Volume 11, No. 6: Febuary 2007

 Sunscape Roundup Annual

Park Party

 March 14th an 15th

            This year’s event will start with  Golf Cart Races and a dance on Wednesday, the 14^th. The main event on Thursday, the 15^th will include all the unique activities you have come to expect, including the bake sale, garage sale, silent auction and numerous games. While it is not open to the general public feel free to invite friends and family. As always, Wild Horse residents have an open invitation to join the festivities and fun.

            Each of the party committees are in full swing, however we still need more volunteers. A sign up sheet is located at the Clubhouse across from the Activity Director’s office. Each Chair checks the list for names and will contact you if you leave your lot and telephone number.

            Donations Committee Canvassers are out soliciting local businesses and so far their reception has been excellent. Golf passes, gift certificates to various stores and restaurants plus a unique array of merchandise are being collected. They will be used for either the Raffle, the Silent Auction, or as prizes for the games.

            Park Party Raffle canvassers will also be making a door-to-door blitz throughout the park on February 7^th thru 12^th. They are offering an “Early Bird” opportunity to purchase 15 tickets for just $10. This year’s Raffle format will have one large raffle including a Grand Prize of $500 cash and two $250 cash, along with various merchandise prizes.  Drawings will be every half hour.

            Each winner will have their winning ticket re-entered for all prizes, so there are lots of chances to win at great odds. The Raffle Committee is offering an early bird opportunity to purchase 15 tickets for $10. REMEMBER THE NET PROCEEDS GO BACK TO THE PARK.

            This year’s Sheriff and his posse are also out roaming the Sunscape streets selling insurance to avoid time in jail on March 15^th. They have some exciting surprises planned for the day, as well.

MARK THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR

AND PLAN TO ATTEND SUNSCAPE’S

BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR!!

-Terry Kehler, 2007 Park Party Chair

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE….

            When Carol Hanley returned to her home in Sunscape in the fall of ’06, the first thing she noticed was how well the outside plants and trees had fared. They were all green and bushy. But once inside her home, she was astonished to find water standing or soaked into most of the flooring.  After a traumatizing few days, she had organized repairmen to begin the task of tearing out, rebuilding, and putting her home back into livable condition. It took months to complete.

            What had happened? Before she left for the summer, she had moved her washing machine into the Arizona room from a shed on the back part of the property.. She had the plumber put in a “red” turn off valve at that time. (She was told she needed a “red” valve.) She also explained to him she wanted to leave the water on to the drip system so the trees would get water.

            The “red” valve was placed between the house water and the washing machine rather than the exterior drip system and the house water. Of coarse, a little piece of metal in the shower system broke, allowing water to freely roam over most of the house anytime the drip system was on. That was about three hours every three days. The net result was water damage in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, and other spots in the house.

            On the other hand, the trees did very well.

            “It was a real mess!” Carol said. “But, thank God for Mary Ann and Charlie Fender. They let me and my puppy use their motor home while the house was being renovated. If it hadn’t been for them, we’d have been on the street!”

            “Oh, and one other thing,” Carol added, “I would not recommend this as a way to redecorate one’s house.”

            (P.S.  Carol wants to thank everyone for their tolerance of her “3-month mess.”  She also wants to thank the pool players who came to her rescue the morning she needed help.)

Have you seen all the status symbol cell phone

devices people are wearing on their ear?

I can't afford one so I'm wearing my garage door opener

Arizona Opry News:  Nancy reports that 162 people attended the dinner and the outstanding performance this year.  Plans are being made for next year.

You're probably a poor cook if you use the smoke alarm as a timer.

Desert Oasis . . .

The Language of Love

            The 6^th chapter of Acts records the appointment of a group of volunteers who were given the responsibility of caring for the widows among them.  We are looking at volunteerism in its early beginnings.

            During the difficult days of World War II, a wounded soldier watched a volunteer nurse dressing the putrid wound of another soldier.  The G.I. said, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.” The nurse volunteer smiled and replied, “I wouldn’t either.”  But she could do it because of love.

            What an excellent opportunity is ours, as retired folks, to give voluntarily of our time, our talents, and our abilities out of love for others.

            Take a look around you.  What can you do to make Sunscape a happier and better place to enjoy our retirement.  Think about volunteering.  It will bless your life and the life of others.

                        IYQ,   G. H.

Two fleas on a dead head are called homeless.

From the Desk of Sunscape Sunny

Advice Columnist

Dear Sunny,

I’m from Eastern Washington and was invited to the “Land of the Sun” by a Sunscaper. What happened to the sun? I’ve been here a week and about all I’ve seen is cold, rain, wind, and more cold. My shorts are still packed, right next to my “T” shirts.

                              Cold from the North

Dear Cold,

Hey, I checked the temp in E.W. and it was running in the teens at night and way up towards the mid 20’s during the day.  That’s your alternative, Baby!!

                   Ole Sunny (and happy to be here!!)

(Everyone enjoying this sun give a big smile!!!)

 What's the definition of a will?   (It's a dead giveaway.)

I told my doctor I a ringing in my ears.

His advice:  Don’t answer it!

A special tribute for two very special people

            Sunscape residents know Damon and Lorna Hillary for their many hours of service to the park. Lorna  spends many hours practicing and plays the organ at church every Sunday.  Damon spends many hours each week working at the recycling station at the park.

            Their daughter and son-in-law, Jolane and Doug Summers of Glendale, had a big, shiny surprise for them on January 21. It seems they were preparing to quietly spend their 50^th Wedding Anniversary in the park, when a stretch limousine pulled up in front of their place, picked them up, and whisked them away for two nights at the “Hilton at the Point,” compliments of the kids. And just to emphasize how special and unusual the two nights would be, they drove through a snow storm on the way.

Millie’s Memories

When we came down the long, sparsely graveled road in January 1992, we checked in at the Ranger Station, commonly referred to as “the guard shack.”  When you left the park you checked out on the north side, and when you came back you checked in on the south side.

The sign said “FULL” but the RVs kept coming and were parked in “dry dock,” which many times was anything but dry.  This small building about 4’ x 6’ was the site one windy day for a “jam session.”  Lorraine was on duty and was unhappy to miss the “jam” so the “jam’ came to her.  Packed into the small area were: Rich & Karen DeVos; Walt & Elaine Schmeltzer; Ted & Jeanette Cummings; Dennis & Lorraine Harvey.  By the fall, Pinal County requested the building be moved out of the roadway; and it was moved just inside the gate.

A person who says it can't be done

is likely to be interrupted by someone doing it.

SUNSCAPE SENIOR PROM

IT’S THAT PROM TIME OF YEAR!

            Sunscape will be holding its third annual Senior Prom on Tuesday, February 27, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Community Center.  Formal attire is optional. 

            The music will again be provided by the Needham Twins.  This duo is well known in Arizona for their great music, quality of musical talents and genial personalities.  Whether you are a jitterbug enthusiast or only do the slow and romantic dances, they will provide you with your type of music. 

            This has been a sold-out event the last two years and tickets are going fast (seating is limited to 84), so if this sounds like the evening for you, get your tickets soon.  At $10 per person they are a bargain for an evening of entertainment and camaraderie.  This is a BYOB event but table snacks will be provided.   Tickets are available from Cara Barnhill, #49 Iowa, 520-840-0199. 

. The man who fell into the upholstery machine is fully recovered.

Gospel Variety Hour

with Thelma Taylor & her “side-kick”

Saturday, February 10, at 7 p.m.

in the Community Center

            We all know Thelma for her wit, her enthusiasm, and her melodious singing voice.  She says she has been singing in church since she was nine years old.  Her “side-kick,” Sue Snyder, is flying in from Michigan for the occasion.  Sue is a music and piano teacher and plays anything from classical to honky-tonk.

             Put the two of them together and you have the ingredients for an evening full of music, skits, banter, and just plain old good entertainment.  Admission is free, but they will be accepting donations to help pay for Sue’s travel expense. 

                        You won’t want to miss it