Villages Hiking Club

Castle Rock Park Hike

This shady hike in the northern part of Castle Rock State Park along Highway 35 and the return along the mostly level Achistaca Indian Trail made for a very pleasant day. Wednesday, June 19th Cookie Hunley, Karan Foss, Susan Brown, Terri Molloy, Bonnie Preston, Faye Swanson, and Dan Kato participated.

Big Basin State Park Hike

Nancy Rumple led a hike for the long hikers to Big Basin State Park. We stopped for lunch here.

The weather was perfect, and a good time was had by all. Thank you, Nancy, for leading us so well.

Flag Raising At The Top

Several members participated in a flag posting at the top of Sky way trail near the mail box this past Wednesday, June 12th . This was done in commemoration of flag day to remind us of the greatness of this country.

Jackie Jones, Carolyn Tornay, Mary Wu, Nora Chang, Gisela Pearson, Gigi Clarke, Jim Beyer, Carol Begley, Jane Ruona, Nancy Rumple(Quincy Chang-Photographer)

Wine Tasting Event

The wine tasting event was held on May 9th and enjoyed by all
that attended. A slideshow of the vineyards and the surrounding hiking areas was viewed as everyone nibbled on cheese and crackers. Next, three wines from a local winery were paired with the appropriate food courses, prepared by some of the best chefs in our community. Dessert and coffee followed. It was an excellent culinary experience as well as an enjoyable evening.

Uvas Canyon Waterfall Hike

We had a good turnout, and Jackie Jones not only led the hike, but baked snicker doodles for us to enjoy at lunch! As promised, there were waterfalls…and a curious little newt

HELLO HOLLYWOOD

Karen Kosmala & Rod Murry

The Hiking Club’s last social event was HELLO HOLLYWOOD on March 14^th at Vineyard Center. It was a successful event enjoyed by many. Participants were encouraged to dress up as celebrities. The First Place winner of the contest, were voted unanimously by members, Sonny (Rod Murray) and Cher (Karen Kosmala). As Sonny and Cher arrived on the Red Carpet they had a recorder playing “I’ve Got You Babe” which added a lot to their costumes. The Second Place winner was George Burns (John Laws) and Gracie Allen (Karen Carlson).

Karen Carlson & John Laws

The Third Place winner was Brad Hinckley and Nancy Mosher-Williams playing Rhett Butler and Vivian Leigh from Gone with the Wind. Runners up in third place were Cary Grant (Wate Bakker) and Elvis (Jack Stednitz).
Academy Award trivia was played during the dinner as a table activity. The table that won was awarded small Oscars, by Barbara Orlando, co-social chair of the Hiking Club. The Dazzling Diva’s and Mr. B, a tap dance group from Southside Community Center danced two dances; “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle” during the event. Wate and Johanna Baker, the President of the Hiking Club dressed as Cary Grant and Audrey Heburn.

Brad Hinckley & Nancy Mosher-Williams

Tony & Barbara Orlando

Victor Kelaita

Bonnie Preston

Katy Obringer

Jack Stednitz

Wate Bakker

The Dazzling Diva’s and Mr. B

Marion Hawkins

New Hiking Trail

A new trail on our hill has been created ending with a beautiful panoramic view of Silicon Valley. The trail can be accessed by first headingup Rawhide to Tower Trail. At Tower turn right and go up that road. Before you get to our property line you will see the trail on the left, starting at the dirt steps, to a series of switchbacks that go to the top of the knoll. There is still a little work to do to level off the trail in spots so be careful. There are also some fairly large “fox holes” on the hill that one can step in so it is best to stay on the trail and not venture into the grass and weeds. We plan to do a little more work on the trail, probably during our maintenance day in April, to make it more level. Also, there is a picnic table on order that will be placed at the top.

Thanks go to those who supplied the sweat equity including Katy Obringer, Alan Waltho, Chuck Wyatt, Deb and Marc Siedband and Dan Kato. Also, thanks to Phil Grote who came up with the idea.

2013 Soup & White Elephant Event

The soup & white elephant party was attended by around fifty members and their guests. The event started with heavy hors d’oeuvres followed by the main course, soup. There were several types ranging from split pea soup and French onion to many other delicious types. Dan Kato’s Mother celebrated her eight-eighth birthday with a surprise birthday cake and song. The evening ended with the white elephant gift exchange. There were many gifts and some were actually very nice for the event.

2013 New Years Day Hike

Our New Years Day Hike to the top was successful as we had about thirty-five members attend. The long hikers met at Foothill Center at 10:00 a.m. Leisurely hikers met at the upper garden parking lot at 9:15 a.m. We all met at the top of hill by the mail box at about 11:30. Members brought cookies, candy, various nuts, and other snacks to share with friends and fellow hikers. It was a beautiful morning for hiking and enjoying each others company.

2012 Holiday Party

What a holiday party it was. Barbara Orlando, a new Hiking Club member and the new Co-Vice-President of Socials for 2013 out did herself in every way. She made ALL the food for around 85 people and it was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented on most festive tables. The details of the garnishes alone brought rave reviews. She is an incredibly creative person and loves entertaining in this way. We can’t thank her enough for all she did to make this a most special party. Hats off to your Barbara with many thanks for a job superbly done!

Along with great, great food, lovely decorations, and visiting with old friends and new friends, we had a six piece band, The Black Mountain Radio Band, that provided upbeat music throughout the evening for toe tapping and more. And that visit from Santa was a nice surprise. All together a fun holiday party.

Thanks to Barbara Orlando and Bonnie Preston for being on the planning end of it all with me. Thanks to Tony Orlando, Betty Ruboyianes, Johanna Bakker and Joyce Slocum for their help in taking food from the Cribari refrigerators to Foothill and assisting in the kitchen as needed. And additional thanks to all those that stayed late to help clean up.

Happy holidays and happy hiking to all of you,

Katy