Last Friday night, Diane and I enjoyed having dinner with some very dear friends.

Barb and Fred Hansen were the hosts at their newly redecorated home. The new décor is absolutely awesome,

Joining us were Jan and Frank Ferrara and Bruce and Cassie Hansen. All four couples have been very involved in the community over the years, but I don’t think we have ever shared a dinner table at one time.

We shared lots of laughs during the evening, but whenever this crew might get together, you know the topic has to turn to town politics at some point.

The subject of past July 4th celebrations came up. Cassie mentioned something about all of the special events that have taken place in Fountain Hills over the years. I think it was Bruce who finally suggested we go back to having a town July 4th celebration.

I think it is a good idea. I always enjoyed the gatherings at the park.

The town’s original master developer, McCulloch Properties, Inc. originated the fireworks shows, advertising the biggest free aerial fireworks display in Maricopa County. That was in 1973. The event was co-sponsored by the master developer, McCulloch Properties, Inc., ($1,000) and the Fountain Hills Civic Association. ($500).  The Civic Association sold refreshments in the park and profits from the day‘s sales went into a fund to purchase playground equipment for the park. Some 30,000 people converged on Fountain Park that evening. The turnout surprised local organizers. And with that success, planning immediately began on the next year’s event.

July 4th,1974 had a schedule of entertainment that began at 3 p.m.  Resident Joan St. John put together a musical review that was performed on stage at Fountain Park. Local talent sang, danced and played patriotic songs as well as many then-current popular songs and everyone’s favorite oldies.

It was a fun evening of entertainment.

Over the years, there were a number of these hometown Independence Day celebrations with local talent performing. The Fountain Hills Community Theater presented some memorable performances. One year I was transported through the park to the stage in a 1956 Cadillac. It was the biggest crowd I ever performed my “King of Rock and Roll” routine.

All of this fun stopped when it was decided to discontinue the fireworks displays due to the dry conditions and new homes around the park.

Bruce thinks low level fireworks fired over the lake would  be sufficient. I’m fairly certain you could see the Fort McDowell fireworks display from the park’s amphitheater. That is where a hometown program of entertainment could be presented.

I think it is worth discussing.

-------

We are notifying you in advance. Some of you may be experiencing delays in the delivery of your newspapers the next four weeks.

Four of our delivery staff will be on vacation at least part of the month. Please be patient with the substitutes who will be  delivering to customers on those routes. You might even see some familiar faces.

If you have questions about delivery, call our office, 837-1925.

------

We picked up 20 new subscribers last week. Remember, we have a summer subscription special under way. We are offering half price subscriptions to new subscribers for $19 for one-year of home delivery.

If you are not currently having the community’s award-winning weekly newspaper delivered to your home each week, grab your credit card and call our office, 837-1925.