May 1, 2008
The Contzen Family
May 1, 2008
In considering the German influence on early Arizona history, another pioneer family comes to mind. Fritz Contzen was another of the 1850s settlers in Southern Arizona. Fritz was born in Germany in 1831, into an educated family. His father was the Chief Forester of the principality of Waldeck. (Germany was not yet a united country.) Fritz came with his older brother, Julius, and a group of Germans to help settle Texas in about 1848. The brothers joined the Texas Rangers to fight Comanches. They became separated when Julius met Herman Ehrenburg who was going to Arizona. After the Gadsden Treaty was signed, Fritz joined Major Emory’s boundary survey and served as an assistant to the surveyor, because he had been so educated in Germany. After completing the survey, Fritz met Pete Kitchen somewhere near present-day Nogales and he decided to settle here. On a trip to Hermosillo, Fritz found his brother Julius who was living in Tubutama and they joined up again. Arriving in Tucson, they found the presidio with Mexican troops, but soon the U. S. troops arrived to replace the Mexicans. The Contzens were here, with the very few other Americans, when the U. S. flag went up in Tucson. Just south of the San Xavier Mission, in 1856, Fritz and Julius established a ranch at the Punta de Agua (point of water, where the Santa Cruz River went underground.) On a trip to Hermosillo for supplies, the brothers were attacked by a band of Apaches, near Imuris. Some O’odham who had accompanied them went to Imuris for help. In the meantime, Fritz was shot through the knee and Julius received numerous flesh wounds, but they held out until help arrived. Julius eventually died of the wounds, two years later. This episode didn’t stop Fritz from traveling, however, because he accepted the dangers as just part of living here.
Border Patrol Meeting Summary
May 1, 2008
On Thursday, April 10, the Arivaca Community Center hosted the Border Patrol for the latest in a series of meetings on local border issues. Several officials from the Tucson Sector attended as well as the Director of the SBInet field offices in Washington, D.C. Tom King. Some highlights of the meeting:
Two Wrongs Don’t Make It Right
May 1, 2008
Thursday evening, April 10, the Community Center was packed with locals and media for a meeting with a long table of representatives of the Border Patrol prepped to answer questions largely chosen in advance of the event.
Backcountry Almanac
May 1, 2008
Creare Diem!
Taurus
May 1, 2008
Taurus (April 20 – May 19), the sign of the Bull, is the flowering of Springtime. Ruled by Venus, this is Earth’s most beautiful time. The Bull is slow and sensual, beautiful and indulgent. Taurus reminds us to stop and smell the flowers; we need to slow down to appreciate life.
Agua Linda Farm Journal
May 1, 2008
Last month, we shifted into high gear here at the farm. We have over 100 CSA members (Community Supported Agriculture) who are receiving a weekly portion of the harvest. That’s up from only 35 last year! Since we are also participating in farmer’s markets and supplying stores and restaurants, we have been putting in some very long days. Wednesday is our busiest day. Last Wednesday we harvested, washed and bagged 130 pounds of spring mix, 100 bunches of radishes, 60 pounds of braising greens, 100 bunches of cilantro, 120 heads of Asian cabbage, 200 heads of lettuce, 60 pounds of spinach, 40 pounds of arugula and 160 garlic tops! Stewart and I started at 7:30. Adam joined us at 11 AM, then, two FFA (Future Farmers of America) students from the high school arrived with my own kids on the school bus to help out. We worked in the packing shed until 9:45 that night! We have been looking for more help.