October's Challenge slipped by without a post by me that was intended to be written! As soon as this challenge went live, I knew what I would write but the keyboard didn't produce a post. Reviewing the Challenge, my tidbits would include teaching tips from Anna "Banana" Kruchten, worldly views from Steffy Hristova, hydropower by Carol Williams and much, much more from many AR members!
My post includes the longest friendship of any AR member with Anna "Banana" Kruchten and her husband Gary. They are the kindest people and now good friends. We've regularly chatted about business, fun times, ActiveRain events, and most recently what's next. Anna has introduced me to several AR members, include Carol Williams, Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, Sheri Sperry - MCNE®, Dick Greenberg, and many more!
In the beginning, I remember receiving a message from Anna that it would be a good idea to merge our Meetups. My response - of course! This was back in 2012!
Chatting with Julie Vosmik, we coordinated with Anna to form the first Scottsdale/Phoenix meetup and 4 sponsors, some of whom were already ActiveRain members, created a great event at K O O'Donnells in Scottsdale. The first photo is small and grainy, but it's definitely Anna! Sponsors were lenders, home inspection, a title company and home warranty company.
I created some table signage that shows Raincamp, when in fact it was a Meetup, but the message was the same. Friends, AR members came to mix and mingle.
And there's Gary Banana under the Umbrella. The photo above is a sponsor and Nancy Laswick with her husband Scott. If it hadn't been for Anna and I joining forces with this Meetup and many more, I might never have reconnected with Nancy Laswick, as we had both switched brokerages but used to see each other frequently at home tours. I later later learned that Scott knew one of my clients longer than I had!
Other AR Meetups since 2012! One year we met at Roadrunner Park in Phoenix. Sheri Sperry from Sedona attended!
Dick Greenburg from Fort Collins visited Anna and attended.
And another at Anna and Gary's home!
This photo you've seen many times. It was a very successful meetup at Sandbar in Phoenix. That beach scene is no longer as the restaurant has been torn down. But look at our attendance!
Another at Anna's home with Nancy Laswick, Rob Clang and Katherine Whitting, Tempe, AZ.
Another meetup with Carol Williams always means a group Happy Hour!
And of course there's our monthly zooms! Thank you to Debe Maxwell, CRS and everyone for hosting these. It's always wonderful seeing distant AR member friends! Topics have been educational nuggets, relevant and worth checking in! The benefits are numerous!
Meetups have also been held in the East Valley more recently with Brian England. He's communicated with Rainers throughout the US many times for meetups and I'm glad to have been a part of local meetups. Meetups with Brian have been fun and I'm lucky to have met even more members thanks to Brian.
Steffy Hristova, Brian England and Nina Hollander, Broker gathered when Nina was in Phoenix recently! Pictured is yet another meetup with Tony Marriott, Suzanne Marriott, Steffy, Mike Jones, Brian and I. I've also met Leanne Smith thanks to Brian. Thank you for the challenge Leanne, even though I didn't make it in time!
Another Mad Greens meetup in Tempe with Carol Williams and Steffy Hristova!
I'm a lucky member who gets to know so many others through pivotal friendships with long time ActiveRain members. Friendships like these are priceless! Thank you all!
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