Hello everyone,

RIORDAN STATUS:  It finally happened! The agreement between the Arizona Historical Society and Arizona State Parks was signed off by ASP at 3 PM on May 20^th.  It seemed like a long time in coming.  But, if you remember, we were told at an ASP Board meeting on Jan. 15, 2010 that RMSHP would close on Feb. 22, 2010.  That was a short time ago, and here we are today with an agreement for AHS to manage the park for the next three years with the option to renew for two more three-year periods.

What the PUBLIC will see will be no change.  The Park continues its present schedule (Thursday – Monday with tours on the hour with the first tour at 10 AM during the summer and into the fall).  However, WE all know that there is a BIG change.  We need to get the word out to the public that NO money from the state is supporting the park.  All funding will come from entrance fees, gift shop sales, special events and fund raisers, donations, and RAN.  These funds cannot be swept by the AZ Legislature.  Our crisis is not over, and our work has just begun.  Please be sure to spread the word that the park is open for business and about the continued need for support.  Increased visitation will be critical to our success as will be donations and fund raising.

STATE PARKS BOARD MEETINGS: At the ASP Board meeting on May 19^th, administration announced several agreements completed or in the works to keep more state parks open.  The parks which have already been closed will remain closed for the near future.  The parks which were not slated for closure will remain open.  The next ASP Board meeting is scheduled over two days (June 16^th and 17^th) at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.  Watch the website for more details and an agenda.   www.azstateparks.com.

EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS:

Take Action Tuesday:   TAT benefited RAN in March and April.   RAN hopes to get the final totals soon.

Come & Play Back in the Day: Girl Scout Troop 212 hosted a fun Saturday afternoon on May 1^st at the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park.  A big “THANK YOU” to the girls and their leaders for such a fun event and for donating the proceeds and money earned from the bake sale to support the Riordan Mansion.  Also, thanks to volunteers for donating items for the bake sale.

Arizona Highways Subscription promotion:  Arizona Highways is supporting Arizona State Parks by donating $5/subscription (12 issues for $24) to the park of the subscriber’s choice or to benefit all state parks through the Arizona State Parks Foundation.  A special promo code must be used when filling out the State Parks Special order form.  The code for the Riordan Mansion is VOCPRM.  I’m not sure if this promotion is still going on, but check the web-site for more info:  www.arizonahighways.com/stateparks.html.

Erik Larson’s “Popular Music of the Riordan Years”:  Last night’s musical gala in the ballroom at the Riordan Mansion was a GREAT success.  Many kudos and thanks go out to Erik for the entertaining program and to the fund raising committee – Karen Washabau, Rosemary Gray, Charlotte Madden, Donna Muhlenkamp, and Adrienne Rose.  It was a lot of hard work, and you all did a wonderful job.  Also, many thanks to Gwen for the tickets and flyers; the volunteers and other helpers; individuals and businesses who donated; and the rangers.  We’ve proven that miracles can happen when we all work together.  The event was a sell-out with $2,525 raised from ticket sales alone.  There was also money given in donations, but RAN doesn’t yet know the total.

Flagstaff Community Band Concert/Raffle: This is the next fund raising event which will also be a “thank-you” to the people of Flagstaff.  It will be happening on the afternoon of June 20^th on the front patio of the house.  Watch for further details.  If you would like to help the fund raising committee with this event (or any others), please let Marilyn know at rgglsandcat@juno.com, and she will pass along your contact info to the committee.

Housekeeping items:

♦ RAN’s website, www.riordanmansion.org has more and more info and postings all    the time.  Check it out and ask your contacts to do the same.

♦ RAN’s e-mail address is riordanactionnet@aol.com

♦ Donations should be mailed to:
Riordan Action Network
PMB 190
2532 N. 4^th St.
Flagstaff, AZ  86004

Checks should be made out to Northern Arizona Pioneer Historical Society or NAPHS, and Riordan Mansion must be written on the notes line of the check.

Remember:  The need for donations continues to exist!

Arizona State Legislature: The State Legislature ended its session at the end of last month.  However, that doesn’t mean that we relax and wait for the next session to begin.  The campaigns

have already begun.  If you are not registered to vote, please consider doing so in time to vote in the primary election on August 24, 2010.  The general election takes place on November 2, 2010.

We need to educate ourselves on the issues and the candidates.  Remember:  no vote in the House of Representatives during the last session was 60 – 0.  No vote in the Senate was 30 – 0.  Let’s not sweep out all the present members of the Legislature and replace them just because we didn’t like the votes of some.  The LegislaTURE is made up of individual legislaTORS.  We need to keep those who have worked in the best interests of the state of Arizona and its citizens in order to restore this state to a place we want to live.

Thank you all for your interest and your support!  We’ve worked hard, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do to keep the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park open so that all may enjoy it for years to come.  It takes all of us working together to be successful.  If you would like to get more involved, please let me know.

Marilyn Ruggles
RAN Steering Committee