Wishing everyone a very happy new year!

- Your sisters in Delta Zeta

Happy Holidays!

Sister Update...

True I have been missing from many DZ events as of late, but I have been busy all the same. I have kept up on all the sisterly events through the blog and apologize for my slow-to-post reputation as of late.

I am very proud to share with all of you that as of last weekend I officially graduated from Northern Arizona University with my Masters in Elementary Education. I am excited to move forward and see what the future holds.

The weekend before graduation I also had the chance to go back to San Francisco and visit some of my collegiate DZ sisters. We went shopping, had great dinners and took in a showing of Wicked! It was an amazing show and a memorable trip.

I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!

Erin, Xi Lambda University of San Francisco

Time for Tea and Togetherness

'The annual “Teddy Bear Tea” was held on December 5th, 2009, at the home of Phoenix alum Dena Cunningham (Glenville State College, W.V.). About 35 alums and guests enjoyed two hours of food and fun. More than 50 bears were collected for local firemen to give to children in crisis.

DZ's Go To the Theater

On November 14, several Phoenix alums enjoyed an evening of sisterhood on a "Girls' Night Out" at the Arizona Broadway Theater in Peoria. A delicious dinner was followed by the musical stylings of the "Swing Sisters," a trio of talented women who performed favorites of the 1960s and 1970s. (From left) Carol Birch (University of Wisconsin, Stout), Jane Prall (Southwestern University, Texas), Randie Boldra (New Mexico), Joan Dovilla (Colorado State), Cindy McParland (University of Wisconsin, Whitewater), Ann Haggerty (Iowa State University), and Ann Santos (University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point). Not shown: Marion Porch, Arlis Legler, and Michelle O'Malley.

Don't forget about the annual Teddy Bear Tea on December 5th. Contact Ann Santos at asndrln@aol.com or check back for more details!

Sister Update... from Ireland!!

I had a wonderful time touring the west coast of Ireland the last two weeks with my travel pals. Each year my girl friends and I do a "all girls" trip. As you may see from the photos, it rained so much I had to seek refuge in a roadside pub. I was almost ready to take a job as bar maid but I didn't think my husband would appreciate a long distance relationship. Ha! From the Ring of Kerry to Donegal Town, we ate, drank, and shopped till we dropped. Great people and an interesting history and culture. I give Ireland a two thumbs up!

-Cindy McParland, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Ice Cream Bar @ Adelphi!

Phoenix alums Pat Wells, Savanna Grow, and Sue Hippe are ready to serve!

Happiness is new members and ice cream!

New Pi Zeta member Kate and Phoenix alums Ann Santos, and Pat Wells chat it up in the Pi Zeta kitchen.

Phoenix alum Sue Hippe (Tau, University of Wisconsin) is surrounded by a quartet of lovely and enthusiastic new Pi Zeta sisters.

Sister Update...

"My husband Shane and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary with a trip to London, Paris and Brussels in September. It was nice to get away while our daughter spent time with Grandma(-: We saw tons of sights and walked and walked and walked everyday! We were certainly exhausted from our vacation but it was a wonderful memory to have!" -Katie

Founders Day Brunch

Mary Jean Lindgren (Epsilon Epsilon) and Jean Darnell (Kappa) share a table

at the Founders' Day brunch.

Katie McCarthy (Beta Kappa) and Mary Peterson (Delta Nu) enjoy some

sisterhood.

Members of Pi Zeta light candles in honor of Delta Zeta's six founders.

On behalf of Delta Zeta, Phoenix Alumnae President Ann Santos (left, Zeta

Chi) recognizes Carol Stallard Birch (Zeta Beta) for 50 years of membership.

Members of the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter attended a brunch at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix on Sunday, October 18. The Pi Zeta chapter at ASU planned the event as part of their Parents' Day Weekend/DZ Founders Day. In part of the program, the alumnae presented biographical information about Delta Zeta's six founders. The alums also recognized Carol Birch (Zeta Beta, University of Wisconsin­Stout) for 50 years of membership by welcoming her into the Order of the Golden Rose, and added Claudia Edwards Hosking, Martha Kerlin Poe, Beverly Smoker-Wolf, and Goldia Lightfoot Blanding to the Flame Eternal roll.

Walking with Purpose

The sky was blue, the morning was beautiful, the mob of participants was enthusiastic, and the "race" was on in downtown Phoenix on Sunday, October 11. Phoenix Alumnae members (from left) Arlis Legler, Cindy McParland, and Ann Santos carried our pink and green banner in the Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure's 5k walk. Todd McParland assisted in carrying the banner and also took the photos.

Our banner caught the attention of new Pi Zeta recruit Molly Snittjer, who was pumped up about doing the 5k run. (From left) Arlis Legler, Cindy McParland, Molly's mother's friend, Molly, Molly's mom, and Ann Santos. Other Phoenix Alumnae runners were Heather Watkins, Jenn Jaeckels, and Sam Gustafson. Pi Zeta VP of recruitment Jenn Urlaub was also in the 5k run.

Check out what happened in September!

September Smorgasbord!

Saturday, September 19th is our Spectacular Salad Smorgasbord! Join us for some great food and sisterhood bonding! Don't forget about the "vacation auction!" Bring something to auction off from your summer vacation or even your staycation in the valley! See you next Saturday! 

Another Successful ROMP!

The ladies of Pi Zeta were gracious hosts this past week at their annual ROMP. Both mothers and alumnae showed up to lend a helping hand during Perfection Week. Alumnae and moms alike were impressed by the initiates recruiting abilities and were very complimentary. It is a blessing to have such a beautiful working relationship between alumnae and college chapter. As alumnae we should do whatever we can to continue to foster that bond! Pictured above is Phoenix alum Karissa Ma (left) and Pi Zeta junior and Alumnae Relations Chair, Natalie Cordray.

Sister Update...

Here's a picture of Madeline (our little DZ legacy!) and me taken this past Easter. I've been meaning to RSVP to the September meeting. Of COURSE, we'll be out of town (why do we always schedule DZ meetings during my vacations?). My husband and I are taking a trip to London, Paris, & Brussels and leaving Madeline at Grandma's house!!

---Katie McCarthy (Beta Kappa, Iowa State)

We Met at the Mansion!

The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter has had three "Getting to Know You" activities so far this summer. The most recent one took place on August 1, when seven alums met for lunch at the Wrigley Mansion. The conversation was nonstop, on every topic from kids to books to summer travels. The Mansion is gorgeous and has a wonderful panoramic view of Phoenix. Earlier get-togethers took place in the southwest valley and in Scottsdale.

If you have a favorite restaurant or activity you think your DZ sisters would enjoy, get the e-mail list from Ann Santos. It only takes one person to get something going!

Photo ID's:

On stairs, from bottom: Karen Lange, Sue Hippe, Sharon White, Lorna Green, Mary Peterson; standing, Pat Wells and Ann Santos.

ROMP is almost here! The ladies of Pi Zeta would love our support in preparing for Fall Recruitment. ROMP will be held on Wednesday, August 19th at 6pm in the Adelphi 2 Community Room. The ladies are asking that we each bring an appetizer, dessert, salad OR entree for the pre-rush potluck. Please RSVP to the E-vite you received a few weeks back or for more information on how to RSVP contact Ann. 

DZ's Dining Divas!

"Cheers" to those of you west valley alums who missed our terrific dinner at Toscana's Grille, Pebble Creek, in Goodyear. The meal was absolutely delicious, and we had a wonderful time talking for a couple of hours. The time flew by! We look forward to another such gathering in the near future. 

Seated, from left: Joan Dovilla Morgan, Mary Georgeson, and Jane Gale Prall. Standing, from left: Ann Santos, Ann Haggerty, and Arlis Legler. Don't forget you can always 'click' on a picture to enlarge it! 

Building Bears and Sisterhood

Build-A-Bear staffer Kathleen (right) leads the ceremony giving each bear a heart

Pat Wells and Ann Santos demonstrate stuffed and unstuffed

So many choices for Mary Z. Chandler! 

Decisions, decisions- Pat Wells and Ann Haggerty making tough decisions!

The DZ fashion coordinators dress their bears

Dressed in his little Arizona t-shirt and holding his birth certificate, Susan Warner's bear gets his "hearing aid" 

Build-A-Bear Pictures courtesy of Susan Warner. Thanks!

On July 18, several Phoenix alums "partied" at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Build-A-Bear Workshop. We were like kids in a candy store as we oohed and aaahed over all the darling clothing and accessories for our bears—from purple flip-flops with bling, to black "leather" Harley-Davidson jackets! The results were adorable, and the recipients—at a camp for kids with hearing impairments—will love them, as each toy will have its own little hearing aid. We're sending them to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, at the request of Delta Zeta National Philanthropy. 

Pictured are (front row, from left) Susan Warner (Theta Kappa), Faith Kruckenberg and her mom, Gina Kruckenberg (Delta Omega); (standing) Ann Santos (Zeta Chi), Mary Z. Chandler (Delta), Millie Homan (Phi Beta), Ann Haggerty (Beta Kappa), and Pat Wells (Gamma Lambda).

If anyone would like a copy of my "crash" diet, I'll be happy to share it! Actually, we had a beach-theme party to celebrate some birthdays at my office—and it was the perfect occasion for me to wear this swimsuit coverup! You can bet we had lots of laughs with this. Ann Santos (Zeta Chi)

Working with Pi Zeta...

Our alumnae are at it again... Phoenix alums Jane Gale Prall (Gamma Zeta), at left, and Arlis Legler (Zeta Upsilon) cut fabric for balloon-weights for upcoming Pi Zeta activities. This is just one of many interactions the alum chapter has with our collegiate sisters at ASU.

Tacos, Tequila and Sisters!

Late last month 15 of our sisters got together at Cien Agave in Old Town Scottsdale for tacos and tequila! The ladies had a great time and the event was definitely a success... just look at the pictures!

Picture ID's:

1. Pi Zeta alums Christina Gonsalves, Ashley Peterson, Whitney Lewis, Kara Kissell and Alicia Nowinsky
2. Lee Ann Witt (Zeta Psi), Nicole Barnett Farr (Delta Beta), Rebecca Ensley (Pi Zeta)
3. Sharon White (Lambda), Karen Lange (Delta Mu), Debbie Gately (Beta Iota)
4. Pi Zetas Tori Flanagan, Amanda Rolph, Jen Jaeckels, Christina Gonsalves

Pug Puppies!!

These adorable puppies were born May 2nd, 2009. The puppies are purebred pugs. They are now 10 weeks old and ready for a new home and loving family to care for them. My sister rescued the mother and was surprised only a few short weeks later when she gave birth to these 3 pups. There is one female and 2 males (the black puppy is a male). They have spent the last ten weeks with 2 other chihuahuas so we know they get along with other small breeds well. They are playful and full of energy. 

There are no papers for the puppies, as the mother was a rescue, but they have been regularly seeing the vet since birth and are up-to-date on their shots. The puppies have been raised in the home and we would like to find a family willing to allow them to remain indoors. We would like to find a home where the puppy will be accepted as a member of the family and as a blessing, deserving of love and attention. If you are interested in adopting one (or more!) of these puppies into your family please contact me, Erin Maher, emaher1@cox.net.