November 12, 2019
Happy Holidays from Greater Pinnacle Peak Association (GPPA) & Friends of the Scenic Drive
“Divine Desert Drive” by Chad Weaver, Carefree – Winner Scenic Drive Category, 2015 Summer Fun Photo Contest
Invitation to Special Meeting at Appaloosa Library
Who: Members/Volunteers, Greater Pinnacle Peak Association & Friend of the Scenic Drive
What: “56 Years of Saving the Best,” Special 2019 Meeting”
When: Thursday, December 12, 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Where: Appaloosa Library, 73773 E, Silverstone Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 480-312-7946
This informal, informative meeting will enable members and volunteers to –
- Meet & Greet Fellow Memberes, Volunteers & GPPA Board Members
- Learn How Members & Volunteers Have Fueled Recent Activities – GPPA Board of Directors
- View Presentation of Scenic Drive & GPPA History
- Discover Library’s Online Treasure Trove of Peak Magazines Dating to 1983
Admission is free and light refreshments will be available.
SEATING IS LIMITED, Please REGISTER BELOW or RSVP (480) 361-6498 (GPPA/Peak), info@gppaaz.org.
Register for Meeting Online
Tell Me More
The meeting is being organized by the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association & Friends of the Scenic Drive. GPPA board members will briefly describe the recent activities and the current staatus of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive and A Peek at the Peak magazines. Les Conklin, a member of Scottsdale’s History Maker Hall of Fame will present the history of the Scenic Drive as it relates to north Scottsdale. Learn about the leaders andd important events that have impacted our current lives.
As part of a multi-year project, the Scottsdale Public Library has been creating an online archive A Peek at the Peak magazines. Dating back to 1983, the publication is north Scottsdale’s oldest publication. View archive highlights and learn how to self-explore this treaskure trove of local history.
ArticleLes Conklin Recieves Scottsdale Adopt-A-Road Award
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane (l) presents Adopt-A-Roard Award to Les Conklin, founder of Friends of the Scenic Drive, at October 2019 Scottsdale City Council meeting.In September, the City of Scottsdale celebrated the coordinators of the Adopt-A-Road Program. Awards were presented to to coordinators who have organized cleanups for sections of roadside assigned to their group. Awards were made to those who have been volunteer coordinators for 5-9 years, 10 years and more, and since the program began in 1996. Les Conklin, founder of Friends of the Scenic Drive and the editor of A Peek at the Peak magazine, was one of the organizers that were honored.
In October, Les and Sonnie Kirtley were invited by Mayor Lane to participate encore presentation at a city council meeting. by Mayor Lane. Both Conklin and Kirtley have been organizing cleanups since the Adopt_A-Road program was started.
In 1995, as a member of the Scottsdale Pride Commission, Les had begun organizing cleanups along the norther reaches of Scottsdale Road, i.e., the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. In 1996, when Scottsdale initiated its Adopt-A-Road program, Les and Friends of the Scenic Drive formally adopted the Scenic Drive, which runs from from Happy Valley Road to Carefree Highwayon North Scottsdake Road, a distance of 6 1/2 miles and 13 milesl of roadside. Les has continued to organize the cleanups with from three to six cleanups held per year for 27 years. Today, Friends of the Scenic Drive maintains two sign-in locations, near the northern and southern ends of the drive respectively. Approximately 20-40 volunteers participate in each cleanup. Les accepted the award on behalf of Friends of the Scenic Drive and the many volunteers who have participated over the years.
Friends of the Scenic Drive will conduct its next Adopt-A-Road cleanup on Saturday, January 11. New volunteers are welocme. Mark your calendar now. Additional information will be published in the near future.
Jake Kulp Joins GPPA Board of Directors
Jake Kulp
The Greater PInnacle Peak Association-Friends of the Scenic Drive is pleased to announce that Jake Kulp has been elected to the organization’s board of directors at its October 2019 meeting. Jake and his wife Gina, who live in North Scottsdale residents, have been active Friends of the Scenic Drive volunteers for more than four years.
Much of Jake’s career has been centered in the elctronics manufacturing market with an emphasis in niche markets such as aerospace, defensense and manufacturing marketplaces. Mr. Kulp has re-engineered two large (15 – 85 direct employees) and two smaller (less than ten) business development teams, established all MARCOM material for four companies, lead the website development for two companies.
During hiz outstanding sales and marketing career Kuen lp has been recognized as “Man of the Year,” Marketing Manager of the Year,” served as VP of Sales / Marketing for ITT Cannon and played an active role in the re-branding and turn-around of several large enterprises.
In 2018, Jake started his own business, JHK Technical Solutions, LLC. The primary focus of his firm is to assist small to medium size companies jump start their business development, focus companies on more robust marketing efforts that differentiate their firm from their competition, work with original equipment organizations on new product introductions and to reorganize the program management / customer focused team organizations in manufacturing services companies.
Becoming a Member
If you are not already a member, please consider investing in a membership today. Since 1977, GPPA has worked to preserve our community’s Sonoran environment and quality of life. When you become a memberp, you’ll be directly supporting our service efforts.
With your support, Friends of the Scenic Drive will continue to work with the City of Scottsdale to conduct roadside cleanups and undertake initiatives and advocacy to preserve and enhance the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive.
Our area has changed dramatically since GPPA first published A Peek at the Peak (The Peak) in March 1983. The Peak remains a local tradition – a nonprofit publication by and for the people who live here. Past printed issues of The Peak, which can be viewed in the City of Scottsdale Public Library’s online archive, provide an important source of information about our area’s past.
Today’s online magazine provides more timely and richer content to a larger audience than was possible in the past. More importantly, The Peak bolsters GPPA’s ability to perform advocacy service and support Scottsdale, nonprofit organizations and education.
Membership Information
Special Membership Offer Available Until December 12, 2019 . Purchase a new GPPA Family Membership ($80) or a new 2-Year Business Membership ($175) and receive a complimentary signed copy of “Images of America – Pinnacle Peak” by Les Conklin and the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. Call (480) 361-6498 for information.
Related Article
Friends of the Scenic Painted Utility Boxes, May 2002 Article
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