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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Wednesday, February 6th Morning Meeting News


We grew from  855 to 863 residents 
in the park this week.  
Welcome home 
Winter Ranch residents!


Kudos and Thank Yous:
  • The Alamo Chamber of Commerce had their 2013 Annual Banquet on January 31st.  At that banquet they give out awards and this year they gave their Winter Texan of the Year Award to one of our own.  Barb DeGaramo was given the Winter Texan of the Year Award.  See separate posting on this blog for details.  Congratulations, Barb and thanks to all you ladies that work so industriously making those quilts for the needy and stuffing those stockings!  They are such a worthwhile projects.
Cathy introducing Barb as the Winter Texan of the Year from the Alamo Chamber of Commerce
  • Winter Ranch also received a Bell Ringer Award from the Salvation Army because of the residents who rang bells during the Christmas season.  The Coordinator for this event was Karen Hockemeier.  Thanks much Karen and all the bell ringers for your work in the community!
  • Thanks to Ron Jensen who made a plaque that will be used to display information on all our golfers who have made holes in one!
 Important Information:
  • ADVISORY BOARD NOMINATIONS  -  All nomination forms must be returned to the office no later than February 11th.  There are three openings:  Dance, Member at Large and Indoor/Outdoor Sports.  If you nominate someone for a position, that person must sign your nomination form so that we know they will accept the position.  
  • Cathy asks that if you have suggestions, complaints or questions that you put in the Suggestion Box that you sign your name to it.  It is especially hard to answer a question if she doesn't know who asked the question!  She won't bite!!
  • JD asked that if you are going to sell tickets in the Small Hall that you let the Activities Office know before you set up.  Sometimes it gets pretty confusing in the Small Hall.
  • More Photo Directories have come in so if you ordered one, stop in the Activities Office to pick one up.
  • We are having some problems with the pool.  The chemicals are fine.  It is just that there is only one pump and one filter so the water tends to get a little cloudy.  They are working on the problem.
  • Wilder Corporation will no longer accept cash for rent and utility bills.  Only Checks, credit cards and money orders will be accepted.  Cathy asked that we "not shoot the messenger."
  • If you borrowed equipment or tools from the Wood Shop, please return it.  They are missing several hundreds of dollars worth of tools.
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.  
  • Our Social Hour will now be called The Roundup.  It seems pretty appropriate for a ranch!  The first official Roundup will be this Tuesday at 3:30 and it will be a Barn Dance. No other Roundups in February are scheduled.
  • Bob Ross Painting Class - Mary Benfield has been talking to a Bob Ross certified painting instructor who would come in to teach a 3 hour class for us.  The time and date has not been scheduled yet because the Activities Office wants to make sure we have an interest first.  There are signup sheets in the Small Hall and in Friendship Hall across from the Mail Room.  The class will cost $45 and you will go home with a completed oil painting.  The instructor 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!
  • The Business Office has tickets for the remaining two Symphonic Band Performances on Tuesday, February 12th and March 26th, at the Trinity Worship Center.   The theme for the February 12th concert is "Journeys."  The tickets are $5.  Sign up for a ride on the bus in the Activities Office.  The office now has more tickets for the February 12th performance.
  • Ladies Luncheon Group fundraiser - last chance to purchase your ticket for a GPS with free lifetime 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 at the next Wednesday morning meeting.
  • There will be a Variety Show Practice on February 8th at 11:30 AM.  They will also figure out the order of the show at that time.  It is important that everyone participating be there as they also need to get all the names for the Programs.  Carol Early needs to get your music on a CD so get in touch with her as soon as you can to get this done before the practice.  
  • Ron Doershug gave an update on the Directory status.  He reminded us that we lost two people last year that did the work for the Directory but that the Computer Group is making some progress.  Please return the Directory Proof Sheets that you have or will receive shortly  in the mail with any corrections on them as soon as possible.  He also asked if anyone that would like to volunteer to help that had some Excel or Word capabilities to see him.  The Computer Group is also looking for someone who could teach Android Tablets next year.  Please see Ron.
  • Jan Howard reported that Pastor Frisby who will be our pastor next season will be conducting the church service this Sunday.  Our present pastor is retiring after many years of service.  Please join us at church to make Pastor Frisby feel welcome.  
  Event News:
  • The 3rd Annual Golf Scramble will be held on March 1st at 9 AM.  There is a $5 entry fee that you can pay on Monday or Thursday mornings at the regular scrambles.  Donuts and coffee will be served in the morning and lunch will be served after the event.  If you can make a hole in one on Hole 3, you have the chance to win a car donated by Burns Motors!  There will also be other prizes awarded.  All the money from this event will be donated to Juvenile Diabetes.  If you are not going to participate and want to make a donation to Juvenile Diabetes, just see Vicki Miller.  She'll be happy to take your cash for this worthwhile charity.
  • The Doggie Parade will be held on February 14th, Valentine's Day, 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!
  • Show & 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.
  • Ladies Luncheon on February 11th at Noon.  The program will be Ms. South Texas.  Brisket, potato salad, sauteed green beans and dessert will be served.  February 6th is the last day to purchase tickets.  She requested that the Ladies Decorating Group meet on Monday at 10:00 AM in Friendship Hall.   The Dessert Group will meet at 12:30 on Sunday in the Kitchen.
  • 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 - $6 selling tickets now.  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 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 at 6:30 PM.  The theme will be A Starry Night In Texas.  
  • 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 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!  
    • Volunteers should also sign up on the Guests Sheet so we can get an accurate account for ice cream!
  • The Dance this week is Sweet Water on February 8th at 7 PM.  
  • 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.
    • Punches Family is this Thursday at 6 PM.  They are a Gospel/Rock & Roll Group and it should be fun!  Tickets are on sale in the Activities Office.
Calendar Updates:
  • Newcomers Meeting on Friday, February 8th, at 9:30 AM in the Library.
  •  Ladies Sewing Group which will be held on Wednesday from 1 to 3 PM in the Arts & 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 13 - Make a Purse (full)
    • Feb 20 - Place Mats 
    • Feb 26 & 27 - Sweat Shirts (full)
  • Sunday Movie - On February 17th at 3:30 we will be showing Long Long Trailer.  This movie was made in 1953 and stars Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Marjorie Main and Keenan Wynn.  The concession stand will be open.  You can bring your comfy lawn chairs.
  • 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.
  •  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.   Jo Ann Sullivan said we should plan to attend as there will lots of fun things to do.  We will be moving but it is easy stuff to do and it will be fun.  The concession stand will also be open.
  • The Valentines Dance is scheduled for Valentines Day, February 14th at 7 PM.  Jealous Heart 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 Activity Office has sold over 200 tickets thus far so get your tickets now and reserve your table.
  • The Can Am Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, February 20th .  You need to signup by February 8th.  Cost is $2.
  • The Call of the States ceremony has been moved to February 27th.
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.
Tours:
 Gail suggested that if we wanted to go on a "Go With Joe" trip that we call them directly as their trips fill up fast.  They have a $69 Gaming Trip that comes with $25 in gaming cards right now.  She will be seeing us in a couple weeks as she is on vacation for a couple of weeks.
 
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed: 
  • JD needs men to help set up chairs for the entertainment this Thursday.  Meet at 2:30 on Thursday, February 7th in Friendship Hall.
  • Brenda Granger, Ladies Luncheon,  is in need of guys to set up tables for the Ladies Luncheon.  Meeting in Friendship Hall at 9 AM on Monday, February 11th.  
  • Ladies, if you have a gift or craft to share as prizes at the Ladies Luncheon, see Brenda Granger.  She needs to know what she has before she goes out and buys anything.
  • 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!  
  • 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. 
  • 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 $125 for the Wood Shop.

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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