The Villager

In an emergency, are you/we Ready—Set—Go? That’s the purpose and scope of the Emergency Preparedness Planning Committee (EPPiC).

It’s a wonderful benefit to have this forum in The Villager to communicate directly to you our activities as the voice of business and sustainability in the region. We never stop working to enhance a robust economic foundation while taking on tough issues that affect our environment and quality of life.

Ask first before you invest.

Art in the Roundabouts: The four VOC roundabouts were designed to feature artwork. Two VOC residents recently stepped up with donation offers: one has interest in funding a commissioned sculpture, and a resident artist would like to donate an existing sculpture.

Sedona Public Library in the Village just got even bigger.

One of 10 recipients of Christ Lutheran Church’s grants to local organizations, Project Fill the Need received its first donation from the Sedona church on March 22. A $3,250 check was presented to the food pantry by Pastor David Bandfass and several members of his congregation at the group’s facility in the Big Park Community School in the Village of Oak Creek.

After extensive and intensive reconstruction work by the Forest Service, Upper Cathedral Trail – 0.4 mile from the trailhead up to Cathedral Saddle, between the spires – is now open.

The Village’s big spring celebration is back in May this year. Village residents’ families and children come together to celebrate for different reasons. Some come to enjoy the spring weather; others come for the sense of community, and the kids, well, they come to celebrate the end of another school year.

We’re sure that’s what Henry Schuerman would say. He was the first vintner in this area, having a vineyard along Oak Creek over 100 years ago.

Join Keep Sedona Beautiful on Wednesday, May 11, at 5 p.m. for its monthly Preserving the Wonder Speaker Series.

After a two-year hiatus, the Big Park/VOC Dark-Sky committee has announced the first public star party of 2022. The event will be held on May 22 from 8-10 p.m. in the Tequa ballroom parking area in front of the Hilton Sedona Resort.

Last month I was invited to teach students from Sedona Charter School about sustainability at the Sedona Heritage Museum.

Ceramic artist Kenneth Barnes will be featured during the month of May at the Village Gallery of Local Artists. The public is invited to a reception on Friday, May 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., where Barnes will have his wheel and demonstrate throwing clay pots and mugs.

Sedona United Methodist Church invites you to their annual Community Parking Lot Sale on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the church’s main parking lot.

Cheryl Yeatts has been the friendly face of Sedona Public Library in the Village for nearly 12 years. It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Cheryl and Gary who are relocating to Peoria, Arizona.

President’s Report: Camille Cox announced an exciting concept taking shape for art in the Village roundabouts. A small steering group has been working on a proposed organizational structure that could successfully facilitate community input and provide project management, donor confidence, financial accountability and aesthetic guidance. This group will present their concept to the Council for review at the April meeting.

District Ranger Amy Tinderholt of the USFS Red Rock District presented updates on a number of high interest topics impacting the Village during the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council meeting.

It was a delight to receive many provocative and witty responses to the article in last month’s Villager about the various monikers for our village, and how they came to be. Keep them coming.

Join Keep Sedona Beautiful on Wednesday, April 13, at 5 p.m. for its monthly Preserving the Wonder Speaker Series. This event will be held both live at 360 Brewer Road in Sedona and virtually via Zoom. Please visit the KSB website, www.keepsedonabeautiful.org for details.

An image that has stuck with me since I was very young is that of a pebble tossed into a pond. I learned that day that even a small pebble could send out circles of waves that will eventually reach a far shore.

A proposal to provide habitat for monarch butterflies in the Village of Oak Creek was among projects recommended for funding by the Yavapai Resource Advisory Committee.

The Big Park/VOC Dark-Sky Committee announced that they will be hosting a Dark-Sky star party at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock on Sunday, May 22, at 8 p.m. It will be held in the parking area in front of the Tequa Ballroom.

Marvin L. Morgan, a certified intentional interim minister, began his service at The Church of the Red Rocks, 54 Bowstring Drive, Sedona, on Feb. 15 of this year.

Easter Sunday is a day of traditions. Many people make this their annual day to attend a church service. Others like to go to an Easter Sunrise Service. In the Village of Oak Creek you can do both.

Good Friday—Service of Remembrance is April 15, 7 p.m.