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10 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2025 By Elizabeth Westbrook My favorite gift when I retired was a picture of a family looking up at an airplane and the caption read, "don't look back … you're not going that way." Yes, I still have it. When, however, someone requested to share our (Phillip, the hubby, gave his input), story of how we ended up in this beautiful community, we were happy to look back and reminisce. Back in December 2008, our day trip to the annual Indio International Tamale Festival on the Interstate 10 was detoured after I saw a billboard for the new Four Seasons 55+ community. We drove to the sales office, got information, and continued on to Indio. January 2009, Four Seasons was still on our minds and the state of the real estate market was in our favor. We closed escrow a month later and moved in lawn chairs to the living room and a mattress on the floor for the bedroom. We both worked full-time in San Bernardino so had a few weekends a month to visit and walk Four Seasons Circle (not really a circle yet because it ended on Plymouth Rock). We enjoyed the newly-planted trees, views of the fields of flowers below from an empty lot where The Summit now stands, and the bird's-eye view of Crooked Creek gate. The sense of belonging to our new community made me push Phillip to join the Facilities Committee. He was the chief engineer/energy manager of CSUSB and was qualified to help make sound decisions, especially when it came to solar energy (yes, the HOA looked at the feasibility of solar way back then too). My insistence caused him to take a few hours out of his work to drive and attend meetings, when possible. We became full-time residents in 2013 and, after retirement, both joined other committees. Being involved makes for lively conversation between us during meal times. Attending Board meetings (when we're not traveling) keeps us in touch with the direction our community is taking. Joining classes and activities brought us closer to our neighbors — we're more like a big family now. Reminisce with us when you look over these pictures. More importantly, look forward to how we can all work, play, dance, and help to keep our community fun and beautiful. Looking Forward Joining an exercise class created fun and friendships. Myrtis Suggs (second from the le) has been the Four Seasons team leader for Shimmy Mob since 2020 and our residents had always been generous in their support for the fundraising event. Phillip's brother, Peter, bought a house this year. He is happy he has found a community that shares his interests and fun. I chose this picture (taken in the 80s) because we have had several stories in the Breeze featuring this picturesque landscape. Phillip surveying our lot in the Monarchs area. Attending dance classes created lasting friendships. Sherrie baked Phillip a cake to celebrate his retirement. Phillip and Tito Calderon were happy to point out that you can also have a lot of fun dancing. Friends became more family with similar interests in our community.