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Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 Hours: Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. By appointment Sun. and Mon. 480.575.8080

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What's inside

Frozen Frontiers

From Heartbreak to Haven

Han Dynasty

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Community

photo essay

RECIPE

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Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Joseph J. Airdo

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Mitchell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph J. Airdo Francine Coles Shannon Severson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Francine Coles Loralei Lazurek

ADVERTISING SALES Cindi Calcinari 860-966-3271 cindi@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 shelly@imagesaz.com imagesarizona.com

From the Publisher

PUBLISHER

There’s something profoundly hopeful about January mornings in Arizona. As the first light touches snow-dusted peaks and frost-silvered desert, the landscape itself seems to exhale and begin again. The new year arrives not with fanfare but with quiet renewal — dawn painting the sky in colors no artist could replicate, mountain trails leading to sanctuaries most will never discover. This month’s issue of Images Arizona celebrates winter’s hidden gifts and the spirit of renewal that comes with turning the calendar. Each new year offers a fresh canvas — the promise of a day not yet written, adventures not yet begun. We’ve filled these pages with invitations to explore not the well-trodden paths, but the earned destinations where beauty reveals itself only to those willing to slow down, to show up, to be present. These truths — that renewal requires presence, that the most rewarding destinations demand intention — extend far beyond mountain trails. They shape how artists approach their work, how communities nurture new initiatives, how individuals commit to growth. Throughout these pages, you’ll encounter people and places embodying this spirit: those who show up consistently, who embrace change with courage, who create beauty through dedication. The landscape teaches us, but so do the talented, generous, innovative souls who call Arizona home. This is the gift of beginning again — and we’re honored to share it with you. From our family to yours, we wish you a year filled with discovery, wonder and moments that take your breath away.

Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc.

Happy New Year!

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Photography by Loralei Lazurek

Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona

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Broadway Stars Laura Benanti & Norm Lewis | 1/16

Counterpoint | 2/13

Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience | 1/8

Jazz at the Lincoln Center Presents: The Great American Crooners | 2/9

The Dreamboats | 1/31

Patti LuPone | 2/16

David Foster & Katharine McPhee | 3/28

The Barricade Boys: Broadway at the Movies | 2/2

Festival Orchestra | 2/22 - 3/1

NORTH SCOTTSDALE’S

PREMIERE CONCERT DESTINATION 50+ CONCERTS FROM OCTOBER – APRIL 480.422.8449 | AZMUSICFEST.ORG Serving our community Since 1999

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INTERNATIONALLY

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AMERICAN ABSTRACT ARTIST

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G R A C E R E N E E G A L L E RY P R E S E N T S

David Rothermel Come meet David and view his bold, colorful paintings on display in our gallery located in Historic Spanish Village. Wind down from your week while enjoying wine and light appetizers with the artist.

Thursday, February 19 4–7 p.m.

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ARTIST

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ROTHERMEL

FEBRUARY 19,

2026

FEATURED SELECTED COLLECTIONS:

Phoenix Children’s Hospital Revlon, Inc. General Motors Corporation Pennsylvania State Museum Joe Walsh/Eagles National 3M Corporation Hilton Hotels President George W. Bush Two Dolphin Hotel Union Pacific Railroad

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Frozen Frontiers Arizona’s Hidden High Country Writer Joseph J. Airdo West Fork // Photo Courtesy of USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest

he first heavy snow changes everything. Gates swing shut across forest roads. Plowed pavement gives way to unmarked white. The crowds that mobbed these lakes and trails all summer vanish, leaving the high country to those who understand that Arizona’s most compelling landscapes emerge only when wrapped in winter silence.

Between December and early April, when road closures turn casual destinations into earned expeditions, Arizona’s mountains reveal a different character entirely. This isn’t the Arizona of resort brochures or commercial ski hills. These are places where preparation matters, where solitude becomes the reward, and where the landscape — simplified to snow, trees and occasional wolf tracks — offers something increasingly rare: the chance to be genuinely alone in transformed wilderness.

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ALPINE HEART

Hannagan Meadow sits at 9,100 feet along Highway 191, serving as the spiritual center of the White Mountains. The historic lodge provides warmth and lodging, but the real attraction sprawls beyond — vast meadows rimmed by dense spruce-fir forests, Nordic ski trails disappearing into the timber, and elk emerging at dawn from the tree line. Families return here season after season, generation after generation, to the same sledding hills and snowshoe trails their parents and grandparents knew. Just west lies Williams Valley Winter Recreation Area, where old-school sledding happens without commercialization. No groomed runs, no ticket windows, no infrastructure — just a beloved community hill and the instruction to bring your own sled. The nearby Railsto-Trails rest stop on Route 260 offers steeper terrain for serious sledders, while Toboggan Hill Trailhead near Greer continues the tradition with nothing more than a Forest Service parking lot and slopes worn smooth by decades of use. But the White Mountains’ most evocative winter destinations require genuine effort. Crescent Lake, a 100-acre alpine gem at 9,000 feet, sits just 2 miles north of Big Lake yet becomes completely vehicle-inaccessible from December through early April. The snowshoe approach — the only approach — rewards with a frozen mirror reflecting subalpine forest and the satisfaction of reaching a place most will never see in winter. Winter fish kills necessitate spring restocking, making this a truly seasonal destination that exists fully only when buried under snow. Pole Knoll Recreation Area near Greer spreads 18 miles of interconnected trails through terrain at 9,000 feet. Originally designed in the 1980s by a U.S. Forest Service employee seeking somewhere to ski after work, these routes carry evocative names: Red Tail, Osprey, Raven, Meadowlark. The Summit Trail climbs 800 feet to White Mountains views, while gentler loops wind through ponderosa and aspen groves. Unlike commercial operations, Pole Knoll remains beautifully undeveloped — trails, snow, silence. For wilderness seekers, Escudilla Mountain shelters Arizona’s third-highest peak at 10,916 feet in the far eastern mountains. Winter transforms the 6.6-mile round trip into genuine mountaineering, gaining 1,600 feet through territory that shelters Mexican wolves, elk and

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These are places where preparation matters, where solitude becomes the reward and where the landscape — simplified to snow, trees and occasional wolf tracks — offers something increasingly rare: the chance to be genuinely alone in transformed wilderness.

USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

black bears. Recent trip reports note total solitude — entire days without encountering another human. Mount Baldy Wilderness, while its 11,421-foot summit remains off-limits on Apache land, offers the East and West Baldy loop exploring the Little Colorado River’s headwaters through subalpine forest. Winter transforms this 16-mile journey into an expedition through ancient Douglas firs where you’ll likely be the only hikers for miles. The Blue Range Primitive Area — the only such designation remaining in the National Forest System that hasn’t been reclassified as wilderness — offers 173,762 acres of rolling ponderosa hills and deep canyons along Arizona’s eastern border. Winter visitors find wolf tracks, ecological diversity despite 2011 Wallow Fire impacts and profound isolation.

NORTH OF THE NOISE

While Snowbowl draws weekend crowds, Flagstaff’s winter magic happens elsewhere. Arizona Nordic Village offers more than 40 kilometers (24 miles) of groomed trails and 15-plus miles of marked snowshoe routes through ponderosa pines northwest of the city. What distinguishes this sanctuary isn’t just the trail system but the remote yurts and cabins scattered across acres of forest. Weekdays feel nearly private — watching snow sift through trees, hearing only the swish of skis and Steller’s jays overhead.

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Hart Prairie // Photo Courtesy of Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

Lake Mary, just southeast of Flagstaff, transforms completely under winter conditions. While Lower Lake Mary often lies dry, Upper Lake Mary sometimes freezes solid enough to invite ice anglers and lakeside wanderers. Locals flock here for sunrise walks along wind-scoured dikes, watching for elk herds in meadows beyond. When access roads close, the basin becomes stark, beautiful and visited only by those seeking genuine off-season peace. Mormon Lake reaches peak magic after deep snowfall. When conditions allow, local enthusiasts groom a network of cross-country trails weaving through meadows and old-growth pines. The Mormon Lake Ski Touring Center provides a low-key hub far from commercial operations. On bluebird mornings, the frozen lake glows against snow-dusted ponderosas. Hart Prairie Road and the trail to Bismarck Lake offer less-traveled routes on the San Francisco Peaks’ western flanks. Forest Road 151 winds through ponderosa and aspen glades with Hochderffer Hills to the west and the peaks looming between branches. When winter closes roads to vehicles, snowshoers and skiers discover this meadow-studded landscape transformed, following the 1.5-mile trail to Bismarck Lake where elk, deer and raptors gather.

Big Lake // USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

Lockett Meadow and Inner Basin Trail, famous for fall aspens, become winter destinations when snow closes Forest Road 552. Winter buries the meadow and Inner Basin under deep snow, creating opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing to 9,792 feet. The narrow road that intimidates summer visitors becomes impassable, turning this into a trek-in destination where elk herds emerge at dusk. For serious backcountry enthusiasts, Kendrick Peak Wilderness harbors the 10,418-foot highpoint of Kaibab National Forest. The 9-mile round trip gains 3,000 feet through fire-scarred ponderosa transitioning to higher elevations. Winter transforms this into a serious undertaking, with snow accumulations past 9,400 feet and ice-covered upper sections requiring microspikes. Isolation increases dramatically in winter — you might encounter only a ranger with a dog.

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Photo Courtesy of Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

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USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

Big Lake // USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

Kachina Peaks Wilderness along the south face of the San Francisco Peaks offers the 5-mile Kachina Trail through old-growth forest at 8,800 to 9,500 feet. The trail crosses dramatic lava cliffs from 600,000-yearold eruptions and winds through ancient Douglas fir, limber pine and fern meadows. Winter snow accumulations make this genuine backcountry territory, far from Snowbowl’s crowds.

THE RIM’S HIDDEN EDGE

The Rim Lakes area — Woods Canyon and Bear Canyon — sees road closures that create both challenges and opportunities. Woods Canyon sits atop the rim surrounded by ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and oak, its 52-acre surface freezing over in harsh winters. Those willing to approach on snowshoes or cross-country skis find solitude in terrain mobbed during summer.

Fay Canyon // Photo Courtesy of Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service

region. The 158-acre lake, with an average depth of 60 feet, freezes solid from December through March. It is inaccessible by vehicle but perfect for adventurous ice anglers. Summer crowds disappear entirely as winter transforms the lake into a windswept sheet of ice where only the most dedicated anglers venture. Christopher Creek area along the Mogollon Rim receives reliable snowfall averaging 15 inches annually, with February typically bringing 4.6 inches. The See Spring Trail follows Christopher Creek to cascading springs at the rim’s base, becoming a winter landscape of iced-over cascades and snow-laden pines. Summer camping territory transforms into a quiet winter retreat accessible from Payson.

Willow Springs Lake near Payson becomes an ice fishing destination known primarily to locals in the

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SOUTHERN SANCTUARIES

Arizona’s sky islands receive surprising snowfall, creating alpine environments in unexpected places. Mount Graham in the Pinaleño Mountains near Safford stands as the state’s most prominent peak at 10,720 feet. Winter road closures from Oct. 15 through April 15 force hikers to start from Shannon Campground at 9,170 feet, creating a genuine winter ascent. Swift Trail becomes a snow-covered service road through pick-up-sticks forests, with summit temperatures cold and winds howling across this isolated sky island. Rose Canyon Lake, at 7,000 feet on Mount Lemmon, closes its gates from mid-October to mid-April. Determined anglers and hikers walk the mile-long paved road down to this 6-acre alpine lake surrounded by ponderosa pines. The transformation from summer crowds to winter silence is complete — serene lake views, snow-dusted pines and mountain solitude unexpected just 30 miles from Tucson.

EARNING WINTER

These destinations share requirements: preparation, respect and a genuine appetite for solitude. Summer’s casual accessibility vanishes behind snow gates and road closures. Crowds evaporate. The landscape simplifies — snow, trees, silence, occasional wildlife tracks. Pack layers. Carry emergency gear. Check road conditions. Remember that cell service disappears in these sanctuaries. But for those willing to earn their winter experience, Arizona’s hidden high country offers something increasingly rare — the chance to encounter true solitude in landscapes transformed by snow into something approaching the sacred.

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Community

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

JAN. 16 A NIGHT ON BROADWAY WITH LAURA BENANTI AND NORM LEWIS Presented by Arizona Musicfest, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti and Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis unite for a special evening of Broadway music. $53+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-4228449; azmusicfest.org

THROUGH JAN. 4 TIANYU LIGHTS FESTIVAL Explore illuminated lantern installations featuring Bugs Aglow, Color of Holidays, Rainforest and Prehistoric Animals themes at this walk-through experience. Handcrafted displays include interactive elements, food court and marketplace with unique treasures. $25+. 6–10 p.m. Wednesdays–Sundays. Camelback Ranch, 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. tianyuculture.us

THROUGH JAN. 16 ZOOLIGHTS The Phoenix Zoo’s beloved holiday tradition transforms more than two miles of trails into a winter wonderland with millions of dazzling lights, animated animal lanterns, a floating 50-foot LED tree, immersive light shows, Glow Garden and interactive displays. Enjoy the immersive light tunnel, s’mores by the fire, photos with Santa, wildlife lanterns, holiday treats, carousel rides and more. See website for prices. 5:30– 10:30 p.m. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. phoenixzoo.org

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THROUGH FEB. 22 IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS The Phoenix Zoo’s Savanna Gallery presents a vibrant and imaginative exhibition celebrating the intersection of creativity and conservation. Featuring the work of four talented artists, the exhibit offers bold color palettes, whimsical depictions of animals, and thoughtful reflections on the natural world. This unique blend of artistry and advocacy encourages visitors to rethink our relationship with wildlife while enjoying a joyful, visually captivating experience. $39.95. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Savanna Gallery inside the Savanna Grill, Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. phoenixzoo.org

THROUGH MARCH 8 MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET The Phoenix Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-winning musical inspired by the iconic 1956 recording session at Sun Studio that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. Featuring electrifying renditions of rock ‘n’ roll hits, this show captures the energy, talent and camaraderie of four music legends.

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$60+. See website for times. Hormel Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com

JAN. 3 VRBO FIESTA BOWL PARADE The 53rd annual parade features largerthan-life balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands and community groups on a 1.5-mile march through central Phoenix leading into the College Football Playoff Semifinal. More than 3,000 participants celebrate Arizona’s community traditions in this beloved holiday event. Free. 10 a.m. See website for route and viewing options. fiestabowl.org

JAN. 7–8 ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. AUDITIONS Musical Theatre of Anthem is casting youth ages 7–15 for its upcoming production of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” All youth who audition will be cast. $350; discounts and scholarships available. See website for schedule. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. 623336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

JAN. 8 BIG IDEAS FORUM: TECH SLAM Big Ideas Forum presents Tech Slam, focusing on artificial intelligence and the evolution of previous discussions on AI’s future. New and returning participants are invited to join the catch up and bring additional topics for open discussion. Free. 4:30–6 p.m. Anthem Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem. 305-302-7536; bigideasforum.info

JAN. 10 ANTHEM NIGHTS CAR SHOW Anthem Cars and Coffee hosts an evening car show featuring a wide variety of vehicles. Spectators can stroll the lot, meet fellow auto enthusiasts and enjoy an easygoing community gathering under the lights. Free. 5–8 p.m. Outlets North Phoenix, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Phoenix. anthemcarsandcoffee.com

JAN. 10 ARIZONA UKRAINIAN FEST Discover the spirit of Ukraine through a vibrant celebration of culture, music and dance. The festival features traditional performances, interactive workshops, authentic Ukrainian cuisine and an art contest. Highlights include “Vyshyvanka Day,” showcasing embroidered shirts, and a special prayer for peace. Free. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3720 W. Maryland Ave., Phoenix. 602-347-9267; arizonaukrainianfest.com

JAN. 10 NEIL BERG’S THE ‘70S Presented by Arizona Musicfest, this concert relives the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll with hits and stories from iconic artists including Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, The Rolling Stones and David Bowie. $54+. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

JAN. 10–11 ARIZONA WEDDING SHOW The Southwest’s largest wedding expo returns to downtown Phoenix, connecting couples with more than 200 of the region’s top wedding professionals, from venues and photographers to caterers and gown designers. $12+. 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Phoenix Convention Center, 33 S. Third St., Phoenix. arizonaweddingshow.com

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Community

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

JAN. 18 GARRISON KEILLOR AT 83 Presented by Arizona Musicfest, the beloved storyteller and humorist brings his signature blend of standup, storytelling and song to Scottsdale with special guests Heather Masse and Rich Dworsky. Keillor’s performance centers on the theme of cheerfulness, featuring “News from Lake Wobegon,” sung sonnets and duets ranging from Bob Dylan to Paul Simon, concluding with an audience sing-along of American classics. $66+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

JAN. 10–11 NEWSIES JR. AUDITIONS Musical Theatre of Anthem is casting youth ages 13–18 for its upcoming production of “Newsies Jr.” All youth who audition will be cast. $350; discounts and scholarships available. See website for schedule. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

JAN. 11 YOUNG MUSICIANS WINTER CONCERT This showcase features some of the state’s most talented young artists, including winners of the Arizona Musicfest Competitions. The performance highlights a diverse range of musical styles, from classical to contemporary. $28.50. 1 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

JAN. 17–18 EXPERIENCE POLYNESIA The Musical Instrument Museum presents a musical journey through the Pacific, exploring the rich history and diverse

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cultures of the Polynesian islands. Included with paid museum admission; free for members. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

JAN. 17–18 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON IN CONCERT The Phoenix Symphony brings DreamWorks’ animated adventure to life as John Powell’s Oscar-nominated score is performed live to picture on the big screen. Follow young Viking Hiccup and his dragon friend Toothless as they challenge tradition and fight to save their worlds in a thrilling, familyfriendly film concert event. See website for prices. Saturday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-495-1999; phoenixsymphony.org

JAN. 17–25 BARRETT-JACKSON SCOTTSDALE AUCTION Celebrate automotive history as thousands of rare, unique and valuable vehicles cross the auction block at Barrett-Jackson’s world-class event in

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Scottsdale. Enjoy live entertainment, thrill rides, celebrity appearances, food and shopping in the vast Exhibitor Marketplace. See website for prices and schedule. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. 480421-6694; barrett-jackson.com

JAN. 23–24 ALESSA JEWELRY SHOWCASE Experience the visionary artistry of Alessa Jewelry, where five generations of craftsmanship meet contemporary design. Founded by Yuvraj Pahuja, each collection weaves together his Indian heritage and global influences, creating pieces that celebrate unity in diversity. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

JAN. 24 FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona presents a one-night-only showcase performance of the Tony Award-winning classic “Fiddler on the Roof.” Set in the village of Anatevka, the musical follows

Tevye as he struggles to balance cherished traditions with his daughters’ changing dreams and the pressures of a shifting world, blending humor, heartbreak and enduring songs in a concert-style staging. $30; discounts available. 7 p.m. All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602866-9191; theatricallyaz.org

JAN. 28–FEB. 11 7TH ANNUAL VIRTUAL AUCTION Support Black Canyon Heritage Park from the comfort of home during this two-week online fundraiser. The seventh annual event features a curated selection of unique treasures, experiences and local goods, with proceeds directly benefiting the park’s preservation, environmental education and community programs. blackcanyonheritagepark.org

JAN. 28–MARCH 29 COME FROM AWAY The Phoenix Theatre Company stages the remarkable true story of the small Newfoundland town that welcomed 7,000 stranded travelers in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. As fear gripped the world, the “plane people” found unexpected friendship and compassion in Gander, proving that humanity can shine through even the darkest times. $60+. See website for times. The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com

JAN. 31 ANTHEM CARS AND COFFEE Classic and modern vehicles fill this monthly car show, complemented by coffee, food vendors and community fellowship. Free. 8–11 a.m. Outlets North Phoenix, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Phoenix. anthemcarsandcoffee.com

JAN. 31 THE DREAMBOATS Presented by Arizona Musicfest, this Canadian quartet brings back the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll, infusing the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s with fresh, contemporary energy. The group delivers a high-energy performance featuring hits reminiscent of icons like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and the Beatles, keeping the spirit of the era alive for a new generation. $47+. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

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Community

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

JAN. 23–25 THE SHOPS AT NORTERRA ART FESTIVAL Marlo Johnson Productions presents its second annual festival showcasing 50 juried artists from across the Southwest. The event features diverse works including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and Native American art, alongside live entertainment and artist demonstrations. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The Shops at Norterra, 2460 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix. 760-985-7773; oakcreekartsandcraftsshow.com

JAN. 31 WINTERFEST/BOOKFEST

FEB. 2 THE BARRICADE BOYS

The 10th annual WinterFest returns with the theme “Gateway to Curiosity, Discovery, Stewardship,” combined with BookFest to celebrate local authors and publishers. The family-friendly event features nature activities, birding and butterfly education, heritage demonstrations and opportunities to meet Arizona writers. Free. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Black Canyon Heritage Park, 33955 Old Black Canyon Highway, Black Canyon City. 623-374-5282; blackcanyonheritagepark.org

Presented by Arizona Musicfest, this West End sensation returns with their new show, “Broadway at the Movies.” The performance blends pop, rock and swing classics with stories from their careers in major productions including “The Phantom of the Opera” and Wicked.” $58+. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

JAN. 31–FEB. 1 MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Anthem Giving Circle’s Hollywoodthemed gala returns to support local neighbors in need. Although the event is sold out, the community can still participate by purchasing raffle tickets online for a Strathberry purse valued at $1,100; the winner need not be present and may exchange the prize for Nordstrom credit. Raffle prices vary. anthemgivingcircle.com

Arizona Opera presents Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, a heartbreaking tale of hope, longing and ultimate sacrifice. The visually stunning production follows the young geisha Cio-Cio-San as she awaits the return of her American naval husband, only to face a devastating betrayal. Performed in Italian with English and Spanish supertitles. See website for prices. Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-266-7464; azopera.org

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FEB. 3 PURSES FOR A PURPOSE

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NEW LICENSE PLATE SUPPORTS ARIZONA WINERIES The Arizona Department of Transportation has introduced the Verde Valley Wine Trail specialty license plate, now available to all Arizona motorists. Proceeds from the $25 annual fee include a $17 donation to the Verde Valley Wine Trail, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for sustainable vineyard practices, promoting responsible driving and encouraging tourism in northern Arizona’s wine country. The colorful plate is available for both standard vehicles and motorcycles and can be ordered online through the Motor Vehicle Division. azmvdnow.gov

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo // With Reporting by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Cancer Foundation Creates Community for Families Ava's Garden at the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children serves as a peaceful retreat for families. // Photo by Keri Meyers

From Heartbreak to Haven W

hen Chrisie Abramo’s daughter, Ava, was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma at 18 months old, the aggressive pediatric cancer launched the family on a 3 1/2year odyssey across the United States seeking the best care. “During that time, Ava endured more toxic treatments than most adult cancer patients,” Abramo recalls. “Due to the extreme nature of her treatments, her teeth slowly disintegrated, her hair was gone, and eventually her kidneys failed.” Exhausted from the relentless battle, 5-year-old Ava told her mother she didn’t want to fight anymore. Two days later, she died. “In her final days, my family and I watched as her fragile body shut down,” Abramo says. “She looked at me and said, ‘Mommy, I don’t want to feel like this anymore.’”

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That profound loss became the catalyst for the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. Nearly a decade after Images Arizona first featured Abramo’s journey in 2015, the Scottsdale-based nonprofit has evolved from a homebased operation into a comprehensive 12,000-square-foot facility that has become a lifeline for Arizona families navigating pediatric cancer. “I will do whatever it takes to support these families,” says Abramo, who serves as president and founder.

FROM LIVING ROOM TO LEGACY When Images Arizona last visited ACFC, Abramo was working from her home with more than 100 volunteers, having served 200 families since the foundation’s 2014 launch. The organization had just moved into a Scottsdale office and was preparing for its third annual fundraising gala, hoping to raise $150,000.

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When my daughter passed away, we didn’t have anyone because the hospital went away, and I didn’t know what to do. I never want anyone to feel like that after their child passes away. Chrisie Abramo

The growth since then has been remarkable. Since 2014, ACFC has served 10,000 individuals. In September 2022, the foundation moved into a 12,000-squarefoot facility that Abramo calls “a home away from home” for families in crisis. “Parents always joke that the kids would live here if they could,” she says. “We make it about the whole family. We have a respite room for the parents and caregivers.” The foundation now operates from a sprawling facility that houses an Imagination Station play area, a teen center with gaming consoles and lounge seating, a Paint Splatter Room where families unleash creativity, an art studio for therapeutic expression and Baxter’s Kitchen — a full dining space that seats 40 and sends families home with premade meals.

THREE PILLARS OF SUPPORT ACFC’s mission rests on three pillars: social, emotional and financial support. Each addresses the devastating isolation that accompanies a pediatric cancer diagnosis. The social pillar includes birthday parties for cancer warriors, end-of-treatment celebrations with music and entertainment, and special events throughout the year. The foundation’s toy store — filled with games, books and even bicycles — allows children to choose items that bring them joy during treatment.

Chrisie Abramo, president and founder of the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, holds a portrait of her daughter, Ava, who died at age 5 from neuroblastoma in 2012. Ava’s memory inspired the creation of ACFC, which has served 10,000 individuals since 2014. // Photo by Keri Meyers

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Chrisie Abramo’s Scottsdale-based nonprofit has evolved from a home-based operation into a comprehensive facility that provides social, emotional and financial support to Arizona families navigating pediatric cancer. // Photo by Keri Meyers

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volunteer therapy dogs, and a Calming and Respite Room equipped with state-of-the-art massage chairs where exhausted parents can find moments of peace. “We wanted to create a place where families could come and have all the programs and services in one location,” Abramo says. “We offer counseling services offsite now but plan to bring them onsite next year.” The Wellness Program offers sound bowl therapy, meditation, yoga and wellness events promoting holistic healing for the entire family. Financial assistance remains a cornerstone of ACFC’s work. The foundation provides direct support ranging from $500 to $2,000 per family, helping cover medical bills, rent, groceries and transportation costs. A wellstocked pantry offers household essentials and toiletries, alleviating financial burdens during treatment. The foundation also provides end-of-life financial support, covering medical and funeral expenses during families’ darkest hours.

Ava Holder, whose courage and spirit continue to inspire the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children’s mission to ensure no family faces pediatric cancer alone.

“Everyone loves the boutique, a place where kids with cancer can be kids,” says Jen Mackay, board of directors member and longtime supporter whose husband, Jim “Bones” Mackay, caddies for professional golfer Phil Mickelson. “Most of our families never get to experience anything like this. It’s pure sunshine.” The Education Center provides tutoring and school reintegration support for patients and their siblings — addressing a need Abramo knows intimately. “No one ever looked at me or my son and said, ‘How are you feeling?’” she says, reflecting on her experience as Ava’s mother and a sibling caregiver. Emotional support includes counseling from licensed mental health professionals, a K9 therapy program featuring Leo — ACFC’s in-house therapy dog — and

“Life doesn’t stop when you receive a cancer diagnosis,” says Maria, mother to a cancer warrior named MJ. “Having financial assistance from ACFC made a huge difference in just being able to live with integrity. With the help of ACFC, we didn’t have to put up our house for sale.”

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS ACFC’s growth reflects the North Scottsdale community’s philanthropic spirit. Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and Jim Mackay have served as honorary chairs for the foundation’s signature fundraising events, lending their celebrity to amplify the cause. At the foundation’s annual Ava’s Tree House Gala on Dec. 5, Goldschmidt and his wife, Amy, demonstrated their continued commitment by pledging $100,000 as a matching gift to encourage 10 donors to contribute $10,000 each. The gala drew 350 attendees and featured a performance by an ACFC children’s choir — cancer warriors themselves singing to celebrate hope and resilience.

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“When Ava was diagnosed with cancer at such a young age, it was a shock to our family,” Jim Mackay told Images Arizona in 2016. The Mackays were neighbors with the Abramos during Ava’s battle. “Since we were neighbors at the time, we immediately became involved. Our kids were friends with Ava and her siblings, and we were there every step of the way.” The Mackay children launched Ava’s Angels, a youth philanthropy program dedicated to supporting children with pediatric cancer — ensuring Ava’s legacy continues through the next generation. The foundation hosts Ava’s Tree House Gala and a golf tournament as its primary fundraising events. About 50% of ACFC’s budget comes from the two fundraisers, with the remaining 50% from foundations, grants, individual donors and tax-credit donations.

A FOREVER FAMILY What distinguishes ACFC is its commitment beyond treatment. The foundation provides end-oftreatment services and ongoing support, ensuring families don’t vanish into the void Abramo experienced when Ava died. “That family becomes a part of our family, forever,” she says. “They’re invited to come to our community events. They can always shop in our pantry, our clothing market. Many families come back and become part of our community, which is unique. When my daughter passed away, we didn’t have anyone because the hospital went away, and I didn’t know what to do. I never want anyone to feel like that after their child passes away.”

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Visitors to ACFC are greeted by volunteers and welcomed with personalized signs bearing the family’s name — a simple gesture that signals they matter. “We welcome grandparents, whomever they want to bring,” Abramo says. “We want everyone to be seen and heard and cared for.” Abramo and her team have visited children in their last days, offering presence when words fail. “When we offer financial assistance to families who need to repair a car, pay rent or provide for funeral services, I feel deeply gratified to be a part of this organization,” says Ben Hayes, president of Freestone Insurance Group and ACFC board member.

LOOKING AHEAD Since its founding more than a decade ago, ACFC has maintained its trajectory of growth and impact. “We are on track to keep growing,” Abramo says. “Our longterm vision is to help every child in Arizona who is diagnosed with cancer. We want to be a part of their journey.” The foundation plans to expand its Education Center programming and continue enhancing its facility to better serve families. In Arizona, nearly one child per day receives a cancer diagnosis — about 350 families annually confronting an unimaginable reality. For those families, ACFC offers not just financial assistance or emotional support, but community, dignity and hope. “One of the greatest gifts Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children brings to families is creating community among those who are going through the same nightmare,” says Bill Finch, ACFC board member. “It’s important to give them a place where they can be together and interact.” The Minnesota native remains humbled by what she has built in her daughter’s memory. “Being available to the family and the child is really heartwarming and really nice,” she says. “I have to pinch myself every day.” For Abramo, the foundation represents not just Ava’s legacy but a promise: that no family will walk the devastating path of pediatric cancer alone, and that every child — even in their darkest hour — will be seen, heard and cared for. azcancerfoundation.org

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Writer Joe Brett // Photography Courtesy of Imprints of Honor

How Sharing His Story Became Veteran Joe Brett’s North Star Joe Brett during his service with the Sundowners, 108th Artillery Group, Dong Ha, Vietnam, 1969-1970. Flying the DMZ as an aerial artillery observer, Brett's mission was to direct strikes on enemy positions — an experience that would shape his lifelong work with veterans.

Imprints of Life “W

ar is the place where life and death meet,” wrote Sun Tzu over 2,600 years ago in the now-famous “The Art of War.”

Tzu tells us that a sound moral compass is the No. 1 necessity for sending troops off to win wars. Is the greater good worthy of sacrificing the deaths of young men in pursuit or defense of such goodness? The people and the military must all agree with this moral compass if the war is to be won. History also tells us that the DNA of young men and teenage boys makes them the best ages for fighting wars. They have young bodies filled with testosterone and young minds eager for manhood and conditioned to kill or be killed for a cause greater than self. We veterans remember a phrase from our training: “What is the spirit of the bayonet? To kill!” was our joint, enthusiastic response during bayonet drills.

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It seems the entire nation is with us young men and women as we enlist in the military to be reborn again as soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, guardians and Coast Guardsmen. Professor Joseph Campbell in his “The Power of Myth,” “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” and characters in the Star Wars movies speaks to this universal truth: “Young men and women leave the comfort of their homes and are sent off to undertake the ordeals of vigorous training in which their heads are shaved, they are given new uniforms and new identities and are born again as warriors.” Their old lives are left behind as their new adventures unfold. In Vietnam as a young aerial artillery observer flying the DMZ, my orders were to “get the body count.” Search and find enemy soldiers and kill them by directing artillery, bombs and napalm on them. The body count was data used to calculate the cost per kill measured against the political leverage for peace talks in Paris. It turned out that the North Vietnamese had the better moral compass as

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It is in helping others that we help ourselves the most. Telling our stories to students is the North Star on our new moral compass. Joe Brett Joe Brett’s medals and unit patches from his service in Vietnam, tangible reminders of a tour that left invisible wounds — the moral injuries he now helps other veterans understand and heal through the power of shared stories.

they defeated the most powerful country on earth, the United States. A week before the end of my tour, and sipping beers with two friends, I was on top of our unit scoreboard for kills. And my dreams were of those who got away, and the nightmare of guilt feelings over the death of a mate with whom I had switched flights. War! Where life and death meet so randomly. I was asked, “Joe, are you going hunting with friends when you get home?” Hunting? Are you kidding me? I couldn’t kill anything! Imprints of Honor founder Barbara Hatch with Vietnam veteran Joe Brett, whose journey from aerial artillery observer to healing advocate exemplifies the program’s mission of transforming moral wounds into meaningful service.

What then of the moral compass of all U.S. veterans who were born again to fight in Vietnam but returned home as unpopular reminders of a lost cause

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Joe Brett speaks at Arizona State University’s Center on the Future of War, where he produced and cohosted 40 episodes of the podcast “Front and Center USA,” featuring discussions on moral injuries and veteran advocacy.

and war? How do we become empowered to take on the tasks of becoming reborn as civilians, knowing what we now know from our wartime experiences? My search for the meaning of being alive put me through the crude adventures of drinking and spiritual awakening of getting sober, going off to Harvard Kennedy School in hopes of meeting people of the world, then working in Indonesia and the former Soviet Union and somehow winding up in Arizona where I became involved with Sister City Programs and the Veterans Heritage Project, now Imprints of Honor. It was in telling my story to [Imprints of Honor founder] Barbara Hatch and her students that I finally was able to put all my adventures, failures and victories into a storyline that gave meaning to my being alive. And I realized my story was not very different from all veterans from all human history.

Joe Brett shares his story with students at Goodyear Library. Through Imprints of Honor, Brett has discovered that telling his story to young people provides healing not just for himself, but for the students who become witnesses to history.

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The biggest lesson I learned was that I am not alone. Joseph Campbell and his “The Power of Myth” became my guru since my spiritual awakening of becoming sober in 1987.

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It was in telling my story that led to listening to other veterans like Rick Romeley and Tom Kirk tell their stories that I was able to finally put myself into harmony with all veterans from all wars from all times. These heroes told of how they overcame thoughts of suicide when they began to think of how their experiences could be of help to other veterans — like me! It is in helping others that we help ourselves the most. Telling our stories to students is the North Star on our new moral compass. Imprints of Honor, in words and deeds. My survivor’s guilt over the deaths of battle mates is a common experience among veterans of the world. Jonathan Shay, M.D., wrote a book, “Achilles in Vietnam,” in which he wrote of the moral wounds of war suffered by Achilles and Vietnam veterans. Moral wounds of war and PTSD are now wellknown diagnosed traumas of war that were introduced into our vernacular by the return of Vietnam veterans, their moral compasses damaged and needing to be fixed. As I lectured on the topic of moral wounds, I found this ancient quote from Alexandre Dumas and his 19th-century classic “The Count of Monte Cristo”: “Moral wounds have this peculiarity — they may be hidden but never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.” In telling stories we get the pain out of our minds and into the light of healing. It is in helping others that we heal ourselves. Veterans take on a new duty of using their survival of physical, mental and moral wounds to help others. Sharing our stories with our precious students is a gift that keeps on giving. I am never more blessed than when a former student sees me and lights up with a smile and reaches out for a hug. Students are healing veterans. Many thanks to Imprints of Honor for helping me get to this point! imprintsofhonor.org

About the Writer Joseph Brett served as a U.S. Army first lieutenant, aerial artillery observer and forward air controller with the 108th Artillery Group in Dong Ha, Vietnam, from 1969 to 1970. Flying the DMZ from the South China Sea to Laos, his mission was to hunt for North Vietnamese Army soldiers and direct artillery, bombs and napalm strikes — an experience that resulted in moral injuries that would shape the rest of his life. In retirement, Brett has devoted himself to understanding and healing from the moral wounds of war. His veteran advocacy began in 1980 as founding member and first president of the Capital District Vietnam Veterans Association in Albany, New York. He later served as executive director of the New York State Temporary Commission on Dioxin Exposure (Agent Orange), appointed by the governor. Brett’s ongoing work includes serving as a volunteer guide at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. (1994), board director for the Veterans Heritage Project (2014-2017), and co-facilitator for the Institute for Healing of Memories retreats for veterans with PTSD. He produced, created and co-hosted 40 episodes of the podcast “Front and Center USA,” featuring speakers from Arizona State University’s Center on the Future of War, and contributed to “Moral Injury: Towards an International Perspective” (2017). He has co-facilitated lectures on moral injuries with Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Wood at the University of Connecticut. Brett holds an MPA in international development from Harvard Kennedy School, an M.S. in secondary education administration from State University of Minnesota, and a B.S. in economics from St. Bonaventure University. His international work has taken him to the former Soviet Union and Indonesia as a project manager and assistant for public administration programs. His writing has appeared in Harvard Magazine and Wake Forest Magazine.

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photo essay Photographer Karen Shaw

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Karen Shaw

Photographer Karen Shaw captures the transformative beauty of Arizona sunrises, inviting us to rediscover the hope and possibility that greet each new day.

Dawn’s Promise T

here is something profoundly hopeful about witnessing a sunrise — particularly in January, when the world collectively exhales and begins again. In the early morning stillness, before obligations and noise intrude, the sky transforms into a theater of possibility. Colors bloom across the horizon in strokes no human hand could replicate, reminding us that nature remains the greatest artist of all. For photographer Karen Shaw, these ephemeral performances over Arizona’s high desert have become both meditation and mission. Morning after morning, she positions her kayak on the glassy surface of Watson Lake near Prescott, camera ready, waiting for light to ignite the granite cliffs and marshy riparian areas that frame her compositions. Each dawn presents a fresh canvas — literally and metaphorically — offering what Shaw describes as “the promise of a new day and a chance to begin again.”

sciousness. Yet Shaw’s dedication transcends seasonal symbolism. Her practice embodies a deeper truth: that beauty surrounds us daily, freely offered, requiring only our presence and attention to receive it. The resulting images capture more than scenic vistas. They document moments of grace that most of us sleep through, and in doing so, they issue a quiet invitation. Shaw photographs not to hoard these experiences but to share them, hoping viewers will “appreciate just how beautiful this area is and discover the many wonderful locations where they can experience these sunrises for themselves.” In an era of endless digital distractions, Shaw’s work reminds us that some of life’s most profound experiences remain analog, requiring nothing more than an early alarm and willingness to step outside. The sunrise, after all, performs for an audience of anyone willing to show up.

This sentiment resonates particularly in January, when resolutions and renewal dominate our collective con-

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photo essay

Watson Lake draws me back morning after morning, both for kayaking and for the remarkable variety of sunrise scenes it offers. The tall granite cliffs and marshy riparian areas create unique compositions that transform with each day’s light. Karen Shaw 34

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Sunrises are a fresh canvas to create on — they represent the promise of a new day and a chance to begin again. Karen Shaw

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photo essay Photography has taught me to breathe, to be still and to take it all in, and to be patient. I love how I feel photography has brought out the artistic part of me. Karen Shaw

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Meet the Photographer Karen Shaw’s path to becoming a photographer began not with a camera, but with movement. Born and raised in Southern California, she has spent a lifetime in motion — hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and rock climbing through some of the West’s most spectacular terrain. For years, she documented these adventures casually, capturing memories without necessarily pursuing artistry. That changed nine years ago when she retired to Prescott. The move provided two essential ingredients for artistic development: time and inspiration. “Since retiring in the Prescott area, I definitely have more free time to create and discover new beauty,” Shaw explains. “The wide open spaces and abundance of lakes provide a much better backdrop than urban sprawl!” What began as casual photography evolved into something more intentional. Shaw found herself drawn repeatedly to Watson Lake, where the interplay of water, granite and light offered infinite compositional possibilities. “I see something different — or in a different way — every time I go out,” she says, noting that the lake became both studio and sanctuary, a place where technical skill and spiritual practice merged. Her approach balances preparation with spontaneity. Shaw positions herself strategically — “in a new spot on the lake each time, ideally with interesting foreground subjects and clouds in the sky” — then employs technical precision to capture what unfolds. She balances lower ISO settings with higher aperture numbers, ensuring adequate light while achieving greater depth of field. The result: images that feel both crisp and dreamlike. Beyond landscapes, Shaw has developed a particular fascination with the migratory birds that pass through the Prescott region. Photographing from her kayak, she has discovered “so many beautiful and unique species” that travel through Arizona’s high desert. This dual passion — for dramatic skies and delicate wildlife — reflects her broader artistic philosophy: that photography has taught her “to breathe, to be still and to take it all in; and to be patient.” That patience yields dividends. Shaw’s work has been published in regional magazines celebrating the Prescott area, and now in Images Arizona — an achievement she considers a highlight of her photographic journey. More importantly, her images fulfill their intended purpose: they inspire viewers to seek their own encounters with Arizona’s magnificent mornings.

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Photo by Full Spectrum Photography

he crack of the starting gun pierces the air, signaling the start of another race for the Han triplet brothers. The first brother bursts from the starting blocks, baton in hand — his arms pumping, his feet pounding the track as he propels himself forward to reach the handoff, passing the baton in a process both fierce and delicate. Though the race may be over in a blink, the lifelong bond between Boulder Creek High School senior runners Chayce, Evan and Greyson Han will extend far beyond their final season. Their coaches say the influence, hard work and success of the Han brothers have changed the culture of the cross-country and track teams. “They’re all three accomplished runners, but that’s not the part that stands out,” says Thomas Clarke, Boulder Creek High School head cross-country coach. “They’re a positive influence for the team — their

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attitudes, the way they carry themselves — they push through setbacks, and the whole team responds.” Zach Walling, the head track coach and assistant cross-country coach, agrees. “They’ve helped change the culture of Boulder Creek cross country and track,” he explains. “When they graduate, the program will be better because of what they’ve done.” In track and field, the fraternal Han brothers have established themselves as standout distance runners, with Chayce, Evan and Greyson excelling in the 1,600, 3,200 and 4x800 relay. Chayce and Greyson have posted top-five times in Jaguar history across multiple events. Each brother brings a unique strength — Chayce’s power, Greyson’s speed and Evan’s steady, workhorse reliability.

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Han Dynasty Triple Threat on the Track

Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Gina Brown // Capturing the Moments Photography

RUNNING IN THE FAMILY Chayce, Evan and Greyson share both the DNA and discipline of their dedicated parents, Dr. Ken Han and Michelle Han, and they are quick to praise their parents, coaches and each other. Ken, once a runner at Cornell University, began taking the boys on runs during the lull of the COVID-19 pandemic. They went on to join the Gavilan Peak School cross-country and track team in eighth grade. “A lot of the high school cross-country and track team members would volunteer at our middle school meets, and now we all do this today,” Evan explains. “Our middle school coaches helped us find a passion for running, and our high school coaches make sure we keep that passion,” Greyson adds. The Hans constitute a large portion of the sevenmember cross-country team and say their best memories are of a big invitational last season when Boulder Creek varsity won the 60-team meet for the first time and a big district meet win. “It was senior night for the district, and we won just barely — by a couple of seconds — against Mountain Ridge High School,” Chayce recalls with a wide smile as his brothers join in the triumphant memory. Despite Chayce and Greyson suffering injuries last season, all three boys are training at full force and are determined to contribute to another win this season. They prepare with daily runs around the Boulder Creek High School campus and Anthem trailheads.

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AZ Central recently named Chayce 18th of the top 25 cross-country “runners to watch,” and he’s motivated to beat even that promising prediction. Clarke hopes to have the best boys’ crosscountry team and best-ever finish at the state finals. His approach to training is dedication and attention to detail without burning out young runners. It’s a great match with Walling’s talent for analytical statistics and spreadsheets. “The boys planted a flag to win state,” Clarke reveals. “They’re back in full force again. It will be a challenge this year. We want a three-peat for district cross-country championships. I want the athletes to become lifelong runners, and my big driver is for them to get something from running and to have it for life. We do something every day to move toward our goals.”

Senior Chayce Han powers through a training run on Boulder Creek High School’s campus, where he serves as president of the Jaguar Athletic Leadership Advisory Committee while pursuing his goal of breaking school records.

Walling, who is a twin himself and ran for BCHS in his high school days, agrees that specific, measured training and incremental

They’re all three accomplished runners, but that’s not the part that stands out. They’re a positive influence for the team — their attitudes, the way they carry themselves — they push through setbacks, and the whole team responds. Thomas Clarke

improvement is a recipe for creating lifelong runners and notes that Jaguar runners tend to improve even more when they get to college. Former student and volunteer coach Jacob Lewis became a sub-4-minute miler in college, attending Grand Canyon University and the University of Tennessee. “The Hans are champing at the bit for Jacob’s record and have gotten to run with him,” Walling says, noting that each of the brothers boasts a different strength, but all are top-tier runners. Daily goals that lead to ultimate success are something the Han brothers embrace. All three say the discipline of running permeates every area of their lives and success.

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Evan Han maintains his steady pace during meet, embodying the workhorse reliability that coaches praise while balancing his athletic pursuits with piano performance on his church worship team.

Greyson Han’s natural speed has helped him post top-five times in Jaguar history while he prepares for potential competition at the University of Oregon’s renowned NCAA track program.

CHARACTER IN MOTION “Running is a really hard sport,” Chayce observes. “You can only find success if you apply it to all areas of your life. It’s not just what you do at practice. We apply that work ethic at school, in life and at church.” While Chayce, Evan and Greyson don’t communicate in a special triplet language or telepathically, they acknowledge that being triplets has its advantages.

Clarke and Walling say that Ken and Michelle will be missed just as much as the boys are after graduation.

“Being a triplet is cool,” Evan says. “We hold each other accountable. When one of us goes to sleep, we all go. It’s a positive sibling rivalry. If Chayce isn’t getting an unhealthy meal, I’m going to do the same. We constantly see each other working hard and emulate that.”

“Ken is our biggest cheerleader at every single meet,” Walling says. “He screams, ‘You’re not hurting!’ and it motivates the athletes to keep going. We started to call him Coach Han. He is the first to cheer for every single person, and then he’s back at the team tent congratulating everyone. Michelle hosts pasta parties and is great at meeting with the other parents with advice and support. The Han parents have changed the team culture just as much as the boys have.”

Their proud parents have thrown their full support behind their sons, the team and the coaching staff. The Hans’ school involvement began with the triplets’ elder sister, Addison, who now attends University of Arizona but was similarly accomplished in athletics and academics at Boulder Creek.

Michelle treasures the opportunities she and her husband have had to welcome the team and families into their home and notes the coaches’ and Athletic Director Kirstin Ledin’s selflessness and dedication. The boys mirror that example in their day-to-day training regimen, and the results are clear.

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Boulder Creek High School senior distance runners Evan, Chayce and Greyson Han (left to right) have transformed their school’s cross-country and track culture through their combination of athletic excellence and character leadership.

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“We are very proud,” Michelle says. “They’re very disciplined. You don’t get far in these sports without that. They are good kids and so hardworking. We never miss a race, and we cheer for everyone, even kids from other schools.” All three brothers excel academically, have earned seals of Mandarin biliteracy — which they first pursued to converse with their paternal grandparents — and are involved in school and church leadership. The three are officers in the National Honor Society. Chayce is president of the Jaguar Athletic Leadership Advisory Committee, which hosts the annual pancake breakfast fundraiser and canned food drives, along with setting up events held on the track. He also attends the statewide Arizona Interscholastic Association Student Leadership Advisory Committee to be a voice for high school student-athletes. Away from school, Evan plays piano on his church worship team, while Greyson and Chayce serve as student coaches at their church’s junior high ministry. “We are preparing the next generation to get involved with their faith,” Greyson says.

SEPARATE PATHS, SHARED LEGACY As the Han brothers set the pace for the next generation of Jaguar runners and help their teams clinch top state honors, big changes are in store after graduation. For the first time in their young lives, they’re likely to go their separate ways for college, but all plan to keep running. Evan has his eye on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

or his father’s alma mater, Cornell University, and would like to double major in Mandarin and business or communication. Greyson sees a future at the University of Oregon’s storied NCAA track program and may pursue finance or physical therapy. Chayce sees the University of Colorado and its architectural engineering program as his collegiate path. As the Hans bid farewell to their high school careers, their impact on the Boulder Creek cross-country and track programs will extend far beyond their final season. They’ve set a new standard for excellence on the track, in the classroom and in the community. As Chayce, Evan and Greyson part ways for college, the lessons they’ve learned through running — the importance of discipline, teamwork and faith — will undoubtedly shape their paths. “I’m confident that this team will have a lasting impact for future years,” Clarke says. “If this year’s freshmen carry themselves like the Hans do as seniors, it will carry on for another generation. As much as we love winning, the character aspect is so important. The Hans really do embody that.” As the next generation of Jaguar runners prepares to grasp the baton, the Han triplets’ legacy of leadership, success and camaraderie will serve as a guiding example. Their story is one of a true brotherly bond, a testament to what can be achieved through unwavering commitment and teamwork. As they reach the finish line of their high school careers, the Han dynasty’s indelible mark on track and trails is far from over. bcjaguarsathletics.com

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of Col. Mark Tillman

An Arizona Aviator’s Air Force One Legacy

Above & Beyond O

n the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Col. Mark Tillman gripped the controls of the world’s most recognizable aircraft as chaos erupted across America. From the cockpit of Air Force One in Sarasota, Florida, he watched the second plane slam into the World Trade Center’s South Tower on a small television screen. In that moment, the weight of command crystallized: the safety of the President of the United States — and the continuity of American government — rested entirely in his hands. “By the time the second plane hit the tower we knew the country was under attack and at that point the decision was made to do like we always do for the continuity of government — relocate the president of the United States,” Tillman recalls, his voice still carrying the gravity of those moments that redefined a presidency and a nation. Today, the man who commanded Air Force One through America’s darkest hours lives quietly in Scottsdale, his extraordinary career a testament to Arizona’s remarkable tradition of producing the military’s most elite aviators. From his home near Pinnacle Peak — where dust and horses once defined the landscape — Tillman reflects on a journey that took him from Williams Air Force Base to the pinnacle of military aviation, then back to the desert he’s always called home.

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THE ZERO FAIL MENTALITY Tillman’s path to Air Force One began, fittingly, in Arizona. After earning his chemical engineering degree from Tulane University, he found himself at Williams Air Force Base near Mesa in 1981, transitioning from rocket propulsion engineer to pilot. The five years he spent there as a T-37 instructor pilot weren’t just about learning to fly — they were about absorbing a philosophy that would define his career. “Everyone at Air Force One trains constantly,” Tillman explains. “Nobody wants to be the one on the crew who fails, so you’re always pushing yourself to be better than everyone around you. There are 200 to 300 people all striving for the same standard of excellence.” That standard — what the Presidential Airlift Group calls “Zero Fail” — became more than doctrine; it became identity. When President Bush selected Tillman as the nation’s 12th presidential pilot in 2001, he inherited command of an operation where perfection wasn’t aspirational — it was mandatory. “We simply don’t let the president down,” Tillman says. “That’s the beauty of a highly trained crew. We’re the experts in the air — fixed-wing assets. That’s what we’re about.”

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We simply don’t let the president down. We’re the experts in the air — fixed-wing assets. Col. Mark Tillman

From Williams Air Force Base instructor to commander of the world’s most important aircraft, Col. Mark Tillman’s career embodies the “Zero Fail” mentality that defines presidential aviation operations.

THE DAY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING The morning of Sept. 11 tested every principle Tillman had learned. As President Bush attended a reading event at Emma E. Booker Elementary School, Tillman and his crew monitored reports from New York. When the second tower was hit, the mission became clear: protect the president and ensure government continuity, regardless of his desires to return immediately to Washington. “He couldn’t get back to Washington right away, as much as he wanted to,” Tillman remembers. “We simply weren’t sure whether Washington was safe. We sat in Sarasota, Florida, watching the north and south towers get hit. Then, as the president was moving toward us, the Pentagon was hit. We were told there were still more aircraft that had been hijacked.” The challenges multiplied exponentially. Communication systems failed. Reports flooded in of truck bombs and car bombs in Washington. Secretary of State Colin Powell was airborne, returning from Peru. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld disappeared into the chaos at the Pentagon. “We could not gather the secretary of state and secretary of defense together to speak with the president,” Tillman explains. “Those were challenging times. But we did what we’ve always done.” What they had always done was train for the unthinkable. Tillman executed what he describes as a near-vertical takeoff from Sarasota, spiraling Air Force One upward at maximum climb rate to avoid potential surface-to-air threats. The fog of war created false alarms and conflicting reports, but the crew’s training held firm. “All the training we had prepared us to make it happen,” he reflects. “The radio operators established communication with all the right people around the world. Everything played out as it should have when facing a serious threat against the United States.”

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President George W. Bush and Col. Mark Tillman in the cockpit of Air Force One moments before the covert descent into Baghdad International Airport for his surprise Thanksgiving 2003 visit to troops — the first time a sitting president flew into an active war zone.

INTO THE WAR ZONE If Sept. 11 tested Tillman’s crisis management skills, President Bush’s surprise Thanksgiving visit to Baghdad in 2003 showcased his ability to execute the impossible. The mission — flying a sitting president into an active war zone for the first time in history — required absolute secrecy and flawless execution. “The beauty of it was that it came from the very top down,” Tillman recalls. “The president’s mission was clear: ‘I’m going to have Thanksgiving dinner with the troops.’ But he gave me specific instructions — if anything goes wrong, the mission is aborted immediately. He wasn’t going to take any chance that service members could be injured because of his visit.” The operational security was extraordinary. Of the 70 people who flew that day, only four crew members knew the destination until the last moment. Even the troops in Baghdad remained unaware

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until Air Force One emerged from the darkness at Baghdad International Airport. “They were alerted at the last second, and they reacted perfectly — did everything exactly as they should have,” Tillman says, his admiration evident. “The same was true for the U.S. military protecting BIAP in Baghdad. They didn’t need to know the president was coming. Our ground support included Delta Force and others, and only one person was initially briefed.” The mission nearly faced compromise when a commercial airliner pilot radioed London air traffic control, asking if the aircraft below was Air Force One. Despite controllers’ denials, the pilot responded with knowing laughter: “OK, cheerio, Air Force One.” Tillman immediately briefed the President on the potential security breach, but no intelligence reports surfaced, and the mission continued.

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TOP LEFT Col. Mark Donnelly and his parents with President Bill Clinton — a proud moment connecting his mother’s World War II-era aviation inspiration to his command of the world’s most famous aircraft. // Photo Courtesy of Col. Mark Donnelly

BOTTOM LEFT Col. Mark Donnelly with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush aboard Air Force One, where attention to both security and comfort defined every presidential mission. // Photo Courtesy of Col. Mark Donnelly

TOP RIGHT Col. Mark Donnelly with President George W. Bush during the early months of the Bush administration, representing the seamless transition of presidential flight operations between commanders. // Photo Courtesy of Col. Mark Donnelly

The Presidents’ Pilots Col. Mark Tillman represents just one chapter in Arizona’s remarkable tradition of producing presidential pilots. The state’s connection to the elite world of presidential aviation extends back decades, with multiple commanders of Air Force One calling Arizona home. Col. Mark S. Donnelly, who served as the 11th presidential pilot from 1997 to 2001, flying for both President Clinton and early George W. Bush, embodies the deep Arizona roots that seem to cultivate exceptional aviators. Donnelly earned his private pilot’s license at age 16 from Sawyer Aviation in Phoenix, riding his bike to Deer Valley Airport when his mother couldn’t drive him. “My mother was a pilot, and she inspired my interest in flying,” Donnelly recalls. “She earned her private pilot’s license during World War II, which was pretty amazing.” After attending pilot training at Williams Air Force Base — the same Arizona facility where Tillman would later serve — Donnelly rose through the ranks to command Air Force One during a period he describes with characteristic humor. “We used to joke that we operated on ‘Clinton standard time’ because President Clinton, when he engaged with someone, would stay involved in the conversation until he was truly finished,” Donnelly Serving our community Since 1999

describes. “During one flight on a 12-passenger Gulfstream, President Clinton stuck his head into the cockpit to thank us and, by the way, started talking to us about golf. We chatted for maybe five minutes about golf before he climbed out of the plane and went on his way.” After retiring from Southwest Airlines, Donnelly has remained deeply connected to Arizona’s aviation community, particularly through sport flying. “I’m also a glider pilot,” he explains. “After I retired from the airline, I bought a sailplane and now I fly out near the town of Maricopa. What I really enjoy is the challenge: using my skill and knowledge of air currents and the atmosphere to stay aloft.” Donnelly and Tillman are also joined in Arizona’s presidential pilot tradition by Col. Scott Turner, a Scottsdale native who served as the 13th presidential pilot under Barack Obama. Turner’s journey from local high school graduate to Air Force Academy distinguished graduate to commander of Air Force One represents the full circle of Arizona’s contribution to elite military aviation. This concentration of presidential pilots in one state speaks to something beyond coincidence — perhaps the vast skies and pioneering spirit of Arizona naturally cultivate the kind of aviators capable of shouldering the ultimate responsibility of presidential flight operations. 2 0 2 6 January

Now a Scottsdale resident and sought-after leadership speaker, Col. Mark Tillman reflects on his journey from Arizona’s desert training grounds to the cockpit of Air Force One during America’s most challenging hours.

Cols. Mark Donnelly (left) and Mark Tillman in the Air Force One cockpit during the transition of presidential command. // Photo Courtesy of Col. Mark Donnelly

President George W. Bush prepares to meet with troops at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, during one of the numerous missions Col. Mark Tillman flew into combat zones throughout the commander in chief’s presidency.

THE MAN BEHIND THE OFFICE Flying presidents requires understanding not just aircraft systems and security protocols, but the human beings who occupy the world’s most powerful office. Tillman’s observations of President Bush reveal a leader far different from his public persona. “President Bush and his family, including Mrs. Bush, are deeply devoted Christians with extraordinary moral character,” Tillman reflects. “Their ability to connect with all Americans was remarkable. I was amazed by how President Bush would greet people at the foot of the stairs and remember their names.” The president’s compassion revealed itself most powerfully in his interactions with military families, particularly those who had lost loved ones. “He took such pride in meeting them — especially the families of the fallen — sitting with them, listening, and talking about the profound loss they’d experienced,” Tillman recalls.

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That compassion extended to Tillman’s own family. His daughter, who calls herself “handicapable” and uses a walker and wheelchair, became a particular favorite of the president’s. “Every time he’d come to the cockpit, he’d ask me, ‘How’s my little buddy doing?’” Tillman remembers. “He would invite her to the T-ball games at the White House — the Challenger events. At one of the games we attended, before opening the game, he asked if his little buddy was there. She made her way to the front, and he handed her a baseball and gave her a hug. That’s what he’s about — he takes care of people.”

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BACK TO BASE After eight years at the controls of Air Force One, Tillman faced a choice available to few: where to spend the rest of his life. The answer brought him full circle to Arizona, specifically to Scottsdale, where Bruce Halle of Discount Tire offered him a position flying corporate aircraft. The transition from flying the First Family to serving the Halle family proved remarkably seamless, reflecting shared values that transcended the difference between government and corporate service.

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“After the military, I always wanted to move back here,” he admits. The Scottsdale he remembered from his Williams Air Force Base days — “kind of a dusty horse town” — had transformed into a sophisticated desert metropolis, but the essential appeal remained.

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From his Cessna 340, which he owned until recently, Tillman would take visitors on aerial tours showcasing Arizona’s hidden beauty.

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“The beauty up there isn’t just the Grand Canyon — though that’s obviously spectacular,” he explains. “The entire state is beautiful. Flagstaff with snow-capped mountains, then back through Prescott — it’s incredible how much beauty exists when people think it’s just a hot desert.” Today, Tillman channels his Air Force One experiences into speaking engagements, sharing leadership principles forged at 40,000 feet during national crises. The core message remains unchanged: Trust your team, train relentlessly, and never accept failure as an option. From his Scottsdale home, Tillman represents more than just one man’s remarkable career. He embodies Arizona’s extraordinary contribution to American aviation history — a tradition that includes multiple presidential pilots who chose to call the state home. As Tillman looks back on his journey from Williams Air Force Base instructor to commander of the world’s most important aircraft, the arc seems both improbable and inevitable. In the desert where he learned to fly, he found his calling. In the crucible of national crisis, he proved his worth. And in the Arizona landscape he’s always loved, he’s found his peace.

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MULLED APPLE CIDER

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thefancypantskitchen.com

Writer and Photographer Francine Coles

Recipe

This fragrant mulled cider transforms humble apple cider into an aromatic elixir perfect for Arizona’s crisp winter evenings. The interplay of warming spices — cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves — mingles with bright citrus notes to create a sophisticated cold-weather beverage that fills your home with the essence of the season. Unlike its spiked cousin, this alcohol-free version celebrates the pure, complex flavors of quality apple cider enhanced by carefully balanced aromatics.

Makes: 2 quarts

INGREDIENTS: 2 quarts apple cider 1/2 medium orange 2 cinnamon sticks, or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 whole cloves 2 bay leaves 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, or 1 rounded teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (optional, for added sweetness)

DIRECTIONS: 1. Pour apple cider into a large pot or Dutch oven. Squeeze juice from the orange half directly into the cider, then add the juiced rind to the pot for additional flavor.

2. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, bay leaves and nutmeg to the pot, stirring gently to 3. 4. 5.

distribute the spices. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and maintain a gentle simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to coax out the spices’ aromatic oils. Taste and adjust sweetness, adding brown sugar if desired. Stir until fully dissolved. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove spices and orange rind. Serve immediately in heatsafe mugs or glasses, garnished with fresh orange zest, thin apple slices or cinnamon sticks.

The strained cider keeps refrigerated for up to four days; simply reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, taking care not to boil.

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