Enjoying the abundant buffet are Marly Milks Mora, Betty and Ron Switzer, Jill Darban, Roberta Goldstein, and Debbie Leary. (Photo by Ron Bower)
Unit 4 Welcomes Snowbirds with Delicious Chili
Connie Kotke
On Nov. 1 more than 50 neighbors from SaddleBrooke One Unit 4 took part in the annual Welcome Back Chili Night. The evening featured a bocce ball competition, cocktails, and an extraordinary chili buffet dinner on the Tennis Center patio. The unit hosts this popular event to help snowbirds get resettled in the community and to extend a warm welcome to new residents who joined the unit in the past year.
The food was abundant and delicious! We sampled from several crockpots filled with different types of chili and loaded our plates with cornbread, salads, desserts, and other accompaniments. It’s safe to say that few of us were hungry until noon the next day. Special thanks go to the chili chefs and the many willing volunteers who helped set up and clean up.
As the holidays approach, Unit 4 looks forward to collecting donations for the Golder Ranch Fire Department Shop With a Firefighter program and the Holiday Open House at the home of Linda Holt.
Unit Nine’s Annual Halloween Party a Howling Success
Scott Baker
Unit Nine held its annual Halloween Party at the home of Tom and Gretchen Houston who always go over the top with Halloween decorations. Sky Blue Court cul-de-sac gave plenty of party room for 68 costumed attendees to have a fabulous time enjoying shared hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and BYO beverages. The party was a howling success, with scary monsters all around. Unit Nine wishes to thank Tom and Gretchen for their hospitality and another wonderful party.
Unit 14
Karen Gille
It was a beautiful, warm evening on Nov. 13 when Unit 14 met on the patio of The Preserve for a cocktail party. The snowbirds have returned, and the turnout was very good. We enjoyed good conversation, meeting new people, and a beautiful sunset before the temperature dropped. If you are new to Unit 14, contact Betsy Clark at [email protected] to be invited to our next unit event.
Residents of Unit 17 celebrated Halloween in style, costume style, that is!
Unit 17’s Halloween Fun
Barbara Barr Bengen
Treats, no tricks, abounded in Unit 17 as residents celebrated Halloween. Linda Gray and her brother John Hart hosted the party in their home. There were prizes for Best Costumes for Women, Men, and Couple. Winning the award for the Best Couple’s Costumes were Brenda Dawson and Craig Hartman who dressed as Fred and Wilma Flintstone. In first place for the Best Women’s Costume was Linda Gray for sporting the flower child look! The Best Men’s Costume award went to Fred Flintstone, I mean Craig Hartman.
Save the date for our holiday gathering at the home of Kevin and Ginny Sockey. We’ll gather at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, to “Jingle While We Mingle.” Get out your ugliest holiday sweater, because we’ll have an Ugly Sweater Contest. Sign up by using the Perfect Potluck link www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=ETUH6686&welcome=1.
Unit 21 Bocce Tournament
Dana Eckhardt
The annual Bocce Ball Tournament is underway for Unit 21. There are 19 teams vying for the title of Supreme Champion. Dede Crowder and Dana Eckhardt challenged Ted and Mary Duma to play our games. As it turns out, the Dumas are very good. All teams have until April of 2025 to get all of their games done and submitted to Mike and Julie Shelton who are hosting this year, and we thank you. Best of luck to all!
Costumed participants at the Halloween Couples Bridge Night (photo by Anne Doyle)
Unit 27 Activities
Sue Case
Jeannie and Jack Hepner hosted the monthly Couples Bridge on Oct. 31, and participants wore their Halloween costumes. The group judged Ron Talbot as the Best Costume winner. His prize was a bottle of wine. He is not a wine drinker; however, he graciously gave it to his wife Jan who has been known to raise a glass. Obviously, the bridge game took a backseat to the holiday festivities that night. Thanks, Jeannie and Jack!
Sandy and Phil Barney hosted the November Snack and Chat on Nov. 16. They also hosted the November event in 2023. It was cold outside when everyone gathered. Nevertheless, the weather didn’t stop a few hearty souls from sitting outside next to a very powerful outdoor heater. The rest of the attendees sat warmly inside at various arranged seating locations or made more than one trip to the amply supplied food areas. The event attracted quite a few residents whose food offerings made for a well-stocked selection of both sweet and savory dishes. It appeared that the most popular items were three fruit pies. Yum! Thanks, Sandy and Phil.
Ladies’ luncheon
Unit 28 Men’s and Ladies’ Luncheons
Joyce Wainscott
The Brooke was the happening place for both the men’s and ladies’ Unit 28 monthly luncheons in November. Both groups enjoyed excellent service, delicious food, laughter, and good conversation. It was an excellent outing for those who found the time to attend.
Studies by Harvard Health have shown that social interaction outside your close family and friends circle brings mental and physical benefits. These luncheons are more than just a lovely way to spend a few hours; they add to our overall health and happiness.
The very active Social Committee in Unit 28 strives to improve the lives of our neighbors with opportunities to interact with others in our unit. Unit members should watch their emails from the unit rep for the next opportunity to join in the fun.
Joe and Joyce Maurizzi at Oktoberfest (photo by Marilyn Ginther)
Unit 28 Oktoberfest Social
Joyce Wainscott
On Oct. 28 residents of Unit 28 gathered at the SaddleBrooke One Activity building to celebrate Oktoberfest. Attendees enjoyed bingo, a raffle, and a delicious potluck dinner with a German flare. Marilyn Ginther nailed the decorations and tablecloths, which highlighted the Hofbräuhaus theme.
The Unit 28 Social Club and the unit rep plan monthly cocktail parties and ladies’ and men’s luncheons. Other socials like the Oktoberfest event that are in the works include a Spring Gala, Soup/Chili Cook-off, a Christmas Ladies Luncheon, and a Progressive Dinner in December.
Unit 29 Celebrates Oktoberfest and Birthdays
Debbie McGeehan
It was a perfect night on Oct. 28 for another memorable party on the tennis patio. Sandy Seppala and Gayl Van Natter headed up this event with help from other Social Committee members. We have a small unit with less than 80 homes, but more than half attended.
The food was outstanding, as we have some fabulous cooks. Jim Seppala spent the day perfecting the tasty bratwursts, which everyone enjoyed. This year the unit decided to fill a cooler with various choices of beer rather than purchasing a keg of beer. It was a great idea and much easier. Then it was time for desserts! We had quite a selection of tasty treats: apple strudel, apple pie, pumpkin moon cakes, chocolate eclairs, and then rum cake!
We celebrated the birthdays of Lynne Austin, Doug Miller, and Jack McIntyre. Jim and Sandy Seppala sang their famous duet of “Happy Birthday,” and then we all chimed in for a sing-along.
Linda Simon, George Simon, Claudia Ferguson, and Paula Arnold (photo by David Gulden)
Unit 44A Celebrates Halloween
Paulette Kasperski
The corner of Oracle Ridge Road and Spencer Camp Road in The Preserve was the site of the Unit 44A Halloween Party this year. Thanks go to Janet Gulden, who is the social chairman of the unit, as well as Grant Bryden and Shannon Bews, who hosted this event in the front yard of their beautiful home. Many of the 60 neighbors who attended the event were dressed in wonderful costumes. Some of these costumes were a skeleton as a boyfriend, Where’s Waldo?, Roaring ‘20s costumes, witches, butterflies, flowers, referees, cowboys, “garbage,” and Indian royalty costumes. The food, as usual, was outstanding, and the desserts were enjoyed by all.
Joyful neighbors Doug and Val Zink (Unit 45 rep), Barb and Marv Miller, Rich Kadota, host John Sohikian, and Linda Bowers
Unit 45 Thankful Party
The lovely home of John and Donna Sohikian was filled with lively conversation as more than 40 Unit 45 friends and neighbors enjoyed ample appetizers supplied by the guests. This early Thanksgiving party reflected a spirit of thankfulness, as noted on our “Thankful Board.”
The Unit 45 Social Committee is planning more opportunities to gather our group of friendly neighbors in the coming year.
Unit 46 Celebrates the Beaver Moon
Linda Greenough
On Nov. 14 the women’s and men’s dining groups of Unit 46 celebrated the Beaver Moon with dinner out.
Twenty-eight ladies with the Sunset Sippers dining group enjoyed a fabulous moonrise and summer-like temperatures on The Preserve patio. The ladies toasted the moon as it rose over the Catalinas. Everyone enjoyed a great selection of appetizers, drinks, and lively conversation, making for a memorable evening.
At the same time, 27 men with the Men’s Dinner Group enjoyed BBQ ribs, steaks, burgers, and beer at Cadillac Chaparral Steakhouse. They missed seeing the moonrise, but they enjoyed each other’s company.