Unit 2 Potluck
BK Koch
On May 22, 63 Unit 2 residents gathered at the tennis pavilion for a potluck. We were all treated to some sumptuous food. There was BBQ chicken, BBQ pork, frittatas, veggie sliders, mac and cheese, meatballs, pasta salads, desserts—too many dishes to mention. Needless to say, we all did a lot of grazing as well as meeting up with our friends and neighbors for a good evening of food, fun, and conversation.
Our next event is scheduled for June 14. No cooking this time. We will meet at Catalina Craft Pizza restaurant just in time for lunch at noon. They have good lunch specials of pizza and the Ugly Steak Sandwich, which I have had before and, believe me, it does not taste ugly but is very tasty.
See ya there!
Orange Vibes and Good Times
Helen Amelsberg
Residents of Unit 36 Orange came together in a vibrant show of community spirit at the SaddleBrooke One tennis pavilion for a festive potluck event themed “Orange Vibes.” The creative dress code invited attendees to wear their best orange attire, bringing a bright and cheerful energy to the evening.
The potluck featured an impressive spread of homemade dishes, including crowd favorites like wings, beans, pizzas, and watermelon salads. The dessert table was equally tempting, offering chocolate cake, cookies, and lemon cake that had guests coming back for seconds. A generous selection of wine and beer helped fuel the lively conversations and laughter throughout the evening.
The event was organized by the dedicated Unit 36 Orange Social Committee. Special thanks go to Joanne and Kathy for planning the gathering and to newly appointed treasurer Karen for her support. Their efforts ensured the event ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all.
Beyond the great food and drinks, the evening provided an opportunity for neighbors to connect, form new friendships, and exchange ideas for future activities.
The Social Committee is already hard at work planning more events to bring the community together. Residents of Unit 36 Orange are encouraged to keep an eye on their email for upcoming announcements—they won’t want to miss what’s next.
Catherine Carmody getting her toppings
Unit Nine Celebrates Community at Annual Ice Cream Social
Scott Baker
Under clear skies and warm evening sunshine, members of Unit Nine gathered on May 30 for the group’s beloved annual Ice Cream Social, hosted this year at the welcoming home of Ron and Lee Thomas.
A total of 70 Unit Nine members turned out for the festive event, enjoying each other’s company in a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere. The highlight of the evening was a delicious spread of ice cream catered by the popular local vendor Licks Ice Cream. Guests had their pick from a unique trio of flavors: classic Rocky Road, nutty Pistachio, and the adventurous Vietnam Cinnamon, each a hit in its own right.
To top it off, a wide variety of toppings were available, including rich chocolate and smooth caramel sauces, crunchy nuts, and an assortment of colorful sprinkles, allowing each guest to craft their own sweet masterpiece.
The annual social, a cherished tradition in Unit Nine, continues to be a cornerstone of community connection and summertime joy. With good friends, great weather, and even better ice cream, this year’s gathering was a sweet success.
Unit 11 Brunch Bunch
Mike Sachse and Lynne Pendlebury
Unit 11 neighbors enjoyed our first fabulous outdoor Spring Brunch on April 12; we were graced with summer-like temperatures, but three huge patio umbrellas and an unlimited Bloody Mary bar helped to cool things off. The event was hosted by our friend and neighbor Laurel Derksen on her beautiful patio, which provided great views of the mountains and hole number 7 on the Catalina course. The ambiance was perfect. Ken March misplaced his kazoo, so Mike Sachse (Soxy) filled in admirably with soft sounds on his keyboard to the delight of all attendees. Food ranged from huge platters and bowls of delectable fruit, fantastic breakfast casseroles, muffins, crumb cake, dips and chips, and many more delicacies, with an option to borrow grapefruit from the neighbor’s backyard. The Bloody Mary bar offered all the fixins’: vodka, of course, tomato juice, V-8 juice, celery sticks, shrimp, big green olives, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and horseradish. Our 50/50 raffle of $80 was won by our unit rep Ric Nicholson, a well-deserved win for all he does for all of us in our unit. Congratulations to Ric. It was a wonderful get-together of friends, neighbors, and newbies, made possible by another tremendous effort by our very active Social Committee: Rhonda Nicholson, Carol Aeschliman, Wendy Savarese, Evelyn Freel, Shelia Ratza, Laurel Derksen, and Lynne Pendlebury.
Unit 16 ladies lunch
Saucy 16-ers Ladies Lunch
Carolyn Mclean
Our Unit 16 is fortunate to have Cari Johnson as our new events coordinator. Cari has been planning monthly ladies’ lunches, going to several restaurants with an emphasis on different cuisines. We started off the year in January at SaddleBrooke TWO with a long table of laughter and the clinking of glasses. February took us to Mia Terra, trying authentic Mexican food and frosty margaritas. We ventured to the brightly painted It’s Greek to Me on Oracle in March and then to Caffe Torino in April. Caffe Torino is a small, family-owned Italian restaurant that opened in 2000 with a wide variety of items on the menu. This has been a fun way to try new food and to meet our new neighbors joining the Saucy 16-ers. Next experience: Bubb’s Grubb Texas BBQ, and I’m already thinking about the pulled pork sandwich.
Mike and Julie Shelton, Dave and Lisa Graff, Izzy with Midge and Al Mollenkompf, and Mary and Jim Floerke
Unit 21 Names Bocce Ball League Champions
Barbara Donaldson
The 11th Annual Unit 21 Bocce League came to an enjoyable conclusion on April 27, naming Jim and Mary Floerke the champs, with Julie and Mike Shelton in second place and Lisa and Dave Graff taking third. The first and second place teams from each division squared off in two tense rounds. The winners of the first round then played each other for first and second place, while the other two teams competed for third place.
For 11 consecutive years, Unit 21 has included a bocce league in its social activities. Teams in two divisions play each other over the winter and early spring. The top two teams from each division meet in a playoff to determine the winners. While the competition can be fierce, the primary objective is always social.
After the playoff games, league members gathered to enjoy a celebratory dinner at the Sheltons’ home to congratulate the winners and celebrate the culmination of another fun season of bocce.
Betty, Jane, Katie, and Suzan at the Erickson Snack and Chat (photo by Sue Case)
Unit 27 Activities
Sue Case
Fira Stout once again coordinated a Unit 27 Dine Around at Wild Garlic Grill, this time on April 22. It was extremely well attended; however, the restaurant managed to seat everyone on their patio without making it too crowded. As always, the food was tasty and beautifully presented. No one went away hungry, and several “doggie boxes” were seen on tables at the end of the evening. Thanks, Fira.
Janet and Doug Drake hosted the April Snack and Chat on April 26. It was a nice, warm evening, and many of the attendees were happy to sit out on the patio. It was the “last gasp” social for the unit before the snowbirds and summer travelers left town, so it was rather well attended. Thanks, Janet and Doug.
Karen and Don Erickson were the hosts of the May Snack and Chat, which they held on May 17. Despite a rather steady, gusty wind, many of the attendees took advantage of the otherwise nice weather to sit outside. It was nice to see our newish neighbors Jeanetta and Gary Mackelpang, as well as some of the “regulars.” Karen was worried that there might not be enough food and made a huge ziti casserole. As it turned out, there was plenty of food, and the Ericksons will be eating ziti for a long time! As she often does, Fira Stout brought a homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. There are seldom any leftovers of Fira’s pies–they are so yummy! Thanks, Karen and Don.
Happy summer!
Neighbors mingle at the potluck party in Maxine Swarmer’s garage.
Saturday Soiree on Skyline
Jennifer Citron
A sunny evening was just enough reason for the “Skyline Plus” neighbors (Unit 28) to stage a cul-de-sac potluck party on May 17. Chairs, drinks, and–most importantly,food–magically appeared at the garage of Maxine Swarmer as the get-together got into full swing. Three full tables of potluck dishes kept more than 20 residents mingling and munching, enjoying good company, and maybe debating a golf lie or two. Our snowbirds are missed, but that doesn’t stop the camaraderie on Skyline Drive.
Unit 36 Orange: Wine & Chocolate Tasting a Sweet Success
Helen Amelsberg
On a delightful Tuesday afternoon on April 23, the Unit 36 Orange Social Committee served up a sensory adventure that was equal parts delicious, educational, and social. The much-anticipated Wine & Chocolate Tasting event was a resounding success, selling out all available seats and drawing an enthusiastic crowd eager to sip, sample, and socialize.
From the moment guests arrived, they were warmly welcomed with a glass of LaMarca Prosecco and a selection of small appetizers, setting a celebratory tone for the evening. As glasses clinked and conversations sparked, it quickly became clear that this would be more than just a tasting—it was a gathering of neighbors and new friends.
The educational portion of the event kicked off with Craig Eaton, who shared his extensive knowledge of wines, guiding attendees through the art of pairing wine with chocolate. Janet Clark followed with a captivating and detailed presentation on the origins, processing, and flavor profiles of chocolate—transforming each bite into a deeper appreciation of the craft.
Guests were treated to several specialist chocolates, including unique selections from San Tomé and Madagascar, offering bold and exotic flavor notes that paired beautifully with the evening’s featured wines:
- Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 from Paso Robles, Calif.
- Saviah Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington’s Walla Walla Valley
- 2019 Quinta das Carvalhas Port, a late bottled vintage from Portugal’s Douro Valley
As a final flourish, Janet surprised everyone with a batch of handmade chocolate truffles, a decadent and personal touch that left everyone smiling.
By the end of the event, bellies were full, palates were pleased, and the room was buzzing—not just from the wine, but from the joy of a shared experience. Guests had so much fun they said they can’t wait until the next one!
And speaking of which—if you live in Unit 36 Orange, keep an eye on your inbox. The Social Committee has plenty more events in the works, and you won’t want to miss what’s coming next!