30 MARCH 2026 W hite Stallion Ranch sits on the northwest edge of Tucson, where the city gives way to open desert and the mountains rise sharply against the sky. Bordering Saguaro National Park West, the ranch feels worlds removed from modern life, a landscape of towering saguaros, rugged trails, and wide, sunlit horizons. For many visitors, that sense of escape is the draw. But long before White Stallion became the guest ranch travelers know today, this same desert was serving a very different purpose. The dust of this land carries more than hoof prints and hiking paths – it carries the quiet legacy of Hollywood’s vision of the American West. Thanks to its proximity to Old Tucson Studios, the region became one of the most recognizable natural backdrops in Western film and television history. The dramatic desert terrain, its distinctive cacti, stark mountain ridgelines, and unmistakable Arizona light offered filmmakers something no studio set could fully replicate: authenticity. For decades, productions were drawn to the Tucson area to capture imagery that would come to define the genre. The Sonoran Desert’s visual language, vast skies, open space, and raw textures helped shape how generations of audiences imagined frontier life. While viewers may not always recognize specific locations, the scenery itself became iconic. Yet White Stallion Ranch is far from a relic of the past. Owned and operated by the True family for more than six decades, the property remains a working guest ranch where the rhythms of desert life unfold daily. Horses move along dusty trails. Wranglers guide riders through cactus- lined terrain. Guests trade screens for saddle time and schedules for sunsets. Here, the West is not a performance, it is a lived environment. For the wranglers who call the ranch home, that connection to place runs deep. “I love history,” wrangler Jonathan Hulsey said. “You come out here in the quiet, and you can’t help but think about the past. What were those guys thinking back then?” The desert seems to encourage that kind of reflection. Removed from the noise and pace of everyday routines, the landscape has a way of slowing time. The silence feels expansive rather than empty, creating space for perspective that many visitors find unexpectedly restorative. Wranglers play a central role in shaping that experience. While the cowboy remains an enduring symbol of Western independence, the work of a ranch wrangler requires a distinct blend of horsemanship, patience, and intuition. Horses sense hesitation. First-time riders often carry nerves. A successful ride depends as much on reassurance and awareness as technical skill. A cowboy’s job may be moving cattle across open range. A wrangler’s task is guiding guests across open desert. Different responsibilities, similar instincts. “It’s the perfect combination,” Head Wrangler Terry McDonald said. “People, horses, and the outdoors.” Among the ranch’s most beloved traditions is the breakfast ride, a morning excursion that captures the essence of White Stallion Ranch. After guests are carefully matched with their horses, riders set out into the cool desert air as the sun climbs over the mountains. The steady rhythm of hoofbeats replaces the usual hum of modern distraction. For many guests, the experience offers something increasingly rare. Stillness. Without screens competing for attention, the desert’s scale and quiet take center stage. The deeper the ride, the more distant the outside world seems to become. White Stallion Ranch has evolved over the decades, adding modern comforts while preserving the character that defines it. Yet the heart of the experience remains unchanged: an invitation to step into Arizona’s desert landscape and encounter a version of the West that feels both historic and immediate. Visitors do not simply observe the scenery. They move through it. whitestallion.com Cowboy culture thrives at this family-owned Tucson ranch Robin is the host and executive producer of the Arizona Highways Television , Saturdays and Sundays on CBS. BY ROBIN SEWELL TOD SPA EST. 1989 LIFE SUN SPA 480.388.7107

31 MARCH 2026 T his spring, the Pecos Community Center will host the 2026 Round Robinson pickleball event on Saturday, April 25, 2026 alongside a series of engaging community programs designed for learners of all ages. Recently, students at Monte Vista Elementary School participated in the “Mind Over Music” program, which pairs Phoenix Symphony musicians with classroom teachers to turn ordinary lessons into hands-on, music-driven experiences. By integrating music into subjects like math, science, and language arts, students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem- solving skills in ways that feel both fun and memorable. The program helps students see themselves as capable, creative, and confident learners, leaving a lasting impression beyond the classroom. Adults in the community can also get in on the creative action with the Adult Creativity Corner. Perfect for those who are new to crafting or looking for fresh project ideas, this one-hour session provides all materials and guidance, offering a relaxed and fun way to explore your artistic side. More details can be found at calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org. For those seeking summer opportunities, teens can learn how to become certified lifeguards, gaining skills that are both practical and rewarding. Whether you’re a student, adult, or teen, Phoenix offers a multitude of ways to learn, create, and grow this season! Kevin Where music and community meet ARCADIANEWSARCHIVES.COM Councilman District 6 602-262-7491 District6@phoenix.gov KEVIN ROBINSON  The Interact Club is no longer active at Arcadia High, but volunteerism is alive and well on and off the campus, thanks to clubs like the National Honor Society. According to Club Advisor Megan Mittendorf, NHS members have completed over 600 hours of community service so far in 2026, with about half of them helping students stay on track and receive academic support. Off campus they have completed over 300 hours, and these took place in the surrounding communities and schools, like helping out at events at Ingleside, Hopi and Tavan. “These hours should double in impact as we close out the year. We also complete two fundraisers on campus; in the winter we did a toy drive for the St. Vincent de Paul Hope Chest before the holiday season,” Megan said. “In the spring, we collect book donations, and share literacy time with Tavan where they take all the books back to their classrooms.” 30 YEARS AGO Arcadia Titans continue to support their community  District 6 will host its Pickleball Round Robin on Saturday, April 25, at the Pecos Community Center.  All meetings begin at 6 p.m. 1/26: Devonshire Senior Center 2/23: Madison Heights Elementary School (cafeteria) 3/23: Cowden Center, 9202 N. 2nd St. (Districts 6 and 3) 4/20: Pecos Park 5/18: Location to be determined 6/18: Location to be determined       Starting pay: $17.72 per hour The City of Phoenix is hiring lifeguards for the upcoming season. Applicants must be 15 by the end of the certification class. The class fee is $20, and all class dates are mandatory. Apply at phoenix.gov/hr/current-jobs. Selected applicants will schedule interviews in March.