Williams Authors Association meets in Williams

ValJesse O'Feeny reads to the group from her autobiography.

ValJesse O’Feeny reads to the group from her autobiography.

WILLIAMS—It was a hot, sweaty Saturday morning in the little City of Williams. The shade of the taped, parchment colored tarp covering the dirt courtyard surrounded by the western town of the Wild West Junction.

Surrounding me, drug deals are looming. Political corruption reigns as money changes hands for power and favor. Murder is a way of life.

I’m covering the monthly meeting of the Northern Arizona Authors Association in Williams at the Wild West Junction.

The Northern Arizona Authors group meets in various locations once a month around 10 o’clock. The idea is to read portions of their latest works for critique and to encourage writers and potential writers. Anyone is welcome and there are no dues. If you are an author, you can bring a portion of your work to read.

If you have not started, perhaps this is the inspiration you will need to release that one book inside of you.

Northern Arizona Authors Association meets in Williams

WILLIAMS—The Northern Arizona Authors Association will meet in Williams on June 8 at 10 am. The meeting will be held at the Wild West Junction on Route 66. Any writer, or perspective writer, is welcome to attend. Please bring something to read.

City of Williams announces free community swim

WILLIAMS—The Williams Aquatic Center will be open for a free Community swim to open up their 2013 season. The pool will be open Saturday, May 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free swim day is sponsored by the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center and the Williams Chamber of Commerce.

The Friends of the W.A.C. is a non-profit group in Williams which conducts fundraising events to help keep the pool open during as much of the season as possible. They currently have openings for volunteers and board members.

Run for the Wall arrives today

sam-eagleWILLIAMS—Memorial day weekend is coming soon; a day in which we honor the sacrifices that are veterans have made and those in service today. It also means that the motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall start their annual trek to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. The ride is meant to make the public aware of the prisoners of war and those still listed as missing in action.

Another group called Rolling Thunder with the same mission recently highlighted the plight of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. They believe that he is still alive and a prisoner of war after four years.

Each year both groups ride to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington in time for Memorial Day. To support the ride they set up in towns and sell souvenirs of the ride. Their first stop since mid-2000 has been Williams where the American Legion Cordova Post #13 provides a hot meal and a rest for their visit.

The veterans enter the City with a parade each year.

Each year many of the Williams residents stop by and visit the veterans and give them support. Or maybe it’s just to check out the motorcycles.

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See Also:
2012 Run for the Wall

2011 ride

Former Klansman tells his story at First Baptist Church

WILLIAMS—Evangelist Johnny Lee Clary will share his conversion from Imperial Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan to preacher of the gospel at the First Baptist Church across from Safeway in Williams. Clary will explore how God brought him from the depths of hate and a hardened heart to preach the Gospel.

Brother Clary will be speaking on Saturday, May 18th at 7 pm. He will preach the morning service at the church at 10:30 pm on the 19th. He will also speak at a youth rally at the high school on May 19th at 6 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend the church services and the youth rally.

Northern Arizona Writers group meets this Saturday

WILLIAMS—The Northern Arizona Writer’s Association meets this Saturday in Williams at 10 am. The meeting will be held at the Branding Iron Restaurant in the Wild West Junction on historic Route 66. Bring samples of your work to read or ideas for your project.

The Writers Association helps each other with suggestions on writing, how to self-publish and other writing tips from their experiences.

Matthew J. Broehm VFW post selling candy for Mother’s Day

Al Dunaway and Mike Rioux man the tables for the VFW fundraising efforts.

Al Dunaway and Mike Rioux man the tables for the VFW fundraising efforts.

WILLIAMS—Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Matthew James Broehm Post 12128 stationed themselves to promote their fundraising activities today. The table was set outside of the entrance to the mall which contains their new office and meeting place.

Matthew-Broehm1The Matthew J. Broehm VFW post was formed in official ceremonies December of 2012. Commander George G. Riojas, Sr was sworn in as the Commander of the new post. The name of the service organization honors Marine Lance Corporal Matthew James Broehm of Williams who was lost in action during Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Broehm was killed along with Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson on November 4, 2010.

The service organization conducts official meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month, but gathers every Thursday at 2 pm. Mike Rioux is Liaison Service Officer whose function is to assist all veterans and returning service members in getting the benefits they earned from their years of service.

The VFW is selling See’s Candies for Mother’s Day in order to raise funds for their operation. There are several varieties to choose from and they will place the order on the 6th of May in order to receive the candies on the 9th in time for Mother’s Day. Mother’s day is Sunday, the 12th. In addition they are selling hats and pins which may be purchased anytime. The pins might also make a perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Orders for candies or pins can be made when members are at their meeting on Thursdays or you may contact Al Dunaway almost any weekday at the American Legion John Ivens Post #42 office right next door to the VFW office. Al is a member of both service organizations. You can also email them at williamsvfwpost@hotmail.com.

They are also taking donations and selling raffle tickets for the Williams Veteran’s Memorial. A quilt is being raffled off for the memorial, appropriately, on Memorial Day. The cost of the tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.

Cataract Park open after Saturday dedication

cataract-park-entranceWILLIAMS—Saturday the thirteenth was not unlucky for the residents as they opened the $2.3 million Cataract Lake Park with an eventful dedication. Politicians were there to thank everyone except for Williams Police Sergeant Ted Wigal who directed traffic at entrance. (So we get to be the first to thank him for his service!) I-40 Fleet Services even provided kayaks for rides on the lake.

Mayor John Moore was joined by Williams City Councilmen Hiemenz and Payne for the celebration. District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger and District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta joined District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan.

lake

The event was staffed by volunteers from a number of non-profit groups around the community. The American Legion, as usual, conducted the barbeque provided by the city. Camp Civitan provided a van to shuttle people from the parking area to the park. The Kiwanis and Lions Club members served the food. Volunteers staffed the Coke van provided by Swire. Parks and recreation staff were on hand and volunteer children tested the playground during the speeches. The Freshman class of the Williams High School baked and decorated the cake for the cake cutting ceremony.

Everything was going fine until the politicians started fighting over the key.

Everything was going fine until the politicians started fighting over the key.


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Scouting for Food program in Williams again

WILLIAMS—The local scout troops are once again Scouting for Food to assist the Williams food bank. They are delivering bags to houses for residents to place food into. They ask that residents put food in the bag and set the bags outside on the sidewalk by 9 am this Saturday, April 13.

The troops/packs that are participating are 140 sponsored by the United Methodist Church and Lions Club and 138 sponsored by the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Williams.

During this time when there are no holidays, people tend to forget that there are still needs in our community. This is a chance to continue to help your neighbors in need.