Head for Fairgrounds April 8 & 9

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The Greenlee County Fairgrounds in Duncan will be “the place to be” this coming Friday & Saturday April 8 & 9. This Springtime activity has been revamped and expanded in many ways this year with special thanks to the vendors who have signed on to help make this a Big Family Fun Event:

Duncan Woman’s Club, Linda Durr County Assessor, St Philips & St. James Church, Doterra EmpowerU Team, Country Chic, Catalina Treats, Greenlee County Health Department, Greenlee County Cooperative Extension, Solar Cooking/72 Hr Kits, Pampered Chef, Pockets and Brass, Dodge’s Ice cream, Greenlee County Rodeo Royalty, Indian Fry Bread, Stotz Equipment, Row n Rock, EA Glass, Craig Bloomfield is bringing his company Clean up & Total Restoration, Home Depot, Town of Duncan, Town & Country, Duncan 4-H Club, Javalina Chase, Ace Hardware, TNT, Mana, Soft Sugarcookie and More

A lot of thought and effort has gone into putting together an amazing array of activities for children, adults and seniors alike. And yes, the Mud Drag series is back ~! Check out the 5th Annual Rock ‘n Roll Car Show; 10th Annual Junior Rodeo; the Kidz Zone; adults who throw horseshoes are in for a big treat as several teams are coming in from Silver City; Bull Bash; Team Roping; Home & Garden ideas; and when it’s all said and done – dance and groove to the band we all love: Crosswinds~! Call 928-359-2032 for details.

Reading Nook News: Biography in context

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When you go to the Greenlee County Library website (www.greenleelibraries.org) and click the State Wide Database link on the left side you will step into a world of data that is current, accurate and very useful. Remember this is available on any home computer and a library card. This article will talk about the Biography In Context button on the page.

Biography In Context is an up-to-date source of people from historically prominent people to present-day newsmakers. It is continually updated and includes written materials such as magazine, newspaper and journal articles as well as primary sources, videos, audio files and images. This database will offer students doing research a high level source of information and is also a great source for those people who want to expand their knowledge of newsworthy people.

The categories that are searchable include biographies of writers, notable women, artists, musicians, philanthropists, scientists, politicians and many more. The site itself is very easy to search and use. There are even FREE LESSON PLANS on the site for teachers.

Don’t forget to stop by your library to use Ancestry.com which is free on the computers in the library building.

The Greenlee County Library System also offers a FREE ON-LINE service called ZINIO. This application lets you download FREE magazines to your computer, laptop, e-reader or smartphone. You can read them any time once they are downloaded. You can also print out articles if you are connected to a printer. This service is provided by the Arizona State Library to all public libraries in Arizona and again all you need is a library card to use the service. Your card will get you access to download the application and then you can create your own login and password for continued use.

There are over 100 magazines free to our library patrons on the Zinio site. Some titles include: 4 Wheel & Off-Road, American Cowboy, American Patchwork Quilting, Apple Magazine, Arizona Highways, Astronomy, Audubon, Aviation Week, Backpacker, Bead Style, Bead and Button, Beadwork, Bicycling, Billboard Magazine, BirdWatching, Bloomsberg Businessweek, Cabin Life, Car and Driver, Cloth-Paper-Scissors, COOL!, Cosmopolitan, Cosmopolitan en Español, Country Living, Cowboys & Indians, Cruise International, Cycle World, Digital Photo, Digital Photo Pro, Discover, Do It Yourself, Drawing, Dwell, EARTH Magazine, Eating Well, Elle, The Economist, ESPN The Magazine, Esquire, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Family Circle, Family Handyman, Field & Stream, Flying, Food Network Magazine, Forbes, Games World of Puzzles, Gluten-Free Living, Good Housekeeping, Grit, Guideposts, Guitar Player, Horse & Rider, Hot Rod, House Beautiful, Inked, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, Lowrider, Macworld, Marie Claire, Martha Steward Living, Maxim, Men’s Fitness, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, mental_floss, Model Railroader, Mother Earth News, Mother Jones, Motor Trend, National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Natural Health, The Nation, The New York Review of Books, Newsweek, O-the Oprah Magazine, OK! Magazine, Organic Gardening, Outdoor Life, Outdoor Photographer, Outside, PC Magazine, PC World, Pets, PieceWork, Poets & Writers Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Popular Photography, Popular Science, Prevention, Publishers Weekly, Quilting Arts Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Road & Track, Rolling Stone, Runner’s World, Saveur, Seventeen, Shape, Shutterbug, Smithsonian, Spirituality & Health Magazine, Star Magazine, Taste of Home, Thrasher Skateboard Magazine, Traditional Home, Truckin, True West, Us Weekly, Vegetarian Times, Weight Watchers, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Women’s Adventure, WOOD Magazine, Woodcraft Magazine, Woodworker’s Journal, The Writer, and Yoga.

All of these magazines also have back issues available to download and there is also a collection of back issues of magazines that are no longer in the current subscription as well as many stand alone magazines.

The National Geographic Magazines also have multimedia access so you can click on a link and watch an interview or a video that accompanies the article.

When you are on the Greenlee County Library webpage, just click on the Zinio link in the center column and download the free app to your devices. There are directions to walk you through the set up but if you have any questions, please contact your local librarian. Once you have that set up, you can begin your unlimited FREE downloads and enjoy reading at your leisure. When you are done reading, you can keep them or delete them from your computer, laptop, e-reader or phone.

Library Quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Clifton Council Corner: Volunteer Fire Department

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The Clifton Volunteer Fire Department is state of the art agency and is overseen by Chief Peter Ortega with his team of 21 volunteers. These volunteers conduct business and train at least once a month. They respond to all local calls and assist other fire departments all across southern Greenlee County when called on.

Volunteer firefighters are the kind of people who would show up to help even if there was not a fire department, but they also see the value of building their organization. They are willing to drop their own work to help a neighbor or friend the second their pager goes off, and are willing to put in the hours of training so that they can provide the best help possible to their neighbors.

In communities such as Clifton, when an accident or fire happens, it affects everyone. Neighbors are not casual acquaintances who are seen going to work and coming home, but people who live in our community. They are the people we live next to and are our friends. It is nearly impossible to be emotionally removed from situations that occur. It is not like a movie, where the fireman helps a troubled stranger. Instead, it is likely the call they receive will be an emergency affecting someone they know. It is easy to overlook how personal the struggle is for the volunteer firefighter.

Volunteer firefighters are connected to each person’s life through friends or family. It is impossible to escape those connections when they are the ones going in. In the simplest of terms, rural fire departments represent the best of small communities, being there for one another.

The next time you see Peter or one of our town’s volunteer firemen, please take the time to thank them for a job well done.

Citizen and Council Participation:

The Town Council will consider all proposals taking into account any legitimate propositions or suggestions received during the Town Council’s monthly meeting. These proposals will be made available for public inspection. Approved proposals will be taken under consideration at future Town Council meetings and decisions will be made on which issues that will be considered, pursued and/or implemented.

The Power of Your Voice

I have a simple philosophy that Government is by the people for the people and the sole reason your Town Government exists is to ensure Clifton’s citizens their Safety and Well-being.

It is the sole duty of the Mayor and Town Council to enable and ensure that our citizens and the people who conduct business in our Town are able to do so ethically and lawfully in accordance with the Federal and State Constitutions and laws of the State of Arizona.

When I say “The Power of Your Voice” I do not necessarily mean the volume but when, how we use that voice, and how it affects others. We have had a few controversial issues in Clifton and I find it interesting how quickly word of mouth travels through our fair Town. Of course some that want to share what they may have heard have good motives or well-meaning intentions but at times I wonder if something was lost in the translation.

When residents of Clifton have called or stopped me or have knocked on my door, I have listened to help solve or find a solution to their issues. For the most part just listening to the problems that arise in people’s lives helps validate the issue and therefore bring calm to the situation.

For every yes to a question there could be a no to that same question. There will always be some who will not agree on a decision and that is human nature. We all have a different take on a situation or issue and some things can interrupt our sense of calm.

Your Town Council value your opinions however, try to remember that your words are a reflection of you so use them wisely and kindly if possible. You can still get a point across without attacking a person personally. I believe that when a compromise can be reached both parties have succeeded.

Crime Prevention Watch:

CALL THE CLIFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT or the GREENLEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE to report any SUSPICIOUS activity at the following telephone numbers:

Clifton Police Department: Emergency 911, 928-865-4145 or 928-865-4566

Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office: Emergency 911, or 928-865-4149

You can be the eyes of your neighborhood and remember you can always remain anonymous!

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

Take Pride in Clifton!

Clifton Council Corner: Community pride

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As we head into the spring months in Clifton, we will see firsthand why where we live is much more than just a town, a dot on the map, or a collection of buildings, but rather a community of people. People will remark that they cannot believe this environment still exists today.

Clifton has been far more than a town, an address line or stop on the highway. Clifton is a collection of people who truly care for one another, who believe what makes a place worth living in are the people. Most all of us can recount a story of a random act of kindness that has happened; in fact some of us have committed these acts. We know about the neighbors who watch out for us, the business owners whose level of service seems to be extinct elsewhere or the area schools that are truly invested in seeing our children succeed. We know the high level of togetherness that is Clifton.

While we grab our lawn chair, head out to the porch or lawn, take time to wave at your neighbors and enjoy the company of others like us. Remember that Clifton is unique; we continue to be a collection of people who are strongly connected, dedicated to a lifestyle that most towns can only dream about. While growth continues, this growth will only add to our exceptional and unique Arizona town and that will improve our resume. Clifton is a group of interacting people, united, living in close proximity. Clifton truly meets the definition of community.

Kudos: Clifton Police Department

The men and women of the Clifton Police Department are committed to working in partnership with the Clifton community to ensure that they are effectively addressing crime at every level. They are cognizant that citizen involvement is a vital component to their success and depend on Clifton’s citizens to be involved in their community and report suspicious incidents to the police department. We are their eyes and ears.

We have good laws on our books and our town code serves us well as a document that is designed to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare. However, without enforcement, it is a meaningless document.

In Clifton we have an exceptional police force under Chief Omar Negrete’s outstanding leadership and they are doing an outstanding job. Clifton’s Police Department works efficiently and effectively having the full support of the Clifton Town Council, the Town Manager and the town’s administration offices but most importantly, it is our individual commitment to get involved when and where necessary.

Unfortunately at times when we see or experience the abuse and/or repeated violations of the laws and ordinances that are designed to protect us we tend to look away and hope that someone else will call the police. The task of calling the police is not a rewarding task if the offender is our neighbor, however we have to get involved if we want to maintain the quality of life in our community that we so often take for granted.

To that end, we extend a special thanks to our Chief of Police Omar Negrete, and to his Officers, Jason Mingura, Trevor Thompson, Jamie Clark, Shari Aguilar, Michael Schreiner, Omar Torres Animal Control Officer, Melodee Castaneda, Dispatch Supervisor, Sandra Vaughn and the department’s dispatchers in their exceptional police work that insures Clifton’s well-being.

Crime Prevention Watch:

CALL THE CLIFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT or the GREENLEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE to report any SUSPICIOUS activity at the following telephone numbers:

Clifton Police Department: Emergency 911, 928-865-4145 or 928-865-4566

Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office: Emergency 911, or 928-865-4149

You can be the eyes of your neighborhood and remember you can always remain anonymous!

“Law enforcement officers are never ‘off duty.’ They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place when the peace is threatened. They need all the help that they can get.”

Take Pride in Clifton!

Reading Nook: National Geographic for Kids

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Does your child enjoy nature videos? Do they like to read about animals and people? Would they enjoy having access to National Geographic for Kids magazine free? Do they ever need wonderful pictures for any of their reports?

If the answer is “yes” to any of those questions, there is a fantastic data base available FREE on the Greenlee County Library website that provides all of those. Simply go to the website (www.greenleelibraries.org) and click on the Statewide Database link. Scroll to find the National Geographic for Kids button and enter your library card number to access all the free resources this data base can provide.

The home page offers suggested videos, books, photographs and magazines. By clicking on the search box you can type in any topic to find materials or you can use the Topic and Magazine links near the top. To see the full list of videos, photos, magazines and books, simply click on the MORE button.

There are over 120 videos created by National Geographic just for children. More than 300 books published by the company are free for children to read on line. Recent magazine articles from this publisher give children access to approximately 1,500 topics and professional photographers offer almost 700 beautiful pictures.

The books and magazine articles can be read by the child, or the site is set up to read to them. The photographs also have an audio explanation of what the photo is about and where it was taken. The videos are created with children in mind and are creative and fun to watch. All the materials also provide citation materials if they are used in presentations or reports. The database also has a language selection in case you want to change from English.

This great resource is free to any library card holder. If you don’t have a card, just stop by the Blue, Clifton or Duncan Public Libraries and get yours today.

Updating history page

The Greenlee County History page is constantly being updated with new material. Click the link on the library page or go directly to www.greenleecountyhistory.org to find out more about our county.

If you have any historical photos or information you would like to share, please send an email to the Contact Link on the library page. Materials are still needed for Veterans, Virden history, Old Route 666, Local Community Leaders prior to 1950, Sports greats prior to 1950, Carlisle Mine, plus any other interesting areas.

Library Quote: “A library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life.”–Norman Cousins (American political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate)

Airport Fly-in joins Javelina Chase

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By Philip Ronnerud

On April 24th the Greenlee County Airport will host an open house and a fly in. As part of the planned events, the Javelina Chase will hold 6 bicycle races at the airport. The public is invited to attend with activities scheduled during the morning. Aircraft owners are invited to fly in and participate in the Javelina Chase Weekend. Both fixed wing and rotor craft (helicopters) have been invited to display. Radio-controlled model owners have also been invited.

The Greenlee County Airport is located about 1 mile northeast of 3 Way along State Route 78. The County paved the runway in 1957 and has made additional improvements making this General Aviation facility top notch. The runway is 4977 feet long with a full length parallel taxiway. Eighteen tie down spaces are available. A small terminal building with restrooms is available.

Airports are an important part of the economic vitality of a community as they provide economic efficiency with time savings over surface transportation, emergency transport, and many other benefits. Businesses, emergency response agencies (include health and land management industries) in a rural area take advantage of the convenience as surface travel times can be significant. The civilian aviation industry moves millions of people annually for business, leisure, and pleasure and is a trillion-dollar industry. In Greenlee County, a military overflight area is designated. Rural airports are noted on charts and are available in emergencies.

Some people enjoy flying for recreation and spend hours building their own aircraft. These hobbyists are an important part of the community. Their aviation passion is often only one part of their activities.

Clifton Council Corner: Community pride

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As we head into the spring months in Clifton, we will see firsthand why where we live is much more than just a town, a dot on the map, or a collection of buildings, but rather a community of people. People will remark that they cannot believe this environment still exists today.

Clifton has been far more than a town, an address line or stop on the highway. Clifton is a collection of people who truly care for one another, who believe what makes a place worth living in are the people. Most all of us can recount a story of a random act of kindness that has happened; in fact some of us have committed these acts. We know about the neighbors who watch out for us, the business owners whose level of service seems to be extinct elsewhere or the area schools that are truly invested in seeing our children succeed. We know the high level of togetherness that is Clifton.

While we grab our lawn chair, head out to the porch or lawn, take time to wave at your neighbors and enjoy the company of others like us. Remember that Clifton is unique; we continue to be a collection of people who are strongly connected, dedicated to a lifestyle that most towns can only dream about. While growth continues, this growth will only add to our exceptional and unique Arizona town and that will improve our resume. Clifton is a group of interacting people, united, living in close proximity. Clifton truly meets the definition of community.

Kudos: Clifton Police Department

The men and women of the Clifton Police Department are committed to working in partnership with the Clifton community to ensure that they are effectively addressing crime at every level. They are cognizant that citizen involvement is a vital component to their success and depend on Clifton’s citizens to be involved in their community and report suspicious incidents to the police department. We are their eyes and ears.

We have good laws on our books and our town code serves us well as a document that is designed to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare. However, without enforcement, it is a meaningless document.

In Clifton we have an exceptional police force under Chief Omar Negrete’s outstanding leadership and they are doing an outstanding job. Clifton’s Police Department works efficiently and effectively having the full support of the Clifton Town Council, the Town Manager and the town’s administration offices but most importantly, it is our individual commitment to get involved when and where necessary.

Unfortunately at times when we see or experience the abuse and/or repeated violations of the laws and ordinances that are designed to protect us we tend to look away and hope that someone else will call the police. The task of calling the police is not a rewarding task if the offender is our neighbor, however we have to get involved if we want to maintain the quality of life in our community that we so often take for granted.

To that end, we extend a special thanks to our Chief of Police Omar Negrete, and to his Officers, Jason Mingura, Trevor Thompson, Jamie Clark, Shari Aguilar, Michael Schreiner, Omar Torres Animal Control Officer, Melodee Castaneda, Dispatch Supervisor, Sandra Vaughn and the department’s dispatchers in their exceptional police work that insures Clifton’s well-being.

Crime Prevention Watch:

CALL THE CLIFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT or the GREENLEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE to report any SUSPICIOUS activity at the following telephone numbers:

Clifton Police Department: Emergency 911, 928-865-4145 or 928-865-4566

Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office: Emergency 911, or 928-865-4149

You can be the eyes of your neighborhood and remember you can always remain anonymous!

“Law enforcement officers are never ‘off duty.’ They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place when the peace is threatened. They need all the help that they can get.”

Take Pride in Clifton!

Discovering the pristine, picturesque

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By Ákos Kovach

On any given weekend Greenlee County plays host to guests, visitors, tourists and the curious. Some ride motorcycles, others recumbent bicycles. They come in Porches, Corvettes, MG’s and vintage vehicles. Other’s use travel trailers, motorhomes and converted buses. But they all share one thing in common, knowing that witnessing firsthand what Greenlee County has to offer is worth every minute it takes to reach our remote wonderland.

The ranks of those who think Greenlee County ‘is too far away’ are shrinking, and with sports tourism increasing once again new faces and new generations of families are learning about the ‘secret county of Arizona’.

Another reason tourism in Greenlee County is increasing is actually the result of several factors: increased publicity in the metro television market of Tucson; Valley TeleCom television coverage of sports; high profile placement in magazines such as Sunset, Dorado and Gateway magazines; local and regional cove rage in the Eastern Arizona Courier and Copper Era; radio spots on Kat Kountry Radio; plus the advent of the Greenlee Clarion and numerous social media outlets, mostly on Facebook and Twitter.

Another reason Greenlee is now ‘on the map’ is thanks to the combined efforts of the Greenlee Chamber of Commerce, and the Rivers, Valley’s, Mountains and Trails Tourism Council ~ also known as the Greenlee Tourism Council. The former hosts a monthly Chamber Mixer that attracts guests and members regularly from Safford and Thatcher in addition to Virden, NM Duncan, York Valley, Loma Linda, Verde Lee, Clifton and Morenci.

The later has been doing an outstanding job supporting events such as the Javelina Chase, Colors of Copper Art Show, 8-man Division VI All-Star Football Game, the Greenlee County Fair to name a few. Elsewhere in this edition is a special article devoted to another Greenlee Tourism Council sponsored workshop coming up January 22.

But there are other strategic partners involved that are helping bring this increased attention; namely the leadership of the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors and the strong alliance they have established with Freeport McMoRan. But in the same breath we must mention the United Way, Cenpatico, Southern Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona Workforce Connection, Small Business Development Centers and Eastern Arizona College. What we have just briefly described is regional collaboration.

So come and see for yourself why so many are saying so much about Greenlee County Arizona.

Greenlee County, 2015 in review

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By Ákos Kovach

year in review single page

Click on image to open presentation.

I’ve never been a big fan of ‘looking back’, it is far better to look ahead and make a new way; however because 2015 was such a successful and productive year – setting new records and accomplishing things that have not happened in Greenlee for over 30 years I was advised to take a moment and share some highlights:

In January the Greenlee Clarion got a foothold in the mind’s eye of our readers and subscribers jumped on board to get their monthly installment of ‘all things Greenlee’. By February we were collaborating with the Arizona Workforce Connection on a Job Fair while also expanding the services and resources posted on the Growing Greenlee website.

By March Greenlee kicked off television promotion of our county via video ads in concert with the towns of Clifton and Duncan. March also saw the second iteration of the Javelina Chase bicycle event, which has now grown to a two day affair which will include the Greenlee Airport at this years’ event. We also kicked off magazine ads promoting the new Nugget Trail concept to attract a wide regional audience.

April saw us host a new training series entitled World Class Customer Service, in conjunction with the SBDC and Eastern Arizona College. The class was well received and we are bring the classes back this year to a larger audience. In April we also got word that Greenlee County was the fastest growing (by percentage) county in Arizona. And around the same time new Birding maps and brochures were helped bring new attention to our growing birding tourism activities, with new trails and new birding spots being identified.

In May the County assisted the Business Association of Chase Creek with producing a Map of Clifton, the map was mailed to all AOT Tourism offices and visitor centers around the state.

June offered Mud Drag race fans the opportunity to watch some excellent races at the Fairgrounds, the Mud Drag Race Series hit some snags, but had a very good year. This was also the second year in a row that the Duncan PTA, Duncan Booster Club and many others came together to host the 8-man Division 6 All Star Football Game. It has turned in to a 3 day event that will be back in 2016 thanks to the organizers excellent work.

The month of July was made special by several things but the fact the Tourism Council earned their 501-c-3 designation and the Chamber was becoming known regionally for the Mixers and activities in Greenlee County, ‘our story’ was now being told successfully by these two organizations.

Finally in August the long-awaited performance by the Yarbrough Band took place at the Fairgrounds in Duncan to an appreciative audience. Almost everyone danced until the music stopped after hours of entertainment and fun for the whole family.

September, of course, saw the reinstatement of the famous Labor Day Clifton Hill Climb as well as the 97th annual Greenlee County Fair. Both events were enormously successful, attracting large audiences.

The month of October saw the beginning of new commercial development in Greenlee County, the first new commercial construction in over 30 years. Now with Dollar General and NAPA new apartments were started by Empire-Cat. First a 10 plex was discussed but it developed into three quad plexes. The first new residential construction in over 30 years as well.

November ushered in the third annual Colors of Copper, this year going ‘Internationale’ by hosting artists from France, Russia, Hungary, Mexico and the USA. The two day event was stretched to three days with hundreds of art lovers, wine tasters and many others participating. A new attendance records was set at the Chamber Mixer in Duncan, with 77 adults and 8 children in attendance.

December helped wrap the year with big parades in Clifton and Duncan plus another new record attendance for the Mixer in Morenci with 99 adults and 7 children. The attendance was boosted by grant checks being distributed by Freeport McMoRan and the United Way, but clearly a sign of respect fot he ability of the Chamber to attract a big audience.

So what’s on tap for 2016? Stay tuned.