*Drone flight, Pickleball Tournament

Our new drone is on active duty!  Thank you to all who contributed and for your thoughtfulness and support for the blog.  

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The entrance to the park is an impressive sight with the velvety green grass, colorful flowers in bloom, and rows of tall palm trees.  Welcome back to all our Canadian friends after a long time away.  

This is the week of a large pickleball tournament called the Battle of the Branches benefitting the Gary Sinise Foundation.  I heard there were over 300 players enrolled.  The new pavilion was in full use.

Tom Gottfried is the head photographer for the event and is seen here diligently at work preparing photos for the big banquet and organizing tournament pictures.

A silent auction was held for the Sinise Foundation.  One of the big items was this beautiful quilt donated by Chris Hopkins of the Palm Creek Quilt Guild.  

The weather cooperated 100% providing great playing conditions.

Beautiful Weather!

 Our beautiful fall weather continues with lows in the 50s and highs in the 80s.  Gorgeous blue sky and occasionally a cloud that turns a beautiful pink at sunset.  Our residents are definitely outdoors to enjoy the fresh air.

All the shuffleboard courts are full each morning.

Softball is in full swing.

Lawn bowlers are rolling.

The batting cage gets used.

Golfers are enjoying the fresh green grass.

It is a joy to ride around the park on my little scooter to watch the action and take photos for the blog.  Most people wave a friendly hello so you can't help but smile at the warmth of our community.

I get many questions about the bike so here are the answers:

1,  What brand is it?  It is an e-wheels e-Wheels11 classified as a mobility scooter.

2.  Where did you buy it?  on Amazon!  Where else?? 😉  Just search for e-wheels scooters.

3.  What did it cost?  We (Don) paid $2,346.71 which includes tax and shipping.  I checked the site today and see that price has increased to $2,599.  We purchased in March 2021.

4.  How fast does it go?  A roaring 12 mph.  Perfect speed for Palm Creek.

5.  How often do you charge it?  I charge it about every third day as I ride a lot.  It is supposed to go 40 miles on a charge.....but I haven't found that to be true.

6.  Is it street legal?  I don't know and I don't care as I have no plans for riding out of the park.

*PS.  I absolutely love this little bike and enjoy riding it every day.  Thank you, Don, for a GREAT gift.

**PSS.  A friend here in the park has an identical bike and is going to sell it as she finds she doesn't have a convenient place to park and needs her golf cart instead.  If you're interested ($2500) email me and I will send you her contact info.

Another word of "thank you" to readers who have contributed to the blog fund.  We no longer have a box sitting out on the patio but it is certainly rewarding to get a card or two in the mail these days.  A special thanks to those of you who are still back home in the cold due to travel or health delays.  We'll continue to share our sunshine and warm temps via photos and video.

COMMUNITY NEWS

There is a huge construction site across the road from Safeway on Cottonwood and Trekell.  This will be 174 single family homes in a gated rental community.  As I understand from reading on the construction website, they will be rental homes and will be run like an apartment complex.

I haven't seen any recent information posted, but I also read earlier this fall that the area will contain a large auto wash facility.

Texas Roadhouse!!

 Welcome to the grand opening weekend of the Texas Roadhouse!!  At first we thought we'd better wait a few weeks for them to "work out the bugs" but at the last minute I went to their website and saw that I could add ourselves to the Wait List....so I did.  It said to arrive by 4:10pm.  

Welcome!

We were greeted by a very happy crew.  Everyone seems happy to be working there.

Nice sports bar area.

We definitely were not the first Creekers to arrive.  Here's Marcia and a gang.

And more!

Our margaritas and salads were great!

Put a nice steak in front of Don and he's happy.

Alan and Nancy Friedman from the RC Flyers were there too.

The restaurant doesn't take reservations but the "wait list" thing sounds good.  Give it a try especially if you come with a group.

Here's a link to the Casa Grande menu:

Roadhouse Menu

This menu page called "Early Dine" really sounds inviting.

Sorry about the glare on the photo.

The Owner/Managing Partner, Eddie Ruesga stopped at our table to say hello as he made the rounds.  I assured him he would be seeing a lot of Palm Creekers in the coming days.  He is also going to check out our Youtube page to see the drone videos of construction.

I made a special Texas Roadhouse playlist on my YouTube page.

Roadhouse Videos

Vet Quilts, Bull Ride, New Drone

 The Wild West party was FUN with a nice turnout, a GREAT band, good food, AND lots of laughs with the mechanical bull.  These will make some great photos for the kids back home who didn't know Grandma or Grandpa had it in them.  You might recognize Rick from the pickleball courts.

Pat LaFleur

Dusty Brown

Yesterday after the Veterans Day luncheon, the Quilt Guild presented Quilts of Valor to JD Nelson for his service in the Air Force.  Presenting the quilt is Maureen Edwards. 

These quilts are created with a labor of love and respect.

Marion & JD Nelson, Maureen Edwards

Pat Konz received a quilt for his Air Force career.

Candy and Pat Konz

                

Don tested out the new drone over the cottonfield yesterday.  (No trees in a cotton field!!)

Roadhouse, Pavillion, Veterans

 Yahoo!!!  The Texas Roadhouse is opening this Monday!!!  They have really been working hard and fast on the project.  The Best Western Hotel, on the other hand, is hoping to open by February.  They started in July of 2019.

The pickleball pavilion is already in use!

Congratulations to all who worked on the project.  Check out the TV screen live coverage!

Still some finishing touches.

Add a little furniture.

and a few flowers

....and let the flags proudly fly!

Wow!  Over 350 veterans and family members attended the Veterans Day luncheon on Nov 11.  The largest attendance on record.

Congratulations to Marion Nelson and the Events Team for another successful event!  They were even entertained by a singing cowboy....on his trusty steed named Dusty!

It was amazing to see a horse just calmly walk through the ballroom and up the ramp to the stage!  

I just happened to be at the trash area and met up with the teacher from the school who collects the clear recycled items.  We chatted for a while.  You will soon get a full posting from him as his project is really fascinating.  He will send me more info.

Congratulations to Jerry and Terri Wellman on their new house.  They have the first two-story residence with a small overhead loft.  It drew quite a crowd yesterday (site 1416 on Moon Rise).

I tried to get a photo through the screened window.

We noticed a new banner at the main entrance welcoming golfers to our course.

Merope Ozdener sent me this great photo of John Ross' balloon taking flight.

Thanks for a great picture!  

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the big event out at the RC airfield.

Come celebrate National Model Aviation Day this Saturday November 13th from 9 AM until Noon and enter to win dinner for two at the Texas Roadhouse PLUS two 18 hole rounds of golf with cart at the Robson Ranch Golf Course.

   Drawing at noon. National Model Aviation Day Celebration Events and Activities for Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9:00 AM until Noon at the Casa Grande RC Flyers airfield. Free Admission and parking.  Free model airplane flying lessons. Free first person view airplane rides.  Major Swap Meet with many aircraft, cars, parts, chargers, tools gas engines, and other items offered at big discounts!  Two food vendors.  Superstition Hobbies in attending bring many items for sale. Browsing the swap meet is FREE to everyone. Special raffle that morning with prizes that include TWO 18 hole rounds of golf with cart at the Robson Ranch Golf Course and a dinner for TWO at Texas Roadhouse.  Also a gift certificate from SIG Manufacturing Company towards any of their aircraft will be given away in a special drawing.   This event will benefit The Boys & Girls Club of the Sun Corridor.

 

In the meantime, back at the Heplers, we get to hand feed our favorite dove.  He comes to find us whenever we're out on the patio.

HA!!  I was 74.

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Again I want to thank everyone for your donations to the drone fund and for your blog "subscription".  It is certainly rewarding to receive your gifts.

RC Flyers Event, Announcements, Drone Update

RC Flyers 

With the largest group of members coming from Palm Creek plus two current board members from Palm Creek, the RC Flyers want to especially invite ALL Palm Creek residents to come and attend this fun filled morning and support the club as well as the Boys & Girls Club of the Sun Corridor.  Directions to the site can be found on the club website:  CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com

National Model Aviation Day Celebration Events and Activities for Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9:00 AM until Noon at the Casa Grande RC Flyers airfield. 

 

Free Admission and parking.  Free model airplane flying lessons. 

Free first person view airplane rides.  Major Swap Meet with many aircraft, cars, parts, chargers, tools and other items offered at big discounts!  Two food vendors.  Superstition Hobbies is attending bring many items for sale.

 

Non Casa Grande RC Club members can fly or try the club race track that morning if they are current members of the AMA or MAAC presenting their membership card, and pay a small guest fee.  They can also sell at the swap meet, again by paying a small guest fee.  Browsing the swap meet is FREE to everyone.

 

Special raffle that morning with prizes that include TWO 18 hole rounds of golf with cart at the Robson Ranch Golf Course and a gift certificate from SIG Manufacturing Company towards any of their aircraft. 

 

This event will benefit The Boys & Girls Club of the Sun Corridor.

  

The Casa Grande RC Flyers field is easy to find and is located directly across the road from the public shooting range in Casa Grande.  Directions are below:

 

If in Casa Grande, take Trekell Road South past Interstate 8.  Otherwise take exit 174 off Interstate 8 onto Trekell Road heading south.  Proceed 1.6 mile on Trekell Road then turn left on Arica Road.  There is a sign posted telling you where to turn.  Travel about 0.8 miles on Arica Road to where you will turn right (another sign is posted) on to South Isom Road.  The flying field will be about 0.5 miles on the right.  It is across the road from public shooting range.  Again, watch for the club and city sign at Trekell and Arica Road.

**Don and I will  be there to see if we can find a buyer for the spare parts of the crashed drone.

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Big news for Casa Grande:  Kohler Company just announced a proposed manufacturing site across the road from the Frito Lay plant.  Completion is targeted for 18 months.  That's BIG news for the city!  Our little town is growing!!

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Sun Communities made a big announcement this week too.  Our General Manager, Scott Houle, has resigned.  The search for a new GM is underway.  Gabrielle "Gabby" Gonzales will be handling managerial duties in the interim.

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Community Update:

• The front nine of our golf course is open and in GREAT condition.  It looks so pretty as you drive in through the front gate!  
• Coffee and Donuts will be held each Tuesday morning at 8:00.  Pick up tickets in Activities.  It's a great way to mingle over a cup of java and hear the recent news about upcoming events.
• The Bistro has a grand re-opening on Tuesay, Nov. 9
• Veterans Day Luncheon on the 11th.
• Wild West Party on Friday, Nov 12.  You can buy advance meal tickets in activities for $5 each.  Come ride the mechanical bull??
• Patio sale on Saturday, Nov 13.  Sign up in Activities so your site gets added to the map.
• Back nine of course is scheduled to open Nov 15.

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DRONE UPDATE:

Congratulations!  We managed to talk Don into purchasing another drone.  It was not an easy task but he has succumbed to popular request.  

I've been asked how the donation suggestion is coming along.  I didn't know what to expect as I can see by the behind the scenes stats page of the blog that 731 people have read that posting.  We send a sincere thank you to the few readers who have responded.  Your words of encouragement keep us motivated.

                                                                    

 

A Letter from some Blog Friends and Fans:

 Sue:

Please post this letter on your blog.  We'll also be posting to Nextdoor as we know there are other Palm Creek residents who truly enjoy your blog.

We want to thank you and Don for all the time you devote to the blog.  It keeps us in tune with the resort and events all year long.  We also really appreciate Don's drone videos and enjoy seeing our resort from the air.

In light of the recent drone crash, we thought this would be an ideal time for our residents to express their appreciation for your work.  We want to donate funds to purchase a new drone and thank you for all you do. 

To all readers and friends:  Let's let the Heplers know how much we appreciate their blog.  Send a check or drop off a sealed envelope with cash at their house.  We have decorated a donation box that will be on display on their patio in case they're not home when you drop by at Site 1707.