Notes from August 28, 2019 Meeting
Dear Everybody,
We had a full house and good spirits, despite the August weather and its impact on our will to survive. We agree that we are over it. Bring on the cute fall stuff. We’re done.
David Serey was a guest today, and took pictures of the awarding of the Hometown Hero certificate to Jody (me). The award is appreciated, as is the check from Modern Woodmen that is being directed to Valley View Community Food Bank. The results of the ultra-local food drive held by our group were impressive, and I would like to thank everybody who contributed. The impressive load of donations was driven directly to the food bank immediately after the meeting, and was received with great appreciation. The pantry’s new location at 107th and Peoria in Sun City will be fully operational about the first of October. You are all cordially invited to come attend the grand opening (details to be announced), or to visit.
Robin McCombs (who is very busy because of the prolonged heat) gave details on the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce “31 Restaurants in 31 Days” raffle. The SWVCC will give away one or more restaurant gift certificates every day in October. Gift certificates range in value from $20 to $200, and total more than $1,400. No more than 500 tickets will be sold overall, so your chances are good. Tickets are 1 for $10, or 6 for $50. Robin will have raffle tickets with her next week, so come prepared.
Wendy Terrell reported that while she was working at a recent wedding event as Sweet Magnolias, she spotted a familiar Z’s Fine Jewelry box. Kudos were shared about what a great local business they are, and what great people Brooke and Joe Schiavone are, too.
Susan Riedel said that there will be a Modern Woodmen outing on December 15 – a Sunday – for the 2:30 matinee of A Christmas Carol at TheaterWorks in Peoria. Modern Woodmen will be offsetting a major portion of the ticket costs, so you will be able to see a professional live production of this Scrooge-filled classic for $10 or $15, and get away from “Santa, Baby” being piped in at every store you stagger into. Which reminds me — there is a bar, so you can also have some bubbly while you contemplate Christmas Past, Present, and Future while you get away from Christmas 2019 for a couple of hours.
Judy Haenel announced that her nephew took 3rd and 5th place in the world foosball championships in Spain. For all of you who just said “huh?” when I mentioned foosball – it is a table-top game that is loosely based on football. The aim of the game is to use the control knobs to move the ball into the opponent’s goal. There are no concussion dangers, despite the genuinely stiff competition. And professional foosball players can make big bucks. I don’t know if there are cheerleaders. I forgot to ask.
In other Judy news, Pass It On will be held Wednesday, September 11 beginning at 7:00 a.m. Preparation of the roses will be conducted on Monday the 9th and Tuesday the 10th. The meeting will not be held at the Black Bear that morning, but will convene at The Tulip Tree. If you are prepping roses, closed toe shoes are recommended, as knives get dropped and thorns happen. Wear clothes that can get wet and nasty. Judy has also assured us that the “crazy or mean” employees of the past have all cycled out, so there will be peace in the kingdom in the back of the shop.
Social media will be the key to spreading the word about Pass It Day this year. Many of the little newspapers have been swallowed up by larger homogenized conglomerates, and the news stations are all rotating about three stories each. So we are going to have to use whatever communication channels we have to get the word out. Nextdoor.com is an excellent conduit. So is Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, etc.
Finally, in Natalie news – she got pulled over on her way home from Safford for using a cellphone. The officer was amused but not moved by her explanation that she was letting her husband the officer know that she was, as was previously mentioned, on her way home. She got away with a warning, so her life of crime was brief but exciting. Her advice is that the long arm of the law will get you if you use your phone and drive – even in the middle of nowhere.
Next week, September 4, Marie DeAngelis will talk to us about avoiding becoming the victim of a fraud. She is going to share some of her war stories from the bank.
Have a safe, healthy, happy and low-stress Labor Day weekend.
Best wishes,
Jody Serey
SereyJones Publishers, Inc.
623-561-0240
623-451-0834 (cell)