Early Resources Added

Help Services
Vela Rose Estates was developed at the same time as Dreamland Villa based on the same idea to create senior housing with recreation facilities included. So it was seems natural that they would create jointly an organization to loan medical equipment and other items free to their residents. I borrow from an article in the February 1994 Citizen the following facts. Fred Larson (related to James Cook) in January 1973 facilitated the loan of a walker by the Church of the Master to a person needing it. Then in February a friend of Fred received many sickroom items from “Sunshine Services” in Sun City. This prompted Mr. Larson to study Sunshine Services with the view of starting a similar organization at Dreamland. By September 1973 Mr. Larson and his committee had enough beds, wheelchairs and other items and from space at the Clubhouse began loans as needed.  It was incorporated as a separate organization and became known as “Help Services. As time went on and the collection grew it was realized that a separate building was needed. With the help of some fundraising events the group bought the building at 5210 East University in June 1975.

Starting in February 1978 Help Services began checking member’s blood pressure. Then again, as both communities grew the collection of medical item filled available space the need for a bigger building was realized. After a fund drive in 1984 a contract was given to Farnsworth and by November the present building housed the medical items. Help Services is sustained financially by cash donations by users of equipment, memorial gifts and I’m sure they would love it if you remembered them in your will. They are always looking for donations of medical equipment.

The Library
Prior to June 1972 library service was furnished by Bookmobile (Mesa Library ?) at the Recreation Center,  Butte St. and 55th Place. Then on June 1st The Club Library was open three days a week, 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the club house (later Read Hall). The house where the present library is located was purchased and occupied in 1990.

The Dreamland Villa Restaurant
A food service café or coffee shop was part of the original club house better known as Read Hall. It seems the original name was the Snack Bar, operated by Mrs. Morris Crenshaw. I believe it was the present kitchen with service through a window to the pool area. It appears that the present dining areas were added to the building at later dates. In the October 1972 Citizen a notice stated: “The Dreamland Villa Coffee Shop is now open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.”  Mr. and Mrs. Vergal Luders were the operators.

By January 1974 the shop was operated by Mrs. Johnson and that she had served 265 diners for Thanksgiving, presumably in the Read Hall meeting room. In May 1975 repairs and improvements to the tune of $3500 were needed to bring the restaurant up to code. Some work was done by members and the restaurant opened in June. The café was closed in April due the death of Mr. Johnson but was back in business in two weeks. The management again changed hands by March 1979 when Laurena Harbaugh became the owner-manager. She reports customers are coming from other senior resident areas. The café once more changed owners in January 1980 when Rev. David Humphreys and his brother Dennis began running the place.

In February and March 1981 the restaurant abruptly closed due to an IRS requirement that The Club as a tax exempt entity must limit the restaurant to serve only DV residents after requiring that they show their membership cards. By June 1, 1981 the new owners were June and Terri Dial but with no mention about the IRS rules. The Dials weren’t in business very long until the business became know as John’s Villa. John and Barbara Smith began cooking and serving and the family continues to this day providing meals for the Villa. They are celebrating their 30 years in operation in 2011.