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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | SEPTEMBER 2026 9 By Annette Hillis, Resident When the building of the Solera Diamond Valley neighborhood broke ground approximately 20 years ago, it was like the slow unveiling of a masterpiece. Step by step and home by home, the genesis of a heartland came forth. Brand new residents to the community had a desire to move to a place that offered a variety of niceties, none the least of which was socialization and connection. For many of those newcomers, that is exactly what they got, because what followed were two decades marked by genuine friendships and a community that truly felt like home. Carol Valade moved here from Orange County in August of 2007. "This has been the best place I've ever lived. My neighbors, all the people I've met, are friendly and genuinely care about each other." Also in August of 2007, Judy Rapll arrived and echoed a similar sentiment. "I'm originally from Buffalo but moved to San Diego first. When we decided to move from there, we were looking for something that we had in Buffalo – a cohesive neighborhood. We moved here to meet other people and socialize." Terry Vise, who entered SDV in May of 2017, was looking for something purposeful to do in her life. She also wanted to take part in activities with others. She says, "I moved here wanting to get involved." Becoming involved in various groups was central to Mary Ann Guihan, too. She moved here in July of 2009. "There were only about 100 homes, but there was a closeness in our community. I was the first volunteer coordinator, and we had many kinds of events going on. I remember less traffic and a lot of empty land. We had lots of frogs and rabbits around, too," she chuckled. The land, the scenery, and the proximity to the Lodge went into Teresa Malone's home choice when she came in January of 2018. "I love the view from my backyard. Also, the convenience of my house to what's happening is perfect." Irving Waldo, a June 2009 arrival, smiled as he recalled the pristine property back then. "Riding our bikes through the dirt with my wife was fun. She liked to collect the rocks we found along the way." Waldo happily acknowledges that living here is the longest he's ever lived in a house. Seeing her home being built right before her eyes was something that Alda Pitt remembers. She moved in around December of 2015 and said she "kept a close eye on the workers" to make sure all went well. Michelle Schag came into the neighborhood in July of 2007 and loved the fact that there were many Pulte-sponsored trips. Although her tight-knit neighbors traveled to many places in California, Schag "liked the casino trips best of all." But the very definition of camaraderie came from Rosemary Calomese – one of the first to move in around September of 2007. "We would all get together behind the unfinished Lodge and drink wine. Everybody back then was open to sharing." It was in those early sunset gatherings that the blueprint for a lifelong community was written. Here's to another 20 years. Cheers! Twenty Years of Connection – The People

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