VIL feb 09 GRID.indd - Tubac Villager

34
Tom and Charlotte share some
memories and we discuss the rich history
of the Santa Cruz Valley area, of which
they are very knowledgeable. Speaking
to the way of life Southern Arizona,
they remember the valley from Tucson
to Nogales when it was mostly ranches
and everyone met for picnic swims at the
lake that used to exist just outside the
Cow Palace formerly known as Kinsley’s
ranch. Tom mentions how he used to
ride through the canyon which is now
Peña Blanca Lake and remembers the
white bluff s before it was dammed.
Th ese days, Charlotte and Tom spend
their days operating various duties
between home, gallery and ranch. In
writing this article, if the phone rings at
7:03 a.m., I know it is Charlotte calling,
as her day starts early when she is off to
the ranch to tend to the animals, then to
the gallery for opening and such, and off
to the ranch again for feeding at the end
of the day. Charlotte has a mustang that
she recently adopted through the Bureau
of Land Mangement along with three
BLM burros which she is very fond of.
Having grown up here in Southern
Arizona with a burro myself, I know the
gentle and inquisitive companionship the
long-eared animals are capable of, and
the fun of having a hoofed friend follow
you around the property like a loyal dog.
Charlotte lights up at the very mention
of her burros. Learn more about the
Wild Mustang and Burro Adoption at:
www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html.
Custom Design
On-Site Jewelry
Repairs
While-You-Wait
One-of-a-kind
Custom Pieces
Graham Bell Gallery - Authentic Cowboy Spirit
...continued from page 13
Above: Rough terrain where the ZZ Ranch has operated since 1938 - vew from the south
shoulder of Atascosa, on the Ruby Road looking over Bear Valley and not too distant Mexico.
Right: Th e gallery features large images and collections by the Graham Bells.
Right bottom: Th e Graham Bell Gallery has 2 entrances which connect the Tubac Plaza with Plaza Road through the grounds.
Diamond Setting
& Remounting
Large Selection of
Rare and Unusual
Gem Stones
Fine Art
24 Tubac Rd. Tubac, AZ
Th ose of you who remember the Burro
Inn which operated where Crista’s
Fitness at Sunsent Ranch now is, must
remember Louie and Andrew, the two
burros who stood out front and greeted
visitors. Th e Graham Bells took the
burros to their ranch for the burros’
retirement. Andrew passed 2 years ago,
but Louie, 27 now, is well and Charlotte
enjoys caring for her.
Photos of the burros by Scott Bell hang
on the south wall of the gallery.
On the days not tending to the ranch’s
hands-on requirements down near
Nogales, Tom runs his part of the
business as Chairman of the Board from
his home-offi ce next to the gallery, his
brother, George, CEO, operates from his
home in Nogales, and Scott and Daniel
Graham Bell, the sons of Tom and
George respectively, operate the ranch.
Originally schooled at the University
of Arizona with experience from
universities around the country, Tom
possesses a DVM and Ph.D. and a full
career of practice and teaching that
included extensive university research
and employment in industries and
government. Sharing the usefulness
of his veterinary knowledge, Tom is
currently on the Board of Trustees at the
Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum where
he provides advice on various aspects of
the live animal exhibits there.
Tom’s offi ce opens to the spacious
courtyard, separated from the central
courtyard by a fence of laced mesquite.
Highest Prices Paid
We buy
Estate Jewelry,
Scrap Gold, Silver
& Platinum
40 Years of
Experience
in the Jewelry &
Gem Stone Field
“People really love to stop and relax in
the courtyard...” Charlotte says. With
seating and excellent views, the space
provides tranquil respite for travelers to
slow down a bit and take it all in.
Th e home and gallery properties were
formerly that of Will Rogers, Jr. who
passed away in Tubac in 1993. Th e
spirit of the West is tastefully displayed
in both buildings and the interesting
items of working animals collected
from around the world by Charlotte
are arranged on shelves - each item a
potent vessel of the individual artistic
ingenuity of the culture which devised
and maintained it.
Th ere are two entrances to the Graham
Bell Gallery, one from Tubac Plaza,
the other, from the lower Plaza Road,
near their red, 1958 Chevy truck, also
with seated fi gure in denim, inviting
you to ascend a tiled staircase into the
courtyard, the gallery and to the Plaza
- in the heart of Tubac.
Th e Graham Bell Family feels
fortunate to have been able to occupy
the historic Will Roger’s, Jr. home near
the Country Store and Munger’s home,
among the oldest establishments in
Tubac.
Visit the Graham Bell Gallery
1 Will Rogers Lane, Tubac
520-398-9111
online at:
www.cowboyartexchange.net
North Amado
Chavez Siding Exit
CRISTA’S
East Frontage Rd.
T U B A C ’ S C O M P L E T E F I T N E S S F A C I L I T Y
I-19
South-Tubac
YOU ARE INVITED TO
CELEBRATE!
OUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY AT
SUNSET RANCH
Join us for an
Open House Feb 14th 10am-2pm
in celebration of our
5th Year Anniversary
Enjoy Refreshments, review our Facilities
and learn about our New Classes.
Th e LIFE NET
Helicopter Base at
the ranch will also
participate in the
Open House with
base tour and sitting
in the helicopter.
Call for more info: 520-398-9940