Quad Cities Business News

Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, & Dewey/Humboldt

You are here: Home / Archives for Tourism

Tourism

Federal Funding Jump-Starts EV Charging Stations in Northern Arizona

By Leave a Comment

Fast chargers planned for I-17, I-40, U.S. 89 and State Route 64.

Last month, Ed Kron and his friend, Joe Caruso, decided to take a drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff in Kron’s new electric Lucid sedan.

“This is the first time I’ve driven an electric car up here, and I was a little nervous,” Kron said. “They tell you one thing [about the range], but it’s another thing when you’re using the air conditioning, and you’re going uphill. And I have this heavy Italian next to me!”

Kron said he was worried he and Caruso would run out of juice before they made it to an electric vehicle charging station in Flagstaff. “I told him he was going to have to get out and push!” Kron said with a laugh.

Luckily, the friends pulled into the Electrify America charging station in the Walmart parking lot just in time. The location on East Huntington Drive is one of only two direct-current, fast-charging stations in Flagstaff that aren’t exclusively for Teslas.

New federal funding is expected to soon make driving an electric vehicle in Northern Arizona less precarious. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will fund $76.5 million to establish a reliable network of Level 3 fast-charging stations along the state’s interstates and highways. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed by Congress in 2021.

In Northern Arizona, the goal is to build Level 3 EV charging stations spaced no more than 50 miles apart on I-40, I-17, U.S. Highway 89 between Flagstaff and the Utah border, and State Route 64 between Williams and the Grand Canyon.

“Having highways to and from the Grand Canyon targeted for rapid-charging stations is part of reducing ‘range anxiety’ that will allow drivers to travel with more confidence because they’ll have access to additional charging stations during their travels,” said Garin Groff, a spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Range anxiety is real for potential electric vehicle buyers, said Isaac Sala, a sales consultant at Findley Toyota in Flagstaff. The dealership is taking orders for Toyota’s first all-electric SUV crossover; however, Sala says some buyers are still worried about battery life and performance, particularly in cold temperatures.

Part of the federal push to build more EV charging stations is to alleviate those fears and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles nationwide. In Arizona, the number of electric vehicles on the road increased to just over 40,000 in 2021, according to an ADOT report. That number is expected to increase tenfold by 2030.

Nationwide, sales of electric vehicles have jumped from 3.2% in 2021 to 5.8% in 2022, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book. The group forecasts EV sales will be north of one million this year.

Now, federal and state governments are racing to subsidize an EV charging network for all those new vehicles on the road. The federal NEVI program provides an 80% match to build the stations, said ADOT spokesman Groff. Private sector developers will cover the remaining 20%.

Groff estimates the cost of a new station could range from $500,000 to $700,000. But that could be higher depending on the extent of electrical upgrades needed.

The Level 3 fast-charging centers will definitely help EV drivers traveling through Coconino County, said Rick Drury, owner of Country Club Towing in Flagstaff. He said he gets at least two calls every weekend from stranded EV drivers needing to be towed. “They use up so much power going up the hills,” he said.

The NEVI formula requires each EV station to have at least four direct-current fast chargers with combined charging system ports. These Level 3 chargers deliver a lot of power quickly, with charger sizes ranging from 50 to 350 kilowatt hours for cars. They can typically charge a car in 15 to 60 minutes, Groff said. In contrast, a Level 2 charger, often found in shopping malls, hotels and parking garages, can only deliver enough power in one hour for 25 miles. A Level 1 charger is for home use and charges at a rate of 4 miles per hour, Groff said.

While there are several Level 3 Tesla charging stations in Northern Arizona, Groff said the connector on Tesla chargers currently only fits Tesla cars. For now, Tesla chargers can’t help drivers like Kron, whose Lucid Air EV comes with two years of free charging, if he can find the right kind of charging station.

“I’m glad they’re putting in more stations,” Kron said, adding that he thinks people are nervous about buying electric cars for fear of being stranded.

A study by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project predicted that transitioning to EV vehicles will save Arizonans billions in fuel costs through the next three decades, while creating new opportunities for economic growth in the state. Filling up a 40-kilowatt hour battery at an Electrify America port currently costs drivers about $19, two-thirds more than charging at home.

Planning and construction using NEVI funds will take place across the next five years, Groff said. So far, NEVI funding in Arizona has only been designated for interstates and highways that have been named Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC). The National Highway System has also named State Route 260 from Payson to Show Low as an AFC, as well as I-17, I-40, U.S. Highway 89 and State Route 64.

In the next five years, additional highways in Northern Arizona will be shortlisted for EV station deployment. “U.S. (Highway) 160, on the Navajo Nation, has been identified as a route to include in the next plan update,” Groff said. ADOT is also asking the public to let them know what additional routes should be considered for AFC nomination. Comments can be emailed to AZEVPlan@adot.gov

Despite the charging obstacles, Kron said he is excited to drive his first electric vehicle around Northern Arizona. Of course, he likes the free charging from Lucid Air for two years. But what he really loves is the way his head snaps back in his seat when his Lucid leaps from zero to 60 in just over two seconds. “It’s way faster than my ‘71 Chevelle,” he said with a grin as he finished charging up for the drive back to Phoenix. QCBN

By Shelley Smithson, QCBN

Photo by Shelley Smithson: Kron and his friend, Joe Caruso, charge Kron’s new Lucid Air at the Electrify America station in Flagstaff.

Carmen Frederic Receives ATHENA Leadership Award

By Leave a Comment

ATHENA symbolizes strength, perseverance, success for Quad Cities women.

An invisible, yet powerful, thread of overcoming adversity to achieve long-held dreams wove its way through the audience of more than 100 attendees during the 4th Annual Quad Cities Leadership Awards as women came together to honor and celebrate each other Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall.

As Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine and Prescott College President Dr. Barbara Morris shared deeply personal stories of their own challenges, women could empathize with their struggles, some could see themselves in their stories, and many fought to hold back tears.

Carmen Fredric Shelters Those in Need

With a standing ovation and roar of applause, Prescott Area Shelter Services (PASS) Executive Director Carmen Frederic was honored with the 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award. As she accepted the prestigious award, she didn’t share her story, but later reflected on how alcoholism and homelessness in her family motivated her to rise above her circumstances and then to commit herself to a career of supporting and encouraging other women.

“The Athena award is such a high honor and something I will always remember and treasure for the rest of my life!” she said in a Quad Cities Business News interview. “The award itself is beautiful and placed currently at the shelter office for all to see and enjoy. It will be a talking piece and maybe an inspiration to all of the women in shelter to aspire to someday, a pathway to be taken to be compassionate and build up other women as a goal in their life.”

Frederic left home for college after graduating from high school. “I helped to open the first teen pregnancy shelter in my hometown and worked for the education service district helping struggling families keep their kids in school. My biological father was a severe alcoholic and experienced homelessness himself. I often ran into him in my hometown when I would be working with my own clients.”

Today, she is credited with leading the evolution of PASS from a winter shelter in a church basement to a 26-bed facility at its own location, plus the creation of two transitional houses. The organization now serves about 180 women and children a year.

“All of these challenges in life have made me a better person and given me the insight and empathy in my work at the shelter,” she said.

Tracy Rogers Helps Students Stay in School

Cheered on by friends and associates from Yavapai College, YC Radiology Program Director Tracy Rogers was in disbelief as her name was called to join the stage to receive the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award.

“I was in total shock,” she said of the moment.

Rogers told QCBN how she burst into tears hearing about Dr. Rhine’s difficult childhood. “Her story is very similar to my upbringing. So many people have faced things you’d never expect. She is such an inspiration. I look at her and think, ‘That could be my future!’”

Rogers recalls a time when she could not imagine herself as a successful professional. “Growing up in a poor home, we didn’t know if we were going to have Christmas, and work was a priority to help provide for the household, not school. But I realized school is what makes a better life possible. I just kept pursuing education.”

Through a difficult divorce three years ago, she felt her world crumbling around her. As a single mom, the thought of balancing all of life’s challenges felt impossible. “Women especially find themselves in this situation, but I had an amazing career as an X-ray tech. I am so thankful to have this career. I always wanted to be an instructor for the [YC radiology] program. Before I knew it, I became the program director!”

As with many women, Rogers says she struggles with feeling like an imposter in her work. “Every day I feel like I’ve got to prove my worthiness. I think, ‘Is this real? Am I really doing this? Am I working hard enough?’”

At YC, her colleagues call her a transformational and servant leader. She established an emergency fund to support students struggling with unexpected expenses and recently received the Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFT) Fellowship Award for Teaching Excellence.

“This award reminds me that I have something to continue to be worthy of,” she said. “I just feel really empowered now to keep moving forward and inspired to help other women.”

Prescott Woman Showcases Women

As with the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, QCBN added another award this year. Breeanya Hinkel accepted the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award for her business, Prescott Woman Magazine.

“I’m honored and surprised to be the recipient of the first ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award,” said Hinkel. “Typically, we love to be the ones honoring other women and it is such a privilege to have stood on the stage and be recognized along with other outstanding organizations.”

Hinkel and Prescott Woman Magazine worked with Quad Cites Business News to bring the ATHENA Leadership Awards to the region in 2020. “I’m thrilled that Quad Cities Business News has kept the tradition of ATHENA going and for their commitment to honor women throughout the area.”

ATHENA Wisdom

Keynote speaker Julie Jones motivated the attendees to “Stop Waiting, Start Living,” which is also the name of one of her books. The former police officer and SWAT team member reminded the audience that tomorrow is not guaranteed. She urged women to be authentic and live the lives they were born to live.

ATHENA Leadership Program Founder Martha Mayhood Mertz delivered a recorded message congratulating the nominees. ATHENA International President and CEO Traci Costa reminded audience members that there is still work to do to support women in leadership. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Hear more from Julie Jones and Martha Mayhood Mertz on Zonie Living at StarWorldwideNetworks.com.

Fall Harvest Brings Families to Mortimer Farms

By Leave a Comment

Pumpkin Festival is the biggest event of the year.

Mortimer Farms has sweet corn and 50 types of pumpkins available during its month-long Pumpkin Festival in October. While the festival is every day, there are more events on the weekends.

Mortimer Farms has 54 vegetables and fruits growing at various times of the year. Mortimer also has an area where visitors can pick their own. In addition, Mortimer has a greenhouse for growing fruits and vegetables all year. Cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are plentiful in October.

All of the events are for people of all ages.

Marketing Director Ashley Mortimer says the Pumpkin Festival is their most popular event of the year. Visitors get to see a working farm and there are extended events and outside vendors during the weekends.

“There is a lot to do, and this is a time for adults to act like kids. We’re family-friendly. That’s what we’re all about,” she said, adding that she enjoys seeing people pick the fruits and vegetables off the vine.

“The closer it is to the vine, the more it amplifies the taste and it makes it more personal,” she said. “It helps guests connect with food. A lot of our ingredients are grown on the farm.”

Kids also love the farm animals that include chickens, cows, horses, donkeys and goats. A scenic pond is home to ducks and turtles.

“We provide the setting to help people connect with farm animals,” she said.

On Friday nights, there are barn dances. Weekend evening activities include a fire dancing show, lumberjacks racing with logs, and highfliers in a motocross demonstration.

All rides and shows are included in the admission price.

The Mortimer Farms Market and Deli is a popular stop, with the farm club sandwich being a local favorite. Some customers buy the cucumber relish that comes on it.

“The relish is so good, with tomatoes and onions in it,” she said.

Mortimer leased the land in 2010 and was able purchase it in 2020.

Her dad, Gary, owned Mortimer’s Nursery and a cattle ranch. Today, Ashley and her parents (Sharla and Gary) all work the farm, ranch and nursery together, with the ranch providing the beef and pork that is sold at the farm.

“We all partner with Mother Nature,” she said.

Mortimer Farms is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, with extended hours on weekend nights.

Mortimer also hosts weddings and corporate parties. QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

Photo by Stan Bindell: Ashley Mortimer says the Pumpkin Festival is their most popular event with activates for all ages. “There is a lot to do and this is a time for adults to act like kids! she says. 

Village Camp in Bellemont Offers Cabins, RV Sites and Ownership Option

By Leave a Comment

“We are offering ownership for our glamping Adventure Cabins, which also sets Village Camp apart from other glamping resorts.”

As glamping continues to trend with today’s travelers, one of the most recent Northern Arizona glamorous camping resorts is Village Camp Flagstaff, which features a diverse range of accommodations.

Village Camp Flagstaff offers posh cabins, spacious RV sites and opportunities to own mountain retreats. Guests or owners will have base camps with the amenities of a boutique hotel, such as a resort-style swimming pool area and bistro.

“The whole concept is to promote living simply with a smaller environmental footprint – from more efficient use of living and outdoor spaces to shared amenities,” said Village Camp founder Scott Roberts. “Environmental stewardship and taking care of public lands and open spaces in Village Camp’s backyard is a primary focus. Village Camp outfitters will play a key role in teaching Leave No Trace principles through programming and events, including wilderness safety and preparedness, wildfire education and how to travel like a local in Flagstaff.”

Village Camp was developed by Roberts Resorts, an Arizona family-owned business with more than 55 years of experience developing outdoor resorts. “We used this experience, and our own love of RV camping and the outdoors lifestyle, to find the right balance of amenities and activities to enhance the outdoor experience,” said Roberts. Village Camp Flagstaff is the second location of the recently launched brand. Village Camp Truckee in California opened recently. A Village Camp in Moab is next on the docket.

“We carefully designed Village Camp to blend in with the natural environment and create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living, for example, using minimalist designs and natural materials like wood, stone and lots of glass, to showcase the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape,” said Roberts. Village Camp Flagstaff delivers stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks from its 50-acre site in Bellemont, surrounded by Coconino National Forest.

Glamping Adventure Cabins at Village Camp Flagstaff are constructed by Cavco Industries, the leading manufacturer of park models, cabins and cottages. They are fully furnished and provide sleeping arrangements for four to eight people. Pet-friendly cabins are also available.

Shared amenities include a community center, pool and spa, general store, bar and bistro, lounge area with indoor firepit, outdoor patio and event lawn. The property offers a Summer Concert Series and movie nights as well.

Mountain Retreat Ownership Option
“We are offering ownership for our glamping Adventure Cabins, which also sets Village Camp apart [from other glamping resorts]. Our brand promise is ‘Creating shared memories through outdoor adventure’ because we are trying to build a community of people that want to connect with the outdoors and other like-minded individuals and families,” said Roberts.

Adventure Cabin ownership includes property maintenance and access to Village Camp’s professionally managed vacation rental program. Ownership perks include early access to event tickets, celebrity chef dining experiences and winetasting events.

RV Sites with Shared Amenities
RV sites are reportedly larger than many other RV resorts. Upgrades include firepits or a full fireplace and grill. Amenities including programs, activities and events.

According to Grandview Research projections, the global glamping market measures $3.15 billion for 2023 and is expected to grow 10% annually to $5.93 billion in 2030. QCBN

By Stacey Wittig, QCBN

Village Camp Flagstaff

1 VC Drive, Bellemont, AZ

villagecamp.com/resorts/flagstaff

Camp Verde Savors Old World Flavors

By Leave a Comment

Astoria International Bistro features authentic Eastern European cuisine.

A new adventure in food has arrived in Camp Verde, and locals from Prescott to Sedona are savoring the flavors.

Featuring Eastern European entrees ranging from Chicken Kiev to Hungarian Goulash, Astoria International Bistro owners Levi and Svetlana Pakanaev say they have found a paradise where they are pleasing palates.

“We owned an Italian bistro in north Scottsdale for 10 years, along with a banquet and catering business,” said Levi. “The area got a little too big for us and after the pandemic, everything changed. Phoenix seems to have grown so fast, and just like any big city, you have good stuff and bad stuff.”

Selecting Camp Verde for their new restaurant was an easy choice for Svetlana. “I really like the cooler temperatures here and the people are all so nice and helpful. It’s clean, comfortable and so pretty.”

The team spends most of the day at their restaurant, from early morning until late evening. “Our restaurant is our life,” said Svetlana. “All our dishes are prepared from scratch. Nothing is prepackaged.”

“Svetlana was very attentive and she and her husband, Levi, have a passion for Old World cuisine. They have such an eclectic mix,” said Laura Gilbert, executive assistant to managing director at Enchantment Resort in Sedona. “I’m a trained Cordon Bleu chef so my palate is very discriminating. I would go back to support a business like that in our neighborhood. I love the fact that they have entertainment once a month, too.”

Levi began his epicurean career at a culinary institute in Russia before moving to Belgium, where he learned to bake chocolate pastries and the art of molding cakes. Svetlana was an emergency room doctor for several years in Russia.

“I had a conversation with myself about leaving my home country and losing my lifetime dream in the medical field or having the opportunity to try something new,” she said. “I decided that trying something new was OK.”

“My partner, George, and I have visited Astoria twice and we were pleasantly surprised by their menu items that are all homemade,” said Dr. Irina Del Genio, Yavapai College Verde Valley Administration Dean. “I was born in Uzbekistan and lived in Russia and Ukraine so I have an international background. The authenticity of this cooking represents the traditions of those regions. There is nothing like Astoria International Bistro in our area, so they fill a much-needed niche in local restaurants. They even handcraft their desserts and they have a nice family-like atmosphere and ambiance.”

“Restaurant owners don’t have a real life,” said Levi. “It seems like we are always working, even when we go home. But we love what we do and really enjoy seeing the smiles on our customers’ faces after a meal.”

The dining room at Astoria International Bistro can support events and small concerts and will be hosting a Diva Dinner with the Cottonwood Hālau Hula Nāpuaokalei ìlima Hula group.

“I had a wonderful dinner at Astoria International Bistro and saw that there was a lot space for events so I asked Svetlana and Levi if they would be willing to let our hula group host an event and she liked the idea,” said Cottonwood hula student Christine Bryson.

“Under the direction of our lead instructor Kehau Chrisman, our event will feature hula dancing and our Diva Dinner, a buffet with delicious entrees, salads and bruschetta board,” said Bryson.

Tommy Kling has worked at Astoria International Bistro since opening day. “I was born and raised in Camp Verde and grew up eating Eastern food, which is why I accepted this position. The food is authentic, and I receive a lot of comments about how it tastes just like their mom or grandmother used to make it. It’s been fun, I like my job a lot and I learn something new every day.”

“We visited with friends from Sedona and we all agreed that the food was excellent,” said Office Manager Patty Jonas, of Old World Guns. “The flavors were very new to us. A nice surprise was their beer-tasting event sponsored by Verde Brewing Company. It was very delightful and fun, and our friends had a blast.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

Astoria International Bistro is located at 348 S. Main Street in Camp Verde. For more information, call 928-567-6565 or visit www.astoria-international-bistro.com.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Astoria International Bistro owners Levi and Svetlana Pakanaev brought Eastern European flavors to Camp Verde after owning and operating their Italian bistro in Scottsdale. 

BBQ Lovers Will Be Back for B Simple

By Leave a Comment

“We offer high-quality dining in a casual Prescott atmosphere,” he said.

Eating at B Simple BBQ & Steakhouse is more like a historical experience than simply a dining out event, although the food is delicious and high quality.

Jose Sanchez, co-owner along with his wife, Katherine, is glad to give customers the tour. The building was constructed in the 1930s and has had several owners but is best known to Prescott residents as the former Pine Cone Inn.

The major historical points are the speakeasy downstairs and a contour of Jayne Mansfield in one of the walls. A jail-like bar is downstairs, where it was decided whether to let customers into the Speakeasy. One of the walls was under construction when Mansfield died in 1967 and the owner decided to have a contour of her built into the wall with her head and body.

The building was constructed from 1931-36 and was known as the White Mink because it was built by Mr. White and Mr. Mink. Sanchez also has a poster of Louie Armstrong performing in the building.

“It’s a cool old building,” Sanchez said.

Customers can also expect high quality dining, as Sanchez was the chief chef for NASA in New Mexico before COVID-19 hit. He had a friend in Prescott who owned a Texaco station and made half of his profits from the food they sold. During the pandemic, the gas station lost almost all of its food sales.

“That’s when I came to help and never went back,” Sanchez said.

He started cooking high-end food in the gas station, including grilled salmon sandwiches.

Customers would be surprised and wonder where the salmon came from, as they weren’t used to meals like that found at a gas station.

That led to other stores, such as the Country Store in Paulden, ordering his food. Later, he opened B Simple Breakfast on Montezuma St., in downtown Prescott. In June, he opened B Simple BBQ and Steakhouse on White Spar Road.

The White Spar location was a prime spot, he said, because there are no other restaurants serving the nearby neighborhoods. “We offer high-quality dining in a casual Prescott atmosphere,” he said.

Diners have choices for their atmosphere. When you enter the building, the dining room with Mansfield in the wall is to the left and has soft lighting without windows. The dining room to the right has full windows. In the back, there is an enclosed porch with full windows or diners can eat at tables outside.

Be Simple BBQ & Steakhouse also has hamburgers and seafood to go with the full bar. The restaurant has the capacity for 250 people inside and up to 400 with the outside seating, which is why it is also available for weddings or private parties.

Sanchez said they have about 13 employees, but as they get busier, they expect to increase that number to 25 and they are always taking applications.

Eventually, Sanchez wants to add a brewery and catering service. He also wants to add lunch and breakfast. QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

B Simple BBQ and Steakhouse operates Thursdays through Sundays. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Photo by Stan Bindel: Jamie Western, Christina McGinty, Jose Sanchez and Aubrea Cole welcome guests in for a unique dining experience.

Catching the Wind

By Leave a Comment

Nearly half of all energy delivered to SRP customers will come from carbon-free resources by the end of 2025.

Large equipment, including wind turbine blades, are traveling along U.S. Route 180 between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon to the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center. Here, more than 50 wind turbines are being erected on Babbitt Ranches as Coconino County becomes one of the largest concentrations of renewable energy centers in the nation.

The 161-megawatt wind project is being developed by NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of wind and solar energy and a world leader in battery storage. Electricity generated by wind energy is expected to power Salt River Project (SRP) households in 2024.

Meanwhile, earlier this summer, SRP and Clēnera, an Enlight Company, announced a power purchase agreement for an additional 394 megawatts (MW) of clean energy at CO Bar Solar outside of Flagstaff. This is the second agreement executed between Clēnera and SRP at the CO Bar Solar complex, and with both agreements, SRP has now procured nearly 1,000 MW, or 1 gigawatt (GW), of power from the project. Once operational in 2025, CO Bar Solar will offset more than 4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

“This is not only the largest solar plant in Arizona and one of the largest in the United States, but it will also be the most significant solar resource in SRP’s energy portfolio,” said SRP CEO Jim Pratt. “SRP will be quadrupling the amount of utility-scale solar on our power system in just the next two years, with CO Bar Solar as a key part of this. Nearly half of all energy delivered to SRP customers will come from carbon-free resources by the end of 2025.”

“In our efforts to support the delivery of renewable energy, we acknowledge the terrific and wonderful participation of so many businesses and government entities involved in the process to make this happen,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco, on behalf of the Babbitt Ranches Community. “We appreciate the valuable input from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona State Land Department, Coconino County and everyone involved in the Western CO Bar Legacy Conservation Community for the benefit of future generations.”

Benefits from the wind and solar projects include employment opportunities, increased business activity for local businesses and millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to help enhance roads and public services. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Wind turbine blades like this one are arriving at the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center. 

Local Marine Veteran, Horses with Heart Volunteer Wins Horse Show

By Leave a Comment

Dewey resident, devoted to horses and their use in therapy, wins horse competition.

It all started when she wanted to carry an American flag in Heroes on Horses, a world championship horse show that honors veterans. After a phone call to the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and Lynn Campbell, sponsors of the August event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kristie Vollrath was invited to enter in the Western Pleasure category at the horse show.

She accepted and started training in Cave Creek, with trainers Deanna and Jim Searls, on a champion horse owned by Susan Johns. Lilly, a Quarter Horse, proved a winner on Aug. 12, skillfully guiding Vollrath to a first-place finish in Western Pleasure, an event designed to highlight a more relaxed style of riding, featuring walking and gentle jogging.

“The horse is to appear to be a ‘pleasure’ to ride, smooth-moving and very comfortable; that’s the idea behind Western Pleasure,” Vollrath explained. “That’s what it’s supposed to be like, not to get sore or tired. It’s not a bumpy horse and it’s not a fast horse. The slower you go, the better it is.”

Walking in an arena, the rider walks, jogs and reverses on command using leg aids and reins, she added. The quarter horse was fully up to the task at hand. “Boy, she was something else,” Vollrath said of Lilly, whose registered name is KM Flat Out the Best. “As soon as she saw that arena, she said, ‘I got this.’ She’s a grand champion. She knew exactly what she was doing.”

Vollrath received a belt buckle, trophy and a jacket. She also came away with some wonderful memories from Heroes on Horses.

“It was so much fun,” she said. “It’s so touching, all those people carrying American flags, and they play that song, ‘Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?’ That’s a tearjerker. They go all out to honor us veterans. I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

Vollrath, 70, is a veteran of the Marine Corps and served from 1971 to 1974, in the Carolinas and Washington, D.C., where she worked in data processing at the Library of Congress and in the POW/MIA section at Camp Henderson.  Her devotion to horses goes back to her childhood.

“When I was a kid, I had a horse,” she recalled. “When I was 16, I gave up horse riding.”

A native of Minnesota, where she worked in the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier and then a manager, Vollrath retired in 2009 and moved to Dewey to benefit from the better weather and to be near two aunts in Apache Junction.

After joining a bowling league, she was asked to bowl in a fundraiser for Horses with Heart, a ranch in Chino Valley that uses horses as a therapeutic tool to help special needs individuals, veterans and first responders experience the healing power of a horse to gain confidence, increase independence and improve social skills, with the support of caring and credentialed instructors and dedicated volunteers.

She was delighted to be in the company of horses again and for five years has volunteered with Horses with Heart, focusing on the veterans program.

“After I retired, I was looking for something to do,” she said. “I looked at the Humane Society, but I was afraid I’d bring every dog and cat home. I knew I wouldn’t bring a horse home.”

Horses used in the program are middle aged, she noted. “They are mature, from about 9 to 25 years old and older. We need horses that do what we do, which is therapy. We can’t have a young horse because they’re too spirited. We kind of get retired horses.”

Vollrath said horses are very good therapy animals. “Some people are so afraid of horses because they’re so big. But they give me a lot of confidence and companionship. They give me a lot of love. They never bite the kids or kick anyone. They’re just wonderful, wonderful animals.”

Participants at Horses with Heart generally do not know how to ride, but the horses, which have been around for years, do know how to ride, Vollrath noted. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Kristie Vollrath, a volunteer with Horses with Heart, took home first place in the Western Pleasure category of the Heroes on Horses world championship event. The 70-year-old Marine Corps veteran is considering participating in a Scottsdale competition in March. 

ATHENA Founder Continues to Encourage Women to Step into Their Leadership Potential

By Leave a Comment

Tickets are available at PrescottAthena.com.

Just as Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, gave strength and encouragement to ancient Athens, the steadfast support of ATHENA Leadership Program founder Martha Mayhood Mertz continues to be felt around the world. This month her pioneering work as a champion for women will be celebrated at the Fourth Annual Quad Cities ATHENA Leadership Awards, 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Starting Point in the Prescott Gateway Mall.

It will be an event for “the community to celebrate and inspire people,” she says, as the Quad Cities names three recipients: ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA Young Professional and ATHENA Organization.

Tickets are available at PrescottAthena.com.

Hear more from Mertz on Zonie Living at StarWorldwideNetworks.com

Watch now: https://starworldwidenetworks.com/episodes/encouraging-celebrating-women-in-leadership-with-athena-program-founder-martha-mayhood-mertz-video

Sharing the Lane at High Gear Bike Shop

By Leave a Comment

Long-time family business services and sells e-bikes, mountain bikes, racing bikes and kids’ bikes.

Love, according to owners Steve and Cindy Alward, is the oil that has kept High Gear Bike Shop rolling smoothly through more than 45 years in business – love for all forms of biking, love for community and love for each other.

Steve opened the business in 1976, but has been biking since he was 8 years old. Cindy joined the business in 1996 and they later married. Cindy says Steve is the heart and soul of the bike shop because he has a passion for bicycling, while she is more of a social rider.

One thing they have in common is they both have been hit by cars while riding their bikes. Steve broke his neck and couldn’t ride for three months in 2014, but got back into the sport as soon as he could. Cindy eased back into riding after her 2018 accident that hurt her shoulder and banged her head.

Their experience gives them the street cred to talk to their customers about bicycling safety. They are also meticulous about repairs.

Cindy says cyclists should pay attention to what’s around them, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and be familiar with the rules of every city they ride in. She adds that mountain bikers need to pay extra attention to make sure they have the correct amount of air pressure in their tires. And bicyclists who ride after dark should have lights.

“Like Lance Armstrong says, ‘Knowledge is power,’” she said.

That wisdom extends to knowing their customers as well, which has increased to include commuters, homeless people, college students, police officers and those who ride to stay fit.

High Gear provides tune-ups as well as accessories and clothes.

Cindy says one of the keys to their success is the employees. “The right employees always elevate you. They work hard at customer service. We all have bad days, but they leave it at home,” she said.

Steve is proud that they now are serving third generation cyclists with the grandchildren of original customers. “It’s important to listen to the customers and know their needs,” said Cindy, as some customers have to have their bike out of the shop by the next day and some may not need it back for several days.

High Gear Bike began selling e-bikes about six years ago, but mountain bikes, racers and kids’ bikes also remain popular. E-bikes changed their business because most of them weigh 50 pounds or more. They had an electrical lift built to raise the e-bikes so technicians can work on them.

Regardless of whether it’s an e-bike or another type of bike, Cindy said there are special moments such as when a kid gets his first bike or when a senior citizen learns they can ride.

Another change that the e-bikes brought is that repairs used to be all mechanical but now involve electrical and wireless skills. “We’re constantly learning something new,” she said.

High Gear Bike Shop also stays active in the community by sponsoring races, helping high school bike racing clubs and donating to local charities like Kiwanis. QCBN

By Stan Bindell, QCBN

High Gear Bike Shop has two Prescott locations: one at 237 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. and the other at 505 E. Sheldon St. For more information, call 928-445-0636.

Photo by Stan Bindell: For nearly half a century, Steve and Cindy Alward have been keeping the wheels turning at High Gear Bike Shop.