b'old-fashioned garage with a gas pump out front, and they pulled the car out. The oil pan underneath was smashed, and the car wouldnt work. When the Orme truck came by a little bit later, we got in with Uncle Chick and went on to the ranch. I felt so chagrined about the whole thing.One of the highlights of Stanleys time at Orme was his equine com-panion Swede. After his first year, his parents gifted him the mare, who remained at the ranch after his depar-ture. Swede was a really nice horse who put up with me. I was not a big child, and it was hard for me to get up into the saddle. After school, I used to saddle Swede and ride her over the ranch. It was 32,000 acres, so I could ride all day long. The only time I got off my horse was to open up the wire gates. I went down to the sheep ranch next door. I swam in the pools and the creek between the mesas; all by myself. I never worried about how to get back home because Swede always knew how to return home and to her food. That was a wonderful experience. Stanley went on toGracey Allen and her husband, the explain, The ranchairwaves came alive with laughter and had a round-up twiceamusement. The Texaco hour of mu-a year and we wouldsic was a particular favorite, predating go out and help bringthe era of iconic personalities like in the cattle and do theMilton Berle. Some of Stanleys favorite branding; it was realshows were the captivating stories of ranch life. Uncle ChickLittle Orphan Annie, the crime-fighting took his big truck on dirtcattle roping, and daring bull riding. roads down to Phoenix every week,Evenings at the ranch were filledGreen Hornet, and the mysterious taking carrots and watermelon, andwith tales of these adventures, as theadventures of The Shadow.other foods, and coming back withfamily and ranch hands returned fromBeyond the ranchs educational and the necessary staples for us to survive.Prescott, basking in the memories ofagricultural pursuits, the Orme family His father lived in Phoenix and thatsan unforgettable experience. enriched Stanleys experience with where we would stay on those trips. IAnother cherished tradition wastheir unique interests. Uncle Chick and remember Phoenix was hot and therethe annual caravan into the WhiteAunt Minna were both Stanford grad-was no air conditioning. The OrmesMountains. We traveled on dirt roads,uates. Aunt Minna, a botany graduate, were one of the pioneer families ofsometimes getting stuck, and we hadexperimented with growing all sorts of Arizona. Uncle Chicks father was oneto dig ourselves out. We stood up andplants at the ranchs 4,000 ft elevation. of the key people responsible for theheld onto the rails in the truck bed orEvery time the Ormes traveled they Salt River Project. sat on duffle bags and sleeping bagsbrought back trees and plants trans-Amidst the rigors of academiclittering the truck beds. It was dustyforming Orme into a thriving botanical pursuits and ranching responsibilities,and hot and lots of fun. garden.The Orme School community eagerlyStanley remembers the highlight ofStanley and his classmates also anticipated the annual highlight of thethe week on the ranch was Saturdayeagerly awaited the arrival of the state year: Prescotts Frontier Days and theand Sunday evenings. The entire familybookmobile, which made its way to exhilarating three-day rodeo. Donningwould gather around the radio tothe ranch at least twice each month. their cowboy hats and boots, Stanleyenjoy hours of entertainment. FromThe sight of the bookmobile rolling and his classmates immersed them- Amos and Andy to Major Bowlesonto the ranch was met with excite-selves in a world of bucking broncos,Amateur Hour, Jack Benny, andment and anticipation. Stanley vividly 50'