Category Archives: Non-Profit

Williams Lions Club looking for secret Santas

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Lions-Clube1WILLIAMS – The Williams Lions are again organizing the Toys for Kids project to provide toys for less fortunate children in the Williams area.

If you know of any children 12 or under who should be considered for the Toys for Kids project, please contact Lions member Jackie Haugen at 635-5242 with the child’s name, age, sex, phone contact and address to ensure they are added to the list.

Anyone wishing to provide a toy for a needy child can pick a card from a tree, purchase a toy suitable for the child selected, then return the un-wrapped gift to the location where they were selected. All gifts must be returned by December 17. Williams Lions Club members will deliver the gifts to children’s homes before Christmas.

Trees will be placed on Christmas trees at National Bank of Arizona, North Country Health Center, Canyon Vista Mall and the Williams Ranger District Office within the next week.

If you prefer to contribute a cash donation, contact Lion Jackie Haugen or any other Williams Lions Club member. Unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at any of the Toys for Kids locations.

Help the Williams Lions brighten Christmas for all the local children who might otherwise miss a visit from Santa Claus.

Andy McDaniel preaches last sermon at FBC

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FBC-141109-02WILLIAMS – A comedian of old once remarked that he observed that when a minister gets ordained, he suddenly acquires a Southern-accent. The Southern-accent of Pastor Andy McDaniel, who grew up in South Carolina, as is his walk with the Lord, is genuine. This week was the last sermon by Pastor McDaniel at the First Baptist Church in Williams.

Pastor Andy, as his congregation calls him, relates that he was not always a practicing Christian. For 25-years Andy McDaniel spent his time in the longest, scripted reality series on television. Professional wrestling.

Pastor Andy gives one last alter call.

Pastor Andy gives one last alter call.

While he pursued a wresting career, he also worked as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Berkley County, Georgia. He also did a stint as the Police Chief of Coward, South Carolina. He quipped that it could be interesting when he went to police events and was introduced as the “Coward Police Chief.”

Pastor Andy was led to the Lord by “The Million Dollar Man,” Ted DiBiase. DiBiase is also a retired wrestler and ordained minister. He attended Covington Theological Seminary in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia where he received his doctoral degree.

Pastor Andy, wife Melissa and their twin children came to Williams in May of 2011. Last year he ran a short “wrestling ministry” for local kids to attract them to learn about the Lord and a few wrestling holds. The wrestling ministry was to wrap-up with an actual professionally faked wrestling match. It was cancelled because of bad weather.

The family is returning to the pastor’s roots of South Carolina. The family is moving Seneca, South Carolina where he will pastor Bounty Baptist Church.

Pastor Andy thanks congregation after sermon.

Pastor Andy thanks congregation after sermon.


Of his time in Williams, he said, “It’s been a great journey. We’ve really enjoyed our time here. We are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us, and for Williams after we leave. We hope we’ve left our footprint here and we’re excited about what the days ahead hold.”

Williams prepares for Mountain Village Holiday

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640-141029-18WILLIAMS – The trees are starting to look bare as the beautiful fall colors are starting to give way to the coming winter. The long range forecast shows a possibility of snow on Sunday. The city is stringing lights. The Pumpkin Patch train ended and the Grand Canyon Railway Haunted Train has given way to Christmas lights in preparation for Mountain Village Holiday. The annual Mountain Village Holiday begins Thanksgiving weekend and runs through the new year.

The Grand Canyon Railway is also preparing the Polar Express which starts November 7 and runs through the new year.

The City of Williams has sent applications for the annual lighting contest and they may also be picked up at the City Hall on First Street.

300-MVH-1Mountain Village Holiday kicks off with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on Second Street and a Parade of Lights. During this period the Young Life camp hosts a Thanksgiving dinner and the Kiwanis Club hosts a community dinner.

There is still plenty of Halloween, of course. The scarecrows still adorn Route 66. Bearizona ends their Howly Growly Owly Festival tomorrow. Their new cave display of small creatures of the west—such as mice, scorpions and Ringtail Cats—will remain.

The First Baptist and Family Harvest Churches, across from Safeway on Grant, will hold safe activities for the kids.

Of course trick-or-treating of the houses and businesses on Route 66 will still be available.

Just after Halloween, the weather forecast shows a chance of rain on Saturday with a low of 37. Sunday there is a 30% chance of snow with accumulations of less than a half-inch. A high of 47 is possible during the day dropping to 23-degrees overnight. Fair weather returns Monday with highs around 50-degrees during the day dropping to the mid-20s at night.

View the skies Friday Night

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WILLIAMS – The long range forecast shows mostly clear for the Friday night. So the star gazing sponsored by the Coconino County Astronomical Society should be good. The viewing will be held at the field on Route 66 across from Rod’s Steak House from 7 to 9 pm. Everyone is welcome to bring their own telescope or use their equipment for the viewing. You can even bring binoculars and the Society will show you how you can use them for some good viewing.

Rotary Western Auction today

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rotary-04WILLIAMS – The Rotary Club Western Auction is today at Miss Kitty’s Cowboy Steakhouse at 642 E Rte 66 in Williams. The doors will open at 5 p.m. The food line will open at 6 p.m. The food is catered by the Arizona Highways award winning Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe. You still might be able to find tickets for the cash prize drawing to be held at the annual event. The event benefits students in Williams.

Blessing of animals this weekend in Williams

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st-francisWILLIAMS – Pastor Marc McDonald of St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church in Williams will bless animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi this Saturday, October 25 in the courtyard of Wild West Junction. The event begins at 11 a.m. and is free to all. If pets cannot attend, participants are encouraged to bring a photograph of your pets to the blessing.

The event is sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church, SAVE Meant-to-Resuce, Many Tails Pet Grooming and the Wild West Junction at 321 E Route 66 in Williams.

Northern Arizona Authors’ Association meets this weekend

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Northern Arizona Authors Association at Bookman's in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Northern Arizona Authors Association at Bookman’s in Flagstaff, Arizona.

WILLIAMS – The next Northern AZ Authors’ Association meeting will be held this Saturday, October 25, at the Wild West Junction in Williams. It will begin and 10:00 AM and last until noon. Bring writing to share.
 
 
 
 

Williams Rotary Club Western Auction only days away.

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rotary-04WILLIAMS – The Williams Rotary Club Western auction is this Saturday, October 25. At the event they will be drawing for a cash prize of up to $5,000. Only 1000 tickets will be sold for this drawing and we are not sure how many are left. Tickets are $20 each and benefits scholarships for Williams High School students. You can purchase tickets from any Rotary Club member.

Camp Civitan Afghan raffle

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afghan-raffleWILLIAMS – Camp Civitan Thrift store is holding a raffle for a beautiful Afghan blanket created by Pam Hendrickson. Tickets are only $2 each or 3 for $5. The proceeds benefit Camp Civitan and their activities to help people with special needs. Tickets for the drawing may be purchased at the Thrift Store, 129 W. Route 66 in downtown Williams. The drawing will be held sometime just before Christmas.

Kiwanis holds 1st Pajama Drive

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300px-kiovalWILLIAMS – The Kiwanis Club of Williams is working with local businesses and the Scholastic Pajama Drive to collect pajamas for local kids.

With winter coming on, the Kiwanis Club hopes to collect warm pajamas for toddlers through size 16. You can also make monetary contributions to the effort.

All-State Insurance on 1st street is the “Bedtime Sponsor.” National Bank on Route 66 is the “Sweet Dreams” sponsor. The Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce in the Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue is the “All Tucked In” sponsor and Mountain Ranch Resort at Beacon Hill is the “Sleep Tight” sponsor.

You can donate pajamas or monetary contributions at any one of the businesses. In addition, the Scholastic Pajama Drive will donate a new book for every pair of pajamas collected.