Pictured by row — Café Chat: “Schreiner’s Sausages: A landmark of flavor and friendliness” (see Food for Thought); “Learn, Honor, Remember: Cold War monument breaks ground” (On the Cover) |
“We really need to know our history as Americans” (On the Cover); Pet of the Month: “Orphaned puppies looking for a foster family” (see Community/Pets); “Rhythm Room will go quiet – but not just yet” (see Community) |
“ASU Prep opens new campus” (see School Days); “Register now for fall camping” (see Generations)
Hello, North Central neighbors!
As we begin this next chapter of North Central News, we are taking a step back in time for our cover stories – with a focus on Steele Indian School Park, which is at the heart of North Central.
At the park, the USS Phoenix Cold War Monument is finally gearing up for construction. It has been 30 years since the idea to educate the public and honor the service of submariners by way of a monument was first conceived, and the project is on track for completion in spring of 2027. The park also holds the history of a far darker chapter in the U.S. – one where Native American children were removed from their homes, sent to boarding schools and systematically forced to assimilate to an alien society. A Sept. 30 event will shed light on the history, and how, as attitudes in the country shifted, many of the children began to reclaim their heritage.
History is not always easy; in fact, it is frequently painful. But history does matter – it reverberates through generations, impacting the here and now. If you are looking for a positive takeaway, it is this: By not shying away from history and rather truly trying to understand it, we can do better in the future. That requires people to set aside preconceived notions, to open their minds and their hearts and really listen to the people who lived through those difficult times.
This month, we also shine a light on the staying power of local institutions, like Schreiner’s Sausages (see Café Chat), the work that the Arizona Humane Society is doing (see Pet of the Month), the good news from our North Central schools (see School Days), offer plenty of things to do in North Central and beyond, and so much more.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who reached out and offered their encouragement and expressed their support this past month as North Central News turns the page and looks towards the future. We will keep doing what we do and, as always, I encourage you to reach out if there is a North Central story that needs to be told.
We hope that you enjoy our September issue, and until next month, all my best,
Kathryn M. Miller
Editor, North Central News
editor@northcentralnews.net
