The STC Times 1

Dedicated to the health and enjoyment of SaddleBrooke Residents

Volume 1, Issue 9 October 2015

SADIE HAWKINS DAY

STC EVENT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15 12:00 TILL 4:00 PM

Li’l Abner never had as much fun on

Sadie Hawkins Day as STC members will

have when our ladies choose a male STC

member to partner with them, first for

mixed doubles, and then for food and

libation. Of course, Al Capp’s classic

hillbilly comic strip never

envisioned the playful

nature of a bunch of

tennis players who

decided to take the

game to a new level of

fun and excitement. But

then, Al Capp never met Debbie McGeehan.

Now, keep in mind that this event is

under the delicate direction of a group of

tough lady tennis players. So there will be

shopping.

The Tennis Cabana will be on the STC

patio from 12:00-4:00 PM with a wide

assortment of tennis clothes, accessories,

shoes, tennis bags, racquets, jewelry and

more. To be fair, these items will be

available for men and women. Cheri Megli

always brings the best choices from her

Chandler, Arizona tennis shop. She will

bring specific items for your personal

shopping if you call her ahead of time. (480

598-0162)

From 12:00-1:00 PM, Tom, a tennis pro

from The Tennis Cabana, will be on courts

7 and 8 with the latest tennis racquets for

you to review and demo.

There will be an hour and a half of

mixed doubles playtime in two

sessions: 1:00-2:30 and 2:30-

4:00. Members and guests can shop

at the patio before or after their

play session. Lemonade, iced tea and

snacks will be available on the patio.

From 4:00-6:00 there will be

appetizers and a highly anticipated BYOB

potluck on the patio. Expect more

information about the potluck in future

communications.

All right ladies. You’re up. Chose a male

partner, invite him in the true Sadie

Hawkins tradition, and plan to have another

good time at STC on Sunday, November 13.

Signup sheets are at the Tennis Center! �

I wish I’d said that: “Tennis is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.” “Tennis” adapted from a Yogi Berra gem.

The STC Times 2

CJ Wright CJ Wright never touched a racket

until shortly before she moved to SaddleBrooke 10 years ago. CJ (short

for Carol Jean) was like so many who are new to our community. She and her

husband had to feel their way around the plethora of activities that are

offered here. But things began to change about eight years ago.

CJ joined a group of STC women

who were forming Wonder Women, an invitational cadre of twenty or so

players who discovered that

they liked each other, shared a

cohesive interest, and wanted to

have good, healthy fun. They

had not felt a particular

invitation to play in other circles. So

they founded their

own tennis group. That tennis

group has now become a tight

knit unit of caring, loyal friends. Tennis has always been the primary bond

between them. But the bond of friendship has expanded their activities

to include dining out, movies, concerts, hiking, and holiday parties. More than

once CJ has cooked at Hawaiian Luaus

held in her own backyard for the Wonder Women.

Now that SaddleBrooke and STC are more mature, Wonder Women and CJ

are more involved than ever with club activities, a phenomenon that can be

attributed to our new emphasis on

getting to know each other even better. Individually CJ continues to expand her

interests into the political clubs, church work (she is an ordained minister) and

a writer’s group, where she has introduced her two novels about a nine-

month journey with her husband in their RV.

All of this is well and good even though it

hardly scratches the surface. Still, there is

more meaning here. A couple of years ago CJ’s

husband of twenty-one

years died prematurely. At that critical moment of

her life, her friends from Wonder Women rose to

comfort one of their own. That tragic event and the

loving loyalty of her tennis friends underscored

that high value STC members place on the lasting

relationships that begin on our courts and continue to live in our hearts.

CJ Wright, a woman whose favorite word is “yes”, has proved to be the kind

of person we all look forward to

meeting at STC. �

Coordinator Focus – Maria Petito Maria Petito, the newest member of

our coordinator crew, is our kind of tennis

player. She never touched a racket until

1999 when she took a six week series of

Bob Lewis’ 123 tennis lessons. The

members who took lessons with her

subsequently formed their own group

and have played together ever since –

that would be sixteen years! In the same

way, our six teaching pros give free and

private lessons where we meet new

players, improve our games, and develop

The STC Times 3

life-long friendships. Maria is proof. Even in

this heat she wonders whether the club

might be interested in a singles group for

OP. That enthusiasm is why she is our kind

of tennis player.

Maria says, “When an opportunity

arose for a new Coordinator, I submitted

my application. I knew this would be a

great place in which to work. I worked

with Kay for a short time and took copious

notes! Kay was very patient and

explained everything very well. She,

Nancy and Jon were always available if I

had questions. If a member asked me a

question and I didn't have the answer, I

told them I'd find the answer and call

them back, which I always did. The

members have been very nice to the

‘newbie’".

The STC is so pleased to have Maria

on board. Welcome! �

TENNIS TIP: You Do Need a Slice

Backhand and Forehand Having a sliced shot on both wings

(especially the backhand) will prove

invaluable. You can play a slice without

rotating your upper body, which does

several great things for you.

It means you can deal with a fast oncoming

ball in less time (no rotation needed). You

can also play it while moving forward (again

no rotation needed), so getting to the net

quicker becomes easier.

And you can get the ball down low to the

feet of the opposition much easier, making

things much more difficult for your

opponent.

You’ve probably seen Nadal -- who has

great topspin shots -- returning and playing

with slice in doubles much more than when

he plays singles.

It will also help the "feel" on your volleys

as it is played pretty much in the same way.

You’ll be surprised at how successful you

can be with that tactic. �

2015 Holiday Party

Saturday, December 12

SaddleBrooke 1 Vistas Dining Room

Happy Hour 5:30 pm - Dinner 6:30 pm

Wine Special - $2.00 off bottle of KJ Chardonnay or Hess Treo Cabernet or $.50 off glass of KJ Chardonnay or Hess Treo Cabernet Specially priced holiday cocktails -- Spiced pear martini with cinnamon stick & cranberry cosmo will be offered. No host Bar at 5:30 ***SBHOA#1 is credit card only. No cash!

Entertainment: DJ's---Gus D'Oldie & Ms. Gina

Cost- $35.00 per person Attach check(s) made out to the STC along with the form that was sent out by email. Deposit both in the Holiday Box inside the STC.

Deadline: Thursday, December 3. DON'T WAIT!

Groups of 8 may be reserved per table. Come as couples, individuals or as groups of 8. There will be places for everyone!!! Guests are welcome. �

The STC Times 4

TENNIS CENTER PATIO

FOR ALL SADDLEBROOKE RESIDENTS

Have you noticed how many of our SaddleBrooke Tennis Club articles are about events that happen on our patio? No surprise there because the patio is so convenient and well equipped for our parties, lunches, and award presentations.

Have you also noticed how often our SaddleBrooke neighbors use the patio for their events? Our residents hold unit parties, discussions, and meetings in an area where there is a BBQ (small charge), bathrooms, ice, tables, fans, easy cleanup, and now this. NEW SUN SCREENS! They will shade us in the summer and comfort us in winter, especially if deck heaters happen to become available. Our Board of Directors has worked closely with the HOA#1 Board to initiate the sun screen project from conception to installation. All SaddleBrooke residents owe the HOA#1 Board a hardy thanks for funding the $12,000 price of this valuable asset. Give ‘em a handshake and pat on the back when you see them around the neighborhood. This was a big deal. Incidentally, STC members as well as all SaddleBrooke residents are entitled to use the patio free of charge. Simply call Patricia Rogers, the HOA#1 Events Coordinator, at 917-3758 to make a reservation. The SaddleBrooke Patrol will

even raise and lower the sun shades upon request since that helpful organization is charged with responsibility for operating system. Now, that’s service. You and your neighbors are invited to take advantage of the newly equipped patio at the SaddleBrooke Tennis Center. Bring your friends. Bring your entire unit. Enjoy the STC to the fullest. The TC Patio is the ideal outdoor entertainment center for Robson’s premier facility.�

NOTE: November Scramble days will be

Tuesday the 17th for the men and Friday

the 20th for the women. �

Social, Competitive, and Fun!

2 015 C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

November 15 -- Sadie Hawkins Day Event

December 12 – STC’s Christmas Dinner Dance

December 31 – New Year’s Eve Tennis Social