Welcome Back!

What an exciting time of year!  Residents are returning in droves and our park is definitely coming alive with activity. 

 

Here is a poster showing the newest addition....called Palm Shadows.  This will include the dog run area in the most recently expanded pet friendly part of the park.  There will be a nice tented shade area, attractive landscaping, and a nice area for group gatherings.

 

 

I hear some complaints about expanding the pet area but thoroughly understand the reasoning behind the expansion.  The pet section is almost completely booked during season and we need more room for reservations for guests and residents traveling with pets.  Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the entire resort becomes "pet friendly" as I believe it to be the wave of the future.  That is strictly my personal thoughts so don't panic or start rumors over my comment.  :) LOL

 

Monday was our first bingo game of the season.  Flo's meticulous bookkeeping showed we were just two people off from the same event last year.  Her records help determine how many rows of tables and chairs to put up each week. 

 

 

The bingo board is carefully maintained and ready for action with all its buttons and levers. 

 

 

Loralee Dehner and Barbara Jackson were the jackpot winners.  Congratulations!

 

 

Once we turn the calendar page to November, the action really begins.  I notice that we have a patio sale coming up on Saturday, November 8.  These are always fun events.  Get together with a couple neighbors and have an old fashioned "garage sale" of items you no longer need or want.  Remember that one man's trash is another man's gold.  I especially like to come across a "crafter's sale" where residents display the goodies they have created.  It's like a mini flea market to sell those extra craft items you've created.  Sign up in the Activities Office so your name gets included on the map and list of sites. 

 

 

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Many of us will be planting pots of flowers in the next couple weeks.  Remember this handy tip about placing a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot to keep the dirt from leaking out the bottom of the pot.

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Zumbathon

 

Come on up to the ballroom tomorrow (Saturday, Oct 25) to watch or join in the Zumbathon.  Help support your LOCAL cancer society and cancer victims.

 

Three separate introductory classes will be held at 9, 10, and 11:00.  Come on up to participate in a FUN event or just come to make your donation to our LOCAL cancer support group.

 

 

Our Palm Creek friends are busy baking special blueberry streusel muffins for the event.  (Gladys Debonville, Pat Mitchell, Diane Gaines, Sandy Milner.  Must also mention Nancy Flader since the baking was being done at her home!) 

 

 

What is Zumba??

Perfect for everybody and every body! Each Zumba^® class is designed to bring people together to sweat it on.

 

How It Works

We take the "work" out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you'll see why Zumba^® Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise.

Benefits

A total workout, combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, boosted energy and a serious dose of awesome each time you leave class.

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It is quite surprising to see our tennis courts so busy so early in the season.  We either have more players or they're really anxious to get out there and join our beautiful Arizona autumn temps.

 

 

 

 

Bingo starts this Monday night and it look like the tennis players will be helping us pick up the chairs and tables.  We thank you for the help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS -- ALERT YOUR NEIGHBORS

Attention everyone!  Just learned that the crack sealing and coating on our streets will be done during the first week of November.  A map of the affected areas and the dates is posted below.  Check for your street to see if you will be affected.  You may want to leave your car and golf cart parked at home for that day or park it somewhere remote and walk home as the streets will be blocked off for the sealing work.  You won't want to drive in the fresh tar!! 

Be sure to alert your neighbors so no one is caught unaware.
A larger map is probably posted in the admin building or activities.

 

WE NEED HOSTS AND HOSTESSES

 Remember how nice it was when you first drove into Palm Creek and one of our friendly greeters was there to welcome you and guide you into the office for registration?  Now is your chance to reciprocate that event. 

 

Myron and Ricki Persing are looking for volunteers to help with the welcome station.  Can you volunteer a few hours each week to help?  Call Myron or Ricki at Site 868 or stop in the Activities office.....or come up to the hostess station.  Your help is needed and will be most welcome.

 

 

Octoberfest

We had a nice big crowd on the Bistro patio for Octoberfest!  Our beautiful October weather made the day even more enjoyable.

 

Sam's Club was our host for the day and provided a crew to grill up some delicious bratwurst.  Thanks guys!

 

 

Brandy Wood and Marilyn Goeken were our hostesses.

 

 

A delicious German potato salad was served along with a cute apple dumpling to top it all off.

 

 

It was so nice to see familiar faces.  It's FUN to see everyone return.

 

 

Must not forget the beer and wine sampling.  I vote for the Goose light ale...basically because I like the beer tap you can see I the background.

 

 

 

It was a festive time!

 

 

It's always fun to have DJ Larry at the mic.

 

 

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Earlier in the day when Don and I were out on our rounds, we heard a strange bird call.  Of course, my ears perked up and I had to find the source and see what kind of bird it was.  Aha!  Found it.

 

Say hello to "Clay".  A couple weeks ago this cockatiel was spotted outside the pottery room and was soon adopted by Sharon Costa.  The bird is appropriately named "Clay" since he was found at pottery, right?  Clay must have been a pet at some time since his wings have been clipped and he doesn't fly well.  It must have been fate that brought Clay to a loving home once again.

 

 

Thank you, George, for sharing the story.

 

I've also heard stories from residents that they've spotted a blue parakeet flitting among the trees around the north pool.   Sounds like someone released their caged birds.

 

 

 
 

Getting ready for the season

Thank you to Luis and Jaime for all the behind the scenes jobs they do.  We don't stop to think about all the carrying, unpacking, assembly, and clean up it takes for all our remodeling and new updates.  Here the guys unpacked a couple new poker tables for us.  (Some assembly required!)

 

 

Eddie is cleaning and repairing all the electric lights that shine up into the palm trees along Cole Circle.  They add a very welcoming touch as we enter the park at night.  That's another one of those tasks that we don't even consider.  Thank you, Eddie.

 

 

Check out the BEAUTIFUL floral arrangements in the front office!  Special award goes to Loretta Spanton for her creations. 

 

 

On my way home, I pulled over to watch two more park models entering the resort.  There must be at least a half dozen or more of these new models over on the east side. 

 

 

 

New houses are arriving daily and the RVers are returning in droves.  Our streets are truly busy once again after being quiet all summer.

 

 

This morning I was invited to join a very active group of eager ladies who help with a program called "Loving Hands, Loving Meals".  They support our local Cancer Support Complex by cooking meals and treats for cancer patients here in Casa Grande.  I'll be posting much more information about them in upcoming weeks as I get more acquainted with the kind gestures they offer to cancer patients.

 

Pictured from left to right:  Flo Fillipi, Sandy Milner, Ann Lykens, Linda Balzan, Diane Gaines, Gladys Debonville, Nancy Flader, Pat Mitchell.

 

 

Almost every one of us is linked to someone who has experienced cancer.  This group of active volunteers help to assure that LOCAL patients are assisted with nutritious meals and caring hands.  We like to donate our funds to causes when we know where the money actually goes.  Does it go to a large for-profit fund raising agency?  Does it go to support over inflated administrative salaries?  This front line group KNOWS that every dollar they raise goes directly to LOCAL patients.  No middle man profits!  Watch for more information as it becomes available.  They will be staffing a booth at each of our monthly craft fairs.  I hope you will stop by to offer your support.

 

 

WaterShut Off today

Uh Oh...........due to a nasty water line break, maintenance will have to shut off water to the whole park today at 3:00.  Water will be shut off for at least one hour. 

Geeks on Tour

For any of the people who have taken some of my computer classes, you'll remember how I bragged about the services of "Geeks on Tour" operated by Jim and Chris Guld.  Jim and Chris were instrumental in helping Palm Creek with the very first steps of introducing WiFi to the park about 10 years ago.  They are full-time RVers and travel the country giving seminars on technology and staying connected while on the road.  They have a whole series of classes and training programs that are definitely of interest to anyone trying to stay up with technology. 
 
The Guld's are going to be here this winter!!  Yahoo!!  They have reserved a spot for the month of December and we're hoping they be around even longer.  They have some commitments to speak at some big RV rallies but we hope they stay in our area.  Here is a brief outline of some of the seminars they'll be presenting here:
 
Dec 5, Fri, 10-12: Geeks on Tour: Technology for Travelers Overview

 Dec 6 Sat, 10-12: Geeks on Tour: Picasa and Google+ Web Albums for all your digital photo needs

 Dec 8, Mon, 6-8: Geeks on Tour: Smartphones and Tablet Overview for Travelers

 Dec 13 Sat, 10-12: Geeks on Tour: Make a free website with Blogger, Picasa, and Google+

 Dec 15 Mon 6-8: Geeks on Tour: Using Google Maps to Plan, Preserve, and Share your travels

 Dec 20 Sat 10-12: Geeks on Tour: What is Cloud Computing?

 Dec 22 Mon: Geeks on Tour: Free software for making your own movies, Photo Story and Movie Maker

 Dec 27: Sat: Geeks on Tour: Technology for Travelers Overview

 Dec 29 Mon: Geeks on Tour: Picasa and Google+ Web Albums for all your digital photo needs      

Won't it be fun to learn what all those buttons on our cell phones can do for us??

Watch for more details and information or check with Activities once you are here and registered.  Geeks on Tour Website

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I certainly remember why we claim that October and April are our favorite Arizona months.  October is such a welcomed relief to the triple digit temperatures.  It feels wonderful!!  This morning is a nice crisp cool 64 degrees.  Awesome!  It will warm up into the 80s today so we can bask in the sunshine without baking in our summer intense heat.  Love it!
 
It's amazing to watch all our winter residents returning in droves.  Every day brings more new faces and the faces and hugs of returning friends.  It's exciting!
 
The back nine of the golf course is turning a lush green and looks beautiful.

 

We cruised by the pickleball courts yesterday and found them pretty busy for just a casual Saturday morning so early in the season.

Love that shirt, Don!

 

 

To those of you hitting the road to join us............safe travels!!  See you soon!

 

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The Dreaded Phone Call from the boss.

My boss phoned me today. He said, "Is everything OK at the office?"

I said, "It's all under control. It's been a very busy day. I haven't stopped to take a break all day."

"Can you do me a favour?" he asked.

I said "Of course,    

What is it?" 
 
"Pick up the pace a little. I'm in the group behind you."  

 

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Grooming just for you

Areas of our park are already reseeded and the lush green grass is growing just for YOU.  It is unbelievable at how fast the grass comes in once it is seeded and tended with loving care plus lots of water.

 

 

The doves couldn't be happier.  It's a wonder they can still fly after gorging themselves on all that fresh grass seed.

 

Scraping away the gravel is always the first sign of new construction.  We spotted this area right behind the street of dreams where the new models are located by the sales office.

 

 

We're going to be receiving another classroom building in this area.  It will be called the Prickly Pear building.

 

 

AND......the classrooms will now be upgraded so sewer and water will be available.

 

 

Palm Trees on the front nine of the course are being trimmed before reseeding. 

 

 

 

The back nine is already trimmed, planted, and turning green.

 

Dog agility and ballfield are doing well.

 

Our October weather is awesome.  Mornings actually feel quite cool at 60+ degrees as we're definitely not used to that yet.  I'm getting excited and really looking forward to the upcoming season. 

 

When I returned to the park from the grocery store this morning, the gate attendant asked if I had time to pull over and receive my new annual parking sticker for the windshield.  Very nice touch instead of having to make a special trip to the parking lot during posted hours.  Thank you to whoever dreamed up the idea.

 

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I dedicate this next cartoon to my dear friend Sam.  It even looks like Donna giving him advice.