This is my anniversary week for coming to Fountain Hills the first time.

Jan. 19, 1970 was my first time to visit the property that has become my hometown.

I was a newly hired copywriter at a Scottsdale ad agency that was told to go for a ride with the broker and the son of C.V. Wood, the community’s master planner and learn all about the new planned community I would be writing ads for.

As we turned east on Shea Boulevard, I wondered how far they would be driving me. I thought they were taking me to the imaginary “middle of nowhere.”

After reaching the McDowells we turned left onto a trail leading off Shea Boulevard that led us back to the old P-Bar Ranch ranchhouse that was being used as the engineering headquarters for McCulloch’s early grading and engineering work. 

Incidentally, that trail we took off Shea became Fountain Hills Boulevard. Giant earth movers were blading out Fountain Park and what is now our downtown.

-------

I have to say that I was deeply troubled to hear that School Superintendent Dr. Bill Myhr’s contract was not renewed.

I don’t know the real reason for that decision, but I do know this, there was never a bigger supporter of the schools in the community than Bill Myhr. He was everywhere. If he wasn’t promoting the band, he was proudly telling people about the achievements of students winning national academic awards or talking up the Friday night football game.

It wasn’t always on school hours. In fact, other than a monthly lunch meeting we both attended, it was mostly between 5 and 9 p.m. that I did see him. He was undoubtedly the most visible superintendent we have ever had.

And I am very unhappy that one of my best volunteers at the museum, his wife, Sandy, will have to go wherever Bill’s quest for a new job will take them. She is a member of the Historical Society board and coordinator of the junior docent program called the Time Travelers. And her community involvement doesn’t end there.

I question the effect his leaving the district will have on the tax credit program. Many wouldn’t have known about it if Bill hadn’t encouraged them to take advantage of it.

The board said it’s time for a new direction. I, for one, question where the unknown may take us.

-------

Well it looks like the campaign to raise funds for a “Mr. Lincoln” sculpture has been successful. 

As you may recall, we ran a story in November about a request for funding of a sculpture of the 16th president to be added along the sidewalk at Fountain Park next to the Teddy Roosevelt sculpture.

Roy Nickel, who came to me with the idea and coordinated the fund-raising, called me Monday and said a dedication ceremony has been set.

It will be on Lincoln’s birthday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. Nickel said a fund-raising party attended by some 100 people at Jerry and Jackie Miles’ home last weekend helped. The financial goal is now close and could be achieved this weekend. Nickel said donations are still being accepted. You can call him at 816-0229 for information.

Good job, Roy.