Bugs, Flowers, and Management News

We have big news for the many customers of Wade Paupst and Sun State Pest Control.  Wade will be on the Injured Reserve list for quite a few months due to some upcoming shoulder surgery.   We will miss his friendly smile and cheerful banter as he services our site each month.

Wade Paupst 

Say hello and give a warm welcome to Mark Hall from Enterprise Pest and Weed Services.  Mark and his two sons, Ralph and Josh, will be servicing our area in Wade's place.  Mark's company can also provide Pre & Post Emergent control for those persistent weeds that spring up while you're away.

520-836-0400

Wade Paupst and Mark Hall

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We had a VERY brief rain shower early this morning.  I have proof because our cart's windshield was spotted on our rounds.  If I didn't have this picture, I doubt anyone would believe me that it rained because this afternoon we're back to our beautiful clear sky.

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Here is today's floral and wildlife news:

Look inside the prickly pear flowers of some plants.  Soooo pretty.

Spotted this crazy plant at site 1240 this morning.  It will be fun to watch it grow and see how it develops.  Sorta looks like it has moose antlers.

This gorgeous shrub stopped us on our tour past Tom Gottfried's home at 1251.  The vivid yellow color really pops out.

I caught a great picture of a honey bee enjoying a bloom.

This crazy bug is a tarantula hawk.  They're quite large and their bright orange color is a good identifier.

If you see one, stay away!!

I spied a cactus wren on the palm tree right outside my kitchen window.  It's only the second one I've ever seen so I was excited.  It is the Arizona state bird.  I had to get a picture off the internet though as he was too fast for me.

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Lynn Reiter shared this email she recently received from Scott Houle of Sun Communities.  I understand that Scott is our new corporate representative.

Hello Lynn -

I do in fact live in Arizona, Gilbert to be exact.  I moved here a year ago from Cape Cod Ma where I was an RV Resort manager for Sun.  I originally re-located to Arizona to become the regional vice president of 11 Sun manufactured home communities in AZ.  I was asked to come back to the RV side of the company in November and now have 10 RV resorts in 4 states (AZ, CA, OR, UT).

I do plan to put in quite a bit of time at Palm Creek but I wouldn't call it regular.  With Palm Creek as one of my 10 properties I have to try and spread myself out evenly.  I will be able to get there more often than most though and love the ability to just drop in with no notice.  I have every intention of getting Palm Creek back to its "Flagship Resort" status and I take great pride in the fact that I have Sun's top resort in my property portfolio.

Thank you

Scott C. Houle
Regional Vice President RV Operations and Sales
Sun Communities Inc.
Office 248-864-0121
Shoule@suncommunities.com

Cinco De Mayo and More

We had a very festive and fun celebration yesterday for Cinco De Mayo.  The decorations, the band, the food, and the party atmosphere were all terrific.

The band was so much fun.  We had the band dancing too.  Such strong voices!

Maybe you can spot some familiar faces to see which of your friends are still here enjoying our wonderful weather.

Glo Mason was our Emcee for the event.

We certainly extend a sincere thank you to Andrea from Amazing Dental as she sponsored the whole event.  She received so many thank yous and compliments about the affair that she has already booked the band and the caterer for next year.

The food was great!

Marion Nelson and Lynn Reiter

Card bingo remains popular too.  There were 78 people present Saturday night.

Card Bingo photos from Avis Gray

This morning we spotted a sign by the main pool.  

Pool is being drained for cleaning and maintenance.

We spotted Tom and Mary Williams at play on the golf course.

Weather is perfect.

This cute little critter helped me put our grill cover back on this morning.

Speaking of cute critters, here is Mouse helping me (?) with a crossword puzzle.

Cottonwood Pool

Let's call it the "Cottonwood Pool".  

We have the sports pool, the main pool, what we call the little north pool, and now the Cottonwood pool.  I understand there is more testing with the gas line and/or water before it can open.  Water temp is only 50 at this stage.  Brrrr.

The building is really lovely.  There is a nice big meeting room - dining room and a full kitchen.  Very nice!

The bathrooms are all-in-one units with private shower stalls.

There are two laundry areas with connections for washers & dryers.

Will keep you posted when the facility is ready and open.

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I have to laugh at this persistent dove.  She managed to find a spot within the bird spikes to build her nest again this year..  Actually, it looks like the spikes might be helping to hold the nest in place.

Thursday afternoon in the Adobe Room.  Lots of folks still having fun.  Dominoes, Pegs & Jokers, and Samba being played.  Activity up there every afternoon and almost every night with poker.  FUN!

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The Gathering

Our Wednesday morning bridge 4-some went out to lunch today at "The Gathering" on Florence Blvd.  It's the previous Tommy's Bistro.  We had a great time with great food but are concerned that the place doesn't get enough business.

We're trying to give them a news alert and recommend that folks give them a try...especially this summer so they manage to stay alive till winter visitors return.

It was pretty quiet in there today.

The main server (Chris) told us the story about the establishment and some of the fun events they plan to hold to drum up business.

Lunch is served 11-2 and dinner from 4:00-9:00.

Interesting menu as they serve ostrich burgers and ostrich pizza on the menu.  Here's a copy of some of the menu pages.

There was a couple having lunch there and they said they come frequently because the food is always good and they love the ostrich meat.  Next time you're out, give the place a try.

Windy Day

It was a bit of a blustery day yesterday with 20-25 mph wind guests.  It wasn't a storm but just a sign of what may come this summer.  I spotted a few tipped over pots but nothing serious. 

Stopped to chat with this couple.  They were on their way back from Phoenix yesterday and were attacked by tumbling tumble weeds.

Their car ingested quite a grill full.  Welcome to Arizona.

We have our Tapas Tuesday event every week. Just when you think everyone is leaving, we have an event like this where 77 people were in attendance.  Thank you to Chip and Sandy Milner for hosting this week.  

Lots of action at the north pool this morning.  There were four busy chain saws trimming all the oleanders around the inside of the pool fence area.  All that debris then has to be raked and picked up by hand, dumped ino barrels and hauled away.

I'm sure they needed this big crew to get all the work done before the morning water aerobics class shows up.

Meanwhile, while we still slosh on our sun screen oils and don our sunglasses, some folks who are now back home, send photos to share..

Jerry & Becki Andrews, Minnesota

I think they should have stayed here a little longer.

And here I am as I write this blog today!