6 minute read
Connect with the Colonnade
CONNECT WITH THE COLONNADE Unique Gifts, Food Truck Favorites,
Music, and Best of All— you’re invited
No matter what your passion is, whether that is shopping for jewelry or purses or looking for the perfect piece of stained glass or unique art for your home is what you fancy, Sun Health has the perfect event for you, your family, and friends.
The Colonnade’s Craft Fair, which is a no cost event for the public, is happening on Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Additional details on page 79). This event is extra special because Sun Health residents made sure the proceeds from vendor fees are invested in the futures of Sun Health’s well-deserving team members. “The Colonnade craft fair was not intended to make money. Our vendor fees were kept low to allow multiple vendor participation. In turn, all vendor fees are donated to our Employee Scholarship Committee. Our employees do so much for us all year. If our donation can allow even one employee to further their education, we all win.” shares Jill Mallaghan, The Colonnade resident and chair of the Octoberfest event.
Resident Scholarship committee cochair and The Colonnade resident, Janet Rehman, says scholarship monies can be used for a variety of educational pursuits including two to four-year higher education, vocational or trade degrees as well as coursework towards certifications or licensure.
“The scholarship fund is underwritten solely by The Colonnade residents and is managed by a small group of resident volunteers. Our residents see this fund as a wonderful benefit to the valued team members at Sun Health,” says Rehman. Rehman proudly shares that since its inception in 2015, the committee has awarded 102 scholarships totaling nearly $150,000. Mallaghan is excited because more than 50 talented vendors will be displaying their one-of-a-kind crafts and artwork during the festival.
“The goals is to help artists and crafters who work hard all year long to create their product, be able to share and sell it,” says Mallaghan. “By purchasing from craft fairs you are supporting local artisans who create items you won’t find anywhere else.” Leslie Morrison of Wickenburg, a vendor signed up for the fair, is excited to show off her specialty items, Hawaiian rompers for baby boys. Her mom, Sharon Pearson, is a resident at The Colonnade.
CALLING ALL SCG VETERANS
To be included in our annual acknowledgement of SCG Veterans in the Grand Lifestyles magazine, please send an email to activities@scgcam.com; or call the Activities Desk at 623.546.7449 by Oct. 10, 2022 and tell us your name and what branch of service you served in. We will make sure you are listed in the November 2022 issue of the magazine.
Thank you for your service!
OUR GREAT COMMUNITY
BOARD MEMBER Robert Towe
October is the best month, although I have to admit March in the desert isn’t bad either. Average temperature in October is 89. We average one day of rain in October (we’ll hope for more this year), and the end of the month is actually cooler than the beginning. October is National Cookie Month (bet you didn’t know that). Nice. By the time you read this little missive our budget for 2023 should be headed for BOD consideration. It happens almost every October. The progress on the Falls Restaurant will be even more visible, and conversations about other improvements, enhancements, replacements and new paint will continue to fill the BOD Agenda. New ideas to make life even better at Grand will raise both the ire, and gratitude of members. More exchanges of concern, or the lack of it, will eventually result in decisions that amaze, satisfy and infuriate – all at the same time. More worn out equipment will be slated for replacement, and Cimarron will have a fresh coat of paint and new floors to invite members of the community to relax, work out, play table tennis and enjoy all the other activities that have become second nature to us in Grand. And most of this happens because of volunteers. Sure, there’s a paid staff (CAM). In our case it happens to be an extraordinarily talented group of men and women who actually care. They want more than anything to make your life fuller, happier, more respectful and satisfying. That is a very big order. But they try to meet the expectations of thousands of Grand residents by working hard, and pulling together to create a vibrant lifestyle that is safe and truly fulfilling. But let’s get back to those volunteers. Hundreds of folks that throw themselves at daily and long range opportunities with an uncommon dedication. I’m pleased to be a member of one of those groups; the Board of Directors. I was appointed to my position after a couple of years on the FAC. The six community leaders that I joined bring an extraordinary level of imagination and management expertise to bear on the very complex problems of running a sophisticated and demanding business. No sugar coating either. The men and women serving you on the BOD represent you and your interests with a sincere desire to make Grand the very best place it can be. I’m delighted they chose me to help. We try to tell it the way it is; how we got here, and where we think we should end up. And we listen to the residents during the whole process. The board members may not always see a new concept through the same colored glasses as the membership, but even in the face of some very vocal detractors we present our ideas and rationale, and then make a decision. Oh, did I mention that we are all volunteers. No bennies, folks. Nothing but the knowledge that the decisions we make will be the best they can be with the hope that the majority of the residents will truly benefit from those decisions. The stuff and substance here is to remind all of us that no single person, or even group, controls the destiny of Grand. We’re all in this together, and volunteering is a great way to participate, be heard, and yes, make a difference. October is memories of Aspen groves, Red Oaks, pumpkin patches and football. And as L.M. Montgomery (Author of Anne of Green Gables) said “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers”. It’s also a great month to volunteer. (volunteers4grand@scgcam.com)
