December 2017

East Valley youth write letters to lone soldiers

Michael Cohen The Lone Soldier Project at Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation (SLJC) supports the needs of Lone Soldiers while they serve on active duty in the Israel Defense Forces. Lone Soldiers are defined as member of the IDF who do not have family to support them living in Israel while they are on active. Approximately…

Heavy heart for the holidays?

Pastor Jean Newell, Sun Lakes United Methodist Church Christmas is drawing closer. For many, there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done. The “to-do” list grows longer with shopping specials to find, menus to plan and prepare and last-minute gifts to buy. When one is grieving…

Softball player profile

Larry Wolfe Sometimes the best laid plans go awry … and sometimes that’s a very good thing. That’s the case for Mike and Tia Otman. After a successful 33-year career, Mike retired from the Ford Motor Company. The Otmans sold their home in Michigan, along with nearly all their furnishings and other “stuff,” and bought…

Christmas in the Valley

Rev. Ron Burcham Christmas is different in the valley. I found that out five years ago when I celebrated my first Christmas in Chandler. I was in my church office putting some last-minute touches on that evening’s message when I heard what sounded like a lawn mower! “A lawn mower?” I thought, “Impossible.” Many Christmas…

A spooky good time

Janet Myrick IronOaks Pickleball Club had its first social of the season on Saturday, October 29. Players played with three different partners for each of the three games. Multi-tasker JoAnn Zapatka kept track of scores and court assignments, along with Janet Myrick. Monica Dickens organized the treats and donated her wonderful gift baskets for raffle…

Scrooge reflections…

Pastor Jean Newell, Sun Lakes United Methodist Church What is it about this time of year that makes one reflective? Is it the sight of children waiting in line to talk to Santa? Or is it the sound of carols playing overhead in a store? The smell of pies baking in the oven? Maybe it’s…

What the heavens declare!

Dr. Marc Drake, Sr. Pastor, First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes There was once a boy whose father was an astronomer. One day, the boy came home from school and asked his mom to help him write a report on the moon. Understandably, she said, “Ask your father. He’s the astronomer.” The boy replied, “But…

Cottonwood Lady Niners

Lorri Morgan, Publicity The Cottonwood Lady Niners are back, better than ever. Big news is the new pricing structure – just $275 for the entire season of Thursday Niners play ($295 for Phase 1 and 3), plus $55 to join the league. You can’t get more fun golf anywhere for that price! The Niners play…