Officials report that approximately 20 separate fires are burning along SR 79 from mile marker 96 to mile marker 114—a stretch of about 20 miles officials reported that the Saddlebrooke Fire had been mapped at 287 acres Fire crews re-engaged in suppression efforts Saturday morning and hand crews remain assigned to the incident Fire operations teams are walking the fire areas and mapping the incidents to provide updated acreage estimates Drivers traveling along SR 79 should continue to use caution as fire crews are actively working near the roadway The Arizona Department of Transportation has not issued any road closures at this time (KGUN) - The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is responding to multiple fires along State Route 79 The fires are being managed as a single incident Additional engines have been requested to support the resources from the Golder Ranch Fire District already engaged in firefighting efforts officials report that approximately 20 separate fires are burning along SR 79 from mile marker 96 to mile marker 114—a stretch of about 20 miles ranging from one-tenth of an acre to as large as 40 acres Crews are making steady progress in containing the flames and two state hand crews are en route to assist Drivers traveling along SR 79 should exercise caution as fire crews are working near the roadway the Arizona Department of Transportation has not closed the highway KGUN9 will continue to provide updates on the Saddlebrooke Fire as new information becomes available PREVIOUS IMAGE WAS NOT OF SADDLEBROOKE FIRE - MAP WITH MARKER OF FIRE LOCATION IS ABOVE Report a typo Marilyn played a steady game for the three matches winning her the coveted title of Club Champion The Club Championship is a multi-day competition There is one winner (over the field of competitors) Other notables for Stableford points were Kathy DeMerritt “Spring Across the Brooke 2025” was a super Seventy-two ladies participated and Mother Nature put on her best show We want to thank the MountainView/Preserve Lady Niners for joining us—it’s always fun to make new friends and catch up on news from “across the brooke.” The BIG NEWS during this tournament was a hole-in one Congrats to Vicki Long who aced SaddleBrooke #2 using a 7 iron and a Callaway ball (Vicki’s husband found the ball on the course and gave it to her) “Let’s Go To Mexico” is the theme with no airfare or TSA involvement Ladies invite a gentleman to play in this nine-hole event It is always a fun and well-attended play day President’s Cup is our next major tournament This annual event is played from the red tees Are you thinking about joining a golf league? We are a fun and welcoming group of women who enjoy nine holes of golf. If you are interested, email Karla Kincaid, our Membership Chair, at kmkincaid@outlook.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Advertise • Subscribe • Contact The Golf Wire a premier master-planned community north of Tucson will host the 26th annual MountainView Collegiate from March 2–4 at The Preserve Golf Club This highly anticipated tournament will bring together 14 Division I women’s golf programs from across the country for three days of elite competition Golf fans are invited to attend the tournament free of charge and walk the course alongside the athletes with Tuesday’s final round beginning at 8 a.m The MountainView Collegiate is one of the most popular events of the season co-hosted by the Kansas State and Missouri women’s golf programs SaddleBrooke TWO community residents play an integral role by providing housing for golfers and coaches further enriching the tournament’s welcoming atmosphere Teams competing in the 2025 MountainView Collegiate include: “SaddleBrooke TWO is honored to welcome these exceptional athletes to the 26th edition of the MountainView Collegiate,” said Mike Karpe “This tournament is a highlight for our community and we take great pride in hosting such a prestigious event We look forward to an exciting competition that showcases the best in women’s collegiate golf.” The MountainView Collegiate will be played on The Preserve Golf Club Nestled against the Santa Catalina Mountains the course winds through picturesque canyons and rolling foothills providing a visually stunning and challenging experience for players Its thoughtfully designed fairways and subtly sloping greens create a test of skill while maintaining an enjoyable round for all levels of play South Florida won the MountainView Collegiate with a team score of 848 (-16) finishing four strokes ahead of runner-up Texas A&M South Florida’s Melanie Green claimed the individual title with an 11-under 205 The tournament was originally played at MountainView Golf Club from 1999 to 2018 before moving to The Preserve Golf Club in 2019 It has since been held at The Preserve for five of the last seven years Iowa State set the NCAA 54-hole scoring record at -60 at MountainView Golf Club Recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Best Master-Planned Communities SaddleBrooke TWO is a stunning Sonoran Desert retreat located just 25 miles north of downtown Tucson The community boasts two championship golf courses: MountainView Golf Club and The Preserve Golf Club SaddleBrooke TWO offers resort-style amenities making it an ideal destination for both golfers and those seeking an active lifestyle For live scoring and tournament updates, visit SCOREBOARD – MountainView Collegiate (Women) Team Leaderboard For more information about SaddleBrooke TWO, visit www.golfsaddlebrooke.com or contact the MountainView Golf Shop at 520-818-1100 rmyers@troon.com FAQ | Privacy Policy | Turnstile Media Group © 2025 Join us to receive the Wire with the latest golf industry  news Quarterback Ted Sorich and Lumberjacks team members at Arizona state College in Flagstaff were the first from any Arizona four-year college to play for a national championship in December 1958 Ted Sorich quarterbacked the Bisbee High School Pumas to two undefeated seasons in 1954 and 1955 and a state championship in 1954 The Friends of Warren Ballpark honored Saddlebrooke resident Ted Sorich at their annual fundraising vintage base ball tournament on Saturday Arbitrator (AKA umpire) Charlie Rule looks on as members of the Maricopa Maidens and the Colorado All-Stars decide home field advantage with a bat toss at the historic Warren Ballpark A Tucson sportswriter originally from Bisbee jokingly referred to him as “Tiny” and “A Midget.” Ted Sorich certainly didn’t fit the popular perception of a star quarterback he more than made up for in explosive quickness tactical savvy and ability to motivate his teammates Ted Sorich had the good sense to listen and learn from his high school and college coaches throughout his athletic career His abilities didn’t just shine on the gridiron He was just as much a quality athlete on a baseball diamond cinder track and hardwood basketball floor the greatest all-round athlete to come out of Bisbee since John Byrd “Button” Salmon of “Bear Down” fame at that time an unincorporated suburban neighborhood southeast of Bisbee worked as a newspaper carrier for the Bisbee Daily Review Sorich’s athletic abilities became evident earlier on He was the star pitcher for Bisbee’s Junior American legion team during the summer of 1952 and lettered in baseball during the 1952 to 1953 school year as a freshman demonstrating his abilities as a left-handed pitcher for the Bisbee High School Pumas varsity team Sorich also earned junior varsity letters for football and basketball as a freshman he earned varsity letters in football and track as well as a junior varsity letter in basketball His skills on the football field became clear in 1953 when head coach Max Spilsbury designated him as one of the two quarterbacks for the Pumas Sorich earned more time as a signal caller but also continued to serve as the Pumas’ point after touchdown kicker The Pumas ended the year with a 5-3-2 record but salvaged the season with a resounding win over archival Douglas Sorich started the 1954 football season as Bisbee’s first-string quarterback started the season on September 18 by defeating Tucson High a school with a student enrollment almost ten times that of Bisbee’s the lone exception being Amphitheater High which held the Pumas to a scoreless tie on a mud-covered field The 1954 season ended with the Pumas declared the state Class A champs and Sorich the First Team Quarterback on the Arizona Daily Star’s All-State team Under the direction of new head coach Al Ridgeway (Spilsbury had accepted a job as an assistant football coach at the University of Arizona) with Sorich back as starting quarterback in his senior year cruised to another undefeated season in 1955 with only a 6-6 tie against Safford to mar its record Sorich also performed well on the baseball diamond basketball court and cinder track for the Pumas during the 1955 to 1956 school year Sorich graduated in May 1956 with a full football scholarship from the University of Arizona His desire to play at the University of Arizona wavered when Max Spilsbury his coach on the 1954 Bisbee football team was hired to serve as head coach for the Arizona State College Lumberjacks at Flagstaff After enduring a winless season with the Arizona Wildcats freshman team and suffering sharp criticism from frosh head coach Warren Woodson Sorich announced that he was offered a spot at Flagstaff playing for Spilsbury’s Lumberjacks during the 1957 season Other star Bisbee players joined Sorich in a migration to Arizona State College which had gone from 0-9 in 1955 to 8-2 and the Frontier Conference championship in 1956 after Spilsbury took over the team Sorich’s move to Flagstaff was a wise decision Although he spent most of the 1957 season as backup quarterback to Dick Vargas Sorich earned enough playing time and coach Spilsbury’s confidence to ensure a solid shot at becoming the starter in 1958 The Lumberjacks finished the 1957 season with an 8-1 record and another Frontier Conference championship All the pieces for a truly memorable season fell into place for the Lumberjacks in 1958 Sorich led the offense to regular season victories against the San Diego Marine Corps team The Lumberjacks compiled a 10-0 perfect season record won the Frontier Conference title for a third straight year and set the stage for their participation in postseason National Association of Intercollegiate playoff games Sorich quarterbacked the Arizona State College ‘Jacks to a 41-12 drubbing of Gustavus Adolphus in the NAIA semifinals held at the University of Arizona the Lumberjacks met Northeastern Oklahoma in the Holiday Bowl for the small college national championship at St was the first played by a four-year college or university from Arizona for a national championship Sorich took time out from the 1958 season to marry Jacqueline Rae Thompson at Flagstaff on September 27 Four children would come from the marriage Sorich quarterbacked the ASC team once again The Lumberjacks ended the season with (to them) a disappointing 6-2-1 season Sorich graduated from Arizona State College in May 1960 and was hired by head coach Spilsbury to serve as an assistant football coach a month later He remained with the Lumberjacks through the 1962 season and was hired by Round Valley High School as an administrator and coach in the fall of 1963 Sorich remained at Round Valley in Springerville until June 1966 when he signed on as head football coach and assistant principal at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson He remained at Flowing Wells as an administrator and coach until his retirement in July 1996 Wherever he went and whatever he did in life helping students to develop their talents and character and teaching athletes to play hard and to demonstrate good sportsmanship He epitomizes very the best in Bisbee athletics Respond: Write a letter to the editor (KGUN) — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is searching for a coyote they say attacked a man at his Saddlebrooke-area home on Monday the man was in the garage of his home in the 61000 block of E a SaddleBrooke homeowner was bitten by a coyote while cleaning his garage and briefly retreated to the car before leaving the scene,” said Mark Hart public information officer for the department Authorities are now searching for the animal to test for rabies Pima County leads the state in confirmed rabies cases a statistic attributed to increased reporting and a surge in common carriers like skunks and foxes symptoms become more pronounced,” Hart explained The department is advising residents to manage trash carefully to deter wildlife “You should not take your garbage out until the day of pickup,” Hart said “A javelina can easily knock over a tall garbage can especially with leftover food from Thanksgiving.” Longtime SaddleBrooke resident Linda DeWitt echoed the caution “I prep my trash well and never leave it out the night before,” she said adding that she’s learned to protect her home from wildlife over the years Residents are encouraged to report any unusual animal behavior and to stay informed through local resources AZGFD says the coyote may be moving slowly and possibly has rabies If neighbors spot the coyote in the Saddlebrooke area they should avoid contact and call (623) 236-7201 KGUN 9 will have more on this story later today in our evening newscasts Club President Maggie DeBlock (left) welcomes new member Louanne Meade (right) The SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club recently inducted its newest member Having worked most of her career as a librarian and in disaster services which is what drew her to this particular club She moved to SaddleBrooke in 2020 and has two adult daughters The SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club continues to serve the local community in a variety of hands-on ways. If you’d like to get involved or learn more, send an email to saddlebrookesunriserotary@gmail.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor The SaddleBrooke Computer Club (SBCC) is a vibrant community committed to enhancing the knowledge and technological prowess of its members and the community of SaddleBrooke With a focus on teaching and staying abreast of new technologies the club offers classes and clinics designed to cater to both novice and seasoned SaddleBrooke residents Monthly ‘Tech Talks’ MeetingsThese monthly meetings are open to ALL SaddleBrooke residents Access to Cutting Edge Information and TechnologiesWe are continually updating our fully equipped classroom with equipment and infrastructure have been recently upgraded to be able to teach students on state-of-the-art machines It is our goal to keep all our equipment and software new and current to maximize your classroom experience and learning environment Our computer classroom is the envy of other similar clubs The annual class fee of $35 supports these upgrades and provides access to all classes and benefits Visit our website for more information and become a member today! For more information, visit saddlebrookecc.org Respond: Write a letter to the editor Ken Marich speaking on the wonders of ultrasound Lesbians and Allies at SaddleBrooke (GLAAS) members enjoyed an engaging and enlightening presentation by Marshall Shore Arizona’s “Hip Historian” (or “Hipstorian”) on Friday Marshall specializes in uncovering and sharing fascinating stories from Arizona’s past—highlighting the semi-forgotten people places and events that have shaped our history As the official Unofficial Arizona Historian he brings history to life through storytelling Marshall shared with us tales about Gilbert an unmarried dandy in the 1800s and drag culture in Phoenix He also told stories about women who fought along with men before the state’s founding Marshall’s presentation carried an important message: in today’s world it’s essential to remember and honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals from both the distant and recent past Medical UltrasoundGLAAS members were treated on Friday March 28 to a history of ultrasound and its promising future in medical diagnostics from one of the ultrasound creators here in SaddleBrooke He has spent over 40 years developing medical ultrasound technology at the University of California (Davis) Stanford Research Institute and Diasonics Inc Ken has authored/co-authored over 60 scientific publications and two books An active member and lecturer in the Institute of Learning in Retirement Ken has enlightened our SaddleBrooke community for many years with important information about medical science and diagnostic ultrasound MRI and Ultrasound Imaging have become a part of our lives Medical ultrasound is safe and over the last 50 years has proven to be one of the most versatile and cost-effective imaging techniques Diagnostic ultrasound imaging is routinely used to diagnose diseases and conditions throughout the body Therapeutic acoustic (sound) ablation (removal) known as High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is being developed to revolutionize conventional surgery HIFU surgery is noninvasive with less adverse effects than surgery and with faster recovery It is currently in the US in clinical trials and some health providers are already using it for uterine fibroids Ken Marich left the GLAAS members mesmerized with his extensive knowledge of ultrasound and for the bright future with the many uses of focused sound waves Lesbians and Allies at SaddleBrooke) meets monthly at the SaddleBrooke HOA-1 Activity Center and welcomes people of all gender identities we have built a strong and supportive community—one member We are grateful for this camaraderie and look forward to another fantastic year in 2025 For more information about our events or how to get involved, email us at glaasclub@gmail.com or visit glaasclub.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor The SaddleBrooke Men’s Golf Association recently hosted its annual three-day tournament for the Super Senior Masters and Legends divisions The Super Senior Masters included 27 players aged 70 to 79 while the Legends division featured 21 players aged 80 and over the players braved fluctuating temperatures that ranged from a chilly 30°F on the first morning to a warm 70°F by the second day After beginning in third place on the first day Terry made a strong push during the final two rounds JR Salladay found himself in third place after the first day and remained there after day two Both divisions featured highly competitive matches and we extend our congratulations to Terry Edwards and JR Salladay for their well-earned victories Respond: Write a letter to the editor SaddleBrooke and Ranch Senior Softball fans April 10 and Saddlebag Notes deadline time You won’t be reading this till the end of April and the SaddleBrooke Winter season will be “in da bag.” Yep April 18 was the last day of winter season head back north and the nutters who stick around will gear up for Spring season beginning the second week in May Patrick’s Day Tournament was held on Saturday There were four games across the skill levels of the members insightful commentary at the microphone by Dale Pizzatola and yours truly The tournament was appreciatively sponsored by Debra Miller of State Farm (Debra a Rec and Sidewinder player herself) and Golf Carts of Arizona in Recreational (single A ball) has Debra Miller-State Farm winning four in a row to take over top spot from another insurance industry giant the battle has tightened as Beyond Clean has gone from the one-time league lead and is in the cellar at this writing with a 8-9 record Cactus Overhead Garage Doors is in da middle at 9-10 Beyond Clean has a season-ending DOUBLEHEADER while Ambient and Cactus have just one each Beyond could climb into a tie with Ambient if they take both games next week though; it’s gonna be a month before you find out Cleere Law Offices is now 8-4 to their softball partners in mayhem Leah Kari Solutions is stomping all over this league at 16-2 while Concierge Heating and A/C is holding on at 8-10 Hughes Credit Union is waaaaaaaaay overdrawn at 2-14 Probably the pitching as yours truly is on the mound for Leak Kari Community Church of SaddleBrooke has roared back from the cellar and is in the top spot at 6-5 while Healthy Skin Dermatology has tanked to 5-6 over to Sidewinders where Hardin brothers Automotive has really pulled away over the last month and now have 7-3 record to KJK Insurance Advocates 3-7 Absolutely Art is looking to be the top canine with a commanding 8-5 record with Barron Electric at 6-7 and Canine & Company with their tail between their legs at 5-7 Rancheros Market at 5-4 is in a battle with Pride Mechanical at 4-5 with just ONE GAME LEFT In Competitive (yours truly on da mound again) But DON’T BLOW THE FROTH OFF THAT COLD ONE yet another decent battle as Catalina Family Dental has crept into the league lead at 7-6 with Ann Fraley-Long Realty just a half-game back at 7-7 and Big Bear Garage Doors a full game back at 6-7 April 18 and by the time you readers get this the spring season will be just a week away c’mon down to the field and check the action including Saturday morning and a league for all skill levels KP Winners - Day one - (TP) - #4 Donna Roth Hillis #13 Marianne Wicks and #17 Melanie Bassham For full results, and upcoming membership news and events, visit mpwga.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor The Milky Way Galaxy over the Sonoran Desert SaddleBrooke Photography Club Members in the Desert The SaddleBrooke Photography Club went on a field trip at the end of March to make images in the dark of the Milky Way sky We are fortunate to live in an area that has dark skies at night the Eastern horizon is really dark with no towns in that direction to be in place with tripods and cameras for a long exposure exercise Susan Schwartz and Daniel Lacroix were those who attended and all got excited when their eyes got used to the dark and saw the Milky Way galaxy band across the sky after reviewing the photos on the back of their cameras they were amazed at what it captured A long exposure with the shutter open for 10 to 20 seconds really brings out the detail the Milky Way extends all across the eastern sky from South to North included are one or two photos from Ron Bowers and Mark Guinn If you are interested in photography of all kinds and want to learn more about your camera, join us at one of our Friday morning meetings at 9 a.m. in the Topaz room in the Art Center of HOA-2. Also, check out our website photosb.org Respond: Write a letter to the editor It was a bright Sunday afternoon when the members of Unit 15 gathered at the DesertView Sports & Entertainment Center ready for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition the excitement was palpable and the energy was contagious organized for the members of Unit 15 by the social committee 61 eager participants joined in the festivities each ready to show off their best cornhole skills Laughter echoed across the center as people cheered on their teammates and the sound of bean bags thudding into boards became the soundtrack of the afternoon adding to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere Attendees snacked on tasty treats as they mingled and the food tables became gathering spots where members shared stories about their lives in SaddleBrooke The fun and camaraderie continued into the afternoon with everyone talking about the next Unit 15 event As the last bean bag was thrown and the last laugh echoed across the courts it was clear: Unit 15 had made a memory that would last The cornhole event had been a great success and it left everyone eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to come together and be part of the vibrant community in SaddleBrooke Respond: Write a letter to the editor The SaddleBrooke Freethinkers meeting held on Sunday February 23 at the HOA-1 Clubhouse had 140 people listen to Richard Gilman talk about American Values Gilman was past publisher of the Boston Globe newspaper which won Pulitzer Prizes for articles under his leadership he was inducted into the University of Arizona School of Journalism Hall of Fame Mr. Gilman has collected data from different parts of the country on how people feel about American values. Surprisingly, in many areas there is uniformity. For more information, visit https://ourcommonpurpose.com and to view his blog To make sure that the groups are balanced with equal number of Rep we will need to know your political leaning Respond: Write a letter to the editor Join the SaddleBrooke Genealogy Club for a presentation titled “What legacy will YOU leave your family” presented by Jeri Taylor Jeri Taylor is a seven-year member of the club who served as past president for five years and is the current club secretary The topic of her presentation is “What legacy will YOU leave your family” Her genealogy presentation approach differs from the more traditional approach which focuses on the past (Ancestors) and instead focuses on the future: “What would you want your children and grandchildren to know about you and your family Jeri’s introduction to genealogy started as a teenager when she reluctantly accompanied her genealogist parents on trips to libraries to comb through microfiche documents She took over her parents’ genealogy about 30 years ago and has spent endless hours organizing and digitalizing as well as adding to their records through her own research Her research goal simply stated is “to understand history from a family’s point of view.” Respond: Write a letter to the editor Finding SaddleBrookeOne of our newest neighbors is Kris Jones She is a second-generation SaddleBrooke resident Kris’s parents moved to SaddleBrooke from Omaha and her sister now lives in the villas after retiring from the airline industry in Phoenix having come to visit her parents a few times a year for many years Now it is Kris’s turn to start her SaddleBrooke chapter She is very much looking forward to being a resident of this wonderful community The first things on her list are plenty of pickleball and probably some hiking And she already has friends coming to visit for a few days Along the WayHaving grown up in Omaha the oldest of three girls she married her high school sweetheart and moved to Colorado Springs Palm Springs and then back to Colorado Springs to enjoy the mountains and begin her retirement Kris was an interior designer for much of her career you can immediately tell… she’s got a beautifully decorated home When she decided to break away from interior design she switched gears and got into real estate in Palm Springs Kris enjoyed that for the better part of a decade Most recently she was living back in Colorado Springs close to the mountains and had started down the retirement path one of the new listings on the market caught her eye The pictures looked great and I fell in love with the red stove.” After she saw the house and the casita and pool in the backyard “My mom was wonderful as I thought through the possibility of moving to SaddleBrooke,” said Kris Many of us know how wonderful it is to have family nearby one of the early residents of the community Kris got very excited about becoming a resident of this wonderful community She is thrilled to have her own beautiful home establish her own community of friends and also be here available to help her mother Active LifestyleKris was an avid tennis player for many years She loves the sport but started experiencing too many injuries “Tennis is just too hard on my body now.” She switched gears and started playing pickleball she was playing in several pickleball groups four days a week I miss my pickleball friends!” Kris offered “We played outdoor in the summer and there were four indoor facilities we would play at in the winter.” She has already started playing drop-in here in SaddleBrooke “Today’s pickleball was so much fun: we played The people I’ve met are very nice.” I have a feeling it won’t take Kris long to find several groups to join for regular weekly play one of her hiking groups would go for hikes in the Garden of the Gods each week you should venture to Colorado Springs and enjoy a day of hiking or driving through the park she is happy to spend time with friends socializing I’m sure she will fit right in here in SaddleBrooke When she is not playing pickleball or cards Kris can often be found checking out the local thrift stores She is a self-proclaimed thrift shop junkie she can easily spot a good value or a “find” that has more life to give The way you organized the inspections quickly so I could be here for them and handling the rest long distance You did an awesome job!” I’m thrilled to have been able to help her get this next chapter started and enjoy SaddleBrooke for herself Before Kris left SaddleBrooke to head back to Colorado Springs she quickly got her listing ready for market she got it on the market and had an offer in seven days She was able to close on buying and selling within a week of one another Kris bought a Topaz with a casita in Unit Seven and is fully entrenched in the community She is excited to celebrate her birthday this year by traveling with a girlfriend to Wimbledon they will be exploring Dublin and Brussels with a final stop in Germany looking forward to seeing you on the pickleball courts Be sure to connect with a local REALTOR to help you navigate the process—getting timely information about current and upcoming listings preparing your home to get top dollar and establishing an accurate market value Helen Graham is a member of the Long Realty 1926 Circle of Excellence Platinum—ranking in the top one percent of Arizona real estate agents Helen handles all the details— specializing in fabulous service and happy clients She lives in SaddleBrooke with her husband Her father and brother-in-law also reside here You can reach Helen via email at helen@theidealhabitat.com or call (303) 902-6633—call, text or email anytime. Learn more online at heleng.longrealty.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor 2024 SBWGA Board of Directors: Front row: Judy Briney The SaddleBrooke Women’s Golf Association 18 Holers never let an opportunity pass to compete and to celebrate Eighty-six women competed to ‘beat the pro’ (our head pro Twenty-seven teams beat them by a score of 71 or better We celebrated at our last official meeting the year by recognizing 18 past presidents who were in attendance and by installing the 2024 Board of Directors: Cathe Kropp (President) Kay Cruise (Membership Chair) and Judy Briney (Special Tournament Chair) will remain on the Board as Advisor to the Board of the Directors We also recognized the great support we get from HOA-1: the manager Trish Rogers and our Pro Shop Staff employees we held our annual Ace of Aces Tournament where each of the Gross and Net Aces of the Month get to compete for the year’s honors and the winning Gross Ace of Aces was Helen Graham; the winning Net Ace of Aces was Carol Sturman Our January Tuesday Play Day sponsors are Susan Penninton Respond: Write a letter to the editor COSTUMES: October’s Halloween party and potluck brought fun We all took a break from politics and stress to enjoy our club’s community of members CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY PARTY: Our annual holiday party will be held on Friday We will have wonderful potluck foods with GLAAS providing ham and chicken Entertainment will be by SaddleBrooke’s own Red Hill Crossing a five-piece band with materials by artists such as Alison Kraus bass and guitars complete with a great lead vocal and vocal harmonies CARING: Holiday Fund Drive for SAAF/Thornhill Lopez Center Gays Lesbians and Allies of SaddleBrooke (GLAAS) have supported the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th Avenue in Tucson that provides care and support for LGBTQ+ youth and its parent organization the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) The GLAAS Club meets monthly at the HOA-1 Activities Center and welcomes all gender orientations and identities we have built this caring community of members person by person and let’s be hopeful that whatever happens we will get through it with each other’s help and our great GLAAS community The Guatemalan woman arrested in the Arizona desert will be given the choice taking her newborn — a US citizen born Wednesday at Tucson Medica… An undocumented Mexican man who has lived in Tucson for almost 15 years was arrested by immigration agents outside St agency staff cuts and efficiency improvements are still under review VA Secretary Doug Collins said Monday i… We asked readers where in Tucson they take out-of-town visitors From restaurant icons to a miniature museum A man with a gun was shot and killed by police Monday night northwest of Tucson inside popular Tohono Chul Park Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Seventy-eight members of the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) played faced off against 78 SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association (SRPA) members on the SRPA courts in the Battle For the Saddle Tournament from Friday men’s and mixed doubles teams competing in a round robin format in which each SPA team played each SPRA team in the same class The teams were classified by skill level: 2.5 Medals were awarded to the top three teams in each skill level: gold (first place) silver (second place) and bronze (third place) and the SPA members earned medals in the 3.0 Denise Leksell and Diana Giljohann won gold; Cindy McAlbin and Joan Van Matre won silver; and Kristy Jonhson and Jill Ducket won bronze Carolyn Nickum and Janine Sulivan finished fourth at the 4.0 level A SPA women’s team also won gold on 3.0 level with Jen Wilkin and Julie Warren the men’s teams played with SPA members winning medals in the 3.5 and 4.0 levels Brent Carlson and Mike Seidel earned the gold medal Joel Ficke and Jack Hoverter won the silver medal in the 3.5 level and Jay Schweitzer and Dave Connor won the bronze medal in the 3.5 level and Lizzie Bayard and Joel Ficke earned the gold medal in the 3.0 level Michael Hovan and Sue Wood won the silver medal Other SPA members participating in the women’s team play in 3.0 were Brenda Browning and Susie Loyd Ann Olson and Julie Shelton and Liz Gray and Gretchen Annan Other 3.5 participants were Nancy Prentiss and Donna Sehn Catherine Carmody and Dana Goldsmith and Tracey Rathjen and Jessica Ramsey SPA members also participating in men’s 3.0 team play were Ken Hallmen and Jeff Bowen Mark Steindoerfer and Art Busby and John Mazujian and Greg Warren other participants were Peter Canon and Dave Remy Ron Flanders and John Rathjen and Bill Lucy and Dave Palmeri Additional SPA members playing in mixed doubles in 3.0 were Mark Cates and Jen Wilkin Suzanne Richards and Mordy Rischall and Julie Warren and Greg Warren Other 3.5 participants were Susan Schweitzer and Jay Schweitzer Larry (LA) Jones and Robbie Cooke and Anne Romeo and Brian McGeorge players were Ron Flanders and Denise Leksell Peter Canon and Margie Fey and Mike Seidl and Jessica Ramsey SPA participants hope more SPA members will play in next year’s tournament on the home courts at the Ed Robson Pickleball Center and finally bring the saddle trophy home where it belongs Respond: Write a letter to the editor Members of the 25th Anniversary Golf Tournament Committee Golf Tournament Committee Chair; Dan Watson President; Wendy Gouton and Bill Demouroutis and generous donors gathered for the highly anticipated SaddleBrooke Rotary Charity Golf Tournament at MountainView Golf Club on Monday This fun-filled event combined the love of golf with the joy of giving back Held at one of the most scenic golf courses in the region this annual tournament offered an exciting day on the greens with friendly competition great company and numerous chances to win fantastic prizes ranging from amateur golfers to seasoned pros The event kicked off with an on-course lunch they enjoyed exciting challenges for both men and women along with a hole-in-one contest with great prizes We always hear from our participants that this tournament was so much fun the fun continued with an awards banquet and silent auction at the MountainView Ballroom The silent auction featured exclusive items donated by local businesses and sponsors The highlight of the evening was hearing about the good works scholarship recipients and program beneficiaries whose heartfelt stories remind everyone why this event matters the SaddleBrooke Rotary Charity Golf Tournament has raised over $600,000 which has touched the lives of hundreds of children primarily in the Copper Corridor communities of Oracle the tournament raises thousands of dollars annually youth programs and critical community initiatives The SaddleBrooke Rotary Charity Golf Tournament is more than just a golf tournament—it’s a celebration of giving a day of camaraderie and a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most Rotary is made up of your friends and neighbors who have fun working together to make the world a better place Rotary is the world’s largest volunteer organization and is found in more countries than the Red Cross we are working to make a difference and change lives Respond: Write a letter to the editor it is also about the memories you make on the court with your friends while enjoying friendly matches Shortly after Sue’s husband passed away in 2010 she started playing full time in Jo Balk’s Tuesday group Marlene Matarazzo moved from SaddleBrooke in 2015 When Jo Balk developed medical issues and quit permanently in 2018 Sue took over that group and became the single coordinator for Tuesday and Thursday 3.0/3.5 ladies All the ladies are very welcoming as this group serves as a non-threatening venue for new STC members Everyone has fun while working on improving their tennis skills Sue is proud to say that many “alums” have left her group and moved up to a higher level Sue’s tennis group recently surprised her with some gift cards for coordinating Tuesday and Thursday tennis There are at least two other “organized” groups that many of the 3.0/3.5 ladies participate in One is a Monday group coordinated by Jean Israel and the other is a Wednesday group coordinated by Kay White Sue’s group of ladies play in the mornings in the summer months and in the afternoon during the colder winter months Call the tennis center for more information on how to get involved at 520 825-0255 Respond: Write a letter to the editor Enormous congratulations go to Cathe Kropp and Joan Chyall for bringing home the gold in the LPGA Amateurs Regional Cup Qualifier played at El Con on Friday hosted by the LPGA Amateurs Tucson Chapter included 19 four-person teams playing four-ball on day one and singles on day two Joan and their partners from Saddlebrooke Ranch competed against teams from the entire western United States to claim the prestigious first place victory and will now travel to Indian Spring Country Club in Boynton Beach October 26 where the Nationals are being held this year The field competing for the National LPGA Amateur Championship Cup includes 60 teams—240 players from all over the United States We wish the very best of luck to Cathe and Joan and their partners Maire Ryan with a gross 86 and Jo Ann Ellison with a net 67 and we’ll look forward to seeing you at the Ace of Aces tournament It’s time to organize our calendars to participate in the popular Cactus Classic three day Low-Net Tournament on Tuesday This year’s tournament promises to be a fun event and we look forward to seeing everyone there Our heartfelt thanks goes out to our sponsors Oro Valley Eye Care and Windows of Greater Tucson Without their generous support the SaddleBrooke Women’s Golf Association would not be the vibrant and active league it is today Respond: Write a letter to the editor Saddlebrooke Men’s Putters Scores for January and February Practice your putting once a week during a congenial competition with other guys in the summer) on the main SaddleBrooke putting green We putt 18 holes with par 36 and use handicaps to even out the random teams competing for prizes ($3 $1) and have individual gross and net prizes ($5 Pay $1 to putt each week with a $20 membership fee Just show up Thursday morning about 15 minutes early $1.00 to putt each week with a $20.00 membership fee Respond: Write a letter to the editor January 15 (the big 74 for yours truly!!) and nearly Saddlebag Notes deadline time You won’t be reading this till the end of January when the SaddleBrooke Softball winter season will be about four weeks in “progress” by then our fall league “be over” and the SaddleBrooke Softballers are back at it until mid-April SaddleBrooke Ranchers WelcomeThat’s what I said are welcome to come on down to the SaddleBrooke Softball Field if you’re feeling like strapping on the cleats again It will be the happening spot in SaddleBrooke that day As they say in the old country (Grandpa and Grandma were from Cork or Killarney or maybe it was Blarney) “Every man is sociable until a cow invades his garden!” Amen to that SaddleBrooke Softball 20th AnniversaryThat’s right has reminded me several times (and it finally took—how’d that happen?) that 2025 will be SaddleBrooke Softball’s 20th anniversary here at the softball field in the Brooke a buncha softballers used to travel into the surrounding communities to get their softball fix but our beautiful field down near the DesertView facility and Dog Park stay tuned as yours truly learns more about “Anniversary doings!” it’s been colder’n a well digger’s derriere But apparently this generation of ballplayers are a buncha candy… well there has not been much action as the Prez canceled full days as the chill settled in and the wind whipped through the Brooke Recreational (single A ball) got all their games in and Clear View Window Cleaning has taken a commanding (for now) 3-0 lead over Debra Miller-State Farm at 1-1 and Brittni Guttman-Allstate at 0-3 In the Community (AAA) Beyond Clean is at 1-0 Ambient Air Heating and Cooling is 1-1 and Cactus Overhead Garage Doors trails at 1-2 Cleere Law Offices won their first start and is 1-0 to their softball partners in mayhem Concierge Heating and A/C is holding on at 1-2 but Hughes Credit Union is overdrawn at 0-3 Thursday and Friday leagues all missed their first week games But it’ll be warming up soon and by the time you all read this Our Wife and Husband Game Homers—Yes!Can it be????? The first husband/wife HOME RUN DUO in the same game???? the partnership of Robin Kingsley and Don Gentner both (inside the park) homered in the first Tuesday Competitive League game (Robin’s first ever Competitive League game); Robin for Leah Kari Solutions and Don for Concierge Heating & A/C Don slapped one into the center field gap (or was it left WHO CARES?) and Robin caught the right fielder not “underestimating” her power and creeping in and popped it over his head and to the fence anytime Don or Robin get one by the outfielders that’s pretty much “all she wrote” as these two can still actually run sometimes you’re the bug!” In Monday Community Ambient Air Heating & Cooling went down to Cactus Overhead Garage Doors 44 to 39 Including a NINETEEN RUN inning comeback by Ambient for a five run lead yours truly is often on the mound and so sympathized with Ed Peters who took the 19-run thumping and watched helplessly as he served it up to hit after hit Patrick’s Day Tournament coming up on Saturday With Winter leagues usually at peak participation if not four tournament games of SaddleBrooke Softball “dramedy” and food In the meantime, c’mon down to the field and check the action. Over the break, the softball junkies will be down at the field most days tuning up their gloves and bats, or as is often the case, standing around in the outfield shooting the breeze with anyone who will listen to them. Or you can surf us at saddlebrookesoftball.com with practices twice a week and a league for all skill levels We’re always looking for new players just so you “SaddleBrooke Ranchers” know the Association welcomes your participation Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Competence is the key word as the SaddleBrooke Lady Niners’ move into 2025 Our Executive Board made a smooth transition and is off to a fun-filled year We thank the past Board and Committee members who made this happen 2025 brings many tournaments and play days for us to enjoy State Medallion play is slated for Tuesday Let’s not forget about the State Medallion that took place on Friday Representing members of our league included Terri Tindal Terri and Pat placed first in their flight with Randi and Lori placing fifth in their respective flight The ladies had a great time and wish to thank the league for the opportunity to represent them The nine-hole competition took place at the Oakwood Golf Club The Founders’ Cup took place on the SaddleBrooke course on Tuesday A little history of this event follows… Originally the tournament was known as the Liz Carlson Tournament Liz was one of the founders of our nine-hole league Marcia Carlson (a Niner) hosted several tournaments in remembrance of her mom the tournament was re-named to what we know today as the Founders’ Cup Did you know that our Club was established in the Spring of 1990 There were 39 members and the official name then was the “Niners.” Jim Chestnut was the golf pro at that time and June Hill was the first president with the second president LeAnn Ellingson has filled all Committee chair placements for 2025 Handbook & Ringer Board; Kathy Coffman and Mary Leversee Outside Invitationals & Bulletin Board; Dian Kupper Susan Lucci is chairing the 2026 Invitational Are you thinking about joining a golf league? If you are interested, email Karla Kincaid, our Membership Chair, at kmkincaid@outlook.com We are a fun and welcoming group of women who enjoy nine holes of golf Respond: Write a letter to the editor We hope our Queen of Hearts gets many perfect bridge hands Forty members of the Monday SaddleBrooke One Bridge Club honored Faye Steele with birthday cake on Monday Faye celebrated her 94th birthday on Valentine’s Day Faye has been a bridge player for over 70 years She first learned the game in college at Purdue University She credits bridge for keeping her sharp and active Faye has worked in costume design for theater arts and as the director of a junior golf program Faye was present at the start of duplicate bridge in the community in 1992 Sally Allison introduced duplicate bridge to SaddleBrooke first organizing women-only games on Wednesday mornings on the dance floor at the clubhouse (now Vistas Restaurant) Faye recalls it being more about learning than competition Faye remembers the women who once brought their own lunch and ate while learning Robson soon offered $2 lunches after bridge; but when the price was slightly increased “There were lots and lots of men that played [bridge] I don’t know where they’ve gone unless they’ve gone to Northwest (local bridge club near Sun City Oro Valley) to get points Faye is affectionately known as the club’s she has shared celebratory and health updates about our bridge family members before play begins every Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning sends cards and leads the group in singing Happy Birthday Faye was once an avid and accomplished golfer but stepped away from the game a few years ago she still assists with SaddleBrooke golf tournaments Faye continues to play duplicate bridge two to three times a week Respond: Write a letter to the editor Labor Day Tournament sponsor Debra Miller and her State Farm crew with SSSA President Phil Cavicchia SaddleBrooke Senior Softball (SSSA) fans and friends September 10 and it is deadline for Saddlebag Notes again yours truly is off to the wilds of Northern Wisconsin tomorrow in search of some wily walleye off to another duubya Wyoming for some lake trout or whatever any other member or the salmonidae family I can entice onto the end of my line I gotta get some softball action into the editor before she’ll let her #1 softball writer take a much deserved break the SSSA put on a softball extravaganza with three games of softball “dramedy.” There was plenty of softball tunes and insightful commentary by yours truly (and well State Farm Insurance with the dogs and brats grilled up by longtime grill master Doug Wagers of Window Wizards Overhead Garage Doors put the hurt on Debra Miller – State Farm Insurance it was a barn-burner with Canine & Company just edging out Bubbs Grubb 18 to 17 another tight one as Cactus Garage Doors outlasted Catalina Family Dental 19 to 16 Thanks to all these great sponsors for their support There will be about a two week break for recuperation and the softballers will be back at it about the second week of October Ambient Air Heating & Cooling is pretty much cruising currently at 7-1 with only two weeks to go Coyote Golf Cars has been their battering ram and is in the cellar at 1-7 The Moore Advantage Realtors and Tucson Orthopaedic are tied Twin Lake Air Conditioning and Heating at 5-4 is just one game ahead of Waste Management’s 4-5 Andy’s Irrigation (yours truly on the mound) has won three in a row to take a commanding lead at 6-3 over Tom Ottaway-State Farm at 3-6 it’s Sidewinder only this summer and another t-i-g-h-t race with Wanda Fudge-Long Realty at 4-4 Two games left for the “over-the-hump” gang it’s Coyote league only and the 65-plusers have Window Wizards at 5-3 and X-Pert Automotive at 3-5 the X-Perts have a chance to get to the top It’ll all be decided by the time this award-winning publication gets to you all and I’ll report the results in the next issue Although most of the time I can’t tell Monday from Friday anymore Splendido is 4-3 and Your CBD Store bringing up the rear at 3-4 so the CBDers have a chance to catch and overtake the Splendids Ann Fraley-Long Realty jumped out to win the first three games but has come back for the next two in a row for a commanding 5-2 league lead while Beyond Clean is 2-5 looks like the Fraleys have got it wrapped up some folks around the Brooke are known to travel a bit as part of their retirement “gig.” Road trips some of our members are just plain softball junkies and part of their retirement travel plans include softball tournaments I mentioned the SaddleBrooke Rattlers and their taking the “gold” in the Silver City Tournament in August PAYSON - Well the Rattlers traveled up north to Payson this past week and WERE IN THE HUNT But the report I get from some of the Rattlers is that they made it to the championship game but their bats turned to ice and their gloves to stones as they went down to defeat Well, that’s it, softball fans. You can always come down to the field and check the softball action Monday through Friday (and the junkies are usually down practicing on Saturdays as well). Or you can surf us for information, standings and stats at saddlebrookesoftball.com Remember our VETERANS DAY TOURNAMENT will be on Saturday Respond: Write a letter to the editor As the sun peeked over the Santa Catalina Mountains on Saturday fourteen SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) members gathered at DesertView parking lot trading paddles for grabbers to battle litter on Edwin Road SPA has actively participated in Pinal County’s Adopt A County Road Program since 2017 supplying volunteers with safety vests and grabbers that get a good workout twice a year This ongoing commitment has earned them Outstanding Volunteer status a recognition awarded for every five years of service the Adopt A County Road Program currently boasts 119 volunteer groups of corporations churches and clubs united in a common cause to keep county roads clean they collected a whopping 1,775 big orange bags of trash Groups join the program for a variety of reasons Corporations benefit from advertising and team-building opportunities while families often find it a meaningful way to honor loved ones Hiking Club and SPA demonstrate care for our community by keeping our entrance roads free of debris The County values its many volunteers because they reduce staff hours and free up resources for road maintenance and repairs Pinal County Public Information Officer Ray Telles praised the program’s volunteers, stating, “Keeping our desert clean is a monumental task and there is no way we could do it without the help of our dedicated volunteers. We greatly thank everyone for their efforts.” Telles also emphasized the county is always looking for new members and encourages groups and individuals to check out the program at pinal.gov/adopt-a-county-road Working in teams—one with a grabber and one with an orange bag—the stretch between Columbus Boulevard and Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard was cleared of soda cans take-out containers and every other imaginable type of debris in just 90 minutes SPA thanks the following members who passed on pickling to help with the picking on Saturday Respond: Write a letter to the editor The date for SaddleBrooke Great Decisions’ April meeting has been changed to Monday and the location continues to be the MountainView East Ballroom Sandy McNabb will be leading the discussion on the topic “After Gaza: American Policy in the Middle East” John Sohikian for increasing our understanding of India’s role in regional and global leadership and Mary Lou Soffa for exploring AI’s impact on American National Security April will be Great Decisions last meeting of the 2025 program Watch for information about our 2026 program in the fall meetings will begin in January and run through April The Master Class Videos produced by the Foreign Policy Association on the 2025 Great Decisions topics can be found on the SaddleBrooke Great Decisions’ website in the “References” section at bgreatdecisions.wordpress.com. Visit the Foreign Policy Association’s website at fpa.org Respond: Write a letter to the editor flowers—you name it and someone in SaddleBrooke probably has experience growing what you are interested in One of the newest club members writes: “I’ve been a member of the new SaddleBrooke Gardening Club (SBGC) only two months and I’m hooked The membership has been very helpful in several ways The first meeting I attended was the “worm people” meeting The ideas of the presenters were very helpful but more importantly were the questions asked by the participants I noted everyone has had different issues in their gardens here in Saddlebrook Each one of us has had problems and successes I hope this club will continue to bring us together to discuss and trade knowledge as it applies to gardening here Four subgroups offer like-minded members breakout meetings: Vegetable and Herb subgroup members are planning two offsite tours for April or early May for a guided tour at Mission Garden at the base of A mountain Kara Adam’s Tubac area garden (with a stop for lunch in Tubac of course!) Flower and Rose subgroup members are planning home garden tours to coordinate with their spring blooms Rumors are that there might be some garden parties as well Citrus and Fruit Tree subgroup members recently attended a Pinal County Master Gardener’s “Growing Citrus at Higher Elevations” presentation members were invited to two citrus tasting events: one at Mission Garden a heritage garden growing a variety of fruit trees on historic land and the second at Rillito Nursery a small nursery that sells a variety of citrus and other fruit trees Members look forward to planning some backyard garden tours this spring Our Cactus and Succulents subgroup is searching for a new subgroup coordinator see our website for information on this opportunity Over 150 gardeners have joined the SBGC so far to learn from each other’s gardening experiences. Membership applications and information about the club and subgroups can be found online at sbgardeningclub.weebly.com Dues for a basic membership are $10 a year Respond: Write a letter to the editor Members of the SaddleBrooke Rotary clown around with District Governor In a recent visit to the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke District Governor Sue Archibald stated that this club was the number one club for service projects in the district Members of the club put in an enormous number of hands-on hours into serving the community we actively participate with other organizations But who benefits the most from these hands-on experiences The members of the SaddleBrooke Rotary Club here are some of the ways SaddleBrooke Rotary touches the lives of many with hands-on projects that make a difference Rotarians help the town of Oracle put on a Fourth of July celebration for kids in the community we help cook and provide a holiday party for seniors in need and shut-ins who reside in Catalina We also spend months working on a holiday party for the children of Oracle where the kids make a treasured ornament to take home Our Rotarians count our many blessings as we deliver Thanksgiving turkeys and all the fixings to families in need in Catalina there are other hands-on projects such as Building a House in a Day in Mexico and supporting the San Manuel Restoration Chili Cook-off fundraiser as well as regular responsibilities with the food bank There is also our active participation at two cemeteries with Wreaths Across America teaching classes on ethics at San Manuel and delivering dictionaries at Coronado there is so much joy that comes from interviewing and selecting Citizens of the Year Business/Organization of the Year and College and Vocational Scholarships we hold a golf tournament to fund scholarships and projects in the area these annual projects light up our lives as we make a difference throughout the year There are also other regular hands-on projects such as cooking and serving lunch to those in need at the Oracle Community Center collecting personal care items for the food bank and collecting soft plastics for recycling but so are the rewards of helping others and making a difference we actively participate with other philanthropic organizations This provides us with numerous opportunities to develop friendships as we work in harmony to change the world The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke meets every Thursday at the Ranch House! For more information, email Diane at rotarysbaz@gmail.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor After years of having our fashion show in the fall the SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Fashion Show will be moving to February 2025 We are proud to be able to present Calle Rose SPRING/SUMMER fashions!! More information regarding ticket sales dates and menu will be forthcoming as the date gets closer Twenty-five years of God’s faithfulness was the inspiration for the anniversary celebration for the Community Church at SaddleBrooke CCSB) It was a time of reflection and anticipation As the congregation gathered at the DesertView Performing Arts Center there was a buzz of anticipation as many of the original founders of the church gathered with other church members to celebrate The celebration opened with the Worship Team and church choir This Sunday was not just a time of one celebration it was also the 14th anniversary of Pastor Ron and Susie Gannett’s service and a review of the accomplishments of 2024 Pastor Ron related the emphasis of the scriptures in teaching the word of God and in Bible studies This was followed by a recap of some of the important accomplishments of the past year by church treasurer Stew Dresch and vice chair Roger Shamburg with an accompanying video recapping 2024 prepared by Ron Talbot Pastor Ron then provided a review of the church’s history 2020 was a year we all remember as the unevent of Y2K a group of SaddleBrooke residents gathered together to found the Community Church A number of the founding members were present and thanked growing and strengthening the congregation and the move to the Desertview Performing Arts Center a group of church members purchased what is now called the Parish House and is the location of the church offices the medical equipment loan location and activity center for many church functions From its humble beginnings CCSB was grown and strived to fulfill its mission “To Glorify God by Becoming a Community of Grace Live and Share the Love of Jesus Christ.” This has been exemplified by strong fellowship numerous activities and ways to get involved Extensive men’s and women’s bible studies have created the foundation for numerous ministries outreach and in touch groups and numerous fellowship activities One of the most active ministries is missions CCSB is a mission’s partner with seven organizations including one international program based in India The local groups include the Gospel Rescue Mission Family First Pregnancy Center and Young Life Capernaum CCSB has provided just under $4 million to its mission partners Pastor Ron closed the celebration by thanking the congregation for the numerous volunteers and their faithfulness in fulfilling CCSB’s mission a reception with a beautiful anniversary cake was held in the Mariposa Room Respond: Write a letter to the editor Pete Giljohann presented a $4,000 check from The Battery Guy Tucson to Laura Pauli President of SaddleBrooke Community Outreach The SaddleBrooke Kartz Fore Kidz program buys and accepts donated or partially donated used golf cars that are then refurbished and sold to residents who want a great value on a golf cart Profits from the program are given to Tucson’s Young Life Capernaum to help fund summer camp scholarships for kids with disabilities and special needs Kartz Fore Kidz also represents and sells the new lithium-powered Evolution golf carts offered through The Battery Guy Tucson donates a portion of these sales to local charities Pete Giljohann who runs the Kartz Fore Kidz program was pleased to inform SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) that Mr Sebastian had decided to donate $4,000 from this past year’s Evolution sales to fund SBCO programs to feed enrich and educate kids living in the Copper Corridor For more information about SBCO’s programs to provide local kids with opportunities to succeed, visit community-outreach.org Respond: Write a letter to the editor Pat and John Carney tour Upper Antelope Canyon Ron and Vicki Browne on the overlook of the Grand Canyon The SaddleBrooke RV Club is a diverse group of nearly 100 adventurers who enjoy traveling in various “rigs” ranging from small camp trailers to 45-foot class A motorhomes Many are “Sun Birds” choosing to escape the Tucson summer heat by traveling to cooler locations for the summer a group of eight rigs enjoyed near perfect weather to join a SaddleBrooke RV Club sponsored rally and visit some of Arizona’s epic canyons It began with camping at Lake Powell near Page where the group took a tour of Upper Antelope Canyon on the Navajo Nation reservation one of several slot canyons owned by native families who have made a successful business leading tourists through these picturesque slivers in the earth The time of year and time of day renders the colors of these impossibly beautiful places entirely different visiting this location multiple times always results in a new and awe-inspiring experience the group headed to Horseshoe Bend for a one-and-a-half-mile trek to the 1,000-foot sheer cliffs overlooking the Colorado River This was another excellent iconic photo opportunity and provided an amazing perspective to complement the next day’s float trip the group went on a half-day float trip down the Colorado River from the base of Glen Canyon Dam through Horseshoe Bend toward the Grand Canyon but now at the bottom of the cliffs The native guide provided a historical narrative and showed the RVers petroglyphs from previous centuries restored train from Williams to the Grand Canyon This is the only train that services a national park and has a wild west theme complete with shootout It’s a relaxing and entertaining way to see the majestic Grand Canyon and not worry about parking The SaddleBrooke RVers finished the rally by heading to Winslow made famous by Route 66 and the Eagles song and taking a tour of Meteor Crater National Landmark the best-preserved meteorite impact site on earth Anyone interested in learning more about the SaddleBrooke RV Club can check out its Facebook page and be on the watch for the upcoming website or email Pat Arruda, Club President at patjanarruda@wbshi.net SaddleBrooke Freethinkers are proud to have Karen K PhD speak on “Free Market Family Values: Conservatives Christians and the Republican Party” on Sunday The meeting is held at the HOA-1 Clubhouse Vermillion Room with a coffee social at 9:15 a.m How do social conservatives and fiscal conservatives fit together in the same political party Why have most white evangelical voters selected the Republican party presidential ticket in every election since 1980 Based on over ten years of research—during which “Teavangelicals” evolved into “Trumpvangelicals”—this talk will explore the social economic and political visions of advocates of “free market family values.” She is the head of the Department of Religious Studies and Classics she serves as Director of the School of International Languages She was named one of two inaugural recipients of the University of Arizona’s Distinguished Head/Director’s Award in 2022 and was conferred the title Distinguished Scholar she was named a recipient of the University of Arizona’s Women of Impact Award SaddleBrooke Freethinkers provides a forum for the responsible search for truth and meaning in understanding and solving human problems by applying science and reason equity and civility should characterize interactions among people and organizations We strive to achieve these goals through meetings You can become a member of the SaddleBrooke Freethinkers for $15 per calendar year This fee includes all lectures and other Freethinkers events like the book club and social events The lecture program runs January to April and October to December Lectures are open to all SaddleBrooke residents and their guests as space is available Non-members are encouraged to make a $5 donation to defray costs Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and/or cash donations for the Tri-Community Food Bank For dates of future programs go to our website at sbfreethinkers.wordpress.com. For questions or to be added to the email list, send your contact information to saddlebrookefreethinkers@gmail.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor Radio Club Breakfast at SaddleBrooke Ranch Bistro Veinte The SaddleBrooke Amateur Radio Club met at SaddleBrooke Ranch on Friday February 21 for a monthly breakfast at Bistro Veinte Fourteen members attended the popular club breakfast gathering The excellent food and service served in a conference room adjacent to the cafe was enjoyed by all The SaddleBrooke Amateur Radio Club now has 91 members and holds monthly meetings in SaddleBrooke The meetings always include interesting programs on some facet of amateur radio operations The club now has a UHF repeater on-the-air that covers the areas of SaddleBrooke the club conducts a radio net using the repeater The members checking into the net have a couple rounds of discussions about their recent activities and interests The purpose of the weekly net is encourage radio activities test our UHF radio systems and network with other club members Club meetings and the breakfast gatherings are open to everyone. Join us if you’d like to learn more about amateur “ham” radio. Meeting dates and times can be seen at the SaddleBrooke One or Two clubs/groups pages or at internet site at sites.google.com/view/saddlebrookearc Respond: Write a letter to the editor we had an adult male Hooded Oriole show up at one of our hummingbird feeders This is a large and beautiful bird with a bright yellow-orange head black wings with white wing patches and a long dark tail We’re used to seeing these birds in SaddleBrooke because they nest here in tall palm trees and our next-door neighbor owns one of those tall palms Hooded Orioles are migratory visitors to SaddleBrooke raising one or two clutches of babies over the summer and then heading back to Mexico around Labor Day Note that the six months from March to September do not include January so when a Hooded Oriole is seen around here in the winter It becomes even more so if such a rare sighting continues February 13) this adult Hooded Oriole has now hung out with us for about six weeks when another adult Hooded Oriole spent the entire winter with us we had the coldest winter of our 22 years here and we have no idea what motivated this bird to hang out Maybe he just didn’t feel like another Mexican vacation Two weeks after we discovered the Hooded Oriole and it was feeding on a hummingbird feeder Although Orchard Orioles are occasionally seen in Arizona they are an eastern oriole that rarely venture west of Texas This sighting created quite a lot of excitement among Arizona birders The Orchard Oriole is still being seen at our hummingbird feeders on Thursday It’s noteworthy that no other Orchard Orioles have been spotted in Arizona during the past 30 days the closest one to us in the last month was recorded near Santa Ana What brought this beauty to our yard is a mystery and what motivates the bird to stick around is an even larger mystery while both rare orioles continue to hang out at our hummingbird feeders we have discovered a third rarity in our yard This is a bird that normally winters in Mexico and migrates from there to nesting areas in the mountains typically at elevations from 5,000 to 12,000- feet We often see this species in SaddleBrooke during August but finding it during early February at our elevation is rare These three examples should encourage you to keep hummingbird feeders out year-round and to keep your eyes open for unusual birds why we are seeing these strange and unusual birds this winter remains a mystery Maybe that Orchard Oriole made a wrong turn in Dallas Just remember what our birding friend Rick says If you have questions or comments about SaddleBrooke’s birds, or to receive emailed information about bird walks led by Bob and Prudy, call (520) 825-9895 or send an email to bobandpru@gmail.com. Previously published articles can be found at birdingthebrookeandbeyond.com Respond: Write a letter to the editor Mark your calendar and save the date for Saturday for the annual SaddleBrooke Health Fair scheduled the HOA MountainView Ballroom We can expect health care providers in attendance with prescription eye exams with local vendors in the health field in attendance we will put out a list of providers & services The event is for all HOA1&2 residents and there is no cost obligation to the residence Keep looking in the local SaddleBag Notes and SaddleBrooke Progress for updates Respond: Write a letter to the editor Robbie Louise Juniel Summers died 7/19/24 at the age of 83 at her home in Saddlebrooke She was the first of 6 children & was born in Camden Arkansas in 1940 but spent her High School years in Houston In 1958 she enrolled at the University of Arkansas where she was a member of the ADPi Sorority & received a BA in Education in 1962 She later received a Master Degree in early childhood education from Central Connecticut State college Robbie taught elementary school for 38 years & followed Bill’s job assignments Her final teaching assignments were in Nashua teacher & past president of the Saddlebrooke Fine Arts Guild as well as a member & officer of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild in Tucson Her survivors include her husband Bill Summers and son Mark Summers of Tucson plus 3 sisters 3 Grandchildren & 5 Great Grandchildren Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of New Hampshire LLC | https://www.nashuatelegraph.com | 110 Main St You won’t be reading this till the end of December and by then the SaddleBrooke fall season will be two weeks in “da books” all leagues are decided except for Friday Competitive winter and spring) will be back in action the second week of January for a 15-week (phew!) winter season are welcome to come on down to the SaddleBrooke softball field to check it all out and SaddleBrooke Softball’s 20th AnniversaryThat’s right has reminded me several times (and it finally took – how’d that happen?) that 2025 will be SB Softball’s 20th anniversary here at the softball field in the Brooke Fall League Action In the meantime… The fall league is all but wrapped up As my fingertips glide effortlessly (arthritically?) over the keys Cleere Law Offices stormed back from early woes to capture the league title at 7-2 over Debra Miller-State Farm’s 2-7 Pride Mechanical stumbled from the early season lead as Kristy McInnis-Coldwell Banker kept grinding to take a narrow and hard fought league title at 7-5 over Pride’s 7-6 Desert Life Pharmacy just couldn’t muster the mustard and ended at 4-7 there was a very tight race as Absolutely Art and Golf Cars of Arizona both ended at 8-5 and tied for the league championship Healthy Skin Dermatology was the league “thumpee” trailing both at 4-10 Brittni Guttman-Allstate out-gutted Catalina Family Dental with a 6-4 record over the Dentists’ 4-6 Wednesday Community had another tight race battling to 5-5 records and a tie for the league title (and cellar Old Pueblo Trash Haulers dropped FOUR in a row on the way to the trash heap (the cellar) letting Nara Brown-Long Realty storm to the league title 6-4 to 4-6 Thursday is Coyote day and another tight race with Dominick’s Italian taking home the salami at 5-4 to Concierge Heating and Cooling’s 4-5 there is still one day of action left for the Friday SB’ers Hughes Credit Union is 5-3 and Janine Denning-Coldwell Banker is 3-5 So… Even the sidewalk peanut gallery guys can see where that’s heading it’s Big Bear Garage Doors at 6-5 with both the Community Church of SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue-Bill Wescoe at 5-5 BUT… the Church has a DOUBLE HEADER tomorra!!! With a win Pet Rescue can only make second I don’t toot many horns (except my own) in these articles Tossin’ out a couple of “Shouts of Honor” for the Monday Community League this fall season (and since my brother sez Dan Reed with a league –leading 59 at-bats (with four walks to boot!) Dan showed up every game (no mean feat around here) John Woolmington with a league honors for OPS (on-base plus slugging) at 2.009 (but with only 29 ABs) Ryan “the bro” Mitchell in 34 ABS (went cruisin’) seven walks (a tie with Terry “you gotta throw strikes or I ain’t swingin’” Mihora) and second in OPS (tops with minimum 30 ab’s) at 1.903 (.706 AVG.) PATRICK’S DAY TOURNAMENT coming up on Saturday With winter leagues usually at peak participation if not four tournament games of SaddleBrooke softball “dramedy” and food C’mon down to the field and check the action. Over the break, the softball junkies will be down at the field most days tuning up their gloves and bats, or as is often the case, standing around in the outfield shooting the breeze with anyone who will listen to them. Or you can surf us at saddlebrookesoftball.com Softball action occurs every weekday with practices twice a week And just so you “SaddleBrooke Ranchers” know Respond: Write a letter to the editor The SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary (SBSR) is a valued partner of the Tri-Community Food Bank (TCFB) SBSR members have been assisting TCFB several times a month helping to unload large food deliveries from the United Food Bank in Mesa and Bashas’ grocery store These volunteers help unpack pallets and boxes date items and stock products in our freezers In addition to the regularly scheduled assistance that SBSR members provide they are always willing to assist the Food Bank with special requests We want to extend a huge thank you to the SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary and their wonderful members who have and continue to support the TCFB in carrying out their mission “Feeding Neighbors in Southeast Pinal County.” We don’t know what we would do without them The Tri-Community Food Bank is an all-volunteer organization spending zero funds on administration costs and is open five days a week (Monday to Thursday and Saturday) from 9 a.m The TCFB is an IRS 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation and an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (20463) Respond: Write a letter to the editor