New Adventures '25/'26 Winter Season Hints Coming Soon!
Adventures at the Monastery
Monk Addressed Adventurers Prior To The Self Guided Tour
Yep.....these women are really Adventurers in disguise! All women were required to be totally covered to enter the grounds!
Good Thing It Was A Cool Day!
This truly was one of the more unique New Adventures experiences....the grounds are very beautiful.
Chapels Interiors Truly Inspiring...
Chapels Interiors Truly Inspiring...
This chapel displayed various saints.
Thanks to Encore Volunteer Marta Ludwig for providing the photos.
THANK YOU FOUR PEAKS ROTARY!!
Thanks to Four Peaks Rotary for a generous grant that has allowed for the expansion of this popular Encore For More program, New Adventures!!
More Sights At The Monastery
Monastery Incredible Grounds In The Desert
Monastery Incredible Grounds In The Desert
Monastery Incredible Grounds In The Desert
St George Chapel
Monastery Incredible Grounds In The Desert
Monastery Incredible Grounds In The Desert
St George Chapel Tower
The Prophet Elias Chapel
Interactive Workshop And More Group Pleasers At The MIM!
On the Bus, Encore Volunteer Judy Glock Gave a Short Talk About the "Victory Vertical" MIM Display
"Overcoming many roadblocks, Steinway was finally granted a contract to send specially designed pianos to commissioned war soldiers. Steinway proceeded to make over 3,000 "Victory Vertical" pianos designed specifically for troops in battle between 1942 and 1953. The pianos came in olive, blue, and gray drab. In 1942, the first "Victory Vertical" was dropped by parachute, complete with tuning equipment and instructions."
The Gift of Music in the Battlefield Lifted the Spirits and Morales of War-Weary Soldiers
"For American troops in a faraway country during World War II, music was an excellent way to give them a peace of mind and remember why they were fighting. One soldier wrote home to his family, "Two nights past we received welcome entertainment when a jeep pulling a small wagon came to camp. The wagon contained a light system and a Steinway piano. It is smaller and painted olive green, just like the jeep. We all got a kick out of it and sure had fun after meals when we gathered around the piano to sing... I slept smiling and even today am humming a few of the songs we sang."The pianos provided an excellent camaraderie and created a strong appreciation on the battlefield for not only the music, but the Steinway name."
The Drum Instructor Came Prepared To Teach and Share His Talents
The Drum Instructor Came Prepared To Teach and Share His Talents
Entertaining as well as informative, the instructor had the group laughing and drumming in unison after only one hour of lessons!
Some Participants Really Enjoyed The Drum Lessons!
The Drum Instructor Came Prepared To Teach and Share His Talents
Jack Hilliker couldn't stop smiling!
All Participants Were Provided Their Own Drum to March To!
Martha Mullins and Rita Applegate were clearly finding their inner beat!
Line of Drummers Intent on Following the Instructor to Achieve a Unison Beat
Not sure but the second drummer from the right, who looks a lot like New Adventures Coordinator Rose Gonsoulin, has the wrist action really working it!
Helen Didn't Have to Worry About Getting Her Groove Back....
.....she clearly had it grooving on while enjoying every minute of it!
Smiles Filled The Bus After The Trip To The MIM
Following the fun-filled and exhilarating drum lesson, lunch on site came next. It was a mild and sunny day which enticed many to enjoy their meals on the patio, leaving plenty of time to explore other exhibits before returning to Fountain Hills.
Coordinator Rose and her New Adventure Team continue to find fun excursions for the Encore Adventurers to experience and explore!
Can't wait till it's time to be
On The Road Again!
More Exhibits At The Museum + Two Compliments of Encore!!
Encore President Gail Pape Demonstrates Her Pioneer Spirit
Bingo Volunteer Marta Ludwig Shared the Same Wagon with Gail!
Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection
Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection
Pose in a Painting
Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection
John Wayne in "True Grit"
Gift Shop Treasures
April's Trip Provided Plenty Of "Snuggling Satisfaction"!
Encore board member and Adventure Coordinator Rose Gonsoulin reported that the trip to Snuggle Farms provided a fabulous afternoon.....even the dark gray clouds held off letting loose until the Adventure bus returned home.
Snuggling with Chunk (center!) are left to right:
Mary Jane, Mary Taschner and Martha Mullins.
Rose (caught in the background above) also commented on how well behaved the miniatures were. In addition to the "minis", there were some goats to provide even more entertainment.
Snuggling with Stunning Stella (center) are left to right:
Kathy Mateski, Mary Taschner and Deb from the Community Center.
Four legged "hosts" mingled with their New Adventure guests for a group photo.....
Members of the Snuggle Team pictured above include Stephanie (kneeling) and Mike Lawson (right) who created the Farm along with son Ryland (not pictured). You can read more about their story at https://www.snugglefarms.com/
And of course the one in the fetching pink tutu and unicorn hat behind Stephanie is none other than her famous mom, Sami Jack, founder of Sami's Jewelry.
Check back later for additional photos!
January's Trip Illusion Museum Full Of Photo Fun!
The lobby of the Museum provides a number of hands on puzzles taunting visitors to solve that are also available for purchase. Bill Pape and Emily Hemphill ponder puzzles to purchase.
Although there appears to be a long line of New
Adventures coordinator and Encore Board member Rose Gonsoulins, she's really standing in a six to seven foot octagon room of mirrors. She probably wished there were that many of her when planning one of these trips!
Another example of the magic of mirrors, Rose appears to be having a poker game that one of her is sure to win
The best mirror illusion has Rose's head served on a platter....she actually had to crawl into a very small box on the other side of the blue wall to pull this illusion off!
In the Ames Room above, Encore President Gail Pape and Encore volunteer Emily Hemphill appear to grow and shrink as they walk from one side to the other in the cube shaped room. It's named after American scientist Adelbert Ames Jr. who made contributions to ophthalmology, psychology, philosophy, physics and physiology.
New Adventure explorer and all around good sport Bruce posed in the Infinity Well.
Encore Board members Rose and Cassie appear to be defying gravity when in reality they are really standing up straight.
Rose shrunk the museum guide!
Bingo Volunteer Suzi demonstrates her super human abilities and strength!
And again as she balances on a bench using only a few fingers....amazing!
Rose hangs onto a ledge for dear life
Just when they thought it was safe to get back on the elevator.....
After participating in all those gravity defying, mind boggling, strength sapping feats at the Museum of Illusion, the adventurers enjoyed lunch from the diverse and delicious menu at the Pangaea Dinosaur Grill also located in the Arizona Boardwalk.
After surviving the infinity well, Bruce is more than ready for nourishment.
Suzi and Rose boarded the "wrong" bus.....
.....while Emily, Gail and Bill patiently wait for the bus they rode in on after an afternoon of fun, shopping and good food.
And that's the story of another successful Adventure planned and coordinated by Board member Rose Gonsoulin.
Stay tuned for more adventures to come!
New Adventures Barleen's Trip a Holiday Hit!
On December 14th New Adventures coordinator and Encore board member Rose Gonsoulin (pictured) accompanied an energetic bus load of adventurers to Apache Junction for Barleen's Holiday Matinee Show. Rose reports that "Marvin" (also pictured) and food were very good and the show was fabulous. She said the talented and entertaining musicians played a variety of music from James Brown and Elvis to Louie Armstrong and Jose Feliciano. Compliments were plentiful, some saying it was the best trip ever. As promised, more photos are posted below.