We may have reached our peak!
We went from 854 to 859 residents
We went from 854 to 859 residents
in the park this week.
Kudos and Thank Yous:
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| Steve Good, Bonnie Ford, JD Murray, Leon Green and Judy Good |
- Congratulations to the Winter Ranch Bowling Team shown above. They took 2nd Place in the A Division at the Golden Olympics!
- Cathy raved about the Variety Show and how wonderful it was and told JD that he did an awesome job as Handsome Jack. She didn't know he had it in him!
- Lee Clement thanked all those that participated in the Variety Show and all those that came. He said next year that you need to remember your binoculars if you have to sit in the back. He also thanked the audience for the $435.04 that was raised toward expenses for the Variety Show. They will be looking into purchasing a couple more headsets for the performers for next year.
- Charles Kroll sent a note to all those that signed the card that was sent to him - all 137 of us. Lynn stated that we are all like family here and it makes this park special. Please remember to keep Charles and Elinor in your prayers.
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| The Canadian Team Marching In |
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| The American Team Marching In |
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| Canadian Team |
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| Jim Melvin putted a honorary golf ball into the audience |
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| Canadian Team Singing "Oh, Canada" |
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| Dick DeGaramo leads us in singing "God Bless America" |
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| Most of the American Team |
- The Small Hall will be closed to other activities and sales from 1 to 4 today and on Thursday due to the Billiards League Tournament that will be in process.
- Since people have started to leave, Cathy brought up a few things to remember when we leave the park.
- During the meeting today, Cathy received the notice from Wilder that there would be no rate increase for next season leading to major round of applause. This is the first time in anyone's memory that we didn't have an increase from one year to the next. That also means that by late this afternoon, the Business Office will be able to take deposits for next year.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Activities Office will be closed tomorrow because Lynn will be having some surgery. We wish her the best of luck! If there is something urgent that needs attention, Cathy may be able to help in the Business Office. The Activities Office will be open on and off on Friday. Next week JD will probably man the office on his own. Lynn asked that we be nice to him!
- 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 and the whole Board for next year will be introduced at that meeting.
- The Golf Course - Last week Cathy asked that 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. She thanked many of our people for wearing their badges this week as the number of people not wearing badges has decreased significantly since this announcement last week.
- If you are the person that removed a 4 x6 camera case, a camera and a purple coin purse attached to the case from the Women's restrooms in Friendship Hall, please return it to the Business Office. Cathy said there will be no questions asked. The person who lost it is quite upset because it contains all of her credit cards, driver's license and passport. The loss of all of her identification is of major concern and this will be reported as stolen and the police will have to be involved if it is not returned by this afternoon.
- Ron Doerschug reported that all the changes have been made to the Winter Ranch Directories and they were on sale in the Large Hall this morning. They will be again next week.
- JD cleaned up a whole bucket of coffee that ended up on the floor from the Coffee Machine this week. If you use the coffee machine, please be sure you hit the right button and that your cup is under that spigot. Otherwise, the coffee gets dumped. There are now instructions on the machine to try and keep this from happening again. The money for this free coffee comes out of Activity Funds and it is your money. Coffee is a BIG expense to the Activity Funds so we certainly don't want to waste it.
- On a lighter note, if anyone noticed that their golf cart had been moved out front of the hall, we had a little person that accidentally got into the wrong cart. She figured it out fast and hoped she got it back in the right spot before anyone figured out it was missing.
- 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. Anyone participating in the parade should meet at Don De Keyrel's (Parade Coordinator) Lot this Friday at 3 PM for a short meeting and to figure out the lineup for the parade.
- 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.
- 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 or Hall Sale that is open to the public will be on February 22nd from 8 to 12 noon. Please see JD to let him know how many tables you will need. Anything that doesn't leak, smell or make deposits on the floor can be sold in Friendship Hall. JD needs to get an idea of how to set the place up so do visit him in the Activities Office so he knows how to proceed table-wise. 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 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. Jan Howard would like donations of cookies for the event. There is a signup sheet on the Church Bulletin Board.
- 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 next scheduled Entertainment is scheduled for February 21st at 6 PM in Friendship Hall - The Sherwin Linton Show. Sherwin does a tribute to Johnny Cash so if you like Johnny Cash, this may be the show for you. Tickets may be purchased in the Activities Office for $5 each or you can buy them at the door.
- There is No Potluck this Monday.
- The Acrylic Painting Class is cancelled for Thursday because of Lynn's surgery.
- The Yoga Session with the yoga expert was a huge success so we will now have Yoga Sessions with this instrutor on Mondays from 8 AM-9AM. Sign up in the Large Hall across from the Mail Room. Depending on the size of the group the sessions with either be in the loft or 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. We still need 11 golfers and 10 alternates. See Rosie Dorsey, Lot 273. Proceeds from this event 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 1 to 4. 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!
- 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
- The dance this Friday is Swing Tyme 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.
- The Basilica tour has space for those that are interested. Please sign up in the Large Hall.
- There is also room on the Aloe Farm Trip on Monday, the 23rd. It is $9 and lunch is included.
- JD will be posting another Ol'D's Soda Shop tour and the last Border Patrol trip.
- 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 Chapin is looking for volunteer flag bearers for our Call of the States on February 27th. Please signup in the Business Office. She really needs more of you!!
- 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.
- 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.
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. Once in awhile I may also misidentify someone or spell the name wrong. Please let me know if you see a mistake. I will change it immediately! 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
