Maureen and Bob Evans
Unit 3 South
Frank Strubel
On December 19 we met at the Vistas for brunch and lively conversations with our neighbors about their holiday plans; 57 neighbors were in attendance. We appreciate the fine service by the HOA1 restaurant staff for prep and presentation of the brunch.
Neighbor Richard Dyer, painter and poet, read his entertaining poem Christmas and received a fine round of applause. Richard is a landscape artist and member of the SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild. Richard inspires us with his talents, which come easy for Richard.
John and Dottie Shaffer, our unit reps and heads of the very social committee, announced that Bob and Debbie Meuse have volunteered to take over these important duties. Don’t worry, Bob and Debbie, attendance is always good at all events and we appreciate the efforts of the unit reps. On a humorous note, John Shaffer won the first two tickets drawn for the 50-50. We all expected John to win, but twice is once too often.
And most importantly, we were introduced to Maureen and Bob Evans who moved to SaddleBrooke in November. Maureen and Bob are coming from Naperville (Chicago area), Illinois, and have visited SaddleBrooke for many years. Maureen’s parents, Mary and Ed Murphy, live in Unit 9 and Maureen’s brother also just purchased a home in Unit 9. The Evans have three children. Their youngest son will soon be admitted to the University of Arizona.
Maureen was a Travel and Hospitality industry professional. Bob is an Ohio State Buckeye – but we won’t hold that against him. Bob has recently retired from the healthcare and information technology industry. His hobby job is as a ski instructor in the Adult Alpine Division at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado.
All of SaddleBrooke welcomes the many members of the Evans and Murphy families and all of the talents and experiences you bring.
Unit 27
Ed Sand
Unit 6 mailbox decorating was in full force in early December. It was chaired by Georgie Hourigan and Ed Sand. This year the plan was to have an open competition with no required areas. Judging was to be held on Saturday, December 19 with prizes to be given at the cocktail party at the home of Georgie and Ed. Everyone brought and shared their favorite appetizer or dessert. The overall winner for creative endeavor was Jim and Pam Van Brocklin for Recycle Man. Other notable decorations were by Jim and Georgeann Becker, Jim and Jeanette Wollinka, Per and Linda Henrickson and Linda and Cal Brush. With nearly 30 mailbox decorations it is hoped that more will participate next year and enjoy the get-together and great new neighbors.
Left to right: Joe and Marlene D’Ambrosio, J.D. and Keri Davis, Carol and Richard Merlini and Susan and Larry Dillon
Unit 8
Sue Rains
November 1, 2015, was Unit 8’s annual Golf Cart rally and Social. For the rally, teams of a driver and navigator drove their carts on a specific route around SaddleBrooke by following written instructions given as clues. This is somewhat like a scavenger hunt except items are not collected. Instead points are given for correct answers to questions related to observations made along the route. The fun event emphasized the correctness of the answers and not the time it took to complete the course. The course and questions were designed by Sue and Jim Opeka.
Later, Unit 8 residents gathered on the SaddleBrooke One Tennis Center patio for a Dogs and Beans dinner party and for the announcement of the rally winners. The hot dogs and the fixings were prepared by Brian Santillo and Diana Wilson. Guests brought appetizers, side dishes and desserts to complete the meal.
J.D. and Keri Davis took first place in the rally. Second place went to Marlene and Joe D’Ambrosio. Richard and Carol Merlini and Larry and Susan Dillon tied for third place.
Unit 12
Margaret Blanchard
Hurrah for ice cream in August. Other than the happy hour get-togethers, it would seem that the ice cream social was the hit of the summer. Ice cream with oodles of toppings was enjoyed by many of the members of Unit 12. Thanks to Elizabeth and Fred Stephens, the host and hostess of the evening.
The annual chili dinner in October had the largest attendance ever. There was no shortage of chili with all of the toppings, cheese, guacamole, avocado and much, much more. This is the evening to welcome back the snowbirds and to meet the new members of the Unit. The desserts, too numerous to mention, showed the creative abilities of the ladies in our unit. The weather, not too hot, not too cold, but just right, made the evening a total success. Thanks again, Velma and Gary, for hosting the party.
We continued with the monthly Happy Hour get-together for the members of the unit, a good time to get up to date news and lots of conversation.
Our annual Christmas party was held on December 2 with dining and dancing to the music of The Drift. Unit 4 joined us for the party and a great time was had by all. In December the members celebrated Christmas in many different ways. Many went to visit with their families and while one family traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to enjoy a white Christmas and ski the slopes, another went to Bora Bora to swim with the sharks. Happy New Year to all from Unit 12.
Dave, Dick and Phil in conversation at the Snack and Chat bar. Photographer Ron Talbot
Unit 27
Sue Case
Starting off the new year, Sandy and Phil Barney graciously agreed to host the January 2016 Snack and Chat on Friday, January 22. As usual, those attending enjoyed plenty of good food and animated conversation with their neighbors. It was especially nice to see both Kathy Plum and Merilee Eastlee, neither of whom has attended for a while. New Unit 27 residents, Jerry and Judi Wilkerson, were also there attending their first Snack and Chat.
2016 promises to be another active year with activities already being planned by willing unit volunteers. Any unit resident interested in helping plan or coordinate unit activities should contact Ron or Jan Talbot who will be happy for the assistance.
Front row: Tina Lee, Debbie Jurko, Patty Kambic, Pam Corrigan (sitting in the beautiful recliner), Dick Argast and Rose Dorlac; back row: Sam and Suzy Miller, Shawne Cryderman, Jeannine Grippo, Jack Lee, Jim Thom, Brenda and Steve Kore, Steve and Rene Jacobs, Dennis Bevan, Pat Roddy, Karen and Mark Menghini (hidden), Jim Bevan, Jel and Grover Ligon, Marla and Don Butcher and Mike Roddy. Not pictured: Jeanette and Dave Brinker, Ilene Skinner and photographer Dave Corrigan
Unit 49
Lan Bedard
Without the Unit 49 team organized by Pam and Dave Corrigan to pick up trash on both sides of Edwin Road once a year, it would be covered with plastic bags, littered with papers, empty beer bottles, soda cans and cigarette butts. This is the fifth year that Pam and Dave led Unit 49 volunteers to clean up Edwin Road. (See picture taken after the team finished the clean up).
The number of volunteers increased from 17 last year to 30 this year! Thank you to all Unit 49 volunteers for a job well done! Your hour and a half labor in the sun has given Edwin Road a nice make over. Your friends and neighbors in SaddleBrooke truly appreciate your effort.