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November 2026 Pam Fulton, Community Manager The Orchard Office 1945 Piner Road Santa Rosa, CA 95403
theorchard@hometownamerica.net Phone: 707-526-7624 Fax: 312-205-1334
HometownAmerica.com
The Grapevine is a TORA publication Email for Grapevine contributions: TORAGrapevine@gmail.com
1
The Orchard Residents Association GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT
H
Community Relations Chair Elieen Ioffredo, together with her membership team, continues to warmly welcome new residents, introduce them to TORA, and encourage participation in our many activities. It’s always wonderful to get to know our new neighbors!
ere we are in the heart of autumn, enjoying a little calm before the holiday season begins. It’s a wonderful time to catch our breath. While there may still be some yard cleanup to do, the busy days of summer planting, pruning, mowing, and watering are behind us. Now we can enjoy the last fall blossoms and the beautiful colors of the magnificent trees throughout the Park.
Continuing on as the dynamic force behind our wonderful activities is Entertainment Chair Diane McDowell. Diane and her team are gearing up for this month’s Friendsgiving and Veteran’s Day feast (co-hosted by TORA and Orchard management) and the annual New Year’s Eve Gala.
I’d like to share a few TORA updates. Please join me in welcoming Priscilla Campbell, our new Interim Vice President. Priscilla has been actively involved in many TORA activities. You may know her for the delicious cookies and pies she has shared, but she was also a driving force behind the Silent Auction and Super Bowl Pool. We are delighted to have her join the Board.
We also have some exciting news: TORA can now accept Venmo payments for activities and events. This provides an easy alternative to cash or checks. If you’d like help getting started, a TORA volunteer will be happy to assist you. And there’s something new at our Thursday Night Social Hour! Our 50/50 raffle tickets remain $1 each, but you can now purchase six tickets for $5. That means another chance to win while supporting TORA.
A heartfelt thank-you to our outgoing Vice President, Tom Stanley, for his service and dedication to TORA. Our Emergency Preparedness Chair, Beverly Wells, continues to work diligently on behalf of our community. From the Sawyer Water Filter and Block Captain Vests to coordinating with Orchard management and the City of Santa Rosa, Beverly is helping ensure that we are prepared for potential winter flooding.
Finally, thank you to all the wonderful people in our Park who contribute their time, energy, and creative ideas. You help make the Orchard such a special place to live and the very best! Elizabeth Anderson, TORA President
2
TORA Responsibilities I.
Executive Board President ........................................................ Elizabeth Anderson ........................ 328-3836 Interim Vice President .................................... Priscilla Campbell ........................... 529-8563 Secretary ......................................................... Patty Grimm ................................... 486-0349 Treasurer......................................................... Judy Storck ..................................... 292-8040 Past President ................................................. Cathy Ford ...................................... 978-2636 Community Affairs ......................................... Eileen Ioffredo .........................228-238-1476 Entertainment Chair ....................................... Diane McDowell ............................. 484-7078 Emergency Preparedness Chair ...................... Beverly Wells .................................. 588-8863 Publishing/Grapevine ..................................... Elizabeth Anderson ........................ 328-3836
II.
Committees A. Community Affairs Chair .................. Eileen Ioffredo .........................228-238-1476 Sub-committees Membership Drive ................ Kim Bingham .................................. 696-3180 Database Administrator ........ Eileen Ioffredo .........................228-238-1476 Welcome Committee ............ Cheryl Coniglio ............................... 542-4209 Jamie Hammond ............................ 843-6487 Kim Bingham .................................. 696-3180 Civic (SRMHOA) ..................... Carol Reinke ................................... 495-4564 B. Entertainment Chair ......................... Diane McDowell ............................. 484-7078 Sub-Committees Social Hour ............................ Lynn Cameron .........................858-254-3919 Bingo ..................................... Carol Reinke ................................... 495-4564 Ladies Luncheon .................... Jessy James .............................619-944-8585 C. Emergency Preparedness Chair ....... Beverly Wells .................................. 588-8863 D. Publishing Chair ................................ Elizabeth Anderson ........................ 328-3836 Sub-Committees Grapevine, Facebook............. Elizabeth Anderson ........................ 328-3836 Calendar ................................ Cindy Towner ................................. 477-6383
TORA Membership July 1, – June 30 $10 per member per year ($5 after January 1) Name______________________________ Phone __________________Space #_______ Make check payable to TORA and submit to Eileen Ioffredo, space 108 (228-238-1476).
Revised November 2026 3
2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 14. 17. 18. 19. 23. 24. 25. 28. 29.
Bob Swan, Dean DiPerno Helen Hamilton, Mary White Nita Trent Don Petersen David Tippey Michael Costantini Frank DiPerno Maggie Jackson Kathy Aragon Linda Ebright, Allan Cowsert Patty Grimm Melissa Greene Jacqui Schieber Al Cordeiro, Mike Stiffler Tim Hamilton Ken Stephens, Val Barrett, Lissa Hart Fred Angelis, Terry Collom, Mary Asher Donna Benner, Ken Ford, Bill Matthes
11.
Cindy Rhodes & Ernie Roderick
Please send additions, deletions and corrections to TORAGrapevine@gmail.org
4
Crossword
Solution on page 9 5
6
Friday, November 13, 4 pm Friendsgiving and Veteran’s Day
Thursday, December 10, 5 pm Social Hour for the Holidays with Ugly Sweater or PJs
Wednesday, December 16 10 am-2 pm and 2-6 pm Gift Wrapping Benefit for Meals on Wheels Thursday, December 31, 5 pm New Year’s Eve Party February 6 & 7 (hours to be announced) Super Bowl Pool
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A Resource Worth Following This Winter Dr. Daniel Swain — Weather West From the Emergency Planning Committee, The Orchard / TORA — September 2026 With a very strong El Niño forecast for this winter, and a statewide state of emergency already declared, the single best plain-English source for what California weather is actually about to do is a climate scientist named Daniel Swain. He has been following this El Niño closely, and his work has been invaluable to the EPC.
Who he is Dr. Swain is a climate scientist with the University of California (UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and UCLA) and a research fellow at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. He studies extreme weather — atmospheric rivers, floods, droughts, and wildfire — with a focus on California. He is the most-quoted weather and climate expert in California news coverage, and for good reason: he explains what is coming in language anyone can follow, without hype.
Where to find him • Blog: weatherwest.com — real-time perspectives on California weather and climate, updated as conditions develop. • YouTube: youtube.com/@weatherwest — search “Weather West.” He holds regular live “Weather and Climate Office Hours,” walking through the current forecast and answering viewer questions. • Bluesky / X: @WeatherWest / @Weather_West — short updates when a storm is approaching.
Why it matters for us • He typically flags major storm systems and atmospheric rivers days ahead of the general news — which is exactly the lead time Block Captains and residents need to check on neighbors, charge phones, and get ready. • He is specific about Northern California and the North Bay, not just statewide generalities. • He is calm and factual. He does not sensationalize, and he says plainly when a forecast is uncertain. A suggestion: bookmark the blog, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and when a big storm is in the forecast, watch his latest update before you decide what to do. — Beverly Wells, EPC Chair, SPC 46, 707-588-8863
9
Fall Prevention November 11, 2 PM
Chair Yoga Class to Begin in November, Friday, 10 AM
Orchard Management has invited the Council on Aging to come to talk to us about preventing falls. All residents are invited.
Now that the pool is closed for the winter, we need to get our exercise indoors. On Fridays at 10 AM Elizabeth Anderson will lead a Chair Yoga class. It can be as gentle as you like, as we focus on stretching, breathing, flexibility and strength. Wear comfortable clothing and, if you like, bring a mat and go barefoot and strengthen your feet.
No Holiday Craft Fair This Year
May your stuffing be tasty May your turkey plump, May your potatoes and gravy Have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious And your pies take the prize, And may your Thanksgiving dinner Stay off your thighs!
In the last issue of the Grapevine, we asked if there was interest in holding a Holiday Craft Fair. The TORA Board decided not to have one this year for a couple of reasons. 1. There was very limited interest. 2. No one stepped up to be in charge. No matter how big or small an event is, nothing happens without a volunteer in charge. If you love the idea of a Holiday Craft Fair and you are willing to be in charge of it, please let the Board know by July 2027, at the latest.
10
Thursday Night Social Hour
The fun starts at 5 and lasts as long as you want to stay. So come on over and join the fun. Bring a snack to share, whether it’s savory or sweet and your own beverage. And don’t forget to bring your dollar bills to enter the 50/50 raffle. Half of the ticket sales go to the winner! Thursday, November 12, 5 PM
50/50 raffle tickets are $1 each, or 6 for $5! Sneak Preview: December Social Hour will be Ugly Sweater or PJs! Mark your calendar now for December 10
Solution
“Count your age by friends, not years.” — John Lennon
11
2026 ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS PASTA FEED AND TOMBOLA! Yes, it’s that time again!
December 13, 4pm Clubhouse The Orchard 1945 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa Pasta/Salad/Garlic Bread/Dessert/Beverages Cost: TBD Admission: New, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots Barrel
We will play 3 games of Tombola after dinner! $1/sheet per game Winning payouts in cash Come one, come all! Invite your friends! Fun evening, good food, good company, great event! Tickets: Joan #132. 707 292-1480 or Catch Fred on his bicycle (or #145) No tickets sold at the door 12
Tired of wrapping Christmas presents?
Let our elves do it for you! When:
Wednesday, December 16: 10 AM to 6:00 PM
Where:
Orchard Clubhouse
Donation: $1.00 per package
All proceeds to Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is the oldest and largest national organization supporting over 5,000 community programs nationwide that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation.
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The Orchard Residents Association has a private Facebook Page. If you live in the Orchard or care for someone in the Orchard or are a family member who does the Internet for a resident, then sign up at TORA The Orchard Residents Association. If you currently do not have a Facebook account, it is easy to sign up. To create a Facebook account: 1. Go to www.facebook.com/r.php. 2. Enter your name, email or mobile phone number, password, date of birth and gender. 3. Click Sign Up. 4. To finish creating your account, you need to confirm your email or mobile phone number. To join TORA’s group, click on the three lines on the bottom right of your screen (that’s the menu button) and then select Groups. You will see the magnifying (search) icon in the upper right of the screen. Search for TORA the orchards… and you will see it. Select it. Because this is a closed group, you will be asked a security question. Once you answer it, the FB administrator will allow you to join. When you join the TORA group you can see photos of events. Get updates on Orchard issues. Ask a question. Propose an idea. Make a comment. Upload your own photos. Or just enjoy the read.
Join the Conversation. Get Connected. 15
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