General manager Bill Barnard to speak at May 11 unit rep meeting
PebbleCreek’s General Manager Bill Barnard will be the featured speaker at the Unit Rep meeting to be held Monday, May 11, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in the Chianti Room in Tuscany Falls. Bill oversees the various departments in PebbleCreek that provide the services and conduct the operations that keep the community running smoothly. Managers who report to Bill include: Food & Beverage, Community Activities, Golf, Facilities and Community Services and the various divisions under these departments, including the ALC, Patrol, Guest Relations, Resident & Guest Services, Creative Arts and Recreation. Bill’s staff, through their numerous responsibilities and services they provide, touch the lives of all PebbleCreek residents and guests. Bill, who is appointed by the Board of Directors, will provide an overview of his responsibilities including the successes and challenges facing PebbleCreek staff as they strive for excellence in providing customer service to our residents and guests.
Residents are invited to attend Unit Rep meetings to learn more about what is going on in the community and to meet and exchange information with other homeowners. If you would like to become a Unit Rep, contact the Unit Rep Co-Chair Janet Miazga at [email protected].
Unit 4 celebrated a breakfast at Eagle’s Nest on Saturday, April 21 to renew acquaintances, meet new neighbors and also their new Unit Rep Vi Kaounis and co-Rep Nancy Love.
Unit 4
Unit 5
Construction of homes in Unit 5 began over 20 years ago. Some of the original homeowners still remain, but over the years many homes have changed hands and many of us know mostly our immediate neighbors. Three friends got together and decided this should change. Joanne Benz, Emma Mosely and Maggi Maas (dubbed The Social Committee) organized a Unit 5 Ladies’ Luncheon, which was held April 1 at Eagle’s Nest Dining Room. The theme was Meet, Greet and Eat. Before sitting down, the ladies mingled and met their neighbors. Joanne had made nametags for everyone which made it easier to remember names. We were introduced to our new Unit Rep Renee Ellison and Unit 5 Kare Bear Rep Jane Freeman. While waiting for lunch to be served we took turns standing and introducing ourselves and telling a bit about ourselves. Emma told of our plans for the next Unit 5 function, which is to be an Italian buffet dinner at the Chianti Room at Tuscany Falls on Saturday, May 16 with a cash bar at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. This is open to all residents and guests of Unit 5. For more information, please call Joanne Benz at 623-935-6005. The ladies all got to take home a prettily wrapped favor made by Emma. Before leaving everyone gathered in the Eagle’s Nest lobby and Emma found a volunteer to take the camera and photograph the whole group. It was an enjoyable time and we’re looking forward to more get-togethers.
The Topaz Tour group
Unit 6
Sheila Jacobson
There are 190 homes in Unit 6 on the Eagle’s Nest side. It seems the majority home model is the Topaz floor plan. In talking at previous unit gatherings, the residents discovered that none are the same in the sense that walls are taken down, a room was extended, home entertainment walls were added or backyards or patios landscaped maybe with pools or fountains. So, we had a Topaz Tour! There were six lovely host homes showing their changes and upgrades with hosts Josh Rabinowitz and Gillian Driscoll, Alana McGlynn, Shirley Smith, Irene and Phil Faulkner, Sheila and Steffen Jacobson and, including one from Unit 9, Sam and Joyce McKinstry as honorary Unit 6 residents. With the help of the planning committee, Patti Modderman, Fran Wiley, Irene Faulkner and Gillian Driscoll, we had a brochure packet with a map and a description of changes from each host. We had four organized groups for our many tourists which kept the flow nicely timed and not a crowd at each home at the same time. I know many tourist wish-list notes were taken as each home had an idea to consider for their own home! The tour was topped off with a snack and beverage gathering at the home of Dave and Patti Modderman. A spectacular of a day!
138 people attended the April Block Party.
No one went hungry at the well laden buffet table.
Unit 17
On Thursday, April 2 our Unit 17 had a fabulous Block Party with 138 attending. It was a beautiful evening with lots of delicious food brought by everyone and lots of good conversation and laughter. We celebrated the oldest and the youngest in Unit 17, as well as the couple who has been here the longest and also the shortest time. It is always fun to welcome new friends to our great Unit 17! Melissa Kallett, our Unit 17 Rep, provided a fun mixer game where we all got to meet our neighbors and find out about them in a special way. Thanks to Judy Ayers, Linda Maule, Pat Horyna and Susan Meers who took charge of the setup of the Block Party. We look forward to doing this again next year!
Unit 19
Barbara Risden and Donna Frole
Unit 19 enjoyed a beautiful day at the Goodyear Ballpark on April 1 to cheer on the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. the Cincinnati Reds. The seats behind home plate were spectacular. The game ended with the Dbacks winning 3 to 0. Yeah!
Neighbors pose after a Milwaukee win at Goodyear Ballpark.
Unit 27A
Can anything really be more magical than gazing up at a clear starry night over the city of Goodyear? Yep! Add to this magnificent image an evening spring training ballgame between the Milwaukee Brewers (8) and Cincinnati Reds (6), a scrumptious unlimited food buffet up in the right field pavilion, a table hopping opportunity to mingle with wonderful neighbors (the goal is always to meet two new neighbors!) and a spectacular finale with exploding fireworks lighting up the sky! This fabulous event describes the Unit 27A neighbors, friends and family outing on Friday, March 27—a perfect evening for the energized folks!
The entertaining evening began with neighbors gathering at the Goodyear Ballpark for Happy Hour—Jimmy Buffett’s song obviously reminds the folks It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere! The lip smacking ballpark food was plentiful including burgers, hot dogs, nachos and all the trimmings including homemade cookies for dessert! The group also took the opportunity to gather for a wide angle photograph including all 41 guests. All this excitement was before the game even started!
Looking up at the scoreboard during the seventh inning stretch—“Welcome PebbleCreek Unit 27A”—the group gave a resounding cheer recognizing they were all celebrities for the night!
When the game ended (Brewers 8/Reds 6), folks lingered to ooh and ahh at the loud and sparkling fireworks lighting up the night’s sky.
“I wonder if the folks in PebbleCreek can actually see and hear the fireworks while standing on their patio; bet it woke them up,” joked a neighbor.
Top row, left to right: Jan Bertch, Marlene Braun, Janell Jenson, Sharon Easton, Linda Rouillard, Gennie Remath, Judy Sondag and Alene Guiffre; bottom row: Elna Friesen, Carolyn Bates, Karen Grant-Linth and Esther West. Attending but not pictured: Diane Buchanen and Janice Koberg
Unit 34
The ladies of Unit 34 took time away from golf and other pursuits to enjoy the hospitality of Alene Giuffre at a luncheon she hosted at her home. The group welcomed newcomers to the Unit and took advantage of the opportunity to catch up with old friends and neighbors. Another matter discussed was the apparent interest of some PC residents to upgrade the ambiance of the patio at Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse with rope lights on the palm trees. The project can be accomplished with contributions from residents and information was provided as to whom contributions should be directed. The luncheon occurred in March and there were as many shades of green as are imaginable to pay tribute to St. Patrick. All those attending enjoyed Alene’s hospitality, the beautiful day and the opportunity to meet new neighbors. v
Unit 40
Diane Passafiume
Nestled in the heart of the Superstition Mountains lies spectacular Canyon Lake, home of the Dolly Steamboat. Dolly Steamboat cruises the secluded inner waterways of this beautiful lake. As we cruised we saw big horn sheep, bald eagles and a host of other wildlife. The scenery was breathtaking. After the ride we all ventured to the Mining Camp Restaurant where we enjoyed a western style family meal. A great time was had by all. Thanks to Jerry Hausner for making the arrangements. We all enjoyed this great adventure.
Jan Howard, project coordinator, presenting the check to Ms. Bogart
Unit 42A
Ladies from PC Unit 42A presented Homeless Youth Connection Executive Director Dawn Bogart with a check for $1000 from the sales of their cookbook A Taste and Touch of Home.
Jan Howard commented that the sales were much better than they had anticipated and she wished to thank the residents of PebbleCreek who really stepped up and supported the project.
Unit 52
Liz Gibson
The Unit 52 Ladies Who Lunch enjoyed delightful food and friendship at their spring luncheon Wednesday, April 8 at Mimi’s Café.
Hosted by Nancy Hess, this was a return to one of our favorite dining options. Each of the 11 months we have a luncheon, there is a hostess who decides on the venue and takes the reservations.
Unit 53
Sandy Stephens
On Tuesday, March 31 nineteen Unit 53 ladies and visitors enjoyed lunch at Ground Central, a new place for some of the group. It was the last get together for us to say goodbye to the snowbirds leaving us soon. The lovely young gal serving all of us got her trial by fire since it was her first day serving. She did a phenomenal job of taking care of our table and received a round of applause.
Unit 52
Liz Gibson
The Unit 52 Thursday, March 19 evening at Waddell’s Longhorn Corral for over 50 western clad partygoers was a slam dunk!
In addition to the great food and beverage service almost everyone was up for the line dancing and added treat of Texas Waltz lessons. There was also a fun western themed trivia quiz with prizes.
Social Committee members in charge of the party were Connie Belina, Meg Chrisman and Emily Grotta.