Reaching Out - Royal · PDF fileReaching Out Spring 2016 to friends of Royal Oaks Royal Oaks Engaging ... College Conservatory of Music, completed his Master’s Degree at

Reaching Outto friends of Royal OaksSpring 2016

Royal OaksEngaging • Inspired • Vibrant

Retirement Living

Royal Oaks’ residents movin’ and groovin’ with Road Scholar

From participating in a “boot camp” of sorts for crime scene forensics to being some of the first Americans to take the plunge onto Cuban soil, Royal Oaks’ residents are learning about interesting places through traveling with Road Scholar. “We are in the third year of our partnership with Road Scholar and our residents are geared up for adventure,” said resident Janet Vincent, who organizes the trips. “Just this year alone, we have gone to Las Vegas to participate in the true-crime adventure, took two trips to California — one to San Diego, another to see the Queen Mary and Catalina Island, and residents just returned from Cuba (see page 2 for related article). Later this year, we’re heading to Williamsburg for some major history lessons, and then on to Iceland. And then we’re going to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC for the holiday splendor.” Janet is surveying residents about where they would like to travel in 2017. Some of the places of interest are Branson, San Francisco/Sonoma/Napa,

Nashville, Las Vegas—Entertainment Style, Mt. Rushmore/Yellowstone/Tetons/Jackson Hole, and more.

Road Scholar is an organization that provides educational travel tours primarily geared to older adults. It was formerly known as Elderhostel. The non-for-profit group offers study tours throughout the United States and in approximately 150 other countries. The program started in the summer of 1975, offering older adults noncredit classes and dormitory housing on college campuses in New England— a sort of “summer school for retired people.” In 2010,

Elderhostel changed its name to Road Scholar in order to appeal to the next wave of older travelers: Baby Boomers. Road Scholar now includes 5,500 programs, dividing them into the categories of theme-based, inter-generational, outdoor adventures, service learning, adventures afloat, and independent city discoveries.

All residents, staff, family, friends, and Priority List members of Royal Oaks are welcome to join any of the trips, space permitting. Contact (623) 815-4132 about getting on the Priority List.

Residents discovered warmth in Cuba—from the sun and the Cubans

Long before they heard the U.S. had lifted the travel restrictions to Cuba and Royal Oaks’ residents would have the opportunity to travel with Road Scholar, Chuck and Joan Lundeen and Connie Honeychurch had aspired to check out the tiny island nation. Travel was lifted in 2010 for educational groups, which means that Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) was able to plan trips there for U.S. citizens. “We’ve always had Cuba on our bucket list,” said Chuck. “So we jumped at the chance to experience our neighbor to the south.”

Chuck, Joan, and Connie discovered the Cubans to be very welcoming to U.S. citizens. Everywhere they went, Cubans, very practical people, reached out to interact. The group was fascinated by what they learned about life in this communist country. Cubans receive free education (including post university graduate) so literacy is quite high. Free medical care is provided and there is no class system—physicians and garbage workers are provided about the same monthly stipend—the equivalent of $25–$30 monthly. Food is rationed but a sign that free enterprise is coming is evident in the paladars opening up. “Paladars are mostly family-run businesses, serving as a counterpart to state-run restaurants for tourists seeking a more vivid interaction with Cuban reality, and looking for homemade Cuban food,” explained Chuck. “We had wonderful meals in paladars, in addition to joining in on the dancing that happens in these establishments.” Cell phones are very prevalent in Cuba, but internet access was very limited. “We didn’t even try to use the internet because the cost was so high,” said Joan. Cuba doesn’t

accept U.S. dollars; instead a special tourist peso is used. Not very many Cubans own cars and the cost of gasoline would make it impractical if they did have one. Almost everything is imported into this tiny nation. “The Cuban people have to make do with just six TV stations, so they amuse themselves with a lot of family gatherings, dancing, music, and socializing. There is certainly a sense of community,” continued Joan.

The media often depicts the colorful 1950s American automobiles juxtaposed against the historical Cuban buildings. Those automobiles are primarily taxis and this Road Scholar group did experience a highlight of the trip when their bus “conveniently broke down” (wink, wink, says Chuck) so the bus driver could call five 1950s convertibles to transport them. “We rode up and down the boulevard in these brightly colored collector cars, with the breeze blowing in our face.

We felt like we experienced the real Cuba everywhere we went.”

The Lundeens have joined in on four of the Road Scholar trips with Royal Oaks and are eagerly looking forward to Iceland this summer. “The knitters at Royal Oaks made us all woolen hats with the Royal Oaks logo on them so we can be easily identified to the Icelanders,” laughed Joan. To find out more how you can travel with the Road Scholar/Royal Oaks groups, call (623) 815-4132.

The brightly colored autos stand out against a historic building

Joan and Chuck Lundeen’s selfie from the convertible ride

His last job landed him in prison! Around Royal Oaks, resident Charlie Musgrave is known as “The Music Man.” His name may sound familiar since he co-founded and continues to conduct the very popular Desert Brass Band. Music has been a big part of his life for most of his 83 years (and he still occasionally shoots his age for 18 holes on traditional golf courses!).

The headline of this article came from his own words—for the last 22 years of his distinguished career, he dedicated his work to encourage inmate students (at the maximum security Indiana State Prison) the opportunity to study for a high school diploma, an associate degree, and bachelor’s degrees from either Ball State University, Indiana University or Grace College. He created college classes, taught by college professors, to be given inside the prison walls. “I’m a Christian and felt this was a very rewarding finale to my career in education.”

Charlie graduated from the Shurtleff College Conservatory of Music, completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Illinois, with his Doctoral studies at the University of Colorado. Starting as a band director and music teacher in southern Illinois, he also played French horn in the St. Louis Symphony. “This was during the Golden Age of musicals,” said Charlie. Musical comedies from the

40s to the early 60s are his sweet spot, and he enjoyed the vociferous sounds that surrounded him while playing with the large pit orchestras.

At one point in his professional career, among other positions, he was the Director of Development at the famed Interlochen Center for the Arts in Traverse City, MI. “One of my protégées, at Interlochen, became the Concert Master of the Pittsburgh Symphony. I was so fortunate to encourage some extremely dedicated musicians during my teaching career.”

When thinking about retiring, Charlie and wife Toby were told of the active classical and big-band music scene in the Phoenix area. They landed in Sun City, where both became immersed in playing and directing music. They now participate in the Sun Cities Chamber Orchestra and Toby plays clarinet in the Sun City Concert Band, while Charlie serves as their Associate Conductor. For years, he was the Minister of Music at Willowbrook Church in Sun City.

In 1997, he co-founded the Desert Brass Band—which has grown to a group of 40 “cream-of-the-crop” brass players from all over the valley. They play primarily in the west valley and have a loyal following. “The warm sound that comes from these 40 brass players is something unmistakable,” explains Charlie. “Most members are retired

music teachers, band directors, and professional musicians. We have been the designated band for Luke Air Force Base. We program patriotic arrangements and marches to very appreciative audiences. At holiday time, we perform traditional music. Each spring, we break out show tunes, orchestral arrangements, featured soloists, and novelty tunes. People leave our concerts hardly able to stop their foot tapping.”

The Royal Oaks campus is a mecca for active, fascinating people like “The Music Man.” Visit our blog often at www.RoyalOaks.com to learn more about the caliber of people who call Royal Oaks home. And then come visit us!

The Royal Oaks campus is a mecca for active, fascinating people like “The Music Man.”

The swivel of a head, the gliding of a waltz, the quick footwork of a foxtrot— all elements that ballroom dancers endlessly practice to perfect their craft. Two Royal Oaks residents, Alice Pueringer and Ian Halkett, are ballroom dancing enthusiasts who come together as one when they wow us on the dance floor. How they stumbled across this hobby and how they became dancing partners is the subject of this interview. First a little background on our two dancing stars. Alice heralds from Minnesota and came to Sun City in 1993. She’s been a resident of Royal Oaks for five years. She has three children, eight grandchildren, and one brand new great grandchild. Ian has two children and five grandchildren. After his 13-year career in the Air Force, he entered the computer field, retiring in Sun City in 1999 from California. He moved to Royal Oaks in 2016.

WHY DANCING?

ALICE: After my husband passed away, I decided dancing was better than seeing a psychiatrist (laughter)! In 1995, I sought out a group class at Bell Recreation Center and was hooked after the first lesson. I had taken up line dancing a few years before and loved the feeling of movement and, of course, the music!

IAN: My wife died in 1990. After golfing and playing bridge for four years, I decided to venture into a new hobby. I had always been a music fan—I played piano—so decided to wander into a dance studio in Virginia. After my first lesson, it just felt like I belonged.

HOW DID THE TWO OF YOU BECOME DANCE PARTNERS?

ALICE: At Bell in the group lessons, you rotate in and out with different partners. I was lucky enough to meet Ian during one of the rotations and we clicked.

IAN: We realized we both had a passion for Ballroom and decided separately to take private lessons. We ended up taking private lessons as a two-some for six years together!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU GO OUT TO DANCE?

ALICE: At least four nights a week, we are dancing—and sometimes during the day. We dance for our own pleasure and also, when asked, to entertain others. When we’re not at an actual dance, you may find us in the Royal Oaks’ Motion Studio practicing.

IAN: When you are in the ballroom dancing arena, you quickly discover how many social dance clubs there are across the valley. We found out that we could dance very night of the week. And some weekdays!

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE WHO MAY BE CURIOUS ABOUT THE DANCE CLUBS?

ALICE: I didn’t start ballroom dancing until I was 68 so it’s never too late to learn. It makes me feel alive, like I’m floating.

IAN: I was 66 when I took my first lesson. It was never my intention to enter competitions. I just like to dance for my own pleasure. I would encourage people to try something new in

retirement. You never know how much you’ll enjoy something until you try it. Dance certainly expanded my social circle and it keeps me young!

WHAT HAS THE REACTION BEEN FROM YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN?

ALICE: My son insisted I attend dance camp. They agree that moving is good for the body and the spirit. My granddaughter even asked me to make her a ‘50s dance skirt— so I made one for myself, too!

IAN: They think it’s wonderful that I am so enthused about a hobby that keeps me active and happy.

What do we think? If we were judging, Alice and Ian would receive a perfect score!

Simply ballroom

Bette on par with her loves Bette Mann has had two loves of her life: husband Dick and golf. Both of those crushes started around the mid-1940s when Bette and Dick were at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Dick was studying engineering, Bette was an accounting major. A friend of Dick’s wangled a way to get Dick, a golf enthusiast, on Athens Country Club. Bette went along for the ride and became enamored with the sport. That friend was Dow Finsterwald, who would later be best known for winning the 1958 PGA Championship.

Dick and Bette were married just before he was sent overseas and Bette headed to California to live near her parents and await Dick’s return. Her career was at General Dynamics but her passion was a little white ball and a bag of clubs.

“I absolutely love golf—then and now,” said Bette. “I can hardly wait to watch weekend golf. I had to stop playing in 1990 because of my back, but I played for 44 years and enjoyed every ball I hit.” When asked her favorite player of all time, she quickly said “Lee Trevino. He was so nice to all of us girls who did the scoring for the pro tournaments.”

In addition to being an avid player on the links, Bette’s association with the Women’s Golf Association in California allowed her to be part of the pro action, serving as a scorer for the PGA. “We walked right alongside the pros like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Lee Trevino and kept their scores. They kept their own scores, too, and then at the end of the round, we were the ones who verified accuracy on the scorecards. It was so much fun to be right there with all the big time players.”

The elusive hole-in-one did not evade Bette. She has actually had five of them! The first one in 1968 at River Valley Golf Club in California and the longest one in 1990 in Hawaii—about 140 yards. Torrey Pines in San Diego is her favorite course, and yes, she did play Pebble Beach, in 1972. She, Dick, and friends did a month-long golf trip to Australia and New Zealand in 1985, playing 11 courses and dodging kangaroos on many of them.

“I really enjoyed mentoring young golfers as part of my association with Junior Golf, too,” said Bette. “Even when I was unable to play because of my back, I could still help young people learn the game—and learn to love it as I did.” Finding another

passion in helping kids, in 1992, when Dick and Bette were living in the Palm Springs area, she immersed herself, literally, in another activity of which she is very proud. “For 10 years, I worked with the Arthritis Academy. In college, I was a lifeguard and had a fondness for the water. So I became certified in the Twinges in the Hinges program through the Academy, where I got in the pool with children who were severely handicapped from arthritis or maybe were paraplegics. The water allowed them freedom of movement. I had so much fun watching these children paddle around with big smiles because they could move. It was very heartwarming.”

Twelve years ago, Bette and Dick moved to Royal Oaks. Always the enthusiastic volunteer, Bette spent nine years assisting the Royal Oaks boutique manager and currently is part of the group painting wooden toys for children. She also helps in the making of aprons for residents in the higher care levels. And even though Dick is now gone, her apartment brims with photos of their golf trips and their adventures. “I’ve had a full life,” said 94-year-old Bette. “And golfing and volunteering were two of the true highlights for decades.”

Bette flanked by singer Robert Goulet (plaid pants) and Carol Burnett’s husband

Bette standing next to singer Bobby Goldsboro (plaid pants)

Bette standing next to actor Ray Bolger

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDPHOENIX, AZPERMIT #1662

People of Faith, Inc.10015 West Royal Oak RoadSun City, AZ 85351-3164

Royal Oaks is the only Life Plan Community in Sun City offering full Lifecare. The 40-acre campus includes 360 independent living homes and apartments, 59 assisted living apartments, a 56-suite memory care center, and 57 suites for complete supportive living. The community is one of only a handful of retirement centers in the country granted an “A” rating for operations and finances by Fitch Ratings.

Contact Marketing for further information:

(623) 815-4132

Visit our website:

www.RoyalOaks.com

When away from the campus, Royal Oaks employees get creative!

Ivan Nazarenko, a tradesman in our Refurbishing Department, brought with him from Kazakhstan a hobby of beekeeping. His honey is delicious!

Malyssa Dunson’s voice earned her top finalist honors on a recent cruise ship competition. Malyssa is our Activities guru in the Illingworth Center.

Vicki Ullery, Marketing Director, decided to seek the fame of the local theater scene when she moved to Arizona seven years ago.