We
grew from 785 to 825 residents in the park this week.
Welcome
home Winter Ranch residents!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Gold Coast Shrimp Bus Trip on Monday, January 20th - There are six seats now available on this bus tour. If you are interested, please get signed up in the Activities Office. It is $12 and dinner on your own at Luby's.
DIRECTORY PICTURES ARE BEING SCHEDULED: Shirley Snell and/or Sue Ende will be available to register people for their pictures for next year’s Pictorial Directory. You will receive a free Picture Directory if you have your picture taken. You may purchase pictures if you like but you are under no obligation to do so. It would be great to see all of the Winter Ranch residents in next year’s directory!! Make your appointment with Shirley at one of these times:
- Thursday, January 16th from 10-11 AM in the Small Hall
- Friday, January 17 from 10-11:30 AM in the Video Room
Please don’t swarm Shirley and overwhelm
her. She didn’t even get a chance to
set up last week before this happened.
Give her some time to get her stuff arranged and then form orderly
single file lines.
Advance Tickets For The Agency on February
21st. The Agency was a
big success and we have heard many great comments about the band. They will be here again on February 21st. We got them once for next year and three
times in the following year. We will
sell tickets for people here in the park on Monday starting at 10:00 AM and all day on Tuesday.
$8 per ticket. After that reservations will be open to people outside the park.
We will be advertising the reserved seating this time so the tickets will sell faster. So, get your tickets and reserve your seats as soon as you can! Our maximum seating is 350 and we were really close to that maximum last time. Note: Please bring a check or exact cash for the number of seats you will reserving along with the names of the people who will be occupying those seats. Reservations will be on a seat by seat basis! We plan on selling out prior to the dance!
Golf Course – Please wear your badges
when you are in the Winter Ranch buildings and also on the Golf course. You could be asked to leave the golf course
if you are not wearing one. It is impossible
for our workers to know everyone so please do your part to keep the golf course
open to only Trophy Gardens
and Winter Ranch people.
Memorial Service – Please check out the
listing of names of people that died in the past year. It is on the board across from the Mail Room. If you see someone we have missed, let
Jeannine Helmer know. We are working on
the program now and we don’t want to miss anyone.
Entertainment – You can sign up for any of the shows that will be put on at Winter Ranch now in the Activities Office.
Community Parade – Next month on February 4, 5, and 6, there will be a Community Parade from 10 AM to 2 PM. People will be touring different places in the Valley including our park. Visitors may walk around the hall, the stained glass room, the Wood Shop and other park Buildings. Please make them feel welcome!
50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration – This is coming up and we would like to have the names of all those people who will be celebrating 50 years of marriage this year and also those that have already achieved 50 years or more. There are signups on the Board across from the Mail Room. We REALLY need you to let us know if you will be attending so we have enough cake and ice creak.
Resident Badges: If you didn’t receive a Texas dangler for your badge when you came in, they are now available in the Business Office.
Golf Carts: Please park in golf cart parking on Thursdays because we have entertainment and lots of people are coming in. We will probably have 500 people for the Red Hat Express! This also goes for Friday night dances. We need all the vehicle parking we can get.
To all the Singles: We are starting to learn the Merengue which is the easiest dance ever. We have had requests from several single ladies to join. We really need some single men to join them. If you would like to learn how to dance, it is time to team up. Just join the class on Friday at 1:00 PM in Friendship Hall. As I said at the meeting, guys, women love men who can dance! This dance can be done to a lot of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music. If you know of a single in another park, they are welcome to join in also. It is $5 per class per person. Ladies, if you want a partner, you need to be here too!
INTRODUCING:
We have some new people at Winter Ranch:
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| Shirley and Tom Mills |
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| Wanda and Jim Ochocki |
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| Nancy and Herman Singletary |
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| Phyllis of Jim and Phyllis Beeksma |
They are a transfer from Trophy Gardens.
Thank Yous:
To Lee and Mary Benfield for organizing the Trailer Trash Party. -- We are just glad that everyone had a good time. Lynn suggested we have it again next year but we may talk them into another new adventure for next season. We'll see! We don't want anything to get old!
Congratulations:
To Don Granger. He won the bronze medal in the Senior Olympics for Billiards!
Recent Events:
Craft Show:
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| Barbara Lashbrook |
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| Dave and Bonnie Langfield |
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| Erika Stratton and Dawn Nabozny |
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| Kay Wilburn, Nora Minor, Ruby Muench, Jeanette Bartles and Barb DeGaramo |
Some of our wonderful volunteers!
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| The Crowd |
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| More of the Craft Show |
General News:
Veterans: Take a look at the Veterans Board. There is going to be a Benefit at Countryside Park on the 21st. It is group out of Branson, Missouri. More information is on the board.
McAllen Symphonic Band tickets are available for their February 11th performance at 7:30 PM. The bus is already full but they have good parking at the Trinity Worship Center where it is held. The tickets are $5 and are available in the Business Office.
Caring For Others Program – Trophy Gardens has the Caring For Others Program. They have a sale on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 and use the proceeds to help in the community. You can go on over to see what is for sale.
Good Samaritan Fund Raiser: Dale Loerch came up with an idea for raising money for this worthwhile fund. He has a guitar that he is having signed by all the performers that entertain us here at the park. He will be selling tickets for a drawing that will be held on March 5th. Tickets are 5 for $5. Dale also reported that has delivered a total of nine beds (three today), one chair, an end table, four bikes, one microwave, and some dishes to those in need. Just keep letting him know when you are going to get rid of something. He’ll find a home for it.
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. The first drawing will be held on January 29th at the Wednesday morning meeting.
Billiards Fund Raiser: The Billiards Group is having a pool cue raffle. 1 ticket for $3 and 5 tickets for $5. You could win a custom made pool cue with case. It is a 19 oz custom made pool cue made of Honduran Rosewood, Birds Eye Maple and Bocote Rings of Ebond and Mother of Pearl with 4 Ironwood Inlays. It has a four piece laminated Birds Eye Maple pro tapered shaft, uni-loc joint, Juma Ferrule with 11 Moori Tip. The drawing for the Pool Cue will be at the Margarita Party on Tuesday, February 11th.
Learn to play a card game: Donna Ironside explained that card playing classes will be available to anyone who wants to learn a game. There will be a signup sheet for all the games on the Bulletin Board across from the Mail Room. Watch for it. They need to know what games to teach so they can get volunteers to teach them. Beginning Bridge is already set up as an instructional class. It meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 PM.
Tap Dancing Classes – Penny Vollrath is offering new Beginners Classes for Tap Dancing. The class will meet from 10AM-11AM on Mondays in Activity Room No. 3 starting January 6th. 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 or class.
Social Dance Classes for couples are being offered beginning on Friday afternoons from 1 to 3 PM in Friendship Hall. The classes are taught by Steve and Gail Larner. They have been competition dancers. The charge is $5 per person per lesson which is REALLY reasonable. If you would like to join us, just come on over on Friday afternoon. We will be starting the Merengue in the first hour and reviewing and polishing the Country Two Step and the Rumba in the second hour starting this Friday. It is a good time to join in with the start of a new dance!
Massages – We are now 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 is 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.
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.
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.
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.
Senior Olympics – Marcia Fabricius is the Coordinator. The brochures are in the Activities Office. This year’s theme is “Disco Fever.” Everyone is invited to participate. There are events for cooking, cards, games, sports, puzzles, and you name it. It is $7 to participate in one event and $5 for every event after that. Let Marcia know if you are participating!! If you participate in an event and take pictures, please put some on a Flash Drive and bring them to Mary or Lee Benfield, Lot 501, so we can include some in the Blog.
The 21st Annual Winter Texan
Expo and Health Fair will be held on January 21 and 22 from 9 Am to 3 PM at
the McAllen Convention Center (NE corner of Ware Road and Expressway 83).
There are free health screenings, free entertainment and lots of door
prizes.
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. You will need to register for a table in the Activities Office so there will be some organization.
Swimwear Sale – January 23rd from 9 AM to Noon in the Library. Ladies sizes 4 through 32 are available. They also have post-mastectomy swimwear, sarongs and other fun stuff. They also carry some men’s swimwear. See the best collections of several well known swimsuit makers without leaving the park. You can try them on and take them home.
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. They will be on sale starting next week after the Wednesday morning meeting.
Roundups – The Roundup on January 21st will be a Barn Dance. JoAnn Sullivan is the Coordinator. Time is 3:30 PM to 5 PM. This will be the last Roundup for the season because the room won’t be available again because of other activities. The Chuck Wagon will be serving tamales, nachos, and possibly brats and hot dogs!
Quilt Show - The FOURTH annual Quilt Show will be held from 9 am to 1 pm on Tuesday January 28th in Friendship Hall. The Show will feature modern and antique quilt displays quilted art, items for the home and quilted accessories.In addition Door Prizes, Vendors, Craft Boutique, Second Hand Rose and Refreshments can be enjoyed as well as the wonderful quilt displays. The small admission fee of $2 will help raise money for the Quilters for the Needy Project which provide quilts to the Winter Ranch First Responders, veteran’s hospitals, McAllen’s Hospital Neonatal unit, Easter Seals Disabled Children’s Programs, the Birthing Center and the Good Samaritan RGValley Project.
Winter Ranch Variety Show “Razzle Dazzle” – Will be on Sunday, February 16th at 6 PM in Friendship Hall (Large Hall). The dress rehearsal for the event will be on February 16th from 1 to 3 PM. Lee Clement and JoAnn Sullivan are the coordinators of this event. For those people who want to participate in this event, there will be a Planning Meeting on February 4th from 1:30 to 4 PM at the stage end of Friendship Hall. Please bring a CD with the music you are going to use to this meeting. We will also time your music at that time. JoAnn will be putting all the music together for the show. This again will be a “Pass the Hat” performance so please remain to bring a contribution with you to the show. Last year we were able to purchase two head microphones and we’ll be able to rent a follow spot light this year.
1st Responders Dinner and Fundraiser will be held on January 20th at 5 PM in Friendship Hall. Cost is $5 for 1/3 sirloin burger and all the sides. Ticket sales will end on January 18th.
Breakfast is served: on January 22nd at 7:30 AM in Friendship Hall. Biscuits and Gravy and Sausage. We can feed the first 140 people!
Mystery Theater Dinner: January 27 at 4:30 PM. The doors will open at 4:15 PM. It will be an “I Love Lucy” spoof. There will be trouble at the Tropicabana. This is a murder mystery and the audience will try to figure out who committed the crime and what the motive was. There will be a Spaghetti Dinner at 5 PM as part of it. The tickets are $10 each and you can obtain them in the Activities Office starting tomorrow until January 23rd. Coordinator: Darlene Peters, Lot 380 if you have questions.
Calendar Updates:
Bob Ross Art Class with Larry Wiers is coming up on January 21st. Both the morning and afternoon classes are full. Those that are coming need to bring a roll of paper towels and some wet wipes. Larry provides everything else. If you haven't paid your $45, get it to the Activities Office soon. Larry will be returning again on February 24th with two classes, morning and afternoon. You might want to mark you calendars if you want to attend. We'll post the signup sheets in February.
Integra Wellness will be here to do wellness testing on January 23rd. It will be in Friendship Hall at the Stage End. If you haven't made an appointment with them yet, you can call 800-884-6251. They do a complete Wellness Package (4 vascular tests and osteoporosis) for $125. They do a Full Vascular Package (4 vascular tests) for $110. Any three tests is $90. An individual test is $40 and just the Osteoporosis test is $25. They have found some major problems for some of our people and have probably saved a few lives here at Winter Ranch. It is not necessary to have these tests every year. They recommend every other year!
Super Bowl Party - February 2nd in Friendship Hall in front of the Big Screen. The kickoff is 5:20 PM so come in a bit early to get yourself situated.
Choir Practice: Friday at 10:30 AM in Friendship Hall. You are welcome to join. The Choir also does a Concert which will be held on February 17th. It is a combination of religious and popular music.
Winter Ranch Christian Ministries Church Service is on Sunday at 9AM. This is a non-denominational service and available to anyone in the park. Our Church is a 501C3 Charitable organization and your donations to the church or the Good Samaritan Fund are tax deductible. Through the Good Samaritan Project, we donated $2000 to the local community in the form of food, staples, toys, clothing, etc. We especially helped the two church families. Sandy and Ray Tester have been the Coordinators for this project for several years. For those of you who are just coming into the park, your donations now will contribute to families as the need arises. Please put your donations in an envelope and address it to Box 1600 in the park or you can make weekly donations at the church service.
Bible Study – This study is on Wednesdays at 1:30 in the Library. All are welcome to join.
Computer Trouble Shooting: Starts today. If you are having some computer problems and need some advice, some people from the Computer Group will be available to help you on Wednesdays after the Park Meeting in Activity Room #3. (Note: The first Wednesday of the month, the room is occupied but the Computer people will be there on any other Wednesday.
Life After Loss Session: January 23rd from 10AM-11:30 AM in the Loft.
Bingo will now be on Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 PM in Friendship Hall.
Dominos has moved to Sunday nights at 6:30 PM because of the entertainment scheduled during January and February.
Peter Piper Pizza Lunch will only be held the 15th of this month at 11 AM. Then it will be back to normal in February.
Iowa Potluck: Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Noon. Bring your own table service and a covered dish to serve 10 people. Coordinator: Mary Hazlett (call her if you have questions)
Computer Classes: The Computer Group is offering classes in January. Signup sheets are on the Bulletin Board across from the Mail Room. If the class is full, sign the Wait List area so we will know if we need to add another class.
eBay Class – Instructor: Sharon Blawat on January 16 and January 23rd , 1:30 – 3:30 PM. More sessions are on their way. Check the board across from the Mail Room.
Beginning Skype – Instructors: Donna Ritchie and Herman Baughman on Monday, January 27th, 1 – 3 PM, Activity Room #3
Beginning Android Systems – Instructor: Ron Doerschug on Thursday, January 16 (1 session) 11 AM to 1 PM, in Activity Room #3
Beginning Android Systems – Instructor: Ron Doerschug on Thursday, January 23 (1 session) 11 AM to 1 PM, in Activity Room #3. Check the board across from the Mail Room for more of this class.
Beading - will be cancelled for January 24th due to the Garage Sale.
Ice Cream Social is served on Sunday evenings at 5 PM in Friendship Hall. It is 50 cents per scoop. The first Sunday of the month is Sunday Sundae. The cost is $1 a scoop but all the toppings come with it. Bring your own bowl and spoon.
ZUMBA Senior Gold has moved to Wednesday at noon - 12:45pm - hoping this change from Monday will allow more people to attend and we will not have conflicts with ladies luncheons - cost is $2 / session - tell your friends - open to public. Meets every Wednesday in January and February. Marisol Ybarra, Certified Senior Gold Zumba Instructor will be the instructor.
Gentle Senior Yoga started on 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.
AARP Drivers Safety Class – will be held on January 30th from 8 AM – 10 AM in Friendship Hall. This is a change! 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 (tickets are available in the Activities Office):
| January 16 | 7 PM | Red Head Express | $8 |
| January 23 | 7 PM | Greg Jones | $7 |
| January 26th | 3 PM | Bernie and Red | $6 |
| January 30 | 7 PM | Patsy Cline Tribute | $7 |
| February 6 | 7 PM | Punches Family | $7 |
| February 13 | 7 PM | Cross Strung Band | $6 |
| February 20 | 7 PM | Vance Green | $7 |
| February 27 | 7 PM | John Sager | $6 |
BUS TRIPS:
Jan 16
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9AM
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SAS Shoes and Gladys Porter Zoo
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$8
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Lunch on your own at Golden Corral – Pay the $8 in the
Activity Office prior to Jan 16th
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Jan 18
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5:15 PM
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Ol’D’s Soda Shop
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Dinner on your own
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Jan 20
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12:30
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Texas Gold
Shrimp
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$12
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Pay at the Door – Dinner on own at Luby’s
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Jan 21
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8:45 AM
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Health Fair Expo in McAllen
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Jan 23
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9 AM-2PM
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Mystery Trip
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$3
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Jan 24
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5:30 PM
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Killer Bees Hockey Game
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$10
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Pay at the door
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Jan 25
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6:15 PM
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Bus Trip “Annie Get Your Gun” at Nikke
Rowe High School
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$12
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SOLD OUT – Please pay in the
Activities Office in Advance
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Jan 31
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5:30 PM
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Los Fresno Rodeo -
the rodeo starts at 7 PM but there
is lots to see and do prior
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from
$10 to $13
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Feb 3
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9 AM
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Aloe King Farm
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$10
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Includes Lunch in their restaurant
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Feb 5
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6 PM
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Killer Bees Game
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$10
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We need 5 to 10
people to participate in a Shoot Out against another park. Talk to Larry Chapin!!
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Feb 6
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9 AM
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Mystery Trip
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$6
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Feb 10
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10:15 AM
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Port of Brownsvile
Tour
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$32
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Pay in advance
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Feb 11
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6:30 PM
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Symphonic Band Concert
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Details Later
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Feb 13
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Quinta Mazatlan-Birding
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Details Later
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Feb 15
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6:00 PM
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Killer Bees Game
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Pay at the door
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Feb 17
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Mystery Trip
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Details Later
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Feb 20
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Hilltop Gardens
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Details Later
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Feb 21
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9:30 AM
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Riverside Dreamer
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$21
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Pay in Advance
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Feb 24
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10:00 AM
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Black Dragon Pirate Cruise
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$33
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Pay in Advance
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Feb 28
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Nature Tram
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Details Later
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Mar 4
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6:00 PM
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Killer Bees Game
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$10
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Pay at the door
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Mar 8
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Border Fest
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Details Later
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Mar 25
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6:30 PM
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Symphonic Band
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Details Later
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Gail Field, our Tour Director from Trophy Gardens, has several new trips up on her board (near the stairs in Friendship Hall). Several people have requested trips to casinos where the bus will pick them up here at the park. On February 5th, Go With Joe will hold 20 seats for Trophy and Winter Ranch for a trip to Eagle’s Pass. It is on Page 21 in the book. Please contact Gail to get registered as soon as possible if you want to participate. There is also a new trip to New Orleans on Page 87.
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:
Darlene Peters is looking for a couple of palm trees she can borrow for the Murder Mystery Play.
Carry a Flag: The Call of the States will be held in February at a morning meeting. If you would like to carry one of the State flags, stop in the Business Office and sign up. If someone already has your state, you can carry another one as we call all the States and we do not have residents from all of them.
Used Furniture, beds, bedding, appliances, dishes, bicycles, household and kitchen items are needed by unfortunate people in the community. If you are getting rid of something, check with Dale Loerch. He will most likely find a home for any of your unwanted items.
Kitchen Help: We are in need of volunteers who will work as kitchen help especially for the Friday Night Dances. Signup sheets for volunteers are located in the hallway across from the Mail Room.
Variety Show: If you would like to participate in the Winter Ranch Variety Show, you can talk to Lee Clement or JoAnn Sullivan, the Coordinators of the event and they can answer any of your questions. See information above in the Event Section on times for the first Planning Meeting and Dress Rehearsal.
Campbell’s Soup Labels and Cereal Box Tops are needed for Children’s Haven. Jeanne Helmer is collecting them. You can take them to the Activity Office.
Card Players: If you are about to throw out a set of playing cards, come into the Activities Office and exchange it for a new(er) one. They are thinking about doing Golf Cart Poker and need some old decks.
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Respectfully submitted,
Mary Benfield
