Sun City Gardens throws quite an anniversary party

From left: Councilman Greg August; Dr. Laverne Joseph; Ted Holt; Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek; Gloria Sanchez. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

Residents of the facility and local dignitaries gathered at Sun City Gardens July 16 to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Retirement Housing Foundation, the parent company of the local retirement community.

Sun City Gardens, located at 28500 Bradley Road, was one of the first retirement homes under the umbrella of RHF, which now administers 194 housing communities in 29 states, the istrict of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was formed by two California United Church of Christ clergymen and one layman.

Dr. Laverne Joseph, president and CEO of RHF, was on hand at the celebration to honor the staff of Sun City Gardens, which opened in January of 1973. The program also included Ted J. Holt, administrator of the facility, and Edoardo Estrada, marketing director.

Guests were entertained by the Armand Blais Orchestra before the program opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by veterans Frank Ferraiolo, John Thayer and Mark Williams, who are all residents of Sun City Gardens. Ferraiolo turned 100 years old in January.

Estrada, who has been on staff at the facility for 23 years, made a presentation about the history of Sun City Gardens. Converted from a hotel to a retirement community in 1973, the facility offers independent living to seniors. At the time, a studio apartment rented for $373.

Menifee Mayor Pro Tem Lesa Sobek joined City Council member Greg August in presenting to Holt and Joseph a proclamation recognizing the anniversary of RHF and the contributions to the senior community by Sun City Gardens.

“I want to thank Ted for reaching out to the City Council, for this is truly an honor for us to be here today,” Sobek said in addressing the audience. You have served your communities and your country well, and we want to say thank you to you.”

August represents the Sun City community as the District 1 representative on the City Council.

“The City of Menifee and the community of Sun City is very proud of having a large community of senior citizens,” August said. “Some, depending on the individual circumstances, need specialized care. The work of RHF through Sun City Gardens is a valued and treasured resource for the City of Menifee.”

Also participating in the program was Gloria Sanchez, chair of the Menifee Senior Advisory Committee. Her mother is a resident at Sun City Gardens.

“I looked around for the right place for my mom, and Sun City Gardens was the right place,” Sanchez said. “They have the compassion, they’re really generous and they love everyone here. It shows in your faces. Thank you to the people of Sun City Gardens for everything you do.”

Guests enjoyed lunch after the program.

Irene Higginbotham, another 100-year-old resident of Sun City Gardens, was honored, along with Marie Farrago, who has lived at the facility the longest (40 years); Barbara Truncale, Senior of the Year, and Margaret Spiller, the staff’s longest serving member at 23 years.

Barbara Troncale is presented the Senior of the Year award by Ted Holt, administrator of Sun City Gardens.

Irene Higginbotham, 100 years old, is honored by Dr. Laverne Joseph of RHP.

Frank Ferraiolo, also 100, receives recognition as well.