WBL MAY 2019

Page 1

W oodbridge LIFE Volume 9 • Issue 5 • Number 92

Your Life. Your Community. Your News.

May • 2019

FAREWELL, NAVARROS

May

A single rose can be my garden … a single friend, my world.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

Inside

From the Boardroom.. . . . Groups and Clubs. . . . . . Events and Activities. . . . Calendar.. . . . . . . . . . . . Scene at the Clubhouse. . Gardener’s Corner .. . . . . Triker’s Travels .. . . . . . . Where in the World.. . . . .

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.5 .6 .8 .9 22 25 35 38

READ WBL ONLINE: http://issuu.com/ woodbridgelife

Contact us: WBLIFE2017@gmail.com

Article and photo by Betty Basehore

T

he residents of Dutchwood Lane gathered for a send-off for our wonderful friends, Helen and Angel Navarro, February 21. The Navarros are moving to Huntsville, Alabama, to be closer to both of their families.

Angel was honored a few years ago as a World War II veteran and was part of the “Northern California Honor Flight” with others from the Manteca community. They were flown to Washington, D.C., and were honored at the WWII Memorial.

Helen and Angel moved to Woodbridge in 2010 and have enjoyed living here and being part of this great community. They were involved in several groups and activities, i.e., the Book Group, Wii Bowling, Bunco and the Veterans of Woodbridge.

God bless Helen and Angel as they embark on this new venture in their lives. See FAREWELL, page 16


W oodbridge LIFE

Page 2 • May 2019

www.ourwoodbridge.net

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www.ourwoodbridge.net

W oodbridge LIFE

From the Editor

What’s Going On at Woodbridge?

S

pring is the season of new beginnings. The world not only celebrates the inspiration and hope that is Easter but an exquisite transformation may be seen in our yards and gardens as new life begins to appear. What a thrill it was to return from a month in Hawaii to find winter’s barren rose stalks crowded with healthy green leaves and buds ready to burst into bloom; formerly skeletal tree branches now congested with new foliage and a profusion of vivid orange aloe blossoms, rising eagerly to greet the promise of sunny weather.

May 2019 • Page 3

By Activities & Events Coordinator Jennie Custodio

I

Carol Jo Hargreaves, WBL Editor WBL Editor Carol Jo Hargreaves

May is jam-packed full of fun with a ton of group and club activities. Right out of the gate, the Women of Woodbridge is hosting its annual Sip for Scholarship event to fund scholarships for the Manteca Unified School District. You won’t want to miss this all-star event to raise money for a great cause.

Remembering a new beginning many years in the past, Marie Evans’ interview of Liz Siebert on page 23 recalls the poignant post-WWII story of a family leaving wartorn Germany to make a new life in California.

The Woodbridge Singers returns on May 6 and 7 for their Spring Concert and you’ll have three opportunities to catch “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer,” “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Hit the Road, Jack,” “Love Potion No. 9” and more. Rumor has it, there will be a surprise finale!

Farewell and best wishes to longtime residents Helen and Angel Navarro who recently moved to Huntsville, Alabama, for a new beginning closer to their families. Betty Basehore pens a tribute and shares photographs of the neighborhood going-away party on pages 1 and 16.

The Cinco de Mayo event was such a huge success last year, we’re doing it again this year. A mariachi band, taco dinner with rice and beans and a (virgin) margarita machine are sure to provide an evening full of fun. And don’t forget to BYOT (bring your own tequila), amigos y amigas!

The Del Webb Field renovation complete, softball opening day is scheduled for tomorrow (weather permitting, of course). Mother Nature and other factors have caused false starts and delays in the project but, with tolerance and patience, Charm Mathis and her crew have persevered and finally overcome. The field is now safer for players and easier to maintain. On page 27, read Charm’s description of the tools and procedures needed for proper infield maintenance.

If spring-cleaning is your thing, we’ve got two opportunities for you this month. We’ll be holding the annual Community-Wide Garage Sale, Saturday, May 4, and the paper shred day will be the following Saturday, May 11.

There are new beginnings in the Woodbridge community, too. Congratulations to Leilani Rodriguez on the occasion of her promotion to operations manager. Leilani helps us get to know her better in “From the Bridge” on page 4.

Woodbridge softball involves a high percentage of residents as players, coaches, umpires and behind-the-scenes volunteers, not to mention residents and guests who show up for the many games scheduled each week. To help you get better acquainted, this edition of Woodbridge LIFE features interviews of an umpire and a player. More will follow as the softball season progresses. There’s also a game schedule on page 29 to cut out and post near your calendar. In other sports-related news, Judy McNamara tells us how Fred Gallegos and Lance Frederick trained for and participated in a recent fundraising run. See “Triker’s Travels” on page 35. Volker Moerbitz continues his fascinating, easy to read feature about “Manteca’s History” in Part 9 on page 24 and Cate White schools us on the merits of succulents in her regular “Gardener’s Corner” column and helpful checklist on page 25. Calendar and cartoon, cooking tip and craft beer, crafts and custard – just to mention the Cs! In addition to these, Woodbridge LIFE contains much, much more. Go read! Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. ~ Joseph Addison

Thanks for reading Woodbridge LIFE! ~ Carol Jo Hargreaves and the Woodbridge LIFE team

The deadline for submission of articles and photographs for the June 2019 edition of Woodbridge LIFE is Sunday, May 5, 2019. Email your materials to wblife2017@gmail.com Please send any photos as separate high resolution .jpegs, attached with your emailed article. (In other words, please do not embed photos in your articles.) (Please DO NOT send Woodbridge LIFE items to the Editor’s personal email address.) Thank you!

Activities/Events Coordinator Jennie Custodio

You’ll have the chance to treat the mothers in your life to a special breakfast hosted by the Men of Woodbridge on Sunday, May 12. Scrambled eggs, ham, pancakes, fruit, coffee, orange juice and mimosas are on the menu for this Mother’s Day Brunch. More music is on the way as we close out the month. Join the Strummin’ Wonders for their Memorial Day Patriotic Sing-Along. This concert will honor all veterans, with a special tribute by resident General Eldon Regua. And the event we wait for all year long – HAPPY HOURS ARE BACK! Kicking off this season is rock and blues artist A.C. Myles. Be on the lookout for a featured food truck at each event this season. Opie’s GSB (which stands for Gourmet Stacked Burgers) will be parked at our first event with food for sale. Contrary to rumor, Happy Hours are not being moved to Liberty Park and will continue to be held on the Clubhouse patio. Please note one small change to try to beat the heat a bit, we’re going to start happy hours at 6 p.m. this year. Just a few reminders. There is no set-up until 4 p.m. (two hours before the event). Lakeside seating is by ticket or cash donation. A reminder of our seat reservation policy: Seats may be saved at the ratio of one seat to one member. A couple may save two seats in addition to their own. Please do not reserve an entire table for your group. Please also do not save a place in line. There is plenty of room for everyone, so let’s all work together to keep our happy hours happy! Looking forward to another fun summer on the patio!

In Memoriam

In tribute to a Woodbridge resident who has died, Woodbridge LIFE welcomes a resident spouse or family member/friend to submit up to 100 words and an optional 2 x 2-inch photo for publication. Send submissions by email to wblife2017@gmail.com.


Page 4 • May 2019

W oodbridge LIFE

From the Bridge By Operations Manager Leilani Rodriguez

H

appy Mother’s Day to all the moms in our community and in our lives. Let us remind them how loved and appreciated they are today and every day. I want to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the entire community for their well wishes and offers of support as I transition into my new role of operations manager. Operations Manager I have had the pleasure of working for this community for what will be Leilani Rodriguez five years in July. If you are a regular visitor to the Clubhouse, you may be familiar with me and for those of you who are not, let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Leilani and I have been the office coordinator for the past three years. I have over 10 years of experience in an administrative office position. I’ve had many different roles in my life but my favorite role of all is mom. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Thomas, and we have two daughters. Jasmine (22) is in her first year of graduate school and Jordan (19) is in her freshman year of college. This was our first year as empty nesters and, boy, did I miss my girls! I am a Bay Area native. I was born and raised in Santa Clara, California, but Manteca has been my home for over 15 years. I enjoy sports and fitness. I am a huge Indianapolis Colts fan and I look forward to football season. Please do not hesitate to let me know your suggestions or concerns. I look forward to working with all of you. My door is always open.

www.ourwoodbridge.net

IMPORTANT NOTICE: VOTING ON GOVERNING DOCUMENT REVISIONS By WBL Editorial Team

W

oodbridge’s current governing documents (CC&Rs and Bylaws) were written to organize WOA and protect the interests of the developer, Pulte. Our all-resident board wants to update and revise these documents to eliminate references to the developer, update them to current laws and craft them to the needs of our community. To that end, the WOA board appointed a committee that has met almost every week for the past year to research and draft a restatement of these documents and has hired a law firm to refine the committee’s recommendations. The draft restatements will be distributed for member comments. Once reviewed by the board, the proposed restatements will be put to a secret ballot vote of the membership. Current CC&Rs require 51 percent approval to amend these documents. That’s not just over half of those who vote but 51 percent of ALL Woodbridge households.

PLEASE VOTE! MAY 11 MAY 11

FREE PAPER SHREDDING FREE PAPER SHREDDING hosted by Access Information hosted by Access Information

WOODBRIDGE OWNERS ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT

Donations are accepted for the Men of Woodbridge Donations are accepted for the Men of Woodbridge

MISSION: Safeguard the common interests and physical assets of the association that afford members an enhanced and rewarding quality of life in a fiscally responsible manner. VISION: A proud, welcoming, and most desirable 55+ Active Adult Community with a friendly and enjoyable lifestyle for its members, family, friends, and community. Values: Honesty, Integrity, Diversity, Respect, Fairness, Friendliness, Compassion, Cooperation, Consistency, Education, and Common Sense.

Saturday, May 11, 2019 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Clubhouse Parking Lot Clubhouse Parking Lot

Bring documents that need shredding. No need to remove staples, paper clips, etc… Bring documents that need shredding. No need to remove staples, paper clips, etc…


www.ourwoodbridge.net

W oodbridge LIFE

May 2019 • Page 5

From the Boardroom ELECTIONS COMMITTEE FORMED By WOA Treasurer Steve Brazen

A

t the April WOA Board of Directors meeting, Jacque Reynolds and Mary Kenefick were appointed to serve on the Elections Committee. In effect, this reactivated a committee that has lain dormant for some time. It is a committee of the board and I will serve as the board liaison. In the bylaws, the name of the committee was originally the “Nominating Committee” but this title does not accurately represent its duties and responsibilities. In anticipation of the proposed name change by the Rules and Regulations Committee, I am using the proposed Elections Committee title. In general, the committee is chartered to develop, modify and oversee the elections process for the Woodbridge Owners Association and reports to the board of directors in that capacity. Its responsibilities also include education and information about board members’ responsibilities and duties and the recruitment and processing of applicants. Since the bylaws allow for individuals to self-nominate, the committee does not act as a gateway to board nomination but, instead, acts as an enabler for individuals considering the nomination process.

The committee will then develop materials and plans for marketing of the election. It will recruit prospective candidates and assist them, as well as self-nominated candidates, through the registration process. After the election cycle is completed, committee members will evaluate the process and materials used for the just-completed cycle and review any issues that may have occurred. The committee’s findings and recommendations will be presented at a board meeting next fall. Then the cycle will resume all over again. I have asked the board to leave the process open for further nominations to the committee, as I would like to expand its numbers to three or four. So, if you have any interest, please contact me. I would be delighted to talk to you.

May WOA Meetings By Bob Teglia

More specifically, the committee will review the elections process and propose changes or modifications to the board. The committee hit the road running. Immediately after their appointment, Jacque and Mary began looking at what worked and what needed to be changed. Community input was added at the end of the board meeting to round out the discussion. The committee is tasked to come back to the board at its May meeting with a proposal for this year’s election cycle.

ææ PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT COMMITTEE By PP&E Chair Chuck Harvey

T

he Property, Plant & Equipment (PP&E) team spent April conducting the labor-intensive task of physically inspecting all Woodbridge community assets. The dedicated team of seven volunteers spent countless hours walking, reviewing and rating the condition of every common area, building, recreational facility and support infrastructure that is owned and maintained by the Woodbridge Owners Association. The purpose of such community-wide audits is to measure the effectiveness of maintenance plans and performance, identify areas that require immediate attention and focus attention on areas that could be further enhanced or improved over time. This was the first full community inspection process conducted by PP&E and will serve as a baseline to compare progress in future inspections. Findings will be tabulated and shared with the operations team, the WOA board and residents. The results will help staff and the board as they draft and consider investment options in the FY 2020 budget. This is an important process to maintain the wonderful Woodbridge community in “tip-top” condition and improve it over time. Perfection is never achievable when managing a diverse inventory of community assets aging at different rates and as community needs evolve. Instead, PP&E is dedicated to working with the residents, staff and WOA board to maintain a “continuous improvement” culture as we manage our Woodbridge assets and make difficult investment decisions with our limited funding resources. The PP&E team is also working

with the WOA board to establish priorities on which projects, issues and ideas to tackle next with our available resources. The committee maintains Master Project and Annual Activities lists and tracks all items referred to PP&E until they are assigned to a work group and brought to a final conclusion. An example is adding more automatic door openers to areas of the Lakeview Clubhouse. This was an item on the WOA board’s task list and was referred to PP&E for further study and a recommendation. A subcommittee of PP&E completed their work and presented a report to the full WOA board at its April 3 meeting, listed the specific doors to be equipped, provided a budget estimate and recommended a project plan that can be followed by operations staff with PP&E assistance. This community enhancement can now move forward with the development of specifications, be placed out to receive bids from suppliers and brought back to the WOA board for a contract award. Within the available funding resources and the capacity of the PP&E team and staff to manage and deliver projects, we will continue to work hard to maintain and improve Woodbridge. The next meeting of the PP&E Committee is Monday, May 6, at 9 a.m. in the Westport Room. Meeting agendas and minutes from prior meetings are available on the Woodbridge portal. PP&E Committee meetings are open to all residents so please join us if you would like to learn more about us and our work. You may also contact me directly if you have a question or concern. My contact information is listed on page 8 of this newspaper.


Zumba Video Class Page 6 • May 2019

MacNair-Correa

561-6097 in the Multipurpose Room

W oodbridge LIFE

Please refer to www.ourwoodbridge.net for more detailed information.

Interest Groups: Groups & Clubs Christian Men’s Fellowship 55er’s RV Group “Just Fore Fun” Ladies’ Golf Senior Bowling

Contact Dave Basehore Sue Edmiston Betty Buff Barbara Silva

Phone 923-4905 601-9210 479-3568 824-0262

ææ ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE Submitted by ARC Chair Tony Delgado

F

irst of all, I would like to start off this month’s article with a big “thank you” to all the residents who have taken the initiative to begin the repainting process.

The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) was very pleasantly surprised by the number of re-painting applications received for the month of March. At last count, I think it was a total of 12 applications submitted for the two review meetings. This is an outstanding start. I can only hope that the March “Let’s Talk Paint” article had something to do with it. This month, I thought we would address the topic of rock and some of the recent developments concerning some popular varieties of rock. I have been approached by some residents concerned over what appears to be a shortage in two specific varieties of landscaping rock: Woodstone and Noya Cobblestone (River Cobble). Both rock varieties are listed on Appendix C, Approved Inert Materials List on page 36 of the Design Guidelines and are a popular component to many landscaping plans. From what I am able to gather from rock vendors and landscapers, there is a definite shortage of Woodstone. I am told it is only quarried from one location and the owner of that quarry has shut down for an undetermined length of time due to health issues. Noya Cobblestone is a river cobble but varies in color from other cobblestone due to its combination of gray, blue, brown and beige color scheme. A similar but different cobble stone used in abundance in Woodbridge is Lodi Gold. It is similar in size and shape but tends to have more yellow, gold and brown tones. Both are extremely popular styles of rock but, for some reason, the Noya Cobblestone seems to be in shorter supply. Apparently, it is still available but you may have to shop around as some vendors have stopped stocking it. In summary, the Design Guidelines do not provide a comprehensive list of acceptable rock choices. There are a number of different types and colors of rock that have been approved for use in the community and that is one of the reasons why the ARC requests samples of the rock to be used. Committee members would like an opportunity to look at the size, shape and color to determine whether or not it can be approved. (Taken from Design Guidelines, Appendix C, page 36:) “Decorative rock coverage shall not constitute the primary coverage of the unpaved areas of a front or side yard visible from the neighboring property, street, or common areas and is subject to approval by the ARC…” Spring has officially sprung. Good luck with all your decorative rock ideas. The right rock can really complement and highlight your landscaping. P.S: For those residents who continue to “borrow” rock from my yard to use as your samples, I will continue to allow it as long as you continue to put them back. LOL

www.ourwoodbridge.net

WOA Groups and Clubs: Groups & Clubs

Contact

Phone

Meeting Day and Time

Craft Beer Group

Bill Holst

629-8575 629-8838 824-9257 665-7265 239-3191 665-7872 229-6379 275-5817 647-2901 825-4805 269-8575 924-8032 719660-5327 925918-1023 825-4805 815-9446 824-9257 665-4124 624-3982 229-6379 624-3713 629-8838 629-8060 647-4479 647-2534 840-2282

M-F. Time & Workshops vary Fridays @ 4:15 p.m. Effective Sunday, May 5 SU & TH @ 5 p.m.

Bunco Canasta Chair Volleyball Chess Club Cooking 401

Penny Dauler Patti Barnhart Rick Hyden Ed Prenot Kathy Comden Cherie Ford Mary Braun Susan Holt Judy Simpson Dave Steffy Jack Dauler Jan Spence

Artists & Crafters Ballroom Dance Bocce Ball Bridge

Crochet/Knitting Cribbage Drama

Debbie Vierra Dave Steffy Michelle Paradis Rick Hyden Game Night Charlotte Sparks Hand & Foot Sue Cameron Ladies Billiards Mary Braun Line Dancing (Beginning) Sue Lough Line Dancing Patti Barnhart Line Dancing (Evening) Mary Salvador Men of Woodbridge Chuck Harvey National (American) Mah Jongg Lee Croletto Neighborhood Watch Group Bob Hall Night Riders Oil Painters

Nancie Ross Patti Barnhart

Paddle Tennis Paper Crafters

Stan Sutfin Betty Grandt

Pickleball Ping Pong

Barbara Shapiro John Goodman

Pinochle

Robert Philis Al Sanchez Poker Joe Victoria Radio Controlled Flyers Bob Umberger Robotics

Larry Wiertel

Scrapbookers

Elaine DeSouza

Shang-hai Rummy Strummin’ Wonders

Cindy Carlsen Carla Marquardt

Tennis

Jim Corey

239-5712 916297-3271 629-8838 815-9735 815-9827 650438-3085 629-8200 510909-8997 239-8235 815-9343 239-2983 408439-5828 603-9796 818429-1221 647-2695 624-3754

665-7687 559Trivia Eileen Hill 301-3262 Veterans of Woodbridge Rick Van De Boom 923-4709 Walking Indoors Jacque Reynolds 629-8508 510Wheels of Woodbridge Steve Ray 876-2962 Widows & Widowers Group Francesca Jeglum 305-8448 Wine 101 Jon Ford 815-9803 Wii Bowling Tom Heckl 275-9537 Women of Woodbridge Polly Smith 665-7236 Woodbridge Women’s Bible Study Carolyn Johnson 239-0936 Woodbridge Pool Hustlers Ron Plummer 609-4350 Woodbridge Book Group Patty DeRoos 239-2833 Woodbridge Senior 510Softball Club Keith Loudermilk 305-6771 Woodbridge 408Seniors Golf Club Mike Patterson 640-9768 Woodbridge Singers Zumba Video Class

Elizabeth Cunning Cecilia MacNair-Correa

647-4380 408561-6097

Mondays @ 10 a.m. 3rd Monday @ 6:30 p.m. Fridays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesdays @ 5 p.m. (days vary) 2nd & 4th Monday @ 4 p.m. 3rd Tuesday @ 2 p.m. Meeting days & times vary Thursdays @ 10 a.m. Tuesdays @ 7 p.m. Thursdays @ 1 p.m. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays @ 6:30 p.m. W-SA-SU @ 1 p.m. Mondays @ 1 p.m. Thursdays @ 9:15 a.m. M-W-F @ 9:15 a.m. Fridays @ 6 p.m. 2nd Monday @ 10 a.m. Wednesdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fridays 1 - 4 p.m. Block Captains will be notified of meetings Call for currrent times. Tuesdays @ 9 a.m. Mondays @ 4 - 5 p.m. at Liberty Park Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. M-F. Time varies M & TH @ 1 - 3 p.m. Mondays @ 2:15 p.m. Thursdays @ 1 p.m. Wednesdays @ 1 p.m. & Fridays @ 5 p.m. Days and times vary Tuesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Westport Room, 3rd Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays @ 12 - 3 p.m. Mondays @ 2 p.m. Summer Hours (effective May 1) TU-TH-SU, 8-10 a.m. 3rd Tuesday @ 7 p.m. 2nd Monday @ 11 a.m. M-W-F @ 8:30 a.m. 1st Tuesday @ 10:30 a.m. 3rd Saturday Days vary Tuesdays @ 1 p.m. 3rd Wednesday @ 11 a.m. Thursdays 1-3 p.m. Calvary Church 815 W. Lathrop Rd., Manteca Monday through Friday @ 12 - 3 p.m. 1st Wednesday @ 10:30 a.m. Seasonal 3rd Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m. in the Oxford Room Meets every other Monday @ 6:30 p.m. Thursdays @ 11:30 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room

Please refer to www.ourwoodbridge.net for more detailed information.


W oodbridge Woodbridge LIFELIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net www.ourwoodbridge.net

 Reaching Out

Lakeview Clubhouse: 824-7581 Board of Directors

President - Norm Hauser Vice President - Sheila Petrakis Treasurer - Steve Brazen Secretary - Bob Teglia Member at Large – Rick Van De Boom

Operations Manager

Leilani Rodriguez 824-7831 lrodriguez@ourwoodbridge.net

Activities/Events Coordinator

Jennie Custodio 824-7927 jcustodio@ourwoodbridge.net

Office Coordinator

Leilani Rodriguez 824-7581 lrodriguez@ourwoodbridge.net

Maintenance Supervisor

(and After-Hours Emergency Contact) Juan Barajas 470-7728 jbarajas@ourwoodbridge.net

Management

Riverside Management PO BOX 697 Roseville, CA 95661 916-740-2462 celeste@riversidemgmt.com

The opinions expressed in Woodbridge LIFEĘźs feature articles, paid advertisements and editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or the Woodbridge Owners Association.

WOODBRIDGE LIFE MISSION STATEMENT: “Woodbridge LIFE is a celebration of the diversified residents of Woodbridge by Del Webb in Manteca – a look at their accomplishments, an exploration of their hopes and dreams, a place to share joy, announce activities and bring neighbors together. Woodbridge LIFE strives to enhance the lives of all residents and exceed expectations with informative articles, lively features, a calendar of events and more.�

May72019 • Page 7 Page • May 2016

Woodbridge LIFE

2401 Morning Brook Drive Manteca, CA 95336

-

209-824-7581

www.ourwoodbridge.net PUBLISHER :2$

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EDITOR

ADVERTISING

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WBL WBLEDITORIAL EDITORIALTEAM TEAM

SharylBlair Burgeson, asst. editor 239-1492 Susie 401-1266 Sharyl Burgeson 239-1492 Jennie Custodio 824-7927 Jennie Custodio 824-7927 Marie Evans 239-3726 Marie Evans 239-3726 Carol Jo Hargreaves, chair 823-3538 Carol Jo Hargreaves 823-3538 Ann King 650-464-0151 Jana Kattenhorn 823-0809 JudyKing McNamara 923-4718 Ann 650-464-0151 VolkerMcNamara Moerbitz 239-7965 Judy 923-4718 PepperMoerbitz Noble 239-1933 Volker 239-7965 Pepper Noble 239-1933 Ramon Rivera 495-6803 Leilani 824-7581 Leilani Rodriguez Rodriguez 824-7581 Mike Spence 924-8032 Mike Spence 924-8032 Shelley Tate 479-4249 Shelley Tate 479-4249 Cate White 823-3381 Cate White 823-3381

Woodbridge LIFE is a free monthly 8PPECSJEHF -*'& JT B GSFF NPOUIMZ publication of the Woodbridge Owners QVCMJDBUJPO PG UIF 8PPECSJEHF 0XOFST Association, a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation serving the residents of the "TTPDJBUJPO B OPOQSPmU PSHBOJ[BUJPO TFSWJOH Woodbridge by Del Webb community in UIF SFTJEFOUT PG UIF 8PPECSJEHF CZ %FM 8FCC Manteca, CA. Woodbridge LIFE invites DPNNVOJUZ JO .BOUFDB $" 8PPECSJEHF stories, photographs, comments, cartoons, -*'& JOWJUFT TUPSJFT QIPUPHSBQIT DPNNFOUT jokes and any other information that would beDBSUPPOT KPLFT BOE BOZ PUIFS JOGPSNBUJPO UIBU of interest to residents. We reserve the XPVME CF PG JOUFSFTU UP SFTJEFOUT 8F SFTFSWF right to accept or refuse submissions and edit for content and length. We also reserve the UIF SJHIU UP BDDFQU PS SFGVTF TVCNJTTJPOT BOE right to refuse advertising or articles that FEJU GPS DPOUFOU BOE MFOHUI 8F BMTP SFTFSWF in our opinion do not reflect the standards UIF SJHIU UP SFGVTF BEWFSUJTJOH PS BSUJDMFT UIBU of the newspaper. The Woodbridge LIFE JO PVS PQJOJPO EP OPU SFnFDU UIF TUBOEBSET advertising contract permits each advertiser toPG UIF OFXTQBQFS ÉŠF PQJOJPOT FYQSFTTFE conduct one event per year in the Lakeview Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. The opinions XIFUIFS CZ QBJE BEWFSUJTFNFOU PS FEJUPSJBM expressed, whether by paid advertisement or DPOUFOU EP OPU OFDFTTBSJMZ SFnFDU UIF WJFXT PG editorial content, do not necessarily reflect the UIJT OFXTQBQFS PS UIF 8PPECSJEHF 0XOFST views of this newspaper or the Woodbridge "TTPDJBUJPO $POUFOU TVCNJUUFE NBZ CF FEJUFE Owners Association. Content submitted SFQSJOUFE BOE BDLOPXMFEHFE XJUIPVU DPOTFOU may be edited, reprinted and acknowledged VOMFTT TQFDJmDBMMZ SFRVFTUFE 8PPECSJEHF -*'& without consent unless specifically requested. Woodbridge LIFE proofreaders use the QSPPGSFBEFST VTF UIF "TTPDJBUFE 1SFTT 4UZMFCPPL Associated Press Stylebook, “the journalist’s iUIF KPVSOBMJTU T CJCMF w BT B XSJUJOH BOE FEJUJOH bible,â€? as a writing and editing reference. The SFGFSFODF ÉŠF QVCMJTIFS JT OPU SFTQPOTJCMF GPS publisher is not responsible for unsolicited VOTPMJDJUFE NBOVTDSJQUT PS BSUXPSL .BUFSJBMT manuscripts or artwork. Materials submitted TVCNJUUFE XJUI B TFMG BEESFTTFE TUBNQFE with a self-addressed, stamped envelope will beFOWFMPQF XJMM CF SFUVSOFE $POUFOUT DPQZSJHIU returned. Contents copyright Š 2019 by Woodbridge Owners Association. No part of ÂŞ CZ 8PPECSJEHF 0XOFST "TTPDJBUJPO this publication may be reproduced without /P QBSU PG UIJT QVCMJDBUJPO NBZ CF SFQSPEVDFE written permission of the publisher.

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&RQWDFW XV

WBLIFE2017@gmail.com

Thorson Financial Estate Management, Inc. 1101 Standiford Ave. C2 Modesto, CA 95350 www.Thorsonfinancial.com

ww

(209) 522-0250 Office Thomas K. Thorson, RFC, ChFCÂŽ

We specalize in: Trusts, Wills, Estate Planning, Investment and Cash Flow Management, Asset Protection and Tax Strategy Planning With a complimentary consultation with Tom, you In Memoriam have everything to gain and nothing to lose. We

In tribute to a loved one who has died, Woodbridge LIFE provide independent financial advice help welcomes residents to submit up to 100 words and ato 2-inch x you achieve your andSend financial goals. 2-inch photo (optional) forestate publication. submissions by email to wblife2017@gmail.com Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, and advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., Thomas Thorson, Representative. California Insurance License #0712011. Thorson Financial Estate Management, Inc. and the Securities America companies are separate entities. Securities America and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice; please consult the appropriate professional regarding your particular situation.


Page 8 • May 2019

Woodbridge Owners Woodbridge Owners Association Association Committees

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW • Jacquie Alexander, Chair alexander-fox@comcast.net ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW 209-823-2914

Committees

W oodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Coming to Woodbridge

Coming to Woodbridge EVENTS and ACTIVITIES – may

Submitted by Activities & Events Coordinator Jennie Custodio

• Tony Delgago, ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW chair FINANCE COMMITTEE WOMEN OF WOODBRIDGE, SIP FOR SCHOLARSHIP – Thursday, CASINO BUS TRIP THUNDER VALLEY – Tuesday, May 14 @ bmradct@yahoo.com • Jacob Lewis, • Tony Delgado, Chair Chair May 2 @ 5 p.m. – Wear your favorite gear from your favorite 8:30 a.m. – $15 free play and $5 food voucher included. 647-2593 lijalewis@comcast.net sports team for this “All-Starâ€? event hosted by the Women of Please arrange to be at the Clubhouse by 8:15 a.m. The bmradct@yahoo.com 647-2995 Woodbridge. Ticket includes favorite foods representing sports emergency contact form at the front desk must be completed 647-2593 LIFESTYLE COMMUNICATION stadiums across the USA and sports-themed desserts made and each time. Pay at the front desk. $20 CASH ONLY (does not FINANCE COMMITTEE John Baber, Chair • • Carol Jo Hargreaves, chair, served by the be.Tech Academy. Wine and craft beer tasting as include tip for the driver). jbaber@ourwoodbridge.net • Jacob Lewis, Chair Woodbridge LIFE824-7927 Editor well. Music provided by the jukebox and the Sierra High School lijalewis@comcast.net WINE 101 – Thursday, May 16 @ 6 p.m. – “Vivacious Jazz Band. Raffle tickets will be sold a few days prior to as well WBLIFE2017@gmail.com Viognierâ€? – A rising star in the white wine world, Viognier is as at the event. Proceeds will fund scholarships for the Manteca 647-2995 COMMUNICATION 823-3538 one of France’s Rhone Valley’s treasures. Participants bring Unified School District. In the Multipurpose Room. Tickets went • Carol Jo Hargreaves, Chair their own glasses, an appetizer to share with the class and Woodbridge LIFE Editor and on sale April 1 at the front desk. $30. FINANCE COMMITTEE LIFESTYLE Directory Chair a bottle of Viognier to share with their table and neighbors. • Jacob Lewis, chair cjohargreaves@gmail.com COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE – Saturday, May 4 @ Please note: Doors do not open until 5 p.m. and tickets will • Jennie Custodio, Chair lijalewis@comcast.net 823-3538 8 a.m. – The Woodbridge community opens its garages for the be collected at the door. All utensils, plates, napkins and jcustodio@ourwoodbridge.net 647-2995 water will be provided as well as 12 luscious Viogniers on the popular all-day event. Great finds and good deals in store. Please WELCOMING COMMITTEE 824-7927 community table for sampling. In the Multipurpose Room. remember, do not block driveways. • Diana Clements, Co-Chair LIFESTYLE Sign up at the front desk. $3 non-refundable. tenor4@comcast.net • Jennie Custodio, chair COMMUNICATION 665-4353 WOODBRIDGE SINGERS SPRING CONCERT – Monday, May 6 @ COOKING 401 – Tuesday, May 21 @ 2 p.m. – Resident chefs 6:30 p.m. OR Tuesday, May 7 @ 2:30 p.m. (matinee performance) • jcustodio@ourwoodbridge.net Carol Jo Hargreaves, Chair Jan and Mike Spence will demonstrate making crab cakes with 824-7927 • Jeannie Tebbutt, Co-Chair OR Tuesday, May 7 @ 6:30 p.m. (final performance) – The Woodbridge LIFE Editor lemon aioli sauce. In the Quincy Room. RSVP at the front jltebbutt@gmail.com Woodbridge Singers presents their Spring Concert. “Those Lazydesk. $5. WBLIFE2017@gmail.com Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer,â€? “When You Wish Upon a Star,â€? “Hit 923-4356 NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS the Road Jack,â€? “Love Potion No. 9â€? and more with a surprise 823-3538 •NEIGHBORS Bill Barnhart, co-chair HELPING NEIGHBORS OLLI@PACIFIC SPEAKER SERIES | FUTURE TECHNOLOGY finale. In the Multipurpose Room. Purchase tickets at the front bill.barnhart@mrbconsulting.us V2019, DAVID DISKIN – Thursday, May 23 @ 3:30 p.m. • Bill Barnhart desk. $2. WELCOMING COMMITTEE 629-8838 Nearly seven years ago, David lectured to OLLI members bill.barnhart@mrbconsulting.us • Diana Clements, Co-Chair on what “Future Technologyâ€? would bring us – from 629-8838 CINCO DE MAYO PARTY – Wednesday, May 8 @ 5:30 p.m. • Rich Ferreira, co-chair entertainment to healthcare. Which predictions were tenor4@comcast.net Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us. Mariachi Generacion returns to accurate and which were entirely wrong? What does the raf49er@yahoo.com provide music for the event and a taco dinner will be served. BYOT 665-4353 new future of technology have in store for us for the next 629-8371 (Bring Your Own Tequila), we’ll have a (virgin) margarita machine. In the Multipurpose Room. Purchase tickets at the front desk. $16. seven years? Reception to follow. Must be an OLLI Associate Member to attend. Registration forms may be found at the • Jeannie Tebbutt, Co-Chair PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT front desk. In the Multipurpose Room. Included in OLLI OLLI@PACIFIC SPEAKER SERIES | WHAT DO WE REALLY jltebbutt@gmail.com • Chuck Harvey, chair membership price. KNOW ABOUT GRIT, CHRISTINE COLLACO – Thursday, May 9 @ 923-4356 skeebum55@comcast.net 3:30 p.m. – School districts across the United States are reportedly 647-4479 STRUMMIN’ WONDERS MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT – Monday, considering “teaching gritâ€? into their curriculum. However, May 27 @ 6:30 p.m. – The Strummin’ Wonders Ukulele group NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS there are some who see grit as nothing more than something WELCOMING COMMITTEE presents its Memorial Day Patriotic Sing-Along to honor all old packaged as something new. Get ready to learn about grit. Bill Barnhart, Co-Chair • Diana veterans. Special tribute by General Eldon Regua. Please • Clements, co-chair :KHQ \RX KDYH VLJQHG XS IRU DQ HYHQW DFWLYLW\ RU WRXU DQG \RX Ă€QG \RX DUH ReceptionImportant to follow. Must be an OLLI Associate Member to Notice bill.barnhart@mrbconsulting.us unable to attend, please,bring as a acourtesy others, call Clubhouse front desk goodie totoshare after thethe concert. Sign up at the front tenor4@comcast.net attend. Registration forms may be found at the front desk. In the WR FDQFHO ,I WKH HYHQW KDV D ZDLWLQJ OLVW WKH IURQW GHVN FDQ Ă€OO WKH desk. In the Multipurpose Room. FREE. 629-8838 About Cancellations 665-4353 Multipurpose Room. Included in OLLI membership vacancy price. from the list. Thank you.

Rich Ferreira, Co-Chair • Jeannie • Tebbutt, co-chair raf49er@yahoo.com jltebbutt@gmail.com 923.4356 629-8371

Important Notice About Cancellations When you have signed up for a free event, activity or tour and you find you are unable to attend, please, as a courtesy to others, call the Clubhouse front desk (824-7581) to cancel. If the event has a waiting list, the front desk can fill the vacancy from the list. Thank you.

SPRING IN BLOOM COOKIE BOUQUET CLASS WITH LORI ROSMAN – Friday, May 10 @ 1 p.m. – Class will decorate seven to nine flower/spring cookies using fondant and royal icing and arrange them in a spring bouquet. All supplies are included. Please bring an apron and a notepad and pencil for taking notes. In the Quincy Room. Sign up at the front desk. $15. PAPER SHREDDING DAY – Saturday, May 11 @ 8 a.m. – Free paper shredding event hosted by Access Information. Bring documents that need shredding. No need to remove staples, paper clips, etc. In the Clubhouse parking lot. FREE although donations to the Men of Woodbridge will be accepted. Wheels of Woodbridge Poker Rally – Saturday, May 11. Driver’s Briefing in Multipurpose Room Starting at 4:30 p.m. Poker Rally Starting Time 5 p.m. from Clubhouse Catered Taco Dinner in Multipurpose Room Starting at 7 p.m.

CRAFT BEER – Wednesday, May 29 @ 6:30 p.m. – “World of IPAs.� India Pale Ale (IPA) has been the star of the craft beer market for the last 10 years. The class will cover a little bit of IPA history and will explore several of the nine different IPA styles through discussion and tasting. Plan to bring a bomber of your own favorite IPA for comparison. Bring your own beer glass, a bomber for tasting and snacks for sharing at your table. In the Multipurpose Room. $3.

OLLI@PACIFIC SPEAKER SERIES | BEHIND THE MOTOWN SOUND, KEITH HATSCHEK – *LAST ONE* Thursday, May 30 @ 3:30 p.m. – This presentation will explore Motown’s unique songwriting, recording and music production processes, along with the pioneering studio recording techniques and equipment developed by their in-house engineering team. Reception to follow. Must be an OLLI Associate Member to attend. Registration forms may be found at the front desk. In the Multipurpose Room. Included in OLLI membership price.

MEN OF WOODBRIDGE MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH – Sunday, HAPPY HOUR WITH A.C. MYLES – Friday, May 31 @ 6 p.m. May 12 @ 9 a.m. – The Men of Woodbridge hosts its annual Happy Hours are back! Kicking off this year is blues and rock :KHQ \RX KDYH VLJQHG XS IRU DQ HYHQW DFWLYLW\ RU WRXU DQG \RX ÀQG \RX DUH Mother’s Day Brunch. Breakfast includes eggs, sausage, artist, A.C. Myles. Opie’s GSB food truck will also be here pancakes, coffee, orange juice andunable mimosas. Breakfast will not sellingtofood. Doors at 5:30 p.m. (Lawn to attend, please, as a courtesy others, callopen the Clubhouse front deskseating no earlier be served after 10 a.m. In the Multipurpose Room. Purchase than 4 p.m.) On the Clubhouse patio. Purchase WR FDQFHO ,I WKH HYHQW KDV D ZDLWLQJ OLVW WKH IURQW GHVN FDQ ÀOO WKH tickets at the your tickets at the front desk. $7. front desk. $5. vacancy from the list. Thank you.

Important Notice About Cancellations


W oodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

May 2019 • Page 9 Summer Clubhouse Hours, effective Sunday, May 5 through September (or October, weather permitting).

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and activities are listed on page 8. More information about these as well as Woodbridge Clubs and Groups may be found on the Woodbridge portal and at the Lakeview Clubhouse.

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As a courtesy to Woodbridge residents, we are providing the following event information to assist in planning and obtaining As a courtesy to Woodbridge residents, we are providing the following event informa tickets. Please note: This information is subject to change. Contact the Clubhouse front desk if you have questions. to assist in planning and obtaining tickets. Please note: This information is subject change. Contact the Clubhouse front desk if you have questions. See

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W oodbridge LIFE

Page 10 • May 2019

Woodbridge Lifestyle

ææ WOODBRIDGE book GROUP y Judith Mohr B

Book Group

A

www.ourwoodbridge.net

t the April 3 meeting, Book Group members discussed Tara Westover’s memoir, “Educated.” Most found the true story about growing up in a survivalist’s home with a mentally-ill father, an enabling mother, and an abusive older brother both disturbing and eye-opening.

Strummin’ Wonders of Woodbridge Ukulele Concert & Special tribute by General Eldon Regua

On May 1, “The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin will be the focus. A sign over a bookstore on Alice Island reads “No man is an island: Every Book is a World.” Join the readers to share views on this motto and the book itself. Plan ahead! Find some time as spring blends into summer to read the following and plan to attend Book Group meetings at 10:30 a.m. in the Oxford Room on the following dates: June 5: “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by J. D. Vance July 3: “The Light Between Oceans: A Novel” by M. L. Stedman August 7: “The Secret Diary of Henrik Groen 83¼ Years Old” by Hendrik Groen and Hester Velmans

Ken Summers

Managing Partner Funeral Director FDR #1046 4th Generation

Patriotic Sing-Along To Honor All Veterans

Monday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. Multipurpose Room Woodbridge Clubhouse Free Admission – Sign up at front desk You are invited to bring goodies to share

Fry Family Chapels FUNERAL SERVICE SINCE 1932

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richard.goeken@carriageservices.com CA Lic. # 0G91218

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www.ourwoodbridge.net

W oodbridge LIFE

May 2019 • Page 11

At the Clubhouse ææ CRAFTERS CORNER By Debbie Cosetto

I

’d like to start this month’s article with some big THANK YOUs. First, to those of you who volunteer your time and talent to the various Artists & Crafters philanthropic activities, your generosity and giving nature are simply inspiring. Next, to those of you who teach arts and crafts classes, a lot of time and work goes into prepping for the class beyond conducting the class itself. Sharing your talent is such a gift to those of us who live in the Woodbridge community. And, last but not least, I’d like to thank those of you who run the various workshops we offer. A lot of time and effort goes into getting these workshops organized. So, in case I forget to say it often enough – thank you very much. We held our first DOG BED AND CAT MAT WORKSHOP of the year in March. That day, the group made 82 dog beds/cat mats for animals awaiting their forever homes in local shelters. One of the shelters, Hope for Animals International in Manteca, sent Lorrie Tran some pictures of animals enjoying the beds. Our next workshop will be held Friday, May 31. Lorrie, who leads this workshop, says we need as many helpful hands as possible – and you don’t need to know how to sew to help. You may cut fabric, hand sew or stuff the beds. And please know that while this is an all-day event, coming down and helping out for just an hour is OK. These beds are very much welcomed by local shelters and I know the animals love to have something to snuggle on. We will begin accepting sewing scraps (no old clothes, please) in the Westport Room, May 1.

can still help. You can help stuff the pillows, cut fabric – there’s lots to do to help that doesn’t require sewing. Please come help put these pillows together to help someone facing a health challenge. (Kaiser Hospital provides the materials.) Friday, May 24 at 10 a.m. – Kathy Dezotte will lead the WOODBRIDGE ROCKS class. Come learn some designs and paint some of these fun rocks. Rocks, paints and brushes will be provided. Friday, May 24 at 1 p.m. – WOODBRIDGE QUILTERS meet for their bi-monthly Show and Tell. If you are a quilter or are interested in quilting, this is the place to be. You may ask questions, hear about the latest gadgets or simply be inspired by the amazing quilted creations this talented group of women have made. All are welcome. Friday, May 31 at 9 a.m. – DOG BED AND CAT MAT WORKSHOP. Please come and help make some beds for our furry friends at local shelters. We post the Artists & Crafters calendar of activities for the month and Class Sign-Up Sheets on the easel outside the Westport Room following our General Meeting. Have a great month!

What’s the real value of HEARING AIDS?

Here’s what we crafters have coming up in May: Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. – Artists & Crafters GENERAL MEETING. Friday, May 10 at 12:30 p.m. – Molly Cooper will teach a WATERCOLOR PAINTING class. The subject for this month’s class is “butterflies.” Sounds pretty already. Monday, May 13 at 10 a.m. – DOODLEBUGS is back! Kathy Dezotte will teach this class. Come learn some fun black and white art techniques with a special liner pen.

“Did your new hearing aids cost much?”inquired a friend. “Well,” said the new hearing aid user as he drew a deep breath, “my hearing loss cost me three lost friendships that I know of, a strained relationship with my wife, two grandchildren who think I don’t understand them, early retirement without the gold watch, eons of boredom at church, and lost interest in Bingo, dances, and get-togethers.” After a reflective pause, he added: “Sure I invested some money to get these hearing aids...but it doesn’t compare with what it cost before I got them!”

Call the hearing experts at Wesson Hearing 209-924-4466 to schedule your appointment!

Friday, May 17 at 9 a.m. – SCRAPBOOKERS get together to work on their scrapbooks. Monday, May 20 at 10 a.m. KAISER BREAST CANCER PILLOW WORKSHOP. Martha Harman leads a talented group of ladies and makes pillows for breast cancer patients. Don’t know how to sew? No problem – you

FREE Hearing Screening WESSON Doug Wesson, Founder BC-HIS-ACA

Julia Tyner, BC-HIS

HEARING AID CENTER

209-924-4466 www.wessonhearing.com

Manteca 1079 Eucalyptus St. | Suite B

Ripon 1444 Main St. | Suite A

Tracy 530 West Eaton Ave. | Suite A

Oakdale 250 S. Oak Ave. | Suite A-4


Page 12 • May 2019

W oodbridge LIFE

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ææ WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS OF WOODBRIDGE

ææ bridge

By James Cadle

By Cherie Ford

I

t seems most appropriate that this new social club, Widows and Widowers of Woodbridge, planted in late fall 2018, is blossoming vigorously with the advent of spring. The club, conceived by Francesca Jeglum, offers a haven for those who have experienced the loss of a spouse. It provides the return of that social life your husband or wife would have wished for you. Every member of the club understands the devastation resulting in the passing of a spouse. Grief, depression, loneliness and isolation from social events are common for those of us who have been cast loose from our moorings. Although the club was not formed as a bereavement resource, all share a common loss and are able to offer a hand in your recovery. Widows and Widowers of Woodbridge meetings are scheduled on the third Saturday of each month with potlucks in members’ homes and at the Woodbridge Clubhouse. Meetings also take place at local restaurants for lunch or dinner. The schedule is supplemented by Monday morning coffee chats held at 10 a.m. at The Bean and Leaf in Raley’s Center. Notices of regular meetings are posted online on the Woodbridge portal and on local social media. Plans are underway for group day trips as warmer weather arrives. A list of 20 destinations has been compiled and continues to grow as members submit additional suggestions. We anticipate an exciting, enjoyable summer. We have a clear need for more men. Longevity statistics show that the ladies enjoy longer life spans on average than we men and that may explain the gender imbalance. My personal experience convinces me that men are a bit more reluctant to rejoin a social life than are women. So, guys, here is your opportunity to return to the social swim. Come out and explore membership in this delightful group. You won’t regret it. Call Francesca Jeglum at 305-8448 or email Sandy Strube at smstrube@gmail.com to add your name and email to the membership list.

The Bridge group meets Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. in the Oxford Room.

Bridge Scores

APRIL 1:

Don Harris Kay Schnaidt Sharyl Burgeson Don St. Lawrence Cherie Ford Betty Buff Phyllis Tindell Kathy Comden Don Blick

APRIL 8:

Cherie Ford Phyllis Tindell Kathy Comden Marilyn Larson Don Blick Don St. Lawrence Betty Buff Barbara Kreps Sharyl Burgeson

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Don St. Lawrence Phyllis Tindell Kathy Comden Letha Watson Don Blick Betty Buff Jackie Lipich Marilyn Larson Kay Schnaidt

APRIL 22:

Sharyl Burgeson Letha Watson Cherie Ford Don Harris Kay Schnaidt Kathy Comden Betty Buff Jackie Lipich

4930 4750 4080 3980 3830 3580 3200 3080 2430

6300 4480 4400 4180 3920 3450 3210 2760

BERKSH I RE HATHAWAY Home Services

Susan Lavery-Burns REALTOR® DRE #02038832

Drysdale Properties 5713 N. Pershing Avenue, Suite E Stockton, CA 95207 209-362-7656 CENTRAL VALLEY 510-514-6029 BAY AREA

s.laveryburns@bhhsdrysdale.com

SusanLaveryBurns.BHHSDrysdale.com

YOUR HOME, YOUR FUTURE... MY COMMITMENT! A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC.


W oodbridge LIFE

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ææ WOMen of woodbridge y WOW President Polly Smith B

May 2019 • Page 13

ææ WOODBRIDGE SINGERS By Elizabeth Cunning

W

oodbridge Singers & Dancers Spring Concert is just around the corner with the theme of celebrating everything summer. Here are a few highlights headed your way.

A

pril showers bring May flowers. We see that May is a time when the flowers are flourishing, the grass is green, and the Women of Woodbridge (WOW) club is in full swing.

• • • •

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer When You Wish Upon a Star Blue Moon Hit the Road, Jack

and there’s more . . . with a surprise finale!

Marybeth Saari, Terri Heath and their committee organized this year’s Sip for Scholarship (SIP) to be held Thursday, May 2. The Multipurpose Room will be transformed into “An All Star Event.” The proceeds of this event will provide scholarships for eligible students going to a junior college or a trade school after graduation. This event is a success year after year due to the many people participating. Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and guests. On June 19, Penny Tenczar and her committee will be in charge of WOW’s informal Meet and Greet starting at 6 p.m. on the Clubhouse patio. Bring hors d’oeuvres to share. WOW will provide wine and water. Come for fellowship and get to know each other better in a casual environment. No meeting will be conducted. Pamphlets describing upcoming Women of Woodbridge events may be found on the flyer board outside the Multipurpose Room. Please stop by and pick one up. We hope to see you at our next meeting, Wednesday, May 15, at 11 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room.

“REGUA Real Estate Team” g Eldon R. Regua, Maj Gen(R), MBA

There will be lovely solos, fantastic guitar playing and singing by resident Frank Perez, a jazz trio, fun and frivolity. Believe me when I say that you’ve never heard “King of the Road” with such a rag-tag bunch of guys, and I’m hearing there will be witchy hijinks afoot for “Love Potion #9.” This year is bittersweet as we say farewell to Yvonne Bechthold who has been our accompanist for the last seven years. Yvonne will be moving across the country to be closer to family. It is because of her that we have been able to sing many difficult choral arrangements including “The Hallelujah Chorus” which we performed onstage at the Gallo Theater in Modesto last December. And it’s just like Yvonne as she is selling her house here and buying a new home, that she would also plan to be here with us for our last concert together. We will deeply miss her but, at the same time, wish her only the very best in her new venture. Make your plans to join us at one of these performances: Monday, May 6 @ 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 @ 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 @ 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP at front desk. Tickets are $2 each. You may bring a dessert (bite-size portions) to share after the concert.

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W oodbridge LIFE

Page 14 • May 2019

www.ourwoodbridge.net

ææ DRAMA GROUP

“Twelve Angry Jurors” Article and photos by Michelle Paradis

T

he Drama group has been hard at work rehearsing a very impactful play, “Twelve Angry Jurors,” based on the 1955 teleplay “Twelve Angry Men” by Reginald Rose. “Twelve Angry Men” went on to become a famous 1957 movie starring Henry Fonda and was later re-made for television in 1997 with Jack Lemon.

The play, based on a true story, showcases the value of the democratic process and encourages us to question our own moral perspective. The Drama group’s play, “Twelve Angry Jurors,” is an adaptation by Sherman L. Sergel, published by Dramatic Publishing to include both male and female characters. It makes the same profound statements today as it did over 50 years ago. It urges everyone to stand up for his or her beliefs, including when it is most difficult to do so. Mark your calendars. You won’t want to miss this play.

Judge Don

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eel Guard John McN

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(L to R): Marcine Stucker, Linda McNeel, Patti Peterson, Sandy Showaker, Debbie Stedtfeld, Jim Summers, Jackie Summers, Dottie Wood, Angela Green, Anne Madrid, Robin Jones and Jim Eckland.

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May 2019 • Page 15

COOKING TIP

Flyer submitted by Woodbridge Drama group

T

o keep asparagus fresh for several days, cut off the ends and stand them upright (unwashed) in a container. Add an inch of cold water and cover with a plastic bag, then refrigerate. Refresh the water as needed. SOURCE: “The Best 300+ Cooking Tips� from the editors of “Cuisine at Home� magazine

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Photos by Betty Basehore

CRAFT BEER HAPPENINGS – The World of IPAs

By Bill Holst

I

n February, Woodbridge craft beer lovers learned all they need to know about the local craft beer scene through the viewpoint of a local distributor.

Gavin Edward from Delta Pacific Beverages presented an overview of the local craft beer industry. As a Manteca-based distributor, Delta Pacific has a finger on the pulse of everything happening in the craft beer world locally. He explained that two large distributors, Budweiser and Coors, distribute into the same market Delta Pacific serves. The difference: They have a limited number of craft beers and generally place product by quotas to ensure their flagship products get the most shelf space. Delta Pacific serves this market by a person-to-person relationship. Gavin talks to retailers and pub owners about trends like, “We are selling a lot of East Coast IPA – Do you want to have it available?” This relationship extends to the local breweries. They have solid relationships with brewers in Tracy, Lodi and Sacramento. These personal relationships have allowed Delta Pacific to grow by around 200 percent annually over the last two years. Unlike the craft beer industry in general, the local market is growing! Delta Pacific serves 12 counties in the Central Valley, Sierra foothills and East Bay. They offer personal service that the “big boy” distributors cannot match because of their business model.

A vigorous question and answer session followed Gavin’s presentation. Typical questions were, “Why aren’t there any good craft beer places in Manteca?” “Why doesn’t my favorite restaurant serve my favorite IPA from my favorite brewery in San Diego?” If you want the answers, come to the next craft beer session. Our next session, to be held May 29, will explore the “World of IPAs.” India Pale Ale (IPA) has been the star of the craft beer market for the last 10 years. Current IPA sales represent over 25 percent of overall craft beer sales. IPA sales are rising, even in the relatively flat craft beer market. We will learn a bit of IPA history. We will also explore several of the nine different IPA styles through discussion and tasting. Plan to bring a bomber of your own favorite IPA for comparison. Event date: Wednesday, May 29 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Lakeview Clubhouse Remember to bring your own beer glasses, a bomber for tasting and snacks for sharing at your table.


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May 2019 • Page 17

ææ men of woodbridge By MOW President Chuck Harvey

M

en of Woodbridge (MOW) spent the month of April planning the next series of events for the community. On Saturday, May 11, from 8 to 11 a.m., MOW will sponsor a shredding day in the Woodbridge Clubhouse parking lot. This event is free to all Woodbridge residents, but we will accept donations while you drop off your personal papers to be securely shredded on site. With tax season behind us, use this opportunity to do a springcleaning, sort out old papers you no longer need and bring them down to the Clubhouse. No need to remove staples or clips – our shredder can handle it all.

The next MOW meeting will be Monday, May 13, at 10 a.m. in the Quincy Room. All gentlemen in the community are invited to join us, meet some new friends and learn more about how we serve the community.

On Sunday, May 12, MOW will host its traditional Mother’s Day Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Lakeview Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. Tickets are $8 per person and include scrambled eggs, ham, pancakes, fruit, orange juice or mimosa and coffee. We have added a few more seats to the room to accommodate the growing community, so please join us as we celebrate the mothers in our lives. The Mother’s Day event is open to Woodbridge residents and their family members as invited guests with a ticket purchase. Tickets are now on sale at the front desk. Breakfast will only be served for one hour between 9 and 10 a.m. to ensure that the food is warm. So, come early, enjoy a meal and stay to socialize in the room, which will be open until noon. Looking forward to June, MOW will sponsor a “Spring into Summer” Dance featuring our very own Second Chance Band. The dance will be Wednesday, June 12, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. This will be a BYOB and snacks event, so gather up your neighbors and friends, purchase your tickets and join us for a fun evening as we celebrate the beginning of the summer season. Tickets will be on sale at the front desk starting May 13 and will cost $6 per person.

Photo by Dave Steffy.

Members of the Men of Woodbridge toured the Amazon facility in Tracy. Those yellow things behind them are the robots that move around and take stuff to the delivery stations. (L to R): Bill Barnhart, Tom Loitz, Dennis Atwell, Bill Buffington, Jon Ford and Dave Steffy.

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Page 18 • May 2019

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ææ veterans of woodbridge

U.S. FLAGS By Dan Armstrong, Veterans of Woodbridge Steering Committee

W

ith warm weather fast approaching, it’s time to think about caring for your flag. While driving around our community, I observed that rain and wind have caused a lot of wear and discoloration to some flags. According to the U.S. Flag Code, an American flag can be cleaned or mended when it is necessary. Washing your flag can actually prolong the life of it so, if it is beginning to appear dirty or dingy, wash it. Many outdoor flags can be hand washed using a mild laundry detergent. If you’re unsure or concerned about washing, consult your dry cleaner. Some offer flag cleaning services. While allowing your flag to touch the ground is disrespectful, it can happen. If it does, clean the flag and try to avoid a recurrence. Also, the U.S. Flag Code allows for flag repairs. Some tears and rips can be sewn. A professional seamstress is preferable to a do-it-yourself job. Sewing a U.S. flag requires special care so that repairs don’t show or alter the flag’s dimensions. Taking your flag inside during bad weather is a good idea, since mold and mildew can grow on the flag’s wet fabric. If your flag has large holes or tears or is very tattered or discolored, it should be retired. According to the U.S. Flag Code, an American flag that is worn, damaged or tattered beyond repair should be retired in a respectful and dignified manner. Preferably, burning the flag is the correct manner to retire your flag. You can do it yourself provided it’s done in a dignified manner. Burning signifies purification and rebirth. Although burning is the preferred method, it is also acceptable to remove the blue field with stars from the stripes by cutting it away. Place the sections in a box or plastic bag and recycle or bury it while showing respect during this process. Many organizations that once held flag burial services no longer perform this process. Modern day all-weather flags are made of nylon and synthetic fabrics. Most manufacturers now advise not to burn these flags due to toxic

fumes and hazardous gases being emitted during burning. Several states have banned the burning of these fabrics. The Veterans of Woodbridge will take your flag for retirement in the event you do not wish to do it yourself. A flag kiosk is located to your left as you enter the Clubhouse. Simply place your retired flag in the lower front drawer of the kiosk. The Veterans of Woodbridge sells U.S. flags and poles along with mourning ribbons at the same kiosk. A small profit from these sales go to several charities supported by the veterans group. It’s true that flags and poles may be purchased at local big box stores at a lesser cost, but these sales do not benefit this community. Instructions to purchase VOW flags, poles and/or mourning ribbons are printed on the kiosk. Please support the Veterans of Woodbridge. Once again, if you are a veteran and live in Woodbridge, you are invited to attend Veterans of Woodbridge meetings held the second Monday of every month at 11 a.m. in the Clubhouse (at 7 p.m. every third month to accommodate working vets). The Veterans of Woodbridge is closely affiliated with the Men of Woodbridge. Most of our members belong to both organizations and support the same charities. The Men of Woodbridge mantra is “Do what you can when you can.” The Veterans of Woodbridge would like to echo that phrase. Hope to see you soon.

IT’S TIME TO FLY YOUR FLAG By Carol Jo Hargreaves

O

UR OWN RED, WHITE AND BLUE There are many flags in many lands, There are flags of many hue, But there is no flag however grand, Like our own red, white and blue. Say hurrah for our flag, Our country’s flag, It’s stripes and its bright stars too. But there is no flag however grand, Like our own red, white and blue. ~ Author unknown We have many occasions upon which to proudly f ly the United States f lag during the month of May. First, on Wednesday, May 8, there is V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, originally celebrated Tuesday, May 8, 1945, to mark the formal

acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces by World War II Allies. Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 18. In our country this is a day to show appreciation for all active duty service members. Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day. An American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. You’re a grand old flag … and forever in peace may you wave.


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W oodbridge LIFE

May 2019 • Page 19

PLEASE MEET ROGER AND SUDHA RAO By Marie Evans WBL photo by Volker Moerbitz

and traveled on to Tanzania, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii and visited most of the Indian subcontinent.

W

hen he was a child, Roger Rao lived in a small town near Bangalore, India. When he was 20 years old, Roger left his home in India for training in Germany where he remained for two years, then moved to Canada for nearly five years. While Roger was in Canada, he visited India intending to find a suitable bride. Roger was introduced to Sudha by mutual relatives and the two “dated� one day.

Earlier in his life, Roger crossed Checkpoint Charlie, the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point, to visit East Germany while Germany was still separated into East and West.

Over the next few days, both families were busy inviting guests and preparing for a customary, old-style Indian wedding. On the first evening, the groom’s family was greeted by the bride’s family in the wedding hall of a large hotel, then treated to a lavish dinner. On the second day, Roger and Sudha were married in a traditional religious ceremony lasting three to four hours, which was also held in a large hotel and paid for by the bride’s family. The day included an extravagant lunch, followed by an evening reception and dinner for approximately 300 people. On the third day, the groom’s family gave the newlyweds a lavish lunch and sendoff. After their marriage, the Raos moved to the United States. They lived in Chicago for over 40 years, which was their longest stay in any city. They now live in Woodbridge and enjoy the community and valley living very much. Roger and Sudha are a couple that loves to travel and they have been nearly everywhere on the globe. They have explored much of their adopted country and also much of Europe including Paris, Rome, Denmark and London. They even skied in Zugspitze, Austria. They have also explored much of South America, visiting Brazil (where they cruised the Amazon River), Argentina and the Igwazu Falls, Uruguay and Paraguay. This adventurous twosome did not stop there but continued their travels in China (where they cruised the Yangtze River), Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, took an African safari in Kenya

Roger enjoys golf, dancing and gardening (they have fruit trees, a vegetable garden and lots of roses in their yard), while Sudha likes to read almost anything – fiction, romance novels, history books and more. She taught high school in Bangalore but earned a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) insurance degree in the U.S. and worked for an insurance company in Chicago. Roger is a mechanical engineer and worked as an applications engineering manager. They owned and managed several apartment buildings. Roger served as president of the apartment owner’s association and held a real estate license. Roger finds meditation helpful for his health and both he and Sudha practice yoga. Together, they are enjoying their lives and their lovely home in Woodbridge, which they have decorated with touches of their homeland, Southern India, such as rugs and lovely rosewood tables. The Rao’s lives have been graced with their children, daughter Deepa Rao, Ph.D.; son, Ajay Rao; son-in-law Randy Horton, Ph.D., and daughter-in-law, Manasi Tirodkar, Ph.D. They have three grandchildren: two granddaughters, Maya Rao Horton, age 11, and Malika Rao, age 6, and one grandson, Arjun Rao, age 9.

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BOCCE By Carol Jo Hargreaves and Rick Hyden

O

nce the weather began to improve, the four Woodbridge bocce courts started to fill up. The Woodbridge Bocce Ball group, led by Rick Hyden and Ed Prenot, gathers twice a week, on Sundays and Thursdays. Right now, they play at 2 p.m. but effective Sunday, May 5, will begin play at 6 p.m. to accommodate increasingly warm weather. Originating during the Roman Empire, bocce’s popularity spread throughout Europe and the game is now played worldwide. The Woodbridge Bocce Ball group is open to anyone who shows up. Usually that means anywhere from 16 to 30 men and women. There are no established teams. Four-person teams are picked randomly by drawing cards.

WBL photos by Volker Moerbitz

Page 20 • May 2019

To play, two players from each team station themselves at each end of the artificial turf-covered court. Thus, eight people are on the court at one time, four on each end. Each player has two approximately 1-lb. “object balls.” To begin a game, one player throws a little white ball called a “palino” at least halfway down the court, making sure it doesn’t hit the end wall. That team then


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BALL

throws one of its object balls, trying to get it closest to the palino. Then it’s the other team’s turn. From that point on, the team that does not have the ball closest to the palino must keep throwing until they get closer than the other team or run out of balls. Then the other team bowls its remaining balls. Players may knock the palino or an object ball away to improve their ball’s position. A team scores one point for each ball closer to the palino than the closest ball of the other team. Play then switches to team members at the other end of the court. The game continues until 12 points have been scored. Bocce has many official rules. In fact, there are International and United States Bocce Federations, even a Bocce Standards Association, that govern the game. Woodbridge players, however, have compiled their own set of rules for consistency. The game is simple. You learn as you play. Woodbridge Bocce Ball group members are happy to demonstrate for you. You may check out equipment from the front desk if you would like to give the game a try. If you have questions about bocce or the Woodbridge Bocce Ball group, call Rick Hyden at 824-9257 or Ed Prenot at 665-7265.

W oodbridge LIFE

May 2019 • Page 21


Page 22 • May 2019

W oodbridge LIFE

SCENE @ the Clubhouse T he Multipurpose Room was transformed into “Del Webb Dinerâ€? for an oldfashioned sock hop, April 11. A sell-out crowd of 144 enjoyed jukebox and classic car dĂŠcor reminiscent of the fifties.

Several classic cars owned by Wheels of Woodbridge members were lined up in front of the Clubhouse to set the stage and greet guests upon arrival. Many wore ‘50s attire including dark blue jeans with rolled up cuffs, poodle skirts featuring poodles with leashes attached to the skirt bands, chiffon or silk scarves, wide belts, white ankle socks, saddle shoes and high school letter sweaters.

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By Carol Jo Hargreaves and Jennie Custodio WBL photos by Jennie Custodio

be.tech Academy students ran six different food stations, serving food in classic car paper containers with black and white checked liners. Food stations included french fry bar, hand-battered onion rings, mini beef sliders, mini Nathan’s hot dogs, Italian meatballs, grilled tuna melts, mini dream bar milkshakes, mini chocolate ice cream sodas, “record� cookies and banana split cupcakes. The Crystal Image Band played 1950s and other favorites as guests twirled on a nostalgic black and white checkered floor.

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W oodbridge LIFE

May 2019 • Page 23

California, Here We Come By Marie Evans WBL photo by Volker Moerbitz

L

iz Siebert is my neighbor and she has certainly lived an interesting life. Born in Budapest, Hungary, during WWII, Liz’s world was very different from the one she lives in now. Her father was captured on the Russian Front and spent time as a prisoner of war near Munich, Germany. Through various people, Liz’s mother received messages that her husband wanted to see her, so she readied her two daughters, mother-in-law and her parents and began the approximately 350-mile journey from Budapest to Munich without really knowing where to find her husband. The little group finally found him near Munich, an area that had been devastated during the war. Once reunited, the family located accommodations in Weihenlinden, a little village southeast of Munich, where they shared a small house with two other families. Liz’s mother, able to speak a little English, secured a job on an American Army post within 20 miles of their new home. She rode her bicycle to work year round. The grandparents wanted to return to Hungary. Unfortunately, Liz and her sister frequently became sick and couldn’t go. The family remained in the little village of Weihenlinden for six years. Early in their stay, they received a CARE package from Mr. Tuttle, a man in his 80s who lived in Berkeley, California. Mr. Tuttle and his friends collected items to send to war refugees. The CARE package included a coat that actually fit Liz. Mr. Tuttle had enclosed a note asking the persons receiving the CARE package to let him know whether its contents were useful. If so, he would continue collecting and sending items. Liz’s mother had chosen to learn English in school. After seeing the movie “San Francisco� about the 1906 earthquake, starring Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald and Spencer Tracy, she became enamored with the U.S. city. Despite her limited English skills, she began a six-year correspondence with Mr. Tuttle.

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He frequently sent little gifts including Life Savers candy and one time a Dr. Seuss dictionary with a picture of a house belonging to a single family on the cover. This picture amazed Liz as she could not ever remember living in a house just for her family. After a few years, Mr. Tuttle asked if the family would like to come to the United States. To be their sponsor, Mr. Tuttle had to guarantee them jobs, among other things. There were many obstacles in the way but they were finally approved and in January of 1952, the family sailed from Bremerhaven, Germany, on the USS General R.M. Blatchford, a troop transport ship used to carry refugees. Liz recalls the seas were very rough and they wore life jackets during the entire trip. The sailors were friendly and introduced all the children to chewing gum and some American words. Every morning they were given a can of pineapple juice for the day but the salty air quickly corroded the cans. To this day, Liz cannot drink pineapple juice! The kids had to eat at counters, standing up. Luckily, Liz was not prone to seasickness and was able to eat anything that came near her as the ship rolled and trays slid by on the counter. Liz vividly remembers the ship stopped during the voyage by the White Cliffs of Dover in honor of King George VI’s death and a burial at sea was conducted for one of the refugees. The family landed in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 22, 1952. From there, they travelled by train to Los Angeles, sitting up the entire trip, eating bananas for four days! Mr. Tuttle met them in L.A. and escorted them to San Francisco. After their long journey, the family ended up in an apartment in the city, fulfilling the dream the movie “San Francisco� had generated to Liz’s mother’s heart.

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Page 24 • May 2019

W oodbridge LIFE

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Manteca’s History – Part 9: Growing Pains – It’s Hard to be a City By Volker Moerbitz

WBL scan courtesy of Manteca Selected Chapters of its History WBL scan courtesy of Manteca Selected Chapters of its History

WBL scan courtesy of Manteca Selected Chapters of its History

the city. Streets were paved and an ordinance stopping “the running and picketing of large animals on city streets” was passed. In 1918, Manteca’s only support for the fledgling fire department was a purchase of a dozen buckets. In 1920, the city purchased a motorized fire engine. The first high school opened in 1921. We will take a closer look at Manteca’s schools as well as the fire department and other public services in a later article. In 1916, a new reservoir north of Oakdale, Woodward Reservoir, was added to the irrigation system. The next extension, the Melones Dam, was to be completed in 1926, but two years before that, disaster struck again. 1924 produced a perfect storm of drought, cold and disease, driving many farmers into bankruptcy. In March 1924, with almond, apricot and peach trees in bloom, one of the worst frost periods on record – five nights of temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit – wiped out 75 percent of the harvest. In addition to the right temperatures, more than anything else, farming depends on water. In a normal year, water from the Woodward Reservoir would run through the system every 10 to 15 days. Forty-six thousand-acre feet of water were needed for a 30-minute irrigation run. The winter of 1923/24 brought very little snow. In March 1924, only 36,000 acre-feet of water were available. The irrigation district gave farmers one 20-minute run. After that, the reservoir was dry. Two more 15-minute runs followed in April and June, draining the entire irrigation district for the rest of the year. The only rainfall that spring came at the worst moment, right after most of the first alfalfa was cut and waiting to be bailed. The rain ruined most of the grain harvest. Being weakened by a shortage of food, livestock had little defense when an outbreak of hoof and mouth disease hit the county. Back then, the only known way to stop the disease from spreading was to drive the infected cattle into a trench, shoot them and cover them with lime. It worked, but at the cost of 340 animals. To make matters even worse, later in the summer, a shortage of hay due to the ongoing drought made it necessary to import hay from Washington State at a much higher price. After farmers had been hit by frost, drought, catastrophic rain, animal pestilence and inflation, a sixth plague came at the end of the year in the form of foreclosures. Almost half of the farms in the county were not able to pay their mortgages. The publication of the delinquent tax notices in the “Manteca Bulletin” took up four pages. The strike of bad news carried over into 1925. On May 29, the “Manteca Bulletin” published an obituary for the “Father of Manteca.” Joshua Cowell, the man who had navigated Manteca through its painful growth period, had died on May 25, 1925, at the age of 83. The second half of the 1920s must have been much more prosperous for the town. On May 31, 1928, 10 years to the day after the “Bulletin” published one paragraph regarding the incorporation of the city, the “Manteca Bulletin” wrote: “Saturday and Sunday Joshua Cowell shortly before will see Manteca thronged by a host attracted by his death in 1925 the big annual Holy Ghost Celebration given under the auspices of the local F. D. E. S. M. and the city will be gaily dressed in bunting and decorations in keeping with the occasion and tuneful with the music furnished by the South San Joaquin Band, the Stockton Record Band and bands as well from Oakland and Tracy ...” In just one decade, the town that once only had a misspelled name to its credit had been transformed from a boxcar railroad stop into a new city with a prosperous future. Growing up was hard for Manteca, but it was all worth it.

WBL scan courtesy of Manteca – The Story of a Town

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here were no fireworks, no marching bands and no celebrations. There was simply a one-paragraph note in the “Manteca Bulletin” of May 31, 1918: “Two hundred and forty-five votes were cast at the incorporation election on Tuesday, which represents nearly all of those eligible to vote. .... The question of the incorporation … was carried by a vote of 195 to 36. The five trustees elected are: Joshua Cowell, Andrew Veach, C. E. Littlejohn, F. M. Cowell, and H. S. Erstad. Manteca became a city of the sixth class.” On June 8, 1918, the Certificate of Incorporation was received and filed. Joshua Cowell, the “Father of Manteca,” never ran for office, but the citizens of the young town didn’t want anybody else as their first mayor. On June 11, 1918, the city council Manteca at the time of incorporation met for the first time. Their first order of business was to create a map of the city and discuss future developments. In the following month, the first city employees, a marshal, an attorney, a city recorder, a city engineer and a street cleaner were hired. The board also approved the construction of a jail and enforced a 15 mph speed limit throughout the town. Other measures were dictated, not by local, but by national policy. The country (and the world) was still at war and Manteca’s canneries were an essential part of army supply. An order was issued to thoroughly screen all cannery employees to make sure nobody would poison the army rations. As World War I came to an end in the fall, a new threat – one much closer to home – approached: an influenza called the “Spanish Flu.” The first cases in Manteca were reported in October. When the nationwide death toll reached over Children wearing masks during 200 casualties per day, the city had to the Spanish Flu of 1918 act fast. On November 1, an ordinance was passed requiring everybody to wear a mask when outside. All public gatherings were cancelled. In spite of all efforts, a few weeks later almost half the city was sick and 49 families were quarantined. At the time, there was only one physician, Dr. S.N. Cross, taking care of Manteca, Lathrop and French Camp combined. His workload soon grew to 15 to 20 patients per day. During these trying days, the city really came together. The teachers of Yosemite Grammar School turned their classrooms into hospital rooms and became nurses, taking care of the sick 24 hours a day. City officials visited the quarantined families every day and the city provided groceries, linen and clothing. When the number of new cases declined in December, churches opened again at Christmas. But these gatherings of people rekindled the epidemic and the quarantine went back into effect. It was finally lifted in February. When the disease had run its course, Manteca could count itself lucky for having sustained only three casualties throughout an epidemic that had claimed the lives of more than 50 million people worldwide, among them 675,000 Americans. When California’s State Board of Health finished its assessment of the crisis, it congratulated Manteca for “taking the best care of their citizens in the entire state.” The epidemic brought health and sanitary issues to the forefront of the city’s concerns and thus, 1919 saw the completion of the town’s sewer system and the construction of its first hospital. The building at the corner of Yosemite and Sequoia Avenues (next to what is now the Manteca Historical Society and Museum) had the capacity to provide care for 30 patients. It only remained a hospital for a year, closing in June 1920. The town was without a hospital for the next four decades, until 1962, when Doctors Hospital opened, but the little twostory building still marks the beginning of Manteca’s health services. Manteca's first hospital 1920 The early 1920s brought progress to

Resources: “Manteca – The Story of a Town” by Alice B. Coon, Manteca Historical Society “Manteca – Selected Chapters of its History” by Evelyn Prouty, Manteca Bulletin, 1980 Manteca Centennial 2018, published online by the “Manteca Bulletin” “Flu epidemic led to Manteca’s first hospital,” “Manteca Bulletin,” 1/3/2009 “Woodward’s-Water-Vision,” “Manteca Bulletin,” 1/10/2016 Various Wikipedia entries


W oodbridge LIFE

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May 2019 • Page 25

Gardener’s Corner

May Garden Checklist

By UC Master Gardener Cate White

Succulents are defined as plants with plump, fleshy leaves that hold water. Cacti are a subgroup of succulents: most cacti have sharp spines, while succulents tend to have minimal spines or are spine free. Some stay low to the ground, such as the familiar “hen and chicks” of the Sempervivum and Echeveria varieties. Sedums often make good ground covers and can have orange or reddish leaves. Aloes have variously colored spikey leaves growing 2 to 4 feet from the center and often a striking central flower spike. Aloe vera, or true aloe, is useful to grow since its leaves contain sap that soothes burns. Bulbines have a similar growth pattern but are smaller and send up multiple yellow or orange flower spikes. Some aloes form small trees. Calandrinias, one of my favorites, have gray-green leaves forming rosettes on short stems and send up lovely cup-shaped magenta flowers on longer stems. Jade plants, of the Crassula species, grow into handsome shrubs from 2 to 4 feet tall. The possibilities are almost endless!

Flowering Echeveria General guidelines for growing succulents include giving them only enough water to keep their leaves from shriveling. Since they can rot from too much moisture, they are best grown in light sandy soil, making Manteca’s sandy loam ideal. If you have heavy garden soil, plant succulents on a raised mound, which

will keep their roots from getting waterlogged. When planting in pots, use potting soil especially formulated for succulents and cacti. In our climate zone, many succulents appreciate some afternoon shade, especially from the hot summer sun, and protection in winter when temperatures get frosty. Growing them in pots allows you to move them around as the sun’s angle changes, and to bring them under your patio cover in the winter. Check with your nursery or a source such as “The Sunset Western Garden Book” to determine the light and temperature requirements of the particular plant you are growing. Few pests attack succulents, although snails sometimes munch on their leaves.

Cate White

WBL photo by Cate White

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here are many good reasons for the current succulent craze. Succulents are easy to grow, have low water and maintenance requirements and are practically pest free. They are readily available at nurseries and garden centers and come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Some have attractive flowers or colorful leaves, and some even grow into small trees. Many grow well in pots, and they are easy to propagate.

Small succulent grouping

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• Control ants with baits or traps. Eliminate standing water under flowerpots and in drain pipes or gutters to control mosquitos. • Keep monitoring citrus for Asian Citrus Psyllid. • Look for oozing or dead limbs on apple, crabapple, pear and pyracantha, a sign of fire blight. • Continue monitoring and adjusting irrigation according to the weather. • Apply mulch to bare areas. • Check for signs of powdery mildew on apple, crepe myrtle, roses and stone fruits. Control with neem oil. • Control aphids with insecticidal soap or neem oil. • Put out and maintain yellowjacket traps. • Plant or sow seeds of cucumber, squash and melons. Start seed potatoes. There’s still time to plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Also plant summer annuals such as zinnias, petunias, portulaca and vinca. • Aerate lawns that get heavy foot traffic. • Fertilize cane berries, citrus, deciduous fruit trees, palms and heavily flowering shrubs with slow release fertilizer if not done in March or April.

Collection of mid-size succulents Succulents make ideal potted plants. Most have shallow roots, so they will thrive in small shallow containers. Growing them in containers is also a good way to show off their unusual shapes and colors. Plant several smaller types together in a bowl-shaped container or group a number of small containers together for an attractive display. Succulents also are fun to grow in unusual vessels such as old coffee cups or other small pottery items, large shells and even large rocks that have depressions deep enough for a little soil and a small plant. Propagation of succulents is easy. Cut off a short length of stem with a few leaves; break off a rosette or even an individual leaf. Let it air dry for several days or longer until it forms a callus or dries at the point of breakage. Then plant the stem or anchor the rosette or leaf base in the appropriate potting mix and keep slightly damp. Soon, new growth will appear. So, get in on the succulent craze and start a new garden adventure!

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2019 Wheels of Woodbridge Poker Rally Saturday, May 11, 2019

Driver’s Briefing in Multipurpose Room Starting at 4:30pm Poker Rally Starting Time 5:00pm from Clubhouse Catered Taco Dinner in Multipurpose Room Starting at 7:00pm Challenge your neighbor to a good old fashion Poker Rally. Which of you can draw the best hand through seven stations? We won’t tell if you are inclined to make a little wager on the side with your neighbor. The Poker Rally is FREE, that means: Nada, Nothing, No Charge, etc. All modes of transport shown on this flyer are allowed so pick yours and throw down the challenge.

Dinner will be catered by the world-famous Ede’s Taco Shop of Ripon. Dinner will include your choice of beef, chicken or pork tacos with rice, beans, and salsa. The Car Club will provide water but this type of meal practically demands something a little stronger so bring your own beverage of choice. Get your tickets early to be assured of a spot at the dinner table! Dinner $10 per person – Buy Dinner Tickets at the Clubhouse Living Room Ticket Sales April 16 to May 8 – Mondays and Wednesdays Only From 3pm to 5pm For information, contact at876-2962 (510) 876-2962 For more more information, contact SteveSteve Ray atRay (510)

All Poker Rally participants must follow the laws of the road.

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We will have sponsors manning some of the seven stations located around the community. They will also be at the dinner with a few raffle prizes (for the Poker Rally participants). You are welcome to attend the dinner without doing the Poker Rally, and you are welcome to participate in the Poker Rally and not required to purchase dinner tickets unless, of course, you want some award-winning tacos, in which case, purchase of dinner tickets will be necessary.


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PROPERLY TAKING CARE OF THE INFIELD Article and photos by Charm Mathis

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ith blue skies and a little cooperation from Mother Nature, the infield renovation of Del Webb Field was finally completed. With so much rain, however, Mother Nature took her wrath out on the grass field. That story is for another time. We overcame, however, and completed the necessary work to make the outfield playable. With the softball field now ready to allow play, WOA staff will be responsible for properly maintaining it. GP Landscape will maintain the grass outfield and irrigation system. The WOA and WSSC have a field maintenance plan in place to ensure the infield is groomed correctly after all games and practices. Understanding the importance of a job done right, the WSSC purchased an ABI Infield Rascal Pro Groomer. The Infield Rascal Pro is the ultimate infield surfaces groomer that will assist WOA staff in dragging the infield. The Infield Rascal is equipped with four key attachments, VibraFlex™Groomer, Profile Blade™, Rigid Drag Mat and a patented Wheel-Lift System. For more details and videos, go to abiattachments.com • The VibraFlex™ Groomer attachment is a complete re-imagining of infield grooming. Evenly staggered U-pins transfer vibration and flex from front to back, dancing along the surface, shattering surface tension to properly groom any infield. • The Profile Blade™ attachment allows for seasonal renovation work without displacing the existing infield material, reducing the need to laser grade after completion of work. • The Rigid Drag Mat attachment is a custom designed 6-foot wide Rigid Drag Mat with integrated leveling bar. This rigid drag mat is an allpurpose attachment that will float material to fill low areas and drag the surface, ready for play.

• The patented Wheel-Lift System provides precision control over the Infield Rascal and is operated by an electric actuator. This system raises and lowers the Rascal chassis for easy transport around the facility but, most importantly, it holds underbelly attachments at a consistent ground-penetration depth during operation. The large wheels additionally stabilize the Infield Rascal from sinking into soft material or pitching side-to-side, ensuring consistency of grooming depth, the width of the unit, especially when maneuvering tight turns. At this time, the WOA-owned golf cart is capable of pulling this little Rascal. With all the rain we got in March, the new DuraEdge® infield withstood the test, soaked up all the water and did what the company claimed it would do. Players could have played on the infield just a few hours after the heavy downpour, Thursday, March 28. As for the grass outfield, well, it had its own issues and getting hit with all the rain made it completely unplayable. Once it dried out, the outfield was rolled, the grass was cut short to 2-1/2 inches and deep-tine aerated, and the entire playing surface was leveled. With all said and done, we are ready, so let’s PLAY BALL!

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Page 28 • May 2019

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2019 ANNUAL WSSC MEMBERS MEETING By Keith Loudermilk

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he 2019 Woodbridge Senior Softball Club (WSSC) Annual Members Meeting was held Thursday, March 28, at the Clubhouse. Although no official business was conducted – with the revised bylaws earlier removed from the meeting agenda due to additional required work – the evening was nonetheless very informative for all attending members. President Keith Loudermilk reported the bylaws required more work due to an oversight concerning equal council representation and incomplete bylaws committee configuration. Four new committee members were added (Charm Mathis, Mary Long, Nancy Behney and Sue Edmiston), which brought the total to 15 committee members. They will meet in May to complete the bylaws revisions and submit them for membership vote later this summer. Secretary Sue Edmiston reported total WSSC registration included 86 Silver Sluggers, 41 Diamond Gals, 20 umpires, 14 booth, nine field maintenance, 18 Snack Shack, four photographers and five website volunteers; total WSSC members now 158. Forty percent of the WSSC membership attended the annual meeting, which was a great turnout. Vice President Greg Meagher reported the WSSC now has 19 sponsors with about $5,000 total income. Other sponsors donate products for club use, such as bottled water from Walgreens, wine for the End-of-Season Banquet from Delicato Vineyards and free lunches from Uncle Frank’s Grill at the Manteca Golf Course. WSSC sponsors are recognized on the club website (silversluggers.net), on banners hung behind first and third base bleachers, and in commercials from the announcer’s booth each game. All Woodbridge residents are encouraged to support the softball sponsors. Head Umpire George Johnson introduced R. J. Klug as the booth coordinator for the 2019 season. George also reviewed the playing rules and rule exceptions for the Silver Sluggers and Diamond Gals. Field Maintenance Manager Charm Mathis presented a slide show of the Del Webb Field renovation project, including the maintenance required to keep the infield in

prime playing condition. Charm also reviewed the outfield issues that have delayed starting the 2019 season by two weeks. As the rain ends and the outfield starts to dry, the grass must be incrementally cut, the surface rolled and deep-tine aeration completed before the outfield will be safe for players. If all goes according to schedule, the first games will have been played at Del Webb Field on Saturday, April 20. Property, Plant & Equipment Committee Chair (PP&E) Chuck Harvey also reported on the Del Webb Field renovation project and plans the WOA board has for future maintenance. Charm also conducted a video tutorial of the WSSC website (silversluggers.net) and noted that Janet Cameron, Dave Steffy and Ray Rothbardt are website volunteers assisting Charm this season. Kathy Dezotte, filling in for Snack Shack Manager Sharon Fields, reported on the Opening Day menu and that the Snack Shack will be open for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday games this season.

Silver Sluggers Representative Bob Perrin reported the 86 Silver Sluggers included 60 full-time (Wednesday/Friday/Saturday) and 21 Saturday-only players. Each full-time team has about 15 players, with the Saturday-only Gang Green having 21. Gang Green will play two games on Saturdays in a split-squad configuration. Dave Avelar was introduced as the 2019 Silver Sluggers Player Representative. Yellow Hornets coaches Nelson Conner and Charlie Pace, Purple Sharks coaches John Walker and Mike Frary, Orange Crush coaches Tom Heath and Ron Long, Blues Brothers coaches Bob Perrin and Ken Beaty, Gang Green coaches Phil Rankin and Brian Jones, Wolverines coach Bob Perrin, and Wildcats coach Ray Rothbardt were introduced to the membership. Diamond Gals Representative Sally Rankin introduced coaches Dottie Aubrey, Nancy Behney, Carolyn Fagin and Connie Reed. She also reported on the Opening Day Ceremonies which, weather and field conditions permitting, should occur tomorrow. All volunteers have worked hard preparing for the 2019 season. Now that the most important information has been shared with our members, we can start to play ball!

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May 2019 • Page 29

Editor’s Note: Each month the Woodbridge Senior Softball Club (WSSC) will submit biographical articles introducing our readers to council members, coaches, players and volunteers. This month we will feature Head Umpire George Johnson from the WSSC Council and player Patti Peterson from the Diamond Gals.

MEET YOUR WOODBRIDGE SENIOR SOFTBALL COUNCIL:

Head Umpire George Johnson By Keith Loudermilk

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s I meet an increasing number of Woodbridge residents, it seems that many are BATS (Bay Area Transplants), but, if I look further, I find many folks who are native to the northern San Joaquin Valley. Additionally, it seems our community is well represented with retired – and some active – educators. Head Umpire George Johnson is one of those who calls San Joaquin County his home and is also retired from a distinguished career in education. Born in Stockton, George was raised and spent most of his adult life in Tracy. He graduated from Tracy High School. Besides academics, he played four years of basketball and baseball, including two years on varsity in each sport. Prior to his high school athletics, he played several years of Little League baseball. George also played fast pitch softball in the Tracy recreation league for about 10 years, followed by another decade of slow pitch softball with the Grace Baptist Church team. George attended San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, then attended CSU Hayward (now East Bay) for one year. He and his new wife, Carolyn, then moved to Sacramento where he completed his bachelor’s degree at Sacramento State University. Upon returning to Tracy, George furthered his college education, earning an Administrative Services Credential as well as a master’s degree in education. George’s educational career spanned from 1968 to 2015, nearly half a century of service! His first teaching assignment was as a sixth-grade teacher at Jefferson School in Tracy, a tenure that lasted 11 years. Working in a rural school district, George found himself taking on duties outside the classroom. Included in those duties were coaching and officiating various sports. Having received a California bus driving license, he was able to drive athletic teams to games and tournaments. During his years at Jefferson School District, George was fortunate to be mentored by Superintendent Tom Hawkins, looking toward eventually working in public school administration. George continued his career as principal/superintendent at New Jerusalem Elementary School District for the next 10 years, then moved on to Hart-Ransom Elementary School District in Modesto for the next decade. As principal at HartRansom, George gained experience working in a somewhat larger, but still rural, school district. Finally, he took on his last career challenge in Roberts Ferry School District as principal/superintendent for the final 17 years of his 47 years in education. Roberts Ferry is located about seven miles east of Waterford in eastern Stanislaus County. After accepting the position at Roberts Ferry School District, George and Carolyn moved to Escalon. As a teacher and an administrator, when auxiliary duties (yard duty supervision, substitute teaching, custodial or bus driver duties) needed to be assumed, George always took them to heart, rolled up his sleeves and simply “made it happen.” As a sports fan from early in his life and from his work as a teacher and administrator, George developed a love for officiating various sports over the years. Summers also found him umpiring slow pitch softball through the Tracy Recreation Department. Joe Wilson, Tracy’s Recreation Director, was one of George’s most influential mentors during this time. George was also recruited to umpire summer softball for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory league for several years. George has been blessed with a small but close family. He met and married his

high school sweetheart Carolyn in 1966, a marriage of 53 years and counting! They have two children and three granddaughters who all live locally. Daughter Laura, sonin-law Wil, and granddaughter Melanie live in Manteca; son Darren, daughter-in-law Stacy, and granddaughters Megan and Shannon live in Ripon.

As George was about to culminate his educational career, he and Carolyn looked toward the “active adult” lifestyle offered at Woodbridge. They have been Woodbridge residents now for 12+ years. George co-facilitates a Men’s Bible Fellowship on Mondays and Carolyn leads a Women’s Bible Study on Thursdays. George continued with his love of softball, umpiring Woodbridge games for the last several years and serving as head umpire on the WSSC Council the last three. He will be retiring from the council at the conclusion of the 2019 season and his leadership will be missed. George plans to spend more time with his bride and take some long overdue trips. He will not disappear entirely from senior softball for he plans to continue umpiring when available. Our club will benefit from his continued presence at Del Webb Field.

Woodbridge Senior Softball 2019 Game Schedule (1st Half) MAY


W oodbridge LIFE

Page 30 • May 2019

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MEET YOUR PLAYERS: Diamond Gal Patti Peterson As told to Sally Rankin by Patti Peterson

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atti Peterson originally hails from Lafayette, California. She was one of six children - three girls and three boys. She recalls her family being a very active one; they all played sports throughout their lives. Patti competed in swimming from grade two throughout college at Chico State. While at Chico, she completed her bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential in 1971. After college, Patti got a job in Marysville teaching kindergarten. Patti lived in Chico and started playing recreational softball on a women’s team. She even met her husband Dave on a softball field. The couple continued to play softball in Chico and in Modesto when they moved there. They always played ball, even while raising their three kids, two girls and one boy. Patti’s middle daughter played softball throughout college and her son played baseball and football. Her oldest daughter took dance. When she and her husband retired, they looked for an active community close to their children and grandchildren (eight of them). Patti was impressed by the Woodbridge softball program and the gym with its great indoor pool. In 2016, the Petersons moved into their Woodbridge home and Patti joined the softball team. After more than 20 years away from ball, she revealed, laughingly, that she “was still able to play fairly well.” Patti confessed, “I am still working on my skills but love that I met some great ladies playing softball.”

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Living in Woodbridge has also given Patti an opportunity to join the Drama club, to take classes in yoga and tai chi, and to continue swimming. She and her husband also love to take cruises and travel to new places. Patti shared two favorite softball experiences: In 1978, her husband was pitching to her when she hit a hard line drive and almost took out his chances of having children. (He’s never pitched to her again.) About six years later, Patti, a new mom, was playing softball in Modesto. She remembers calling “time out” when her infant son cried and she needed to feed him. The Petersons have continued the legacy of sports in their family. Their grandchildren play baseball and soccer and participate in dance. Patti and Dave hope to have many more years of watching their games and, hopefully, the grandchildren will come watch Patti’s games, too.

DIAMOND GALS HISTORY Part 1: Interview with Albert and Kaye Sanchez By Sally Rankin Al and Kaye Sanchez very graciously met me for an interview in the Clubhouse. The excitement, enthusiasm and energy these two people portrayed was infectious. During the entire interview, Al and Kaye were absolutely glowing with positive and wonderful memories of the beginning of the Diamond Gals and shared lots of wonderful recollections. Kaye and Al moved to Woodbridge in 2007. In 2009, Kaye was in the pool speaking to some friends and posed the question, “I wonder if any women would be interested in starting a women’s softball league?” From the positive response, they decided to put an interest sign-up sheet at the front desk, since there was no Woodbridge LIFE then. Through word of mouth, the sign-up sheet had approximately 30 women on it. With this much interest, a meeting was called. Kaye knew that her husband would absolutely coach if there was serious interest. Coach Albert Sanchez began the Woodbridge women’s softball teams soon after. It was determined that the women who signed up to play wanted it “to be fun.” Again, the emphasis was all on FUN. Al had years of coaching experience, so he conducted fundamental drills to start the women in their new adventures in throwing, catching, running, hitting and basic rules. Al stated, “At that time most women players had never played before.” After a few practices, they decided to hold a vote to determine the team name. Many people suggested clever name ideas. The majority vote went with the name DIAMOND GALS. See DIAMOND GALS page 34


W oodbridge LIFE

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May 2019 • Page 31

ĂŚĂŚWoodbridge Seniors Golf Club By Bill Abrew

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oodbridge Seniors golfers were hard at it again on March 25. We played a new venue for us, Stockton Golf and Country Club. The forecast was for rain but not a drop fell. It was a great day for golf. We played a four-person, two best-ball scramble. 1st Place Steve Howe Rod Schisler Mike Patterson John Gannon

2nd Place 3rd Place Chris Gattuso Dan Theal Mark Gattuso Constance Theal Bill Norcup John Armstrong Frank Aguilar Tom Ravazza

Our next tournament will be May 20 at another new venue for us, Brookside Golf and Country Club in Stockton. It will be a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Entry fee $58 (additional $5 for guests); payment is due by May 5. Not a member? No problem. Every Woodbridge senior (55+) is always welcomed. If you have any questions regarding WSGC tournaments, please contact Mike Patterson at 408-640-9768.

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Page 32 • May 2019

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Pickleball Corner By John Bowers

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Photo by Marcia Umberger

he Pickleball group kicked off its first round robin of the year Saturday, March 30. There were 12 participants in the tournament with at least four spectators, the “sweet 16.” There were four women, all who have played before but one playing in only her second tournament (thanks for the repeat, Laurie Stillmaker) and eight men, one of whom played in his first tournament (nice to have you in the tournament, Brian Jones). Play was coordinated such that there were two flights. In each flight, there were two women and four men. This was the first tournament in years where we combined women and men in flights. This kept it spicy and challenging for all with a match where two women “pickled” two men (9 to 0). Awesome excitement and surprisingly good play continued throughout each match.

The “Final Four” (L to R): Frances Ramos, Dave Avelar, Sharon Isbell and John Bowers.

Mark Victoria, a veteran and friend of the game, came off the inactive list and managed the matches to let others play. Semi-finals were structured as mixed doubles where the top women and No. 2 men played against the top men and No. 2 women in their respective flights, the “Elite Eight.” Barbara Shapiro played with Tim Sells against Sharon Isbell and Dave Avelar in their flight. Laurie Stillmaker and Frank Mello played against Frances Ramos and John Bowers in their flight. In the final match, players from different flights were pitted against each other. The “Final Four” were Sharon Isbell and Dave Avelar taking on Frances Ramos and John Bowers. Top honors went to Dave Avelar and Sharon Isbell as the champions of the March 2019 tournament.

Weather was fantastic! All players and spectators enjoyed themselves. There was great camaraderie and fun and competitive spirit in pickleball’s little bit of “March Madness.” For those interested in a new game to get exercise, meet new people or just play like a kid again, the pickleball group has spare paddles as well as pickleballs to borrow on the courts, along with a lot of good people to play with and “show you the ropes.” Joe Victoria offers great pickleball lessons on the courts and can be reached at 815-9343 if you would like some instruction or just to pick up a few pointers. Regardless, come out and watch or give it a try. We would love to have you join us.

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Tennis

A History of the Game

By Jim Corey

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hen it rains, it pours. That seemed to be the norm recently as rainstorms hit our neck of the woods on almost a daily basis. Although we always need water for farmers and, actually, for all of us, rainy days force me to spend a lot of time indoors, sometimes looking for things to do. Idle time leads to thinking of things that we may not have otherwise and, in my case, I wondered how the game of tennis actually evolved. I remembered that I read a really nice and brief history in the “Tennis Group Folder” that Mel Topping gave me when he and his wife moved to Oakdale last year and he handed over the “reins” of the group to me. Sure enough, I found Mel’s story right there in the folder, so I am going to repeat it for you to read. Before I do that, I am pleased to tell you that Mel and his wife Kathy are doing well but we continue to miss them a lot! Please continue to read on as Mel’s history lesson is below. Some may have wondered how the game came to be called tennis? Or wondered about the odd scoring system, 15, 30, 40, game? How the word “love,” for no score, came to be? Well, you aren’t alone. Many have asked the same questions but, as it turns out, the answers are not as easy to come by as one might think and, in some cases, are simply educated guesses. Following is a very brief explanation of the early history of tennis. The concept of hitting an object back and forth between two or more competitors with hands or a type of racquet or paddle is found in the history of many cultures, but none can trace a straight line to today’s game.

May 2019 • Page 33

The closest we get to an explanation for the modern game is that it probably originated in the 12th century with French monks. A changing form of the game started to become popular with the French aristocracy of the 16th century where rules and equipment began to become standardized. The game traveled from France to Italy and then to England with Henry VIII who built an indoor court in the early 1500s, which is still used today. From there, it evolved with contributions from the Italians who changed the scoring system from 15, 30, 45, game to 15, 30, 40, game. There is much more to the story but the important points are the game became standardized in 1890 with only the “let,” or the chance to serve again if the ball hits the net and lands in the proper service box, added and the tie-break in the 1970s, which produces a winner, after players are tied 6 games all. The winner in the tie-breaker is the first to 7 points with a margin of 2. The word “tennis” is said to derive from the French word “tenez,” to hold, and was once used much as the word “fore” is now used in golf. The “love” came from the French for egg “l’oeuf,” designating the shape of a zero or nothing. The modern era of tennis began in 1968 when professionals were allowed to compete with the amateurs. The men and women’s associations followed in the 1970s and that brings us to today. Thank you, Mel, for the explanation credited to a 2010 CNN story. Now that you know a little about the game we love, we hope you join us on the Woodbridge courts from 8 to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

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W oodbridge LIFE

Page 34 • May 2019

ææwine 101

www.ourwoodbridge.net Continued from DIAMOND GALS page 30

By Jon Ford

O

Al and Kaye could not recall the name of the person whose suggestion won (if you are the person, let me know and I will give you due credit in Part 2 of this article, next month). It was also determined at that time to organize the women into squads, creating rotation on teams and reducing the competitive edge. Blue and Red teams rotated squads (colors) every week. This created camaraderie within the entire membership and began to clearly define fun.

ne hundred twenty Wine 101 classmates enjoyed a lovely March evening first learning about the Gewürztraminer grape and then spending several hours munching on appetizers and socializing with old and new friends. The community table offered samplings of 12 Gewürztraminers from around the world. The wines ranged in price from very affordable to higher end offerings.

Coach Al recruited coaching help from Jackie Rudy, Bob Hall and Bill Barnhart who became the first set of assistant coaches for the newly formed Diamond Gals. The FUN began. After several years, Coach Al Sanchez decided to let go of the girls and let them fly in 2012.

The April class featured the Barbera grape, a lesser known, mostly Italian varietal that has big fruit flavors and higher acidity.

Up, up and away! The DGs are soaring today. To greater heights they play, Fun is what they portray.

For the May class, we will be exploring the Viognier grape, an up-and-coming popular varietal in California and a mainstay in the Rhone Valley in France. Viognier is a lovely white wine with hints of apricot and/or peach on the finish. Twelve terrific Viogniers will be featured on the community table for this class. Any resident is eligible to attend Wine 101 classes and no knowledge of wine is necessary to come and have a good time. The classes run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Doors will not open until 5 p.m. and you must present your ticket(s) at the door for entry. Sign-up dates for upcoming classes are: May 17, June 21, July 19 and August 9. Tickets sell out within hours of being released. Tickets are $3 per person, non-refundable, and you may purchase up to four tickets for two different residents. Bring with you an appetizer to place on the “grazing” tables, your own wine glasses and a wine based on the theme of the class. You may bring other wines to share with tablemates if you wish. As always, we will supply water, plates, napkins and utensils.

FYI … (a new feature of this column)

From the March 24 edition of the “San Francisco Chronicle” Many California winemakers are starting to create red wines in the Beaujolais style. That is full flavored, translucent, with high aromatic qualities. There is definitely a movement in place for these kinds of wine. Look for them in your future winery visits.

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www.ourwoodbridge.net Page 28 • May 2016

ææ HEALTH TIPS

Woodbridge LIFE W oodbridge LIFE

Triker's Travels

LIVE LONGER 6RIWEDOO 2SHQLQJ 'D\ AND HEALTHIER %\ -XG\ 0F1DPDUD

In honor of World Laughter Day, May 5, and Mental Health Awareness Month

Just Laugh It Off! By Susie Blair, RN, BSN

H

ave you noticed you feel great after having a good laugh? There are actual physical and mental benefits of good humor. Smiling, by its very nature, reduces bad feelings. Although primates may bare their teeth to suggest they are friendly, laughter is unique to humans. According to a study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, “Because some forms of smiling are voluntary and easily faked, laughter which requires a more synergetic contraction of the wider musculature, is believed to have evolved in humans to express a secure, safe message to others.” Studies cited by mentalfloss.com and activebeat.com have shown many health benefits to laughter: • Reducing blood pressure – even lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. • Reducing anxiety and stress – studies show these were decreased in Parkinson’s patients, (nursing) students and menopausal women, to name just a few, and can decrease stress hormones like cortisol. • Boosting immunity – activating the body’s immune system cells to ward off and fight diseases, both acute and chronic. • Natural anti-depressant – just the act of laughing can better one’s mood and ease emotional pain. • Reducing pain – releasing endorphins, which are natural painkillers. • Burning calories – increasing heart and respiratory rates and oxygen consumption as well as strengthening your abs. In the mid-1990s, an Indian physician, Madan Kataria, developed Laughter Yoga, creating something new from an old practice. She found that even laughter that was voluntary (as opposed to spontaneous) had many of the same advantages. More than 65 countries have taken this to heart and formed clubs. Some are for seniors and their caregivers. It has been found to help the mind become sharper, decrease pain and tension, increase self-esteem and feel connected – even helping with dementia. Laughter Yoga usually consists of 20 to 30 minutes of the following sequential activities: • Clapping and chanting – getting engaged, socializing • Laughter yoga breathing – training to use abdominal muscles • Childlike playfulness – like lifting arms in the air • Laughter yoga exercises – vary depending on instructor and students We may even want to start a Laughter Yoga group at Woodbridge. Sounds like fun! (For more information, look up American School of Laughter Yoga). Remember, being negative increases your chances of suffering from all the things laughter reduces. Make a choice to laugh yourself into a longer and healthier life. Even “bad” jokes can benefit us if they make us laugh. Resources: “The Habits of Health” by Dr. Wayne Andersen, mentalfloss.com, activebeat.com, aPlaceforMom.com, American School of Laughter DISCLAIMER: Woodbridge LIFE is not a source of legal or medical guidance. The above article is the author’s opinion and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or for nutritional guidance.

www.ourwoodbridge.net May 2019 • Page 35

Triker’s Travels By Judy McNamara WBL photo by Volker Moerbitz

Spring into Spring Second Harvest Fun Run – April 14 Woodbridge Softball Opening Day – April 27

I

t’s that time of year again to lace up the sneakers, dust off the bat and mitt, put on the running shorts and enjoy the gifts of spring and summer. It’s been a long, cold and wet winter and now it’s time for outdoor activities.

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April 14 was the annual Second Harvest Fun Run in which several Woodbridge residents participated. Second Harvest Food Bank of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties is committed to fighting hunger for those in need of food. Fred Gallegos and Lance Frederick are two of this community’s residents who trained for and participated in the Fun Run. Fred Gallegos hails from the Bay Area, graduating from Fremont High School in Oakland. After three years in the Army, Fred worked for the City of Fremont as a street maintenance supervisor. He and his wife Patty have lived in Woodbridge for eight years and, during that time, Fred has been instrumental in putting up the veterans’ Lance Frederick and Fred Gallegos murals in Manteca along Main Street. He rides his bike daily to keep in shape and likes woodworking and landscaping around the house. He also loves helping other folks in the community. Lance Frederick is a native of the state of Washington. After finishing his undergraduate work at the University of Washington, he served as a Navy SEAL for three years followed by 29 years in the Navy Reserve. After completing his stint as a SEAL, he and his wife Rebecca moved to the Bay Area where he completed his master’s degree in psychology and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Lance states he has been a lifelong athlete with his passion being running. As he gets older, he says he is running less and instead participates in yoga, biking, walking, gardening and just being outdoors. *

*

*

*

As always, April means the beginning of softball and this year we’ve got many new players. Heading up the group of heavy hitters is Keith Loudermilk, Woodbridge Senior Softball Council president, and Greg Meagher, vice president. The Silver Sluggers teams include the orange, the yellow, the blue and the purple that play each other during the week. The men’s green team only plays on Saturdays with the other Silver Sluggers teams. The Diamond Gals teams also only play on Saturdays. The 70s Wildcats and the Wolverines are men’s traveling teams. So, let’s take ourselves out to the ballgames and support the Woodbridge players. Our very best to these Woodbridge athletes as they compete in their respective sports. Their time and commitment to sports are inspiring.

Dedication + Motivation Success


W oodbridge LIFE

Page 36 • May 2019

ææDid You Know. . . Pudding Compiled by Mike Spence

Custard is a pudding but Did You Know? • In Great Britain and other Commonwealth countries, pudding is synonymous with the dessert course of a meal. • The earliest puddings were savory, not sweet. They incorporated various ingredients, often meats, with a binder such as grains, butter, eggs, suet and the like, then were encapsulated and cooked, often by boiling. • “Pudd’nhead Wilson” was written by Mark Twain and is used as a metaphor for a dull-minded person. • The word “pudding” seems to be derived from the French word boudin, a sausage. • Creamy puddings (sweet) are the new kids on the block. If they are thickened with egg yolks, they are called custards while starch-thickened puddings are called blancmange. • Jell-O® brand instant pudding uses gelatin as a thickening agent. • Early meat puddings were standard fare (food ration) for English sailors in the 17th century and forward. • A flan (flat cake) is a hybrid custard in the same vein as Quiche Lorraine. • “Puddin’” is sometimes used to address a close family member, often spouse to spouse. • If using just egg yolks to thicken custard, it is very heat sensitive. If the mixture gets too hot, you’ll end up with scrambled eggs, not custard. Double boilers and baking in a water bath are intended to control the mixture’s cooking temperature. • “Spotted dick” AKA “spotted dog” is a sweet, suet-based pudding. • The variations and transition from meat-based early puddings seem related to certain religious tenets that restricted meat during certain dates of the year and others that restricted certain meats entirely. • In the mid 1840s, English chemist Alfred Bird developed custard powder intended for use by people who did not have a reliable source of eggs. It was proven popular by land travelers migrating westward from the east to the west coast of North America. • The phrase “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” meaning that something can only be judged to be good or bad after it has been tried or used, is attributed to the 14th century Cervantes novel, “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote.” It is often misquoted as “the proof is in the pudding.” Resources: used: en.wikipedia.org (pudding, flan and custard), foodtimeline.org, phrases.org.uk, en.wikisource.org, On Cooking, 4th edition, Labensky and Hause, Jello. com.

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W oodbridge LIFE

www.ourwoodbridge.net

May 2019 • Page 37

ĂŚĂŚWILD THINGS IN WOODBRIDGE

Mourning Doves By Jana Kattenhorn WBL photos by Volker Moerbitz

R

esident Mourning Doves are beginning to look for nesting sites. Some of their favorite manmade spots are hanging baskets and gutters. In the wild, they nest in trees and shrubs or, on rare occasions, on the ground. With all this year’s rain, the gutters are not very hospitable so you might find them checking out anything in your yard that will support a nest. Unlike many birds, the mourning dove nest is not a work of art, but a small pile of sticks. Should you

The female dove incubates one or two eggs at night while the male incubates them during the day. A pair can raise up to six broods annually. The incubation period is 14 to 20 days and the babies, called squabs, leave the nest at about 14 days. Doves are seed feeders and love California poppy seeds. The adults feed the squabs crop milk. The production of crop milk begins two days before the eggs hatch and the squabs are fed for about 10 days.

know doves have nested in your gutters after the rains have stopped, be sure to clean them out so the sticks and nest debris don’t clog the downspouts.

Mourning doves are year-round residents in most of the U.S. with some birds migrating to Central America for the winter and into the very northern U.S. and Southern Canada for summer breeding.

Doves generally mate for life, but the adult life span can be as short as two years. The surviving dove will find another mate. Because they are ground

Travel Adventures

Resources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning dove, ncpedia.org/wildlife/mourningdove, How Pigeons Produce ‘Milk’ (sciencealert.com/mothers-milk-best-for-growingbabies-and-that- includes-b‌, mom.me animals.mom.me/nesting-habits-doves-6319. html

All trips pick up from Woodbridge Community Center TOURS

Destination:

birds, they fall prey to hawks and cats. There is also a statewide mourning dove hunting season in California, September 1-15. The males make a peaceful cooing sound to attract mates and you will hear a unique whistling sound as they land and take flight known as “sonation.� The movement of the birds’ wings creates the sound.

All extended trips include airfare and transportation to the airport Call or email for a detailed daily itinerary on any trip

Vermont & New Hampshire Fall Foliage

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This striking exhibition features Ä™Â?Â?¢ȹ™Š’—Â?’—Â?ÂœČąÂ‹¢ȹ •ŠžÂ?ÂŽČą ˜—ŽÂ?ČąÂ?ŠÂ?’—Â?Čą –Š’—•¢ȹÂ?Â›Â˜Â–ČąĹ—Ĺ&#x;ŗřȹÂ?Â˜ČąĹ—Ĺ&#x;Ĺ˜ĹœÇ°ČąÂ?‘Žȹꗊ•ȹ Â™Â‘ÂŠÂœÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœČąÂ•Â˜Â—Â?ČąÂŒÂŠÂ›ÂŽÂŽÂ›ÇŻČą ÂžÂ—ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂŠÂ?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ÂžÂœÂŽÂžÂ–Čą ŠÂ?ÂŽÇŻ

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ÂœÂŒÂŠÂ™ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜ÂŠÂœÂ?Ç°ČąÂœÂ?Š¢Â’—Â?ČąÂ? Â˜ČąÂ—Â’Â?‘Â?ÂœČą ˜Â&#x;Ž›•˜˜”’—Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ˜¢Â˜Čą ÂŠÂ›Â‹Â˜Â›ÇŻČą Â’Â?ÂŽČąÂ?‘Ž ”ž—”ȹ Â›ÂŠÂ’Â—ČąÂŠÂ•Â˜Â—Â?Čą žÂ?Â?’—Â?Čą ›ŽŽ”ǰ Â&#x;’œ’Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ˜ÂžÂ?ÂœÂ?Š—Â?’—Â?Čą Ž—Â?Â˜ÂŒÂ’Â—Â˜Čą ˜Â?ÂŠÂ—Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ•Čą Š›Â?ÂŽÂ—ÂœÇ°ČąÂŽÂĄÂ™Â•Â˜Â›ÂŽČąÂ?‘Ž Œ‘Š›–’—Â?Ç°ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœÂ?Â˜Â›Â’ÂŒČąÂ?˜ Â—ČąÂ˜Â?Čą Ž—Â?Â˜ÂŒÂ’Â—Â˜ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?Š”ŽȹŠȹÂ?˜ŒŽ—Â?ȏ•ŽÂ?ȹ ÂŠÂ•Â”Čą ŠÂ?Čą ŠŒ ÂŽÂ›Â›Â’ÂŒÂ‘ÂŽÂ›Čą Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Š›”ǯ

ÂĄÂ™ÂŽÂ›Â’ÂŽÂ—ÂŒÂŽČą ÂŽ ȹ —Â?•Š—Â?Č‚ÂœČąÂ•ÂŽÂ?Ž—Â?Š›¢ȹ ŠžÂ?ž–—Š•ȹ‹ŽŠžÂ?¢ǰȹÂ›Â’ÂŒÂ‘ČąÂ‘Â’ÂœÂ?˜›¢ȹŠ—Â?Čą Â?›ŽŠœž›ŽÂ?ČąÂ?›ŠÂ?Â’Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÂœÇŻČą ÂĄÂ™Â•Â˜Â›ÂŽČą Ž›–˜—Â?Č‚ÂœČą ™’ŒÂ?ÂžÂ›ÂŽÂœÂšÂžÂŽČąÂ&#x;’••ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœÇ°ČąÂ?›ŠÂ&#x;Ž• ÂŽ ȹ ÂŠÂ–Â™ÂœÂ‘Â’Â›ÂŽČ‚ÂœČąÂœÂŒÂŽÂ—Â’ÂŒČąÂŒÂ˜ÂžÂ—Â?›¢ȹ ›˜ŠÂ?ÂœÇ°ČąÂœÂŠÂ–Â™Â•ÂŽČą ÂŠÂ’Â—ÂŽČąÂ•Â˜Â‹ÂœÂ?Ž›ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ&#x;’œ’Â?Čą ‘’œÂ?Â˜Â›Â’ÂŒČą ˜œÂ?Â˜Â—ÇŻ

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W oodbridge LIFE

Page 38 • May 2019

Where in the world?

Norm Ayala and Diane Nagura (not shown) recently went on a Panama Canal cruise.

www.ourwoodbridge.net

Wow! Woodbridge LIFE has been circling the globe with our wandering residents! We will do our best to include ALL travel photographs, but space and clarity will dictate. Preference will go to those not featured in previous editions and, yes, to those in exotic locales and interesting photo ops! Send images electronically to wblife2017@gmail.com using high resolution or actual size. Thank you for your contributions. We’re happy that you continue to enjoy Woodbridge LIFE. If your picture isn’t here, look for it in the coming months and keep sending them in! Sorry, we can no longer accept print photos.

(L to R): Ron and Marybeth Saari stood across the river from the beautifully lit up Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) during a visit with their daughter Shawna in Bangkok, Thailand.

s o t o h P l e v Tra

(L to R): Lance and Becky Frederick joined Julie and David Ford for a pre-cruise dinner in Charleston, South Carolina. The cruise went down the southeastern coast to Jacksonville, Florida.

Heni (second from left) and Rennie (second from right) Parcesepe celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with their daughter and her family on a cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

Send travel photos to WBLIFE2017@gmail.com

Please use highest resolution and type WB TRAVEL in the subject line. All travel photos MUST be submitted electronically.


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W oodbridge LIFE

May 2019 • Page 39


Page 40 • May 2019

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