Introducing Gallery Michele, who has been a vibrant part of Carefree since 2019! 🎨
Michele Hutchins's artistic journey began at the age of six, but her path was interrupted when she spent 3 years battling a chronic illness. After regaining her health, she took the opportunity to open a gallery with the support of Joy and Ted, the previous owners whose artwork still graces the space today. 🖼️
Despite challenges, Michele and her husband Todd have grown the gallery into a haven for art lovers, showcasing a curated collection that includes Michele's own acrylic and oil paintings, along with pieces in metal, wood, glass, jewelry, and ceramics. Their artist pool is intentionally kept small to remain loyal to their base and one artist even has a work featured in the Louvre. ✨
Gallery Michele, located near the Post Office and Sundial in Carefree, is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. The gallery will soon be launching an online shopping component, be sure to check out their website at www.gallerymichele.art.💻
#ThrowbackThursday - Back in the 1960s, the Desert Forest Inn, soon renamed the Carefree Inn, emerged as the social hub of Carefree. 🌵✨
Originally envisioned as a charming desert retreat, it quickly became the go-to spot for community gatherings, family get-togethers, and business events. It was the home of a synchronized swimming group named the Aqua Maids. 🧜♀️👙
The Inn was also a popular choice for hosting conferences, and the investors' wives famously used the town's 20-page phone book to invite residents to spontaneous 'TGIF' parties, making it the heart of local life. 🏨🎉
Today, the it is lived on as the CIVANA Wellness Resort, focusing on wellness, connection, and relaxation in the desert. Do you have fond memories of the Carefree Inn? 🌞✨
#Carefree40 #TownOfCarefree #CarefreeAZ
🎶 Sanderson Lincoln Saturdays are back, adding to the lively atmosphere of the Carefree Town Center on select Saturdays! Check out our October and November lineup.
Enjoy casual concerts featuring talented local musicians and bands. These performances 1 - 3 p.m. add a charming touch to our small-town, creating the perfect background for a leisurely stroll through the streets, shopping, or enjoying lunch at a restaurant. 🥙
Don't forget to explore our local shops offering art, jewelry, western goods, lunch, and more while you're here! 🛍️
Early voting is here! 🗳️
Ballots were mailed out on Oct. 9, and the official drop box at Town Hall is now OPEN! 📬
Did you know? Voting by mail saves our county 68¢ per ballot in tax dollars. 💸
You can track your ballot online through your voter dashboard at BeBallotReady.Vote. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 25.
Stay tuned for more updates, including when the in-person voting center at the Town Council Chamber opens. Learn more at carefree.org/elections. ✅
🐾 It's #WildlifeWednesday here in Carefree, and we’ve got some big visitors!
Check out this majestic buck cooling off in the shade. Did you know Arizona is home to tho types of deer? The Rocky Mountain mule deer is the most common, but we also have white-tailed Coues deer in the southeast! 🦌
Bucks shed their antlers in winter and grow them back in spring. After breeding season, they lose their antlers to make way for a larger set next year. ❄️
With excellent hearing and a 310-degree field of view, these graceful animals are always alert. Keep your eyes peeled for these beautiful creatures and make sure to give them space! 👀
Our Stargazing Event had us all star-struck! ⭐
We had an amazing crowd of 200+ stargazers join us to celebrate Carefree’s 40th Anniversary under the stars last Saturday. ✨ Big thanks to astronomy expert Mark Johnston for sharing his incredible knowledge about the stars – we were all blown away! 🚀 Thank you to and Bruce Arlen from Cave Creek Dark Sky for helping organize the event.
Thanks to everyone who came out and made this night unforgettable. (Including the shooting star that made an appearance! 🌠)
🎉 Event season is here, and we have some incredible yearly favorites and brand new events coming your way! 🍂🎵🎨
Stay in the loop by signing up for emails at www.carefree.org to get updates on every Carefree event, holiday celebration, and non-profit fundraiser. Don’t miss a thing—subscribe now! 📧✨
We’re giving a huge shoutout to our Public Works team for all their hard work during the blistering hot summer (and all year long)! ❤️
If you’ve seen them while driving you’ll have noticed they’ve been clearing the sides of the roads, tidying up the landscaping around Town Center, maintaining several Town assets at a time all to ensure everything is perfect for our residents and visitors. 🌵
They do so much more behind the scenes, and we want to make sure they know how much they are appreciated. 😊
✨ Carefree Business Highlight: Sue Bickerdyke Interiors ✨
Sue Bickerdyke, an Arizona native and Allied Member of ASID with over twenty-five years of experience, specializes in creating comfortable and elegant interiors, from single-room makeovers to complete designs for homes and boutique commercial spaces. 🖼️🛋️
Known for her love of fabrics and color, Sue works closely with clients to make their spaces "feel good," bringing in custom furniture, accessories, and unique artifacts from around the world. Her approach blends global treasures with a sophisticated, eclectic style, ensuring each project reflects the client's unique personality and offers a truly personalized design experience. 💎
Sue believes that the final touches—those collectible artifacts that add character and life—are what make a room truly special. Her passion for design makes shopping at SBI an extraordinary experience, where each item contributes to what she calls "The Carefree Style of Living." 🌵
Learn more about what Sue Bickerdyke has to offer at www.suebickerdyke.com.
🌿 The "Afternoon of Well-being with CIVANA” was such a wonderful and calming way to celebrate the Town’s 40th anniversary! ✨
🧘♀️Reflecting on ourselves through yoga and sound bowl meditation was a beautiful tribute to how Carefree is reflecting on its first 40 years of incorporation. 🌼
😊The guided tour and delicious lite bites were a delightful addition, showcasing how CIVANA has evolved from its days as the Carefree Inn into the serene wellness-focused oasis it is today. 🏞️
✨ Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 2 - 5 p.m. for an Afternoon of Wellness with CIVANA! ✨
Enjoy a Gentle Yoga Class, a Sound Bowl session, and a guided tour with light bites around 3:30 p.m. 🧘♀️🌿 Discover all that CIVANA has to offer, reflect on Carefree's past, and reconnect with your inner self. 🌟
Reserve your spot now at https://civanacarefree.com/carefree-40th-event/!
🐾 Happy #InternationalDogDay! Our furry friends absolutely love Carefree! 🐶
Whether it's strolling through the Desert Gardens, attending outdoor town events, or enjoying a stay at the Carefree Pet Resort, pups know it's the perfect place to be a dog. 🐕🌵
The Carefree Water Consolidation Project won the 2024 Project of the Year award from the Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association! 💧
The outstanding performance of the team that worked on the Carefree Water Consolidation project was recognized by the AZ APWA at their annual conference in Tucson last Thursday, August. 15. Mayor John Crane accepted the 2024 Project of the Year award on behalf of the Town of Carefree and the Carefree Water Company. 🏆
Also in attendance was Water Company General Manager Greg Crossman and representatives from Achen-Gardner Construction and CVL Engineering.
A big round of applause to the team for a job well-done! 👏
The recent election resulted in three new Council Elect: Lon Johnson, Colleen Rose Scurti, and Diane Roth! 🗳️ The Carefree Town Council officially canvassed the vote on Tuesday, August 13th. The resolution and final ballot figures can be viewed at carefree.org/page/elections.
Lon, Colleen, and Diane will be sworn in and take office on December 3, 2024, during the regular council meeting. 🗣️
The Town welcomes them and looks forward to their contributions. 🌵
🌿 Wildlife Wednesday: Desert Cottontail Rabbit 🌿
Say hello to the Desert Cottontail rabbit, one of our most charming desert dwellers! 🐇 These little guys are masters of survival, thriving in the arid landscapes of Carefree and beyond. They’re known for their incredible speed—able to dash away from predators at up to 20 mph! 💨
These social and curious creatures are often found nibbling on grasses, cacti, and even twigs. But did you know that Desert Cottontails are also skilled jumpers? They can leap up to 10 feet in a single bound! 🌵
The adorable bunny in the first photo was recently discovered exploring our Public Works building, reminding us that nature is never far away in Carefree. Next time you’re out and about, keep an eye out for these quick-footed critters—they’re always closer than you think! 🌟
(2nd and 3rd photo credited to Herbert Hitchon)
Our first 40th Anniversary event, the Historical Happy Hour, was absolutely wonderful! 🍷
The crowd was entertained by stories from Ron Weiss, Roy Hunt, Barbara Vander Leest, Biff Miller, Nancy Glenn, and Martha Arnold, who shared their extensive knowledge of the town—each either having a part in its incorporation days to having personal connections with celebrities and town founders. Guests enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by the Spirit in the Desert’s wonderful kitchen staff and wine provided by our local Brix Wines, while mingling and connecting with one another.🗣️❤️
A huge thank you to Mayor John Crane and Eric Simonson for their opening remarks that started the event, Spirit in the Desert for hosting, Preston Westmoreland for being our talk-show host, Varsity Sports Team and Herb Hitchon for livestreaming, the incredible participants, Ruth Palmer, daughter of town founder K.T. Palmer, for attending, and our local print shop, The Ink Spot, for creating/designing the 40th wine tote bags. And, of course, thanks to all the 40th Anniversary Committee members who made this event possible. What a great way to kick off our celebrations! 🎤🎥
Missed it? Watch the talk-show segment on our Town YouTube page! 📺
🌟 Carefree is Hiring! 🌟
We're looking for a part-time Deputy Court Clerk to join our court team! This role involves performing a variety of legal clerical work in the Town’s court system. If you have a passion for public service and are detail-oriented, we'd love to hear from you!
📍 Learn more and apply online at carefree.org
Watch the Town’s 40th Anniversary kick-off event, Historical Happy Hour, while enjoying dinner at your favorite local restaurant! 📺🍽️
This special livestream event is hosted by Preston Westmorland and features a talk-show style, where long-time Carefree residents will share stories, anecdotes, and more about the town's rich history.
Immerse yourself in Carefree's past while savoring delicious American fare. 🍔
Reserve your spot now at www.venuescafe.com for Friday, Aug. 16, from 5-7 p.m. Seating is limited, so don’t wait! 📅
🌵 Our Desert Gardens are a treasure trove of incredible sculptures, each adding to the unique beauty of our town. 🧑🎨
🎨 Art Spotlight 🎨
Introducing the Stampede at Javelina Crossing—a captivating bronze statue by the talented Arthur Norby. Installed in March 2008, this piece has become a beloved feature of the Gardens. Standing at 10 feet tall it depicts a horse with a cowboy trying to head off a herd of cattle. With over 40 years in the arts, Arthur has mastered engraving, jewelry design, sculpture, and painting.
Come explore the Desert Gardens and immerse yourself in Carefree's artistic landscape! 🌟
Carefree's 40th Anniversary is featured in IMAGES magazine! 🌟
Dive into a beautifully written article with historical photos, event details, and a spotlight on the Carefree Conversations podcast. Grab your issue today at the Visitors Center in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion! 📖✨
#Carefree40 #IMAGESmagazine #TownOfCarefree
