E-MAIL AND LETTERS

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Outdoor Game I have always heard the expression "Cow Pasture Pool" in reference to the game of golf. You have made my day in living color on page 13 (cows and golfers on the golf course, "Big Sandy Valley," August '01). Cow Pasture Pool only in Arizona.

United Communities While the tone of the article ("Pinetop-Lakeside," August '01) seemed to emphasize the historical differences in our roots, let me assure you that the vast majority of our community members have focused wholeheartedly for the last 17 years (since our incorporation in 1984) on those things that have united us: friendship, respect, our mutual pioneer histories and our joint community spirit. Unlike the author's suggestion that the hyphen in our name separates us, we feel it is symbolic of the strong bond that unites us.

Prescott Visit We loved Leo Banks' article on Prescott ("Getaway Weekend," August '01), so last week we took the very trip he did. We did everything he did except we stayed at the Hassayampa instead of the Hotel St. Michael. We followed his footsteps for a very enjoyable three days.

People Pictures Wow, you sure picked a great "first assignment" for photographer David Zickl ("Big Sandy Valley," August '01). Please keep him going on people pictures. He brings out the personality of the subjects - a good balance with all the gorgeous scenic photos. I so wish I still lived in Arizona but circumstances changed.

My husband, children and I have been escaping the long winter of northern Michigan by coming to Arizona on and off for the past 15 years. We subscribe to Arizona Highways as a way to live vicariously in your beautiful state. The landscapes and articles always thrill us and help us dream and plan our next visit. However, it was your photos of the residents of the Big Sandy Valley that truly caught my breath and brought a tear to my eye as I realized it's not just the beauty and variety of the earth of Arizona that keeps us coming back. It's also memories of the friendly and downright fascinating people we have met each time. David Zickl's photography captured the essence of the many different people of Arizona and reminded me of this other gift you have given us over the years. Salome Creek "Memories of Salome Creek" (August '01) by Nick Berezenko is by far the best article I have read in Arizona Highways for many years. The article could be included in any short story collection and is only enhanced by the photography. It is nice to feel the soul of Arizonans who develop lifelong relations with the natural formations of this state.

I have subscribed to Arizona Highways for 16 years. Never in that time has anything caught my eye as did the cover of the August '01 issue. The photograph of Salome Creek by Jeff Snyder seems to have everything you could ask for in a picture. I don't always note the photo credits, so Mr. Snyder's name is not familiar to me, but you can be sure that I will be looking for it in future issues. How could you do this to me? Another beautiful issue with the joys of Arizona, and I'm not planning to visit soon. Oh, Salome Creek with designs that an artist would kill to achieve: lavender waterfalls, onyx pools, gray granite with honey brown ribbons. Thank you from the bottom of my impatient Georgia heart for your glorious publication.

Eating Opossum In the letters of the August '01 issue I find two people who believe that opossum is "definitely not table fare." Nonsense. All Southerners old enough have eaten 'possum. At least, people who do not just eat in high-class restaurants, or those of us who have lived and worked with poor rural residents, have dined on morsels of marsupial. Heck, the people writing those letters probably have not eaten - or perhaps heard of -'possum on the half-shell (the armadillo, in South Carolina). Let us hope the letter-writers are not like modern city children who think that milk originates in grocery stores.

JANUARY 2002 VOL. 78, NO. 1

Publisher WIN HOLDEN Editor ROBERT J. EARLY Senior Editor REBECCA MONG Managing Editor BETH DEVENY Research Editor MARY PRATT Editorial Administrator CONNIE BOCH Administrative Assistant NIKKI KIMBEL Director of Photography PETER ENSENBERGER Photography Editor RICHARD MAACK Art Director MARY WINKELMAN VELGOS Deputy Art Director BARBARA GLYNN DENNEY Deputy Art Director BILLIE JO BISHOP Associate Art Director BETH ANDERSON Art Assistant PAULY HELLER Map Designer KEVIN KIBSEY Arizona Highways Books WitWorks Books Editor BOB ALBANO Associate Editor EVELYN HOWELL Associate Editor PK PERKIN MCMAHON Production Director CINDY MACKEY Production Coordinator KIM ENSENBERGER Promotions Art Director RONDA JOHNSON Webmaster VICKY SNOW Marketing Director PATRICIA POWERS-ZERMEÑO Circulation Director LEE FRANKLIN Finance Director ROBERT M. STEELE Fulfillment Director VALERIE J. BECKETT FOR CUSTOMER INQUIRIES OR TO ORDER BY PHONE: Call toll-free: (800) 543-5432 In the Phoenix area or outside the U.S., Call (602) 712-2000 Or visit us online at: www.arizonahighways.com For Corporate or Trade Sales Call (602) 712-2050 E-MAIL "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR": [email protected] Regular Mail: Editor 2039 W. Lewis Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85009 Governor Jane Dee Hull Acting Director, Department of Transportation Victor M. Mendez ARIZONA TRANSPORTATION BOARD Chairman E Rockne Arnett, Phoenix Vice Chairman Katie Dusenberry, Tucson Members Dallas "Rusty" Gant, Wickenburg Richard "Dick" Hileman, Lake Havasu City Bill Jeffers, Holbrook James W. Martin, Willcox Ingo Radicke, Globe INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2000, 1998, 1992, 1990 Magazine of the Year WESTERN PUBLICATIONS ASSOCIATION 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1993, 1992 Best Regional &r State Magazine SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS FOUNDATION 2000, 1997 Gold Awards Best Monthly Travel Magazine Arizona Highways (ISSN 0004-1521) is published monthly by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Subscription price: $21 a year in the U.S., $31 in Canada, $34 elsewhere outside the U.S. U.S. Single copy: $3.99 US Send subscription correspondence and change of address information to Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave.. Phoenix, AZ 85009. Periodical postage paid at Phoenix, AZ and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: send address changes to to Arizona Highways, 2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009. Copyright © 2002 by the Ari zona Department of Transportation. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The magazine does not accept and is not responsible for unsolicited materials provided for editorial consideration.