Please Join Us: Upcoming Senior Village Events
Throughout the year, Senior Village offers an array of opportunities for SaddleBrooke residents to attend free concerts, socialize, recycle electronics, and more. Read on for events and activities coming up in the next few months. For more information, visit www.seniorvillage.org/activities.
Men’s Social Hour
April 22, May 28, and June 24 from 4 to 6 p.m., MountainView Bar & Grill, East Patio Room, Free
Join us for Senior Village Men’s Social Hour where genuine conversations flow freely in a laid-back atmosphere. On the fourth Monday of each month, community members come together for some real talk and the chance to connect on a deeper level. No need to RSVP. Simply show up and immerse yourself in great company. It’s the ideal opportunity to unwind, share experiences, and cultivate new friendships. For more information, reach out to David Bull at [email protected]. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, adding to the relaxed and enjoyable ambiance.
April Music Matinee: Presenting the Sonoran Singers
April 30, 1 p.m., SaddleBrooke One Clubhouse, The Vistas Dining Room, Free
Join us for an afternoon of delightful melodies and harmonies at the upcoming free concert presented by Senior Village as part of its monthly Music Matinee series. All SaddleBrooke residents are warmly welcomed to this musical extravaganza!
Experience the magic of the Sonoran Singers, a talented group of vocalists hailing from our very own community. Under the expert direction of Cora Peters and accompanied by skilled pianist JayeAnn Smith, the Sonoran Singers promise to enchant audiences with their captivating performance.
Prepare to be transported by an array of timeless tunes, from classics like “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” and “Blue Skies” to heartfelt ballads such as “Stardust” and “Somewhere Out There.” But that’s not all! Expect a few surprises sprinkled throughout the program!
Senior Village Book Club
Third Thursday of each month, 1 to 3 p.m., Free
Immerse yourself in the joy of storytelling and connect with fellow literature enthusiasts. Held on the third Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m., the monthly gatherings provide a welcoming space for lively discussions and shared literary experiences. The Book Club explores a diverse selection of books, cultivating a vibrant community of readers. For more information, please contact Melanie Einbund at [email protected].
Sonoran Singers Headline Senior Village’s Music Matinee
Join us for an afternoon of delightful melodies and harmonies at the upcoming free concert presented by Senior Village as part of its monthly Music Matinee series. All SaddleBrooke residents are warmly welcomed to this musical extravaganza on Tuesday, April 30, at 1 p.m. at the SaddleBrooke One Clubhouse in the Vistas Dining Room.
Experience the magic of the Sonoran Singers, a talented group of vocalists hailing from our very own community. Under the expert direction of Cora Peters and accompanied by the skilled pianist JayeAnn Smith, the Sonoran Singers promise to enchant audiences with their captivating performance.
Prepare to be transported by an array of timeless tunes, from classics like “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” and “Blue Skies” to heartfelt ballads such as “Stardust” and “Somewhere Out There.” But that’s not all! Expect a few surprises sprinkled throughout the program!
The Sonoran Singers are eager to share their passion for music, blending their voices in a harmonious blend that will leave you smiling. Mark your calendars and make sure to attend this unforgettable event. You won’t want to miss out!
Come one, come all, and let the Sonoran Singers serenade you with melodies that will linger in your hearts long after the concert ends.
Senior Village’s Unsung Heroes: Volunteers Who Started It All
Barbara Barr Bengen
Senior Village is celebrating National Volunteer Month with an appreciation event on Thursday, April 18. Senior Village would like to salute our more than 400 volunteers who are the heart of our neighbors helping neighbors services. The growth of Senior Village and the expansion of the types of assistance can be directly attributed to our committed volunteers.
Each of our more than 400 volunteers has a story about how they got started with Senior Village. They also can tell you about what it means to be a volunteer. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with four volunteers who have been with Senior Village since its inception in 2016. Bob Alvarez, Silke Bender, Tim Morsani, and Jeanne Ragan shared their experiences and insights.
In a trip down memory lane, Silke, Bob, Jeanne, and Tim recalled the beginnings of Senior Village. Gary Hammond and Dick Fleming traveled the country looking into Senior Village-type programs before founding the organization in 2016. They rallied friends and held neighborhood meetings to recruit volunteers, and among the first to answer the call were Tim, Jeanne, Silke, and Bob.
Jeanne Ragan volunteers on the Fun with Friends Team, and she has also helped with the Lockbox Team and COVID vaccination program. Jeanne finds such great rewards from helping members celebrate their birthdays and bringing joy to those who are alone. “It’s about giving back,” shared Jeanne. “Life is a circle, and one day we may need help. We are looking out for each other. It’s like being with a family.”
Growing up on a farm, Tim Morsani’s passion for fixing things is now channeled into his roles on the Helping Hands and Home Technology Teams. Tim confessed, “Volunteering for Senior Village is mostly a selfish endeavor. I need to stay busy, and helping people is an easy way to do that. As a volunteer, I get to stay productive, and that means a lot. The appreciation I receive from the members is a bonus.”
Silke Bender initially volunteered as a driver and served as volunteer coordinator before becoming team leader for the Going My Way Team. Eight years later, Silke still loves driving people and believes that “Senior Village is one of the best things to have ever happened in SaddleBrooke. We’re taking care of each other. That’s what it’s all about.”
When Bob Alvarez’s knees told him he could no longer play senior baseball, he found Senior Village. As an engineer, Bob’s love of fixing things led him to the Helping Hands and Home Technology Teams. When Bob returns to his summer home in Colorado, he works with a similar program. “I like to help other people and meet people from around the country,” noted Bob. “It’s about neighbors helping neighbors.”
These stories are just a few voices of our invaluable volunteers. Their work has been instrumental in creating the Senior Village we know today. The volunteers of Senior Village are indeed neighbors helping neighbors.
A Novel Idea: Senior Village Book Club Expands
Sonoran Singers wow concert attendees at Senior Village’s May 2023 Music Matinee.
Melanie Einbund
About two years ago, I eagerly answered the call for a Senior Village Book Club chair volunteer. Already a Book Club member, with an insurmountable love of books and all things written, I looked forward to the prospect.
Since then, the Senior Village Book Club has grown! The rewards of friendship cannot be overstated, as members come together to share their love of books, thoughtful commentary, and personal knowledge.
Let’s talk about growth. Our book group now bears the name “A Novel Idea” and has reached the maximum number of members where everyone can participate, be heard, and express themselves.
So, what do you do when others wish to share in their love of books? You start a new book club or two. In that spirit, a new book club is being established and will focus on books written by popular authors, such as Danielle Steel, Sandra Brown, and other mainstream writers. Additionally, a men-only book club will be forming soon thereafter.
The first meeting of the new mainstream book club is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, at 1 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Mary Toth at [email protected].
We look forward to new members who share our love for storytelling and are united by our shared passion for books.
From Remotes to Routers: Senior Village’s Tech Gurus Have You Covered
Senior Village’s Home Technology Team volunteer Bill Lundquist helps a member utilize the power of technology by setting up an Alexa device and ensuring Wi-Fi connectivity.
Anne Quinn-Diment
Navigating the digital landscape is like second nature to Generations Z and Alpha, who were using iPhones, smart devices, and Wi-Fi before they entered kindergarten. But for those of us who adjusted rabbit ears for a clear TV picture and navigated via a folding map, the digital revolution can be a bit too much. Despite the pandemic pushing many reluctant people into the digital realm for Facetime calls, Zoom meetings, and online shopping, there’s still much to master.
It makes sense that digital challenges can overwhelm the Silent Generation and Boomers when dealing with daily digital frustrations like programming multiple home theater remotes, enabling Do Not Disturb on a smartphone, troubleshooting a finicky Wi-Fi router, syncing a garage door opener, and setting up a smart doorbell or Alexa.
Senior Village understands that modern technology can significantly improve the well-being of older adults living independently. That’s why the organization established a Home Technology Team whose 16 volunteers have a special interest and expertise in the digital world. This group is here to ensure that no Senior Village member is left behind in the digital age.
The Home Technology Team offers support for a wide array of devices and technologies. They assist with setup, user instructions, and troubleshooting for Android and Apple devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and watches. Their support extends to various smart devices, including doorbells, thermostats and speakers, password resets, remote programming, file transfers, TV setup, surveillance cameras, and vehicle smartphone connections. Additionally, they can help with routers, printer installations, home networking, and simple operational issues with Windows computers.
While our Home Technology Team strives to help as many Senior Village members as possible, there are certain types of technology and issues that they are unable to assist with. These include computer hardware repair, modification, or part replacement; dealing with hacked devices or accounts; computer training; operating system installations; running diagnostic/repair software; security issues, including password recovery; smart light switches and wall outlets involving the home’s 110V electrical system; and virus/malware detection and removal. For these matters, they recommend connecting with a professional rather than a Senior Village volunteer.
To schedule a Home Technology visit, Senior Village members can call 520-314-1042 and leave a message with a callback number. Please keep your phone nearby to ensure you don’t miss our return call. A volunteer will promptly reach out to schedule a convenient time to provide the necessary assistance. Kindly note that we need five days’ notice for requests.
If you’re interested in becoming a member of Senior Village, simply email [email protected] or call 520-314-1042, press Option 2, and leave a message with your callback number. Please ensure your phone is nearby to catch our return call. A dedicated Senior Village volunteer will reach out to guide you through the membership process, which includes an intake interview. The membership cost is $60 for an individual or $98 for a household. Learn more by visiting www.seniorvillage.org.
Embrace the possibilities, and let technology become a source of enrichment and safety in your life.
Honoring Our Remarkable Volunteers: The Heart of Senior Village
During National Volunteer Appreciation Month, we celebrate the incredible dedication of nearly 400 volunteers who are the stars that make Senior Village exceptional. These volunteers are the heart of our organization, embodying kindness and commitment that positively impact both our members and the entire SaddleBrooke community.
At Senior Village, the principle of neighbors helping neighbors is more than a motto. It’s a way of life. Our volunteers exemplify this ethos every day, going above and beyond to provide essential support and assistance to those in need.
In 2023 alone, our volunteers generously contributed more than 3,700 hours of their time and traveled 55,300 miles to deliver 3,500 services to more than 2,000 members in SaddleBrooke. To put this into perspective, that distance is equivalent to driving around the earth’s equator more than twice and working around the clock for 154 days.
Despite the plethora of SaddleBrooke leisure activities, these Senior Village volunteers choose to use their time to serve others. Their efforts significantly enhance the overall quality of life and well-being of SaddleBrooke residents as well as members.
Who are these dedicated folks? They are the chauffeurs, ferrying members to medical appointments and grocery shopping with a smile and a listening ear. They’re the tech wizards, swooping in to troubleshoot home tech gremlins and ensure connectivity. They’re the advocates helping navigate complex paperwork and estate planning topics. They’re the ones to turn to when members need to leave SaddleBrooke for a higher level of care. They are the helping hands who knock out household tasks for members, whether it’s fixing a leaky faucet, changing overhead lightbulbs, or moving patio furniture. They are our social directors who stage events, activities, and concerts that ignite joy and foster connections. And behind the scenes, they busily schedule services, take photographs, prepare mailings, draft articles, and deliver SaddleBag Notes monthly.
In recognition of their invaluable contributions, Senior Village will host a volunteer appreciation event on April 18. This celebration is an opportunity to express our gratitude and applaud the dedication of our volunteers.
Have you had an amazing experience with a Senior Village volunteer? We’d love to hear all about it and share your story with our dedicated volunteers. Please drop us a line at [email protected] and help us celebrate the incredible individuals who are making a difference in the lives of those in SaddleBrooke.