I know we drifted a bit the past 24 hours or so, but what the heck, let's try and refocus amidst the silliness. Here's another oldie but goodie. this one from January of 2011. We were just closing down the 50th anniversary year long celebration and those of us along for the ride were delighted we had survived: The Sun Finally Sets In Sun City One of the true joys of Sun City living was seeing the sun almost every day of the year. In Minnesota, we learned to live with gray days, and cold ones at that. Now 9 days out of 10 we get exploding sunrises and sunsets behind the clouds that at times leave you breathless. They are that beautiful. It was one of those things that helped sell Sun City from the very beginning. While that topic is spectacular, this post isn’t about our majestic solar views. Tonight, January 12, 2011 we are bringing down the curtain on what has been one of Sun City’s finest hours; the closing ceremonies of our 14 month celebration of 50 remarkable years of the Sun City way of life. It has been a year to remember. The planning began back in 2008 and from its beginning was fraught with problems. The economy was in the tank and money was scarce (that’s being polite). Sponsors were hesitant and the committee putting the event together lacked clear direction. It’s easy to become indecisive when you have no money to pay for things. We plowed ahead, shifted gears a bit and asked the residents to step forward. Like always, they did. We remarketed (is that a word?) ourselves a bit, and when we did, we found local businesses join in along with great support from the clubs and organizations within the walls. It truly became a community event and at that point we knew we were going to make it. I won’t recant the hundreds of events and the thousands of folks who were party to them. Suffice to say it way long and arduous and extremely rewarding. Tonight is the last scheduled program and it will be a humdinger (geez that word makes me feel old). The New Christy Minstrels will perform from 7 to 9 pm at the Sundial auditorium. Tickets are sold out as this legendary folk group returns to Sun City and before an audience cut from that exact cloth that made them so popular back in the 60’s (though i suspect we are all a bit tattered around the edges with age). At the show we will also hold the 50th anniversary raffle drawing. Interesting to note, at the 40th anniversary celebration they raffled a Cadillac that was about 30 feet long. This year we have a Smart car that might well fit in the truck of that caddy. Perhaps it’s all just a sign of the times eh? It has been an incredible year. The committee has been rebuilt a couple of times as some dropped off and new ones came on. It simply was about getting the job done. Sun City’s history is filled with that kind of sentiment. Sun City was called the great social experiment, and the greatest testament to that phrase is…we succeeded. We came together as a community from its very beginning and now 51 years later, we are still plugging along. George Hartman, a Sun City resident, just died. He was the man who coined the slogan that best defines us: The City of Volunteers. We were from the beginning and we still are today, the community that works because we give back enough of ourselves to keep it working. Truly unique in so many ways, and most assuredly different from so many places outside the walls. The sun may well be setting on this party, but Sun City and Sun City West are two of the greatest places to retire in this entire planet. If you ever get a chance come and visit us and you will see why in a matter of hours…its that darn good.
Thank you Bill! I have learned so very much from you and enjoy every word. It never ceases to amaze me how you can remember all this, but I guess when you are passionate about something, it sticks. Like you, I am moved to see our community turn the page backward a bit and once again become interested (and vocal) about Sun City. It takes all of us to make this community work. If you're reading this and are pleased to see the change happening (transparency, communication, etc.), please consider giving an hour or two of your time once a month and volunteer on one of our committees. So many of you have former occupations that you excelled at and/or current thoughts and talents that could assist the Board and staff as we continue to extend the concept of self-governance into and through 2024. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! **Whoever is reading this, make sure you noticed that Bill was writing about 2011; the New Christy Minstrels are not performing tonight at the Sundial - although I bet if they were, it would be a sold out event. Jean Totten RCSC 2023 Board Secretary Chair, RCSC Outreach and Communications Committee
Thanks Jean for the kind words. as always, i am humbled. Those columns i am posting were written 10 plus years ago and the happenings were far more fresh in my mind. The 50th anniversary was one of the most challenging of times; no money and we made a commitment to run the event for the entire year (2010). As i read back over the columns i wrote, i find myself chuckling time and time again. Most often i am saying to myself, dang, i forgot that. For those of you who don't know, Jean was one of the founding members of the Sun City Advocates. When she threw her hat in the ring to become a candidate in the 2021 election for board members to serve in 2022, we asked her to resign from the group and become unaffiliated. She hated to do so, but she understood why. We worked to get her a several others elected and we were successful. While she has removed herself from active participation in the Advocates her commitment and devotion to the principals and tenets we supported has never wavered. Restoring the membership to a participating role rather than a subjective one has always been front and center in everything she does. I expect that to still be the calling card in 2024, even with 4 new board members. Jean stopped by my house yesterday to pick up some old language from before 2006 that was given to board members elected. It went away at some point in time as it literally spoke of the importance of engaging the membership openly, honestly and with a commitment to listen to them. Scary stuff eh? She mentioned she is actively looking for RCSC members interested in serving on her "communication and outreach committee." With well over 30,000 RCSC members we know there's a host of potential candidates to fill those openings who have solid credentials in the field of communications. If you are one of them, reach out to Jean. Serving on a committee is a great way to stick your toe in the water without taking the full plunge. By the way, the New Christy Minstrels were exceptional that night. The only thing that could have made them better was if Barry McGuire had joined them. For those who forgot about him, his anthem after leaving CM was Eve Of Destruction (you can click here and watch it on youtube once the ad runs). Goodness i loved that song in my rebellious youth.
Lol! I remember that song and "They're coming to take me away, Ha Haaa" by Napoleon XIV? They were band from the local airwaves! Political correctness existed even back then!
Just sorting through some other oldie but goodies and i've got one for tomorrow morning that helps splain me.
I've got another one i should post about the tragedy that hit Sun City's 50th anniversary celebration. It's a bit of a downer, so i need to think about it.
Just did a post on the Facebook group i help administer and it included a photo of our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. The pathetic looking little thing is the definition of minimalism. As humble as it is, it might just be what we all need; an awakening to a better time. A place where more isn't better, it's just more. It's why i love the turning of the calendar to the new year...it's a new beginning and an opportunity for self-improvement. Nope, not trying to fix anyone else, just me. Lord knows i need a lot of work.
