Allen Schwartz – Writing as Payson Dean (aka the Old Gringo) The ‘old gringo’ has been hanging around Rocky Point since the late 70’s and has had a home here since 1993. He’s flown the bush in Baja and southern Mexico since 1994, has trained SCUBA divers at both Peñasco and San Carlos, and calls Playa Miramar home. He writes because he likes to, and loves Puerto Peñasco. Not much of a fisherman, but a fine cigar and good Tequila can always get his attention. I’ve been retired since 2005 and my wife and I run a horse rescue ranch in Strawberry, Arizona. We divide our time between the ranch and our home at Playa Miramar. I’ve written several articles for diverse publications and have a regular column at Contractor Magazine.
Linda and Bo Bernard – These native Texans discovered Rocky Point on vacation and became full-time residents in 2016. Linda was a full-time educator, having spent 45 years working with 7th to 12th grade students in various capacities. She taught history and government in public school and later at Dallas’ Parish Episcopal School where she served as Dean of Students, Assistant Head of Upper School and Founding Director of The Leadership Institute. Bo spent most of his professional life in sales, marketing and upper management at various Dallas-area telecommunications companies. He was on the forefront of the sales and distribution of everything from semi- conductors, to the first hand-held calculators, pagers, and finally, cell phones. He retired from the industry in 2004, but found he had too much energy and too little to do. Ultimately, he found what he calls his “hardest, but most fun and rewarding job ever” in teaching Writing/Humanities to 5th graders at Linda’s school. Their connection to Barb’s Dog Rescue and the RPT column is a labor of love, in hopes others will be inspired to get involved in the Rocky Point community.
Cap’n Greg – Escaped Iowa’s snow for Arizona’s sun in 1989, and immediately jumped the border to sample the culture and cerveza of Mexico. A US Navy veteran, his love for the ocean drew him to Rocky Point, which he has enjoyed immensely. Although he offers salty advice to Sea of Cortez visitors, the Cap’n also frequents the Northwest Ontario Bush, and has been writing a “North With Doc” humor column for In-Fisherman magazine for more than 30 years. Cap’n Greg, his wife Sandy, and their silky/pom pup Jezebel live in Green Valley.
Joseph Sanchez – is a custom home builder, developer and real estate agent who loves to contribute stories to the Rocky Point Times. He likes to write about the state of the local economy, housing market and investment strategies. While traveling on vacation 20 years ago he met his future Mexican wife but had to return home to deploy with the Army National Guard shortly after 9/11. Upon his return, they married and moved to Chicago. Three months after they married, he was deployed again in support of Operation Iraq Freedom and returned 18 months later. Having survived all that, they now have three wonderful kids and are happily married and reside here full-time. They will celebrate 18 years of marriage on the 26th of April. Sanchez’s current project is San Besitos, a community development project located in the Mirador which offers new construction homes from the low $100s.
Stephanie Wood – Stephanie Wood grew up in Wichita, KS and moved to Phoenix in 1992 to attend ASU. Her first trip to Mexico was Nogales at age18 to shop and drink margaritas. She’s been coming to Rocky Point since 2007, and fell in love immediately and started looking for a condo the very first day. Rocky Point combines her love of Mexico and the beach. She loves exploring Rocky Point and sharing her experiences with others. She has two kids who are growing up on the beach and learning to embrace a world view and appreciation of other cultures. Her goal is to travel more extensively in Mexico as time and funds allow and continue writing about her experiences.
Gretchen Ellinger – After more than 20 years in Puerto Peñasco real estate, Gretchen Corpe Ellinger is considered an expert resource by real estate professionals and clients alike. Having been elected president, vice- president of ethics, and vice-president of education over several years by the members of AMPI, she now concentrates on her business, Real Estate & Retirement Consulting, seeing clients by appointment. Gretchen also enjoys writing, quilting, and supporting local artisans by collecting their extraordinary handcrafts – particularly hand-woven textiles – on her travels throughout Mexico.
Rosarie Salerno – Has been a contributing writer, for the Rocky Point Times, since 2006. Rosarie has lived in Rocky Point for over 10 years. She has been a full time real estate professional in Rocky Point since she arrived and has been a licensed real estate agent in Arizona since 1986. She moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1972. Rosarie studied Accounting in N.Y.C., Fashion Designing as well as Video and Film Production in Tucson. Not only did she sell real estate in Tucson, but had a small income tax preparation service for almost 20 years. Rosarie is highly analytical in her work. She has an inquisitive mind.
Cholla Charli – Cholla Charli (aka Charlotte Keller) has had family ties to La Cholla since 1969, and is now a full-time resident there, having retired from a career in marketing, publishing and public relations. An award-winning writer and photographer, she enjoys sharing stories about the organizations, activities, events and people in her
Dr. Sally Downey – Dr. Sally E. Downey Grew up in Indiana, raised her family in Oklahoma, and was recruited to Arizona in 2000 to serve as East Valley Institute of Technology’s School Superintendent, in Mesa, Arizona. After twenty years in that position, eight other years as a school superintendent in Oklahoma, and a total of fifty years as an educator…retirement beckoned! Since moving to Arizona, Rocky Point became a favorite weekend get away! Richard (husband of 55 years) and Sally loved Rocky Point so much that it wasn’t long until they purchased a home in the community. Sally has been a Rotarian for 28 years and after being named Mesa Woman of the year, served as President at the Mesa Rotary Club, the second oldest club in Arizona. Upon retirement Sally moved her Rotary affiliation to Puerto Peñasco. Rotary is an organization that believes in service above self and so does Dr. Sally. It is her hope that by writing a monthly column about Rotary projects and services rendered that more people will get involved in this wonderful worldwide organization that in turn, thru service, will benefit the Puerto Peñasco Community!
Vince Deadmond – “The Retired Fly Fishing Hardware Guy” writes short fly fishing stories and does fishing programs, while trying to keep his kayak in an upright position. Vince is a fly fishing enabler, he encourages everyone to take up the fly rod and visit his favorite place Puerto Penasco, Mexico. His stories can be found on the web, in local newspapers, and magazines. Vince’s stories tangle family, friends, and fly lines. Vince can be reached at 480 818 1796.
Kathleen Duncan – Kathleen attended University of Arizona where she met her husband Arnott who is a 4th generation Arizona farmer. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1983, Kathleen followed Arnott to Goodyear, AZ where she received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at Arizona State University. In 1982 Kathleen and Arnott founded Duncan Family Farms and while Arnott focused on operating the farm Kathleen spent most of her career working with vulnerable children and families in Arizona. In September of 2012 Kathleen decided she wanted to find a way to give back to the community of Rocky Point, Mexico where her family have been vacationing for 25 years. She began volunteering at the newly opened Amores de Peñasco Children’s Crisis Shelter and spent the next three years traveling from her home in Buckeye, AZ. to spend 2-3 days per week supporting the children there. In 2015 Kathleen and Arnott decided they wanted to try to expand their efforts to help young people in need in Rocky Point so they formed a Mexican Civil Association called ‘Asistencia Integral para Menores de Puerto Peñasco’ (Comprehensive Support for Children of Rocky Point). In August of 2016 they used their Civil Association to launch a program to help at-risk young people in the community have access to educational opportunities that can transform their lives Kathleen joined the Board of Steps of Love in June of 2013.
Anita Kaltenbaugh – is a traveler with a love for Puerto Peñasco and the Sea of Cortez. She wakes up to the beautiful Sea of Cortez and feels incredibly lucky. Originally from Western Pennsylvania she loves to travel the world and discover off-the-beaten-path destinations with her husband and friends, and write travel articles and travel books. She also writes fiction under the pen name,A.K. Smith. Check out www.seasidewriter.com for more information.
Jim Ringquist – With over ten years as a full-time resident of Rocky Point, Director of Sales and Marketing for the four Sonoran Resorts beachfront condo developments, and President of the Puerto Peñasco Tourist Assistance Advisory Committee, Jim works hard to stay on top of what is going on around town. He certainly doesn’t consider himself a writer, but he does send out a monthly newsletter to a growing number of clients and Rocky Point enthusiasts to share what he can about the area.
Mark Paliscak Marco – has been a writer for the Rocky Point Times for the last 13 years. He has been a part of the Rocky Point community and home owner for the last 16 years. Marco was never far from the beach his whole life. As a kid, he always loved the Jersey shore and later relocated to southern California at 20 years old and eventually found Balboa Island to be his home for a decade before making his way to Scottsdale. He loves the desert but missed the ocean and quickly found Arizona’s beach…Rocky Point! Along with writing for the Rocky Point Times, Marco is a mortgage banker/broker at Amerifirst Financial and Assistant Swim Coach at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix. He’s a proud father of his son, Zack and daughter, Via Maria who attend Ole Miss and Texas Christian University respectively. He loves to travel the world and picks new locations each year but always makes it a plan to make Aruba one of his annual destinations. Most of all, Marco loves his time in Rocky Point and always considers it HOME!