INTEREST GROUPS
April 2026
Golf Interest Group
By Paul Tanenbaum
March 4, 2026. The Golf Interest Group plays at the Ladera Golf Course, Executive 9-hole course, every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. So, if you’re a golf lover and would rather be playing with a group, instead of just hitting golf balls off a tee, alone at a driving range, consider the Mirehaven Golf Interest Group.
The Golf Interest Group is one of the oldest active interest groups at Mirehaven, starting in 2017. The group's leader, John McLaren, took over the leadership role in 2019. Currently the group has 74 members, with 15 to 20 active regulars and four to eight very active regulars who tee up on Sundays.
John emphasized that the group plays in a no pressure, easy going atmosphere. “You can be as hard or as easy on yourself as much as you want to,” It’s obvious that the emphasis here is all about fun, because they don’t even keep score. If you want to throw your golf ball out of the ruff, you can.
For imformation contact John McLaren at jjmclaren3@gmail.com
Letters, Legal Drama, and Life Lessons from the Links
March Unbook Club By Linda Van Wert
March 9, 2026. Fifteen readers gathered for the Mirehaven Unbook Club in the Manzano room to review and discuss books they’ve read. At the start of the meeting, Chuck noted that presentations will now include time for both a short introduction and group discussion. After about an hour, the group takes a brief break, though participants are always welcome to come and go as needed.
Diana opened the meeting with The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, a novel told through letters written by the main character to friends, family, and even favorite authors. Diana found the book both funny and poignant, and Linda Van Wert noted that it is an excellent example of an epistolary novel; literature written as series of documents such as letters rather than direct narration.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Joe discussed Bill Bryson’s travel classic In a Sunburned Country, which he read while cruising in Australia and New Zealand. The book explores Australian history, culture, and geology, with memorable chapters describing the country’s many deadly spiders and snakes.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.6 stars)
Linda H. introduced the novels of Lisa See, including Lady Tan’s Circle of Women and the Red Princess mystery series. She found the mysteries intriguing and appreciated the insights they provided into Chinese culture.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Becky recommended Danny Trejo’s autobiography Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood, which recounts the actor’s difficult early life and his later success in film and television.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Don presented Scott Turow’s legal thriller Presumed Guilty, praising its courtroom realism and compelling characters.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chuck concluded with Golf and Philosophy: Lessons from the Links, a collection of essays exploring ethics, character, and the game's culture.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The next Unbook Club meeting will take place April 6 at 10 a.m. New readers are always welcome.
Tennis Interest Group
By Paul Tanenbaum
March 5, 2026. The Tennis Interest Group meets Monday’s and Thursday’s at 10:00 a.m. on the Del Webb Mirehaven Tennis court, for current, lapsed, and new players.
Steve Waller is the Mirehaven Tennis Interest Group founder and leader. Waller became proficient at the sport many years ago, but with family and work commitments he stopped playing. After a long absence from the game, he decided to find some interested fellow neighbors and start a Mirehaven Tennis interest Group.
The group started in 2020 with 12 to 14 members playing twice a week. To help with honing their skills and practice they bought a tennis ball machine, which is now kept in the Amenity Center. Currently, there are 7 members who regularly play, but all are welcome to come out and play.
He emphasized that tennis is a fast-paced game that does require a certain level of skill. Therefore, especially interested beginners, Waller recommends that all players should practice and use the tennis machine as often as possible. He will also provide limited skills training.
If tennis is your game, you miss playing, or want to learn, check out the Mirehaven Tennis Interest Group.