone involved with the museum to these events. The docents
originally started it, but it’s become obvious that others want to come along, the more the better!
In January we will be arranging docent training on the new exhibits, hiking the Azatlan trail with Bob Mason and visiting another interesting historical site with lunch. That’s still in the planning phase.
With have increased museum hours and are in need of more docents. If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining us, please let me know. Our January docent meeting will be Monday January 4th at 4pm.
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WB!!
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THE LEGACY NEWSLETTER
FOUNTAIN HILLS AND LOWER
VERDE RIVER VALLEY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
12901 N. La Montana
Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268
Phone:
Email:
480-837-2612
[email protected]
The River of Time Museum is certified
by the Arizona Historical Society
WE’RE ON THE WEB!!
www.rotmuseum.org
NEW MEMBERSHIP AND RENEWAL APPLICATION
General Individual Membership
PATHFINDER
$100 - $249
WAGONMASTER
$250—$499
PIONEER
$500—$999
ADVENTURER
$1000—$1,499
WRANGLER LEVEL
$1,500 OR MORE
$25 / Year
General Family Membership
$35 / Year
I would be interested in contributing
On a higher financial level or a gift
endowment or major bequest.
Please Contact Me
[
]
Name(s):____________________________________________________Phone :__________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________ E-mail:__________________________________________________
Membership Payment of $__________________ enclosed or
Please Charge my VISA/MASTERCARD/AMEX
Card# __________________________________ Expiration Date ______________________
CVV Number ___________________
Signature ________________________________________________________________
• The IRS has designated this Society and Museum as a 501 (c) (3) organization.
Donations are tax deductible to donor. Please consult your tax advisor for specific information.