This morning i did a post on the Facebook page, Sun City Chat Arizona. As an administrator i try and keep content fresh and positive. It's not always easy. I also am on the verge of moving on from my duties as an admin there with a new goal in mind (more on that in the further down). The post i did today was a photograph of Les Parry, Sun City's "key man" for most of the 18 year build-out. I called it the "best job in the world" as he interacted with new buyers day in and day out. The inspiration came when Linda Borton (museum employee extraordinaire) sent me Evelyn Parry (Les's wife) 1991 oral history. It was stunning to recap those early years through the wife's eyes. So much so, i wrote; "his story is included in the museum's oral histories." As i wrote it, i noticed for the first time, "his story" becomes "history." My wife pointed out, not really, because it would actually be "hisstory." I hate dealing with former bookkeepers who pick fly poop over nits and gnats. Of course she was right, yet again; kind of. In any event, most of you have noted me pulling away from most things RCSC and also away from this site. Part of it is i have run the course and realized it's time to move on. Others need to step up and take ownership. The other thing is knowing exactly how ugly the next 10 months will be. The coming election will test all of our better angels to excel. Many will fail. As a side note, my best friend counseled me the other day at coffee. It was nothing i didn't know, but his comments were spot on. Fighting and arguing with some people is senseless. There's literally no upside. I knew that and clearly it was advice well intended and taken. Since almost the first day (circa 2000) i began writing on blogs, social media and web sites that allow comments, we've bantered about the importance of telling one's story. Today it struck me; "his-story, her-story and our-story are all components that make up history. Folks way smarter than me have stated emphatically; "if we don't tell our story, who will?" The answer of course becomes no one. In the coming weeks i will launch a new Facebook group page that will in fact be story laden. Nope, not about me, but about the countless others who made Sun City what it is. While some will see it has history, it will in fact become our story. All of our stories. A cumulative accounting of everything that made/makes Sun City both unique and special. It's a massive cast of characters and events many have no idea about. As the sole administrator, my goal will be to keep the site free of the crap that will drag us (society) down coming into the November election. It doesn't mean it won't be happening, it just means you will be able to come to the site and not be exposed to all of the ugliness that will permeate our lives. It's a daunting challenge. We know way too many folks who find reading to be boring. Pictures, podcasts and video's with 30 second screen grabs are the new normal. Attention spans have shrunk and information is plentiful and often wrong. Artificial intelligence and intentional lies will only make it worse. We will rise above it all. We know from Sun City's amazing history, we have always prevailed. Why stop now?
With all sincerity Bill, this sounds perfect for you. Writing about Sun City's history is your passion.
Anxious to see what you have developed. Jean Totten Chair, Outreach & Communication Committee Taking One Day at a Time
