December Nuggets newsletter

Remembering Cave Creek Christmas Past

Adapted from December 2017 Nuggets by the late Beverly Metcalfe Brooks, Museum Historian

In 1961, my new husband Bill Metcalfe introduced me to Beverly Thelander, at whose house choir practice for the Christmas Pageant was held. I had been singing since I was a child, so joining in was right up my alley. I made a lot of friends over the next few weeks. Only one is still alive, Vera Roberts Gugel, my dearest, oldest friend.

That pageant was FABULOUS. Doc Hudson, owner of one of the ranches north of Cave Creek, offered the grounds on the north side of Black Mountain for the performance.

Beverly asked Vera to sing Ave Maria in Spanish, as Vera had such a beautiful voice. All the songs drifted out over the desert air into the natural amphitheater of Black Mountain to where people were sitting.

The night was so clear, and the stars were so bright, it was nothing like what I had experienced in Illinois. I said that it did not feel like Christmas without snow, but Mary Bonnell put me straight, saying that this weather was more like the desert where Jesus was born.

The Pageant was started in 1952 by Jean Hackler and her eight 4H girls as a Christmas Present to the whole community. It was meant to be a onetime thing but continued on Black Mountain for decades then later at Spur Cross.

Beginning in the 19^th century, lapel pins and buttons began a long and colorful history as political statements. During World War I, pins showed support for the troops. In the 1980s they became a fashion accessory and still are today.

The Santa Claus pins pictured below were produced in the 1930s and 1940s by the National Tuberculosis Association to raise money and promote awareness. They feature a smiling Santa Claus with the words “Health to All” and later “Health for All.”

In the early 20^th century TB was the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Tuberculosis camps were established around the country. In the 1920s the Desmont Sanitorium, built along Cave Creek Road, provided 16 cabins to house TB sufferers. The Museum is fortunate to display the last known original TB Cabin in Arizona.

The five pins pictured were donated to the Museum by longtime volunteer and supporter Charlie Connell, for whom the mining campus is named. Under his leadership the ten-stamp mill was restored into a fully operational mill.

Please visit the Museum and view the pins, which will be displayed in the History Wing during December.

FREE

Kiwanis' Preschool Pioneers

December 4

10:00 - 11:00 am

Children ages 3-5 (accompanied by an adult) will hear stories with a historical theme, interact through music and movement, and engage in activity that promotes learning.

Click here to register

TWO DATES!

The Arizona Gold Mining Experience™

December 13 and December 27

10:00 - 11:30 am

(Check in 9:00 am)

The Cave Creek Museum’s AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE™ is unique with its display of the complete hard rock ore extraction process, with the mine shaft, tramway, ore carts, crushing and extraction, which are always on display, but operated on second Saturdays.

The highlight is Arizona’s only fully operational ten-stamp ore crushing mill.

Click Here for December 13 Registration

Click Here for December 27 Registration

Gold Fev er J eep Adventure

December 13

1:00 - 4:30 pm

This one-of-its-kind gold mine adventure tour is the perfect way to spend an exciting day. Meet your knowledgeable guide and follow the same vein of gold that Old Rackensack chased in 1880. This mine was were instrumental in the founding of Cave Creek. Register now! Limited to 9 adult guests.

Click to Register and for More Information

FREE

Kiwanis Family Fun: Christmas in the Hills

December 6

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Come help us decorate by making an ornament to hang on the Museum's tree. Make one for yourself or a friend while enjoying other holiday surprises.

Click Here to Register

Meet Steve Greenberg, Cave Creek resident and former member of the board of Cave Creek Museum.

He is the founder of Thin Client Computing, a leading IT consulting group based in Scottsdale, AZ.

He and his wife Lori purchased Harmony Hollow Ranch – adjacent to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, to conserve the land and to preserve the history.

PLAN NOW

for

JANUARY 3, 2026

with

Time Travel at

Harmony Hollow

Ranch

Presented by Steve Greenberg

The Desert Foothills has been a spiritual, prehistoric and historic center for over 2,000 years. The landscape is a roadmap through history with Harmony Hollow sited at the crossroads of history. Let Steve Greenberg be your guide with stories of the surrounding area.

Click here to Register

"Owl" keep an eye on great gift ideas

at the Cave Creek Museum Store.

Season's Greetings from the Museum Board Members! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and are enjoying the fantastic fall weather in Arizona - this is why we endure being here in July and August!

This is the busy season for the Museum and for the Board. You may have already heard that we are currently planning our Miners' Dinner, scheduled for March 10. Please mark this date on your calendar – it promises to be a great time as always and will provide your museum with the financial support it always needs.

I'd also like to extend my thanks on behalf of the Board to our staff members, Jo Ann, Buck, Molly and Gene - and to our fantastic group of very talented and hardworking volunteers! These folks work behind the scenes to make the Cave Creek Museum an important part of the Town of Cave Creek.

We hope you have a happy holiday season. If you have out-of-town visitors, consider bringing them to the Museum; they will enjoy learning more about our amazing town and the Wild West!

Pat O'Brien

Dear Friends,

Our Holiday season has arrived! I am sure many of you have felt as I do, "Will this summer ever end" and "How did the Holidays get here so fast?"

Well, here we are! And we, our wonderful volunteers, board of directors and staff, wish you all a very Happy Holidays! May they be filled with good fortune, good health and bring the best of times in the new year.

Please make a point of visiting the museum during the holiday season to take in our volunteer arts and crafts show. a showcase of amazing talent from our volunteer team.

The museum is buzzing with a steady stream of visitors. Below is a photo of two very special visitors, a newly married couple from Missouri and Louisiana. They graced our museum in November, three days after their wedding, during their honeymoon trip! What an unexpected gift.

Whatever your marital status, we look forward to seeing you in our museum, at our signature programs and special events during the Holidays and beyond.

Thank you for all your support and commitment to the Cave Creek Museum. It takes each of us, engaging and contributing in our own ways, to keep the museum a vibrant and engaging institution.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jo Ann Stuckey