"The Highlands Center for Natural History helps children and adults discover the wonders of nature and become wise caretakers of the land."
"Established in 1996, the Highlands Center for Natural History is a science-based non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) developed to foster an appreciation for and knowledge of the natural wonders of the Central Highlands of Arizona.
Operating on an 80-acre campus near Lynx Lake through a Special Use Permit with Prescott National Forest, the Highlands Center is a hub for lifelong learning, designed to invite discovery of the wonders of nature through on and offsite programs reaching over 15,000 children and adults a year and supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and community partners.
2022 marks 25 years of the Highlands Center for Natural History helping children and adults discover the wonder of nature through science-based education and exploration of the Central Highlands in and around Prescott, Arizona. Throughout 2022, we will be sharing our roots as we celebrate our past and share our vision a bright future." Learn more here: https://highlandscenter.org/
Tom Benson moved to Prescott in 1993 and joined Sunup Rotary in 1997. He was a club director in 1999 and again in 2007. He is now an honorary member.
In 1994 he became a docent at the Community Nature Center. Nichole Trushell was the director at that time and had the vision of moving to a much larger site. A small group of docents bought into Nichole’s vision and the Highlands Center for Natural History was incorporated in 1996. Tom was the first board president. He has been a docent and naturalist at the Highlands Center ever since.
Prior to retirement Tom was a naval aviator and retired as vice-president at Mitsubishi Motor Sales. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and has an MBA from the University of Michigan."
Congrats to Laura Vanderberg
27 ballots went out for the election of Laura Vanderberg and she was overwhelmingly accepted as the next President of our club.
ROUND UP FOR INTERACT All this Month!
During the month of May, the Prescott Valley Ace Hardware (7211 E 1st St, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314) is sponsoring a "Round-Up" to help raise funds to send our Interact Ambassadors team to Kenya this summer. Anyone shopping there simply has them "roundup" their purchase to the next dollar, with those extra cents helping to send our team in Kenya.
Meal Coordinator Needed
We are looking for a volunteer coordinator for PASS meals. Sunup Rotary provides meals one day a month and reimburses the cost of the meal. This role signs up members to shop for and deliver the meal to P.A.S.S. on Rush Street in Prescott.
Prescott Area Shelter Services (PASS) provides temporary, emergency shelter to women and women with children in a 19 bed dormitory setting, and an additional two rooms built to serve mom's with children, including sons over 12 years old.
The shelter includes a community room with two rooms built above it, kitchen, four bathrooms and a conference room equipped with computers.
Along with providing a 26 bed emergency shelter, and running two transitional houses, we also offer intensive case management to our guests during their stay. Our other supportive programs include:
1) The Wheels to Work Program which offers transportation options necessary in a community with limited public transportation
2) Our Education to Employability Program ensures guest support in lifelong learning and work
3) The Smile With Confidence Program pays for dental procedures that are not covered by AHCCCS or for those uninsured guests
4) Our Homeless Transition Project provides matching rent and utility deposits for transitioning guests
5) The community collaborative, Operation Deep Freeze, ensures that when the temperature drops below 30 degrees at night, people in need have a place to stay
It is because of the community support and belief in us and our mission that we are able to holistically work to move our guests from crisis to stability. Learn more here: https://prescottshelters.org/
Looking Ahead:
Rolling Hills Cemetery ReDedication Ceremony Saturday, May 28, at 10am.
Frontier and Prescott Rotary, cleaned up the Rolling Hills Cemetery out on Ruger Road on Saturday, March 5. There is going to be a rededication ceremony for the Cemetery Saturday, the 28th. We are hoping for a good number of people to attend, and, hopefully, a couple of dignitaries, along with an Honor Guard.
Please attend and spread the word. This Cemetery has a lot of history behind it. If anyone has any questions, feel free to call me: Mike Payson 928-379-5105
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors invites anyone wishing to remember and honor those who have fallen in service to their country to join them, Prescott Mayor Phil Goode, Historian Melissa Ruffner, William Weiler, USN (Ret), and many others at the Historic Citizens’ Cemetery, on May 30, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The Citizens’ Cemetery is located at 815 Sheldon St in Prescott AZ.
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors is also looking for a few volunteers to help during the event. If you are interested, please contact Barbara Fox-Thomas at 928-771-3206.
Presentations for the observance will include Master of Ceremony the Honorable Ken Bennett, Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Harry Oberg, and Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes.
Period attire is welcome, and parking will be available at Yavapai College with shuttle vans picking up near the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. Additional parking is available at Prescott Transit Authority and Bennett Oil. Golf carts will be available to shuttle attendees from the entrance of the cemetery to the event. Seating is limited and anyone able to bring a light chair is encouraged to do so.
For more information contact Barbara Fox-Thomas at Barbara.fox-thomas@yavapaiaz.gov or call the Board of Supervisors office at 928-771-3206.
Interact Club Blood Drives
When: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 : Yavapai College Room 19-147, next to the library.
When: Monday, July 25, 2022 : Yavapai College Room 19-147, next to the library.
Info: Contact Art Harrington for more details: arthts@msn.com
Meeting Notes
Written by Jane Anne Shimizu, Edited by Lisa DeLeo
Art Harrington announced we had a great District Conference. John Stewart announced that Stan Steiner is recovering. He said there were a lot of ladies at the Las Fuentes retirement home so he must be feeling better.
Thought for the Day: “The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don't give up.” ― Robert Tew
Do you have any announcements, photos of Rotary in Action or notes to include in newsletter? please send by end of day FRIDAY to Lisa DeLeo lisa@chronicle-arts.com to appear in the following week's newsletters.
Anyone knows of members who might be interested in joining our program group please encourage them to get in touch with Jane Anne Shimizu. 928-636-4565 Ext. 4 or jashimizu@gunsite.com
It was great to see everyone last week. It always nice when "seasoned" Sunupians show up. Tom, Mike, thanks for sharing some stories of the "early days". You know, we sometimes forget how long Sunup has been helping our community. We have been putting service above self for a long time. Be proud.
Help Spread Sunshine: If you currently know any Rotary members who are going through challenging times or if you'd like to volunteer to make calls and send cards to members and their families during sickness, hospitalization or loss, contact Laura Vanderberg <laura@newtonservicesconsulting.com>