Category: Features

Word of the Month: Orbisculate

David Zapatka We’re doing something different this month. We’re going to explore getting a new word into dictionaries. Reader Debbie M. writes, “Hello, I enjoy your column and want to offer a suggestion. ‘Orbisculate’ is a word not yet in the dictionary. I think we should help the young people who are trying to get this word…

Monsoon 2021 Answers

Marilu Trainor Sean Benedict, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) Phoenix office, shares information about the upcoming 2021 Monsoon season in Arizona. Q: Tell us about the upcoming monsoon season in Arizona? The North American Monsoon System (NAMS), which includes Arizona, is based on a calendar system. NAMS runs from June 15 through…

Outside the Gate: The Cowboy Culture of Team Roping

Bob Hills At SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR), it is easy to be captivated by all the community activities. However, there is an exciting world just “outside the gate.” There are a large number of cattle and horse ranches in Arizona. This year, I have been exploring cowboy culture with my camera. In this article, I am highlighting…

Whimsy for Today

Becky Kueker My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary and, of course, pictures were taken. I sent them off to friends and family and received several back from anniversaries celebrated many years ago. As I sat studying the 1970s to the 2021 pictures, I did a double take—something has happened to my ears. They…

MEND Therapeutic: What Is Therapeutic Massage?

Heidi Overman, Licensed Massage Therapist, #MT-24997 I have found in my practice that when clients schedule a massage, they really want to feel like they have gotten work done. Clients come in and tell us about their aches, pains, injuries, surgeries, and pathologies. They are in pain, discomfort, and are sometimes hopeless. They are looking…

Health Fair 2021 Needs More Volunteers

Phyllis Ketring, Publicity Coordinator All volunteers should have received an email from Dave Mersy, volunteer coordinator. If you haven’t received an email, contact Dave at [email protected] to sign up and verify your contact information. Expanded facilities will require more volunteers than in the past. Volunteers work a 90-minute shift on the morning of the fair so they…

Calling All Grandmothers

Judy Tedeschi I recently relocated from southern California to SaddleBrooke Ranch. In California, I had a small business making doll clothes that fit all 18” dolls, the baby doll, and the Wellie Wisher American Girl doll. I sold at elementary schools, churches, street fairs, and from my home. My doll clothes have been highly praised for choice…

A Real Garden Party

Lucy Lange If there ever was an event that epitomized the name, the first community garden party fits the bill. The event, held June 4, was organized by a group of SaddleBrooke Ranch community gardeners who thought that getting together as a group would be enjoyable. About 45 members attended a perfect evening of great…

Nature’s Way: Birding the Sky Islands of Arizona

Jim Hoagland As the weather heats up, there is no better time to explore birding areas than in the higher elevations, where it can be several degrees cooler. This month we explore some popular areas where you can get relief and escape the hot weather here in the desert. One of my favorite places and…