Anthem residents on a `high'

Married 30 years ago today, Cecy Johnson-Moore and her husband, John Moore, met on a plane and are still flying high as residents of Sun City Anthem, a Del Webb age-qualified community in Henderson.

"I was a TWA flight attendant on a 747. John was a sky marshal. We fell in love on the upper deck lounge of a plane headed for Madrid and have been together ever since," Johnson-Moore said.

At the time, both were assigned to Kennedy International Airport in New York. They married a year later and moved to Phoenix. Later, they moved to San Francisco, where Moore became a customs inspector.

When Moore retired last year, the couple aimed their sights on Las Vegas.

"We looked into several communities, but decided this particular community was for us because we enjoy a better standard of living here," Johnson-Moore said.

Familiar with the original Sun City in Phoenix, Johnson-Moore says she "always liked the Del Webb product. This is a quiet, nice community of people with similar interests. Plus, Sun City Anthem has a wonderful fitness center and beautiful recreation center."

The 77,363-square-foot Anthem Center offers fitness, social and recreational opportunities for residents. The Moores use the fitness center at least three times a week.

The center also is home to Trumpets Restaurant and Lounge, which is open to the public.

"We entertained friends who were visiting from San Francisco at Trumpets last week. They were just in awe of the fantastic view of the Las Vegas Valley from the restaurant. It really must be seen to be believed," Johnson-Moore said.

As a sales director for a cosmetics company, Johnson-Moore said she especially liked the Arlington model, which features the master suite on one side of the house and a bedroom which she converted into a home office on other end.

"We still have space for a guest room as well," she said.

The community offers 19 models, ranging from 1,080 to 3,009 square feet. Homes are priced from the mid-$140,000s to more than $500,000.

Community amenities include two 18-hole golf courses.

To visit, take Eastern Avenue south to Anthem Parkway and turn left. Drive 1 1/4 miles to Alexandria Drive and turn right.

Models open daily at 8:30 a.m. and will remain open until 6:30 p.m. throughout September.

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