Celebrating Our Success!
Ann Vernon
Members of the Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Fling Gala planning committee met at the home of Ann and Nile Vernon to celebrate a successful event that raised over $65,000 to help support kindergarten prep and related educational programs in the Mountain Vista School District in Oracle.
This has been our most successful Gala ever, with 270 SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch residents attending the dinner and auction and bidding on silent auction items such as homemade desserts, soups, and appetizers, as well as numerous gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. After an excellent meal, guests engaged in very spirited bidding for live auction items such as a getaway to the Birdsong Casita in Sedona, an authentic Greek dinner, a weekend luxury hotel staycation in Scottsdale, and a timeshare in Hilton Head.
At the Gala we launched our fixed price events, a unique feature of this auction. Guests lined up, eager to sign up for a variety of fun events that are held throughout the year. There was fierce competition for seats at house concerts featuring local musicians (Sean Lewis, J.D. Loveland, Randall Dighton, and Dan Bergquist), a “Saddle Up Social” dine and dance party, several theme dinners, a bread making class, a wine tasting event, and a fiesta at a local hacienda!
There are still some fall events that have openings: a house concert featuring Randall Dighton, a house concert featuring the Catalina Chorale, a holiday event at a beautifully decorated home, an Everly Brothers Tribute house concert, and a house concert featuring talented performer J.D. Loveland. You can sign up by going to the website and clicking on fixed price items at OracleSchoolsFoundation.com.
We thank all the SaddleBrooke and Ranch residents who contributed to the silent, live, and fixed price auction. We could not have such a successful auction if it weren’t for your donations. Thanks to all who attended the Gala to support such a worthy cause. If you would like to donate something for next year’s auction, contact Ann Vernon at [email protected]. This is a “goods and services” auction only. We do not take tangible items. Our “best sellers” are theme dinners, parties, and made-to-order food donations. Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 15, 2025, for the next Gala!
Hosts Janet and David Gulden with performer Dan Berquist (photo by Randy Breier)
Music, Memories, Munchies, and More
Janet Gulden
One of the many fixed price events associated with the Oracle Schools Foundation Gala and Auction was held on April 28 at the home of David and Janet Gulden with co-hosts Anne and Bob Hilton. Dan Berquist, a cocktail pianist and frequent performer at the MountainView and the HOA One Clubhouses, shared his amazing talent on the piano. As guests arrived, Dan played beautiful background music as everyone gathered on the patio for drinks, food, and conversation.
Afterwards, Dan entertained the audience with melodies, medleys, and mash-ups of favorite songs from the past. In the mash-ups, he creatively combined a classical piece with something more popular; a segment from Chopin mixed in with “California Dreamin” and “Hotel California.” Another favorite was Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Dan also played some very old tunes that several guests were able to identify. You won’t want to miss this event next year!
The Oracle Schools Foundation is a SaddleBrooke (HOA One, HOA TWO, and the Ranch) 501(c)(3) organization that provides pre-kindergarten funding (which the state of Arizona does not fund) and other academic opportunities to students in need. For more information about the foundation, go to oracleschoolsfoundation.com and save the date for next year’s Gala on March 15, 2025. If you would like to donate to the silent, live, or fixed price auction, please contact Ann Vernon at [email protected] or 520-405-2622. We do not accept any tangible items—just made-to-order food items and services for the silent auction. Our fixed price auction events accept theme dinners, parties, and “how to” classes. Thanks to all who support the foundation.
Left to right: Pam Jackson, Tami Graeber, Paula Fulton, Lisa Graff, Sue Dischner, Wendy O’Dell, Jackie Klein, Sandy Jones, Denny Dalton, Linda Ansay, and Midge Mollenkopf
Bread Making Class Supports Oracle Schools Foundation
Midge Mollenkopf
Twelve women gathered around Sue Colby’s kitchen island to become proficient in making Old World Artisan crusty bread. Armed with a large bowl and a spatula, they made their dough according to Midge Mollenkopf’s instruction while a loaf of bread was baking in Sue’s oven. Their loaves would be baked the next day after rising overnight. Their final exam? A photo of their perfect loaf sent to Midge.
After the dough-making session, all went to the patio for wine, appetizers by Sue, and delicious bread just out of the oven.
And Oracle Schools Foundation made a cool $500! Win, win!
Donors Enjoy Gala Cocktail Party to Benefit Oracle School Fund
Raymond H. Goettsch
On May 7, 55 donors attended a gala cocktail party at the home of Bonnie and Fred Barazini to benefit Oracle Schools Foundation. The donors were treated to hors d’oeuvres, desserts, drinks, and entertainment provided by Chuck Moses. There was lots of schmoozing, eating, and dancing under the stars throughout the evening. The event was sponsored by Kali Cohen, Maria Miller, Karen Richey, and Bonnie Barazini.
Oracle Schools Foundation’s mission is to provide financial and related support to ensure that every Oracle student has unlimited opportunity to succeed. For information regarding Oracle Schools Foundation or to make a donation visit the website www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com.
Wine Aficionados Experience Extraordinaire
Ann Vernon
Twelve guests (including myself) were treated to an incredible immersion into the world of wine by David and Kathleen Eaton, owners of a boutique winery located in The Preserve. The Eatons, formerly from Seattle, walked us through the entire operation as we sipped on a Petite Verdot and a Syrah in their casita. Here they described how Dave drives for four long days round trip to get grapes from a high-quality vineyard in Washington state, transporting them in an air-conditioned van back to Tucson. We then transitioned to the garage where we learned how they crush and destem the grapes and how they “cold soak” the juice from the grapes prior to adding yeast. The equipment they use to bring the wine to life was arranged in order of four steps: grape acquisition, crush, press, and bottling.
Following this very informative presentation, we were treated to an outstanding spread of food, including typical Pacific Northwest favorites. We all sat on their beautiful patio and sipped wine, made new friends, and chatted about travel and numerous other topics before gathering around the dining room table for our formal “tasting and evaluation” of four of their wines—two cabernets, a Merlot, and a Syrah. As we sipped, Dave and Kathleen shared more about their experience making wine.
This event is just one of the many exceptional fixed-price offerings that were launched at the 2024 Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Gala/Auction. Many thanks to the Eatons for opening their beautiful home and educating those in attendance how they make their hand-crafted Washington red wines right here in SaddleBrooke. It was a wonderful evening!
Proceeds from these fixed-price events support pre-kindergarten and other educational programs in the Oracle pre-K-8 school district. The 2025 Spring Fling Gala will be held on March 15.
Sean Lewis
For the Love of Music
Ann Vernon
As one of the fixed price events in conjunction with the Oracle Schools Foundation Gala/Auction, Sean Lewis, a SaddleBrooke resident, entertained 35 guests at the home of Ann and Nile Vernon on April 3. It was a beautiful night, and guests mixed and mingled as they munched on a variety of tasty appetizers prepared by the hosts: Ann and Nile Vernon, Barry and Mary Jo Swartzberg, Anne and Bob Hilton, and Sharon and Dennis Anderson.
Even better than the food was the music! Sean sang a variety of tunes we all know and love, along with some of his original hits from his recently recorded album. There was lots of toe tapping and singing along as everyone enjoyed the wide variety of music Sean performed.
The Foundation is so fortunate to have a talented performer such as Sean who donated his musical abilities to entertain us. He has many years of experience and clearly knows how to please an audience.
If you haven’t attended a fixed price event, you are missing out on some great experiences. We “launch” these events at our Spring Gala, but events that haven’t yet sold out are listed on our website at oracleschoolsfoundation.com.
Just click on fixed price events and you will see what is still available. All proceeds support educational programs at the Mountain Vista School in Oracle. Mark your calendars for next year’s event on March 15, 2025.
A Taste of Greece Homemade Dinner Delights
Gus and Karen Pachis, alongside Steve and Nan Kartsonis, opened their doors for an evening of Greek cuisine and philanthropy, all in support of the Oracle Public Schools Foundation. Generously purchased by Lindsay and Margie Nicholson at the Foundation’s annual fundraiser, the event proved to be a flavorful success.
The evening commenced with an outdoor appetizer experience, featuring the traditional Greek delight of Saganaki, where flaming cheese ignited the atmosphere with culinary flair.
Guests were treated to a meticulously crafted four-course meal, beginning with a tantalizing starter of chicken in filo, followed by the crisp and refreshing flavors of a traditional Greek salad. For the main course, attendees indulged in a choice between succulent lamb chops or the delicate sea bass el Greco, each dish bursting with authentic Greek flavors.
Entertainment wasn’t limited to the palate; Greek dancing lessons added an interactive element to the evening, with all participants joining in the lively spirit of the tradition. Opa!
As the night drew to a close, a sweet finale awaited with a duo of delectable Greek desserts, including the iconic baklava, leaving taste buds satisfied and spirits uplifted.
Not content with merely culinary delights, each guest departed with a personalized thank-you box filled with Greek pastries, a token of appreciation for their support for the Oracle Public Schools Foundation.
This evening of generosity exemplified the power of community and culture coming together in support of education, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.