A Thoughtful Reflection On Our Community.

I remember the travel opportunities offered to members via bus to several different locations throughout the area. Gone. This was always a well received amenity no longer available.
Ice cream socials for the members. Haven’t heard about one of those for a while.
Shows at the Sundial were always a hit and well attended. Haven’t heard about any shows coming up this year.
These are merely the fun things I remember attending and loving the experience. I really have been out of the loop as far as what is now offered to members. What is there available for members to participate in now that is fun and entertaining? I would like to know what is going on in the community that we can all participate in and share the fun with each other. I really have been outside of the loop as to what member perks are available for the members to enjoy.

 

RCSC Concerts & Events
https://suncityaz.org/concerts-upcoming-events/

Sundial 2025 Concert Series
https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sundial-Ticketed-Concert-Series-2025-Final.pdf

Sunday Nights 2025 at the Sun Bowl
https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SunBowl-Show-Flyer-Spring-2025.pdf

 

Thank you for the links. Much appreciated, now if I can get them to work, I’ll be very happy

 

As Ben and i prepare our for our Life Long Learning class (Feb 20, 1 pm Fairway and yes you need to be a member of the club to attend), we have been collectively stunned by how DEVCO sold Sun City. Marketing it wasn't one thing, it was every thing. Before a footing was poured in Sept of 1959, through build out in 1979, every aspect of the "new active way of life" was celebrated and more importantly, promoted.

It brought to mind, the old adage: "If a tree falls in the forest, will anyone hear it?" Corny, maybe, but SCG's remark's lead me to believe something i have commented on before. In 2024, the RCSC did a good job of increasing and enhancing the number of member social events they held. Where they failed is in how they promoted them, before and after.

We all saw in the recent RCSC 2025 Update, a flurry of shameless self-promotion of the work they did. While some may be critical, i applaud their efforts. After 21 years of being involved with a lot of different organizations, those running them need to pat themselves on the back (when deserved). Making the assumption others know how or what they did is the folly of fools.

Years ago, the RCSC became more insular and introverted in their messaging. One would think with enhanced technology, that would not be the case, but if your technology is antiquated and unable to be developed, we all suffer. Worse yet, if the leadership believes those opportunities for reaching the members are insignificant (read social media), that's even worse. That simply means it's not that we can't reach them, it's that we choose not to. Hopefully the new website will do better than the mess it is in now.

The best single channel of membership reach is the clubs; the second best are new home buyers. Both have been sorely neglected and treated as throw-a-ways. My old friend Ben has long held belief, as we served on multiple boards, set goals and then devise plans and measurements to evaluate success with each passing year. Far too few embrace that mindset.

After reading Update 2025, it's pretty clear managements measurement for success is how much money they spent and how many projects they completed. That's a good thing, but it completely misses or ignores the real thing (in my opinion). Everything starts with the membership and the community that lies within it. If you don't bring them along, then you are just fixing stuff that needs to be fixed.

I doubt we'll see the RCSC scheduling bus trips any time soon SCG, as i watch what has happened in other communities that still do it, the costs are exploding. It never was a venture they made money on and was more a convenience to/for the members. I would rather they focus on how they promote upcoming events and how they make those living here love the fact they choose Sun City over the other 2000 plus options.

It would be easy for me to argue, while management takes care of the day to day business, the board should get their head around the value of enhancing and building a sense of community. It's pretty clear when looking back at 2024, that wasn't the case...not even a little.

 

Bill,
As always I thank you for your thoughts and reply. Left me scratching my head though, when a member wants to enjoy the experience of Sun City, and so many of the options that made it fun are gone, what’s left?
Clubs don’t do it for me. Haven’t found one I want to join. Items I would be interested in are not available in Sun City that I know of. Such as cooking classes or travel information. The bus trips were always fun. So, if the RCSC can subsidize other activities why not local travel? No, I don’t expect an answer, just lamenting the loss of an amenity gone.
I was looking at the shows offered at Sundial. All are tribute shows to other name bands that were loved during their time. $25-$30 a ticket? It’s one thing to offer the shows to the members, but who is the promoter and how much are they making for their participation?
I asked for the information and I received it. Thank you so much. I am just trying to wrap my head around what we have left for amenities for the members to enjoy and participate in. To me, the pickins are getting slim and except for some music venues, I truly don’t see any community events that are going to invite members to participate and feel valued. If a member doesn’t feel like they are being treated fairly and receiving the best possible bang for their buck, will we still attract people to buy here? Isn’t word of mouth the best advertising? Is being the cheapest the best tagline for a community? Sorry just lamenting the loss of community events and another amenity gone.

 

Went to Galena several times as my History of Illinois prof, John Simon was annotating the papers of Grant which required field trips to Galena in connection with this project for further info. Quaint, yes because the town is over 100 years older than SC. Consequently this is not that as you stated. But, I think some of you have the vision of Stevie Wonder. Josie you talk about a nice place to dine, then what is wrong with my idea? Rentals a problem that is growing, yes, but a double edged sword. Rentals are only good if they are being rented, otherwise no income for the owner but the mortgage keeps on ticking monthly along with utilities, taxes, rec fees etc. maintenance, etc.
Jean, I never expected members to try and bring businesses here unless they had experience in their prior life. No, with all the real estate agents out here, some of this bunch must have commercial experience and is forward thinking. Sorry Bill but I must disagree with you on this. If we don’t reorient our thinking, the signs for SC should say City of Volunteers and 101 thrift shops.

I would like to discuss further in person before/after the monthly Board meeting if anyone is still interested. Sorry can’t make the exchange, PT for my arm and a doc appointment for some body part.

 

You are part of the solution or you are part of the landscape. Robert De Niro in Ronin

 

I love Galena Illinois! Fortunately for me, it is between Des Moines and Chicago where my sons live.

 

Yeah, and wouldn't be nice if there was a bus shuttle leaving from Sun City to go down to Luke Days? From what I've seen, parking will be quite a distance away and a shuttle that would drop you off at the gate would bring some welcoming relief!

 

FYI
There is always the possibility of arranging for a private bus for folks to hire for the number of people wanting to participate and share the cost. The bus can pick up at a designated area in Sun City and be dropped off at the event at Luke AFB for as many hours as desired.
I typed in these two locations for 8 hours and was presented with options from a 58 passenger bus to a modest smaller bus for 20 people. Yes, one would have to pay for the ticket but this is what the bus trips used to be, a fee based service. Would it be worth it to anyone to pay $30 per person for Luke Days transportation with door to door service for the event and up to 8 hours at the location? 8 hours maybe a bit much but was looking for price and availability. Just a cursory search for a service, didn’t dig deeper for additional information. The price would be in line for a bus tour to any type venue. Just throwing out an idea
After looking at prices closer, the cost could be more than $30, but not knowing the dates, total of people and the hours to review, it’s a hit and miss number

 

Being a WOKE person I do wish you'd stop doing this sort of thing. I mean, please keep in mind that Wonder's album, "Innervisions" was ranked number 34 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"

 

Well he makes fun of what he calls "retarded" people. thinks most of Sun Citians are "obtuse", now I wonder if he kicks white canes from peoples hands. Obviously people who are blind bother him now. Will disabled vets be next? I know there are more, but will have to find my list. Evidentially there is no bottom.

 

FYI,

Luke Days is every other year, so the next Luke Days would be March 21-22, 2026. The every other year event will once again feature the Thunderbirds. Knowing this future date would allow plenty of time to possibly fill a large bus plus arrange for a better drop off location to be arranged for. Still couldn’t predict cost, but there may be a way to make a better price point with a competitive vendor. Have never been associated with the travel industry nor do I want to start now. Just wanted to offer you the information

 

CT, I am a woke person also even though the right wing seems to have trouble with the definition. I am also the enemy within and proud of it. I like Stevie Wonder even since he was 13 year old Little Stevie Wonder belting out Fingertips Parts 1 & 2. I was referring to people who want change and improvements but won’t think outside the box ( a term I really dislike) or find ways not to do anything.
The last thing reminds me of my brother who complains about something and when you suggest a solution he always has reasons ad nasceum not to do it. Same here which is why posted some time ago that is and when we built the PAC I highly doubt it will be done by 2030. Everything seems to be a circular firing squad.

If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend Seven Kings Must Die. If you have Roku or something similar check out which service it’s on. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Josie, for the umpteenth time, the obtuse referred to financial statements. QUIT LYING!
You also seem to have a problem with people being metaphorical, ie. Stevie Wonder, but then as a graduate of OLCHS it doesn’t surprise me.
I have great respect for vets, all of them, and much more than the president elect, especially disabled. “ Nobody wants to see them.” Dad was a disabled vet and if alive today, aside from being very old, he would rip Trump’s balls off and shrove them down his throat. Never fuck with a Marine no matter how old they are.

 

Dave, too bad that wasn't what you said "while I found your explanations spot on and easily understandable, you must know that a good percentage of our population is obtuse at best and wouldn’t 7nderstand non-profits if Big Bird came down and explained it."

You referred to Trump supporters as retarded, and now you refer to me as having no vision like Stevie Wonder, metaphorical or not it's degrading to blind people. You also keep making fun of my religion and insinuate I am "obtuse" because I went to the same high school you did. The irony. I have a number of your "slanders" towards groups of people. I just sent some of your "Best F-Bomb" sayings off to the owner.

 

They are. If you are trying to scare or intimidate me, you are doing a lousy job.
I learned in high school what I needed to know to get into the uni. I flourished after that.

 

Yes, I know, just one of my many annoying traits is that I seem to have a need to point out other's "bad behavior" (or whatever) regardless as to whether the seemingly offending party is on my team or not. Well when it's not "feeding the animals." I don't have Roku or any cable sort of thing (I'm one of those "trying to live on SS folk) but looked up Seven Kings and found it at the library. If it's one of the Last Kingdom series, which I have followed through the library but have not seen this one yet. Thanks for the idea, I'll try and stop by tomorrow and scoop it up.

 

Yes, you have "animaled" me a number of times. Do you have internet? other than the remote for Roku all you need is internet, I have an extra remote you can have,

 

I don’t make fun of your religion, I speak the truth. Evidently you are embarrassed by it. The Crusades were started on a lie by the Pope Clement the something or other and fueled by a monk named Bernard of Clarveaux. Those lies still fuel the Mideast troubles today. The truth hurts doesn’t it. At least I was upfront with mine.

I stand by my statement and Big Bird regarding NFPs. You are. Don’t forget to report me to Sgt. Schultz.

BTW, how did that meeting with the attorney go? I have my answer, affirmative defense and counterclaim ready.