Tracing the development of a retirement community like Paradise Valley Estates from idea to reality is a challenging, yet intriguing task. In this book, The Early History of Paradise Valley Estates, two writers alternate in describing the process of following embryonic beginnings. Major General John Collens documents the many steps involved in creating a community appropriate to its residents while Liz Wildberger offers an anecdotal, humorous history of what resident life as a "Founder" entailed. Narrator Bruce Bartels provides a seamless flow between the two accounts. From its inception in...

"Henry's Garage - No Job Too Small" read the sign downtown. And Henry Milward, who had many, many toy trucks and cars, got an idea. He would construct a small garage for his toys just like the real one his mother had pointed out. It would have the same sign, a car wash, space for tire changing, and a place for fixing engines. His mom and dad found a cardboard box that was just right for the garage. He used his wooden blocks, scraps of colored paper, his paint, and paint brushes to build a fine garage, but his work left a real mess on the floor that he had to clean up before his Granny arrived...