I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Those of us at SaddleBrooke Rotary certainly have much for which to be thankful. We are thankful for the many new members we have inducted. We are thankful for a very successful Fore For Kids Golf Tournament. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community in so many ways.
And the work of Rotary continues.
Where is the time going?
It seems like it was only a few days ago when we were planning 4th of July celebrations, summer travel and the beginning of our Rotary year. Now here we are, watching our snowbirds return, planning pumpkin festivals and holiday gatherings. The first quarter of the Rotary fiscal year has ended and we are looking forward to a wonderful Holiday Season.
Our committee chairs are so busy with exciting projects, keeping the calendar updated is a constant challenge. Our club has been blessed with a steady stream of new members; it has been exciting getting to know them all.
The first three months of my Rotary year has been exciting, challenging and fun!
How have your first three months gone? Are you getting what you hoped from being a member of our club? Are you finding the opportunities you want to volunteer, to serve on a committee to lead a group? Are you finding the programs interesting? What else would you like to see?
This is your club! We all came to Rotary for different reasons. For some it is a great place to grab lunch and visit friends. For some it is a place to log in and hear a speaker who interests you. And for others it is a place to take a leadership role and bring your great community idea to fruition. What you want to get out of being a member of Rotary is a personal choice, there are no wrong way to do this.
But if for any reason you aren’t getting what you had hoped from your membership, please let me know. You can help make this club the best it can be, all you have to do is speak up, raise your hand, share an idea. I want to hear from you! Call, email, or text me anytime. I would love to hear any thoughts you have.
FORE FOR KIDS ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT TO PICK UP WHERE IT LEFT OFF
In January 2020 members of The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke were hard at work preparing for the annual Fore For Kids Annual Charity Golf Event to be held in April of that year. This critical fundraiser had been held every year since 1998. Yes critical, because in the 21 years this important Rotary event raised over $1/2 million for local community charities serving youth.
The Fore for Kids Annual Charity Golf Tournament has become an important event in the community and is also fun for all, Rotarians, golfers, and guests.
Registration Volunteers Prepare for the golfers arrival
Tournament Chairman, Gordon Wainwright and his daughter, Connie Mander
John and Monica Oszust, Liese Razzeto and Connie Mander
If you would like information on how Rotary may fit into your life and schedule please contact: Wendy Guyton, Membership Chair, 520-404-5712 or by email wguyton17@gmail.com
Saddlebrooke Rotarians took to their bikes in support of the El Tour de Tucson and Rotary's Ride to End Polio. This year over 6,500 competed in the El Tour de Tucson. Thanks to the support of our members we raised over $16,000 (after the Gates Foundation match).
Our riders this year were:
John Oszust, John rode in the 102 mile event.
Monica Oszust rode in the Saddlebrooke Ranch 29 mile loop.
Liese Razzeto, Liese rode in the 57 mile event.
Bill and Diane Demeroutis, Bill and Diane rode in the Saddlebrooke Ranch 29 mile loop.
Doug May and Eric Erickson, These guys rode a tandem bike in the Saddlebrooke Ranch 29 mile loop.
SaddleBrooke Rotary is planning a wonderful holiday dinner/dance at the SaddleBrooke One Clubhouse.
This year we have reserved the Vista Dining Room with dancing in the adjacent Vermillion Room.
Saddlebrooke Rotary members, Amigos, spouses, partners, or guests are invited to our annual Christmas Dinner. This year our entertainment will be Chuck Moses. Chuck always brings the crowd out onto the dance floor.
Here are the details:
Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021 (there will be no regular noon meeting on that date)
Time: Cocktails and social at 5:00 PM; Dinner at 6:00 PM; Dancing and social after until ?
Menu:
Dinner rolls
Mixed green salad with Cranberries, Pine Nuts and Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing with Goat Cheese
(Ranch and raspberry vinaigrette dressing)
Entrees
Slow Roasted Prime Rib served with Au jus and horseradish sour cream, Baked potato and grilled asparagus or
Seared Salmon with Lemon Beurre Blanc served with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus
Dessert: Raspberry swirl cheesecake with chocolate sauce
Coffee, tea, or soda
Price: $55.00 per person. Registration plus payment must be completed and received no later than November 25th.
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You may register on line now by clicking here: or you may register and pay by check at the next meeting or via mail at: Rotary Club of Saddlebrooke, PO Box 8388, Tucson, AZ 85738. Please let us know of your entre choice when you register. An email to Wendy at wguyton17@gmail.com will be fine.
SaddleBrooke Rotarians pitched in this year to help decorate the Vistas at HOA1. Those helping had a great time doing our small part to recognize the many veterans we have in the Saddlebrooke communities.
L to R Dave and Linda Daubers, Elaine Terry, Linda Chase, Monica Oszust, Liese Razzeto, and in front Leslie Hawkins
L to R Sheila Tuhy, Elaine Terry, Monica Oszust, Linda Chase, Chris Millar
Sunday, October 24 at 1 PM at the Oracle Community Learning Gardens Members gathered for the Dedication of the Rotary Peace Pole. We were joined by Past District Governor of District 5500, Ellie Patterson and Peace Initiative Chairman Joe Daniszewski .
As Rotarians, we refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Through our service projects and community outreach, we are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict.
Sometimes, it’s just a matter of using the right words. A Peace Pole is a monument declaring the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in the language of the country in which it is planted and usually several other languages. Peace Poles were created in 1955 in Japan by Masahisa Goi, in wake of the destruction wrought by World War II and the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Devastated by the repercussions of war, Goi wished to spread a message of peace worldwide.
Veterans Service organization dedicated to bettering the lives of those who serve and have served our country in the Armed Forces.
Member of the Executive Board
Southern Arizona Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial
- Present
Education
A group of community leaders dedicated to designing and constructing a highly meaningful, privately funded living memorial to honor past, present and future members of the US Military and all First Responders. This memorial will be a solemn place of reflection, education and remembrance for all citizens.
SaddleBrooke Rotary sent 7 delegates to the 2021 District 5500 Conference. The Casino del Sol was the venue for this year's conference and what a beautiful setting it was. Photos from the event can be found in our photo album on this website. Check our website for more to come on the conference.
Rotary is definitely a worldwide family. Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay presented a check for $1500 to the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke today to support the Rotary Global Grant service project we are doing in partnership with Nogales Rotary Club. Filtered drinking water for kids in 24 schools in Nogales! Rotarians at work again!
Above John Oszust, International Chair of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay, Hawaii and an Amigo of the Rotary Club of Saddlebrooke presents a check for $1,500 to Bill Demeroutis, International Chair of the Rotary Club of Saddlebrooke and Liese Razzeto President.
Another fun event with The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke partnering with Oracle Community Center!
A special thank you to Wendy Guyton, Linda Howard, Liese Razzeto, Bill Demeroutis, Diane Demeroutis for making delicious chili, cornbread muffins, salad and cookies! We had a wonderful turn out of other Rotarians to help with set up, serving lunch, eating & visiting with Oracle community members and clean up! Fun seeing the commercial stove and kitchen our club donated in action!
SaddleBrooke Rotarians joined with the Tri Community Food Bank to assemble and deliver 300 blankets. The Tri Community Food Bank provided the funding while the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke members assembled and delivered the blankets to be given to clients of the Food Bank.
Members participating included: Bre Zientarski, Eric Zientarski, Barbara Barr and family members, Joe Guyton, Chris Millar, Harvey Smith, and Bill Demeroutis.
At our regular meeting on Thursday, September 30, 2021 members of the Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke welcomed 5 new members. The induction ceremony was led by Membership Chairperson, Wendy Guyton. The new members include: John and Linda Howard of Saddlebrooke HOA2, Linda Chase of Saddlebrooke Ranch, and Dave and Linda Daubers also from Saddlebrooke Ranch.
Shown above (l to r) Wendy Guyton, Membership Chair, Patsy Ticknor (Mentor), Linda Chase (New Member), Barbara Barra (Mentor), Linda Daubers (New Member), Dave Daubers (New Member), Bill Demeroutis (Mentor), Linda Howard (New Member), John Howard (New Member), and Harvey Smith (Mentor).
This induction brings the total number of new member inductions since the 1st of June to 9. Congratulations to all!!
Saddlebrooke Rotary Club is proud to announce our latest partnership focusing on Disease Prevention. On Saturday, October 2, 2021 we joined with the Integrated Wellness Network at Mountainview Country Club to host a very interesting and informative presentation by Dr. Allan A. Anderson the current director of the Toole Family Memory Center and the Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Tucson. Dr. Anderson topic was the introduction of the PACT (Preventing Alzheimer's and Cognitive Training study).
On Monday, October 5, 2021 Rotarians joined the Oracle Community Center to host a Night Out at Oracle Community Center. We set up a display of hundreds of books that were for children in the community. Elaine Terry, Chairperson of the Youth Services Committee was joined by Patsy Ticknor, Joe Dylewski, Chris Millar, Wendy and Joe Guyton, Roger Bailey, Linda Chase, Don Terry, and Eric Zientarski. Hot dogs and snacks were provided by the OCC. The event was a lot of fun and served to bring together the Oracle community.
Members of Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke joined together on Saturday, September 18, to help beautify Golder Ranch Road. This has been an annual service project of the club for many years. Always a great fellowship event and a great service to the Catalina community. We would like to thanks the following volunteers for making this project a success again this year:
On Saturday, August 28th, Saddlebrooke Rotary members worked side by side with Oracle Community Center board members at the Oracle Community Center Toy Drive. Our mission was to assist the OCC with this worthwhile event by unloading trucks of donated (by Dollar General) toys at OCC in Oracle. 685 E American Ave, Oracle, AZ 85623. Members of Saddlebrooke Rotary also made cash donations totalling $650.00.
Members of our International Service Committee attended a paella fundraiser of The Rotary Club Nogales Industrial. Fun for all. Those participating were President, Liese Razzeto, Committee Chairman, Bill Demeroutis, and Committee Member Mark Miller.
Five members of the Rotary Club of Saddlebrooke were honored by District Governor, Hank Huisking, with Paul Harris Fellowships. Also present were Club President, Liese Razzeto and Assistant District Governor Marc Snow. Paul Harris Fellows are recognized by Rotary International for outstanding service and financial support for the Rotary Foundation. Those receiving awards were John Ruland, Paul Herr, Chris Millar, Dan Watson, and Mark Miller. Congratulations !!
District 5500 Governor, Hank Huisking, paid a visit to The Rotary Club of SaddleBrooke at the regular meeting on Thursday, August 19.
Longtime Sierra Vista resident, Army wife and retired three-term city councilwoman Henrietta “Hank” Huisking has taken office as the district governor of Rotary International District 5500. Hank will be in SaddleBrooke on Wendesday and Thursday, August 18th and August 19th. On Wednesday she will meet with our Board of Directors and on Thursday she will visit our regular club meeting.
Huisking’s area of responsibility and service as DG spans 50 Rotary Clubs totaling more than 1,300 members. Included are clubs in the Tucson metropolitan area, Sierra Vista and Yuma plus Graham and Cochise counties. This area encompasses 50,000 square miles and serves a population of 1.1 million.
Huisking has been a Rotarian for 15 years and her home club is the Rotary Club of Sierra Vista West. She has been an active and action-oriented Rotarian, as evidenced by her participation and support of the District 5500 Rotary Leadership Institute, the Rotary Leadership Academy, and the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy programs. She has served at the district level as the district secretary. She also supports The Rotary Foundation and is a member of the Paul Harris Society.
Hank is married to Peter Huisking, who also is active with the Rotary Club of Sierra Vista Sunrise. Together they have hosted Rotary Youth Exchange students from Germany, Brazil and Peru plus young businesspeople and professionals from Thailand, South Africa, Brazil, Japan, Turkey and Australia who were members of the Rotary Group Study Exchange program.
Huisking has a bachelor of science degree in education from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She most recently taught water conservation in Cochise County schools for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension WaterWise program.
The Huiskings have three children and six grandchildren living in California. Their favorite pastimes include reading, hiking, cycling, gardening and planning travel adventures with family and friends.