Unit 8 ladies at the Eest Asian Bistro in March.
Unit 8
Alisa Moore
The ladies of Unit 8 enjoyed a leisurely repast at the Eest Asian Bistro on Dysart (yes, it is spelled that way) on March 26. The April luncheon will be at Arriba’s Mexican Grill. We explore the whole local area for our luncheons, all year round, and the monthly adventures are even more fun because they are shared with friends. If you live in Unit 8 and would like to join us, we would love to meet you. Please email Jane Holdcroft at [email protected] for details.
Unit 26 neighbors enjoying conversation and the view from the Georgesen’s patio.
Unit 26
Patty Greene
Yes, it really was April Fool’s and residents of Unit 26 gathered on the patio of Russ and Mary Georgesen to share a potluck dinner and friendly conversation to welcome in what is supposed to be April showers to bring in May flowers! We had beautiful sunshine and found our tables decorated with April Fool ideas by using lots of different holiday decorations, plates, napkins and cups just to fool everyone!
Hosted by the Georgesens and neighbors Patty Greene and David Roe, Unit 26 folks got a chance to say hello and some goodbyes to our snowbirds and we hope to see everyone again in the fall. Who knows, maybe a pool party this summer will be in order! To all, stay safe and be well; see you soon.
Unit 27A
Camille Grabb
Friends, food and fun were a perfect mix for Unit 27A’s fifth annual Night at the Goodyear Ballpark!
On Friday, March 22, 50 neighbors joined the boisterous crowd in the right-field pavilion (along with about 100 PC softball fans) to watch the home-town Cleveland Indians beat the long-time fan favorite “Ol” Chicago Cubs 8 to 3.
The ballpark’s new mascot, who debuted this year with the fan-favorite name Ace, mingled with the fans in the stands and wandered over to the pavilion crowd for a few fun photos!
Whether you are a fan of the nearby Arizona Cactus League teams or a die-hard snowbird fan of Florida Grapefruit League teams, Spring Training hinted that the season was just about to begin and the long-awaited opening days were around the corner. Play ball!
Unit 27D
Thirty-five neighbors of Unit 27D gathered at the home of Gus and Nancy Gustafson on March 24 for an appetizer party. The attendees were encouraged to meet someone new, which they happily did. A great time was had by all. Participants were heard saying they wanted to have this kind of event more frequently.
Unit 31 get-together
Unit 31 held a get-together on an April afternoon at the home of Joan and Bruce Smith. About 50 of us had drinks and appetizers and enjoyed the sunshine and comfortable temps on the patio overlooking the pool. It was fun meeting and getting reacquainted with our neighbors and trying to figure out where everyone lives in our 120-plus-home unit.
We also contributed to the canned food drive that the Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek and Kare Bears were holding.
We’re looking forward to the next party.
Unit 38 Shamrock Social
Pat Kaer
On March 17, 2019, about 40 Unit 38 residents gathered for a Shamrock Social, with appetizers and drinks. In keeping with the holiday, most wore green and there were even some green appetizers. Some long-awaited good weather was enjoyed as the neighbors connected with friends and some new residents in the unit. The event was planned by Caryn Brett and hosted by Pat and Bjarne Kaer.
Forty-one participate in the Unit 40 golf outing and dinner.
Unit 40 golf outing
Christopher Mucha
On March 16, 41 members of Unit 40 participated in a golf outing and dinner at PebbleCreek. After 9 holes of play on the Tuscany Falls East Course, a cocktail hour and fabulous Italian dinner was served by the Catering Department in the Chianti Room. Guests enjoyed the culinary treats while bragging about their golfing prowess on the links. Six prizes were awarded to golfers, with Closest to the Pin honors being won by Dan Harrison (men) and Susan Gavin (women) on the Par 3, fourth hole. Additionally, five other unit members won bottles of wine to cap off the evening. The Golf Outing was renewed after a few years of being off of the Social Calendar; Unit 40 looks forward to continuing the tradition again next year at PebbleCreek.
Unit 42b luncheon
The women of 42B at January’s luncheon.
Unit 43A packs meal boxes
Doug Ginter
On Saturday, April 6, 39 residents of 43A took part in the Feed My Starving Children event held at Verrado High School.
Our unit packed over 80 boxes of meal packs. This was the fourth year that the unit participated in the event. FMSC provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children. Children from over 100 countries have benefitted from this progra;, if you would like to organize your unit to attend one of these packing sessions, please visit FMSC.org. All unit participants enjoyed an after party and potluck dinner at Doug and Roberta Ginter’s home. Fun was had by all.
Unit 51
Janet Miazga
St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated a few days early by the ladies of Unit 51 at the Irish Wolfhound Restaurant & Pub in Surprise. Our March monthly luncheon was hosted by Nancy MacKellar who booked the private back room with a pool table for this gathering. It was a great lunch with 18 ladies there, including Linda Schmidt’s friend, Chris, from Wisconsin. Everyone wore a touch of green and enjoyed the Irish meals, such as Shepherd’s Pie and fish & chips. The girls thought the venue was absolutely perfect and felt like they were treated like queens.
Unit 51
Janet Miazga
Our April Ladies’ Luncheon was hosted by Linda Campbell at Papa Paul’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta in Litchfield Park, a casual restaurant which many of us were not aware of. Our hostess greeted us at the door with an Easter bucket full of plastic eggs and had us each take one – her unique idea was to have a number in each egg which indicated your seat at the tables – a great way to mix and match the group. Delicious pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads were enjoyed by 19 friends from Unit 51, a few of whom said goodbye for the summer as they will be leaving before our next gathering. As always, all our snowbirds will be dearly missed! As our Unit Contact, I was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers in thanks for my time and efforts keeping our unit informed and entertained – that was a very nice surprise and I thank all the lovely ladies for this gracious gift! We all enjoy a very happy, friendly unit here in 51!
Unit 52 street party
Liz Gibson
The Unit 52 “Party Unit” did it again! More than 70 residents enjoyed a great social time Sunday, March 31, on Monte Vista Rd. The weather was perfect, and the wagon-style buffet got many accolades. With lots of newer residents meeting with the “ten-year” olds, it was a very festive evening.
A big thank you to Chair Rhae Jean Magnuson and her active committee: Sydney Nations, Kaye Corrigan, Karen Berner, Roxann Sykes, Donna Strand and Sandy Burns. Also, a big thanks to all the neighbors who donated tables and chairs.
In addition to monthly luncheons, or cocktail parties, there are many events planned by the committee for the rest of the year, including an evening boat trip in May.
Unit 53
Sandy Stephens
Jon and Susan Jackson hosted our March Happy Hour at their beautiful home March 24. Jon and Susan had a large turn-out once again of friends who found seating inside in their spacious home or outside seating by their inviting pool and fireplace. However, it was not a night for a fireplace as our welcome, warm spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner. No one went hungry as food was plentiful with everyone bringing an appetizer or dessert to share. This will be the last month before we are all together before our snowbirds start leaving us to spend time with their grandchildren and escape our summer heat.
Unit 54 ladies’ luncheon
Barb Dunson
There was a three-day delay in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the Irish Wolfhound in Surprise with some Irish or wish-to-be Irish ladies on March 20. From the Guinness batter fish and chips, beef sliders, steak and mushroom pie, shepherd’s pie and homemade soup, we did walk away feeling a bit of the Irish heritage. Lorraine Schultheiss, Kathy Evans, Cindy Hurst, Julie Kemper, Patty Klepinger, Pat Gray, Karen Rubsam, Michelle Moskos, Linda Erkkila, Sandy Schaefer and Barb Dunson enjoyed a private area for our monthly get together. We all look forward to next month’s get together.
Unit 54 Men’s Breakfast
Today we held our Unit 54 Men’s Breakfast. Pictured above from left to right: Steve Domholt, Jack Klepinger, Bob Sinnard, Steve Braden, Paul Rubsam, Harold Rathman, Mike Hurst, Don Kasper, Bob Rottman, Brad Gray, Art Solorio, Steve Lookabaugh, Ron Payton, Fred Biancardi and John Erkkila.
Unit 58
Lynn Jacobson was the hostess for the unit 58 Ladies Breakfast, Friday March 15. Approximately 24 members gathered at Eagle’s Nest restaurant to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and lively conversation.
Unit 58 men’s breakfast
Ed Raker
The men’s breakfast group of Unit 58 held its monthly gathering on April 5, with 18 members in attendance. This time we assembled at the Eagle’s Nest dining room, where the cuisine is always good and the location is convenient for all.
As usual, there was no particular agenda in place, just the regular making fun at the expense of one another. Typically, several of our members bring used clothing for donation to the homeless, the unofficial charity that we have undertaken. Since beginning the clothing drive last fall, our group has donated upwards of 400 pounds of hand-me-downs, gratefully accepted by the drug-treatment facility at Banner Thunderbird Hospital. There, clothing is distributed to their homeless patients who often arrive with only the clothes on their backs.
We will meet one more time in May, possibly taking a summer hiatus following that.
Unit 5B happy hour
Neal and Betty Wring were host and hostess for the Unit 58 March happy hour on Thursday, March 21. It was a beautiful spring evening for greeting and eating with unit friends and neighbors!
Unit 62A
Barb Downey
Another fun month of activities for the great neighbors in Unit 62A! We started the month with a visit to the First Friday Artwalk in Phoenix, where we toured the galleries on Roosevelt Row, listened to numerous street bands and sampled food truck items. We all agreed it was a unique experience!
Several adventurous neighbors participated in a Scottsdale Urban Bike Tour where they traveled nine-miles of the city and desert on a guided tour. As exhausting as it was, all agreed that they learned quite a bit about the city and the desert.
One of the highlights this month was our second annual Spring Training game at the Goodyear Ballpark where we watched the Diamondbacks beat the Reds. We occupied the entire third floor terrace and enjoyed great seats behind home plate, delicious buffet of ballpark food and beverages and great comradery among 40+ neighbors. Many of us even watched the game!
This month our unit game night was one of the best ever! Our social committee worked hard designing the Newlywed Game for us “older” non-newlywed folks! Hosted at Mike and Patti Trapp’s home, we answered 20 questions each and tried to match our spouse to see who knew each other the best. I’m sure many of our neighbors on the surrounding streets heard the incredible laughter at some of the answers – and our spouse’s reactions! The Trapps and Downeys tied at an amazing 17 correct answers, and the tiebreaker question was won by Patti and Mike Trapp! Such a fun evening!
Another new event for us was a guided tour of the Heard Museum. We were so fortunate to have as our private guide, Joe Carter, who is also a PebbleCreek resident. Joe was so informative and has a deep knowledge of the various Indian tribes, their customs, their movement in the Southwest, as well as their current position. We are so fortunate to have a museum of this caliber in Phoenix.
Have you ever seen the “wedding cake” castle off the 202 in Phoenix? Many of us have driven by it for years, but unit 62A scheduled a private tour for 12 neighbors in March and another 12 in April. Tickets were purchased many, many months in advance. We really enjoyed seeing the unique structure and cactus gardens as well as learning the history of the builder and subsequent families and the massive rehab projects for this unique city landmark.
As is our custom, our March Happy Hour is focused on March Madness NCAA basketball and held at the home of Mike and Patti Trapp. Many of us wore our collegiate gear, (or where our kids, and money, went), whether we were in the tournament or not. As the second-round games were played in the background, we had our own fun game of NCAA basketball trivia along with delicious appetizers and appropriate beverages! Another great month for 62A!
Unit 62B
Lin Ochs
One hundred-sixty residents (and a handful of houseguests) enjoyed the inaugural 62B Street Party at the corner of Cambridge and 166th Drive on Friday, March 29. The menu was traditional picnic/BBQ and included smoked beef and grilled chicken and coordinated side dishes prepared by various residents. Truly a neighborhood effort, Jim and Kathy Morris led the planning and hosted the event; Steve and Deb Smedley provided the garage space for the food as well as the trailer for table pickup and delivery. So many residents helped with planning, set up, execution and tear down to make this a hugely successful event. Everyone attending was supremely pleased and enjoyed the opportunity to meet new neighbors and connect with those they’ve already met. We are already planning and looking forward to next year’s street party. Unit 62B has 102 lots and will be built out by end of year 2019.