Solo Sierrans welcomes newcomers

The Solo Sierrans, the Sierra Club section geared to the older single adult, welcomes new participants.

In April, Solos held a welcoming party for new Solos. At least 10 new folks were among the 20 Solos gathered at Norma Miller's lovely Piedmont home. Our co-chairs Vera Lis and Marie Rhein and other Solos' boardmembers gave background about the Solos, and we all shared good camaraderie. Perhaps you'll be among the new Solos at our next party (but don't wait till then to join us).

Why did these people join Solos?

Eleanor Buchner learned of the Solos through her dancing friend Debbie Aoki, a long-time Solos participant and editor of our newsletter. Debbie's account of Solos' hikes stirred Eleanor's interest. Eleanor loves the outdoors and nature, and is very active.

Charleen Pertschuk heard of Solos through a newspaper. She saw that Solos offers some of her favorite activities such as creative writing and sketching. Charleen also likes the potlucks and get-togethers. These events offer socializing with other Solos, whom she finds interesting and diverse.

The newcomers' party was Harry Freeman's first event as a full-fledged Solos subscriber. He had first tried a guest (six-month) subscription, and liked it. Harry likes the flexibility of the Solos' schedule. He especially enjoys walks and hikes.

New Solo Phyllis Stevens likes to hike, camp, and meet new people, and enjoys being with other singles. She has a busy schedule. As well as working part-time at an extended-care facility, multi-talented Phyllis acts in the theater, performs tap dances, and sings with a gospel choir.

The Solo Sierrans, a section of the Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club, has been around since the mid-1970s and has close to 200 subscribers. The Solos offer a wide range of activities with the over-50 adult in mind.

We schedule moderate hikes and leisurely walks each week. Year-round we hold Tuesday hikes at Lake Chabot and Wednesday hikes at Lafayette Reservoir. Friday hikes vary by the month - Inspiration Point, Upper San Leandro Reservoir, Briones Reservoir, or San Pablo Reservoir. All of these events include an optional dinner at a nearby restaurant, and an occasional picnic or potluck. On weekends we hold more hikes and walks at varied locations.

Other Solos social and cultural activities include ballroom dancing, potlucks, game nights, theater events, and museum visits. Jack Sneddon's 3 - 5-day car-camping trips are outstanding, and offer fun and fellowship in state parks throughout California. To see featured events for the month, check out the Solos' web site at: http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/solos

A small sampling of Solos activities is listed in the "Events and Activities" calendar in each Yodeler.

A one-time six-month subscription to Adventures, our newsletter, is $15. A regular one-year subscription is $20, and requires proof of Sierra Club membership. Send checks to:

Solo Sierrans
P. O. Box 11635
Oakland, CA 94611.

For more information call co-chair Marie Rhein at (510) 658-3124 or membership coordinator Dolores Gruenewald at (510) 351-6247. You can be our next new participant.

Joanna Katz, Pat Tam, and Therese Pipe