Volunteers Imagine the Future of Senior Village
Stephanie Thomas
The main post-COVID question continues to be: Where do we go from here? Many aspects of our lives have changed in the past year. Senior Village at SaddleBrooke is no exception. As more and more residents became familiar with the Village through its organization of the Saturday vaccination clinics, the non-profit organization had a surge both in membership and volunteers.
With life taking on different rhythms, Senior Village thought the timing was right to look to the future for new ways to fulfill its mission of helping members live independently in their homes. Also important was considering how to serve the SaddleBrooke community and involve it in the idea of “neighbors helping neighbors.”
To this end, Senior Village selected two small groups of volunteers, some newly enrolled and some seasoned, to participate in two days of interactive forums on various topics: How do you envision the role of Senior Village? What is the structure to implement this role? How do we communicate this role to the community?
Senior Village Executive Director Linda Hampton welcomed the participants, noting that “we are at a pivotal point in the growth of Senior Village and want to be very thoughtful as we prepare for the coming decade. Our intent is to set attainable goals supported by sustainable strategies. We welcome your input as we consider issues of growth, community relations, and community outreach.”
Energy was high, and creative ideas flowed. Led by facilitator Cathy MacFarlane, participants let their imaginations expand as suggestions began to fill pages of the flip charts. They offered ideas on team leadership, volunteer recruitment and support, new member services, increased awareness of the Village in the community, and other far-reaching visions.
Sincere appreciation goes to forum participants Judith Ambrosini, Gail Bohlman, David Bull, Denise Chappell, Diane Demeroutis, Melanie Einbund, Donna Gruninger, Gary Hammond, Bill Hanna, Carol Kiker, Marcia Kovac, Ed Kula, Liz Levaro, Betsy Levenson, Bill Lunquist, Karen Richey, Stephanie Thomas, Mary Toth, Paul Vincent Volpe, Steve Wiley, and Janet Williams.
As the Village membership grows, so does its presence and responsibility in the community. If you have suggestions you would like to share for the future growth of Senior Village, you are welcome to send them to the executive director at [email protected]. To become a member, phone 520-314-1042. To volunteer, go to www.seniorvillage.org. Donations may be sent to Senior Village, PO Box 8584, Tucson, AZ 85738.
Help Senior Village Spread the Word
Linda Hampton
SaddleBrooke seems to be in perpetual motion these days. Houses are being sold before they are even advertised, new residents are coming in, and long-term residents are moving closer to family in other states.
What that means is, in the fall, neighbors will be greeting newcomers, units will be hosting social get-togethers, and SaddleBrooke clubs will be registering new members.
This also means that many people will not have heard about the wide array of services offered by Senior Village and its 200 volunteers. These services include transportation throughout the Tucson area, help with minor home repair projects, computer consultation, instruction on using “smart” devices like Alexa, and even home visits for less mobile members. Social activities like putters, bocce, men’s social hours, and monthly birthday luncheons will resume in the fall.
To help spread the word about how the Village can make lives easier, Senior Village will schedule informative presentations for your unit or club. For smaller groups of friends or neighbors, Senior Village will sponsor a coffee and cookie morning program in your home or an afternoon wine and cheese gathering.
Call 520-314-1042 now to request a date for a Senior Village representative to address your club or unit or home event. Learn how you can join for $60 annually for a single or $96 for a household and receive up to 72 services a year. Find out about opportunities to volunteer and be part of “neighbors helping neighbors.” Now’s the time to put Senior Village on your group calendar!
Senior Village 8-Ball Champ: Perfect Phelps L’Hommedieu
Joseph Giammarino
The Pool Players of The Brooke Billiards Club (PPB) held the Senior Village 8-Ball Tournament on June 26 in SaddleBrooke One’s Catalina Recreation Center (CRC) Billiards Room. This tournament was the culmination of the Senior Village Benefit Raffle and 8-Ball Tournament effort organized by the PPB. We held the raffle drawing and presentation in the Vistas dining room in SaddleBrooke One after the 8-Ball Tournament. Senior Village added an additional first place prize of a bottle of chocolate infused whiskey made by Top Shelf.
8-Ball Tournament:
The tournament directors were Dominic Borland and Joe Giammarino. The tournament format was single game, double elimination. Sixteen players gathered to play competitive 8-Ball: Jerry Cogswell, Steve Searl, Tony “The Snake” Cardillo, Jack “Crash” Hoverter, Joe “Ball Breaker” Vidmar, Fred “The Baker” Dianda, Dick “The Stick” Schroeder, Ron “dblo7” Ridge, Bob “O” Ogle, Lowell “8-Ball” Hegg, Phelps “Frnchfry” L’Hommedieu, Phil “The Cleaner” Jelleff, Dick “The Visor” Titus, Steve Wiley, Mike “Mayhem” Meredith, and Kim Becker.
Results:
First: Phelps L’Hommedieu, Perfect Phelps!, 5 Wins 0 Losses, chocolate infused whiskey
Second: Jack Hoverter, ouch on your last shot, 5 Wins 2 Losses
Third: Tony Cardillo, good showing, 3 Wins 2 Losses
Fourth: Fred Dianda, The Baker in the $$, 4 Wins 2 Losses
Recap:
Phelps L’Hommedieu’s path to victory was perfect, with five consecutive wins over opponents: Phil Jelleff, Bob Ogle, Steve Searl, Tony Cardillo, and Jack Hoverter. Congrats, Phelps L’Hommedieu, on winning the Senior Village 8-Ball Tournament with a perfect record!
PPB Gift Winners:
Phelps L’Hommedieu, PPB gift
Dick Schroeder, PPB gift
The PPB wants to extend a big thank you to the participants and Senior Village representatives who attended. The 8-Ball Singles Tournament started at 12 p.m. and lasted two hours, with 30 games of 8-Ball being played. That is a good day! Rack’em up!
Senior Village Benefit Raffle:
The raffle was May 4 through June 26. The PPB sold tickets at the CRC weekdays from noon to 2 p.m., at the SSSA softball field a couple days in June, at SaddleBrooke One’s Car Show, after the Mountain Preserve Men’s Golf Association Summer Bash, and before the raffle drawing. After 54 days of sales, we ended up with over $5,500 for Senior Village, but then an anonymous donor made it an even $6,000! Thank you, anonymous donor!
PPB Volunteer/Sponsor Special Mention:
Pool Players of the Brooke Billiards Club Board President Joe Giammarino, Vice President Julie Ferguson, and Secretary/Treasurer Randy Smith. Dominic Borland (a PPB Founder), and his wife, Janette; Steve and Kathy Horrigan; Tony Cardillo; SaddleBrooke One; SaddleBrooke One’s, Chris Prier; and Golf Cars of America. Thank you!
Senior Village Raffle Winners:
Robin Kingsley: $449 McDermott cue stick, cue case, and billiard glove from PPB
Terry Lee: SaddleBrooke One gift card
Dave Whitman: Fleming’s gift card
Mike Shoemaker: Golf Cars of Arizona gift certificate
Dan Schroeder: Golf Cars of Arizona gift certificate
Become a Senior Village member today! Give Where You Live!
Thanks to all participants!
Contact Joe Giammarino at [email protected] for more information, and visit Pool Players of The Brooke at poolplayersofthebrooke.blogspot.com.