Sergio Horcos

The Halloween Spooktacular Event held at the Vulture mine on Halloween (10/31/10) was a huge success! There were 130 people in attendance who enjoyed a BBQ dinner, and were entertained by Arizona State Historian, Marshall Trimble and local singer Meighan Click. The weather and the setting were perfect. As it got darker some of the old buildings took on a "spooky" appearance, and added to the enchantment of the Vulture Mine. You could almost visualize what it might have looked like over 100 years ago.

They also had an auction that was conducted by local auctioneer, Joanie Mangold, a silent auction and a raffle with a lot of great raffle prizes. Romie Romero (from 92.3 KTAR's radio program, "Rosie on the House") was also present to MC the event.

The event was put on by the Vulture Mine Preservation and Restoration Association (VMPRA). This is a 501 (C) 3 Nonprofit Organization whose mission is to purchase and restore Henry Wickenburg's 1863 Vulture Gold Mine for the purpose of preserving, interpreting and sharing the mine's legacy and its importance to the development of Arizona and the Western United States. The VMPRA also has memberships available ranging in price from $25 to $500, and I'm sure any donation would be greatly appreciated. The Wickenburg Vulture Mine is a very important piece of Wickenburg's History. Please visit their website: www.savevulturemine.org, and find out how you can help preserve this important Wickenburg Community Historical Site.

Over 150 guests and Community Members gathered at Congress Elementary School last night to enjoy "Bluegrass on the Grass". With the backdrop of Tenderfoot Hill, The Congress Elementary School was the perfect setting for this outdoor family and community event.

The Special Consensus Band is from Nashville, Tennessee, and they were able to arrange this stop at CES on their way to the "Great Desert Bluegrass Festival" in Tucson. They are a four person acoustic bluegrass band that began touring in the spring of 1975. International tours have brought The Special Consensus to the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Ireland and South America. In 1984 they also initiated the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program in schools across the country. Several of the band's recordings have received a Highlight Review in Bluegrass Unlimited and Route 10 was included in the Top 10 Recordings of 2003 in both Bluegrass Now and the Chicago Tribune.

The Congress Elementary School's Event, Bluegrass on the Grass, followed educational classroom demonstrations by the Special Consensus Band that took place at school earlier in the day, as well as violin lessons that were sponsored by the Wickenburg Cultural Organization (WCO).

This event would not have been possible without the support and contributions from the community and our sponsors for this event which included Congress PTA, Wickenburg Cultural Organization (WCO), Wickenburg Friends of Music, Congress Mercantile, Wickenburg's Super 8, Anita's Cocina, Weston Concrete, Gordon Acri and Sergio Horcos. We even had members of the Congress Fire Department handing out Holiday treats to the kids, and members of the Yavapai County Sherriff's VIP's helping with traffic control. Because of these great sponsors Congress Elementary School and CES PTA were able to offer the event FREE to the Public and the residents of the Congress Community. In addition, a special thanks to Patsy Workman, who contacted the Special Consensus Band and was instrumental in obtaining the necessary sponsors and organizing the event.

The Fireside Bar & Grill just opened this month, after approximately one year of extensive remodeling. From the outside it still looks like a big metal building, but the inside is completely redone. They have a huge bar, a large stage with a dance floor, and an extensive seating area, including an upper loft. I have gone a couple of times and have really enjoyed the menu, and the entertainment.

For entertainment they have various things during the week to draw people in. Last Wednesday they had Karaoke. Then every Friday night they have a live Country Western Band from Cave Creek. They play a lot of the older Country Western Music such as Marty Robbins, etc. They also have a pretty large dance floor. So if you like doin' the Texas Two Step this is the place to go.

While the entertainment is worth stopping by for, the menu and food is pretty good as well. Their menu includes American Food (Hamburgers, Steaks, Salads, Chicken, etc), and it is all very reasonably priced. I've tried the Chicken Wings of Wickenburg and the Boneless ones as well. They also have at least a dozen different sauces for you to pick for your wings. The Sirloin Tips sautéed with Green Peppers and Onions were also pretty tasty. Although I haven't tried their hamburgers yet, I've heard that they are very good!

So next time you visit Wickenburg, stop in and try out our latest addition!

Thanks to Loretta Morales and her crew. We just wrapped up another successful Old Congress Days.

Saturday started off with the parade. It was lead by the Wickenburg Boy Scout Troop 299, and Bridgett Morales singing the National Anthem at the announcers stand. Some of the highlights of Saturday were the Gymkhana held at Whisler's Arena, the Chili Cook Off held at the Congress Community Center and last but not least Jim Monnett and the Arizona Outlaw's who played at the FREE dance that was held at the Congress Fire Department.

The swap meet had plenty of booths with arts and crafts, a children's play area, and even popcorn and cotton candy!

All in all, there is nothing like the gathering of local friends and family to celebrate Congress, AZ, it's history and origin. My family and I look forward to it each year.

October is almost here, the weather will be cooling off, and time to get out and join in the fun! Here are some of the upcoming events that you won't want to miss:

• 16th Annual Fly-in and Classic Car Show at the Wickenburg Airport - October 9
• Wickenburg Breast Cancer Walk - October 10 7:30 a.m. Ortega Parking Lot
• Rancher's Bar Chili Cookoff
• "Operation Jingle Bells" Fundraiser Auction at the American Legion Oct 23 4-8 p.m.

I'm sure I haven't covered everything. Alot of the Wickenburg Merchants will be participating in an Octoberfest throughout the month where they will have sidewalk sales on the weekends.

So as the weather cools off, I'll plan on seeing you around town!!