It must have been a cold wintery Christmas morning in downtown Prescott back in 1863 when the residents first gathered beside Granite Creek to observe the holiday. Since 1867, the courthouse became the center of attention with simple decorations. In modern times, those “good old days” back in the 1950s began a brighter focus when the Chamber of Ccommerce got into the act to add lighted decorations to the courthouse and the Christmas parade started in 1982. Then, Governor Rose Mofford declared … [Read more...] about Acts of Love: Lighting a Candle, Painting a Mural
Armadilla Wax Works
Small is Big When It Comes to Shopping Locally
Numbers tell a story. We all love stories, but statistics, not so much. All businesses start small. Maybe it’s that “aha” moment of discovery about how to build that perfect mouse trap everybody’s been waiting for. Maybe it’s a really big idea about how to grow apple trees in the desert. Remember that phrase, “Necessity is the mother of invention?” It’s true! To illustrate, let’s do the numbers just for a moment. There are 33,185,550 small businesses in the United States. That’s a big number! … [Read more...] about Small is Big When It Comes to Shopping Locally
Candle Business Moves Back to the Future
Their allure is legendary. The mystery and beauty of candles hold a cherished place in human history, dating back to the ancient cultures of the Egyptians. Today, candles are traditionally used to decorate birthday cakes, create a romantic mood for a special meal and to mark all manner of solemn and meaningful ceremonies. In modern Arizona, the husband-and-wife owners of the Armadilla Wax Works, Kent Buttermann and Denise Jenike, have long worked to preserve and expand the ancient charms … [Read more...] about Candle Business Moves Back to the Future
Enjoying Enlightenment with Candles
The sun is setting one evening on the town of Dublin, Ireland in the year 1488. The villagers have no fear of the dark streets because Rathbornes Candle company is on the job of putting a candle in each of the lampposts throughout the city. The Middle Ages might have been a dark time, but the city of Dublin was well lit, in a sense. The oldest continuously operating candle company in the world today, Rathbornes Candles were originally made for the church. However, in 1616 the Candlelight Law was … [Read more...] about Enjoying Enlightenment with Candles
Making Special Occasions Brighter with Candles
The gentle glow of candlelight signifies a warm welcome. We all know this, but sometimes we forget to include candles when having a party unless, of course, it’s a birthday party! Maybe it’s about time to reconsider how we think about candles as something reserved only for that extra special occasion and consider how candlelight makes us feel. The simple answer is that it makes someone feel special for a day. It’s especially significant for children, but let’s face it, when someone goes out of … [Read more...] about Making Special Occasions Brighter with Candles
Lighting a Candle Means Tradition, Family, Special Occasions
Groovy. What a groovy word: groovy. It’s one of those words that never goes out of style. It means whatever you want it to mean – it can refer to music, a person, a state of mind. It goes back to the jazz age when it was used most often by jazz musicians describing music that swings. It means that something is original, excellent yet understated or unassuming. It is excellent, yet cool. If you’re in the know, you know. When was the last time you used the word groovy to describe something? … [Read more...] about Lighting a Candle Means Tradition, Family, Special Occasions
Candles Set the Mood, Bring People Together, Light the Way
Home is where we unwind and head to the kitchen at the end of the day. It is true that fragrances have a profound effect on our feelings of well-being. Studies have shown that some fragrances are energizing, like cinnamon, and some aromas, like freshly baked cookies, are comforting. It is also true that too much technology can make us edgy and stressed. It feels like taking time out once in a while makes us feel guilty that we’re not keeping up. Too much noise! What’s the solution? “Turn off … [Read more...] about Candles Set the Mood, Bring People Together, Light the Way