There is plenty to do this weekend. The 44th Annual Fountain Festival of Arts and Crafts opens at 10 a.m. on Friday and runs for three days. See the story on Page 1B for all the details.

This event coincides with Orme Dam Victory Days at Fort McDowell. The pageantry of the Pow Wow features Native Americans from tribes all over the country in colorful costumes.

There are a variety of events associated with the three-day celebration including rodeo competitions, the annual parade, a golf tournament, Native American foods and more.

For further details, see the story on Page 1A.

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Luke V. Bate will begin his duties as the new Executive Director at the River of Time Museum on Monday, Nov. 17.

Luke previously was employed as assistant director at the Arizona Capitol Museum in Phoenix where he has served in various capacities since 2007.

At the Capitol Museum Luke developed new exhibits, formulated a new visitation program, introduced the use of modern interactive technology and hands on activities and began formulating a strategic plan to bring that museum up to the national museum standard. References report he is innovative, very hard working, and a natural leader who enjoys interacting with people and is very approachable.

Visitors to the River of Time Museum will begin to see changes in the next few months. One of Luke’s first commitments will be to work with exhibit designer Rex Witte and a Design Committee as a new exhibit on water is finalized and installed. This exhibit will tie together the individual parts of the museum around the theme that life cannot exist without water – that it is a treasured resource to be carefully managed and conserved.

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Roy Nickel has a dream that Fountain Hills can have its own Mount Rushmore. No, he isn’t going to be blasting images of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln on Four Peaks or Red Rock.

Several years ago, he led an effort to get a Teddy Roosevelt sculpture added near the flagpole on Saguaro Boulevard at Fountain Park. He then raised funds for a Lincoln sculpture on a bench close by.

Now, he is busy collecting donations for the purchase of bronze likenesses

of Jefferson and Washington to complete the collection he is calling “Fount Rushmore.”

You can see photos of the sculptures he intends to purchase on Page ____. All checks should be made payable to Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association. All donations are tax deductible.

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Local businesses are encouraged to take part in our annual “Holiday Cash in the Hills” promotion which kicks off with our Nov. 19th edition.

Residents who play have a chance of winning any of three grand prizes of $500, $300 or $200. In addition, there are five weekly $25 prizes. The prizes are awarded in Fountain Hills Times dollars, which can be spent in any business participating in the promotion.

For further details, interested business operators can call one of our advertising representatives at 837-1925.