Unit 2 Luncheon Event
BK Koch
On June 12, 23 Unit 2 residents descended upon Catalina Craft Pizza to partake in some of their delicious $11 specials on pizza and sandwiches. Several people also ordered the regular-size pizzas and took some home to enjoy later. I had the Ugly Sandwich again, and it didn’t disappoint (no, it wasn’t ugly—it was very good).
Our Social Committee has more fun events planned, so watch your mail tubes for flyers. We are not limited to one event a month, and suggestions are always welcomed.
Our next event was Independence Day, also known as the 4th of July, which was celebrated at the Dettmann residence on South Desert Star Drive.
There will be another Happy Hour at the SaddleBrooke One Agave Lounge on July 17 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. If you forget to RSVP or decide to come at the last minute, then come on down! There is always room for more at the Agave!
See ya there!
Unit 17 Isn’t in Kansas Anymore!
Barbara Barr Bengen
Residents of Unit 17 gathered with friends from Unit 15 for a night of fun, laughter, and friendly wagers at the annual Casino Night. Under the direction of Chair Linda Gray, the Unit 17 Social Committee assisted Bob and Brenda Seaman in creating a SaddleBrooke casino. The Activity Center looked more like Las Vegas or Monte Carlo, leading neighbors to comment, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!”
Unit 17 always celebrates the end of the winter season and bids farewell to the neighborhood’s beloved snowbirds with an April party. The chips may have been fake, but the friendships and strong sense of community are real. A great time was had by all.
As the snowbirds prepared to return to their summer homes, Unit 17 gave them a send-off to remember. There will be another party welcoming snowbirds back in the fall, but the Casino Night send-off is such a good reminder of the joy that comes with spending time with your neighbors and friends in SaddleBrooke.
Unit 21 Celebrates Cinco de Mayo
Barbara Donaldson
Eighty-plus attendees braved the cool, wet weather on May 5 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican food and an extraordinary performance by the Pueblo High School Mariachi band, Mariachi Aztlan. The award-winning band, under the direction of John Contraras, is comprised of 20 students aged 14 to 18 playing and singing traditional mariachi music. Rancheros Market in Catalina catered the meal.
Carol and Scott Whiting chair the Cinco de Mayo event held in Midge and Al Mollenkopf’s backyard. The Mollenkopfs started the celebration 11 years ago. Many volunteers pitch in to decorate, set up the sound system, serve food, and clean up. It is one of the unit’s most popular annual social events.
Jane and Greg Zielske with granddaughter Abby and Rick Cole on the patio at Melody Branstrom’s Snack and Chat (photo by Sue Case)
Unit 27 Activities
Sue Case
Melody Branstrom hosted the monthly Snack and Chat on June 21. Once again, the temperature was high and the wind was performing fiercely; however, thanks to wind screens, it was quite tolerable out on the patio, except for those poor folks who had the misfortune of facing the sun as it went down in the west. And as June 21 was the longest day of the year, the sun went down very slowly.
It’s a good thing that the patio was available, because the event was well attended. And a well-attended Snack and Chat means lots of food! There were several seasonal salads and cold or room temperature appetizers. Someone had brought a pizza, and there were many desserts–people were having a hard time deciding on a dessert, resulting in quite a few offerings cut in half to accommodate a greater variety for everyone to try.
As is often the case, a group of men sat in the living room around the TV, and two or three groups of women sat in the dining room. The two outdoor groups were mostly men, with a few women who integrated the groups from time to time. Jane and Greg Zielske brought visiting granddaughter Abby, and it looked like she was having a good time despite having the sun in her eyes for a while. Abby, who is 10 years old, is one of triplets. The other two are boys, and they stayed home. Hosting one at a time is undoubtedly a good idea. We met their older sister Ella at a Snack and Chat a few years ago.
Keep cool and pray for rain!
Unit 36 Orange Happy Hour Hits the Spot!
Helen Amelsberg
What do you get when you mix 30 friendly neighbors, a table full of appetizers, and a generous pour of good cheer? A fantastic and fun evening, of course!
Our first neighborhood Happy Hour, hosted on June 19 by the wonderful Christine and Bob Schmitz , was a big success. For two delightful hours, their home was buzzing with laughter, conversation, and the clinking of glasses. Everyone brought a little something to share—whether it was a favorite drink, a homemade dish, or just good company—and the result was a lively, welcoming atmosphere where new connections were made and old ones strengthened.
A huge thank you to Bob and Christine for opening your home and setting the perfect tone for the evening. You truly made everyone feel welcome!
The time flew by, and before we knew it, people were already asking, “When’s the next one?” Well, good news—we’re hoping to make this a monthly tradition!
Hosting is easy and fun. It’s just two hours, and your neighbors bring the drinks and the appetizers. All you have to do is open your door and enjoy the company. Interested in volunteering your home? Reach out to Kathy Hampton, your local Unit 36 Representative, for more details. Her email address is unit36orange@gmail.com.
Cheers to more evenings like this and to the amazing neighbors who make it all happen!
Left to right: Suzanne Wood, Wendi Thomas, Mary Letourneau (photo by Raymond H. Goettsch)
Unit 43 Residents Attended Their Bi-Monthly Appetizer Party in May
Raymond H. Goettsch
Unit 43 in The Preserve held its bi-monthly gathering on May 21 at the home of Mary Letourneau and Raymond Goettsch. Twenty-some residents attended the party and brought appetizers and beverages of their choice. Many new acquaintances were made, and old acquaintances were renewed. A good time was had by all.
Unit 45 Rock the Block Party
Nancy Ostrom Kadota
The Unit 45 Social Committee hosted our annual Rock the Block party on Borago Court, featuring delicious offerings from Kevin Risner’s Flaming Heart BBQ and lively music from Chuck Moses. More than 100 neighbors and friends shared dinner, dancing, singing, and interacting at this joyful event. The 50/50 raffle netted the winner a record $250!
Our Social Committee is planning future events to keep the fun and friendship rockin’.