Kids’ Corner/TCTC Kids

Kids’ Corner

Kids’ Corner Hours & Programming* Monday through Thursday: 8:30 am-12:30 pm and 5:30-7:30 pm Friday: 8:30 am-12:30 pm | Saturday: 8 am-12 pm Closed Sunday

Kids’ Corner Policy Reminders

• Kids’ Corner will only accept children 18 months to 6 years of age. All children must be registered by a parent for Kids’ Corner prior to their first use of the room. Registration forms are available at the concierge desk or online at somersett.org. • Parents with children who are not bathroom independent must remain on Club premises at all times when their child is in Kids’ Corner. This includes such activities as playing tennis, aerobics, using the fitness room, swimming or attending a special Club function. • For the morning time slots, parents may sign their child up for either 8:30-10:30 am or 10:30 am12:30 pm Monday through Friday and either 8-10 am or 10 am-12 pm on Saturday. Evening slot is from 5:30-7:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. • The room operates on a six-to-one ratio, with a maximum of 12 children allowed at any given time. To accommodate this ratio, the Club requires reservations to be made at least 24 hours in advance to ensure staffing. Reservations may be made online at somersett.org seven days in advance. • All children must be dropped off in Kids’ Corner within 15 minutes of their reservation time. If the parent has not checked in their child within the 15-minute window, the reservation becomes void, and the spot will be opened to a child on the waiting list.

Kids TCTC

TCTC Kids Before- and After-School Program

Monday–Friday | Grades K-5

This program provides quality before- and after-school experience for children at a reasonable price. From the minute they step in our door in the morning or off the bus in the afternoon, your children will enter a safe, structured environment filled with activities and games, help with homework, tutoring, snacks prepared daily, and fun times with their Somersett friends.

Morning Program 7-8:30 am; $35/child/week; $10/child/day Afternoon Program 3:30-6 pm; $50/child/week; $15/child/day Both Morning & Afternoon $85/child/week

Register by the Thursday before 4 child min; 30 max This program is for members of The Club at Town Center.

Spring Break Camp

March 14-25 | Monday-Friday, 7 am-6 pm | RSVP by March 4 $45/child per day or $180 per week per child–Somersett residents only Ages 5-12 | 10 child min; 24 max

During spring break, let us entertain your children with games, activities and crafts. We will provide two snacks every day. Please pack your child’s lunch. Spots fill up quickly, so sign up early at the front desk.

If you want to shop the sale, look for a digital map of participating homes on the home page of somersett.org starting on Monday, May 2.

—GROUPS—

Open to all residents of Somersett, including those who live in Sierra Canyon.

Acoustic Circle Jam

—SAVE THE DATES— Adult Social: Cinco de Mayo

Second and fourth Sunday of each month: March 13 & 27 and April 10 & 24, 5-7 pm

Join the Circle Jam and broaden your musical horizons with like-minded vocalists and instrumentalists in a fun, positive environment. All levels of acoustic guitar playing are welcome. A good singing voice is not required but is a plus. New players are welcome to bring their favorite songs or song lists to share.

Bridge Club

Wednesdays, 2-5 pm

Join fellow bridge lovers for intermediate bridge at the Club. We usually have two to four tables, and we strive for complete tables so that everyone enjoys their playing time. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Jan at haemmigJ@gmail.com.

Thursday, May 5

Stay tuned for more information about this festive event!

Spring Garage Sale

Saturday, May 7, 7 am-3 pm

One of the great things about living in Somersett is the ability to participate in SOA-sanctioned community-wide garage sales—three each year—which attract shoppers looking for bargains. The best thing? The SOA does all the marketing for you! All you have to do is let us know you want to participate.

The first sale is Saturday, May 7, followed by the summer sale on July 30 and the fall sale on Oct. 1. Planning to participate on May 7? Get listed on a map of participating homes by emailing robin. bolson@mysomersett.com no later than Monday, May 2.

Canasta

Fridays, 1-4 pm | Media Room

Join us on Fridays as we play Canasta, a card-melding game which is a variation of rummy. Many types of Canasta exist. Come learn to play or teach us your version of Canasta. Everyone is welcome. Questions? Contact Elyce Gilbert at Elyce.gilbert@ gmail.com.

Care Matters

Mondays, Noon-2 pm Fridays, 9:30-11:30 am

The Care Matters team turns plastic bags into “plarn,’’ then crochets the “plarn” into sleeping mats that are distributed to people in the Reno area without permanent shelter. The lightweight mats are waterproof and provide protection from the cold ground, while at the same time keeping plastic out of our landfills. Volunteers are welcome and experience is not required!

Mah Jongg

Mondays & Thursdays, 1-4 pm

Mah Jongg is a challenging tile game that originated in China, and we’re playing it at the Club with the National Mah Jongg League rules and play card. Join us on Mondays and Thursdays to play or just watch, and feel free to bring a snack and non-alcoholic beverage.

Pinochle Club

Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 pm

Pinochle players, we have a club just for you! Somersett’s pinochle club welcomes new or advanced players for three- or four-handed pinochle. Join us for this casual drop-in game here at the Club on Tuesday afternoons.

PROFILE

Don Vilelle

aka “The Tie-Dye Guy’’

Don Vilelle of Sierra Canyon proves every day that you don’t need a lot of money or time to make the world a better place. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly wave to a stranger in a passing car to brighten someone’s world. Multiply that one greeting by dozens of waves. Every morning. Since 2017. That’s a lot of world-brightening right there.

“There is so much negativity in the world,’’ Don says. “I am trying to spread some positivity.’’

If you’ve ever driven down Somersett Ridge Parkway in the early morning, you know who Don is. Dubbed the “Tie-Dye Guy’’ because of his “groovy’’ sartorial style, Don waves to EVERY car he sees. Don has noticed that some days people are more friendly than others. The best waves come on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “Monday is the worst!” he says. And Don doesn’t stop with the waves. He also picks up trash along his route, brightening the community in a different way. “It is fun and important to try to bring a smile to people’s faces as they drive by, wave, and sometimes even honk!” he adds. “What a great way to start a day!”

Questions for Don:

Where are you from?

I was born in Pasadena, Calif., and grew up in South Pasadena. I got my college degree in Arkansas and started my 35-year teaching and coaching career in 1968, retiring in 2003. I taught American History (Colonial times up to and including Reconstruction), Economics, and Government to grades 7, 8, 9, and 12. I coached soccer, basketball, softball, and golf.

The school that I taught at in Missouri only had team sports. So, in 1995, I started a golf team. The town (Cole Camp) had no golf course and most of the students that came out for the team were farm kids with no golf background. The team survived and in 2002 we had two golfers qualify for State. The program is still going strong and today the town has a great 9-hole golf course!

Why did you choose Somersett?

My wife Martha was the main reason we left our oceanfront home in Brookings, Oregon. We had been looking at 55-plus communities and she wanted a place with a little more sun, plus she had some friends living in Reno. We made four trips to look at Somersett and finally purchased our current home in September of 2017.

Favorite activities

My hobbies are golfing, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing poker, playing board/card games, keeping my car clean, doing yard work, and observing people (this is probably due to my psychology minor).

How did the waving start?

When we lived in Brookings, I also picked up trash and waved at people while walking along Highway 101. I have always been a person who takes pride in what I have and the area that I live in. That was instilled in me by my parents and, being an only child, it was hard for me to get away with anything. Therefore, I kept my room clean and wanted the area around me to look nice in order to please my parents.

Something people might be surprised to know about you

My “15 minutes” of fame came by being on The Dating Game with Jim Lange in 1970. I was Bachelor Number 3 and was not chosen by the upcoming actress Julie McWhirter. I did win a Green Egg barbecue grill though!

Do you know who made these cards?

In 2017 when Don first moved to Sierra Canyon and started walking and waving, two young passersby were so appreciative of his effort that they made hand-drawn cards for him, calling him the “Tie Dye Guy.” Don would love to connect with them and tell them how much those cards mean to him. If you know who these young artists are, email robin.bolson@ mysomersett.com and she will arrange a meeting with Don. It would make his day!

Do you know a Somersett resident we should profile? Let us know who they are and what makes them interesting. Email robin.bolson@mysomersett.com.