Casta Courier - October 2023.

Taco ‘bout a Party!

The Casta Del Sol Vegetable Garden Club celebrated its summer harvest with a sold-out salsa party in August. Thanks to the above average rainfall this year, the vegetable garden was brimming with summer produce. Vegetable gardeners are a very social and supportive bunch. They often walk around the garden and admire their fellow gardener’s produce. So, to cheer each other along, and brag about their gardens, the club set up a friendly face off amongst the gardeners for “bragging rights.” With lush crops of tomatoes, squashes, and other summer vegetables in every garden, the categories for the competition were best salsa, best tomatoes, and bountiful vegetables. The judges had a tough time selecting winners in each category. Ken Osborne stole the show for most delicious salsa. Dave Rickett could not be beat for his entry of beautifully presented luscious colorful tomatoes and his tomato soup was delectable. The awesome bountiful vegetable basket with unique herbs such as Purslane was won by Mary and Peter Filakouridis. First place awards were lovingly handcrafted by our CdS Ceramics Club. Blue ribbons were presented to second and third place winners.

Refreshing margaritas made by Shelley Kirsch paired perfectly with three types of flavorful tacos, fresh condiments, quesadillas, beans, rice, and chips served by Freddy Ortiz Taco Cart. The guests enthusiastically participated in all games and dance activities. The piñata smashing contest was cheered on with loud “Ole Ole”. The Mexican Hat Dance got folks out of their chairs to dance and the Macho Nacho contest followed by the Chicken Dance were major crowd pleasers.

Continued on page 4

Educational Seminar with City Officials

It was standing room only on August 30 for a meeting with City of Mission Viejo officials in the Vista Room. Estimates were 225 residents attended in the Vista Room and an additional 58 were on Zoom. The topics addressed were the Oso Creek Trail development and a proposed crosswalk on Casta del Sol Drive.

Board Member John Nethercutt moderated the meeting. Also in attendance were most of the other board members as well as members of the Ad Hoc Casta del Sol Drive Committee, Brian McDonald and Liz Rickett.

Representing the City of Mission Viejo were Mayor Brian Goodell, Deputy Director/City Engineer Rich

Schlesinger, and Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay, who is in charge of the Trail Project.

Keith noted the city adopted a Master Plan in 2021 when it bought the Oso Creek golf course. At that time, the City Council approved short term items dealing with 200 acres owned by the City: 110 acres as community recreation, 70 acres as civic open space, and 20 acres as the Core Area Vision Plan

Short term items include extension of the Oso Creek Trail, additional event space on the golf course, an oncourse restroom, a trail head cafe, and a crosswalk on Casta del Sol Drive between the Oso Creek Trail and the Oso Creek Golf Course.

The majority of questions had to do with the proposed crosswalk, ensuring safety of pedestrians and motorists, the work on the repaving of Casta del Sol Drive, and how work will impact Gate 1 and residents.

Both Keith and Rich assured residents they are willing to work with the Casta del Sol community to achieve solutions that will benefit all parties.

It’s Holiday Boutique Time

A very special opportunity awaits you! Purchase unique holiday gifts, artwork, and crafts handmade by our talented Casta artisans. The creativity you will see is truly amazing! This annual community event, hosted by the Ceramics Club, will be held on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in our beautiful Vista Room. There will also be scrumptious homemade baked goods for sale, as well as raffle baskets and festive music. Start your holiday shopping here and bring friends!

Contact Carol Favreau at (714) 470-8181 for more information.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

President’s Message

Manager’s Report

Our beautiful tree-lined landscaped Casta del Sol community is approaching a very important time of the year—the 2024 budget.

You have elected the seven Board of Directors who will approve a budget which will be reflected in your monthly dues assessment. This assessment covers General Administrative, Land Maintenance, Recreation Lifestyle, Repairs and Maintenance, Traffic Control, Utilities, and Reserves.

There are multiple budget lines under each of the aforementioned items. For each person to thoroughly understand where each dollar of your monthly assessment goes, attendance at the current Budget and Finance Committee meetings and Reserve Committee meetings would be necessary. These committees really do appreciate your attendance and feedback in Open Forum for Residents Comments. Your participation makes a difference.

Many of you have busy schedules or cannot attend for various reasons. However, each committee sends an eblast that includes an agenda. This agenda is an overview of what is being discussed. You have the ability to contact any committee to voice your opinion. Let us hear your voices.

It is imperative that our committees and Board of Directors utilize their career experience in every decision, every vote taken and every relationship with vendors. The current BoD, as all previous Boards, must review many difficult issues and hopefully make good, sound judgments for the betterment of our community. Board members are making decisions for 1,927 homes and approximately 3,000 residents in our community.

As we move into 2024, let us try to be more proactive in our community. Committee decisions, and the needs of our residents, should work together. The hard-working committees do their research and provide advice to the BoD. The number one responsibility of the Board of Directors is to maintain and improve our Association

Association Pet Rules

Pet owners should ensure that pets do not disturb the peace and comfort of your neighbors. Recently staff has received complaints of people walking their pets in other residents’ yards. Although this is not a violation, please be mindful of your neighbor’s property and their personal space. Pet owners are responsible for removing all pet droppings and keeping their dogs on a leash. Pets are prohibited at the recreation centers and should always be watched to protect from possible coyote attacks. Voluntary cooperation of pet owners is required to enforce this regulation. Please report stray animals to the Mission Viejo Animal Services by calling (949) 470-3045.

Budget Approval Upcoming

In November, all residents will receive a copy of the approved 2024 budget mailing and Treasurer’s letter describing the details of the budget. Compared to the 2023 budget, this new budget being presented has numerous increases, such as a reserve contribution increase, utilities, etc.

Cleaning of Swales

With an El Nino anticipated this year, now is the time to take preventative measures. Homeowners who diligently keep their side swales clear generally have little or no water intrusion problems during the rainy season in Southern California. Without knowing what is around the corner, the Board of Directors and the Management Staff strongly recommend homeowners see that their side yard swales are clear of debris to prevent water intrusion problems. If you cannot guarantee your swales are clear, it is recommended you contact a handyman to see the swales are cleared. The cost of clearing the swale is much less expensive than paying for water intrusion damage to your, or your neighbor’s, home.

President: Linda Silverman dirsilverman71@yahoo.com

Vice President: John Nethercutt j.nethercutt.bod@gmail.com

Treasurer: Susan Ashby ashbycasta@gmail.com

Secretary: Jayne Freed jfreedcds@gmail.com

Directors: Lori Gilbertson lori9CDS@gmail.com

David Shostak davidrshostak@gmail.com

Karen Warren kwarrencds@gmail.com

For Courier staffing contact information, please see page 26.

The Casta Courier is published monthly by the Casta del Sol Homeowners Association. The mailing address is 27651 Casta del Sol Drive, Mission Viejo, Calif. 92692. Deadline for submitting material for the next month is the 6th of each month.

Casta del Sol HOA - Board of DirectorsDISCLAIMER

CdS Homeowners Association and Farmer Publications, accept no responsibility for content, accuracy or opinion, expressed or implied, of articles, letters or advertisements. Inclusion of advertisements does not carry with it any endorsement, actual or implied, for the product or services advertised. The CdS Homeowners Association and Farmer Publications have content Rules and Restrictions that must be met, and accept no responsibility for damage occasioned through use of products or services advertised herein.

Landscape Notes

Greenbelt Rules and Regulations

During Greenbelt Committee meetings, we continue to discuss homeowners encroaching into the common area in violation of the Rules and Regulations.

Committee members, who are all resident volunteers, spend many hours walking the property inspecting and reporting properties in need of replanting and looking for items in non-compliance with the Rules and Regulations.

One of the most difficult tasks they face is educating homeowners on what they can and cannot do in the landscape. Some of the most common violations in the common areas are birdfeeders, birdbaths, potted plants, private plants, rocks, area lights, etc. Also, stored items like tiles, wood, and pots with water that are located in the foundation areas may draw and provide a home for rodents and mosquitos.

All the landscape and tree contractors’ maintenance activities are on a schedule and residents do not need to call for that information. Mowing is weekly from April to October and every other week from October to April. HOA plant maintenance in the foundations is every six weeks and every eight weeks, which is the same schedule as the lawns. Trees are

pruned by two contractors on separate schedules according to the height of the trees and budget. The contractors work section-by-section to complete pruning of all trees. Not all trees are pruned annually.

Please help the HOA and Greenbelt Committee by taking the time to read the Rules and Regulations starting on page 55 of the 2022-2023 Casta del Sol Homeowners Telephone Directory Many of the calls to PWLC1 can be answered in the directory.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

ASSOCIATION NEWS Cont’d

Board Meeting Highlights

September 7 and September 21, 2023

• General Manager Marilyn Smith reported the association is finalizing the 2024 budget. The final budget is required to cover the association’s annual costs. She encouraged all residents to become involved in the budget and reserves process and attend meetings to be informed.

• Landscape Coordinator Bill Thornton reported there were 415 landscape maintenance requests for the month of July, for a total of 2,259 for the year to date. Great Scott Tree Service will be trimming mature trees on Monday, October 9. A large eucalyptus tree failed and damaged the perimeter fence on the Jeronimo slope. An arborist is preparing the costs to remove the tree.

• Maintenance Supervisor Ed Pedroncelli reported that the 2023 asphalt project is complete. The 2023 paint project is scheduled for completion by the end of November. The gatehouses have been painted.

• Recreation Director Valerie Hanich reported that the telephone directories will be delivered to every home in October. The new automated external defibrillator (AED) device has been installed outside the Fitness Center. The friends and family transponder program has been delayed due to problems with the iGate system, but is anticipated to start in October, by appointment only.

The Board:

• Accepted the delinquency report for the period through August 9 and approved the recording of liens on four subject properties for a total of $11,140.73.

• Approved the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Policies and Procedures Committee to rescind a list of outdated policies.

• Approved the Courier Committee Revised Charter.

• Approved a drainage improvement plan in the amount of $6,372.50 for 28071 Calle Casal for PWLC1 to complete the work.

• Approved the contract for W.B. Starr’s list of 7 tree removals for a total of $6,520.

• Approved the Board holding meetings with Committee Chairs to discuss the 2024 Budget and pending projects, with the review and approval of Powerstone Management.

• Approved a monthly article in the Courier to present factual information to the community.

• Approved of holding a Reserve Study Education Seminar in April or May 2024.

• Approved having staff reports only at the second BoD meeting of each month.

• Approved change of pool hours at Recreation Center 1 - Monday through Saturday.

• Approved the proposal from PWLC1 to install 15 linear feet of keystone wall and a 16 linear feet swale to correct a drainage issue at 28001 Via Castro in the amount of $3,420.

• Approved the list of tree removals submitted by W.B. Starr for 15 trees for a total of $7,725 due to dead, diseased, damaged and/or dying trees.

• Approved the appointment of Barry Silverman as Vice Chair and Scott O’Connell as a member of the Greenbelt Committee effectively immediately.

• Approved the appointment of Sharon Whalen to the Facilities Committee, effective immediately.

• Approved the appointment of John Mazurek, Tim McCoy, Audrey Michaels and Jerry Powell to the Traffic Committee, effective immediately.

• Approved the appointment of Dale Jones to the Ad Hoc Casta del Sol Drive Committee, effective immediately.

• Approved the appointment of Audrey Michaels and Tara Adams to the Welcome Committee, effective immediatelyr.

The October meetings of the Board of Directors will be held October 5, 2023, at 9 a.m. in the Vista Room and on October 19 at 1 p.m. in the Vista Room Fran Morgan, Courier staff

August Treasurer’s Report

Total HOA Assets as of August 31, 2023: $7,635,088

• Operating Cash: $1,625,226

This includes $219,137 in cash, $506,088 invested in a money market account and $900,000 invested in CDs. One CD for $100K matured in August and was re-invested for 9-months at 5.35%. The rates for a 9-month CD are currently in the range of 5.35%-4.9%.

• Reserve Cash: $4,872,93

This includes $1,936,056 invested in a money market account and $3,600,000 invested in CDs. We increased the cash available in August to cover the costs of asphalt and tree removals. There was one CD that matured at the end of August and it will not be reinvested, again because of the need to cover asphalt and tree removals expenses in August and into September. There is $59,796 of interest receivable included in the total and $722,913 due to Operating Cash.

• Capital Improvement Cash: $306,931

The amount increased this month due to the monthly Capital contribution of $15,416 ($8/month/residence) plus interest and there were no capital expenditures in July. Potential capital projects being reviewed by the Facilities Committee are a dog park, pickleball courts, re-fresh of lawn bowling pavilion, expansion of vegetable garden, etc.

• Outstanding Accounts Receivable (A/R): $86,250

This is an increase from July. Allowance for Bad Debts remains at $27,353. Note: Allowance for Bad Debts is an estimate of receivables that will not be paid. The Allowance is adjusted Quarterly (March, June, September, December) and is equal to outstanding receivable balances over 91 days.

The following are highlights of our Operating expenses as of August 31:

• General & Administration has a Year-to-Date, YTD, negative variance of $11,784 due to significant negative variances in Legal Fees ($44,976), Office Supplies/Equipment ($6,350), and Consulting Fees ($2,296), somewhat offset by positive variances in Printing, Postage, Bad Debt Expense, and Salaries.

• Land Maintenance, (LM) has a YTD significant surplus of $400,564. The hold on extras was lifted and LMRs are being acted upon. We will soon be in the Fall planting season. Both of those activities will show increased expenses in the upcoming months. Future expenditures for the LM contract are unknown at this point. The Board and Monarch, our consultant, have received the bids and are in the process of analyzing them and interviewing bidders.

• Recreation/Lifestyle has a YTD positive variance of $12,141.

• Repairs & Maintenance has a YTD positive variance of $7,584.

• Traffic Control has a YTD positive variance of $5,810, mostly due to gate repairs.

• Utilities has a YTD positive variance of $337,185, primarily due to the Water positive variance of $356,819 which is an increase from July. We anticipated increased water expense in August but it was actually less than July. Gas is over budget by $17,909.

Treasurer Comments

The YTD surplus of $832,957 is an increase over July. The year-to-date budget to actual surplus (year-to-date August and budget for remaining months) is $803,071. The surplus is largely due to positive variances in Land Maintenance and Utilities.

The following statement appeared in the June Report and bears repeating for this month: The Budget & Finance Committee discussed whether to transfer some of the surplus funds to Reserves. Due to the emergency tree removal project and the unknown increase in the Land Maintenance contract, Budget and Finance agreed that they need more information before making a recommendation to transfer funds from Operating Cash.

This Treasurer’s Report as of August 31, 2023, is being submitted to the Board of Directors for their review and acceptance. Once accepted by the Board, this report will be filed.

Respectfully submitted by Susan G. Ashby Casta

Taco ‘bout a Party!

Continued from page 1

Blue Ribbon winners at the vegetable garden contest

Macho Nacho contest

More than 80 residents attended and even more would have attended if additional shade was available. Everyone had a blast and are eagerly anticipating the next Vegetable Garden Club party. Ole to the Vegetable Garden Club!

“Vegetable Garden contest winners: Ken Osborne for best salsa, Dave Rickett for best tomatoes, and Mary and Peter Filakouridis for best bountiful vegetables.”

Buffet of fresh homemade salsa

Maintenance Report

What you need to check for when inspecting your house siding:

• Cracks or splits forming on siding

• Siding looking aged or worn

• Rusting on metal siding

• Signs of moisture damage or rot spots on wood roofing or siding

• Missing caulking on siding

• Loose, missing, or lifted nails on siding

Seven signs it’s time to replace your home siding:

1. Cracked, warped, or rotting siding

2. Blisters or bubbles on your siding

3. Fungus, mold, or mildew on your siding

4. Severely faded siding

5. Siding in need of frequent painting

6. Higher energy bills

7. Paint peeling inside your home Wood and composite siding may last from 15 to 40 years but requires a lot of maintenance. Durability issues for wood siding go hand in hand with its need for maintenance. Wood can absorb moisture over time. If this moisture becomes trapped or if the wood is exposed to moisture for long stretches of time, it will begin to soften and rot, or it may begin to grow and harbor mold colonies.

Ed Pedroncelli, epedroncelli@powerstonep.com, (949) 215-9155

Donna Duhn, Maintenance Coordinator, dduhn@powerstonepm.com, (949) 455-4671 (office)

The Role of the Board of Directors

Note: From time to time, the Courier publishes articles from outside organizations that give information of general interest to the community. This article is from the Community Associations Institute (CAI). Their mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship, ideals that are reflected in communities that are preferred places to call home. Powerstone Management is a member of CAI, an international membership organization that serves community associations.

A homeowner’s association is the cornerstone of a planned community. When run properly, it brings continuity, preserves architectural integrity, maintains common areas, protects property values, and promotes the concept of “community.” Every association should be responsible for its assets and operation in accordance with state laws and the community’s governing documents.

To be effective, an association should have a strong board of directors whose members know the responsibilities that come with their volunteer positions, including the need to govern uniformly and fairly, and have a clear understanding of the association’s strengths and weaknesses, its history, and what needs to be accomplished. The board’s authority includes all of the powers and duties contained in state statutes, as long as these are consistent with the provisions of the governing documents.

This overview can be especially useful for community managers helping onboard newly elected, first-time board members.

The board of directors has a fiduciary obligation to the association and its residents. It requires board members to govern in the best interests of the community by acting in good faith, exercising due diligence, establishing trust, and working within the scope of their authority.

When a member accepts a position on the board, he or she should learn about the duties and responsibilities of their role. Board members cannot be excused from improper action on the grounds of ignorance or inexperience; if they do, they open up the association to potential liability due to negligence and mismanagement.

Operating a homeowners association carries many of the same duties and responsibilities as overseeing any other business. Serving as a board member is a valuable and rewarding experience that should be undertaken by those who see it as an opportunity to serve their neighbors while protecting and enhancing the community.

This article was reprinted, with permission, from Community Associations Institute (CAI) website.

ASSOCIATION

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Codes, Covenants,

and Restrictions for Casta del Sol

Every homeowner receives a copy upon the close of escrow of The Master Declaration of Codes, Covenants, and Restrictions of Casta del Sol. Better known as CC & Rs, they are unique to each community. Casta’s original document was written by the developer, the Mission Viejo Company in 1972 and has been amended several times.

The CC & Rs cover the general rules that govern the community. However, the specifics that most homeowners would be looking for are spelled out in the General Rules, Regulations, and Information included in the Casta del Sol Telephone Directory. These explicit rules must be in compliance with the CC & Rs. Under the Statement of General Policy in the Telephone Directory: All rules, regulations, policies and procedures have been adopted pursuant to authority set forth in the CC & Rs of the Association and have the same binding effect as if contained in the recorded restrictions

The Rules, Regulations, and Information in the Telephone Directory include the essentials about the rules regarding your home. If you have

questions about where your property begins and ends, as well as the rules about any modifications you may make to your property, first consult the Rules, Regulations, and Information section of the Casta del Sol Telephone Directory. If you do not find the answer there, contact the Landscape Services Coordinator or the General Manager for information.

In addition to these two sources, the Courier includes short notices highlighting the most often overlooked rules, categorized as News You Can Use, published in shaded boxes in the newsletter. If you have a question or a suggestion about information in the CC & Rs or the Rules and Regulations that you think should be brought to the attention of homeowners, please contact the Courier. That issue can be added in a brief News You Can Use notice.

The Codes, Covenants, and Restrictions, the General Rules, Regulations and Information contained in the Casta del Sol Telephone Directory, and the short notices in the Courier, all are valuable tools for homeowners. Each of these tools provides information for residents to know the rules and to avoid any conflict or penalties.

Architectural

One of the frequent complaints to the Architectural Committee is for noncompliance with the trash container rules. Sometimes containers are put out for the scheduled pickup and then left out for several days. Trash containers must be placed at the curb no earlier than one day prior to the scheduled pickup and must be removed no later than the morning after pickup. Some homeowners are not in compliance.

Also, Section 7.3 of the Architectural Standards and Guidelines states: Trash containers, when not placed on the street for scheduled pickup, must be stored out of view from the street. The committee defines viewed from the street as if standing in front of your dwelling or looking to the left or right of your dwelling, we should not see the trash containers. They can be stored in your garage, behind a large bush or lattice screen, behind a gate, or in a ready-made container that blends in with your dwelling. Since we now have three containers, you might consider putting the least used container in a different location. You can downsize your containers by calling Waste Management at (800) 266-7551 and requesting a smaller container, which will help with

the location and size of the storage space. Following the guidelines will help keep our Casta del Sol neat and looking well-maintained. Thank you for your help.

John Nicsinger, Chair, (818) 261-5316

Mary Kay Crowley, Co-Chair, (949) 412-8735

Budget and Finance

We reviewed the July financial statements at our August meeting. The budget-to-actual positive variance of $703,353 is mostly due to land maintenance and water. Some of the surplus may be transferred from Operating to Reserves for the tree removal project of $368,310, which was approved by the Board in July.

The July reserve balance was $5.8 million after $119,484 in July expenditures. Please note that reserve asphalt expenditures of $1,176,728 were paid in August. Our capital fund had a $290,876 balance with one expenditure of $3,827 year-to-date.

In September, the Budget and Finance Committee met with the Board of Directors in a joint meeting to discuss the 2024 Draft Budget. At our September 18 committee meeting, we reviewed an updated draft 2024 Budget. The Board of Directors will

Continued on page 8

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD Cont’d

Budget and Finance

Continued from page 7

approve the 2024 Budget in October.

The Budget and Finance Committee meets regularly on the third Monday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Vista Room. Our next meeting will be held on October 16. Please look for the eblasts with additional details about our meetings.

Lisa Shoemaker, Chair, (949) 305-6336

Courier

We have had so many wonderful parties and events to cover these last few months. We are receiving many compliments for the photos capturing the joy of our residents participating in what Casta del Sol offers. Residents are enjoying seeing their photos as well as finding out more about the clubs, activities, and events offered at Casta. We still have several more clubs to highlight over the next few months. If readers have ideas for issues to cover or people to profile, please let us know.

Thank you to all the contributors who have adhered to our quicker timeline. Several months ago, our publisher, Farmer Publications, had to seek out a new printing company. We are very fortunate to have a publishing

company and printing company who can accommodate our timeline, our needs, and do so well at it.

Last month, the Courier committee article described some of the assets of Farmer Publications, our partner since 2002. We have an excellent working relationship with them and value their special expertise in working with senior communities in Southern California. Our new Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Lassos has worked with many other companies and has complimented Farmer for all they do. The partnership established with Farmer’s graphic artists is a key to the success of our newsletter.

The Courie r Committee meets every second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Fiesta Room to discuss the previous month’s issue and review assignments for future issues.

Debra Friedman, Chair, (949) 230-7195

Facilities

In looking to the future, the Committee is assessing various capital items and the list is getting longer. It includes: automatic gates for the exit lane at Gate 1; a utility vehicle for Maintenance; covers over the pool equipment to protect from the elements and extend life; Pickleball

courts; a dog park; a walking path to the chipper area; expansion of the vegetable garden; solar panels; upgrade to the Lawn Bowling Pavilion, restrooms and kitchen; updating for ADA compliance; and other miscellaneous items. Please remember that capital funds are required to make any new improvements.

Other items before Facilities include: a gate locking system at Rec Ctr 1; Rec Ctr 2 Pool; pedestrian exit gates; refreshing the Rec Ctr 1 and 2 pools and spas; updating awning, umbrella covers, and picnic tables at Paddle Tennis; remodeling Ceramics; replacing chairs; fixing and replacing chain link fencing between Gates 1 and 2; replacing wrought iron fencing at Gate 1; adding No Trespassing signs; and adding audio/visual equipment and updating the Fiesta Room.

Facilities has also been looking toward 2024 with the evaluation of proposals for painting trim on 395 homes and stucco and trim on buildings at both Rec Centers and five gate houses, and developing requirements for asphalt paving.

If interested in being a recording secretary to take minutes at our monthly meetings, please contact the Committee Chair. The Facilities Committee meets on the fourth Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Fiesta Room.

New members and visitors are always welcome.

Nancy Cunningham, Chair, (949) 350-3562

Greenbelt

The Greenbelt Committee’s recommendation to the Board of Directors to release the hold on required additional work by the landscape contractor was approved at the August 17 Board of Directors meeting. The Landscape Services Coordinator and landscape contractor, along with the Greenbelt Committee, are compiling a list of outstanding homeowner requests. Many of the requests are for replacing plant material or turf restoration due to tree removal. These requests will be addressed as soon as the weather cools down to ensure positive plant growth.

Over the past couple of months, two different tree maintenance companies have been busy in our community trimming the Chinese Elm trees and removing more than 100 Aleppo Pine and Eucalyptus trees. Tree maintenance and removal is a constant need as our green space matures and some trees reach the end of their lifespan. With a vision to the future, the Greenbelt Committee will be discussing tree replacement strategies at upcoming meetings. Come and be part

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD Cont’d

of that conversation and learn about all the care and work that is done to maintain our beautiful green spaces. Our next Greenbelt Committee meeting is on October 10 at 9 a.m. in the Fiesta Room. Better yet, volunteer to be a committee member and help keep Casta del Sol beautiful.

Marci Smith, Co-Chair, marcitaylorsmith@gmail.com

Metty Thomason, Co-Chair, mettythomason@gamil.com

Library

The Library Committee met on September 6 and had a productive meeting. We got busy revising and reviving a number of policies. We revised our renewal policy so that if you reserved a book that was older than two months, you had a good chance of getting it within a month. This was a change from when older books could be renewed time-and-time-again. Now, if that book is on the reservation list, it cannot be renewed.

Another policy was revived to accommodate residents who may be house-bound due to set criteria such as recovering from surgery. We are in the process of setting up the program and will open it up to residents soon.

The third policy involves overdue books, an issue which keeps a vol-

unteer busy making phone calls each month. An overdue book is one that is kept over three weeks without being renewed. We have been reminding residents that they need to return their overdue books with limited success and are looking for other ways to help residents remember to do so. Speaking of which, we are looking for the following books: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng by Douglas Preston, The Affair by Lee Child, and The Partner by John Grisham. If you have them, please return them as soon as possible; other residents want to read them. Thank you.

New Additions to the Library

Regular Print:

Canary Girls, Jennifer Chiaverini

Dead Mountain, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Childs

Evergreen, Naomi Hirahara

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, Lisa See Mrs. Porter Calling, A. J. Pearce

None of This is True, Lisa Jewell

Sun House, David James Duncan

The Bee Sting, Paul Murray

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, James McBride

The Invisible Hour, Alice Hoffman

The St. Albans School for Girls, Jessica Ward & J.R. Ward

Tom Lake, Ann Patchett

Under the Influence, Noelle Crooks

Whalefall, Daniel Kraus

Large Print:

After Death, Dean Koontz

Family Lore, Elizabeth Acevedo

Gone Tonight, Sarah Pekkanen

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, Sarah Adler

The Bone Hacker, Kathy Reichs

The Carnival of Curiosities, Amiee Gibbs

The Cuban Heiress, Chanel Cleeton

The Pink Lemonade Cake Murder, Joanne Fluke

Audio:

California Golden, Melanie Benjamin

Just Another Missing Person, Gillian McAllister

Pat Vitti, Chair, (949) 457-9194

Social

Our ever-popular Western Hoedown on September 23 was fabulous, as always. Neighbors line-danced to the music of Doug Houston, who also provided a quick review of the dance steps. It was so entertaining to participate and to see our fellow residents kick up their heels, wearing their boots and cowboy hats. The delicious barbecue food by Martinez added culinary pizazz to the evening.

Thank you to Valerie Hanich for arranging this and the Social Committee for their help.

It’s time to revisit your inner child with our Monster Mash Halloween event on Saturday, October 28. Costumes are mandatory; fun is the name of the game. Music will be provided by Kip Isbell. Join us for a great evening including sandwiches from Board and Brew, salad, chips, and dessert, all for $15 per person. And of course, there will be a contest for Most Original Costume, Scariest Costume, and Best Overall Costume. Sign-ups began September 25.

Do you love Halloween and all its decorations? We are having a pumpkin decorating contest at the Monster Mash. We are inviting all Monster Mash attendees to bring a pre-carved or decorated pumpkin for a chance to win a gift card.

We are continuing our membership drive. If you are interested in joining our committee, please pick up and complete an interest form available at the Rec Ctr 1 office. The Social Committee meets on the first Friday of every month at 10 a.m. in the Fiesta Room.

Amy Lake, Chair, (516) 263-7941, Arlake225@gmail.com

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD Cont’d

Traffic

Signs all over Casta del Sol and repeated reminders in the Courier remind residents of the 25 mph speed limit inside our gates. Casta is bordered by Mission Viejo streets that have had posted speed limits of 40 to 45 mph for years, but that has changed. Coming from Santa Margarita Parkway on Alicia the speed limit is now 55 mph to Rustic Oak, 50 mph from Rustic Oak to Olympiad, 45 mph from Olympiad to Jeronimo, and 40 mph from Jeronimo to the I5 Freeway. Along the way, there may be stretches of further reduced speed limits due to road construction. Be alert to the changing speed limits and conditions and remember, Casta del Sol is always 25 mph.

Welcome

Welcome as always to newcomers in the community. We would like to meet you. Members of the Welcome Committee contact new residents to arrange a meeting and provide a packet of information about the many activities, clubs, and committees in Casta del Sol and to answer your questions. If you have not yet been contacted by one of our members and wish to meet, you may email me to arrange a time and place to get together with one or two of us.

Welcome to Casta once again, and we hope you enjoy exploring and finding your way around the community. We look forward to meeting each one of you.

Board Meeting Minutes

The Casta del Sol Board minutes of their two meetings per month are available about two weeks after each meeting on our website, castadelsol.com. If you are unable to attend a Board meeting or watch it on Zoom, then you can read the minutes and be up-to-date with current information about CdS.

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Bible Study

Any resident of Casta del Sol who has an interest in participating in the study of the Bible is welcome to join us. This is an active group of folks from different churches. Our studies are varied, but always Bible-oriented. We examine and/or question the study of the day, but always keep the discussion on topic from the Bible.

The club meets at Rec Ctr 2 every Tuesday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for study and prayer. Come and join us as we sing the old hymns.

We are a no-dues club. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Peter Filakouridis at (949) 305-1935.

Kay Reed, dentist2cali@gmail.com, (949) 354-1460

Billiards

According to the calendar, summer is on the way out, but I suspect we still have some hot, muggy days ahead. Just a reminder, the air conditioning is working very well in the Billiards Room. If you haven’t done so already, stop by and visit the Billiards Room at Rec Ctr 1. Most any day from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. you’ll find a happy and friendly bunch playing pool. Join us, or if you just want to practice, the room is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. All equipment is available there for you to use, or for you pool sharks, bring your own cues. All skill levels are welcome with lessons if you want or need them. Just give me a call and we’ll set something up. Hope to see you there soon and again.

Bridge

Is October the official end of summer? The Garden Room remains comfortable for our Tuesday duplicate bridge sessions, providing a quiet environment. On Wednesdays, we use the Fiesta Room for regular bridge games. Our bridge sessions on both days run from approximately noon to 3:30 p.m. If you are interested in joining us for bridge, feel free to drop by and say hello.

There are always people moving into Casta del Sol. If you’re new, or an old timer, we invite you to let us know you are interested in bridge. Just drop an email with “bridge” in the subject line and we will try to plug you in. Please indicate if you play duplicate bridge, party bridge, or both (D/P/B), or phone me and leave a voice or text

message. I’m in the CdS phone book. Duplicate Bridge at CdS is unsanctioned by the ACBL.

Tim McCoy, mccoytest@cox.net

Canine Companions

We are so proud of ourselves, as well as all our much-appreciated members, for making this warm and welcoming club what it is today.

Our membership is growing thanks to many dog-loving newcomers to Casta del Sol. Our monthly meetings with Linda’s great food make for a most congenial time for the dogs and owners. And, please, all Casta’s dog owners are always welcome to join us and become acquainted. Just please, RSVP.

This last month, after cooling down (thank you), was another one of our Yappy Hours enjoyed by all.

Our Annual Halloween Costume Party is Saturday, October 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. Prizes for first, second, and third best dressed dog owners, too, if you wish. All events are at the Lawn Bowling Pavilion at Rec Ctr 2. We look forward to seeing all of you. Woof woof!

Tom Brockmiller, lindabrock@cox.net, (949) 412-1083

Casta Creatives

Calling all artists! Join us on Wednesdays and Thursdays for Open Studio from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Arts and Crafts Room at Rec Ctr 1. All media and levels welcome, from aspiring to advanced artists.

The Casta Creatives Club offers art demos, workshops, and events. On October 19, Jodie Trainer and Janine Shannon will conduct a Pastel Workshop. Learn the different types of pastels, how to use them, and the paper that is used to create pastel art. There is a $5 fee to cover the cost of materials.

On November 3, Jeff Ponce will conduct an Acrylic Workshop. The workshop will take place in the Arts and Crafts Room from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jodie Trainer, jodietrainer@hotmail.com

Ceramics

It’s showtime! Well, actually it’s not and that was a poor representation of McMahon and Carson. But it is almost time for the annual Artisan Holiday Boutique on October 13 and 14.

We hope you didn’t spend all your mad money at the Flea Market because

this event will blow your socks off. Who knew we had so many artisans in Casta del Sol?

Everyone is gearing up for the holidays and you’ll find incredible bargains in mediums from paint, paper, fabric, yarn, and wood to silver and semi-precious stones. And we would be remiss in not mentioning that our elves in the Ceramics Studio are already turning out turkeys, pumpkins, and Christmas trees under the watchful eyes of pilgrims, witches and, of course, Santa.

Come say hello to us, you might meet our new member, Shanah, there. Or just wait until October 13 and 14 and be surprised at what the Ceramics Club members make out of clay.

Jo Steciuk, (949) 394-5181

Crafts For Charity

The Craft Ladies of Casta del Sol are working on holiday projects for the recipients of Meals on Wheels, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. We also hosted the hardworking women from Laura’s House who shared information about this domestic violence shelter that we support with handmade journals and other items for their residents and clients.

We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10 to noon in Rec Ctr 2. Club meetings this month will be on October 4 and 18.

We welcome new project ideas and potential recipients, and we thank those generous crafters who have donated materials for our use. Stop by when you can and lend a hand. All materials will be supplied, and you’ll

be shown what to do. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends while helping others.

Jessica Hollowell, (310) 480-9093

Cribbage

We play cribbage each Thursday in the Heritage Room at Rec Ctr 2 from 6:30 p.m. until about 8:45 p.m. If you are interested in learning to play this old English card game, any of our members would be willing to teach you on a one-to-one basis, or we can do it on a Thursday evening; it’s really not that complicated. You just need to be able to count to 31. If you have ever played in the past, the rules will quickly come flooding back; just come on down for a few games and a general social evening. There is no sign-up or commitment. If you want more information, contact Susan Herrning.

Susan Herrning, susanherrning@aol.com, (949) 630-2565

Democrats

The next Casta del Sol Democrats Club meeting is October 15 at 3 p.m. in the Vista Room. Generally, the meetings will be on the third Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. in the Vista Room. Everyone is invited. Building camaraderie among attendees is an important aspect of our meetings. Please bring a potluck dish and/or beverage to share. We stay after the presentations to chat and catch up.

For the next two months, we have lined up presenters who are running for local congressional positions. We want to show the strong membership

Continued on page 12

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Cont’d

Democrats

Continued from page 11

of our club, so we hope to have a large turnout.

We are working on expanding our membership, so please encourage friends and neighbors to join. Currently, we are a no-dues club. If you would like to add your name to the list to receive emails about events and reminders, please email me.

Debra Friedman, debrafriedman0@gmail.com, (949) 230-7195

Health & Fitness

We began our long-awaited fitness classes in September. Classes are being taught by trainer Sheri Robinson, and Pilates teacher Danielle Bates, who is a new Casta del Sol resident. We are so grateful to have such pros leading us in: Stretching; Resistance with Bands; and Mat (Wall/Chair) Pilates.

These classes are co-ed and for all levels; if you have any mobility issues, we accommodate. We are all in this together to get fit and have fun. We’re meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and Tuesday afternoons, in the air-conditioned Vista Room. All

classes are $10, and no commitment required. Email me and I’ll send you a list of class dates and times. Or you can pick up this list from the office. Come join us.

Helen Freedman, PelicanPost123@yahoo.com, (646) 662-7325

Heritage Garden

Autumn is a wonderful time of the year to enjoy our Heritage Garden. As summer softly transitions to winter, luminous sunrise, long afternoon shadows, and colorful sunsets await you. Walking the Heritage Garden during this beautiful season to stretch your legs and fill your lungs with fresh air will revivify your body and mind. Take a stop and relax at the Norfolk pines and soak in the sharp, sweet, and refreshing scents of fall. Read a book and enjoy a quiet afternoon in the Zen Garden. Listen to nature’s music as the trees drop their leaves in the gentle breeze in the Red Bud Grove area. The African Garden is a great spot to meet up with a couple of your friends and share a brown bag lunch. So, get out there and enjoy the sounds and scents of nature. See you in the garden.

Parizad Sethna, parizad9@outlook.com, (949) 298-0076

Italian American

Hope everyone enjoyed our September activities. We do not have access to the Vista Room in October, so there will be no bingo. Also, we will not have bingo in December. The next bingo is on Thursday, November 9.

Lucille Naves, neilnaves@cox.net, (949) 600-5887

Las Damas

Las Damas Club eagerly awaits our October 11 fall Luncheon Meeting, as we celebrate the cooler weather and anticipate the return of the approaching winter holidays. Welcome all newcomers if this is your first Las Damas Club Luncheon. The Vista Room setting will feature fall floral arrangements and a menu entree of delicious manicotti, green salad, and tiramisu for dessert.

Following announcements and the 50/50 drawing, entertainment will be provided by vocalist, Kerry Powell, reprising the music of Frank Sinatra, the Broadway Stage, and Golden Oldies of yesteryear.

Ticket sales closed on September 8. November reservations will begin immediately after the October 11 luncheon and will feature a full Thanksgiving menu and special entertainment.

Pat Crowley, (949) 305-0582

Mah Jongg Mavens

Players, join our group any Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room at Rec Ctr 2. All levels of players welcome.

Mah Jongg Mavens hold a tournament and Potluck Lunch on the first Saturday of every month. Winners on September 2 were: Most Mah Jonggs – Jean VanDerford. Concealed Hands – Lois Conners, Madeleine Lipofsky, Ann Loranger, Val Ricci, and Myrna Smith. There were no winners in Quints, Jokerless, or Singles and Pairs.

No reservations are needed to play. Bring the 2023 card and $3 to play any Saturday morning. We look forward to meeting new people!

Military Veterans

There are no ghouls or goblins here. We’re just awesome and proud military veterans. The CdS Military Veterans Club’s purpose is to foster

fellowship among members and to honor all veterans past and present who have sacrificed so much to defend our country. If you are a new resident of Casta del Sol and a military veteran or spouse of a military veteran, you are welcome to join us and participate in our meetings or social gatherings. We offer thanks to Retired Lieutenant Colonel Greg Owens of the 73rd Armor Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Greg spoke about his tour of duty in the Middle East and talked about his experience as a tank commander in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. It was impressive! Our next meeting will be in the Vista Room on October 23 at 1830 hours.

Rod Jordan, roddy@roddyjordan.com, (714) 746-1158

Ping Pong

Join us on Saturday mornings from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Garden Room for competitive play. All skill levels are welcome. There is always a table available for newcomers and/or those who need a refresher. In addition, open play is available all day on most Saturdays and Sundays. We look forward to seeing you there. Paddles are available for loan in Rec Ctr 1 office. For more information contact Sherry Hargrove.

Sherry Hargrove, (858) 336-5369

Pinochle

The Pinochle Club meets on Friday evenings promptly at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room of Rec Ctr 2. Any resident can join us; we play six games. There were four Fridays in August. Jane Knesl earned the honor of having the highest total for all the games played with a score of 13630 for the month, Cathie Joy was second highest at 12350. There were eight Double Pinochles. Linda Owen had three, two in one night. She is the Queen of Double Pinochles at the present time, although a player had a chance to top her if her name was Jane. Jane Knesl and Jane Visser both had two Double Pinochles in August. Jane Knesl had the highest six game total score played during the month with 3960, and Linda Owen was second highest with 3670. Congratulations to all our winners.

Dawn Hibbs, idglass@cox.net, (949) 455-9826

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Cont’d

Republican

The Republican Club wants to wish everyone a Happy Harvest. We will probably be on hiatus for the rest of the year, but there is a possibility we will try to get another day booked on the event calendar for November.

Our communications officer was contacted by Saga Conroy, project assistant to Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner. They were inquiring about having a town hall for our group sometime in the near future. Next year will be exciting as we prepare for the Primary and General Elections.

All decisions made on behalf of the club will be announced to you as soon as possible. We will send out an email blast and one will be sent from the office as well in plenty of time to make your plans. We hope to see you at whatever we plan, for fun and friendship.

Betty Houston, (626) 422-0771

Sign Up for Eblasts

Social Singles

If you are a Casta del Sol resident who is single, you are invited to join our singles group. We have no membership dues. In October, we will be meeting for potluck dinner on Thursday, October 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room. To reserve your seat at the table, please RSVP to Carol Kowalsky only (cekewpie1@cox.net) by Monday, October 16. To join the group and get on our email list, or for more information, please contact Mary Carlson.

Mary Carlson, marycarlson28@gmail.com, (949) 380-0744

Sol Rock ‘n Rollers

In October, we were able to reschedule our free concert event which got rained out on August 20. On Saturday, October 14, the band Fire will offer a happy hour from 4-5:30 p.m. For this

Please sign up for eblasts for the most up-to-date connection you can have with all that goes on in Casta del Sol, by contacting Valerie Hanich at vhanich@powerstonepm.com. You can also find eblasts on the CdS website, www.castadelsol.com, or by going to the Rec Office and filling out the appropriate form.

poolside event, there will be no reservations, no table assignments, and no cost. Everyone should bring their own drinks and snacks, as desired. There will be the usual number of tables and chairs, but you can bring your own folding chair if you want to be sure of a seat. Remember, no glass in the pool area. We will have a 50/50 drawing, with 50% going to the band. Please also think of generous tipping to encourage these band members to join us again in the future.

Plans are underway for a free afternoon holiday concert featuring an orchestra and choir from Cal State Fullerton on Sunday, December 3. More information forthcoming next month.

Donna Farris, dbfarris117@gmail.com, (949) 378-6158

Support Group

If you experience grief because of losing a loved one, losing independence due to illness, aging, or caring for a loved one, this is a place for emotional support, sharing experiences and hearing similar situations. You are not alone on your journey. Come and meet others in similar seasons and sit-

uations. We meet twice a month. For more information, contact Kathy Wu. Kathy Wu, (818) 590-8009, Kathywu.mv@gmail.com

Variety

Shortly after the Variety Club performed The Gong Show to rave reviews, we were energized and embarked on the next project.

During the weekend of November 3 to 5, we will be showing a newly created movie in the Vista Room entitled, The Twilight Zone Journey, conceived, scripted, filmed, and directed by the very talented Bear Sanchez with Barb Turino as co-director. A cast of 25 Variety Club members will be appearing in this condensed and updated version of well-known Twilight Zone episodes. Tickets are only $5 and there will be a movie theater experience with popcorn, candy, and beverages. Look for emails from the office and flyers regarding sign-ups and show times.

The Variety Club is such fun that we keep adding to our family of performers. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Barb Turino at (951) 858-7350.

Debra Friedman, debrafriedman0@gmail.com, (949)230-7195

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Cont’d

Vegetable Garden

Summer is gone and now we must prepare for fall and winter crop planting. So, now we plant cold weather crops such as beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, leeks, lettuce, etc. We also take steps to enrich our soil by adding compost. It is also time to plant fruit trees. At this writing, 24 people are waiting for a lot. Happy Gardening!

Michael Schlesinger, mikeschles123@gmail.com, (914) 815-1002

Woodworkers

The Woodworkers Club members are working on new ideas for our wood craft projects to be displayed at the Ceramics Club annual Holiday Boutique in October. We will have our usual mailbox top Christmas items: Santa, snowman, elf, reindeer head and reversable Christmas tree. We will strive to provide the correct size to rest on top of any mailbox except, of course, the gang mailboxes that are grouped on top of one another. Club members are also working to increase our skills using the Shaper Origin CNC router that we recently

acquired. With much practice we will soon be able to more accurately produce wood joints and inlay work that fit together perfectly for a cleaner looking finished wood project.

Woodworkers meet each Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Rec Ctr 1 Arts and Crafts Room, located across from the Vista Room. Drop by if you have a wood project request or are interested in our activities.

Steve Vallely, (714) 595-5766

Water Exercise

According to Harvard Medical, water exercise is gentler on your joints because your body becomes buoyant in water. Your joints experience less impact, and the resistance of the water slows down movements creating motions less likely to aggravate injuries. Gym or swim? Both can add cardio fitness, build strength, boost mood, and ease chronic pain. So, join us each weekday morning at 9 a.m. in Pool 1. Be sure to sign up in the office, just $10 for the year.

Nan Rednall, nrednall@gmail.com (949)-584-4321

Recreation

• Association, Board & Committee Meetings

Calendar

• Association Sponsored Activities • Club & Activity Events

Note: All meetings are subject to a change of location or being on Zoom.

Daily/Weekly Activities Schedule - October 2023 (All activities are subject to change.)

Pizza Olympics New and Improved FEATURE OF THE MONTH

What a fantastic night! The Pizza Olympics was a highly anticipated event after the enthusiasm garnered last year. This is the second year in which the previously held Pizza Fun Night was transformed into an ambitious Olympic style event. Although not quite Hunger Games, the competitive nature of the participants emerged.

A major change this year is that the Paddle Tennis Club coordinated with the Pickleball Club. The synergy of these minds yielded a superb outcome. After hours of planning, the steering group conceived of a system to make all seven events more comparable in scoring results and avoid bottlenecks at events. Using a sign-up sheet system, there were four rounds of 20-minute play time with a small group at each event. The games included were bocce ball, shuffleboard, billiards, ping pong, cornhole, golf putting, and lawn Yahtzee. Cheers of fervor erupted throughout the various venues.

Of course, the food, organized by Liz Rickett, is always a highlight while meal time gave participants a chance to schmooze. The fare included appetizers, pizza, salad, ice cream, and beverages. This provided the fuel for partakers to embark on their quest for the win.

DJ operator and Paddle Tennis Tournament Director, Dan Viotto, blasted the Olympic Theme to call everyone to attention. After the four rounds of games, Dan facilitated the scoring, awards, and presentation. In first place, with a perfect score, was Dena Rawson. Just two points behind was her husband, Kevin Rawson. There was a tie for third place, with a game of cornhole used as the tie-breaker – Gerry Elizondo earned the third-place award. Next, raffle tickets were drawn and four lucky winners walked away with big smiles, with Butch Nelson winning the largest sum.

The success of this event, and desire for it to be an annual undertaking, shows how the Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Clubs worked so well together. It may even be expanded next year.

SPORTS

Bocce Ball

We would like to welcome the following new members to our club: Marti and Rob Beck, Susan Herrning, and Cheryl Rowen. Election of club officers for 2024: If you are interested in placing a name in nomination for the 2024 Bocce Ball Club Board of Directors, please contact Carol before Monday, October 30.

The Labor Day Potluck was very successful. The food was outstanding and enjoyed by all who attended. Save the date for our Christmas Party which will be on Friday, December 8 in the Vista Room.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, November 6 at 7 p.m. in the Fiesta Room. Following a short business meeting, we will be playing Bingo.

Carol Zinsmeister, (949) 305-9890

Bowling

The Casta del Sol Bowling League started on September 14 and will end on April 25. We bowl on Thursdays at 1 p.m. at Saddleback Lanes on Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo. We still have some openings on two of our 13 teams and, if possible, could use a fourteenth team. If you do not want to commit to bowling every week, you could get on our list of subs; just call Donna Miller at (949) 395-8958. If interested in checking out how much fun we have, you can always stop by on a Thursday.

Van Quinn, (949) 842-9151

Fishing

We concentrated on Calico Bass in shallow water for the summer and that will likely be the same for early October. This is fun fishing on light tackle; light-weight spinning rods and reels; 10, 12 or 15 lb. test line. We will be transitioning to Rockfish in deeper water sometime in October or November. Heavier tackle, line, and weights will be required. There are two charters every month on the first and third Mondays.

Good news: Lake Mission Viejo has stocked more tilapia, catfish, and bluegill. They seem to be surviving well and there are plans for additional stocking. Anyone interested can now fish in the Lake Mission Viejo again. We will be having a luncheon meeting on October 27 at noon in the Fiesta Room. Newcomers are welcome. Contact Nick Morenc for details. Until next month, tight lines for all.

Nick Morenc, (949) 588-6223

Golf Chippers

All Casta del Sol residents are welcome to play in the quarterly Golf Chippers event at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 4 at the Rec Ctr 2 Golf Practice Area. Adult guests are welcome. Admission is $5 and includes a raffle ticket.

We try to have something on the gift table for every participant. The raffle table needs white elephant items from a garage, golf bag, or office near you. Please consider providing something that another participant might want to take home.

The Heritage Garden has more volunteers and visitors than ever before. Please be aware that too many stray golf balls are found outside the golf area. This safety issue needs cooperation from everyone who uses the golf area. Please use only short chip shots and take great care. Thank you. Any questions? Just call.

Bob Hrad, (949) 290-0366

Lawn Bowling

Sadly, no new bowlers have come out this summer. I don’t know why that is since the sport is on a beautifully manicured grass court and involves getting healthy outdoor exercise among friends. Since some folks may be confused, lawn bowling involves rolling an unevenly weighted five-inch diameter bowl (about two pounds) toward a small white jack similar to a large golf ball. Teams of three individuals participate with the goal of getting the naturally curving bowl closest to the previously tossed jack. Once each side throws, participants switch ends of the court, a walk of 50 yards, to throw again. Those having thrown the closest score the points. More explanation next month. Try it M/W/F at 9:30 a.m. at the Rec Ctr 2 court. Call Mr. Shuman Chan, (626) 428-9250 for personal lessons.

Roman Swystun, (818) 669-9970

Men’s Golf

The winners of our three-month summer tournament have been announced: Low Gross Champion Todd Schindler, 60-61-70=191; A Flight Net Champion Todd Schindler, 5557-66=178; B Flight Net Champion John Joseph, 65-61-56=182; C Flight Net Champion John Weyler, 62-5858=176; D Flight Champion Santos Garcia, 65-58-55=178. Due to a scheduling delay, results of the playoff for the Low Net Club Championship were not available at press time. Congratu-

lations to the winners for a well-played tournament.

The October games are: 10/4 Team Scramble; 10/11 Individual Low Net; 10/18 Fall Tournament (Awards Dinner); 10/25 Team Best Ball.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact our membership chairman Al Arnott at (714) 425-4320.

Merl Barrett, (949) 770-5024

Paddle Tennis

The Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Clubs’ Pizza Olympics was a terrific event with over 70 participants. Our last tournament of the year was on September 16. We have had a busy year with tournaments, parties, and an Open House to help build membership. Next up is the Paddle Tennis Club annual meeting on October 26 where club officers will be elected. This free event for members is a party with an Octoberfest theme.

Open court times are 9 to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday, and 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Every Paddle Tennis Club member is welcome to come to any of these open play sessions. Our friendly regulars will help new players. Other times require sign-ups on the whiteboard.

If you have any questions, please contact Trish Jacobs at patriciajacobs123@gmail.com

Debra Friedman, (949) 230-7195, debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Pickleball

The Pickleball Club is holding a tournament on Sunday, October 8 at 9 a.m. For each round of play, new teams will be determined by a random card draw which should make for some interesting pairings. To see how much your fellow Casta residents enjoy playing this popular sport, come to Rec Ctr 2 on October 8. We welcome spectators, so join us for refreshments while you cheer on your neighbors.

Pickleball is a great sport for seniors. You can join our Pickleball Club for just $10 per year. Membership will enable you to participate in all club activities: open play, monthly clinics, tournaments, and social gatherings. If you want to watch or try pickleball, our open play times are Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. Beginners are welcome.

If you have questions, please contact Metty Thomason at (714) 325-3526. Donna Guild, (949) 446-0005

Shuffleboard

The fall Shuffleboard leagues began in September: September 12 for the Tuesday morning league and September 13 for the Pot of Gold Wednesday evening league. They will run through the first week of December.

The Sunday Potluck Social Shuffle in August had the following winners: first place, Barbara Harris and Maris Stevenson; second place, Nevin Valentine and Judy Paskey; third place, Debra Friedman and Tara Adams. The next Sunday Potluck Social Shuffle is Sunday, October 29 at 1 p.m. The Sunday Super Shuffle is October 8 at 1 p.m. Sign-ups are in the Shuffleboard Pavilion.

The Wednesday Friendly Shufflers meet every week at 10 a.m. and anyone is welcome to drop by. Lessons with practice led by Bob and Mo Caywood are on Fridays at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Jim Kinney at dothemath99@yahoo.com

Debra Friedman, (949) 230-7195, debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Tennis

The Tennis Club summer party featuring the return of Ortega Highway was a huge success. The food provided by the Taco Guys was delicious. A special shout-out to our social chairperson for organizing this very enjoyable evening.

The summer Tennis program is continuing apace with group activities on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and morning sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The Monday session includes various activities using the ball machine. The first Saturday of each month includes Clarity Tips along with coffee and mini breakfast burritos. The third Saturday of the month features local pro Jimmy Gleason with stimulating drills and insightful tips.

An inaugural singles tournament is scheduled for Saturday, October 7. The Tennis Club offers a variety of activities. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a tennis newbie there is something for you; come out and join the fun.

Roger Gyger, (630) 430-9045

CASTA COMMUNITY On the Road

Again Heritage House in Mission Viejo

New to SoCal, too busy to explore, or perhaps time to revisit? Debra offers suggestions

Heritage House in Mission Viejo was established in 2003 as a historical site operated by the local historical society to preserve and showcase the heritage of the area. It is nestled in Melinda Park, at the corner of Melinda Road and Santa Margarita Parkway. The structure itself was formerly a Mission Viejo Company new home sales center. It was where prospective buyers searched for their dream home in what made Mission Viejo “The California Promise.”

Upon entering the Heritage House, historical artifacts, photographs, and exhibits abound. Thousands of years

Reflections of a Casta Newbie

A new resident explores the adventures of Casta

Nevin Valentine

There has been much to reflect upon during the year I have been writing this column for the Courier. Living in Casta has altered my perceptions of what it means to grow old as I witness Casta members who engage in active and graceful living well into their 90s. Gloria Steinem once said that, in addition to our chronological age, we are still all the ages we ever were. Recently, I was with a group of Casta friends, and someone brought Hula Hoops. I put one around my waist and my ten-year-old self knew just how to make it spin. That little girl is still inside.

Another awareness of internal consistency came to me when I read an old journal that I had kept during therapy sessions when I was 38. The issues I had then are still with me today. I overextend myself, trying to please everyone. I shared this humbling realization with my 86-year-old

ago, Mission Viejo was “completely covered by an ocean full of whales, sharks, and other marine life.” Rancho Mission Viejo was part of a 200,000acre land grant given in 1845 to John Forster and Richard O’Neill. Information is plentiful about the early settlers, influential figures, and significant events that have shaped this area over the years. One large poster exhibits the chronology of this region until it became “America’s most successful master planned community” and then incorporated in 1988. The rest of the room is organized by eras such as “The Rancho Era.”

The Heritage House is a testament to the preservation of the past as well as a celebration of local heritage. Volunteer docents are available to guide visitors and share their knowledge. The placard outside honors the collaboration of the Library and Cultural Services Department and the City of Mission Viejo Heritage Committee. History lovers of all ages are welcome to visit on the third Sunday of each month between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

prayer partner, and she told me the elder years are for forming our soul and doing our internal work. It’s a time to clear our hearts with closure and forgiveness and to give ourselves permission for self-care before time runs out.

Additional journal entries include a list of new messages to my 38-yearold self. Do any of these resonate with you? I don’t have to take care of everyone else. I have choices about how I respond to people. Not everyone I know needs to like me. My needs are important. It’s okay to put my well-being first. I am not guilty because others feel bad.

Next to the list are my instructions from my therapist: Let yourself feel pleased by pleasing yourself, not to perform for others to gain love. Don’t overschedule yourself. Parent yourself.

My wiser and older Casta friends model taking loving care of themselves when I witness them comfortably saying no to some requests and only taking on projects and experiences that bring them joy. I am empowered to do the same. Today I may take a walk in the Heritage Garden or play a game of shuffleboard. Or I might just sit outside and read my book.

Small Talk Those Good Old Roller Skating Rinks

A freelance writer’s humorous spin on the ups and downs of life

I’m not sure roller skating rinks are still around. Unfortunately, today’s kids probably roller skate via games on their phones.

But for us, roller skating was a big part of our childhood. A key worn around your neck was used to fasten metal skates over your shoes. We skated down the sidewalks, jumping over bumps in the concrete, and ignoring scraped hands and knees from falls.

As teenagers, we discovered the roller skating rink and thought we had died and gone to heaven. Here was a cavernous room with a wooden floor surrounded by metal bars. Organ mu-

What’s Cooking at Casta

Want help in the kitchen? Linda shares her favorite recipes.

Curried Zucchini Soup

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 cup chopped yellow onions

1 tsp. minced garlic

2 tsp. curry powder

½ tsp. salt

a pinch of cayenne

2 pounds zucchini, trimmed and chopped

3 ½ cups vegetable stock

½ cup heavy cream

chopped cilantro for garnish

Greenbelt Rules

sic played loudly as you skated. Girls dreamed of skating around the rink hand-in-hand with a boy. There were food stands selling hot dogs, fries, and Coke, as well as other snacks. A teenage paradise!

You could rent skates, but those of us who were lucky had our own skates that we carried in a small metal case. Mine were Christmas presents one year: white skates and a red carry case. Then for my birthday, I received a skating skirt. These were short skirts with attached shorts underneath. Mine was reversible . . . white satiny material on one side, black on the other, and trimmed with white fur. The finishing touch? Fluffy pom poms tied to the shoelaces of the skates. Wow, what an outfit!

Nowadays, I don my cool skating outfit and glide around the rink in my memories, forever grateful that I experienced those good old roller skating rinks.

In a medium pot, heat oil, onions, and garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft. Add curry powder, salt, and cayenne. Add zucchini, reduce to medium heat, and cook until soft. Add stock and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and cook until the zucchini is very soft and tender. Remove from heat.

With a hand immersion blender, or in batches in a blender, puree to soup. Return to medium heat and stir in cream. Simmer for 3 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a container and let cool slightly. Refrigerate until well-chilled. Serve with chopped cilantro on top.

This soup may be served hot, but I prefer cold, especially in the summer.

The Greenbelt Committee has come across areas within the community whereby the homeowners have either encroached in the common area and/ or have modified the Calsense Irrigation System. Please be advised that there are Greenbelt Rules and Regulations listed in the CdS telephone book regarding these issues and fines involved for not complying.

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS

Beat the Bite!

Has water been sitting in your outdoor watering can for four or more days? If so, you have, unfortunately, created an ideal mosquito breeding habitat.

As little as a quarter inch of standing water in an outdoor space can provide the perfect place for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs, especially in the warmer months. The mosquito life cycle is typically four to 14 days. Once they are adults, female mosquitoes that feed on us and our animals are ready to make our lives miserable.

Thankfully, as of mid-August 2023, no human cases of the debilitating West Nile Virus (carried by Culex mosquitoes) have been reported in Orange County. There are things we can do to help protect ourselves, our families, friends, neighbors, and pets.

Even during a dry spell, water can collect from sprinklers and other sources to provide what mosquitoes need for laying their eggs. Mosquitos particularly like to feed at dawn or dusk. They hang out in tall weeds and bushes. Numerous factors affect who will be most impacted: the amount you sweat and exhale, blood type, body odor, skin bacteria, and clothing

color, with mosquitos attracted to darker colors.

The following guidelines can help prevent those nasty bites now and in the future.

1. Wear long sleeves and pants if you are out walking or trimming your plants at prime feeding time.

2. Find a mosquito repellant that works for you. There are many types and brands available.

3. Change the water in your bird bath every four days.

4 Check saucers under your outdoor plants.

5. Turn over outdoor pots and anything else where water can accumulate when you’re traveling.

6. Repair leaks in your irrigation system.

7. Keep gutters and drains clean so they don’t fill with rain water.

8. Do not let trash/recycling/compost bins collect any water.

9. Fill holes outside your house where water can remain stagnant. Check small statues or other outdoor decor for nooks that can hold water. Add sand in those places.

10. Consider planting mosquito-repelling plants around your house such as rosemary, lavender, citronella, lemon balm, mint, and catnip.

Barbra, a new resident of Casta del Sol, served on the Mosquito Advisory Board of Boulder County in Colorado for eight years. To learn more about West Nile Virus, visit westnile.ca.gov. Report mosquito activity to the OC Vector Control at (949) 654-2412.

Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Donna and Arie Agmon

A congenial couple, Donna and Arie Agmon moved to Orange County in 2021 as it allowed them to be closer to their first grandchild and be part of his upbringing. Asked as to what were the reasons for choosing Casta del Sol for their retirement home, the answer, without hesitation, was the greenery and rolling hills which gave them a feeling of always being on vacation.

Arie studied airplane maintenance in high school and moved to the U.S. from Israel when he was 19 years old with dreams of becoming an aviation engineer. He applied at Hughes Aircraft and while they valued his education, the hurdle was U.S. citizenship. This changed his career path to computer science.

Prior to retirement, Donna was a special education assistant for severely challenged children for the Los Angeles Unified School District, a job she deeply loved. Earlier, she worked for an indoor plant management company before starting her own business called Tender Loving Plants. It is therefore not surprising that within a week of moving to CdS, she joined the Heritage Garden Club and now lovingly maintains the Woodland Pines and adjoining areas in the Heritage Garden.

Arie and Donna met as soulmates via eHarmony. Proud parents of accomplished adult children, their love for their children is quite apparent. Arie’s son

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Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Donna and Arie Agmon

Continued from previous page recently earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Harvard. Arie’s daughter, a graduate of NYU, works at The Cleveland Clinic as a RN. Motivated by a passion for service, Donna’s older daughter joined the Peace Corps after graduation. She has lived in 32 countries and easily adapts to different cultures. Currently living in Oman, she has started her own tutoring company. A water sports enthusiast, she is helping open doors for Middle Eastern women to enjoy water sports. Donna’s second daughter, a UCLA graduate, is a school administrator and HR executive at Passion Based School and is expecting her second child. Awesome achievements for any parent.

Arie and Donna are super excited to welcome their second grandchild. With such loving grandparents taking care of them during the work week, the future success of the grandkids is virtually guaranteed. In their spare time, Donna and Arie actively participate in all that CdS has to offer and are glad they chose CdS for their retirement home.

No Caddy Required

The Casta del Sol Chippers held another of their quarterly tournaments in early August and lured 16 brave duffers into a deceptively difficult course. Five is the number of golf balls allowed to hit at each of the 18 specialized chipping holes in this tournament. Now “holes” is a misnomer as you mostly have to bang a gong, get the ball caught in a net or basket, land in a marked circle, or splash one in a kiddie pool. Sounds like fun and a bit noisy, but the course challenged the best of the golfers. All players left with a smile on their faces and a glorious start to the weekend.

Bob Hrad announced that the next tournament will be November 4. Mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun.

Getting to Know Our Neighbors: Dick and Danni Selway

The world-traveling Sel ways were on a cruise when they were contacted for an interview. They were on a paddle-wheel river boat trav eling the Snake and Colum bia Rivers, celebrating Dick’s 90th birthday and their 25th wedding anniversary. They take three or four trips a year; they have been on 44 cruises. In addition to their travel sto ries, so many aspects about them are interesting.

Danni relates that when they met, Dick said he was a scuba diver and a pilot, which she found fascinating. But, she says, “he left out the parts about his graduating high school at 16, his military service, working for the National Security Advisory (NSA) in Scotland intercepting Russian codes, speaking four languages of which one is Welch, getting his teaching and counseling credentials, climbing Mt. Whitney twice, and more.” Dick relates that he saved his summer school teaching salary to fund his travels. When Danni met him, he had started yet another career in real estate. Danni had married young and raised two daughters while working in several different fields. She got her real estate license and, together, they sold high-end homes. “We were a great team,” says Danni. “And that’s why we can travel now.”

They found they had so much in common: their faith, their love of travel, and their desire to help others. Dick and Danni married in 1998 in an ancient church in Wales. She calls him the love of her life.

Dick has scuba-dived on nearly every island in the Caribbean. One of their favorite trips was an epic train ride from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam, stopping for safaris and a night at Victoria Falls. They have visited every continent and many, many countries.

Dick has been active in the Lions Club, serving as the District Governor for 60 clubs in the Los Angeles area. They talked about the satisfaction of traveling through Mexico providing eye glasses as part of the Lions Club program.

When asked what is next for them, they said they are going to keep traveling. They are going to Japan soon. Dick’s veterans group will be meeting in Branson, Missouri in the fall. And at the end of the interview, they mentioned that they haven’t been to Iceland – yet.

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS Cont’d

Jacaranda Trees: Purple Splendor

Late spring and early summer are Jacaranda times in Southern California. The stunning purplish blue trumpet shaped flowers with mild fragrance drape our landscape when in full bloom and create a breathtaking display. Just one look at the majestic trees is sure to brighten your day. Admired for their elegant umbrella canopy tree structure, they are a great shade tree in the summer. The flowers commonly drop, making a carpet of purple and blue under the trees. A native of South and Central America, these trees thrive in warm climate and can be found in many areas around the world. Relatively low maintenance and drought resistant, these trees attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds promoting biodiversity.

Stop by our Heritage Garden or drive around Casta Del Sol, as we have many of these trees complementing our unique landscape. Pick up a few fallen flowers and you will see why hummingbirds love this stunning tree. So grab your hats, dab some sunscreen, and go out and enjoy nature’s beauty.

Where in the World: Patagonia

Patagonia is in the southern part of South America, covering parts of Argentina and Chile.

In Patagonia, my husband, Al, and I visited Los Glaciares National Park in southern Argentina, home to more than 200 glaciers, including the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. We hiked along a wonderful walkway with excellent views of the glacier and the surrounding mountains.

The Glaciares National Park is also home to the Fitz Roy Massif, a series of jagged, granite towers thrusting into the sky, and one of the most iconic sights in Patagonia. We started our

hike there very early while the clouds still obscured the views of the mountain. But, the scenery became more dramatic as the sky cleared and the sun started to come out. The trail ran along the river for the first mile, and then we entered the beech forest. Every time we saw the Fitz Roy Massif showing through the trees, we stopped to take pictures because we could not believe how beautiful it was, and we were afraid the clouds might return. Another must-visit location in Patagonia is Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. The park is famous for its granite towers, turquoise lakes, and Continued on next page

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS Cont’d

Where in the World: Patagonia

Continued from previous page

glaciers. On our bus ride from Argentina into Chile, we saw lesser rheas, the flightless South American relative of the ostrich, and many guanacos, a close relative of the llama, along with actual gauchos!

At Torres del Paine we stayed at EcoCamp Patagonia, a dome hotel with community domes for group gatherings and individual domes for private lodging. It was amazing being in the middle of the wilderness, but having such luxuries as a private bath, a real bed, and heat. We were very comfortable, even though we had several rainstorms and a lot of wind, which is typical of the area. The rains brought new snow on the mountains and a beautiful rainbow. The most amazing wildlife sighting was of

many condors flying in front of the snow-capped mountains, and included a close-up view of four perched about 100 feet away.

Our trip to Patagonia was an unforgettable experience that combined amazing hiking, awesome scenery, and unique wildlife.

Passionate Mah Jongg Mavens

Mah Jongg has been played for hundreds of years. According to historical records, it was developed in the mid to late 1800s around the Yangtze River Delta in China. The popularity spread to other parts of China, mostly in urban areas like Shanghai and Beijing. By the 1920s, it spread globally. By the mid-20th century, it became a hallmark of Jewish American culture. It is now played by all walks of people (although mostly women), both online and in person.

The game of Mah Jongg uses domino style tiles. There are 144 individual tiles in a set, grouped in several suits as well as flowers, dragons, and jokers. It is a game of both skill and luck. Consisting of groupings and runs, it has elements similar to rummy-based card games. The American version uses a card with designated hands to play that is changed annually.

The Casta del Sol Mah Jongg Mavens Club continues to grow as new residents arrive. Before the pandemic, the Mah Jongg Mavens Club played Monday nights and Saturday mornings. During the lock-down period, the Club continued with online play. Now it is played every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the Heritage Room. The first Saturday of each month is eagerly anticipated as tournament play

day. During tournaments the scoring and prize categories differ from regular play. A bonus on the tournament days is the pot luck lunch provided by the players. The Mah Jongg Mavens Club President is Jayne Freed and the Vice President is Myrna Smith. Most Saturdays boast from 10 to 16 players.

Those interested in learning the game can come any Saturday morning at 10 a.m. to observe. Several of the seasoned players offer lessons. Once newcomers are comfortable, they can attend weekly and experience the fun of visiting with friends, calling out tile names, and the adrenaline rush of shouting MAH JONGG!

"Mah Jongg was developed in the mid to late 1800s around the Yangtze River Delta in China."

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS Cont’d A Molding Experience

Providing one-on-one support to a new Ceramics Club member

Are you awed, impressed, and fascinated by the many beautiful ceramic pieces of art displayed in the windows at the Arts and Crafts room in Rec Ctr 1? How are they made and who makes them? Walk into the Arts and Crafts room in the morning to see many talented and very friendly CdS Ceramics Club members transforming clay into beautiful eye-catching utilitarian, functional or decorative pieces of art. The club boasts four internationally certified instructors and many highly experienced ceramists who will delightfully explain the process to you. The club has a very organized introductory plan for all new members who join the club. Each newbie receives one-on-one hands-on guidance from the talented educators. Ceramics requires one to follow the process step by step. All who join the club receive a handbook with instructions, so there is no need to memorize the steps. Under the watchful eye of experienced ceramists,

Continued on next page

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS Cont’d

A Molding Experience

Continued from previous page

members are guided through the process of preparing and pouring the mold, drying, firing in the kiln, decorating with different painting, glazing, and other finishing techniques; all at one’s own pace. What an awesome inspirational and satisfying experience that produces something tangible!

The club offers very affordable monthly group learning opportunities with all materials provided. Time honored techniques such as sgraffito, staining, and trailing that may be new to members are taught. The club hosts a Boutique in October and a Flea Market in February, where resident artisans showcase their artistic talents. The club usually designates a percentage of the proceeds to several charities.

Ceramics is a fascinating hobby that is therapeutic and relaxing. The CdS Ceramics Club provides a very welcoming and stimulating environment for members to socialize, build friendships, and share experiences. If you are excited about the possibility of what can be done with a lump of clay, then join the club, let your hands get dirty, make it as you like it, and enjoy the experience along the way.

Restaurant Review: Paul’s Pantry

If you like to go out for breakfast or lunch, Paul’s Pantry is a great place to try. It is family owned for more than 30 years and is open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is located at 27409 Bellogente #B, Mission Viejo. Simply head down Marguerite to Crown Valley and turn right. At the first stop light, right; Paul’s Panty sits next to Chili’s.

They have an extensive menu. Let me introduce you to one of their breakfast specialties, their famous cinnamon roll French toast. The cinnamon roll is dunked in delicious French toast batter and dusted with powdered sugar. Their specials include biscuits and gravy, a country combo, eggs with homemade corned beef hash, eggs benedict, and more. They offer a variety of omelets, including western and vegetable.

For lunch, they tempt you with twelve deluxe sandwiches such as beef dip au jus, grilled sandwiches, and burgers galore. There are several different salads, and a homemade chili that is very popular. Prices are in the $10 to $18 range. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the waiters are friendly and welcoming. There is outdoor seating available if you prefer.

Do you have a restaurant review to share? Please email to Fran Morgan at fmorgan17@cox.net

Remember When? Outings with Grandmother

Note: This is a reprint from the October 2020 issue of the Casta Courier by Barbara Kroe, a contributing writer, honoring her on her recent passing.

Teeney Kanter was my beloved grandmother. She lived in a two-story house in Brooklyn, many miles from my apartment in upper Manhattan. It took two train rides and a taxi that brought me to her. My parents divorced at a time when Jewish people mostly didn’t, and my grandma was my savior.

On one of my visits, she took me to Coney Island. To reach the beach, we had to ride on an elevated train

A Good Read: The Four Winds

Most people probably regard Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath as the definitive novel of the Dust Bowl. That book now has a rival, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.

This novel traces the life of Elsa Wolcott. Considered by her family too ugly and frail to do anything, as a young woman she finally decides to take charge of her life. The results are life changing.

As if the change from pampered invalid to hard-working farmer was not enough, Mother Nature kicks in. The Dust Bowl, then the Depression arrive.

How Elsa copes makes for a riveting read. Hannah brings the period to life. You can almost taste the dirt in your mouth as you read.

This book is available in the Casta del Sol Library.

carrying our necessities for the day... food, sandwiches, cookies and lots of drinks, bathing suits, bathing caps, towels, and suntan lotion. Little did I know she was taking me to a Bath House. Upon entering, I came faceto-face with a myriad of naked ladies walking idly around from lockers to the showers. As a 10-year-old girl, this was my first encounter with naked unknown people. Grandma just nonchalantly hustled me into my bathing suit for a remarkable day in the ocean. My fondest memories of the times we spent together, granddaughter and grandmother, bonding for a lifetime.

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS Cont’d

Sharing Our Roots: Fran Morgan

Fran Morgan’s ancestors have given her a rich family history and some unanswered questions.

Her paternal ancestors built a castle on 1,600 acres of land in the Lake District of England in 1350. Because the family was Catholic, they had to leave England for France during the Jacobite Wars. After the Wars ended, her ancestors returned to England. However, during the 1770s, her direct ancestor John Jacob Strickland, emigrated to Virginia and served in the Revolutionary War.

After that War, the family moved to Georgia and then in 1859 to Missouri. Here her great grandmother was widowed. She moved to Oklahoma where she married a circuit-riding preacher and ran a ranch. Her grandparents wanted a house in town. In order to gain title to their land under the Homestead Act provisions, they had to live in a dugout for several years with no electricity or running water. Fran remembers sleeping in the dugout which always smelled of the coal oil her grandmother used for cooking. She also remembers her grandmother sweeping under her cot before Fran

got up in the morning so she wouldn’t step on snakes or spiders.

Fran found out about an ancestor, Phillip Babb, who was said to be a pirate. He was reported to be “gnarly” with loathsome manners. It is said his ghost haunts the Isle of Shoals in Maine where he retired after sailing with Captain Kidd.

Her maternal ancestors also fought for our country. All four of the Conley brothers, including her great grandfather, served in the 29th Iowa infantry of the Union Army. This part of the family also moved a lot: from Iowa to Nebraska to Kansas to Oklahoma.

Although Fran knows a lot about her family, there are some unanswered questions: What caused John Jacob Strickland to leave England? Why did her ancestors move so much? She thinks it is because of economic difficulties and/or deaths of parents, but is unsure.

The castle built by the Strickland family still stands in England. It is now owned by the National Trust and is open to visitors. It is especially known for its beautiful gardens.

Casta Courier on the CdS Website

The Casta Courier can now be found on castadelsol.com more easily than before. Scroll down to the middle of the home page and click on the Casta Courier box. Find the current issue of the newsletter, as well as issues from previous years.

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS Cont’d

Pink Silk Trees

Beauty of Casta

Drive around Casta in the summer and you will not miss the beautiful, profusely-blooming Albizia Julibrissin colloquially known as Silk Flower Trees dotting our landscape. The unusual fluffy pink or cream flowers resembling a pin cushion or a pompom appear in clusters attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. A stunning ornamental, its arching branches provide perfect shade in the summer. These trees tolerate summer heat very well and the flowers prefer full sun. Indigenous to China, the lacy almost fern-like leaves of this tree slowly close at night, aptly earning the name of the “night sleeper” in eastern Asia. Enjoy these beauties in the summer as these are deciduous trees and will lose their leaves in the fall.

PEOPLE, PLACES & EVENTS

Cont’d

Courier Committee Members and Staff

Courier Chair Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Courier Associate Chair Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Lassos charlottelassos@gmail.com

Secretary Fran Morgan fmorgan17@cox.net

Section Editors:

Association News April Wilsey aprilincal@gmail.com

Bulletin Board Al Guild alguild@earthlink.net

Casta Community Donna Guild donnaguild@earthlink.net

Clubs Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Committees Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com

People, Places & Events Fran Morgan fmorgan17@cox.net

Sports Bob Destino bobdestino@outlook.com

Columnists:

On the Road Again Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Reflections of a Casta Newbie Nevin Valentine nevinvalentine@gmail.com

Small Talk Dorothy Frances dfranceswrites@yahoo.com

What’s Cooking Linda Brockmiller LindaBrock@cox.net

Feature Writers: Debra Friedman debrafriedman0@gmail.com

Sara Henninger saracly@gmail.comt

Jeff McCoy jmactr1@gmail.com

Fran Morgan fmorgan17@cox.net

Liz Rickett LizRickett@me.com

Parizad Sethna sethna7@hotmail.com

Staff Photographers: Darrell Holdaway holdaway@gmail.com

Fred Lake lakebcbc@gmail.com

Jeff McCoy jmactr1@gmail.com

Photo Coordinator: Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Proofreaders: Judy Barrett lvbarretts20@gmail.com

Darrell Holdaway holdaway@gmail.com

Kip Isbell kipisbell@live.com

Dottie Lewis dottielewis19@gmail.com

Suzanne Moore Jsmoore830@gmail.com

Claire Readey csreadey@gmail.com

Evelyn Rothert erothert@sbcglobal.net

Nevin Valentine nevinvalentine@gmail.com

Delivery Preparations: David Ankeny candyman803@gmail.com

Courier Volunteers

Calling All Stuffers!

We will meet on Tuesday, October 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the Vista Room to prepare the Courier for delivery. Please contact David Ankeny at candyman803@gmail.com if you are interested in helping.

Lee Adams

Pat Ahadyar

Janet Andrechak

Judy Barrett

Nancy Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal

Donna Bowne

Ree Brickmam

Mike Carr

Arline Chenarides

Ben Dolgin

Harriet Dolgin

Phyllis Foglesong

Jayne Freed

Debra Friedman

Jore Germeroth

Annette Harden

Dan Harden

Barbara Harris

Elaine Isbell

Kip Isbell

Eliana Jordan

Shelley Kirsch

Roni L’Angelle

Karen Legome

Mary Lehnhart

Ann Loranger

Mary Ellen Marcus

Cathy McCoy

Jeff McCoy

Brian McDonald

Beverly McKeon

Audrey Michaels

Judy Paskey

Laura Pfisterer

Marsha Rasmussen

Kathy Schinas

Richard Scott

Parizad Setha

Seth Sethna

Barry Silverman

Myrna Smith

Randy Smith

Marlene Solem

Don Stoddard

Dolores Thompson

Randy Thompson

Pam Townsend

Eric Vanderslice

Debby Wagner

John Wagner

Sarah Waldman

Linda Walters