Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1542221
18 | LIFE IN SOLERA | JANUARY 2026 | AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE CLUB Holiday Magic at the Solera Clubhouse: The Solera Clubhouse was transformed into a dazzling display of holiday cheer, thanks to the creativity and teamwork of our wonderful community members. From sparkling trees to beautifully arranged decorations throughout the great room, every corner shines with festive spirit. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who participated in making this year's holiday décor so special. The time, effort, and imagination that went into every detail truly brought the season to life. The African American Culture Club was proud to be part of this joyful celebration, helping to spread warmth and happiness throughout Solera. The Clubhouse now stands as a reflection of our community's unity, pride, and shared holiday spirit. We hope you took a moment to visit and enjoy the festive trees and stunning decorations that make this season at Solera truly magical. Happy New Year! ~ Gwen Hill Jan. 12 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm in Oakmont Room 1 Recently completed and produced through Amazon, My Family History: Stories to Crowe About relates interesting stories — many even exciting — of Zumwalt, DeWitt, & Ford Families in America. Richard will discuss it in the January meeting of the Solera History Group. The book follows on 30 years of collecting stories, memoirs, and photographs and two years of off-on writing. Not just a family tree with lines, names, and dates, the book is the story of peoples who migrated, toiled, triumphed, and suffered across America. It is the story of men who served in war, women and children who survived or died in child birth, and children who all had chores to do. The book contains nearly 300 photographs and includes one short chapter on managing photos. Thanks to Lane Joel for help on this! Three chapters focus on three generations of my mother's family who in 1878 began a life and legacy in Tulare, CA. My mother was born and raised there to parents who were both medical doctors. One chapter describes ancestors who were caught up in the Civil War: e.g., a 4-greats aunt had a run-in with the bushwhacker William Quantrill in southwest Missouri and was nearly killed …my great-great grandfather, Pleasant Lafayette Ford, a Confederate horse soldier in Missouri, nearly died by firing squad in 1862. In another chapter Solomon Zumwalt, a first cousin, six-times removed, describes his father's and uncles' experiences in the American Revolution and his own growing up life in the Missouri wilderness in the very early 1800s. Finally, one chapter is devoted to my uncle, lieutenant (25 years later) admiral, Elmo R. Zumwalt's service in the Pacific in WWII aboard the destroyer USS Robinson supporting island invasions and dodging harrowing kamikaze attacks. HISTORY GROUP See all the club-decorated trees on page 16