WINTER RANCH ACTIVITIES: January 2014

Changes since the meeting are in red.

We grew from 850 to 858 this week.
Welcome Home Winter Texans!

INTRODUCING:

Frannie and Randy Hansen

Julian and Karen Nichols

Pat and Marty Walsh

Today was a cold day in the valley - ice covered

the trees everywhere!

But the weekly park meeting went on as usual.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Golf Course – Please wear your badges when you are in the Winter Ranch buildings and also on the Golf course. You could be asked to leave the golf course if you are not wearing one. It is impossible for our workers to know everyone so please do your part to keep the golf course open to only Trophy Gardens and Winter Ranch people. Also, please remember that the Golf Course is closed on Tuesday until 2:30 PM. And, if you are handicapped and golf, please stop in the Activity Office to obtain a blue flag so that you can use your carts on the golf course.

Activity Coordinators: It is now time to fill out your yellow sheet requesting dates for your events next year. These sheets are outside the Activities Office. All potlucks on Sunday next year will be from Noon to 2 PM. When filling out your requests, give first and second choice of dates, time of day, the date you filled out the form, type of activity and a contact person with telephone and/or e-mail address.

Activities Board: Cathy will be sending out nomination forms in the next few days in your mail boxes. The election will cover a 2015-16 term. The three seats that are up for election are Arts and Crafts, Kitchen, and Wood Shop. You can put nominations on the form but the person you nominate must agree and sign the form. You can also nominate yourself. These are two year terms and members are expected to attend meetings once a month November through March. To be eligible you have to have spent the last two seasons in the park. The nomination forms will go out to everyone on 1/31 and need to be returned by 2/10. The Ballots will be put in your mailboxes on 2/12 and must be returned by 2/21.

Directory Pictures: Today is the last day we have pictures scheduled to be taken. We are working to get two more days scheduled with the photographers to have your picture taken if you haven't yet. Please don’t go to Shirley’s home or call her. We will let you know once arrangements are made and you’ll be able to sign up as we have before.

The Agency Dance on February 21st: If you are planning on attending this dance, get your tickets in the Activity Office as soon as you can. We started selling tickets and reserving seats last Monday and have sold 250 tickets already. Only 100 more tickets will be sold. Get them before they're gone.

Dances: For the large dances (New Year's Eve, Valentines Day and Agency dances) for which we sell tickets in advance and reserve tables, you don’t have to have a full table to make a reservation. We will reserve by the seat. Just be aware that other ticket holders will fill the remaining seats of the table.

Memorial Service – Please check out the listing of names of residents that died in the past year. It is on the board across from the Mail Room. If you see someone we have missed, let Jeannine Helmer know. We are working on the program now and we don’t want to miss anyone. The Memorial Service will be on February 25th at 1 PM.

Communities on Parade – On February 4, 5, and 6, there will be a Community Parade (like a tour of homes) from 10 AM to 2 PM. People will be touring different places in the Valley including our park. Visitors may walk around the hall, the stained glass room, the Wood Shop and other park buildings. Please make them feel welcome! All other activities are still on for that day but you may have visitors checking out the park and looking in to see what you are doing.

50^th Wedding Anniversary Celebration – This is coming up and we would like to have the names of all those people who will be celebrating 50 years of marriage this year and also those that have already achieved 50 years or more. That is anyone married between the dates of June 1963 and May, 1964. There are signups on the Board across from the Mail Room. If you are planning on attending the 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration as a guest, as a couple celebrating this year or as a couple who has been married more than 50 years, we REALLY need you to let us know if you will be attending so we have enough cake and ice cream. PLEASE sign up.

Busy, Busy, Busy: The next few weeks are packed with activities so you'll need to pay attention to when the halls are closed. Certain ongoing activities may have to be cancelled or rescheduled in order to get everything done. There will be things going on in every part of Friendship Hall.

Be Nice To Our Park Volunteers: This park would not be able to do all the activities that we do without our volunteers. Please take any complaints to JD or Lynn in the Activity Office and don't take out your frustrations on our volunteers. We cannot afford to lose even one of our volunteers. They are precious to us!

Town Crier: Cathy tried to get more Town Criers as she has had many requests. Unfortunately, the Town Crier says that they are at capacity and we cannot receive any more of them. So, if you really aren't interested in the Town Crier, please don't take one and if you finish with one, pass it on to your neighbor.

Morning Meeting: During the meeting if you could keep the chatter to a minimum at your tables, it would be helpful. Many people have problems hearing.

Incorrect Mail: If you get mail intended for someone else, please return it to the park mail box at the Mail Room or bring it to the Business Office.

Thank yous:

Cathy expressed her thanks to all residents for being friendly to the newcomers and visitors in the park. She has had many compliments about how friendly we are. Larry and Cathy are proud of us!!

Recent Events:

Iowa Potluck:

Mary Hazlett and some of her Cedar Rapids friends did a great job on the potluck.

Iowans are gathering

Readying the food

Marking 'Home' on the Iowa map

Quite a crowd of Iowans!

Committee Chair and Emcee Mary Hazlett

awarding door prizes

Bill Snyder won a Iowa Hawkeyes golf bag

Most of the committee: Wilbur and Donna Jacobs,

Mary Hazlett and Sandy Trimpe
Not pictured: Shelly Jacobs and Chuck Trimpe

Winter Ranch Quilt Show

Winter Ranch had another successful Quilt Show yesterday. To see all the pictures from the Quilt Show (taken by Ron Doerschug) go to the archives for January 28th, 2014.

Mystery Dinner Theater – A great evening was had by all on Monday, January 27^th. There were 72 attendees plus the actors. As a result, Darlene Peters will be starting a Theater Group and we can all look forward to another Mystery Theater next year.

General News:

Bird House Fund Raiser: Paul Kitt, a new Winter Ranch resident, made some very cute wooden bird houses and donated them to the church to be used for the Good Samaritan Fund. They sold the first four today with a Silent Auction. Stay tuned for further information on the remaining ones and how you can participate in this worthwhile project. Thanks Paul!

Birdhouses made and donated by Paul Kitt

All Valley RV Show in Mercedes – January 30^th through Saturday, February 1^st from 9 AM – 5 PM daily at the Rio Grand Valley Livestock Show, 1000 North Texas Boulevard, Mercedes. Larry and Cathy will be there on Saturday from 9-1 at the Wilder Parks Booth. Come see them.

McAllen Symphonic Band tickets are available for their February 11^th performance at 7:30 PM. The bus is already full but they have good parking at the Trinity Worship Center where it is held. The tickets are $5 and are available in the Business Office.

Good Samaritan Fund Raiser: Dale Loerch came up with an idea for raising money for this worthwhile fund. He has a guitar that he is having signed by all the performers that entertain us here at the park. He will be selling tickets for a drawing that will be held on March 5^th. Tickets are 5 for $5.

This morning, JD held the drawing for the month-long 50/50 drawing to support the activity fund. The winner wasn't at the meeting so the number will be posted outside the Activity Office until the winner presents the matching ticket. Nancy Crow was the winner!

Quilter’s for the Needy Fund Raising Dinner: The 4^th of February at 4:30 PM in the Large Hall. Tickets are being sold in the Little Hall from 10-12 Thursday and Friday and the Large Hall from 10-11 on Monday. Cost is $5.

Billiards Fund Raiser: The Billiards Group is having a pool cue raffle. 1 ticket for $3 and 5 tickets for $5. You could win a custom made pool cue with case. It is a 19 oz custom made pool cue made of Honduran Rosewood, Birds Eye Maple and Bocote Rings of Ebond and Mother of Pearl with 4 Ironwood Inlays. It has a four piece laminated Birds Eye Maple pro tapered shaft, uni-loc joint, Juma Ferrule with 11 Moori Tip. The drawing for the Pool Cue will be at the Margarita Party on Tuesday, February 11th.

Learn to play a card game: Donna Ironside explained that card playing classes will be available to anyone who wants to learn a game. There will be a signup sheet for all the games on the Bulletin Board across from the Mail Room. Watch for it. They need to know what games to teach so they can get volunteers to teach them. They’ve had requests for Pitch, Pinochle and Euchre. There will also be a class for Mahjong.

Beginning Bridge is already set up as an instructional class. It meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 PM. Questions: Get in touch with Donna Ironside.

Social Dance Classes for couples are offered on Fridays afternoons from 1 to 3 PM in Friendship Hall. $5 per person for a 2 hour session. We will be starting the jitterbug on January 31^st. Join us!

Chamber Golf Tournament: February 22^nd. $18 per person for a three person team. You can pick up your applications at the Visitor Center which is near the El Dorado Restaurant at 803 Main Street in Alamo.

Winter Texan Appreciation Dinner is February 26^th. It is a free meal, however, you need to pick up your tickets at the Chamber – address above.

Texas Independence Day Parade is on March 1^st. at 11:00 AM and starts at HEB and ends at Central Park (in front of El Dorado Restaurant). The theme this year is Circus.

Senior Olympics – Marcia Fabricius is the Coordinator. The brochures are in the Activities Office. This year’s theme is “Disco Fever.” Everyone is invited to participate. There are events for cooking, cards, games, sports, puzzles, and you name it. It is $7 to participate in one event and $5 for every event after that. Let Marcia know if you are participating!! If you participate in an event and take pictures, please put some on a Flash Drive and bring them to Mary or Lee Benfield, Lot 501, so we can include some in the Blog.

Walk and Talk at Town Lake at Firemen's Park in McAllen at 10:00 AM on March 7th. We can take the Winter Ranch bus if people are interested. Sign up sheet will be available after February 15th. Questions: See Flo Reed if you have other questions.
Bike Ride at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park on February 12th from 9-11 AM -Cost is $3. If you want a t-shirt, it is $5. If you didn’t sign up with Flo before today, you’ll need to mail your entry form directly to the Golden Olympics (address in the brochure). More information is available on the Bike Board. If you have the capacity to carry some bikes over there, let Flo know. There are a few people who need help getting their bikes there.

Tour of Children's Haven: There is a signup sheet on the board across from the rest rooms for those that are interested in a tour of Children's Haven in

Mexico

. The tour will be on February 6th. If you have questions, see Jeanine Helmer at Lot 503.

Event News:

Bob Ross Art Class with Larry Weirs - The next two sessions with Larry Weirs will be on February 24th. The first session will be from 9 to Noon and the second from 1 to 4. Cost is $45 which is due in the office when you register. The information will be posted on the Board across from the Mail Room this week.

Ladies Luncheon - The next Ladies Luncheon will be on February 10th at noon. Tickets are $8.00, on sale every Wed-Friday 9:30 - 11 thru Feb 7. If the ticket ladies are not in the Small Hall, they will be in the Large Hall. Entertainment is Heart to Heart, who have performed in Branson, MO for several years. They perform a variety of music. The menu is Chicken Portofino with salad and a roll, steamed vegetables, bow tie pasta, dessert and tea.

The Woodshop Spaghetti Dinner will be held on February 18 at 4:30 PM in Friendship Hall. Tickets are $6.00 and the menu includes spaghetti (of course) with a salad, roll and butter and a dessert. Contact is Ron Jensen, Lot 703.

Margarita Party (50's and 60's Costumes and Theme) - Tuesday, February 11th at 3 PM. Nachos, Chips and 2 Special Margaritas. This is a Pool Group Fundraiser. Advance Tickets are $7 each. The tickets are going fast so get yours as soon as you can. The Billards Group is also selling Margarita Party t-shirts for $10 each. The t-shirts that were ordered are in. There are 15 tickets left as of this morning.

Winter Ranch Variety Show “Razzle Dazzle” – Will be on Sunday, February 16^th at 6 PM in Friendship Hall (Large Hall). The dress rehearsal for the event will be on February 16^th from 1 to 3 PM. Lee Clement and JoAnn Sullivan are the coordinators of this event. For those people who want to participate in this event, there will be a Planning Meeting on February 4^th from 1:30 to 4 PM at the stage end of Friendship Hall. Please bring a CD with the music you are going to use to this meeting. We will also time your music at that time. JoAnn will be putting all the music together for the show. This again will be a “Pass the Hat” performance so please remember to bring a contribution with you to the show. Last year we were able to purchase two head microphones and we’ll be able to rent a follow spot light this year.

Gospel Show: Details to follow - date is March 9th. Ticket cost is food for the food pantry.

Golf Tournament sponsored by The Wounded Warrior Program on February 28th at 9 AM. $10 entry fee. Lunch is provided. Door and other prizes!

Calendar Updates:

Soup Night: On February 5^th, Wednesday, starting at 4:30 PM. It is $2. It is all you can eat for as long as it lasts.

Glass Jewelry Class – On Saturday, February 1st at 10 AM in the Stained Glass Studio.

Michigan Pot Luck - Will be on February 16th at 1 PM in the Large Hall. Michigan has invited Ohio and Indiana to join them. Next year it may be a Tri-State Potluck! If you did not receive an invite and you are from Michigan, Ohio or Indiana, see Cathy in the Business Office or Ginny Toman.

Minnesota Pot Luck – Will be held on February 2^nd at 11:30 AM in Friendship Hall. Questions can be directed to Ruth and Dick King, Janet and Richard Ruzich or Karen and Dick Larson.

Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens Bridge Tournament - February 3rd at 1 PM in our Large Hall. We will begin gathering at Noon. They are looking for bridge players for the tournament. $1 to enter and bring a snack. Any questions, contact Donna Ironside.

Teaching Card Games: On January 30 and 31st you have the opportunity to learn a new game. The signup sheets are in the SE Corner by the door where you sign up to play cards. Please sign up soon so we can find teachers for the games you want to play. Questions, contact Donna Ironside.

Super Bowl Party - February 2nd in Friendship Hall in front of the Big Screen. The kickoff is 5:20 PM so come in a bit early to get yourself situated. The screen will be turned on at 4:30 PM. Sundae Sunday, Dominos and Bridge will all be on for that evening in the Large Hall.

Computer Trouble Shooting: If you are having some computer problems and need some advice, some people from the Computer Group will be available to help you on Wednesdays after the Park Meeting in Activity Room #3. (Note: The first Wednesday of the month, the room is occupied but the Computer people will be there on any other Wednesday.

Peter Piper Pizza Lunch will be back to normal schedule (1st and 3rd Wednesdays) in February.

Computer Classes: The Computer Group is offering more classes. Signup sheets are on the Bulletin Board across from the Mail Room. If the class is full, sign the Wait List area so we will know if we need to add another class.

Ice Cream Social is served on Sunday evenings at 5 PM in Friendship Hall. It is 50 cents per scoop. The first Sunday of the month is Sunday Sundae. The cost is $1 a scoop but all the toppings come with it. Bring your own bowl and spoon.

AARP Drivers Safety Class – will be held on January 30th from 8 AM – 10 AM in Friendship Hall. This is a change! The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Another session will be scheduled later. Sign up on the board across from the Mail Room.

Entertainment Schedule:

Jan. 30 - 7 PM - Patsy Cline Tribute $7

Feb 6 - 7 PM - Punches Family $7

Feb 13 - 7 PM - Cross Strung Band $6

Feb 20 - 7 PM - Vance Green $7

Feb 27 - 7 PM - John Sager $6

Bus Tours:

Jan 31	5:30 PM	Los Fresno Rodeo - the rodeo starts at 7 PM but there is lots to see and do prior	from $10 to $13
Feb 1	5:15 PM	Ol’D’s Soda Shop		Eat on your own – Elvis Will Be In The House
Feb 3	9 AM	Aloe King Farm	$10	Includes Lunch in their restaurant
Feb 5	6 PM	Killer Bees Game	$10
Feb 6	9 AM	Mystery Trip	$6
Feb 10	10:15 AM	Port of Brownsvile Tour	$32	Pay in advance
Feb 11	6:30 PM	Symphonic Band Concert		Tickets in business Office. – Bus Full
Feb 13		Quinta Mazatlan-Birding		CANCELLED
Feb 13	5:15 PM	Ol’D’s Soda Shop		Eat on your own
Feb 15	6:00 PM	Killer Bees Game		Pay at the door
Feb 17		Weslaco Museums		CANCELLED
Feb 20	8:15 AM	Texas Gold Shrimp	$12	SOLD OUT
Feb 21	8:30 AM	Riverside Dreamer	$21	Pay in Advance – Lunch is included
Feb 21	6:15 PM	Mariachi Concert	$5
Feb 24	10:00 AM	Black Dragon Pirate Cruise	$33	Pay in Advance (lunch is included)
Feb 28		Nature Tram		Details Later
Mar 4	6:00 PM	Killer Bees Game	$10	Pay at the door
Mar 8		Border Fest		Details Later
Mar 25	6:30 PM	Symphonic Band		Details Later

Tours:

Gail Field, our Tour Director from Trophy Gardens, has several new trips up on her board (near the stairs in Friendship Hall). Several people have requested trips to casinos where the bus will pick them up here at the park.

New trip on Page 16 in the white book to Big Bend on February 23rd.

If you want to make a copy of a page in the book, take it out and do that but then please return it to the book.

Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:

Carry a Flag: The Call of the States will be held on February 12th at the morning meeting. If you would like to carry one of the State flags, stop in the Business Office and sign up. We still need a couple more! If someone already has your state, you can carry another one as we call all the States and we do not have residents from all of them.

Community on Parade: Cathy needs volunteers on February 4, 5 and 6 to show people around the park and greet people as they arrive at the park, She will need quite a few volunteers to cover all three days. There will be a meeting on this in the Small Hall at 3 PM tomorrow (Thursday, January 23rd).

Used Furniture, beds, bedding, appliances, dishes, bicycles, household and kitchen items are needed by unfortunate people in the community. If you are getting rid of something, check with Dale Loerch. He will most likely find a home for any of your unwanted items.

Kitchen Help: We are in need of volunteers who will work as kitchen help especially for the Friday Night Dances. Signup sheets for volunteers are located in the hallway across from the Mail Room.

Variety Show: If you would like to participate in the Winter Ranch Variety Show, you can talk to Lee Clement or JoAnn Sullivan, the Coordinators of the event and they can answer any of your questions. See information above in the Event Section on times for the first Planning Meeting and Dress Rehearsal.

Campbell’s Soup Labels and Cereal Box Tops for Education are needed for Children’s Haven. Jeanne Helmer is collecting them. You can take them to the Activity Office.

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The 50/50 Drawing this morning raised $122 for the Woodshop. It was won by Jolane Berns. She graciously donated it back to the Woodshop.