By Misti Warner-Andersen Spring has fully arrived in Northern Arizona and, if you haven’t already started, it’s time to plant your garden. The prospect of beautiful flowers and home-grown vegetables is probably motivation enough to go play in the dirt, but if you need another reason, how about this: numerous studies show you will be healthier, and live longer, if you garden. One main reason is that foods you grow yourself are tastier and slightly more nutritious than their supermarket counterparts. Vegetables like peppers and green beans have nutrients that can degrade in transport – losing some of their healthful properties on the way to your table. Ever tasted a homegrown tomato fresh from the garden? It’s nothing like ones you buy from the store, because store tomatoes often are picked “green” to allow them to survive the trip to your market. That early picking, however, means they haven’t had a chance to fully develop their flavor. If your fruits and vegetables are tastier, you are likely to eat more of them, meeting federal guidelines to generally increase your intake of fresh, unprocessed foods. And if you are worried about our short season, please know that Warner’s selection of fruits and vegetables are specifically suited to high-altitude growing. We can also help you with what you need to grow organically, making sure your food is chemical-free. Diet and nutrition aren’t the only reason that gardening promotes good health. Numerous studies show a link between gardening and a happier, more stress-free life. A Dutch study had 30 people perform a stressful mental task then randomly assigned them to either read or garden. The gardeners not only reported being in a much better mood than the readers, their levels of cortisol – the “stress hormone” – were significantly lower than the other group. A long-term study in Australia followed almost 3,000 60-year olds for 16 years and showed that daily gardening tended to reduce the risk of dementia. A third study, this one in the United States, indicated that gardeners – who get to see a physical manifestation of their work either in beautiful blooms, stately trees, or colorful fruits and vegetables – generally report greater self-esteem. Lastly, there is the exercise benefit from getting up, getting out and getting to work in your garden. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend “moderate-intensity level activity” for about two and a half hours each week, which can reduce the risk for obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Gardening is one of the activities that meets the moderate-intensity threshold. And those who pick gardening as their preferred activity tend to exercise almost an hour longer each week than those who walk or bike. Gardening helps keep you limber because it involves exercising both your arms and legs, with particular emphasis on hand dexterity and strength. But just like you would warm up your legs before a run, it’s important to stretch out your hands and to not push yourself too hard to avoid hand or wrist injuries. Those with knee issues might want to consider raised beds to make it easier on these joints. Finally, make sure you wear and use the appropriate gear, including gloves and well-designed tools to protect your hand and wrists. And don’t forget the sunscreen, although you might want to wait 10 minutes in the sun before you apply it, so you can benefit from the extra Vitamin D. Lastly, gardening can be solitary or social, both of which have their benefits. A quiet hour or so in the garden can be just what you need after a hectic day. On the other hand, gardening can be a great family activity – I know it’s something I really enjoy with my sons! If you are ready to get all the great health benefits from gardening, please make sure to visit us at Warner’s Nursery. We’ve got a great selection of plants for your garden and our friendly experts are always ready to answer your questions and provide guidance. Gardening in the Park is brought to you by

With cold days and snow still ahead of us, it might seem a little early to start thinking about this year’s vegetable patch, but now is the perfect time to start planning so that you can start preparing for the garden you want this summer. Northern Arizona gardeners have two big challenges every year as they work to get their veggie gardens growing. The first is our high elevation and the second is a shorter-than-average growing season. We barely have 100 days where it doesn’t dip into freezing temperatures overnight. The good news is that with a little prep work outside and some seed starting indoors, you can still enjoy the whole range of cool- and warm-weather veggies. Getting the Ground Ready First off, identify and prepare your planting space. It doesn’t have to be huge, but for vegetables, you want a spot with at least five to six hours of full sun. You also need good soil. Rich soil that drains well and has a proper mix of nutrients is crucial to successful gardening. Unfortunately, bad soil is rampant throughout northern Arizona, but the only way to be sure is to test your soil. (Warner’s offers do-it-yourself testing kits). The tests will let you know what amendments you need to improve your soil. If your soil won’t support a garden, however, consider creating a “raised” garden bed. You’ll want to fill the bed with a mix of topsoil, compost and other organic materials like manure to give your plants that nutrient-rich environment that is so important for their growth. Note for condo/apartment dwellers: Just because you don’t have a yard does not mean you have to give up your dream of home-grown goodies. Container gardening will work, but we’d recommend choosing varieties bred to grow in small spaces. Anything with the words patio, pixie, tiny, baby or dwarf in their names is a good bet. And just because a plant is bred to be small doesn’t mean the fruits will be small or the yield will be less. Growing from Seeds in Early Spring While you are getting your soil ready in your yard or building your raised bed, you can start your plants off inside your home from seed. The first step is to get the right supplies. In addition to the seeds, you’ll need containers, soil and eventually, fertilizer. Seed trays are probably the easiest and most convenient way to start off your garden. Resist the temptation to repurpose houseplant soil or just get dirt from your garden. Instead, invest in a “seedling mix” that is specifically formulated to help grow seeds and is typically a lighter soil, which makes it easier for seedlings to break through the soil once they germinate. When you see the first true leaves appear, you’ll want to add some fertilizer to provide nutrients and make sure they are getting the sunshine (or lighting system) they need to grow. Transplanting As we get further into spring, watch the weather and look for a period with no frost in the forecast, probably around late April. This is a good time for “cold-season” veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, lettuce, and spinach to move outside. You’ll want to wait until May to transplant warm-season vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, and squash. Here’s a trick you might want to try as you transplant your vegetables: expose your seedlings to the elements gradually before moving them to their final container or garden bed. One way is to leave the seedlings out during the day and bring them back in at night so they can adjust and “harden” to the elements. Remember that northern Arizona weather is changeable. You might need to cover your newly planted veggies with frost cloth on certain nights. You can also use season extenders, tubes you fill with water that surround an individual plant. The water in the tubes heats up from the sun during the day and keep the soil beneath the plant and the air around it warm. While we are talking about protecting your veggies, another important aspect is keeping our wildlife friends out of your garden. If you think the deer love your flowers, imagine how all the members of the woodland community will feel about your vegetables. So, when planning out your space, leave some room for a protective fence. Watering Finally, once those beautiful plants are in the ground, please remember to water them regularly. Without regular water, vegetables will not fill out and some, like tomatoes, will crack open if they suddenly plumped up with water after struggling without. The main thing to remember is that you can’t always rely on rain. Part of your planning process should focus on the best way to water regularly. As professional horticulturists and landscapers, the experts at Warner’s are big fans of drip irrigation. The newer component systems are relatively easy to install and cost a lot less than most people think. Plus, you’ll save money on water, because unlike hand-watering, drip irrigation goes directly to the plant’s roots. You lose less water to runoff and evaporation. Brought to you by The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul. —Alfred Austin

Learn how you can keep our skies dark, sparkley & clear. By Kevin White, Public Program Supervisor for Lowell Observatory In 1958, Northern Arizona became the birthplace of a movement that has spread across the world: the movement to preserve our connection with the night sky. Flagstaff and Northern Arizona have long been at the forefront of astronomy, both professional and amateur. Flagstaff was once nicknamed the “Skylight City” because of its spectacular view of the night sky. These clear skies were a major part of what brought Percival Lowell to Flagstaff to found Lowell Observatory, and of what brought the U.S. Naval Observatory to Flagstaff as well. Flagstaff’s high elevation and dry climate make it a nearly ideal place for stargazing. Even today, on a clear summer night, from many parts of Flagstaff one can see the Milky Way, a rare and special privilege for denizens of a city of its size. Residents of Northern Arizona are afforded such spectacular stargazing due to efforts across our community. A large part of these efforts are Flagstaff’s lighting ordinances, which are designed to both preserve the natural sky as a source of wonder for Northern Arizona’s residents and visitors, and to permit cutting edge research for the astronomers who work here. In 1957, Lowell Observatory acquired the 69 inch Perkins Telescope. A telescope this powerful could only realize its full potential under skies minimally polluted by city lights. Even at the time, Lowell Observatory’s Mars Hill campus next to downtown Flagstaff was inadequate to the task, so Lowell Observatory placed the telescope on Anderson Mesa near Lake Mary, a location used for astronomical research to this day. Even at this more remote site, however, there were still concerns. A single searchlight could ruin the sky for sensitive observations for miles around. So Lowell Observatory astronomers petitioned Flagstaff’s City Council to enact a regulation to prevent searchlights from interfering with their work. Such an ordinance was enacted in 1958. While there was little fanfare at the time, in retrospect it was a momentous event: the world’s first ordinance to protect a dark, natural sky. In the years since then, Flagstaff and Coconino County have expanded their efforts to protect the wonders of our natural skies. For example, street lights are shaded so that their lights are directed down, and are built to shine in a color that is minimally obtrusive for research and stargazing. Dark sky protection must be balanced with safety and commercial interests, but using proper methods and lighting types we can maintain a spectacular sky while still meeting our community’s lighting needs. Many cities, counties, and regions all over the world have followed Flagstaff’s example and adopted ordinances to help preserve a natural sky. These range from our neighbors in Arizona like Sedona and Tucson, to major metropolitan areas like San Diego County, to communities around the globe like Bisei Town in Japan and Møn in Denmark. In 1991, Flagstaff was designated the first International Dark Sky City by the International Dark-Sky Association, an organization dedicated to promoting natural, non-light-polluted skies all over the world. International Dark Sky cities are designated as such to recognize exceptional work in preserving or recovering dark skies. Flagstaff remains a world leader in this regard You can help keep our skies beautiful for all of Northern Arizona’s residents and visitors. If you keep the tops of your lights properly shaded, more of the light will stay near the ground, where it is needed, rather than go upwards where it is wasted and pollutes the natural sky. To be extra sure of the effectiveness of the light’s direction, check for the International Dark-Sky Association’s (IDA’s) seal of approval on the light. If you don’t use more light than you need, you can actually improve visibility by reducing glare, reduce energy costs, and also help keep the night sky closer to its natural state. Using lights only in the times and places that they’re needed will also save energy and help preserve a natural sky. Timers and motion sensors are invaluable aids for this, but simply placing lights thoughtfully and remembering to turn them off when they are not in use is also effective. Working together, we can maintain Flagstaff’s access to the incredible natural wonder of the night sky, and let it continue to live up to its old nickname of the Skylight City.

New state legislation has provided cities, towns, and counties with the legal authority to enact minimal regulations of short-term rentals (STRs). In January, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors met to discuss the draft ordinance for STRs. There wasn’t much discussion, critique of the legislation, or future paths to improve it. The Supervisors seem primarily pleased with the outcome, which has people who want real regulation scratching their heads. But, maybe, just maybe, this is the start of something good? The regulations proposed are: STRs will be required to be permitted and provide a transaction privilege tax. The County can collect an annual permit fee of up to $250. STRs must notify all adjacent neighbors with emergency contact information. STRs can lose or have their permit suspended, plus be hit with fines from $500-$3,500 for the following ‘verified violations’: Felony offense committed at or in the vicinity of a vacation rental resulting from the knowing intentional or reckless conduct of short-term rental. A serious physical injury or wrongful death related to a short-term rental resulting from the knowing intentional or reckless conduct of the short-term rental. Owners knowingly or intentionally housing a sex offender, allowing offenses related to adult-oriented businesses, sexual crimes or prostitution, or operating or maintaining a sober-living home. Knowingly or intentionally allowing the use of a vacation rental for a special event that would otherwise require a temporary use permit and failure to maintain reasonable access for first responders. As you can see, short of a felony like murder, sex trafficking, and selling drugs (which are illegal anyway), there is no real relief for nuisances imposed upon the neighbors of short-term rentals. Overflowing trash, too many guests booked with a million cars, parking issues, noise, too many STRs in one neighborhood and trespassing—all things that steal contentment in our own neighborhoods—are still groovy with most of our lawmakers. These new regulations are not a big win, but they are a little, teeny tiny start. A public hearing will be held Tuesday, February 28. The Board will hear public comments and consider and possibly adopt the final ordinance. Members of the public wishing to observe and participate in the hearing may do so via Zoom Teleconference at 6pm. Anyone wishing to provide written comment may do so up to 24-hours before the hearing time by emailing Assistant Director of Community Development Jess McNeely at wmcneely@coconino.az.gov.

Through experience, people learned that to survive snow storms, floods, fires, hurricanes... any significant event mother nature through their way, being prepared was vital, and 'prepping' was a normal part of everyday living. Because convenience and grocery stores are on most street corners, modern people have mostly ignored this advice. But after COVID, we were reminded that the unthinkable can happen. When it does, there will be long lines and shortages of essential items—This is a history lesson we should not forget. Our ability to get essentials during significant weather events is even more difficult for those who live in Munds Park because of our remote location. So take a moment, review this list and ensure you, your family, and your pets have everything needed in case of power outages and sheltering in place is needed. Understand Weather Alerts A WATCH means Be Prepared! Go to the store, get what you need and have essential tasks complete. A WARNING means Take Action! A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action. Supplies Needed Water Have one gallon per person daily for at least five to 10 days for drinking and sanitation. While your pet may not need that much, keep an extra gallon on hand to use if your pet has been exposed to chemicals or flood waters and needs to be rinsed. Food Have at least a five-day supply of non-perishable food for each person and pet in your home. Paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils Manual can opener (for food) Medications and Personal Supplies Have a 1-month supply of prescribed medications. Have on hand non-prescription medications such as pain relievers. Contact lens solution Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items Communication Purchase a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert. Before storms, always fully charge cell phones. It's always good to have cell phone chargers and a backup battery for power outages. Make sure important contacts are on your phone and that you have a hard copy available. Emergency Supplies First aid kit Cash or traveler's checks Fire extinguisher Matches in a waterproof container Flashlight with extra batteries Candles Hygiene Moist towelettes Garbage bags and plastic ties Diapers Cat litter Doggie potty pads Documents Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records, are saved electronically and in hard copies stored in a waterproof, portable container. Pets Sturdy leashes, harnesses and secure carriers to transport pets safely and ensure they can't escape. Ensure that your cat or dog is wearing a collar and identification that is always up to date-and visible. Carriers should be large enough to allow your pet to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. (They may have to stay in it for hours at a time.) If your pet is prone to chewing items, inspect the carrier's inside to ensure that your pet can't dislodge or ingest items that could cause injury. Entertainment Paper and pencil Books, games, puzzles or other activities Tasks to Complete Sign up for emergency alerts at Smart911. Do you have enough propane? If you are on auto-fill, don't leave it to chance. Check your meter and ensure you have enough fuel to weather the storm. Remember, propane providers cannot deliver on icy snow-filled paths once the storm has hit. Call your favorite snow plower in advance and book them ahead of the storm. Bring a supply of firewood into your cabin or somewhere close outside and weatherproof. If you have a generator, ensure it is working correctly and has enough fuel on hand. If you have a gate to get onto your property, open it before the storm, or you may not get the gate open if there is a lot of snowfall. Have your car ready in case you need to leave. Consider having emergency supplies in your vehicle, such as a blanket, warm clothing, a first aid kit, and boots. Know where you will go if your home becomes too cold. Line up tentative plans to stay with friends or family. If you are cold and you can't get out or it is too dangerous, do not hesitate to call 911. Plan to check on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm. This is especially important for older adults and babies. We are always open to local feedback. If you have ideas about sheltering in place, please let us know at Hello@ThePinewoodNews.com.

It’s flu season, and with the addition of COVID and RSV, we can use all the help we can get to stay healthy! For better immune health, Genna and I started drinking booster shots in the morning. Will it keep the flu away? We’ll let you know. We do know there’s nothing but goodness in this drink, so it can’t hurt to try! Immune Booster Shots are intensely flavored drinks that deliver a super-concentrated burst of flavor that provides your body with powerful anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antioxidant properties. This drink is not only good for you, but it’s incredibly simple to make. Plus, you can customize the intensity of the juice to suit your taste. All you need to make these healthy wellness shots at home is a high-powered blender and a fine-mesh strainer. Easy! Ingredients - Coconut Water - 1 bunch of fresh carrots - 4 Lemons - 4 Oranges - 1/2 Ginger Root - 1 Turmeric Root - 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper Directions 1. You don’t need a fancy juicer to make ginger shots. Just pull out your high-powered blender and a fine-mesh strainer and start juicing! 2. Chop ginger, Turmeric and carrots. No need to peel the ginger or turmeric since you’ll be straining the juice before drinking it. Just roughly chop it to make blending easier. Ginger is spicy and can cause heartburn. Adjust how much ginger you use to match your tolerance. Genna and I only use 1/2 of the ginger root per batch. For this batch, the store didn’t have fresh Turmeric in stock so I used organic ground turmeric and added 3 tablespoons. 3. Wash and Juice fresh lemons and oranges. The bright citrus flavor of lemon and orange juice pairs well with ginger and tastes much better than bottled. Fresh is always best. 4. Blend until smooth. Blend the ginger, turmeric and carrot pieces together with the coconut water until no chunks remain. 5. Strain well. Straining the mixture helps remove bits of ginger peel and those pesky ginger fibers! To get the most juice, press the solids with the back of a spoon when straining. 6. Combine and stir the lemon, orange, and ginger juice with the cayenne pepper. Add coconut water to get your desired texture. Just be sure not to over-dilute the juice. 7. Serve. Immune boost shots are meant to be drunk all at once as a quick shot. Be careful not to drink more than one shot a day since too much ginger can cause heartburn. Pile on the health benefits. To make your immune booster shots even healthier, you can always tweak the recipe and add raw honey, aloe vera juice, pineapple juice, or apple cider vinegar.

The fire service is built on fighting fires. However, most of what firefighters do is respond to medical emergencies. They are the first to respond when we are our most vulnerable. Just seeing their faces brings a sense of ease and hope in times of crisis, and with that, they bring life-saving skills that are hard to put a price tag on. Just ask anyone whose life was saved or someone who can still wrap their arms around a loved one because of a firefighter. All first responders, law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMT’s and firefighters deserve our deepest gratitude and respect for their courage and willingness to dedicate their lives for others. These are all noble professions. It’s our responsibility to support them and ensure they have the tools to do their jobs properly and safely. This is what Propositions 446 and 310 are all about—supporting our firefighters. Proposition 446 - Pinewood Fire Department Bond Initiative Prop 446 will build a new firehouse for the Pinewood Fire Department. The current firehouse was built in 1973 and designed to house a maximum of 2 “live-in” firefighters (the department was mostly volunteer). Today, there are 5 to 6 firefighters on staff daily, with inadequate housing and no room to grow. Coconino County is Arizona’s 6th fastest growing county, rising 7.7% in 2021. We should be prepared for growth rather than waiting for it to become a crisis, as it is in many rural areas. Munds Park isn’t that sleepy little place off the 322 exit anymore. With the influx of short-term rentals, and the pending growth of the RV Park, more people are here. Most visitors are not here for quiet meditation retreats either. They are hiking, biking, off-roading, letting loose and drinking — a lot! This is the population that needs firefighters the most. Don’t forget, too, the new developments in Kachina Village, their increase of short-term rentals, and all the other open land developers have their eyes on. We will need more firefighters and sooner than later. Tomorrow is always here faster than we think. Our safety isn’t the only concern. We need to keep our first responders safe too. There’s no question that being a firefighter is a dangerous job. But beyond the obvious perils of saving lives, firefighters are 9 percent more likely to get cancer and 14 percent more likely to die from cancer than the average person. With each wildfire, house fire, or automobile fire, firefighters are exposed to high amounts of carcinogens the entire time they are on the scene. They carry the carcinogens on their person until they can get to the firehouse and decontaminate. Currently, our firehouse does not allow for proper decontamination. Our firefighters literally have to disrobe in their living quarters and only have two showers. So while two are decontaminating, the others wait in their soiled uniforms, contaminating their living quarters and continuing to breathe in and absorb carcinogens. This is unacceptable. The new firehouse will provide adequate facilities to support our firefighters, keep them safe, provide state-of-the-art equipment, improve security, and allow for future growth. For about the cost of one cup of Kota’s specialty coffees per month, you can support your local fire department and feel great about your purchase! Quick Facts on Prop 446 The Bond is for $4.513 million. Property owners in Coconino County will pay ~$6.50 per month ($36 per year for each $100,000 of the Assessor’s limited property value. The average ‘limited property value’ for Munds Park FY2023 is $215,500.) The Bond will sunset 20 years after all the bonds have been sold. If the Bond passes, depending on the economy, the new firehouse may break ground in the spring of 2024. PROPOSITION 310 the Arizona Fire District Safety Act The Pinewood Fire Department is financially well managed, and other than needing a new firehouse, our fire department is in great shape. They have what they need to do their job and do it well. However, when considering voting, understand that most Arizona rural fire districts are in financial crisis. Why is it important to ensure rural departments are adequately funded? Well, you or your loved ones may be traveling through major roadways connecting Phoenix, Tucson, Kingman, Flagstaff, and Yuma, where the fire districts are strapped for funding and seriously short of firefighters, paramedics, equipment, and training. Currently, rural fire districts’ response times routinely exceed 30 minutes. You don’t have to be a medical expert to understand the importance of time when someone is seriously injured. Over the last five years, nearly 2,000 people have died in vehicle crashes on Arizona’s rural roads. Another 30,000 have been injured. That’s a lot of people to care for with limited resources. Wildfires across the state are becoming more challenging for our heroes to fight because the intensity of fires is growing. The fires are more intense and more frequent, demanding even more from firefighters working with fewer resources. Over the last five years, fire districts have helped fight wildfires that have claimed more than 2.2 million acres in our state. So why are our rural fire departments underfunded? Unlike cities or municipalities, rural fire districts do not receive funding from Highway User Funds, Transaction Privilege Tax/Sales Tax (State or Local), Vehicle License Tax, or Income Tax. Further, in 2009, the Arizona Legislature capped the ability of rural fire departments to increase property taxes by 5% annually. The financial cap impeded rural fire districts and they simply cannot keep up with the growth of our state. The caps have resulted in fire station closures and limited staffing, making conditions unsafe for our firefighters, travelers, and for the communities they serve. Proposition 310 will provide: Additional firefighters Improve emergency response times Provide critical firefighting, medical equipment and supplies Provide necessary training And, crazy as it sounds, keep their starting pay well above minimum wage. Firefighters do have healthcare and a pension plan, which is extremely valuable. However, a firefighter’s income should match their skill and risk. For only 1¢ for every $10 we spend, we can support our rural heroes, neighbors, and visitors to be safe and even save lives. Prop 310 is a legislative effort by the Professional Firefighters of Arizona, Arizona Fire Chief’s Association, and Arizona Fire District Association. Want to learn more? The Pinewood Fire District will hold an informational meeting on Proposition 446 at the Pinewood Fire Station on October 6 at 6 pm. Remember, If you wish to vote for Prop 446 and you are not registered in Coconino County, you can change your voting location in order to participate. Visit servicearizona.com to register to vote.

A Conversation with Steve Bowyer, Pastor of Munds Park Community Church This article was originally scheduled for the December paper, but unfortunately, we had to cancel our last issue of the season because of the flu. Our conversation with Steve is timeless, even with mentions of the holidays, so we are moving forward with the article for our January paper. Enjoy! As December pulls a frosty blanket over the land, we gear up to celebrate a season rich in tradition. Christmas, Hanukkah, and other cultural and religious celebrations throughout the month encourage us to reflect, be kind, have gratitude, and give beyond ourselves. It is a time to renew our spirit through our faith or spirituality... to be a better person today than we were yesterday. In 1843, that is precisely what motivated Charles Dickens to write A Christmas Carol—to help readers reflect and gain empathy for those less fortunate. To become better people. The 19th century was a period of great economic and political unrest. The wealthy prospered in ways never seen before, and the growing gap between the rich and poor created tensions that led to rioting and despair. While the struggles of the 19th century are different than today’s challenges, we are in a time of unrest. I won’t list the myriad of issues facing us today, but I will say that throughout history, there isn’t a single moment when the world was in total harmony. Not one moment when all the bellies were full and satisfied. Not one moment when all had what was needed. There is always a need. There is always conflict and unrest...somewhere. This is the nature of the world we live in. The question is, how do we, no matter what life brings us, live joyfully and positively affect those around us? We do this well during the holidays. We gather to celebrate and rejoice in whatever tradition we follow and leave our differences at the door. It’s a time when we lend a hand, smile a little more, and think outside of ourselves. It’s when we are at our best. In the spirit of Dickens and the Joy of the holidays, I thought Steve Bowyer, Pastor of Munds Park Community Church, would be a great interview. He is a leader in the Park who can help us carry the holiday themes of hope, peace, Joy and love throughout the year. We can’t solve the world’s problems, but we certainly can, by our actions, make our lives and our circle of influence a little brighter. I initially asked Steve to talk to our audience from a spiritual rather than a religious perspective so he could speak to all our readers. Not long into our conversation I realized it was an unfair and impossible request of Steve. He’s a pastor. What was I thinking? It was nice of him to try, but his thoughts are worth reading and considering regardless of your religious views. Peace How can people live in peace and harmony with one another? It’s pretty basic. Hurt people, hurt people. People who are conflicted, cause conflict. To have peace in your life, home, community and ultimately the world means people must first find their inner peace. It comes from within, and if you ask me, the only place to find lasting real inner peace is a close relationship with Jesus. For example, Mike Huckabee, previous governor of Arkansas, talks about a time when he was a teenager going to high school. During hunting season, all the boys would load up the trucks, get out at five in the morning, and go hunting before school. They got to school on time, leaving their loaded guns in the truck along with boxes of ammunition. Nobody ever thought of taking a firearm inside and shooting their classmates. Our nation and culture are walking further away from God and what God represents—A life guided by virtue and morals. A close relationship with God will give you inner peace and allows you to resolve conflict in your life and with others in a positive and lasting manner. Love Love is the greatest gift we can give. How can we carry a loving mood throughout the year? It’s easy to say I love you. It’s much harder to show it. Love is not just an emotion or feeling... it’s a verb. Love requires action and grows from sacrifice. Whether it’s you and me as friends, me and Sara as husband and wife. It’s easy for me to say I love you. We do that a lot. But what communicates love and makes you feel loved by me is if I do something for you, that is a sacrifice for me that adds value to your life. You will also feel love for me. My loving actions will stir feelings in you. When we do that for each other, the bond is as strong as it can be. Get up in the morning and think of something you can do for someone you love. It can be breakfast in bed, pick-up a favorite tea or coffee from Kota’s, or dropping off home-baked goods. However you choose to say I love you, it needs to be an action, not just words. You will never know how much someone loves you until you know how much they sacrifice for you. The ultimate example of love and sacrifice is when Jesus left Heaven and came to our imperfect world. Jesus was in the presence of God, surrounded by peace and beauty, and gave up those gifts to save us. That is the ultimate sacrifice. Love is sacrifice. Hope How can one have hope even when times may seem hopeless. Hope is a decision. To have hope is to have positive expectations about our future. It can bring us peace in the face of challenges and motivate us to envision a better life and take steps to make it happen. It can be hard to do in a society that fuels skepticism and negativity, but we can stay hopeful with conscious effort. Christians have real and lasting hope. Because of our faith, we have eternal hope because we know whatever we go through on earth, Heaven is waiting. Joy How can true joy—the underlying peace that lasts despite life’s pressures be obtained? Joy is a choice. Happiness is driven by circumstances. And circumstances change. Joy is something deeper. A deep sense of contentment regardless of circumstances. Peace, hope and love all bring joy to our lives, and it happens with choice, action, and a close relationship with Jesus. Jesus came to us and allowed us to have a personal relationship with God; when you do, you will experience these things in a profound and significant way. In addition to your relationship with Jesus, count your blessings, and be thankful and optimistic. Instead of focusing on the things you don’t have, be grateful for what you do have. Changing the way you think about situations can have a positive impact on your life. You can make life more enjoyable by choosing to be thankful for the things that bring you joy. For instance, your relationship with God, a loving and supportive family, wonderful friends, good health, food in your pantry, a place to live, a job you enjoy, etc. One of the best ways to connect with Jesus and grow closer to experiencing these things and more is by worshiping with a group of believers. We gather every Sunday at 10:45 am, and we would love for everyone in Munds Park to join us. Practice Random Acts of Kindness Enjoy the pleasure of spreading light within your circle of influence. Enjoy quiet life in the Park. We’re always reading articles on how to slow down and enjoy life. Remember this as you roll through our forest, drive through our streets, and are served by our local businesses. Slow down, have patience and leave the hustle and bustle in Phoenix. It’s a gift to enjoy. We’re lucky! Be kind on Facebook. We have many wonderful Munds Park specific Facebook groups to share information and photos. Practice kindness, and don’t engage in negativity and gossip. Let your words online spread positivity and kindness. Share a smile. Smiles are contagious! We all know this. Whenever you’re talking to a stranger or a friend, show that you’re happy to be with them in that moment. Be present. Volunteer. Munds Park is a volunteer community and functions best when our community pulls together. Look for the spring issue of the Pinewood News to learn about Munds Park organizations that would love your support, or contact us at Hello@ThePinewoodNews.com for more information. Give thanks. We tend to forget about the more “invisible” people in our society who keep our lives running smoothly. Thank the person who provides mail service, the barista who prepared your coffee, the snow removal person or cabin cleaner. Write a note or say “thank you” genuinely in person. Keep our town beautiful. Ensure your trash cans are closed properly and pick up trash even when it is not yours. Try not to get annoyed by the litterbugs. Just feel good about keeping the Park beautiful! Leave no trace. When visiting our forest, stay on the trail, take your trash with you, and respect plant and wildlife. This act of kindness will be enjoyed by all who visit the forest and for generations to come. All these simple acts of kindness will travel far and leave you feeling great! Feel good and have a happy New Year!

The community of Munds Park has been generous in both time and dollars in supporting the Pinewood Fire Department, and it has not gone unnoticed by Fire Chief Josh Tope and his crew. They are very grateful and want our readers to know how their donations have been put to good use. Historically the fire district has had solid financial management and all operations are covered within budget. The Chief has a strategic plan for equipment replacement for items such as fire engines that can cost upwards of $600,000 and ambulances $300,000. These items will be purchased through their operating budget as needed. Donations typically come through the Pinewood Fire Department Auxiliary, and the Auxiliary is excellent at raising money for our firehouse. The donations received allow Chief Tope to purchase the best equipment to serve residents in the Park and surrounding areas. These donations and a strong grant writing program make the Pinewood Fire District one of the best-equipped departments in the region. Some items include emergency medical equipment, handheld portable radios, and upgraded mapping/dispatching software. Most items existed within their operations, and donations either augmented or replaced existing equipment. In the last few years, requests from Chief Tope for funds from the Auxiliary have slowed to save and use later towards the new firehouse. As news spread that a new firehouse was needed, the community jumped into action, and in 2020 the first annual Agee’s Labor Day Celebration and Fundraiser was born. The generosity from the community was massive and the 2nd annual event raised $100,000 for the fire district. These funds have been used to develop plans for the new fire station by hiring a bond council and financial advisor, creating architectural concepts and civil/survey work. The cost of building is continually rising, and the bond will not cover the entirety of the new station. The Fire District has budgeted appropriately and plans to supplement the project through their normal operating budget. The communities donations have been highly beneficial—Covering the early costs outside the bond. The Pinewood News, volunteers and donors supporting our firefighters are asking Munds Park to support Prop 446 this November. It’s the last step to complete this goal, ensuring our firefighters have a safe place to work and serve our community. To vote, you must be registered in Coconino County. You can easily change your voting location if you are a property owner in Munds Park and not registered here. The deadline to register is October 11, 2022. For more information on Proposition 446 click here. For any additional questions, you can reach Chief Tope at 928-286-9885 during regular business hours. Article originally ran in the August 7, 2022 edition of the Pinewood News.

Lost a dog, pigs on the loose, Elk on the run, turkeys waddling, strangers wondering, the snow is coming, stuck in the snow, trash is flying, painted rocks to find, painted rocks to hide, flowers are blooming, clouds are rolling in, dogs are barking, fire danger is high, stuff to sale, where do I find, who do you recommend... all of this, you can find on a variety of Munds Park Facebook groups. Facebook groups are an excellent way for people to customize their social media experience and connect with people who have similar interests. We’ve counted over ten different groups specific to Munds Park, but there is no group as interesting and free as What’s Happening in Munds Park and Around the World. This Facebook group is bold, sometimes confrontational, and not for delicate flowers. Everything is open for discussion—even politics. This is the group where you go when you want unfiltered, uncensored content. There are only a few ways you can get kicked off the site, but it’s clear, absolutely no sniveling allowed. Freedom of speech is a critical stitch in the fabric of democracy and is front and center of current debate. As Americans grapple with how much censorship they are willing to tolerate, the creators of What’s Happening in Munds Park and Around the World, Kela Montoya Kinner and Mark Giebelhaus, are free speech absolutists. They have no tolerance for censorship, and that is why some have referred to them as the Elon Musks of Munds Park. In 2017, frustrated with the limitations of other groups, Kela started the group What’s Happening in Munds Park. She wanted a platform where people could write openly, say what they believe, and not worry about being censored or blocked. Further, she knows many small business owners in the Park, and she wanted to give them the space and freedom to post on their schedule and as frequently as needed. A few weeks after Kela started the page, Mark got booted from a Munds Park group for telling a joke, so he joined Kela’s page and soon became an admin. Mundsies realized they had a place to express themselves, and they did just that. Soon politics entered the conversations, especially around election season, prompting debate and disagreements, and sometimes it got heated. Calls for Kela and Mark to limit the discussions to Munds Park topics only left the free-speech duo with no choice. They changed the name of the Facebook group from What’s Happening in Munds Park to What’s Happening in Munds Park and Around the World. The message? Please proceed. Kela and Mark have three rules. No Bullying. No Trolling. No Reporting Posts. The third rule pertains to ‘no sniveling.’ Members who report content they personally find offensive are grounds for removal. Members get three chances. After that, they are out. But not before Kela makes a public statement. She will screenshot the report, call the offended out by name, and tell them, “If you are butt-hurt over something you read—Grow up! We beleive in free-speech. Don’t like what you read? Keep on scrolling or remove yourself from the group!” and the page goes wild. You don’t have to be on the page long before learning Kela is the spicy one, and Mark is the diplomat. A perfect Ying and Yang with one message, how you respond to speech is your responsibility. As long as no one is being personally attacked or bullied, speech should not be limited because someone takes offense or simply doesn’t like what they read. Their philosophy is simple. Say what’s on your mind, even if it’s political, and it doesn’t matter what side you are on—It only matters that you have the freedom to speak your mind.

In the last issue of The Pinewood News, we requested feedback from our readers regarding short-term rentals. The Pinewood News received many thoughtful emails, from both sides, on the subject. Hosts were passionate about their rentals and adamant they were a win for Munds Park. The locals documented their hardships and were dispirited by the lack of tools to protect them from vacationers taking over their neighborhoods. Rather than writing for both sides, I invited Rachael Drummond, an investor and advocate for responsible Hosting here in Munds Park, to make a case for short-term rentals. I read through all the emails sent to the Pinewood News, talked with community members, and weaved in their hardships with my personal experience living next to multiple short-term rentals, and I will make the case against them. Get comfortable, grab some coffee or a cocktail, read both sides and see where you land. The Case for Short Term Rentals We’re Investing in Memories By Rachael Drummond First, I’d like to say thank you Sandee and The Pinewood News for giving us a platform to share our story with the community, bring light to the diverse ways STRs benefit the small community of Munds Park, and bringing us into the fold to work alongside other community leaders to find ways we can make sharing our beautiful community with short term renters better for all. Our story isn’t much different from the hundreds of other short-term rental hosts who’ve purchased in Munds Park. To invest in memories. To invest in moments watching our children fish at the lake, or ride bikes through forest trails, play board games on a deck, or take a nap in a hammock under tall swaying pines. For as long as he can remember, owning a cabin surrounded by cool pines was always a dream for my husband, and after going through a few years of family loss, in 2019 we decided to make that dream a reality. When we decided to start sharing our home with short-term renters we found a need for communication and transparency amongst hosts within Munds Park. We were in need of guidance, advice, and feedback, and the community was in need of consistency and standards that would benefit neighbors and businesses. Over the last two years since the Munds Park Host page has been active we’ve been busy! Busy learning from each other’s mistakes and successes, and helping establish new standards for responsible hosting in Munds Park. As a collective, we place an emphasis on spending local, from giving our guests recommendations to local eateries and hangouts, to hiring local home cleaners, vendors, and tradespeople. We estimate that STRs account for an average of 40% of the business our vendors & trades receive. In fact, we recently polled our members to get a better picture of what their expenses looked like in 2021. We requested data on revenue spent ONLY with local Munds Park vendors, tradespeople, and home cleaners, of the 40 members who participated in the poll, the revenue they contributed to Munds Park businesses is significant. Snow Plow/Landscape/Pine Needle removal- over $22,000 Local Cleaners- over $185,000 Trade Vendors- over $230,000 (Handymen, General Contractors, Hardscape install, Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC specialists) Considering roughly 10% of the homes in Munds Park are Vacation Rentals, these figures only account for around 14% of the entire Host population in our community. Through working with local trades and vendors to upgrade and remodel our homes, we’ve been able to have a direct impact on beautifying the community. As a group we are grateful to be a part of this community and to have the opportunity to help so many local entrepreneurs grow and provide for their families. We are working hard to grow our reach to other STR owners in Munds so that we can help them develop a standard for responsible hosting. We’ve found that when a few changes are implemented it makes hosting guests a better experience for our neighbors, and ourselves. Looking forward to working together as neighbors and friends so that we may all enjoy our little slice of heaven! The Case Against Short-Term Rentals The Airbnb Effect Threatens Our Small Town By Sandee Caviness Yes, we are addressing the elephant in the Park. Locals have had it with short-term rentals, and some are considering leaving, some who have been here for generations. Some are already gone. Munds Park is the feeling of being laid back, a place you can slow-roll through the hills and trails and be hugged all around by the Coconino National Forest. During the day we enjoy clear blue skies, and by night the stars shine bright. The fresh air, the sights and sounds of the forest gift us all with a feeling of peace and gratitude. Within the natural beauty of the Park is a deep connection between community members. We’re like family. We work, volunteer, and celebrate together. We even argue, gossip, and point fingers. We are connected, and when a hand is needed, a hand is extended. We will search day and night to find your missing dog, roam the forest snuffing out fire dangers, and pick up litter left behind by others. We pray when someone is ill and feed and lift those in need. We watch out for each other, and we care for our land. We share our homemade goods, homegrown vegetables, and our friendship. Our community is only a romantic story for most, but for Mundsies, this is our way of life. Our community, and all the gifts that go with it, come from the people. It doesn’t matter if they are full-time or seasonal locals—they are who we become familiar with, get to know, learn to trust, and build relationships with. As our neighbors are replaced with revolving strangers whose only care is to have a good time, the foundation of our community weakens and slowly becomes a romantic story of what was. Advocates for short-term rentals boast they contribute more to the community’s economy than their neighbors, and they argue that’s a win. That argument might work if Munds Park relied on tourism dollars to survive. But we don’t. We estimate that 10% of Munds Park housing is now short-term rentals, setting us up to become the next casualty of the Airbnb Effect. What is the Airbnb Effect? This refers to the negative impact short-term rentals have on communities—especially quaint and attractive communities like ours. It contributes to overtourism, housing shortages, rising rents, higher property taxes, and lowers the quality of living for their neighbors. All of these factors tear down communities. Locals don’t have to have a short-term rental (STR) next door to notice the changes in the Park. Everyone has heard the complaints—The constant buzzing of ATVs at all hours, cars cluttering neighborhood streets, blowing trash, excessive lighting threatening our dark sky community, and the blatant disregard for our forest and trails. Moreover, locals get uneasy with each new influx of visitors ignorant of fire restrictions. Visitors can put us on ‘Set’ with one seemingly innocent fire on a windy day and flash—We’re on the run. Community members who have one, two, three, and yes, even four STRs next to them experience a lower level of satisfaction and comfort within their neighborhoods. Imagine for a moment, you wake up one beautiful Friday morning and take a deep breath of fresh air as you walk outside... and there it is. Newly arrived guests. A gaggle of friends ready for a party, a large family with kids bursting to break free, eight offroaders with huge trucks and trailers blocking driveways and streets. Whatever the combination is this weekend, your first thought is, “Oh Lord. Please let these people be cool.” And you spend your weekend on guard while the guests play. The weekend is over, you survived another group of intruders, and you walk out on your porch on a bright Monday morning, take in a deep breath of fresh air... and there it is. The guest overstuffed the garbage can. The wind blew, the animals came, and as you run through the yard with coffee splashing about, trying to catch the beer can as it rolls past your reach, you wonder how can people be so inconsiderate? And we’re not talking about the guest—we’re talking about our neighbors cashing in on their homes at our expense. It doesn’t matter how professional and attentive a Host may be; they cannot control their guest when they are not there. So when screaming kids trespass on your property while parents get drunk on the porch, when parties get loud and last into the morning hours, when cars litter the streets, when the trash overflows and flys through the air, when dogs unfamiliar with where they are bark until the guests get back, or outdoor fires burn on windy days—it’s not the owner of the STR handling that initial contact. No, they leave that up to their neighbors. We become unpaid custodians having to coordinate the appropriate service to manage the troubles caused by their guests. There used to be an excellent solution to separating vacationers from the locals so each could live their lives in harmony. They called them Hotels. But in 2011, the STR industry was conceived, and by 2014 became an invasive industry eating up neighborhoods and taking over whole towns, crushing them with tourism. As locals leave and as investors roll in, the ties that hold us together will slowly unravel, and the identity of Munds Park will soon become unrecognizable. Don’t believe me? Ask Sedona. At some point, realtors, investors, and homeowners who turn homes into hotels will have to ask themselves, “Am I really a force for good and honestly helping the community I claim to love?” I don’t think it’s a deep dig to figure it out. When owners of STRs are reluctant to be upfront with neighbors, I think that answers the question. When admins of Host groups are afraid to post about even positive efforts being made, I think that answers the question. When cleaning professionals tell new STR hosts, “Don’t tell your neighbors, they will hate you,” I think that answers the question. When property coordinators introduce themselves to a group and say, “I know you all hate me, but...” I think that answers the question. When you ask people in the profession if they would like an STR next to their home, and you get a resounding “No.”, that undoubtedly answers the question. The question for Mundsies is, what are we going to do about it? Short-term rentals are here. Now what? Whether we like it or not, short-term rentals are here, and regulating them is difficult, compliments of Governor Doug Ducey. Fortunately, many towns across the US and Europe are having success in creating and passing laws that help alleviate the negative impact short-term rentals have on communities. Our neighbor, Sedona, has made some gains in this area too. Having regulations that hold STRs to a high standard, enforced with penalties, is greatly needed. But that will take time, determination, and community members willing to take action. The following two groups are doing just that. The Pinewood Property Association (PPOA) has fielded a barrage of complaints from the locals frustrated with STRs. Trying to find solutions, Tom Eade, a PPOA Board member, has been working closely with Matt Ryan, District 3 Supervisor for Coconino County, supporting laws that would regulate STRs. The PPOA is also actively working with The Munds Park Host Group. The Munds Park Host Group, established by Rachael Drummond, along with Traci Randolph, and Katy Hibbert Griffith, have been setting standards for Hosts in the Park since February 2020. They advocate for responsible Hosting, work on giving back to the community, and support efforts to develop legally enforceable regulations. They are not only working with the PPOA, they welcome it. So, where to go from here? As mentioned, Tom Eade has been working with Matt Ryan on Bills regulating short-term rentals. Three bills were being considered. Two fell apart, and the one remaining bill (Senate Bill 1168), Matt suggests that it dies too. Matt states there are flaws in SB1168, and with an election coming up, we may get a better Bill and results from the new legislators. Now it’s time to get busy. The PPOA will work with Matt’s team to collect contact information on current legislators and legislators wanting our vote this next election. They will provide homeowners who wish to participate with form letters to send to their representatives creating a pressure campaign motivating legislators to hear the issues and move on them. To learn more about the campaign and get involved, the PPOA will hold its annual meeting at the Pinewood Country Club on July 16 at 1 pm. Matt Ryan, District 3 Supervisor for Coconino County, will be in attendance and available to answer questions. As the PPOA and Munds Park Hosts Group develop a plan of action, the Pinewood News will keep you informed as we move through this process. The Munds Park Host Group Genna and I have two STRs next to us. One STR is a member of the Munds Park Hosts, and the other is not. We can tell you from experience that the difference is night and day. We prefer no STRs next to us, but if we can’t have that, we want STRs that adhere to the standards set by the Munds Park Hosts, and so do you! Here are their core standards: 3-night Minimum They have learned that 3-night minimums significantly reduce the chance of booking guests looking for a quick trip up the mountain to party. Install Cameras Install cameras at the garage and front door. Then take a few moments throughout your guest’s stay to check on guest count… if there’s a party occurring, then take action right away, even if that means you have to drive up and ask them to leave. Two Trash Cans and Monitor Them At a minimum, hosts should have two trash cans. In addition, have cameras in the area so you can check to ensure they are correctly closed and not overflowing. If they are, call your cleaner/house manager and pay them extra to go over and pick up the mess. Protecting Northern Arizona’s Dark Skies Put outdoor lighting on a timer to shut down at the end of the evening. Educate your guest, and explain what a Dark Sky community is and why it’s important to keep lights out. Add this information to your check-in instructions, so guests know how important this is to our community. Quiet Hours 10 pm - 8 am. Respect Munds Park Remind guests that when they visit our forest and community, they are indeed GUESTS, and be mindful of speed, trash, blaring sound systems in Side by Sides, and keep the forest beautiful and stay on the trails. Fire Restrictions Hosts are responsible for following fire restrictions and taking appropriate safeguards. That means removing wood/charcoal during Stage I and Stage II from their properties BEFORE their next guest arrives. Only propane is allowed during these stages. Further, Hosts are encouraged to clean their pine needs and other fuel from their yards twice per year. Alert guests of the restrictions (including outdoor cigarette/cigar use) and put in place consequences for reservation cancellation if they are not followed. Share Contact Information Hosts are encouraged to exchange contact information with neighbors so a host can be reached right away if there is ever an issue that needs to be addressed timely. In Conclusion Encourage every STR owner to join the Munds Park Host group—This includes our realtors! Tell your neighbors, your clients, and anyone with an STR they should join the group and work to improve the relationship between locals and STRs. Only Munds Park hosts can join. You can find the group on Facebook @MundsParkVRBO/AirbnbHosts. The Pinewood News will follow up in the August 1 edition of the paper. We will report on the meeting with the PPOA and Matt Ryan, give details on motivating our legislators to take action, and provide resources for locals who need relief from bad hosts. Until then, Munds Park, stay groovy and stay involved!

For the first time, the Pinewood Fire District (PFD) is asking voters to approve a bond supporting their effort to build a new firehouse. The PFD has outgrown its current home, and the firehouse doesn’t meet present day standards that keep firefighters safe. Further, Munds Park is growing, and so are the surrounding areas that the PFD serves. The new firehouse will provide adequate facilities to support our firefighters, state-of-the-art equipment, improve security, and allow for future growth. Bond projects include: Demolition, design, and construction of a new facility Safety and security of district assets Inclusion of community meeting space Increase the level of response Improvements in design to mitigate firefighter cancer risks Improvements to building for firefighter and public safety How much is the bond? The district’s bonding capacity is $4.513 million, and we are asking for the full bond of $4.513 million. How much will the bond cost taxpayers? The Pinewood Fire District bond is estimated to be about $36 per year for each $100,000 in the Assessor’s limited property value. The average ‘limited property value’ for Munds Park FY2023 is $215,500, costing about $6.50 per month. The limited property value (LPV) is not the market value of your home but a separate assessment the county uses for calculating taxes. In most cases, the (LPV) isn’t even half of the market value. To find your LPV, check your tax records, or check with the county assessor. The tax will sunset 20 years after the bonds have all been sold. How do I know the money will be spent as indicated? The Pinewood Fire District is committed to responsible stewardship of bond funds. Further, Arizona law requires the district to identify the allocation of bond money in the ballot proposition. As a result, the district is required to comply or be in violation of Arizona state law. Additionally, the fire district will provide public updates on the progress of the bond and how the proceeds are spent at our monthly board meetings. Board meetings are public, and you can find the dates and times in the Pinewood News Community Calendar on page 2. Further, we will keep you updated with periodic articles published in the Pinewood News. What will happen if the bond is not approved? The district will rely on limited funding through assessed value to fund these projects. With our current funding, building a new firehouse would take about 30 years to accomplish and may not get funded at all. When do we vote? The Bond will be on the ballot Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Early voting will start Wednesday, October 12, 2022. The last day for voter registration is Monday, October 10, 2022. Visit www.servicearizona.com to register to vote. This article originally ran in the July 15, 2022 Pinewood News.