I have a handful of paid subscriptions to blog feeds i buy and often times i stumbled across stuff i would never find. One of them is The Bulwark and they have an interesting bunch of writers who typically wax poetically on politics. They lean middle of the road right, but i have come to believe we have to all become more centered in our politics and abandon the hatred often foisted on us by the extremes. With that caveat out of the way, one of their authors, Jonathan V. Last, in a post yesterday, had one of his stories entitled "The Other Villages." Most of us are familiar with the Villages of Florida, especially after the notoriety they gained in the 2020 elections. Oddly, i pay attention to age restricted communities more than most. I knew they had opened the Jimmy Buffet themed communities 4 or 5 years ago, but hadn't followed them that closely. The story he wrote was a teaser with a link to an article written for the New Yorker magazine in the March 2o22 issue. The author was Nick Paumgarten and the header was "Retirement The Margaritaville Way." I opened the link and read it through to conclusion. It was long and detailed. I couldn't help but think back nearly 60 years before when the New Yorker magazine had sent Calvin Trillin to live in Sun City Arizona. The year was 1964 and the article, all 30 pages of it, was in the April issue. I tried to find an email link for Nick to suggest he go back and read the article by Calvin. History repeats itself. The fascinating thread of the story was how those moving to this new "55 or better" community were so focused on getting maximum pleasure out of their remaining years. Yikes, it was Calvin's argument all over again; that a lifestyle founded on hedonism would surely fail. Of course in the 60's the greatest generation were wholly different from the boomers. Since Sun City and Sun City West opened, there's been a thousand or more like-minded communities spring up all over the country. There's always been a minority of the senior population who want to live amongst their peers. DEVCO had projected roughly 12% of those 55 and older would be interested. The latest statistics have increased those numbers to somewhere around 20%. The good news for the builders selling them is the senior population has exploded, so 20% is still one heck of a lot of people. After having read the report from the long range planning committee meeting, where some of the members argued we should drop the community's identity as a "City of Volunteers," all i could do was smile (not really). Frankly, it made me sad to think we should try and become what everyone else is. If you read the New Yorker article and see the extreme they have made of having fun while we age, you will quickly come to grips with the fact we will never have that same mindset. Simply put, trying to compete will only make us an also ran, rather than the first of its kind: A community built by and for those buying here. No question; having fun is an integral part of why seniors move to Sun City, but the idea they are the owners and are responsible and accountable is, was an always should be at the core for the reason we exist. Our volunteerism is one of the key components of keeping Sun City affordable. More than that though, Calvin Trillin nailed it. People need more in their life than the pursuit of pleasure. Chasing a golf ball, lazing by the pool, joining clubs and the rest of the myriad of things to do in Sun City is just one of the aspects of the Sun City lifestyle. Volunteering paved the way for Sun City and Sun City West to be different than all the others that followed. I've written it a thousand times, Sun City is unique. It was made that way by design, not by accident. Those living here found joy, value and a sense of fulfillment from giving back their talent and skills they learned in a previous life. The newer communities weren't built that way. They will never evolve and become what we are, why we exist. Ask yourself, what do we gain by trying to become Magaritaville like? And more importantly, would we be better off as a community if our goal is simply the pursuit of pleasure?
I think the term "Original Fun City" is demeaning to what Original Sun City is all about. City of Volunteers I think is much more appropriate. While I am no Bill Pearson, I have volunteered well over 15,000 hours with The Posse and SCHOA in my 20 years here and I guarantee they were not all fun !
Then maybe your handle should be One-Adam-Twelve? Just kidding... no disrespect intended! Just showing my age!
Hey adam 560, you know i have never tried to measure my time against anyone else. There's countless numbers of residents just like you and i who love the community and give freely of our time. Each of us have different talents, skills and interests. From the very beginning, volunteers were the essence of our existence. I couldn't agree more with you, that term the original fun city was demeaning. I was shocked to read the article in the SCHOA newsletter where the president took some grief over helping restoring The City of Volunteers to our entryway signs. Tell Jerry to get over it. Why is it the paid help always think their ideas are better/more important than those of us freely giving our time?
Bill. I think calling a distinguished member of the community "paid help" is almost a new low for you. So, do tell us what you have actually accomplished in the community except for sitting at your PC writing long long rants against people and organizations, most that you've dropped out of because you didn't get along well with the other members. We've already seen your so called "qualifications" posted so many times before with nothing of real substance ever included, just the same BS we read over and over that just feeds your giant ego. Also, comparing yourself to someone who has volunteered over 15,000 hours with The Posse and SCHOA is laughable. Why don't you turn over a new leaf and shut up if you don't have something good to say about your fellow residents.
Lots to say to my old buddy, but for now let me ask him straight up this one simple question and let's see if he can answer it? How is calling the paid help the "paid help" an insult? That is in fact what they are. Explain please oh wise man. By the way, when he was a volunteer i applauded him as i did while you were serving on the RCSC board with him. My only notation is there is an enormous difference in service to the community as a volunteer compared to someone who was hired and paid to go out and get the revised CC&R's passed. Just saying brother.
Thanks for the link, but that didn't answer my question, or even come close. When a person is paid to do a job, are they not the "paid help." How is that insulting? It's simply what they are. Volunteers, on the other hand, do it for the love of the organization, charity, church or whatever it is they are donating their time and expertise to or for. Come on, this isn't that hard 3g. Volunteers have been the lifeblood of Sun City since the day your grand parents moved here. Losing that identity to try and remake us into another Margaritaville makes no sense. That was my point and has been for more years than i care to admit.
Whoa! To quote a line from CaddyShack: “That’s a little harsh!” I, for one, would appreciate it if you would identify yourself, as I don’t think you should have anything to hide.
Everyone here knows who I am so no need for further disclosure. BTW…good to see you back in the posting group which is one of my goals!
