Cave Creek: Community preservationist Diane Vaszily and the Desert Awareness Committee to lead storytelling

Cave Creek, Arizona – The desert is filled with amazing stories and many of them will come to life this fall through a new storytelling program.

Loving the wonders of the Sonoran Desert, from its incredible medicinal plants to its winged and furry animals and unique scenic locations, is all in a day for scientist, educator and community leader Diane Vaszily. She, along with the desert-loving members who make up the Desert Awareness Committee (DAC), are stepping up plans to share the desert’s many secrets and benefits with people who want to learn more about them – and tell their stories. As a result, DAC experts are leading efforts to launch a novel storytelling program that will connect with beautiful Harmony Hollow in the Spur Cross Ranch Recreational preserve. The storytelling event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9 AM-2:30 PM at Harmony Hollow (Spur Cross) in Cave Creek, Ariz.

“Storytelling is a way of communicating and sharing your personal and cultural history with others who are eager to learn,” says Vaszily. “There are endless fascinating stories to be told and our fall storytelling festival will help people learn, practice and hone their craft. The session, which will be held in the breathtaking desert foothills, will help guests develop more meaningful, memorable stories for others to enjoy.”

Vaszily says storytelling professionals from the Storytelling Institute at South Mountain Community College will be onsite to guide storytellers who want to learn or improve how to create engaging stories related to life in the desert. A number of interactive workshops will be offered during the day including “why storytelling matters” and “pourquoi,” which means telling why something is the way it is.

Vaszily, a leader in desert awareness and understanding, was actively involved in preservation efforts for the beautiful Desert Awareness Park in Cave Creek. Desert Awareness Park was the first park to be honored as a Local Landmark by the Town of Cave Creek. Her work continues.

“I got into this because I saw the value,” says Vaszily. “Everything I’ve done has been focused on educating others, no matter the area, to connect ourselves with the science and beauty of the desert. My role is to get people excited – enthusiastic – about their surroundings. This one-of-a-kind event will show people how to truly appreciate the fragile nature of the Sonoran Desert.”

“People can expect to learn how to connect with nature on a sensory hike and why storytelling matters for brain health and community,” says Phyllis Strupp, DAC leader and author of Better from Within. “Participants also will better understand how to create a brief, engaging story related to life in the desert and what happens at a ‘story concert.’”

Strupp says non-storytellers should attend this workshop to:
-Have fun amidst the natural beauty of Harmony Hollow at Spur Cross
-Learn a new way to captivate listeners in any setting
-Connect with other members of the foothills community
-Learn a great brain exercise

The DAC has been the community resource advocate for the Sonoran Desert since 1974.

“We strive to reach our mission of educating others about the Sonoran Desert through workshops, seminars, festivals, special programs for adults and children,” says Vaszily. “Our partnerships with other conservation non-profits reach across the county from Wickenburg to Rio Verde and Ahwatukee to Prescott. Our newest partnership with Harmony Hollow is among our most exciting. Join us this fall for storytelling at the Hollow, Walk in Harmony and the Medicinal Plant Workshop. We want to continue this mission as we further connect more with important and like organizations in the community. Outreach activities like this will allow our non-profits to soar as we find ways to work more closely together as a community.”

During the five-hour storytelling event in the historic Harmony Hollow homestead, guests will tell their personal stories or stories about life in the desert. The two levels of storytellers will rotate locations during the festival. People will learn how to make their story messages more compelling, more captivating.

Other DAC and Harmony Hollow activities will be forthcoming including the Prickly Pear Festival and Walk in Harmony in the Hollow, which took place last fall.

Harmony Hollow is located at 44316 N. Spur Cross Road. Parking is available above the property. To attend, make reservations at hollandcenter.org/desert-awareness. Reservations are required. The per person donation for the event is $25.Guests should bring comfortable clothes for inside and outside, a water bottle, notebook and a pencil or pen.

The Holland Center, home to the Desert Awareness Committee, is part of the Foothills Community Foundation. The Holland Center is the only non-profit community center of its kind serving the northeast area of the valley and is the area’s only hub of lifelong enrichment opportunities in art, theater, leadership, desert awareness, history, personal development, cultural awareness, community service, social gatherings, special events and more.