Join Us In Welcoming Our New Residents

Landscape Notes

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10. Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.

The Contractors State License Board website is also an excellent place to start your search for the right contractor for the right job.

The Homeowners Association is not responsible for anyone advertising in either the Casta del Sol phone directory, or the Casta Courier. Owners must do their own due diligence.

Two Casta Couples Celebrate 70th Wedding Anniversary

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Jim and Shirley Saunders

she lived. They saw each other daily as he worked and every Sunday as each family attended the same church. He thought she was cute and that she had nice legs. She thought he was tall, dark, handsome and a hard worker.

After dating a year, Jim asked Shirley’s dad for permission to marry her. Her dad said no, she was too young. The young couple, eager to begin a life together, ran off to Quartzite, Arizona. They got there at 2 a.m. The judge agreed to marry them but charged extra because it was a holiday.

Once married, the young couple drove back and went to their respective homes. They told their moms what they had done. Each mom said they had to get married in the church, which they did after a prayer meeting the following Wednesday. Shirley’s dad was so upset he wouldn’t speak to her for three months.

They continued to live in Bellflower, first in a small trailer belonging to Jim’s aunt, graduating to an apartment, and then buying a two-bedroom, one-bath house for $10,300 with payments of $85 a month.

They then had three sons. They moved to a two-story home in Cypress. When the kids got older, Shirley started selling Avon, moving up to district sales manager. Jim continued to work in the tire business, also becoming a district sales manager. He traveled a lot when the kids were young.

They have six grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren, all of whom live in Southern California.

They enjoy going to services at Mission Viejo Christian Church, being with their family, and playing bingo. Shirley plays shuffleboard and bocce ball.

Asked the secret to their long, happy marriage, Jim credits their old-fashioned values. Shirley says they love each other, are kind to each other, and have stayed in the church.

Architectural

This month let’s talk about Architectural Courtesy Notices, why residents receive them, and how they are processed.

One of these notices is a written notification to the homeowner when the Committee is inspecting homes before exterior painting or at other times. We look for things that are not in compliance with the Architectural Standards and Guidelines of Casta del Sol, or for an item on your property that needs maintenance. The courtesy notice is to draw your attention to the item out of compliance or the need for property maintenance you may not have noticed. Courtesy notices usually provide a 30to 60-day timeframe to bring the issue into compliance.

The Architectural Committee inspects all homes. Each committee member is charged with inspecting approximately 200 homes. Because of the number of homes each inspector has, there are times when something may be out of compliance and not caught right away, but this doesn’t mean we consider that it’s okay just because you didn’t get a courtesy notice. Sometimes we see it, hope you will, too and give you the benefit of the doubt before we write it up.

If, and when, you receive a courtesy notice and you take care of the issues within the given timeframe, then upon reinspection you are found to be in compliance and no further action is needed—that is our goal. The Standards and Guidelines are all listed in our phonebook. Thank you for your help in these matters.

John Nicsinger, Chair, (818) 261-5316

Linda Silverman, Liaison

Budget and Finance

The Budget and Finance (B&F) Committee continues to review the December financial statements and year-end adjustments since many December invoices are received in the months after year-end. In preliminary review of the Casta del Sol financials, the reserve and interest levels will satisfy the beginning funding levels required by the 2023 Reserve Study. We also anticipate a surplus in the Operating account due to savings from salaries, utilities, and repairs and maintenance. Despite the large increase in the Land Maintenance contract, savings are also realized in land maintenance, partly due to reduced planting. Final audited 2022 financial statements will not be available until April.

We welcomed Betty Houston, our new B&F Committee member, in December. She has an extensive business background and will be a valuable addition to our committee. Thank you, Betty!

All residents are welcome to attend the B&F meetings. The Budget and Finance Committee meets regularly on the third Monday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Vista Room. Because the February meeting is scheduled on a holiday, that meeting will be rescheduled. Please look for Eblasts with additional details about our next meeting.

Lisa Shoemaker, Chair, (949) 305-6336

Karen Warren, Liaison

Courier

As new chair of the Courier Committee, I want to thank Fran Morgan who was chair for the past four years. I have watched her lead this committee with knowledge, aplomb, and kindness. She helped us become a family. It will be tough shoes to fill, but I will try.

Some of you know me from having served as secretary of the Courier Committee for the past four years, as well as a feature article writer and a section editor. When I retired from my full-time job in 2018, I strove to become involved in the community. Over the past four years, I have been an officer of the following clubs: Paddle Tennis, Pickleball, Democrats, Variety, and Baby Boomers. I also belong to the Social Committee, and other clubs including Water Exercise, Shuffleboard, Billiards, Bocce Ball, and Casta Creatives. And I participate in the ARMDI Jewish group, Mah Jongg Mavens, and Stampin’ Up cardmaking, as well as attend as many social events as time permits. I believe that an investment in our community results in more satisfied residents.

As chair, I plan to lead with positivity, maintain a democratic environment where all members are heard, and encourage creativity. We are fortunate to have a cohesive team on the committee, a supportive Board liaison, Linda Silverman, and an energetic new Editor-in-Chief, Charlotte Lassos. We meet every second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Fiesta Room to discuss the previous month’s issue and review assignments for future issues.

Debra Friedman, Chair, (949)230-7195 Linds Silverman, Liaison

Election

If you’re thinking about running for one of the three Board of Directors

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Continued from page 9 positions that will be elected this June, Candidate Applications will be available beginning Monday, February 28. Look for detailed information in the March issue of the Courier

The Election Committee finalized the Candidate Application at its January meeting and sent it to the Board for approval. The Calendar and General Notice plans were also approved.

The Election Committee usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Fiesta Room. Due to a scheduling conflict, this month’s meeting will be held on February 8.

Jeff McCoy, Chair, jmactr1@gmail.com

David Shostak, Liaison

Facilities

Let us welcome February and take every chance to express gratitude and love to all we meet. Actions speak volumes.

Now is the time for action. The community needs your support on two matters of great importance. First, the Rec Ctr 2 restrooms are being used by homeowners to bathe their pets. HOA Maintenance is having to clean drains and pipes due to excessive dog hair. Posted signs on doors are being ignored. Refer to page 20 in the Telephone Directory, subheading Pet and Assistance Animal Rules, item 3: No animals are permitted in association buildings or recreation facilities which include locker rooms and restrooms. Facilities is investigating the use of cameras outside the doors.

Second, there are three trash trucks entering streets and cul-de-sacs in the community each Wednesday. The trash trucks enter a cul-de-sac a minimum of six times and possibly 12 times depending on placement of trash receptacles. To help preserve our streets and cul-desacs, please place trash receptacles on the right side of your street.

The Facilities Committee is working on 2023 paving contracts, painting for 2023 (make sure to get trim and stucco repaired due to termite, wood dry rot, or stucco issues), gate locking systems for Rec Ctr 1 and Rec Ctr 2 pools, preparing bids for consultants for Rec Ctr 2 pool remodel, new awning, umbrella covers and picnic tables at Paddle Tennis, remodel of ceramics, resurface of bocce ball courts, replacing chairs used in meeting rooms, and looking into future capital items.

The Facilities Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. in person in the Vista Room or online via Zoom.

Nancy Cunningham, Chair, (949) 350-3562 Matt Loftus, Liaison

Greenbelt

I welcome this opportunity to communicate with community residents and share my goals as the new Greenbelt Committee chair. The committee is now composed of both talented current members and former members who have chosen to come back and bring their knowledge and expertise to us newbies.

This month and next, weather permitting, you may see activity along Jeron- imo between Gate 3 and Olympiad as the slope replanting project proceeds. Although it will take a few years to fully mature, the plants were selected to be drought tolerant, long-term low water usage, fire-resistant, locally available, and cost effective.

Land maintenance consumes nearly 47% of the 2023 Operating Budget (before Reserve contributions are added in) and is comprised of 13 line items ranging from the landscape maintenance contract to tree removal/ planting/pruning, erosion hardscape, irrigation system maintenance, and turf restoration. Ten of those line items cover additional work outside of the landscape maintenance contract. Each time you call in a request to the landscape maintenance contractor, there is a possibility that your Landscape Maintenance Request (LMR) may generate an extra work request to the landscape maintenance team, which in turn generates an invoice for that extra work. Thousands of LMR’s are processed each year.

With uncertain fiscal times ahead, we must work together to reduce water and landscaping costs. The Greenbelt Committee welcomes your comments. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month, at 9 a.m. in the Fiesta Room inside the Administration Office building.

June Anderson, Chair, juanders2004@yahoo.com

Lori Gilbertson, Board Liaison

Library

Several library cards have not been picked up. Therefore, the Library Committee is adding the following information to its library card request form: “YOUR CARD WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP AT RECREATION CENTER #1 IN APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK.”

The library has a new artist on display. Laurence Scott has displayed his photographs and will have them up for the next three months. Stop by and browse his photos next time you are in the area.

New Additions to the Library

Regular Print:

A Dangerous Business, Jane Smiley

All the Broken Places, John Boyne

All the Dark Places, Terri Parlato

Killers of a Certain Age, Deanna Raybourn

Secrets Typed in Blood, Stephen Spottswood

Stella Maris, Cormac McCarthy

Thank You for Listening, Julia Whelan

The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights, Kitty Zeldis

The Golden Couple, Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

The Ingenue, Rachel Kapelke-Dale

The Light Pirate, Lily Brooks-Dalton

The Vibrant Years, Sonali Dev

We Knew All Along, Mina Hardy

Large Print:

A Christmas Memory, Richard Paul Evans

Montana Mail-Order Bride, Janet Tronstad

Situationship, Marina Adair

The Old Place, Bobby Finger

The Other Side of Night, Adam Hamdy

The Stills, Jes Montgomery

To Kill a Troubadour, Martin Walker Pat Vitti, Chair, (949) 457-9194 Matt Loftus, Liaison

Social

The Social Committee is starting 2023 with many exciting events planned for the year. Mark your calendars for Sunday February 12 at 2:45 p.m. Casta del Sol is pleased to announce our Super Bowl Party in the Vista Room. This is a potluck party, so bring your favorite appetizer, dessert, or munchie to share. Bring your own beer. This is a free event but we do ask you to sign up at Rec Ctr 1 so we will have an idea of how many will be attending. And please wear your favorite sports attire and bring a little cash; we are hoping for a pool.

Other events to look forward to include a Sock Hop, a Fashion Show, Memorial Day Celebration, Car Show, Fiesta Tuesday, Newcomers’ Welcome, Western Hoedown, Halloween Party, Holiday Decorating Party and of course, our New Year’s Eve Gala. Also in the works is a monthly movie night.

We are hoping this will offer something for everyone. I would like to thank all the members of the Social Committee for their hard work and commitment to providing our neighbors with wonderful activities to participate in. Retirement is where it’s at. Amy Lake, Chair, (516) 263-7941, Arlake225@gmail.com

Karen Warren, Liaison

Traffic

We have all grown to enjoy the benefits of car keys that have the buttons to open and lock doors, garage door openers, and tailgates, etc. When you need a duplicate key fob, it isn’t as simple as going to the key-making kiosk or store that can cut a key for you. Inside the fob is a chip that holds a specific code for your car, so cutting a new metal key doesn’t produce a key that will work unless you also program the fob to your specific car. Several residents have commented on the shock of learning the price of a new duplicate key fob. Car dealers duplicate key fobs can start at $350 and go up from there quickly. Residents have successfully purchased duplicates from locksmiths for far less. The Casta del Sol Homeowners Telephone Directory has a listing for Locksmiths on page 112, and you can do a Google search for more options. Many locksmiths will come to you and make the duplicate key fob while you watch. Others will do it at their store location. I just had a locksmith show up in my driveway on time, pop open his trunk, and 30 minutes later I had a spare key again. A caution here: this assumes you have a working key fob they can duplicate. If you’ve lost all your keys, this doesn’t apply, and your only option may be to order another from the dealer.

Lynn Yeazel, Co-Chair, (949) 582 0212, lyhdtv@gmail.com

John Nethercutt, Co-Chair, (858) 688 3136, ravens987@hotmail.com

Welcome

Welcome as always to newcomers in the community. Members of the Welcome Committee contact new residents to arrange a meeting and provide a packet of information about the many programs and clubs in Casta del Sol, and to answer your questions. If you have not yet been contacted by one of our members and wish to meet, you may email me to arrange a time and place to get together with one or two of us.

Welcome to Casta once again and we hope you enjoy exploring and finding your way around the community. We look forward to meeting each one of you.

Priscilla Tripp, Chair, ptripp1@gmail.com

Joe Hachadoorian, Liaison

Bible Study

Any resident of Casta del Sol who has an interest in participating in the study of the Bible is welcome to join us. This is an active group of folks from different churches. Our studies are varied , but always Bible-oriented. We examine and/or question the study of the day, but always keep the discussion on topic from the Bible.

The club meets at Rec Ctr 2 every Tuesday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for study and prayer. Come and join us as we sing the old hymns.

We are a no-dues club. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Peter Filakouridis at (949) 305-1935.

Kay Reed, dentist2cali@gmail.com, (949) 354-1460

Billiards

Valentine’s Day is coming. This is the chance to give your true love the perfect gift: billiards lessons and their own shiny new pool cue. You just know that this will put a smile on their face and love in their heart. Lessons are free in the Billiards Room. Just send me an email or give me a call. Everything you need to get started is available for both beginners and those of you who want to sharpen your almost forgotten skills.

We will announce our first 8-ball tournament shortly. It’s a double-elimination tournament where each player is guaranteed at least two chances to win. At least one of those games will be against a player at or near your skill level. For more information, send me an email or put your name and email address on the bulletin board in the Billiards Room.

Fred Wilmott, BilliardsCdS@cox.net, (949) 367-6671

Bridge

Due to an oversight on my part, there was no bridge column last month welcoming in the New Year, so Happy New Year! We have transitioned to playing bridge at Rec Ctr 1 in the new Garden Room across from the Billiard Room. Kudos for the structural changes made and Casta del Sol maintenance folks who did so much.

There are always people moving into CdS. If you are new (or an old timer), we invite you to let us know you are interested in playing or learning bridge. Just send me an email with “bridge” in the subject line and we will try to plug you in; please indicate if you play rubber bridge or duplicate bridge. Or phone me and leave a message, I’m in the CdS phone book. Duplicate bridge at CdS is unsanctioned by the ACBL.

Tim McCoy, mccoytest@cox.net

Canine Companions

Our Andy is now 12 years old; that makes him 84 in dog years, or so they say. In one more year he will surpass me at 91. We are both doing fine though walks are slower, sleeping is longer, and meals are smaller; all to be expected. Life is good, make it so.

Last month’s chili luncheon was another success of Linda’s cooking and the club’s enjoyment. Both the dogs and members enjoyed one another. It was a bit raucous, but for a few hours of good fellowship it was worth it. I dream of a time when we will have our own Casta del Sol dog park. We hope to approach the committees and the board shortly with our proposal.

Please be reminded that this month’s meeting is Valentine Dog Dress Up and will include pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw. The date is Saturday, February 18, 1 to 3 p.m. RSVP is requested.

Tom Brockmiller, lindabrock@cox.net, (949) 412-1083

Casta Creatives

Calling all artists. Join us for Open Studio Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Arts & Crafts Room at Rec Ctr 1. Bring a piece that you are working on. Get help, ideas, and inspiration from the artists in Casta del Sol. All levels are welcome, from aspiring to advanced.

Annual membership dues are $15. This allows members to participate in weekly Open Studio, art exhibits, demos, and to receive the email newsletter.

Pat Satterthwaite, Casta del Sol resident artist, spent over ten years painting with international western and wildlife artist, Phil Journey. She will be conducting an oil painting demo on Thursday, February 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Arts & Crafts Room at Rec Ctr 1. For more information, contact Maribeth McFaul.

Maribeth McFaul, maribethmcfaul@gmail.com

Ceramics

The Ceramics Club is preparing to host the Annual Flea Market on March 10 and 11 where you can sell anything except clothing, electronics, and furniture. Held in the Vista Room at Rec Ctr 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., this event is always well attended. From jewelry to tableware to original works of art, you never know just what you might find there. If you want to be on the vendor end of the equation, you may sign up for a table no earlier than February 17 at Rec Ctr 1. Carol Favreau is head of the Flea Market Committee; you may contact her at (714) 470-8181 if you have any questions.

Monthly lessons in various methods with clay are ongoing for members and posted in the Arts and Crafts Room on cabinet 12. Past classes have included cut work, wax resist, and drip methods.

Jo Steciuk, (949) 394-5181

Crafts For Charity

This month, the Crafts Ladies will continue with projects for Valentine’s Day and begin on our spring items. We’ll be packaging items for a Valentine gift bag for the women at Laura’s House, a shelter for domestic violence victims. Later in the month, we’ll begin working on journals, cards, and other items. If you’d like to join in the fun, please drop by. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. until about noon at Rec Ctr 2. Club meetings will be on February 1 and February 15. There is no membership fee and we do not take attendance; come when you can. We are most grateful for voluntary donations to help defray the cost of materials. We are always looking for new ideas for craft projects and recipients. For details, call Marlene Kazan, (949) 916-5044.

Jessica Hollowell, (310) 480-9003

Cribbage

We play cribbage each Thursday in the Heritage Room at Rec Ctr 2 from 6:30 p.m. until about 8:45 p.m. If you are interested in learning to play this old English card game, any of our members would be willing to teach you on a one-to-one basis, or we can do it on a Thursday evening; it’s really not that complicated. You just need to be able to count to 31. If you have ever played in the past, the rules will quickly come flooding back; just come on down for a few games and a general social evening. There is no sign-up or commitment. If you want more information, contact Susan Herrning.

Susan Herrning, susanherrning@aol.com,

(949) 630-2565

Democrats

Our New Year Pizza Party on January 15 was well attended. Our meetings will usually be on the third Sunday each month at 3 p.m. with the earlier start time making it easier for those who don’t drive when it’s dark.

The officers have been meeting and making plans for various speakers and topics of interest. We will address local and national topics as well as those applying specifically to Casta del Sol. We welcome suggestions for issues to address. To grow our meeting attendance, we are asking everyone to encourage friends to attend.

The camaraderie during our meetings is important, so starting in February, please bring food or beverages to share and stay to mingle. If you have not received emails and would like to add your name to the list, please let me know.

Debra Friedman, debrafriedman0@gmail.com, (949) 230-7195

Health & Fitness

January’s unseasonably rainy weather forced a lot of us indoors for our workouts which was great news for our fitness club. It was good to chat with fellow fitness friends. I think we’re all appreciative of our well-lit and cheery new space. On that note, if you hop on a stationary bike on sunny days, you’ll be a lot more comfortable with the new tinting of the rear windows. This cuts down on the sun glare, particularly in the afternoons. We have also submitted a request to have pull-down blinds installed on the rear windows allowing for customized workouts Casta-style. Your suggestions for further improvements are always welcome.

Helen Freedman, pelicanpost123@yahoo.com, (646) 662-7325

Heritage Garden

February is the month when love sprouts and blooms in the Heritage Garden. We celebrate love and friendship on Valentine’s Day, and National Wear Red Day reminds us to take care of our

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Heritage Garden

Continued from page 12 heart health. There is no better way to incorporate heart health into your life than taking a refreshing walk through our Heritage Garden and bonding with nature. There is always something new to discover in the garden. Check out the changes in the Butterfly Garden. Pergolas, butterfly puddling stations, and new walking paths have been added. The area is blooming with newly propagated plants taking root. Our resident garden volunteers are hard at work getting ready for spring in other areas of the garden; be sure to stop and share a smile with them. So, adorn your favorite red outfit, gather your recyclables with CRV, and head out to the Heritage Garden. See you in the garden!

Parizad Sethna, Parizad9@outlook.com, (949) 298-0076

Italian American

We hope everyone had a good time at our January Gala. Our next event will be on February 9 at 6 p.m. at Rec Ctr 1 for Bingo Night. Some changes for 2023 include: we will only be serving cookies, coffee, and water. The cost for members is $5 and for non-members is $10. Bingo cards are $1 each with a $100 payout on the last game. Membership dues for 2023 are $10 for a single or $15 for a couple. The deadline to join is March 1. We are looking forward to a fun year, so be sure to join us.

Lucille Naves, neilnaves@cox.net, (949) 600-5887

Lapidary & Jewelry Making

Lapidary/Jewelry Club members are looking forward to an active year in 2023. We meet every Friday afternoon in the Arts and Crafts Room from 1 to 4 p.m. Come join us any time. We will be having our first class this year on chain mail. We will provide an interesting class demonstrating three types of chain mail, and we’ll use them to create chain mail bracelets and earrings. This may lead to a whole new hobby for you. Materials fee is $5 for chain mail rings in various colors. We will provide tools, instruction, and camaraderie. To reserve a spot, email Joe McFaul.

Our March class will be on simple wire wrapping and clasps for setting beads and cabochons. Details will follow.

Joe McFaul, sealawr@aol.com, (949) 981-7824

Las Damas

Love is in the air as Las Damas Club prepares for its Valentine luncheon on Wednesday, February 8, in the Vista Room. The luncheon menu will feature a Chicken Marsala entree with cherry pie for dessert. Randy Taylor, vocalist, will entertain us with Broadway favorites laced with toe-tapping Doo Wop classics to set our Valentine hearts racing. Ticket sales end Sunday, February 5, at Rec Ctr 1; prices are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Checks are made out to Las Damas Club. Annual dues of $15 are payable as well.

Following the Valentine luncheon, reservations will go on sale for the March 8 luncheon which features Irish beef stew and key lime pie in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Sensational keyboardist, vocalist, and guitarist Ron Johnson will provide exciting afternoon entertainment.

Pat Crowley, (949) 305-0582

Military Veterans

I am honored to serve this year as president of the Casta del Sol Military Veterans Club. My wife Tara and I moved to Casta del Sol in January 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are grateful and happy to be part of this great community. I served four years in the Army and did tours in Germany, Crete, Greece, Egypt, and Ft. Bliss, Texas.

Kip Isbell, our former president, along with our other active officers, Vice President Mike Schlesinger, Secretary Steve Vallely, Treasurer Bill Burfeind, and Sargent-at-Arms Randy Smith, have done an outstanding job keeping this club together. I am proud to be part of this team of veterans. We are looking forward to an exciting 2023 and beyond. Our next meeting will be on Monday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Vista Room.

Roddy Jordan, roddy@roddyjordan.com

Ping Pong

How are your New Year resolutions going? Were you hoping to get more exercise and been foiled by our recent rainy month? Well, the good news is that Ping Pong is great exercise and can be played rain or shine. We meet on most Saturday mornings inside the Vista Room at 9 a.m. We mostly play doubles for about one and a half hours. All skill levels are welcome. We’re looking forward to seeing you there. For more information, contact Sherry Hargrove.

Sherry Hargrove, (858) 336-5369

Pinochle

Attention pinochle players. We play pinochle in the Heritage Room at Rec Ctr 2 every Friday, with play starting promptly at 6:30 p.m. In December, Terry Owen had high game with 1,140 and Alice McNany was second (three hands) with 1,010. The high series was won by Cathie Joy with a total of 4,280 points. There were only three double

Note: All meetings are subject to a change of location or being on Zoom.

Holiday Parties Galore

By Debra Friedman, photos by Darrell Holdaway and Fred Lake Atrifecta

of festive parties launched an exciting holiday season. The Paddle Pickle Party, a combined event of the Paddle Tennis Club and the Pickleball Club was spectacular as the party was elegant, fun, entertaining, and palate pleasing. A unique element of this party was the “Ugly Sweater” contest. Setting aside the potential rivalry between these two sports, “Team Pickleball” and “Team Paddle Tennis” were united in merriment. The dynamic duo of Kimberly and Wade Wooldridge led a musical round of “Meet New Friends and Keep the Old.” Further antics included Wade dressed as the conehead Beldar from Saturday Night Live, and both sporting Russian accents to deliver door prizes. Other musical entertainment was provided by pianist Boyd Garrison. Catered by Martinez, the dinner included chicken cordon bleu, potatoes, green beans, and cheesecake.

A second party was a collaboration of the Shuffleboard and Bocce Ball Clubs. The distinguishing feature was Tony Rogers, an annual audience pleaser. Tony is a personable, energetic entertainer with a fantastic voice and lots of dance moves. He assigns each table one of the characters in the 12 Days of Christmas to sing and mime. This year he added the 8 Nights of Hanukkah with lyrics including “7 Rabbis Dancing,” “3 Golden Latkes,” and “2 Matzoh Balls.” Other signature Tony Rogers audience participation tunes included: My Girl, Hit the Road Jack, Rawhide (complete with napkin waving), and a conga line snaking through the ballroom. Jolanda’s food was a choice of brisket or salmon in addition to scalloped potatoes, vegetables, and cheesecake.

With more than 100 attendees, members and non-members, the Tennis Club’s party buzzed with excitement. The guitarist, Brandon Wildish, began with mellow soft rock during dinner, then transitioned to dance music. The menu included chicken piccata, with several kinds of pasta and was catered by Joe’s Italian Restaurant and Bar. Party attendees experienced the best of the hospitality at Casta del Sol as evidenced by the joyous nature of our residents.

Shuffleboard and Bocce Ball Officers and Social: Mo Caywood, Carol Zinsmeister, Debra Friedman, Bob Caywood, Valorie Stover, Pat Vitti, Susan Herning, Mary Lou Oster, Jim Kinney (photo by Darrell Holdaway)

Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Officers and Social: Jim and Marti McGee, Metty Thomason, Al and Donna Guild, Trish Jacobs, Debra Friedman, Laura Marsh, Kathy Wu, Dan Viotto, Sondra and Butch Nelson, Wade and Kimberly Wooldridge (photo by Darrell Holdaway)

Tennis Club Officers and Social: Sonia Le Tourneau, Jodie Trainer, Tony and Rochelle Lawrence, Hedy Kane, Lori Franklin, Roger and Judy Gyger, Bruce Greenberg (photo by Fred Lake)

Pinochle

Continued from page 13 pinochles reported. Congratulations to our winners.

Anyone interested in the game of pinochle is invited to come and join us. For more information, call Wayne at (949) 916-5387.

Nancy Money, cnmoney@aol.com, (949) 457-9066

Republicans

The Republican Club has some fun events in store for you this year. We will begin the year with our first event planned for Sunday, February 5. We wanted to schedule this event for February 12 but decided it probably would not compete well with Super Bowl Sunday. We are working on the plans and will send out more information closer to the event date. We continue to strive to provide our membership with informative and interesting topics, guest speakers, and films.

It is time to collect dues for the 2023 year. There is no increase in the dues, which remain at $10 individual and $15 per couple. We have completed another year and it becomes necessary to replenish the treasury in order to continue to provide our events at no charge to dues-paying members. Thank you for your continued support.

Betty Houston, Consultantbetty@gmail.com, (626) 422-0771

Social Singles

If you are a Casta del Sol resident who is single, you are invited to join our Social Singles group. We have no membership dues. We will be meeting for lunch on Thursday, February 9 at 12:30 p.m. at China Moon in Laguna Niguel. Please remember to RSVP to Carol Kowalsky at cekewpie1@cox.net by Monday, February 6 to reserve your seat at the table. To join the group and get on our email list, or for more information, please contact Mary Carlson.

Mary Carlson, marycarlson28@gmail.com, (949) 380-0744

Support Group

This support group is to help each other in our community. We help those that are caregivers, or who are grieving from losing a loved one or from losing independence, as well as other kinds of grief. The Support Group provides an in-person place to share feelings confidentially, to get and give emotional support, to make friends, and to learn from others who have walked a similar path. We meet twice a month. For additional information, please contact Kathy Wu.

Kathy Wu,

kathywu.mv@gmail.com, (818) 590-8009

Variety

The cast and crew of recent Variety Club shows were so gratified after successful performances that we have already planned for our next show. We have secured the weekend of June 30 to July 2 for our next performance, with specific dates and times to be confirmed. We are planning to continue the high quality, entertaining, and humorous types of shows we have done for the past few years. Future Courier articles will provide additional information.

The Variety Club is a group of performers and crew members who enjoy being together, laughing, and learning a lot about self-confidence and theater skills. If you are interested in joining us for future shows, please contact Barb Turino at (951) 858-7350.

Debra Friedman, debrafriedman0@gmail.com, (949) 230-7195

Vegetable Garden

The weather has been interesting. The days are becoming longer allowing gardeners to be able to work longer. The citrus trees have been full of fruit. Onions, broccoli, cabbage, radishes, and kale are coming into full growth. Garlic takes about 100 days to grow and will probably produce shoots this month.

Our new executive board is slowly settling in, and we are making plans for special events; watch for announcements. For the last two years, we have had a surge of interest in obtaining garden plots. Even with turnovers, as one person obtains a lot, another person joins the list. So, would-be gardeners, please be patient; your turn will come and we will welcome you to our club.

Michael Schlesinger, mikeschles123@gmail.com, (914) 815-1002

Woodworkers

Woodworkers Club members are looking forward to a busy and rewarding new year completing small, requested projects and repairs for Casta del Sol residents, plus creating new projects for display at other club activities during the year. Working in our garages limits the size and type of project that we can complete. We haven’t given up hope for a future hobby woodshop in Casta del Sol which would open new opportunities for members and residents.

We will enjoy visiting the Orange County Woodworks Association monthly meetings for new ideas in woodworking projects and demonstrations with new woodworking tools. Woodworkers meet twice each week at Rec Ctr 1 in the Arts and Crafts Room across from the Vista Room. Meetings are on Mondays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Drop by if you have a request or you are interested in our activities.

Steve Vallely, (714) 595-5766

Away Golf

Our next tournament will be held on Tuesday, March 14 at the beautiful Welk Resort in Escondido; we will play the Fountains Course. Consecutive tee times will start at 9 a.m. Cost for golf with cart and prizes is $55. Sign-up will be available at Casta del Sol Rec Ctr 1 from February 16 through March 6. Make checks out to CdS Away Golf Club. Mark your calendar: you won’t want to miss out on our first tournament of 2023. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Joyce Parlin, (949) 588-0337 along with the busy holiday activity schedule. There is no new news on the lake conditions for fishing. The only club activity currently going on is ocean fishing on the Laguna Woods Rod and Gun Club charter. There will only be one charter in February due to the closed rockfish season. We will be having a luncheon meeting on February 24. Newcomers are welcome; contact Nick Morenc for details. Until next month, tight lines for all.

Nick Morenc, (949) 588-6223

Golf Chippers

Men’s Golf

Our first quarterly Winter Tournament was played January 18, followed by an Awards Dinner held in the Vista Room. The affair included complimentary appetizers and beverages followed by a Mexican bill of fare served by Martinez Catering.

Bocce Ball

We continue to play Bocce Ball on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 2 to 3 p.m. New players are always welcome to come down and join in the fun.

A big thank you to Pam and Bob Hrad who agreed to take over the refreshment set-up. Also, a big thank you to Judy, Blanca, and Gunther for fulfilling this job for many years. Your help was appreciated by all.

Dues for 2023 will remain at $10 per year and are now payable by check at Rec Ctr 1. Our next regular meeting will be held on Monday, February 6 at 7 p.m. in the Fiesta Room. Following a short business meeting, we will be playing cards.

Carol Zinsmeister, (949) 305-9890

Bowling

The Casta del Sol Bowling League bowls on Thursdays at 1 p.m. at Saddleback Lanes on Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo. We have openings on three of our 16 teams, so if you are interested in joining us for some fun and camaraderie you can contact us at either of the numbers listed below. If you do not want to commit to bowling every week, you could get on our list of subs; just call Donna Miller at (949) 395-8958. If interested in checking out how much fun we have, you can always stop by on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Saddleback Lanes.

Van Quinn, (949) 842-9151

Fishing

Hello to all. We hope that you had a very happy holiday season. In winter, fishing is typically slow. Bad weather and cold waters are contributing factors

Save the date: Saturday, February 4 at 9 a.m. for the initial Golf Chippers event of the new year at the Rec Ctr 2 golf practice area. The cost is $5. All Casta del Sol residents and adult guests are invited. If you wish, bring a white elephant or golf-related item for the prize table. Cash prizes go to the top three women and top three men as we hit short golf shots at 18 targets. That’s called chipping. Bring a wedge golf club or let us provide one for you. Practice balls are always available. We accept golf sets that you don’t use anymore. Someone else might love to have them. New golfers and new residents are welcome to participate. There are no annual dues because we meet only four times per year. Come out and give it a try. Volunteer set-up on Friday, February 3 at 9 a.m. Any questions? Call Bob Hrad.

Bob Hrad, (949) 290-0366

Lawn Bowling

All right, I get it. The New Year’s resolutions haven’t kicked into effect yet due to the weather. You’re right. Our winter starting times for lawn bowling on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are made moot when the green is too wet to roll. Well, looks like the rain is over for a while by the time you read this column, so what is stopping you from taking up a new healthy hobby like lawn bowling? No finger holes in the bowls to ruin your nails, and no dirt on the grass to get you filthy like bocce can. You get a good workout as you will walk almost 600 yards in a 12 end game with time to rest after you’ve tossed each turn. So, if you really want some fun times exercising, call Mr. Shuman Chan at (626) 428-0250 for a lesson time.

Roman Swystun, (818) 669-9970

Our Governing Board met the first Wednesday of the month to review planned activities for the coming year. Items discussed included review of the rules, finances, club championships, and memberships. We now have 106 members, including five recently added since December. If you are interested in joining our club, please contact our membership chairman Al Arnott at (714) 425-4320. Our club can look forward to an enjoyable and prosperous New Year.

The February games are: 2/1 - Team Twosome Total; 2/8 - Odd/ Even Twosome; 2/15 - Team Best Ball; 2/22 - Jeopardy.

Merl Barrett, (949) 770-5024

Paddle Tennis

The first event of 2023 is the Love of the Game tournament on February

18 at 8:30 a.m. Tournament Director Dan Viotto will let members know the details about sign-ups. We are planning two other tournaments at Casta del Sol during 2023. We also plan to bring back our popular social events: Progressive Dinner, Pizza Olympics, Annual Meeting, and Holiday Party. A save-the-date schedule was sent to members in January, so we hope our members can plan to make many of those events.

We always welcome new members, so come try out and practice paddle tennis during open court at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. We are collecting dues of $10 per person for the Paddle Tennis Club for 2023. This entitles members to participate in our social events and tournaments.

Debra Friedman, debrafriedman0@gmail.com, (949) 230-7195

Pickleball

In between rainy days, club members are still coming out to enjoy playing pickleball during regular open play times. If you want to watch or try pickleball, come to the courts during club open play on Monday and Wednesday

Continued on page 18

Pickleball

Continued from page 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. Beginners are welcome during open play; we have extra paddles and more experienced players will provide instruction. Pickleball is a great sport for seniors; if you enjoy your experience, you can sign up to join the club for just $10 per year. That membership will enable you to participate in all the club’s activities: open play, monthly clinics, tournaments, and social gatherings. All club members are kept up to date on activities through weekly emails.

If you have any questions about Pickleball, please contact Metty Thomason at (714) 325-3526, or Donna Guild.

Donna Guild, (949) 446-0005

Shuffleboard

There will be a Shuffleboard Bingo Party in the Vista Room with sandwiches, salads, and desserts on March 24 at 6 p.m. The leagues are back with the Pot of Gold league on Wednesday evening, and the Tuesday morning league. The Wednesday Friendly Shufflers welcome players to join us Wednesday mornings for a “no take- out” style of play. Don’t forget lessons and practice on Friday mornings at 10 a.m. with Bob and Mo Caywood. The Sunday Super Shuffle will take place on February 12 at 1 p.m. and the Sunday Potluck Social Shuffle will be on February 26 at 2 p.m.

We now have a full complement of 2023 officers: President Jim Kinney; Vice-President Howard Reafsnyder; Secretary Sherry Hargrove; Treasurer Susan Herning; Social Directors Val Stover and Eleanor Reafsnyder; and Publicity Director Debra Friedman.

For further information about the leagues or other shuffleboard questions, please contact Jim Kinney at dothemath99@yahoo.com

Debra Friedman, debrafriedman0@gmail.com, (949) 230-7195

Tennis

2022 was a banner year for the Casta del Sol Tennis Club with a variety of fun-filled activities both on and off the courts. The club’s recently elected board is now actively developing a similar series of events for 2023. As we begin the new year, we would like to extend a hearty invitation to all Casta residents to take a swing at one or more of the on-court activities that the Tennis Club sponsors. These activities include scheduled round-robin events on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, as well as several informal gatherings on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Although the year began with some awful tennis weather, we’re confident that clearer skies are on the horizon. In the meantime, we can take advantage of the brief dry spells and use our very efficient Roller-Dri court drier to eliminate small moisture areas. We’re looking forward to seeing you on the courts.

Roger Gyger, (630) 430 - 9045

Puns for fun:

(compiled by Jeff McCoy)

We need a 12-step group for compulsive talkers. They could call it On Anon Anon. - Paula Poundstone

My cat just walked up to the paper shredder and said, “Teach me everything you know.”

I just read that 4,153,237 people got married last year. Not to cause any trouble, but shouldn’t that be an even number?

On the Road Again

Paramount Studios

New to SoCal, too busy to explore, or perhaps time to revisit? Debra offers suggestions.

Debra Friedman

In the greater Los Angeles area, there are various large movie studios that offer tours. Universal Studios is the largest and most popular of these. But there are also tours offered at Warner Bros., Sony, and Paramount Studios. A group of Casta del Sol friends descended on Paramount Studios to delve into the connection to Lucille Ball. Upon entering the majestic arched entrance to Paramount Studios, we were immersed in a myriad of experiences dedicated to memorable movie stars, movies, and TV shows.

Paramount Studios, located in Hollywood, offers a two-hour long tour with substantial time on the backlot. The backlot consisted of backdrops from 10 distinct New York City locales, including Brooklyn and downtown. The Tour Center featured historical information about the studio, while the

What’s Cooking at Casta

Want help in the kitchen? Linda shares her favorite recipes.

Linda Brockmiller

Loaded Peanut Butter Cookies

1 ½ cups rolled oats

1 cup creamy peanut butter (not Natural)

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. baking soda

2 large eggs

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut

½ cup chopped mini peanut butter cups (Trader Jo’s) prop warehouse was replete with an array of memorable props, including a motorcycle from GI Joe and a Cadillac from Dream Girls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread oats on large baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, 10-12 minutes.

Paramount Studios, in existence since 1926, was built on 26 acres with four sound stages and has grown to 65 acres with 30 sound stages. We toured the sound stage for the Dr. Phil Show while it was on hiatus. The number of cameras overhead and amount of equipment used was astounding.

In addition to the captivating movie and TV related visual experiences, were the behind-the-scenes stories of famous actors. For instance, Elvis Presley was the only actor to sleep on the lot because as he entered and exited, he was mobbed by fans. Since our tour group was focused on Lucille Ball, we heard extensive details about Paramount acquiring Desilu Studios.

If you have enjoyed other studio tours or always wanted to visit one, Paramount is a must see for all fans of movies and TV.

Reflections of a Casta Newbie

A new resident explores the adventures of Casta.

the last day the grove stood before being completely cut down to make room for development. Perhaps you had similar experiences growing up and have memories of favorite childhood places where you too were steeped in nature.

Nevin Valentine

I keep a treasured seed pod from the eucalyptus grove that stood in the center of my family’s ranch in Napa, California. My maternal grandparents had a home on the ranch, as did my mother and her two sisters. My sisters and I, along with our seven cousins, played together on the 300-acre property that included gardens, fields and pastures, and scores of trees imported from allover the world. One of the trees in the eucalyptus grove had a wraparound bench where family members gathered regularly to visit. Wild shrubs and gnarly trees nearby created what my older cousins claimed was “Fairyland.” I spent hours sitting under the trees there waiting for the fairies to appear. It was a magical place to grow up. In recent years, housing tracks replaced the fields where the fairies lived. The day I picked up that seed cap was

Let cool. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine peanut butter and butter in large bowl and beat with mixer on medium speed. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, and beat until smooth. Beat in the eggs and stir in toasted oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and peanut butter cups.

Scoop mounds of dough with small ice cream scoop. Lightly flatten with fingers.

Bake, switching pans half way until edges of cookies are set but soft. 18-20 minutes. Let cookies rest and transfer to rack to cool.

Small Talk

Laundry…Yesterday and Today

A freelance writer’s humorous spin on the ups and downs of life.

Whenever I grumble about doing laundry, I think back to what laundry day was like for my mother.

Compared to modern compact washers, our second-hand wringer washer looked like a laundry-devouring beast. Mom put in the clothes and once the large tub filled with water, she added powdered laundry detergent. Thus fed, the beast agitated for a while before the wash water drained out and the tub refilled for rinsing.

Next came wringing. Our wringer wasn’t motorized, so once the clothes were done rinsing, Mom fed them into the wringer with one hand and cranked a handle with the other, thus moving the clothes through and squeezing out excess water.

The wet laundry was dropped into a wash basket which she lugged down the back steps to the rear yard. Using wooden clothespins, the laundry was hung out to dry on a clothesline that extended from the house to a nearby tree. This process ran smoothly on a dry, summer day. But, when black clouds and thunder indicated rain, women could be seen frantically rushing outside to bring in their laundry. In the winter, the clothes invariably froze and had to be defrosted in the house on clothes racks placed in front of radiators or over the furnace grate. Lastly, ironing was unavoidable and, without benefit of today’s light-weight steam irons, must have been a very tiring chore.

Imagine my delight when I discovered the Heritage Garden at Casta del Sol! Sense memory flooded my heart, mind, and body as I walked the paths and marveled at the trees and plants of my youth. The woodlands had the enticing qualities of fairyland. The majestic trees that I climbed as a child were everywhere. Then I saw the most amazing sight: a tree with a wraparound bench in the center of the garden. I was home again.

I make frequent pilgrimages to the Heritage Garden to take in the restorative qualities of the trees. Being in this magical garden goes deeper for me as a place to remember, reflect, and return to the sense experience of the trees I loved and took refuge in as a child and teen.

Thank you to garden angels Michael, Beth, Paula, Vangie, and the entire garden team for their vision, labor of love, and dedication to Casta del Sol’s magical getaway.

I salute the women of yesteryear for their laundry fortitude. And now…I’m headed to the garage to hug my washer and dryer.

Remember When? Going to the Movies

By April Wilsey

When I first started going to the movies, our ticket actually allowed us to see two movies. In addition, we viewed a cartoon, and on Saturdays, there was a serial such as Flash Gordon that continued each week. Also, between each movie, there was a long intermission so patrons could make a trip to buy more popcorn and candy. In those days, there was no rating system because there were no movies rated higher than what is now PG13.

Fast forward to today. Little did I ever expect to be paying $12 for a senior ticket for only one movie and several previews of other movies that were “coming soon.” Not to mention the exorbitant price of movie theater popcorn and refreshments.

Do you have a story for Remember When? Is so, contact Debra Friedman at debrafriedman0@gmail.com.

News You Can Use

Headsets Available for the Vista Room

If you are having difficulty hearing what is being said at meetings and events in the Vista Room, there is some help available to you. There are six small devices that can be adjusted for volume, each with a headset which makes the sound more concentrated and amplified. Just check in at the Rec Ctr 1 office before the event or meeting and request the use of one of these devices.

Restaurant Review – Silverlake Ramen

By Debra Friedman

The Irvine Spectrum is chock-full of excellent restaurants, so it is fun to venture out and sample new ones. Silverlake Ramen is a national chain that arrived at the Irvine Spectrum during the pandemic. This is the first “noodle house” in the Spectrum, although there are several other Asian based restaurants.

The message from Silverlake Ramen on their website is inspiring: “From the fabric of the streets to the kitchens in our homes, Silverlake Ramen is crafted to feed the soul. Our environment is designed to mix street-inspired visual twists with rave-worthy flavors sure to satisfy every family member. We encourage our guests to boldly slurp away.”

The menu at Silverlake Ramen is condensed and focused. Several appetizer options are included with the combination meal. We sampled the Gyoza, Crunchy Shrimp Roll, and

Edamame; all of which were stellar. Of course, the piece de resistance is the Ramen, of which there are more than five variations, including vegetarian choices. Several of us ordered the “classic” Ramen, being conservative newbies. This variation has a creamy pork-based broth. Apparently, a key ingredient of “real” Ramen is a seasoned egg. Who knew? I’m mostly familiar with Cup O Noodles. The portion size was enough for two meals and the price was reasonable at about $20 for the combination meal.

Head on out to Silverlake Ramen if you want an elevated meal of Ramen noodles that is delicious and filling. At the Spectrum, it is located near the movie theaters; the phone number is (949) 932-0295, but no reservations are needed.

Do you have a restaurant to recommend? Please send details to Fran Morgan at fmorgan17@cox.net.

A Good Read: How the Penguins Saved Veronica

By Liz Rickett

Veronica McCreedy is 85 years old. Life has not been kind to her. She has no family, nor any friends. What she does have is money, lots of it.

One day, she sees a television documentary about penguins being studied in Antarctica. She tells the scientists she is coming to visit their station. They don’t want her to visit. She goes anyway.

This charming book details how this visit changes many lives, including Veronica’s and the grandson she never knew she had.

This large print book, by Hazel Prior, is available in the Casta del Sol Library.

A Heartfelt Farewell and a Hearty Welcome

By April Wilsey, photo by Kip Isbell

In 2010, Judy Clendenin was hired as editor-in-chief of the Courier by the Board of Directors of Casta del Sol. She had previously worked as an editor and a layout designer for two community associations. When she was invited to sit in on a Courier Committee meeting, she was impressed by the volunteers’ various talents and professionalism.

One wonderful addition that Judy brought to our community paper was designating photographers to cover events for articles that had been planned for upcoming issues of the Courier. She also created two new sections: People Places and Events and the Feature Page, which enriched the paper

Butterflies – Nature’s Little Angels

By Parizad Sethna, photos by Jeff McCoy

Have you had a chance to visit the Heritage Garden and stroll through the recently expanded and enhanced Butterfly Garden area? Thanks to our resident volunteers who have been hard at work, there is now a new workstation, a beautiful new pergola with flower planters, and a “puddling” area for nature’s little angels to hydrate. Butterflies, as all living things, need water to survive. However, they cannot land on water, which makes it difficult for them to use bird baths for hydration. So, our ingenious volunteers built a water puddling area for them. To visit the puddling area, enter the butterfly garden through the trellis covered with blooming passion flowers and you will see the new pergola with planter boxes. Pass through the pergola and you will see an artistically built raised bed with butterfly water feeders, aka butterfly puddlers. These are shallow trays with layers of sand and stones that hold water. Butterflies have a long nose-like tube called proboscis, which they use to sip water from this shallow tray. This water also provides them with salt and important minerals derived from the sand in the tray. with new and different types of interesting articles.

In Judy’s own words: “While I was proud of the Courier as a publication, I was even more proud of the respectful camaraderie with the volunteers that grew with each monthly meeting, as we pulled together our own specific skills that were honed during professional careers and life experiences.”

The Courier Committee offers a heartfelt goodbye to Judy Clendenin and we wish her a wonderful retirement.

Charlotte Lassos was first interviewed by representatives from the Courier Committee during the summer of 2022 for the position of editor-in-chief. She has an extensive list of accomplishments in communications, which she majored in at California State University, Fullerton. After the committee recommended her for our editor-in-chief position, she was approved by the Homeowners Associa-

Butterflies play a vital role in our ecosystem, as they pollinate and increase biodiversity, which is essential for our planet. Our Heritage Garden, with its abundance of flora, provides a haven tion Board.

Charlotte has more than 25 years of experience as a writer, editor, and marketing/communications professional. She is well-versed in all aspects of production of both print and online newsletters. She has worked on layout, design, printing, and distribution. Charlotte has several years of experience as an editor-in-chief, producing publications for large corporate brands, such as Mattel, Toyota, and Chevron.

In Charlotte’s own words: “I was drawn to Casta del Sol because it is a unique city within a city, and it is evident the residents take pride in their community. I am also inspired by the Courier Committee which is made up of dedicated, creative, and talented individuals.” for nature’s little angels to flourish. So, lace up your shoes and walk to the butterfly garden and immerse yourself in its beauty.

The Courier Committee would like to welcome our new Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Lassos, and congratulate her on her first issue of the Casta Courier.

Strummers Holiday Fa la la la la la la

By Parizad Sethna,

photos by Jeff McCoy

Joyful sounds of holiday music filled the Vista Room when our very talented Casta del Sol Strummers group performed a fabulous free holiday concert for residents and families in December. The magic of the classical holiday favorites the Strummers sang and played, sparked instant joyful memories and the catchy melodies made it impossible to resist singing along. The age-old Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindee r was an instant crowd pleaser and the Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah song had everyone singing and clapping along with joy. Kids’ favorite Jingle Bells brought sparkle in children’s eyes and the melodious rendering of Winter’s Night evoked nostalgia. Over 100 young and old reveled in the audience sing-along.

Audience enjoying sing-along in the festive Vista Room

The CdS Strummers are a talented group of resident music lovers who get together regularly to sing, strum, and perform. The holiday musical ensemble consisted of gifted guitarists who strummed in unison, a drummer who had our feet tapping, ukulele players who had us swaying to their sweet tones, and vocalists that had us singing along. An enchanting afternoon was had by all, making it a December to remember. Thank you, Strummers. We look forward to your next performance.

Artist in Residence: Laurence Scott

By Debra Friedman, photos by Fred Lake

Laurence Scott, a multi-talented man, is accomplished in art, writing, and music. Laurence moved to Casta del Sol three years ago and we are privileged to have him share his art for our “Artist in Residence” program through the Library Committee.

His interest in photography began when he was a military policeman stationed in Vietnam during 1966-67. While on patrol, he found a camera lying in the mud. This first camera, a Kowa, inspired his new hobby. After a break of about 10 years, he bought a new camera, a Pentax K1000, and ventured into perfecting his camera skills. He learned more about exposure times, F-stops, and the options available on

SLR cameras. Upon his retirement, he began to spend considerable time focusing on his love of photography.

The subjects he prefers are primarily landscapes and objects framed with a unique point of view. He rarely photographs people. Laurence articulates that he “likes design and manipulation of the elements, such as texture, lighting, and balance that go into making a good composition.” He captures his subject in color on a Nikon D8000 digital camera and uses Adobe Photoshop for editing. He is self-taught, enhancing his expertise without taking classes.

Some of his photos are printed on aluminum for its reflective quality, but the rest are printed on ordinary photo paper. When he is inspired by a subject, he embarks on a mission. For the captivating photo of a rural barn, he admired the configuration of buildings and colorful trash cans. Laurence returned after a rainstorm and captured the setting enhanced by a rainbow.

A retrospective of his work was shown online at Exhibizone.com until January. Over the years he has been privileged to have had seven solo shows and contributed pieces to group shows in galleries from the current show in Corona del Mar north to Santa Cruz. He also has pieces exhibited in many online art exhibits. He plans to continue perfecting photography as a hobby and hopes to be invited to more shows.

Where in the World: Svalbard

By Donna Guild

I’m guessing that very few of you have been to, or even heard of, Svalbard. Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. It is one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, and during the summer there are 24 hours of daylight. If you have heard of it, it is probably because of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which opened in 2008. It was created to provide security for the world’s food supply.

In June 2022, my husband Al and I traveled to Svalbard to spend a fascinating eight days on the Endurance, a brand-new National Geographic ship rated as Polar Class 5 (icebreaker), along with 120 other adventurous souls. One of the treats of the voyage very mellow. Our temperatures ranged from 26 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and although we rarely saw the sun, we had only one day of rain and wind. was seeing the beautiful sea ice from our balcony as we plowed through it. Glacial ice reflects the blue colors of the light spectrum, and the intense contrast of the blue and white was stunningly beautiful.

Our off-ship activities included excursions in eight-person zodiacs, where we saw many walruses up close and personal, and guided naturalist walks ashore, which helped us to better understand and appreciate the environment around us. Many of the ancient cliffs were home to thousands of nesting birds, tiny arctic plants lined our paths, reindeer grazed serenely, and we stood in front of Recherchebreen, a huge glacier.

Much of the trip was above the Arctic Circle, and at one point we were only 630 miles from the North Pole. Considering our location, the weather was

From the ship we saw six polar bears on the ice, including a huge male with a fresh bearded seal kill. The ship maintained quite a distance from the bears so as to not disturb them, but we were able to see them clearly through the scopes provided by the ship, our binoculars, and using our camera zoom lenses. We also saw many whales, including belugas and fin whales.

It was a fascinating trip!

Recently Remodeled Residences: Jo Steciuk

By Debra Friedman, photos by Jo Steciuk

When Mike and Jo Steciuk left their Glendale home of 31 years to move farther south, they never expected to end up in a senior community. The one criterion for their new home was that it be a new home. Mike said, “I want to walk in, hang up my toothbrush, and have a beer.” Jo said, “We're never remodeling again.” But that’s not exactly the way it happened.

When the Steciuk’s realtor gave up on finding them something new, she asked them to look at something a little older in a community that was captivating. Entering Gate One of Casta del Sol, they were immediately struck by the lush landscape, and when they walked into the Via Rodrigo house, they loved it, but knew it needed extensive remodeling. They bought it and immediately remodeled the kitchen, replaced the flooring with wood, tile, and carpet. They also installed double windows, a wraparound Mexican paver patio, and painted. The bathrooms had to wait a little longer, however.

Jo had always wanted gold bathroom fixtures even if they’d gone out of style in favor of polished nickel. They changed the single sink to a double replacing the counter with a creamy marble slab, added a Victorian-style, gold-accented, dark mahogany footed vanity, and then installed the keenly-sought gold fixtures. The existing porcelain flooring still sufficed, but they ran natural, rough, 3-1/2-inch-square travertine tile up the walls without grout to provide an ancient appearance. This was accented all around with bands of grouted inch-by-half-inch, very modern, glittering gold glass tile for a notso-subtle juxtaposition. Jo describes her décor preferences as a mixture of old and new or eclectic, so the master bath fit right in.

Patty Oldakowski and the Benches of Casta del Sol

By Liz Rickett, photo by Kip Isbell and Jeff McCoy

If you appreciate having a place to rest while walking the hills of Casta del Sol, thank Patty Oldakowski and her Bench Committee.

A 20-year resident of Casta, Patty has served on the Facilities Committee for 10 years. Before that, she served on the Architectural Committee for six years. Part of her duties on the Architectural Committee involved making sure that benches in the community were uniform in style and color. This was easier said than done, as the companies making benches would tweak styles and change colors making it impossible to have uniformity.

When Patty moved from Architectural to Facilities, she took responsibility for benches in Casta with her and continued working with the Architectural Committee. As part of her duties, she and the Committee surveyed all the benches in the community, noting placement, style, and color. With the help of our maintenance staff, she discovered that benches could be repaired, rebuilt, and painted instead of replaced. Working with maintenance, they became cannibals, tearing apart benches and developing protocols to do this in-house. This not only saved a lot of money, but it also ensured uniformity.

During the Covid shutdown, the Maintenance Department went through Casta, repairing and painting all benches. Gone were the old concrete backless benches. Now all benches have backs, making them more comfortable for residents to rest.

When the City of Mission Viejo replaced benches at the Oso Creek Golf Course, they donated benches to us. These were either set in place in the community or saved for parts.

Patty indicated she often gets calls from residents asking for a bench to be placed in a certain location. Maintenance goes to that location and checks it out to see if a pad can be laid at the requested location, considering such things as placement of sprinkler heads, and proximity of another bench, etc.

Patty’s work on Facilities is not limited to benches. She’s worked on 11 projects, chairing nine, and still manages to work 20 hours each week.