Verde Sputters news

Trudy Rossi

The holiday season has come and gone so quickly. The Sputters would like to share how they got into the mood to celebrate! On Monday, December 4, the monthly luncheon meeting was brimming with holiday festivities. After a bright, sunny morning on the putting green, the ladies headed to The Vistas for the meeting and wonderful surprises. Co-Presidents Lisa Lefebvre and Jeannine Laframbroise made several announcements that made us all proud. The Sputters were again asked to contribute to the Golder Ranch Fire Department toy drive, as they do annually; however, a special request was made to remember the Tri-Community Food Bank, serving Mammoth, Oracle and San Manuel. The food bank recently received only a portion of what was expected and that meant the 311 seniors and 700 children would be the ones to suffer this loss. The Sputters generously donated over 300 pounds of food and $1,235. Food Bank Director Cynthia Chevalley, a long-standing member of the Sputters, was overwhelmed and visibly moved at the very charitable contribution. In addition, almost 200 toys plus over $150 was delivered to the fire department. Not only can these ladies putt, but they certainly can share their blessings!

With the meeting ended and a delicious holiday luncheon served, the entertainment began. The award-winning Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo Magnet High School arrived in their traje de charro outfits, tuned their instruments and wowed the ladies for over one-half hour. Comprised entirely of Pueblo Magnet High School students ranging in age from 14 to 18, this program has grown since founded in 1992 and is Tucson’s most popular youth Mariachi. Thank you to John Contreras, director, and the beautifully talented musicians who made this luncheon so memorable.

A very special thank you to the holiday luncheon committee, Maggie deBlock, Penny Fullenkamp, Jan Kasper and Sheelagh Simpson. During the introduction of this hard-working committee, the Sputters were asked to remember our dear friend, Lorraine Ezell, past president and a member of this committee before her untimely passing in August. Lorraine was instrumental in the planning stages of this special event that started back in May. The Sputters are extremely grateful to Penny who designed and made the favors, a beautiful angel tree ornament. Each pretty angel was made up of 30,000 stitches and will be a lovely keepsake.

With 2018 upon us, the Sputters are grateful for the fun times on the putting green, the friendships made and now look forward to another eventful, enjoyable year highlighted by our first luncheon meeting of the year on January 8 and our annual reciprocal tournaments with the SaddleBrooke Ranchettes on February 5 and the MountainView Lady Putters on March 19.

Membership in Verde Sputters is open to any resident of HOA One and Two not belonging to a sanctioned SaddleBrooke golf group. For more information please contact our membership team of Elaine Ackerman or Donna Gruninger at 825-8123.