[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 161 (Friday, October 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2236]]
               IN HONOR OF GRAYCE BOGDEN NOTEBOOM ARNOLD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I am honored today to acknowledge the 
inspiring life of Grayce Bogden Noteboom Arnold, a woman who made great 
contributions to cultural development in my district and to the 
community of Patagonia, Arizona.
  Grayce Bogden Noteboom Arnold arrived in Patagonia in 1976. Her route 
to Arizona from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, took her first to 
Guadalajara, Mexico, where her husband, John Patton Arnold, had been 
commissioned by Popular Mechanics and the American Automobile 
Association to publish the first motor tourist guide of Mexico in the 
mid-1950s. Mexican President Luis Echevarria later recognized this 
guide as opening ``the gateway'' to motorized travel in Mexico.
  Grayce and John also built one of the first prototype house cars 
(recreational vehicles) by converting a 1949 Ford panel truck, 
nicknamed ``La Tortuga''. When they returned to the United States from 
Guadalajara, Grayce, John and their two children, John David and 
Elaine, settled in Nogales, Arizona. Subsequently, they moved to Tucson 
where Janie was born and John Senior passed away in 1972. During all 
this time Grayce had been developing her artistic talent. She took sand 
cast candle lessons from famed Tucson artist Ted DeGrazia.
  In 1976, Grayce moved into the Miner's Old Home in Patagonia, which 
had been built in 1905 as the residence for the chief mine engineer Mr. 
McDonald. The house was in very poor condition and was extensively 
remodeled to provide living quarters and ultimately became home to 
Grayce's Gift and Candle Shop and Museum. Grayce's reputation as an 
artist and entrepreneur flourished. Her contributions include designing 
Patagonia's first 3 postcards and her civic involvement to promote 
Patagonia as a tourist destination. Over the years, her notable 
business contacts included film stars Faye Dunaway and Joanna Cassidy.
  Visitors to Grayce's shop see immediately that it is more than a 
place of business. It is part museum, art gallery, and gift and candle 
shop. They also receive a personalized guided tour and explanation of 
the artistic renderings. The guest book contains entries from thousands 
of people from all walks of life from around the world who have left 
their names and cheerful comments about their visit. Grayce's artistic 
collection includes her award-winning sand cast candle dioramas. The 
Tree Spirit, Cocoon, Desert Storm and other creative masks are the 
centerpiece of her artistic creations. Two of the masks have been 
featured on postcards which she designed. One of Grayce's greatest 
sculptures is her rendition of a Tarahumara man in traditional dress 
squatting in contemplation. At Grayce's you will find unique 
southwestern arts, crafts from indigenous Mexican cultures including 
the Tarahumara, Yaqui, and Seri Indians.
  People who knew Grayce are inspired that a person of her age was so 
full of life, physically active and ran her own business until age 97. 
Grayce would be the first to tell you that age is irrelevant as she did 
belly dancing, remarried and launched her artistic career in her 60s. 
She always told her children to never stop dreaming, to be creative and 
to help others.
  Grayce has been an inspiration to all of us. She stands as a 
wonderful example of the significant contributions that women in the 
west make to the cultural and economic development of our communities.

                          ____________________