The end of June I spent a couple days in Ajo, AZ. The mine in Ajo has not produced copper for many years. All the buildings were recently completely demolished, the last to come down was the smelter stack. Phelps Dodge had hired CDI a demolition company that implodes sites in Las Vegas, many continents, they were apart of Twin Towers and the Federal building in Oklahoma implosions; a very popular and experienced international company. It was so very interesting to visit with the gentleman that came to Ajo for this job. At dinner the group mentioned me putting dynomite into the stack. They didn't know me well...and of course I jumped on the idea. They joked about me being one of the super-heroes. One conversation led to another and by the next morning, (just like being at girl's camp and the fun pranks)one of the guys had made me my cape; BLASTER SANDY. On one whole side of the stack, I loaded each stick of dynomite and attached particular strings. One particular "string" would burn 2000 feet per second. The holes were previously drilled with precise placing, my job was just to load the sticks and preparing the string. It took me an hour and my face was dusty with dirt and powder. It was beyond fun and interesting. I was also told the demolition of the stack made Channel 4 news in Tucson. Jean Sandoval and myself being "featured" as by standers. FUN, FUN!! After telling mother about the experience, she laughed and talked about the connection with grandpa Nelson. Gr. Nelson was in a underground accident in the early '30's at the Phelps Dodge Bisbee mine as he came upon a stick of dynomite. I have been to the Bisbee Mine several times and not taken pictures - I will next time and share. ENJOY.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
BLASTER SANDY....in Ajo, Arizona
Another fun day...
In June I was invited to join a VIP media / community involvement / Phelps Dodge PR group. I thought I would be with a group of people that would bejsut watching the coming down of two 500 - 600 feet smoke stacks that no longer were needed by PD. Little did I realize that I would make the Daily Silver City Press. Because the stacks were a sentimental icon of the town of Hurley, NM - a community resident would be involved with the implosion. A man won the coveted raffle to push a ceremonial plunger. We had radios and listened to the 10...9...8 to 5 and "radio silence" 4...3.. and at 1 he was to push the plunger and I was to step away. The newspaper got me before the countdown. It was loads of fun, not only to be apart of the community but to meet the people and feel their pangs of witnessing the icons being demolished. Check on the following link and use the archived date of June 5, 2007 to view the front page of the Silver City Daily Press. http://www.scdailypress.com/index.php
They call it work....Enjoy.
In the past couple months I have had the opportunity to do some traveling to a few Phelps Dodge reclamation sites. The first trip was to Jerome, AZ. Jerome is such a quaint town. I had never been there. The town is an old mining town that has since closed the production end of the mine. Today there are only reclamation and maintaining the property. During my tour of the project amd the town site, we had the privleged opportunity to tour an old home that was owned by the owner (Mr. Douglas - a side note: the town of Douglas, AZ. was named after this man) of the mine and housed some of the mine employees. 13 years ago, a man and his wife purchased the dilapidated building and have refurbishing this old place into a lovely home. What an amazing project. This home is not on a "touring list" but certainly is worthy of such a list. The owner works part time for Phelps Dodge at the Jerome site. He graciously entertained a few of us for a grand tour. How wonderful it is to enjoy anothers' talents, interests and personality. I loved this tour! As you drive into the town of Jerome, the home is on the right. Enjoy!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
"Love One Another, As I Have Loved You"
Luke 22, John 13 - 15
Sunday's lesson went ok - Thursday (in time) Jesus introduced the ordiance of the sacrament. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Since that upper room experience on the eve of Gethsemane and Golgotha, children of the promise have been under covenant to remember Christ's sacrifice in this newer, higher, more holy and personal way. ...if remembering is the pricipal task befoe us, what might come to our memory when those plain and precous emblems are offered to us?"
Remember why we are willing to take upon us the name of the Son. To always remember HIM and to keep his commandments so that we might always have his spirit to be with us.
Jesus taught his disciples to be "the greatest" we would do well by serving one another through service and simply loving one another. He told Peter, "when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren". He added, "Peace" I give unto you. We have the Holy Ghost as that comforter. The gospel of Jesus Christ provides peace - simple as that.
Brandon closed the lesson with a wonderful rendition of "As I Have Loved You" and "I Stand All Amazed". It was more than I could have asked for.
