Highlights from Cook Once Eat Twice with Chef Lisa
Ready To Greet Attendees
Encore President Gail Pape and Treasurer Rose Gonsoulin poised and ready to greet the 34 attendees that signed up for the class. The official 50/50 raffle money magnet Bill Pape awaits potential participators to pass his way.....!
Bill Jumps Into Action
As attendees arrived, Bill wasted no time convincing folks that they had to absolutely purchase 50/50 tickets.....he is VERY good at it!
Introducing Chef Lisa
It was a challenge getting Chef Lisa to pause long enough to pose for a quick shot before the class began as she was prepping her cooking space.....
The Prez and the Chef
Michele, event coordinator from Fountain View Village, managed to corral Gail and Chef Lisa for a quick photo.....
Gail Welcomes the Crowd
Gail welcomed everyone and gave a bit of background on Encore, its mission to serve the Senior community and the programs it provides and supports. She introduced Linda from Fountain View Village who asked how many in the group were first timers to the facility.....surprisingly more than three quarters of the attendees raised their hands. The event and Chef Lisa certainly succeeded in providing first time visitors a very positive impression of the facility.
Handouts Were Provided
Lisa pointed out the highlights of the handouts prepared by Michele that included a grocery list and recipes she would be preparing.....
That Were Very Helpful
.....as attendees followed along.....
And Prompted Questions
Rose, who actively works her bed in the Community Garden, had some excellent questions.....
Recipe Samples Were Provided
Volunteers assisted in passing out samples of the first recipe that Lisa had prepared using chick peas with some creative seasonings that had folks saying it made them rethink how they put together more healthy meals.
Rethinking Vegetables.....
Comments after the class included how much attendees were happy to learn some of the "tricks of the trade" provided by Chef Lisa that made salad a whole new tasty experience.....
Chef Lisa Connects!
Chef Lisa's relaxed and easy style made everyone feel at home and invited questions, helping all to challenge their own inner and untapped culinary imagination. Once again the cooking class hit a home run with attendees commenting on how much they enjoyed it.
The Encore Board would like to thank Chef Lisa, Michele and the other support staff from Fountain View Village for contributing to another successful event and look forward to more partnerships in the future!
Encore For More + Fountain View Village = Recipe For Fun!
Another Collaborative Effort Combining Culinary Craftiness In An Entertaining Environment!
For anyone that attended the Cooking For One class held last September, just hearing that Chef Lisa will be back teaching the "Cook Once, Eat Twice....or more" class is reason enough to sign up......she is THAT good......and fun! This time she will be guiding the class through getting two meals out of one all without using the oven, unnecessarily heating up the kitchen during the hot summer months.
Brought to you by Encore For More and sponsored by Fountain View Village, this not to be missed cooking class designed by Chef Lisa is both educational and entertaining.
The price is a mere $15 per person, cash only at the door and includes delectable "sampling".
Bring some extra cash to participate in a 50/50 raffle plus prizes.
In A Nutshell
Thursday, May 1st
2:00 to 3:30 pm
Fountain View Village
16455 Avenue of the Fountains, lobby door
Class is limited to 45 participants
Reservations are required and easily made by calling FVV at 480.836.500
Don't tarry.....sign up soon!
Update On Rose's Induction Into The Hall Of Fame!
Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inducted on 3/26/25
Rose, seated third from the left, was all smiles as she joined her fellow inductees from Rio Verde, Fort McDowell and Fountain Hills. She reported that it was a lovely evening as the ceremony took place in front of a packed house.
Collage of Photos on Screen as Rose was Introduced
Each inductee was asked for a few photos to be displayed during their introduction....a bit cut off, but these photos portrayed a few faces of Rose......bottom left, happily smiling on a New Adventure bus traveling to another exciting venue with Kathleen from the Community Center....
Rose is Either Having a Great Night or Planning Another Fantastic New Adventure Trip!
Each inductee received a plaque and honorary medallion to be worn at subsequent Hall of Fame Ceremonies.
Rose Posed with Hall of Fame Coordinator Dori Wittrig
Dori Wittrig (Class of 2016) is the chairwoman of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee who confirmed that the Lower Verde Valley Hall of Fame has inducted a total of 228 members in its 20 years. That covers approximately 150 years of history since many of its members are honored posthumously.
“It is so inspiring to hear the stories and history of these really incredible inductees and the contributions they’ve made to our community,” Wittrig said.
Once again, congratulations Rose......an honor well-deserved!
One more more "Rose update" before you leave the Encore website. Be sure and check out the New Adventure page....Rose led the bus load of "Adventurers" to the Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence last Friday, March 28th and shared a couple of photos taken by Encore Volunteer Marta Ludwig. Women had to be totally covered before taking the tour as you will see from the photos. Click
Encore Board Member Recognized!
Encore Treasurer Rose Gonsoulin Inducted Into The Hall Of Fame!
Encore is very pleased and proud to share that fellow Board Member and Treasurer Rose Gonsoulin is being inducted into the 2025 class of the Lower Verde River Valley Hall of Fame on Wednesday, March 26th! Many of our readers are familiar with Rose as the Coordinator of our popular New Adventures program that plans and arranges day trips throughout destinations in the greater Phoenix area. She also applies for various grants that help to make these trips possible as well as dealing with many of the details that keep the Encore For More organization running so smoothly. But Encore is only one of her many contributions to our community as cited in her Hall of Fame Nomination.
"After moving to Scottsdale in the early 90's from Atlanta, Rose and her husband decided in 2002 that Fountain Hills was where they wanted to put down roots and take advantage of all the volunteer opportunities.
In 2004 she responded to Marti Lemeiux's call for Home Delivered Meals volunteers where Rose served 14 years, many of which as Sunday coordinator. In 2009 she responded to Walt Dunne's call for help to assist with writing grants for Home Delivered Meals.
In 2010 she joined the board of Senior Services of Fountain Hills, Inc, now known as Encore for More. Early on she assumed the position of Treasurer from Walt Dunne which she still holds today. She continues to serve as Encore's grant writer, successfully procuring funds to support their programs that provide senior activities in our community. She organizes and coordinates Encore's very successful New Adventures program providing our seniors opportunities to get out of Fountain Hills to "broaden their horizons" at such destinations as the Heard Museum, the Arabian Horse Show, the Chihuly Exhibit at the Botanical Garden, Barleens Family Show and lunch in Apache Junction, a holiday lunch at Organ Stop Pizza and many more. The transportation provided enables seniors to have worry free access to activities outside the town that they normally could not take advantage of. She has continually grown this program to four trips a season and closely worked with the Community Center staff to maximize the community's efforts to serve the seniors in town.
In 2017 she joined the Community Garden, participating in the Food Bank program that grows and harvests food for those in need. She secured the grant from the Fort McDowell Yavapai to build the first garden pavilion shade structure.
Rose is the author of 3 novels, the most recent titled "When the Grass if Rising: A Portrait of Young Sam Houston". She has been an active member of the Fountain Hills Critique Group since 2008.
Rose can always be counted on to play a supportive, behind the scenes volunteer to help other groups and programs where needed. Since moving to town in 2002, Rose has certainly embraced and continued the spirit of volunteerism that helped build the foundation of our community. We are lucky that her commitment to Fountain Hills approaches 24 years and shows no sign of slowing down!"
Rose is pictured at right signing copies of her book after introducing it at Encore's Speakers Bureau.
Encore is proud to share Rose's accomplishments and all her ongoing contributions to our community!
