Received this from Jim Mootz: "Shirley passed away last evening. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing you on the dance floor in Arizona. ?Jim"
?Attached are both a picture and her obituary.
Our condolences to Jim and her family. Shirley's smile will definitely be missed at dances in the valley and elsewhere, especially Moonlight Serenade and Merrymakers
THE
HOT BEIGNETS MAKES EVERYDAY LIKE MARDI GRAS DAY
?
The
Hot Beignets band
was named after those delicious New Orleans pastries doused in powdered sugar at the Cafe Du Monde by the big river and Jackson Square. Their music is focused on a New Orleans-style approach to the hot jazz of the 1920s and 1930s.? Many of the band's musicians
attend the New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp for Adults every June and then spend part of their summer in New Orleans playing at the clubs in the French Quarter. ?
?
Locally,?The
Hot Beignets?have recently performed at the Musical Instrument Museum, in Prescott at the Arts Center, in Marana, at senior communities across the Valley, weddings, birthdays, and celebrations of life.? In January they will be playing a cabaret show for
the Arizona Music Festival.? They sing, play and have fun on the bandstand in a true Mardi Gras-style and look forward to performing for the Arizona Classic Jazz Society.? Cheryl Thurston will be on piano.
?
This
event takes place on October 13, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., San Tan Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort, One San Marcos Place, Chandler.? Theater and table seating are available. You can sit while listening to great music or take advantage of the two
dance floors.? Cost is $15 per person.? Pay at the door.? Food and drink will be available for purchase in the hotel's bar.? For more information, contact Helen Daley at 480-620-3941 or???
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
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The
Hot Beignets?is
a great warmup for the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival which will take place October 31 - November 3 at the Crowne Plaza.? The Arizona Classic Jazz Society and Festival will be closing down at the end of this year so this will be your last chance to attend any
of their events. ?
Snowbirds are returning and we are in the throes of planning for this season's galas.? Thank you to all who paid their dues last spring and those who have paid this summer.? All who have in mind to join are urged
to do so now.? We need your continued support to keep this affair afloat.? It's still the best bargain in town for a glorious night out.?
We've recently gotten support from the Shall We Dance Club in Florence, AZ.? They have a ball coming up November 12.? For more information go to:
shallwedancemerrilranch@...? ?We appreciate their efforts in helping us keep ballroom dancing alive and well in the valley.??
I'll be back with more information in a few weeks.? Now is the time to get your membership in.? A bargain at only $305 for 4 dances and dinners.? Mail to address below.
Bill has notified me that his beloved wife, passed away on 9/11/24. Here is a picture of Bill & Jeanne.?
From Bill "This was taken at one of the Moonlight Serenade dinners.? Jean’s life and passion was dancing.? She was dancing to the very end of her beautiful life.?? Her life can fill volumes of books for all she did and accomplished while here with us.? For
all those who knew and loved her she will be missed.?? I lost my soulmate and best friend. Jean didn’t want a funeral, only a simple celebration with the family. ?She’s to be cremated and I’ll take her ashes to Tucson for a memorial service. ?In the fall of
2025 we will take her remains to Nebraska for her final resting place. ?"
They were members of Moonlight Serenade, Sun Lakes and, in the past, Merrymakers. Jean will be missed
Condolences can be sent to
Bill Fee
23761 S Vacation Way Sun Lakes 85248?
Regards,
Bill Fee
602-418-6942
Sun Lakes Sunday Dance Club September 22, 2024 Dance lesson: 4:00 pm, Cha Cha
I have updated the dancemm.com website with both a daily schedule (of venues I have information on) and a 1 page that includes venue contact information. I have yet to complete update of current venues & dance studios.
I've added links to websites for East side: Moonlight Serenade, Sun Lakes dances & lessons, a new Sun City Merrill Ranch, Florence (dance lessons) and West side: Sun City (which includes Sun Dial & Bell Center) & Hillcrest - all 3 have dance lessons.
?I'm willing to publicize any dances that are open to the public, except those occurring on Thursday evenings. Am attaching the 1pg which you may want to print to have the contact information.
If your park has dances that meet my criteria, please send me the schedule.
I received this from Jim <jmootz@...>, "Shirley has ovarian cancer and it has metastasized in the abdomen and lymph nodes.? She has chosen no treatment and to live out her life as she has lived for 84 years. They have given her 2 months, so no more dancing
for the?Mootz’s.? Don’t know if AZ is in the cards for Jim.
?You may share with dancing friends; however, since our dancing declined the last couple of years, few remain after our 20 years on the floor.
Jim & Shirley Mootz
71 Brickyard Lane
Winona, MN ?55987"
Here is a picture of Jim & Shirley together and also with the Lembke's.
Our love and prayers go out to both Shirley and Jim. So enjoyed having them at dances for many years.
Would you please send this notice to everyone about our upcoming season? Thank?You.?
Sun Lakes Sunday Dance Venue - IMPORTANT CHANGES
Dear Friends of Sun Lakes Sunday Dinner Dance Venue,
We are making some enhancements to our upcoming 2024-25 Season.
1.????
REDUCED ADMISSION FEE: The fee is reduced to $10 per person (previously $15). This applies to singles and couples. We have been fortunate to have reached a secure
balance sheet thanks to all of you over the past several years. We like to pass the benefits to you. Because of the increasing attendance the past few years, the club is no longer paying penalties to the HOA for not meeting minimum amount of food and beverage
purchases. So please, use the savings to purchase more food and beverages so that we maintain that minimum level. Thank you!?
?
2.????
NO MORE SEASON PASSES: You will no longer need a season pass to get this discount. Just pay at the door. (Cash only).
?
3.????
DANCE LESSONS: Many have asked for dance lessons. We will now provide a dance lesson in the ballroom prior to the evening’s social event for SEMI-ADVANCED BEGINNERS
from 4:00pm – 4:45pm. The level of difficulty will be for “Semi-advanced Beginners.” I do not suggest first timers attend these lessons. We will announce beginner classes at Sun Lakes at a future time. The fee is $10 per person for the group lesson. However,
when you come for the lesson, you will be required to pay $20 which includes the $10 fee for Sunday Dance Club event that follows. If you choose not to attend the lessons, please come after 5PM and do the regular check-in at the usual time.
?
4.????
PERFORMANCES DURING THE BREAK. To enhance our Sunday evening experience, there will be dance performances and demonstrations during the breaks. Here are the dates for the upcoming
season.?
1 week, 7 days, 160 Hrs, 9,620 minutes, 577,215 seconds & ticking since my momma was called home
????????
Surrounded by family, love, & prayer, she entered the pearly gates: Sunday, August 11th at??8:45AM as my Sister, Aunt, and I held her hands, finished watching praise & worship online and was entering into the sermon ??
Life is but the glimpse of an eye, whether 60 seconds or 60 years; cherish every moment —every second. It’s too short for anything other than - love.?
I did ??? I loved them both with all my heart &??soul — they are the reason I am the man I am today. Pushing me & always teaching me to persevere; no matter what. To always let go & let God. Learn & grow..Though nothing could have prepared
me in losing either, let alone.. both of youu:
??I will see you both & the rest of the family again one day, until then; words cannot express my heart & souls love, admiration, gratitude —FOR EVERYTHING, the sadness; yet solace in knowing you’re home at peace, pain/problem free, with
family loved ones ?? most importantly with the ever lasting LIFE — you are with me now, always & forever — I l?ve you both to the moon & back; to every star, in every galaxy near & far —there & back??? i miss u???????
——————————————————————————-
My Grandmother’s Memorial has been moved to September 7th @ 10:AM
From: King Fai Lai <kflai602@...> Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2024 1:13 PM To: MerrymakersDC2013@... <MerrymakersDC2013@...> Subject: Dance Shoes - out of business sales
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Good morning Marlene:
My wife (Kitty) and I used to sell dance shoes at LPG on Thursday. We are having an out of business sales for all remaining dance shoes and dresses:
Lady dance shoes: $20 per pair, brush $5, heel protectors $5 per pair.
Man dance shoes: $30 per pair.
Lady dancing dress (small) $10 per piece
Lady dancing gown: $100 per piece.
Cash only, all sale final, no return, no exchange, no refund, buy at your own risk.
By appointment only. My phone number is below.
Please forward our email to your members. Your help is appreciated.
I received the following message from Kaye's grandson Devlin Sexton:
"My grandmother's Celebration of Life has currently been postponed as my mother was just rushed to the hospital this morning and is in critical condition/ under observation. I will let you know ASAP."
From: Rick Goodman <ricksar@...> Sent: Friday, August 2, 2024 10:04:28 AM To: mvolberding@... <mvolberding@...> Cc:[email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [dancemm] ACJS/F UPDATE
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Mary, when are you going to start the new Twenty twenty five schedule? I have found a new dance partner. So I'm Excited about the coming year. Hope you're summer is going well.
On Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 5:58?PM MM-Mary Volberding via
<mvolberding=[email protected]> wrote:
There is a song entitled All Good Things (Come to an End.)?
It is not a happy tune. I have to tell you now that the Arizona Classic Jazz Society/Festival will no longer exist after the end of this year, 2024.?
We've had a good run; many people say ours is the best Festival on the jazz circuit.?
We have experienced that music tastes change with the times and everything cycles.?
The Evaluation comments from the 2023 Festival suggested we offer more country music, however, that would defeat our original purpose of promoting and perpetuating classic jazz.
?
Festival attendance is down from year to year and badge prices have never paid for the Festival.?
If not for our wonderful sponsors and cosponsors, we would have had to close many years ago.?
The State of Arizona has cut the Arizona Commission on the Arts budget by 60%.?
Grant recipients received notice that any grant amounts would be greatly reduced or eliminated for 2025.?
This year's award was $11,500.?
An angel rescued the Society's Sunday programs this year.? It costs more than $2,000 a month to keep the Society afloat and we feel fortunate when we take in $500 on Sundays.?
The last Sunday event will take place on December 1.? ?
The school programs will continue for another two years.
We do not have a young Board of Directors and there are no new, willing volunteers.?
Half of the Board are in their 80s, with two close to 90 years old.?
Four members gave notice that this would be their last year serving; leaving the Board with four less than the required minimum of eight members.?
Based on increasing challenges, it was decided by a majority vote that Festival Year 35 was a good stopping point and that we should close at the end of 2024 while we can still cover all our expenses.
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Since we are a 501(c)3 organization, we cannot just close our doors and say, "That's it."?
Treasurer Miller Lee and I recently met with a financial specialist well acquainted with the procedures necessary to close down and she provided us with step-by-step instructions.
?
Please attend our last Festival, October 31 - November 3, this year.?
It will offer the same high quality bands that have been the key to our longevity.?
Festival special sets are "Something Unexpected" and will offer a wide variety of music and fun.
There may still be occasional programs similar to ours that take place throughout the Valley and I will be happy to alert my email list to those events.
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Thank you to our dedicated Board Members (and their spouses) and all the members-at-large for your exceptional loyalty through the years, the great bands which have attracted an audience from far and near, the hardworking Festival volunteers, Festival attendees
and Sponsors and Cosponsors who have helped keep our doors open for so long.
? ?
We lost another long time dancer on July 14th. She and her deceased husband, Dennis, were popular dance figures in many East valley dance communities. They were long standing Merrymakers and for many years ran the Thursday afternoon dances at the Granite Reef
Senior Center. For awhile after Dennis' passing ,Kaye continued to run the dances with her grandson, Devlin. Her bright smile and beautiful? clothes will be missed. See obituary below for information on a Celebration of Life. Our condolences go out to Devlin
and the rest of her family.