Happy New Year! The Scoop is back 🦜

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fantastic holiday season.

The holidays were excellent, and I enjoyed a break, but to be honest, I was excited to get back into my normal routines which included a fresh edition of the Sun City Scoop.

I’m excited for what is cooking for 2026. There are some fun changes on the way.

In this week’s Scoop:

• Lots of activity at the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum

• Free entrance days at the National Parks

• Maricopa County Home & Garden Show is this weekend

• And so much more!

COMMUNITY NEWS

~ The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum has officially welcomed the historic Marinette marker to its new home, unveiling a new outdoor exhibit that honors the pre–Sun City community that existed before 1960. The exhibit panel, created by Paul Herrmannn from view, the marker was relocated in 2025 to ensure its preservation, with help from county officials and Supervisor Debbie Lesko. The exhibit panel, created by Paul Herrmann and funded by the Road Runner Chapter of the Arizona Questers, was dedicated during a Dec. 2 ceremony attended by local leaders and residents.

~ The National Park Service offers several fee-free entrance days each year, giving everyone a chance to explore America’s national parks at no cost. These days typically align with special occasions like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the anniversary of the National Park Service, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day. It’s a great opportunity to visit iconic parks, like the Grand Canyon or Saguaro, without paying an entrance fee, so mark your calendar and get out there. 🌵

Click here to see all of the free days offered in 2026.

ARIZONA TRIVIA

Last week’s trivia question was ‘At what site did automobiles cross into Arizona by ferryboat as recently as the 1920s?’

The correct answer was: Lee’s Ferry

Automobiles crossed into Arizona by ferryboat at Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River as recently as the 1920s.

Before the Navajo Bridge opened in 1929, Lee’s Ferry was the only place for hundreds of miles where vehicles could cross the river, making it a critical transportation link between northern Arizona and southern Utah.n landscape in Arizona—though access is regulated and permits are required.

EVENTS

This Week

[Sun City West] Movie Night at the Stardust Theatre Join them for an evening showing of MEN IN BLACK on Thursday, JANUARY 8TH at 6pm, or a matinee showing of THE BUCKET LIST on Friday, JANUARY 9TH at 1pm. (link)

[Sun City] You’re invited to Meet with Mike, RCSC’s interim General Manager, on Thursday, November 13th, from 11am-1230pm in the Lakeview Rec Center Board Room. Lunch will be served.

[Sun City] This week’s movie is ‘APOLLO 13, The true story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Showtimes are Wednesday 1/7 at 2pm & 7pm at the Marinette Rec Center & Saturday 1/10 at 2pm & 7pm at the MOUNTAIN MUSIC ROOM (New location).

[Phoenix] Looking to have improvements done to your home or need some inspiration? The Maricopa County Home & Garden Show is happening Friday-Sunday, January 9th-11th, from 10am-5pm at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. (link)

➡️ Buy tickets in advance, and save $2 per person.

Weekly Events 

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Friday Farmers Market is BACK!!! The market is every Friday from 10am-2pm at the Lord of Life Lutherans Church. (link)

[Sun City] The Sun City Farmers Market is back at the Bell Center, on 99th Ave just south of Bell Road. The market will be held every Thursday from 9am-1pm. (link)

[Sun City] Desert Glow Farmers Markets is hosting their market, from 8am-12pm on Thursdays, at Desert Episcopal Church. (link & map)

[Surprise] Surprise Farmer’s Market, every Sunday from 3-7pm. A weekly market featuring fresh local ingredients, homemade goods, and artisanal crafts from nearby farms and ranches. (link & map)

[Sun City West] The Sun City West Desert Garden Club hosts weekly PLANT SALES from 9:00am to noon each Thursday Club members will be on hand during sales to answer questions and offer gardening advice. Visitors are encouraged to tour the adjacent botanical garden during their visit to the greenhouse. The plant sales are open to the public and payments can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Supporting Education and the Community.

Upcoming Events 

Celebrate the Sun Cities through the generations at the upcoming annual members meeting of the Sun Cities Area Historical Society and the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. The event will feature local speakers Bill Pearson and Anne Becknell, who share personal stories of following their families into the Sun Cities way of life. A short business meeting will include an update from museum president Andrew Kindler, followed by the presentations. The meeting is open to the public, and guests are welcome to attend and join as new members.

This presentation is from 2-4pm on Tuesday, January 13th at the Banner Olive Branch Senior Center.

[Sun City] As part of the WINTER Ticketed Mini-Series, BROADWAY, BABY! will be held on Wednesday, January 14th, at 6pm at the Sundial Recreation Center. (link)

Covering quintessential Broadway ashowtunes songs from the current crop of shows, Broadway, Baby! features classic and contemporary showtunes, ballads and more.

[Sun City West] SUN CITY WEST DESERT GARDEN CLUB Workshop: Citrus Pruning and Care Demonstration
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 10:30-11:30am
Location: At a Private Residence, 12328 W Aurora Drive, SCW
Topic:  Citrus Pruning and Care Demonstration on how to prune citrus trees and care for them.
Presenter:  Ben McGonigle, Certified Arborist and Owner of Design Tree Maintenance

NOTE: This is a private residence, please be respectful of neighbors and parking. Open to All SCW Rec Card Holders

Have an event you want listed here? Please reach out!

CLUBS

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Thank you for reading, have a great week!