Casta Connections

On the Road Again

Seal Beach Main Street

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

Debra Friedman

Seal Beach is one of the few quintessential sleepy beach communities remaining in Southern California. Walking the main drag of Seal Beach Main Street, you are transported back to earlier days of relaxed living, while experiencing the small-town charm.

During a recent outing to Seal Beach, I met friends on the patio of the Crema Café. It is a quaint bistro, affording people-watching opportunities. Typical of an old-fashioned beach town, there are varied shopping experiences. Seal Beach Main Street, a three-block stretch, includes a dozen boutiques, specialty shops, and restaurants. An iconic landmark on Main Street is the Bay Theater that was built in 1945 as a single screen movie theater. It was known for its screening of foreign, independent, and revival films as well as the massive Wurlitzer organ used for concerts and silent films. Registered as a historic landmark, the theater is currently being restored to its original glory.

A stroll to the Seal Beach Pier takes you past several touristy shops. The Seal Beach Pier, built in 1906, is the longest wooden pier in Orange County at over 1,800 feet. Nearby is the Seal Beach Water Tower House built in 1892 by the Southern Pacific Railroad to supply water to steam engines traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego. After various iterations, it was converted to a home and vacation rental yet it retains its historic appearance.

If you are yearning for the simpler times, head to the place nicknamed “Mayberry by the Sea.”

Reflections of a Casta Newbie

A new resident explores the adventures of Casta.

Nevin Valentine

Have you ever wondered who creates the Casta Courier that arrives on your driveway each month without fail? I can tell you firsthand that, except for the esteemed Editor-in-Chief Judy Clendenin, this community newspaper is the result of a dedicated team of Casa del Sol volunteers. Here’s a glimpse into the meetings where the creation begins.

The leader of an organization sets the tone and I see a lightness of being in Casta Courier Chair Fran Morgan as she leads the monthly staff meeting. Around the table are the volunteers who write the articles, proofread them for accuracy, and take the photos. Everyone is invested in contributing to a top-notch newspaper for their community and truly has a stake in the content and presentation. The camaraderie and shared vision add to the cooperative tone of the meeting, which is run both professionally and with heart. Laughter, lighthearted comments, and friendly support for one another add to the enjoyment and productivity. I expect this congenial atmosphere to continue beginning in January of 2023 under the new leadership of Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Lassos and Chair Debra Friedman.

Each issue contains reports, features, events and party highlights, and community news to inform and engage Casta residents. Just as the Courier is run by volunteers, so too are the groups, clubs, and committees that provide the content. For example, in January of 2022, new resident Amy Lake became the chair of the Social Committee that creates and hosts parties and events throughout the year. One of the first things Amy did as chair was to begin planning the 50th Anniversary of Casta del Sol. At the event, Amy thanked her ambitious committee of volunteers for a truly once in a lifetime celebration that was, of course, featured in the Courier.

At Casta del Sol, there are openings for all of us to volunteer, whether you serve on the Board of Directors, or add inserts to this newspaper each month for delivery. Another option is to just sit back and marvel at this enchanting place to live and read all about it in the Courier!

Holiday Decorating 2022

By Debra Friedman, photos by Kip Isbell

Christmas tree and Hanukkah table in the Vista Room decorated by Casta residents Hanukkah decorators waving peace and shalom

Christmas decorators posing by the tree

On November 29, the Vista Room came to life with holiday decorations for both Christmas and Hanukkah. The Social Committee invited Casta del Sol residents to help decorate for the holidays. About 25 residents trimmed the Christmas tree that is a centerpiece of the Vista Room throughout December. In addition to lights and ornaments hanging from the tree, brightly wrapped “presents” and nutcrackers surrounded the base.

The Hanukkah décor table has also become a notable feature for the past few years. There were about 30 Jewish residents representing Team Hanukkah. They joined together to provide Hanukkah themed items and “presents” wrapped in Hanukkah paper. The large menorah built by Rich Blumenthal, smaller menorahs, dreidels, Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins), signs, candles and other décor adorned the table. The blue, silver, and white of the Hanukkah table provided a nice accompaniment to the green and red of the Christmas décor.

A treat this year was a performance from an acapella quartet featuring Casta’s own Linda Donohoe singing favorite holiday songs. Following that, resident DJ, Kip Isbell, played holiday tunes for easy listening.

The Social Committee provided delicious hot chocolate and snacks while attendees brought other appetizers and desserts. The Yaruss family, who head the Jewish ARMDI group, brought jelly donuts, which are a key element of the Hanukkah story.

This Social Committee event was better attended than in the past and served as a wonderful start to the winter holiday season.

Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Margie Nelson

By Claire Readey, photo by Fred Lake

Margie Nelson enjoying water exercise

Who knew the Water Exercise Club gained Margie Nelson, now 94, by default? After moving to Casta del Sol in 2017, Margie took line dancing classes with Barbara Harris. She was planning to continue the fun exercise she had line dancing in Bakersfield since age 65. However, she soon noticed no one else in the CdS line dance classes was close to her age. “All the twirling is not very good for someone my age. So, I looked for something else and found water exercise.”

Margie found that she loved water exercise. She enjoys the music, the friendly conversation, and lots of smiles, even though she can’t swim. When the pandemic hit, the group was limited to only eight members per day at Pool 2 and close relationships developed. Margie especially loves the country music when others sing along. Margie claims that “with all the music and dancing, I don’t even know I’m exercising!”

So, if you happen by Pool 1 some weekday morning and see Margie waving and smiling at you, you’ll know you’re never too old to try something new!

"With all the music and dancing, I don't even know I'm exercising!"

A Good Read: Apples Never Fall

Book Review by Liz Rickett

The Delaneys built their lives, and the lives of their four children, around tennis. They gave lessons, coached, and owned a tennis facility. The kids are grown, out of the house, and no longer playing competitively. The facility has been sold. The couple is ready to begin a new chapter in their lives, but they are not sure what it will be or how to do it.

Enter a young girl who knocks on their door one night, bruised and barefoot. She explains she has nowhere to go, and their house looked friendly. They take her in. She becomes a part of their lives, cleaning and cooking for them and giving them a focus.

Slowly, secrets are revealed. The family starts to look at what really happened in the past and what is happening now to all the family members.

This book by Liane Moriarty is available in large print in the Casta del Sol Library.

- Courier Committee Members and Staff -

Board Liaison Courier Chair Linda Silverman dirsilverman71@yahoo.com Fran Morgan Fmorgan17@cox.net

Courier Associate Chair Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Editor-in-Chief Judy Clendenin jlclendenin@gmail.com

Secretary Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Section Editors: Association News April Wilsey aprilincal@gmail.com

Bulletin Board Al Guild alguild@earthlink.net

Casta Connections Donna Guild donnaguild@earthlink.net

Clubs Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Committees Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com

Opinions Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

People, Places and Events Fran Morgan Fmorgan17@cox.net

Sports Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com

Columnists:

On the Road Again Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com Reflections of a Casta Newbie Nevin Valentine nevinvalentine@gmail.com Small Talk Dorothy Frances dfranceswrites@yahoo.com What’s Cooking Linda Brockmiller LindaBrock@cox.net Feature Writers: Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com Jeff McCoy jmactr1@gmail.com Fran Morgan Fmorgan17@cox.net Liz Rickett lizrickett@me.com Parizad Sethna Parizad9@outlook.com Jo Steciuk beejul@cox.net Staff Photographers: Darrell Holdaway holdaway@gmail.com Fred Lake lakebcbc@gmail.com Jeff McCoy jmactr1@gmail.com Photo Coordinator: Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com Proofreaders: Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com Donna Guild donnaguild@earthlink.net

Dottie Lewis dottielewis19@gmail.com

Evelyn Rothert erothert@sbcglobal.net

Judy Barrett

lvbarretts20@gmail.com Suzanne Moore jsmoore830@gmail.com Delivery Preparations: David Ankeny candyman803@gmail.com

Courier Volunteers

Calling All Stuffers!

We will meet on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the Vista Room to prepare the Courier for delivery. Please contact David Ankeny at candyman803@gmail.com if you are interested in helping.

Judy Barrett Barbara Brantley Ree Brickman Patti Brotherton Mike Carr Arline Chenarides Joan Corbin Jayne Freed Debra Friedman Barbara Harris Judy Horner Elaine Isbell Kip Isbell Sue Johnson Eliana Jordan Fred Lake Shelly Lethio Ann Loranger Mary Ellen Marcus Cathy McCoy Deb McCoy Jeff McCoy Beverly McKeon Susan McKeon Fran Morgan Linda Nohe Jean Nutter Judy Paskey Marsha Rasmussen Liz Rickett Kathy Schinas Richard Scott Barry Silverman Linda Silverman Myrna Smith Marlene Solem Linda Swain Dolores Thompson Pam Townsend Linda Walters Grala Warren