The Desert Sun - March 2014 Newsletter

March 2014

The Desert Sun

DESERT SHADOWS

Volume 36, Issue 6

Resort Activities March is here and so is the great weather! It is also our busiest month at Desert Shadows with so many people staying here for our great weather and spring training baseball. Just a few reminders for some of the new visitors: Speed limit is 15mph...please drive slow and keep an eye out for all the walkers.

All our spaces will be used at some point in March, so please do not park on the “empty” space next to you as someone may be staying there.

We have 2 new dog runs in the north section at spaces 113 and 216. Please make sure your dogs don’t use the potty on the street or other people’s lots.

MAILBOXES MAILBOXES We are finally going to switch over to the new mailboxes.

Beginning March 4th, all mail will be delivered to the new boxes. You will need to remove any mail from your old box, then come exchange your old key for a new one. We will be exchanging keys at special table in the lobby on March 4, 5 and 6 from 9:30-11am and 1-2:30 pm. If you can’t make it at those times we will make arrangements for you.

Please do not come to the main office window for your key, they will not have them. They will only be given out by Gavin and Todd during the times mentioned. We will post signs with further information.

DONUTS: We will have donuts onSaturday, March 1st, March 8th and March 22nd at 7:30 AM front auditorium the are .75 cents each and the coffee is always free!.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Saturday, March 15th and the last pancake breakfast for the season is March 29th. Tickets go on sale at 8:15 AM. They are sold until 9:15 AM for $3.00. This is a great time to enjoy a wonderful breakfast and socialize with your friends and neighbors.

QUILTS: The Desert Shadow Ladies will have their quilts on display Tuesday, March 4th from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Come and see the beautiful quilts they have made this season.

PATIO SALE: The Patio sale will be Saturday March 8th from 8:00am until when you decide to close up or are sold out. Remember this is the time to clean out those sheds and closets for the end of the season. There will be a sign up sheet on bulletin board in the card room so you can list your lot number and a few of the items you will have for sale.

ACTIVITIES OFFICE HOURS

FRONT OFFICE HOURS

TUESDAY– FRIDAY

WEEKDAYS

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

9:00 - 12:00 ; 1:00 - 3:00

SATURDAY

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

SUNDAY

CLOSED

SATURDAY: 9:00– 12:00 ACTIVITY OFFICE PHONE 623-869-9224

OFFICE PHONE

623-869-8178

Website: www.PhoenixRVresorts.com

More Activities DANCE: 7-10PM March 1st Pam & Dave Band (Oldies night) March 8th Bruce & Betsy (From Travl N Opry) March 15th Paul & Mindy (DJ) (Wear Green) March 22nd Jack & Smokin Rhythm Dudes March 29th Julie Lee & The White Rose Band There will be one dance in April on Saturday, April 5th with Band Wild and Crazy (previously known as “Lil Bit Crazy). Tickets for all dances are on sale at the activity office.

DINNER: We will have a Family Style Italian dinner on Wednesday, March 12th at 5:30PM. The tables will be set up to only seat (8) people. You probably have already seen the sign up sheet for it posted in the lobby. Each person needs to sign up to bring an Italian dish the food will be placed in the center of your table and you can pass it family style. There is no cost and no entertainment. This is just a fun evening to relax have dinner and socialize. Bring your own table service and beverage of choice, coffee and tea provided.

VOLUNTEER LUNCH: The volunteer’s are invited to a lunch provided by management to show their appreciation for all of your help this season. The activity office could not do all we do without our wonderful volunteers. So if you are one of those volunteers please come to the activity office and sign up to attend the lunch on Thursday March 20th at 12:00.

TALENT SHOW AND PLAY: This year’s show was the best one yet. Not only did everybody have a blast, this year we were able to donate the proceeds from the door to the Teen Challenge Life Ranch. A good time and good cause, you can’t beat that. A big thanks to Jim Bontrager for directing the show; it’s not easy to bring that much talent together.

Who knew this little park was brimming with that much talent. And a big shout out to all those behind the scenes who made it all possible, we couldn’t do it without you. The biggest thanks of all goes to all of you who joined us. A performer is nothing without an audience and you folks are the best audience in town. We’re already looking forward to the next show and another opportunity to have even more fun and raise more money for a great cause.

VENDOR’S DAY Last Vendor’s Day of the season will be on Friday, March 14th with sales from 10:00-1:00. It just wouldn’t be vendor’s day if you miss getting your hot dog lunch starting at 11:30.

If you miss it, you will have to wait until November to get that special item you keep looking at.

ST. PATRICK DAY: Monday, March 17th is St. Patrick’s day and we will have a parade. You can decorate your bike, golf cart or your self and join the parade that will line up at 10:00am behind the activity office. There will be a designated route to follow. Then at Noon you don’t want to miss the GREEN Pot Luck Lunch. Let’s see what Irish dish you can come up with or green food item to bring.

Get Green and join in the fun. Sign up sheet will be posted for the pot luck lunch.

Page 2

THE DESERT SUN

Red Hats

Church News March 2014 The Desert Shadows Interdenominational Church meets in the Auditorium at 9AM on Sundays. Everyone is welcome.

The Church committee meets every Tuesday at 3:00PM in the Craft room. If you would like to participate, please attend. Again, everyone is welcome.

Bible Study continues during March on Wednesdays from 2-3PM in the Back Auditorium with Rev. Roger Withee leading the study on the Old Testament.

There will be a Choir Concert and Singspiration on Sunday, March 2nd at 7:00PM in the Auditorium.

Come enjoy the music and join in.

If you are interested in volunteering to serve either as a Church Officer or Committee member, please come to one of our Church Meetings on Tuesdays at 3:00PM in the Craft Room.

Sunday Morning Services:  2nd Communion Sunday with Dr. Douglas Wright and Becky Mendez;  9th with Rev. Roger Withee and Barbara Cramer;  16th Paramedic Sunday with Dr. Douglas Wright and Patti Carman;  23rd with Rev. Roger Withee and Becky Mendez;  30th with Dr. Terry Young and Harry Goerz.

The March 30th service will be the last of this season and will resume on November 2nd..

M A R C H 20 1 4

We had twenty-one ladies (plus two men drivers) that attended the Turf Paradise Horse Racing outing on February 17th. Most of us were winners---for sure if you considered the delicious lunch, great conversation, beautiful weather, and betting/winning!! Thank you, Patti and Juel, for the passes to the Arabian Horse Show. It was truly spectacular. There will be no other Red Hat gatherings in the 2013-2014 March and April season. If you have some ideas or energy to plan things for next year, please contact me. Participation this year at Charming Charlies, the Musical Instrument Museum, AZ Broadway Theatre to see “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and Turf Paradise was truly appreciated. Enjoy the rest of your time at Desert Shadows—Be Healthy and Travel Safe!! Betty Threinen

Homes for Sale If you are tired of traveling the road in your RV and want a more permanent place in sunny Phoenix, AZ to live full time or even just during our nice winter season, take a look at the homes for sale at Desert Shadows. Our full time professional sales person, Afton, will help you with all the details and paperwork. Call Afton for more details. 480-267-1326 or see our website for a list of currently available homes at www.phoenixrvresorts.com

Page 3

Computer User’s Group The Computer Users Group is open to everyone. We meet Wednesdays at 10:30 in the Back Auditorium. We typically have a 30-45 minute presentation on a computer related topic, which is always followed by at least 30 minutes of group-generated questions and answers.

It is very informal, with an easy give-and-take atmosphere. Within the group, there are “experts” on both Windows-based pc and (Apple)/mac-based computers, who can help with questions.

Meetings last from 1 to 1-1/2 hours. (Stay as long as you can.) If you would like some personal help, please come to one of our meetings to make contact with an “expert”.

3/5/14: Open Forum and Problem Solving: We will answer questions and attempt to verbally solve any problems you may have. For questions that cannot be verbally answered immediately and you have brought your computer with you, personal hands-on help can hopefully be given after the verbal Q & A, as time allows. Questions and problem descriptions submitted by email, by 3/4/14, will take precedence, as our “experts” will

have time to give them some thoughts. E-mails to any member of the committee. (See roster.)

3/12/14: Basic Maintenance on Windows Machines: Removing “crapware” and personalize your needs, ie: CCleaner, DeFragular. Also will cover backups and creating a new restore point; and creating a recovery disc set. Refresher on home network setup. Always time for individual questions and answers.

3/19/14: Windows Keyboard Shortcuts: Tips to make using your computer easier. We’ll also cover settings, utilities, and David Pogue Video.

Always time for individual questions and answers.

3/26/14: Helpful Applications: Review search engines, such as Google, Bing, Komando, Wikipedia, Snopes, etc. Plus PDF readers/creators; Foxit; Cute PDF; Nitroreader; Free faxing utility Fax0; Coupons; Travel; Malwarebytes. Also, Mobile device apps-----where to get them, what to get. Always time for individual questions and answers.

Who is here in April and who wants to continue meeting?

Luck o' the Irish Brownie 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate 1 cup margarine, softened 2 cups white sugar 3 eggs 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup butter, softened 4 cups confectioners' sugar 2 tablespoons milk, or as needed 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract 6 drops green food coloring 1 1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips 6 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2. Melt the unsweetened chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir at 15 second intervals until chocolate is smooth. Allow to cool slightly. Transfer to a

large bowl, and stir in the margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Stir in the flour just until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and spread evenly.

3. Bake in the oven until the surface appears dry and the sides are beginning to pull away from the edges of the pan, 20 to 25 minutes. The brownies may look more like cake and may jiggle slightly in the center- this is normal. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan.

4. To make the middle layer, beat 1/2 cup of butter with confectioners' sugar in a bowl using an electric mixer.

Add milk as needed to get a spreadable consistency.

Stir in the peppermint extract and green food coloring.

Spread this over the cooled pan of brownies. Refrigerate for 30 minutes 5. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips with the butter until melted. Stir every 20 seconds until chocolate is smooth. Stir in vanilla and then pour over the chilled brownies and quickly spread to cover the surface. Cool again until firm, about 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.

MARCH 2014 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1 7:30 AM DONUTS

DANCE 7-10 PAM & DAVE

2

3

9 AM CHURCH 6:30 PM DARTS

9

10

4

5

6

QUILT SHOW

PATIO SALES

10:00-2:00

8:00AM TO ??

PARK PLAY

PARK PLAY

7:00 PM

7:00PM

DOOR OPEN

DOOR OPEN

6:30PM

6:30PM

11

12

9 AM CHURCH

FAMILY STYLE

13

17

9 AM CHURCH

ST PATRICK PARADE 10AM

18

19

TRAVL N OPRY BRUCE & BETSY MULLEN 14

15

VENDOR’S

8:15AM

DAY 10AM

PANCAKES

6:45 PM

TO 1 PM

ST.PATRICK

BINGO

LUNCH

DANCE 7-10 (GREEN)

11:30

5:30PM

6:30 PM DARTS

DANCE 7-10

6:45 PM BINGO

ITALIAN DINNER

16

7

OLDIES DANCE 8 7:30AM DONUTS

PAUL & MINDY DJ

20

21

VOLUNTEER

22 7:30 AM

DONUTS

LUNCH 12:00

POT LUCK LUNCH

DANCE 7-10 6:45 PM BINGO

12:00 NOON

JACK & SMOKIN RHYTHM DUDES

6:30 PM DARTS

23

24

25

26

27

9 AM CHURCH

28

29 8:15 AM PANCAKES

6:30 PM DARTS

6:45 PM BINGO

DANCE 7-10 Julie Lee & White Rose Band

30

31

9 AM CHURCH LAST SERVICE OF SEASON

6:30 PM DARTS