THE TRUMPETER - June 2023

RWOP Newsletter Editor: Joan Lesko, RWOP VP Communications, [email protected]

The month of June has arrived which means we are halfway through 2023! June is the month with the longest hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and conversely, June has the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. There are three important dates to remember in June. President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14th as Flag Day in the United States. It is a day to celebrate the American Flag and remember the introduction of our country's first flag on June 14, 1777. Almost two years into independence, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution to establish the U.S. flag to be 13 red and white alternating stripes with a blue field in the corner to include 13 stars representing a constellation of the 13 colonies. To learn more about the proper way to respect, display and dispose of our precious American Flag, please click here. I want to thank Judi Kay Williams and her hospitality ladies who have provided a container on the table inside the Ballroom where our members can bring their worn, torn American Flags for proper disposal. THANK YOU LADIES!!

Finally, our third date to remember and recognize is one that is forever etched in our hearts and minds. June 30th will be the 10th Anniversary of the day 19 members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshots died fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. RWOP will pay tribute to their memories and sacrifices at our June luncheon. A solemn reminder of the dangers our first responders face daily in service to protecting our communities. Several surviving members of the brave firefighters who lost their lives that fateful day will be attending our luncheon. In other memorials to honor and remember the firefighters, a team of wildland fire personnel and law enforcement partners has been working since November to develop plans for a commemoration event in honor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who died on June 30, 2013. The Granite Mountain Hotshots Commemoration Team will host a public memorial at 3:00 p.m. Friday, June 30th, at the Yavapai County Courthouse. While specific event details continue to be worked out, the team designed the event to conclude at 4:32 p.m. At that precise time every June 30th, the courthouse plays 19 bell chimes for the fallen hotshots. 

WOW!! May was quite a busy, an exhilarating and beneficial month for RWOP!!!

First, our May Law Enforcement and scholarship recipients’ luncheon was a huge success! Like every RWOP luncheon, our May luncheon was sold out with 450 members and guests in attendance. This year, for the first time in RWOP's history, seventeen (17) scholarships were awarded on one year to deserving young Republican graduating seniors from the Quad City area.

As you view this picture of our scholarship recipients, how proud it makes me to be able to help our young Republicans seeking higher education. 

All of our local police chiefs, Sheriff Rhodes and current and retired law enforcement officers in attendance expressed their overwhelming gratitude for the recognition and being our guests for lunch.  

Click on the video above to view it.

Buz Williams, the husband of RWOP member Judi Kay Williams and a retired Long Beach police officer, was the winner of a Bottle Breacher and coasters signed by Congressman Crane. Speaking of Congressman Crane, he wanted to be at our luncheon to support our young Republicans and law enforcement officers, but his presence was required in Washington on our luncheon date.  He did, however, send a video with his personal message and congratulations to our scholarship recipients and law enforcement officers. Thank you, Congressman Crane, for your support!

If you were not able to attend our Charlie Kirk and The Patriot Barbie event on May 17th, you really missed a great performance from both of these great speakers!! Everyone in attendance was inspired and motivated by what these two great patriots had to say. RWOP was honored to be able to present

Charlie Kirk and The Patriot Barbie to the public and our members. The great response for this event was also inspiring to our speakers who both commented on how they were so positively received and the inspiring comments that they received from all in attendance. THANK YOU to all who bought tickets to support this event. This fundraiser will help provide scholarship funds for next year's RWOP young Republican scholarship recipients!!

Another event that RWOP participated in was the Yavapai County Contractor's Association Home Show held at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley May 18th - 20th. I want to send A HUGE SHOUT OUT to Michele Hamer and her volunteer team who manned our RWOP merchandise booth at the event to sell our Republican merchandise and the RWOP ladies that helped setup the booth at the event.

WOW - they had a very successful weekend, not only selling our RWOP merchandise but promoting our club at the event!! Money raised from our merchandise sales goes to help run the functions of our club. THANK YOU TO ALL our dedicated RWOP members who spent their entire weekend helping with the success of this event!! 

As if RWOP didn't have enough to participate in for the Month of May, the AzFRW Summer Meeting held here at the Prescott Resort, May 18th, 19th and 20th, was very well attended! What a pleasure it was for RWOP to help host this event! I want to send MY PERSONAL RECOGNITION to Elsie Tyree, AzFRW's Region V Director and Pat Lorenzen, AzFRW's Region 1 Director, who worked closely together to provide the food and spirits in the Hospitality Suite. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Hospitality Suite to visit and enjoy the camaraderie with our AzFRW leadership and all our Republican sisters from around our State. A special THANK YOU to the RWOP members who helped oversee the Hospitality Suite to make sure everyone was served.

I also want to THANK Steve Bracety of the Prescott Resort who offered the Presidential Suite to host everyone in. Also, a SPECIAL THANK YOU to the Tribal Police who always keep us safe!  (CLICK HERE for pictures of AzFRW event)

Another special event was held on May 11th at Chilleen’s on 17, located in Black Canyon City, Arizona. Lori Martinez, Arizona's 2022-2023 State Chairwoman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, welcomed twenty-two Hispanic leaders, Hispanic Republican candidates, Hispanic staff members representing current Arizona Congress and Senate representatives, our local LD1 Representatives, and James Gregory, Yavapai County Board of Supervisors - District 3, to a very informative "Round Table" many issues were discussed and ideas exchanged on how to better serve and bring in Hispanic voters in all districts to vote Republican. Our LD1 Representatives: Ken Bennett, Quang Nguyen, and Selina Bliss gave an in-depth report on issues currently being discussed at the Legislature and working with the Republican National Assembly in Arizona.  The event was very well received and informative. Everyone in attendance would like to hold another event like this one in the near future. THANK YOU LORI for arranging this special meeting. I look forward to the next meeting!!

In closing, as I stated, May was a very active month. None of the great RWOP accomplishments would have happened if it were not for the many RWOP members that stepped up to volunteer to help out at the events. RWOP would not be the success it is without our members’ generosity and the great volunteers who answer the call, offer help when needed, making every event run smoothly. To my RWOP Executive Board members that filled in for me while I was on vacation, THANK YOU! Teamwork is critical for our club to function effectively. I am so blessed to have a great Executive and Full Board who loves to see RWOP succeed!

Regards,

Sherrie Hanna

2023 RWOP President

**PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THE NAME CARDS PLACED ON THE LUNCHEON TABLES**

Please note this luncheon will be held on

TUESDAY, June 13, 2023!

LUNCHEON MENU

(Choose one entree)

• Grilled Breast of Chicken, Summer Sweet Corn Cake, Fresh Green Beans with Garlic Butter, Bourbon BBQ Glace
•  ~NEW~ Roasted Summer Vegetable & Grilled Chicken Salad, Red Quinoa, Mandarin Oranges, Tossed in Grilled Lemon Vinaigrette on Bed of Romaine & Butter Lettuce
• Vegetable Cobb Salad ​​

Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake

NO SUBSTITUTIONS ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT

$35 per person​

Reserve your spot online: HERE

Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis!

A reservation made is a reservation paid...thank you!

To help speed up our check-in process:

• Prepaying for the luncheon is encouraged - online or by check mailed prior to luncheon
• Arrive early and allow time for parking
• No large bills accepted
• Have your payment ready – CASH or CHECK (made payable to RWOP for $35 - already filled out

Tuesday, June 13th RWOP Luncheon

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

GUEST SPEAKER:

Cloudy Days

If anyone knows of a RWOP member or family member that is ill, passed away or just needs a note of encouragement please contact me with their address so a personal card can be mailed.  

Marla Bassler, 480-330-8150 or drop her an email at [email protected]

Caring for America - Nancy Grigas

Our charity for the month of June is Dogtree Pines Senior Dog Sanctuary here in Prescott.



Situated on 6 acres surrounded by the forest and fencing all around, the Dogtree Pines Sanctuary is dedicated to senior dogs in need of a forever home, medical, hospice and end-of-life care. The sanctuary primarily takes in high-risk, medium-large breeds who are 10 years and older. A few of the dogs are adopted or fostered out, but the majority that go to the Pines are there to stay. They are supported with healthy food, supplements, medications and love until the time of their passing.

You can sponsor a dog with a gift of $25 or more. It’s easy. Come meet the dogs of Dogtree Pines or browse their stories online. Pick the dog that touches your heart and choose a level of sponsorship in honor of that dog. You can also choose to volunteer your time at the Sanctuary. Anything you can do to help our seniors will be put to good use and greatly appreciated.

On Saturday, July 1st the Annual Prescott Frontier Days Parade will take place in downtown Prescott. The Parade will start at 9 AM and if you would like to participate with RWOP by marching in the parade, please call Elsie Tyree at 928-778-0235 or email her at [email protected]

Save the Date: June 12^th

Membership Committee & Community Outreach Committee’s

Annual Food Drive and Membership Directory Pick-Up

Monday, June 12, 2023, is our yearly Food Drive, 11:30 to 2:30 at the Prescott Resort. This year we will be donating items to benefit Prescott Community Cupboard, US Vets, and Yavapai County Food Bank as you pick up your 2023 RWOP Membership Directory.  

You just need to drive through the front circular drive of the Prescott Resort, we will have volunteers there to take your food or financial donations and give you your 2023 Membership Directory. If you have already picked up your Directory, you are still welcome to drive through and make donations to those in need. Last year we received 527 pounds of food and just under $200 in checks and cash.

According to the food banks they need: Canned Chicken, Tuna, Seafood, and Beef (need protein), Canned Vegetables, Beans, Fruit, and Chili. Jars of Peanut Butter, and Pasta Sauces. For dry foods they need Pasta and Noodles, Macaroni and Cheese mixes, Dried Beans, Rice, and Cereal. Financial donations can be used by the food banks to purchase fresh items and other items that are in low supply.

As of the printing of this newsletter for the 2023 membership year, we have:

Total Members: 933

Active Members: 734

Associates: 196

Student: 3

New Active Members:

Renee J. Miller

Jennifer Jane Pimenidio

Darlene Watts

New Associate Members:

Richard Bell

Brandon Montoya

New Student Member in May: Camerann Carr

2023 Directories are available at the Membership Table, before and after the Luncheon. New members, please pick up your new member packet and order your name badge. If you already ordered a Badge, please pick it up at the Badge table. 

Please keep encouraging your friends and family to join RWOP as we are the largest Federated Club in Arizona and the Nation.

Select HERE for the 2023 RWOP Luncheon Schedule!!

Mark your calendars!!

July 27th

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Yavapai County Courthouse Tour!

RWOP is confirmed to tour the courthouse this year. We have added a special visit with

Judge Mitch Padilla. We will also be learning

about the new jail.

Email Jill Martin at [email protected]

to reserve your spot!

Did You Know…..?

…….that RWOP recently awarded scholarships to 17 deserving high school seniors? You do, if you attended RWOP’s May 9th luncheon, donated to our scholarship fund, or read our May newsletter.  As part of our scholarship presentation ceremony, RWOP gave each scholarship recipient a copy of Nick Adams’ booklet “Freedom vs. Socialism.” 

Many of our members are concerned that we’re sending our conservatively-raised children and grandchildren off to be indoctrinated in liberal colleges and universities. Our scholarship committee does its best to screen the applicants for sincerely held conservative values.  The Nick Adams booklet is an effort to help reinforce those values. 

It’s graduation season, and many of us have recently attended, or will shortly attend, a high school or college graduation ceremony.  In addition to the typical graduation gifts, I’d like to recommend a book that might help our graduates maintain or grow their conservative values, despite moving into a more liberal environment than they’ve previously inhabited. 

The book is called “How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life.” It’s by Peter Robinson, who was a speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan for six of the eight years of his presidency. The book was published in 2003; perhaps you’ve read it. It’s a moving tribute to President Reagan, but more importantly, the author records and analyzes ten life lessons he learned from observing the president. Unsurprisingly, the lessons are conservative and character-building in nature. 

The book is still in print, so I must not be the only reader who considers it a classic. It’s a quick, easy read, but it sticks with you. If your high school or college graduate likes to read (and I hope he or she does!), then I trust it will leave a lasting impression on them, as it did me. 

The Legislative session adjourns this year on May 30th. Hobbs vetoed 86 bills this session blowing past Napolitano’s record of 58 vetoes in 2005.

On Monday, May 15th, our legislature condensed one week’s activity into one day. On that day, 126 bills were scheduled for action, most of which are bills we are tracking because they are important and controversial. The result was that 95 bills were acted upon. Most of these passed along party lines, which is typical for controversial bills. Some are headed for the opposite chamber for further action, but most are headed for Hobbs, who is expected to veto most of them, in typical Hobbs’ fashion.

From Tuesday, May 16 to Friday, May 19, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) vetoed at least four election bills. 

For more information on the bills vetoed and passed CLICK HERE

If you have questions, please call or email me.

Cathy Messinger

480-370-9897

[email protected]

The Congressional COVID emergency mandate which extended filing BENEFICIARY TRAVEL CLAIMS from the usual 30 days is expiring June 9, 2023. All veterans need to have any outstanding travel claims for appointments that have occurred since 3/20/2020 filed by June 8, 2023! If not filed by then, they will be denied. As of June 9, 2023, you will only have 30 days to submit your Beneficiary Travel claims. Remember that you will need Proof of Attendance with all community care claims to be reimbursed. Otherwise, they will be denied.

RWOP Donating $1,500 to U.S. VETS – Prescott

Your contributions in the Red Envelopes to help our service members—veterans and active military—are making a difference! Once again, RWOP has donated to U.S. VETS-Prescott to help veterans in need.

Sponsor Business Card Ads are $100 for 12 months of inclusion in the monthly newsletters. Your ad will also be highlighted on RWOP website. If you are interested in highlighting your business, please contact Joan Lesko [email protected]

SELECT BUSINESS CARD BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR BUSINESS WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE

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