Nature’s Way: Backyard Butterflies at SaddleBrooke Ranch

Gerald Tietje Butterflies flutter by, especially after strong monsoon rains like we had last summer. My wife, Claire, and I moved to SaddleBrooke Ranch in June 2021, and shortly thereafter the welcome rains began, producing a plethora of flowers in our yard. Rains begat flowers and flowers begat butterflies. They were everywhere! As our Little-leaf…

U.S. Military History: The Star-Spangled Banner

Ross Dunfee At the outset of the 19th century, Great Britain was locked in a long and bitter conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte’s France. Both France and Great Britain attempted to block the United States from trading with the other, and restrict the USA from westward expansion. Beginning in 1812, Napoleon began to encounter the first…

Something New on the Pickleball Courts!

The SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association (SBRPA) has a new option for Ranch residents, renters, and registered guests to enjoy pickleball at the Ranch’s beautiful pickleball courts. Drop-in play will be offered at the following times each week: * Tuesdays: 7 to 11:15 a.m., Courts 7-8-9 * Thursdays: 4 to 8 p.m., Courts 7-8-9 * Fridays:…

Supporting Charity for Children

The SaddleBrooke Ranch Pickleball Association (SBRPA) is contributing $500 to SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO). The SBRPA board voted unanimously at the June 8 meeting to earmark the line item donation to the Tri-Community Food Bank. SBRPA President Kim Ahlgrim-Heine said, “It is the club’s pleasure to financially support such a worthy cause in our community.”…

Medicare FAQs: Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plans

Leah Sugar Kari, AMR, FHIAS What is hospital indemnity insurance? Often called “GAP” insurance, hospital indemnity insurance pays you money to fill the gaps in your Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO coverage for unexpected hospital inpatient care, ambulance services, physical therapy, outpatient surgeries, and skilled nursing care, as an example. A feature of some hospital…

Fun Evening of Art and Wine

Janet Frost SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild hosted a great evening of socializing, creating, and imbibing at the June 29 Art and Wine Event. These fun evenings are open to the public—you do not have to be a SaddleBrooke resident or even a member of the guild. Guild members serve wine and a box supper and…