Ladies from Unit 4 enjoy warm company and a delicious lunch at The Views Restaurant.
Unit 4 Ladies Take a Look at The Views
Connie Kotke
The ladies from Unit 4 gathered once again for their annual spring luncheon on April 2. This time the venue was The Views Restaurant on Rancho Vistoso (at Sun City) in Oro Valley. Our group was the only one braving the chilly temperatures on the patio, but the restaurant was kind enough to turn on the overhead heaters, so everyone was comfortable.
Unit 4 Representative Linda Holt distributed raffle tickets to ensure someone at each table went home with a beautiful rose centerpiece. We introduced ourselves, since several ladies were new to SaddleBrooke (including one who just moved in three weeks earlier!). Rounds of applause went up for some of our longtime residents and, most importantly, for recognizing the hard work of Social Chair Susan Morrison Cluley. Many thanks to LaVonne Ashwood for assisting Susan in executing this fun annual event.
Unit 6 Poor Man’s Cul-de-Sac Party
Kathy Rank
On Tax Day, April 15, Unit 6 held their Poor Man’s Cul-de-Sac Party. We had a great turnout, with about 60 people in attendance.
The weather started out a bit warm and quite windy, but that didn’t stop this crew. Everyone showed up with their food and a desire to hang out with their neighbors!
Eating and talking started right away. Many conversations continued throughout the evening with longtime and newfound neighbors.
To go along with our party theme, we had a short trivia quiz for the group. These tax law questions sparked some tax dialogue among some in the group.
As the temperature cooled and the winds died down, it turned into a beautiful evening. The conversations and visiting kept going until it was almost dark. We had to draw the party to a close. It was a great night with good food and special people. We are all looking forward to being together again soon.
Unit 9 Hosts Successful Annual Chili Dinner
Scott Baker
The savory scent of simmering spices filled the air on Tuesday evening as Unit Nine residents gathered for the community’s much-anticipated annual Chili Dinner. Held on March 26 at the Activity Center, the event drew a crowd of 48 neighbors eager to sample a variety of homemade chili recipes and enjoy a night of good food and great company.
This year’s dinner featured an impressive lineup of nine different chilis, crafted by residents using a mix of chicken and beef. From mild and comforting to bold and fiery, the range of spice levels offered something for every palate.
In addition to the star of the evening, attendees enjoyed fresh salad and an assortment of crackers to complement their chili bowls. The meal concluded on a sweet note with two generously sized cakes—one rich chocolate and one classic vanilla—ensuring no guest left hungry.
Funded by Unit Nine’s membership dues, the annual event continues to be a highlight on the community calendar. Organizers thanked all the volunteers who contributed their time, talent, and taste buds to make the evening a success.
With full bellies and warm hearts, residents left, already looking forward to next year’s chili showdown.
Unit 14 Cornhole Party
Karen Gille
Ed DiEnno had his bean bag toss perfected at the cornhole get-together for Unit 14 on April 9. About 26 people showed up for some fun games of cornhole on a very hot day. Some people were experienced cornhole players, while others had never played the game before. Teams were randomly put together. Everyone enjoyed tossing the bean bags and meeting new friends.
If you’d like to be invited to Unit 14 activities, contact Betsy Clark at bk.clark@hotmail.com.
Connie Sheehey and Barb Berry
Baskets of Blessings!
A heartfelt thank you to the amazing SaddleBrooke Unit 15 community! Because of your kindness and generosity, we collected 32 large Easter baskets for children in need.
These beautiful baskets were handed out during the Salvation Army Tucson Community Easter Brunch on April 19, bringing big smiles and Easter joy to so many little ones.
You all helped make this season a little brighter. Thank you for showing what true community looks like!
Cornhole Event at Unit 15 in SaddleBrooke
Kelli Beasley
It was a bright Sunday afternoon when the members of Unit 15 gathered at the DesertView Sports & Entertainment Center ready for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition. The cornhole facility, newly built with 10 beautiful courts, was the perfect setting for the event. As the members began to filter in, the excitement was palpable and the energy was contagious.
The event, organized for the members of Unit 15 by the Social Committee, had one goal: to bring people together. And it did just that. With all 10 courts filled, 61 eager participants joined in the festivities, each ready to show off their best cornhole skills. Laughter echoed across the center as people cheered on their teammates, and the sound of bean bags thudding into boards became the soundtrack of the afternoon.
There was also delicious food to enjoy, adding to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Attendees snacked on tasty treats as they mingled, and the food tables became gathering spots where members shared stories about their lives in SaddleBrooke.
The fun and camaraderie continued into the afternoon, with everyone talking about the next Unit 15 event. As the last bean bag was thrown and the last laugh echoed across the courts, it was clear: Unit 15 had made a memory that would last. The cornhole event had been a great success, and it left everyone eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to come together and be part of the vibrant community in SaddleBrooke.
Fun Luncheon at Sandy Seppala’s!
Debbie McGeehan
What a memorable afternoon for 15 ladies from Unit 29 to drink, eat, and play games. Sandy Seppala organized the entire event and held it at her lovely home overlooking the golf course and the Catalina Mountains.
A few days prior to the luncheon, Sandy had each of us drop off small gifts adding up to $20 for a surprise game she planned.
The day started at 11:30 a.m. and ended about 4 hours later! We had an abundant selection of beverages, from wines, champagnes, orange juice, and lemonades, from the moment we entered! Nancy Paregien recently purchased a house in our unit and was able to join in on this fun day and meet some of her new neighbors. After a bit of catching up with each other, Sandy set out her scrumptious luncheon salads, along with Lynne Austin contributing a pasta salad. After filling our bellies, Sandy said “Clear everything off the table! Let the games begin!”
We played four games, starting with a blindfolded ribbon game using a spatula, which brought lots of laughs, a memory game, which was quite a challenge for most of us, a left/right/center dice game, and then the most fun game where we attempted to unwrap a Saran-wrapped large ball filled with all of our small gift items. The roll of the dice decided how much time we each had to unwrap it!
Kathy Heitmann took home a beautiful plant by winning the most ribbons on her plate with a spatula. Monique Salviejo won the memory game, with Lynne Austin and Joella Borchelt coming in second and third.
We played three rounds of left/right/center, with everyone contributing $3 for each round. Joella Borchelt, Sandy Seppala, and Brooke McIntyre each won $45!
The fun afternoon ended with Sandy’s delicious Nilla Wafer custard dessert, which we enjoyed out on her patio. This is life at SaddleBrooke in Unit 29—fun, fun, and more fun!
Unit 45 Preserve Patio Party
Nancy Ostrom Kadota
Unit 45 friends and neighbors were welcomed by our Social Committee to The Preserve restaurant patio, which was filled with lively conversation and guests grooving to the music provided by DJ Bill Riggs (aka Bill E. Blaze from his firefighter days). Delicious hors d’oeuvres and happy hour drinks were provided by the staff, led by able Ami. Bill Bowers won over $100 in the 50/50 raffle, and everyone enjoyed our winning views as the sun set over the Catalina Mountains.
Unit 46 Has the Aloha Spirit
Linda Greenough
On April 9 the Activity Center came alive with ukulele music, floral dresses and shirts, and leis, as more than 40 Unit 46 residents gathered for a luau. The room was festively decorated with tropical decorations, including a beach backdrop, perfect for great photos. The group dined on pulled pork sliders, potato and macaroni salad, and coleslaw, with macaroons and ambrosia salad for dessert. The Ukulele Club from SaddleBrooke Ranch entertained everyone with a fun selection of songs, and one of their members performed a hula dance.
There were hula hoops for those attendees who wanted to relive their childhood. Funny, it was a lot easier to use a hula hoop when we were seven years old! Races involving beach balls and balloons added to the evening’s activities. A raffle basket filled with Hawaiian and beach goodies was won by Dean and Linda Greenough.
This was another great event coordinated by the unit’s Social Directors Carla DeWolf and Joan Brookhart.
In other Unit 46 news, $335 was collected from unit residents and donated to Senior Village as part of their Beach Bash fundraiser. Clearly, the Aloha Spirit lives in Unit 46!
Unit 47 Spring Social
Laura Lynn Gregor
Unit 47 held their annual Spring Social on a warm and sunny day in April. The event was graciously hosted in the spacious backyard of Tom and Janice Keating. Unit members dined on pizza, salad, and goodies while listening and dancing to the memorable music of the three-man band 49th Parallel.