Carefree Truth

Issue #392, April 20, 2015

 

 

 

The 2015 Carefree Desert Garden Photo Contest awards were presented in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion on Saturday morning, March 21st, during the Sonoran Arts League show.  Alan Lowy, Marie Peck, and Jerry Sieve, our three professional photographer judges, choose Hazel Vaughn's photo for 1st place, Carrie Kahus placed 2nd, and Tom Baker took 3rd.  Honorable Mentions went to Paige Brinkley, Mike Eveland, Herbert Hitchon, Karen Keilt, Sherri Knutson, Betsy Lynn, Henry Nye, Charlie Osbun, James Thomas, and Melissa White.  Their photos went on display for public favorite voting at the Magic Bird Fine Chocolate and Fine Art Festival, then at the Desert Foothills Library.  Henry Nye, whose photo was the public favorite, won the Juanita and Mark Wdowiak Award. 

 

 

 

The awards were donated by Carefree businesses Ace Hardware, Alberto Ristorante, Cafe Bink, Carefree Bistro, the Carefree Resort and Conference Center, the English Rose Tea Room, Giordano's Trattoria Romana, Guido Garcia's Ristorante/Cantina, Sundial Cafe, Venues Cafe, and the UPS Store.  Contest co-chairs Joe Corpora and I wish to thank the photographer participants, the prize donors, our public voting hosts, and of course, the Wdowiaks, the donors/creators of our amazing downtown Garden.  

 

 

 

The ceremony was full of fun and camaraderie.  Enjoy the video below.  2016 calendars featuring the 2015 winning photos will be available for sale at Carefree Town Hall by the early fall.   

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/122884867/93bdbf8bb0

 

1st Place Photo by Hazel Vaughn

 

Public Favorite Photo by Henry Nye

 

 

 

 

Later that evening, during the Sonoran Art League's 40th Anniversary celebration, the 2015 "Spirit of Carefree" Award was presented.  Mayor David Schwan was honored this year, but was out of town.  The award was presented to him in person during the party held in his honor at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center earlier in the month.

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/121978053/fc279b32ca

 

Photo by Herbert Hitchon

 

Once again, Sonoran Art League glass artist Peggy Pettigrew Stewart, owner of the Desert Glasshopper Studio, created the award. Ms. Pettigrew Stewart's signature works incorporate human faces into a combination of optical crystal and scientific glass.  Sanderson Lincoln, donors of the lighting, sound system, misters, and additional shade structures and sails in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, also underwrite the beautiful "Spirit of Carefree" Award first prize each year. 

 

 

 

 

Vice Mayor John Crane spoke of Mayor Schwan's contributions to Carefree.

 

"Good Evening.

 

The Spirit of Carefree Award is an annual award given to an individual who has shown above and beyond dedication to our community and our residents.

 

Mayor David Schwan, this year’s recipient, has been an intricate part of the Town of Carefree family for well over 12 years, having served on the Subdivision Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission, Town Council, and as our Mayor.

 

David and Binka are out of town and unable to join us this evening to receive the Spirit of Carefree Award.  The day we make this award should be a joyful day.  But, as many of you know David stepped down as Mayor on February 5 for health reasons.   

 

As Mayor, David led us through challenging times.  He repeatedly  proved himself to be the right man at the right time.  He was honest, thoughtful, always professional and stood his ground when it counted most.

 

I’d like to share a letter from the Carefree Water Company to Mayor Schwan dated February 5, 2015.  It was written from the heart and reflects the thoughts and feelings of all of us who know and respect David and had the privilege of working with him.

Although David and Binka are absent tonight, Herbert Hitchon is recording a video of the evening.  David and Binka will receive the video.

 

Please stand and join me in a round of applause for David and Binka to show our heart-felt appreciation, gratitude, admiration and love.

 

Thank you."

 

 

 

Councilwoman Melissa Price presented Honorable Mention Awards to Manny Gonzales, Glenn Miller, Jo and Bob Gemmill, Roberta Toombs- Rechlin, Lyn and Herbert Hitchon, and Holly Bergman.  Ms. Price explained that these Honorable Mentions are given to those individuals who exemplify a caring spirit, who give to the community, a non profit, or his fellow man, not for the notoriety or the money, but with a giving heart.  The Honorable Mention recipients were presented with Town purchased gift certificates from Guido Garcia's Ristorante/Cantina, AZ Wines, Brix Wines, and Cellar 13 Wine Bar. 

 

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/123486453/8d1d1ae07e

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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