October’s event was at the home of Bob Zimdar and Twink Gates.
Unit 2 monthly potluck
Twink Gates-Zimdar
On Monday, October 3, 23 neighbors in Unit 2 gathered together for their monthly evening potluck meal. October’s event was at the home of Bob Zimdar and Twink Gates. Neighbors welcomed Arthur Fife, a close friend of the Zimdar-Gates, visiting them from the Isle of Man, Great Britain. Twink and Bob had shown Arthur the sights of Tucson which included Pima Air Museum, Kitt Peak, Sabino Canyon tram tour and a tour of SaddleBrooke. One day they drove over to Tombstone where they visited Boot Hill, Big Nose Kate’s for lunch and had a self-guided tour of the Birdcage Theatre. They also had fun chatting with the Wild West performers roaming the streets there. Leaving Tucson they then they had a week starting in Scottsdale Old Town, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, then on to Sedona, the Grand Canyon and two nights in Monument Valley. Fulfilling a lifelong dream of Arthur’s from when he was a boy growing up in Belfast Ireland, to visit the place where John Wayne and other famous movie stars made those memorable western films.
Host C.J. Wright watches hula dancers Michele Benedict and Glenda Fredricks.
Unit 3 South – Hawaiian Night
Brenda Newitter
On Saturday night, October 1, beautiful Hawaiian music could be heard coming from Unit 3 South in SaddleBrooke HOA1. You could almost hear the waves crashing on Waikiki Beach and see Diamond Head jutting out behind the Catalina Mountains! An end of summer Luau was celebrated by more than 50 of Unit 3 South neighbors at the home of C.J. Wright. Live Hawaiian music was provided by Mele O’Hawaii, led by Bob Lee and guests were entertained by the SaddleBrooke Hawaiian Hula Dancers, Nani Loa Kupuna Hula Halau (which means Most Beautiful Elder Hula Group), led by Glenda Fredricks.
It was a wonderful evening and the delicious food, prepared by the Unit 3 South residents (including the roasted pig!), was enjoyed by all. Everyone went home with the memory of ringing in their desert ears.
Discussing the finer points of scoring; Diane Korn kneels down for a closer look as Tammy and Gary Beeler offer their input. Gary Greenbaum (right) adds his thoughts to the discussion.
Unit 21 Bocce Ball tournament
“It was a learning experience!” That’s how Diane Korn and Gary Greenbaum described their first match in Unit 21’s annual Bocce Ball Tournament that kicked off on October 1. The couple played their very first game with Gary and Tammy Beeler who notched a third-place finish in last year’s tournament. Korn and Greenbaum were quick to point out they had a great time and learned a lot from the Beelers, whom they described as excellent teachers.
As in past years, the tournament was organized by Midge Mollenkopf who said that 28 couples are participating. This is the third year for the tournament. “While this is the same number of teams as last year, we have ten teams who are participating for the first time,” Midge said. “We are excited to see so many new folks joining in the fun!”
The tournament runs from October through early April and will conclude with a playoff between the top two teams and the bottom two teams from each division. All tournament players are invited to attend the playoffs and a pot-luck dinner to follow.
Thirty Unit 21 residents gathered at Doug and Dede Crowder’s home to welcome new residents into the Unit 21 family.
Unit 21 welcomes new residents
Residents of SaddleBrooke’s Unit 21 don’t need a lot of motivation to have a social get-together, but the October 14 gathering at Doug and Dede Crowder’s home was for a great purpose. Thirty folks came together to welcome three couples to Unit 21. New residents attending were Kenneth and Claudia Hallmen, Larry Wilson and Nancy Fuller and Steve and Sue Colby. Over the past ten months, ten new residents have become part of the Unit 21 family.
Snacks and chatting at the Grinstead house; photo by Ron Talbot
Unit 27 activities
Sue Case
Janie and Rick Grinstead hosted an autumn-themed Snack and Chat on a warm September night just made for the patio. Janie loves seasonal decorations and they were evident on the tables and counters filled with appetizers and desserts brought by the resident attendees.
Returning snowbirds augmented the year round desert rats and added to the conversations. A shout-out to new residents, Julie and Rob Smith and Eileen and Jeff Depka, who have actively joined in unit activities and were present that evening. Long-term residents, Joyce Robbins and Bud Smith, along with Bud’s daughter and newer resident Kathy Plum, were also in attendance. One of the highlights of the evening was seeing resident Jim Branstrom in full beard. Wow!
On October 18 Janie Grinstead and Fira Stout put together a fun and tasty evening for the unit at Cafe Valencia. The restaurant features Mexican dishes that are more upscale than the typical street fare. When Janie and Fira first planned this Dine Around event, it was for the restaurant’s original location on Valencia Road; however, prior to the planned date, the restaurant opened a second location on Campbell Avenue. Therefore, the group ended up eating at the new, closer location. The food was good; the staff couldn’t have been nicer and everyone had a good time, especially not having to drive so far for the experience.
Thanks again to Janie and Fira for the fun dinners we have had at the various Dine Arounds this year.