Unit Two Happy Hour—First Happy Hour of 2026

BK Koch

On Jan. 15 approximately 28 Unit Two residents attended the Happy Hour at the Agave. Conversation was flowing like a bubbling brook as friends and neighbors reconnected, and I again was such a Chatty Cathy that I forgot to take photos. A raffle was held, and the amount collected ($48) was split with the winner, Rick Damschen. Rick and his wife Jane are Sugar Lane snowbirds from Washington. Chris Dettmann, Unit Two Social Committee member, greeted each neighbor as they came in, and we made sure to have name tags. If one would like to have a custom name tag, several options exist online. Jennifer Wilkin, Unit 2, 425-478-9535, can take orders/assist you. We will always have the self-adhesive ones available.

Our next event had 30 residents signed up to see Last of the Red Hot Lovers at The Gaslight Music Hall on Feb. 21. Don’t forget our monthly third-Thursday Happy Hour each month.

We’re working on March new events—Chili Cookoff? Ladies Who Lunch? We’re always open to new ideas. So, don’t hesitate to contact any of your Social Committee members via email or text with new ideas.

See ya there!

Unit 46 Celebrates SOUPerbowl!

Denise Cashmore

Unit 46 kicked off its 2026 social calendar at the SaddleBrooke One Activity Center. Neighbors sported their favorite team jerseys for a day of Super Bowl banter and hearty soup. A huge thanks to our new social co-organizers Lori Bolme and Marian Griebenow for coordinating a vibrant spread of team colors, 10 unique soups, and two tables loaded with breads, snacks, and desserts. Join us at the next monthly unit meeting to find out more about upcoming exciting events.

Chili Cookoff Heats Up the Night in Unit 14

Karen Gille

Almost 70 people showed up to taste the five wonderful chili recipes for the Unit 14 Chili Cookoff on Feb. 25. The talented chefs each made a large crockpot of their favorite chili. We had three red chili recipes and two white chili recipes. Guests sampled each chili and voted for their favorite. The voting was very close, with there being only one vote difference between the top two recipes. Other residents brought side dishes, salads, and desserts. It was a great night to enjoy a delicious meal and meet our neighbors.

Unit 27 Activities

Sue Case

Among many other activities available to Unit 27 residents is a Ladies Book Club, coordinated by Anne Doyle and held once a month. As is usual for book clubs, all attendees read an assigned book and then discuss it. However, attendees were in for a special treat at the Jan. 28 meeting held at The Preserve.

The assigned book was I Must Betray You, by Ruta Sepetys, an extremely well-researched piece of historical fiction depicting everyday life in Romania during the lengthy (1965-89) and extremely cruel dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu. One of our Unit 27 residents, Florica Weiler, grew up in Romania and came to the Book Club meeting to discuss her life under Ceausescu. The scope of the book is limited to the year 1989 when the dictator and his wife were finally found guilty of treason and shot. However, Florica told the group that life as depicted in the book was much the same in earlier years of the dictatorship as well, with a “spies around every corner” atmosphere, trusting no one.

Florica and her American husband Dan met through their work for refineries in the industrial town of Ploiesti; she as an electrician and he as a chemical engineer. They needed the approval of the government, specifically, Mr. Ceausescu, to get married in 1979, and everything was organized by the government security forces. They also needed government approval to leave Romania. She has been able to return to Romania almost every year since she left, but during the communist regime, government security always followed them. Unbeknownst to her at the time, during the dictatorship, her relatives had been treated very badly, but she didn’t know that until much later. That isn’t necessarily surprising, because virtually no one outside Romania had any idea of the extreme paranoia and subtle violence that was occurring inside the country until after the revolution of 1989. We are pleased and grateful that they are our Unit 27 neighbors and willing to share their story with us.

A unit Dine Around was held on Feb. 10 on the enclosed patio of Wild Garlic Grill. The event was planned and coordinated by Fira Stout, though she was unable to attend. Those who did attend enjoyed the good food as well as the camaraderie. In fact, the resident taking pictures of the event got carried away and took more photos of the food than he did of the diners!

Unit 27 Golf Mixer/Scramble with Designated Putters

Philip Doyle

Mike Karpe and Philip Doyle have developed the concept of a Mixer/Scramble with Designated Putters as a way for a unit to get out on the golf course at MountainView and have a great time. The format includes those who do not usually golf, by having them play as “Designated Putters” wherein one member of the foursome plays only during the putting process. This person could be someone who is injured or has aged out of golfing or might not ever have golfed. It is a great opportunity for non-golfers to utilize their course. The Designated Putter has his greens fee reduced by 50%.

On Feb. 12, with the weather cooperating nicely, Unit 27 held their monthly Mixer/Scramble. Four teams, whose makeup was created to ensure fairness, gathered in the late afternoon for the golfing and then reunited at Merlini’s house for the after-party and awards ceremony. (Every month the leader mixes up the teams differently, so players get to participate with many people throughout the season.)

Winning Closest to the Pin for men was Ron Talbot, and for women it was Mary Clark. The Most Valuable Putter award went to Phil Doyle who sunk eight out of his team’s nine putts. The winning team of Karen Erickson, Jan Talbot, Suzan Carter, and Dick Schommer turned in a beautiful score of 33 over the nine-hole course.

The Shot of the Day award has proved to be just great fun. The team captain selects his team’s best shot then lobbies for it at the awards ceremony, sometimes with great humor and often with some permitted exaggeration. With superb putting, Suzan Carter and Melody Branstrom impressed the voting crowd and wound up in a tie for the award, splitting the big cash prize. It is hoped that they each spend their $1 wisely!

In Unit 28, We Take Socializing Seriously (Because It’s More Fun Than Jogging)

Joyce Wainscott

According to Mayo Clinic geriatricians, there is a strong positive correlation between social contact and cognitive flexibility. Loneliness and social isolation, on the other hand, carry as much risk to your physical health as obesity and smoking. In other words, socializing is basically doctor-recommended and far more enjoyable than most prescriptions.

Here in Unit 28, we are tackling these aging risks head-on—and having a great time doing it—through the combined efforts of our Unit 28 representative and the Unit 28 Social Committee. Together, we offer a minimum of three social opportunities every month, because, clearly, one or two just wouldn’t be enough.

Ian Ewing keeps spirits high by spearheading a monthly cocktail party at the MountainView clubhouse, along with a men’s monthly luncheon at one of the HOA restaurants. These events feature lively conversation, strong friendships, and absolutely no judgment if dessert is ordered first.

Not to be outdone, the Social Committee hosts a women’s monthly gathering, held at either a restaurant or in a private home. Depending on the mood (and the menu), this may be a cocktail and appetizer party, a brunch, or a luncheon—proving, once again, that bonding is best accomplished with good food and good company.

Throughout the year, Unit 28 residents can enjoy even more opportunities to connect through Progressive Dinners, a Chili Cook-Off (bragging rights included), garage parties, Oktoberfest, and gatherings to send off our snowbirds in the spring and welcome them back before anyone forgets where they live.

Residents should keep an eye on their email for invitations. Bring a neighbor, bring a friend, or bring someone you’ve waved to but never actually met. Together, we’re building a community full of laughter, friendship, and healthy aging—one party, luncheon, and happy hour at a time.

Unit 45 Happy Hour

Kathy Bomwell

On Feb. 11, 34 residents of Unit 45 met for happy hour at The Preserve restaurant. New residents met new friends, and longtime residents socialized with both new and old friends. George and Nancy Brown were the lucky winners of a drawing for a $30 certificate, generously donated by The Preserve restaurant, toward dinner that evening.

The next Unit 45 happy hour will be held on Wednesday, April 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the fireplace room at The Preserve. Residents may sign up via the calendar on The Preserve website or simply drop in.