Academy Villas Resident Sings in Local Chorale

William Archibald,  an Academy Villas resident, sings in the local Vail Chorale. Recently, at one of their concerts, he was a soloist.  Songs from the 1940’s was the theme of the concert.  The Arizona Senior Academy hosted the concert, and not a chair was empty. Following his solo, Mr. Archibald rejoined the rest of the group to sing, in harmony, a set of popular war and other songs during and after World War II.

The Vail Chorale

The Vail Chorale was founded seven years ago.  At that time, the founding director was a resident of the Academy Village. Further, a number of residents from Academy Village and the Villas are members.  The chorale belongs to the Vail area community and is open to anyone who is interested in singing.  Presently, a wide variety of members range in age, gender and backgrounds. During the year, the chorale rehearses once a week, and presents a number of concerts. 

Music in the Villas

Music is an integral element in life in the Academy Villas. For example, residents can attend the weekly music presentations at the Arizona Senior Academy. Or, they can watch these concerts in the Villas on the TV.  In addition, local musicians travel to the Villas and engage the residents in singing old and familiar songs.

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New Fabric Art on Academy Villas Living Room Wall

A new fabric piece of art has become a permanent addition to the growing art collection at the Academy Villas.  For example, the walls contain many pieces of art that brighten the rooms and are a joy to view.  Further, residents also bring their favorite art works and photos to their rooms.   Seen in the photo above the wall hanging is called “Lovely Birds”.  It is is now on the Academy Villas living room wall.

Academy Village Quilters

This wall hanging was created by three members of the Academy Village’s Quilting Group.  Thirty very different, colorful birds, two of which are upside down, are portrayed. Fortunately, the quilters designed the wall hanging specifically for the Academy Villas walls and is well loved by the residents. For example, several residents have selected their favorite birds, and a couple of the birds now have names.

Art in the Villas

Art has been described as essential to the human spirit.  For example, art makes you think, it takes you to places, and makes you feel something.  Further, art also says things that words just can’t say. For these reasons, art is a major element of the decorations in and activities of the Academy Villas.  Residents, themselves create art, and join the art classes sponsored by the close-by Arizona Senior Academy.

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Wildlife Surrounds the Academy Villas

Wildlife surrounds the Academy Villas and Villas residents have wonderful views of wildlife on a daily basis.  The Southwest desert of the United States supports a huge variety of fascinating creatures. The very pretty bobcat in the photo lives in the Village.  While you would not want to get too close to him, he does not disturb humans.  And there are many other forms of wildlife that live close the Academy Villas. Because we have a number of excellent photographers in the Villas and Village, we have gathered photos that bring attention to the desert wildlife seen every day. 

Photos Taken by Villas Residents and Villagers

Roger Shepard, a resident of the Academy Villas, took the photo of the bobcat.  And Marcia Neugebauer, an Academy Village resident, took the photo of the screech owls above.  Amazingly, these owls live in Marcia’s front porch.  While they are quite small, their eyes seem huge and they are constantly checking everything out. Like Marcia and Roger, many residents and Villagers take photos of the wildlife.  Therefore, we collected a number of these wildlife photos of wildlife, birds and insects, for others to see. This collection contains 110 photos.

A Veritable Desert Museum of Amazing Creatures

Tucson, AZ supports one of the world’s best Desert Museum.  However, much of the wildlife that resides in Tucson’s Desert Museum also lives in the Rincon Valley. Because the Academy Villas is located in the Rincon Valley, residents of the Villas have front seat views of this wildlife. In a sense, the desert around us becomes its own wildlife museum. A Collared Lizard is seen in the photo above. This lizard changes color very quickly if it is disturbed.  These and other photos of wildlife by residents and Academy Villagers may be seen here.

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