GET OUT

TheMesaTribune.com | @EVTNow /EVTNow

Follow us: @GetOutAZ

Gilbert celebrates past, future next weekend

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Tribune Contributor

After skipping a year because of the pandemic, Gilbert Days is back. The Town of Gilbert’s celebration of its western heritage – a time when horse ranches, dairy farms, agriculture and the rodeo lifestyle were mainstays – has different venues this year.

The Gilbert Days Rodeo, organized by Gilbert Promotional Corporation, will be held Thursdayday through Sunday, Nov. 18-21, at Queen Creek’s Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre.

The Gilbert Days Parade, organized by the Town, will be held Saturday morning, Nov. 20, down Gilbert Road from Juniper to Elliot Road. The Gilbert Half Marathon and 10K events will follow the parade at Higley High School. And a family-friendly music festival takes place from Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20, at Gilbert Regional Park.

Paige Nelson, vice president of GPC, said the main reason for moving the rodeo venue from Welcome Home Ranch in southeast Gilbert to Horseshoe Park is more room.

“We were having to turn people away and having to refund the tickets because we just didn’t have any more room to seat any more people,” she said. “That’s so sad that we can’t let in all the people who want to come.”

Each year, GPC runs a rodeo as part of the Grand Canyon Professional Rodeo Association, showcasing the competitions of professional cowboys and cowgirls in Arizona and other western states. Bull riding, bareback riding and saddle bronc riding are among the activities. The Lil Dudes Rodeo features kids mutton bustin’ and barrel racing, among other events. After the hiatus, organizers hope to fill the stands.

At Horseshoe Park, the rodeo can seat 3,000 people per day, which is quadruple the number GPC could accommodate earlier. Organizers are also able to host triple the number of food and retail vendors and parking won’t be a challenge Mesa resident Jessica Wolfe is the Gilbert ays Rodeo Queen this year. (Tiffany Moonbeam

Photography)

like in past years.

After the rodeo on Saturday, there will be a dance featuring local country music artist Harry Luge.

As for holding Gilbert Days in Queen Creek, “it’s initially going to be confusing to people,” Nelson admits. “I think, once they see what this venue has to offer, they’re going to understand.”

Meanwhile, the parade will step off at 8:30 a.m. from Juniper Avenue/Gilbert Road, travel south and end just beyond Elliot Road. While some neighboring roads will be closed, parking will be available throughout the Heritage District’s parking garages.

The parade theme is City of the Future.

“With 100 years of history and growth, our focus is on keeping the thriving community that Gilbert is today well into the future, while continuing to be one of the top communities in the country,” said Eva Kirschbaum, a spokeswoman from Gilbert Parks and Recreation Department. “We challenge the community toanticipate change, create solutions, and help peopleand our businesses. We all play a role in the design of tomorrow.

“In Gilbert, we are shaping a new tomorrow, today,” Kirschbaum added.

The parade will feature 85 entries from local schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations and special interest groups. One of those will be the GAR-

Bage Family Show – where kids recycle using drivable toy garbage and recycle trucks.

Also participating in the parade are

Miss Rodeo Arizona 2022 and Miss Teen

Rodeo Arizona 2021/2022 while Watson Flower Shops will return with its crowd-pleasing float made entirely of flowers.

Cowgirls Historical Foundation and the Gilbert Days Rodeo Court will also participate. This year’s court comprises

Queen Jessica Wolfe, Teen Queen Amber

Michne and Princess Mckenzie Craven.

The Rodeo Court was extended from last year because the young women couldn’t fulfil their roles as rodeo ambassadors for Arizona and beyond due to the pandemic’s restrictions.

Usually, for many months earlier, members connect with young people to talk about Gilbert and its farming traditions, the history of rodeo and the values of cowboys and cowgirls – such as respect and being kind to each other.

“We stayed as involved in the community as we could while practicing social distancing. It has been thrilling to watch rodeo return,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe, a medical scribe in Mesa – who is studying for a master’s degree following the attainment of four college degrees – has ridden horses and attended rodeos from a young age. “I can remember being mesmerized by the rodeo queens at those events, and know I have the privilege to be one,” she said. “My favorite aspects of this role include meeting the fans, making the kids smile, and participating in the grand entries filled with overwhelming patriotism.”

She contends that this will be her last rodeo queen title.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities, friendships, and memories it has provided to me,” she said.

During the rodeo, the community is also honoring Mesa horsewoman Julee Brady, who groomed many past members of the rodeo court, including her daughters Shanda, Marjon, Kelsee, Kellan and Taryn.

Brady passed away last year, and Cowgirls Historical Foundation, which she founded, is leading a tribute to her during Friday evening’s performance.

“Julee was truly a light unto others in all arenas of her life,” said Kiva James Lindaman, the current foundation president. “Our tribute drill is in memory of her legacy of kindness and encourages everyone to be a light in the world.”

Daughter Marjon Brown said her late mother “was constantly teaching us life lessons in the most wonderful and uplifting of ways. One of her recurring messages was to spread kindness to those in our sphere of influence. She consistently strived to do that.”

Brown, who is married and has children of her own, said Brady was “remarkable and such a pillar of strength” in her life. “The best way I can pay tribute to her is to teach my children the values she emulated. And to do it cheerfully and with a heart full of faith,” she added.

Julee Brady loved horses, rodeo and the unique opportunities and friendships the lifestyle provided. Preserving the nation’s rich western heritage was important to her as well.

“I will always envision her quietly working behind the scenes making rodeos happen so future generations can enjoy them,” Brown said. “She would say that the past is a present for the future. Indeed, it is. She was living proof of that.”

The Brady daughters won’t reveal the details of the tribute in advance. It will incorporate Brady’s husband, Pat.

“It’s really touching,” Nelson said. ■

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 14, 2021

Gilbert Days 2021

The town and the Gilbert Promotional Corporation present the annual Gilbert Days with events taking place November 19-21.

RODEO

When: Gates open 5 p.m., rodeo begins 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19; gates open at 1 p.m., rodeo begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20; gates open noon and rodeo begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. Lil Dudes kids rodeo takes place when gates open. Events: Bull riding, steer wrestling, tiedown roping, barrel racing, team roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and breakaway roping. Where: Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek. Admission: Children age 5 and under enter free; $12 for children 6-12 and 55+ seniors, $18 for adults; active-duty military enter free with I.D. Details: gilbertdays.org.

RUNS/WALKS

Where: A Half Marathon and a 10K are planned in association with Shun the Sun Foundation. The Half Marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. at Higley High School and the 10K starts at 9 a.m. at Nichols Park. Details: gilberthalfmarathon.org.

PARADE

When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Where: Begins at Juniper Avenue and Gilbert Road and proceeds south on Gilbert Road to just south of Elliot Road. Theme: “City of the Future.” Details:gilbertaz.gov/gilbertdays.

GILBERT DAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL

When: 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Entertainment: The Instant Classics at 4:30 p.m. and Piano Men Generations at 7 p.m. When: 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. Entertainment: Desert Dixie at 4:30 p.m. and Georgia Chrome 7 p.m. Location: Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road. Admission: $5 per person early bird pricing through November 18. General admission pricing beginning November 19 is $10 per person. Details: gilbertaz.gov/gilbertdays. ■

Cowgirls Historical Foundation members include Taryn Brady Hale, Kelsee Brady Bradshaw, Kennadee Riggs, Shanda Brady Riggs and Marjon Brady Brown, seen here with the late founder Julee Brady, who is standing on the ground. Julee Brady passed away last year and the foundation will be paying tribute to her during the Friday evening session of the Gilbert

Days Rodeo. (Courtesy of Marjon Brady Brown)

ACROSS

1 Greets the villain 5 Bummer 9 Wd. from Roget 12 Incite 13 Writer Rice 14 Scot’s refusal 15 Time of youthful innocence 17 World Cup cheer 18 Jacket part 19 Cut wood 21 Hectic hosp. area 22 Sun block? 24 Satirist Mort 27 “Exodus” hero 28 Infatuated 31 Acapulco gold 32 Impose 33 “Delicious!” 34 Lugosi of film 36 Observe 37 Nick and Nora’s pet 38 Cove 40 Room cooler, for short 41 Pal 43 Geronimo, for one 47 Mound stat 48 1987 Woody Allen movie 51 Hobbyist’s abbr. 52 Apple product 53 Pet-food brand 54 Snake’s warning 55 Mediocre grades 56 Part of A.D.

Sudoku

DOWN

1 Smooch 2 Spoken 3 Leer at 4 Sargasso wriggler 5 Florida county 6 Genetic letters 7 Whatever 8 Bas-relief medium 9 Winter “no school” times 10 Harvard rival 11 Grant basis, at times 16 TiVo, for example 20 Calendar abbr. 22 Vinegar bottle 23 Low-calorie 24 Weep 25 “Right you --!” 26 Work breaks 27 Church section 29 Belly 30 “I -- Rock” 35 Moreover 37 National park in Maine 39 Ira Gershwin’s contribution 40 GI’s address 41 Hotel furniture 42 “Topaz” author 43 Helps 44 “Misery” star James 45 Church song 46 Old U.S. gas brand 49 Gorilla 50 Fawn’s mom

With JAN D’ATRI

GetOut Contributor

Gooey delight awaits in this one-pan éclair dessert

I’ve said it many times. People who are gracious enough to share their personal treasured recipes– you know, the ones that make them famous at family gatherings, potlucks and housewarmings – have a boatload of good karma coming their way.

Amanda Jacinto is this week’s Karma Queen. I met her at a housewarming last week and I begged and begged for her amazing Gooey Stuff One-Pan Éclair recipe. I knew that once you try this easy-as-ever dessert, it will without a doubt become one of your new go-to favorites! She found the recipe years ago, hoping to make something special for her then boyfriend, now husband Louis’ passion for pudding.

“I was a college grad with little more than a whisk and a bowl in my kitchen. I found a recipe that required only a few ingredients, no cooking and seemed to resemble an éclair or Boston cream doughnut. So basically, it seemed absolutely perfect.

The first time I served it to Louis he loved it and asked for it again just a few weeks later referring to it as the “Gooey Stuff.”

What did I tell you about Karma? Louis tells me it was this dessert that convinced him to say, “I do!” ■

Ingredients:

1 (3.4 oz) box of instant vanilla pudding 1 (3.4 oz) box of instant French vanilla pudding 1 (8oz) tub of Whipped Topping (such as Cool Whip) 1 box of cinnamon graham crackers 1 (16 oz) tub of chocolate fudge frosting (preferred: Pillsbury Creamy Supreme® Chocolate Fudge Frosting) 2 cups of milk

Directions:

In a 13x9 dish line the bottom with a single row of crackers breaking them as needed to fill as much of the bottom as possible. Put the cinnamon side facing up

In a mixing bowl combine one box of pudding with 1 cup of milk and then add 4 ounces of the whipped topping. Mix with whisk or fork for about 2 minutes

Pour pudding mixture on top of crackers covering the entire area. Next put down another row of crackers.

Again, in a mixing bowl combine the other box of pudding with 1 cup of milk and then add the remaining 4 ounces of the whipped topping. Mix with whisk or fork for about 2 minutes.

Now pour the pudding mix over the crackers and spread evenly over the area.

Place another row of crackers this time with the cinnamon facing down.

Take the lid and foil off of the frosting and microwave on high for about 30 seconds or until the frosting is just liquid enough to pour out of the tub.

Pour frosting on top of crackers and spread evenly across top.

Place in fridge for 24 hours so the crackers have time to become soft.

Cut into squares and serve cold. Serve plain or with dollop of whipped cream and strawberry garnish. Serving size, approx 8-12.

Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe/ one-pan-eclair-cake.. ■