Print
Comment
Rate
Benson Arizona Rangers plan community event
 |
| Community servants: Arizona Rangres Brad Cherry and Beth Hahs at a Benson High School sporting event. The Benson outfit is growing in membership. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
At school events in Benson and St. David and community celebrations during the last year in the San Pedro Valley, residents see the black uniforms of the Benson Company of the Arizona Rangers.
They are there to support local law enforcement. If a crowd gets too loud during a basketball game where two rivals are going at it on the court, the Arizona Rangers line the walls to assure safety for all.
The fairly young group in Benson has become well known over the last year, and continues to grow with new members and community events being planned.
Just over a year ago, area resident Kevin Rasch had the idea that an Arizona Rangers' unit in Benson would be beneficial, and received probationary approval.
"The Rangers is an organization that that is fitting for any community," Rasch said. "When I asked people to join over the last year, a lot of them just say 'I'm too busy'. But then I ask them if being too busy is more important that the safety and well-being of their family."
The group has gone from Rasch's vision to having 16 full Rangers, and nine more on probation. All of them are qualified to assist local law enforcement as needed.
Rasch said the local police department already has their hands full, and with the Arizona Rangers providing assistance at as many events as possible, it only benefits the community.
To become a Ranger, Rasch said volunteers go through the Arizona Rangers Training Academy, which includes training in weapons, procedure and the law.
To start, Rasch said the group really focused on Benson High School, providing security at not only sporting events, but also nighttime security on campus.
Dr. David Woodall, superintendent of the Benson School District, said their presence over the last year has been wonderful.
"They've been absolutely tremendous," he said. "They have filled so many gaps for us with security on campus and at our school events and on top of that providing a night watch. It is a nice presence to have at school events, and I know it's appreciated by the community."
Now the Arizona Rangers in Benson are working on their first major community event to be held Valentine's weekend at the Arena in Benson. Arizona Rangers Territorial Days will include music from local band Exit 303, visits from Old-West re-enactors, and a tough sanctioned Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association.
Rasch said Feb. 14 is fitting for the event because it marks the anniversary of Arizona statehood. But statehood would not have been achieved in 1912 had the Arizona Rangers not cleaned up the territory first.
"This is going to be an ideal celebration for the Rangers," Rasch said. "We want an event that brings forth some history and is fun for the entire community. We wanted an annual event that could somehow be associated with the Rangers."
The Rangers will be hosting the mounted shooting tournament throughout the weekend as a way to raise funds for scholarships and essential equipment. But the event will also showcase some of Benson's local talent.
One of those set to compete is Carolyn McGinnis.
McGinnis, a local real estate agent, in a quest to find a hobby, found herself earning a championship title in mounted shooting, which is one of the biggest challenges in equestrian sports.
McGinnis, 66, recently won the World Championship Mounted Shooting competition with the Single Action Shooters Society.
One of the major challenges in mounted shooting, is you have to hit 10 balloons with a revolver that has only five shots. So while riding fast, competitors fire five shots, holster that gun and draw another, fire another five shots and still finish the course with the best time.
McGinnis isn't the only world champion to be competing. St. David resident Diana Olson, an IBM employee during the day, recently won the Level 4 CMSA World Championship in Texas. Olson not only competes in mounted shooting, but teaches the sport to others and trains their horses.
Arizona Rangers Territorial Days will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events will be at the Arena, across from Wal-Mart in Benson.
At school events in Benson and St. David and community celebrations during the last year in the San Pedro Valley, residents see the black uniforms of the Benson Company of the Arizona Rangers.
They are there to support local law enforcement. If a crowd gets too loud during a basketball game where two rivals are going at it on the court, the Arizona Rangers line the walls to assure safety for all.
The fairly young group in Benson has become well known over the last year, and continues to grow with new members and community events being planned.
Just over a year ago, area resident Kevin Rasch had the idea that an Arizona Rangers' unit in Benson would be beneficial, and received probationary approval.
"The Rangers is an organization that that is fitting for any community," Rasch said. "When I asked people to join over the last year, a lot of them just say 'I'm too busy'. But then I ask them if being too busy is more important that the safety and well-being of their family."
The group has gone from Rasch's vision to having 16 full Rangers, and nine more on probation. All of them are qualified to assist local law enforcement as needed.
Rasch said the local police department already has their hands full, and with the Arizona Rangers providing assistance at as many events as possible, it only benefits the community.
To become a Ranger, Rasch said volunteers go through the Arizona Rangers Training Academy, which includes training in weapons, procedure and the law.
To start, Rasch said the group really focused on Benson High School, providing security at not only sporting events, but also nighttime security on campus.
Dr. David Woodall, superintendent of the Benson School District, said their presence over the last year has been wonderful.
"They've been absolutely tremendous," he said. "They have filled so many gaps for us with security on campus and at our school events and on top of that providing a night watch. It is a nice presence to have at school events, and I know it's appreciated by the community."
Now the Arizona Rangers in Benson are working on their first major community event to be held Valentine's weekend at the Arena in Benson. Arizona Rangers Territorial Days will include music from local band Exit 303, visits from Old-West re-enactors, and a tough sanctioned Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association.
Rasch said Feb. 14 is fitting for the event because it marks the anniversary of Arizona statehood. But statehood would not have been achieved in 1912 had the Arizona Rangers not cleaned up the territory first.
"This is going to be an ideal celebration for the Rangers," Rasch said. "We want an event that brings forth some history and is fun for the entire community. We wanted an annual event that could somehow be associated with the Rangers."
The Rangers will be hosting the mounted shooting tournament throughout the weekend as a way to raise funds for scholarships and essential equipment. But the event will also showcase some of Benson's local talent.
One of those set to compete is Carolyn McGinnis.
McGinnis, a local real estate agent, in a quest to find a hobby, found herself earning a championship title in mounted shooting, which is one of the biggest challenges in equestrian sports.
McGinnis, 66, recently won the World Championship Mounted Shooting competition with the Single Action Shooters Society.
One of the major challenges in mounted shooting, is you have to hit 10 balloons with a revolver that has only five shots. So while riding fast, competitors fire five shots, holster that gun and draw another, fire another five shots and still finish the course with the best time.
McGinnis isn't the only world champion to be competing. St. David resident Diana Olson, an IBM employee during the day, recently won the Level 4 CMSA World Championship in Texas. Olson not only competes in mounted shooting, but teaches the sport to others and trains their horses.
Arizona Rangers Territorial Days will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events will be at the Arena, across from Wal-Mart in Benson.
 |
 |
|
| New auction company open; Feb. 21 event set | Boy, 13, gets 4 to 5 years in mother's shooting death |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
