We grew from 825 to 850 residents this
week.
Welcome Home Winter Texans
INTRODUCING:
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| Jim and Phyllis Beeksma |
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| Jim and Sally Bradshaw |
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| Linda and Bob Campbell |
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| Linda and Ed Childs |
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| Pat and Roger Stout |
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. Also, please remember that the Golf Course is closed on Tuesday until 2:30 PM. And, if you are handicapped and golf, please stop in the Activity Office to obtain a blue flag so that you can use your carts on the golf course.
The Agency Dance on February 21st: If you are planning on attending this dance, get your tickets in the Activity Office as soon as you can. We started reserving seats on Monday and have reserved 200 seats already. The tickets will be available outside the park as of today. They will go fast!
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. The Memorial Service will be on February 25th at 1 PM.
Rio Propane – Rio
comes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
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! All other activities are still on for that day but you may have visitors checking out the park and looking in to see what you are doing.
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. That is anyone married between the dates of June 1963 to May, 1964. There are signups on the Board across from the Mail Room. If you are planning on attending the 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration as a guest, as a couple celebrating this year or as a couple who has been married more than 50 years, we REALLY need you to let us know if you will be attending so we have enough cake and ice cream.
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.
Church People: Please leave the chairs up after church this Sunday as we'll use them for the next activity.
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! All other activities are still on for that day but you may have visitors checking out the park and looking in to see what you are doing.
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. That is anyone married between the dates of June 1963 to May, 1964. There are signups on the Board across from the Mail Room. If you are planning on attending the 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration as a guest, as a couple celebrating this year or as a couple who has been married more than 50 years, we REALLY need you to let us know if you will be attending so we have enough cake and ice cream.
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.
Church People: Please leave the chairs up after church this Sunday as we'll use them for the next activity.
Busy, Busy, Busy: The next few weeks are packed with activities so you'll need to pay attention to when the halls are closed. Certain ongoing activities may have to be cancelled or rescheduled in order to get everything done. There will be things going on in every part of the Large Hall.
Be Nice To Our Park Volunteers: This park would not be able to do all the activities that we do without our volunteers. Please to JD or Lynn in the people in the Activity Office. We cannot afford to lose our volunteers. They are precious to us!
Town Crier: Cathy has been trying to get more Town Criers as she has had many requests. Unfortunately, the Town Crier says that they are at capacity and we cannot receive any more of them. So, if you really aren't interested in the Town Crier, please don't take one and if you finish with one, pass it on to your neighbor.
Morning Meeting: During the meeting if you could keep the chatter to a minimum at your tables, it would be helpful. Many people have problems hearing.
Thank yous:
Morning Meeting: During the meeting if you could keep the chatter to a minimum at your tables, it would be helpful. Many people have problems hearing.
Thank yous:
1st Responders: Rita Huether thanked everyone for their attendance at the 1st Responders Dinner. We used every last chair we had and had to cut off sales of tickets. She thanked all the people who helped with the dinner too. A special thanks went out to Tom and Shirley Mills who are new to the park and donated their half of the 50/50 back to 1st Responders. The pot was the highest we've seen. They donated $459 back so the total raised on the 50/50 was $918!
Recent Events:
Card Making Class
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| Shirley Flowers and Instructor, Mary Duffel |
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| Sherrye Elkins |
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| Pat Hyde, Sherrye Elkins and Donna Campbell |
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| Jean Holmes, Mary Benfield, Pat Hyde, Gail McCrabb |
Bob Ross Art Class With Larry Weirs
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| Elinor Kroll |
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| Lucy Freiburg |
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| Theresa Zimmerman hard at work |
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| Larry Weirs and Judith Simpson |
Barn Dance
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| Damien and Pat Kenkel |
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| Janet and Gerald Handlos |
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| Edna and Ron Odendahl |
General News:
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.
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.
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. Questions: Get in touch with Donna Ironside.
Social Dance Classes for couples are offered on Fridays afternoons from 1 to 3 PM in Friendship Hall. $5 per person for a 2 hour session. We will be starting the jitterbug on January 31st. Join us!
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.
- Walk and Talk at Town Lake at Firemen's Park in McAllen at 10:00 AM on March 7th. We can take the Winter Ranch bus if people are interested. Sign up sheet will be available after February 15th. Questions: See Flo Reed if you have other questions.
- Bike Ride at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park on February 12th from 9-11 AM -Cost is $3. More information is available on the Bike Board.
Tour of Children's Haven: There is a signup sheet on the board across from the rest rooms for those that are interested in a tour of Children's Haven in Mexico. The tour will be on February 6th. If you have questions, see Jeanine Helmer at Lot 503.
Event News:
Bob Ross Art Class with Larry Weirs - The next two sessions with Larry Weirs will be on February 24th. The first session will be from 9 to Noon and the second from 1 to 4. Cost is $45 which is due in the office when you register. The information will be posted on the Board across from the Mail Room this week.
Ladies Luncheon - The next Ladies Luncheon will be on February 10th at noon. Tickets are $8.00, on sale every Wed-Friday 9:30 - 11 thru Feb 7. If the ticket ladies are not in the Small Hall, they will be in the Large Hall. Entertainment is Heart to Heart, who have performed in Branson, MO for several years. They perform a variety of music. The menu is Chicken Portofino with salad and a roll, steamed vegetables, bow tie pasta, dessert and tea.
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. The tickets are going fast so get yours as soon as you can. The Billards Group is also selling Margarita Party t-shirts for $10 each. They are placing another order today.
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.
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 SOLD OUT!
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Gospel Show: Details to follow - date is March 9th. Ticket cost is food for the food pantry.
Golf Tournament sponsored by The Wounded Warrior Program on February 28th at 9 AM. $10 entry fee. Lunch is provided. Door and other prizes!
Calendar Updates:
Michigan Pot Luck - Will be on February 16th at 1 PM in the Large Hall. Michigan has invited Ohio and Indiana to join them. Next year it may be a Tri-State Potluck! If you did not receive an invite and you are from Michigan, Ohio or Indiana, see Cathy in the Business Office or Ginny Toman.
Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens Bridge Tournament - February 3rd at 1 PM in our Large Hall. They are looking for bridge players for the tournament. $1 to enter and bring a snack. Any questions, contact Donna Ironside.
Teaching Card Games: On January 30 and 31st you have the opportunity to learn a new game. The signup sheets are in the SE Corner by the door where you sign up to play cards. Please sign up soon so we can find teachers for the games you want to play. Questions, contact Donna Ironside.
Choir Practice: Will be held at 3:30 PM on Wednesday because of activities in the hall on Friday.
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.
Computer Trouble Shooting: 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. Session will be "Now that I am single, where do I go from here."
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 was only held on 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.
Beading - will be cancelled for January 24th due to the Garage Sale.
No Pot Luck on January 27th due to the Mystery Theatre.
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.
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. Sign up on the board across from the Mail Room.
Entertainment Schedule:
Jan 23 - GREG JONES - CANCELLED
Jan. 26 - 3 PM - Bernice & Red $6
Jan. 30 - 7 PM - Patsy Cline Tribute $7
Feb 6 - 7 PM - Punches Family $7
Feb 13 - 7 PM - Cross Strung Band $6
Feb 20 - 7 PM - Vance Green $7
Feb 27 - 7 PM - John Sager $6
Bus Tours:
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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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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Tickets in business Office. – Bus Full
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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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Weslaco Museums
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Details Later
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Feb 20
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Texas Gold Shrimp
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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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Tours:
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.
New trip on Page 16 in the white book to Big Bend on February 23rd.
If you want to make a copy of a page in the book, take it out and do that but then please return it to the book.
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:
Carry a Flag: The Call of the States will be held on February 12th at the 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.
Community on Parade: Cathy needs volunteers on February 4, 5 and 6 to show people around the park and greet people as they arrive at the park, She will need quite a few volunteers to cover all three days. There will be a meeting on this in the Small Hall at 3 PM tomorrow (Thursday, January 23rd).
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 for Education are needed for Children’s Haven. Jeanne Helmer is collecting them. You can take them to the Activity Office.
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