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By the current Board, Suzanne Wade, Sue Lewen, Pam Kent and Vivian Bellini Do you ever feel you want to join a fun club? Well here is a very friendly and crafty club to consider, the Quilting Club! You don't have to have great sewing skills, or any at all for that matter. We can show you how, especially now that you've got time to spare (assuming you are fully retired). Prior to the COVID pandemic, we used to have weekly open sessions in the Craft Room every Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. This was the place we learned all different ideas and shared with each other. It had been such a great time for all, and I'm sure all the members miss it. However, all is not lost. We are planning to do some teaching classes, which will include craft items for the upcoming Craft Fair which we are planning sometime in October. The Craft Fair may take place outside or inside depending on the COVID situation. Another thing we have done, and hope to resume, are our quilting retreats, a two-day event at The Lodge. We play games, have lunch and get to know each other in a fun, friendly environment. This year we are trying something new and are having the retreat via Zoom. By the time you read this, we will have had our first quilting retreat via Zoom; we'll let you know how that all went in the next View article. We are quite patriotic and make Quilts of Valor to give to our Solera Diamond Valley Veterans on Veteran's Day each year. To receive a quilt, each veteran needs to complete a request form. We also make and donate children's quilts to ChildHelp. So if you would like to get involved and make a difference in someone's life, these are two projects that are very rewarding and very much appreciated. If you are inclined to just enjoy the art of quilting and making projects for your own family and friends, you can do that also, there are no requirements to belong other than a desire to share time with neighbors and friends and quilt. We're especially reaching out to all longtime residents and new residents that have moved here since the pandemic to let you know about our club. We are a fun and friendly group who welcome new members anytime. This just might be right up your alley. Please, if this has motivated your interest, we'd love to have you join us,. For more information, contact Suzanne Wade at (951) 791- 1707 (H) or (951) 380-1210 (cell) or email at qltangl@verizon.net. The SDV Quilt Club By Clare Mendez, Resident A little over a year ago now, when the gym and swimming pools were closed at The Lodge due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Connie Falconer started riding her bike around the Island to get her exercise. If you were outside for any reason, chances are you saw her pedaling by. She relishes seeing and speaking with the neighbors. Connie remarked about how lonely it was to not be allowed to go anywhere and hang out or play games with others as she used to. She found that just getting out of the house and calling out a "hello" as she rode by on her trike was uplifting. It was equally important for her to keep moving and not let the fact that the swimming pool and gym were closed stop her from getting the exercise she needed. Lately, a couple of her friends joined her twice-a-day bicycle tour for the afternoon ride. My husband and I call the trio of Connie, JoAnn Gaylord and Jana Main "The Biker Chicks." I suspect some other neighbors have similar pet names for them as they have become a welcome sight to have ride by and greet us. As we wait for things to open up, and you see these lovely ladies ride by, call out to them and say hello. A warm greeting and smile is as infectious as any pandemic. THE BIKER CHICKS THE BIKER CHICKS SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | APRIL 2021 9

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