By Ventura Townsel, Commander
“That the flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation.”
This was the resolution adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The resolution was made following the report of a special committee which had been assigned to suggest the flag’s design.
Observance of the adoption of the flag was not soon in coming, however.
Although there are many claims to the first official observance of Flag Day, all but one took place more than an entire century after the flag’s adoption in 1777. The most recognized claim, however, comes from New York. On June 14, 1889, Professor George Bolch, had his school hold patriotic ceremonies to observe the anniversary of the Flag Day resolution. This initiative attracted attention from the State Department of Education, which arranged to have the day observed in all public schools thereafter.
Soon the state legislature passed a law making it the responsibility of the state superintendent of public schools to ensure that schools hold observances for Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day and Flag Day. In 1897, the governor of New York ordered the displaying of the flag over all public buildings in the state, an observance considered by some to be the first official recognition of the anniversary of the adoption of the flag outside of schools.
Flag Day is a nationwide observance today. Bernard J. Cigrand, a school teacher in Waubeka, Wisconsin, reportedly spent years trying to get Congress to declare June 14 as a national holiday. Although his attempts failed, the day was widely observed. Both President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day. But it wasn’t until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law.
So, this month neighbors, let your flag fly high. Or feel free to offer our flag a salute as you drive by American Legion Post 109.
Please have a safe 4th of July
By Charlotte Herdliska, Fire Marshal, Corona de Tucson Fire Department
There is a lot of fuel in our desert and it’s dry, please be careful!
What Are the Dangers of Fireworks?
If not handled properly, legal fireworks can cause burns and eye injuries in kids and adults. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
Any type of firework that explodes or detonates in the air is illegal in Arizona. Illegal fireworks include the following: sky or bottle rockets, firecrackers and aerial fireworks.
Fireworks Safety Tips
• Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous.
• If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and hold them away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,200 to 1,800°F — hot enough to melt gold. Have a bucket of water close by.
• Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks in Arizona do not leave the ground). You should store them in a cool, dry place.
• Illegal fireworks rise into the air and explode, dropping hot embers onto our desert, posing a real risk of wildfires.
• Point fireworks away from homes and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year. PLEASE, DO NOT BURN DOWN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
• Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud.
• Don’t allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
• Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by the Fourth of July and other big celebrations. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they’ll run loose or get injured.
If an Injury Happens: If someone is injured by fireworks, immediately call 911.
Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but we and you will enjoy them much more knowing your family is safe.
The following legal requirements are in effect for the State of Arizona.
Bottle Rockets: With Permit Only
Sky Rockets: With Permit Only
Roman Candles: With Permit Only
Firecrackers: With Permit Only
Sparklers: Legally Allowed
Smoke and Punk: Legally Allowed
Fountains: Legally Allowed
Missiles: With Permit Only
Novelties: Legally Allowed
Crackle and Strobe: Legally Allowed
Parachutes: With Permit Only
Wheels and Spinners: Legally Allowed
Sky Flyers: With Permit Only
Display Shells: With Permit Only
Aerial Items (Cakes): With Permit Only
What types of fireworks are legal in Arizona?
The following types of fireworks are legal to use year-round in Arizona: sparklers, smoker devices, and novelty fireworks such as snakes, party poppers and snappers.
Other types of fireworks are allowed seasonally, for holidays such as New Year’s and the Fourth of July, from June 24 to July 6 and Dec. 24 to Jan 3. This includes: Ground spinners, sparkling wheel devices and fountain-style fireworks.
Is your home safe from wildfire?
Please contact your local Fire Department for information on Firewise Communities and a FREE Firewise property survey: Corona de Tucson Fire: FM Charlotte Herdliska: 520-762-9370 cherdliska@coronafire.org; Rincon Valley Fire: 520- 647-3760
Followup to Meet the Carlsons
By Lisa Larivee, Corona Cares communications
In the May issue of The Vail Voice, an article was published profiling Jack and Mary Jo Carlson. Mary Jo was a native of Truffant, Michigan, a small hamlet with a total population of 370. A woman in Oro Valley read the article; she grew up in nearby Coral, Michigan, an even smaller township with a population of 175. The intrigued woman requested an opportunity to contact Mary Jo to reminisce and talk about their respective hometowns and people they both may know. Mary Jo gleefully called the woman, spending hours joking, laughing, and sharing. They know many of the same people, places, traditions and were able to talk about their growing up years in Michigan. They are now lifelong phone pals with plans to meet in-person soon to continue their newfound friendship. Corona Cares is more than just neighbors helping neighbors; it is about building lifelong friendships.
Meet The Bjorlins: Corona Cares Volunteers from Corona de Tucson
By Lisa Larivee, Communications, Corona Cares
Butch Bjorlin, a former transportation manager retired from Con Way Central Express in 2005 after 43 years in the industry. He traveled from Denver to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Indiana; Chicago; Fargo, North Dakota; before settling in Green Bay where he spent 40 years. He started out as a driver for REA Express in Denver, and then worked in various aspects of transportation from common carriers, grocery distribution. He returned and retired from Con-Way in Green Bay, Wisconsin, after 20 years of service.
Butch’s former in-laws had a winter home in Mesa, Arizona. Around Easter he and his then wife, before she passed, would visit Arizona to take a break from cold, snowy Wisconsin. Later when Butch and Katie were a year away from retiring, Butch revealed to a friend while out goose hunting that he had a motorhome.
The friend invited Butch to visit him in Tucson at the RV park when they retire. In 2006 mid-March, Butch and Katie visited the Voyager Resort in Tucson. The weather was so beautiful; Butch stated that he could move here. Katie’s response was no way, we are not moving from six acres of woods in Wisconsin. Yet they continued to visit. Their first year they stayed a month, the second year three months, the next year four months and in 2009, they stayed five months. Katie eventually changed her mind; they moved to Corona de Tucson where they are still residing.
Butch became involved with Santa Rita Foothills Community Association, the predecessor to Corona de Tucson Community Alliance, where he and Katie learned about Corona Cares and the wonderful services they provide. They became volunteers, both are drivers.
Butch loves to play golf, garden, and create beautiful stained glass pieces. This past year, he has shipped pieces to over 13 states from Alaska to Florida. His primary focus is abstract but he loves creating crosses. He has does smaller window pieces because his shop is not large enough to do bigger pieces. Butch also enjoys music; he has sung in choirs and done solo performances around the country during his travels. He started singing in the choir at the Voyager. When he moved to Corona de Tucson he was asked to fill in to schedule and coordinate their Summer Chapel Services. His six-week fill-in commitment became permanent; he now schedules their speakers and music for Sunday services; however due to COVID they have been unable to meet but anticipate possible resumption mid-summer.
Katie Bjorlin was an original snowbird with Butch at the Voyager RV Park. Yes, they are Cheeseheads. Katie found her dream home along with the best neighbors in Corona de Tucson, nothing could compare. Her first visitor was Sandy Whitehouse, who welcomed her to the neighborhood and introduced her to Newtowners. Once reluctant to move to Arizona, she now loves it here.
Katie is a golfer; she also enjoys baking and sharing her goodies with the neighbors and the CdT fire department. During the holidays, she makes sure all the delivery people get plates of her holiday goodies. She does rosemauling, a Scandinavia folk-art style of painting.
Katie loves helping people. She provides transportation for Corona Cares, accommodating people with wheelchairs and walkers. She is a tiny but strong woman able to assist those in need. She is always looking out for others and their pets. She hass been taking care of family and friends for a long time and has had hands-on training for all types of situations. She is the proud owner of her cat Bonita along with Luna and Carlos, their two dogs.
Corona Cares, Neighbors helping Neighbors
Phone: (520) 395-9327
E-Mail: coronacares@cox.net
Why community matters to me as an entrepeneur
By Manuil J. Chavez, Four Arrows Garden
When my wife and I first started our garden business last year, we never imagined that it would be much more than an assortment of kids planting sets and succulent arrangements. Our quick growth was largely due to the incredible response we received from friends and neighbors when we were just testing the concept for fun. Those community members really surprised us by their enthusiastic support and within six months, we were selling 5-gallon plants, 15-gallon trees, pottery, planting services, and consultations. We were overwhelmed by the support we received and quickly realized that our community of friends and neighbors were truly key in our growth as well as determining the direction of our business.
Responding to the community’s needs and understanding what was important to them really helped us determine our business model and what we needed to do. The more we listened to them, the more we continued to grow. While networking within our community, we also discovered how many other small business owners were out here in our little hamlet of Corona De Tucson. It was eye opening how many neighbors were running legitimate small businesses out of their own homes just like us. We met business owners who were manufacturing solar screens, metal fabricators, screen printers, janitorial service providers, and many others.
Meeting so many other small business owners really lit a fire in me to find a way to get the word out to the rest of the community. My wife and I hosted a small event in our yard and invited other small businesses to come and network and promote their products and services. It was at that event that my wife and I met Ed Buster and Ellie Abraham who were a part of the Corona De Tucson Community Alliance. They were so kind to educate us on the purpose and mission of the alliance, which is to encourage, promote, and sponsor sustained improvements for the welfare of the Corona De Tucson community. How great is that. I had no idea it even existed before meeting Ed and Ellie.
We were certain that we wanted to join the alliance. We knew it would be a great way to stay involved in our community and meet other like-minded business owners and neighbors that are passionate about the CDT community. We were happy to pay the $20 annual membership fee for this opportunity. Shortly after attending my first few meetings, I decided to join the board of directors.
There is so much opportunity out here in CDT and so much work to do. That is why I encourage every small business owner and entrepreneur in Corona De Tucson to join and be a part of the CDT Community Alliance. With your decision-making skills, your ability to think through problems, and your willingness to take risks, all those qualities that make you an excellent business owner can also help our community. Every member of the alliance is passionate about the community we live in and we want our likeminded friends and neighbors to join us.
www.fourarrowsgarden.com
