Posted By The Peak on Jun 6, 2020

May 31, 2020

By Les Conklin
On Behalf of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Board of Association

Rosenberg Worked to Preserve Our Environment and Quality of Life

After many years of service, north Scottsdale resident Maxine Rosenberg has resigned from the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association Board of Directors for health reasons. In her resignation email, Maxine wrote, “I am so proud to have helped safe-guard our beautiful area. Wow, so much has changed but I think overall we all did a great job on maintaining the pristine nature of north Scottsdale; we certainly did our very best. Best regards and love. Maxine.”

Maxine’s pride in her accomplishments as a board member are incredibly well deserved.  Maxine has contributed much to GPPA, Friends of the Scenic Drive and A Peek at the Peak (The Peak)  magazine over the years.

Maxine Rosenberg. Courtesy Cindy Lee.,

In the 1990s, she helped the late Don Schoenau sell advertising for The Peak and later wrote a wonderful monthly column titled “Dining Out.” Below you will find a column that she wrote about The Summit Diner.

In addition to her support of GPPA as a member and board member, Maxine volunteered for just about every one of the 15 annual Cookout at the Ranch benefits that were organized by Friends of the Scenic Drive.  She fulfilled a variety of volunteer roles: assisting in planning, obtaining silent auction items, selling tickets, serving drinks, helping with cleanup, etc. You name it, she did it. ‘The event raised funds for the Scenic Drive, Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve and wildlife rehabilitation.

After the merger of Friends of the Scenic Drive into GPPA in 2005, Maxine played an active volunteer role before, during and after GPPA’s Mystery Car Rally and Great Western Cookout Adventure benefits.

There is more! Maxine also pitched-in and participated in Friends of the Scenic Drive Adopt-A-Road cleanups along the northern reaches of Scottsdale Road. If my memory serves me right, she also helped distribute the then printed copies of The Peak to magazine racks in Rio Verde..

when the Pinnacle Peak area or the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive was threatened by inappropriate development, Maxine was there, attending city and community meetings and giving voice to her opinions, always stressing the need to protect our area’s unique Sonoran environment.   One example of how Maxine advocated for preservation is the role she played as a speaker in a “Save the Scenic Drive” video produced by her fellow board member Cindy Lee. Click on the link below to hear what Maxine and other GPPA leaders, past and present, said about this important issue.

Maxine was there when the community needed her  and we cannot thank her enough for her service to the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association, Friends of the Scenic Drive and A Peek at the Peak and everyone who treasures our community.

The good news is that she will continue to participate and serve to the extent that is possible. Maxine is correct in saying that our area has changed dramatically. One thing that has not changed is her enthusiasm for protecting what makes it special.

Maxine, thank you, we look forward to working with you in the years ahead.

Best Wishes,

Les Conklin
Greater Pinnacle Peak Association

“Dining Out” by Maxine Rosenberg

A Peek at The Peak, July 2013 The Summit Diner

A Fresh Face in Casual Dining

By Maxine Rosenberg

I recall most Jersey Diners as gaudily decorated, neon-signed, 24/7 places serving just about any dish you wanted. The emphasis was on variety; the food mediocre. In terms of food quality, the Summit Diner delivers what those east coast Diners didn’t.

Opening in October 2012 at the north side of the Summit Shopping Center, owner Joe Kapidan has established a neighborhood eatery that is family-friendly and offers breakfast (all day), lunch, and dinner. The ingredients, Kapidan noted, for the Greek, Italian and American fare are the finest quality; bread comes from the Wildflower Bakery, the meats are hormone-free, and produce is purchased from local farmers and markets. Pretty much everything is made in-house.

The Meal

“Meat Loaf” was the chalkboard special that night. Not being a “meat and potatoes” gal, the dish definitely fell outside my comfort zone. However, I ordered it to see how this classic Americana dish measured up to the meat loaf served at the old New Jersey Diners of my past. But first, I tried the Greek Saganaki Cheese OPA.

This dish was terrific. Saganaki dishes are named after the two-handled pan they are served in. This one consists of a soft white Greek sheep cheese that is pan-seared until bubbly and served sizzling hot in an iron-clad skillet with lemon wedges and pita quarters. In true Greek fashion it would be dosed with brandy, ignited and presented to the table, but that doesn’t happen here and that’s ok. While a little ceremony would be fun, the dish is just as delicious without the drama.

A fresh garden salad with home-made croutons and shredded cheddar and Jack cheeses lead me to the entrée, the Meat Loaf. The meat loaf dishes of the Jersey Diners consisted of heavy pinkish meat slices, starchy mashed potatoes, and over-cooked soggy veggies. The Summit’s version was dramatically superior. This is an all beef loaf, crusty on the outside and moist on the inside. The mashed potato mound was not overly starchy and married with just the right consistency beef gravy complimenting the dish. The sautéed fresh veggies were a medley of sliced peppers, squash, zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower.

The Desert

The desert selection is interesting with American Apple Pie A La Mode, Rice Pudding, Italian Canolli, and Greek Baklava on the list. As I recall, about the only good thing to eat in a Jersey diner was their rice pudding. And, here’s where – I’m sorry to say – the Summit fell short. The pudding didn’t have the creamy consistency that I’d expected. It could have been a little bit sweeter as well. However, the Baklava more than made up for my disappointment. It’s the best I’ve had. The filo pastry was flaky, the inside a dreamy combination of chopped walnuts and almonds, cinnamon, cloves, sugar and lots of honey. Yum!

Something for Everyone

Whether your thing is health conscious or comfort food, the Summit Dinner has a “something for everyone” menu at reasonable prices. Breakfast style dishes include waffles, pancakes, nova lox platter, egg scrambles, skillets and Benedict. For lunch, there are salads, wraps, burgers and grilled deli and hot open face sandwiches. Dinner selections include classics like pork chops, country fried steak, chicken breast, or pasta favorites. There are also items “From the Sea,” such as char-broiled Tilapia, fried shrimp, and more. I think you’re going to like this place and, if you do, join the VIP club and receive special discounts and promotions. Good food, plus a discount – what a deal!

For Additional Information:
Mail: Summit Diner, The Summit, 32531 N. Scottsdale Road (NE corner Ashler Hills and Scottsdale Rd.)
Phone: (480) 575-6562

Web: www.summitdineraz.com

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