News from Ann...

Here I am at the Las Vegas Gun Club, where my husband Phil competed in a trapshoot on March 6-8, 2009. Although I didn't participate in this event, I did take a few shots using his shotgun. I began trapshooting in 1997, when actor Robert Stack, an Olympic champion shot, gave me a wonderful shooting lesson. I met Phil at a shoot in California. Although I "retired" from the sport a couple years ago due to an injury, I do own two Beretta shotguns, and I may ease back into it one of these days. By traveling to various shoots, we have made many friends around the country. 

Ann Santos (Zeta Chi)

It's Time for a "Fling!"

The annual Pi Zeta Senior Recognition Luncheon, also known as the "Spring Fling," is coming up very soon! The luncheon will take place on April 18 at noon at Sam's Cafe in the Biltmore Fashion Park, 26th Street & Camelback. Cost: $20. We want a good showing of alums to meet and mingle with the seniors and let them know how special they are and what a great thing the next level (alumnae) of sorority life is! Contact ASNDRLN@aol.com by April 6th to make reservations.  

Beans, Guacamole, Lettuce, Ole!

Our annual Taco-Salad Buffet is quickly approaching! On March 23rd we will be hosting a buffet for the ladies of Pi Zeta. We are still in need of food donations including: cookies, bars, ice, guacamole, tortilla chips, sourcream, ground beef, taco seasoning, salsa and shredded lettuce. We are also desperately needing a few fabulous alumni to staff the event! Email Ann Santos, Asndrln@aol.com, if you are interested in donating or helping on the day of! Gracias!!

History or Memories in the Making!

Our brand new Historian, Susan Warner (Theta Kappa, U of New Orleans), would like to chronicle your experiences and memories in a formal way for our chapter! She would love for you to send via email or snail mail your pictures and memories from your time as a Phoenix Alumnae. She is happy to scan your pictures and return them to you if necessary.

Contact Susan Warner with any questions...

warner_susan@hotmail.com

Under 30 Crowd

St. Patrick's Day is quickly approaching! How does a green appetizer and beverage get together sound? Is anyone interested in hosting such an event? Perhaps on Saturday, March 14. Please call or email Kristen Thurmond if you are interested in attending or hosting! Thanks!

Chandler/Gilbert Alums

Mark your calendars for May 2 for a get together at Kristen's mother's house in Ocotillo to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It will be an afternoon filled with Mexican style snacks and beverages pool side! More infor to come with address, time and what you can bring. Please stay tuned! If anyone in other Valley areas is interested in hosting the same event at your own house, please email or call Kristen Thurmond. Thanks!

Phoenix DZ alums Ann Santos (Zeta Chi, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point), Arlis Legler (Zeta Upsilon, Winona State), and Mary Georgeson (Zeta Upsilon) load games and books for delivery to the new Cancer Treatment Centers of America facility in Goodyear, Arizona. 

On February 14, Phoenix DZ alums celebrated Valentine's Day and Arizona Statehood Day. They wore red in observance of Women's Heart Health Month. Collections of personal items for Support Our Troops and games and books for the Valley's new Cancer Treatment Centers of America facility also took place. 

From Carol...

Last February 7 I took part in Pensacola's 10th annual Double Bridge Run. This run crosses 2 bridges as runners leave mainland Pensacola, crossing the Pensacola Bay Bridge (3 miles long), running across Gulf Breeze, and then over the Bob Sikes Bridge. The race finished at Pensacola Beach, right where Hemingway's Grille is located. I did the second bridge event (5K) instead of the whole 9.3 miles!! Had a good time too- 36:48- a good time for me considering asthma and 8 heart stents! Weather was PERFECT! 

Carol Sweeney

From Kimberly...

My boyfriend Dave and I spent two weeks trekking around Argentina in January 2009. We started in Buenos Aires and the flew to Patagonia where we visited San Carlos de Bariloche, El Calafate and Ushuaia. In San Carlos de Bariloche, we went white water rafting on the Argentina/Chile border, ate lots of amazing steak and drank tons of fabulous red Malbec, a regional wine from Mendoza, Argentina. In El Calafate, we spent the day trekking on the Perito Moreno glacier, which was absolutely amazing- by far the coolest nature experience I've had to date. And in Ushuaia, billed as the Southernmost city in the world, we went hiking and canoeing in the national park and visited a penguin rookery where we walked amongst hundreds of Magellenic penguins. After out 9 days in Patagonia, we were back up to Buenos Aires for the remainder of our trip and we saw all the major sites there- Recoleta Cemetery, La Boca, Puerto Madero, Cafe Tortoni and Avenido 9 de Julio. 

Our two weeks in Argentina were amazing- the food was exceptional and the people were incredibly friendly. We can't wait to go back! 

Kimberly Sambrook

It's been a crazy year! I had to miss the September meeting because I was out of town for my husband's sister's wedding, then we were in Italy for the October meeting and out of town for my birthday the weekend of the Christmas Tea. Now, believe it or not I will be missing the February meeting as my husband and I will be moving to Hawaii on the 11th. We're going to be relocating there for a couple years as he will be managing a couple of military construction projects in Oahu. The move has all come about very quickly within the last two weeks. His company asked him to transfer and we couldn't pass up such a fantastic opportunity. As of now I have no idea what I will be doing once we get there. I'm definitely taking a month or so off to get us settled and enjoy some much needed R&R. I'll keep you posted as things progress.

Abbey Price (Xi Omega, Purdue)

I am so thrilled that we finally have a new grand-baby. David Ryan Spencer was born on Sunday, February 1st at 12:22 PM. He was born at home with a midwife in attendance and I was privileged to be there. It was amazing! I am a full supporter of home births now in the right circumstances and with the right midwife.  

Sue Rowse

Chapter Updates...

Two Phoenix DZ alums were Valentines babies. Do you know who they are? Check your new directory to find out!

Don't have a directory? Come to the February 14th meeting to pick one up! The latest newsletter will also be available. We're celebrating Women's Heart Health Month, so wear something red in support. It's a luncheon at noon in the McCormick Ranch area. Only $10 for a great lunch, door prizes, guest speaker and lots of sisterhood. What a bargain! Contact dzphxalumpres@aol.com for details or reservations by February 9th.

The Pi Zetas at ASU will enjoy sweet treats courtesy of their Phoenix alumnae sisters. Valentine wishes were attached to bags of Famous Amos cookies. Who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies??

We'll need some volunteers to help with our third annual taco-salad buffet for the Pi Zetas. It is tentatively scheduled for March 23rd at the Pi Zeta chapter room, Adelphi Commons, ASU. Contact Ann Santos, phxdzalumpres@aol.com

Happy Groundhog's Day!

He came, saw his shadow and off he went! It looks like 6 more weeks of Winter... not that it really affects us here in 80 degree (in January) Arizona! :) 

It's Cookie Time!

It is a new year and the sweet smell of cookies, Girl Scout cookies to be exact, is in the air! As a new leader of a wonderful troop of kindergarten Daisies I find myself back in the cookie business I loved when I was a child. If any of you are interested in purchasing cookies this year please consider buying from the troop of a fellow sister! I am on the west side making it easier for me to delivery or meet up with other west-siders however I am not opposed to selling to

 sisters in the east valley. Cookies are $4.00 a box with $.75 of the cost going directly to the troop. There are several cookie varieties to choose from including:

1. Lemon Chalet: vanilla sandwich with lemon creme filling 
2. Trefoils: simple and satisfying shortbread cookie
3. Do-Si-Dos: oatmeal cookie with creamy peanut butter filling
4. Samoas: vanilla cookie, covered with carmel, rolled in toasted coconut and striped with chocolate
5. Dulce De Leche: inspired by Latin American dessert with carmel chips and stripes
6. Sugar Free Chocolate Chips: classic chocolate chip
7. Tagalongs: cookie topped with peanut butter and covered in chocolate
8. Thin Mints: thin wafer covered with chocolate

Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to order!

Erin Maher (emaher1@cox.net)

New Updates for the New Year!

By now you know that I have stepped down as membership chair to focus on my new job and grad school. Thankfully Kristen Thurmond has graciously offered to reclaim the position for the remainder of the year! Thanks Kristen! -Erin

Here are a few updates from Kristen...

West-Siders

The women on the West side are interested in attending an upcoming spring-training game, visiting a tearoom in Glendale and possibly a show at the Arizona Broadway Theatre. If you live in this area and are interested in working with the Membership Committee to plan these events please email me.

Chandler/Gilbert

For those women in Chandler/Gilbert, I would love to have put together similar events. I know that Tea Dreams A Modern Team Room (http://www.shopteadreams.com/index.htm) in Gilbert would be a perfect gathering spot for tea. March would be a great time to get together and welcome Spring. Please email me if you are interested in helping coordinate the event.

Cinco de Mayo

Ann Santos suggested a "Ritas and Fajitas" get-together near Cinco de Mayo. I would be more than willing to host such an event for the Chandler/Gilbert women. Let's pencil in Saturday, May 2nd. I'll send out more info as the time draws near. I will need a committee to help coordinate the event. Please email me if you are willing to volunteer. Is there anyone in the Scottsdale, Tempe/Mesa and North Phoenix area willing to host the same event for the women in these areas? If so, please send me an email.

Under 30 Alumnae

It seems we have a very active Under 30 group. (My, do I remember those days!) I would love to help coordinate whatever kind of event you all are interested in having. Perhaps a night at Dave & Busters? (But I'm over 30 and not sure what the "in thing" to do or "in place" to go these days) Help! Please email me with suggestions.

Plea for Help!

If you have any other suggestions for events to enhance membership and bring together sisters, please let me know! I'm absolutely interested in your suggestions and most of all your help. Like Ann says, "it just takes one person to get the ball rolling."

-Kristen Thurmond

Samantha Gustafson, her roommate and their Christmas tree Jesus (hey-ZEUS). Check your email for a full update from our sister Samantha. 

First Under 30 Event

The first official 'Under 30' event took place last Thursday, December 18th. The ladies went to a wine and chocolate tasting at Sweet O' Lounge at Westgate in Glendale. The ladies are reporting back that the wine and chocolate pairings were de-li-cious and the chance to bond with new sisters was priceless! We hope to be able to get together again soon after the busy holiday season. The hope is to make events more frequent, with more sisters and vary the formality (some planned in advance and some more spontaneous get-to-gethers between new friends). If you have any suggestions for future events or if you have been mistakenly excluded from the contact list please let me know!  phxdzalumnae@gmail.com

Sugar and Spice... Our Holiday Tea

Our annual Holiday Tea was as fabulous as it was festive. There was a tasty treat spread, cookie swap, ornament exchange, beautiful jewelry made by Dusty Tingstrom and plenty of new introductions and old friends catching up. In other words it was another successful sisterhood event. Check out the pictures above to see just a small snip-it of the fun that was had!

 1: Kristin Thurmond (Delta Chi, Cal State Chico), her daughter Page (future DZ) and her mother. 2: Mary Peterson (Delta Nu), Joan Morgan (Beta Sigma), Sharon Grewell (Delta Theta) and Greta Mock (Alpha Iota) 3: Kathy Ray (Omicron, U of Pittsburgh) and her friend June Walther

Don't Forget...

This Saturday, December 6th from 2-4 PM is our annual Holiday Tea! Bring your female friends, treats to share and a wrapped ornament to exchange. You are also welcome to bring travel size toiletries for the Sojourner Center and/or new or used books for Lee Ann Witt's daughter who is collecting them for the Invisible Children of Africa. We hope to see you all Saturday. Happy Holidays!

The Pi Zeta Chapter at ASU supports Delta Zeta "Pink Goes Green" and is selling re-usable bags as a philanthropy and fundraiser for the chapter. These funds will go to the Delta Zeta Foundation and the Gwen Walters Sisterhood Grant.

These make a great gift for the holidays! Bags are $5 a bag, or get a great deal 5 for $20. You can choose from Forest or Kelly Green.

We hope you will support us in our efforts. If you are interested in purchasing a bag or bags, please notify Gina Kruckenberg at gkruckenberg@cox.net 

Over the (dry) river and through the desert, to... well, Grandma's house or wherever you might be going... I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with the family and friends who mean the most to you.

And, if you by some chance haven't yet responded for the Phoenix DZ Alumnae Holiday Tea on December 6th-- it's not too late!! Just e-mail Deb Willey at deb@durango.net and tell her to expect you, the important women in your life, your cookies and wrapped ornament. No time to bake? No problem: Just come anyway! (Tell us Santa sent you!)

In Delta Zeta,

Ann Santos

Time For Tea

"Sugar & Spice"

Delta Zeta Alumnae Holiday Tea 

When: Saturday, December 6th

Time: 2-4 PM

Hostess: Dena Cunningham

5738 W. Mariposa Grande Lane, Glendale

Don't forget...

(1) To invite all the women in your life: moms, sisters, aunts, cousins, neighbors, friends and even mothers-in-law! 

(2) Each person should bring a wrapped ornament to exchange if you would like to participate

(3) Got a special holiday cookie recipe? Bake up a batch and or pick up a package at your local market. Bring enough to share during the tea plus a few more... we will send a variety plate home with everyone!  

We will need a head count for seating arrangements by December 1st so please let us know if you will have guests. 

Deb Willey, deb@durango.net

Dena Cunningham, dcunning251@cox.net

Pi Zeta

The long awaited Bid Day picture! I was hoping to post this long ago, but it's better late than never! Knowing how important our relationship with the collegiate chapter is to all of us (award winning even!) I thought everyone would enjoy seeing the ladies all together. If you recall, Pi Zeta took 48 new baby turtles this Fall including 8 legacies! 

Legacies: Jessica Coffrini, Nicole Engelhardt, Tara Flanagan, Merissa Ghezzi, Jenna Maher, Katelyn Mullan, Sara Prokop and Jessica Stone 

Music Hath Charm

For some people, singing is therapy for the soul. Dorrine Prudhom, 76, helped create a chorus calaled the Choral Reef Singers just so she could have somewhere to sing. She helped start the group when she was undergoing radiation treatments for cancer. Unfortunately she lost her voice as a result of the therapy, but it came back! The group includes amateur singers as well as professional choir members. Phoenix DZ alum Claudia Hosking (Delta Alpha), who is known for her expert flute-playing, is a Choral Reef Singer and was mentioned in a recent issue of the Scottsdale Republic newspaper.