Winter Ranchers Visit Santa
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Carole Earley, Kathy Loerch, Carolyn Sommers,
Marsha Bender and Carol Carmack with Santa.
These ladies are on the Nice List!
We grew from 467 to 516 residents in the
park this week.
Welcome home Winter Ranch residents!
INTRODUCING:
Clem and Mona Moreau
Lot 374
Jerry Rabitz and Karen Hanson
Lot 217
Note: There is a new page under the Current Info Section to the right that has pictures of all our new residents for this season. We are going to try to get pictures as our new people are introduced at the morning meeting but if they don't attend, we'll have to get them later. We'll post them as soon as we can get their picture and information!
Important Information:
Veterans – If your picture is not on the Veterans’ Board on the stage end of Friendship Hall, please get your picture to Donna Ritchie at Lot 689. Donna Ritchie will see that it is placed on the board.
Rio Propane – Rio comes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Entertainment – You can start signing up for any of the shows that will be put on at Winter Ranch now in the Activities Office.
We will have a Wednesday Morning Meeting next Wednesday and then we will have two weeks off for Christmas and New Years!
Ron Doerschug asked that anyone who has turned in their sheets for information for the directory before December 4th please send him your e-mail address if it changed from last year. He missed that when he made the form. People coming in from now on will have the right form.
Opened Mail - One of our residents received a bank statement that had been opened. If you accidently open something that belongs to someone else, please mark on it “Opened By Mistake” before it is put in their mail box. It would help to know that it was an accident and had not been opened by someone in the Post Office.
Mail: Please make sure that you let people know to include your box number with your address so the mail room staff don’t have to look up so many box numbers. We get hundreds of pieces of mail per day!
Angel Tree - The presents for the Angel Tree project need to be wrapped and delivered to the Stage at next Wednesday’s Morning Meeting.
THANK YOUS:
Cathy thanked Dale Loerch for talking Ashley Furniture into donating four beds to the needy in the ARISE area. One went to the older woman who didn’t have a bed.
JD thanked Dave Langfield for the plaques for the military branches that have been placed above the West Door near the Veterans Wall.
LAST WEEK:
Our crafting ladies had a good time last week making reindeers out of towels.
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| Ladies Working On The Reindeer Project |
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| Judy Babler and Judith Simpson |
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| Group with their Reindeers |
Special one month long (January) 50/50 to raise money for the Activity Fund: $2 a ticket or 6 tickets for $10. You need to purchase tickets in the Activity Office for this one. Stop in the office any time to purchase your tickets. Come once or come often as this is a money-raising event.
ARISE Christmas Posada – The people at ARISE have invited any of us who want to attend their Christmas Posada to come over. The Posada will be Tuesday, December 17th at 5:30 PM. More information is on the Get Well Board by the steps in Friendship Hall.
The Good Samaritan Project - Sandy Tester gave a report on how the moneys were dispersed for the project.
- Asalia Soto and her daughter, Ashley and Asalia and Arturo Araugo and their two sons and 1 grandson (our families this season) were given a Gift Certificate from HEB for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Each person in the family received a gift of clothing and other items totaling over $550.
- The Christmas Stocking Project was given $400 for items for the ARISE Christmas Posada distribution.
- $500 was donated to the Alamo Chamber of Commerce for their Toy Drive.
- Over $400 in food was donated to ARISE in South Alamo.
Tap Dancing Classes – Penny Vollrath is offering new Beginners Classes for Tap Dancing. The class will meet at 9 AM on Mondays in Activity Room No. 3. Penny is an experienced teacher and has taught tap for many years. She would love to have some new students so just talk to her if you are interested or show up for class.
There are still some Symphonic Band tickets available in the Business Office. The Christmas Symphony “Tis The Season” will be on December 17th. Tickets are $5 each. You can purchase tickets in the Business Office. The bus is full and there is a waiting list for people that cancel on the bus, however, you can drive over. It will held at The Trinity Worship Center and they have a lot of parking available.
Social Dance Classes for couples are being offered beginning on Friday afternoons from 1 to 3 PM in Friendship Hall. The classes will be taught by Steve and Gail Larner. They have been competition dancers. The charge is $5 per person per lesson which is REALLY reasonable. We had our first dance lesson last week and it went really well. If you would like to join us, just come on over on Friday afternoon. We are learning the Country Two Step and the Rumba. This is a great time to start. Everyone will be starting out and it will be new to all of you. If you ever have wanted to take dance classes this is your time!
Massages – We are going to start offering massages at Winter Ranch. We have signed on a licened massage therapist, Jae Jang, LMT. He specializes in deep tissue, sports massage, Swedish massage, Therapeutic, Myofascial Release and Chair Massage. There will be a signup sheet on the Bulletin Board. He will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 4 PM. His normal fee is $70 for a one hour body massage but he will be doing it for $35 at Winter Ranch. A Chair Massage will be $10 for 10 minutes, $20 for 15 minutes and $30 for 30 minutes.
Paul Wilson gave a report on the Alamo Chamber. Remember to sign your name on the Guest List if you visit the chamber because that signup is what triggers their receiving brochures and other information in the valley. Paul also wanted to invite us to a couple of events:
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Chamber Golf Tournament: February 22nd. $18 per person for a three person team. You can pick up your applications at the Visitor Center which is near the El Dorado Restaurant at 803 Main Street in Alamo.
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Winter Texan Appreciation Dinner is
February 26th. It is a free
meal, however, you need to pick up your tickets at the Chamber – address above.
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Texas Independence Day Parade is on March 1st. at 11:00 AM and starts at HEB and ends at Central Park (in
front of El Dorado Restaurant). The
theme this year is Circus.
Blood Drive –United Blood Service will arrive on December 12th from 9 AM to 1:30 and take blood donations. December and January are critical months for them. They are the only blood bank in the Valley and they cover 18 hospitals and four counties. Our goal is 35 units of blood which takes 50 people to sign up. If we get more than 50, we'll extend the hours. Right now we only have three people signed up so please take the opportunity to help people in the valley. This blood donation stays in this area.
New Year’s Dance - Tickets and reserved tables for the New Year’s Dance are available in the Activities Office. The reserved tables are going fast! 210 people have already reserved their seats.
Christmas Lighting Contest - Anyone interested in being included as a contestant in the contest needs to sign up on the bulletin board by the Mail Room by noon on December 12 and select the category that they want to be in. RV’s have a category all their own but people who have an RV are not limited to that category. We have great prizes for the winners this year and they will be awarded in several categories:
- Silent Night, Holy Night (most religious display)
- Martha Stewart Would Be Proud (most elegant display)
- Charlie Browniest (most whimsical display)
- Clark Griswold (most lights display)
- Making Spirits Bright (most festive RV – motor home, trailer or fifth wheel only)
Judging Ballots for each lot will be put in your mail
boxes by December 14th. Then feel free
to ride or walk around and look at the lights and pick your favorites. There will be a bucket near the Activity
Office where you can drop off your ballots.
Ballots must be dropped off by noon
on December 20th. The winners will be
announced at the Christmas Party on December 24th.
Park Garage Sale – We will be having one garage sale that is open to the public this year. It will be held in Friendship Hall and is scheduled for January 24th from 8 AM until Noon.
Margarita Party (50's and 60's Costumes and Theme) - Tuesday, February 11th at 3 PM. Nachos, Chips and 2 Special Margaritas. This is a Pool Group Fundraiser. Advance Tickets are $7 each.
Trailer Trash Party - The Dance Team and the Karaoke folks invite you to a Trailer Trash Party! The Roundup on January14th will be from 2PM to 5:30 PM to accommodate a costumed Trailer Trash Party with games, dancing, and entertainment. Find the trashy, redneck or poor taste that resides somewhere in all of us. This is a costume party and is free to anyone who dresses like Trailer Trash. Those that don't choose to dress down can pay $5 to join the fun. The money will go to the Activity Fund. BYOB in your favorite cooler and a tacky appetizer to share. Be creative – think pork rinds and fried opossum. If you bring something home-made and good to eat, it needs to be disguised as tacky!! Otherwise, only food that isn’t home-made is acceptable like Cheetos, Weenies or Twinkies -- anything that isn’t home-made real food. It will be a hoot!
Bob Ross Art Class - Larry Wiers, a certified Bob Ross instructor, will be here on January 21st to do two classes of 10 students each. The morning class will be from 9 to noon and the afternoon class will be 1 to 4 PM. Larry supplies everything you need to complete a painting except paper towels and some wet wipes. You will need to bring those to clean up. Classes are for beginners and are $45 per person and should be paid ahead of the class in the Activities Office. A signup sheet is on the Bulletin Board Across from Mail Room.
Calendar Updates:
Beading - will be cancelled for January 24th due to the Garage Sale.
Dairy Queen Bingo – This event has been cancelled for Winter Ranch. We are looking for a new venue for this type of Bingo and will keep you informed.
Zumba Senior Gold will begin January 6, 2014 in Friendship Hall from Noon until 12:45 PM. The cost is $2 each session. We will meet every Monday in January and February. Marisol Ybarra, Certified Senior Gold Zumba Instructor will be our instructor.
Gentle Senior Yoga will begin January 6, 2014 in Loft - 8 AM until 8:45 AM. The cost is $3 each session. Gentle Yoga will meet every Monday the months of January and February. Irma Burr (M.Ed., RYT) Certified Yoga Therapist will lead the class.
Christmas Stocking Project – Come help stuff the stockings on Monday, December 16th, at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to help.
AARP Drivers Safety Class – will be held on January 23rd from 8 AM – 10 AM in Friendship Hall. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Another session will be scheduled later. See information on the boards in Friendship Hall.
Entertainment: January 9th – Goldwing and January 16th Red Head Express. Tickets are on sale in the Activities Office.
On December 17, the Roundup will be a Taste of the Valley. You can come on over and sample foods from various places in the Valley. We'll have entertainment, Carlos King, and the Chuck Wagon open also.
Ice Cream Social will be served this Sunday evening at 5 PM in Friendship Hall. Bring your own bowl and spoon. It is $1 per scoop.
Christmas Caroling – Join us for Caroling on Wednesday, December 18th at 4:30 PM in front of Friendship Hall. You are welcome to join in on foot, bicycle or golf cart. Karen Timko is the Coordinator of this event.
Christmas Party - will be held on December 24th at 2 PM. We will have soup, salads and desserts. The Activity Office will suppy the soup and those coming can bring a salad or dessert. Lynn will post a note on which letters of the alphabet brings what. If you want to exchange gifts, bring a wrapped gift marked "Male" or "Female" with a cost range of $5-$10. The winners of the Christmas Lighting Contest will be announced at the party and they will be awarded their prizes then.
Candlelight Service - will be held on December 24th from 7 PM - 8 PM in Friendship Hall.
The Life After Loss Group will have a Christmas Eve Gathering in Activity Room #3 on December 24th. after the Candlelight Service. Please see Dianna Mollerus at Lot 508 or Bobby Louge at Lot 526 for more information.
Christmas Dinner will be December 25th at 1 PM. Sign up for your table on the easels in Friendship Hall. The turkey money is ready in the office. Please sign a receipt before you leave the office.
The Woodshop Dinner will be held on January 7th at 4:30 PM. Tickets are $6 and will be sold in the Small Hall unless there is a Billiard Tournament. Then they will be selling in the Large Hall from 9 to 11 AM each day. The Menu is a baked potato with all the toppings dessert and a drink. BRING YOUR OWN TABLE SERVICE!
Bus Trips:
Thursday, December 12th – Mystery Bus Trip (free). The bus will leave at 9 AM and return at 2 PM. Lunch is on your own. This bus trip is full.
Saturday, December 14th – Hidalgo Lights (no meal). The bus will leave at 5:30 and return at 8:30 PM. Sign up in the Activities Office. There are six seats left on this bus trip.
Thursday, December 19th, bus trip to Al Fresco Weslaco. The bus will leave at 5:00 PM. There will be a parade, crafts, food, etc. This is our first trip to this event. You might want to bring a lawn chair. Sign up in the Activities Office.
Saturday, January 25th, bus trip to Nikki Rowe High School to see “Annie Get Your Gun”. Thanks to Rosie Ewald and Judy Timmer for getting us the tickets. This will be a trip for Winter Ranch only. Sign up in the Activities Office. The tickets are $12 each. The tickets for this are sold out.
Thursday, January 2nd bus trip to Winks. The bus will leave at 4 PM. You can have dinner on your own there. There is live entertainment and dancing and cattle roping. The bus will return at 9:30 PM.
Friday, January 3rd, trip to tour The Basilica of Our
Lady of San Juan del Valle. The bus will leave at 9 AM.
Lunch is on your own,
Saturday, January 4th, trip to the Bees Hockey Game. The bus will leave at 6 PM . The tickets are $7.50 each.
Thursday, January 9th is a Mystery Bus Trip. The cost
is $4 and lunch is on your own.
Saturday, January 11th is a trip to Elvis Days in Los Fresnos. It costs $8 to get into the Festival. A tour of Little Graceland would be a separate charge.
Monday, January 13th is a trip to King’s Ranch. The cost is
$25 per person. The bus will leave at 10 AM.
You will have a BBQ and a tour of the ranch.
Wednesday, January 15th is a trip to the Hidalgo Pump House. The bus will leave at 9 AM and the cost is $5 per person,
Thursday, January 16th is a trip to SAS Shoes and the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville,
Texas. The bus will leave at 9:00 AM. The cost is $8 for the zoo. Lunch is on your own at the Golden Corral. Return trip will be approximately 3:30 PM. Please pay for the zoo tickets in the Activities Office prior to January 15th.
Gail Field is our Coordinator for Tours and Cruises. She has posted a booklet on the Travel Board as well as a page of Go with Jo Tours. Get in touch with Gail for more information or to sign up for one of the trips. I don’t post phone numbers on the blog but hers is on the Travel Board in Friendship Hall.
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:
The Dance this Friday is in need of kitchen help, a 50/50 team and one door. Please sign up on the bulletin board across from the Mail Room.
Bikers Escort Needed - Some drivers to escort the bikers for the Short Bike Rides. Please contact Joe Holzer if you are interested. You will be reimbursed for mileage.
Angel Tree - The Angel Tree has tags on it for children on South Tower Road that are very needy. Take a tag or two off the three and purchase a gift ranging from $5 to $10 for the child. Cathy noted that a lot of tags have disappeared but there are a lot of little boy tags still on the tree. The presents for the Angel Tree project need to be wrapped and delivered to the Stage at next Wednesday’s Morning Meeting.
Good Samaritan Program – You received an envelope for this project with your Welcome Packet. Two families have been selected by the local school for our park. They are chose because of their needs. Pictures of the chosen families have been posted on the Church Bulletin Board.
Christmas Stockings Project – Barb DeGaramo is the Coordinator for the Christmas Stockings Project. The Christmas Stockings are given to the ARISE organization and sometimes these are the only gifts these children get at Christmas. Barb says she can use school supplies, small match box cars, small dolls, and Christmas Stockings from the Dollar Store. They do also make some of the stockings. They would like to make 300 this year. Last year we donated 200 stockings but they ran short so we will be increasing our efforts this Christmas. There is a donation box for this project by the Activities Office. These children are 8 years and younger. We will be stuffing the stockings on Monday, December 16th, at 10:00 AM in Friendship Hall. All are welcome to help.
Ronald McDonald House - If you have any soaps and shampoos from hotels, you can donate those to this project until after the stockings are delivered. After that we can still use the shampoos and soaps. We donate them to the Ronald McDonald House.
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The 50/50 Drawing this morning raised
$78 for the crochet group. Our Manager,
Cathy, won the pot and donated the money back to the Crochet Group.
