In the Spirit

How far do you carry "theme" decorations? At my office last week, we celebrated two birthdays at work that are right around July 4th. So the color scheme was, of course, red, white and blue! In keeping with this, I made a strawberry dessert pizza that was DEE-LISH-ous! Contact me if you would like the recipe.

-Ann Santos

Convention Bound!

Phoenix alum Mary Pat Pepping, the chapter's delegate to this week's Delta Zeta National Convention in Tucson, is taking these Dr. Seuss characters as our donation to the convention philanthropy project. Stuffed animals are just one item on the wish list of the Children's Language Center, in Tucson.

Sisters Supporting Sisters

The company I work for is Neighborhood Restaurants, which owns and operates Zipps Sports Grills http://www.ZippsSportsGrills.com and Goldie's Sports Cafe http://www.ValleySportsGrills.com . This company is family owned and has been operating in the Valley for over 13 years. We have a total of 8 locations as of now (7 Zipps and 1 Goldie's). For years now the owners have wanted to do a philanthropic event and finally this year we are going to see their vision come to life.
During the week of July 26th, 100% of our company's net profits will be donated to Childhelp http://www.childhelp.org . This will be an incredibly large some of money for a company of our size if we did nothing to promote it; however, if we do make the effort to spread the word and create some buzz, this donation can grow to a sizable amount.
If any of our lovely alums live near a Zipps location or close to Goldie's, I would just like to urge you to stop in during the week of July 26th to help Phoenix's children in need. Childhelp is headquartered in Scottsdale, and has been in operation for more than 50 years. We are really hoping that our donation will give them the means they need to continue their efforts to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children.
I'm spearheading this project so obviously I would like to see it be a HUGE success.
Caren Plummer (Pi Zeta)
Phoenix Alumnae Chapter Panhellenic Alternate

Where Sisters Gather, Sisterhood Flourishes

On June 12th, the Lis Doon Varna Irish Pub and Restaurant in Peoria was the lunch destination for Phoenix alums (from front, left) Carol Birch, Barbara Gallaher, Ann Santos, Randie Boldra, Gay Peiffer, Sue Rowse, and Lorry Walsh. Lots of great food and conversation. And even a little "Guinness!"

A Note from Katie...

I recently got the best birthday present ever... Madeline decided she could, after all, go potty on the toilet!! Funny how our idea of a great gift changes as we get older. It will definitely be a long last 12 weeks... the baby is already a big girl! We are getting out of the heat for a little bit-- San Diego next week and then Minnesota for 10 days.

-Katie McCarthy

The Proof is in the Pictures!

Region X Weekend 2010!

Reporting from Region Weekend 2010

It was a very fun Region Weekend! Nicole was a presenter for the Recruitment Workshop and did an outstanding job. The officers supplemented her presentation with several recruitment songs and precision hand motions to make for an awesome, fun time!

Our Executive officers represented the chapter very well and came up with some wonderful awards!

• Outstanding Senior Region X: Kelly Somers- President
  
• Highest Senior GPA: Alex Samaniago- 4.0 cumulative GPA... AMAZING!
  
• Pride of the Region: Pi Zeta- This is top chapter in the region and our third win (07,08, 10)
  

Alumnae Awards were amazing as well!

• Outstanding GWA Alumna Sister of the Year: Ann Santos
  
• Alumnae Appreciate Award "Unsung Hero": Karen Lange
  
• Outstanding Alumnae Website: Phoenix Valley Alumnae
  

Workshops included Recruitment, Everyday Stress Relief and Communication with your Advisors- all were fun and very well done! Fun night consisted of a t-shirt exchange, chants and cheers by all chapters and everyone painting wooden picture frames for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Camp. There are some creative and crafty artists in Region X!

Lee Ann Witt

Regional Director

A Note from Carol...

After having our electric power knocked out on 2 separate days (one being last Sat. even-early Sunday morning in southeast Michigan resulting in a tornado; the other for "who knows why"--it just shut off during the night!), I am back online. I have no idea what Detroit Edison is up to, whether it is moving brownouts or what, but what a pain. You think you are going to have access to electricity for your day's ventures, only to wake up in the morning and find the power went off while you slept!

We had no storm last night to create a problem (unlike last Sunday when the winds blew off part of the housing for the nuclear power plant in Monroe, Michigan, which supplies our power here in Northville), so it is anyone's guess as to why we were without lights today.
At home in Michigan,

Carol Sweeney (Epsilon Phi)

A Note from Jane...

I was in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, for an annual gathering of friends (along with all their husbands and wives) I've known for 64 years. We were all together in junior high and high school and get together once a year to catch up with each other. This year there were about 20 of us. The numbers are getting smaller as some pass away and others are unable to make the trip because of poor health. But, we still have lots to talk about. Along with the catching up, we seem to do a lot of eating, do crossword puzzles, relax, make short trips to check out the many interesting things to do on the Cape, and play very wild and highly competitive games of Mexican Train in the evenings. It's wonderful to be with many of those I've known for so long.

-Jane Prall

All you West Valley and Northwest Valley alums, lets get together for lunch! You are invited to join us at Lis Doon Varna Irish Pub and Restaurant in Peoria. The restaurant is located south of Bell Road, east of the 101 near Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang's. We will meet there at 11:30 on Saturday, June 12th. We will be catching up on what we are all doing this summer! Together we can "travel" to Ireland without leaving the Valley! To get on the list, email Ann Santos by Thursday, June 10th.

Sister Update...

Wedding plans are coming along, the date is September 26th. I can't believe how fast it's approaching! I should be getting my dress any day now! :)

-Cathy Handen

Remembering a Sister

The service [ on May 29] was short & informal but very nice. Many wonderful things were said about Betty. Her daughter was, understandably, very upset (they were very close), and her son (also upset) & his family were in from Texas. I didn't realize what a world-wide traveler Betty was. Her daughter thanked us for the beautiful rose.

—Lorna Enokian Green (Alpha Beta), treasurer, Phoenix DZ Alumnae Chapter

Hi Everyone,
I hope you’re all wonderful and are enjoying the nice weather! I have safely made it to Omaha, NE for the summer. I started my research internship and I absolutely love it so far. I’ll be in Omaha until mid-August and then I’ll head back to AZ to finish my last year of courses in my program. I’ve updated my blog with some pictures and details about everything I’ve been up to for the past few months. Check it out! http://samgustafson.blogspot.com/ I’d love to hear from you!

Samantha Gustafson
Pi Zeta

Loss of a Sister

Long-time Phoenix alum Betty James (Alpha, Miami University, Oxford, OH) passed away on May 23rd. She had been ina care center since suffering a massive stroke in March. As of May 27th, further details were unavailable. 

A Night to Remember

On May 26, the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter for the 23rd year awarded funds to deserving graduating seniors at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. The Class of 2010, nine young ladies and four young men, celebrated the end of their high-school years and the beginning of a new adventure as they follow their dreams. Lorna Green (Alpha Beta), treasurer, and Ann Santos (Zeta Chi), president, presented checks to the salutatorian, Gabriella Flores, and valedictorian, Bianca Hamilton, who will attend ASU in the fall. Gabriella is enrolled in pre-med, and Bianca will study kinesiology. Of the 13 grads, 8 are going to college, and the other 5 will attend trade schools or already have jobs. This class is definitely destined for great things!

The Phoenix Day School for the Deaf’s Class of 2010 graduation ceremony had serious moments as well as much celebration.

Sophia Stone (center) leads four of her classmates in beautifully signing the song “I believe I Can Fly.” The graduation ceremony focused on achieving dreams.

Gabriella Flores (left) and Bianca Hamilton were thrilled about sharing the Phoenix DZ Alumnae Chapter/Claudia Hosking Memorial scholarship.

A DZ Wedding... Congratulations Ashley Mullins!

The planning session for the coming year is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Lorna Green’s. We’d like your input as to where to meet and activities you would like best. If you can’t attend please e-mail your great ideas to Ann Santos so we can try to incorporate them.

Fabulous Find

While doing some window shopping and lunching in Glendale’s historic district this past weekend, I stopped in at the Appletree antique and collectibles store and saw displayed there the two beautiful photos by Phoenix alum Carol Birch (Zeta Beta, University of Wis.-Stout). It’s such a fun shop to browse in, so if you get the chance, be sure to stop in! It’s right across the street from Murphy Park (the old main library). Then, go to Cee Cee’s on the Corner, at 58th & Palmaire, for lunch. It’s definitely a Delta Zeta destination, with table covers of dark green background and pink roses! —Ann Santos

When you love something... Support It!

When you love something, you try to support it. So, if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to send in your dues for the 2010–2011 year!

Some sororities ask $100 or more annually. In comparison, membership in the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter is a real bargain: just $30 for active members, and $20 for sustaining members—those who can’t physically attend meetings. Take advantage of these current rates by sending in your dues, TODAY! Make check payable to Delta Zeta and mail to Lorna Green, treasurer. She excitedly checks her mailbox every day for envelopes for DZ sisters, and Heather Watkins is looking forward to listing you in the alum chapter directory.
Your dues are vital for helping fund our local activities (including numerous interactions with our Pi Zeta sisters at ASU), and we really need—and sincerely thank you for—your support!!!

A Red Carpet Affair

This past Saturday the ladies of the Phoenix Alumnae Chapter celebrated the end of another fabulous year with a luncheon at The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Phoenix. The whole event was a dazzling display of movie stars and glittering jewels. Among other things, the ladies discussed some business of Hollywood proportions, dined on famously delicious pasta and installed the ladies starring in the movie that is our upcoming year (aka our new officers). Thank you to everyone who came out. Looking forward to seeing each and everyone of you shining stars in the fall!

Our President, Ann Santos, giving out the evening's awards:"Oscars" and certificates for the past year's officers, committee chairs and other notables.

Just some of the stars of the Phoenix DZ Alumnae Chapter.

Susan Norman installs the 2010-2011 officers as Lorna Green listens attentively.

From Left: Mary Chandler, recording secretary; Karen Lange, corresponding secretary; Lorna Green, treasurer; Ann Santos, president; Mary Pat Pepping, vice president; Pat Wells, LAMP editor. 

In the foreground at right Caren Plummer, Panhellenic alternate; Kaia Osadchuk, Panhellenic delegate. 

Picture Caption Additions Coming Soon! Don't forget you can click on any of the pictures to enlarge it.

News Worthy

Marilyn Collins (Alpha Alpha, Northwestern University) is being installed as Program chair for a Phoenix AAUW chapter. Congrats, Marilyn!

News from a Sister

I will be in Omaha, NE for the summer at an NIH funded research internship at Boys Town National Research Hospital. I’m very excited about the opportunity!

Samantha Gustafson

Pi Zeta DZ alum

News from a Sister

I've just returned from 8 days at beautiful Lake Tahoe, Calif/Nev. It was not the first time I've been there, but it was the first time I've driven the entire round-trip (1700+ miles), so it was satisfying to accomplish this  goal! My husband
is working and couldn't take time off, so a friend went  with me. We had a grand time in the COOL (low 50s day, 30 at night) pines.  

But now I'm back to reality, and it will really hit when I have to get up and go back to work in the morning! Bummer!

Stopping for a photo op as we drove around Lake Tahoe, which is a trip of 72 miles. It was in the low 50s, but the sun was warm enough to put down the top on my VW Bug convertible. At Incline Village, I wanted to submit my wish list early, but no one was home! Oh well, maybe I’m not being good enough this year anyway! But I would have put in a good word for Delta Zeta!!!

The next alum meeting is on Saturday, May 15th, at the Old Spaghetti Factory  at Central and McDowell in Phoenix. If you haven't yet made your reservation  with Mary Pat Pepping, please do so immediately. The cut-off date is  tomorrow, the 10th. E-mail mppepping@cox.net. It's our inaugural "Red Carpet  Luncheon," and will be lots of fun. Be sure to wear your best "bling"! 

Sister Update...

Carol Stallard Birch (Zeta Beta, Univ. of Wis. at Stout) and her husband are  leaving for three weeks in France (lucky them!). Carol is an award-wining  photographer, and she has several photos on display and for sale at the  Appletree antique store in Glendale. It's on Glendale Avenue between 58th  and 59th avenues. So if you're in the area, please stop in and look for them  in the Country & Garden section. Carol has promised to send a photo from  France for our great blog.