Desert Messenger

30 www.DesertMessenger.com September 20, 2023 Business owner leaves behind legacy of g legacy g legacy enerousity legacy enerousity legacy Chengwen (Chen, Carlos) owner of Q Laundromat Chengwen (Carlos, Chen) Chen, age 51 of Quartzsite, AZ, passed away on December 21, 2008 of asthma attack which resulted in congestive heart fail- ure. He was known to his brothers and sisters as Chengwen, to his wife and son as Carlos, and most fondly to his friends and customers as Chen. Chengwen was born in Taipei, Tai- wan on March 10, 1957 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Bing H. and Hai Mei Chen. He immigrated to the United States in 1970, attended University High School in West Los Angeles, graduated from University of California at Irvine and worked for Hewlett Packard in San Jose, CA. as a Software Engineer for over 20 years. Chengwen met his wife Ana while traveling and learning Span- ish in Durango Mexico. They were mar- ried in 2001 and gave birth to their son Luis the following year. Chengwen wanted a small town life style for his family. After two years of extensive search, he found and fell in love with Quartzsite. He bought and op- erated the Q-Laundromat for the past fi ve years. Chengwen loved Quartzsite for its diversity of people and the laun- dromat where he could let his creative juices fl ow. The greatest love of his life was Ana and Luis. His laundromat busi- ness gave him the freedom and time to be with them. Chengwen lived his life doing exactly what he wanted. Chengwen is survived by his wife, son, seven siblings, four nieces, eight nephews, and his friends and custom- ers, who he considered his family. Services were held Friday, Dec. 26 in Blythe, with the Wake and Reception at the Q Laundromat in the afternoon. "Our family is very grateful he was happy and doing what he wanted!" said, sister, Karen. At the Wake, many people shared their memories of Chen and his generousity! "He'll be sorely missed!" P��� 2 D����� M�������� D������� 31, 2008 Editorial BY SHANANA "RAIN" GOLDEN-BEAR, PUBLISHER D����� M�������� QUARTZSITE'S FREE COMMUNITY PAPER FOUNDED BY WALT AKIN, OCTOBER 1, 2004 Name Plate Lettering by Paul Winer Contributing Writer, Joanne Winer Contributing Photographer, Starr BearCat "The theory of a free press is that truth will emerge from free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account." -Walter Lippmann Published by Pilot Rock Publishing Co. P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 Phone: 928-785-7204 Website: www.DesertMessengerOnline.com E-mail: desertmessenger7@yahoo.com Published twice a month on the fi rst and third Wednesday, October through May. Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear, Publisher - FOR SALE: ICE CREAM STAND SHOP with selling area $13,000/offer (lease available to buyer) NOW IS THE TIME: investment returned by the end of tourist season! Located across from Pilot Truck Stop, 1182 W. Main St. Quartzsite. 602-684-7128 Multiple recent improvements. Email: misskittysotp@yahoo.com or message 928-927-4143. 10% OFF WITH THIS AD NUPORT GIFT Main Event M21 Across from Pilot Station in Quartzsite Hanes 50/50 Blend Printed White T-Shirts Adult small thru XL $2.00 ea. limit 10 per customer Exp. date: 1-31-09 50/50 Blend Printed COLOR T-Shirts Adult small thru XL $2.99 ea. limit 10 per customer Exp. date: 1-31/09 Popcorn Shirts Coin Style 3/4 Sleeve 30% OFF! limit 10 per customer Exp. date: 1-31-09 Rhinestone & Rhinestud Ladies Scoop Neck Top $5.99 ea. limit 10 per customer Exp. date: 1-31-09 Covenant Lutheran Church is sponsoring A Play put on by the Azusa Pacifi c Players. The play is called Archie and Emma, a true love story. The play will be held at the church located at 270 E. Cowell thursday January 8 6;30 pm. The Azusa Pacifi c University is located near Pasadena CA. Based on actual people and events,Archie and Emma is love story for the ages.Come and watch the story unfold. Lutheran Church sponsors play Thursday, Jan. 8 Goals...how we all make them. It is that time of year again, when people are thinking about the coming year and goals they wish to achieve. I always enjoy looking back on the previous year and celebrate my accomplishments. What have you accomplished? When I took the challenge of publish- ing the Desert Messenger, one of my goals was for the paper to go online by the end of the year. Well, I almost made it! I've purchased the domain name, www.desertmes- sengeronline.com and acquired a web- host. Now all I have to do if fi gure out how to load the paper on the Internet for the whole world to see. Hopefully, by the time you read this, there will be something posted on the website! I've also created a blog online. You can always check it to fi nd out what's going on in town quicker than waiting for the paper to print. The Internet ad- dress for the Desert Messenger Blog is: http://desertmessenger.blogspot.com The town has lost many people this year, with Chen being the latest huge loss. Monday morning, the atmosphere at the Q Laundromat was heavy, as people gave each other hugs, and tears fl owed. Even those that really did not know him shared how much they will miss his bright greetings and thought provoking discussions. Chen was famous for seeking ways to improve the town. He was always com- ing up with fresh, and sometimes wild, ideas to make Quartzsite a prosper- ous and welcoming place for visitors and locals. Chen supported this town in many ways, some quietly and some very boisterous. From helping the kids with their fundraisers, to handing out free coffee to customers because the town offi cials hadn't approved his permit to sell espresso yet, to having clean showers available for folks, to providing turkeys for his potlucks for holidays, to lending support for local organizations. The day before I left town last spring, Chen and I were discussing my new project, the Desert Messenger. After listening to my vision of the paper, and how I wanted to keep the positive focus, he told me he would advertise with me the whole season. I asked him if he had a previous ad, and he told me he did not need to. But he wanted to support me by advertising. I told him I couldn't sell advertising yet, since my business license didn't start until Sep- tember. He told me, "I'll buy your fi rst ad when you return!" At Chen's Wake, Walt Akin, founder of the DM, told how Chen purchased his fi rst ad and supported the begin- ning of the DM. It moved me so much that we both were supported by Chen, but each never knowing it. Chen made me think and I am for- ever grateful! We will truly miss Chen! Cheers to the Journey! Chengwen (Carlos, Chen) Chen. "People like Carlos deserve a special place in heaven." said Chen's wife, Ana at the Wake. www.DesertMessengerOnline.com December 31, 2008 D������� 31, 2008 D����� M�������� P��� 3 -OHV FROM PAGE 1 BETTY HUNTER, Inc. REALTOR Exceptional Service since 1970 TURNKEY RESTAURANT & HOME BOOMING WINTER BUSINESS Darling Mom & Pop Diner with seating for 44 and an outside patio all on .43 ac on the Highway. QUARTZSITE- Desert Gardens Auto, RV & Mobile Home Sales sold a car for only $8! Names were put in the jar. The only catch was the winner had to be present when the drawing was held at noon, Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, just in time for Christmas! Richard Oldham, owner, said "I started doing this back when I was young, selling used cars. I had so much fun, I had to keep it going!" Local 17-year old resident, Kassie Lee Sargent was the lucky winner! She at- tends Scholars' Academy. "I usually have the worst luck. I'm so surprised!" $8 Car Sold in Quartzsite! Kassie Lee Sargent, Quartzsite, receives keys to her new car from Richard Oldham, of Desert Gardens OHVs must have a muffler or noise dissipative device to limit sound to less than 96 decibels. Anyone under the age of 18 will be required to wear a properly fit- ted and fastened U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet when riding any OHV. For more information on the rules and regulations visit Arizona Game and Fish Dept. at www.axgfd.gov/ ohv. For more information on the OHV Decal, titling or registration, visit MVD at www.azdot.gov/MVD. QUARTZSITE- Over 125 treaure hunters D������� 31, 2008 D����� M�������� -OHV patio Home HARDWARE QUARTZSITE- Desert Gardens Auto, RV & Mobile Home Sales sold a car for only $8! Names were put in the jar. The only catch was the winner had to be present when the drawing was held at noon, Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, just in time for Christmas! Richard Oldham, owner, said "I started doing this back when I was young, selling used cars. I had so much fun, I had to keep it going!" Local 17-year old resident, Kassie Lee Sargent was the lucky winner! She at- tends Scholars' Academy. "I usually have the worst luck. I'm so surprised!" $8 Car Sold in Quartzsite! Kassie Lee Sargent, Quartzsite, receives keys to her new car from Richard Oldham, of Desert Gardens OHVs dissipative less be ted of helmet QUARTZSITE- Over 125 treaure hunters gathered at the Town Park Sat., Dec. 27, 2008 for the Quartzsite Metal De- tector Club's Coin Hunt. Prizes in- cluded real coins, raffles for gold and silver coins, and more! Even needing a walker didn't stop a 90+ year-old metal detector from joining in the fun! SPECIAL SECTION

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