Buon Appetito! Fun With Rotarians
Barbara Barr Bengen
In a recent study, Rotary International learned that the No. 1 reason why people join Rotary is to contribute to service projects and make a difference. Furthermore, the research indicated that the No. 1 reason why people stay in Rotary is for socialization and friendships. Thus, the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke not only offers a wide range of options to serve others, but also an extensive array of opportunities to socialize and get to know others and develop friendships.
In the spirit of Rotary, we are reminded that service begins with connection, and that nurturing friendships strengthens the foundation of all the good we do together. Our Rotary club offers numerous types of social opportunities for our members to connect. Weekly, we have lunch in small groups at the Ranch House before our meetings. On an annual basis, we have some large celebrations with dinner and dancing at one of the area ballrooms. Then there are times when members open their homes for an open house or special occasion. On an informal basis, we might all get tickets together for a dinner theater or to support our members who are performing. On a regular basis, District 5500 knows it can count on the largest turnout at District Conferences and training from the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke. And last, there is “Fun With Rotarians,” small group dining adventures.
Fun With Rotarians isn’t just a small group dining experience that’s about food; it’s about fellowship. Each quarter, members can choose to sign up for a group. Under the guidance of Social Chair Ann Brett, members are mixed into a group. Next, the leaders of each group set up an event. This might be to gather for happy hour, host a potluck, take a trip to a favorite restaurant, or do something more creative. By coming together in a relaxed, joyful setting, members deepen relationships that will carry into their ongoing service projects.
When it comes to hosting a memorable dining experience, Gail and Tom Fraioli are the masters. In the spirit of fellowship and fun, the Fraiolis entertained a small group of Rotarians gathered for an evening of Italian food, fellowship, laughter, and the timeless art of pasta-making. Hosted in a member’s home, the evening centered around creating homemade pasta from scratch. Everyone had a chance to make the pasta, a true labor of love and tradition. There’s nothing quite like the warmth of good fellowship, delicious food, and hands-on fun in the kitchen. The meal that followed was a celebration of teamwork as well as friendship.
When Rotarians gather for Fun With Rotarians, each dish creates a memory, and each meal becomes a reminder of the power of community. Here’s to many more shared meals, shared stories, and shared service. Buon appetito, Rotarians!
The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke meets at the Ranch House at SaddleBrooke Ranch on Thursdays. We enjoy lunch at 11 a.m., followed by a brief meeting and program. For more information, contact Diane Demeroutis at RotarySBAZ@gmail.com.
Tom and Gail Fraioil show off the bench at the District 5500 Rotary Conference.
The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke Recycles Soft Plastics
Barbara Barr Bengen
Did you know that soft plastics cannot be recycled by Waste Management? According to honestandsimple.com, “If you toss soft plastic film in your curbside recycling bin, it could end up gunking up industrial recycling machines. They’re just not designed to handle it.”
So can you put soft plastics in your trash bin? Yes, but then soft plastics become part of the landfill problem. It takes many years for any plastic to break down. So many communities are developing alternative programs to recycle soft plastics.
With the help of many community partners, the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke is providing another recycling alternative for soft plastics in SaddleBrooke, SaddleBrooke Ranch, Catalina, and Oracle. We are giving new life to soft plastics transformed into beautiful, weatherproof benches.
How can you help? Start saving soft plastics. Create a special spot in your home to collect soft plastics. One friend hangs a plastic bag on a hook in her pantry. We line a wicker basket with a plastic bag for our collection spot.
Which soft plastics can you recycle?
* Plastic bags
* e-commerce mailers from places like Amazon, etc.
* Plastic bags for frozen foods (cleaned)
* Meat wrap (cleaned)
* Produce bags and wrap (cleaned)
* Ziplock and storage bags (cleaned)
* Bread bags
* Cereal bag liners
* Ice bags
* Newspaper sleeves
* Dry cleaning bags
* Bubble wrap
* Case overwrap
Where can you drop off your soft plastics?
Saddlebrooke:
* Pickleball Courts
* Dog Park
* Desert Life Pharmacy
* Bill Demeroutis: 62492 E. Ironwood Drive
* Fred Lowy: 63247 Brooke Park Drive
* John Howard: 39106 S. Riverwood Court
Saddlebrooke Ranch:
* Pickleball Courts
* Tom Fraioli; 30808 S. Greenstone Dr.
Oracle:
Oracle Community Center
Catalina:
Senior Village
We continue to look for community partners to help us with this project. We are in need of drop-off points, locations for benches, as well as groups and individuals who want to support this effort. You can reach us at our website, saddlebrookerotary.com, phone at 520–404-5712, or email at rotarySBAZ@gmail.com.
Recycling soft plastics not only diverts waste from landfills but also beautifies neighborhoods and parks as we transform trash into benches. While it’s a small action, it adds up to a big impact. So, grab a bag, start collecting today, and turn your trash into a seat for someone to rest on tomorrow!
What is Rotary? 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, Starbucks, or McDonald’s. Together with our friends, we are working to make a difference.
The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke is an award-winning club. We meet Thursdays at 11 a.m. for lunch at the Ranch House at SaddleBrooke Ranch. Following a brief meeting in the Ballroom, there is an educational program or speaker. Rotary is open to those who live and work in SaddleBrooke, SaddleBrooke Ranch, and the surrounding communities. For more information, check out saddlebrookerotary.com or contact Diane Demeroutis at RotarySBAZ@gmail.com.