What Do You Know About Making Wine?

Ann Vernon

Maybe not as much as you think! Recently, eight guests were treated to an incredible immersion into the world of wine by David and Kathleen Eaton, owners of a boutique winery located in The Preserve. The Eatons, formerly from Seattle, walked their guests through the entire operation as they sipped on a Petite Verdot and a Syrah in their casita. Here they described how Dave drives for four long days round trip to get grapes from a high-quality vineyard in Washington state, transporting them in an air-conditioned van back to Tucson. Guests then learned how they crush and de-stem the grapes and how they “cold soak” the juice from the grapes prior to adding yeast. Dave explained that due to an automated grape picking process, more wild yeast than normal was introduced into their latest yield and that would make it interesting to see how the wine eventually matures. He then demonstrated how they press the wine, including the use of innovative spun concrete fiber disks as well as the process for bottling the wine.

Following this very informative presentation, the Eatons treated their guests to appetizers as they tasted and rated six of their different wines. During the tasting, Dave and Kathleen shared more about their experience making wine. Then, while the guests enjoyed getting to know each other, the Eatons laid out a buffet style dinner including brisket and pork shoulder (which Dave had smoked earlier in his Kamado smoker), Kathleen’s special Waldorf Salad, and much more. For dessert, guests were treated to creme brûlée, flan, and lemon bars, and for a digestif following the meal, they enjoyed Kathleen’s homemade limoncello. The Eatons even made sure guests didn’t go home empty-handed, gifting each a jar of Kathleen’s homemade orange marmalade.

This event is just one of the many exceptional fixed-price offerings offered at the 2025 Oracle Schools Foundation Spring Gala/Auction. Many thanks to the Eatons for opening their beautiful home and educating those in attendance on how they make their hand-crafted Washington red wines right here in SaddleBrooke. It was a wonderful evening!

Proceeds from these fixed-price events support Oracle Elementary School District’s Kindergarten Prep and other educational programs. You can learn more at OracleSchoolsFoundation.com. When there, please click on the “Fixed Price” button at the top of the home page to see what other events remain for purchase this year. Mark your calendars for next year’s Gala—March 14, 2026. Check the OracleSchoolsFoundation.com for more information.

 

You Are Invited to a Special House Concert Featuring Randall Dighton

Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg

November is the perfect time of the year to sit on a patio, have wonderful hors d’oeuvres, sip on an adult beverage, and listen to Randall Dighton perform music from popular movies and Broadway musicals. With over 60 years of performing, Randall brings his amazing voice and guitar skills to entertain and charm his audiences.

Randall has over 400 songs in his repertoire, including 50 from popular movies and Broadway musicals. If you enjoy the likes of: If Ever I Would Leave You (Camelot), Edelweiss (The Sound of Music), Memory (Cats), or Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera) you will enjoy this evening of reminiscing. In fact, you will be transported back to the time in your life when you first heard the iconic songs that Randall will be performing. We hope that you can join us!

This wonderful House Concert will be held on Nov. 6, 2025, with beverages and hors d’oeuvres served at 4:30 p.m., at the home of Marjorie and Tom Herrmann (hosts), 61879 E. Sandlewood in SaddleBrooke. This House Concert is being co-sponsored by: Barry and Mary Jo Swartzberg, and Randall and Linda Dighton.

This concert benefits the Oracle Schools Foundation (OSF). The price of the ticket is $60 per person. Note: Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided by members of the Catalina Chorale, of which Randall is the Director.

To purchase tickets, go to oracleschoolsfoundation.com.

 

They Will Return…

Barry Swartzberg and Ann Vernon

The Tributaries, that is! This amazing group performed last spring for the fourth time in a concert to benefit the Oracle Schools Foundation. Once again, they rocked the DesertView Theater, playing to a sold-out auditorium for over two hours, while a very enthusiastic audience “danced” in their seats and in the aisles, and sang along to songs they knew and loved. The concert ended with an energetic crowd giving the band a well-deserved standing ovation.

The Tributaries played a medley of songs from the many tribute shows that they perform, such as Woodstock, the Eagles, Crosby-Stills-Nash and Young, and “Good Morning Vietnam.” In addition to their great vocals and mesmerizing guitar work, the band paid homage to the artists and bands they showcased by sharing interesting bits of trivia about them.

The Foundation raises money to support preschool at the Mountain Vista school in Oracle. The state of Arizona does not fund early childhood education, so your support allows the Foundation to do that. The proceeds from this concert will give young children a jumpstart on their education. The Foundation Board cannot express enough appreciation to the Tributaries for their time and talent to support such a worthy cause and to all who bought tickets. Mark your calendars—the Tributaries will return to DesertView on Monday, April 13, 2026.