Educational Trips Committee hosts first day trip to Benson, AZ

On April 11 the Educational TRIPS Committee held its first minivan day trip. This was a 180 mile loop southeast to Benson, Arizona, and back to Quail Creek for 30 participants. Holy Trinity Monastery with its lovely chapel and peaceful ponds offers spiritual retreats in the village of St. David. Lovers of Southwest history and book lovers in the know were enchanted by our visit to the Singing Wind Bookshop hidden in Benson, Arizona, for 40 years. Many found unusual volumes to take home. Everyone was awed by the eight foot sculptures of historical characters in artist Tim Trask’s studio at the Gallery of Dreams and sat in rapt attention during his lecture on bronze casting. This building is also a showcase for many southern Arizona artists and the group enjoyed coffee and goodies while they strolled the gallery. Onward to Fairbank Historic Townsite where a docent helped us to understand the significance of railroad expansion to that town in 1881 which aided the Tombstone mining boom and the shipping of cattle from Arizona to points east. After lunch this educational day was capped off by a Sonoita, Arizona, tasting experience which included wine, artisan olive oils and vinegars. Everyone returned home with stories and souvenirs.