Commander’s
Corner
With September comes the official end of the
summer vacation season; but with our warm Arizona late summer
and fall days we still get our share of weekenders here to enjoy
our great outdoors. Some of them will get lost, be injured or
find themselves ill-prepared and will need our help. As a
reminder, dark comes earlier and it’s time to check your
flashlight batteries and make sure they are fresh and that you
are packing extras.
I have serendipitous news to report: a Mesa
couple passing through Payson experienced some car trouble with
their 1995 CMC van and took it to Chapman’s for analysis. When
they found the cost of engine repair to be about $1,000 they
decided to opt for a new vehicle and through Dion Loyd, Service
Manager and TRSAR member, they donated the van, valued around
$7,000, to Tonto Rim. The Board will discuss how we will make
the best use of the vehicle at the September Board Meeting.
You’ve heard John Boyles talk about the
annual SAR City training in Barstow Ca. I would recommend it to
any member who can possibly attend. The classes are varied and
well presented. There is something for everyone! The weather is
nice for camping and showers and other facilities are convenient
( it’s on a collage campus). If you want to spend more, motels
are available. I’ve personally attended three years and plan on
going again this year. If you think you may be interested,
contact John for more info.
See you on the trail!
Jim
Don’t
forget; the meetings this month are Sept 9th for the
Board
and Sept 11th for the General Meeting.
“The amount
of rain in your rain gauge depends on how long it rained at your
house.” Quoted from actual TV weather report.
Donation
As
a former member of the Pine Strawberry Improvement Association (PSIA),
it is my pleasure to announce the presentation of a monetary
donation in the amount of $5092.00.
PSIA
was formed in the early 80’s to work with issues dealing with
water. Later they were responsible for the development of
the Pine Strawberry Water Improvement District. (PSWID)
Once
the PSWID was formed, PSIA devoted itself to working on projects
to improve Pine and Strawberry. Some recent projects were
the funding of the letter campaign to help thin the forest
around Pine and Strawberry, funding of the playground near the
community center and the installation of the fence around the
P/S museum.
A
year ago, the Take Pride Project for P/S was formed taking on
projects formerly handled by PSIA. Some projects include
working on the letter campaign to thin the forest, the P/S post
office landscaping, the installation of park benches donated by
citizens, sponsorship of a mile of hwy. 87 for cleanup etc.
PSIA
voted to disband as of June 29, 2003. PSIA had built up a
reserve fund and voted to distribute the funds to 501c3
organizations who worked to improve Pine and Strawberry.
Both
myself and my wife Roz voted to extend the funds to TRSAR since
they service Pine, Strawberry and all of the Rim area and Tonto
National Forest.
Many
thanks to all who worked in PSIA and all those who supported it.
Their great work will be carried on. The funds they
donated will help a number of organizations to more effectively
service the Rim area.
Sincerely,
Ira
Gibel
Member Spotlight
By
Dave Pirtle
John Avery:
John was born in Scottsdale
Arizona February 3rd 1932. He graduated from
Scottsdale High School in 51. Because some schools were
small in those days they played 6-man football. John was
Quarterback and played on last 6-man team.
John was in the Air Force
from 1951 to 1956. He helped establish the Strategic Air
Command (SAC). Time was spent at Fairfield England working
with the RAF. During his time in England he traveled by
motorcycle all over Europe, and North Africa. While in the
military he attended the University of Maryland studying
Photography, Personnel Relations and Personnel Management.
John has been very active
in Boy Scouts. Thirteen years of scouting has left him
with many good memories. John remembers when Camp Geronimo
was located at Kohl’s Ranch. Scout headquarters was at
Central and McDowell. One year all scouts going to Camp
Geronimo met at scout headquarters for the bus ride to camp.
They were informed that the bus had broken down at Sunflower.
The scout leader somehow made arrangement for them to fly on a
cargo plane from Phoenix to Payson. In 1944 this was quite
an experience for a young kid. Later in John’s years with
Scouting he was Assistant Camp Counselor for Arizona and New
Mexico. He was awarded the Silver Beaver, an award that is given
to only three people out of seven thousand. He also was
awarded the Two Wood Badge which is equivalent to a Doctorate.
John married his wife Jacquelyn in 1955. They have three
boys and one girl. One boy is a doctor in New Hampshire,
one is a Welder in Gilbert and one is a truck driver. The
girl is a housewife in Litchfield Park.
John helped establish the
first community fair. He also participated in many State
Fairs showing livestock. John currently has a place in
Gilbert where he raises Sheep, Pigs and Cows. His 8 grand
kids help him raise these animals.
Hunting has always been a
favorite thing for him to do. John has killed eight out of
ten big game animals in Arizona. Only the Lion and Big
Horn Sheep have eluded him. Mostly because he
won’t hunt Lion with dogs and he can’t get drawn for Big Horn
Sheep.
Mike Taylor was
instrumental in getting John in Search and Rescue. John
has been an active member since 1995. Currently he
actively conducts ATV training. This includes Map and
Compass, GPS, and Communications skills. These training sessions
are a lot of fun and very interesting because of Johns’
knowledge of the terrain and history of the country.
John has a lot to offer
Tonto Rim Search and Rescue. We are very fortunate to have
him as an Active Member.
Websites
Help save our children.
Look at this website.
http://codeamber.org/
Check out our site at
www.trsar.org
Thanks to Bill Pitterle for doing this.
LOCAL WEATHER
Courtesy of Bill Pitterle 566
http://wjpitterle.mystarband.net/weather/wx.htm
Training Schedule
18 Sept
CPR Re-Certification.
1800 hrs, Ira Gibel’s house. Sign-up in advance is required.
October
SAR City. Barstow CA. A
full weekend of excellent training in all aspects of SAR. Plan
now to attend this event. Contact John Boyles for more info and
registration forms.
Thanks to those who
contributed to this issue of the newsletter.
Mike
