Christianne Dettmann On Feb. 5 the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club proudly inducted Mike Close into its membership ranks. Mike has been a Rotarian in other clubs for over 25 years, including being a charter member of the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound, Wash. He and his wife Jan are both…
Category: Clubs & Classes
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
Jewish Friendship Group News and Events
Marsha Mantykow With the temperatures rising, we’re anticipating a wonderful spring season of events. Valentine’s Day Cocktail Party: Hara Lipman and George Delzell hosted a full house for our very successful potluck cocktail party. I lost count, as people kept coming. The table was filled with delicious appetizers and desserts as attendees mingled, noshed, and…
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
Jewish Friendship Group of SaddleBrooke Passover Announcement
Marsha Mantykow Passover is a sacred and special occasion on the Jewish calendar. It is steeped in custom and importance. Annually, the Jewish Friendship Group (JFG) celebrates with a seder on the second night of Passover. This year it is Thursday, April 2. This dinner, along with a shorter modern service, has always been open…
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
Chess Club

Greg Hlushko The SaddleBrooke Chess Club has players of various experience levels, and the games are played for fun in a casual, friendly environment.. The club plays in the Ocotillo Room in the SaddleBrooke TWO clubhouse on Monday and Thursday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Come by to learn how to play or to enjoy…
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
Spotlight on Dick Kroese, SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotarian Extraordinaire

Christianne Dettmann “Cruise with Kroese and make a difference!” If you grew up in the 1950s and 1960s anywhere near Hebron or Humboldt, Neb., you’re probably no stranger to this Ford dealership slogan. In fact, your folks might very well have had the family car cleaned by SaddleBrooke’s very own Dick Kroese (pronounced “cruise”). Dick…
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke Turns Trash into Benches
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
Spotlight on Mary Thompson—SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary

Joyce Wainscott The little engine that could, also known as Mary Thompson, has chugged uphill her entire life. A founding member of SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary, Mary was born in Rochester, N.Y., where winter builds character and grit comes standard. Mary grew up in a small apartment filled with love. Money was tight, but family bonds…
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
SaddleBrooke Squares Twirl, Spin, and Swing: The Magic of Square Dancing!

Mary Klootwyk Members from the SaddleBrooke Squares Dance Club, along with several hundred other dancers, participated in the annual Tucson Square Dance Festival held Jan. 16-18 at the beautiful hall in the Casino Del Sol Resort and Convention Center. The mood of the entire weekend was upbeat and festive, as dancers were led by two…
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
Introductory Classes for April

In April the SaddleBrooke Ballroom Dance Club (SBDC) Introductory classes will be Waltz and Rumba. Originating in 18th century Europe, the waltz is an iconic style, emphasizing flowing movements and graceful turns around the dance floor that always make you look good. The rumba, which originated in Cuba, gained popularity as it spread across the…
Clubs & Classes, March 2026
World War II Roundtable: Terry Caldwell and Code Talkers
Please join the SaddleBrooke World War II Roundtable on March 12 at 1 p.m. at DesertView Theater for a historic presentation that touches native roots in Arizona. Terry Caldwell’s interest in code talkers came from coin collecting, as it gave clues on Navajo, Choctaw, and Comanche code talkers, the latter two serving in Europe during…

