Images Arizona (December 2022)

From the Publisher

Publisher

Shelly Spence

Managing Editor

Joseph J. Airdo

Graphic Designer Meaghan Mitchell

Contributing Writers

Joseph J. Airdo

Amanda Christmann

Francine Coles Rebecca L. Rhoades Shannon Severson

Photographers

Francine Coles Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz

Advertising Sales

Cindi Calcinari 860-966-3271 cindi@imagesaz.com

FFrom immersive representations of classic Christmas tales like “The Nutcracker” to grandiose light displays that decorate our desert communities to no-churn ice cream boasting one of the quintessential flavors of the holiday season, this month’s issue of Images Arizona is a celebration of everything that makes this time of the year so magical.

More so than any other year, we have filled these pages with stories that illustrate the many merry and bright ways in which our communities get into the holiday spirit. Whether you are already feeling festive or in need of a little cheer, it is my sincere wish that this month’s magazine is a source of joy, inspiration and hope.

As we close out 2022, I want to again express my utmost gratitude to each and every person who reads our magazine — as well as to our many amazing advertisers and our small-yet-talented team of writers and photographers who make Images Arizona the best publication possible month after month.

Thank you, as well, to my friends and family — especially my wonderful kids, of whom I am so proud — for bringing so much joy and light into my life. I cannot express enough how much you mean to me. Never in a million years would I have ever anticipated that I would be so fortunate to have such extraordinary people in my life.

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com

Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2022 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

I also want to wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season. May it bring you much love and many memories.

Cheers!

Shelly Spence

Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

Photography by Loralei Lazurek

by Josh Cihak

Sedona has always held a very special place in Phoenix resident Josh Cihak’s heart. The landscape photographer often makes the two-hour trip up north to reset and reconnect amidst the area’s raw beauty, which he says makes being present an absolutely effortless endeavor.

“I have hiked Soldier Pass to Seven Sacred Pools four times over the last two years,” says Cihak, noting that he has repeatedly sought a perfect shot of the popular site — free from the usual crowds and with the “pools” actually filled with water.

“I made the drive up early Sunday morning with expected rainfall, which typically limits the crowds on trails. I got to the trailhead around 9 a.m. Coming to a drizzle, the rain was nearing its end. By the time I was 0.3 miles from the pools, it had completely stopped, leaving a stillness in the air that I can’t describe.

“As I approached the pools, the red rocks began to glisten as the clouds were clearing, which left a milky haze over the valley. This was my final backdrop with the pools filled, in complete isolation, and a fog-tinted filter covering the rocks. It was such a serene moment — and a frame that I have been chasing for quite a while.”

Cihak aspires to, within the next few years, build a seasonal home in Sedona and open a gallery downtown to display his work. instagram.com/cihak1visuals cihak1visuals.com

Photo

KATHERINE JETTER —

DECEMBER 9–10

Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Marvel at the unique enamel hues, vibrant gold treatments and rare colored gems of couture jewelry designer Katherine Jetter. These cutting-edge, wearable art pieces for bold and brilliant women feature sensational, proprietary colors with eye-catching rhodium hues and exceptional, hand-picked gemstones that individually tell Jetter what they need during her design process.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON GIVE A STUNNING GIFT

STEPHEN WEBSTER — DECEMBER 9–10 Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Discover the bold and glamorous collections from Stephen Webster, a London-based contemporary fine jewelers celebrated for his fearless creativity, powerful aesthetic, and traditional British craftsmanship. Coveted by Hollywood icons and idols alike, from Megan Fox and Madonna, to David Beckham and Elton John.

TThe story of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” has entranced audiences young and old for more than 200 years. First written by German author E.T.A. Hoffman in 1816, the story was adapted by Alexandre Dumas — better known as author of “The Three Musketeers” –– in 1844, which became the basis for the version we are familiar with today.

The first stage performance of “The Nutcracker” ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia was commissioned by the director of the Russian Imperial Theater in 1892, set to the music of Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky’s original score — and, believe it or not, it received mixed reviews.

But as critics can sometimes be out of step with larger public sentiment, “The Nutcracker” went on to become a perennial favorite around the world as a dreamy tale of Christmas come to life. In the United States, choreographer

Writer Shannon Severson

Photography by Patrick Hodgson

George Balanchine’s 1954 version for New York City Ballet cemented the story as what is arguably America’s favorite ballet. For many families, the holidays just are not the same without attending a performance.

Now, a new way to enjoy this classic Christmas tale has arrived in the Valley in the form of “The Immersive Nutcracker, A Winter Miracle” at Scottsdale’s Lighthouse ArtSpace Phoenix. It’s an approachable experience for even squirmy young children who might prefer twirling alongside the dancers to sitting still in a theater seat.

“This is an experiential retelling of a classic holiday story combined with magical sounds of Christmas music, ballet dancing, state-ofthe-art moving projections and immersive animations,” says Corey Ross, producer and co-founder of Lighthouse Immersive who, along with Impact Museums, is bringing this creation of Canada’s Storywall Entertainment to local audiences.

Audiences will travel through five fantasy worlds from the Winter Forest to inside the magical Christmas tree to Candy World. Sprinkled throughout are ballet performances by Canadian talents, including principal dancer Denis Rodkin and leading soloist Eleonora

This is an experiential retelling of a classic holiday story combined with magical sounds of Christmas music, ballet dancing, state-of-theart moving projections and immersive animations.

Corey Ross

Sevenard, as well as animations — all in a 360-degree, three-dimensional environment with 50,000 cubic feet of projections.

The classical score includes the familiar strains of “The March of the Toys” and “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” The 30-minute, larger-than-life experience allows attendees young and old to experience a bite-sized slice of the long-form holiday delight.

immersive-nutcracker.com

COMMUNITY

December

Through Dec. 29

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

Arizona Broadway Theatre will present its production of “A Christmas Carol,” a lavish and thrilling Broadway adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story that breathes fantastic new life into the classic tale of Christmas tidings and heartwarming generosity. $85+. See website for times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

Through Dec. 11

‘THE CHILDREN’

The Theatre Artists Studio will present its production of “The Children,” which tells the story of two married and retired nuclear scientists who have chosen to live their lives in isolation until an old friend arrives with a frightening request. $25; student, senior, military and group discounts available. See website for times. The Theatre Artists Studio, 4848 E. Cactus Road, Suite 406, Scottsdale. thestudiophx.org

Through Dec. 18

‘A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL’

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre will present its production of “A Christmas Story,” a stage musical version of the classic 1983 film. $30. See website for times. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-4831664; desertstages.org

Through Dec. 30

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’

Don Bluth Front Row Theater will present its production of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a stage version of the classic 1946 film. $30; youth, student, senior, military and group discounts available. See website for times. Don Bluth Front Row Theater, 8989 E. Via Linda, Suite 118, Scottsdale. 480-314-0841; donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com

Through Dec. 31

MODERN LATINA: CULTURA, FAMILIA Y ARTE

Scottsdale Public Art will showcase artworks that celebrate the resilience and creativity of Arizona Latina artists. The featured artworks reveal the Latina life experience, showing how the personal is also universal, while also asserting that the power and voice of women is long-lasting and farreaching throughout time. Free. Civic Center Public Gallery at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdalepublicart.org

Through Jan. 1

CITYSKATE

CitySkate, downtown Phoenix’s most popular and real outdoor ice-skating rink, will return to CityScape Phoenix for the holiday season. $20; youth, student, senior and military discounts available. See website for times. Patriot’s Park at CityScape, 11 W. Washington St., Phoenix. cityskatephx.com

Through Jan. 22

HOLD ON TO HOPE

Scottsdale Arts Learning and Innovation will showcase a new exhibition spotlighting the life of local Holocaust

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

survivor Oskar Knoblauch. The exhibition takes viewers on a visual journey through Knoblauch’s harrowing experiences as he and his family struggled to survive the brutality of the Third Reich in Germany and Nazi-occupied Poland. As visitors walk through the gallery, photos, Knoblauch’s personal anecdotes and period objects will illustrate key events, people and places. Free. The Center Space Gallery at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleartslearning.org

Dec. 1

WINTER WINDS AND WHISPERS

Arizona Wind Symphony will perform a concert of holiday music. $12+; student and senior discounts available. 7 p.m. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. 480-350-2822; tempecenterforthearts.com

Dec. 2

WILD AND SWINGIN’ HOLIDAY PARTY

Leading swing revival band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will bring its unique and spirited holiday concert to the Valley as part of Arizona Musicfest. $51+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Dec. 2–18

‘THE QUILTMAKER’S GIFT’

Fountain Hills Theater will present its production of “The Quiltmaker’s Gift,” a play about an old woman who starts a greedy king on a journey of self-discovery that takes them both on a whimsical adventure. $32; youth, student and senior discounts available. See website for times. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480837-9661; fhtaz.org

Dec. 2–18

‘THE VELVETEEN RABBIT’

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre will present its production of “The Velveteen Rabbit.” See website for price and times. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664; desertstages.org

Dec. 3

BOSSA CHRISTMAS

Singer-songwriter Caro Pierotto will express her love for her Brazilian heritage by blending Bossa Nova magic with classic Christmas songs in her new holiday concert. $20; youth discounts available. 7:30 p.m. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. 480-350-2822; tempecenterforthearts.com

COMMUNITY

December 2022

Through Dec. 31

THE IMMERSIVE NUTCRACKER

Lighthouse Immersive and Impact Museums will debut an experiential retelling of a young girl’s magical Christmas Eve journey, featuring more than 500,000 cubic feet of projections composed of over 1 million frames of video, curating a grand immersive display that relays the tale of “The Nutcracker” from opening to finale. $29.99+. See website for times. Lighthouse ArtSpace Phoenix, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. immersive-nutcracker.com

Dec. 3 and 4

BALLET THEATRE OF PHOENIX’S ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

Ballet Theatre of Phoenix will present two fully staged performances of “The Nutcracker,” featuring its students and professional dancers from Convergence Ballet. This year's production will include authentic flamenco, classical Indian and Russian folk dancers to perform the iconic “Dances of the Sweets” in the second act. $30. Saturday 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Horizon High School, 5601 N. Greenway Road, Phoenix. ballettheatreofphx.org

Dec. 4

SCOTTSDALE PHILHARMONIC

Scottsdale Philharmonic will perform a concert of classical music by composers Frédéric Chopin, Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. $15 donation. 4 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380, E. Second St., Scottsdale. scottsdalephilharmonic.com

Dec. 4

THE SCHUMANN LEGACY

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome MusicaNova Orchestra for a concert of Robert Schumann’s most treasured masterpieces. $33.50+. 2 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Dec. 6

AN APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS

Virtuosic fiddle player, guitarist and composer Mark O’Connor will take the stage, joined by his wife, Maggie, and son, Forrest, for a holiday concert as part of Arizona Musicfest. $34+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Dec. 8

MINDI ABAIR’S I CAN’T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome two-time Grammy nominee Mindi Abair for a holiday concert featuring an incredible group of multitalented smooth jazz musicians. $33.50+. 7 and 9 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Dec. 9

BIG BAND HOLIDAYS

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome National Endowment for the Arts jazz master and five-time Grammywinning vocalist Dianne Reeves, emerging singer Samara Joy and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for a concert featuring soulful renditions of holiday classics, playful improvisation and entertaining storytelling. $69.50+. 6:30 and 9 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Dec. 9 and 10

KATHERINE JETTER

Marvel at the unique enamel hues, vibrant gold treatments and rare colored gems of couture jewelry designer Katherine Jetter. These cutting-edge, wearable art pieces for bold and brilliant women feature sensational, proprietary colors with eye-catching rhodium hues and exceptional, hand-picked gemstones that individually tell Jetter what they need during her design process. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Dec. 9 and 10

STEPHEN WEBSTER

Discover the bold and glamorous collections from Stephen Webster, a London-based contemporary fine jeweler celebrated for his fearless creativity, powerful aesthetic, and traditional British craftsmanship. Coveted by Hollywood icons and idols alike, from Megan Fox and Madonna, to David Beckham and Elton John. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Dec. 9–24

BALLET ARIZONA’S ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

Ballet Arizona will present its performance of “The Nutcracker,” during which the Phoenix Symphony will play Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of Christmas while Clara battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy. See website for price and times. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-381-1096; balletaz.org

Dec. 10

DECEMBER DELIGHTS

Carolyn Eynon Singers will perform a concert of holiday music. $20; youth discounts available. 3 p.m. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. carolyneynonsingers.com

Dec. 10

HOLIDAY CABARET

Desert Foothills Theater will present its annual holiday cabaret. See website for price and times. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. dftheater.org

Dec. 10 and 11

SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

Uptown Singers will perform a concert of holiday music. $20; youth discounts available. Saturday 7 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m. Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale. upscalesingers.com

COMMUNITY

December 2022

Dec. 9 and 10

STEPHEN WEBSTER

Discover the bold and glamorous collections from Stephen Webster, a London-based contemporary fine jeweler celebrated for his fearless creativity, powerful aesthetic, and traditional British craftsmanship. Coveted by Hollywood icons and idols alike, from Megan Fox and Madonna, to David Beckham and Elton John. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Dec. 10 and 11

‘TIS

THE SEASON: HOLIDAYS AT MIM

The Musical Instrument Museum will celebrate the merry melodies and seasonal traditions of global wintertime celebrations. See website for schedule of events. $20; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Dec. 10–18

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS Tempe Dance Academy will perform an energetic variety show featuring a cast of more than 100 dancers, singers, a horse and carriage, special guest performers and a champion hoop dancer. $33; youth discounts available. See website for times. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680; chandlercenter.org

Dec. 11

HOLIDAYS WITH ORPHEUS: CELEBRATE THE SEASON

Orpheus Male Chorus will perform a concert of traditional and contemporary holiday songs. $25; youth, student and senior discounts available. 3 p.m. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. orpheus.org

Dec. 11

SONGS FOR THE SEASON

Sonoran Desert Chorale will perform a concert of seasonal pieces. $25; student, senior and group discounts available. 3 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. sonorandesertchorale.org

Dec. 14

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome Squirrel Nut Zippers for a concert of holiday music. $33.50+. 7 and 9 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Dec. 15

A WINTER’S EVE CONCERT

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome five-time Grammy Award-nominated composer and performer David Arkenstone for an enchanting performance of charttopping favorites, glorious traditional holiday songs and new neoclassical and crossover compositions featuring strings and percussion. $38.50+. 7:30 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480478-6000; mim.org

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Dec. 16

THE DOO WOP PROJECT

The Doo Wop Project will perform a concert of old-school holiday classics — including The Drifters’ “White Christmas,” The Temptations’ “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” $32+. 7:30 p.m. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680; chandlercenter.org

Dec. 17

A MERRY-ACHI CHRISTMAS

Maestro José Hernández and his platinum-selling Mariachi Sol de México will perform treasured holiday classics and favorites from the mariachi songbook. See website for price. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380, E. Second St., Scottsdale. scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Dec. 17

THE MIRACLES

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome the classic Motown group The Miracles for a concert of holiday music. $64.50+. 3 and 7:30 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Dec. 17 and 18

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

Coolwater Christian Church will host a drive-through Nativity, depicting six scenes of the story of Jesus’ birth. Guests are encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable food items to benefit Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center. Free. 5:30–8 p.m. Coolwater Christian Church, 28181 N. 56th St., Scottsdale. 480-585-5554; coolwaterchurch.org

Dec. 19

A HAPPY JOYOUS HANUKKAH

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome The Klezmatics for a concert of Hanukkah music. $44.50+. 7 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-4786000; mim.org

Dec. 20–24

‘FANCY NANCY SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS’

Arizona Broadway Theatre will present its Theatre for Young Audiences production of “Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas,” based on the beloved children’s book. During the performance dates, the theater will collect new and slightly used chapter books for readers ages 12–19, which will be donated to Peoria Libraries. $15+. See website for times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

COMMUNITY

December 2022

Dec. 17

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

Wreaths Across America will host its annual ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, where thousands of holiday wreaths will be laid on the graves of our country's fallen heroes. Free. 10 a.m. National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. wreathsacrossamerica.org

Dec. 21

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church will host a service of contemplation and healing in its sanctuary for those who may be experiencing sadness or grief this holiday season. A light supper will follow. Free. 4 p.m. Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Tom Darlington Road, Scottsdale. 480-488-3384; deserthills.org

Dec. 23

DAVID ARCHULETA

Former “American Idol” contestant David Archuleta will perform a concert of holiday music. $39.90+. 7:30 p.m. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680; chandlercenter.org

Dec. 29–31

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Musical Instrument Museum will welcome songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman for a concert of holiday music. $49.50+. See website for times. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Dec. 31

BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS

Chandler Center for the Arts will host a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring the greatest hits from Broadway with six powerhouse vocalists and Showtune Productions’ live orchestra. $28+. 8 p.m. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680; chandlercenter.org

Jan. 6

THE MODERN GENTLEMEN

Vocal quartet The Modern Gentlemen will perform a concert of doo-wop, Motown, pop and rock music with a sound that blends classic hits of yesterday with a modern dapper style as part of Arizona Musicfest. $51+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Jan. 6–22

‘MISERY’

Fountain Hills Theater will present its production of “Misery,” a play inspired by the bestselling novel by Stephen King. $32; youth, student and senior discounts available. See website for times. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org

Jan. 6–22

‘SEUSSICAL, JR.’

Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre will present its youth production of “Seussical,” a musical caper in which Dr. Seuss' best-loved characters collide and cavort. See website

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

for price and times. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-4831664; desertstages.org

Jan. 12

THE TEMPTATIONS

Often referred to as American music royalty, The Temptations will perform a concert in celebration of its 60th anniversary. See website for price. 7:30 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380, E. Second St., Scottsdale. scottsdaleperformingarts.org

ARTIST DEBUTS PUBLIC WORK INSPIRED BY MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS

Arizona artist Mary Shindell this fall debuted her new public art “Mesquite Bosque” at the Bell94 Sports Complex in North Scottsdale. The McDowell Mountains, located east of the complex, became Shindell’s inspiration for the artwork from the moment she saw them as a backdrop to the complex. In addition to the violet color of the mountains, the artist also took inspiration from the Mesquite trees near the entrance to the park and throughout Scottsdale by weaving tree branches and leaves on each of the panels. scottsdalepublicart.org

FOOD BANK ACCEPTS GIFT DONATIONS

Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center this season is accepting donations made on behalf of the special people on your Christmas list for whom you do not know what to get. When you make a taxdeductible gift donation by Dec. 15, the nonprofit organization will send a beautifully designed, hand-crafted greeting card communicating that a donation has been made in celebration of the recipient. foothillsfoodbank.com/holiday

Your child’s educational options are numerous.

CHOICE IS SIMPLE.

Black Mountain Elementary School School of the Performing Arts

Desert Sun Academy French Program

Desert Willow Elementary School International Spanish Academy

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School Horsemanship Program

Lone Mountain Elementary School Excelling STEM Program

Sonoran Trails Middle School

World Language School of Excellence and Advanced Courses

Cactus Shadows High School

World Class Education including the IB and AP Capstone Diplomas 480.575.2000

Wreaths of Remembrance

IIt is believed that wreaths were first introduced as Christmas decorations sometime in the 16th century, around the same time that people in northern and eastern Europe began bringing evergreen trees into their homes during the holidays.

Living in an era of meager rations, people made a conscious effort to use every last drop of everything in their lives. Not wanting to waste the branches that they had trimmed off the trees in order to make them appear more uniform and fit into their living rooms, they began weaving them into circles — a shape that has no end — to symbolize everlasting life.

Today, wreaths have become a standard practice in decorating our homes and are often the very first thing that our family and friends see when approaching our door, welcoming them into our seasonal celebrations during which memories are made that we cherish for generations.

However, for some, wreaths carry even more meaning as they bring comfort to those whose already painful losses are exponentially amplified this time of the year.

Thanks to the efforts of Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that honors and remembers veterans by laying wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes, these simple-yet-significant circular adornments make

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Marion Cartland

a world of difference at a time when being with the ones we love most is all that any of us long to do.

GRATITUDE, SUPPORT & EMULATION

Nearing the end of the holiday season 30 years ago, Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine found itself with a surplus of wreaths. Pondering what to do with the extra wreaths, owner Morrill Worcester thought back to an experience that he had as a 12-year-old Bangor Daily News paper boy when, having won a trip to Washington D.C., Arlington National Cemetery made an indelible impression on him.

With the help of Sen. Olympia Snowe, Worcester arranged for his company’s overabundance of wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year. Hearing of his plans, a number of other individuals and organizations stepped up to help.

The donation became an annual tradition for Worcester and the others involved, including members from the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts who gathered with other volunteers to decorate each wreath with traditional red, hand-tied bows.

In 2005, a photo of the stones at Arlington National Cemetery, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, went viral on the internet. Suddenly, people from all across the country expressed their gratitude to Worcester, offered to lend their support and requested to emulate the project at their local cemeteries.

The following year, the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations held simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 150 locations around the United States and, in 2007, the nonprofit Wreaths Across America was formed to continue and expand the effort as well as support other groups around the country who wanted to do the same.

One year later, more than 60,000 volunteers placed more than 100,000 wreaths on veterans’ graves at more than 300 locations across the country — including Arizona.

“Today, we are at close to 3,000 locations across the United States, abroad and at sea that hold some type of ceremony [every December],” says Tarra Matyas, Wreaths Across America’s project manager and location coordinator for the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

ceremony is always at the same date and time across all locations to

“The

For one brief moment at 11 o’clock on a Saturday morning, you see all of these rows of wreaths and it is just beautiful. I do not know a human on this planet who does not take something away from that. Tarra Matyas

coordinate with the one at Arlington National Cemetery. We have our ceremony at 10 a.m. in Arizona to allow for the time difference so that we are all doing everything at roughly the same time.”

REMEMBER, HONOR & TEACH

About 75 people attended the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona’s first ceremony, during which 300 wreaths were laid. The number of attendees rose to 2,000 in 2019 — the last year a public ceremony was held, due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic — and 8,000 wreaths were laid during last year’s private event.

The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona is one of the many locations across the country that accepts site-specific requests, ensuring that a wreath is placed on the grave of a veteran whose family member resides in a different state or is, for one reason or another, unable to attend the ceremony.

“We do about 300 to 350 site-specific requests each year,” says Matyas, noting that veterans' causes have always been near and dear to her heart. “The Paradise Valley chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution handles those for us, making sure that they are always done with love, care and respect.”

Although every wreath laid is significant, the site-specific ones are those that have the most profound impact on Matyas.

“My phone starts ringing [in early October],” she explains. “I talk to these humans and I hear their stories. There are so many

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON GIVE A STUNNING GIFT

Introducing David Gross Sapphire Collection Feeling Blue Never Felt So Good

Left: 13.71 carat asscher cut sapphire with trapezoid diamonds Center: 11.29 carat royal blue sapphire with diamonds Right: 7.83 carat cornflower blue sapphire with diamonds

7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377

Hours Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. By appointment Sun. and Mon. 480.575.8080

GraceReneeGallery.com

organizations out there that are doing things for our veterans who are still alive. And I want them to continue to do those things because they matter hugely.

“But let me take care of the families. Let me take care of these people who are missing someone at their table this Christmas. Let us do this thing for them, to let them know that we have not forgotten and that we will always remember.”

Remembering our fallen U.S. veterans is one-third of Wreaths Across America’s mission, with the other two-thirds being honoring those who serve and teaching children the value of freedom.

“The ‘teach’ part of our mission is so important,” Matyas says. “We have a choir of kids that comes in from an elementary school to sing as part of our ceremony. We also have Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Youth for Troops who come to help out. And it is so impactful.”

Matyas will never forget the first year that her granddaughter got to lay a wreath on one of the graves.

“She was 5 years old,” Matyas says. “She pointed and said to me, ‘Come on, Grandma! Let's go there!’ I tracked this child all over the cemetery. She had something in mind and we walked everywhere until she found ‘the one’ that was going to be hers for the day. She laid the wreath then took my hand and said, ‘OK, now let's just be quiet for a moment.’ Through the eyes of a child is sometimes the most honest way to see the world.”

HUMBLING, SOLEMN & JOYFUL

Having had to lay wreaths without a public ceremony in 2020 and 2021, Matyas is thrilled to again be able to hold the full Wreaths Across America program this year.

Depending on how early in December you are reading this, the wreath sponsorship deadline may have already passed. However, the project manager and location coordinator encourages those who have never attended a Wreaths Across America ceremony to do so Saturday, Dec. 17 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Matyas suggests arriving early — no later than 9 a.m. — and wearing comfortable shoes, as parking can be problematic and a bit of a walk is a near certainty. Seating is extremely limited and should be reserved for those who absolutely need it, therefore attendees are welcome to bring their own folding chairs.

“The ceremony itself will last between 30 and 40 minutes,” says Matyas, noting that wreaths are staged in different areas throughout the cemetery prior to the start of the event. “When we close the ceremony, there is — for a very short amount of time — this sort of Black Friday vibe, where everyone runs to the nearest pile and starts grabbing wreaths.”

Rather than doing that, Matyas asks attendees to be mindful of those who may not be as mobile, save the nearest wreaths for them and walk to one of the piles that are located a bit farther out.

“Everybody who attends the ceremony is guaranteed an opportunity to lay at least one wreath,” she adds. “Generally speaking, though, you always get more.”

All wreaths have typically been laid by 12:30 p.m., but attendees may wish to bring a light snack and an ounce of patience, as traffic bottle-necks are always anticipated.

Although last year’s figure of 8,000 wreaths may sound like a lot, it is important to remember that there are roughly 10 times that number of veterans interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Matyas is therefore hoping that simply attending this year’s ceremony will inspire you to sponsor wreaths next year.

“Please join us,” she says. “Once you do, you will come back every year. I have never seen anybody who did not come back or want to come back and do more. When you are standing in

that very special place, surrounded by people who are all there to do this one thing, you cannot help but be drawn to it.

“It is the strangest combination of humbling, solemn and joyful all at once. You are standing on sacred ground. You look one way and see family members who are grieving [the absence of] and placing a wreath for their loved one. You look the other way and see active duty [members of our armed forces] in uniform who are there to honor veterans in general.

“You see Veterans of Foreign Wars [members] and church groups — all of these people in the community from every walk of life, every age, who have gathered together. And for one brief moment at 11 o’clock on a Saturday morning, you see all of these rows of wreaths and it is just beautiful. I do not know a human on this planet who does not take something away from that. It is just a phenomenal thing to experience.”

wreathsacrossamerica.org

Visit anchor.fm/imagesaz or scan this QR code with your phone to listen to “Holidays with Our Heroes,” in which Tarra Maytas describes the feeling that you can expect to experience during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Wreaths Across America

Saturday, Dec. 17 | 10 a.m. National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix Free wreathsacrossamerica.org

RRegardless of which holiday you are celebrating this season, there is a pretty high probability that lights play a fairly substantial role in it.

The tradition of adorning our homes with decorative lights dates back to the 17th century when those in Germany, and later Eastern Europe, attached small candles to tree branches with pins or melted wax. European Christians also displayed burning candles in their windows, indicating that those who shared their religious beliefs were welcome to come worship with them.

During the 1880 holiday season, Thomas Edison introduced the first outdoor electric Christmas light display on the outside of his laboratory compound, which sat near a railway where, each night, countless people could behold its wonder and glory. A few years later, Edward Johnson — an inventor under Edison’s supervision — created the first string of Christmas lights, which was made out of 80 small electric bulbs.

In 1890, Johnson’s light strings were mass-produced and department stores began displaying them in the Christmas displays in their stores. Five years later, President Grover Cleveland sponsored the first electrically lit Christmas tree at the White House, bringing national attention to the trend.

The brightly lit decorations quickly caught on and, at the turn of the century in the U.S., public displays of Christmas lights in retail stores and government buildings became increasingly popular. A few decades later, when electric lights became more affordable, it became a common practice for people to decorate their homes with them each holiday season.

Today, lights symbolize many things — from solemn remembrance to a guiding hope to joyful revelry — as we use them to communicate a belief or a feeling that words alone cannot relay as succinctly or as beautifully.

Photographer Nick Pease has captured some of the best representations of lights around Arizona, which we are proud and grateful to be able to share with our readers through this month’s photo essay. It is the sincere hope of everyone at Images Arizona that they bring unto you festive reflections of whatever it is that you are celebrating this season.

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Nick Pease

Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved Christmastime. My dad would put up the Christmas decorations outside in November and I would get so excited. I always wanted to help him. It was our goal to have all of the decorations put up and turned on before any of our neighbors.

Nick Pease

Growing up, most everyone in my neighborhood decorated for the holidays. My favorite thing, though, was when my parents, my brother and I would get into the car and drive around the city and the outskirts to look at all of the best Christmas lights and decorations around. Nick Pease

These images help me re-experience the cherished childhood memories I have of Christmastime. I enjoy driving around the Valley and all of Arizona in search of the best holiday decorations and other festive reflections. Nick Pease

About the Photographer

When Nick Pease moved from northeast Minnesota to Arizona in 2015, he spent a great deal of his free time exploring the state and taking pictures of its breathtaking beauty with his iPhone 4. Two years later, following the praise and advice of his father, Pease decided to pursue a career in photography and purchased a Canon EOS 77D as well as a couple of lenses.

“Two weeks after I bought my camera, I sold my first image,” Pease says. “It was so cool to see my own work on a canvas print. From that moment, I knew that I needed to continue doing this.”

Pease spent a couple of years learning about his camera and its various settings on his own until he crossed paths with other local photographers, from who he gained additional education and insight into the art form.

Since then, the south Tempe resident has sold numerous images to individuals across Arizona as well as to family and friends in other states, has been a finalist in two photography competitions and has published calendars showcasing his work for 2022 and 2023.

“Some of the things that photography has taught me is to be patient, to enjoy the little things in life, to savor each moment and to always be making memories,” says Pease, who also enjoys hiking and storm chasing. “Photography has also taught me that I am a very talented person and that I can make a difference in this world.

“The human experience is something I am blessed and thankful to be able to live every day. It really is something special. Not everybody is able to get out and road trip around the state or get the chance to go see five states during a given year. Not everyone gets a chance to get out and experience the world.

“I am always looking for new places to explore and I love being able to share my experiences of traveling and hiking all across the southwestern U.S. with everyone and showing them, through my art, just how awesome of a place we live in.”

instagram.com/nickpease_azphoto facebook.com/nick.pease.146

What traits and tendencies are passed down through generations? A prominent physical feature? Lefthandedness? Special propensities or talents? Renowned wildlife artist Trevor Swanson can trace not only his artistic aptitude to generations of his forbears, but also the centuriesold techniques he uses today.

Each depiction of a quail, a coyote, a roadrunner or a bison tells a story of its own time and place and of Swanson’s adventurous experiences that inspire the paintings.

Now, he has developed another aspect of his art, using chemical treatment of metals to create patinas that serve as a new type of canvas and the results are durable works of art that can be displayed indoors or out and can even be utilized in functional home pieces. Swanson has partnered with Sue Bickerdyke Interiors Home Furnishings and Art Gallery in Carefree to feature these pieces.

“The patina metal is a unique technique that Trevor has developed over a period of years,” says Sue Bickerdyke, the

WWildlife artist Trevor Swanson’s paintings are available at Sue Bickerdyke Interiors Home Furnishings and Art Gallery in Carefree.

Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Loralei Lazurek

“

showroom’s owner. “The surprises that are presented inspire the direction and the colors of the work that will become the completed art.”

It’s a twist on the talent that is embedded in Swanson’s DNA.

THE FAMILY THAT PAINTS TOGETHER…

Sitting in his light-filled Moon Valley studio, surrounded by volumes of photos and artifacts from his own lifetime of world travels and that of his family, Swanson says that his greatgrandfather, Vernon, was an immigrant from Sweden.

It’s easy to go hiking somewhere and I come back with a bunch of different ideas and the beauty of the desert in different seasons. Each piece I do, I research and travel and it comes from a story that people are able to connect with.

Trevor Swanson

“He was a full-time farmer, part-time painter,” Swanson explains. “I still have some of his work. It’s something that has been passed down and then skipped a generation to my uncle and father.”

Swanson’s uncle Ray discovered a set of paints at the family’s South Dakota farm and inspiration struck like a nearly divine spark from the past. At the time, Swanson’s father, Gary, was working as a taxidermist in the wilds of Alaska and his brother encouraged him to return so they could paint together.

Each depiction of a quail, a coyote, a roadrunner or a bison tells a story of its own time and place and of wildlife artist Trevor Swanson’s adventurous experiences that inspire the paintings.

Ray loved painting people and Americana themes, while Gary — like Swanson now — was passionate about painting wildlife. Ray became known for his depictions of Southwest Native American tribes and his studio is now replicated at Prescott’s Phippen Museum, which the family helped to establish.

“My uncle just felt this calling to start to paint,” Swanson says. “He kind of started this whole family business and all of us have used the style of the Dutch masters — Vermeer and Rembrandt. It’s a lot of over-painting, a lot of wet and dry techniques; it’s time-consuming.

“I liken it to building a house. You start with a real interesting kind of foundation layer where you get the general layout of what the painting is going to be. Then you go from there to start adding the things that create the structure.

“There is a point that’s the drywall stage — it’s going to be pretty even though it’s not right now. But in that last stage, the process that’s almost exactly what has been going on for centuries is applied; rabbit skin glue is what it used to be. It’s called a retouch varnish. You get a kind of soft sticky layer that goes across that paint and that last layer is where you build the light and the detail.”

Swanson, who grew up in Prescott, begins with using his larger paintbrushes and works his way down to the smallest and finest brushes, all the while applying a pallet of natural earth tones — the same ones his family has always used, so much so that he can always spot a Swanson painting in a gallery or museum.

“If you don’t find it in nature, it’s not going to be on my pallet,” Swanson says.

This process and practice is the result of extreme discipline. Swanson says that he keeps the rest of his life — from what he eats to how he orders his day — very routine. It allows him to save his mental energy for art. While he’s painting wildlife scenes that tend toward serene majesty, he’s probably cranking hardcore metal music in his studio.

“Everyone knows if the music is loud, don’t come in,” Swanson reveals. “If it’s quiet, then come in.”

His specific routines are a discipline that extends to his tools. He admits that he is obsessive about organizing and maintaining his brushes.

“I spend more time with my brushes than I do with my family,” Swanson says. “They’re like my babies and I take really good care of them. They have a little spa treatment at the end of the day in a lukewarm bath, then I treat them with olive oil. Some of these brushes have been with me for a decade. At first, I didn’t realize that not everyone does the same thing I do.”

HEAVY METAL

It seems fairly appropriate that a hardcore metal fan would end up using metal material, but it’s quite different from his 25 years of painting only on canvas. Swanson’s metal works are a new level of process and careful attention to detail.

After so many years of oil on canvas, he became intrigued by steel patina and the chemical process associated with it. The journey began when a friend asked his advice for covering up an unsightly air conditioner condenser outside his kitchen window. Swanson located a company in California that was creating patina for steel.

“Most patinas are made to be used on bronze,” Swanson says. “These can be used on steel, copper and brass. I worked on it for a year to experiment and get the effect I wanted. Suddenly, I had a whole new branch of my work, a whole new avenue of what I can do.”

Swanson says that he had to go back and learn chemistry — a subject that he didn’t enjoy in school. But this time

Two stories of eclectic American art awaits you at the Wild Holly Gallery, in the heart of Carefree. Featuring canvas, copper, bronze, paper art, artistic water features, glass, jewelry and ceramic treasures.

NOW FEATURING WEARABLE ART

was different because it really meant something to him; he was on a mission. He delved deep into metal, chemicals and just how much heat and acids to apply. It’s a delicate balance so that, when the chemicals are washed away after curing, all the color doesn’t go with it.

At first, he was pleased that the patina produced similar color to the palette he was already working with — mostly browns and tans — but with time and practice, he has also developed rich forest greens and blues. He’s also chasing an elusive pink that would mimic the rosy-orange hue of a sunset. When it came time to present his results, some galleries weren't open to change.

“I started shopping around my work with different galleries that knew my canvas work,” Swanson recalls. “Some galleries were like, ‘Nah, that’s just too different; it’s not a traditional thing.’ I’d known Sue Bickerdyke for years and we spoke when I took my work to the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale. We clicked and it’s opened up this whole different world of functional art.

“In working with Sue, we’ve done projects like copper table tops, outdoor fireplace screens and a custom-built refrigerator. Growing up in the desert, I love Arizona and people who move here want something of the desert in their homes. We are bringing the desert to them.”

Bickerdyke is just as thrilled to be working with Swanson and says that she loves sharing his talent with her clients, who are amazed at his attention to detail — the hundreds of tiny paintbrush strokes that are captured with his collection of hundreds of brushes. His quail works, for which he is well-known — are among her favorites.

“He was born to be an artist,” Bickerdyke says. “It’s just in his blood. “Trevor’s passion for his work and his unique approach to wildlife, nature and life are captured in his work; you just feel it. It doesn’t matter if it’s an animal or a vintage old truck; the expression and the personality make you fall in love with the subject.”

Wildlife artist Trevor Swanson uses chemical treatment of metals to create patinas that serve as a new type of canvas and the results are durable works of art that can be displayed indoors or out and can even be utilized in functional home pieces

“

Sue Bickerdyke

LASTING WORKS OF ART

Swanson says that he’s had to embrace the chaos and unpredictability of the chemical process on metal. Unlike the canvas process he uses, smooth metal surfaces aren’t “grippy,” and yet he’s found treatments that allow him to paint in even greater detail than in his traditional works.

“The feathers on my birds are even softer on a piece of copper than on my canvas work,” Swanson says.

Further, the pieces are durable enough to withstand daily use inside the home or the harsh conditions of Arizona’s weather. New ideas for sturdy yet beautiful framing are also on Swanson’s mind. Everything is created to endure for generations and to fit traditional or modern design styles.

“The paintings will outlast me,” Swanson says. “The company that makes the patina has these incredible sealers that protect the pieces. It’s just amazing. With Sue, we do a lot of desert scenery. It’s easy to go hiking somewhere and I come back with a bunch of different ideas and the beauty of the desert in different seasons. Each piece I do, I research and travel and it comes from a story that people are able to connect with.”

Wildlife artist Trevor Swanson, who grew up in Prescott, begins with using his larger paintbrushes and works his way down to the smallest and finest brushes, all the while applying a pallet of natural earth tones.

Trevor’s passion for his work and his unique approach to wildlife, nature and life are captured in his work; you just feel it.

The Swanson legacy and its true representation of the beauty of our desert environment is alive and well and now there are myriad ways for patrons to enjoy it. Galleries and collectors are enthusiastically embracing both of Swanson’s artistic formats.

“There’s a guy who has had one of my paintings for ten years now,” Swanson says. “I see him every once in a while and he says, ‘Man, I start my day with a cup of coffee and I look at your work.’ That just gives me the chills. There is sacrifice in this business; it’s not a steady paycheck, there’s no health insurance –– that type of stuff. But there is an intangible element in those types of moments where you see that someone has connected to your work. It’s amazing.”

Bickerdyke recounts her own joy of living daily with one of Swanson’s works in her home.

“Trevor was commissioned to paint San Xavier del Bac Mission as a surprise from my husband,” she says. “It is lit with a picture light at the top. Every morning I turn on the dimmers and enjoy the sky or the architecture or the beauty of it. By carrying his work in our showroom, it has upped our game.”

suebickerdyke.com

Journey Noel

CCoolwater Christian Church Pastor Rick Gates fondly recalls the Christmases of his childhood, when he and his parents would get into the family car and ride around the neighborhood, looking at all of the beautiful holiday lights.

It is a tradition that many families have and pass down from generation to generation; one that, despite how much the world has changed over the decades, has somehow managed to retain its humble place in many people’s celebrations.

Journey to Bethlehem — a one-of-a-kind drive-through Nativity hosted by Coolwater Christian Church — aims to tap into that tradition and enrich it with reflections on the reason for the season.

The event was conceived last year when church leaders began pondering ways they could effectively reach out to the community and raise awareness about their congregation and campus.

“We had originally wanted to do an event in October — a fall festival with pumpkins, music and food trucks,” Gates says. However, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering and many people still hesitant to attend large gatherings, church leaders scrapped the idea and went back to the drawing board. That is when the thought of a live Nativity entered the conversation.

“We had previously done a live Nativity on our property in a kind of desert setting before our building was built,” says Gates, noting that — like most live Nativities — guests walked and gathered around the scene. “So we decided

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Coolwater Christian Church

to introduce to the community a drive-through Nativity. That way, people could experience the Christmas story [in a socially distanced way].”

The event immediately became an all-church effort as everyone volunteered to bring the story of the birth of Jesus Christ to life the weekend before Christmas.

“We all poured into it and pulled it off,” Gates says. “And we were very pleased with how it went. It accomplished everything we wanted it to. It let people know about Coolwater Christian Church and offered the community something very meaningful at a time when everybody is out and about, looking for things to do. I think that we had about 100 cars that came through. The reception was so favorable, we just knew that it was something we really wanted to do again this year.”

Therefore, on Dec. 17 and 18, Coolwater Christian Church will once again host its drive-through Nativity, improving and expanding upon last year’s effort by enhancing its lighting and further enriching its message with two additional scenes.

“Last year, we had four scenes,” explains Gates, noting that Journey to Bethlehem essentially transported visitors back in time. “We had Mary and Joseph traveling to the City of David to pay their taxes, the shepherds in the field keeping watch over

their flocks by night, the noble Wise Men ‘from the East’ who followed a miraculous guiding star to Bethlehem and the glorious birth of Jesus Christ into the world. And that was just spectacular.

“This year, we are adding the enunciation scene, where the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she would be carrying the child, as well as a closing scene after the manger to help our guests ponder the meaning of the news. We are doing that to give it more impact and to make our Journey to Bethlehem a richer experience.”

The experience will also be more interactive this year.

“One of the actors at each scene will give a gift to each car,” Gates says. “The gift will be something as simple as a little votive candle from one of the scenes and a card, at one of the others, with frankincense and myrrh on it that people can pass around the car and have an idea of the fragrance of what the wise men were carrying.”

Like last year, guests will also receive goodie bags filled with candy and other surprises as well as be invited to tune

their car radios to a special frequency that features music to set the tone of the experience. Guests are encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable food items to benefit Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center.

“This time before Christmas and the celebration of Christmas Day is a time to remember and reflect on the story of the birth of Jesus,” Gates says. “Our drive-through Nativity is a way to convey that to people, to remind them of what Christmas is really all about and to help them experience it and think about what it means to them; what impact it might have on their life.”

“Say that you have got grandparents taking their grandchildren through and, on the way home, they have a conversation about what Christmas was like when those grandparents were growing up. It is a way to engage in conversation with yourself, with others and with God about what this time really means.”

coolwaterchurch.org

Journey to Bethlehem

Dec. 17 and 18 | 5:30–8 p.m. Coolwater Christian Church 28181 N. 56th St., Scottsdale Free 480-585-5554 | coolwaterchurch.org

No-Churn Peppermint Ice Cream

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

14 ounces sweetened condensed milk

Pink food coloring, optional 3/4 teaspoon mint extract 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes

Directions:

Add heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk to a large bowl. Whisk on a medium-low speed until the ingredients are smooth and even.

Turn the whisk up a bit higher and whisk until the mixture is starting to thicken and is smooth (it doesn’t need to be extremely thick), about 3 minutes on medium speed.

Add pink food coloring, if using, and mix until desired color is achieved. Add crushed candy canes and mix until distributed throughout.

Pour into a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and place in the freezer until frozen and firm.

Chef’s Notes:

To crush candy canes, place into a Ziploc bag and pound with a rolling pin.

You may need to let the ice cream sit for 5–10 minutes before scooping.

Ice cream will last for 30 days in the freezer.

Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com

It may be winter, but some of us still have to enjoy our daily bite of ice cream— and there is no better fix than this no-churn peppermint ice cream, featuring fresh peppermint flavor with little bits of crushed candy canes in every bite. It’s also super easy to make!