Seated (left to right): Diane Demeroutis, Rotary and Senior Village board member, and Senior Village Executive Director Linda Hampton; standing (left to right): Bill Demeroutis, Jim Taft, Tom Fraioli, and Dan Devou
A Comfortable New Addition at Senior Village, Thanks to SaddleBrooke Rotary
Linda Hampton
Senior Village at SaddleBrooke is delighted to share the news of a wonderful addition to our office grounds—a beautifully crafted bench generously donated by the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke. Made entirely from recycled soft plastics, the bench is not only sturdy and comfortable, but also a testament to community partnership and environmental stewardship.
Nestled in the welcome shade of a mesquite tree at the Senior Village office at 16460 N. Oracle Road, the bench offers visitors, volunteers, and staff a relaxing spot to sit, chat, or simply enjoy a quiet moment outdoors.
This gift highlights the collective effort of many SaddleBrooke residents who drop off their soft plastics for recycling—either at the Senior Village office or at other convenient collection sites throughout our community. Senior Village extends heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke for their generosity and to all who contribute to keeping our community both caring and sustainable. Together, we continue to create small but meaningful improvements that make SaddleBrooke a wonderful place to live.
Senior Village Executive Director Linda Hampton, Dr. Ashvin Patel, and Senior Village Board Director Carol Kiker (photo by Ron Bower)
These Are the Good Ol’ Days
Jerry Wilkerson
Much to my disappointment, I thought it would take much longer—much, much longer—to get this old. But here I am, a vulnerable geezer nearing 80, proudly a descendant of parents from the Greatest Generation, living the dream in SaddleBrooke. Okay, so I’m a boomer in “God’s waiting room” at SaddleBrooke, or what landscapers and contractors cheerfully call “The Bank.” It’s a community where my doctor tells me to get up and walk away when folks start talking about their health. I lightheartedly call it “Ol’ SaddleBurns.” All joking aside, I thank goodness that my wife and I decided to live here 16 years ago and that Senior Village at SaddleBrooke is available to help in so many personal ways. With Senior Village, you are never alone.
For many of us, aging brings anxiety and sometimes fear of the unknown. How will I be able to take care of myself later in life? Time has a way of confronting us with reality. With the erosion of everyday civility worldwide, we must see time as a valuable resource, even a commodity. As the years pass, I have realized how much Senior Village at SaddleBrooke can become part of my lifestyle in many essential ways.
Senior Village is the only nonprofit dedicated to serving SaddleBrooke residents. Every program, volunteer effort, and act of support directly benefits our neighbors here at home, truly a neighbors-helping-neighbors organization. Services are non-medical, with 12 teams and 400 volunteers providing basic services to more than 2,400 members, with numbers growing by the day.
Here is a brief list of some services offered by Senior Village at SaddleBrooke:
• Transportation by vetted and trained volunteers who drive members to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and errands.
• Help around the house with fixing loose hinges, changing lightbulbs, providing computer support, and replacing refrigerator filters.
• Personal phone calls and home visits help members stay connected and socialize, making new friends while participating in interactive events.
• Installing a residential lockbox at your front door provides a safe and secure way for 911 personnel to access your home in an emergency. Call 520-314-1042 to learn how you can purchase a lockbox from Senior Village and have it installed.
• Assistance with organizing and handling important legal documents. Volunteers will help members organize paperwork and complete forms.
• Assist with setting up voice command devices like Alexa and installing smart lights, plugs, doorbells, and thermostats.
• More assistance is available for Senior Village members at www.seniorvillage.org.
I often find myself gazing at the clear, blue skies in SaddleBrooke and feeling grateful that I live here. With a touch of emotion, my wife Judi and I appreciate that Senior Village is part of our lives. You should be, too. So, if your TV is always on and your pet is your closest companion, you might want to connect with Senior Village at SaddleBrooke.
If you’re interested in becoming a member or volunteer with Senior Village, call 520-314-1042 or visit their website at Seniorvillage.org to create lasting memories.
Mark Twain famously wrote, “Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.”
Award-winning writer Jerry Wilkerson lives in SaddleBrooke. He was a former press secretary for two U.S. Congressmen, a correspondent for CBS NewsRadio 780 Chicago, and the Chicago Daily News. He has served as a police commissioner and is a Navy veteran. Email: franchise@att.net
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 and seminars, socialize, and more. Read on for events and activities coming up in January and February. For more information, visit www.seniorvillage.org/calendar.
January Music Matinee Featuring Dan Devou
Jan. 15, 2 p.m., DesertView Performing Arts Center, Free
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dan Devou is a jazz guitarist and vocalist with 60 years of experience playing and singing. Dan plays everything from classic rock ‘n’ roll to jazz, as well as original songs. He has been performing at unit functions in SaddleBrooke and most recently in the ‘70s Shindig Variety Show. After moving to SaddleBrooke a year and a half ago, Dan looks forward to entertaining residents.
Friday Fun Game Day
Jan. 23, 1 to 3 p.m., Senior Village Office, 16460 N. Oracle Road, Free
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 a fun time together playing a variety of board games. We’d love to see you! This event takes place on the fourth Friday of each month. RSVP to Events@seniorvillage.org. Transportation is available for members.
Men’s Social Hour
Jan. 26, 4 to 6 p.m., SaddleBrooke One Bobcat Room (downstairs), Free
Unwind and enjoy genuine conversations in a laid-back setting at Men’s Social Hour. At this monthly event, community members gather for some real talk and an opportunity to connect. No need to RSVP—show up and be ready to enjoy great company. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, share experiences, and forge new connections. For more details, contact John O’Brien at john.obrien@seniorvillage.org. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Recreation and Activities Fair
Feb. 7, 8 to 11 a.m., MountainView Ballroom in SaddleBrooke TWO
Stop by our table at this year’s Activities Fair and learn how you can volunteer for Senior Village. We will be showcasing our 13 volunteer teams. If you enjoy going out and meeting people or chatting with people on the phone, we have just the right fit. Our Going My Way team drives members to appointments and errands, while our Helping Hands and Home Tech teams help members with tasks at home. Whatever your fancy, we have a volunteer opportunity waiting for you!
The State of Senior Village Business Meeting
Feb. 10, 1 to 3 p.m., MountainView Ballroom, SaddleBrooke TWO
Are you curious about Senior Village? Would you like to learn more about our organization and how and why we do what we do? This meeting serves as an essential part of Senior Village’s commitment to transparency and responsible governance.
Bid Bash Silent Auction
Feb. 13, 3 to 6 p.m., MountainView Ballroom, SaddleBrooke TWO
Come to see the beautiful and unique items that are on auction. We will have weekend getaways, artist creations by SaddleBrooke artists, and more. Walk through to see more than 100 items that are available. Limited items can be bid on from the comfort of your home online. More information to follow.
February Music Matinee Featuring Sean Lewis
Feb. 26, 2 p.m., DesertView Performing Arts Center, Free
Join us as Sean plays popular selections from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, including Elvis, The Beatles, Burt Bacharach, and The Everly Brothers to the Eagles, Neil Young, James Taylor, George Strait, and much more. Sean will also play some original tunes from his album Time Will Tell.
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.
Jeff Brown (photo by Sinclair Browning)
The Two Million Mile Man …
Sinclair Browning
Is going your way!
Jeff Brown is well-equipped for his job as a volunteer for Senior Village. He started driving his own freightliner cross-country as an independent contractor for Atlas Van Lines in 1980 with his brother Steve. Six years later, Jeff relocated to California. “It worked out well for both of us,” he says, “because Steve had a home in Philadelphia and I had one in San Diego, so we had places to stay near both ends of our runs.”
Born in Abington, Pa., Jeff excelled in math and science and thought he would follow an engineering career like his father. But he liked being outside, and the lure of the open road and travel hooked him. He was driver number 468 for Atlas when he started and drove for them for 40 years. Today, there are now more than 10,000 drivers listed on the roster. When he retired, Jeff was driving a very customized Kenworth that, like many other rigs on the road, averaged six miles per gallon, loaded or empty.
After Trish, his wife of 35 years, passed away two years ago, Jeff began thinking about leaving California. Drawn to SaddleBrooke for the golfing, climate, and all the available activities, he moved here last year. It didn’t take him long to jump into the volunteer pool, and the Going My Way team was a natural fit for him.
Remember your driver’s test when you first got your license? Senior Village is no different, as all of their drivers are vetted before they are assigned members whom they will then drive to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, and on other errands. On Jeff’s test, after asking what he did for a living, the evaluator quickly asked, “Why am I checking you out?”
In addition to golf, Jeff is an avid reader, gravitating toward the classics, including Homer, Sophocles, and Euripides. He loves Charles Dickens, likes to eat out as well as barbequing at home, and is a true oenophile with an educated palate for fine wine.
He also likes his new driving gig. “Helping out people makes me happy,” Jeff says. “I like doing nice things for them. Many of the members I meet can’t drive, and having someone take them places helps them stay in their own homes.”
His driving for Senior Village has included picking up a member on the far east side after cataract surgery and chauffeuring an older couple to and from a restaurant so they could celebrate a special occasion.
And those two million miles he’s driven in his career? It’s actually more.
Join Us for These Exciting Upcoming Music Matinees
Jan. 15 featuring Dan Devou
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dan Devou is a jazz guitarist and vocalist with 60 years of experience playing and singing. Dan plays everything from classic rock ‘n’ roll to jazz, as well as original songs. He has been performing at unit functions in SaddleBrooke and most recently in the ‘70s Shindig Variety Show. After moving to SaddleBrooke a year and a half ago, Dan looks forward to entertaining residents.
Feb. 26 featuring Sean Lewis
Sean is a solo guitarist/vocalist now closing in on 700 performances in Washington and Arizona. He and his wife Katy are four-year SaddleBrooke residents, and he’s a regular performer at area venues, including Fork & Fire, The Hoppy Vine, Catalina Craft Pizza, The Landing, The Views at Sun City, Fini’s Landing, the Windmill Winery in Florence, and more, playing music that spans decades. Join us at the DesertView Theatre as Sean plays popular selections from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, including Elvis, The Beatles, Burt Bacharach, and The Everly Brothers to the Eagles, Neil Young, James Taylor, George Strait, and much more. You’ll also hear a few selections from his 14-song, all-original 2023 album Time Will Tell, available through all the usual streaming platforms as well as in CD form at the show. Learn more at www.seanlewismusic.com.