Interest Groups and More

ALASKA INTEREST GROUP

Email: grandalaskans@gmail.com. Find us on Facebook at “Grand Alaskans” Description: The Grand Alaskans welcome all Alaskans living in Sun City Grand. If you enjoy getting together with fellow Alaskans for special events, entertainment, tours, or social hours, this is the group for you. We hold several events October through April.

AMATEUR TRAP SHOOTING GROUP

Contact(s) for Interest Group: Marty Grady, 623556-9497, martygrady@hotmail.com Meeting Information: We meet the first Friday of each month at Ben Avery at 8:30 a.m. Description: We are a group of averaged skilled trap shooters that meet at Ben Avery to shoot trap and socialize about our past sporting activities. Besides trap shooting, the members discuss other activities that foster a network of things to do, places to go, and help to provide others.

BETA SIGMA PHI

Xi Delta Sigma Chapter is a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sun Cities Coalition of Beta Sigma Phi International. The Coalition consists of chapters in Sun City, Sun City West, Sun City Grand, Surprise and the surrounding area. Inactive members, Leave of absence, Members-at-large or transferring members who wish to affiliate with one of these local chapters are invited to contact through text or email a member of the coalition. Contacts: Karen Montoya at smithmontoya10901@ gmail.com or Roberta Chargin at robertachargin@ gmail.com. Please list your name, degree, status or any pertinent information. Include your phone number, address and email information. If you have an interested friend, then include their information with their permission, a coalition or chapter officer will make contact with you. Chapters hold meetings at various times during the month as well as socials. We, as a coalition, are not a part of the BSP Phoenix City Council but valid members of Beta Sigma Phi International. Membership is by invitation.

BOWLING

GRAND CONNECTION INTEREST GROUP The Grand Connection Social Group welcomes all who have an interest in the African-American experience and want to learn more about their traditions and heritage”. At this time due to the Corona Pandemic there are no activities planned. For additional information regarding the Contact: Steve Doolittle 623-533-3455 or Laura GarrettWilliams 623 215 7884.

GRAND DEMOCRATS

Contact(s) for Interest Group: Mark Hamilton, President, 971-801-5496 or mhamipdx@gmail. com Website: www.granddems.org Meeting Information: Fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Cimarron Center. Beverages and snacks at 6:00 p.m. No meetings in July and August. Description: We are a group that supports a Democratic presence in the community. We encourage those interested in national, state, county or local politics who are newly arrived members of the community or those who have been here awhile to come and listen to our scheduled interesting speakers. Besides our monthly meetings, we have monthly breakfasts and dinners.

FOUR WHEELING

Website: www.grand4wheelers.org Description: The Grand 4-Wheelers are SCG residents who are interested in taking rides off-road into the beautiful areas of Arizona not accessible by standard vehicle. The roads we travel range from “easy” to “moderate” to “difficult.” The rides are for all types of four-wheel drive vehicles (No ATV’s that’s another group). Our rides will allow you to see remote areas of Arizona in the safe environment of a group activity. We provide an environment to learn the off-road capabilities of our vehicles, off-road driving techniques, the use of GPS devices & maps, and available recovery tools. Please refer to our website to see a calendar of future rides, as well as photos and narratives of our previous rides.

FUN DINERS

Description: We are a social group that plans monthly events at restaurants in our area. Just $10.00 per member per year to join. Guests are welcome! Contact for Interest Group: Toni Helgeson, membership, 623-544-5988 www.fundiners.weebly.com Meeting Information: We send a notice to all of our members throughout the year advising them of our planned activities, either a lunch, dinner, or a happy hour, and we request that they sign up for the event! There is always a gala event for Christmas! Lunches and dinners will be prepaid but you will be on your own for cocktails and of course for any Happy Hours! You may attend as many or as few events as you like. You are able to bring guests, unless we have limited seating! Always check our website, www.fundiners. weebly.com, for forthcoming events and pictures of our past ones! We welcome volunteers to help find new places and to help coordinate events at their favorite restaurants. The annual dues are $10 per person each year. You may call Gerri at 623-374-7917 or Toni at 623-544-5988 for more information.

GRAND GECKOS

Our own masters swim team right here in Grand! We believe in staying fit and building friendships while having fun. Our workouts are fresh, full of variety and will help you get and stay in shape. While you should be able to swim freestyle for at least 10 lengths, you don’t need to know the other strokes to join us at practice. If you are willing to learn, we are there to provide coaching and camaraderie. Our practices have organized sets that are geared from beginner-level swimmers to advanced swimmers and competitors. We focus on technique to improve your strokes, your stamina, your speed and your endurance. For more information contact swimnut@me.com

HORSESHOES INTEREST GROUP

Most/many of you have played horseshoes at picnics, family reunions, etc. With your renting or owning a home in our community, you have the opportunity to play this fun game, whenever you want, for free. The horseshoe pits (5 of them) are always open. You can even play under the lights!! Additionally, there is a horseshoe group/league that plays every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday each week. Generally, at 8 am. This time is adjusted during the year for warmer/cooler temps in summer/winter. We also have league play with 5 other retirement communities in late winter through early spring. We will provide horseshoes for you to use as well as assistance on “pitching” horseshoes if you might need/want. We can also assist in helping you order your own horseshoes when you find out how much fun the game really is. Open to all ladies and men. The horseshoe pits are located just right of the Dell Web softball diamond and storage building on Mountain View Blvd. For more information call Tom Conzemius at 218556-2404 or Dave Johnson at 623-308-6036.

LGBTQ INTEREST GROUP

Contact(s): scg.lgbt@yahoo.com Website: scglgbt.com Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/scglgbt Meeting Information: Meet formally 4 times a year and informally in-between. Description: The SCG LGBTQ invites residents to join us for a variety of social activities including dining out, theater, concerts, sporting events, etc. We are about making new friends, socializing and supporting one another. Residents and allies who are looking to connect with other like-minded members of our community are welcome to join.

MINNESOTA INTEREST GROUP

Contact(s) for Interest Group: Cecelia Kelly, 612860-4676, ckelly0330@icloud.com Description: Born in the North Star State/fall in love with L’toile du nord while living there? Currently a part time resident of Minnesota and/or live full time in Sun City Grand? Our Minnesota welcomes your participation in our social events, nature walk/potluck events, putting contests, wine tastings, casino parties, theater/ dinner parties. Whether you call Sun City Grand your full time or part time residence we would be pleased to have your input regarding offerings that you would find of interest and welcome your participation..

NEW YORK STATE INTEREST GROUP

Contact: Julia Schoen TheNYStateGroup@gmail. com or 805-325-1807 Time Square, Jones Beach, The Catskills, Niagara Falls…We remember it all! Join folks from The Empire State sharing memories and creating new ones. We are a newly formed group working to build new friendships in the community, using our connection to NY as a starting point. We will meet four times a year, with additional events planned (dinner cruises, game nights, happy hours, etc). We invite you to get in on the bottom floor and join this group of vibrant ex-NYers (spouses and significant others also welcome). Notification of events will be sent via email to individuals who sign up for the group.

Events will also be included in the Grand Lifestyles publication and will be posted on the community bulletin boards at Cimarron Center and Sonoran Plaza.

POLISH-AMERICAN INTEREST GROUP

Contact(s) for Interest Group: Dorothy (Rzeszutek) Higdon, 218-821-3033, odette46@ cox.net Meeting Information: Meetings are scheduled periodically during the year to correspond with new matters of significance and availability of speakers, at which time an e-mail is sent to all members. Notification is also sent regarding any known Polish-American activity in the Phoenix area. Description: Sharing of Traditions, Customs, Travel, Delicacies, and History. Socializing while receiving cultural enlightenment concerning holidays and also cuisine with regards to Catholic, Jewish and non-denominational citizens. Enjoy the long-established foods of Poland through planned luncheons and tours of Polish-American restaurants, bakeries and delis in the Phoenix area. Translation is also available through Maya Zubriski, mariazubriski@gmail. com, 623-546-6960

GRAND CENTRAL RAILROAD INTEREST GROUP

If you enjoy large scale (G Scale) outdoor model trains, the Grand Central Railroad is the place for you. From operating trains, painting buildings, decorating and landscaping, track maintenance, electrical service and repair, to public relations and more…. there is literally something for everyone. While most members own and operate their own trains, it is not a requirement to join the group. Our primary function is operating and maintaining the Model Railroad Park for the enjoyment of our members, residents and visitors, young and old alike. The Railroad Park is located near the tennis courts behind the Chaparral Center. Trains run on a regular schedule as posted at the Railroad Park and on our website (GrandCentralRailroad.info). Please stop by during operating hours and introduce yourself. We will be happy to show you around and tell you more about what we do. For additional information or to make special requests, please contact chairman@GrandCentralRailroad.info

CLUB SPECIAL EVENTS: DECEMBER 23 - FRIDAY CHRISTMAS WEEKEND TRAIN NIGHT RUN The Grand Central Railroad will be hosting its annual Christmas Weekend Night Train Run. When: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, @ 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Where: Train Park (behind the Chaparral Center, near the Tennis Courts.) Stop by and enjoy the sights and sounds of Garden (G scale) Railroading. There will be illuminated trains running on approximately 1800 feet of track along with illuminated buildings, festive decorations, and complimentary cookies. For more information, please contact: chairman@ GrandCentralRailroad.info

GRAND REPUBLICANS INTEREST GROUP

Our Veterans Day bar-b-que at the Grand pavilion was a great success. Guest speaker General “Mick” McGuire brought a powerful message and then held a lengthy question and answer session. Veterans were honored and all were inspired and encouraged. (And the food was good!) On Saturday morning, December 17, we gathered at Church on the Green in Sun City West to hear another powerful speaker, Mr. Shane Krauser. Krauser is aptly billed as “arguably the best, most dynamic speaker and educator on liberty and the U.S. Constitution.” Beginning in January, Grand Republicans will hold their monthly meetings in the Hopi and Pima rooms here in the Chaparral building. Meetings are on the 3rd Saturday each month. Doors open at 8:30, coffee and pastries available by 9:00, with the meeting starting at 9:30. Guests are always welcome. There is a $2 charge for non-members. We plan to meet each month throughout 2023 and 2024. Our speaker on January 17 is Dr. Larry Schweikart. A retired professor of History, Dr. Schweikart was born in Mesa, AZ to a cattle ranching family. He earned a B.A. in Political Science and an M.S. in History from Arizona State University; and in 1983 received a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of many popular books, including “A Patriot’s History of the United States” and “48 Liberal Lies about American History (That You Probably Learned in School.)” We are working on great programs for 2023, with special speakers and events. Please watch the website, grandrepublicans.com, for information as it rolls out. At press time, our program for our February 18 General Meeting is unconfirmed. For the March 18 meeting we have retired Air Force Colonel Stephen Chealander, known most notably for his role as Military Aide to President Ronald Reagan. In this role, he carried “the Football,” worked as the Presidential Emergency Actions Officer, and served as ceremonial aide and personal aide to the President when required. He held this position through the end of the Reagan Administration. He has many wonderful “Reagan stories” that he likes to share. Colonel Chealander later moved to Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, as an F-5 Fighter Squadron Commander and transferred in 1989 to Luke Air Force Base as an F16 Fighter Squadron Commander. He was named the Assistant Deputy Commander of Operations for the F16 Tactical Fighter Wing in 1990. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1991. Again, watch our website, grandrepublicans. com, for more detail. We’ve initiated a President’s Message and are posting the minutes to the General Meetings, as well. Under “Useful Links” you will see the smiling faces of the Board members and their contact information. Click on the “about” tab and read our Vision, Mission and Values statements. We may be just the group you are looking for! You are also encouraged to click on the Liberty Ladies tab to see and appreciate how they are serving the cause of conservatism in our communities.

SOUND & LIGHTING

We are fortunate to have many talented residents who volunteer their time and talents to The Grand Drama & Comedy Club and the Music Club, providing quality theater and musical events throughout the year to our community. The two clubs share our volunteer sound and lighting teams. We are seeking persons who may have an interest in sharing their talents or learn new skills involving these areas. No prior experience or knowledge of sound or lighting equipment is required. We have volunteers who will train anyone who is interested. Many hands make light work. No pun intended – it is light work! And sound work! But many persons sharing makes easier work. Become a member of Grand’s entertainment community. Give it a try, you may discover not only a new interest, but you will be sure to make some great new friends. For more information, please contact Ove Jakobsen at 256-721-0431 or ovejakobsen@msn.com for sound or Bob Nix at 623-214-8280 or bobnix@cox.net for lighting. Nothing is a forever commitment - what do you have to lose? You will not be on your own, you will be a valuable member of the team who will help you learn a new skill. As any actor or musical performer will attest, your valuable skills create the magic of live performances. You’ve seen it, how about helping make it happen!

STATE OF MINDFULNESS

The SCG state of Mindfulness is a mindfulness community, practicing together, bringing peace, compassion, and gratitude to our selves and those around us. Group meditation can help develop a real connection with people while tapping into the same silence and source of peace, all at the same time. The SCG State of Mindfulness is focused on science and evidence based tools and resources. We are not based in any religion or spiritual beliefs; however, we do believe in religious harmony and all are welcome.

MINDFUL MONDAYS 8 monthly Drop/in meditation opportunities OctMay. First Monday of each month

GROUP MEETINGS Group meetings are facilitated group discussions that begin with a topic introduction and end with a meditation. Group to meet at least 3 times per year.

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION, AN INTRODUCTION Information to follow regarding an introduction/ refresher course. For those interested in enhancing wellbeing and resilience join us! For more information check out our website: SCGstateofmind.com or email us at SCGstateofmind@gmail.com

VALLEY OF THE SUN SKI CLUB

Valley of the Sun Ski Club calling all skiers! We meet on the 1st Thursday of the month at the Kuentz Rec Center in SCW starting in November thru April. We have 3 great trips planned in 2023; Telluride Jan 8-13, Whitefish, MT Feb 5-10 and Winter Park March 5-10. If you are interested in learning more please contact Judy Ainsworth 602-909-4333.”

WASHINGTON STATE

Contact(s) for Interest Group: Susan Brinkley, 206-276-2080, susanbrinkley7@gmail.com Meeting Information: Notification of events are sent via email to individuals who sign up on the roster. Events will be included in the Grand Lifestyles publication and will be posted on the community bulletin boards at the Cimarron Center and Sonoran Plaza. Description: The Washington State Group provides opportunities for interested Washingtonians to get acquainted and enjoy common interests. Events have included socials, golf tournaments, hiking, and attendance at Spring Training Mariner games. Volunteering is critical to keeping this vibrant. Ideas for future events are always welcome.

WINE TASTING

Description: The group conducts tastings of wines from countries of the world. Each tasting begins with an introductory educational preview of the topic, followed by the wine tasting done in an informal atmosphere. Light foods and finger desserts are available. Members have the opportunity to learn about wine and find new varietals to enjoy and also meet and befriend fellow wine enthusiasts. Meeting Information: We meet on the second Tuesday of each month except July and August at 7:00PM at the home of a member host. Annual dues are $10 per person and the tasting fee is $15 per person. We also have an annual multi course Wine dinner featuring cuisine from around the world prepared by a fine local restaurant and paired with quality wines of the region. Contact for the Wine Interest Group: Judy Helderman, 623-322-9425, jhelderm@yahoo.com

WISCONSIN INTEREST GROUP

As we enter a New Year, a warm welcome to our many new members. If you would like to learn more about the Wisconsin Interest Group, visit our web site at www.wigazinfo.weebly.com. Click on the ‘Contact Us’ tab and send us a note. We can also be reached at wigmessage@gmail.com . A very active season is planned. In December we had a wonderful time with a private Coach to Silver Star Dinner theater. The first Monday of each month, we gather at Tivoli Gardens for our monthly breakfast. Don’t miss the camaraderie and great food. Weekly Sheepshead is available for aficionados.

CONFIRMED DATES FOR 2023. MARK YOUR CALENDAR. January 16, 2023: Holiday Dinner in the Sagebrush Ballroom. Catered dinner. Live band S’mile. February 3, 2023: Beer and Cheese Tasting February 13, 2023: Pizza/Bingo Night. Agua Fria Room-Cimarron March 17, 2023: Tailgate Party in Agua Fria Room and Patio-Cimarron and Brewer Game at Surprise Stadium A special thanks to many who have stepped up to volunteer and make the Wisconsin special.