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Page 18 Perspectives Quirky Quartzsite's around us with the colorful decorations and cheery celebrations happening all over Quartzsite and our surrounding areas. I thought this a perfect time to bring you some real warm and fuzzy stories about a wonderful person living in Rainbow Acres. His name is Verne Colver, a 96 year old year-round resi- dent. Verne lives alone now, and quite independently, after losing his wife 10 years ago, so let me tell you a bit about this interesting man. Would you be- lieve he renewed his driver's license for another 5 years in 2009? Verne was born in 1915 near Spokane, WA. His father worked on the highway Christmas Holidays are all circling www.DesertMessenger.com Contributed by Violet Kiss project from Red Bluff east to Susan- ville, CA doing a lot of gravel work and more, then hauled hay from Phoenix to Los Angeles to care for his family. As Verne grew up, he got a job walk- ing behind trucks on downgrades and poured water on their brakes to 'cool' them. Later in the 1950's-1960's Verne solely built his own cruise boat for char- ter in the Caymans. One of his favorite annual charters was for Dr. Gamble (of the Proctor & Gamble name). The sto- ries he could tell you. He also raced Porsche Cars. A good neighbor of his (and I'm sure good friend), Don Kaiser, brought up Verne Colver to me. such a rich and diversified history that could be put into one heck of a book. I He said Verne had believe him. Don said one time about 15 years ago he and Verne went for a historical day trip. They meandered about 30 miles due east and north near an intersection of Highway 60, and Verne said to him, "There used to be a road sign right there in about 1930 that said 'This is the best gravel road in the USA'". Funny thing, he also said that there were a lot of roads in Arizona that were the best gravel roads in the US; don't forget, back in the 1920's, all we had were gravel roads. Cute. So today, you can see Verne almost daily working his gravel throughout his yards. He still walks his faithful dog ev- ery day in our Sonora Desert. Unfortunately, I couldn't reach his daughter, Karen, to get more in time for this article. But I'll tell you one thing, if you have a chance to meet Verne, stop and say "hi", I am sure he'd have a lot of really neat things to talk about during his lifetime and how things were and how they have become. As we all age and no matter how December 21, 2011 Bingo:Mondays at 7pm. Door opens at 5:30 PM. Buy-In Price is $5.00. Chapel:The service is 10:30 AM. This is Desert Gold News a non-denominational service conducted by Pastor Ken Slape. All are welcome. Shows and Dances: Dec. 31st - New Years Eve Dance – Melody Masters Band – 9pm to Midnight – $3/couple. Stag $1.50 Bring snacks to share. Also bring your own non alcoholic beverages. Soda pop and water will be available for sale at a nominal price. January 4th – Ron and Opal Erickson Gospel -7pm – Free Will Offering January 6th – Laughing Bird Show- 7pm - $ 6.00 January 8th – Johnson Family Gospel - 7pm – Free Will Offering Jerky Store & Deli ❖ 2 EACH: BREAST, LEG, THIGH, WING or ❖ WHOLE ROTISERRIE CHICKEN 8 PC Fried CHICKEN! ❖ 4 LEGS & 4 THIGHS SANDWICHES Made to Order DELI SANDWICH with slaw $695 $595 Call ahead for Chicken and Ribs! 928-927-5655 $495 BEEF JERKY $ PULLED PORK $ B-B-QUE PORK RIBS FULL RACK or $650/lb1899 only $ 595 All jerky made in store! ALL FRESH! ALL SALADS HOMEMADE! ALL SMOKED MEATS MADE IN-HOUSE! Open daily 8-5 • 10-5 Sunday 928-927-5655 30 N. CENTRAL (HWY. 95) 600/4 OZ. BAG 4 BAGS /$22 "young" or "old" you are, look around. We have a plethora of interesting peo- ple with stories to tell, rich histories and tantalizing tales to learn by or laugh to. Here's a cute email I got today: Dear Santa, I want to be sure you get this let- ter in plenty of time. Actually, I don't want much for Christmas I just want the person reading this to be happy! Friends are the fruitcake of life....... some nutty, some soaked in alcohol, some sweet, but mix them together and they're friends, all of them! Sounds like Quirky Quartzsite to me… And, on that note, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Please check out our web site for the en- tire season's schedule and other news at www.desertgoldactivities.com. Skyhawk Shows 2011-2012 Thurs. Dec. 29th, Rock Club, QIA Sat. Jan. 14, 2012, Arizona Sun RV Tues. Jan. 24th, Gold Star RV Sat. Feb. 4th, Holiday Palms Sat. Feb. 11th, ATV Parade & Arizona Sun Sat. Feb. 25th, JRs' RV Park Sat. March 3rd, Chili Cookoff & Holiday Palms Sat. March 10th, Gold Star RV Desert Laundry and Propane PROPANE $285 per gallon 30 N. CENTRAL (HWY. 95) + tax BEHIND JERKY STORE • EASY IN/OUT! 30 N. Central (Hwy. 95) Open 8-5 • 7 days/week 928-927-5655 THE HOTTEST DRYERS IN TOWN NEXT TO JERKY STORE * GOOD PARKING LAUNDRY OPEN 6AM .... LAST LOAD 7:30PM SEE PERSPECTIVES ON PAGE 26 The BEST Fried Chicken IN TOWN!