February
1, 2013
Vol.
1, Edition 9
After much “dinkin'” around (can I say that?)
the bus is actually ready to be used. People were getting pretty
frustrated, starting at the top and moving on down to us peons.
There is a trip today to the Bass Pro Shop. If you have previously
signed up for any trips that were canceled, be sure to check with JD
in the Activities Office to see if you are still on the list.
We
are at the peak of the season, so there are many events coming up
this month and next. Be sure to make note of them so you don't miss
anything you are interested in.
Veteran's Bus Trip has been rescheduled to February
19th. See HB Hulsey, the Vet's Advocate here in the park,
to make sure you are on that list.
SAS and Brownsville Zoo trip is February 13th.
Bus will leave right after the meeting at 10 a.m. Still seats
available on that one, and it's always an enjoyable day.
The Craft Sale will be Feb 12th from 8
to noon. Volunteers are always needed for this day – ranging from
setting up tables on Monday evening to making pies, taking food
orders from vendors and cleaning tables and trays. Help is needed in
the kitchen as well.
If you have never volunteered, you should try it. We
have so much fun it hardly seems like work.
The Pet Parade has been changed to February 14th,
so you get to dress up your pets to celebrate Valentine's Day instead
of St. Patrick's Day. This starts at 10 a.m and takes place on the
dog walk between Trophy and Winter Ranch. Come watch this parade to
see how creative people can be. Fascinating!
YARD SALE is on Friday, Feb. 15th from
8 to noon. You will need to bring all your sales items to the big
hall. This sale will be open to the public, but in order to keep
outsiders from roaming around the park, we will try to contain them
in one spot.
MARGARITA POOL PARTY will be on the 25th,
starting at 4 pm. This was a major success last year, so get your
tickets early. The billiard players host this party and do a
fabulous job of it. There are only a limited number of tickets, so
don't wait. This year there will be prizes for the best Mardi Gras
costumes, along with 50/50 drawings and the
drawing for the beautiful pool cue hand-made by Don
Granger. Ticket prizes are $6.00 and $7.00 if you want a Bloomin'
Onion this year. There will be plenty of Margaritas for seconds and
maybe even thirds!
The Canada vs US (Can-Am) golf tournament will be
on Weds., Feb 20th. This event fills up fast, so sign up
early. The Americans have been dominating, but that can change in a
heartbeat. The tournament includes 45 Canadians and 45 Americans,
coming from Trophy and Winter Ranch. The winning country leads a
golf cart parade around the two parks. See Dick DeGaramo if you want
to participate.
Don't forget the Memorial Service – Celebration of
Life on February 26th at 1:30 in the big hall. This
is to remember and honor the residents who have passed away in 2012.
There is a list posted on the bulletin board, as well as on the WR
Blog. Please look it over and make sure everyone is listed. If you
know of anyone who has been overlooked, please let Jeanine Helmer
(lot 503) or Cathy in the office know.
Plans
are coming along for the 50th
Anniversary party, which will
be on Sunday, Feb 10th,
starting at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the party for
socializing and cake. There is a sign-up sheet on the board, so if
you will be hitting that magic mark this year, be sure to sign up.
Paul and Janet Wilson are in charge of the party, if you have any
questions. That is also the Sunday that the new pastor will be
giving the sermon, so you might want to check him out. We liked him
a lot, so will probably be there.
Flag
Day is going to be February
27th.
This is always an inspiring day. It's fun to see how many states
are represented here in the park. If you are interested in carrying
a flag for your state, or any other state, stop in the office to see
Cathy.
The
Talent Show is going
to be held February 15th
this year, as so many people were gone already last March. Lee
Clement is the coordinator this year. He is on Lot 158 and welcomes
talent of all kinds. If you can sing, dance, do comedy or magic
tricks, (or anything else that entertains) be sure to contact Lee.
There is no admission charge and if past shows are any indication,
you will have a ball laughing at and with your WR friends. There are
also plenty of amazing singers here too. The synchronized swimming
skit was a big hit last year!
TUESDAY SOCIAL HOURS – Lynn
& JD work very hard to keep us all entertained and out of
trouble. From 3:30 to 5 on Tuesdays, they find entertainment willing
to work for a donation. That can't be easy. The kitchen is open,
serving walking tacos and hot dogs. Now they are going to try
something different on Tuesdays in that time frame – an
old-fashioned hoe-down. Not sure what form that is going to take,
but it will be interesting and fun, I'm sure. They are still looking
for suggestions on a catchy name for the social hours, so put on your
thinking cap and let them know what you come up with. Be there
Tuesday Feb 12th to see what is going to happen next!
Looking for a place
to go out for Friday fish? Check out Gambas' Mexican Seafood Grill
on 912 E. Nolana, Ste E., in Pharr. It's in a shopping strip, so not
the easiest to find, but the owner and staff is very friendly and the
fish and shrimp are reasonably priced and delicious. Everything is
available either deep-fried or baked. You can bring your own adult
beverage. We've been there twice and it's been an enjoyable
experience both times.
Another place we
checked out for fish is Casa d' Marisco on 502 W. Pike in Weslaco.
We were there in the evening (after 6 PM) and everything was great.
Others who have been there during the day were disappointed in the
service and quality of food. Evidently there is different management
there at night.
We also checked out
Frank's BBQ on 495 in San Juan, where the old Junction used to be.
The place has been redecorated and is nice and clean. Service was
very attentive and the brisket and sausage that I had was delicious.
Mary Beth had the stuffed baked potato and she said that was very
good too. Jack & Greg had the big burger (½ pounder) and liked
it. However, like so many places here – no ticket is given, so you
have to go up to the register and tell her what you had. AND you may
have to remind her that it was/is on special. Kind of annoying, in
my opinion, but that's the way they do it down here, I guess.
If you have been to
a restaurant here in the Valley and want to recommend it, just let me
know. I'm sure a lot of people will recommend Felix' Burgers, but in
my experiences there it's pretty hit and miss. Sometimes it's very
good, other times not so much.
THINGS
TO REMEMBER
Speed limit in the
park is STILL 10 MPH. Be careful we don't have a funeral to attend
because of your carelessness! What's the big rush anyway? We are
all retired, aren't we?
T-SHIRTS for
diapers. Get rid of those old t-shirts and help the needy by
donating them to the sewing group. They make the cutest diapers.
Alamo Winter Texan
Appreciation day is Feb 14th at 5 p.m. Stop at the
Chamber of Commerce across from the El Dorado Restaurant for your
free ticket.
Valentine's dance on
Feb 14th with music by Jealous Heart, starts at 7 PM.
Bring your honey and have a great time. (But don't tell your
spouse!)
SHOW & SHARE
where all the crafty people in the park show off what they've been
working on all winter will be on March 3. You will be surprised at
the amount of talent we have here.
Until next time –
Be healthy, be safe, be kind.
I've been marveling
at this one lonely grapefruit on this little tree trying desperately
to stay alive. It belongs to Jane and Francis Drake. I am so
impressed with this little tree – sort of a symbol of the human
spirit. Or maybe not – maybe it's just a grapefruit. You decide!
Donna Hulsey
Wrangler Editor
Donna Hulsey
Wrangler Editor
