Unit Happenings

Unit 6 mailbox contest

Ed Sand

Unit 6 held its annual mailbox decorating contest the week of December 12 with judging being done prior to the get-together on Friday, December 16 at the home of Georgie Hourigan and Ed Sand. Generous appetizers and drinks were shared at the mixer and everyone attending enjoyed meeting and giving tips for decorating mailboxes for the next year. With nearly 30 decorating and half of those choosing to compete, nearly everyone received a participation award and the third place winner was Jim and Pam Van Brocklin, second place winner was Linda and Cal Brush for Snow Dogs, with first place winner for the very creative use of gingerbread cookies and cookie cutters was Pete and Sandy Frank.

Awards and pictures of each mailbox were presented by Ed and Georgie. The next mixer was held January 8, 2017.

Unit 12 happenings

Margaret Blanchard

Unit 12 had a chili party in October. Unlike our former chili parties, we held it at the deck next to the tennis courts. It was a great evening for an outdoor party. The chili was delicious and came in mild, medium and spicy, yum. With all the chili and accompanying flavors were the awesome desserts. It was a special evening with plenty of food and conversation. Thanks to Velma and Gary Tindall who hosted the party and did all the work putting the party together on the patio.

On December 5 we had our annual Christmas party at the HOA One clubhouse. With 39 members from Unit 12 and about 50 plus from Unit 4 we had a full house at the Vistas Dining Room. Everyone enjoyed the chateaubriand or salmon dinner and the festive decorations in the dining room but the winner of the evening was The Rhythm Band Gang. This 19 piece orchestra was not good, it was great! They played the contemporary music that we know and love. It was also good dancing music. Thanks to everyone in Units 12 and 4 who arranged the evening and made it such great fun.

Unit 20 winter celebration

Cathy Howard

Unit 20 welcomed back their seasonal neighbors and friends and got acquainted with their new neighbors at the Villa’s annual Winter Celebration. Festivities began with greetings and a No-Host bar at the Roadrunner Grill on Saturday, January 21 at 5:00 p.m. Upon arrival guests were greeted by Jan Deschamp and Cathy Howard where they were encouraged to purchase raffle tickets for 50/50 cash and wine drawings.

A buffet dinner was served to a record-breaking 50 attendees where they dined on a tasty meal of beef brisket, mashed potatoes, gravy, glazed carrots and a fresh mixed green salad. The dinner was topped off with a build your own ice cream sundae bar.

After dinner, when no one could possibly eat another bite, the cash and wine drawings took place. This year, due to the generosity of the attendees, three cash drawing took place. The winners were First Place Doris Bickel ($50), Second Place Bill Katz ($35) and Third Place Bob and Penny Rauzi ($30). Doris Bickel donated the bottles of wine and those winners were Sue Spaniol, Bill Katz and Ted Deschamp. Our neighbor Bill Katz should now be called “Lucky Bill” as he was the Villa’s two-time winner during the evening bringing home both money and a bottle of wine with which to celebrate.

All in all this celebration was a success where we were able to meet our new neighbors, renew friendships and celebrate our life in the HOA One Villas. Service at the Roadrunner Grill was outstanding and the staff kept the evening on a schedule. As a matter of fact, the evening was so much fun that many attendees only decided to go home after the staff began to clean up.

For those who were not able to attend we hope to see them there next year at the Winter Celebration. They missed out on a lot of fun and we are excited to see what next year brings us.

Unit 21 annual meeting

Jim Hagedon

On January 9, SaddleBrooke’s Unit 21 Social Chairs Doug and DeDe Crowder hosted the unit’s Annual Meeting at the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center for an update on last year’s activities and to make plans for the coming year. Doug Crowder led the discussion, while DeDe and a contingent of helping hands made sure the large turnout of Unit 21 residents would be well fed following the meeting.

Items discussed at the meeting included plans for 2017 social events, an introduction of new unit residents and future board membership. A lively discussion concerning the upcoming social calendar made it clear that this is a group that likes to get together! It looks like 2017 activities in the planning stages will not disappoint these folks.

Following the formal meeting, attendees dined on pizza, salad and cookies catered by SaddleBrooke One’s culinary staff. Everyone agreed it was an excellent meal. Maybe we should have an Annual Meeting more often!

Unit 49 wrapping party

Lan Bedard

On December 12 Unit 49 volunteers gathered to wrap the piles of gifts purchased by 17 shopping teams with the $7,140 in donations generously given by unit residents.

The gifts went to 102 recipients. The Mariposa Room was a scene of organized chaos as filled with colorful wrapping paper, boxes, gift tags and ribbons. Armed with scissors, scotch tape and pens, the volunteers tackled their task with military precision. Within two hours all the gifts were wrapped beautifully, labeled “From Santa” and stuffed in clear plastic bags ready for the delivery teams. A job well done!

Kudos to all Unit 49 participants in the 2016 Adopt-A-Family program. You have accomplished a wonderful mission to bring joy to the 17 families during the Christmas season.

Unit 42, 43 and 45 news

Sidonia St. Germaine

Every Christmas a van-full of gifts is collected by residents of Units 42, 43 and 45 (The Preserve) for the children of military families in our area. This tradition began several years ago when Donna Infald and Bonnie Barazani, wishing to do something philanthropically, began with fundraisers. With the money raised, chosen military families were given $1,500 a month until the fund was emptied.

More recently, rather than fundraisers, residents of these three units donate money or adopt children for whom they buy clothes and/or toys. Names of the families in need (both active and inactive status) are provided by the commanders of the different branches of the military. The suggested amount to spend is $70 but many are more generous as the shoppers want to fill as many as possible of the requests on the family’s wish list for the children. Leftover money is used to purchase gift cards from Fry’s. This year each family received a $70 gift card in addition to the gifts for the children.

One little nine-year-old girl asked for nothing but hats. Her sister asked for nothing; she only wanted to share the hats. After some research it was learned that the nine-year-old was undergoing chemotherapy. A special notice went out to the residents of the three units and $3,500 was quickly raised which is being used toward the family’s rent and utilities.

Carmen Worley, a non-SaddleBrooke resident, is the liaison between The Preserve residents and the military commanders. She delivers her van full of packages to the armory where the special families come to pick up their gifts. It was no easy feat to pack everything into her vehicle which included a bicycle, the only item on one little boy’s list.

This holiday season, Units 42, 43 and 45 (The Preserve) also gathered together a small group of carolers. Several facilities were available for such visits, among them Diamond Children’s Hospital. Though not all the children were able to view the performance, those who could come were pleasantly surprised by a visit from Santa. It was wonderful to be able to brighten the day for these children who might ordinarily be confined to a hospital room.

The carolers also visited residential senior-care homes. Once again, lots of smiles were seen on the faces of the residents. Next year the carolers hope to visit even more facilities and create more happy faces.