February is almost half over and the time just keeps flashing by. It seems like we just celebrated Christmas and I mean the one in 2017, let alone this past holiday season.
Oh well, I guess you can’t stop the clock. But that also means it’s the month I enjoy the most, March.
Why do I like it so much? That‘s because we have spring training for baseball and the NCAA college basketball tournament, otherwise known as “March Madness.” They are my two favorite sports to watch – college basketball and Major League Baseball.
Speaking of spring training, we begin play in the Cactus League with our annual “Play Ball” feature. It is included in this week’s edition of The Times. The ball players begin their games on Feb. 23.
Nationally known baseball and travel writer Charlie Vascellaro wrote the story that is a preview of the upcoming season.
Charlie grew up in Fountain Hills. He worked at The Times, writing sports, while earning his journalism degree from Arizona State. He now lives in Baltimore, Md. His knowledgeable stories have appeared in the Washington Post, the Washington Times, the Baltimore Sun and numerous publications across the nation. His knowledge of baseball is incredible.
Charlie and I will be in the same seats we’ve always occupied for the San Francisco Giants’ home opener in Scottsdale on Feb. 24. We’re right behind the Giants’ dugout. It has become a tradition for us.
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Local Realtor Fred Pulve retired as of Feb. 1. I know, with so many Realtors in town over the years, why is he getting special mention?
Well, he has the distinction of placing the first classified display ad in The Times. Over the years, Realtors have placed more display ads in our award-winning Classified section than any other group of businesses.
He and wife Michelle were the owners of Arizona 1- Pulve Associates Real Estate. They later sold their real estate business to Coldwell Banker.
Fred was also involved in the community serving a term on the School Board. He is also a past president of the Scottsdale Board of Realtors. In 2012 he was inducted into the Lower Verde Valley Hall of Fame.
Michelle served as chairperson of the chamber of commerce’s economic development committee.
He believed in the power of advertising. Prior to Fred placing the first classified display ad in our newspaper, individuals had advertised single properties in the line ads.
Other firms were quick to follow, but as I said earlier, Fred will always have the distinction of being the first.
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The topic for the Fountain Hills River of Time Museum dinner for this month will be the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
The Feb. 20 dinner meeting at the Community Center will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails served at a no–host bar.
After dinner is served, Capt. David Smith, a retired Alaskan Airlines pilot, will make the presentation about astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin who made history when they made the first footprints on the moon. The meal is being catered by Saddle Bronc restaurant.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $35 for non-members and $30 for members.
They can be purchased in the River of Time Museum Gift Shop until 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. They also can be purchased by calling 480-837-2612.
