Unit 2 entertained by Barbershop Quartet
Fred Pilster
On the evening of Tuesday, August 18 SaddleBrooke Unit 2 was invited to Jim (Merk) and Leslie Merker’s home on Blackfoot Drive for a Patio Party. A fun time was had by all as the raindrops hesitated and the neighborhood got together for their monthly Patio Party. The group was entertained by Merk’s Barbershop Quartet, the Matinee Idles, who came out of retirement to sing and harmonize some of our favorite melodies. The quartet consists of singers/harmonizers Tom McGorray (tenor), Merck Merker (lead), Roger Hornsby (baritone) and Ed Johnson (bass). The group got back together for this neighborhood occasion and seemed to have as much fun as all of those who were listening. Thanks for the great entertainment. All of the Unit 2 residents enjoyed the Merker’s patio and the Matinee Idles.
About 30 to 40 residents were in attendance with all bringing appetizers, drinks and their socializing skills. Unit 2 gets together almost monthly at a different Unit 2 residence due primarily to the efforts of Sharon Wright and her helpers who line up the parties, send out the invitations to all of the Unit 2 residents, help prepare the homes and help clean up. The summer months are a little slower because many of the residents are snowbirds, but the full timers love to come out and socialize all year long.
Sharon is already planning a busy end of the year with the highlight being the Holiday Party at the SaddleBrooke Clubhouse on Wednesday, December 16 with dinner, entertainment and dancing by the Heartbeats. The Patio Party for September was held at Yolanda Nieman’s home. Saturday, November 7 is set for Tom Swikoski and Sandy Morse’s home and Sunday, December 6 will be at Claudia Booth and Tom Clairmont’s home.
John Gill, the late Bill Leathem and Rich LaRosa at the May Snack and Chat; photographer, Ron Talbot
Unit 27 activities
Sue Case
The Unit 27 Snack and Chats have been held during the summer hiatus and they have all been well attended. Janie and Rick Grinstead hosted the May event; Sue Case and Rick Waldorf hosted in June; Betty and Rick Cole were the hosts in August and Jan and Ron Talbot hosted in September. Other than the snowbirds, unit residents seemed to come and go during the summer, providing a large variety of attendees at the various events.
The last unit meeting of the season was held in April and the featured speaker was Dave Jones, Chair of HOA 2’s Strategic Planning Committee. He provided some good information on the committee’s plans, including the resident survey that was subsequently distributed, completed and returned by HOA 2 residents. Two post-completion meetings were held to brief residents on the results and their implications and the tabulation of responses is posted on the HOA 2 website. Many of the responses are already being addressed by the HOA 2 Board.
Many activities await our unit during the last part of 2015, including monthly unit meetings and a holiday party on December 8. So stick around and enjoy your neighbors.
The Standard 5 brings musical standard to SaddleBrooke
Bridget Bonner
Music. It’s literally music to our ears, feet, hands—and our entire bodies. Who hasn’t tapped their feet, snapped their fingers or swayed to a musical tune on the radio?
Nothing compares to live music. And SaddleBrooke (SB) and SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) communities are fortunate enough to include a group of musicians who decided to focus their talents on the old standards, such as Fly Me to the Moon, I’ll Be Seeing You and that ever popular Patsy Cline tune, Crazy. Holiday standards will also be included in the coming months.
You may have had a chance to experience the music of the Standard 5 during the past months at SaddleBrooke HOA 1’s Agave Lounge. They’ll be back for a few Saturdays in October and November.
You may have also heard them at a recent SBR block party.
If you are interested in hosting a party with musical entertainment please contact Sandy Jessop at [email protected] or Rich Bonner at [email protected] for more information (including cost and availability). It’s never too soon to start planning those holiday parties!