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November 2013Volume 14, Issue 4

P.O. Box 842 • Sonoita, Arizona 85637-0842 • (888) 364-2829www.empireranchfoundation.org

EMPIRE RANCH

FOUNDATION NEWS

Published by the Empire Ranch Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management. Thepurpose of the Foundation is to protect, restore, and sustain the Empire Ranch historical buildings and landscape as an outstandingwestern heritage and education center. Donations to the Foundation may be sent to: P.O. Box 842, Sonoita, AZ 85637-0842.

President's MessageWhat do monsoon winds and the EmpireRanch have in common? Two separatewind storms this past summer blew offthe roof from the Mechanic's Shop/FeedBarn. The first storm blew off part of thetin roof and the BLM was able to tack itdown. A couple of weeks later, the secondstorm blew off a larger section, and wewere unable to salvage it. We currentlyhave a great barn with a sun roof!!

Government funding for repairs ispretty much unavailable, so in keeping withEmpire Ranch Foundation's mission to pro-tect and preserve the Ranch buildings, theFoundation will fund the roof replacement.We wouldn't be able to do this without thesupport of our members.

Please help us with a generous year-end contribution. If you renewed yourmembership in May, this donation will beadded to your existing membership level.If you haven't renewed or joined, I encour-age you to do so now using the form en-closed with this issue. Please help us withthe continued preservation of the EmpireRanch! With sincere thanks,

Ron Martin, President

Cowboy Life atthe Empire RanchNovember 2nd proved to be a magnificentday at the Empire Ranch as more than2,000 excited visitors arrived to celebratecowboy life, past and present. A specialtreat was the opportunity to view and com-ment on the Foundation's new CowboyLife Exhibit panels. The exhibit will offi-cially open at a February 8, 2014 event asa permanent display in the room of theoriginal Ranch House where the cowboysbunked.

Overflow crowds vied for seats at theCowboy Conversations, especially for BobShelton and Don Collier's presentation onArizona's Western Movies. Jesús García(cordage and horsehair rope making) andJohn Larkin (guns of the West) related thehistory of these important tools of thetrade. Van Fowers, Edward Gardner andSusan Vail Hoffman told tales of life at theEmpire Ranch during the Vail years, andGerald Korte and Norman Hinman sharedtheir experiences as cowboys on the Em-pire during the Boice days. Stories of OldWest characters were spun by Scott Dyke(OK Corral Gunfight), Dane Johnson (Buf-falo Bill), John Larkin (Texas Sheriff JohnSlaughter), and PJ Lawton (MountainMen).

Western arena events featured excit-ing performances by the BalderramaFamily's Dancing Horses, expert ranchroping and cattle handling by Joel Eliot,Brian Baldwin and David Kay, cowboymounted shooting by the Tombstone GhostRiders, and precision military riding by BTroop, 4th U.S. Cavalry (Mem.). Board

(continued on p. 2)

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Member Steve Boice and Theresa Warrellof Horse’n Around Rescue Ranch alongwith Bruce Norton of Jabez Ranch dem-onstrated horsemanship.

Western Skills experts engaged audi-ences with blacksmithing (Casey Abbs),leather carving (Ben Claridge), horse hairrope making (Jesús García), saddle mak-ing (Lynne London and Kevin Berry), mulepacking (Lyman family), horseshoeing(John Russell), branding (Bill Shock), reatamaking (Dick Schorr), adobe brick mak-ing (Chris Schrager and David Yubeta),wood carving (Louis David Valenzuela),and tortilla making by Lydia Martinez. TheAmerind Foundation’s display of historicbranding irons attracted many. Non-profitorganizations and Western authors werebusy throughout the day while reenactorsfrom the Arizona Ghostriders entertainedeveryone.

Fun activities for kids included thepopular stick horse decorating, guided hikesalong the Heritage Discovery Trail,journaling, wildlife observation and datacollection, geocaching, and letterboxing bythe Foundation’s Wild About the Grasslandseducation program. A visit to the Kid's Cor-ral, presented by the Mustang, Rafael andRattlesnake 4-H clubs, and the miniaturehorses from S&N Ranch provided up-closeinteractions with ranch livestock.

Way Out West, the Mariachi Apachesof Nogales High School, and westernsinger Janice Deardorff delighted all withtheir outstanding musical performances.Rincon Market provided the barbeque andfixins which were served by the Elgin/Sonoita Cowbelles, assisted by the GirlScouts Troop from Sierra Vista.

Celebrating NPLDOn September 28 more than 50 ERF

volunteers participated in a national 20thanniversary celebration of National PublicLands Day (NPLD). Their work focusedon maintenance of the Heritage DiscoveryTrail, removing litter, and improving thegrounds around Empire Ranch House.

“This has been a special day with somuch accomplished,” said Gail Corkill, di-rector of ERF’s Wild About the Grasslands(WATG) youth education program, ac-knowledging the work of project leadersJeffrey Cooper, Tim Corkill, Ben Roelke,Chris Roelke, Martha Roelke, and volun-teers from local geocaching clubs and Tuc-son Yaqui High School.

The event was hosted by WATG andhighlighted the Cache In Trash Out (CITO)initiative of the worldwide geocaching com-munity to volunteer to preserve the naturalbeauty of outdoor resources. Two newgeocaches, Ranch to Riparian and SouthEntrance Endeavor, were released on themorning of the event. The fun included aribbon cutting ceremony for three WATGstudent-created visitor information signsfunded in part by a grant from SulphurSprings Valley Electric Cooperative Foun-dation. Many volunteers took part in guidednature hikes led by Wulf and Netzin Steklisand the Geocaching 101 course taught byJeanne Peterson and Barb Jensen.

SAVE THE DATE!

Cowboy Life ExhibitOpening & Family Fun Day

Saturday, February 8, 2014Empire Ranch Headquarters

10am to 3pmFree and Open to All

Please see enclosed flyer.

Roundup Sponsors and Auction Donors

Ribbon cutting event for WATG studentalumni’s new visitor information signs(photo: C. Auerbach)

Lead Sponsors: • Anonymous • Arbuckles’ Coffee • Classic Tents • Green ValleyPecans • Jim Click Automotive Team • Jack Furrier Western Tire & Auto • NationalEnvironmental Education Foundation • Roberts & Associates, PLLC • Schouten & Sullivan• Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum • VFW Post 549Friends & Supporters ($100-$499): • Anonymous • Babacomari Ranch • Craig Bell &Maureen O'Brien • Big Hat Society • Capital Wealth Investments • Bonnie Day • Katie &Bruce Dusenberry • Hydra Leather • Bob Pieper • Santa Cruz County Cowbelles •Barbara J Schild • Jacqui Tibbs • Trifam Foundation • Carl & Jan Vail • Lea Ward •Donald & Nancy WebsterAuction Donors ($50 & up): • Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics • Phil & LeslieAllen • Alvernon Optical-Gary & Barbara Scheer • Anonymous • Apache Gold Casino/Resort • Arbuckles' Coffee Roasters • Arizona Aerospace Foundation • Arizona Cardinals• Arizona Horseback Experience • Arizona Theatre Company (continued on p. 4)

Roundup (cont’d from p. 1)

Arbuckles' cowboy coffee, served byPat and Denney Willis and their son Josh,and Dutch oven cobbler, prepared by Tomand Cheryl Rogos, hit the spot.

As always, we are so grateful for thesupport of the Bureau of Land Manage-ment and our presenters and volunteerswho contribute thousands of hours eachyear. Lastly, this event would not be pos-sible without the financial support of ourRoundup sponsors, underwriters, and auc-tion donors listed below.

2013 Roundup moments (photos: D. Steele,C. Auerbach)

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New ERF Website DebutsCheck out our new website! It’s stillwww.empireranchfoundation.org, butwith a fresh look and so much more infor-mation. The redesign was made possibleby a grant from the National Environmen-tal Education Foundation.

The new website conveys at firstglance what the Empire Ranch Foundationis about, with easy navigation, photos andgraphics to illustrate the work being doneby ERF and BLM, and provides numerousways for the viewer to become involved.

The new website was designed byHirsch Fishman, owner of Addicott Web(http://www.addicottweb.com). The siteuses WordPress software that allows easyupdating and maintenance by ERF staffand volunteers.

As we bid farewell to our previouswebsite, launched in 2001, we send spe-cial thanks to volunteers Perry Doubt, whodesigned it, and to retiring webmaster Su-san Hughes who has managed it these past12 years.

ERF is delighted to wel-come Vi Hillman as thenew BLM Tucson FieldOffice manager. Someof her previous assign-ments include associatedistrict manager for

New BLM TFO Manager

in 1992 until he retired in 2008.Grant managed Empire-Cienega graz-

ing allotments with the Donaldson andTomlinson families, and was lead authorfor the range, soils, grazing, and vegeta-tion management plans for LCNCA. Heheaded many successful projects atLCNCA/Empire Ranch, and was a mentorto many. He will be missed.

Preservation ContractsMoving ForwardSeveral preservation efforts at the EmpireRanch will soon be underway. The Foun-dation has entered into an agreement tobegin work on a replacement roof for theMechanic's Shop/Feed Barn (seePresident’s Message, p. 1). The contrac-tor is developing technical drawings forthe project which will be reviewed andapproved by BLM. The contractor will thendraw up a final cost bid, and the contractwill be finalized. We hope to have workcommence soon after the new year.

Coming in February...

14th Annual"EMPIRE 100"

WESTERN ART SHOWAND SALE

A juried exhibition of 100 exceptionaloriginal works of Western art by nation-

ally known painters andsculptors. The show will also present art

inspired by the Empire Ranch.

A portion of all sales benefits theEmpire Ranch Foundation.

Featured Artist: Carol Swinney

February 3-March 9, 2014New Location!

Tucson Jewish CommunityCenter/Jewish Heritage Center3800 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718

(River & Dodge)

Art Viewing Hours: M-Th 7am-10pm;Friday 7am-6pm; Sunday 9am-8p;

Closed Saturday.

Open for Previews: February 3-5

Sales begin at Opening ReceptionWednesday, Feb. 5, 4:30pm-7pm

(By invitation, rsvp required)

After January 15, 2014,participating artists' work can be viewed

on the Foundation's website,www.empireranchfoundation.org

Departed BLM FriendGrant Drennen, a long-time friend of LasCienegas NCA, died inlate September. He wasa Range Specialist atBLM’s Tucson FieldOffice from its opening

Laura Davis, “Empire 100” Chair

Meanwhile, BLM has selected a con-tractor for stabilization work on the AdobeHaybarn. Next, preliminary meetings willtake place to develop the final design, andon-site work will begin after review byBLM and the State Historic PreserationOffice.

Testing of the soils and adobe at thehistoric Ranch House is underway and willdeliver data to help answer questions aboutstructural problems with the house: are theycaused by compression of the adobes; fail-ure of the foundations; instability of thesoils; or a combination of more than oneof these? Once we have a better idea ofthe problem, a stabilization plan that ad-dresses the root causes can be developed,approved, and undertaken for this majorpreservation project.

As you visit the Empire Ranch in themonths to come, be on the lookout for theseand other preservation efforts, and watchout for construction zones!

ERF’s latest “blue sky” project. Pleasehelp us with your year-end contribution!

Arizona's Colorado River District in LakeHavasu City; field manager at the NewcastleField Office in Wyoming; and interagencyfire training specialist for Utah BLM andthe Intermountain Regional Office.

We look forward to collaborating withVi on ERF's preservation, outreach, andeducation programs.

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Working Calendar

The Empire Ranch Foundation has an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit classification; donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.[n13]

Empire Ranch FoundationFinancial Summary FY12: July 2012 through June 2013

Income, by Source of Funds$289,788 Total

Expenditures, by Use ofFunds $213,046 Total

Location: Meet at Visitor Contact Station,Empire Ranch Headquarters, unless oth-erwise noted. To volunteer, or for more in-formation, call (888) 364-2829.December14 Docent-led tours of Empire Ranch

House, 11am & 1pm, free.January3 Postmark deadline for Artists’ entries

for 2014 Empire 100 Western ArtShow & Sale.

11 Docent-led tours of Empire RanchHouse, 11am & 1pm, free,.

18 ERF Board Meeting, 9am-NoonFebruary3-5 Preview Days, Empire 100 Western

Art Show & Sale, Tucson JewishCommunity Center, 3800 E RiverRd, Tucson (River & Dodge); M-W,7am-10pm. Note new location!

5 Members & Friends Opening Recep-tion, Empire 100 Western Art Show& Sale (By invitation only), TucsonJewish Community Center, 3800 ERiver Rd, Tucson (River & Dodge);4:30-7pm. Please note new location!

6-28 Empire 100 Western Art Show &Sale - Open to the Public, M-Th7am-10pm, Fri 7am-6pm, Sun 9am-8pm, Closed Sat., Tucson JewishCommunity Center, 3800 E RiverRd, Tucson (River & Dodge).

8 Official Opening, Empire RanchCowboy Life Exhibit, reception withkids’ activities, music, cowboy geardisplays, demonstrations, and tours,10am-3pm, free, open to all.

15 Volunteer Work Day, 8am-Noon.RSVP 888-364-2829. All welcome!

March1-9 Empire 100 Western Art Show & Sale

- Open to the Public, M-Th 7am-10pm, Fri 7am-6pm, Sun 9am-8pm,Closed Sat., Tucson Jewish Com-munity Center, 3800 E River Rd,Tucson (River & Dodge).

8 Empire Ranch Archeology - specialactivities honoring Arizona Archeol-ogy Month, 9am-3pm; Docent-ledtours of Empire Ranch House, 11am& 1pm, free, open to all.

18 ERF Board Meeting, 9am-NoonApril5 2014 Spring Trail Ride & Steak

Dinner, Save the Date!

Outreach Events &Other - 22% ($62.8K)

Income during FY12 totaled $289,788—47% from BLM grants, 23% frommember donations, 22% from outreach events and other sources, and 8% fromother grants. Expenditures during FY12 totaled $213,046—72% for outreach andeducation programs; 12% for preservation and adaptive reuse projects; 9% forfundraising; and 7% for general administration.

The above figures include $61,200 in BLM grant income and $55,411 in out-reach and education expenditures that were managed by ERF for projects not on theEmpire Ranch. Not included are more than 8,527 hours of labor contributed byERF volunteers, valued by BLM at $185,803 for matching grant purposes.

End-of-year assets totaled $250K, comprising $104.6K in BLM grant funds(fully obligated); $18.6K in ERF restricted funds for education; $28.1K in the Vailendowment and other ERF restricted funds; $52.9K in ERF unrestricted funds ob-ligated for preservation, education, and interpretation; and $46.1K in ERF unre-stricted unobligated funds.

Donations23% ($69.8K)

BLM Grants47% ($135.2K)

Outreach & Education 72% ($154.7K)

Other Grants8% ($22K)

Preservation &Adaptive Reuse 12% ($25.4K)

Fundraising9% ($18.9K)

Administration7% ($13.9K)

Roundup Auction & Raffle Donors (continued from p. 2)

• Christine & Gary Auerbach • Skip Bailey• Bandit Outfitters • Bernita Barfield • BensonFeed & Supply • Big Hat Society • MurrayBolesta • Buffalo Gals of Sonoita • Wade &Alison Bunting • Palmer Butler • CallaghanVineyards • Charron Vineyards • ChrisBubany Studio • Dorothy Dannis • MillardDavidson • Steve "Bunker" de France • MacDonaldson • Dos Cabezas Wineworks •Dragonfire Clayworks • Neale Duncan •Duquesne House Bed & Breakfast • eegee's• Robert W. & Cathy Eiting • Fleming's •Four Winds West • Fox Restaurant Con-cepts • Gary Auerbach Platinum Photogra-phy • Paula & Leo Golembiewski • HighNoon Feed and Tack • Norman Hinman •Susan Vail Hoffman & Ron Hoffman • In-visible Theatre • Lucinda Iverson • JabezRanch Horsemanship • Jeanne Peterson In-surance • Keri Jelks • K Newby Gallery ofTubac • Jim Kelly • Kid's Center • Kief-Joshua Vineyards • Kim Yubeta Designs •Kino Springs Golf Club / Nogales • Kramer& Dagucon, LLP • Laffs Comedy Caffe •

Madaras Gallery • Carla & Ron Martin •Drayanna Masingale • McGraw's Cantina •JoAnne Meyer • Judy & Nick Montalto •Byrd Moss • Northside Lighting & Fans •Carolyn O'Bagy Davis & Laura Davis • OKFeed & Supply • Old Pueblo VeterinaryClinic • Orlando Jewelers • Paintings byTerry Bowman • Patronato San Xavier •Ray & Carol Patrone • Brenda Peo (Ohrel)• Plumb & Level • Doug Pyne • DougQuarles • Sharon Quarles • R.B."Buck"O'Rielly/Pat Pettis • Red Door Spas • DorisRickard • Kathy Robbins • Rolling Hills GolfCourse, Inc. • Dick & Leonor Schorr •John Scott • Sherry & Nelson Secor • SkateCountry • Sole Shoes • Southwest CanyonCreations • Square Top Ranch LLC • WadeStarr • Tohono Chul Park • Top Stitch Em-broidery • Tucson City Golf • Louis DavidValenzuela • Jack Wahl • Walmart • WestinLa Paloma Resort & Spa Tucson • JudithWilliams • Laurie Williams • Ye Olde ClockShoppe