Neil and Joan Schwartz have lived ave[[==----

a relatively quiet life in Fountain Hills since 1982 after moving here from New York City.

Neil had worked in the medical and security fields and consulted with the town on the security system for the town’s original offices on Palisades Boulevard.

Joan has been a teacher all of her adult life. She has offered music lessons in town for many years.

But in the late 1980s, they were actively involved in obtaining for Fountain Hills an official Bicentennial City designation for the celebration of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

Neil and Joan worked on the “Brotherhood of the Sea” celebrations in New York City during the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence in 1976.

“When we heard a Bicentennial designation was being established for the signing of the U.S. Constitution we thought at the time that achieving the designation for Fountain Hills as a Bicentennial City could create an awareness for our young town across the country,” said Joan.

The designation allowed Fountain Hills to be a part of all the national bicentennial celebrations and allowed non-profit groups and some businesses to use the bicentennial logo.

But that’s where it ended. Instead of a series of events being held in the community, other than a few activities in the local schools, nothing else happened.

“We couldn’t get any organizations in town to hold events to celebrate the signing of the U.S. Constitution,” said Neil. “The designation is still there for use by any organization to use. I guess people got too much exposure from the Bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the country’s 200th birthday.

“One of the things that always intrigued me was there was a collection of historic art that was produced of museum quality, etched in diamond point glass. I don’t know if it is still available, but it would be worth checking for display in our museum.

“I’m not able to check on a project like that now. I’m getting up there in years. But maybe there’s someone who could get enthused about creating a display like we had dreamed of having here in Fountain Hills.”

That’s an interesting proposal, Neil. I don’t know if it is anything the local museum would be interested in or not.

But there is certainly plenty of interest in the U.S. Constitution these days.

How about it Fountain Hills? Is there someone else who would be interested in doing the research for such a project?

Anyone who has such an interest can call Neil and Joan at 837-2599.