Pardi Gras in PebbleCreek
Marilu Trainor and Jerry Maglio
Revelers rocked the Tuscany Falls Ballroom on Feb. 27 during the once-again sold-out Colorado Party. This state party is one of the most popular events in PebbleCreek each season and it more than lived up to its reputation this year. This year’s theme was “Pardi Gras ’25—Let The Good Times Roll!” and roll they did!
The evening began as the 250 partygoers arrived in a wide variety of Mardi Gras attire which made for a real scene at the no-host cocktail reception. Emcee Melissa Kallett and the band’s saxophone player then led a New Orleans–style street parade (a PebbleCreek first!) from the bar through the clubhouse parking lot before leading everyone into the amazingly colorful and festively decorated ballroom.
The Pardi Gras SWAG (“Someone Wins A Gift”) drawing proved very popular, most likely because there were plenty of prizes, each with a minimum $100 value, with a total value close to $3,500. Lucky winners received airline tickets, cash prizes, gift cards and certificates, a hotel stay, Arizona lottery tickets, and rounds of golf. Two handmade charcuterie boards by Colorado artists were coveted prizes.
Another very popular part of this annual party was the Mardi Gras themed photo booth where couples and groups posed all night long and took some great photos. Guests were treated to a Caribbean buffet dinner. Table décor included colorful themed centerpieces that were given as door prizes. The band Rhythm Edition kept the dance floor jumping and packed all night, with dancers enjoying rock, line dancing, and the ever-popular slow tunes.
The 2025 committee was co-chaired by Tracey Littlefield and Mary Taylor. Committee members included Heather Adamscheck, Pam Anderson, Stanleigh Chism, Pat Cornett, Nancy Cushing, Rochelle Dammel, Suki Fitzgerald, Cari Gallo, Kayce Healy, Marilyn Jaster, Jerry Maglio, Cheryl Murphy, Patti O’Connor, Pat Pakin, Jan Petroff, Renee Shellhorse, Tracey Sibelius, Marilu Trainor, Bonita Vermulen, and Diane Woods. Other volunteers included: Presley Anderson, Cathy Bok, Michele Conroy, Mike Dammel, Shawn Jardine, and Joy Elder.
Mark your calendar for March 7, 2026, for the next Colorado party. Details for the party will be announced in December and registration will begin in early January 2026. If you’d like to volunteer to help plan the next Colorado Party, please send an email to [email protected]. Committee assignments include opportunities to help with decorations, marketing, prizes, registration, and general committee assignments.
Calling All Oregonians!
All PebbleCreek Oregonians, former Oregonians, or anyone with fond memories of Oregon, it’s time to gather for our annual Oregon State Picnic on Saturday, April 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sunrise Park. No reservations, no cost, and no ID needed. Just bring your chair, your beverage, and an appetizer to share.
This yearly gathering was first organized over 20 years ago by Neil and Lucy Saling, and is still going strong. It’s an opportunity for people to reconnect with old friends and discover connections with others. In years past former North Portland neighbors have discovered each other and classmates from Bend Senior High School have reconnected. Stories of fly fishing on the Metolius River have been shared, and of course friendly Duck/Beaver rivalry shows up!
Come grab a place in the shade, and prepare for the Annual Oregon Trivia Challenge!
Questions? Call Judy Hart at 541-747-4821 or Jan Mart at 541-683-8696.
Zita Wessa is the founder of the Wisconsin Party started 28 years ago. This year, she was the winner of the Harley-Davidson basket, which included the shirt she is wearing, a leather jacket, and a few other items. Congrats Zita!
28th Annual Wisconsin Party
Sue White
On Feb. 23, 227 PebbleCreek residents with Wisconsin connections met to party. This was the 28th Annual Wisconsin Party. The party theme this year was Home of Harley–Davidson MotorCycles. Many attendees wore their leather, fringes, and Harley clothing.
Guests were entertained by Kevin Hillstrom, who shared with the audience the history of Harley–Davidson. He also had a trivia game, and three tables won special Harley logo items.
Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner with Angus beef sliders, Johnsonville brats, potato salad, beans, and cookies. Culvers treated everyone to a custard sundae. In addition, at each table Link Snacks (made in Minong, Wis.) beef jerky were available for all to eat. This is the preferred treat for Harley riders.
There were two raffles and several lucky winners as follows:
Basket Raffle winners were Ruth Price, Dick Feller, Judy Hauser, Trish Watkins, Allison Ransom, Mark Norbury, Lee Blair, Zita Wessa, Darrel LoCascio, Ronnda Peters, Carol Rasin, and Susan McDowell.
50/50 Raffle winners were Lynn Bartol, Dick Feller, Patti Schudt, and Sue White.
In addition, the popular card game was played using eight decks of cards. Eight lucky winners were Jeff Horan, Jordan Hoff, Cheryl Wagner, Carol Rasin, Julie Phillips, Tina Stepzinski, Randy Roderick, and Laurence Bechu.
The Wisconsin Party attendees generously donated $1,167 to the Agua Fria Food Bank.
Dan and Shelley Borreson, the committee chairs, would like to thank the following committee members along with volunteers who helped out on the day of the party:
Committee Members Kevin Hillstrom (Master of Ceremonies), Rose Mansell (Decorations), Baskets (Shelley Borreson and Gloria Glowinski), Sue White (Publicity), and Rose Mansell, Jane Bokowy, and Elizabeth McCarthy.
Other volunteers the day of the party: Phil and Linda Verlender, Kathy and Al Carney, Judy Hauser, Charlotte Norris, Guy Humphries, and Bonnie Elliot.
Mark your calendars for next year’s party on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026!
If you are interested in being on next year’s committee, please contact Dan Borreson. His number is 623-536-5111.