ArizonaRealCountry.com 39 June 2019 With a relatively stable population of about 600, not too much has changed over the last 50 years or more. Old pictures, even from the 1930’s, of the main street – now Arizona State Route 89, compared with new, show many of the same commercial – now vintage - buildings – some occupied as operating businesses and some as opportunity. There is no Walmart®, Home Depot®, or other big box store, though in recent years Dollar General® saw the opportunity here and has opened what locals fondly call our “Yarnell Mini Mall.” Even after the Yarnell Hill Fire of 2013, where more than 20% of the homes were lost to fire, only about two-thirds of those lost homes have been rebuilt and the remaining vintage residences are still home to Yarnellians and new generations of newcomers. And though the geography of Yarnell is quite small, being surrounded by state and BLM lands, there is still opportunity here for new homes and businesses. So, what does hold it all together? I think it amounts to the intent that each newcomer brings as they grow into Yarnellians. They are welcomed for their new energy, new perspective and ideas and they engage and volunteer in the local organizations which are at the center of our culture: American Legion Post 79, Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the Legion, Yarnell Regional Community Center, Community Garden, Friends of the Library, Food Bank, Petey’s Playground, Fire Department Auxiliary, Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church, Lighthouse Bible When I first moved to Yarnell in the heart of the Weaver Mountains some 18 years ago, there were two conversations I had with locals that have stayed with me ever since. The first was with a long timer who in very short order told me that to become a real “Yarnellian” I would have to live here for 10 years. Not really a surprising point of view since this person had been borne and bred here as was much of his family. The second was with a “newcomer” who told me that the challenge to sustainability for any community, especially Yarnell, was that “we have not buried enough people here.” The newcomer was Joel Thomas. Joel with his wife, Frances, both retired professionals, had come to Yarnell to fulfill Frances’ dream to publish a local rural newspaper. The bi- weekly paper was very successful and each issue was much anticipated and appreciated by all. So, I regarded Joel’s perspective as being well founded; after all, there is no cemetery in Yarnell. Even so, I was somewhat confounded by his words. But Joel went on to explain that typically the sustainability of any community is built upon the backbone of the generations that pass family values and culture from parent to child; that each generation has been buried in the local cemetery with respect and remembrance as legacy to preserve the community to which they had contributed. I wondered then how is it that Yarnell, where the average age is about 63 years, where the local elementary school has fewer than 50 students, where most residents are not yet “Yarnellian” by long timer standards, where the water system is a cooperative franchise and the only obvious evidence of formal governance is the sheriff’s substation, a small justice court and the elected board members of the school and fire districts – has been sustained as a community for more than 50 years? By Wendy Fostiak-Amos, Designated Broker The small communities of the Weaver Mountains region are each unique in their own way. There are many diverse and individual experiences and opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors. To learn more, stop by my office, Top of the Hill Realty, 22760 S SR 89, Yarnell, Wendy Fostiak-Amos, Designated Broker or call 928-671-1894. Proud member of Local First AZ. REAL COUNTRY Church, Assembly of God Church, and more… they shop locally and think about sustainability of this community with intent, all just as previous generations of newcomers have done. So, while generations are not buried here, newcomers who succeed in becoming Yarnellians do so because of their intention: An intention commonly shared; not solely because of the fortune of birth but upon a reasoned commitment for real country living and the quality of life it brings to us all. Living – Intentionally geographicallyyours.blogspot.com So, what does hold it all together? I think it amounts to the intent that each newcomer brings as they grow into Yarnellians... all just as previous generations of newcomers have done. alltrails.com photobyjohnbo.com