Pueblo Serena
THE SERENAN
Sponsored By Pueblo Serena Homeowners Alliance
Editor/Admin: Lin Marie deVincent lmdevincent@comcast.net
Calendar/Birthdays: Cynthia Boyer – byerbird@sonic.net
PUEBLO SERENA HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOVEMBER
2025
Board Chair : Ana Maria Erickson. .................................415-988-5882
Treasurer: John Kyle......................................................................................................415-341-2463
Secretary: Robert Bruce …………………650-678-4122
Director-at-Large: Bert McCarthy ……………………………………………………707-933-6461
Designated Tenant Representative (DTR): John Kyle 415-341-2463
GSMOL Super Chapter President: Ann Colichidas 415-902-7690
GSMOL V.P. Membership: Carol Werner .. 707-935-1235
PS & HOA Email Communications: Hugh McBride 707-934-0860
Social Activities Coordinator: Linda Bruce .. 650-678-4121
Emergency Response Coordinator: Mike Colhouer 707-227-0848 Sandi Bird
Homeowners’ Phone List: 415-450-1755
Cul-de-Sac Coordinator: Linda Bruce #112 Merida 650-678-4121
CHICO
HACIENDA
ACAPULCO
MAZATLAN
CUERNAVACA
GUADALAJARA
GUADALAJARA
MAYAN
MAYAN
GUAYMAS
LA PAZ
HERMOSILLO
MERIDA
PEPITO
CUL-de-SAC CAPTAINS
Ramsey Sullivan #6
Ted Sexauer #12
707-732-0624
707-337-4518
Cynthia Boyer #28 707-495-6639
Monica Wohlferd #35 707-939-3683
Cathy Flight #43
Terry Swartt #59
-531-5489
-225-6864
Keval Nguyen #58 415-203-3323
Kathy Jewell #126 707-225-4804
Barbara Rose #123 707-231-8061
Sandy Colhouer #75
Carol Stienke #89
707-318-3480
707-292-3107
Carmen Naimish #99 805-745-1520
Diane Lumiere #113 916-761-3234
Donna Tranchina #117 707-938-7674
Winter Bouquet - Natasha Drengson
NOVEMBER 2025
Bocce 10-12
ChantContemplate- Chat 12-1pm Library
VOTE!
Bocce 10-12
Recycling on W McArthur
Bocce 10-12
Bocce 10-12
Knit/Crochet Group 12:30-3:00 Bridge 1-4pm Library Bocce 10-12
Bocce 10-12 BBB 11-12
ChantContemplateChat 12- 1pm Library
Pancakes+ 9:30am Bocce 10-12
Veterans Day Bocce 10-12
Bocce 10-12
Qigong 9:30-10:30 Creativity 204 10:45-12:15 Luci Ungar
Bocce 10-12
Knit/Crochet Group 12:30-3:00 Bridge 1-4pm Library Bocce 10-12
Bocce 10-12
ChantContemplate- Chat 12- 1pm Library Library Bocce 10-12
10-12
ContemplateChat 12- 1pm
Recycling on W McArthur
Bocce 10-12
Qigong 9:30-10:30 Bocce 10-12
Qigong 9:30-10:30 Creativity 204 10:45-12:15 Luci Ungar
Bocce 10-12
Knit/Crochet Group 12:30-3:00 Bridge 1-4pm Library Bocce 10-12
Bocce 10-12
TGIF 5pm BYOB
You may have heard about the FOUR M’S of healthy aging that are being used by healthcare providers as a guide in discussions with older patients: Medication, Mind, Mobility and what Matters. They’re a great guide for determining priorities among treatment options that can help us maximize our quality of life. Well, I am proposing the THREE A’S as a reminder that aging is also about developing an empowering attitude.
ACCEPT: Unfortunately, we live in an ageist culture that is obsessed with youthfulness and fortunes are made pedaling products and procedures that claim to restore us to an earlier version of ourselves. And while it is great that advances in medicine are helping us to live longer (i.e. to postpone death) that doesn’t change the fact that our bodies, like cars and washing machines, will inevitably start to wear out. So, let’s accept that our extended life spans might come with a price and find ways to enjoy each additional moment we have been given.
ADAPT: Anticipate that not everything will continue working perfectly. There is usually a “workaround” – something that will help you continue to enjoy “what matters.” New technology is rapidly addressing the needs of our aging demographic and there are networks of supportive resources in our communities for meals, rides, adaptive equipment and social support. The key is to learn what they are before you need them as the networks can be confusing and sometimes we must adapt quickly.
APPRECIATE: Aging has its advantages and being forced by physical limitations to slow down can be one of them. We might begin to notice that those people, places and everyday rituals that we previously took for granted now contribute to our contentment. Perhaps we can develop gratitude for the parts of us that are still working and the activities that we continue to enjoy. We might also savor pleasant life memories and appreciate the support we are receiving from friends or family members. We might even develop a sense of humor about our aging challenges!!!
Gary Hermes is an 86-year-old resident of Sonoma Oaks Manufactured Home Community and is passionate about exploring the potential of the aging journey for self-growth and service. He can be reached at GaryDHermes@comcast.net.
>>RESULTS of Pueblo Serena Pass Through for Street Lights<<
The pass-through ballot that was sent out by the park office asking us to pay for new streetlights did not pass. The final vote was 72 yes - 2 no. The park will be going ahead with the installation, at no cost to us. However, there is no timeframe provided as of yet.
As soon as we have some information we’ll be sure to pass it on.
Thank you, Pueblo Serena HOA Board
Photos by Rosemary Penna U’Ren
Monarch Butterflies in California
In reading up on Monarch Butterflies I was surprised to learn that the Western states have their own population of Monarchs. I think we have all heard how the Monarchs make their long migration to Mexico from the US. However most of the Monarchs west of the Rockies migrate to the coast of California to winter.
There are three distinct populations of monarch butterflies in the US, Eastern, Western, and South Florida- all with behavioral and migration differences.
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern monarch butterflies, which live to the east of the Rocky Mountains, migrate more than 3,000 kilometers from Mexico to Canada. Since most of these butterflies only live 2 to 5 weeks, this 2-month migration occurs over multiple monarch generations. In the fall, the “super generation” of monarch butterflies can live 6 to 9 months and fly all the way to Mexico to spend the winter, starting at the end of October and beginning of November. Southern Florida monarchs live in a climate that permits year-round breeding without the need to migrate.
Western monarch butterflies, which live west of the Rocky Mountains, migrate towards the California coast in the fall, overwintering in clusters on blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress trees. These are the monarchs we see here in California. They can be seen along the coast from October to February in specific locations including the Monarch Grove Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, Pismo State Beach, and the Coronado Butterfly Preserve in Santa Barbara.
It is our Western population of Monarchs that is in danger. Over 95% of the western monarch population has disappeared since the 1980s. According to the Xerces Society, there are many ways to help monarchs, and everyone can participate!
Plant pesticide-free nectar plants (and milkweed)
Many plant growers use pesticides on their young plants. This of course will kill the butterfly larvae after they hatch and begin feeding.
During their migration to overwintering sites, most monarchs are not breeding, but they still need flowering nectar plants throughout their migratory habitat which provide sugars that they store for energy. One of the best ways to help monarch butterflies is to plant native plants during the fall that bloom during all seasons to provide nectar throughout their range. (Theodore Payne resource below)
On their return, monarchs lay eggs, which means they need both nectar sources and
milkweed. This habitat needs to be distributed throughout the landscape to ensure connectivity throughout their range and maximize their chances to reproduce. We can all create steppingstones for monarchs by having patches of native plants available for them outside of our homes throughout their range.
Arrival and Peak
Monarch butterfly migration season in California is generally from November to February, as the butterflies migrate to the coast to overwinter. The peak of their population is usually between Thanksgiving and Christmas, though some individuals may remain until February or even later for mating and egg-laying.
Overwintering and Departure
The butterflies remain in their overwintering sites for several months, clustering in Blue Gum eucalyptus trees, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress trees. By February, they begin to disperse. On sunny days, you might observe them flying to find water and nectar from flowers. Late February and early March mark the beginning of the migration north, as they search for milkweed to lay their eggs for the next summer generation.
BEWARE
Do not plant Tropical Milkweed, the one with orange/golden flowers. This plant does not go dormant and the Monarchs may lay their eggs on it too close to winter for them to survive. And overwintering plants may transmit disease from one generation of butterflies to the next. Plant only California native milkweeds. Also when planting California native milkweeds be aware that they are invasive, and will migrate through out the garden. Best planted in large containers.
Western Monarch Day. February 5, 2026.
https://www.twinkl.com/event/western-monarch-day-usa-2026 Scroll down on site for video
Resources:
https://theodorepayne.org/beyond-milkweed-more-plants-for-monarchs/ https://xerces.org/monarchs/western-monarch-conservation https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invertebrates/Monarch-Butterfly
OPEN DOORS RESOURCE for SONOMA COUNTY
Sonoma County has launched a new campaign aimed at improving access to public services. The initiative, called Open Doors, is led by the county’s Human Services Department. It involves collaboration with local nonprofits and community organizations including food, housing, health care, employment, and more. Visit www.OpenDoorsSC.com or call 2-1-1 for live assistance.
Robin’s Corner, Community Mgr., Pueblo Serena Estates
Life happens. Or as Allen Saunders said, in 1957, and later put to music and popularized by John Lennon in 1980, "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans".
Yes, I have had some luck in my life, good, and the other kind, but also I live my live with INTENT. It is ok to feel good about the decisions I’ve made.
My decision to re-locate to California to be near my daughter and new grandchild was very intentional. Being close by to share the work load, and the joy of child-rearing has been a good thing.
Almost three years ago I was offered the job I currently have, being part of a team that manages Pueblo Serena. After discussing this opportunity with my partner and daughter, we thought we could make managing Pueblo Serena and being a Granny possible. So I very intentionally started down yet another career path at a very August time in my life. Three years on we have a pretty good system going.
Most mornings, when I'm not grumpy, I set off to the office with every intent of doing my job to the very best of my ability. Most days I succeed. Other days, I've made some whopper mistakes. [Ask around]. After living a long time, I try not to beat up on myself for these mistakes, but rather, pause and figure out the best solution to set things right. Seeking advice from some of you and my superiors at corporate often help come up with a workable solution. This too seems to be a good system.
Bill and I attended our annual corporate seminar where we learned a few things, were well fed and had some fun. The best part of these gatherings, for me, is visiting with other managers of "Manufactured Mobile Home Communities", [the preferred language], and learning from them, the managers. After visiting with them, Bill and I both feel that Pueblo Serena is the perfect place for us. Size, location,55+. Some of the other communities are much larger, all age, and are often covered in snow. When this appears in the Serenan, the pool will have been closed, the fall clean up dumpster come and gone, and your homes decked out for seasonal goblins.
Hopefully you have noticed that the Ping-Pong table has been moved inside so you need not dodge raindrops while playing. In so doing, the furniture in the sitting area was rearranged to accommodate the table and yet be inviting for residents and our friends and family. We will put the table in the closet for events and whenever necessary.
Jim has been freshening up the entrance of the clubhouse with new plantings, repairing the roof on the work shed, and he and Bill have nearly changed all of the gas meters. Some major trees were removed and also some sidewalk and driveway cement repairs were made.
Last month, about two weeks before Jane Goodall died, I was watching a documentary about her life and work with my oldest granddaughter.[she is going to be Jane for Halloween.] We were both fascinated by the work Ms. Goodall did and awed by her dedication, and good heart. At the end of the film, Jane was being interviewed and told a memory of when her mother congratulated her about an award, Jane had received. Jane demurred and said she was lucky, in the right place at the right time. Jane's mother quickly responded "that is indeed true, but Jane you have worked very hard to get where you are today." Couldn't have said it better myself.
Be kind, to yourself and others. Robin
Evvie & Friends
UPDATE on the FREE SWAP MEETS in the Clubhouse! CANCELLED UNTIL JANUARY 2026
SO - NO SWAP MEET in NOVEMBER or DECEMBER
Art by Mary Englebreit
A fun field trip to San Francisco for a few lucky Pueblo Serena neighbors, friends & family –Ana Maria, Maggie, Diane, Laurelyn, Pat, Karen, Marshall & Liam!
An Alpine Beerhall, restaurant and bar in the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture with a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge owned & operated by our neighbor ! The reviews are in –Köstlich! Delicious!
What's Popular? Bratwurst, Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich, Jägerschnitzel and of course the Bier!
Fotos & Story by Laurelyn & Ana Maria
In HONOR of JANE
Jane Goodall, from "A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader"
"Dear Children,
I want to share something with you - how much I loved books when I was your age. Of course, back then there was no Internet, no television we learned everything from printed books. We didn’t have much money when I was a child and I couldn’t afford new books, so most of what I read came from our library. But I also used to spend hours in a very small second hand book shop. The owner was an old man who never had time to arrange his books properly. They were piled everywhere and I would sit there, surrounded by all that information about everything imaginable. I would save up any money I got for my birthday or doing odd jobs so that I could buy one of those books. Of course, you can look up everything on the Internet now. But there is something very special about a book the feel of it in your hands and the way it looks on the table by your bed, or nestled in with others in the bookcase."
“Lost in awe at the beauty around me, I must have slipped into a state of heightened awareness. It is hard – impossible really –to put into words the moment of truth that suddenly came upon me then. Even the mystics are unable to describe their brief flashes of spiritual ecstasy. It seemed to me, as I struggled afterward to recall the experience, the self was utterly absent: I and the chimpanzees, the earth and trees and air, seemed to merge, to become one with the spirit power of life itself. The air was filled with a feathered symphony, the evensong of birds. I heard new frequencies in their music and also in singing insects’ voices – notes so high and sweet I was amazed. Never had I been so intensely aware of the shape, the color of the individual leaves, the varied patterns of the veins that made each one unique. Scents were clear as well, easily identifiable: fermenting, overripe fruit; waterlogged earth; cold, wet bark; the damp odor of chimpanzee hair, and yes, my own too. And the aromatic scent of young, crushed leaves was almost overpowering.
That afternoon, it had been as though an unseen hand had drawn back a curtain and, for the briefest moment, I had seen through such a window. In a flash of “outsight” I had known timelessness and quiet ecstasy, sensed a truth of which mainstream science is merely a small fraction. And I knew that the revelation would be with me for the rest of my life, imperfectly remembered yet always within. A source of strength on which I could draw when life seemed harsh or cruel or desperate.”
~ Jane Goodall
Saturday December 13th
We are excited to announce our upcoming Holiday Party and invite you to join us for a night of fun, good food, and festive cheer. Please save the date and make plans to celebrate with your friends and family.
More information about the party, including RSVP details and festivities, will be shared in the December Serenan. We look forward to celebrating the holiday season together!
Brought to you by the Social Committee
What owning a cat does to your brain (and theirs)!
Cats may have a reputation for independence, but emerging research suggests we share a unique connection with them – fueled by brain chemistry. The main chemical involved is oxytocin, often called the love hormone. It’s the same neurochemical that surges when a mother cradles her baby or when friends hug, fostering trust and affection. And now studies are showing oxytocin is important for cat-human bonding too. Oxytocin plays a central role in social bonding, trust and stress regulation in many animals, including humans. One 2005 experiment showed that oxytocin made human volunteers significantly more willing to trust others in financial games. Oxytocin also has calming effects in humans and animals, as it suppresses the stress hormone cortisol and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest system) to help the body relax. Scientists have long known that friendly interactions trigger oxytocin release in both dogs and their owners, creating a mutual feedback loop of bonding. Until recently, though, not much was known about its effect in cats.
Cats are more subtle in showing affection. Yet their owners often report the same warm feelings of companionship and stress relief that dog owners do – and studies are increasingly backing these reports up. Researchers in Japan, for example, reported in 2021 that brief petting sessions with their cats boosted oxytocin levels in many owners. In that study, women interacted with their cats for a few minutes while scientists measured the owners’ hormone levels. The results suggested that friendly contact (stroking the cat, talking in a gentle tone) was linked to elevated oxytocin in the humans’ saliva, compared with a quiet resting period without their cat. Many people find petting a purring cat is soothing, and research indicates it’s not just because of the soft fur. The act of petting and even the sound of purring can trigger oxytocin release in our brains. One 2002 study found this oxytocin rush from gentle cat contact helps lower cortisol (our stress hormone), which in turn can reduce blood pressure and even pain.
When is oxytocin released between cats and humans?
Research is pinpointing specific moments that cause the release of this hormone in our crossspecies friendship. Gentle physical contact seems to be a prime trigger for cats. A February 2025 study found that when owners engaged in relaxed petting, cuddling or cradling of their cats, the owners’ oxytocin tended to rise, and so did the cats’ – if the interaction was not forced on the animal. The researchers monitored oxytocin in cats during 15 minutes of play and cuddling at home with their owner. Securely attached cats who initiated contact such as lap-sitting or nudging showed an oxytocin surge. The more time they spent close to their humans, the greater the boost. What about less-cuddly felines? The same study noted different patterns in cats with more anxious or aloof attachment styles. Avoidant cats (those
who kept their distance) showed no significant oxytocin change, while cats who were anxious (constantly seeking their owner but easily overwhelmed by handling) had high oxytocin to begin with. Oxytocin of avoidant and anxious cats was found to drop after a forced cuddle. When interactions respect the cat’s comfort, the oxytocin flows – but when a cat feels cornered, the bonding hormone is elusive. Maybe humans could learn something from their feline friends on managing attachment styles. The key to bonding with a cat is understanding how they communicate. Unlike dogs, cats don’t rely on prolonged eye contact to bond. Instead, they use more understated signals. The most well known is the slow blink. It’s a feline smile, signaling safety and trust.
Purring also plays a role in bonding with people. The low-frequency rumble of a cat’s purr has been linked not only to healing in cats themselves, but also to calming effects in humans. Listening to purring can lower heart rate and blood pressure; oxytocin mediates these benefits. The companionship of a cat, reinforced by all those little oxytocin boosts from daily interactions, can serve as a buffer against anxiety and depression – in some cases providing comfort on par with human social support.
Are cats just less loving than dogs?
It’s true that studies generally find stronger oxytocin responses in dog–human interactions. In one widely discussed 2016 experiment, scientists measured oxytocin in pets and owners before and after ten minutes of play. Dogs showed an average 57% spike in oxytocin levels after playtime, whereas cats showed about a 12% increase. In humans, oxytocin levels rise during meaningful social interactions. Studies show that contact with a loved one produces stronger oxytocin responses than contact with strangers. So, a happy dog greeting is akin to that rush of seeing your child or partner. Dogs, being pack animals domesticated for constant human companionship, are almost hard-wired to seek eye contact, petting and approval from us – behaviour that stimulates oxytocin release in both parties. Cats, however, evolved from more solitary hunters which didn’t need overt social gestures to survive. So, they may not display oxytocin-fueled behaviour as readily or consistently. Instead, cats may reserve their oxytocin-releasing behaviour for when they truly feel safe. A cat’s trust isn’t automatic; it must be earned. But once given, it is reinforced by the same chemical that bonds human parents, partners and friends. So, next time your cat blinks slowly from across the sofa or climbs on to your lap for a purr-filled cuddle, know that something invisible is happening too: oxytocin is rising in both your brains, deepening the trust and soothing the stress of daily life. Cats, in their own way, have tapped into the ancient biology of love. From The Conversation 9.12.2025 https://theconversation.com/what-owning-a-cat-doesto-your-brain-and-theirs-264396
Rumors by Melissa LeBlanc
My daughter came home from school and said, “Mom, you’re not going to believe what happened in history class today.” Her teacher told the class they were going to play a game. He walked around the room and whispered to each kid whether they were a witch or just a regular person. Then he gave the instructions: “Form the biggest group you can without a witch. If your group has even one, you all fail.”
She said the whole room instantly lit up with suspicion. Everyone started interrogating each other. Are you a witch? How do we know you’re not lying?
Some kids clung to one big group, but most broke off into smaller, exclusive cliques. They turned away anyone who seemed uncertain, nervous, or gave off even the slightest hint of being guilty. The energy shifted fast. Suddenly everyone was suspicious of everyone. Whispers. Finger-pointing. Side-eyes. Trust dissolved in minutes.
Finally, when all the groups were formed, the teacher said, “Alright, time to find out who fails. Witches, raise your hands.”
And not one hand went up. The whole class exploded. “Wait! You messed up the game!”
And then the teacher dropped the bomb: “Did I? Were there any actual witches in Salem, or did everyone just believe what they were told?” My daughter said the room went dead silent. That’s when it hit them. No witch was ever needed for the damage to happen. Fear had already done its work. Suspicion alone divided the entire class, turning community into chaos.
And isn’t that exactly what we’re seeing today? Different words, same playbook. Instead of “witch,” it’s liberal, conservative, vaxxed, unvaxxed, pro-this, anti-that. The labels shift, but the tactic is the same. Get people scared. Get them suspicious. Get them divided. Then sit back while trust crumbles. The danger was never the witch. The danger is the rumor. The suspicion. The fear. The planted lies. Refuse the whisper.
Don’t play the game.
Because the second we start hunting “witches,” we’ve already lost.
“We had this guy come out and he gave us 45 minutes of his time to discuss the control of rats. We haven't seen any rats, but apparently there was one under our house for a while there. He will actually come out and give a talk at the clubhouse for free and he will provide consultation on an individual basis as well, also for free. The guy is really knowledgeable and very nice.” bertmccarthy@icloud.com 755 221 0040
Bert McCarthy #102
SONOMA VALLEY GSMOL
Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League
7 Flags, Moon Valley, Pueblo Serena, Sonoma Oaks, Rancho Vista
Assemblymember Damon Connolly GSMOL Legislator of the Year 2025
Damon Connolly has proven himself to be a champion for mobilehomeowners in California. He is also now considered a mobilehome expert among his colleagues in the Legislature. He brought forth several important bills this year including the GSMOL-sponsored AB456 and AB806.
AB 456 clarifies rules relating to the sale or transfer of a mobilehome that will remain in the park and provides that, if park management fails or refuses to notify a seller or prospective purchaser of specified information, certain rights for management to require repairs or improvements to the mobilehome or to deny the tenancy application of a prospective purchaser is waived.
AB 806, on the Governor’s desk at the time of this writing, prohibits management from restricting residents from installing cooling devices in their mobilehomes. Now, Mr. Connolly is running for State Senator, to fill the seat vacated by Senator Mike McGuire who is termed out in 2026. He vows to remain a close ally of California mobilehome owners.
Thank You and Congratulations Damon!
2:00-3:00pm: “Open Mic” Mini-Concert – Share your talent! Everyone welcome to play 1-2 tunes on any instrument(s), solo or with friends. The human voice is also an instrument. Yes, you can sing a song or two.
3:00-3:30pm: Potluck Refreshment Break
Bring a favorite treat to share! BYOB
3:30-4:30-ish: Easy Dance Workshop – Dance Party to Live Music
If you can step to the beat you can do these fun, very easy dances, even if you have two left feet. No partner required. We will mix and dance with everyone!
To Play or Sing for Mini-Concert, please contact Fred (Renate Bialy’s son): fred.bialy@sonic.net, 510.541.6874
1-2 tunes max, unless time allows for more. Show your Pueblo Serena community your hidden talents! You will be performing in front of a very forgiving audience.
Dance Workshop/Party:
All levels of dance experience welcome. We will all have a grand time dancing with each other. Simple, easy dances taught and led by Toby Blomé (Renate’s daughter-in-law) and Ann Colichidas Or, just come to watch and enjoy the party!
Please contact us for questions: toby4peace@sonic.net or acolichidas@gmail.com
“Most people think sequoias survive because they're massive. But that's not even close to the real reason. If you’ve ever had the privilege standing beside one of these giants, you’ll find it hard NOT to think of resilience. These trees can live through droughts, fires, storms, and climate shifts that would kill almost anything else. But as an engineer this is what I’m fixated on: The tallest tree in the world has roots that only go 6-12 feet deep. That should be impossible. A 300-foot tree with shallow roots makes no sense from an engineering perspective. But… Sequoias don't survive alone. Their root systems spread 50-80 feet wide and interweave with every other sequoia around them. They share nutrients, water, and structural support. When storms come in, they support each other. The forest is the system: Not the individual trees. I couldn't stop thinking about this. Most people try to build resilience by making themselves bigger, stronger, more independent. They stockpile resources, they build higher walls, they go it alone. But the most resilient systems in nature are interconnected. Maybe the question isn't "how do I become more self-sufficient?" but "how do become more meaningfully connected to the right systems?" - Rob Avis, via Facebook
PSHOA ANNOUNCEMENT for 2026 BOARD NOMINATIONS
To: Pueblo Serena Homeowners’ Alliance Community
From: Nominating Committee for 2026 Board Members
October 8, 2025
Dear Neighbors,
We, the Nominating Committee have completed preliminary interviews for the 2026 vacancies as of this October 8, 2025. There are three openings for the HOA Board. The Nominating Committee nominates Bert McCarthy, Mary Stearns, and Lin Marie deVincent for these positions. All homeowners listed have been confirmed as to their current, pending or future status. Per the Association By Laws the nominations will be announced at the October 11th 2025 Community Meeting at the clubhouse. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve our community. Lin Marie deVincent, #65 & John Kyle, #14
2026 HOA Board Nominations
Continuing Board: Robert Bruce, Anamaria Erickson
Nominees for election: Bert McCarthy, Mary Stearns, Lin Marie deVincent Outgoing Board member: John Kyle
Thank you to our Serenan delivery guys, Jim & Kent. We appreciate you!
END of the SUBMITTED ARTICLES for SERENAN MAGAZINE CONTENT
Photo: Mark’s Persimmons by Lin Marie deVincent
Puzzles and Word Games you
MLB Mascots Cozy Blaze
ACE BARRELMAN
BAXTER THE BOB CAT
BERNIE BREWER
BILLIE THE MARLIN
CLARK THE CUB
DINGER
FRED BIRD
LOU SEAL
MR MET
ORBIT SLIDER SOUTHPAW STOMPER
SWINGING FRIAR
TC BEAR
Across 1.Blacken
5.Cooking meas.
8.Charades, e.g.
9.Quiet
10.Doctrines
11.Condo, e.g. 12.Funny song from Wicked
14.Lizard, old-style
15.Wordnik
19.Balance sheet item
20.Get ready, for short 22.Brews
23.In place of 24.“___ not!”
25.A long, long time
Down
1.Special effects letters
2.Door fastener
3.BBs, e.g.
4.Shows consideration and high regard.
5.Charlie, for one 6.Mix
7.Darling
9.Number divisible by
another number. 13.Amateur video subject, maybe 15.Kosher ___ 16.Lying, maybe 17.Beethoven’s “Archduke ___”
18.Caught in the act
19.“Dear old” guy 21.Sign of infections
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
November Sudoku
How to solve sudoku puzzles
No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience.
Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number can only
appear once in a column or row in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is easy.
TRIVIA TEASER
In Black and White
1. What black-and-white animal appears in the logo of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature? a-Panda, b-Zebra, c-Aye-aye, d-Skunk.
2.What band's number one hits were "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," "Black
& White," and "Joy to the World"? aBlood, Sweat and Tears, b-Creedence Clearwater Revival, c-Kansas, d-Three Dog Night.
3.The standard daily New York Times crossword puzzle is how many squares wide? a-11, b-13, c-15, d-17.
4.What was the last black-and-white movie to win the Best Picture Academy Award? a-"The Artist," b-"The Good German," c-"The Apartment," d-"Schindler's List."
5.Who played the guitar introduction on the Michael Jackson hit "Black or White"? a-Eddie Van Halen, b-Steve Vai, c-Slash, d-Eric Clapton.
6. Who directed all but one of the Pepe Le Pew cartoon shorts for Warner Brothers? a-Friz Freleng, b-Chuck Jones, c-Tex Avery, d-Bob Clampett.
7.In what year did Nabisco introduce the Double Stuf Oreo? a-1974, b-1987, c-1991, d-2001.
8.Burkina Faso is drained by the Red, Black, and White tributaries of what river? a-Niger, b-Ubangi, c-Volta, d-Nile.
9. What 1946 fantasy film about a WWII pilot featured Earth filmed in Technicolor and Heaven filmed in black and white? a-"The Cockeyed Miracle," b-"Angel On My Shoulder," c-"The Call," d-"A Matter of Life and Death."
10.The Dalmatian is a breed of dog that traces its roots back to the region of Dalmatia in what country? a-Macedonia, b-Slovenia, c-Croatia, d-Serbia.
QUOTES
Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man and woman, it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.
Edward Sandford Martin, essayist, founder o fhte "Harvard Lampoon"
So once in every year we throng, Upon a day apart, To praise the Lord with feast and song, in thankfulness of heart.
Arthur Guiterman in "The First Thanksgiving"
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do.
Victor Hugo, French poet, novelist
He who thanks but with the lips Thanks but in part. The full, the true Thanksgiving comes from the heart.
J.A. Shedd, second president of Marshall Field & Co.
For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, We are thankful for everything Thy goodness sends.
Ralph Waldo Emerson American essayist and poet
Thou hast given so much to me, Give one thing more, a grateful heart; Not thankful when it pleases me, As if Thy blessings had spare days, But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
George Herbert, English poet, priest
On Thanksgiving Day, all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment -- halftime.
Author Unknown
The Lighter Side Good Advice
A lady pulled into a crowded parking lot and rolled down the car windows to make sure her golden retriever had fresh air. The dog was stretched out on the back seat, and she wanted to make sure the dog stayed there.
She walked backward toward the store, pointing her finger at the dog and saying:
Now you stay .....
Do you hear me?... Stay!... Stay!"
The driver of a nearby car piped up:
"Why don't you just put it in park?'
Got Bugs?
A man who works for a pest control company confirms each appointment by phone the night before his service call.
One night, a man answered the confirmation call. The pest control man said, "Hi, this is A to Z Pest Control. Your wife phoned us."
There was a long silence, and then the customer yelled to his wife: "Honey, it's for you ... someone wants to talk to you about your relatives."
Stop Sign
A woman drove a mini-van filled with a dozen screaming kids through the mall parking lot, looking for a space. Obviously frazzled, she coasted through a stop sign.
"Hey, lady, have you forgotten how to stop?" yelled an irate man.
She rolled down her window and yelled back, "What makes you think these are all mine?"
Answer to 'In Black and White'
1-a Panda
2-d, Three Dog Night
3-c, 15
4-a, "The Artist" 5-c, Slash
6-b, Chuck Jones
7-a, 1974
8-c, Volta
9-d, "A Matter of Life and Death" 10-c, Croatia
