Casta Courier - March 2023

President’s Message

Marci Smith, President

What is it like to be on the Board of Directors and why should you consider volunteering? I hear so many people in our community state that they would never be on the Board of Directors. But somebody has to do it. Should not that person be reasonable, fair and just? Should they be independent and not have a personal agenda? The answer, of course, is yes. Does that description fit you? If so, please consider running for one of the three seats up for election this coming June.

As a board director, you will receive background information and documentation on an iPad provided to you by the Homeowners Association the Friday before the Thursday meeting. You should be

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Manager’s Report

Marilyn Smith, General Manager Board of Director Candidates

The Homeowners Association is preparing for the June 22 Annual Meeting and Election of Officers. The primary purpose of this year’s meeting is to elect candidates to serve the community as members of the Board of Directors. This year, the membership will be voting to fill three positions that are up for election. Should you be interested in serving the community, please pick up a Candidate Application at the Administration Office and submit it along with a not-to-exceed 300-word resume no later than March 31, which is the deadline for candidates to submit a resume

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A Call for Candidates for Three Board Seats

Article and photo by Jeff McCoy, Election Committee Chair

Casta del Sol, with its 1,927 homes and more than 3,000 residents, is like a small city or town. Its presiding governmental body consists of seven Board of Director members elected by homeowners, of which three will be selected this coming June. The Board of Directors makes decisions on numerous issues that affect the daily lives of Casta residents. Thirteen committees, like the Greenbelt, Facilities, Budget and Finance, and Traffic, make recommendations to the Board that are then discussed, voted on and either approved, sent back to a committee for more work, or denied. When proposals are approved, the Board then directs Casta’s professional management team to implement the plans.

New Garden Room

Resident volunteers are the heart and soul of a well-run Homeowners’ Association. That is especially true of Board members, who, to quote past Board President Bill Burfeind, “jointly decide the directions the community must take to keep Casta a viable adult community for both current and future residents.” Besides attendance at the monthly Board of Directors meeting and Board workshops, each Board member serves as a liaison to at least one committee. The position can be time consuming, but it is so important. The satisfaction of collaborating with other community members to maintain Casta’s high

Article by Liz Rickett, photos by Jeff McCoy

Thegreat switch at Rec Ctr 1 is complete; the old Garden Room is now the new Fitness Center and the old Fitness Center is the new Garden Room.

It had been obvious to Casta del Sol residents for some time that the former Fitness Center was not meeting the community’s needs. The big question was where and how to put in a facility that would work. After a lengthy process, the Facilities Committee, with Chair Nancy Cunningham at the helm, decided the easiest, most cost effective,

Annual Flea Market Scheduled for March 10-11

Article and photo by Darrelyn Wood

It’shere, again! The Casta del Sol annual Flea Market, hosted by the Ceramics Club, will be held on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in our beautiful Vista Room.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to browse for and purchase second-hand treasures and unique handmade CdS residents are invited to shop for bargains

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standards of common interests can be very rewarding.

Fortunately, Casta del Sol is blessed with numerous residents whose vocation trained them in skills that would make them ideal candidates for the Board. Learned proficiencies

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fastest solution was to swap usage of the two rooms.

First, under the direction of Ed Pedroncelli and his maintenance team, along with Coast Fitness, and input from the Health and Fitness Club, the Garden Room was transformed into a new Fitness Center. Then DBaC Inc., a design and construction company, presented plans to change the former Fitness Center into a multi-purpose room. This entailed designs, plans, permits from the City of Mission Viejo,

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2023 Election –General Notice

Notice of Procedures for Submitting Candidate Nominations for Election of Directors

A General Notice, as required by California Civil Code, providing procedures to obtain and submit an application to become a Candidate in the June 22, 2023 Election for one of three Board Directors, has been posted on the Association Bulletin Board at Rec Ctr 1 and on the website: www.castadelsol. com. Login – Select Homeowners and then in the dropdown menu, select Election

President’s Message

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prepared to read hundreds of pages and know the points you would like to bring up for discussion during the Thursday Board meeting. Come to the meeting with an open mind and be willing to listen and learn from your fellow directors, staff, chairs and committee members, and residents. Engage in logical, thoughtful dialogue on the matter at hand. As a director your vote is one of seven and the responsibility to do what is best for the entire community is of the utmost importance.

It is helpful if you have an understanding of the past and how the committee structure at Casta del Sol operates. I encourage you to start attending as many BoD and committee meetings as possible. Read the Davis-Stirling Act and educate yourself on Casta del Sol’s policies and procedures. Does this sound like a lot of work? Yes, it is a lot of work. But why would you leave the direction of the community in the hands of others since, for many of us, our house is our largest single asset? Instead, participate and protect property values by having a well-maintained and financially responsible HOA.

It is way too easy to let someone else carry the burden of time and responsibility. I can attest to feeling the weight of the community on my shoulders, and you may too, should you run and be elected to the BoD. However, being of service to others by volunteering also provides one with a feeling of great accomplishment which can never be earned by staying on the sidelines.

Public Library Homebound Books-By-Mail Service

Source: City of Mission Viejo

Newsletter

The Mission Viejo Library is now offering a Homebound Books-ByMail service to the community. This free service is for Mission Viejo residents who are unable to physically visit the library due to temporary or long-term mobility issues, health, or disability barriers.

A Homebound library card entitles you to a 3-item checkout limit, 3-item hold limit, 4-week checkout period with no renewals, and free postage to/from the Mission Viejo Library.

You will receive your title selections by USPS mail. Shipping

Manager’s Report

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for inclusion in the May issue of the Courier.

If you would like to run, you can submit by email to swadsley@power stonepm.com or mail to the Management Office at 27651 Casta del Sol Dr., Mission Viejo, CA 92692. Please add to the envelope, Attention: Candidate Application. If you mail or bring it into the office, please provide a computerized copy on a USB drive that will be returned to you.

Volunteerism is essential in the success of the HOA. The staff here at Casta del Sol would like to encourage residents to get involved with your community and consider running for the Board of Directors.

Scams

This time of the year, tax-related scams are common. There are quite a few of such emails floating around out there. Criminals commonly pose as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a tax accounting service, or another tax-related agency. You could receive fake emails, phone calls, letters, or other communications.

Be on high alert for phishing emails. Any unsolicited communication such as an email, text message, or phone call that asks for a username, password, financial information, personal data, or click here to reset/change your password should immediately raise a red flag. Some FAQs that can help to avoid these scams:

Q. Will the IRS contact me via email?

A. No. The IRS never initiates contact via email or text message.

Q. What should I do if I receive an email or text message claiming to be from the IRS?

A. Do not reply. Do not click on any links or download any attachments. Forward the message to phishing@irs. gov then delete the original message without responding.

instructions and return packaging will be provided inside of your Homebound package. After one year, you must reapply. The library will send a reminder to folks enrolled. Apply for the free service online at newsletter@cityofmissionviejo.org

For more information, contact Myles at mjones@ cityofmssionviejo.org; (949) 8307100, ext. 5130. The Mission Viejo Library is located at 100 Civic Center.

Casta del Sol HOA - Board of Directors -

President: Marci Smith marcitaylorsmith@gmail.com

Vice President: David Shostak davidrshostak@gmail.com

Treasurer: Karen Warren kwarrencds@gmail.com

Secretary: Linda Silverman dirsilverman71@yahoo.com

Directors: Lori Gilbertson lori9CDS@gmail.com Joe Hachadoorian joecdsbod@gmail.com Matt Loftus mloft107@gmail.com

For Courier staffing contact information, please see page 26

The Casta Courier is published monthly by the Casta del Sol Homeowners Association. The mailing address is 27651 Casta del Sol Drive, Mission Viejo, Calif. 92692. Deadline for submitting material for the next month appears at the bottom of this page.

DISCLAIMER

CdS Homeowners Association and Farmer Publications, accept no responsibility for content, accuracy or opinion, expressed or implied, of articles, letters or advertisements. Inclusion of advertisements does not carry with it any endorsement, actual or implied, for the product or services advertised. The CdS Homeowners Association and Farmer Publications have content Rules and Restrictions that must be met, and accept no responsibility for damage occasioned through use of products or services advertised herein.

Landscape Notes

Bill Thornton, Landscape Services Coordinator

Backflow Prevention Devices

The Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) and all water agencies require by law that backflow devices shall be installed on domestic irrigation systems and be inspected, repaired, or replaced annually for proper operation. A backflow prevention assembly is used to protect the drinking water supply from contamination or pollution due to a backflow. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds water suppliers responsible for maintaining a certain amount of purity in potable water systems.

In potable water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a higher pressure to enable water to flow from the tap, shower, etc. When pressure

Submissions to the Courier

The Opinion Letters section of the Courier has been temporarily suspended.

Contributions to our ongoing series are encouraged: Where in the World (travel stories), Sharing Our Roots (ancestry), Remember When? (activities/items from the past), and local Restaurant Reviews. Our staff will work with residents to write and/or edit the above submissions. We’re also looking for submissions about recent, unique remodels. Please send submissions or story ideas to debrafriedman0@ gmail.com

The Courier Committee meets in the Fiesta Room on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m.

fails, or is reduced from broken SMWD mainlines, or there is an unexpectedly high demand on a water system, the pressure in the pipe may be reduced and may allow water from the ground or storage to be drawn back into the SMWD system from the HOA irrigation system without this device.

All irrigation backflows were tested in late 2022 and comply with the laws. Casta del Sol has an excellent record of maintaining these devices in full compliance with all laws for the protection of residents.

Free Paper Shredding

The City of Mission Viejo is hosting a free paper shredding event for Mission Viejo residents. The event will be held on Saturday, March 25 from 9-11 a.m. in the City Hall Parking Lot located at 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo. Residents may bring up to 5 banker-size boxes (24” x 12” x 10”) worth of paper records for immediate shredding. Proof of residency is required.

Board Meeting Highlights

The Board:

February 16, 2022

• Approved the January 2023 financial report from Treasurer Karen Warren, as shown on this page.

• Approved the appointment of Mary Kay Crowley to the Ad Hoc Committee for the Review of Policies and Procedures.

• Approved the appointment of Marci Smith and Lisa Shoemaker as Co-Chairs to the Ad Hoc Committee for the review of policies and procedures.

• Approved the removal and replacement of the decomposed granite in the Bocce Ball Courts by O’Connell Landscape at a total cost of $5,678.20.

• Approved the purchase of window blinds for the fitness center from Budget Blinds at a total cost of $1,305.70.

• Approved installation of a small pergola in the Heritage Garden by Stanco Construction at a cost of $1,900 with funds to be provided by donations from members of the Heritage Garden Club. The Heritage Garden Club assumes responsibility for all future costs associated with repairs, maintenance, and/ or removal of the pergola.

• General Manager Marilyn Smith reported that there will be three Board of Director seats up for election in June. Applications are available at the Rec Ctr 1 office. The website certificate for Casta del Sol has been renewed.

• Landscape Services Coordinator Bill Thornton reported there were 210 landscape maintenance requests received in January. A large tree branch fell during the recent storm. The tree was assessed and will be removed. A fence on Silvestre was damaged by falling branches and will be repaired.

• Maintenance Services Supervisor Ed Pedroncelli reported on ongoing maintenance projects. The paint project is on schedule despite the recent rains.

• Recreation Director Valerie Hanich reminded residents that all payments for activities and parties are paid by check. There are no cash payments accepted at the Rec Office.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be held March 16, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the Vista Room. The next workshop meeting will be held March 2, at 9 a.m. in the Vista Room

Fran Morgan, Courier Chair

**For a copy of the January 2023 Treasurer’s Report, refer to castadelsol.com, Recreation Center bulletin boards, and/or eblasts.

January Treasurer’s Report

Total HOA Assets as of January 31, 2023 are $6,665,358, an increase of $280,939 from last month. This includes the following:

• Operating Cash is $1,349,895. This includes $205,388 in cash, $644,507 invested in a money market account, and $500,000 invested in four CDs with interest rates between 2.50 and 4.35%. There are no operating CDs that mature in February 2023

• Reserve Cash is $4,742,200. This includes $725,985 invested in a money market account, $4,200,000 invested in 21 CDs with interest rates between .70 and 4.50%, plus $18,319 in prepaid taxes and $35,493 in interest. There is also a total expense due to Operating Cash in the amount of $237,597. There is one Reserve CD that matures on February 24. This CD will be rolled over for a nine-month CD in the amount of $200,000. At this time, we do not have the official rate.

• Capital Improvement Cash is $$203,732. This account is funded by budgeting $8 per month per homeowner that results in monthly capital contributions of $15,416 plus interest.

• Total Outstanding Accounts Receivable is $78,631. The allowance for Bad Debts is $47,701 and is adjusted monthly. It is equal to outstanding receivable balances over 31 days.

The following is a selection of our operating category expenses for the one month of 2023.

General & Administration is: $114,364 which is $4,944 over budget.

Land Maintenance is: $270,727 which is $92,702 under budget.

Recreation/Lifestyle is: $35,647 which is $3,890 under budget.

Repairs and Maintenance is: $24,332 which is $2,231 under budget.

Traffic Control is: $76,423 which is $285 under budget.

Utilities are: $92,392 which is $4,676 over budget.

TOTAL Operating Expenses

Before Reserves is: $613,885 which is $89,489 under budget.

TOTAL Operating Expense

Including Reserves and Interest is: $937,205 which is $80,085 under bud.

The following is a sampling of operating category expense for the month of January 2023.

General and Administration

• Office Supplies/Equipment is $3,537 which is $2,704 over budget due to an increase in monthly office supplies/equipment expenses.

Maintenance

• Repair and Maintenance is $6,145 which is $395 over budget due to additional repair and maintenance expenses.

Utilities

• Electricity is $30,189 which is $12,668 over budget due to seasonal increase in the usage of electricity.

Treasurer’s Comments:

This Treasurer’s Report includes all information compiled through January 31, 2023. The financial statement for January currently includes expenses for 2022 that were not paid until January 2023. These expenses will be reallocated to 2022 after the audit, which will be concluded in March of this year. The Landscape Committee sent out an RFP for the Jeronimo Slope and had five companies attend a site walk. We are awaiting final legal approval of the new Landscape Contract. The Board will keep the membership apprised of all progress made on all outstanding projects. We had one reserve CD of $200,000 to be rolled over on February 24, 2023.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Warren, Treasurer

A Call for Candidates for Three Board Seats

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in management, finance, contract negotiation, communication, research, human resources, science, and technology are talents and assets, if shared, that can benefit the entire community. Becoming a Board member is an opportunity to make a positive difference where you live.

If you are interested in running for one of the three Board of Director’s positions that will be elected this

June, you can pick up a Candidate Application at the Administrative Office or Rec Ctr 1 office. If your application and resume (maxium 300 words) is received by March 31, your candidate’s statement and picture will appear in the May edition of the Casta Courier. A Courier photographer will take your picture for that edition. To have your name appear on the official ballot, a Candidate Application must be received by April 17.

Annual Flea Market Scheduled for March 10-11

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items. You never know what you might find! Stop by the popular baked goods table for homemade, delectable

treats and the raffle table for awesome gift baskets. Questions? Call Carol Favreau at (714) 470-8181.

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.

New Garden Room

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Maintenance Report

Ed Pedroncelli, Maintenance Services Supervisor

is 12 to 24 inches from the nozzle to the wall.

• Use cleaning agents like:

• plain dish soap and warm water

demolition, and construction. Under the direction of the Maintenance Department and the Facilities Committee, the work was completed on schedule.

The new Garden Room is now available for card groups and other social groups that previously met in the Fiesta

Room. The Fiesta Room is now used primarily as a meeting room.

Valerie Hanich is in charge of assigning rooms for activities. If your group would like to meet in the new Garden Room, contact her at Rec Ctr 1.

Stucco is more of a maintenance-free finish; however, it does require attention. Maintenance is minimal, providing the stucco is in good shape, and maintaining is easy. Stucco can be washed and should be washed two to three times a year to maintain the finish coat’s ability to shine and function. Below are a few suggestions:

• You can use a garden hose to wash down the exterior, however, this will only remove a small amount of the dirt and debris. For a better result, use a medium stiffness brush to remove dirt.

• A pressure washer is preferred as it is much faster and less labor intensive. If you use a pressure washer, it should be capable of 1500 psi minimum, and you want to use a 40-degree nozzle. However, be mindful of the distance as it can damage the stucco. A good distance

• bleach and water solution can be used on mold and mildew stains but be careful of nearby plantings and anything else that may be damaged by bleach. The solution is one part bleach to 10 to 20 parts water for general cleaning or one part bleach and five to ten parts water for tougher stains. Always test a small area before using bleach to see how it reacts.

• TSP can also work well. Use one to two cups per one gallon of water and pre-soak the wall first from the bottom working your way up.

Ed

Pedroncelli,

epedroncelli@powerstonepm.com, (949) 215-9155

Donna Duhn, Maintenance Coordinator, dduhn@powerstonepm.com,

(949) 455-4671

(office)

Architectural

Spring is in the air. March 20 is the first day of spring. That means we have started the painting of homes for 2023. If you are in the paint zone, we hope you are getting excited because now you get to choose one of the beautiful color schemes for your home. This can be a stressful event, but it need not be if you ask all the right questions. Before you pick the color scheme, look at all the hardscape of your home: window trim, shutters, brick or stone-faced areas and planters, as well as fences, doors, walkways, patio covers and, most important, your roof color. Are any of these areas permanent and cannot be painted? Next, decide if you want warm tones or cool tones. Do you like a contrast between stucco and trim or do you like a more neutral combination? Now you are ready to look at the color schemes on display in the Library. You may choose from the schemes that are displayed for your model. For example: if you have a Carmel model, you have five schemes to choose from. Each scheme has a coordinated stucco color that Dunn-Edwards Paints has tastefully assembled for your choosing. There are also trim and front door color options that will give your door the pop of

color you may want. Remember that if your house is attached to another, you and your neighbors will have to decide on the colors together. Enjoy the adventure and a beautiful new look to your home.

John Nicsinger, Chair, (818) 261-5316

Linda Silverman, Liaison

Budget and Finance

The Budget & Finance Committee (B&F) continues to review the December financial statements and year-end adjustments since many December invoices are received in the months after year-end. In February, a few of the B&F members attended the Board of Directors ad hoc committee meetings to discuss improvements to the draft Casta del Sol Policy and Procedures document created by B&F. In March, we will review the draft audited 2022 financial statements before going to the BoD in April for approval.

We welcomed Barry Silverman to our committee in January. He has an extensive business background and will be a valuable addition to our committee.

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. Our next meeting will be held on March 20. Please look for eblasts with additional details about our next meeting.

Lisa Shoemaker, Chair, (949) 305-6336

Karen Warren, Liaison

Courier

In the new year, we are embarking on several new approaches and projects. We are gathering writers, proofers, and photographers for workshops over the next few months, especially since our committee has grown. We are also planning to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Casta del Sol newsletter in July with several articles and perhaps a different look. Our new Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Lassos has brought many new skills and ideas to the table. We plan to use a secure cloud system for organizing and storing our story files, making for easier access to committee members.

The new deadline of the 6th of the month has worked well and helped to make the layout and publication of the Courier proceed smoothly.

We have had a large number of residents attend our monthly stuffing event. It is the place to be, so thank you to all who assist.

Our committee met with the Board of Directors recently to discuss Opinion Letters. We reiterated the extensive rules that guide our entire publication as well as additional rules for Opinion Letters. Moving forward, we are likely to have additional review prior to publication. We want to provide a place for the widest readership and viewing of residents’ opinions, rather than relying on social media or word of mouth.

The Committee meets 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 Linda Silverman, Liaison

Election

In an article written by April Wilsey for the February 2023 Casta Courier, the new Courier Editor-in Chief Charlotte Lassos describes Casta del Sol as “a unique city within a city.” Cities, small or large, flourish when they are

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Election

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well-managed and meet the needs of their inhabitants. Informed and dedicated leadership from boards and councils is essential to a thriving community. If you would like to help guide the decisions that benefit yourself, your neighbors and our “unique city,” consider running for one of the three open Board of Directors positions. Candidate Applications can be picked up at the Administrative Office or Rec Ctr 1 office. The Election Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Fiesta Room.

Jeff McCoy, Chair, jmactr1@gmail.com

David Shostak, Liaison

Facilities

Spring is in the air, or is it Spring cleaning? Think about sharing those old items with your church, Goodwill, or other nonprofit organizations.

Please keep the following items on your radar. Rec Ctr 2 restrooms by the pool are not to be used to bathe pets; this is prohibited based on Rules & Regulations found in the Homeowners Directory, page 20, sub-heading “Pet and Assistance Animal Rules,” Item 3. Place trash receptacles on the

right side as you enter your cul-de-sac. Trash trucks often enter a cul-de-sac at a minimum of six times and possibly 12 times depending on placement of trash receptacles. Help to preserve our streets and cul-de-sacs.

The committee is working on several projects for 2023. These include paving contracts, home painting, gate locking systems at Rec Ctr 1 and Rec Ctr 2 Pool, preparing bids for consultants to manage quotes on 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, adding blinds to the Fitness Center, replacing pool heaters and controllers at Rec Ctr 2 Pool, replacing lawn bowling back boards, removing the shade structure at Rec Ctr 2 Pool due to wood rot and termites, fixing and replacing chain link fencing between Gates 1 and 2, replacing wrought iron fencing at Gate 1, and looking into future capital items.

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

Nancy Cunningham, Chair, (949) 350-3562

Matt Loftus, Liaison

Greenbelt

As you know, Casta del Sol is more than 50 years old. With age comes a mature tree and plantscape, both in common areas and foundation plantings. The latter is the focus of this month’s article. The Casta del Sol Homeowners Telephone Directory contains Greenbelt Rules & Regulations starting on page 55. Of particular note is Paragraph 2 – “Foundation, Side Yards, and Side Entryways,” which

is important enough to have seven sub-sections. As I drive through CdS, it’s obvious that many residents are out of compliance which then falls on your neighbor volunteers on the Greenbelt and Architectural Committees to police the community. No one likes handing out Violation Notices, but that is the task of committee members. I ask you to take the time to fully read the Rules & Regulations and ask yourself, “Am I in compliance?”

Foundation trees can cause damage, too. So take a walk around your home’s exterior and see if you have trees in your foundation planter that require removal to prevent damage to your home’s infrastructure or to HOA community property.

The Greenbelt Tree Project Group is currently evaluating CdS’s treescape. They will also be reviewing trees planted in violation of the approved tree and plant list and the Foundation tree plantings.

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, Liaison

Library

Finally, we can now offer the capability of accepting book reservations. Here’s a brief introduction to the program. You can reserve a book two ways: either send an email to cdslibrary2@gmail.com or fill out a reservation form in the library; you’ll know it’s for book reservations because the paper is colored green. As soon as the book is available, you will be notified either via email or phone that the book is ready to be picked up. We will use the first-come-firstserve method, so be sure to date your request if you are filling out the green form. Your book will be located on the annex counter in a green bin with your name on the bookmark. You will have seven days to pick it up; enjoy! Please return promptly after you have finished the book as other residents may want to read it. Thanks for your patience. Thanks also go to Linda Galloway for her hard work in leading the HLM team.

New Additions to the Library

Regular Print:

Age of Vice, Deepti Kapoor

Blaze Me a Sun, Christoffer Carlsson

Brotherless Night, V. V. Ganeshananthan

How to Sell a Haunted House, Grady Hendrix

Master Slave Husband Wife, Ilyon Woo

Small World, Laura Zigman

Spare, Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex

The Boy & the Dog, Seishu Hase

The House of Wolves,

James Patterson & Mike Lupica

The Night Travelers, Armando Lucas Correa

The Nine, Gwen Strauss

The Whittiers, Danielle Steel

Wade in the Water, Nyani Nkrumah

Large Print:

A Tidy Ending, Joanna Cannon

Little Eve, Catriona Ward

Sleep No More, Jayne Ann Krentz

The Making of Us, Lisa Jewell

The Villa, Rachel Hawkins

The Winter Garden, Nicola Cornick

Tick Tock, Fern Michaels

Audio Books:

Eden’s Children, V. C. Andrews

It Starts with Us, Coleen Hoover Pat Vitti, Chair, (949) 457-9194 Matt Loftus, Liaison

Social

Superbowl - what a blast! We had a tremendous turnout in the Vista Room for our potluck game-watching party. It was fun watching the game on a big screen. The food was terrific, and the pool made everything a bit more exciting. Whether you were rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles or the Kansas City Chiefs or just there for the commercials, everyone had a wonderful time. We are busy planning for our Sock Hop on March 25. Grab your poodle skirts and bobby socks, greaser attire, and hair gel. Show us your best dance moves from the 50’s and 60’s. Root beer floats and chips are on the menu. Signup is already underway. Be there or be square. Ladies, mark your calendars: Saturday April 29 we will be hosting a fashion show with clothing from Chico’s and an afternoon tea party. More details to follow.

Casta del Sol, such an amazing place to live. So many opportunities in which to participate. I hope to see you all soon.

Amy Lake, Chair, (516) 263-7941, Alake225@gmail.com

Karen Warren, Liaison

Traffic

I just finished a great meal at our favorite local restaurant and drove past Gate 3 at 10:30 p.m. The lights were off, both iron gates were open, and the yellow poles were both open. What do I do? Call the police, call Powerstone,

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Traffic

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call the Traffic Committee? No, I know what to do. I will write an article to Next Door, the social media outlet; wrong!

The above actually occurred and our resident had no idea what to do next. There are many reasons why this “open gates” situation could have occurred including power outage, mechanical failure, software malfunction, or emergency vehicle entering and exiting. The resident should have called Gate 1 which is manned 24/7. The gate attendant procedure would be to contact the Nordic supervisor on duty to determine the problem and correct the issue. The Gate 1 phone number, (949) 455-4674, is located on page 6 in your telephone directory.

John Nethercutt, Co-Chair, ravens987@hotmail.com

Joe Hachadoorian, Liaison, (714) 309-9885

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

Cold and wet weather is gone. I don’t care what the groundhog thinks, so let’s have some fun this month. It’s time for our first Casta del Sol Billiards Competition. The game is 8-Ball and the rules are simple and lots of fun. It will be a friendly double-elimination contest. That means, at the very least, you’ll get to play two games, and more if you keep winning. We will try to schedule your games during the day, evening, or Saturday to match your availability and skill level. There is a signup sheet in the Billiards Room, or send me an email, or give me a call, and I will sign you up. In the meantime, come down to the Billiards Room, meet some other players or just get in some practice. Watch for an eblast for dates and more details.

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

Bridge

Bridge groups have been meeting in the Rec Ctr 1 Garden Room for several weeks. It was a pleasure welcoming Pril Kirkeby back to duplicate bridge Tuesday. Her husband Jack, who recently passed away at 105 years of age, was the founding member of duplicate bridge and many other activities here at Casta del Sol. Pril and Jack guided duplicate bridge for many years. We owe them much for their legacy.

There are always people moving into CdS. If you’re new, or an old timer, we invite you to let us know you are interested in playing or learning bridge. Just drop 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 you can phone me and leave a message. I’m in the CdS telephone directory. Duplicate Bridge at CdS is unsanctioned by the ACBL.

Tim McCoy, mccoytest@cox.net

Canine Companions

Your Canine Companions Club is in full support of the extreme efforts to have a Casta del Sol leash-free dog park. We thank Linda Galloway, Lucille Naves, and Becky Kingston for obtaining 524 signatures for our proposal to the Facilities Committee. Linda made this presentation outlining our suggestions of advantages, location, maintenance, expense, and control. This raised many questions that gave us additional information to provide answers at the next meeting. All supporters of the dog park please attend the next Facilities Committee Meeting.

Last month was our Valentine’s Day costume contest and pulled pork luncheon. There were three lucky winners, one of which received a certificate for Olympiad Animal Hospital. This was another enjoyable and well-attended event. This month will be a Yappy Hour event on Saturday, March 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring your own cocktails and we will have some great appetizers. Please RSVP.

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

Casta Creatives

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

Exciting events are planned for 2023. On Thursday, March 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Pat Satterthwaite will provide a Portrait Drawing Class. The fee to attend the class is $5 (non-members $10). Save the date: Heritage Garden Open House & Art Exhibit, April 22. You can join the club at the Rec Ctr 1 office. Membership is only $15 for the year. This includes open studio, art demonstrations, discounts on classes,

and activities. For more information, contact me.

Maribeth McFaul, maribethmcfaul@gmail.com

Ceramics

Don’t forget about the Ceramic Club’s annual Flea Market on March 10 and 11 in the Vista Room at Rec Ctr 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll find much more than ceramics. Last year’s offerings included doorbell bird houses, painted rocks, and beautiful handmade greeting cards. It’s a community event that brings out the artist in many of us and eager buyers and sellers in the rest. It’s like a huge garage sale without the moldy, rusted junk. And there’s always a baked goods table that sells out fast.

Vendor tables went on sale February 17; check with Rec Ctr 1 if you are still interested in selling. With prices skyrocketing all around, the club has not raised table prices in several years and will not this year. Queries may be directed to Carol Favreau at (714) 470-8181.

Jo Steciuk, (949) 394-5181

Crafts For Charity

The Craft Ladies of Casta del Sol are launching into spring with a number of colorful projects including journals and inspirational cards. If you’d like to join in the fun and meet some of your neighbors, please drop by. You’ll be shown what to do.

We recently delivered Valentine gift bags for the women at Laura’s House, a shelter for domestic violence victims. We also delivered Valentine tray favors for Meals on Wheels recipients.

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Rec Ctr 2. March meetings will be on March 1 and March 15. There is no membership fee and we do not take attendance. Come when you can. We are 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 at (949) 916-5044.

Jessica Hollowell, (310) 480-9093

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

We are happy to have increased our attendance in the past few months, especially since we became an official club. Our meetings are usually on the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Vista Room, so mark your calendars. Our next meeting is March 19.

During our meetings, we will address local and national topics as well as those applying specifically to Casta del Sol. We welcome suggestions for issues to address. In order to further grow our meeting attendance, we are asking everyone to encourage friends to attend.

Our friendly group loves to stay and mingle after the presentations, so please bring food or beverages to share and plan to stay a bit. In between meetings, we send emails on major events, important issues, and other information. 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

The cubby hole furniture for our gear has been secured to the wall with earthquake straps, and our request for installation of pull-down blinds on the rear windows of the Fitness Center has been approved and is in process. The addition of tinting on the windows and these new blinds should alleviate the problem of afternoon sun glare while working out on the equipment towards the back of the room.

We encourage continued suggestions like these to improve the Fitness Center. Let us know anything you notice that could improve our already great new space. We have requested a suggestion box be installed; in the meantime, send us an email with any suggestions or comments.

Helen Freedman, PelicanPost123@yahoo.com,

(646) 662-7325

Heritage Garden

March is here, so says the calendar. Spring is in the air; you can hear it in the birds chirping merrily. Slowly but surely, half the world is waking up from the cold winter months. In the coming days our Heritage Garden will transform with buds bursting open displaying a rainbow of colors, bees and butterflies hovering on every new blossom, and birdsongs will fill the air. Living in Casta del Sol gives us many opportunities to take nature walks, enjoy the fresh air, and welcome spring. Our garden is always evolving, so be sure to traverse the new paths, explore new plantings, and enjoy the fresh air. If you would like to help, do not hesitate to contact any of our volunteers in the garden. So, moth ball your woolens and pull out those spring colors, adorn your sun hat and we will see you in the garden.

Parizad Sethna, parizad9@outlook.com, (949) 298-0076

Italian American

Our February Bingo was another fun night. In March, we will be having another lovely dinner with exciting entertainment on the same level as the Gala. Please note the change for this event.

Our March dinner will be on Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. in the Vista Room. The meal will feature Chicken Cordon Bleu and chocolate Oreo Cream Pie. The cost will be $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Our entertainment will be Matt Gray singing the best of classic soul and Motown.

Join the Italian American Club. Dues are $10 for a single membership and $15 for a couple. Presently, our other scheduled dinners will be June 29 and September 28. If we can get more committee members to help with these events, we will be able to have dinners and entertainment more often.

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

Las Damas

Ticket sales end March 5 for the Las Damas Club March 8 luncheon meeting featuring a St. Paddy’s Day theme. The Vista Room will be decked out in green and white for a lively celebration including Irish Beef Stew and Key Lime pie. Newcomers are invited to sign up at the Welcome Table and meet other Casta del Sol friends and neighbors. Dues-paying members ($15) may purchase luncheon tickets for $25 at Rec Ctr 1; non-member price is $30.

The April 12 luncheon meeting features a spring menu of Mandarin Orange Chicken and Lemon Meringue pie for dessert. Entertainment will feature the musical group, The Everlees, who will recreate the best of the Everly Brothers era of Rock and Roll. Ticket sales will begin following the luncheon and through April 8.

Pat Crowley, (949) 305-0582

Military Veterans

Our Casta del Sol Veterans Club is welcoming a special guest speaker to our next meeting. This will be on Monday, March 27 in the Vista Room starting at 6:30 p.m. and will include snacks, beverages, and social time. Our formal meeting begins at 7 p.m. with club business and then our guest speaker will talk until around 8 p.m.

Recreation Center 1:

Saturday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Recreation Center 2: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday

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

Daily/Weekly Activities Schedule - March 2023 ( All activities are subject to change. )

Note:

New Casta Committee Chairs for 2023

By Fran Morgan, photos by Darrell Holdaway

Casta del Sol has 13 committees that work to research, review, and give recommendations to the Board of Directors on all aspects of our community. Committee chairs are approved by the BoD at the beginning of each year. This year, the BoD appointed six new committee chairs to serve along with returning members:

Architecture: John Nicsinger served on the committee for a year prior to taking the chair position. He brings his experience of more than 30 years working in real estate, property management, and construction. His goal is to keep Casta beautifully maintained.

Courier: Debra Friedman has served on the committee for four years as secretary. Debra brings her experience in marketing research, school counseling, and school administration. She also

After the Storm

Photos by Nevin Valentine

brings skills learned in a Leadership Training Program to the committee.

Election: Jeff McCoy says his interest in elections goes back to his high school government class. He was recruited to the Chair position with a rich background of community service.

Jeff has volunteered as a poll worker for many years. He sees his role as Chair to ensure that Board of Directors elections are administered fairly and correctly, according to the California Civil Code.

Greenbelt: June Anderson first volunteered for the Facilities Committee before joining Greenbelt. She served as senior project manager in charge of capital projects for a municipality. Her goal is to carefully watch landscape contracts and maintenance expenses. The goal of the Greenbelt Committee

is to keep Casta a beautiful, peaceful place to live.

Reserves: Randy Thompson has served on the Budget and Finance Committee and was on the Board of Directors for five years. He volunteered to chair the Reserves Committee because of his past involvement and experience.

Traffic: John Nethercutt joins as Co-Chair. John’s career was spent in the hospitality industry and hotel management. He believes his business management experience will be of use in making the best decisions possible for the community. He joined the Traffic Committee in 2022.

Casta del Sol is fortunate to have talented, dedicated volunteers to assist the CdS Homeowners Association in keeping our community fiscally sound and beautifully maintained.

Extensive damage to multiple trees in Casta del Sol due strong wind and rainstorms in January

Landscaping crews were all over Casta del Sol the next day, addressing the many fallen trees and branches

Damaged trees were completely removed after the January storms, highlighting one of the many benefits of being part of the Casta del Sol community.

From left, John Nethercutt (Traffic), Debra Friedman (Courier), Randy Thompson (Reserves)

From left, Jeff McCoy (Election), June Anderson (Greenbelt), John Nicsinger (Architecture)

Military Veterans

Continued from page 13

You will be impressed with our guest speaker, Ronnie Guyer, who served with Colonel Hal Moore during the Vietnam War and was featured in the movie We Were Soldiers. Ronnie will also share the story of his Emmy Award for his video of the famous battle in the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam.

Please feel free to bring a guest to this event as our doors are always open to new veterans so they can join our club. See you all soon.

Rod Jordan, roddy@roddyjordan.com, (714) 746-1158

Pinochle

In January, Friday the thirteenth proved to be a lucky time for five players who were dealt a Double Pinochle (2 Queens of Spades and 2 Jacks of Diamonds) worth 30 points in meld. In fact, there were 12 Double Pinochles in January - a rare occurrence.

Terry Owen had the highest threegame total of 1,410 points and Cathie Joy was second with 1,130. The high totals for a six-game series were Cathie Joy at 4,200 and Cathi Moro at 4,080. Congratulations to all our winners.

Come join us for Pinochle on Friday evenings at 6:30 p.m. sharp in the Heritage Room at Rec Ctr 2. For information, call Dawn and leave a message for a call back at (949)455-9826.

Dawn Hibbs, idglass@cox.net, (949) 455-9826

Republicans

The Republican Club officers hope you had a great time at our February 5 Welcome to 2023 event. It was a soldout crowd that enjoyed a great meal of tacos and the trimmings, and great desserts. Topping the event was entertainment by Tony Odell Rogers and a lot of dancing and singing. Believe it or not, there were no politics discussed at this fun event.

Now it is time to get back on track which will be our next event in May. We are in the process of securing a guest speaker and will keep you informed of the details closer to the event. It is never too late to sign up. Dues are $10 per individual or $15 a couple per year. For the most part, all events are free. Again, thanks for your continued support.

Betty Houston, (626) 422-0771

Social Singles

If you are a Casta del Sol resident who is single, you are invited to join our singles group. We have no membership dues. We will be meeting for lunch on Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m. at Tutto Fresco in Rancho Santa Margarita. Please remember to RSVP to Carol Kowalsky by email at cekewpie1@cox.net by Monday, March 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

Sol Rock ‘n Rollers

Save the date of Saturday, April 1 for our first big event: Spring Fling. We will have a live band and a catered dinner. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. in the Vista Room. The cost will be $25 for residents or guests. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 10.

Last month, I inadvertently missed the name of our Treasurer, Jane Deak. We have all of our officers but, going forward, we will be looking for other interested people to help us. If you love event planning and partying, we are a group for you. Being involved in new groups is a great way to meet new people. For more information, call or email Donna Farris.

Donna Farris, dbfarris117@gmail.com, (949) 378-6158

Support Group

If you experience grief because of losing a loved one, losing independence due to illness, aging, or caring for a loved one, this is a place for emotional support, sharing experiences, and hearing similar situations. You are not alone on your journey. Come and meet others in similar seasons and situations. We meet twice a month. For more information, contact Kathy Wu.

Kathy Wu, Kathywu.mv@gmail.com, (818) 590-8009

Variety

The Variety Club is tentatively planning our next show for the weekend of July 28 to 30, with specific dates and times to be announced. 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 rains we had in January caused our crops to have a growth spurt. But the Yang was that the rain brought weeds and nut grass, sometimes referred to as Texas grass. To assist the gardeners who grow citrus trees, our February Master Garden talk was about citrus trees. In April, we will have a talk by one of our gardeners about trimming citrus trees. This month, we will have our first compost delivery. The soil for the garden is clay so to loosen it up plus provide a healthy planting bed for our gardens, compost is a must.

Due to a number of turnovers, we have welcomed new gardeners from our waiting list. However, just as soon as one person obtains a lot, another joins the list.

Michael

Schlesinger,

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

Woodworkers

Woodworkers’ Club members had a busy beginning of 2023 by continuing to answer Casta del Sol resident requests for small wood projects and simple household repairs such as broken picture frames, repairing a broken couch leg fastener, and reducing the lengths of several wooden barstools and wooden chair legs. We would accept building or repairing larger wood projects but for the lack of a common group workspace other than our home garage workshops.

Club members meet on Mondays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Rec Ctr 1 Arts and Crafts Room across from the Vista Room. Drop by if you have a work request or are interested in our activities.

Steve Vallely,

(714) 595-5766

Away Golf

There is still time to sign up to play in our next tournament. It will be held on Tuesday, March 14 at the Welk Resort in Escondido. We will play the Fountains Course. Consecutive tee times will start at 9 a.m. Cost including golf with cart and prizes is $55. Signup will be available at Casta del Sol Rec Ctr 1 through March 6. Make checks out to CdS Away Golf Club. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Joyce Parlin, (949) 588-0337

Fishing

Hello to all. Lake fishing conditions have not changed. The Golden Algae problem is not improving and there are no plans to stock fish this year. The lake is continually working to find solutions, but at this time there is no short-term fix.

The current club fishing activity is ocean fishing on the Laguna Woods Rod and Gun Club Charter. There will be two charters in March. Sculpin are the primary target due to the closed rockfish season.

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. Save the date of Monday, April 3 for our Pizza-Bingo Party at 6 p.m. in the Vista Room. The party will be free for our members and $10 for guests.

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Cliff Pesonen on January 31. Cliff was a member of our club for 13 years and will be truly missed by all of our members.

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

Carol Zinsmeister, (949) 305-9890

Bowling

We are over halfway through our league schedule and Split Happens, Dee Yamabe, Jim Kazan, Benjamin Yu, and Steve Saltz, has a slight lead on Alley Cats, Richard Scott, Jack Miller, and Clifford Miller. There is still time for any of the other teams to pass them in the standings.

The Casta del Sol Bowling League bowls on Thursdays at 1 p.m. at Saddleback Lanes on Marguerite Parkway. We have openings on several of our 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 bowl 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

We will be having a luncheon meeting on March 24 at 12 p.m. in the Fiesta Room. Newcomers are welcome; contact Nick Morenc for details. We are also looking into a club outing at Lake Elsinore this summer, but nothing is firm at this time. Until next month, tight lines for all.

Nick Morenc, (949) 588-6223

Golf Chippers

Mark your calendar: Friday, May 5. Here’s a new offer for all Casta del Sol residents and guests. You are invited to try out, free of charge, the Golf Chippers 18-hole course at Rec Ctr 2 any time after 10:30 a.m. Golf balls are there for you to use. Let us know if you need a golf club. Then you’ll be warmed up and ready to play in the Golf Chippers event on Saturday, May 6 at 9 a.m. We had three non-golfers at our February event, so have no fear. The fee is $5. Consider bringing a golf-related or white elephant item for the raffle table. Do you have golf equipment that is no longer in use? We can give it a new home.

Congratulations to our February winners: Jan McMains, Linda Galloway, Nancy Hulse, Dave Andersen, Dave Velton, and Jerry Castro.

Bob Hrad, (949) 290-0366

Lawn Bowling

It’s time to let you non-bowlers, as well as our active members, know what we have planned for this year’s events. Because of Courier publishing constraints, by the time you get to read this, our February Superbowl party will be over. About two dozen members showed up, bowlers and non-bowlers. The tournament included sandwiches, chips, drinks, and a host of desserts and snacks. Decorations and the main course were handled by

Cynthia Swystun and Vicki Slawson. Thank you both.

April 8 will be our short jack tournament. May 20 will be our Lawn Bowling Open House starting at 10 a.m. Instructions and snacks are included; come on out. June 24 will be our Red White and Blue tournament. August 23 will be Hot August Nights bowling and BBQ. October 7 will be our seasonal yardstick bowl. Want to join in and bowl? Call Shuman Chan at (626) 428-9970 for lessons.

Roman Swystun, (818) 669-9970

Men’s Golf

Our club has started off the new year with an abundance of enthusiasm despite some wild wet weather which resulted in the dreaded “cart paths only” rule. The rough period did not deter five new members from signing up in January and February. The club now has 105 members. If you are interested in joining our club, please contact our membership chairman Al Arnott at (714) 425-4320.

Our Board has received a motion for consideration to add a Low Gross Club Champion category. The Low Net Club Champion category will remain

in place with no changes. Our Board will vote on this proposal on March 4.

The March games are: 3/1 - Blind Nine Holes; 3/8 - Individual Low Net; 3/15 - Twosome Best Ball; 3/22 - Best 15 Holes; 3/29 - Team Scramble. Merl Barrett, (949) 770-5024

Paddle Tennis

Following the success of our first tournament of the year – Love of the Game – we are planning a second tournament on April 1 at 9 a.m. It will be appropriately named the April Fools Tournament. Tournament Director Dan Viotto will let members know the details about sign-ups. We are alternating our tournaments this year between planned partners and random draw.

We will 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 put those dates on their calendars.

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 still

Continued on page 19

Paddle Tennis

Continued from page 17

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

The Pickleball Club will hold its first tournament of 2023 on Saturday, March 25 starting at 9 a.m. Called the Luck of the Draw Tournament, teams will be determined by a random card draw which should make for some interesting pairings. If you are curious to see how much your fellow Casta del Sol residents enjoy playing pickleball, come to Rec Ctr 2 on March 25. We welcome spectators; join us for refreshments and cheer on your neighbors.

If you want to watch or try pickleball, our Open Play times are Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. The screens at the entrance

On the Road Again

Carlsbad Flower Fields

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

Debra Friedman

Located 45 miles south of Casta del Sol in Carlsbad, lies a wondrous spectacle on 50 acres of land. During the months of March and April, the Carlsbad Flower Fields become a riot of color with the annual bloom of the giant Tecolote Ranunculus. The large fields, with the profusion of 13 blazing colors planted in ribbons, are amazing to behold. There is also an American flag created every year.

Started by Edwin Frazee in 1933, this is the only commercial ranunculus farm in the country. Ranunculus are native to Asia Minor and a member of the buttercup family. The ranunculus plants are sold as cut flowers for a limited time, and bulbs are sold year-round to home gardeners.

In addition to the fields of ranunculus, there are dedicated areas boasting other varieties of flowers. These

to the courts have been adjusted so that you can relax on the bench and enjoy watching. If you have questions, please contact Metty Thomason at (714) 3253526, or Donna Guild.

Donna Guild, (949) 446-0005

Shuffleboard

There is still time to sign up for the March 24 Shuffleboard Bingo Party in the Vista Room with sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

Winners of the Tuesday morning fall session were Bill Swift and Gary Schmitt. The Sunday Super Shuffle winners - first place: Susan Herrning, Howard Reafsnyder; second place: Sherry Taylor, Bob Caywood; third place: Bev Carrier, Mary Ellen Marcus. The Sunday Potluck Social Shuffle winners - first place: Barbara Harris, Judy Paskey; second place: Ann Loranger, Linda Clark; third place: Bev Carrier, Marlene Solem.

The leagues are back with Pot of Gold league on Wednesday evenings and Tuesday mornings. The Friendly

Shufflers welcome players on Wednesday mornings while lessons and practice are on Friday mornings at 10 a.m. with Bob and Mo Caywood.

The Sunday Super Shuffle is March 12 at 1 p.m. and the Sunday Potluck Social Shuffle is March 26 at 2 p.m. For further information, please contact Jim Kinney at dothemath99@ yahoo.com

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

Tennis

As the skies are clearing and the temperatures rising, we can begin to fully appreciate the many court activities the Tennis Club is offering during 2023. To inspire some friendly competition, a Spring tournament is planned for June 3 and a Fall tournament is planned for October 7. To accommodate weekly play, we are continuing our Wednesday and Saturday morning round-robin events. We have also scheduled a special Clarity Clinic and Coffee event with donuts on the first Saturday of

each month. These events will include group play with helpful tennis tips from our resident instructor. In addition to the scheduled events, there are generally a number of informal gatherings on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings. To complement all the on-court activities, the Tennis Club social calendar includes a pool-side summer extravaganza on August 18 and the very festive holiday party on December 9.

Roger Gyger, (630) 430-9045

Name That Street

Compiled by Parizad Sethna

Follow the clues and unscramble the names of Casta del Sol streets and learn the stories behind them!

(Source: CdS archives)

glalaarm

I am named for a Castilian Spanish writer whose poetry was based on themes drawn from human life and nature. Aptly, a good number of houses on this street have beautiful views of the Western skyline. Most houses on this street were built in 1972. What street am I?

Answer on page 20

include the Poinsettia Pavilion, the Sweet Pea Maze, the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse, and well-manicured artist garden areas that inspire photo ops. Visitors can enjoy a wagon ride through the fields for a panoramic view. Walking through the fields allows for a close-up view of the stunning flowers.

The fields are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and senior tickets are $20. Plan on spending a few hours. I visit nearly every year as new areas of interest are added. There is a bird aviary, and on many days, there are special events such as workshops and music concerts. Following the visit to the fields, you can shop at the Armstrong Nursery and visit the adjacent Carlsbad Outlets.

Reflections of a Casta Newbie

A new resident explores the adventures of Casta.

Here at Casta del Sol, possibilities for forming new friendships are around every corner. From the day we arrived with our first load of boxes, neighbors showed up with a helping hand and a welcoming smile. Our block captain, Libby Victoria, dropped by our home on moving day with a stack of Casta flyers, resources, and safety instructions which gave us an instant sense of belonging. What might have been a ten-minute orientation became the first step towards a warm friendship. Any concerns I may have had about fitting in vanished because I could tell our neighbors had their friendship doors open.

Friendships are, of course, a vital aspect of a healthy life, and so is playing. Playing together with friends is a key to thriving in this wonderful community. No matter our age, creating new

connections means being willing to invest time and energy in relationships. All the Casta activities are much more fun to do with friends.

I discovered a common theme while serving as a proofreader of the clubs and activities submissions for the Courier. The descriptions of the clubs and sports are all warmly geared toward expanding their circle to include anyone who is interested. There are so many ways to play at Casta, including card games, sports, creating art, and acting in plays.

I took a chance on a game I had never played before, and now you will find me playing shuffleboard with a group of friends every Wednesday. We support each other in improving our skills while having a lot of fun. We cheer for each other’s good shots, and we commiserate when the disc falls off the court. Once a month, we have a tournament when the rules are changed so the points come more easily. We donate $2 to the jackpot, which results in a few dollars for the top three teams. Do take up the Courier writers’ invitations to try out a club, activity, or sport. You will not only have fun; you will most likely make new friends. Let’s play!

Nevin Valentine

Small Talk

A Decorating Blunder

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

cabinets were painted black, and the doors and drawers were painted in a color. Stunning! It took me a couple of weeks to save a few dollars out of my grocery money before I went off to the hardware store to buy black and light yellow paint. Who knew there were so many shades of yellow?

What’s Cooking at Casta

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

Dorothy Frances

I often think back to the apartment my husband and I rented when we got married. Located in the downstairs of an old house, it comprised a bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen. Despite the fact that it was old and small, I was thrilled to have my own home.

Anxious to decorate, I perused magazines looking for ideas. The kitchen needed the most attention. It had old-fashioned yellow tiles halfway up the walls and the old cabinets were painted a dull, pale yellow. Then I saw a picture of a kitchen where the

An hour later, I rushed home and started painting. When I was done and stood back to admire my work; I almost fainted. The yellow shade I chose was way too bright, almost day-glow yellow, which stood out like a flashing yellow traffic light against the black background. Yikes!

Since we soon found out that a baby was on the way, any extra money went toward buying baby furniture. Therefore, we lived with the bizarre day-glow yellow kitchen for another year before we moved out.

On the good side, I can honestly say that I once had a one-of-a-kind kitchen.

Remember When? The Milkman

By April Wilsey

Many years ago, the milkman made daily deliveries of dairy products to families that had signed up for the service. The milkman would carry a wire basket filled with milk bottles, as well as other items from his truck to the resident’s door. On the doorstep each morning, he placed the new order and removed the prior day’s empty bottles.

On very cold mornings, however, we would find that the whole milk had partially frozen and the cream had

risen to the top. This process lifted the small cardboard lid about an inch above the bottle top. It certainly made for a strange sight.

Door-to-door delivery must have been deemed inefficient because eventually the milkman disappeared. Although less personal, today grocery stores and online sites supply most of the food and drink to families.

Taco Salad

Linda Brockmiller

1 head Iceberg lettuce, chopped

4 tomatoes, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 avocado, chopped

1 cup black olives, cut in half

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 lb. ground beef

1 white onion, chopped

1 (14 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup Catalina dressing

1 cup sour cream

½ tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. salt and pepper

Brown ground beef, white onion, and seasonings; simmer and drain. Add kidney beans.

Put remaining ingredients in a salad bowl. Pour beef and bean mixture over the salad and toss with dressing.

Garnish with red onion, olives, avocado, sour cream, chips, and salsa

Name That Street Answer

Continued from page 19 Via Maragall (Juan Maragall)

Restaurant Review – Happy Hour at Domenico’s on the Lake

By Liz Rickett

I am a big happy hour fan. Small plates allow diners to sample various menu items without feeling stuffed. As a bonus, the prices are generally lower.

Checking the website, Domenico’s on the Lake, appeared to have a great happy hour menu. We decided to check it out. As we were seated, we were served yummy house bread with a dipping sauce.

We ordered giant meatballs (which come with a choice of three sauces), short rib sliders served with garlic par-

mesan fries, and Brussels sprouts with bacon in a balsamic glaze. The servings were ample, the service was great, and the prices were reasonable. Our only complaint was that happy hour is served in the bar and on the outside front patio. We were seated in the bar, which was a tad noisy. Domenico’s on the Lake, 27782 Vista Del Lago, Happy Hour 3-6 p.m. daily.

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

A Good Read: Nora Goes Off Script

By Liz Rickett

Nora Hamilton has the formula down pat for writing romance movies for television. This talent allows her to support her husband, who considers this career and any other career beneath him and their two children. Her husband leaves her. She writes a screenplay about their marriage and its end.

To her surprise, the script is bought. Not only is it bought, but it will be filmed at her house and will star one of the biggest heart throbs of all time.

Nora’s life, the town, her children, and friends will never be the same again.

This novel by Annabel Monaghan is available at the Casta del Sol Library.

What a Super Fun Sunday

By Parizad Sethna, photos by Fred Lake

Thanks, Social Committee, for conceiving and organizing the Super Bowl festivities

It may be more impressive to see the Super Bowl live in a stadium, but believe me, the Super Bowl party hosted by the Casta del Sol Social Committee was a ton of fun. It was the first time that the Super Bowl party was organized as a group event for CdS residents and it was a huge success. More than 90 residents attended the party, including a mix of passionate, hardcore football fans and a few who couldn’t care less about who won. Even before the kick off, the die-hard fans

were making predictions and passionately discussing the odds. Then there were those who came for the legendary commercials and the halftime show.

The Super Bowl is the second highest eating day for Americans behind Thanksgiving, and our party in the Vista Room was no exception. The potluck had everyone bring their favorite dish and we ended up with a sumptuous feast that outdid professionally catered parties. Playing the Super Bowl Squares Pool with prizes at the

end of each quarter was enjoyed by all. The National Anthem beautifully rendered by the Grammy award-winning country singer Chris Stapleton gave us goosebumps. A loud cheer and applause resonated in the room as the first all-female pilot team orchestrating the diamond formation pregame flyover honored 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy.

The excitement in the room grew tense when the score was tied with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter

and the nail-biting finish had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats. The final score of Super Bowl LVII was 38 Kansas City Chiefs to 35 Philadelphia Eagles. It was a super fun filled, delightful afternoon of watching the game on the big screen and enjoying good food and camaraderie with friends and neighbors. Thank you, CdS Social Committee for hosting this enjoyable event. We look forward to your next event.

Casta del Sol residents cheer for their teams

New Chippers Shed for Casta Golfers

By Liz Rickett, photo by Jeff McCoy

Directly behind the Paddle Tennis courts and the Vegetable Garden at Rec Ctr 2 is the Chipping Area. Golfers can hone their skills or compete against other golfers here.

This area has a shed where golf balls and equipment are stored. The original shed, placed here in 1987, showed its

age. The shed had wood rot and the wood floor boards had caved in, making the structure unusable. Members of the Chippers Club approached the Facilities Committee requesting a new structure. The paperwork submitted by the Chippers Club was reviewed. Then the Facilities Committee examined

the condition of the shed, and checked the reserves to determine if there was enough to fund a new building. The Facilities Committee approved the request which was then approved by the Board of Directors.

The next stage in the process was the responsibility of Ed Pedroncelli and his group of maintenance workers. They tore down the old shed, disposed of all the debris, and poured new concrete. The Tuff Shed company erected the new structure. The new shed, besides being watertight, is taller, making it easier for members to work in the building. The concrete apron is larger,

giving easier access to the shed. In addition, a work bench was installed so that members can repair equipment as needed. Furthermore, the maintenance crew installed a new practice cage.

Bob Hrad, past president of the Chippers Club, wants to remind all Casta del Sol residents that they and their adult guests are welcome to use the chipping area. Free golf clubs and balls are available for the asking; just call him and he will make it happen. The Club also holds fun events four times a year, open to all Casta residents and their adult guests. Contact Bob Hrad at (949) 290-0366.

Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Grala Warren

By Liz Rickett, photo by Darrell Holdaway

Grala Warren is truly her father’s daughter. Her dad, Jerry Yeomans, was a pedal steel guitarist, playing in big bands in New York and the East Coast until the 1940s when that craze ended. Returning to Ohio, he got a job at Goodyear Aircraft as an engineer. Here he used his organizational skills to be a success. These skills were helpful as he soon was playing and teaching music in his spare time.

When her father was on the road playing, he never had to worry about a hotel room. His warm personality and his ability to cook ensured he could always bunk with someone wherever he was. Grala remembers how he could open cupboards and a refrigerator, take this and that and in no time create a delicious meal even though his hosts declared there was nothing to eat.

Like her father, after business college, Grala left Ohio for New York City. Like him, she found work in the music business, although she worked not as a performer but behind the scenes in the business end.

Grala also excels at organizing, as did her father. These skills helped her

rise in the business world. She also inherited his ability to make meals out of nothing, a gift she continues to use to this day.

As a youngster, Grala learned about musicians from her dad. She was able to return the favor when he visited her in New York and she introduced him to the Tonight Show band and other musicians with whom she worked.

Grala and her husband, Lou, got tired of living on Long Island with the long drive to go anywhere. She got several books, researching the best places to retire. The two checked out the locations, settling happily in Walnut Creek where they lived for 32 years.

Continued on page 26

March is National Reading Month

Article and photo by Fran Morgan

This observance is initiated with “Read Across America Day” on March 2; an observance that has taken place since 1998. It is a time where children, teachers, parents, caregivers, and community members around the U.S. band together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading. The book lovers of Casta del Sol are happy to celebrate with the nation, but don’t need to be urged to read. Casta has two book groups comprised of enthusiastic readers.

Book Group 1 is led by Suzanne Poppel, a member of the Library Committee, who organized the group in 2007. There are currently 14 to 16 participants who meet once a month in the Casta Library for the recently named “Cover to Cover” group. Suzanne’s group reads books from a list of available book group kits, put together by the city’s Mission Viejo Library. She picks up the book bag each month to distribute at the Casta meeting. There are a variety of titles to satisfy many different tastes.

Book Group 2, now called “Literary Ladies,” came about when the first group had grown so big that Suzanne

decided to divide it, and sought another discussion leader. The Literary Ladies uses a different approach to choosing books. Shelley Kirsh, the current leader, asks members to send their book suggestions by December for the upcoming year. Shelley compiles the list and asks each member to rank their choices. The top 12 choices become the reading list for the year.

Each group has a slightly different approach to discussing the chosen book. Susanne says her group uses the “free form” approach with no chosen leader. Suzanne ensures that everyone gets to comment. The Literary Ladies group has a leader for each book and uses the discussion questions at the end of the book.

Both book clubs are now at full membership for their meeting spaces. However, Suzanne Poppel has offered to help anyone start a new book group.

Book lovers everywhere greet one another with “what are you reading?” Of course, they will be reading on March 2, because they can’t imagine a day without a book.

Literary Ladies Book Club

Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Grala Warren

Continued from page 23

Their daughter, however, lived in Southern California. In time, their daughter married and had three gorgeous granddaughters. Tiring of the drive up and down the 5 Freeway, Grala and Lou decided to move south. Last year, they found Casta del Sol and are happily settled here.

IN MEMORIAM

Lawrence Gough John Sanford

- Courier Committee Members and Staff -

Board Liaison

Linda Silverman dirsilverman71@yahoo.com

Courier Chair Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Courier Associate Chair Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Lassos charlottelassos@gmail.com

Secretary Fran Morgan fmorgan17@cox.net

Section Editors:

Association News

April Wilsey aprilincal@gmail.com

Bulletin Board Al Guild alguild@earthlink.net

Casta Connections

Clubs

Committees

People, Places and Events

Sports

Columnists:

On the Road Again

Donna Guild donnaguild@earthlink.net

Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com

Fran Morgan fmorgan17@cox.net

Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com

Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Reflections of a Casta Newbie Nevin Valentine nevinvalentine@gmail.com

Small Talk

Dorothy Frances mimidp@cox.net

What’s Cooking Linda Brockmiller LindaBrock@cox.net

Feature Writers:

Staff Photographers:

Photo Coordinator:

Proofreaders:

Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Sara Henninger sarahenninger@cox.net

Jeff McCoy jmactr1@gmail.com

Fran Morgan fmorgan17@cox.net

Liz Rickett LizRickett@me.com

Parizad Sethna sethna7@hotmail.com

Darrell Holdaway holdaway@gmail.com

Fred Lake lakebcbc@gmail.com

Jeff McCoy jmactr1@gmail.com

Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Judy Barrett lvbarretts20@gmail.com

Darrell Holdaway holdaway@gmail.com

Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Dottie Lewis dottielewis19@gmail.com

Suzanne Moore Jsmoore830@gmail.com

Claire Readey csreadey@gmail.com

Evelyn Rothert erothert@sbcglobal.net

Nevin Valentine nevinvalentine@gmail.com

Delivery Preparations:

Calling All Stuffers!

David Ankeny candyman803@gmail.com

Courier Volunteers

We will meet on Friday, March 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.

David Ankeny

Christine Arthur

Judy Barrett

Rich Blumenthal

Donna Bounce

Barbara Brantley

Ree Brickman

Connie Campanile

Arline Chenarides

Joan Corbin

Phyllis Foglesong

Jayne Freed

Debra Friedman

Jore Germeroth

Barbara Harris

Kip Isbell

Elaine Jordan

Amy Lake

Fred Lake

Karen Legome

Shelly Lethiot

William Lindsey

Ann Loranger

Deb McCoy

Beverley McKeon

Audrey Michaels

Fran Morgan

Linda Nohe

Judy Paskey

Rosalie Pritchett

Marsha Rasmussen

Liz Rickett

Evelyn Rothert

Richard Scott

Hormuzd Sethna

Parizad Sethna

Linda Silverman

Myrna Smith

Randy Smith

Marlene Solem

Don Stoddard

Dolores Thompson

Randy Thompson

Debra Wagner

John Wagner

Grala Warren

Elaine Watschke

Lani Woff

"Grala learned about musicians from her dad who was a pedal steel guitarist."

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