Desert Messenger

December 4, 2019 www.DesertMessenger.com 23 Bobby Douglas in concert at QIA Master Gardener Class offered La Paz County / CRIT Coopera- tive Extension Offi ce is offering the Master Gardener Program to the residents of La Paz County. This 13-week course will give gardeners of all experience levels the opportunity to become Master Gardeners and the chance to learn the science behind the art of gar- dening. Classes will be held at the Parker AWC learning Center at 1109 Geronimo Ave. on Wednesdays from 2:30pm – 5:30pm. Classes will begin January 8, 2020 and will run through April 1, 2020. If you are interested in growing your knowledge, helping your community and improving your gardening skills, please join us and become a Master Gardener! The course fee is $150, which includes the New UA Coop- erative Extension Master Gardener Manual and all class materials. For more information or to pre- register for the class, please contact Don Alamban or Teresa Tozer at 928-669-9843 at the La Paz County/ CRIT Cooperative Extension Offi ce. By Jackie Deal An interview with Bobby Douglas is entertaining, exciting, exhilarat- ing and exhausting! Bobby begins by assuring that he's done "noth- ing" all year and has "nothing" to say. Then he talks for two hours, spinning tales, making jokes, teas- ing. He hides most of that person- ality in the sound booth at the QIA (Quartzsite Improvement Assoc.) events. In Nashville, backstage at the Grand Ole Opry he learned the business end of music. It's the Marty Robbins quality of his voice that refl ects his growing up with his musical brothers, and with Marty Robbins and other "greats." He tries not to brag but when you've associ- ated with "the greats" it's hard to be humble (to quote a Country song.) His South Carolina accent is re- plenished when he returns yearly to his home, but his sense of humor needs no replenishing. When did he start in music? His eyes twinkle and his accent deepens, "Wahl, I quit smoking at age eight and went back to music." Actually, when he was fi ve his brother made him a gui- tar out of a cigar box and he became "addicted" to it. He traveled on the road with sever- al groups including a gospel group, The Bill Carter Singers. He says "I've played with drunks, played with preachers and people in between." Marty Robbin's wife asked him to join a group singing after The Grand Ole Opry on the Jimmy Snow pro- gram. He looks a bit wistful as he re- calls turning down this offer. He left the road to fi nd a better place for his daughter who had allergies; doesn't that story sound familiar? What kind of music does he per- form? "Aw," he says, "It's lovin', losin' and winnin' music. I'll make you cry, laugh and listen." He talk- ed about the music he writes and I grabbed a pen and a piece of paper and shoved them across the table at him. "Write me a song," I demand- ed. Temporary shock was replaced with a grin and he began writing. As he wrote nonstop, his wife and I chatted for a few minutes. In a very few minutes, he shoved the paper back and sang the fi rst two vers- es-and they actually rhymed! He promised (no, his wife promised) that he would sing the fi nished song at the QIA concert. He will augment some of his music this year with back-up rhythm tapes made with some of his friends, in- cluding his daughter who has backed-up Garth Brooks. He says the tapes are "country but you'll even hear a cello on stage." Bobby and Sharon were married last December in Parker so this is their fi rst anniversary. Wouldn't it be great if we could bring them lots of anniversary cards? If you can't fi nd a card, just scribble a note and wish them well. Once Bobby and Sharon got talk- ing, they talked more about their 4 dogs and 2 cats than anything. Ap- parently all live in harmony. This is their third year living in the La Posas and 3,120 miles away is his home in South Carolina. Bobby is performing at the QIA De- cember 10, at 7 p.m. $10. The QIA is providing a wedding anniversary cake for Bobby and Sharon's fi rst wedding anniversary. Free cake for all at this show. Tonia Craig is now at Cactus Curlers Beauty Salon! Call 928-927-5400 for an appointment or visit the Salon at 735 W. Cowell St., Quartzsite, Az. Tonia is a color specialist and former educator for a large hair color company. Tonia has twenty-eight years experience in the hair care business! Licensed & Insured BLM Approved! 27 Years Experience 27 Years Experience Miller RV Repair is BACK IN QUARTZSITE! 406-212-0155 Eve's Place is a Community Mo- bile Advocacy Program, providing services to domestic violence, sex- ual assault and teen dating abuse victims. We have a local offi ce in Quartzsite that's here to help vic- tims and their families. Our goal is reach the 75% of domestic abuse victims who did not reach out for services due to lack of options and or transportation. We travel to our clients providing re- sources and emotional support. We also provide support groups to help with the healing process; transpor- tation and childcare is also available for groups. We, here at Eve's Place, try our best to break down any bar- riers that have stopped victims from reaching out for help. Eve's Place welcomes volunteers in many different ways to help. You can donate your time and help di- rectly with our clients or donate hygiene/food/household items. All of these donations go directly to clients in need. During the holiday season, we have an "Adopt a Fam- ily" program where you can pur- chase gifts for a specifi c family. You can also donate food items to help us provide clients and their families with a holiday dinner. If you would like more information about our program or volunteer opportunities, please contact Me- lissa Rangel, Lead Advocate for the Quartzsite Offi ce at 928-916-3129 or email Melissa@EvesPlace.org. What's Eve's Place all about? Read Desert MESSENGER E-edition online @ www.MyQuartzsite.com

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