Birthday Party Fun with Senior Village Members
Laura Anderson
Red, white, and blue was the theme of this bi-monthly celebration of Senior Village members’ birthdays at the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center. Twenty-seven members and nine guests enjoyed the ukulele tunes performed by Karen Gille, Linda Voltz, and Susan Fox. Karen also entertained the attendees with a piano tune.
Senior Village volunteers Irene Pierce and Peggy White hosted the party and served delicious cupcakes baked by Linda Foy, Sally Nadeau, and Joni Campel. The sweet treats along with fun and games bring the members back year after year. Just ask Barbara Devor, Ralph Webb, Donald Cohen, Reese Jadwin, Syliva Kastelic, and Ralph Taddeo. These members have attended the parties since they began in 2024. We are grateful for your support.
Reese Jadwin turned 92 in June. He attended with his wife, Rochelle, who stated they have been married for 68 years and their positive attitude and approach to life keeps them going. Donald Colen also turned 92 but says his chronological age is only 75!
George Citron and his wife Ellen both celebrated birthdays at the party. George shared how his childhood home had the first black and white television on his block, and the kids came over to watch Howdy Doody Time. That prompted the group to sing “It’s Howdy Doody Time!”
Esta Goldstein has been living in SaddleBrooke for 31 years, longer than any other person at the gathering. Esta has seen the growth of SaddleBrooke during her three decades in the community. As SaddleBrooke continues to welcome new residents, Senior Village welcomes new members and volunteers. If you have any questions or would like more information, please see our website or call 520-314-1042.
Senior Village Member and Donor Karen Kelly (photo by Ron Bower)
Steady Giving, Lasting Impact
Becca Brandes
Do you wait until tax time to make a charitable donation? Have you considered establishing monthly gifting? One of the easiest and most meaningful ways to support Senior Village at SaddleBrooke is through recurring giving. A monthly gift, whatever amount feels right to you, provides dependable support that helps Senior Village plan and continue offering the services that make a difference in our community. Because Senior Village is built on Neighbors helping Neighbors, recurring gifts create a steady foundation for rides, help around the house, friendly visits, volunteer training, communications, and the day-to-day systems that keep the organization running smoothly.
Recurring giving is wonderfully convenient. Instead of trying to remember when to make a year-end contribution, you can set up an automatic monthly gift once and know you are helping all year long. On Senior Village’s online donation page, you can indicate an amount to give on a monthly schedule. Another option is to arrange a monthly donation through your financial institution. This can usually be done with a quick visit or call to your bank, or by logging in to your bank’s website and following the prompts to schedule a recurring gift. It is a simple way to turn generosity into an ongoing act of care.
Karen Kelly, with Long Realty, put it this way: “I believe in giving. An amount I know I can give every month works for me since my job in real estate is on commission. Monthly giving adds up, little by little, at the end of the year. I learned a long time ago that monthly gifting is the way I could give and not feel bad that I didn’t give a whole bunch at once. Also, Senior Village can count on it versus never knowing when donations are coming. It’s easy! It’s the easiest way and it’s automatic! You just set it up and the bank sends it.”
Living and working in SaddleBrooke for twenty-one years, Senior Village is close to Karen’s heart because she has watched it grow from the beginning. As a member, when she had an issue and needed rides to the doctor, Senior Village was there. That is the value of recurring giving: consistent generosity that strengthens the community over time. A part of the dependability of Senior Village comes from consistent community support, month after month, neighbor after neighbor.
If you have been looking for a practical way to make a difference close to home, recurring giving may be the perfect choice. It is easy to begin, easy to maintain, and deeply meaningful in its effect. Best of all, every gift stays right here in SaddleBrooke, helping Senior Village continue its mission of supporting independence, connection, and peace of mind for residents. Steady giving truly creates a big lasting impact for today and into the future.
Please Join Us for Upcoming Senior Village Events
All dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Visit our website for up-to-date information.
Throughout the year, Senior Village offers an array of opportunities for SaddleBrooke residents to attend free concerts, socialize, attend seminars, and more. Read on for events and activities coming up in the next few months. For more information, visit www.seniorvillage.org/calendar.
August Music Matinee featuring John McAlister Native American Flutist and the Brass Quartet, Aug. 27, 2 p.m., DesertView Performing Arts Center
John McAlister, Native American Flutist. John’s music is free form and is based on improvisation. The desert provides inspiration for his music. He feels the music properly belongs to the deserts, mountains, the natural environment and the native people who developed it.
The Brass Art Quartet has been playing together for over ten years. Carl and Mark live in SaddleBrooke while Tom and Jerry are close by. They have a large library from which to choose their music for any audience.
Friday Fun Game Day, Aug. 28, 1 to 3 p.m. Senior Village Office, 16460 N. Oracle Road., Free.
If you’re looking for a fun and friendly way to spend a Friday afternoon, RSVP to attend our monthly social event, Friday Fun Game Day. This free activity is all about enjoying great company and having fun together playing a variety of board and card games. We’d love to see you! This event takes place on the fourth Friday of each month. RSVP: Events@seniorvillage.org.
Page Turner Book Club is welcoming new members. Meetings are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month. If you are interested, contact Lynne Thompson at Thomplynne@gmail.com
Senior Village Volunteer Opportunities
If you are looking for a rewarding way to get involved in your community and give back, look no further than Senior Village. Join our team of 425 dedicated volunteers who proudly live the motto Neighbors Helping Neighbors. For more information, email Mary Toth, our Volunteer Coordinator, at mary.toth@seniorvillage.org or call 520–314-1042, press 4.
Learn more about Senior Village and upcoming events online at seniorvillage.org.
Summer Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 16460 N. Oracle Road.
Randall Dighton playing at the DesertView Performing Arts Center with the Catalina Chorale.
Randall Dighton—A Gifted Musician and Friend to Many
Linda Hampton
SaddleBrooke recently lost a wonderful friend when Randall Dighton passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Many knew Randall as a gifted musician who generously shared his guitar and beautiful voice at community fundraisers, including those benefiting Senior Village. Fewer knew he was also a talented calligrapher.
Last year, Randall painted our Senior Village motto, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” on the wall of our office lobby. As he worked, he patiently gave me a lesson in calligraphy. Every time I walk through that lobby, I think of Randall and the kindness and generosity he shared so freely.
His artwork will remain as a lasting reminder of a man who truly lived the words, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” Randall will be deeply missed.
Senior Village Volunteer Drivers Are a Ray of Sunshine
Laura Anderson
Senior Village member, Karen Appelwick, has been a member for four years. She has used Senior Village’s Going My Way transportation services for rides to important appointments as far as 45 minutes away. She describes the rides as more than a lift—they were a source of encouragement. When speaking of the drivers she met, she says they were always kind, friendly and helpful while she was receiving medical treatments. In fact, Karen describes her drivers to be “a ray of sunshine.”
Although Karen has family nearby, their busy lives meant they were not always available to take Karen to these important appointments. Her daughters are grateful that Senior Village provides the services their mother needs. It helps the entire family to have peace of mind knowing that Karen will be in good hands.
Karen’s gratitude for her Going My Way volunteers goes beyond the ride—she believes Senior Village is “a gift.” She went on to say, “Senior Village is the best organization in SaddleBrooke because of the kindness the volunteers show. They never made me feel guilty about asking for help.” When she found herself in need of three rides every week for consecutive weeks, Karen regarded her drivers as her guardian angels for the day. Once she even received a ride in a Tesla with smart driver assist features. That was a new experience and a treat.
If you find yourself in need of transportation or other services that Senior Village provides it’s easy to become a member. Simply call 520–314–042 extension 2 and leave a message for the membership team. A friendly volunteer will contact you soon to schedule an intake appointment. Like Karen, if you are a member who needs help with transportation don’t hesitate to ask. Your friendly neighborhood volunteers are eager to help. To experience the joy that comes with being of service, contact Mary Toth, Volunteer Coordinator, at mary.toth@seniorvillage.org You could be the next ray of sunshine in a neighbor’s life.
August Music Matinee Presents a Double Bill Show with John McAlister and the Brass Quartet
Laura Anderson
This month’s Music Matinee features two fantastic performances by The Brass Quartet and John McAlister. Mark your calendars for Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. at the DesertView Performing Arts Center. This is a free show to all SaddleBrooke residents.
The Brass Quartet is comprised of Carl Fetkenhour and Jerry Trout on trumpet with Tom Herrera and Mark Lammers playing the trombones. The Brass Art Quartet has been playing together for 10 years. Carl and Mark are residents here in SaddleBrooke. Tom and Jerry reside nearby. The men enjoy weekly rehearsals in SaddleBrooke.
Coming together from various backgrounds the men have a large library from which to choose from to entertain a variety of audiences. Tom and Carl are both from the Chicago area. Carl is a retired retinal surgeon, and Tom is a retired music educator who taught in Tucson. Jerry is also a music educator coming to Arizona from New Mexico. Mark is from Minnesota where he was a music professor.
John McAlister is a Native American Flutist. His music is free form and based on improvisation. He does not read music. It’s all based on the feeling he gets from the notes as he plays them. The desert provides inspiration for this music. He believes the music properly belongs to the deserts, mountains, the natural environment and the native people who developed it.
Come and enjoy the show!