FUNDRAISER RAFFLE at WEEKLY LECTURE As a fundraiser for the museum, at each week’s program we stage a raffle for a designated item or items valued at $50.00 from our Gift Shop. Raffle tickets are priced at 3 for $5.00. There will be a winning ticket drawn from the tickets sold that week. The remaining tickets from each week will be placed into a container and become eligible for the Grand Finale Drawing for a special prize on March 31, 2011. The Superstition Mountain Museum is self-supporting; we get no federal, state or local funding. We appreciate your support and participation in the raffle fundraiser. SUGGESTIONS FOR ATTENDEES *Bring your own lawn chair or cushions to sit on. *Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen. *Please, no smoking. *Please put your cell phone on vibrate or off. 2012 Schedule
The Superstition Mountain Museum invites you to attend all 13 of the free programs composing the 2012 free lecture series “Legends and Lore of the Superstitions and More.” Through the winter season, these presentations are held each Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater at the museum with the goal of educating and entertaining winter visitors, and residents, alike. January 5 Clay Worst The Original Dutchman January 12 Donna L. Pollard Geologic History of the Superstition Mountains January 19 Charlie LeSueur Riding the Hollywood Trail January 26 Peter Bigfoot Trek Across the Sonoran Desert February 2 George Johnston Fascinating Flora and Fauna of the Sonoran Desert February 9 Jan Michael Corey Classical Cowboy Poetry February 16 “Wildman Phil” Rakoci Wildlife Adventure February 23 Robert Mason Arizona Pioneers of the Salt/Verde River Area March 1 Mark Fogelson Folk-Country/Western Music Performance March 8 Dave Morris Harvest of the Desert March 15 Wayne Standage The Apache Trail March 22 Carolyn O’Bagy Davis Hopi Summer: Letters from Ethel to Maud March 29 Ron Nix Moviemaking Adventures at Apacheland January 5, 2012 Clay Worst The Original Dutchman and His Mine
One of the last of the old time “(Superstition) Mountain Men,” and first in the hearts of our lecture devotees is Clay Worst, who opens this year’s series with his rendition of the story of Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman Treasure. Clay, himself, has spent more than 60 years searching for answers to the puzzles and mysteries that have arisen during the 120 years that have elapsed since the Dutchman died, leaving tantalizing clues to the location of the source of his gold. As always, Clay will answer as many questions as possible about the quest and the part he has played in it. Warning: get to the amphitheater early since Clay sets attendance records every time he gives his fascinating presentation. January 12, 2012 Donna L. Pollard Geologic History of the Superstition Mountains
Donna Pollard holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Earth Science/ Geology and Education from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She moved to Apache Junction in 2000, and is “thrilled” to live in one of the most beautiful and interesting, both historically and geologically, localities in the United States. She is an adjunct Professor of Geology in the Maricopa Community College System, currently working at Mesa Community College: Red Mountain. The formation and true history of the Superstition Mountains began more than 30 million years ago during the Tertiary Period of geologic time. Donna’s lecture will begin with a brief overview of the vast amount of geologic time that lies between the oldest rocks in the area and the youngest rocks. She will give an introduction to the theory of Plate Tectonics and a short description of the three types of rock. Through photos and drawings, she will discuss the nine phases in the history of the mountains. “My goal, “ she states, “is that my guests at the lecture will look at the area a bit differently with this geologic information added to their thoughts.” January 19, 2012 Charlie LeSueur Riding the Hollywood Trail Explore the history of "B" Western movies and the cowboy stars that helped create this popular genre from the turn of the century to the mid 1950s. Western film history and it's cowboy stars are brought to life through film historian Charlie LeSueur's unique perspective, personal interviews with movie idols and their families, and expert research. Join Charlie at the museum for this special lecture where he will take you back to a time when Western film actors were the nations heroes and the silver screen their playground.
January 26, 2012 Peter Bigfoot Survival Expert: Sonoran Trek
Respected as a survival expert, teacher, herbalist and storyteller, Peter Bigfoot is perhaps best known for his much publicized solo trek across the Sonoran Desert in 1976. He walked 85 miles in 15 days and brought no food or water with him, relying strictly on what could be foraged along the way. Grueling heat, the constant threat of dehydration, and a bout with hepatitis were true tests of his wilderness survival wisdom. In this lecture, Bigfoot will describe his trek, the challenges he faced, and the ways in which he used wild plants of the Sonoran Desert as food, tools and medicine. Peter Bigfoot runs the non-profit Reevis Mountain School of Self-Reliance, a self-sufficient wilderness retreat in the Superstition Mountains.
February 2, 2012 George Johnston Fascinating Sonoran Desert Flora and Fauna
George has resided for many years in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains and has been a student of the plants, animals and geology of the desert around him all the while. His extensive knowledge, keen insights, and anecdotes regarding desert life and the legends and lore of the area are the subject of many presentations that he has given for the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum, Central Arizona College, the Arizona Lecture Series sponsored by the Apache Junction School District, the Superstition Mountain Museum and other venues. A past president of the Superstition Mountain Historical Society, he currently works as an unpaid staffer in the museum, sharing his wealth of information through mentoring and teaching gift shop volunteers and customers.
February 9, 2012 Jan Michael Corey Classical Cowboy Poetry
How long has it been since you have been mesmerized by… a voice? a style of speaking? poetry that has been selected and presented so as to carry you to a different time and place? You will experience the story as if you were part of it, first hand. You will be there, inside. Jan Michael Corey invites you to feel the power of Cowboy Poetry. Jan is a Classical Cowboy Poet and performs more than 34 great stories (cowboy poems) so powerful that the audience “comes into the story,” as if they are there, seeing and feeling the amazing experience firsthand. Back in the 50’s when Jan worked with a veterinarian in Flint, Michigan, Jan would drive out into the country after the sun went down in order to receive the signal from the southern states and be able to listen to country music. He would fill his ’49 Ford with 19-cent gas and drive until the wee hours, smiling all the way. Jan owned and operated a machine shop in Mesa, Arizona for 31 years and, now retired, he can fulfill his passion for Cowboy Poetry.
February 16, 2012 Phillip “Wildman Phil” Rakoci Wildlife Adventure
Join us for an exciting live animal demonstration featuring some of the world’s most notable creatures. Wildlife comedian “Wildman Phil” highlights the unique characteristics of various wildlife, their homes, and the ways the lives of these vastly different animals are interwoven, creating a community where each has a purpose and a place. This highly entertaining, yet informative, presentation combines hands-on demonstrations with lessons featuring: respect for wildlife and the environment; animal defenses and their roles; ways to identify dangerous creatures and harmless animals; separation of fact and fiction in the world of spiders, scorpions, lizards, snakes and other such creatures; life cycles and the web of life. An Arizona native, Phil has a passion and exuberance for all things prickly, pointy, venomous, and desiccated. His forays into wild places are frequent and legendary. So as not to be far away from the creepy crawlers, Phil’s home and land is a living laboratory and Phil takes “his pets” on the road across the Western United States to entertain and educate audiences of all ages.
February 23, 2012 Robert Mason Verde River Settlers
Learn about early Arizona pioneers Annie and Patrick White and their connection to Elisha Reevis, an early settler/farmer in the Superstition Mountains. Patrick White served in the military as a wheelwright and Annie worked for many of the military officers’ families. Patrick and his wife built a house just north of Fort McDowell in the 1880’s. Bob has written a book entitled “The Burning,” a story about the Civil War and Arizona pioneering based on the true story of Annie and Patrick White. The hardships encountered by this family while serving their country in the Civil War and in opening up the West is very interesting. These people were trail blazers and encountered betrayal by some of those they trusted the most. Robert will tell the story of two of the first cattlemen at the confluence of the Salt and Verde Rivers, and Fort McDowell Army patrol reports.
March 1, 2012 Mark Foglelson Singer/Songwriter Musical Performance
Returning once again this year, perennial favorite singer/songwriter Mark Fogelson will perform his brand of easy listening, “folk-country” music and finger picking guitar blended into funny, touching stories about people, land and life. Folk music is, by definition, music of the people. Mark’s songs capture this essence of traditional folk music by focusing on human stories, emotions and triumphs. His music harkens back to an era when storytellers handed down tales through generations, yet his songs also remain powerfully pertinent to the rapidly-changing world in which we now live. Mark will perform “Lost Dutchman” and “Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum,” two special songs that he has written just for the museum.
March 8, 2012 Dave Morris Harvest of the Desert
Explore the harvest of the desert with native American naturalist Dave Morris. Learn about the many uses of desert plants and the biology that makes them useful. Some plants have provided for the people of the desert since prehistoric times. Learn how plants were used for food, building, medicine and magic by examining the ethnobotany of the Sonoran Desert. Dave is a repeat guest lecturer for the museum. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and has a degree in Plant Sciences from Northern Arizona University. He is currently Visitor Services Coordinator at the Pueblo Grande Museum and a part-time instructor for Grand Canyon College.
March 15, 2012 Wayne Standage The Apache Trail
Wayne is a native Arizonan whose roots go deep. His ancestors have been in the West since the 1840’s, and in Arizona since the 1870’s. Wayne has experienced Arizona from the back of a horse while working as a cowboy for his grandfather, and loves researching both his family’s history and Arizona history, particularly old trails. He is retired from Arizona Public Service and is a former Reserve Deputy for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. In 2005, he moved back into the East Valley and settled in Apache Junction. He is very active in the community, and serves on the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department Board, as well as working with other local organizations and groups. He has done a lot of research about the trails and transportation routes used in Central Arizona and has a wealth of information to share with listeners
March 22, 2012 Carolyn O’Bagy Davis Hopi Summer: Letters from Ethel to Maud
Hear a very special author presentation from well-known Arizona writer Carolyn O’Bagy Davis who has written books on archeology, quilting, and Western history. Her book Hopi Summer: Letters from Ethel to Maud has been chosen the ONEBOOKAZ winner for 2010-2011. In 1927, Maud Melville, a wealthy New Englander, and Ethel Muchvo, a Hopi potter, struck up a remarkable friendship. Using diaries, letters and photographs of Ethel and Maud, biographer and historian Carolyn delves into the touching relationship that blossomed between two women from very different worlds over many years of triumphs and sorrows. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author and hear how she came to write the book. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the lecture.
March 29, 2012 Ron Nix Moviemaking Adventures at Apacheland
Ron Nix, stuntman and storyteller extraordinaire, is one of the “Apacheland Movie Ranch Alumni” whose boot prints are recorded for posterity in cement, and whose photos grace the wall of the Apacheland Barn located on the museum grounds. His presentation of photos and entertaining true tales of experiences he had working at Apacheland Movie Ranch will cap our midwinter lecture series. During the 1960’s, when Apacheland was in its glory days as a shooting location for many Western television shows and movies, a chance visit to see Clint Walker appear one Sunday afternoon introduced a young Phoenix resident named Ron Nix to the exciting world of film making and a new career as a “learn as you earn” stuntman. His experience filling in for an injured stuntman laid the foundation for a lifetime spent both in front of the camera and behind it as stuntman and actor, and, later, as a Western entertainment facilities architect, builder and manager. His enthusiasm is infectious and his anecdotes are priceless. Return to the thrilling days of yesteryear with Ron when cowboyin’ was king and the good guys wore white hats and rode off triumphantly into the sunset.
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