Premiere Performance of The Bench at DesertView
The cast and "star" of The Bench.
The 2012 SaddleBrooke Variety Show, The Bench will feature many popular entertainers when it hits the DesertView stage in March. The show is an original musical set in one of the most famous sites in the country, New York's Central Park. The action centers around a park bench that has "seen it all: fortunes made and lost; careers launched; cops, crooks; even the 1960s Age of Aquarius." Tickets are on sale at the MountainView BO 825-2818 and on line at tickets.saddlebrooketwo.com.
Sam Page (left) grew up in Downey, California. Sam survived the 60s by lending his vocal talents to local Hootenannies. After 35 years with Penney's, Sam retired and moved to SB in 2005 where he continues his singing career entertaining DesertView audiences. He was featured in the 2010 Variety Show and is a member of the SaddleBrooke Singers and SaddleBrooke Performing Arts Group. He's a dancer, too, and took second-place honors at this year's Dancing With the Stars event. Sam and his wife Laurie (not pictured) celebrated their 50th anniversary this summer that was attended by many friends and family, including their three daughters and seven grandchildren. To round out his musical talents, Sam plays guitar, clarinet and harmonica, and is a self-confessed annoying whistler.
Doug Mitchell (right) gets to use the native New York accent he's tried so desperately to lose in his 50-year career as a professional actor. SaddleBrookers will remember him from the DesertView production of The Sunshine Boys last January and several staged readings he has performed with his wife Leona. Doug is semi-retired and continues to work in local theater throughout Tucson. He wrote and directed Leona Sings Judy and Leona's Dames on Broadway at the DesertView.
No newcomer to show business, The Bench (center) made its Hollywood film debut in the 1949 classic, A Portrait of Jennie playing under Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotton. It was then shipped to Italy for a cameo appearance sustaining Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in A Roman Holiday for which it was nominated for a Best Prop Academy Award. Following came supporting roles in such films as Carrousel, and in Woody Allen's, Manhattan. In 1994 The Bench played its most acclaimed role, supporting Tom Hanks in the famous "Life is like a box of chocolates" scene from Forrest Gump. The Bench's most memorable moment came when Hanks stuck a wad of his gum under it just before shooting the iconic scene. The Bench has never allowed the gum to be removed, saying "Waddya nuts? Who would want to remove it?"
SaddleBrooke audiences will recognize Leona Mitchell (standing) from her hit shows, Leona Sings Judy and Leona's Dames on Broadway. This is her third appearance in the annual Variety Show. Leona is a professional singer and actress with Broadway and National Touring Company credits and moved to SaddleBrooke with her husband Doug in 2006. She is the Cantorial soloist for the SaddleBrooke Jewish Congregation and is a vocal and Hebrew teacher.
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Tamales: A Southwest Tradition
Left to right: Linda Ryan, Gloria Peterson, Lou Powers, Sandy Cavender and Karleen Werk.
In SaddleBrooke, a group of residents decided several years ago to make tamales as a holiday tradition. Bonnie Kraus, Gloria Peterson and Linda Ryan started making them five years ago. This year Karleen Werk, Lou Powers and Sandy Cavender joined Gloria and Linda in making the combination beef and pork tamales.
These cooks followed a traditional recipe but with some variation. Some preferred black to green olives or wanted more than one olive in the tamale for a saltier taste.
The morning get-together was casual and enhanced by mimosas at the beginning and throughout the rolling of the tamales. The prep work (cooking and shredding the meat, making the red chile sauce) is divided among the group and done the day before so that they are ready to assemble the tamales the morning they get together. After the tamales were finished, the group relaxed with lunch, counted the tamales (over 200) and then packed them up to take home.
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Line Dancers Celebrate Completion of Fall Classes
The SaddleBrooke Line Dancers.
Line dancers from Bertie's SaddleBrooke classes danced at the Cadillac Chaparral restaurant on Highway 79 on December 14.
Instructor Bertie Litchfield arranged this gathering at the Cadillac Chaparral as a celebration for completion of her fall dance classes. Several dancers brought their spouse. Great fun and food was enjoyed by all.
Bertie's next Intermediate class began on Friday, January 6, and ends on January 27. The classes are held in the SaddleBrooke Clubhouse (HOA 1) in the Vermillion room on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Bertie's next Beginner class starts on Friday, February 3, and ends on March 2. The classes will be held in the SaddleBrooke Clubhouse (HOA 1) in the Vermilion room on Fridays from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Come join the fun. We learn current popular dances. To sign up for classes, email Bertie Litchfield at bertie@wbhsi.net or phone her at 520-829-9194.
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SBWGA-18 news
2012 SBWA-18 Board of Directors. Front row, left to right: Brenda Brown, Geri Sandilands, Kerry Wolfe and Doris Smith. Back row: Margaret Falconer, Ann Running and Audrey Costello. Missing: Diane Ray.
New Board of Directors for the SBWGA-18
Following the traditional recognition of SBWGA-18 past presidents with a group photo, the new members of the 2012 Board of Directors were sworn in at our December 6 luncheon meeting. Although the weather prevented us from playing golf that day, we had a festive time with beautiful table decorations and fun fellowship. The new board members and chairpersons are President, Geri Sandilands; Vice President, Kerry Wolfe; Secretary, Diane Ray; Treasurer, Margaret Falconer; Membership Chair, Audrey Costello; Special Tournament Chair, Ann Running; Tuesday Play Day Chair, Brenda Brown; and Handicap Chair, Doris Smith.
Three Jills and a Jack
Our next tournament is scheduled for January 31. Put together a three-some, grab a guy and sign up for this fun event.
Kachina
A rainy December day postponed the SaddleBrooke-hosted Kachina event. It has been rescheduled for Monday, January 30. Extra carts and volunteers are always needed, so if you can help please contact Sandra Murray.
Catalina Cup
Captain Reenie Romey reports that the team is climbing the ladder towards another successful season. Currently SaddleBrooke is in second place overall. Keep up the good work!
Ace Day Winners 2011
The winners of the playoff for the year, held on November 31, were Sue Bush with a low gross score of 77 and Shirley Samlaska with a low net score of 69. Congratulations!
