December 2011 — www.robsonranchpioneerpress.com


Tuesday Tasters judge scary wines at October’s gathering


Catherine Bass The Tuesday Tasters met at the home of


Carolyn and Phil Wilson in October. The theme for the month was “scary” wine labels. Wines were also judged according to taste. Winning hands-down for taste was


Casillero del Diablo, a Malbec 2010 from Chile, contributed by Susan and Fred Henderson. This is a robust Malbec with intense, dark fruits, black pepper and vanilla. It is full bodied, fresh and fruit and has a long, mouth-watering fi nish. This wine goes great with grilled meats and roasted vegetables. Susan and Fred chose this wine as “scary” because more than 100 years ago Don Melchor de Concha y Toro reserved for himself an exclusive batch of the best wine he produced. And to keep strangers away from his private reserve, he spread the rumor that the devil lived in that place. Hence the name Casillero del Diablo or “Cellar of the Devil.” It


is still produced and bottled in


Chile by Vina Concha Y Toro S.A. Winning the “scariest” label was the


wine contributed by Mary Ann and Wayne Ballard: Mad Housewife. It is a California Chardonnay, vented and bottled by Mad


CLUBS AND CLASSES


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Susan and Fred Henderson, winners of “scariest wine.”


Housewife Cellars, American Canyon, Napa County, CA. Wayne said he chose this wine label because if you have ever seen a mad housewife, it’s scary! Wishing you good holiday sipping. 


Happy holidays from the African American Social Group


Marie Milleage Members of the African American


Social Group wish our neighbors a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa and Healthy New Year. The African American


social group


invites all black residents to join in our fellowship and friendships and to welcome


new homeowners to Robson Ranch. Only one member of the family needs to be black. Gatherings are held at a resident’s home or in a restaurant. We are not a club, religious or political organization, and do not charge fees. For additional information about joining us, please contact Marie Milleage at 940-262-3108. 


Just Good Reading Book Club finishes Cutting for Stone


Margaret Browning The November selection was Cutting For


Stone by Abraham Verghese, Vintage Press. Abraham Verghese, author, was born in


1955 in Ethiopia to parents from India. He began his medical training in Ethiopia, but his education was interrupted during civil unrest when the Emperor was deposed and a military government took over. He went to medical school at Madras Medical College in India then traveled to the United States to complete his medical training. After residency and years of practice, due to exhaustion, he took a hiatus from medical practice


and enrolled at Iowa Writers


Workshop. He is currently at Stanford University as Professor for the Theory and Practice of Medicine and as associate Chair of Internal Medicine. Cutting for Stone is considered an epic


novel due to length and complexity of story. Due to the medical content the topic is defi nitely directed to a mature audience. Dr. Verghese borrowed liberally from his personal life experience to give credibility to this work. The story takes place in Ethiopia, India and the United States. It is a story of brothers who follow in the footsteps of their adoptive parents, becoming medical doctors. Their birth, childhood and mature lives are explored over these three continents, countries and cultures. The human emotions of love and betrayal


are explored based on the communication between expatriates, outsiders, and the bonds of twin boys, Marion and Shiva. The story begins with the bond between


the biological parents, Dr. Stone and Sister Mary Joseph Praise, a nun. It also identifi es the development of the bond between the adoptive parents, doctors Hema and Ghosh. Next


the magic and mystery of


the relationship between the twins is explored—successes and challenges. There is a continuous undercurrent of Marion’s subconscious


quest to understand the


relationship of the biological parents and to meet his biological father. The dynamics of the socio-political climate of Ethiopia plays a signifi cant


role in the transition


of the young men’s lives from medical- avocations to becoming qualifi ed medical practitioners. I found this novel insightful with


respect to medical practices under exigent circumstances. Raising children in Ethiopia during these years required a tremendous bond and strong


support system. Dr.


Verghese made the experiences viable to the reader. This is an excellent holiday choice for an avid reader. The Robson Ranch Book Club meets the


fi rst Monday of each month at the clubhouse at 7:30 p.m. The December book selection is My Antonia by Will Cather. Join us for discussion and sharing of insights. 


ROBSON RANCH PIONEER PRESS


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