Unit 8A Celebrates “A Decade of Memories”
Janelle Authur
On March 21, 55 Unit 8Ar’s raised a toast to 10 years of monthly Happy Hours and fun at the Unit’s “A Decade of Memories” event in the Sol Ballroom.
In March 2016, Unit 8A residents gathered at the Bistro for their first Happy Hour. Unbeknownst to those attending, they were starting a streak of monthly Happy Hours that remains unbroken 10 years later. As the Unit expanded, Happy Hour moved to the Ranch House, homes, and outside in the streets and driveways during Covid. Residents found creative ways to adapt to the desert and “keep the streak” through heat, cold, high winds, monsoons, and snow. At the end of Year Three, the Unit added a “big” annual celebration, marking another year of Happy Hours. This tradition has continued each year since.
As guests arrived at the “A Decade of Memories” party, they were greeted with a glass of bubbly, then were immersed in 10 years of Unit history. A Walk of Memories lined one side of the ballroom, complete with a year-by-year display of Ranch Roundup articles, photographs, and memorabilia from Unit events. At the end of the Walk, guests picked up a take-home booklet of 2016–2026 Unit Events and deposited their favorite memory in the Memory Box, to be opened at a future Happy Hour.
As guests mingled, they sipped on tasty “10 Years of 8A” cocktails and watched a slideshow of Unit events from 2019 to 2021 on the ballroom screen. Guests also created new memories, posing for portraits by Jeff Wise and the annual group picture by Bob Authur.
Committee member Janelle Authur welcomed guests with the annual “State of the Unit” message. Noting that the event was a tribute to the Unit’s history, Karl and Madoka Knight led guests in a reprisal of the Unit song, “Puff the Magic Golf Cart,” originally composed by Karl for the Seven Year celebration. Dressed for the occasion and song, Karl and Madoka sported shirts with “Anyone Seen Puff?” on the front and Puff the Golf Cart on the back.
During dinner, guests were entertained with a slide show of pictures from past Happy Hours, selected from the Unit’s “library” of roughly 4,000 photos. There were plenty of “oohs and aahs” as to how much residents changed over the years.
Committee members Ginny Wise, Denise Doepke, Mary Jo Stastny, Judie Townsend, and Kate Thomsen then drew winners and distributed door prizes, donated by talented Unit residents. Prizes included pottery, glass, artwork, tickets to events, a car wash, bundt cake, homemade baked and canned goods, wine, and a blanket embroidered with the Unit logo.
The evening ended with music and dancing. Gentlemen were challenged to join in for the Electric Slide line dance; those who danced were eligible for a prize. Six gents gave it a try, with Eric Stover winning the four pack of Ranch beer. “Sweet Caroline” and it’s “so good, so good” lyrics rounded out the singing and “The Party’s Over” the final music.
Unit 6 Ides of March Party
Katie Lundgren
On March 13, about 50 neighbors from Unit 6 partook in an “Ides of March” party. We descended upon host Karen Handschy’s home for an evening of food, wine, and revelry. What on earth is the Ides of March you ask? Well, we had to look it up too… It is roughly the midpoint of a month on the Gregorian calendar, corresponding to the 15th of March (we were close enough). In the year 44 BC, it became notorious as the assassination date of Julius Caesar, making it a turning point in Roman history. Enough of the history lesson and on to the revelry part…
Friends, Romans, and countrymen and women were adorned with riches, OK free food and drink, but that counts. We were entertained by a very noble performer that many of you know at the ranch, Mike Holper, generously hired by neighbors Carl and Nancy Wesley. Many of the revelers donned appropriate Roman attire—yes, togas counted. Pictured are some of the festooned rowdy folk who attended the festivities.
We enjoyed a most jovial evening. After all … the Ides wait for no one.
Units 1 and 3 enjoy dinner at the Cadillac Chaparral Restaurant.
Units 1 and 3 Combine for a Fun Evening
Sue Fetters
Unit 1 and Unit 3 joined forces for a celebratory dinner at Cadillac Chaparral Restaurant. More than 45 residents attended and enjoyed the wonderful, rustic, cowboy-themed restaurant. Bev Hinton organized the event and introduced the new co-captains for Unit 3, Sue Fetters and Lynn Beard. It was a fun evening getting to know our neighbors. We’re looking forward to more social functions to come.