What a Night!
Mountain Vista students greeting guests as they arrive
Ann Vernon
The Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Fling/Auction was a huge success, thanks to so many SaddleBrooke residents! Without you, there would be no auction, and without an auction, the Foundation would not be able to honor its commitment to the Mountain Vista in Oracle to help fund Kindergarten Prep and other educational programs.
The Gala was sold out a month before the deadline, and 270 guests came prepared to bid, buy, and have a good time. More than 50 SaddleBrooke and SB Ranch residents contributed to the goods and services silent auction, which included made-to-order food items, pet sitting, airport transportation, and other services or gift cards from local businesses. Fixed–price events are a unique feature of this auction, and attendees lined up long before the sign-up tables opened so they could get a space at one of the theme dinners, cooking or baking classes, or concerts featuring talented local musicians and hosted by SaddleBrooke residents who provide hearty appetizers and adult beverages. The live auction was spirited, as guests tried to outbid others for weekend getaways, theme dinners, the gourmet library dinner, and a week in Hilton Head, S.C.
A special thank you to all who attended, bought, bid, contributed to Paddle Up, or donated their talents to the silent, live, or fixed–price auctions. While the people attending the Gala have “first dibs” at signing up for fixed–price events, there are several events that will occur in the fall that still have openings, including a house concert featuring the Catalina Chorale and events featuring Randall Dighton and J.D. Loveland. By attending functions such as these, you not only have an opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow SaddleBrooke and SB Ranch friends, neighbors, and new acquaintances, but you are also supporting young learners in the Oracle School District.
If you weren’t able to attend the Gala or didn’t have a chance to sign up for things you wanted to attend, please visit our website at www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com to see what is available and register online. Most of these events are $50 per person. Once again, thank you for supporting the Foundation. We will be holding another Gala on March 15, 2025. Save the date!
Wine Lovers, This One’s for You!
Sommelier David Mills
Ann Vernon
The last of the 2023 Oracle Schools Foundation Fixed Price events was recently hosted by Fran Regdos and Richard Wemhoff and assisted by Hacienda Del Sol sommelier David Mills. What an incredible event this was! Twelve guests were treated to a seven-course, small-plate dinner with wine pairings, showcasing both Old and New World wines. The evening started with an Old World French champagne, which was served with salmon canapés with caviar topping. As guests devoured the starter, David talked a bit about the difference between various types of champagne and what was unique about this one. After sipping and savoring, we moved on to the first course, a New World Washington State wine, The Walls Lip Stinger. This delicious, crisp wine was paired with the first course, Crab Louie. Once again, David educated us about this wine and gave us ample pours. The next course was an Old World wine from Germany, which was accompanied by a bite of German sausage and a piece of pretzel. Moving back to New World wines, the third course included sweet Chile drumsticks and a Casas Del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc from Chile.
David regaled us with great stories as we moved through the other courses: an Old World wine from Italy paired with an Italian cheese board, a New World Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz from Australia served with lamb lollipops, and an Old World Spanish wine, which was paired with a meatball tapenade. We ended the evening with chocolate and cheeses and sipped on a Michael David Lust Lodi Californian wine. What an evening! The hosts outdid themselves, and we guests savored every bite of the delicious food. Not only did we enjoy drinking the wines, but we also learned a lot about them from David. It was a stellar evening, thanks to the three wonderful hosts.
Twenty-four fixed-price events were introduced at the March 10 Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Gala and auction: house concerts/appetizer parties featuring Eric Schaffer, Sean Lewis, Randall Dighton, Dan Bergquist, Chuck Moses, and J.D. Loveland; theme dinners (Jewish, Hungarian, and Italian); an African Safari night; a bread making class; a brats and beer party with beer tastings by Barrio Brewery; a wine tasting/appetizer party featuring handcrafted wine; a Mexican dinner at Rancheros with artist Gerardo Meza; a “Saddle Up Social” event at the tennis pavilion; an Irish Whiskey Ceiliuradh (celebration); a stargazing party; and two holiday parties. Events that don’t sell out will be posted on the website www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com where you can read detailed descriptions, sign up, and pay a fixed price. Every event promises to be top-notch and very enjoyable, and we appreciate all of the SaddleBrooke and Ranch residents who are hosting. The money raised supports kindergarten prep and other educational programs at the Mountain Vista School in Oracle.