We went from 859 to 842 residents this week
Things are starting to wind down!
Call of the States and Provinces:
We started the meeting with the ceremony of the flags. All the state flags participate in the celebration, however, we do have 29 states and 6 provinces represented at Winter Ranch! Thanks to all the volunteer flag bearers. It is always a moving event.
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| Cathy announcing the Call of the States and Provinces |
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| The States Lined Up and Ready to Go |
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| The Provinces Lined Up And Ready to Go |
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| USA |
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| Canada |
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| Each Flag Bearer Brings This Flag Forward and Then Marches Toward Their Line |
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| Jody Nunn Directing Traffic |
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| Even the North Pole is Represented! |
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| The Two Countries Shake Hands |
Iowa - 146
Missouri - 116
Texas - 104
Illinois - 96
Minnesota - 88
Michigan - 85
Wisconsin - 54
Ontario - 32
Kansas - 30
South Dakota - 29
Congratulations and Kudos:
To our new Advisory Board Members:
- Larry Anenson - Indoor and Outdoor Sports
- Lee Benfield - Music and Dance
- Paul Wilson - Member at Large
Our outgoing members that have served us well are Shirley Ress, Dave Arrasmith and Don Mueller. Thanks so much for your service!
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| Larry Anenson, Paul Wilson, Jim Stallwitz, Don Mueller, Herman Baughman and Lee Benfield |
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| Shirley Ress and Charles Duran |
- Doug McVickers made a hole in one this past week and received a Certificate and a Trophy Golf Ball Holder.
- The Celebration of Life Memorial Service was a wonderful event. We celebrated the lives of 11 of our Winter Ranch souls from last year. It was comforting, heartwarming and heartfelt. Thanks to Jeanine Helmer for organizing it; Roger Howard for his readings; Don Mueller for being the MC and to all those who donated cookies.
Important Information:
- This Saturday is the deadline for renewing our RV lots for next year. You need to get your $200 deposit in by Saturday. Next week we will start switching sites starting on Monday with those that will be permanent residents, Tuesday will be those that stay six months, Wednesday will be five months, etc.
- Since people have started to leave, Cathy brought up a few things to remember when we leave the park.
- Please leave some mailing labels with your home address on them so that the Mail Room can forward your mail. You can order labels from the Computer they will make sure you have them before you leave. Please allow a few days for this.
- Also, Cathy reminded those of us that are leaving to make sure that all yard ornaments, chairs and anything that isn't secure be put away before we leave. With high winds that occur in Texas, anything can start flying and cause damage to property. We also need to make sure we aren't impeding grass mowing or weed eating just in case we get some rain this summer.
- The purse that was lost from last week has been found in tact. It, in fact, had been left on a bus and was returned from Trophy Gardens. We are soooo happy about that!
- We have lost a 6' sewing machine cord. If you find it, please bring it to the Arts and Crafts Room or to Lot 467.
- The Ladies Luncheon Group needs two volunteers for next year for Chairperson and Co-Chairperson. All other positions have been filled. See Brenda Granger to volunteer. If no one volunteers, there won't be Ladies' Luncheons next season.
- Next year the price for Sunday Sundaes will remain the same but due to rising costs, we will no longer supply bananas. We will still have ice cream, nuts, whipped cream and cherries (the cherries will be served from now on as we must have some cherry gobblers in our midst).
- This Thursday there is a Ladies Golf Luncheon that will be using the East Half of the Large Hall. The Beginning Bridge Players can meet in the loft. Next Thursday Woodshop is having a picnic and the Bridge Players can again use the loft.
- Update on Lynn - JD thanked everyone for the calls, cards and support that Lynn has received. She is doing well. She will meet with her doctor today and the surgeon next week. She probably will not have the results of the biopsies until then.
- Alamo Parade - Many of our Winter Ranch people will be taking part in the Alamo parade. Our Coordinator for the parade is Don De Keyrel. The parade is on March 2nd and it starts at 11 AM (line-up starts at 10 AM). The parade starts at HEB, goes down Highway 83 and ends up at the Eldorado Restaurant. This year the Chamber is selling 1/2 Chicken Plate lunches for $6. You can pick up tickets at the Chamber Building which is near the Eldorado.
Mickey - Don De Keyrel
Minnie - Dolora De Keyrel
Sleepy - Bob Babler
Bashful - Judy Babler
Snow White - Martha Anderson
Grumpy - Rich Ritchie
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- The Business Office has tickets for the Symphonic Band Performance on Tuesday, March 26th, at the Trinity Worship Center. The theme for the March concert is "Potpourri". The tickets are $5. Sign up for a ride on the bus in the Activities Office.
- Lloyd Buchholz reported that the Stained Glass Group has been melting wine bottles and they had several for sale this morning. They will be selling more for $5 each which is a bargain price! There is also a Blue Light Special that you can ask Jerry Blanc about. If you have a special bottle that you would like melted to form a cheese board or an appetizer tray, see the Stained Glass folks. They will be glad to help you.
- See Lee Clement if you would like a CD of the Variety Show Event. $2 each.
- The Computer Club has Directories for Sale for $2 and they will be on sale before and after the Wednesday morning meeting.
- Show and Share will be held on March 3rd from 2 to 4 PM. Bring the arts and crafts that you have made this season in to share with group. The White Elephant Silent Auction will also be held that day. Please donate any items you might have to the Silent Auction. JD will store them until the event.
- Another 4-hour AARP Driving Class will be offered 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 next scheduled Entertainment is Jerry Bennett scheduled for February 28th at 7 PM in Friendship Hall - Tickets may be purchased in the Activities Office for $5 each or you can buy them at the door.
- The next Ladies Luncheon will be on March 11th at Noon in the Large Hall. Tickets will be on sale during the Wednesday morning meetings and in the Small Hall from Wednesday through Friday from 10AM - Noon.
- Roundups on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 PM for this week and next week music will be provided by Mike and Carol Earley. Come on down and join in the fun.
- Movie Night will be held on March 3, 10 and 17 from 6 to 8 PM in the Large Hall. This is after the Ice Cream Social. The movie for the 3rd is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. You can bring your own lawn chairs if you would like.
- The Yoga Session with the yoga expert was a huge success so we will now have Yoga Sessions with this instructor on Mondays from 8 AM-9AM. Sign up in the Large Hall across from the Mail Room. The sessions will be downstairs in the Big Hall. Sessions are $5 per session. Pam Hoppe, Lot 630, is the contact for questions.
- The Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, March 1st. Proceeds from this event go to Juvenile Diabetes
- Another Golf Scramble will be held on March 6th. It is the tournament between Trophy Gardens and Winter Ranch. The proceeds from this tournament will also go to Juvenile Diabetes.
- Bob Ross Painting Classes - The two Bob Ross Painting Classes are full. The classes will be held on March 5th. The first one from 9 to Noon and the 2nd one from 12:45 to 3:45. Contact person is Mary Benfield, Lot 501. Fees to be paid in the Activities Office.
- Winter Ranch Resident Appreciation Day is set for March 18th at 7 PM. Pan O' Steel, the McAllen High School steel drum band, will be performing for an hour and then we'll have ice cream. No need to bring your own bowl.
- Ladies Sewing Group will be held on Wednesday from 1 to 3 PM in the Arts and Crafts Room. You do not need to have your own sewing machine. A list of supplies needed will be on the Craft Door. Anyone is the park is welcome to come. There will be a new Page added for Ladies' Sewing under Current Info on the Blog. Ladies, watch that area for information on the sewing classes!
- March 2 and 3 - 2nd Sweat Shirt Class
- The dance this Friday is Sweet Water at 7 PM.
For a current listing of available Bus Trips, see Bus Trips on the right hand column of this blog under CURRENT INFO.
- Seats for Border Patrol and Ol' D's Soda Shop on March 9th Bus Trips are now available. We have the whole bus for Ol' D's and are sharing with Trophy for the Border Patrol Trip. There may be room left so check in the Activities Office if you are interested.
- Border Patrol is March 7th at 12:30 PM
- Ol' D's Soda Shop is March 9th at 5 PM - If anyone doesn't get on the bus and/or are going to drive down, please let JD know so he can give a heads up to the owner of Ol'D's so he knows how many to expect and tables are reserved.
- The Decorating Committee will be taking down the Valentine's Decorations and putting up the St. Patrick's Day Decorations on March 5th at 10:00 AM. They could use some volunteers to assist.
- The Ladies Luncheon Group is looking for a Chair and Co-Chair for next year's luncheons. All other positions have been filled. See Brenda Granger, Lot 513, if you are interested or have questions about what is involved. We won't have luncheons next year if no one volunteers!
- Cathy would be interested in setting up a Ride Program for people that need rides to doctor appointments, etc. If you would be interested in helping out on occasion and based on your schedule, let Cathy know.
- Linda Doerschug requested that we save our old t-shirts in any size 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 park that does this so we really need your support!
- 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 a 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.
