by Ray Newton – Photos by Blushing Cactus Photography Back in the late 1950s and early ‘60s, when Prescott was starting to grow and was approaching 8,000 population, Harold and Lorna Watters opened Prescott’s first garden center — the only one in the area. Family tradition has it that they started with a family station … Read More…
Robin Sobotta Director, Prescott Regional Airport With Great Risk Comes Great Reward Interview by Ray Newton Robin Sobotta, Director, Prescott Regional Airport — Ernest A. Love Field (PRC), has nothing but enthusiasm for what she sees as the future of the airport and aviation activities in Northern Arizona. “The Quad Cities have produced a robust … Read More…
Lifetime Career Dedicated to Serving the Public Interview by Ray Newton ‘I have a passion for people’ Editor’s Note: Dr. Billie Orr resigned from the Prescott City Council Jan. 19, explaining that she and her husband are moving to a lower-altitude location in Scottsdale for health reasons. In the city’s announcement of her decision Mayor Greg … Read More…
Executive Director of YEI! Interview by Ray Newton YEI!—‘Happiest Workplace in Yavapai County’ For almost 45 years, Prescott resident Brad Newman has been leading Yavapai Exceptional Industries (YEI!) in its mission of serving hundreds of adults with disabilities. He promises there will be no slowdown. Newman, Executive Director of YEI!, over the years has created … Read More…
Arizona State Senator Making a Positive Difference—‘That’s My Goal in Life’ Interview by Ray Newton For more than 27 years, Yavapai County resident Karen Fann has been an active and positive influence not only in the county but also the state. Fann, a lifelong Republican, currently is a state senator representing District 1, which includes … Read More…
Interview by Ray Newton Dr. Lisa Rhine, who became the 10th president of 55-year-old Yavapai Community College in February 2019, has reversed the question usually asked of college-bound students. Instead of,” Are you ready for college?” she’s asking, “Is our college ready for you?” Rhine represents a major philosophical shift about the role of higher … Read More…
Creator of Honest Western Art Interview by Ray Newton Having lived in Prescott for over 65 years makes creating authentic Western art as much a part of Bill Nebeker’s persona as watching the sunrise over Mingus Mountain to the east. He confesses that his passion for honest Western art is exceeded only by his love … Read More…
A ‘Pathfinder’ All His Life “What is Your Secret to a Long Life? Good genes — and lousy German anti-aircraft fire.” Interview by Ray Newton The last surviving pilot who flew paratroopers into Nazi-occupied France during World War II is still telling his story throughout the United States — and sometimes, Europe. He is David … Read More…
Director of Public Health for Yavapai County Interview by Ray Newton ‘Helping people make healthy choices, for a better quality of life – that’s what my role in life is’ — Leslie Horton When her parents flew the family from Fairbanks, Alaska, to sunny Phoenix for a vacation in 1993, that’s all it took to … Read More…
First President and Co-founder of Make-A-Wish Foundation Interview by Ray Newton Frank Shankwitz’s compassion in 1980 for a 7-year-old boy dying of leukemia lead to what is now the world’s largest charity granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. The movie Wish Man about his life was released in June 2019. It started when Shankwitz … Read More…