Thank You for Supporting Cookout IV!
Great Crowd + Great Weather + Great Event = Tough Act to Follow
Combine
a Arizona evening with temperatures in the 80s, a rustic setting amidst the
Saguaros, a great meal, enjoyable music, interesting exhibits, fun-packed
drawings, a silent auction and more than 450 happy
people and you have Cookout at the Ranch IV.
It was a fantastic evening that would not have been possible without the support of major sponsors Outback Steakhouse and Mac Donald's Ranch, 47 other sponsors, 16 exhibitors and the organizational support of the McDowell Sonoran and Desert Foothills Land Trusts. More than 25 smiling Friends volunteers made everybody feel at home.
As guest arrived they were loaded into haywagons for the ride back to the
cookout 
site
where Outback Steakhouse was waiting to serve a delicious steak dinner. While guests ate
Geoff Conklin, Greasewood Flat's popular singer, entertained with country, Buffett and
James
Taylor tunes. After eating guests
walked over and enjoyed the various exhibits, put in bids for merchandise in the Silent
Auction and purchased raffle tickets for the various raffles.
A little after 8 PM, Geoff kicked off the formal program. Scottsdale City Council members George Zracket and Cindy Lucas and Congressman J.D. Hayworth were recognized. Then five Special Friends of the Scenic Drive were introduced and given Desert Foothills Scenic Drive T-Shirts. The Special Friends were:
Gary Neiss, City of Scottsdale Planner, for his work on the Desert Foothills Character Area plan
Carla, Director of the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust, for her leadership in developing Scottsdale's Scenic Corridor Recommendations
Don Shoenau and the Greater Pinnacle Peak Homeowners' Association for their generous support of the Scenic Drive.
Lynne Jacobs of Mac Donald's Ranch for serving as a major sponsor of the event for four years
Matt McMahon of Outback Steakhouse for serving as a major sponsor of the event for four years
The the winning tickets were drawn for the I Did the Drive Raffle, Friends Raffle, the Big Saguaro Raffle and the Barrow O'Booze Raffle. There was a lot of excitement when a lucky lady rolled off a wheel barrow full of liquor. Fortunately, the winner of the Big Saguaro Raffle did not have to carry his prize off (it ways more than 1,000 pounds).
The highest bidders of the Silent Auction took home some terrific items such as a round of golf for 4 at the Boulders, a balloon ride for two, an autographed Larry Centers football shirt and a hockey stick autographed by the entire Coyotes team.
The evening concluded with more music, good conversation and a hayride back to the parking lot. Hats off to everybody involved in running the event. It is hard to believe but there was not one single complaint during or after the event. Everybody had a great time. Now what are we going to do for Cookout at the Ranch V? This will be a tough act to follow.
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