Unit 27 resident and chef, Phil Doyle (Photo submitted by Phil Doyle)
Unit 27 Activities
Sue Case
There may be a pandemic going on around us but as of October, five new couples have moved into Unit 27 since the beginning of 2020, and at least two additional houses have sold. Quite a turnover for a unit with only 76 homes!
Unit 27 has always included an active and social group of residents. However, due to social distancing, these new neighbors have not been able to engage in the typical unit activities. With that in mind, our Unit Rep Jeff Depka and wife Eileen, along with Social Chair Ron Talbot and wife Jan, held small outdoor get-togethers, with two new households each, to discuss the “normal” unit social activities that they were missing but could look forward to in the future. Over after-dinner drinks and dessert, they discussed snack and chat, dine-arounds, not-so-gourmet, bocce ball, bridge, canasta, the block party, and other regular unit social events. In addition to social events, the conversations included how to relate to local wildlife, the perils of leaving the garage door open too long, and placing the garbage out too early. Most of all, it was fun for the Depkas and the Talbots to get to know Randi and Tod Roberts, Shirley and Chris Webster, Kathy and Steve Sanchez, Tammy and Byron Swanson, and Janet and Doug Drake. Greetings and welcome to all!
A few of our Unit 27 residents have discussed what has kept them occupied during the past month. Phil Doyle said that he has improved his culinary skills while widening his repertoire. Among the dishes he has prepared, all to the delight of his wife Anne, are spicy mango pork, chawanmushi with shrimp, pork chops au poivre with red wine sauce, and coconut shrimp. He says it’s all great fun!
Earlier in the month, Jeff and Eileen Depka, along with his sister and brother-in-law, took an eight-day trip to Utah to visit the National Parks. Although Monument Valley was closed along with other areas on the Navajo Reservation, they were able to tour close enough to take in the beautiful sights. They also visited Moab, where they visited Canyonlands and Arches National Park and Dead Horse State Park. One night they took a dinner cruise on the Colorado River and saw a light show illuminating the canyon walls with narration and history of how the canyon was formed, as learned from early settlers. Their final visits were to Bryce and Zion National Parks. They were quite awestruck. The scenery in each location was different, but breathtaking. They would highly recommend the trip to everyone.
Frank and Char Newburn had a wonderful chocolate brown lab who passed away shortly before their move to SaddleBrooke, 15 years ago. They had previously decided not to get another dog but that changed when Char found a dog standing in the rain at the Oracle Rd/SaddleBrooke Blvd intersection. She brought the dog home and after some sleuth work, found his owners who said they did not want him, and officially turned him over to Char and Frank. A brown terrier with a white belly. They named him Twix because his colors reminded them of the candy bar. To their amazement, he became part of the family immediately. The timing of this new family member could not have been better. Char works long hours at SaddleBrooke One and Frank is recovering from surgery. Therefore, Frank can give his full attention to Twix and vice versa. This fortuitous event has provided both man and dog with a wonderful opportunity for healing together.
From our unit to yours, be well.