Unit 8 Lunch and Birthday Celebration
Unit 8 ladies
Alisa Moore
The Unit 8 ladies enjoyed their January luncheon at Eagle’s Nest, culminating in the celebration of those born in January. A wonderful time was had by all. All women residing in Unit 8, whether full time or seasonal, are welcome to join us. Those interested should contact Jane Holdcroft at [email protected].
Unit 17 Potluck at the Oasis
Lee and Judy Ayers
What a fun time we had at the Oasis Pool to celebrate our Unit 17 gang of PebbleCreek! More than 50 came! It turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day and a great time to get to know the neighbors. We welcome the many newbies who were there also! A big thank you to Bruce and Alice Dice for putting all of this together, to Lucy and Meghan Saling for decorating the tables so beautifully, and to Lee and Judy Ayers for the invitations and the 50/50 along with Brett Mackey. Thanks to each of you for the fabulous dishes you all prepared!
Unit 18 “Is It Beer Time Yet?”
John Fox
The train of golf carts started arriving on a cloudy Monday afternoon. Their mission? To build camaraderie and to find an excuse to taste some new beers. Unit 18 held its first annual Men’s Beer Tasting event on Jan. 22.
We tasted the German wheat beer Weihenstephaner, a Grand Rapids, Mich., Founder’s Porter, a Colorado Springs, Colo., Obsidian Stout, and a dark Belgium Gulden Draak beer.
We evaluated each beer’s aroma, flavor, appearance, taste, and feel. In the end, the tasting panel acclaimed the Gulden Draak as the clear winner.
Between each tasting, the panel enjoyed slices of pizza, beer nuts, chips, and guacamole to “cleanse the palate.” Based on the success of the day’s event, we’re planning upcoming sessions to conduct another men’s scotch, bourbon, and whiskey tasting, as well as a couple’s wine tasting.
Many thanks to Charlie and Robin Weaver for opening your home to support this event. Survey data indicates you have the best home bar in the unit!
In closing, I’d like to share a quote erroneously credited to Ben Franklin: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Until next time … Unit 18 rocks!
Unit 27D Tours the Martin Auto Museum
Nicki Forbes-Robinson
Unit 27D enjoyed an outing to the Martin Auto Museum located in Glendale. The museum showcases 170 exotic and fabulous collectible automobiles representing many eras in automotive history—T-Birds, Cobras, Chevys, and carriages. After the tour of the museum, the group headed to the award-winning Bobby-Q BBQ restaurant for lunch. What a fun day!
Unit 33 Celebrates a New Year, New Neighbors
Jo Werner
About 40 Unit 33 members met at Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant in mid-January to celebrate the new year. We have many new residents in our unit, so it was great to put names with faces and get to know our new neighbors. We plan to meet each month for the remainder of the year. Everyone had a great time, good food, and lively conversations! We can’t wait to do it again next month!
Unit 43B Granite Project Volunteers
Susan Knox Wilson
Earlier this year, Villas Unit 43B Landscape Manager, Sandy Horvath, had 25 tons of granite delivered to be spread over the many bare spots in the common areas. Unfortunately, the contractor he hired to distribute the stones developed a herniated disc and couldn’t do the work. To get the job done, Sandy turned to the community and, when he asked for volunteers, 12 hardy souls signed up!
“I am truly at a loss for words to express the profound gratitude I feel for the incredible dedication demonstrated by our volunteers,” said Sandy. “A simple ‘thank you’ feels insufficient in capturing the depth of my appreciation. From 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., accompanied by five members of Genesis, our general landscaping crew, our volunteers loaded buckets of granite and distributed the contents where needed. It may sound unbelievable, but we managed to turn this laborious task into an enjoyable experience, with eight golf carts zipping through the community, transporting hundreds of full buckets from the loaders to the spreaders. Thankfully, everyone had fun, no one got hurt—and we saved a bucket of money!”
Ladies Who Lunch in Unit 44
Jean Harris
After the holidays and to start the new year, a small group of Unit 44 ladies were able to get together for lunch at Eagle’s Nest in January. Pictured are: Peggy Hayner, Judy Gorski, and Deborah Crabtree, with (standing) Jody Hoff, Debbie Baron (go Michigan!), and Diane Russo.
Unit 46’s Very First Men’s Breakfast
A big thumbs up for the attendees at Unit 46’s inaugural men’s breakfast. From left to right: Peter Pop, Spike Razem, Hal Levy, Scott Edmonds, Dennis Bruce, “Hakk” Hakkarinen, Scott Carnahan, Gene Walther, Ed Kopecky, and Dennis Gildea.
Spike Razem
It didn’t take long for the men of PebbleCreek’s newest Unit 46 to get organized for a men’s breakfast at Eagle’s Nest Restaurant. Strangers no more, we agreed to gather every month on the third Wednesday at 8 a.m.
The breakfast on Jan. 17 featured some more good discussion of where we moved from, how we selected PebbleCreek, home-building tips, etc. Similar to most new residents in the Creek, we all have much in common. And, as more new neighbors move into Unit 46, more fun events are being planned. Apparently a monthly ladies’ luncheon will soon be launched—hooray!
Good times continue for us old (but active) folks in PebbleCreek!
Unit 49A Holds Soup Cook-Off
Unit 49A soup chefs Rosemary Eaton, Lucia Rubel, Karen Peterson, Della Domingo, Linda Frisch, and Merrily Rhiel
Unit 49A held a soup cook-off on Feb. 3 and approximately 45 residents attended. The six chefs made the following soups: Meatball, Gnocchi, Beer Cheese, Chicken Noodle, Kielbasa Bean, and Clam Chowder. Other residents brought salads, bread, and crackers to go along with the soups. Each resident received a colored chip to vote for their favorite soup. After about an hour of tasting the various soups, the winners were announced and received the spoon trophy. First place went to the Meatball Soup prepared by Lucia Rubel, second place went to the Gnocchi Soup prepared by Rosemary Eaton, and third place was the Beer Cheese prepared by Karen Peterson.
Unit 51 February Luncheon
Janet Miazga
A cloudy, rainy day could not keep 19 lovely Unit 51 ladies from attending our monthly luncheon. February’s was hosted by Linda Schmidt and Mardelle Widmer at Papa Paul’s in Litchfield Park. Naturally their theme was Valentine’s Day with lovely table decor and heart dishes full of candies and a heart magnet for each gal attending. Our thoughtful hostesses also raffled off six stuffed “valentine’s trolls” that had been admired by all as they decorated the tables. It was great to see so many friends gather for a delicious lunch!
Unit 51 Ladies’ Lunch
Janet Miazga
Another year started and the ladies of Unit 51 gathered once again for their monthly luncheon. Hosts Dee Domingo and Nelda Peterson set up lovely tables at Babbo Italian Eatery and provided each of us with fun new year glasses and chocolate gold coins for good luck in 2024. The 14 of us truly enjoyed gathering again after the holidays and hearing about how the holidays were spent and upcoming plans for the new year. Our fun luncheons will continue and be enjoyed throughout the year!
Unit 53 Welcomes Back Winter Neighbors
Valerie Spiegel
Unit 53 welcomed back our “snow” and “rain” birds on Jan. 20 at the Oasis Pool complex. We are grateful this beautiful venue is so convenient and close by for such events. This simple “Brown Bag Luncheon” was a great way to reconnect with our winter neighbors.
Unit 53 ROMEO Lunch
Fourteen men of Unit 53 enjoyed Dillon’s KC BBQ and each other’s company on Feb 2. If you are a resident of Unit 53 and would like to join our ROMEO (Really Old Men Eating Out) monthly lunch, please contact Ron Guerin at [email protected]. No skills required!
Unit 54 Men’s Breakfast
Mike Strong
A hardy group of Unit 54 men braved the cold January winter to meet for our monthly breakfast. All Unit 54 men are welcome. Contact Mike Strong or Peter Chimicles if interested.
Unit 54 January Ladies’ Lunch
Barb Dunson
The Unit 54 ladies’ lunch on Jan. 30 was in Surprise at The Toast restaurant. The food was delicious, and it was an opportunity to greet newcomers to our unit. Seated on the left are: Helen Limjoco, Kayrene Braden, Gloria Rathman, Pat Biancardi, Julie Douglas, Sheri Spirek, Judy Kettlewell, Mary O’Neall, and Barb Dunson. Starting from the far right corner are: Dara Tysver, Joette Lookabaugh, Sherry Trefz, Patty Klepinger, Kathy Cheek, Cindy Klein, Pat Gray, Judy Vogt, and Dalbir Sudan. Not pictured: Cheryl Kunkle.
Unit 58 Ladies’ Lunch at Inca Fusion
Brenda Deckard
On Jan. 25, 13 beautiful ladies from Unit 58 gathered at the new Inca Fusion restaurant. This Peruvian food is all freshly made, and the owner, who was our server, proudly told us that they don’t use anything canned there. We even got to meet the young lady who is their chef. The service was wonderful, and the food was definitely a hit with all of us.
Those in attendance were: Arlene Banfield, Sue Bohl, Susan Jackson, Connie Mylak, Brenda Deckard, Beverly Kearsley, Susan Conrad, Laurie Miller, Nancy Palmer, Robbie Lowe, Vicky Roelker, Carol Doodeman, and Pat Stair.
Unit 58 Men’s Breakfast
Kneeling: Ed Raker; seated, clockwise from bottom left: Dennis Roelker, Stan Sharp, Charlie Lowe, Alan Krob, Doug Hammond, Tom Kearsley, and Bill Grant; standing, left to right: Tony Gonzales, Frank Rodgers, Charlie Hunt, Tim Mansell, Terry Ernst, Rick Island, Jim Brown, Clarence Tomanik, Mike Slaughter, David Linth, and Jim Roemer
Ed Raker
The breakfast-eating men of Unit 58 continue to grow in number (perhaps in girth as well). Our latest event was on the morning of Jan. 17, at Eagle’s Nest dining room. It was a busy morning in the back alcove, where servers were scurrying around to take care of three groups at the same time. But we were very pleased with the speed of service by our waiter, Holt. This was the largest turnout in the history of our group, numbering 20 hungry eaters in all. We look forward to convening again.
Unit 58 Enjoys Pickleball Together
Left to right, top row: Kirk Brown, Polly Wimberly, Beverly Kearsley, Tom Kearsley, Frank Grady, Peggy Arpan, John Arpan, Charlie Lowe, Joe Anglickas, Ed Crass, Connie Mylak, Rick Mylak, Susan Conrad: bottom row: Kee Geng Chen, Colleen Frohne, Dennis Roelker, Vicky Roelker, Ed Raker (photo by Ding Geng Chen)
Ed Raker
The Unit 58 Pickleball Group formed spontaneously when a few neighbors got together to play. After circulating an email message to everyone in our unit, soliciting interest among other neighbors to join us, we discovered there were many others who wanted to join in.
The format is one not of competition, but purely of fun. Player ratings are unimportant, and goodwill is paramount. We now play weekly in the early evening when open play courts are available, and we follow each session socializing around the tables with snacks. We have grown rapidly, some of us inviting friends who might live in other units. But it’s “the more the merrier” as far as we are concerned.
For more information, please contact Ed Raker at 602-334-6427 or [email protected].
Unit 59 Enjoys “A Taste of Italy”
We hosted a delightful Italian-themed dinner party for Unit 59 in the Chianti Room on Jan. 6. The evening showcased the warmth and camaraderie of our expanding community. As guests arrived, they were greeted by neighbors and invited to join beautifully adorned tables, which included homemade biscotti. We kicked off our celebration with a raised glass of limoncello and a traditional Italian toast of ‘Salute e Centa’anni!,’ which translates to ‘May you live 100 years,’ setting the tone for an evening filled with laughter, good company, and a touch of Mediterranean magic.
We then enjoyed a traditional Italian meal that was rounded out with an irresistible cannoli. As the night progressed our community spirit soared with a ‘Name that Italian Song’ challenge. Laughter and friendly competition bonded each table as we tested our knowledge of Italian music and the opportunity to win a bottle of olive oil. Salute and here’s to our ongoing dedication to building our friendships and making memories together. Go Unit 59!
Unit 62A Books and Booze
Sitting from left to right: Dale Scanlon, Jackie Bachmann, Laurie Wyman, Marilyn Coates, Janet Henson, Lynn Banks, Pat Pakin, Marilyn Newcomer, Joanne Wrout, Julie Greenbank, Patti Trapp, and Cathe Pruyn. Standing: Hostess Janelle Watts and next to her is Barb Downey.
Toni Erickson
The Unit 62A Books and Booze gathering took place on Jan. 24 at Janelle Watts’ beautiful outdoor patio. It’s an enjoyable evening where participants share book recommendations and sip on their chosen beverages. While the focus is on book discussions, conversations may easily shift to various topics. Attendees also engage in book trading and creating lists of books they hope to read in the future.
Unit 62A Game Night
Toni Erickson
On Jan. 18, Unit 62A gathered together for game night under the coordination of Julie Shelton. The event took place in the Milan room at the Tuscany Falls Clubhouse, featuring a lively game of Mexican train with neighbors. The game is not only easy to learn, but also encourages social conversation. Those participating in game night were, front row: Tom Bowman, Julie Shelton, Marilyn Coates, Laurie Wyman, Pat Gonzales, Wendy Langhals, and Judy Meservey; back row: Vic Coates, Charlie Newcomer, Brent and Kim Ebert, Barb Downey, and Rick Langhals. Not pictured is Marilyn Newcomer and taking the selfie is Steve Gonzales.
Unit 62A January Ladies’ Lunch
Toni Erickson
On Jan. 11, the women of Unit 62A gathered for lunch at the nearby Red Robin restaurant located right off McDowell Road in Goodyear. The restaurant’s diverse menu catered to the varied preferences of all the attendees. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air as two generously sized tables accommodated the spirited gathering. Those attending were, at table one: Barb Downey, Bonnie Springer, Jackie Bachmann, Janelle Watts, Julie Greenbank, Cheryl Nelson, Judy Meservey, and Paula Hupka, front and center. At the second table were: Cathe Pruyn, Dale Scanlon, Marilyn Coates, Pat Gonzales, Pat Pakin, Debbie Forte, Laurie Wyman, and Toni Erickson.
Unit 62A Enjoys New Year’s Bloody Mary Brunch
Toni Erickson
The Bloody Mary brunch planned for New Year’s Day in 2022 had to be canceled due to weather conditions. However, in 2023, the weather cooperated, and the event took place at Barb and Jim Downey’s lovely home. The social committee, supported by unit funds, provided all the ingredients for Bloody Marys and mimosas. Approximately 50 neighbors joined in for the morning brunch, and brought breakfast items based on signups, which then included shared recipes. A big thanks to the Downeys for hosting and making it a wonderful time for everyone. Shown in the photo—from left to right: Janelle Watts, Julie Greenbank, and Barb Downey—are three dedicated members of the social committee who put in considerable effort to organize this wonderful event.