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| Full House at the Wednesday Morning Meeting! |
We grew from 791 to 829 residents
in the park this week. Welcome home
Winter Ranch residents! |
| Even the Cheap Seats Are Taken! |
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| Time to start getting to the meeting earlier!! |
- WEATHER WARNINGS: If there is a severe weather warning (thunderstorm, tornado, etc.) for this area, Alamo does have a storm siren. If we have this type of weather, you can go to either of the shower buildings or inside Friendship Hall in the bathrooms or anywhere away from exterior walls or windows.
- If you are planning on doing any enhancements to your site including: cement work, installing rock, planting trees or bushes, you need to check with Larry first. Don't put yourself in the position where you need to remove what you just put in because you did not check!
- The Activities Office is now taking reservations for next year's activities. Each and EVERY activity needs to complete a yellow form in order to have their activity on the calendar next year. Please do this as soon as possible. This is a first come-first served situation. Don't lose your room or dates because you didn't complete the necessary forms.
- Cathy had a couple of reminders for us this morning. Please do not pull through sites. You can run over lines and cause some major problems. Also start watching your speed whether you are in a golf cart, bicycle, car, or truck! And, all vehicles, including bikes and golf carts, must stop at the stop signs. The office has had numerous complaints from your friends and neighbors. We know you don't mean to hurt anyone but you could!
- JD requested that we either come and see him in the Activities Office or use the Suggestion Box near their office if we have suggestions or aren't happy with something that is happening. Please don't deface any notices that are put up in the halls with your comments. If you have a problem, he is happy to talk to you about it and they do take note of suggestions that are given to them. Just remember that sometimes your wishes might not coincide the the majority of the other park members.
- The New Coffee Machine. When you get coffee out of the new machine, hold down the button until your cup is about two-thirds of the way full. It will fill the remainder of the cup. We are throwing away about $75 worth of coffee a week because we hold down the button too long,
- The Picture Directories are in and if you purchased one last year, you can pick them up in the Activity Office. There are also some pictures that were ordered last year in the Activity Office.
- Please return your completed Directory Information Sheets to the Business Office as soon as possible so that the Computer Group can start working on the Directories for people in Winter Ranch this season. The sheet was in your Welcome Packet when you arrived.
- The morning breakfast this Wednesday had a good attendance but please remember to sign up on the board across from the mail room so we know how many we are going to feed. We don't want to run out of food. Breakfasts will be on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM prior to the meeting. Cost is $3.50 for the breakfast. A roll and coffee is $1 - $4.25 if you want breakfast plus a roll.
- Lutefisk Tickets are now on sale in the Business Office. Ludefisk is at Our Savior Lutheran Church on February 2nd, from 11-2:30 PM. Price is $15 each. They only sell 400 tickets total so stop in and get yours right away if you are interested.
- Jan Howard reported that Jim Frisby has accepted our open position as Minister for next season. She thanked everyone for their comments and said that the outpouring was unbelievable. Pastor Frisby will be preaching again for us on February 10th and March 10th so please come again and make him feel welcome!
- The Short Shot Golf Tournament sponsored by the Alamo Chamber will be held on Saturday, February 23th. Information is posted on the Bulletin Boards. Winter Ranch has had participants in the past who have come home with trophies so let's do it again!
- The Business Office has tickets for the remaining two Symphonic Band Symphonies on Tuesday, February 12th and March 26th, at the Trinity Worship Center. The tickets are $5.
- The Alamo Parade will be held on March 2nd. The theme this year is "Disney". We have had participation in our park for many years and we have always done well on Trophies. If you would like to participate, see Cathy in the Business Office. You can decorate yourself, your cart, your truck, or whatever you like! There will be a Parade Meeting on Friday, January 18th, at 1 PM in the Big Hall.
- Linda Doerschug reminded the group that the Quilt Show will be on January 29th from 9 AM to 1 PM in Friendship Hall. The Quilting Group would love to show your modern or antique quilts, table runners, quilted art or accessories. Please complete the Registration Form on the Arts & Crafts Room Door and get them to Maggie Olson or Sherryl Holzer or they can be put in the mail box by the Craft room.
- Our coordinator for the Golden Age Olympics is Marcia Fabricius, Lot 618. There are newspaper brochures available about the various events in the Small Hall. Take one and sign-up for the event(s) you are interested in using the registration sheet inside the brochure. Literally 1000's of Winter Texans participate in the games over the course of three months (January, February and March). There are contests for about everything you can think of: cards, cooking, bowling, shuffleboard, billiards, etc. etc. Marcia can fill you in. Most contests take one-half to one day. When you enter you receive a t-shirt, a ticket to the sock hop and you have a chance to win a bronze, silver or gold medal! Be sure to let Marcia know if we register for an event because she would like to reserve a table for us at the Awards Ceremony. We have 11 people signed up thus far and the bowlers are looking for some ladies to represent us on a Ladies Bowling Team.
- Ladies Luncheon Group fundraiser - buy chances on a GPS with free updates. They will be sold before and after the Wednesday morning meetings and in the Small Hall during the week. The GPS will be awarded in February.
- Swimwear Sale will be held in the Library on January 17th from 9 to noon. Come on down and try them on. Patty Wrency, a professional swimwear consultant, will be on hand to assist you with your selection. This is brand new first quality swimwear and includes:
- Ladies Sizes 4-32
- Plus Size Swimwear
- Post-Mastectomy Swimwear
- Sarongs, Caps and Other Fun Stuff
- Men's suits too.
- Karen Hockemeir, the Salvation Army Volunteer Coordinator reported that 400 Winter Texans served as Bell Ringers for The Salvation Army this year from their site in McAllen at Pecan and 23rd Street, including our Winter Ranch people. Last year the Salvation Army served 551 families and 2157 children. They provided 368 food boxes when they were needed because of accidents, fires or other emergencies and 6474 toys for children at Christmas. 8640 pieces of clothing were distributed and 6,640 personal comfort kits. They served 69,311 meals and gave out 20,954 overnight stays with 60 people staying per night. They have two rooms for overnights - one for males and one for females. There are 30 beds in each room. Some people stay up to three months until they can get back on their feet. They are provided with clothing, personal items, food and shelter while they are there. Children are given the same as well as some toys to play with. They did that with the $58,000 they received last year from bell ringer donations. This year the bell ringers made $42,677.61. So, if you have any money lying around, please consider giving to the Salvation Army. They are also always looking for volunteers.
- The Men's Luncheon that was scheduled for January 18th at 11 AM has been rescheduled and will be held on February 7th at 11:00 AM. (NEW INFO)
- The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on the February 26th. Keep that date on your calendar.
- The Woodshop Dinner is January 22nd at 4:30 PM. Tickets are $5. Baked potato with toppings, dessert and a drink will be served. Bring your own table service. Tickets are on sale in the Small Hall after the Wednesday morning meetings.
- Another 4-hour AARP Driving Class will be offered on February 7 and again on March 7th in Friendship Hall from 8 - 11 AM. This course is for those who have not taken the safety course for 55+ to qualify for the insurance discount. 8 hrs of classes is required for the insurance discount and Don will work with you to get in the other 4 hours. No testing is required. Don DeKeyrel is the contact person for questions concerning the course.
- The Variety Show will be held on February 15th. On January 25th at 10 AM, Lee Clement (Coordinator for the event) wants to have a short meeting with all those who want to participate. There will be two rehearsals in February. You also need to let Lynn in the Activities Office know that you are participating.
- The 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration will be held on February 10th at 2 P:M. Jan and Paul Wilson are the Coordinators for this event. There are three different signup sheets for the event:
- Anyone married between June 62 and May 63 who will be celebrating 50 years of marriage.
- Anyone who is not celebrating their 50th this year but has been married over 50 years.
- Guests who want to share in the celebration. Guests, please do sign up as we don't want to run out of ice cream. We need a head count!
- The Dance this week is The Jets (a rock and roll group) on January 11th at 7 PM.
- The Entertainment Line-up is complete and tickets are available in the Activity Office. Concession Stand will be open for these events. This is the January line-up:
January 17
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7 PM
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Bernie & Red - $6
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January 24
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7 PM
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Red Head Express - $7
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January 31
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7 PM
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David Church*
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*David Church tickets will be $10 for general admission or $12 to reserve a seat in the first five rows (100 seats).
- The Betty Rydell Show was a hoot. Take a look at the pictures and videos in the Blog Archives.
- The Gold Wing Express Group that was scheduled for February 3rd had to cancel. We'll just start the Super Bowl Party earlier that day.
- Canasta starts at 6:30 PM instead of 6 PM from now on.
- We didn't have enough people signed up for Square Dancing Lessons so they have been cancelled.
- Super Bowl Party in Friendship Hall on February 3rd beginning at 4 PM. The Concession Stand will be open. Game on the Big Screen TV. Bring you lawn chair and drinks and/or snacks.
- An old-fashioned Barn Dance will be held on February 12th at 3:30 PM in Friendship Hall. We will have a Grand March and community dancing. It should be fun for all!
- The Valentines Dance is scheduled for Valentines Day, February 14th at 7 PM. Jealous Hearts is playing. You can reserve your tables and buy your tickets now in the Activities Office. Don DeKeyrel will be taking pictures in the library at the event. You can purchase a 5 x 7 for $5. The proceeds from the pictures will be donated to the Alamo Parade Group so they can buy more parade decorations.
- The Minnesota Potluck is on January 27th at 11:30 AM.
- The Illinois Potluck is on January 20, at Noon. Please sign up on the board if you are planning on coming.
- Park Potlucks have started on Monday at 5:00 PM. Bring a dish that will serve at least eight people and a serving spoon. Also bring your own table service. Iced Tea and coffee are provided.
- Card Games Class - If you would like to learn how to play a new card game, you can attend one of the sessions which will be held on January 22 and the 25th in the Loft in Friendship Hall.
JD gave us an update on the bus. Jack Hulsey is now in Corpus Christa with our new bus and should be arriving today here at Winter Ranch. He says the bus is running well.
For a listing of the Bus Trips that are available, see Bus Trips on the right hand column of this blog under CURRENT INFO.
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:
- Instructors are needed for teaching all the cards games that we have at Winter Ranch. If you feel you can help out by teaching one of the games, please contact Betty Sloan.
- Cathy Chapin is looking for volunteer flag bearers for our Call of the States during an upcoming Wednesday morning meeting. Please signup in the Business Office.
- Linda Doerschug requested that we save our old t-shirts to give to the Quilting For The Needy group. They are using these to make diapers for Easter Seals. These diapers are given to people with very little and the need is desparate! Ours is the only parks that does this so we really need your support!
- Zion Church is looking for old blankets that they use as batting when they make quilts for the needy. They will even take old electric blankets. See Ginny Toman, Lot #635, if you would like to donate one or more blankets.
- Nora Minor is still looking for volunteers on the Decorating Committee. The Committee decorates for all the holidays and special
events. She is looking for both men and women to join her committee.
You can contact her at Lot 567. We will be decorating for Valentine's Day on January 21st at 9 AM in Friendship Hall.
- Lynn would like a Coordinator to lead a new Garden Club group that would assist in beautifying the public areas of the park. Talk to Lynn about what would be involved.
- Lynn would like Co-Coordinator to assist her with the Christmas Party next year. Let her know if you are interested.
- Lynn is also looking for someone to tackle a new position as Coordinator for the Christmas Golf Cart parade so that the date is set early in December and it can be advertised well.
From the Blog Administrator:
If you see pictures on the blog where I don't have people identified - most of the time they show an xx - and you know who they are, send me an e-mail and I'll remedy the situation. I try hard to identify everyone but knowing everyone in this park is like knowing everyone in a small city!!
If you want to share some news or have pictures from any of the events or bus trips trips that you would like to share on the blog, you can send them to me and I'll post them on the blog. Just send them to my e-mail at : blogwinterranch@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Mary Benfield
