The clubhouse is open for use by residents under a plan prepared by the Risk Awareness Committee. It is rumored that at least one resident of the Village is currently Covid-19 positive. Please take any and all necessary precautions to protect yourself. If you have not been vaccinated, please wear a mask and socially distance when you are taking part in activities with others in the Village. If you have been vaccinated and feel more comfortable wearing a mask and socially distancing, please do. Covid-19 will be with us for a long time. We want you to be us for a long time as well.
Activities Committee
Meet Jim Larson – Activities Committee Member
Jim Larson is volunteering his time to the Activities Committee. From the looks of his resume, he will be making sure the budget for activities is well-spent.
Jim’s non-profit experience includes Kohl’s Ranch HOA treasurer and director at large. He was on the landscape committee at West Ridge Village HOA. Jim also served as president of Risen Savior Charitable Foundation and board member of Shepherd of the Hills Charitable Foundation.
Jim worked for fifteen years as a business appraiser where he appraised closely-held equity interests. He was a university professor for eleven years and taught finance, economics, and management to business students. Jim was in investment management for seventeen years and managed fixed income portfolios for large financial institutions.
Education encompasses Accredited Senior Appraiser from the American Society of Appraisers, PhD in Finance, The Union Institute, CFA designation – Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts, an MBA and BA Math earned at the University of South Dakota.
When you see Jim around the Village, stop and say hi and thanks for stepping up. He is joining John and Suellen Chiakmakis and Sharon Ellis. They will be working hard to make your summer in the Village enjoyable, providing many varied opportunities to meet your neighbors and have a great time.
Meet Sharon Ellis – Activities Committee Member
Sharon Ellis is joining the Activities Committee. She is ready to hit the ground running.
She retired early from her “real” job at the Pacific Bell in 1987, where she was a Long-Distance Telephone Operator, clerk, service assistant, executive secretary, project leader, and ended up as a User Support Analyst in the IT Department. Sharon worked at seven Bell System companies which is now called AT&T. In 1994, she worked a short time for the Sparks’ Police Department as a Police Officer Assistant just outside Reno, Nevada. Her fingerprints are probably still on file in Colorado. Ha! Ask Sharon about that when you see her.
More recent, Sharon was the Treasurer for the Venture Out Foundation for three years in the condominium community in Mesa where she and Mike live during the winter. Her term ended in 2012. She was the Business Manager for The Girls Scouts of America in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for five summers from 2003 to 2008. She managed the trading post, ordered supplies and fun things for the girls, and kept track of each Girl Scout’s spending money while they were at camp.
Sharon is currently the captain of her Ladies Billiard Pool Team in Mesa. She puts together the schedule for her team members of twelve for play against other parks in Mesa and Apache Junction and makes sure they have substitute players when needed.
Sharon is technology literate and owns a laptop, desktop, and an iPhone XS. She donated her iPad to P.I.C.K. (Phoenix Intercity Kids). She has used Quicken software since 1983 when it was owned by Wells Fargo at that time.
Meet Suellen Chiakmakis – Activities Committee Member
Suellen Chiakmakis plans to help her husband John on the Activities Committee. She will be the money woman tracking expenses, maintaining receipts, collecting event deposits and planning larger Village events. Suellen will also be in charge of producing flyers and other announcements.
In 1974 Suellen graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BS in Nutrition Food Science. The following year she became the Director of Special Dietary Restrictions for Fayette County Schools in Lexington, Kentucky. Her career led her to the University of Kentucky Internal Medicine Nutritionist, Hospital Representative for Roche Labs Pharmaceutical Company and Oncology Specialist for Roche Labs. Suellen married John in 1996 and retired in 2009.
In her job experiences she learned to communicate with many personalities and professionals. Jobs included financial budgeting, sales programs, continuing education for nurses and physicians. Patient programs such as “Look Good, Feel Better” were a significant investment for her oncology clinics, nurses and patients. “Tea for the Soul” was a break for oncology nurses and physicians to re-ignite their passion for their profession. Keeping up with the ever-changing science and clinical trials for colorectal and breast cancer was Suellen’s primary emphasis. Discussing with professionals how to apply these advances with her product line was her main focus.
Since retiring Suellen and John have ridden motorcycles, gone RVing, found the Village and now spend the winters in Mesa, Arizona but always look forward to summers in the Village. In her spare time Suellen enjoys quilting, crocheting, reading, yoga, walking, Mahjong, swimming and meeting new people.
Meet John Chiakmakis – Activities Committee Chair
John Chiakmakis has graciously volunteered to chair the Activities Committee. His offer is timely as the Risk Awareness Committee worked hard to recommend a safe way for residents to use their beautiful clubhouse this season. Let’s find out a little bit about John’s life before he decided to spend his summers in the Village.
John’s undergraduate work was completed at the University of Detroit and Central Michigan University. He had a biology major and a minor in chemistry and English.
In 1965 John entered the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine and received the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 1969. He completed a surgical residency for two years and became a faculty member at this college. John also acquired an Associate’s degree as a registered nurse.
In 1972 John moved to Mesa, Arizona and entered private practice. He achieved Diplomate status and was board-certified in foot and ankle surgery. He held staff privileges at Mesa General Hospital, Mesa Lutheran Hospital and all of the Banner hospitals. John was a medical and surgical consultant at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center for twenty-two years. His last ten years in practice were spent in Sierra Vista, Arizona. He has been a member of the Board of Directors at Mesa General Hospital for sixteen years.
John served as a director on the Sierra Vista Boys and Girls Club and was on the Codama board in Phoenix which deals with drug rehabilitation. He has been very active in drug rehabilitation programs for young adults. John lives in Mesa Arizona during the winter months and in the Village for the summer.
The Activities Committee has three additional members. Stay tuned for information about each of them. Please visit the Activities Committee page on the Village People website for contact information.
Summer Fun and Activities
Frisbee Golf 6/8/21
Anyone interested in playing Frisbee golf in our Festival Area please plan to attend an organizational meeting next Tuesday June 8 at 9am at the Clubhouse. A new resident in the Mountain Lodges, Todd Rappaport will lead the effort. No need to bring discs yet – organizing only.
Men’s Breakfast (or lunch) planning meeting 6/9/21
The WMVV activities committee is considering starting a Men’s breakfast or lunch group. This has been done at various RV parks with success. It is an opportunity to meet new friends, compete in telling outrageous lies and eating a secret high cholesterol meal, all without spousal approval.
Those of you who need to “get out of the house” please show up at the clubhouse at 7:30 am Wednesday 6/9/21. This initial meeting will determine the times and days for future meetings whether they be for breakfast or lunch.
We hope to see you there.
Ice Cream Social 6/20/21
Please help us kick-off our Activities for this summer with the always popular ice cream social. Pass the word to friends and neighbors who may not have email access. Look for an information flyer and sign-up sheet at the clubhouse. This is a great opportunity to connect with old friends as well as new neighbors who have moved into the Village over the past year or so.
Where: Clubhouse and Pavilion
When: Fathers Day June 20th 2 – 4 pm
“E” Bike Club
Those of you who have “E” bikes and are interested in “MILD TO MODERATE” club rides please meet at the PAVILION at 10:00 AM Thursday June 10TH AT10:00 AM.
Our goal is to take rides not to exceed our physical abilities but to see areas other than our local rides at WMVV.
Other Non-Electric bikers are welcome as well. This group is geared for those with ” E” bikes primarily.
Village Activities Committee
CLUBHOUSE WEEKLY EVENTS
Walk Aerobics – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays – 8 a.m.-9:15
Sponsors – Dorothea Blondefield & Linda Lulkovich
Mah Jongg – Mondays – 9:30-11:30 Wednesdays – 10 a.m. – Noon
Sponsors – Karen Bivens & Jan Billings
Poker – Mondays – 1 – 3:30
Sponsors – Lois Davis & Alice Simms
Billards – Tuesdays & Fridays – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sponsors: John Chickmakis & Sharon Ellis
Bridge – Wednesdays – 1 p.m. – 3:30
Sponsors – Jackie Schaefer & Margaret Carrillo
Bunco – Wednesdays – 6 p.m.
Sponsors – Margie Ellsworth & Janice Schmelling (Starting June 16)
Hand, Foot, & Toe – Thursdays – 1 – 3:30 (Starting June 10)
Sponsors – Pat Palma & Cheri Laney
Pinochle – Thursdays – 9:30
Sponsor – Jim Larson
Frisbee Golf – Festival Area (Time and Day TBD)
Sponsor – Todd Rappaport
INFORMAL WELCOME BACK
There will be an informal get-together in the Pavilion for the community on
Saturday, May 29 at 4 p.m.
Please come and visit with your old neighbors, meet lots of new ones, and celebrate the opening of the clubhouse.
Because of Covid-19 many of you did not have a chance to see the inside of the clubhouse during 2020.
Come and see what a beautiful facility we have here in the Village.
Walk through the clubhouse and then gather in the Pavilion to mingle with friends and neighbors.
If you choose, bring a beverage of your choice and some nibbles.
New Key Card System
The board, with input from the Transition Committee, approved the purchase of a new key card system for all areas of the clubhouse. It will be much easier to manage and we are excited to be leaving the new board with the ability to be much more flexible in handling who can and can’t access your facilities. As with any change, some inconvenience will be necessary for a short time. This one will require that the laundry room be closed for a few days during installation. We will let you know the closure dates as soon as we know.
The good news is that the Risk Awareness Committee has been working on a plan to safely open the clubhouse, including the restrooms. This has given us the opportunity to make a change to the Clubhouse Rules. In order to receive access to the clubhouse, bathrooms and laundry room, you will need to sign a waiver. The waiver has been supplied by the Association’s attorney and covers several items. In the past, when an activity was scheduled at a place other than the Village, a specific waiver for that event had to be signed before residents could attend. The new waiver covers any events held by the Association so will make it much easier for the Activities Committee to manage outside activities. Both the updated Clubhouse Rules and the Waiver and Release can be found on the Village People Website (WMVV.org) under Documents, Forms and Downloads.
We do not yet know when the new cards will be available. You will not be charged for a new card as long as you paid the $50 deposit for the old card. You can receive your new card(s) at the office of HOAMCO located at 641 S. 20th Avenue, Show Low between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. In order to save time, please download, print and sign the Waiver and Release and bring it with you. You will also be able to sign the Waiver and Release at the office if you aren’t able to download and print it at home. If you are not going to be in Show Low during the week, you can download, print and sign the Waiver and Release and mail it to HOAMCO at P.O. Box 4212, Show Low, AZ 85902. Your new card will be mailed to you.
Stay tuned to this blog for the date you can begin picking up your new cards in person. We will also be posting the information about the clubhouse opening as well. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding as we bring the clubhouse into the year 2021.
Community Member Victim of Covid-19
It is with great sorrow that I write of the death of Larry Lindsay. He and his wife Jo contracted covid-19 and had been bravely fighting to recover. On Wednesday, Larry was admitted to Banner Baywood in Mesa where he was intubated. This morning he lost his battle.
Larry and Jo have lived in the Village since 2006. Larry was a member of the Board of Directors for several years. He and Jo were in charge of lot sales in the Village for years. They worked tirelessly on two separate occasions coordinating activities for Village residents. They made many friends during the time they spent summers in the Village. We will all miss Larry’s smiling face.
The following was posted on Jo’s Facebook page:
Make no mistake. When loved ones are removed from your home by ambulance because the virus has hit them hard, you are not going to be able to follow them there, sit by their hospital bed and hold their hand.You are not going to be able to pop in at 7:00 pm for visiting hours. They are going to have no one other than exhausted and brave hospital staff to see them through days or weeks of barely breathing through a ventilator until they either die or recover. They are not going to be well enough to text you.
You are not going to be able to phone the ward to check in on them regularly (staff will be too busy for that). During that time, they will be completely alone, while you sit at home waiting to hear whether they have made it through.
Imagine that person is someone you love dearly. Because it’s going to be a reality for many in the coming weeks.
And if that person in hospital happens to be you, going through that ordeal completely alone, it would be nothing less than terrifying.
Please stay home and only go out if absolutely necessary. Social distancing is imperative right now for your family and mine.
Unfortunately this happed to me today – I lost the love of my life
Be safe – take care of each other and be grateful for everyday you have …. our girls- Tara & Tracy have been my live savers as I too have suffered with this Covid 19 … Tara has been with me as she has also had Covid 19 but is now immune – poor Tracy can only visit thru window, FaceTime. … no real hugs …. which we want to do
I fortunately am getting better but still in quarantine – so stay safe everyone – never in my wildest dream thought we would a statistic .
Please honor Larry by practicing social distancing and taking this unprecedented crisis seriously. No one wants to think that this could happen to them or someone they love.
Whispering Pines - Show Low, Arizona 