Talk of the Town: Green Valley/Sahaurita Association of Realtors host a 30th bash

The Green Valley/Sahuarita Association of Realtors celebrated its 30th anniversary in style on Oct. 23 at Desert Diamond Casino. More than 200 association members, guests and association affiliates, many from Santa Cruz County, attended the party that included the installation of new officers and plenty of lively entertainment.

Outgoing GV/SAR President Peggy Miller welcomed the crowd. Prior to the festivities, a DVD was played featuring Maj. Scott Willens. DVM, singing his rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.” The recording was made in 2007 when Willens, son of Green Valley residents Dana and Len Willens, was still stationed in Iraq. Scott sang live via satellite link to members of the American Veterinarian Medical Association at their annual convention in Washington, D.C. in 2007.

Miller introduced special guests: Judy Lowe, commissioner, Arizona Department of Real Estate; Jack Woerner, Arizona Association of Realtors 2010 treasurer; Gary Brasher, co-chair Real Estate Committee, Arizona/Mexico Commission; Nancy Pottinger, 2010 president, Santa Cruz County Board of Realtors; Marybeth Hughes, CEO/association executive, Santa Cruz Country Board of Realtors; Bob Herd, 2010 president, Tucson Association of Realtors; Cheri Meadows, senior vice president, Tucson Association of Realtors; Jerome King, Long Realty designated broker; Sue Cartun, Realty Executives designated broker and Jim DiGiacomo, executive director, Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce.

She also thanked the GVAR staff, Audrey McKinley, administrative assistant, and Janie MacDonald, association executive.

Barbara Hinton, associate broker and a past 2002 association president, installed the 2010 officers and directors: Cathy York, president; Pat Mohn, president-elect; Jacque Brasher, vice president; Victor Rodarte, secretary/treasurer and past president Peggy Miller.

Directors are: Lonnie Borgmann, Frank DePalma, Stu Samovitz, Joey Freeland, Janet Petzler, Teresa Sullivan, Jill Mundy, Joette Schenck and Scott Oien.

Miller also thanked the past 2009 board, thanking members for their service: Cathy York, past president; Pat Mohn, vice president; Sue Jones, secretary/treasurer; Steve Smith, past president; and directors Lonnie Borgmann, Jacque Brasher, Ryan Fairbairn, Joan Christensen, Jacquie Boulay, Susan Derlein, Craig Pirrello, Janet Petzler; Donna Marshall, Pat Mohn, Steve Smith, Robin Wiebe, and Jack Woerner.

GVAR named Excel Home Inspection the 2009 Affiliate of the Year. Accepting the award was owners Tim and Roddy Hyland.

Jim Brodie, a 1979 founding member of GVAR, presented Craig Pirrello with the honor of Realtor of the Year.

Newly installed president Cathy York presented past president Peggy Miller with the president’s gift and also honored Helene Rogers, the first president of the association back in 1979. Although Rogers was not present, a plaque will be awarded to her at a later date.

Following the awards and inauguration, emcee Jerry Sumrall took the podium and introduced a “musical look at the last 30 years” with real estate history highlights in between acts.

Production director was Irene Mattingley and performers were Green Valley/Sahuarita Realtors and affiliates accompanied by music from Craig’s Sound Productions.

The music took the audience from the 1960s with “Can’t Buy Me Love” by the Beatles and featuring Irene Mattingley and Jerry Plumley. (These two were great, by the way.)

Joey Freeland pulled off a John Travolta imitation with ‘Stayin’ Alive.” And there was acts from the 1980s and “Girls Just want to Have Fun,” followed by more musical hilarity through the 2000s.

The audience loved it.

President Cathy York is looking for “a great year ahead.”

rford@gvnews.com