August Senior Village Birthday Celebration

Laura Anderson

A grand time was had by the thirty-six members and eight guests who attended the bi-monthly birthday party at the addleBrooke One activity center. This fun event was hosted by Senior Village volunteers Fariba Alipour, Carol Mueller, and Chelsy Brougher. The bakers who delighted our guests with carrot and chocolate muffins were Donna Twining and JoAnne Gulison-Powell.

Mike Rutt and Irene Pierce brought some of the crowd to their feet to dance. The dynamic duo performed their “Little Bit Country and a Little Bit Rock and Roll” set, which delighted the entire audience. Senior Village thanks Mike and Irene for coming to sing for our members and giving them such a lovely show!

Members Sven and Sharon Sandblom have been married for 68 years! Congratulations to you both. Myrna Solis won her husband over by cleaning her plate on their first date. Arlene and Leslie Goins have been married for ten years now. Leslie proposed on Arlene’s 70th birthday and this year marks her 80th!

Senior Village wishes all our members a happy birthday! We are grateful that so many attended this event. Our volunteers work hard to put on a fun party, and it shows. If you would like to join in the fun, call 520-314-1042 to learn more about volunteering.

A Caregiver Through and Through: Janet Daily

Laura Anderson

If you have called Senior Village to have your Alexa set up or needed the smart lights programmed, chances are Janet is the volunteer who helped you.

Janet Daily is the co-leader of the Home Technology Team. She began her volunteer service two years ago and within her first year accepted her current position. She is an engineer by trade who learned how to simplify processes using technology. Janet left the corporate world four years ago to care for her parents who built here in 1999 and enjoys helping people with technology needs in the neighborhood.

Janet is a solution-orientated person who strives to help members understand how things “shake hands” technologically speaking. She accepts a variety of requests ranging from simply re-setting routers to linking Alexa with doorbells, cameras and thermostats. Her goal is to have members, “learn and feel confident in their own abilities and believe, ‘I can do this.’”

Children are giving their parents technology, and the recipients are not quite sure how it all works. Janet likes getting to know the members and understanding their needs to then show them exactly how to use the devices. Passwords can be quite challenging for some. If you are unable to save passwords to your devices, Janet suggests “hiding” them on index cards in a recipe box or an address book to physically record the passwords. As for the router, taping the password directly on it helps when it needs a reset.

Janet describes herself as a “caretaker through and through.” Her positive attitude and fun personality shines through when she teaches a member a new skill and cheers, “Look at what you learned today and you can show off to your friends!” She encourages members to pass the knowledge along at their next bridge game or mahjongg gathering. Her connection to the members is inspiring. “The stories I hear are fascinating.” She enjoys meeting new people in the community.

When asked, “What would you say to a person considering volunteering?” she boasts, “You’re going to love meeting these people!” “Go with what you know or learn something new. Take a job you know nothing about. Research it. Then teach someone. It helps the member and you’ve expanded your knowledge.”

We are not all in the same technology sphere. Many of us joke and say, “our grandchildren/children help us with the computer.” However, there are many ways to make our lives easier using technology. It just takes someone to show us how. The home technology team can do just that. And who knows, maybe Janet will come and show you! Call Senior Village at 520-314-1042 to request a service from any of our teams.

Please Join Us for Upcoming Senior Village Events

All dates, times, and locations are subject to change.

Visit our website for up-to-date information.

Throughout the year, Senior Village offers an array of opportunities for SaddleBrooke residents to attend free concerts, socialize, attend seminars, and more. Read on for events and activities coming up in the next few months. For more information, visit www.seniorvillage.org/calendar.

October Music Matinee featuring Irene Pierce and Mike Rutt, Thanks for the Memories

Oct. 13, 2 p.m DesertView Performing Arts Center

Mike Rutt moved to SaddleBrooke in March 2020. He joined the SaddleBrooke Singers and the Barbershop Chorus. Irene Pierce moved here in August of 2020. She joined the SaddleBrooke Singers and “Thanks for the Memories” was born. The rest is history as they say.

Thanks for the Memories with Irene Pierce and Mike Rutt performing a 1960’s tribute starting with the Twist through Woodstock. The ’60s were a time of change and coming together. Join this dynamic duo and relive the times that impacted us all.

The performance will be Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. DesertView Performing Arts Center. If transportation is an issue, call Dispatch at 520-314-1042.

This is a free show open to all residents of SaddleBrooke.

Oct. 17 Annual Health Fair MountainView Ballroom 9 a.m. to noon

Senior Village is proud to be a sponsor of the Annual Health Fair. Please visit our table and learn about an exciting new program benefiting SaddleBrooke.

Friday Fun Game Day

Oct. 23, 1 to 3 p.m.Senior Village Office, 16460 N. Oracle Road, Free

Looking for a fun and friendly way to spend a Friday afternoon? RSVP to attend our monthly social event, Friday Fun Game Day. This free activity is all about enjoying great company and having a fun time together playing a variety of board and card games. We’d love to see you! This event takes place on the fourth Friday of each month. RSVP: Events@seniorvillage.org.

Senior Village Honors Veterans with an Open House

Veterans Day is a special time to honor all Veterans who served in the military. Nov. 11 marks the end of World War I and reminds us of the service provided by so many to keep Americans free. Senior Village will host an open house on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. It will be held at the Senior Village office, 16460 N Oracle Road. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome. Transportation is available for Senior Village members.

Save the Date

Rock the Village on Nov. 15, 7 p.m. at DesertView Theater

Page Turner Book Club is welcoming new members. Meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month. If you are interested, contact Lynne Thompson at Thomplynne@gmail.com.

Senior Village Volunteer Opportunities

If you are looking for a rewarding way to get involved in your community and give back, look no further than Senior Village. Join our team of 425 dedicated volunteers who proudly live the motto Neighbors Helping Neighbors. For more information, email Mary Toth, our Volunteer Coordinator, at mary.toth@seniorvillage.org or call 520–314-1042, press 4.

Learn more about Senior Village and upcoming events online at Seniorvillage.org.

I Called Senior Village and I’m Glad I Did

Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg

We all have known people who felt that they were “ready” in the event of the passing of a spouse or a partner, as in we aren’t worried. All our ducks are in a row. But it may surprise many who read this that there are nuances in this scenario which would (could) derail what you think is “ready.” Let us explain.

Let’s assume you think that you have everything in order as I did. After all, you have a will or trust which will easily explain and carry out your wishes regarding a number of factors. Very good! But is a will or trust enough? Maybe not. So, perhaps, this might help you.

Many people in SaddleBrooke are aware of an organization here called Senior Village. It is a volunteer organization that helps all of us on a number of levels—but first you must join.

One of the services that Senior Village provides is a handbook called Planning Ahead for those You Love. A volunteer from the Senior Village Forms and Documents Team will come to your home, make a presentation, and give you this comprehensive book that includes forms, information and directions for you in the event of a personal tragedy. Everyone in SaddleBrooke could benefit from this vital and necessary book—for your loved ones.

Four of the fill-in chapters cover everything your legal successors need to know for handling your business: personal data, medical and financial contacts, and real estate records. In addition, the volunteer will make sure you have named beneficiaries to all accounts, have titled accounts in a manner that avoids probate, have two separate credit card accounts in case one is closed after death, and other details you may have forgotten to include in your estate planning.

The fifth and final chapter called “Guidance” focuses on tasks to be done in the first two months after the death of a spouse or partner. Recently widowed Senior Village members have found comfort and direction from the easy-to-follow timetable for dealing with death certificates, banks, Social Security, credit cards, insurance companies and other stressful obligations.

As you can see, the Planning Ahead handbook provides invaluable information/explanations that will help your loved ones charter their way in the event a tragedy occurs. I believe it is a must-have manual. I strongly urge you to give Senior Village a call at 520-314-1042 and make an appointment with the Forms and Documents Team.

Being prepared helps us stay calm during unexpected events.

A note from Senior Village: We are pleased to know that this member had a positive experience with the Forms and Documents team volunteers. We are here to help! Please know that Senior Village does not offer legal or financial advice. For all issues involving estate plans, we recommend that you seek advice from an attorney and a financial advisor.

Safety Gifts to Ask Your Family for This Holiday Season

Laura Anderson

Not sure what to ask for this holiday season? Are you trying to minimize your home of unnecessary “stuff” but also want to make sure that you remain safe at home? Senior Village has created a list of safety items for your wish list that might provide peace of mind not only for you, but for your family as well.

* A Lockbox—A lockbox purchased from Senior Village provides emergency access by the Golder Ranch Fire District and only the fire department. Neither Senior Village nor your HOA patrol have keys to open lockboxes. Senior Village will install a lockbox for any SaddleBrooke resident at no additional charge.

* Membership in Senior Village is available to singles for only $60 per year and only $96 for a household. For information, call 520-314-1042.

* Smoke detectors have a life span of five to ten years depending on the model. If you have heard chirping and have changed your batteries, chances are the unit is telling you it is time for a new one. Call 311 to have Golder Ranch Fire District change the alarms out.

* An emergency medical device can connect you with first responders if you fall. Smart watches can also detect falls and are helpful with important notices such as a reminder when it is time to take your medication.

* Smart medication dispensers can organize doses and release them on a set schedule, often with notifications that help reduce the risk of missed or doubled doses.

* A high-grip bathmat or a shower mat designed to reduce slipping risk can improve their safety during an everyday activity like stepping in and out of the shower or tub.

Ask your family (and Santa) to consider one or all of these safety items this holiday season. Anyone of these items can make a life changing difference when an emergency happens.

A Lockbox Could Make All the Difference

Linda Hampton

Imagine calling 911 because your spouse is having a heart attack. Emergency responders arrive quickly—but they can’t get into your home.

That’s exactly what happened to a SaddleBrooke resident who shared her story with Senior Village. While she was performing CPR on her husband, emergency responders arrived but could not enter because there was no lockbox containing a key. Unable to get the door open, they had to break through the front door.

Later that evening, she returned home from the hospital frightened and worried about her husband—and to a house with a damaged front door that had to be secured and replaced.

A lockbox can help prevent this from happening.

Senior Village strongly encourages every SaddleBrooke resident to have a lockbox installed. The lockbox allows Golder Ranch Fire District emergency responders to quickly access your home when you are unable to reach the door.

Senior Village purchases Kidde lockboxes, the brand used by Golder Ranch Fire District because its emergency responders have the key needed to open them. Only the fire department has the key—not Senior Village.

We currently have a supply of lockboxes available for $75 at the Senior Village office, 16460 N. Oracle Road. This price covers our cost, and Senior Village will install the lockbox at no additional charge for any SaddleBrooke resident.

There is an important reason to act now: Kidde has increased the price of these lockboxes. Once our current supply is gone, the price will be $160. The remaining $75 lockboxes will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Recently purchased a home? If a lockbox is already installed, call Golder Ranch Fire District and request a visit to make sure the key inside the box is still the correct key for your home.

A lockbox is a small investment that could make a very big difference when every second counts.

Save the Date: “Rock the Village” Concert to Benefit Senior Village

Linda Hampton

Mark your calendars! Senior Village at SaddleBrooke is bringing one of the community’s favorite bands to the stage for what promises to be one of the season’s most popular events.

Rock the Village will feature the CS and M Trio, performing the timeless folk and rock hits of the 1960s and 1970s. The concert will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the DesertView Theater on Clubhouse Drive.

Tickets are just $35 per person and will go on sale Oct. 1 at the SaddleBrooke TWO Administrative Offices. With the popularity of both the venue and the band, attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early.

The CS and M Trio has become a favorite throughout the area, entertaining audiences at Catalina Craft Pizza and at numerous private events in SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch. Their energetic performances and familiar classics are sure to have the audience singing along.

Senior Village is proud to have Splendido and the Moore Advantage Team sponsor the show. Businesses and individuals interested in helping underwrite the event are invited to contact events@seniorvillage.org for sponsorship opportunities.

Proceeds from Rock the Village will support the programs and services of Senior Village, helping SaddleBrooke residents remain independent, connected, and safely living in their own homes. At the suggestion of Barry Swartzberg, the event’s co-organizer, a portion of the proceeds will also benefit Girls Golf of Tucson.

Don’t miss this memorable evening of great music for two great causes!

Senior Village Honors Veterans with Open House

Bonnie Westra

On behalf of the Senior Village Community, we say “Thank You” to our Veterans. Your willingness to answer the call of duty required immense courage, resilience, and personal sacrifice. Whether you served during a time of war or peace, your dedication has directly protected our freedoms and shaped the community we share today. We recognize that the sacrifices of military service are often shared by your family, and we honor their strength alongside yours.

Our community is stronger, safer, and more vibrant because of individuals like you. Today, and every day, we are incredibly proud to stand by you and support you. Please join the Senior Village staff and Board members for an open house to honor you and your service on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at the Senior Village office, 16460 N Oracle Road. Light snacks and refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome. Members may request transportation by calling 520-314-1042.