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.

Welcome to winter! And with winter comes flu and cold season. I wanted to share with you this month something I always have on hand to not only fight illness, but also to help prevent illness. Bone broth. Bone broth is making a big comeback right now and it should! It has numerous health and digestive benefits. Bone broth is incredibly nutritious, providing protein, gelatin, collagen, vitamins, and minerals. These key nutrients benefit virtually every system in our bodies, including our digestive, nervous, and immune systems as well as our bones and joints. There is a reason chicken soup is what we always take people who are sick. Homesteaders in the past knew the benefits, but in our “processed” society, its benefits have seemingly gotten lost. Bone broth is not just good for when you are sick, but research has shown it’s a great way to build your immune system by drinking a warm cup each day. However, it’s important to understand that most store-bought “stock and “broth” today aren’t “real.” Instead, companies use man-made meat flavors in bouillon cubes, soup, and broths. Manufacturers also use mono-sodium glutamate (MSG), which is recognized as a meat flavor, but in reality, is not. If you want real bone broth and real bone broth benefits, you should make it yourself at home. Making your own is very easy and you can freeze or can it for future use. When you make it ahead of time, you have it ready when you need it!! When you make a meal with chicken, turkey, beef, or pork and want to make broth with the bones, be sure to purchase high-quality, free-range, grass-fed animals. What the animal is raised eating is also in the bones. You are making broth at home for the health benefits. You need to make sure the animal is healthy to begin with. After a meal, I freeze my carcasses in a freezer bag. I also freeze any vegetable scraps (onion ends and skin, carrot tops, celery ends) in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to make broth, I pull a carcass out of the freezer and a bag of veggie scraps and throw it all in the Instapot. I add water to the top fill line and add any spices I desire. I also add about ¼ cup apple cider vinegar. This is VERY important and is what ensures that the bones release all the essential nutrients that you want. Then, I set the Instapot on manual for 2 hours. Once the broth is done, release the pressure and strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer. Once the broth is cool, I can freeze, can or use right it away in a soup. Typically, I will put it in the fridge overnight for the fats to solidify on top. In the morning, I will skim that off and then use or can the broth. If you don’t own an Instapot, you can cook the broth on the stove or in a crock pot. It will just take much longer. Roasting the bones ahead of time will also help them release their nutrients and give you an even deeper flavor but is not necessary. In my broth, I like to add different spices like turmeric and ginger that you might not think about. Many spices have health benefits and add to the immune building foundation of the broth. You can research the benefits of different spices, but I have included below a few that I have found make the best broth for me. The following information came from an article I found. If you want to learn more, you can read the article here. Basil Basil is an aromatic herb in the mint family that has anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and antibacterial properties. It also works as a pain reliever, blood vessel protector, and immune booster. Basil contains essential oils that are rich in antioxidants. Bay Leaf Bay leaves come from the ancient tree Laurus nobilis, and it’s often used in cooking because of its distinctive savory flavor. Bay leaf has antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. Cumin Seed Cumin seeds come from the herb Cuminum cyminum, which is a member of the parsley family. It’s often ground into a powder for cooking. Cooking with cumin seeds can aid your digestion, boost your immune system, promote the health of your skin, relieve respiratory conditions, promote detoxification, combat oxidative stress. Ginger Root Ginger root is the rhizome of the Zingiber officinale plant that contains 115 different chemical components. It’s often used in Asian cooking for a sophisticated flavor and is even used as a pickling spice. It works as a potent antioxidant, reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, supports digestion, reduces pain and lowers cholesterol levels. Oregano Oregano is an herb that has been used for healing for thousands of years. Oregano has the power to reduce inflammation, fight bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections, fight allergies and even shrink tumors. Oil of Oregano is extracted from the herb to make a powerful antibiotic agent that can kill many species of harmful bacteria. Paprika Paprika is a spice that’s made from a variety of peppers in the Capsicum annuum family. Capiscum, an ingredient in hot peppers that are used to make paprika, is known to support immune function and aid in treating autoimmune conditions. Paprika also contains many antioxidants, including carotenoids, that fight free radical damage that can cause disease, and it can be used to improve the health of your heart and eyes. Rosemary Rosemary is an aromatic herb that’s part of the mint family. It’s known for its ability to improve memory, promote hair growth, relieve muscle aches and pains, improve cognitive function and soothe digestive issues. Rosemary also possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, detoxifying, anti-stress and healing properties. Thyme Thyme is an herb that’s part of the mint family and is often used in cooking. Thyme is a source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, manganese and calcium. It can be used to boost your mood, relieve respiratory conditions like sore throat and bronchitis, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Turmeric Turmeric is one of the most powerful herbs on the planet and its benefits often rival those of conventional medications. Turmeric supplements can be taken in place of antidepressants, anticoagulants, arthritis medications, skin condition treatments, anti-inflammatory medications and cholesterol regulators. However you decide to make your bone broth, do your body a favor and start making it yourself at home. You won’t regret it!!

The View From Here Jincy Jane Casner, a widow along with two of her 11 sons, Bill and Dan, came to the lush wilderness of Northern Arizona from Oregon in the early 1870’s. In April of 1875 the family was joined by three other sons - Riley, John and Mose along with Riley’s wife, Rebecca. The three brothers brought 1600 head of sheep and a herd of draft horses. Jane along with Mose, Dan and William then entered the sheep business here joining other local ranchers such as William Henry Ashurst, the Daggs Brothers and Charles H. ODell. Strong and industrious, Jane along with her sons would make a lasting impression on the place names of our great state. Strong women of immense fortitude typified that era and Jane was no exception. She was said to have worked herding sheep and cattle until she was over 100. On July 12, 1876 the Casners received $6,300 in $20 gold coins from the sale of the spring wool and lambs near Winslow. The nearest bank at the time would have been Prescott and the Casners, particularly Mose generally didn’t trust banks - so the money was temporarily hidden in a strong leather sack in the sheep camp. While the men were out with the flock an employee named William Clancy located the money and made the decision to steal it. He got the bag on his horse and was gone with a good head start before the theft was discovered. Clancy thought he had the gold tied securely to the strings on the back of the saddle but as he rode it came loose and was lost somewhere on the side of Mormon Mountain. Not knowing that the theft had been discovered or that the Casner brothers were hot on his tail, he turned around and began to retrace his route looking for the gold pieces. He was then overtaken by the Casner brothers who roped him, tied him up to a tree and severely beat him in an effort to get him to disclose the whereabouts of the money. He was only able to disclose that the money had fallen from the back of his saddle and was lost. He was ultimately turned over to the Yavapai County Sheriff as all of what is now Coconino County was then part of Yavapai County. The story of the lost $6,000 in gold spread throughout the area and the Casners and many locals wasted much time unsuccessfully searching for the loot. Six years later, a sheep herder named Andrew Locy Rogers who was with Lot Smith at the Mormon Dairy at Mormon Lake was out in the mountains tending the communal flock. He came across a pile of what appeared to be funny looking oak leaves. Upon further examination it turned out to be the lost gold. He’d heard of the misfortune of the Casners and in a tremendous show of personal integrity he hauled the money back to Mormon Lake and saw to it that it was returned to the Casner brothers. Unbelievably grateful for his honesty and integrity the brothers rewarded him with ten $20 gold pieces. Mose Casner didn’t quite learn his lesson though for he still didn’t trust banks. He was said to have buried gold coins in Dutch ovens and tin cans in the camp fire and in miscellaneous other places around his winter home along Walker Creek in the Verde. It was known that he never told anyone including his two sons, Aaron, known as Big A and his brother Lucky where the money was hidden and ultimately took the secret to his grave. I have interviewed old-timers from the period who recall that when they visited Moses’ house in the months following his death the fireplace had been anonymously dismantled stone by stone and the orchard had holes dug under every tree by treasure hunters seeking the lost gold. It was also speculated during the period that whenever someone seemed to have more money or possessions beyond their means that they must have somehow discovered one of Moses’ buried Dutch Ovens. So next time you are up sampling the quiet beauty of Casner Park or walking down Casner Canyon trail into Oak Creek keep an eye out for the ghosts of Jane and Mose Casner or the edge of a Dutch oven buried in the dirt. Who knows you might get lucky on either account. If you get out into our spectacular mountain backwoods please be very careful with fire, don’t litter and try to leave the place better for your visit. Enjoy Northern Arizona! Bill Cowan's book on the Verde Valley History is available at Candy’s Creekside Cottage in McGuireville, Arizona and from Amazon, eBay, and various other retailers, including the Verde Canyon Railroad.

One of the Great Natural Wonders The night sky is one of the great natural wonders. We in northern Arizona are fortunate to be able to enjoy it in a nearly pristine state. Fewer and fewer people have this privilege. According to a study published in the journal Science Advances , 80% of people living in North America cannot see the Milky Way from where they live. The residents of Flagstaff and the surrounding areas are among the lucky few who can not only see the Milky Way, but see it with clarity. We can do this largely because the residents of this area have a long tradition of protecting a dark, natural sky, relatively untainted by artificial lights. In Flagstaff’s early days it was nicknamed the skylight city. Flagstaff is also the world’s first international dark sky city, as designated by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2001. The city’s practices to preserve the natural sky have long served as a model for communities all over the world that also value natural skies. Coconino County also has similar protections to maintain a natural sky. The preservation of a natural sky has many benefits. A major one is to astronomical research, which can only be done with something close to a natural sky. Arizona has more observatories than any other state. Northern Arizona is home to both Lowell Observatory and the Flagstaff branch of the U.S. Naval Observatory. Lowell Observatory has been at the forefront of astronomical research since its founding in 1894. Pluto was discovered at Lowell Observatory by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, the first evidence that the universe is expanding was discovered at Lowell Observatory by V.M. Slipher in 1912, and Lowell Observatory played a key role in creating the maps of the Moon that were used to plan the first Moon landings. Lowell Observatory continues to do cutting edge research on everything from the planet Mars to distant galaxies. The U.S. Naval Observatory opened a station in Flagstaff in 1955. This observatory specializes in accurately measuring star positions, research that has wide ranging applications in both military and civilian technology. Pluto’s largest moon, Charon, was also discovered by Jim Christy in 1978, using photographs taken from the Flagstaffbranch of the Naval Observatory. These institutions bring millions of dollars a year into northern Arizona’s economy, and the research they perform is something all residents of the area can be proud of. A natural sky has other advantages as well. Maintaining a natural sky helps preserve natural ecosystems. Animals use the natural night sky for navigation, to hide or to hunt, to know when to sleep or to be active, even to navigate. Virtually all animals use the cycle of day and night in some way or another, and so having a night sky that is bright with artificial lights can interfere with local ecosystems in countless ways. Maintaining a natural sky does not mean that we have to live in darkness. By using light thoughtfully, we can maintain a natural sky while actually having better ground level lighting than we might have had otherwise. Better lighting efficiency can lead to lower energy bills as well. Dark skies does not mean dark grounds! Here are some of the things you can do to help preserve a natural, starlit sky for yourself and your community: Make sure that lights are shielded in such a way that the light from them points down towards the ground. Light that goes straight up degrades the natural sky without providing any benefit to ground level visibility. Shielding lights so that illumination is directed downwards increases the efficiency of the light, helps preserve a natural sky, and actually improves lighting and visibility on the ground. Don’t use brighter lighting than is needed. It’s a misconception that more light automatically means better visibility. Think of the last time you looked into car headlights with the brights on. The glare from bright lights, even from something lit indirectly, can make it much harder to see anything else. Avoiding excessively bright lighting not only helps preserve a natural sky, it can drastically improve ground level visibility and safety. It matters what color lighting you use. The eyes of humans and most animals are impacted much more strongly by blue light than by red or orange lights. The LEDs that are used in most modern lights usually emit disproportionately blue light. However, it’s not hard to obtain LEDs that have been modified to emit light richer in reds and oranges. The packaging for most LEDs should indicate what temperature the light from the LED emulates. The International Dark-Sky Association recommends LEDs that emulate a temperature of less than 3,000 K (lower temperature means more reds and fewer blues). These kinds of lights are much more animal friendly, will make things more visible with less light, and will give things a more color rich and natural appearance as well. Turn off lights when they’re not needed, or attach them to motion sensors, so they’ll only be lit when there are people nearby who need them. Talk to your friends and neighbors about the value of a natural sky. The more of us that act to preserve a natural sky, the better all of us will be able to enjoy it. Enjoy the night sky, especially with friends and family. We’re extraordinarily fortunate to live in a place where so many of the sky’s wonders are easily visible. On a clear and moonless night, away from any artificial lights, you’ll be amazed by what you can see with just your eyes, and even simple binoculars will unlock even more wonders. The more in touch we are with the sky, the more in touch we are with the universe, and the more we realize what we lose if we lose the natural sky. The natural night sky is a birthright of all people, and its protection is a cherished tradition in northern Arizona. If we work together, we can preserve the wonder and beauty of the natural night sky for ourselves, our friends and families, and generations to come.

Inspired by The Bourbon Capital of the World by Lisa Collard If you already have all the ingredients you’d need to mix up a Manhattan, a Mint Julep, an Old Fashioned, or a Whiskey Sour, chances are pretty good that you know a thing or two about Bourbon cocktails. But have you ever heard of a Bardstown Bubbler? What about a Proven Perfection? From classic recipes to complex concoctions, cocktails made with Bourbon are as unique and intriguing as the land from which Bourbon hails: Bardstown, Kentucky. The Bourbon industry has been the economic backbone of Bardstown for decades. No less than six heritage brand distilleries call the beautiful small town home, as do several newer, craft distilleries. Thus, it should come as no surprise that a sip of really great Bourbon can help tell the true story of Bardstown. And sometimes, that story is emphasized by other ingredients. With a healthy dose of Bourbon ingenuity, modern mixologists are helping debunk the myth that adding even a drop of water to great Bourbon will ruin the whiskey’s flavor. They’re coming up with new and unexpected combinations that result in some tongue-tingling and refreshingly original Bourbon cocktails. So, next time you’re looking for some creative cocktail inspirations, try an original recipe from The Bourbon Capital of the World®. 1. Bardstown Bubbler Hobbyist bartenders, rejoice! The Bardstown Bubbler is an easy-to-make, effervescent creation by Howard Keene, owner of the Kentucky Bourbon Marketplace and renowned Bourbon aficionado. This drink features the refreshing flavors of Campari and sweet champagne, along with a bold citrus kick and, of course, your very favorite Bourbon. The best part about The Bardstown Bubbler is that “anybody can make this drink,” according to Keene. “You don’t have to be a professional bartender with a million ingredients at your fingertips.” Ingredients 2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon ¼ oz. Campari ¾ oz. Lemon juice ¾ oz. Simple syrup 2-3 oz. Sweet champagne 4 Dashes peach bitters Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add Bourbon, Campari, lemon juice, simple syrup, and peach bitters and stir just long enough to chill the liquid and combine ingredients. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, and top with a floating pour of sweet champagne. 2. Proven Perfect Want to try America’s Best Manhattan, Bardstown-style? Check out the Proven Perfect Bourbon cocktail created by award-winning bartender Allison Widdecombe. The Proven Perfect is inspired by a traditional Bourbon Manhattan, but in this version, Widdecombe suggests swapping out the traditionally sweet and dry vermouths for a ruby port and bitter orange liqueur. The result is a complex drink that’s drier than your typical Manhattan, but still super balanced and easy to sip. Ingredients 2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon 1/2 oz. Ruby port 1/2 oz. Bittermens Amère Nouvelle (a type of bitter orange liqueur) 1 tsp. Fernet-Branca (a type of bitter herbal liqueur) Lemon peel and maraschino cherry for garnish Directions: Combine the Bourbon, port, Bittermens Amère Nouvelle, and Fernet-Branca in a cocktail shaker with 3-4 ice cubes. Stir just long enough to chill the liquid and mix ingredients thoroughly, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and maraschino cherry. 3. The Petal Pusher The official drink of the 2017 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, The Petal Pusher is a fresh lavender and grapefruit concoction that’ll have you thirsting for seconds and pushing for thirds. Originally created by Colleen McCarthy-Clarke for Martini’s Italian Bistro in Louisville, Kentucky, The Petal Pusher features Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon for its full-bodied flavor and smooth, mellow finish. Ingredients 2 oz. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon ½ oz. Monin Lavender Syrup ½ oz. Grapefruit juice ½ oz. Grapefruit soda 10-12 Mint leaves 2 Wedges ruby red grapefruit 4-5 Dashes Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters Lavender stick and mint sprig for garnish Directions: In a cocktail shaker without ice, combine the Bourbon, lavender syrup, grapefruit juice, ruby red grapefruit wedges, grapefruit bitters, and mint leaves. Muddle everything thoroughly, and add ice. Shake to chill the liquid, and strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Top it all off with a splash of grapefruit soda, and garnish with lavender stick and mint sprig. 4. Bardstown Sling The Bardstown Sling was created by renowned bar professional and master mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, to show off the unique flavor profile of Maker’s Mark® Bourbon. Abou-Ganim likens his Bourbon creation’s flavor to that of ripe peaches, making it a superb cocktail to enjoy on summer evenings with friends. Ingredients 2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon 1 oz. Peach brandy 1 oz. Peach puree 2 oz. Fresh lemon sour* 2-3 Dashes peach bitters Ground nutmeg for garnish Directions: In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, pour the Bourbon, peach brandy, peach puree, fresh lemon sour, and add a few dashes of bitters. Shake until well-blended, then strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg and enjoy! *To make the fresh lemon sour, mix 2 parts freshly squeezed lemon juice with 1 part simple syrup. 5. Apricot & Honey Bourbon Sour The Apricot and Honey Bourbon Sour was created by popular mixology bloggers Jay and Leah Hall. It features a citrus syrup that’s easy enough for any budding bartender to make at home, and has warm, sweet flavors to match on crisp fall days. When writing about the inspiration for this cocktail on their blog, Hall said, “Bourbon and honey are a winning combination.” He explained that adding the fruity apricot syrup pulls out warm caramel notes from the Bourbon and brings out the sweetness of the honey. Sounds like the perfect combination! Ingredients: 2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon 1.5 oz. Honey apricot syrup* 1/2 oz. Lemon juice 5 Dashes bitters 3-5 Mint leaves for garnish Directions: Combine the Bourbon, homemade syrup, lemon juice, and bitters in a drinking glass of your choice. Add fresh ice and stir with a cocktail straw to chill. Garnish with mint leaves. *To make honey apricot syrup, you’ll need: 3-5 apricots 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup water Directions: Pit and slice the apricots. Place the flesh of the fruit in a saucepan and add the honey, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil and let the concoction simmer for about five minutes (or until the syrup starts to thicken). Strain the mixture into a sealable container for safe storage, removing any apricot slices or broken down fruit remnants. Now try the real thing! Of course, you can make these delicious Bourbon cocktails at home—and we certainly recommend that you do—but sometimes, there’s nothing quite like getting something straight from the source. Visit www.visitbardstown.com to sip, see, and savor on your next trip.

It’s mushroom season, and with all the wonderful rain, it should be a great season too! If you are new to foraging or just need a refresher, this is a great read to keep you safe and our foraging sustainable. Rules to Forage By 1. When finding a patch of mushrooms, be sure to leave at least a few there. This is not only respectful to other mushroom pickers who may discover the patch, but it also gives the mushrooms a chance to drop their spores and continue on their course naturally, ensuring that more will come within the season or next season. If the patch is large, leave a little less than half of the mushrooms in place. Don’t be greedy and take an entire patch because this may prevent mushrooms from returning to that area. 2. When picking mushrooms, make sure to pick them from the stem and not pull out the entire mushroom from the ground. This prevents messing up the mycelium network by sheer force and thus allows for the fruiting bodies to return. It’s best to slice the mushrooms off cleanly at the base with a small knife, although you can use your hands if you are careful about it. Some people like to ‘pluck’ or tap the mushrooms while they’re in the ground to release loose spores back into the area for recolonization. You can tap the stem of the fungal body with your finger a few times before you collect it. 3. Try to respect not only the mushrooms themselves but also the surrounding area. Oftentimes people hunt on private property such as farms and cow fields. Always leave everything as-is, and it is wise to seek the landowner’s permission rather than trespass. You shouldn’t damage or destroy any fences in the process. Also, try not to disturb any cows/other animals in your hunt—it can be dangerous. Likewise, these rules also apply to public places—it is everybody’s land. Take care of it. 4. When wild mushroom hunting, carry your finds in a mesh bag. Wild mushrooms spread through the dispersal of spores, and the more spores you allow to drop the better the chance of more mushrooms in the future! Baskets or paper bags don’t allow spores to spread, so find something with large holes in it. 5. Be respectful of other mushroom hunters you encounter. While public land is there for all of us to share – just like any other public land activity – be respectful of others and their space. Perhaps one of the worst things you can do if you see someone picking mushrooms along a hillside is to rush over and invade that space. Best case is to speak politely, wish them luck, and make a note of the spot for future forays. 6. Lastly, when you find a hot spot or a treasure trove of mushrooms, keep the area secret. Tell only close mushroom enthusiasts to help keep the area from over foraging. Safety By Terri Clements Folks, I have a very important announcement, especially for those who are new to mushroom foraging. In one weekend we had four mushroom poisoning’s reported to Poison Control in Arizona. In at least one case, the poisoning was due to eating unidentified mushrooms! In another case, the poisonings were due to eating a large quantity of various species at one time. Rule 1. Never eat a mushroom that YOU cannot identify the species. If someone tells you what type of mushroom is from a photo online, do not rely on the ID but treat it as a suggestion. You need to verify the type by looking at multiple reputable online resources or guide books. If you are still uncertain, do not eat it. Rule 2. When eating a mushroom for the first time, try a small portion, say a tablespoon. Make sure it is well cooked. If you have no reaction, the next day you can then eat a normal portion. Try only one new mushroom a day, or you won’t know which one is causing the problem if you have a problem. Rule 3. Most experts advise that you don’t eat large quantities of wild mushrooms at one time or the same mushroom continuously over a period of days. The key is variety and moderation. Rule 4. Only fresh mushrooms should be eaten. Just like you wouldn’t eat rotten meat you shouldn’t eat old mushrooms. If the smell or taste is off putting don’t eat it. If you want to learn more about mushrooms and foraging, a great Facebook group is the Arizona Mushroom Forum, operated by The Arizona Mushroom Society. There you can learn and share information with fellow mushroom hunters. Sautéed Lobster Mushrooms A Munds Park Favorite Look for heavy, dense Lobster Mushroom A proper lobster mushroom should be heavy, like a paperweight. If the mushroom feels light like Styrofoam, has a strong fishy odor, or a pronounced purple color, they’re too old, leave them be or cover them with leaves in a futile effort to keep your spot secret. You wouldn’t eat a moldy piece of meat, so don’t eat an old, crumbly lobster. Ewe. Cleaning You Harvest Lobster mushrooms can often be vase-shaped, serving as homes for small creatures, rainwater reservoirs, and all around stuff you don’t need to eat. When foraging, slice them from the base to remove from the ground, brush them as clean as possible, and shake out detritus from the inside. Then carve out the middle and any soft tissue using your knife. Sautéed Lobster Mushrooms Recipe adapted from Kevin Meehan Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 1 shallot, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 pound lobster mushrooms, cleaned and diced 1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves Ground nutmeg, to taste Salt and pepper Directions In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the shallots and garlic. Cook until the shallots have softened, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and thyme and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Add a pinch of nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.

When you think of Aretha Franklin, you probably think of R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Natural Woman, or many other classic songs that made her the Queen of Soul. Not only was her voice mesmerizing, but the music that accompanied it allows many of us to recognize her songs before we even hear her voice. We are fortunate to have as part of our Munds Park community, a person that helped keep the Queen of Soul and many others on key. Kappé Rousseau, a new full-time Mundsie and piano tuner extraordinaire, is here to enjoy all that is wonderful about Munds Park, bringing with her a contagious creative energy and a thirst for outdoor life. Kappé Rousseau is starting over right here in the Park, and she couldn’t be more excited. She left Oakland, California, to live in our small town and get back the four seasons that she enjoyed at an earlier time in her life. Kappé is also an avid backpacker and spends most of her time outdoors. She couldn’t have picked a better town to live in. Kappé, originally from Michigan, grew up in a loving home filled to the brim with 9 siblings. To keep all the little hands and minds busy, the children in the Rousseau home were expected to learn something, anything, at the age of five. So, when it was Kappé’s turn, her Mother asked her little girl what it was she wanted to learn. She said the piano. Soon an upright piano was delivered to their home. Curious, Kappé explored her new piano and quickly learned that when she opened up the piano’s lid, she could see the internal mechanics, and when she played, she could see them move to make sound. Kappé was absolutely fascinated and would play for hours, watching the piano work with each stroke of the key. It wasn’t long before Kappé was sneaking into her Dad’s workshop to get tools to tweak the piano. Something she was sure her parents wouldn’t allow, but she just couldn’t help herself. After time, her curiosity paid off because there wasn’t enough money for a piano tuner, so she learned to tune it herself. Kappé explained that she loves mechanical things. She loves to fix things and sleuth through problems. She will sit and think, and then she will ‘see’ a solution. “I see a lot of what other people don’t see, and that’s why I love to tune pianos because the piano is the perfect blend of art and science which means it’s movable. It is not fixed, and there are so many things you can adapt and customize for the player. When a piano technician understands this and knows how to problem solve, listen, and feel, this merger of art and science makes the high-end player love your work”. You don’t meet piano tuners every day, so we wondered how you become a piano technician. Kappé explained that a little over 22 years ago, after 3 previous careers, she decided to get back to what she loved, working with and tuning pianos. She says that her desire and pure luck landed her a remarkable career working with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Prince, and Neil Young. Her luck started when she moved her old 1914 Baby Grand piano from Michigan to California. Once it got to California, she needed a tuner, and she found a family of tuners through the Yellow Pages (kids, that’s Google in the olden days). There were five brothers, so she gravitated to them, and as luck would have it, they were the dynasty of all dynasties of piano technicians—The Callahan Piano Service. This was her first connection to learning her trade. Kappé then joined the Piano Technicians Guild to be legit and bonified. “I got in with the Guild, and I inhaled every piece of information I could find from anyone who would teach it to me. Back then, the only way to learn piano tuning or anything related to pianos was through the old-world apprentice style. There were no schools to learn this trade, except for one in Boston, and schools are not the same as going into someone’s shop and saying, “Oh, I’ll sweep your floor for a few pearls of wisdom.” It’s an old-world craft that could only be taught by the masters, and Kappé had amazing mentors who all knew and shared knowledge with one another. “It was a fountain of knowledge,” Kappé said. I was fortunate to know and learn from these incredible mentors. Once in the circle of piano tuners, you were part of a tribe. A historical tribe that learned from one another. Built tools for one another, and they did this with the intent of moving their craft forward, and Kappé is a part of this old-world family of technicians. Kappé, a well-trained, seasoned technician, spent most of her career working large performance venues in the Bay Area. She was hired by artists not only to tune pianos before events, she was hired to sit and wait. Wait for a string to pop or some other musical calamity during live performances that would need her quick attention. She had to be at the top of her game, and she loved being in the hot seat. Not every performance included an urgent response, but when it did, she would have 10 minutes to figure out and fix the problem, tune and get the piano up and playing. Kappé said, “It’s just delicious to work at that level because the electricity is flowing, you let your ego go, and you become one with it. You move with it because you are a part of it. You get to fly. It’s very exciting.” Remember the old, but wonderful, Baby Grand piano Kappé moved from Michigan to California? Well, it’s here with her in Munds Park, and she’s going to rebuild it. Yes, Kappé can rebuild pianos too. She says it’s very difficult, and very few women can fully rebuild a piano. She knows she was one of three women who can do this. However, she doesn’t think any of the others are doing it anymore. Kappé is a fascinating woman, filled with unique and positive energy that just pours out of her. She has wonderful and creative ideas for Munds Park. She not only wants to keep your pianos in tune, but she plans on connecting with other musicians in the Park and surrounding areas to have music parties. She also wants to bring something new to the area, Circle Singing, which sounds absolutely fascinating. More just to the right of this article. If you want to contact Kappé, you can reach her at Kappepiano@gmail.com. Welcome to the Park Kappé! We’re glad you are part of our tribe! Join Kappé for Circle Singing In a Circle, there are no sides – all are one and all is connected. In a Circle, every voice counts and is blended into sweet harmonies with music from around the world. This is an improved way of creating music, unlike anything you have ever experienced before. Circle Singing is all-inclusive. You don’t need to know how to sing to participate. If you can sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and are open to doing something different, then this is for you. Circle singing is discovering your vocal expression through improvisation. It is about being in a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your creative potential. Circle singing plays with movement, where your body can also become ´musical´or an extension of your own voice. If you are interested in future circle singing events, contact Kappé at 510-384-8164.