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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

February 13, 2013 Wednesday Morning News



We may have reached our peak!  
We went from  863 to 854 residents 
in the park this week.  


Kudos and Thank Yous:
  • Huge thank yous to the 60+ volunteers who helped out with the 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration.  It was a lovely event.  We absolutely could not have done it without you!  To see pictures from the event, see the Blog Archives under 50th Anniversary Celebration.
  • Thanks to everyone who helped out with the Craft Show yesterday.  It was another successful day.
  • Thanks also to Donna and Rich Ritchie for putting all the new veterans pictures on the Veterans' Bulletin Board.  
 Important Information: 
  • Since people have started to leave, Cathy brought up a few things to remember when we leave the park.  
    • The rates for next year are not out yet but you can leave a deposit in the office and you will not lose your lot.
    • 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 Group, Ron Doerschug, or let the Business Office know that you need them and they will make sure you have them before you leave.  Please allow a few days for this.  
  • ADVISORY BOARD BALLOTS  -  Ballots have been delivered to your mail box.  They are due back by February 22nd.  The new board will be announced at the February 27th meeting.
  • Cathy read a letter written by Charles Kroll, the past President of the Computer Club for many many years.  He apparently heard that people were grousing about the fact that the process for completing the Winter Ranch Directories was not going smoothly this year.  The problem is that everyone that worked on the Directories previously are not here because of illness and our present President, Ron Doerschug, and Computer Group are not experienced in the procedures involved.  Charles said that it did not make him feel better that he was missed, it just made him sad that folks couldn't give the new team a break!  The Computer Group would like to add that we are re-inventing how we do this with different software so that next year it will definitely go much smoother!
  • Lynn added a note to PLEASE leave the volunteers alone.  If it weren't for a lot of faithful volunteers, there would not be half as many activities in this park.  Any complaints need to be aired to the Activity Directors or the Park Managers and not to the volunteers!!
  • The Golf Course - If you are playing golf, please wear your badges.  We have had many reports of people playing golf that are not wearing them.  They, of course, could be Trophy Gardens folks, however, this golf course is for Winter Ranch or Trophy Gardens people only and we want to make sure we don't have people coming in from other places.  If you see someone who is not wearing a badge on the course, please use your cell phone and contact Cathy or Larry so they can go out and approach whoever is not wearing badges so that the situation can be remedied. 
  • More Photo Directories have come in so if you ordered one, stop in the Activities Office to pick one up.
  • The drawing for the Ladies Luncheon fundraiser (GPS) was held at the meeting today.  It was won by Ralph Olson. 
  • JD shared a pet peeve of his.  He asked us to please put our chairs back where we find them when we leave Friendship Hall.  He and many volunteers spent a good deal of time setting up for the craft show and then tearing it down and setting up chairs for the Barn Dance yesterday.  He came in after they had cleaned up after the barn dance and chairs were scattered all over again.  Please try to help us keep the room looking neat!
  • The For Sale Section of the Boards in Friendship Hall is out of control.  JD will be taking down all the signs on the board after the meeting.  If you want to post something that is for sale, use a 4 x 6 card (available in the Activities Office).  If you want pictures, you can have those on the Winter Ranch Website.   JD is working on a new system for all the postings for next year and he thinks you will all like it.  
 General News:  
  • Alamo Winter Texas Appreciation Day will be on February 14th at 5 PM.  It will be at the 9th Street Fire Station.  Pick up your tickets at the Chamber of Commerce Building which is now located in a Store Front by the Eldorado Restaurant.  
  • 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.
  • Our Social Hour will now be called The Roundup.  It seems pretty appropriate for a ranch!  No Roundups are scheduled for the rest of  February.
  • Winter Ranch vs. Trophy Gardens Bridge Tournament - Donna Ironside is looking for people who love to play bridge who would like to play in a Bridge Tournament against Trophy Gardens.  We haven't been able to bring the traveling trophy to Winter Ranch in several years.  We'd love to have some other bridge players join us.  Contact Donna Ironside, Lot 468.  The Tournament is this Monday at Noon at Trophy Gardens.
  • 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.  
  • Marcia Fabricius, Lot 618 said that there is still time to sign up for many events in the Golden Age Olympics.  There are lots of brochures available now on the table in the Small Hall.  Please let her know if you register for an event so that she can make sure you can attend the Awards Banquet.
  Event News:
  • The Doggie Parade will be held on February 14th, Valentine's Day, (that's tomorrow!!) at 10 AM at the Dog Walk between Trophy Gardens and Winter Ranch.  You can decorate yourselves, your carts, your dogs, cats or birds and join in the fun.  There are no prizes just a good time!
  • The Celebration of the States will be held at the Wednesday morning Meeting next week.  Cathy still needs volunteers to bear flags.  
  • 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.
  • The Garage Sale that is open to the public will be on February 22nd from 8 to 12 noon.  Grab a table in Friendship Hall to display the items you have for sale.  The public is invited to this sale but all items that are for sale must be in the hall.  The public will not be allowed to drive through the park.  This is a Wilder Corporation rule.
  • The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on the  February 26th at 1:30 PM.  A list of the people who will be honored is on the Blog under Blog Archives - Celebration of Life.  Cathy reminded us that this celebration is for current Winter Ranch residents only and not for family members.
  • Margarita Party on February 25th at 4 PM - The tickets are $6.  This is a fundraiser for the Billiards Group!  JD mistakenly said that the costume prizes would be for Mardi Gras and it will actually be for Mexican costumes.
    • Walking tacos and special margaritas
    • Costume Party - Theme Mexican (prizes!!)
    • Prizes
    • 50/50 Drawing
    • Pool Cue Drawing  
  • 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 Variety Show will be held on February 15th at 6:30 PM.  The theme will be A Starry Night In Texas.  There is no charge for the performance but we will be passing the hat.  Rehearsals for the show will be on Thursday at 11:30 AM and also on Friday at 11:30 AM.  If you are helping with the stage decorations, be there at 8 AM on Friday morning. 
  • The Woodshop's Spaghetti Dinner will be held on February 19th at 4:30 PM.  Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, cake, lemonade, and coffee will be served.  Bring your own table service.  $5.
  • The Entertainment Line-up is complete and tickets are available in the Activity Office.   The Concession Stand will be open for these events.  The entertainment schedule is on this blog under Entertainment in the right hand column under CURRENT INFO.  The next scheduled entertainment is on February 21st at 6 PM in Friendship Hall - The Sherwin Linton Show.  Tickets may be purchased in the Activities Office for $5 each.
Calendar Updates:
  • Zumba classes will resume on Mondays.  They only change dates when there is a Ladies Luncheon.  There will be classes in March and they will be $2 a session instead of by the month because people are starting to leave.
  • This Monday from 8 AM-9AM, we will have a REAL Yoga Session led by a specialist from Edinburgh.  The cost is $5 for the session.  After the session she will give a free seminar.  This is gentle yoga and is really good for seniors.   Pam Hoppe, Lot 630, is the contact for questions.
  • Bob Ross Painting Class - We are pleased to see that we had enough interest in the Bob Ross Class that it is a go.  Two classes will be held on March 5th.  The first one from 9 to Noon and the 2nd one from 1 to 4. The class will cost $45 and you will go home with a completed oil painting that day.  Our certified Bob Ross instructor, Larry Wiers, brings in all the supplies.  You just need to come prepared to paint!  If you have ever wondered if you could do it, this is the way to go!  There were five spots left before the meeting started.  Contact person is Mary Benfield, Lot 501.  Fees to be paid in the Activities Office.
  • The Choir Concert will be held on February 18th at 7 PM not at 6 PM as stated on the calendar.
  • Swedish Weaving has moved to Thursdays from 1 to 3 in the Friendship Hall Loft.  
  • Shuffleboarders are adding an evening session of Shuffleboarding on Monday nights at 6:30 PM.  Meet in the Small Hall to sign up/draw.  
  • 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. 
  • The Michigan Potluck is scheduled for February 17th at 1 PM.
  • Ladies Sewing Group which 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!
    • Feb 20 - Place Mats 
    • Feb 26 and 27 - Sweat Shirts (full) If you paid $8 to order a sweat shirt, please see Brenda Granger and give her another $2 as the costs of shipping has gone up.  
    • March 2 and 3 - 2nd Sweat Shirt Class
  • There are still some slots left in the Face Book class coming up on February 25 and March 4th.  It is a two-session class taught by Mary Benfield and Donna Ritchie. Sign up on the Board by the Mail Room.
  • The Computer Group is offering a new class called "Organizing Your Files - Bringing Order Out of Chaos".  It will meet Thursdays starting on the 14th of February from 9 to 10:30 AM in Activity Room #3 for 3 weeks.  Instructors are Ron Doershug and Herman Baughman.  Sign up fast as there is a limit of 6 for this class.
  • No dance on Friday night this week but you can still get tickets for the Valentine's Dance on February 14th from 7 to 10 PM.  We've sold over 200 seats for the dance so come join the fun.  Jealous Heart will be playing and the concession stand will be open.  We have some fun surprises in store for this Valentine's Party!  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 Can Am Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, February 20th . 
Bus Trips:

 The bus is licensed and running and ready to go!   For a current listing of the Bus Trips that are available, see Bus Trips on the right hand column of this blog under  CURRENT INFO.
  • The Veterans Bus Trip to tour VA facilities has been rescheduled for February 19th.  Please sign up on the Veterans Bulletin Board.  This trip is available for veterans, their spouses or widows of veterans.
  • The Port of Brownsville tour is scheduled for February 18th at 11:00 AM.  If you are going on this bus trip, take a lunch or snacks with you.  You leave at 11AM and won't have dinner until around 6 PM.  There are snacks on the boat, but they are limited.  You can take food on the boat with you.  There are still a few spaces left on this tour.

Volunteers and/or Donations Needed: 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Barb DeGaramo will store anything that you might want to donate for the Christmas stockings for next year.  If you have something lying around, just give her a call.
  • Cathy Chapin is looking for volunteer flag bearers for our Call of the States on February 27th.  Please signup in the Business Office.
  • 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. 
The 50/50 Drawing raised $97 for the Tap Dancers who need new boards.

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 
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