May 2009

Volunteers Maryan Pharo, Jim Harris, Helen Kemp, and Normand Nan Hephner created this 20 by 20-foot spider web inpurple rope and black and white string to hang in the ceiling ofthe kids’ tent at the Birding Festival. They finally finished itMarch 28. In the photo, posing with the completed web, areHelen, Maryan, and Nan. It was back-breaking work andeveryone who worked on it hopes it lasts many years, becausethey don’t want to do another one.

What a Terrible Web We WeaveWhat a Terrible Web We WeaveWhat a Terrible Web We WeaveWhat a Terrible Web We WeaveWhat a Terrible Web We Weave

Dave Penny, master volunteer, irrigator,Dave Penny, sports a definite new fashiontrend as he waters the pines during thesewarmer months. The temperature was inthe low 70s in April when this photo wassnapped by Jim Harris. We are wonderingwhat he will wear when summer reallydoes make an appearance! Stay tuned...”

DHRSP Fashion StatementDHRSP Fashion StatementDHRSP Fashion StatementDHRSP Fashion StatementDHRSP Fashion Statement

Arizona Wildlife Center broughta variety of birds and a wealthof information to the April 17interpretive program in QuailLoop. This Great Horned Owlwas a favorite and posed forphotos. Other birds of preyexhibited included a red-tailedhawk, burrowing owl, red-headed vulture and falcon, along with a couple of snakes.

Birds Of PreyBirds Of PreyBirds Of PreyBirds Of PreyBirds Of Prey

At a recent re-dedication ceremony, Les Bovee, manager at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, recalled memories of volunteers and a ranger whoare honored on a volunteer memorial set up a few years ago, behind Quail Loop Campground. Volunteers spent a lot of time this springextending the rock area around the memorial, removing brush and cutting stumps and suckers. Old name plates were removed

and new ones made and installed, and rosemary bushes were planted at the head of the stone. Names on thememorial are Ranger Ray Herrera, and volunteers Velma Reib, Ed Reib, Darla Reib, Larry Blitsch, Leland Percyand Tom Carpenter. Plaques were also added this year for Al McCormick and Dick Countryman. The memorialwas set up by park management and volunteers to honor the service of those who have died who gave somuch to the park while they were living.

“““““What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us.What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us.What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us.What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us.What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us.What we have done for others and the world remains.”What we have done for others and the world remains.”What we have done for others and the world remains.”What we have done for others and the world remains.”What we have done for others and the world remains.”

Al McCormick Dick CountrymanAttending the re-dedicationwere, left to right, LaurieBlitsch, Helen Kemp, MaryanPharo, Judi Mangels, TomSanor, Keith Mangels, BobAkey, Norm Hephner, JimHarris and Nan Hephner.

The site, chosen by Les, isa quiet place to sit andcontemplate the distantmountains, trees andcanyons, and to rememberfriends and loved ones.

Hi Eric: Thanks for the tips on visiting theMesas. We really enjoyed visiting First Mesaand finding out more about Hopi culture. The folks at Second Mesa made us verywelcome as well when we parked at theCultural Center. We enjoyed our visit toCanyon de Chelly also. The rocks are sobeautiful, talk about Mother Nature’sartwork!!! We had to stay over an extra day in Chenlebecause of high winds that caused a sandstorm like we have never seen before. Thenwhen we got up to leave the next morning ithad snowed overnight. Talk about havingan adventure. However, because the windshad dropped we thought we should get out oftown while the going was good, so we left forAlbuquerque, NM. Lots of snow around, butnone on the roads so we were OK. By mid-day the winds had picked up so by the time wearrived in Albuq. we had a devil of a timesetting up. Blowing sand made it impossibleto see - we needed goggles. And trying to getthe door open and closed was another majorproblem. Anyway by this morning the windshad calmed and after getting laundry doneand the rig cleaned up a bit inside (the outsideis another story), we spent the afternoon inOld Town Albuq. It was beautiful and therewas lots going on including a mock gun fight. We really enjoyed our day. We will be heading out again tomorrowmaking for Branson, MO. Hope to spend aday or two there and see a show before turningnorth. Best to all, Anne & Tom Howe

Hi Carolyn, Thanks for the news letter, thefirst we have gotten since we left. All threegreyhounds have passed, however we have 2new ones. If you have any contact info onJeannett and Ralph would like to know howto contact them. We are in Patterson, MOtonight and start a position with Vermont StateParks in May, and back to Coffeyville,KS inAug. Had a nice winter in Mission Texas withDad (90) who drove his motorhome downfrom Maine. The first I have not worked sinceI retired. Dad & I got several rounds of golfin and had a chance to relax a little. Thanksagain for the news letter, really liked Bob’scow. Regards, Bob & Anita Bligh(Editor note: sent all the missing newslettersout the next day)

Hi All: After Nancy and I returned to Arizona, fromCalifornia, in early March, we shifted gears, packedsome stuff, and flew to Costa Rica for two weeks. Itwas a great trip. We went with few expectationsother than surfing for Nancy and paragliding forPete. We got that and a whole lot more. We chose theCentral Pacific Coast town of Jaco (pronounced“Haco”), because of its reputation for mild surfand a nearby paraglider flying site. Another pilotwas also staying at the hotel. Don Herres fromNanaimo, BC and his family were on a two weekadventure like us. The flying was challenging at this thermal site.We launched from a ridge top, about 750 feet abovethe pastures below. The beach, 2.5 miles away wasthe daily objective. We regularly had flights gettingto altitudes of several hundred to a couple thousandfeet over the launch. To make the beach one had towork the rising thermals to gain enough altitude tobe 2,200 feet above the launch or 3,000 feet abovesea level. Pete managed this once. Don, who hasbeen flying for 15 years, made it three times. It wasa fantastic flying adventure for Pete. For surfing, Pete was Nancy’s toddy. Surfingconditions varied throughout our stay. In the firstweek, a full moon and very high tides resulted inbigger than expected surf (for Nancy) but she stillmanaged to get in a few good rides every day. Duringthe last week, the tides and surf were a bit moremoderate making Nancy a happy surfer. The wateris warm, the beach sand is blistering hot, thecervezas are cold, and life is good. We also visited two Costa Rican National Parks.Our best hike was with friends Darrell and LornaSmith, who live in Costa Rica in the winter. Theyown an old wooden salmon troller, like ours, inWashington, which is how we met. They are retiredForest Service Biologists and gave us a wonderfuljungle tour in the Carara National Park. See photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/Paradude.Surfdiva/CostaRica2009# As they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida”Cheers, Pete and Nancy Hardy

To you, and all involved in the preparation of theDispatch, I send Marianne’s and my gratitude. Weenjoy reading the news, updates, etc. Hope to getback there someday. Thanks, again, for yourefforts. Ed Iwanski

Hi Carolyn, Thanks for the April issue of theDHRSP newsletter. If you have a moment, you cannow view many of my DHRSP photos at my Flickrsite using the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellrock. Go to the DHRSP sets (9 sets) ofvarious categories of wildlife rather than followingthe photostream in which the images are notorganized. I accumulated this image collection during my1 ½ years of living in Cottonwood. As you know, Iam using the park almost daily during the earlymorning hours and usually carry some cameragear in my backpack. The collection will change with time as moreimages and missing animal and plant IDs will beadded. You may forward my e-mail to park volunteersor rangers or simply anyone interested in wildlife.I also welcome critique and suggestions.

Best regards, Roswitha Heintz(Editor note: If you would like to communicatewith Roswitha, please send me an email and I willforward it on to her.)

Roswitha Heintz has been taking pictures ofDHRSP for 1 1/2 years. She climbed to the top ofthe bluffs, in the Fall, to capture the beauty of theLagoons. She is spotted many mornings off thebeaten path, taking pictures of what most of uswould never notice. She has a unique eye. Thankyou Roswitha for sharing your beauty.

Baby Girl ChristiansonBaby Girl ChristiansonBaby Girl ChristiansonBaby Girl ChristiansonBaby Girl Christianson

Audra and George Christianson wereblessed with a new member of the family:Kelsey Brianna. She was born on April13th and weighed in at 7lbs 12oz. Shehas black hair! Everybody is doing well.Kelsey is being carefully held by heroldest sister, Meghan. Also helping Momwith the new baby are sisters Cassidy

Campers in Quail Loop brought their cameras to VolunteerNorm and Nan Hephner’s site when these javelina showed up. Nan feeds the birds, and the hairy fellas moved in to clean upbird seed that had fallen on the ground. The opportunisticpeccaries never miss a chance for a meal, even to the point ofopening a covered bucket at Volunteer Jim Harris and MaryanPharo’s site, devouring their trove of pecans.

DHRSP Guests: Javelinas!!DHRSP Guests: Javelinas!!DHRSP Guests: Javelinas!!DHRSP Guests: Javelinas!!DHRSP Guests: Javelinas!!

Letters To The Volunteers From The VolunteersLetters To The Volunteers From The VolunteersLetters To The Volunteers From The VolunteersLetters To The Volunteers From The VolunteersLetters To The Volunteers From The Volunteers

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

* Norm & Nan Hephner leave April 30th.* John & Wanda Ward depart April 27th.* Jim & Maryan Harris leave April 30th.* Laurie Blitsch is leaving April 30th.* Karen & Emerson Trushel depart April30th.* Wayne & Helen Kemp leave April 30th.

Dates to RememberDates to RememberDates to RememberDates to RememberDates to RememberMayMayMayMayMay

11 - Volunteer Meeting,9 am, Greenway25 - Volunteer Meeting, 9 am, Greenway

Mickelson RunMickelson RunMickelson RunMickelson RunMickelson RunThere was a lot of support staff for the Mickelson Run throughand around DHRSP on April 18th. The marathon was in memoryof Brian Mickelson (City Manager for Cottonwood), before

his untimely death while running in preparationfor a marathonlast year.

Wolf’s Robe SpeaksWolf’s Robe SpeaksWolf’s Robe SpeaksWolf’s Robe SpeaksWolf’s Robe Speaks

Wolf’s Robe, a Shawnee Indian nowliving in Sedona, presented a well-received program last weekend at theInterpretive Program in Quail Loop.He demonstrated ancient flutes andplayed originalsongs. He alsoplayed newerflutes and talkedabout his pridein his Indianheritage. Theprograms havebeen wellattended thisyear, in spite ofcool and sometimes windy weather.

May MileStonesMay MileStonesMay MileStonesMay MileStonesMay MileStones(Birthdays & Anniversaries)

7-Maxine Bean21-Bill Bean26-Jim & Marilyn Aker (1962)29-Maryan & Jim Harris (1994)

Bees have moved into RavenLoop this week! That buzzingsound turned out to be a largegathering of bees between theMaintenance 1 and 2 spots.Another swarm is formingacross Raven near a campsite.Both swarms are getting larger,and the spot near the campsitehas been roped off to protectvisitors.

BBBBBEEEEEEEEEESSSSS

The chicken venture is a family4-H project. Fresh eggs maysoon be on the menu.

Coop UpdateCoop UpdateCoop UpdateCoop UpdateCoop Update

Return of the Ancestors GatheringReturn of the Ancestors GatheringReturn of the Ancestors GatheringReturn of the Ancestors GatheringReturn of the Ancestors Gathering

The four nations ofman: red, black, white,and yellow gathertogether to honor andheal Mother Earth.

Opening Ceramonies included the Dance of the Condor from the Southern Americas, in Colombia (the land of the Condor).Joined after with the Dance of the Eagle from the Northern Americas, New Mexico (the land of the Eagle). And the Danceof the Central Americas, Mexico, brought everyone to their feet and join in the dance of uniting us all in one vision to save andheal our planet’s Earth, Water, and Air.

Participantsof theceremoniesat DHRSPon April21st

Smudging (above) of the participantsas they enter the sacred circle (left).Building of the Sweat Lodges.Volunteers Carolyn Meehan and TrishMucher assisted.