Souvenirs: Timeless Tales of People, Places, and the Past

Welcome to a new season of Souvenirs Podcast! Let's explore the world of writing prompts, short stories and poetry!

Let's kick off Summer Solstice with a recap of our Artists & Authors series, featuring a list of book titles to add to your Summer reading list. So Said the River - Colleen Miniuk https://www.sosaidtheriver.com/ or https://www.colleenminiuk.com/ Memoirs of Madame Moustache - Manuela Schneider https://manuelaschneider.com/ Stable - Emily Swisher https://www.emilyswishercounseling.com/ Alice Sul...

Jon is a lifelong sailor so it’s only fitting that his first novel sets sail upon the high seas in the early 1800’s. Shanghaied is a hero’s journey which captivates the reader within the first chapter. You can find more info about Jon and purchase your copy at www.jonthowe.com

Award winning historian and author, Janelle Molony has written about some fascinating historical figures and proves that sometimes the most interesting characters and stories can be found in our own family history. Listen in as she shares tales from the past from her most recent book Emigrant Tales of the Platte River Raids. Be sure to check out her website at janellemolony.com

Today we hear from one of the top secret agents of ghostwriting A. Sullivan. Ms. Sullivan is a New York Times bestselling editor 11 times over, she's written over 60 books and edited over 1300 titles! To learn more about her works visit www.alicesullivan.com

Emily Swisher is a psychotherapist who incorporates equine therapy into her practice. Her recently published book, Stable: A Therapist and the Healing Nature of Horses shares stories and insights about healing through grief and the transformative power of working with equine. You can learn more about Emily and her services at www.emilyswisher.com

We continue the conversation with multi-talented award winning Artist and Author, Manuela Schneider as she tells us where her passion for the history of the American West began. Be sure to check out her website at www.manuelaschneider.com to order her books and to stay in the loop of her upcoming projects.

Manuela Schneider is an award winning author, songwriter, and filmmaker from Germany. She writes historical fiction about the American West, featuring strong female characters who faced hardship yet persevered. Be sure to check out her website https://manuelaschneider.com/ to learn more about her upcoming events and where you can also purchase her books.

Colleen Miniuk is a landscape photographer and author. Her adventure travel memoir, So Said the River, Life, Loss, and Pie on the Colorado, will be available June 2024. You can pre-order a signed copy at https://www.sosaidtheriver.com/ and use Special Discount Code 4SP2024. Be sure to check out www.colleenminiuk.com for more information on her stunning photography and workshops, Sound effects cred...

Colleen Miniuk is a landscape photographer and author. Her adventure travel memoir, So Said the River, Life, Loss, and Pie on the Colorado, will be available June 2024. Be sure to check out www.colleenminiuk.com for more information on her stunning photography and workshops,

Dyana Hesson is an Arizona botanical artist who brings desert blooms to life in her vibrant oil paintings. Be sure to check out www.dyanahesson.com to see her beautiful works of art!

Keeping you in the loop about our upcoming series featuring fascinating Artists and Authors.

Joe Bistodeau has enjoyed a career of 40+ years at historic Rancho de los Caballeros. He started as a bartender and has become a familiar face at the Golf Club Grill. Even if you don’t know his name, I bet he knows yours.

Third generation ranch guest and homeowner, Cathy Hurst spent many holidays and spring break vacations at the ranch with her family. From tales of teenage shenanigans to remembering the infamous Peso Dollar and the Counterfeit Bills, Cathy shares her her love of Rancho de los Caballeros and the Sonoran desert that surrounds it.

Rob Faurot shares memories of spending time with his grandparents who were Rancho de los Caballeros homeowners. He tells a tale about staking a mining claim in the area, which produced more of a fun escapade than striking gold.

Julie Macias Brooks is a 5th generation Wickenburg resident who served as Executive Director of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce from 1988 - 2021. You could say her illustrious career began back in 1967 when she started working at Rancho de los Caballeros. Julie is a wealth of knowledge about all things Wickenburg, listen in as she shares some of her fondest memories of what makes this place so...

Dave Messersmith's career at Rancho de los Caballeros spans four decades. He started out as a bartender, then was hired on as the tennis pro where he continues to hold court serving guests and homeowners.

Martie MacDougal has a real passion for children and horses, she’s introduced lots of kids to Rancho de los Caballeros over the years and continues to share her enthusiasm with a new generation of future cowgirls and cowboys. Her parents worked at the ranch in the 1950's, and that's where her story begins...

Dick Fredrickson is a one of a kind cowboy, he's a naturalist in many forms, a natural storyteller, singer, songwriter, and nature enthusiast. He's been a fixture at Rancho de los Caballeros for decades as the resident naturalist to their nature program he implemented and you'll also see him pickin and grinnin on the saloon stage, not to mention providing the delightful banjo music you hear playin...

Second generation ranch guest Judy Schuster shares some of her childhood memories of coming to the ranch with her family, attending school at Remuda ranch, and how Rancho de los Caballleros continues to be a part of her life.

Rusty is the son of Rancho de los Caballeros founders, Dallas and Edie Gant. Rusty held onto the reins as ranch owner for over 50 years, carrying on his parents legacy, all the while leaving his own footprint. He kept the focus on family and somehow managed to expand and thrive well into the turn of the century.

Sarah Menke Barnes is a second generation guest of Rancho de los Caballeros. Sarah shares tales of gymkhanas, trail rides, teenage shenanigans, and a most memorable snake encounter that delivered her a souvenir of sorts to hang her hat on.

This week we hear from David Giles. David's father was legendary corral boss Buford Giles and his mother Ann Giles was Director of Sales at Rancho de los Caballeros. David will share stories about his parents and what it was like to be a ranch kid during the 70’s and 80’s.

Linda Finley and June Nelson were elite members of the ranch A-team. These ladies were part of a top notch administrative staff who worked at Rancho de los Caballeros from 1974 to 2020.

Larry Quinn grew up in Wickenburg and went to school with none other than Rusty Gant. That was the beginning of a life long friendship that eventually landed him a role working at Rancho de los Caballeros.