Wishing everyone a very happy holiday and a wonderful new year!

Made especially for DZ!

Phoenix alum, Carol Sweeney, found this online!

Pi Zeta gets a little help surviving finals...

As the end of the semester drew near, our Pi Zeta sisters were preparing for final exams. To ease them through this stressful time, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter provided "Finals Survival Kits" filled with useful items. The girls' parents were invited to purchase them for their daughters, Deb Willey filled the orders and delivered them. Many thanks to all the alums who donated Starbucks cards, etc. and/or $$$ for this project. Proceeds benefit the alum chapter's philanthropy fund.

Deb Willey delivering the goods!

Happy Holidays from Pi Zeta

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Teddy Bear Tea

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On December 3, Denise Adams hosted the chapter's third annual "Teddy Bear Tea" and holiday party. Attendees brought 58 teddy bears of various sizes for local firemen to give to children in emergency situations. A new activity this year was Santa's Bazaar, a collection of craft items and baked goods donated by the alums. Proceeds benefited the philanthropy fund. Ann Haggerty received a "golden bear" award for the best holiday hat. A ten-year member award was given to Paige Pawlikow.

Happy holidays and all best wishes for a terrific New Year from all of us in the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter!

Coming Soon...

Check back very soon for wonderful Teddy Bear Tea pictures and a look at this year's Pi Zeta Final Survival Kits!

Sister Update

Last summer, Randie Boldra, moved from Glendale to the mountains southwest of Denver. "Staunton State Park opens next year and I can't wait to cross the road and explore this beautiful area. Deer, elk, fox, coyotes, squirrels and rabbits have visited the yard, as well as many birds. My favorite is the little Colorado bluebird," she writes.

Randie says she hasn't yet seen the black bear and two cubs that make the neighbor's dog bark. She says her house has plenty of room for visitors and the acre is fenced for dogs.

Happy Thanksgiving Wish

Happy Thanksgiving. Be safe. One of the things that I enjoyed about Delta Zeta in college was the different personalities and ideas that were brought together. Learned a lot.

- Sue Rowse

Sign-up for the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament, January 30–February 5, has gone live online: PhoenixOpenVolunteers.com. All the hours we and our friends and families work are "paid" to our Phoenix Panhellenic Association. The result is many scholarships for women attending universities in Arizona. Delta Zetas have received numerous scholarships in recent years. To continue this, we need your help. Remember, when you work one shift, you can attend the Open the entire week for free! So corral everyone you can, and be sure to tell them to sign up for Delta Zeta. Thursday through Sunday needs the most volunteers.

Santa and his Reindeer

Santa may come to town on December 24th, but the Phoenix alums are sending "reindeer" to their Pi Zeta sisters in early December before the end of the semester. Erin Maher, Arlis Legler and Ann Santos are the "elves" who crafted 125 of the candy cane treats.

Business Venture

Pi Zeta alum Christina Clark has launched Christina Clark Event Planning and Design. "I will be planning weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, galas, anniversaries- you name it, I'll plan it!" says Christina.

"Business associates, friends, neighbors, whomever- if they need help planning an event, I would love to help! And of course, please call me for any of your own event planning needs." Check out her website, www.christinaclarkevents.com

Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Sisters!

Taking advantage of the cool weather in Arizona this weekend, Ann Santos and Nicole Spurling tried a little trapshooting at a range near Phoenix. This was Nicole's first attempt and she admitted it was more difficult than it looked but was happy to try something new! It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Teddy Bear Tea

Click on the Invite to enlarge it. Hope to see you all there!

A Note from Laura

I have been receiving your group e-mails and e-mails from the DZ foundation. Thanks for thinking of me! I'm a stay at home Mom and loving it. I volunteer at my children's school and at the New Life Pregnancy Center, and am training for a half marathon. Laura Orr

A Note from Joyce

John and I thank you so much for the lovely afternoon buffet picnic for Founders Day (last Sunday). Thank you for all the planning of the program, and the flower and framed certificate. I am currently at the Del Webb Hospital preparing to have surgery on Friday (October 28). All of this week made me appreciate the beautiful Sunday even more. Fondly, Joyce Madson 65-year member, Order of the Pearl

Founders' Day Picnic

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On October 23rd, Pi Zeta sisters, Phoenix alums, family members and guests enjoyed our first-ever potluck picnic to observe Delta Zeta Founders' Day. A large ramada at the SRP PERA Club in Tempe was the gathering place for about 80 attendees. A bubble-blowing contest followed lunch. Phoenix Alumnae Chapter President, Ann Santos, then lighted a candle in memory of Phoenix alum, Lucille Hall Moon, who passed away last spring and presided over membership milestone ceremonies. Gamma Lambda, San Jose State, sisters Dia Mundle and Dianne Coppo were officially made members of the Silver Sisterhood for 25 years of membership. Joyce Hanson Madson was formally made a member of the Order of the Pearl for 65 years as a Delta Zeta sister. Each received a beautiful long-stem pink rose in a vase and a certificate of recognition from the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter. Pi Zeta closed the event with a ceremony about our sorority's six founders, followed by a singing of "Delta Zeta Lamps."

Thanks from a Sister

Thank you for keeping me up to date on the sorority. I read all of your notes. I stay really close to home because of vertigo which has turned into Meniere's. This disease gives no warning ahead of time and you get dizzy. Don't get old.

In the flame,

Carolyn Sellers

Roster Additions

Pi Zeta sisters, Jen Sabula and Jenn Urlaub (May 2011), have become active alums and Dorthy Charles has paid her dues and offered great suggestions for recognitions. We are glad to have you in our chapter ladies!

The good news keeps coming!

Carol Birch is now at Banner Del Webb Rehab on Meeker Blvd in Sun City West. Husband, Eddie, says she has improved a lot in the last couple of weeks and can now sit up, stand some and even walk a little. It has been a long road for her since the auto accident last July. Please continue to send caring thoughts and greetings her way.

Good News from Cleveland

Mary Pat Peppping's husband, Roger, was released from the hospital on Monday and is doing quite well after heart surgery. Mary Pat and Roger are across the street from the hospital in a hotel. They plan to return to Phoenix on Thursday, October 27th.

In Our Thoughts

Please keep Mary Pat Pepping and her husband Roger in your thoughts this week as he undergoes heart surgery in Cleveland

A word about Founders Day...

If we won't see you at the Founders' Day picnic, take a moment on the 24th to remember our sorority's six founders and the amazing results of their efforts. So glad we are all sisters! We have a wonderful common bond, no matter where we are or what we became after initiation and graduation.

-Ann Santos

Family Fun!

Celebrate Delta Zeta Founders Day with your sorority sisters at a family potluck picnic on Sunday, October 23rd. Bring a dish to share, as well as your spouse or significant other and/or kids, to the PERA Club, Scottsdale Rd and McDowell area. It will take place 3-5 pm. For details, contact Ann Santos. RSVP by October 15.

Welcome New DZ Alums!

The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter welcomes new members Jayna Nance and Monica Iafonaro, from Gamma Xi, New Mexico State University, and Kimber Lambreth, Long Beach. We look forward to getting to know you ladies!

Ice Cream Social

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Alicia Iafonaro, Jenn Urlaub, Jen Sabula, Nicole Spurling, and Mary Pat Pepping are ready to scoop at the ice cream social for new members of Pi Zeta. Other Phoenix alums on hand were Monica Iafonaro, Jayna Nance, Deb Willey, and Ann Santos. Kimber Lambeth came to mingle, and brought her two young daughters and niece. Gina Kruckenberg was accompanied by daughters Faith and Bella.

The girls chose from Neapolitan and vanilla flavors with a variety of toppings. Following the sweet treats, some of the girls won door prizes before heading off to their weekly meeting.

PI Zeta Gala 2011

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To kick off their Parents Weekend festivities, our Pi Zeta sisters at ASU put together an amazing event at the Hilton Scottsdale on September 30. Almost 400 people (Pi Zetas and their parents, alumnae, and guests) filled a grand ballroom for cocktails, a sit-down dinner, and silent auction and raffle. Proceeds benefited The Painted Turtle Camp, a national DZ philanthropy. Special guest was DZ National President Michelle Smith.

Among the Phoenix alumnae who enjoyed the evening were Sue Norman, Kimber Lambeth, Nicole Spurling, Deb Willey, Mary Pat Pepping and her husband Roger, Lee Ann Witt, and Ann Santos. Gina Kruckenberg, who is Pi Zeta CCD, was of course, a vital part of the program. PZ's new members were introduced, and all the actives introduced themselves in Round Up format. The decorations were fabulous, the raffle baskets were displayed very creatively, and the program was well thought out and interesting. It was an incredible evening!

Aloha!

This is the beautiful view from our 9th floor villa near Lahaina, Maui. We can watch the parasailers float by! If I weren't afraid of heights, this would be fun to try. We plan to stay on the water for a dinner cruise instead. We are already so spoiled and coming back to the arid desert will be a shock!

Ann Santos

Sister Leads the Way!

I work as a Registered Nurse at Banner Good Samaritan in Phoenix. I work on the Progressive Care Unite; specializing in Congestive Heart Failure patients. This past week, I was the first nurse to perform Heart Failure Ultrafiltration Therapy at Good Sam. This therapy filters a patient's blood, pulls out excess water and salt and returns the blood to the patient if they are admitted with fluid overload in their lungs and heart. This is a brand-new therapy to the hospital and is usually performed only in the ICU!

-Michelle Dayton

The Phoenix Alumnae Chapter had its "kick-off" luncheon meeting on September 10 at the Terravita Country Club in Phoenix. Special guests included Pi Zetas, Courtney Witt and Sidney Sather. Pi Zeta alum Karla Rasmusson spoke to the group about her upcoming appearance in the Miss Arizona pageant (November). Many thanks to Cindy McParland for sponsoring us!

Big Success on Campus!

During the recent recruitment, our Pi Zeta sisters took 77 new members! This fall's quota was 77. Two of these are Pi Zeta legacies. Of the 11 sororities at ASU, only 5 met quota. Way to go, DZ!

Just under 900 women registered for recruitment, a new record. More than 700 signed bid cards.

A sister shares some exciting news!

I am finishing up my psychology degree this semester at ASU, I am a temp-alum at the Pi Zeta chapter while I take online classes and work part-time in Human Resources at Leslie's Poolmart. Also, this November I will be competing in the upcoming Miss Arizona USA competition.

I am currently looking for sponsors for this pageant. I am seeking sponsorships in the form of service services, like salon, clothing and seamstress/embroidery services. The pageant process is expensive so I am also in need of monetary sponsorships. I receive most of my monetary sponsorships through the advertising opportunity in the Miss Arizona USA/Miss Teen Arizona USA program book. Businesses that market to women can purchase a page ad or half a page ad. This book will be seen by over 500 women; the 150 participants of the Miss and Teen divisions, the audience and family members; mothers, sisters and girlfriends!

If you know of a business that would be interested in marketing to valley women or know of any salons or clothing business, I would love to contact them. Please give me a call or email!

Thank you so much!

In the flame.

Karla Rasmusson

Miss Sun Devil USA

Support the DZ Team!

Ladies, our DZ team for the Komen Race for the Cure is looking pretty anemic as of today, and the six of us are quite lonely! We need you to join up. But if you can't walk, run, or even do the sleep-in, PLEASE consider a small donation to the team in general or to one of us who has signed on. We would really appreciate your support. (My goal is a lowly $150, but I have only $5 on my account. How embarrassing is that????)

Thanks much!
Ann Santos

Kick Off the Alum Year Right

Remember to mark your calendar for the September 10th luncheon at Terravita Country Club. The deadline is September 5th. Come and catch up on sisterly news and a whole lot more. You will also pick up your Founders Day notes to mail out in October. The meal cost is $15, inclusive. Contact Cindy McParland

Who's Who?

Printed copies of the 2010-2012 Phoenix Alumnae Chapter directory are still available. Pick up yours at the September meeting or order one by mail for $1. Contact dzphxalumprez@aol.com

Cool Opportunity

Our annual Ice Cream Social for the new Pi Zeta recruits is scheduled for Monday, October 3rd at Adelphi, 7pm. We will need help planning, purchasing, setting up, serving, cleaning up and most importantly MINGLING! If you can chair this event or want to help, please email dzphxalumprez@aol.com. Let's show our new sisters how great it is to be a DZ alum!

Take a look into Adelphi

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Save the Date!

September 30 is Pi Zeta's first annual DZ Gala, to benefit the Delta Zeta Foundation and the Painted Turtle Camp. It includes silent and live auctions, dinner, presentation of new members, and awards. The Gala is part of their Parents Weekend. Let's have a great alum turnout!

Unveiling

Prior to the Rush Our Moms Party (ROMP) on August 16, the newly redecorated Pi Zeta chapter room had its Grand Unveiling. House Corp members Sue Norman, Mary Peterson, Mary Pat Pepping, and Lee Ann Witt were recognized for their hard work on the project.

Check back soon for a slideshow of the fabulous new chapter room!

ROMP

At the ROMP, the girls practiced their recruitment skills on moms and alums. A huge array of food gave everyone energy for the fun evening. It was obvious that this was a DZ function!

Get Official!!

Chapter treasurer Lorna Green is checking her mailbox daily to see iif you have sent your dues for 2011-2012! Active members are $35, sustaining are $25. If you are a first-time member of this alum chapter, you get a pink-light discount: $30! Make your check payable to Delta Zeta Alumnae and send it in today!

In the Running??

Have you joined the Delta Zeta team for the Komen Race for the Cure on October 9? We alums and our Pi Zeta sisters are joining forces to make a huge pink and green presence! You can walk, run, or even do the sleep-in. If you can't be on the team, we will appreciate a donation. Many of our Phoenix sisters have faced or will face this terrible disease. Please show your support by becoming a team member or contributing. Every little bit helps! Thanks so much!

Please Save!

Have you gathered shampoo, conditioner, soap, and other products from your hotel stays this past summer? Or are you taking trips over the next few months? We will be collecting the toiletries in February when we tour the Sojourner Center. So, please hold these items until that time. And watch for a notice about other things the center's residents may need; take advantage of sales!

Jayna Nance, Philanthropy chair

Summer Adventures

It has been a fabulous and busy summer! This last weekend I was back in San Francisco visiting with some of my Xi Lambda sisters. We attended the Outside Lands 3 day music festival. It was an amazing experience all around. See you all in a few weeks!

-Erin Maher

Thank You from Pi Zeta

The Pi Zeta girls say, "We love the baskets! Thank you for all you do for us."

Moving Day

It was a busy weekend as students moved back to ASU for fall classes. Phoenix DZ alumnae delivered baskets of items to welcome back the girls who are living in the chapter house. Mary Peterson, Jayna Nance, Mary Pat Pepping, and Ann Santos did the honors this year. Many thanks to all who contributed funds to help with this project, and to Denise Adams who helped sew the turtle sachet/pin pads.

Congratulations Brittany

The McRae Agency, a leading boutique public relations firm, has hired Brittany Belsterling as an account associate. As the newest addition to the team, her duties will include crafting press materials to distribute to members of the media, building client-to-media relationships and producing social media initiative and campaign strategies for The McRae Agency’s clients.

A resident of Tempe, Brittany began her public relations career as an intern at The McRae Agency and after receiving her degree became a full-time employee. A member of Pi Zeta chapter, she recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication. She looks forward to being an active alumna member of Delta Zeta Sorority.

Lunch with Sisters

On July 30th, Phoenix alums Denise Adams, Karen Lange, Arlis Legler, Joan Dovilla, Sharon White, Mary Peterson, Pat Wells, Marilyn Collins, and Ann Santos lunched together at the Elephant Bar restaurant in Peoria. After lunch, Mary, Karen, Pat, and Ann went to Marilyn's home, where they packed up books and dishes for Marilyn, who had asked for some sisterly help before getting new carpeting.

Future DZ Alums @ National Conference

The Pi Zetas would like to remind all alums Perfection Week is August 10-14

ROMP will be August 16 @ 6PM!

Future Alums Visit DZ's Home

The Pi Zeta Executive Board just returned from the 2011 Norma Minch Andersick Leadership Conference at our founding home, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and what an experience it was!

We had eight women attend the conference: Emily Erwin President, Jenna Lose VP of New Member Ed, Courtney Witt VP of Programs, Allison Smith Secretary, Linda Cieslack Treasurer, Danielle Bushell Risk Manager, Libby Meskill House Manager. In addition to the members of the board Kristina Roman, the recipient of the conference scholarship, was in attendance.

Throughout the weekend we met with women from almost every chapter in the country. We discussed solutions to problems within the Greek system and shared our strategies with the many chapters who were impressed with Delta Zeta at ASU. All the attending women walked away with priceless information on how to improve our leadership and chapter.

The highlight of the weekend was the tour of the Miami University's campus and of National Headquarters. It was amazing to actually be in the presence of the history that has touched all our lives.

During the 2011 National Awards, Pi Zeta was recognized in three different categories: Honorable Mention in Academics, Outstanding Leadership Training Program and Outstanding Event or Celebration. Our commitment to leadership within the Pi Zeta chapter of Delta Zeta is stronger than ever and we are confident that the energy will infect the entire chapter.

In the flame,

Emily Irwin

President Pi Zeta Chapter

Update from Ann

The memory of this will make me feel cooler in this hot, humid weather! This is from our vacation at Nottingham Lake in Avon, Colorado.

-Ann Santos