Saying Goodbye to a Friend

By Julie Harrod

Dove Mountain Civic Group

Gary Borax, a friend to many on Dove Mountain and in the Marana community, passed away on September 23^rd in Prescott, AZ where he and his wife Carol have made their home for the past few years. Many of you reading this knew Gary and if you didn't...you really missed out! Soft spoken and a number of inches over 6ft, I always thought of Gary as a “gentle giant.” From the time Jim and I became part of the newly formed Dove Mountain Hiking Club in 2004, of which Gary was the founder, to the last time we saw Gary and Carol at their home in Prescott in the fall of 2021, they have both held a special place in our hearts.

Not only was Gary a Dove Mountain Civic Group Board member from practically the group’s inception, he was the one who organized the first annual Hiking Forum hosted by the Dove Mountain Civic Group that continues today as the Hiking and Biking Forum. As a major “A” hike leader of the Heritage Highlands Hiking Club, the first hiking club on the Mountain, he had a passion for all things hiking and trails. View the original hiking club website and view photos from way back here:

http://www.dovemountaincivicgroup.org/Hike%20Disc/index.html 

When the club began restricting non-resident hikers due to insurance issues, Gary decided to start the Dove Mountain Hiking Club so more of the D.M. community could take part in local organized hikes. The two clubs, insurance issues resolved, merged in 2017 under the name Highlands Hiking Club. When you visit the D.M. Civic Group website and click on the hiking tab, you can thank Gary for much of the content there. He spent hours hiking and documenting hike data and then more hours working with Steve Wacker, past president of the Civic Group, creating the hiking page on the website. Gary also had a special fondness for Crested Saguaros and a HATRED for invasive Buffelgrass. You will find information on both along with inventories of hikes and trail ratings at this link: http://dovemountaincivicgroup.org/hiking.htm

As you will see in the contributions of fond memories from friends that follow he had many more interests and involvement in and around Dove Mountain and Marana.

I remember Gary's “magic” way of encouraging, persuading, and recruiting. Whether it was to encourage a fellow hiker to try her hand at hike leading, publishing monthly hike schedules or organizing a trip to the Grand Canyon, it was hard to say “no” to the guy! 

One of my fond memories goes back to a Grand Canyon hiking trip in 2007. Four of us hiked down to Phantom Ranch from the north rim and a larger group, that Gary was a part of, hiked down from the south rim. Gary’s group arrived before we did. Our group had a spectacular decent but as we reached the bottom the temps began to rise and we were ready to get to our destination. Nearing the tail end of our hike - tired, hot and sweaty, here comes Gary hiking up the trail towards us carrying cups of ice cold lemonade from the Phantom Ranch canteen. That was just the kind of guy he was!

I encourage you to spend some time reading the fond memories of our friend at the green tab below (click on it to download the document). 

A big "Thanks" to all who contributed!

*Links above are best accessed via computer rather than a mobile device.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8TH

Beginning this year, Pima County has moved to using Vote Centers. Don't go to your usual precinct polling place. Plan ahead and know where the Vote Centers are located.

The nearest Vote Center to Dove Mountain:

Desert Springs Baptist Church

10425 N Thornydale Road.

Vote Centers are open on Election Day from 6am - 7pm

Dove Mountain Community Yard Sale

Saturday, November 5th

7am - 2pm

The Dove Mountain Fall Yard Sale has been scheduled for Saturday, November 5th, from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Ads will be placed on Craigslist and in the Northwest Explorer.

Signs may be placed on your lot and at the entrance to your subdivision. No signs are allowed in the medians on Dove Mountain Blvd. Be sure to promptly remove your signs once the sale is over.

All neighborhoods are welcome to participate although sale will not include Canyon Pass, The Gallery or Dos Lagos.

All gates that are not already open for construction/sales, will be held open, including the main gate for Golden Barrel off Dove Mountain Boulevard.

Questions may be addressed to Associa Arizona

520-742-5674

The next Rods 'N' Rides Car Show is happening at The Highlands at Dove Mountain clubhouse parking lot, 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd. on Sunday, November 6th from 8am to 11am. Come out and vote for "Best of Show."

Happy Holidays

The snow is falling, and I am waiting for my Lionel Train to blow its horn! That is the signal I can run down the stairs and check out my stocking and open gifts. I am blessed with wonderful Christmas memories. 

Now we all have a chance to make magical holidays for a K-12 Marana Unified School District child, one that might have nothing to open on their special holiday! This year Youth Education Supporters, In Partnership with Marana Unified School District hopes to have 900 children adopted by December 2^nd. If you enjoy shopping for such fun things as clothes and toys, you can select a student (boy or girl) and buy the gifts they have wished for on a written form. 

If you prefer someone else do the shopping, you can contribute money (estimated between $75-$100) and the Marana Elves will shop for you. And the school district is happy to receive gift cards from either Walmart or Frys should a Holiday Meal be your choice gift. 

Let’s all get started in making wonderful memories for our very own Marana children in need!!

Happy Holidays,

Dot Santy, Team Lead, Y.E.S.

[email protected]

P.S. On November 6th from 10am-4pm Youth Education Supporters will have a special Holiday Tree in The Highlands at Dove Mountain Clubhouse lobby. Our tree will be full of angels representing students needing adoption. We can personally assist you.   

There will be two fun events that day: Rods N' Rides Car Show (8am-11am) and an Art Market (noon-4pm) where Highlands artists will be selling paintings, fiber art, glass, jewelry, pottery and more. 

*Donation Form and FAQ link is best accessed via computer rather than a mobile device.

Great Hiking Weather Has Arrived!

Check out the group hike offerings by Highlands Hiking Club here on Dove Mountain. There's something for all fitness levels.

From Tucson Water...

Unfortunately vehicle break-ins continue to be reported on Dove Mountain including an incidence of a garage break-in using a remote stolen from the vehicle parked outside. At most risk are vehicles unsecured and parked in driveways overnight. 

Practice T.L.C.

Take your valuables

Lock your vehicle

Close windows and sun/moon roof

From the Dove Mountain HOA: An unfortunate series of break-ins throughout the Dove Mountain area has been brought to our attention and we wanted to reach out to you directly, so you are aware of the situation and your surroundings. If you are parking in the driveway over-night please be sure you are locking your car doors and do not leave any personal items inside the vehicle, you may also want to consider taking in your garage and gate remotes as some reports indicate that they may have been taken out of the vehicles as well. Please be aware the break-ins are happening in both gated and non-gated neighborhoods throughout the area.