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| OHCC LIVING | NOVEMBER 2025 | 33 Club W Club W, like all clubs at Ocean Hills, meets once a month, on the third Saturday of the month, in the Abravanel Hall. Besides enjoying these meetings, our members know we are there for them. Few things are more difficult than the loss of a spouse helping folks get on with their lives is what our club was formed for. From 10 people in the beginning, we have grown to over 100 members. Our happy hour last month on the Palm Court gave us an opportunity to get together, have a light snack, meet folks, and enjoy interesting conversations. Our first Thursday luncheon, now arranged by Lauretta Hartzell, was at Curbside restaurant. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. There were about 25 of us. A decision has been made to have these luncheons every other month. So, there was none in October, November we are all busy with Thanksgiving and Sat., Dec. 20, we will be our holiday lunch in Abravanel Hall. We were fortunate to have one of our own residents, Ernie Glover, give a "coming of age" talk, at our October meeting. He shared his experiences as a "combat weatherman," in Vietnam. He explained to us how his weather forecast, and conditions were critical to helicopter pilots and ground troops. He served in the Air Force for four years as part of the Air Force weather service. We thank him for his service. For November's program, we will have a very helpful and informative talk on skin care. Join us on Nov. 15 in the Abravanel Hall at 10 am. I am sure none of you ladies will want to miss that. Guys, join us also. Everyone is invited. We look forward to meeting you. Written by Selma Leighton Where the Monarchs Spend the Winter: As the butterf ly season comes to a close, a very special generation of monarchs begins a remarkable journey. These butterf lies, born late in the year, are different from those of spring and summer. Instead of living only four to six weeks, they enter a state of rest that allows them to survive through the cold months — up to five months in total. This process, called overwintering, is essential to the survival of the species. Western Monarchs migrate to select coastal sites in California — Big Sur, Pacific Grove, and a handful of other groves — where towering eucalyptus and Monterey pine trees provide the cool, moist microclimate they need. There, monarchs cluster tightly together on branches, their wings overlapping like shingles on a roof, helping them conserve warmth and protect one another from the elements. From late October until early March, these trees shimmer with living color as thousands of butterf lies ride out the winter together. But the number of monarchs making this journey has fallen sharply over the decades. In the 1997–1998 winter season, more than 1.2 million monarchs were counted at California's overwintering sites. By contrast, the 28th annual Western Monarch Count, conducted by hundreds of volunteers last year, reported a peak of just 9,119 butterf lies, the second-lowest population ever recorded. This dramatic decline is why monarchs are now under consideration for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. What's Next for Our Sanctuary Here at Ocean Hills, your Save the Monarch Butterf ly (SMB) Club is already preparing our own sanctuary garden for fall and winter. Under the leadership of Ruth Schafer, with expert guidance from Joyce Baker, the team is planning seasonal maintenance and laying the groundwork for spring. We're also adding more plant- identification signs to inspire your own butterf ly-friendly yards. For safety, the Board will decide whether the garden should be locked during periods of heavy rain to avoid slips and falls, and we will keep you updated. Lend a Hand: The sanctuary is not just a garden — it's a living classroom and a symbol of what a caring community can accomplish together. We welcome more directors on our Board and extra hands in the soil. Whether you'd like to join in decision-making or simply enjoy planting alongside neighbors, we have a place for you. • To inquire about a Board seat: Rona Cole at ronacole@me.com • To volunteer in the sanctuary: Ruth Schafer at ruthellen45@ gmail.com Together, we can ensure that Ocean Hills continues to play its part in protecting monarchs—and in keeping their magic alive for generations to come. Written by Rona Cole & Ruth Schafer Save the monarch butterfly

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