Unit 7 Celebrates Spring
Our hosts, John and Kathy Somers
Lois Travor and Mary Ann Oeschger and some of the neighbors
May Day was the date for Unit 7’s spring gathering at the home of John and Kathy Somers on High Point Lane. Recently retired adult educators, the Sommers share their time between the wet and rainy northwest and SaddleBrooke.
Built around a Cinco de Mayo theme, the neighbors created a variety of appetizers proving that you can cook great Mexican cuisine without serving too many bean or guacamole items. There is always mucho sufficient food and pleasant conversations to enjoy at the Unit 7 gatherings.
With most of our snow/rain birds gone, the hardy full-timers are settling into their summer in the sunshine. June’s unit party will be at the home of Carl and Lois Travor with a finger food theme.
Unit 8 & 8A hold block party
Residents and guests enjoying the evening
Pleasant, sunny skies and a brisk breeze set the stage on April 25 as Unit 8 and 8A joined forces for a block party. The street connecting the two units was filled with over 90 people enjoying an evening of good conversation while consuming an abundance of good food. The participants brought side dishes and desserts to accompany the main dish of fried chicken.
Special invited guests for the evening were men from the SaddleBrooke Fire Department. After parking their emergency vehicles close by in case they got a call, the firemen did their part to prevent too much food from being left over. They then circulated among the residents telling stories and joking about life in the firehouse.
Unit 8 and 8A combine for other activities throughout the year. The Ladies Who Lunch group goes out monthly to different restaurants. A block of seats at the rodeo and at the Gaslight Theatre were filled by people from both units. There are other future events in the planning process.
Unit 9 news
Members of the Social Committee, left to right (back row): Vernie Tupa and Marcia Keim; front row: Barbara Lax, Kay Tague, Marilyn Mitchell, Carolyn Lukas, Ann Nelson, Sherri Wyland, and Kay Sesin. Not pictured are Ann Adams and Jean Shaffer.
Del Rowan
This month, Unit 9 salutes its Social Committee for a job well done. The group consistently planned, arranged, and executed imaginative, appealing, and enjoyable gatherings. The results of their efforts produced many wonderful, jovial events that will be long remembered. Following the successful social season, Kay Tague is relinquishing committee reins to Ann Adams and Vernie Tupa.
The highlight of the May social calendar was a wine and cheese party hosted by Del Rowan. Neighbors gathered on Del’s patio for an evening of good cheer, fine wine, cheese spreads, and other delights. The wine and cheese affair has become an annual event eagerly awaited and enhanced by Del’s gracious hospitality.
Carolyn Lukas opened her doors to the unit’s ladies at the monthly coffee mid-month. In spite of the departure of many seasonal residents, the coffee was well attended. Attendees were rewarded with a variety of appetizing treats and beverages.
Unit 15
Hilda Nichols, Diane Chase, Linda Triboulet, and Nell Sugg are among the Unit 15 diners at Tohono Chul Park.
One of the times I’m happy that I now live in the desert is when I can spend time at Tohono Chul Park. Enchanting! In addition, the opportunity to chat with neighbors that I don’t regularly see made the May Unit 15 Ladies’ Luncheon a special time. Watch for an announcement of our next luncheon!
Please note a time change for the Tuesday Bocce Ball Group. The group now plays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the bocce ball courts located between the SaddleBrooke Clubhouse and tennis courts. New players are welcome. Call Lori Goldstein at 825-5447 with any questions.
Ladies with the high scores in the Ladies’ Bridge Group in April were Nancy Barr, first, and Bev Reeder, second, on April 8; and Lola Townsend, first, and A.J. Coyne, second, on April 22. The group continues play through the summer months. Call Jean Overn at 825-5297 for information.
Annual Golf Outing Picnic for Units 18 and 19
The “foresome,” Dave Irwin, Ken Crossman, Sharon Robison, Cecil VanAllen, and Bill Olsen, proudly display the coveted unit trophy.
Forty-six beaters were joined after golf by 20 more eaters for the annual Units 18/19 golf outing and picnic. Overcast skies above the Catalina 9 on May 23 provided the perfect venue for a pleasurable afternoon. The “foresome” pictured above received the unit trophy. Actually three teams (some with actually four golfers) tied for the low score, but the organizers awarded the trophy to these smiling sandbaggers.
The other teams, however, did receive cash prizes. Ken Crossman, who claims he doesn’t play “a lot of golf,” hit the longest drive for men; and Joann Ellison was the long swinger for the women with a 170 yard drive. Sammy’s Mexican Grill provided the grub complemented by libations and dessert. It was a great afternoon for golf, drinking, and Mexican food!
Unit 23 News
Tom Beahan guards the keg at the Fiesta de Mayo party
On Monday, May 18, Unit 23 held its grand spring event, the Fiesta de Mayo block party and 10th annual nine-hole golf outing along with our neighbors from Unit 30. Don Mazanec and Tom Creager organized the golf event, which was won by the foursome of Tom and Deb Beahan and Earl and Elaine Rees. Runners-up were Harry and Donna Klags and Rita Smith and Joe Engelhardt. Third place prize money went to Bob and Norma Nettleblad and John and Edie Randall. Apparently the team of Bob Brunswig, Ken Padgham, and Tom Comer heard that the object of the tournament was to have the highest number of strokes, as they did win the prize for coming in dead last.
After the golf outing, 70 residents attended a catered Mexican buffet with chicken enchiladas, tacos, beans, and chips and salsa that was served on Desert Crest Drive. It was all washed down with cerveza, wine, and a host of non-alcohol beverages. Festive Mexican music was provided by Steve Dennison. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with the event, and a special thanks to Dave and Rita Smith who organized the entire Fiesta de Mayo party. If you missed this great fellowship opportunity, look for information on our big block party in the fall.
The May ladies’ luncheon, organized by Rita Smith, was held at NoRTH. Taking its cue from an Italian trattoria, NoRTH offers a fresh new approach to modern Italian cuisine. Jim Bathgate organized the men for their May lunch at Shlomo and Vito’s Delicatessen. Keep an eye out for e-mail notices for the ladies luncheon on June 17, the Unit 23 hors d’ oeuvres’ party on the 24th, and a San Xavier Mission tour and lunch in July.
Unit 36
Residents at the Flandrau Science Center; photo taken by Elisabeth Wheeler
Unit 36 continues with its wide variety of activities, including regular bunko sessions, monthly birthday celebrations, poker and other card group events. Most recently, some 50 Unit 36 residents participated in a bocce ball tournament followed by a pizza party at the Roadrunner Grill. Jim Ryan was kind enough to offer his expertise as master of ceremonies.
On April 5, nearly 60 residents visited the University of Arizona Science Center to partake of the “Under Arizona’s Sky” special program (please see the photo). An equally large number of Unit 36ers participated in an appetizer picnic at Catalina State Park on April 30 when, prior to sampling the selection of appetizers and desserts, several residents enjoyed an archeology tour conducted by Jeff Eighmy and a nature walk led by Elisabeth Wheeler.
The monthly Unit 36 dine around will take place on June 15 at the Guadalajara Grill where there will be very special margaritas served and salsa made right at the table. On July 15, there will be a trip to see the Gaslight Theatre presentation of The Adventures of the Freedom League - or Tights Make Right. Then, on July 19, there will be a putting contest followed by a barbecue.
An ice cream social is planned for later this year and the Full Moon Block Party will be held on October 4. The annual holiday party will take place in the MountainView Country Club Ballroom on Friday, December 4.
Unit 27
Roger and Karen Spalter shared their beautiful house and patio and rescued an endangered party.
The snowbirds of Unit 27 have mostly left for the summer; however, there was time for a couple of “last hurrahs” prior to the summer season.
The May gourmet dinner, billed as “Born on the Bayou,” was hosted by Jan and Ron Talbot. Those attending were Jack and Jeanne Hepner, Bob and Darlene Breitenfeld, and Frank and Char Newburn. The evening began with cocktails of screwdrivers and hurricanes served along with hors d’oeuvres of cherry tomatoes and cucumber spears with spiced salt, as well as cheese cubes. The first course was a chicken gumbo, served as a soup, along with croissants. The main course was grilled shrimp remoulade, accompanied with creamy coleslaw and smoked sausage and okra dirty rice. The evening concluded with a dessert of peaches Foster with pecan ice cream and lots of dinner conversation. It is customary for the hostess to prepare the main course, and those attending are given a recipe for another dish to bring. Jan Talbot reports that Jeanne Hepner found the coleslaw recipe she received not up to the usual standards. In the true tradition of gourmet cooks, she modified the recipe and everyone raved about it.
A belated Cinco de Mayo party had been planned for the unit for several months by June and Don Steobner to be held at their house on Saturday, May 16. As luck would have it, June hurt herself playing pickleball (rough group!) and was relegated to walking on crutches. This turn of events threatened to stop the party before it started. Enter Karen and Roger Spalter, who graciously offered their house and patio for the party. According to June, they were lifesavers. According to Karen, June had already done all the party planning and all they had to do was open their house. Whichever version you believe, those who attended would say the party was a rousing success.
And speaking of party host Roger Spalter, he shot his first hole-in-one the very morning of the party, on the fourth hole at The Preserve golf course. His playing partners, who verified the feat, were Unit 27 residents John Gill, Chris Lomax, and Mark Olsen. Of course, it was the talk of the party that evening. Congratulations, Roger! We wish all unit residents a happy summer.
Unit 29
Rose Meyer with some of her missionary students
With summer getting into full swing, we are seeing many of our residents leaving for the hot summer months, including our regular reporter Emily Robertson. But May was still full of unit activities. Our annual Cinco de Mayo party was again a big hit. There were lots of yummy Mexican dishes to sample, and, of course, those great margaritas. Bette Hollman got the ladies together for our Lunch Bunch on the 12th, and she and Tom also hosted the May 18 happy hour at their home. Other events include the Noel Williams Golf Scramble being coordinated by Ellen Victor and Ron Pozzi, Game Night at the Stinsons, and the Reid Park concert that Barbara Webb is organizing.
June has a few events on the calendar, including brunch at the Palo Verde Dining Room on June 7, which was very popular and well attended last year, and happy hour at the Grossman’s on the 15th.
In case you didn’t hear, the Nascart Rally winners were Scott and Sandi Newberry in first place, with a tie for second place between Mary Lou Kopcsak/Maureen Borland and Emily Robertson/John Anning.
Spotlight on a Unit 29 Couple
Rose and Bud Meyer are once again volunteering their time and talents at St. Francis Missionary School in Lumberton, New Mexico in a remote area a few miles from the Apache Indian Reservation. Her students are either of Indian or Spanish descent. Rose and Bud, along with other amazing teachers from all walks of life, are making a big difference in the lives of these children. Our hats are off to their unselfish service.
