Flagstaff Heroes 2019

SPECIAL SECTION 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019 |

FLAGSTAFF

HEROES A special publication of the Arizona Daily Sun SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019

|

azdailysun.com

|

SECTION S

he·ro: a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities For the second year, the Arizona Daily Sun presents a selection of community heroes, those who go the extra mile to protect, raise up and assist others.

Please join us in celebrating these unsung individuals, businesses and organizations nominated by residents and selected by editors and managers of the Daily Sun.

Evan Thompson Being present, bringing joy Evan Thompson is a quiet, unsung hero, an extraordinary individual who gives his time freely and brings joy to others.

Having spent a career in forensic science, Evan devotes much of his time to volunteerism — visiting the ill, the elderly and travelers with Dusty, his “caring canine.” Each Friday or Saturday, Evan and Dusty visit patients at the Northern Arizona Healthcare campus in Flagstaff. In 2018, they visited more than 1,000 individuals at the medical center.

“Dusty brings joy with his gentle demeanor and a soft head, perfect for patting,” wrote Lydia Smith, who nominated Evan as a Flagstaff Hero. “Evan is easy to converse with and genuinely cares about people.”

Smith said it takes someone with compassion and patience to move from room to room seeing patients and their families coping with various stages of illness and anxiety.

M 1

As Evan and Dusty go around the hospital, they offer a few minutes of comfort to those most in need. Sometimes all Dusty can do is provide his paw to the hand of a non-responsive patient.

In addition to their hospital rounds, the duo also spends time greeting passengers coming and going from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, adding a bit of cheerfulness to the hurried pace of travel.

Evan’s kindness is evident as well in his neighborhood, Smith said. He is always willing to lend a hand or a tool to those who need help. And his graciousness extends even further to guests from Northern Arizona University’s sister institutions in China. He’ll take visiting Chinese scholars to see natural and historical sites in northern Arizona, and they’ll often stop at Sam’s Club, which Evan says is a big attraction for some visitors.

For being present in a joyful way to the community, neighbors and strangers, Evan and Dusty are honored as Flagstaff Heroes.

RIGHT: Evan and Dusty

S1

SALUTES

Special Section 1

FLAGSTAFF HEROES

Sunday, March 24, 2019 | S3

NANCY WIECHEC‌PHOTOS

Meteorologist David Byers monitors regional weather at the National Weather Service Flagstaff station.

National Weather Service Flagstaff Serving to protect life, property When big weather comes ‌ bearing down on the area, the Flagstaff station of the National Weather Service kicks into high gear keeping emergency personnel, transportation officials, media outlets and the general public advised of the storm with timely forecasts and information.

For their excellent service to the community, especially during the area’s late-February record-breaking snowfall, the staff of the National Weather Service Flagstaff is recognized as one of this year’s Flagstaff Heroes by the Arizona Daily Sun. Since September of 1898, meteorologists with the Flagstaff station have been forecasting and reporting weather and weather events in northern Arizona. Today, the station has 21 employees, 16 of which are meteorologists tasked with the study and forecasting of regional climate and weather.

“Our main mission is the protection of life and property through our forecasting and communication of the weather,” said Brian Klimowski, meteorologist in charge at the station’s Bellemont facility.

In nominating the station as a Flagstaff hero, resident Karen Malis-Clark pointed to the staff’s “extraordinary timely service” to agency partners,

M 1

Lead meteorologist Justin Johndrow and administrative assistant Victoria Allen look over a map at the National Weather Service Flagstaff station in Bellemont. media and the general public.

She also praised their efforts to communicate to an online community of followers on Facebook and Twitter.

“They inform, educate and engage their community,”

Malis-Clark said. “At one point on Thursday evening of the big storm, they even had a little fun and invited followers to post snow depths measured by their dogs.”

In fact, the Facebook page of

The National Weather Service Flagstaff station is located just outside the city in Bellemont.

the National Weather Service Flagstaff has a 4.9 rating out of 5. One person recommending the page said it is “accurate and honest” and “When things are crazy, we need this.”

Malis-Clark, a retired U.S.

Forest Service public information officer, said she has had the pleasure of training and working with the weather service staff during her career.

“Because of the diverse topography of northern Arizona, weather science practitioners here require a high level of experience, knowledge and skill,” she said.

Considered essential government personnel, the staff at the National Weather Service Flagstaff were among federal employees that worked during the 35-day U.S. government shutdown in December and January, all while their pay was suspended.

Klimowski said although the weather service staff is honored to be thought of as heroes, they simply see themselves as public servants.

“The meteorologists here at the weather service love their jobs,” he said. “They’re extremely passionate about getting out the most accurate forecasts.”

The National Weather Service Flagstaff is recognized a hero for its excellent service and dedication to help keep people and property safe, especially when communities are faced with high-impact weather.

The Facebook page of the National Weather Service Flagstaff, is https://www.facebook. com /pg/NWSFlagstaff. Its Twitter handle is @NWSFlagstaff. Visit online at https:// www.weather.gov/fgz.

Part of the National Weather Service Flagstaff staff includes, from left: Tony Merriman, warning coordination meteorologist; Victoria Allen, administrative assistant; Ben Peterson, lead meteorologist; Justin Johndrow, lead meteorologist; Brian Klimowski, meteorologist in charge; Nathan Lynum, meteorologist; Gary Abadian; information technology officer; and David Byers (front), meteorologist.

FLAGSTAFF HEROES

S4 | Sunday, March 24, 2019

Special Section 1

Flagstaff Family Food Center Neighbors feeding neighbors

‌F

ounded on Christmas Day in 1991, the Flagstaff Family Food Center was born from the generosity of local businessman and philanthropist George McCullough. Today, the charity often uses the motto “neighbors feeding neighbors” to highlight commitment to and involvement by the local community.

“I don’t know of another organization that operates on such a shoestring or in such inclement weather,” wrote resident Leora Harsh in nominating the center as a Flagstaff Hero. “Volunteers show up and stand in driving rain, snow, and the continual wind to distribute food boxes to the daily long line of cars full of the hungry of Flagstaff and outlying areas.”

The mission of the Flagstaff Family Food Center: Food Bank & Kitchen is to “serve hope to Flagstaff families by providing hunger relief and children’s literacy programs,” stated Kristine Pavlik, the center’s fundraising and volunteer specialist.

Each day, the food center serves an average of 6,575 meals to food insecure children, families, working poor, disabled, homeless and elderly in northern Arizona.

One can quickly see that the need is impressive by reviewing its service numbers.

During the last fiscal year, Flagstaff Family Food Center prepared

CHARLES RUSCHER PHOTOS, COURTESY OF FLAGSTAFF FAMILY FOOD CENTER‌

More than 6,000 people are fed each day through the Flagstaff Family Food Center.

and served 66,342 nutritious hot meals and prepared and delivered 85,560 meals to Flagstaff Shelter Services. More than 54,700 sack lunches were handed out, and 30,900 were given to local agency partners. Emergency food boxes were received by 14,965 households.

The center also supports more than 40 other local nonprofit agencies with food and household products. Sharon Manor, Golden Rule Charities: The Pantry and the Veteran’s Resource Center all receive food and sundries on a weekly basis.

In addition to its role in addressing local food insecurity, the center also features a children’s literacy program. The Paul Sweitzer Children’s Reading Room offers homework and reading assistance as well as mentoring and a variety of games and crafts to underprivileged and homeless children ages 3 to 18 years old. After sharing their evening meal with family in center’s dining room, children are supported in their reading and homework by volunteers, many of which are retired educators or college students studying education and social work. Children also are given books to take home to encourage early and lifelong literacy engagement.

In her nomination, Harsh noted the food center’s constant stream of volunteers sorting donations and filling food boxes. She said their continual service for the good of the hungry in Flagstaff is heroic.

The Paul Sweitzer Children’s Reading Room offers homework and reading assistance as well as mentoring and games and crafts.

Kevin Schindler Champion of astronomical achievements

Phyllis Wolfskill

Phyllis Wolfskill Dedicated to education, volunteerism ‌Phyllis Wolfskill is recognized as a Flagstaff Hero for her dedication to education and volunteerism.

Phyllis was a high school teacher in the Valley and in Flagstaff for nearly 40 years and was well respected by her students and peers. Now retired, she provides leadership and volunteer hours to these organizations and educational programs.

The Literacy Center board, giving solid guidance, especially for the annual Mountain Spelling Bee Museum of Northern Arizona docent Flagstaff Symphony Or-

chestra board member, helping coordinate the Link Up program that engages elementary students with the symphony Flagstaff teacher sorority, which provides annual scholarships to future teachers In 2014, Phyllis won the Thanks to Teachers Award from KNAZ Channel 2. She received the John J. Ross Memorial Award for Excellence in Law-Related Education in 2004, singled out for making “exceptional contributions in furthering understanding of the role of the law in our democratic society.”

“For all these reasons Phyllis is a hero,” wrote Flagstaff resident Janice Sgambelluri in her nomination, “but also because she taught me by example how to be a board member of the Literacy Center. Flagstaff is lucky to have her as a leader in our community.”

‌Flagstaff has quite the reputation in discovery and achievement. Yet all the recognition may be lost without the efforts of local historians and storytellers.

Kevin Schindler is recognized and admired for his outstanding dedication in championing Flagstaff’s amazing astronomical accomplishments. He was nominated as a Flagstaff Hero by Trace Ward, director of the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Kevin’s knowledge of Flagstaff history is called upon on a regular basis, and he is a leading advocate of the Flagstaff Lunar Legacy, celebrating Flagstaff’s role in the Apollo Moon missions,” wrote Ward in nominating Schindler. “Kevin constantly shares the story of the Apollo astronauts’ training trip to Flagstaff, including revisiting their tours as they practiced driving moon buggies and maneuvering through simulated crater fields in Flagstaff’s surrounding cinder hills; and, retracing their steps as they hiked the Grand Canyon and learned lessons in geology.”

Kevin was the event host at the Lunar Legacy Launch at the Orpheum Theater last year in July, and he continues to be a key contact for Lunar Legacy programs and projects throughout 2019 and beyond.

Kevin has been featured on television networks and interviewed countless times by regional, state, national and international journalists for publication in digital articles, newspapers and magazines as well as programs on C-Span and the Discovery Channel. When not examining the Lowell Observatory archives, he combines his interests in science and Flagstaff history and writes journals, articles, blogs, booklets and books in addition to a biweekly astronomy column, “View from Mars Hill,” in the Arizona Daily Sun. Kevin

NANCY WIECHEC PHOTOS‌

Lowell historian Kevin Schindler (center) leads a group of Flagstaff residents to Crater Field I, a spot in the San Francisco Volcanic Field formed and used to train astronauts for Apollo moon missions.

Schindler (right) shows a map of the moon while explaining the training of astronauts at Crater Field I. has written more than 500 magazine and newspaper articles and authored five books: “Pluto and Lowell Observatory: A History of Discovery at Flagstaff” (with Will Grundy) “Flagstaff Memories: The Early Years” (chapter introductions by Schindler) “Images of America: Northern Arizona Space Training” (with William Sheehan) “Images of America: Lowell Observatory” “The Far End of the Journey: Lowell Observatory’s 24-inch Clark Telescope” “Kevin embodies the very spirit of a Flagstaff hero as a longtime resident with an infectious personality,” stated Ward.

“He is a storyteller with a great sense of humor and unwavering

dedication. His involvement with community science outreach programs, using both his skills as an oral presenter and a writer, and now as the official Lowell Observatory historian, defines Kevin as a true Flagstaff hero.”

Kevin also has served as sheriff of the Flagstaff Corral of Westerners, an international organization dedicated to western American history, for 14 years, and as a board member of the Flagstaff Festival of Science for 16 years.

He has presented hundreds of educational programs and was chosen as the first recipient of the Flagstaff Arts Council Viola Award for Excellence in Science Education. Arizona Humanities recently announced him as the recipient of their 2019 Friend of the Humanities Award.

M 1

FLAGSTAFF HEROES

Special Section 1

Sunday, March 24, 2019 | S5

Search and Rescue Unit Committed to saving lives, public service

‌F

COURTESY OF COCONINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE‌

rom snowboarding and skiing to climbing, hunting and hiking, northern Arizona is a premier spot for recreational activity. But dense forests, narrow and rocky canyons, high desert and alpine terrain, high altitude and flash floods can all contribute to a greater capacity for mishaps.

The lost, trapped and injured must be plucked from danger.

To the rescue comes the 130-member Search and Rescue Unit operated by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and made up of sheriff deputies and specially trained, unpaid volunteers.

For its dedication to saving lives, as well as its volunteer and public service, the Search and Rescue Unit is chosen as a 2019 Flagstaff Hero.

The unit responded to 140 search and rescue incidents last year — one of its busiest in 20 years. Search and Rescue volunteers contributed over 15,000 hours of service to the community responding to missions, training and providing public education.

“The search and rescue volunteers provide a critical service and cost savings to the sheriff’s office,” said Sgt. Aaron Dick, the unit’s coordinator. “We could not accomplish our statutorily mandated duty to conduct or coordinate search and rescue missions without them.”

The Search and Rescue Unit is charged with responding to incidents throughout Coconino County and assists other Arizona counties when requested. Some of the missions the unit responds to include lost or missing people, injured persons in the backcountry, wildfire evacuations, technical body recoveries and evidence searches.

In addition to conducting missions, the unit is heavily involved in preventative education, teaching youths and adults how not get lost and what to do if they get lost.

For contributing their expertise and making sacrifices to aid residents and visitors in need, the Search and Rescue Unit was nominated as a Flagstaff Hero by Sgt. Dick.

Members of the Search and Rescue Unit at work.

Findlay Toyota Michelle Powers Making community better

M 1

‌For its consistent dedication to local events, organizations and programs, the team at Findlay Toyota is recognized as a Flagstaff Hero.

Last year, Findlay Toyota gave more than $300,000 through sponsorship and donations, making the auto sales group one of the largest community supporters in the Flagstaff area.

Findlay Toyota is part of the family-owned Findlay Automotive Group, which has 34 locations in six western states.

The Findlay group says it has built its business by embracing “the idea that we can be more than the place where people buy and service their cars — we want to make our community better.”

Mark Monthofer, who handles Findlay sponsorship and marketing in Flagstaff, said such involvement is a win-win that helps local initiatives while giving the company opportunities to connect with new customers.

“Customers love brands that care about spreading positive messages and helping the community. Linking our business to a worthy cause can draw lasting support,” he said. “Community involvement also sets us apart from our competition. People have more incentive to support our business if they’re invested in the local community.”

Flagstaff residents have responded to Findlay Toyota’s service and community participation by voting it the Best Auto Dealer 10 years running in the Best of Flag contest.

Findlay Toyota lends its sponsorship to more than 70 local events and programs each year, including: Coconino County Teacher of the Year award Flagstaff Firefighter and Officer of the Year awards Northern Arizona Healthcare Mason Awards (nurse and tech of the year awards) Flagstaff Unified School District’s driver education program Annual Turquoise Ball for improved mental and behavioral health services Best Life Ever (Nate Avery) Run, supporting random acts of kindness and celebrating the good in everyone Flagstaff Toys for Tots The Poore Clinic’s Beans and Rice fundraiser Sun Sounds of Arizona’s Made in the Shade festival and fundraiser Paw Placement of Northern Arizona Pet Resource Line Annual Flagstaff Hullabaloo festival and community fundraiser Northern Arizona University athletics Coconino High School CocoNuts Robotics Team Findlay Toyota was nominated a Flagstaff Hero by the Arizona Daily Sun.

Generous with her time, concern For working intentionally for ‌ students and others in education, school counselor Michelle Powers is a Flagstaff Hero.

By providing guidance, early identification and intervention, Michelle helps students achieve academic success, understand potential career opportunities and develop social and emotional skills in response to issues they face.

Michelle was nominated as a Flagstaff Hero by Britney Ellsworth, who wrote that school counselors in the public school system offer a unique contribution to the success of students.

“They act as advocates for students’ well-being and as valuable resources for their educational advancement,” Ellsworth stated in her nomination. “Specifically, Michelle Powers, an elementary school counselor for Thomas Elementary School and Kinsey Inquiry and Discovery Elementary School, both of which are considered Title I schools, works intentionally for students.”

Michelle is always one to step in, and she helps not only students but her colleagues as well. She helps teachers find strategies to help their students calm down, work through trauma, initiate friendships, and so much more. In addition, Michelle serves on the board of directors for the Arizona School Counselors Association, which supports counselors with professional development, resources and

NANCY WIECHEC‌

School counselor Michelle Powers advocacy at the state and national level.

Michelle has a heart of gold and is generous with her time and concern, Ellsworth said.

“She gives her time and attention to children in need in Flagstaff in two exceptionally challenging schools, and to me [she] is a Flagstaff Hero.”

S6 | Sunday, March 24, 2019

Special Section 1

M 1