Desert Messenger

September 20, 2023 www.DesertMessenger.com 39 �������������������� Serving The Communities Of Quartzsite, Ehrenberg, Brenda & Bouse ���������������� ������������������� SEE WALK ON PG. 3 By Joanne Winer Last year at this time, we held our fi rst "Walk for the Innocent" to raise awareness of child abuse and molestation. It was put together very quickly at the time, and did not have as many participants as we had hoped. This year, it was not only better planned, but the turnout far exceeded our hopes with over 250 adults and children walking from the Fire Dept. on Tyson Dr. to Town Hall! Walk for the Innocent Huge Success! This event was inspired after meet- ing Thomas Bassano and his family who were running across country from California to Florida to raise aware- ness of child abuse and molestation. I was so impressed with what they were doing and how their efforts had made such a difference that I talked to several people and we decided to do a walk to help raise awareness of this important issue in our community. As a survivor myself, I wanted to help others realize what a huge problem this is, and that by working together we can help make sure our children do not have to have the kind of childhood that many of us have suffered. Child abuse comes in many forms. The most horrendous, of course, is the molestation and taking of the innocence of a child who cannot fi ght back. The child predators who sexually abuse children can be anyone, even someone you trust, like a family member or friend. There are also strangers who prey on innocent children and will keep on doing it until they are caught, if they ever are. Physical abuse, mental abuse, emo- tional abuse, and neglect are also forms of child abuse. Most children who have suffered from any form of abuse keep the memories locked inside of them and end up having emotional problems all their lives. Even when the abuse is over, they are haunted by what has happened to them, and do not know how to deal with it. Some are lucky to have friends, teachers, or other family members they can talk to, and that helps if they are able to share their feelings and their pain with someone who can help them get through it. It doesn't always turn out that way, unfortunately. We planned this walk so that our children would know that we care about this issue, and want others to know how important it is for our children to feel safe from any harm from these abusers. We want our children to know how much we care about them and want Quartzsite to be a safe place for them to live in and grow up happy as children should. I was so very happy to receive lots of calls from people who told me that they were supportive of this walk and wanted to be a part of it. We decided to hold it on a school day this year so that the kids from the Quartzsite Elemen- tary School and Scholars' Academy could be a part of it. Many people do not realize just how many kids we have in this town because they do not see them when they are in school. Some people at the Fire Station were amazed Springtime in the desert - perfect for tree planting and kite fl ying! Arbor Day page 2 Kite Flying page 3 Photo by Starr BearCat SPECIAL SECTION May 6, 2009 April was Kite Month! By Billie McCullough, Scholars' Academy Scholars' Academy held our 2nd Annual Kite Festival on April 29th at the Quartzsite Town Park. The local elementary school and com- munity members attended. This year's festival ws dedicated to Mr. Chen of Q-Laundromat in Quartzsite. He made a considerable do- nation for last year's festival and we decided to contrinue spon- soring the event in his memory. The art department was busy for weeks making & decorating kites by hand. At the beginning of the day we were a little worried because there was no breeze, but amaz- ingly enough, when the kites were ready to fl y, the breeze picked up tremendously. M�������� M�� 6, 2009 D����� M�������� Editorial BY SHANANA "RAIN" GOLDEN-BEAR 5 Trees added at Town Hall on Arbor Day April 24, 2009. There was a ceremony for Arbor Day in front of Town Hall, where fi ve trees donated by Arizona Public Service were planted. Guest speak- ers were Andrew Rable, of Arizona Public Service Forestry and Special Proj- ects, Lyle Browning, Instructional Specialist of the University of Arizona La Paz County Extension and Louise Wakem, Urban and Community Forester for the Arizona State Forestry Division. Mayor Walt Akin also addressed the small crowd. Children were quizzed about why trees are important. After the speeches, the children planted the trees with help of the adults. Springtime in the desert is full of surprises! The saguaros and other cacti are beginning to bloom. When we live somewhere for awhile, we tend to take things around us for granted. When was the last time you took a "Sunday drive" out into the desert to enjoy the beauty around us? When a friend came to visit for the fi rst time, she was suprised how much green was in the desert. She asked, "Is it always like this?" Well, no, because it is forever changing. Now we have a variety of colors surrounding us. Just as the desert is always chang- ing, so are we as human beings...not humans doing! Quartzsite is full of unique people who, for one reason or another, were drawn to live here, or just visit for awhile. With scenery and people constantly changing, why would we expect things to remain the same? "Shift happens!" is a great phrase to remember. (Be careful how you say it, though.) When I began getting ready for this issue, I wondered if there was much to write about, as most of the snowbirds, clubs, and restaurants have closed for the season. Wow, was I ever wrong! In the past few weeks, there was plen- ty going on around town. The celebra- tion of Arbor Day with fi ve new trees planted in front of Town Hall; the Qtz. Police defeated the Qtz. Fire in a very entertaining evening softball game; huge turnout for the Walk for the In- nocent, great lunches at the Senior Center, a new organization, Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite, was born; people were visiting each other enjoy- ing the gorgeous weather; lots of bun- nies running around in yards; "swine fl u" news talk around town, without too much worry; and changes happen- ing at Mountain Quail Cafe. With change comes the opportunity for something new. What part are you taking in the changes that are going on around you? Are you an active partici- pant or observer? There is a place for everyone and all views are important. May 20th will be the last issue of the season for the DM. Look forward to some very interesting news!

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