Unit 17 knows how to have fun, whether wearing togas or not! (Photo by Linda Gray)
Unit 17’s Toga Party
Barbara Barr Bengen
Residents of Unit 17 know how to have fun year-round. When we get tired of all the hot weather, we have a Toga Party—but togas were not required!
The party invitation included a link to directions on how to make a toga from a bed sheet. Yes, there are directions on the Internet for togas. There was a set of directions for men’s togas and another set of directions for women’s togas.
The Unit 17 Social Committee has planned a fun fall season. Next up is our annual Halloween Party. Again this year we will make our Halloween Party a cul-de-sac party! Start planning now for your award-winning costumes.
December is our annual Holiday Party at SaddleBrooke One. There will be an incredible buffet and entertainment.
More than 70 friends and neighbors gathered in Unit 4 for music, drinks, and snacks.
Unit 4 Hosts Play Music on the Porch Day
Connie Kotke, Deputy Unit Rep
It started as an idea: What if, for one day, everything stopped and we all just listened to the music? That’s exactly what happened the evening of Saturday, Aug. 26, in front of Dick and LaVonne Ashwood’s home on Bogie Court. More than 70 neighbors from SaddleBrooke Unit 4—and many special friends of the Ashwoods—arrived in their golf carts to enjoy guitar music and vocals by Dick Ashwood and Skip Pascoe.
“This is the fourth year we’ve hosted this event,” said Dick. “We joined thousands of musicians from countries around the world who played music on the same day. In fact, we could see the international map of music locations on the website www.playmusicontheporchday.com. It’s really rewarding to be a part of this movement, and we hope other musicians in SaddleBrooke will join in next year!”
The Ashwoods learned about Play Music on the Porch Day from their accordion-playing friend Caryl Dowell who lives in SaddleBrooke TWO. Caryl and her husband were not able to join this year’s program, as they were traveling in Germany. “In 2024 and beyond, wouldn’t it be great to have several musicians playing in neighborhoods all around SaddleBrooke? People could drive their golf carts or take an evening stroll and listen to a wide variety of instruments and tunes. Registering for the evening takes only a simple visit to the website.”
Dick started playing guitar at 14 years old. During the 1960s, when he was in college, he and his rock-and-roll band cut a couple of records. In 2016 they were inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame. Dick continued to play for public and private parties after his retirement, and he continues to enjoy performing for groups of friends.
The next Play Music on the Porch Day is Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
Enjoying the good weather on the Merlini patio (photo by Eileen Depka)
Unit 27 Activities
Sue Case
September was a transition month in terms of residents coming and going, as well as the temperatures moderating (finally!). A great example of that was seen at the Snack and Chat hosted by Carol and Richard Merlini on Sept. 23. Some residents attending had recently returned from travels elsewhere, and some were on their way to other destinations. An interesting thing occurs when these monthly events are hosted in different parts of the unit: Those living close by the hosts more often show up to support their neighbors, even if they may not attend the Snack and Chats on the other side of the unit. It makes for good conversations with people one doesn’t see very often.
This time, next-door neighbors Fran and Fred Lowy came to bring a luscious dessert and say hi before leaving to celebrate Fran’s birthday at a local restaurant. Several residents attended both to eat and chat before leaving to see the Tucson Pops perform at DesertView Theatre. This was one of those Snack and Chats where the food was ample and hearty, the conversations enjoyable, and the vibe casual and welcoming. Thanks, Carol and Richard!
Unit 28 ladies at The Preserve
Unit 28—Fall Is in the Air
Marilyn Ginther
Unit 28 ladies gathered at The Preserve on the patio for their monthly luncheon (typically the second Thursday, but we’re trying the second Wednesday to see if that works better with various schedules and activities). We had a great time visiting and catching up on where everyone has traveled in the past few months and the anticipated return dates of some of our Skyline Drive snowbirds. In October, we are planning to gather for lunch at North Italia in Tucson.
In addition to the monthly unit Happy Hour on the third Tuesday of the month, the Social Committee has been excited about plans for the unit’s special event, the Octoberfest-Fall Potluck on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the SaddleBrooke One tennis pavilion. We will be entertained by unit resident Steve Skeen and some of his fellow musicians, a fall-themed Bingo, 50/50 raffle drawing, and lots and lots of food, if last year was any indication of the great chefs on our street. We are looking forward to more fun times together with our neighbors!
Unit 42 Happenings
Eight couples from Unit 42 had an enjoyable evening on Sept. 8 dining at The Preserve restaurant. We had a mix of newcomers and longtime Unit 42 residents. The newcomers enjoyed hearing about the early days of The Preserve and Unit 42. There are plans for a Unit 42 social gathering on The Preserve patio in late October. Watch your email inbox for details! We hope to schedule another Unit 42 dinner in early 2024.
Unit 49ers Ride the Dolly Steamboat
Diane Marchand
Early morning flash flood warnings threatened to spoil Unit 49’s outing to the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake in the Superstition Mountains. But the afternoon of Sept. 13 turned into a beautiful, sunny day, and 25 of us boarded the boat for a leisurely 90-minute, six-mile cruise around the lake. The captain narrated all the sights and gave some history and tales of hidden mines and other lore.
As former President Theodore Roosevelt stated, “The Apache Trail and surrounding area combines the grandeur of the Alps, the glory of the Rockies, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, and then adds an indefinable something that none of the others have.” He said, “It is to me the most awe-inspiring and sublimely beautiful panorama around.” I think we all agreed!