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L-R: Patti Stock (kneeling), Dorothy Hoecker (standing), Carol Jenson, Nella Tatman, Ronnie Zacker, Sherryl Verdugo, and Jan Sigenfuse (standing). | LIFE IN SOLERA | NOVEMBER 2024 | 13 By Shirley Ferguson Every fall, the Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District holds a series of competitions called "The Oldlympics" for people aged 50 and older. This year's 39th annual event was held from Sept. 20th to Oct. 8th at various locations throughout the San Jacinto Valley. The Oldlympics annually draws more than 600 competitors. There were 19 events over 18 days. Events are bench press, billiards, bingo, bowling, chair volleyball, cribbage, golf, horseshoes, pickleball, pinochle, Scrabble, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, tennis, Texas Hold'em, Tournament Blackjack, and track and field. Fees start at $5 for a single event up to $23 for unlimited events and includes a T-shirt. Register is at the Sport Center, 901 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto, or the Valle Vista Community Center, 43935 E. Acacia Ave., Hemet. Make a note, or keep this article to participate next year. It's tons of fun! Tennis Titans would like to congratulate, salute, and celebrate our own competitors and winners for this year's 2024 competition. RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT Herman Jamilano and Terrie Garcia earned bronze trophies for mixed double tennis. Terrie Garcia also competed in pickleball. Herman Jamilano and Lee McCullough won gold in men's tennis doubles. Solera Oldlympic Champs Eight years ago, a group of friends and I came together with a shared mission: to explore new destinations and activities once a month and simply enjoy each other's company. We called ourselves "8 is Enuff." Over the years our adventure has taken us to many different places but one of our most rewarding activities has been giving back to the community through the Ronald McDonald House. At Loma Linda Hospital, many families have children undergoing medical treatment, and during these difficult times, a home-cooked meal can provide a moment of comfort. That's where we come in. Our group decided to prepare "meals of love" for these families. We gather ingredients, prepare and serve the meals at the Ronald McDonald House. Although rising food prices have made it harder for us to contribute as often as we'd like, with the help of Ronald McDonald House, we stretch our resources to make it happen. The smiles and gratitude from the families remind us why we do this. It's not just about the food, it's about offering a bit of warmth and support to families facing some of the toughest moments in their lives. Each meal is a small reminder that they are not alone, and for us, knowing we made a difference in their day is one of the greatest rewards. ~ Dorothy Hoecker