Sun City Dial Re-Dedicated
[photo courtesy of John Carmichael] The restored Sun City dial re-dedication ceremony held October 7th, 2011 was a huge success. The sundial originally schedule for demolition is proudly located at The Sundial Recreation Center located at 14801N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351.
A large crowd of several hundred dial enthusiasts came to the grounds of the large dial at the Sundial Recreation Center at 8:30 in the morning to celebrate the restoration of the dial that months before was an endangered and condemned landmark.
The dial was the idea of John Meeker, Sun City developer. In the 1970’s “he saw the potential in building not just a place for old people to live, but to create a community where there was a love affair for what it stood for …. The sundial is the perfect example of what he stood for. He gave it more hours than there were in a day, it stood one foot taller than its twin in Carefree Arizona and it was all about living life large. Virtually everything he did was bigger and better than what folks expected…” said Dell Webb Museum president.
NASS member John Carmichael discussed the unique gnomon that has four shadow casting edges and NASS member Simon Wheaton-Smith talked about how the sundial told time and its features to the many people in attendance. Letters and email sent from NASS and international Sundial List members were instrumental in the Sun City board's decision to save the dial from demolition. NASS Roger Bailey’s letter to the Sun City administrators was specifically mentioned.
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Lost and Found
[photo credit: Andrew Bray - The Miami Sudent News]Some dials are lost, others found. Last year students walking through the central quad of Miami University located in Oxford, Ohio, saw that the Tri Delta Sundial, a nearly 2 meter armillary dial, was missing. The armillary was a gift to the university on its 50th anniversary in 1962 by the Miami chapter of Tri Delta. [See the NASS Registry #103 for details]
The dial was stolen in May, 2010 just before graduation. In an article from the Miami Student News Cody Powell, assistant VP of operations for physical facilities said, “It is one of the coolest features on campus…. There were a lot of students hoping to have their pictures taken by the sundial, but it wasn’t available.”
Apparently the dial was removed by a Miami University student with help of several other people. The dial was loosened and when they attempted to grab it, the dial toppled off the pedestal. They then took the damaged dial and ran.
The accused have gone to court and the dial has been returned. “Ultimately, the individual who did the damage did cover the cost of the majority of the repair,” said Powell. The dial was restored to its place of distinction on top of its marble pedestal in the quad ... at a cost of $28,000. The students have tweated in delight. Read more at: http://www.miamistudent.net/news/campus/student-pays-sundial-repair-costs-1.2567994
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Sun City Sundial Saved
photo by Deanna J. Szentmiklosi, Sun CityThe monumental sundial in Sun City Arizona has been saved! The famous dial has been totally restored to its former glory, perhaps even better than the original. On Friday, October 7, 2011 a formal re-dedication ceremony will begin at 8:30 am.
Deanna J. Szentmiklosi (Executive Coordinator of Recreation Centers of Sun City, Inc.) invites all sundial enthusiasts to the celebration. Bill Pearson, President of the Sun City Historical Museum will speak about the history of the sundial, and John Carmichael will represent the North American Sundial Society with a short talk about the gnomonic aspects of the dial with its unique quadruple style gnomon.
Directions to Sundial Ceremony: The sundial is at the Sundial Recreation Center located at 14801 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351. It's on the corner of 103rd Avenue and Boswell. Take I-10 to the 101. Take the Thunderbird exit off the 101, go west on Thunderbird to 99th Avenue and turn right. Take 99th Avenue to 103rd (it's Greenway going East and 103rd going west-shopping center on corner). Turn left on 103rd and you will see the sundial just after you turn on your left.
The Sun City sundial can also be seen on Google from space. It’s at Lat: 33.618983° N, Lon: 112.274005° W
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Avington Park Sundial Stolen
A nearly three-century old brass sundial was stolen in the early overnight hours of August 9, 2011 from the grounds of Avington Park in Itchen Abbas, near Winchester (England). Local officials say the dial is large enough it would have required several people to move it. The dial is valued at over £100,000 and is very distinctive.
Anyone with information regarding its whereabouts is strongly encouraged to contact police: you may contact DC Roman at Winchester police station on 101, via the website at www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/contact/message_officer.htm or call the Crime stoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111
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Help Find a Stolen Dial
If you look in the NASS Sundial Registry at Dial #617 from Ann Arbor Michigan you will see a lovely equatorial sundial on the grounds of the University of Michigan North Campus near the College of Engineering buildings. The dial exists only as a photo and a memory. Last April between the 13th and 15th it was stolen according to the Detroit Free Press.
The bronze equatorial dial has a circular nodus on the polar gnomon arrow to mark the seasons on the broad equatorial band.
Markings are in French (Solstice D’Hiver, Solstice D’Ete, Equinoxe de Printemps), Roman hours enumerate only the hours of VI, XII, VI and the dial face has etched zodiac figures running across a diagonal ecliptic in accordance with the seasons. Unfortunately the base was built more for artistic appeal than vandal protection. The dial was apparently ripped off its pedestal by removing three attaching bolts.
The dial was set in the Wave Field courtyard outside the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Building. It was a gift to the University in 1993 by Albina du Boisrouvray in memory of her son Francois-Xavier who died in 1986 at age 24 on a helicopter rescue mission in Mali according to the Free Press. The dial was built by Gubelin Swiss. According to the University, the sundial has more artistic and sentimental value than monetary, but they would like it returned. They are offering a $200 reward for information leading to the recovery of this 3-foot, 50-pound bronze dial. Anonymous tips should be reported to the university's tip line at 800-863-1355 or with university police at 734-763-1131.
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Board Elects to Repair Sun City Sundial
The Recreation Center Sun City (RCSC) Board of Directors has decided to repair the sundial monument at the corner of 103rd Avenue and Boswell Boulevard [in Sun City, Arizona].
At this time, it is impossible to know an exact repair cost until further inspection can be made below the surface. We do know that the three steel supports at the foundation must be repaired to restore the steel supports’ structural capacity to ensure further deterioration does not occur.
Whereas the preliminary cost estimate to remove the sundial is approximately $17,000, the preliminary cost estimate for repair is roughly $50,000. This is an unbudgeted expense, but several individuals have said they are willing to lend a monetary hand to help fix the sundial.
All donations earmarked for the sundial repairs should be made through the Sun City Foundation at 10626 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City, Ariz. 85351. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. No timeline has been set for repairs, but the monument will be shored up in the near future to provide stability and the area will be fenced off for safety reasons.
The sundial monument has marked the location of Sundial Recreation Center at the corner of Boswell Boulevard and 103rd Avenue since the center opened in April of 1973 and will remain doing so for many years to come.
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