November 7, 2012 • Vol. 10, No.43
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Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
North Valley hosts variety of Veterans Day events MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Submitted photo
Dave Woellner, a World War II veteran who lives in Peoria, will be one of the grand marshals in the 8th annual Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade and Picnic at 10 a.m., Saturday at Anthem Community Park.
A trio of events acknowledging the sacrifice of our nation’s military personnel will take place in the North Valley on Saturday and Sunday. Dave Woellner, a 90-year-old World War II veteran, will be one of the grand marshals in the 8th annual Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade and Picnic set for 10 a.m., Saturday. The parade route, which winds around the community park, is complete with floats, bands and military units, saluting
all of the country’s veterans including special tribute to POWs, Purple Heart recipients and wounded warriors. Woellner, now a Peoria resident, who regularly speaks to school students about his 40 years of military service, said he was honored when asked to be in the parade. After signing up for military service, seven days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Woellner went on to have a 40 year career in the military, serving both during the Korean War as well as Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Air Force.
“It seems so few people know our country’s military history anymore,” he said. “It’s disappointing to see the educational decline, in particular the areas of civics and history, which get brushed over. I am impressed though with the current generation. They seem as though they’re willing to work a little harder. They seem to understand the idea of wanting to make our country the best.” Woellner‘s military career
VETERANS
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Artist begins bronze sculpting during golden years COLLEEN GOODRICH SONORAN ARTS LEAGUE
He is the quintessential late bloomer. It was only after retiring from corporate America that Hal Stewart began his sculpting career. Since then he has created a myriad of bronzes for museums, galleries and collectors throughout the world. As a young child growing up in Illinois, Stewart was fascinated with clay. “I’d make little figurines from the clay found in nearby creeks,” he said. “Then in high school I made nude figures in clay. My teacher said she’d enter my work in the school’s art show if I promised to stop with
Inside:
the nudes. I didn’t -- but she entered my work anyway.” Stewart served in the U.S. Navy and attended college before moving to Arizona in 1968. Employed in the construction industry, he worked in sales and service for the next 32 years. “During that time I’d dapple in oil painting every couple of years but I really had no time for art,” Stewart explained. “I was focused on my job primarily. I also had a small farm and ranch in Wilcox and raised show horses in the Phoenix area.” In 2000 Stewart retired. And then he rewired. He was sculpting.
“The first real piece I did was of an Indian’s head. A friend of mine said if I’d put a body on that Indian he’d pay for the casting and buy the first one. When I sold a second I thought it might be easy to become a serious sculptor!” Stewart made five additional sculptures before attending Scottsdale Art School to study the anatomy of the head, hands, feet and muscles. “I carefully selected my instructors,” he explained. “I didn’t want them influencing my style. I liked sculpting my way.” His way has proven successful. Stewart’s work
SPORTS:
AUTO RACING:
Cactus Shadows volleyball falls in state quarterfinals sweep to Notre Dame
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sculpting
continued on page 4
Submitted photo
Hal Stewart will have his bronze work on display during the Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour and Sale set for 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Nov. 16 – 18 and Nov. 23 – 25. Stewart will be in Studio #34 during the event, which has studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and north Scottsdale.
MUSIC:
OTHER :
Anthem resident preps to race down dream, gains lead sponsor for team
Pinnacle Concert series debuts new season with Sunday show
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