This year again, Sun City elves from the Sun Flower Garden Club, the Shalom group, the Railroad Club, and other groups contributed to the festive decorating of the Prairie and Meadow View Lodge. Trees and holiday displays line the hallways of the Lodges.
Paulette Carrion, a Garden Club member said, “The Garden Club has been decorating the lodges for 25 years. Since the tradition began, the number of trees and tablescapes has grown from an original three to 18 trees, three fireplaces, an atrium bar, and many tables and buffets you see decorated today. The Shalom Club contributes by providing the many Hanukkah decorations you see in both lodges.”
The Garden Club trees are decorated by buddy groups, which are small groups within the club.
Lucy Tracy, a leader of the Coral Bells for three years, said, “Our tree is trimmed in white, silver, and glass ornaments, with a silver angel on top. Currently, there are 31 coral bells.”
Some displays have different themes. The theme for the Painted Pansy buddy group is patriotic.
Kathy Wendhack, the leader of that group, said, “I started the Painted Pansies back in September of 2021. Several of us were sitting at the new member table, and my friend Nedra Reeves suggested we form a group. The Painted Pansies started with about a dozen or so ladies, and we grew from there. We have 35 members as of today. We always go to the Village Inn for brunch after the tree decorating and have a planning meeting, where we plan events for the following year.”
No Christmas decoration is complete without a train. Many Sun City Residents remember the tremendous Model Railroad Club display of several scales. Unfortunately, this tradition stopped in the early 2020s.
Dale Svoboda, President of the Model Railroad Club, said, “In 2024, the Model Railroad Club was asked if it was possible to bring the trains back. After a quick discussion, it was decided to try. In a short time, it was determined that resurrecting the prior multi-scale display would not be possible. But it would be possible to create a display in the time available to assemble a display that would reflect the childhood memories of many Del Webb residents.”
The Model Railroad Club train display is back! Posed here with this popular display are members (L to R) Dale Svoboda, Mike Nicholson, and Mark Flodin. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
The Railroad Club Members began planning to bring a train display back to the Lodge, and in 2024, it returned. This year, the club added a second train and more vehicles.
Svoboda said, “It was a challenge, but the smiles of those seeing the trains circling under the tree make the time planning and setting up the tree and trains all worth it.”
Decorations are also provided at the Railroad Club.
Carrion said, “The railroad club approached the Garden Club three years ago when I was Garden Club president and asked if we could support them by creating the holiday planters. The club willingly obliged, and it’s been a pleasure for Leslie Langton and me to prepare and deliver the pots annually. These endeavors are a great example of how the association and club’s support each other and work together for the common good of the community.”
