Ranches Ladies Newsletter
Good Morning Ranches Ladies.
The summer holidays are coming to an end, as many schools go back this week.
Hope you had a great time over the summer, whether you have been in Dubai or travelling.
Many of the Circles activities are restarting in September.
Take a look at our Circles section below to find out what is going on.
A Miracle named Sophie
by Kumkum Ramchandani
With a little bit of trepidation my husband and I, empty nesters for the last 20 years, agreed to keep her with us while her family was on a short vacation. Little did we know that she would worm her way into our hearts and take up permanent residence!💓💓💓
Like all rescue dogs Sophie had a sad history. She grew up with 50 other dogs and had probably already had two litters. Her limpid eyes had deep depths of sadness but for us they held only utter love and gratitude. To gaze into her eyes was to fall into a well of hidden pain. For a long while she didn’t even bark. She would lie quietly by our feet licking them till we had to tell her to stop. She would put her paws on our knees and look beseechingly into our eyes. It was as if she was hurting emotionally yet happy to be loved and sheltered in the quiet atmosphere of a home.
By day three Sophie had started tentatively eating her dog food and quietly chasing birds. We knew she was getting used to kindness and nurturing. She seemed to enjoy the predictability of our retired life. She would reluctantly chase a ball as if to indulge us but was mostly content with her two daily walks and sitting by our feet while we watched TV in the evenings.
Sophie was scared of other dogs and sudden noises so we had to be careful while walking her. However she enjoyed sniffing the bushes and nibbling on some grass in the gardens. After a few days we realized she had a strong willed streak in her because she would choose which path to walk on. As also when to start pulling at her leash to get back home.
Sophie has been to stay with us two times more. Each time she gets more comfortable with us. And she has a ready home with us any time she likes. We are now her grandpa and grandma!
If Kumkum’s article has inspired you, there are several charities in Dubai who help abandoned and rescued animals. Maybe you could help them out by donating pet food, volunteering, fostering or even adopting a cat or dog?
Here are some registered animal charities locally (click for links):
SNIFF (Strays Needing Interim or Furever Friends)
Stray Dogs Center Umm Al Quwain
Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter (SCADS)
A big thank you to Kumkum for sharing her experience of looking after rescued dog Sophie.
We need more short (200 to 300 words) articles with photos on topics such as:
- Your travel experiences, favourite place in Dubai or wider UAE
- Your Circle activities
- Reviews/recommendations for places in Dubai
- How you and your family celebrate cultural or religious festivals in Dubai
- Your experience of relocating to or from Dubai
…..plus any other topics you think would be of interest to other RL members
If you would like to contribute please email arladiesdubai@gmail.com
Tuesday Mornings and Membership Renewals
It’s membership renewal time! Please come along to Larte Cafe, Studio One Hotel, Studio City (across the roundabout from the back entrance of Arabian Ranches 1) on any Tuesday morning from 10.30am to renew your membership. New members are welcome.
Get more information and download the form on the membership section of our website: Ranches Ladies Membership and Renewals
Please bring completed membership form, your Emirates ID (or passport if ID unavailable) and fee of 120 AED.
Tuesday mornings are also a time to chat, catch up with old friends, or make new ones over tea or coffee.
If you are unable to get to Larte on Tuesday morning to do your renewal, you can ask a friend to bring your form, copy of your ID and membership fee.
To join the Ranches Ladies Whatsapp group if you are a member, please email ranches.ladies@gmail.com
New Board Members Elected
We are happy to announce the successful election of 3 new board members:
Carole Anne Binbrek – for Vice President
Jane Hennessy – for Director of Events
Lynne Haboubi – for Director of Wellbeing
Volunteers Needed!
Ranches Ladies cannot run without the valuable work of our members who volunteer in various roles.
All our board and committee members are volunteers.
Here are some other roles where we urgently need help:
Membership Coordinators – to help sign up new members on Tuesday mornings.
RL Email Coordinators – to check and respond to emails.
Web-team Members – to help update the website, posting to Social Media and responding to messages.
If you have any spare time and would like to find out how you can help, please email ranches.ladies@gmail.com or send a message on the RL members WhatsApp Group.
Summer Reunion
Current and former RL members met up in Edinburgh for a reunion organised by Mary Harvey. All had a great time catching up.
RL Circles News
The new Circles Calendar for September 2022 will be available soon.
Here are some of the Circles activities which are currently running, others will restart later.
Walking Circle
During the hotter months, the Walking Circle have moved indoors. New ladies are always welcome to join.
Meet at Dubai Hills Mall outside Marks and Spencer’s at 9am to walk for one hour around the mall before the shops open. We stop afterwards for refreshments and a chat at the small cafe inside M&S – they offer a loyalty card to get a free tea or coffee after you buy 9 drinks, and great pastries for an only an extra 1 AED when you buy a drink.
Closest parking is via Entrance E, Sharaf DG Parking P1.
Send a message on the RL WhatsApp group or email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Quilters Circle
The Quilters Circle will be restarting their meetings in-person on the 3rd Monday of each month, beginning on 19th September, 10am.
The Quilters Circle have a separate membership under the umbrella of Ranches ladies. New members are welcome. They will be happy processing registrations for the new quilting year (2022-23) on Tuesdays 30th August and 6th September 2022 from 10:00 a.m to 12 p.m at LARTE Cafe, Studio One hotel.
Literary Lunch Circle
The Literary Lunch Circle, led by Ashfaa, meet over lunch to discuss a book they have read. Meetings are usually on the 3rd Monday of the month, but may change.
Before the summer break they read Songbirds by Christy Lefteri, but the discussion was postponed as many could not make it. The current book is The Marble Collector by Cecelia Ahern. Both books will be discussed on Monday 26th September, 12.30pm at the Ranches Golf Club Restaurant. New members welcome.
To join or find out more, please contact Ashfaa at circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Book Circle
The Book Circle, led by Jackie, meet once a month to discuss a book they have read over coffee.
Over the summer, they have been reading ‘Pachinko’ by Min Jin Lee and ‘Blood Orange’ by Harriet Tyce.
The next meeting is planned for Friday 16th September 9.30am, where these books will be discussed. They are also planning to talk about the Jubilee Reading List – seventy books from across the Commonwealth selected to make up a reading list commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. New members welcome.
For more information, please email Jackie via circle.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Art Circle
The Art Circle, led by Rajul, are meeting on Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon. New members welcome.
If you would like to know more, email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Poetry Circle
The Poetry Circle, led by Carole, meet monthly to read and discuss poems on a theme. Their next meeting is planned for Monday 19th September 2pm. New members welcome.
For more details email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Shanghai Circle
The Shanghai Circle are meeting to play from 2.30-4.30pm on Fridays. If you would like to join them, please email Supriya: circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
If you have a different hobby or interest and would like to start a new circle, please let us know.
Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for information on any circles.
Mosaics Circle
The Mosaics Circle, led by Ayesha, are meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9.30am till 1pm in Green Community East, DIP.
No experience is needed. To join or for more details, email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Pilates Circle
The Pilates Circle meet on Wednesday afternoons 2-3pm, at Optimal Fitness in Studio City. Gillian from Optimal Fitness is teaching the class and there is space for more ladies to join.
Please email Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Uni Mums
If you have grown-up children at or soon to start college or university, then join the Uni mums WhatsApp group. They plan to meet up in September or October – details to be decided.
Email Marina at circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
International Lunch Circle
The International Lunch Circle are planning to restart meeting once a month to share the food and culture of member’s home countries. However, volunteers required to cook, host or help with future lunches.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Carole on circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Scottish Dancing Circle
Carole is hoping to restart the Scottish Dancing Circle, which was very popular before COVID-19. If you are interested please send an email to Carole on circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
If you have a different hobby or interest and would like to start a new circle, please let us know.
Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for information on any circles.
Discounts
Your RL membership card is your passport to great discounts from our dozens of discount partners.
There have been some recent updates to the discounts section on the website, so please check for up to date deals.
Discounts for Spa, Health and Dental are highlighted below:
SPA AND HEALTH
KUUR Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
20% discount on all physiotherapy, sports massage and lymphatic drainage
Sidra Tower, Shaikh Zayed Road
Tel: 044253318
http://www.kuur-rehab.com
Talise Spa
20% off services over 60 minutes with advanced booking.
Must show valid membership card.
Madinat Jumeirah
Jumeirah – DubaiBookings & enquiries email or call :
mjtalise@jumeirah.com 04 366 6818
306 Spa
306 Spa are offering 20% off on all services to Arabian Ranches Ladies with a valid membership card.
Use discount code “RANCHES20”
T&Cs
Discount not valid on hair extensions and chemical treatments
Prior reservation is required
Subject to stylists availability
Not valid in conjunction with any other offers and product purchase.
DENTAL
ConfiDent
Dental Services
20% off Scale & Polish
110 Century Plaza, Jumeirah 1
Tel: 04 343 3315
http://www.dubaiconfident.com
Park Avenue Dental
Dental Services
5% discount for all members with a valid membership card
Daytona House, Motor City
Tel: 04 553 0931
Drs Nicolas & Asp Clinics
Dental Services
10% discount for all members with a valid membership card
http://www.nicolasandasp.com
Tel: 04 394 7777
For any enquiries or suggestions please contact our Discounts Co-ordinator: discounts.rl@gmail.com
Our website is http://www.arabianranchesladies.com and you can find us on FB and Instagram as Ranches Ladies
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