1955 –1989 Sandjammers
By Evelyn Burns in 1995

 Traditionally the couples clubs in the Presbyterian Church were named for clipper ships, but we felt that our name should be indicative of the desert rather than the ocean.  The name Sandjammers seemed like a good compromise.

 Our first priority was getting acquainted and assessing the talents of our members which would be utilized in the many projects of the future.  In the beginning most of the maintenance of the church was done by volunteers and almost every Saturday was a workday.  The men mowed the lawn and built cabinets, tables etc., and the women brought flowers for the altar, cleaned and arranged rooms for church school and always kept the kitchen in order. It was a great day when Murrell Simpson was hired in the early 60’s as our first maintenance man.

 There was no money in the budget to hire an attendant in the nursery, so we volunteered for that job as our cargo for the first year.  If you weren’t teaching a Church School class, singing in the choir or helping with the church service, you were expected to serve whenever you were needed in the nursery.

 Monthly meetings were varied; some were fun parties or we had speakers to inform us of community and mission activities we could involve ourselves in and there was always a devotional to remind us we were not just a club, but a group of people doing God’s work.

 In addition to our service to Orangewood, members became involved in many other projects.  We participated in activities at Boys Ranch where several of our members served on the Board.  We brought cans of food to our meetings and regularly donated to food and clothing banks.  On Easter Sunday some of our members were up long before dawn to prepare coffee, hot chocolate and donuts to be served after the Sunrise Service.

We enjoyed many cookouts and potluck dinners, and the pancake suppers were our one money-raising event.  We even had Aunt Jemima herself at several of the suppers.

We tried to keep the group small enough to meet in homes, and so at the end of the first year we divided according to ages, and the younger group called themselves the Desert Dinghies.  By 1957 there were four couples clubs; the Roadrunners and the Cactus Clippers had been added.

Our last meeting as Sandjammers was in December 1989, and the next year we reorganized as the Roamers.

The primary purpose of the couples clubs was to promote Christian fellowship in the church, and in achieving that goal we made many friendships that will last a lifetime; a special bond that makes us always a part of a joyful, loving and caring Orangewood Church.

See also the Sandjammers Picture Book *

DESERT DINGHIES
Lois Manning

Desert Dinghies couples club was organized when Sandjammers, the first couples club at Orangewood, divided because it became too large a group.  Placement of members was determined by the combined age of the couple.  Two other groups were also formed, the Cactus Clippers (younger couples) and the Roadrunners which was composed of seniors and retirees.  The idea was that when a couple's combined age reached a certain number, they would advance to the next group.

These clubs became Mariners groups, with officers, i.e. Skippers, First Mates, Log Keepers Pursers, Chaplains and Lookouts.  This format lasted a number of years until couples no longer wanted to move up to the next group and it became difficult to get enough people to fill all the positions of the Mariners.

Ultimately, Desert Dinghies evolved to become a fellowship group with not only couples but also singles.  A couple or two single people act as coordinators to plan an activity for the group each month.  Different couples volunteer for each month.

Fellowship and friendships within the Desert Dinghies continue.  Many members have been in this fellowship group many years and it continues to be an active group.

1970 – Present  S.A.G.E.S.
(Senior Adults Gaining Enrichment Socially)
By Esther Rings based, in part, on an interview with Dorothy Chamberlin

 S.A.G.E.S. has always met on the second Tuesday of each month.  A luncheon, program, and fellowship have been the format.  S.A.G.E.S. had its beginning around 1970 or 1971 while Sam Lindamood was pastor.  It was first the responsibility of the deaconesses.  Those who weren't working women took turns shopping, preparing the food, setting the tables, and providing entertainment.  This plan continued during the time that Reverend Kenneth Gates served as pastor and was still in place when Dr. Mark Koehler was called as interim pastor.  Betty Wiley and Marilyn Six assumed much of the responsibility, and there were many willing helpers, but no one really wanted to be in charge.  Sometime in 1978, Dr. Koehler called Dorothy Chamberlin into his office and said, "None of the deacons wants to be in charge of S.A.G.E.S.".  Dorothy said to me in the interview, "I knew what he was getting at, so I said, 'Well, I'll be in charge."'  Dr. Koehler continued, "We need someone to be in charge because-" and he began giving reasons.  Dorothy said, "Maybe you didn't hear me.  I said I would take charge of S.A.G.E.S."  "Don't interrupt me," Dr. Koehler continued.  "I have at least twenty more reasons, and I don't want them to go to waste."

 Thus, Dorothy Chamberlin became queen of the S.A.G.E.S. kitchen for the next ten years.  I was amazed when, during our interview, she popped out of the room for a few minutes and returned with the original copy of a S.A.G.E.S. cookbook.  She and Joan Collins had put it together from recipes Dorothy had used during her years of cooking for S.A.G.E.S.  It included menus, shopping lists, the costs of items purchased, and the amount of cash on hand at the end of each month.  The cover page is dedicated to her volunteer helpers.  "This is my legacy to my 'Orangewood Family', whose love and support have meant so much to me."  Dorothy sings the praises of the many volunteers who took on a variety of jobs: shopping, table setting, chopping, cooking, serving, etc.  Several couples participated.  These included Chuck and Ione Bullard, Jim and Dottie Digges, Harriett and Fred McFarland, and Clydelle and Ed Scannell.  Bill Burke was sometimes on hand for heavy lifting of food-filled pans.  Ann Fielder used to do much of the shopping.  Elsie Anderson took charge of beverages.  Barbara Denboer and Evelyn Burns set the tables, and Lois Manning was always ready for any job.

 Until 1988, the S.A.G.E.S. met in the old fellowship hall, now our Music Center.  It had a kitchen with an unpredictable stove.  Dorothy remembers that for one of the luncheons she had fixed a nice large casserole and put it in the oven.  After about thirty minutes she discovered that the oven was on the blink; no heat.  Dorothy said to the helpers, "Have the program first."  She hauled the casserole to her house, baked it, and returned for a late lunch.

 Sometimes S.A.G.E.S. was offered left-over food from other church social events.  On one occasion Dorothy was given 200 hotdogs and buns.  After a short time of pondering how these could be delicately disguised, she hit upon a fine idea.  She ground the hotdogs in the food processor, added barbecue sauce, heated that mix and the buns in the oven, and had a new version of sloppy Joes.  It was well received.  Nothing ever seemed to stump her.  A quote from the foreword of her cookbook states, "It isn't the end of the world if everything doesn't turn out perfectly."  She ends her foreword with this suggestion to future kitchen cooks: "Good luck! Don't be afraid to try new things.  Use your imagination and you will find it can be great fun and a rewarding experience!"

 S.A.G.E.S. luncheons originally cost $1.00 per person.  Dorothy found that she needed $1.25.  By the end of most years she had accumulated enough surpluses to send $50.00 to St. Mary's Food Bank.

 In 1988, Dorothy told Associate Pastor Barbara Haddon that it was time to find someone else for the job of S.A.G.E.S. cook.  Barbara said, "There isn't anyone else who will do it." Dorothy said, "Try Jeanne Matt."  And so it came to pass that a new and equally talented, fun-loving, well-organized kitchen queen reigned over, and still reigns over, the S.A.G.E.S. luncheons.  We had a big celebration for Jeanne on the tenth anniversary of her volunteer work with S.A.G.E.S., honoring also her faithful helpers.  Jeanne says, "With my long history with Presbyterian Women and S.A.G.E.S., I have relied on a multitude of talented and capable women who have volunteered their time in the kitchen.  They would be too numerous to list, and I would not want to miss naming a single one."

 I began coordinating the S.A.G.E.S. program around 1994.  By then the cost had risen to $1.50, but there was no money for programming.  I asked for a volunteer planning committee, and we decided we needed to charge enough to have a program fund.  The luncheon cost is now $3.00, and it's still "a smokin' deal."  The food is delicious, and we have many good programs.  Jeanne Matt and her crew find, as Dorothy Chamberlin suggested, that preparing food for S.A.G.E.S. can be a lot of fun.  When I hear their hearty laughter coming from the kitchen as they prepare each meal, I'm tempted to resign as coordinator and become a kitchen volunteer.

 Jeanne not only conjures up a wild and wonderful variety of delicious meals, she also furnishes new and different table decorations each month.  She has a collection of decorations to fit any occasion and possesses the imagination to display them in ways that delight the eye.  She also has a nose for bargains, which is good, as she only charges $1.75 per plate.  Occasionally Jeanne will proudly announce to the group the cost of a particular item.  Her best-ever bargain was the purchase of 4000 orange napkins on sale for $2.50.

 In 1995, Sandy Carucci came to Orangewood as our first parish nurse.  She became part of the planning team, and we added a health clinic to our pre-luncheon format.  We have since had two other excellent parish nurses, Debbie Harbinson, and our current, Peggy Smith.  The health clinic offers blood pressure screening, a good listening ear, and frequent health tips.  It has been a great addition to our program..

 In 2002, Millie Bartlett, former activities coordinator at Beatitudes Campus of Care, joined S.A.G.E.S as co-coordinator.  She has brought new life and fresh program ideas to the group.  We don't have officers, as was the case in the early years, but members volunteer for jobs.  Planning committee members have included Dottie Brewer, Kenneth Beatty, Eleanor Glay, Dorothy Derse, Fran Fessler, Leslie Wilson, Joe Abdai, Walt Adams, Babe and Mac McColl, Goff Whitworth, Betty Thompson, Sandy Carucci, Debbie Harbinson, Esther Rings, and Millie Bartlett.  Phone volunteers call and get the count of those planning to attend each month.  The past year the telephoners were Dottie Brewer, Dorothy Derse, Shirley Guess, Babe McColl, Madeline Wall, Betty Thompson, and Goff Whitworth.  They play a vital role in keeping members informed of S.A.G.E.S. programs, dates, and times.  Many will remember that for years Emogene and Murray Starr collected and handled the money.  Other money collectors have included Mary Turkal, Juynema Steele, Dorothy Derse, Dottie Brewer, Fran Fessler, and Babe McColl.  Goff Whitworth, Betty Thompson, Dottie and Jim Digges, Kenneth Beatty, Millie Bartlett, and Peggy Hagen have provided transportation.

 Programs have been many and varied.  We've had fiddlers, harpists, a recorder ensemble, as well as hula, Mexican, Irish, and line dancers.  Programs have included hoedowns, a kitchen band, a crazy hat day, and a silly style show.  School groups such as Washington District Honor Choir and All-Saints' 4th grade music groups have brought programs to our stage.  We have sing-alongs, and hymn sings.  Talented individuals and groups from our own Orangewood congregation have furnished fine programs.

 Outreach programs include the collection of food items for ICM and regular contributions to the Presbytery hunger fund.  Volunteers send appropriate notes to members with special concerns.

 Birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated each month, and we often spotlight individuals with a series of "Guess who?" questions, or with a take-off on "This is your life."  Luncheons are served by the kitchen volunteers from October through May.  The summer months are often "brown bag" luncheons, with dessert and drinks furnished.

 An ongoing photo album is a reminder of special programs and activities.  Ask to see it sometime, and do come join us.  S.A.G.E.S. is really for all ages.