Please Join Us: Upcoming Senior Village Events
Throughout the year, Senior Village offers SaddleBrooke residents a variety of opportunities to enjoy free concerts, socialize, recycle electronics, and more. Check out the upcoming events and activities below. For more information, visit www.seniorvillage.org/activities.
Men’s Social Hour
July 22, Aug. 26, and Sept. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the MountainView Bar & Grill, East Patio Room (Free)
Join us for Senior Village Men’s Social Hour where genuine conversations flow in a laid-back atmosphere. On the fourth Monday of each month, community members come together to connect on a deeper level. No need to RSVP. Just show up and enjoy the company. It’s the perfect chance to unwind, share experiences, and cultivate new friendships. For more information, contact David Bull at [email protected]. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Music Matinee: John McAlister, JoAnn Wilbour, and Irene Pierce
July 18 at 2 p.m. in the MountainView Ballroom (Free)
If you appreciate a variety of musical genres, this event is an absolute must, as it features three talented SaddleBrooke performers in one free concert.
Join us and enjoy the soulful sounds of John McAlister whose free-form Native American flute music is inspired by the beauty of nature and the native people who developed this unique sound. With expertise spanning flute, piccolo, and bassoon, John’s masterful playing of the Native American flute promises to take listeners on a soul-stirring journey.
At the piano, JoAnn Wilbour will charm with her repertoire of classics and beloved favorites, infusing each piece with heartfelt expressiveness. As the Senior Village Music Matinee coordinator, JoAnn shares her own musical talents and orchestrates these free, monthly concerts.
Adding yet another musical dimension, vocalist Irene Pierce will captivate listeners with a tribute to Patsy Cline. With a background in musical theater and a talent for crafting unique arrangements, Irene always puts on an engaging performance.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience three concerts within this one captivating event!
Senior Village: A Novel Idea Book Club
A Novel Idea Book Club members enjoy books spanning a variety of genres, including science fiction, historical novels, biographies, and non-fiction. Participants collectively select each book and actively participate in lively discussions. Our group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. At this time, the book club is not accepting new members. For more information, email Mary Toth at [email protected].
New: Senior Village: The Page Turners Book Club
The Page Turners Book Club is a new book club recently launched by Senior Village volunteers! Created for passionate readers yearning for captivating tales and lively exchanges, this club will take its members on a voyage through popular bestsellers.
Join us on the third Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. and dive into gripping sagas of all kinds. Don’t miss out on the chance to join this new book club! Email Mary Toth at [email protected] for more information.
Visit www.seniorvillage.org to find out about upcoming events and activities.
Senior Village members Gisela Peter and Genevieve Kubeczko with guest Carol Kubeczko
Volunteer Sally Teusch led the birthday games.
Celebrating Birthdays in Style
Anne Quinn-Diment
On the sunny morning of May 15, the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center buzzed with excitement as Senior Village members gathered for a special birthday social. This event was dedicated to honoring our members aged 80 and older who have birthdays in May.
With a fantastic turnout, 19 celebrants came together to enjoy the festivities. Attendees were Miriam Bott, Barbara Busacker, Barbara and Coral Campbell, Barbara Dever, Delbert Fausey, Karin Gellatly, James Huble, Robert Kane, Genevieve and Carol Kubeczko, Karen Martin, William and Carolyn McSpadden, Gisela Peter, Sandra and Patrick Polencheck, and Ralph and Francine Webb.
The morning was filled with joy and laughter, largely thanks to the great contributions of Senior Village volunteer Sally Teusch who masterfully entertained attendees with engaging games and lively discussions. Sally connected with the attendees and kept the energy high. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, guitarist Jim Cox serenaded the group, and his music served as a delightful musical backdrop for the event.
As no celebration is complete without tasty treats, our talented volunteer bakers Peggy Rash and Eileen Sedgwick ensured that everyone had their fill of irresistible cupcakes. Their baking skills brought smiles to many faces and added a sweet touch to the festivities.
The event’s success was also due to the hard work of our dedicated coordinators Mona Sullivan, Marcia Kovac, and Debbie McGeehan. These three volunteers were instrumental in planning, setting up the decorations, and organizing refreshments. Their attention to detail and enthusiasm helped create an inviting environment. Behind the scenes, volunteer Linda Russell played a crucial role by managing the RSVPs. Sally Teusch also went the extra mile by personally calling many members who had not yet RSVP’d, ensuring that no one missed out on the fun.
This birthday social was more than just a party. It enabled attendees to connect, share stories, and create new memories together. The smiles and laughter that filled the room reflected the strong sense of community that defines Senior Village.
Established in 2016 with the guiding principle of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” Senior Village epitomizes community support. A dedicated team of 400 volunteers provides invaluable assistance to 2,000 members, offering a diverse range of essential services. These include transportation to medical appointments, household project assistance, guidance with complex paperwork, troubleshooting technology, and so much more. Senior Village also extends services to all SaddleBrooke residents through various initiatives, including the annual recycling event and monthly free activities, such as Music Matinees, Men’s Social Hours, and Book Clubs. Serving as a cornerstone of support and connection within our community, Senior Village strives to provide assistance to our neighbors when they need it most. The cost to join is $60 for an individual and $96 for a household. To join Senior Village, please call 520-314-1042 and press 1.
Senior Village Seeking Volunteers
Anne Quinn-Diment
Are you seeking a meaningful way to give back and support your SaddleBrooke neighbors? Join our team of 400 dedicated Senior Village volunteers who proudly live the motto “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” At Senior Village, we’re committed to promoting independence and well-being among our 2,000 members and the entire SaddleBrooke community through a range of programs, services, and initiatives.
From providing transportation to medical appointments to assisting with home technology issues, there are numerous ways to get involved. And the best part? These opportunities are available right now in your neighborhood.
Immediate Volunteer Opportunities
Senior Village is currently in need of volunteers in these areas:
• Data Entry: Help keep systems organized by assisting with daily input tasks.
• Dispatch: Handle incoming member service requests and ensure they reach the correct recipients promptly.
• Event Coordination: Help plan and staff informative community seminars.
• Forms/Documents: Utilize your financial or legal background to assist members with estate-related matters.
• Going My Way Drivers: As many of our drivers have left for the summer, providing transportation is more important than ever.
• Home Technology: Embrace technology and assist members with setting up and navigating smart devices.
• Photographers: Capture the essence of activities and interactions with members and volunteers.
• SaddleBag Notes Coordinator: Play a vital role in keeping our community informed by coordinating monthly newspaper delivery.
• Writers: If you have a passion for writing, help us draft newspaper articles.
Assessing Your Fit
If you meet these requirements, you could be an ideal candidate to join our team of volunteers.
Computer Skills: Able to accept and respond to emails, open and read email attachments, complete online forms, have a smartphone, take photos with your smartphone, and email or message photos. Some teams also require volunteers to use an online calendar.
Time Available: Able to commit to a regular schedule. Some teams also require volunteers to commit to accepting at least two tasks each month.
Health: Able to walk safely and drive yourself and have patience and empathy for struggling seniors. The Going My Way Team requires volunteers to take a driver’s self-assessment and participate in a short “ride along” to review driving skills,
Apply to Become a Volunteer
Ready to take the next step? Here’s how to become a Senior Village volunteer:
1. Create an Account: Head to www.seniorvillage.org/volunteer and set up an account.
2. Complete the Volunteer Form: Provide details about your availability, skills, and interests.
3. Attend an Introductory Class/Orientation: Learn about Senior Village and volunteer opportunities and meet fellow volunteers.
4. Join Your Team: Attend your selected team training and meet your team leader.
5. Get Started: Begin making a difference by volunteering your time and skills.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Mary Toth at [email protected] or 520-314-1042, press 4. For more information about Senior Village, visit www.seniorvillage.org.
Senior Village’s New Office Space: Building Purchase in Escrow
Anne Quinn-Diment
Senior Village is excited to announce that we are in escrow to purchase the vacant credit union building on Oracle Road in Catalina, next to Sammy’s restaurant. This building, already configured for offices and complete with furnishings, offers ample parking and is just a short, five-minute drive from SaddleBrooke. This decision comes as a fiscally responsible answer to the urgent need for an office space.
Currently, Senior Village operates out of four different locations on loan: a casita for the executive director, a casita for meetings and office supplies, and two other casitas for various functions. Our full-time executive director and six part-time staff manage administrative, financial, and organizational duties from their homes or these casitas. With the organization’s rapid growth, this approach has become unsustainable.
In the past two years, Senior Village membership has increased from 1,529 to 2,068 members, a 35% rise. Our volunteer ranks have grown from 282 to 408, a 45% increase. Annually, volunteer drivers log about 55,000 miles transporting members, and team volunteers commit thousands of hours of time and talent. This expansion highlights the pressing need for a dedicated office space for collaborating, sharing ideas, training, and discussing plans.
At the same time, Senior Village has encountered numerous delays while engaging contractors to gather the information needed for the Pinal County rezoning application. The goal remains the same: to build a small office on the Acacia Hills Lane property adjacent to SaddleBrooke. However, it is taking contractors much longer than expected to complete soil, drainage and topography studies, as well as architectural drawings. All elements must be completed before the rezoning application can be submitted to the Pinal County Planning & Zoning Commission. The process has been challenging.
The Senior Village Board of Directors addressed the critical need for office space during an all-day planning retreat in April. After thoroughly evaluating the situation, they decided that the best solution was to purchase the Oracle Road building. Unfortunately, SaddleBrooke One and SaddleBrooke TWO have no land available to build an office, and constructing a small office on Acacia Hills Lane will likely take a few years. Once escrow is closed, the Catalina building will enable Senior Village to keep pace with the expanding numbers of members, volunteers, and services that improve the everyday lives of SaddleBrooke residents. The organization looks forward to moving ahead with the purchase and the application for rezoning. Stay tuned for more information!