WINTER RANCH ACTIVITIES: Wednesday Morning News, March 6th

We went from 842 to 782 - down 60 from last week.

Congratulations and Kudos:

Praise the Saints! Lynn's surgery was a success and she is cancer free! She thanked us all for our cards and letters and for the quilt she received at the hospital. It made her feel loved!

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Memorial Service. It was a very nice service.

Thanks to the Decorating Committee for taking down the Valentine's decorations and putting up the St. Patrick's Day decor. Friendship Hall looks great!

Thanks to all those who participate in and assist with the Jams on Saturdays. All the funds from the jams goes into the Activities Fund. You guys make a major contribution to the park and we appreciate it.

We had visitors again this morning. Some of the participants in the Alamo Parade came trouping in with their two trophies - One for 1st Place Senior Division and one for 1st Place Overall! Congratulations! Also, thanks much for those thatworked hard on costumes and the float and participated in the parade and for those that attended the parade. Cathy said it was really wonderful to look out from the parade route and see so many Winter Ranchers who came out to show their support!

Judy Teply, Martha Anderson, Pat Cullett, Carol Earley, Mike Fultz, Dolora De Keyrel, Larry Chapin, Don De Keyrel

Important Information:

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.

Lot changing is going on this week. If you are new this year to Winter Ranch or aren't quite sure how the switching works and would like to change your lot for next season, see the Business Office for details.

The purse that was lost a couple of weeks ago 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!

Also, one of the maintenance men found the lost 6' sewing machine cord. It was found on the road.

If you are in charge of an activity and you haven't filled out a Yellow Activity Sheet yet to confirm your times, please do so. If you don't your activity will not be scheduled next season. We have lot of new activities coming up next year.

JD thanked all the Activities for cleaning up after themselves and said that most do a good job. He does get some complaints about activities that do not clean up after themselves. So, if you aren't cleaning up after yourselves, then it is time to add that to your list of items that needs to be done for your event. This includes moving your chairs back where they belong after you use them and cleaning up the food and popcorn off the floor and wiping down the tables. For instance, by cleaning up after the dances, we save $700 for the Activities Fund.

Cathy reminded people that rumors spread easily in the park and something that you think might be funny, can actually be hurtful and sometimes harmful. Remember that NICE MATTERS!

General News:

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.

The Computer Club has Directories for Sale for $2 and they will be on sale before and after the Wednesday morning meeting.

Jan Howard asked that we take any non-perishable items that we don't want to return home with to the Small Hall so they can be taken to ARISE and used by those that really need assistance.

Don Mueller gave us some information that he has gleaned from being on the Activities Board for the last four years.

He said he had no idea what the Activity Directors had to deal with prior to serving. For instance, he has learned that we pay an exorbitant amount of money to Broadcast Music, Inc. as we pay royalties for any of the music we play at the pool, during exercises, dances and entertainment sessions. The bill we received for next season was $9000! The fee is based on number of lots in the park and the number of performances. JD persistently and doggedly tried to get it reduced and, thank the Lord, he was successful in reducing that to $1500 for next season.

We also pay sales tax on each of the meals that we sell at the park so keep that in mind when you are paying only $5 for a meal!

Some of the things that the Activities Fund pays for are the white tables and chairs that we use in Friendship Hall. It has also paid for many kitchen upgrades and for the Shuffleboard courts to be resurfaced last year.

Don said that he certainly has a better understanding of what it is like to manage over 40 activites in a limited amount of space. Lynn added that we were now at 66 activities and it is growing!

HB Hulsey reported that there is still time to trade in your old fishing rod at the Bass Pro Shop. Your old one will be given to the Boy Scouts to distribute to the needy.

HB Husley also invited any veterans to a BBQ at the Cameron County Park in Arroyo City (near Rio Hondo). Fish, pork and beef will be served. There will be fishing and 9:00 AM, BBQ at 1 PM and another fishing boat will be out at 2 PM. See the Veterans Bulletins for details.

Rita Huether gave us an update on the First Responders which I will post on the 1st Responders page as soon as I get the notes from her. One thing to note here is that a black jacket that was given as a pillow for one of the patients is hanging in Friendship Hall. Whoever donated it, can pick it up. Thanks much!

Event News:

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 De Keyrel is the contact person for questions concerning the course.

A Reception for Pastor Johnson will be held on March 17th from 2 to 4 PM. This is Pastor Johnson's last season with us after 13 years of service. Come join us in thanking him for his service and wishing him well.

Card Shower for Pastor Johnson - Pastor Johnson's birthday is March 18th so join us in sending him a card!

Calendar Updates:

The next Ladies Luncheon will be on March 11th at Noon in the Large Hall. Ticket sales close at noon today.

Razz Ma Tazz is the entertainment on Thursday at 6 PM in Friendship Hall. Get tickets in the Activity Office.

Activity Board Meeting will be held on March 19th in the Library at 11 AM. Those just voted in are urged to attend - Lynn actually said it was mandatory!

Our new pastor for next season, Pastor Frisby, will be with us for the service on March 10th. Come join us for worship!

Roundup on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 PM for this week will be provided by Mike and Carol Earley. Come on down and join in the fun.

Craft Show in Friendship Hall on March 12th.

Movie Night will be held on March 10 and 17 from 6 to 8 PM in the Large Hall. This is after the Ice Cream Social. The movie for the 10th is "The Descendants." 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-8:55 AM. Sign up in the Large Hall across from the Mail Room. The sessions will be in the Loft. Sessions are $5 per week. Pam Hoppe, Lot 630, is the contact for questions.

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 dance this Friday is Jealous Heart at 7 PM.

The last jam will be next Saturday and the last breakfast of the season will be next Wednesday - French Toast.

Branding Iron Block Party - Everyone who lives on Branding Iron is invited to a Block Party on Friday at 3:30 on Lots 485, 486 and 487. Eat at 4 PM. Bring own beverage, chair and a dish to share. Mary Sneed is contact person.

Bus Trips:

For a current listing of available Bus Trips, see Bus Trips on the right hand column of this blog under CURRENT INFO.

Border Patrol is March 7th at 12:30 PM - If you are taking the bus or driving your own vehicle, stop in the Activities Office and sign a waiver. You can't get in without it. There is parking but we can't guarantee that it will be available.

Ol' D's Soda Shop is March 9th at 5 PM - JD needs to have everyone that is going confirm with him so he knows if he has any available seats on the bus. Also, the owner of Ol' D's needs to know how many to expect and how much space to reserve for us. Ol'D's will be serving a couple of meats on the buffet as well as as shrimp and catfish dinner. If you are planning on driving over, it might be a good idea to arrive early and order your food. There are over 100 people going!

Volunteers and/or Donations Needed: