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Happy Trails to Arizona
by Ethel Campbell, NCC Region 7 Represenative
The Four States Village People
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The Campbell family and fellow club members, Don and Louise Siefert,
arrived by car at the beautiful Wigwam Resort and Spa in Litchfield,
Arizona on Wednesday evening just as the sun was setting in the western
sky. We settled into our spacious room and began enjoying the ambiance
and anticipation of the activities to come. Yee Haw!
The Gathering Posse hosted three Open Ranch Tours on Thursday afternoon.
Back in the car we were off for the first adventure at the home of
Deputy Paul Malek whose incredible display incorporates three (count em)
trains. Then we visited Vanessa Taylor and her amazing collection of
carnival items. Tour number three was the home of Jeanne Freeman where
we were fascinated by the special lighting effects and her city in a
closet (CICIC). The General Store also opened in the afternoon for our
shopping enjoyment. The evening was complete with a visit to Millie's
Unique Gifts & Specialties for the most complete shopping experience of the entire trip.
The Friday morning Territorial Town Hall Meeting (opening ceremony) set
the scene for the gathering which opened two days of seminars, display
contests, silent auctions, raffles, make and take and show and tells,
shopping at the General Store and hospitality at Rosita's Cantina. We
were all deputized to be on the lookout for that famous outlaw old
Snaggly who was on the loose. The Marshall, her deputies and the
gathering posse outdid themselves in staging a western town complete
with saloon, jail and graveyard.
Friday evening featured a chuck Wagon BBQ Banquet when everyone was
encouraged to dress in western attire. We enjoyed meeting new friends
around a dinner table centered with delightful western boot vignettes.
The evening ended with a Cowboy Carnival sponsored by the NCC. Western
theme games were enjoyed and many prizes provided by the NCC were
awarded throughout the evening. The new NCC officers were introduced and
appreciation expressed to the outgoing officers and board.
Saturday's special feature was A Christmas Carol performed by Gerald
Dickens, great-great grandson of Charles Dickens. The evening Dickens in
the Desert Banquet featured Victorian era costumes and an amazing
performance of Nicholas Nickelby again by Gerald Dickens. The gathering
event piece A Dickens Book Signing, by Department 56 was available for
purchase and Gerald Dickens conducted a signing after each performance
on Saturday. The evening was complete with hundreds of wonderful door
prizes followed by a Curiosity Mongers Lane for even more shopping.
Sunday morning arrived and the time to say goodbye. The End of the
"Happy Trails" Breakfast featured speakers from the two charities that
were chosen by the gathering posse and Hospice of the Valley and Casa De
La Luz Hospice. Each charity benefited equally from generous donations,
raffles and auction proceeds raised during the gathering. Hundreds of
door prizes were drawn following breakfast and throughout the gathering
and several prizes went home with the Campbell family.
Thanks to Department 56 for providing Melinda Seegers and Cynthia Markle
to enhance the gathering experience. Thanks to The Arizona Village
Collectors, The Southwest Villagers and The Desert Villagers and
especially each individual posse member for making Happy Trails to
Arizona a smashing success. Even captured old Snaggly before it was
over! We were sad to leave our many friends for the trip home. Our
hearts continue full of happy memories. Yee Haw!
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