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Several Groups gathered after the morning meeting today to figure out who is bringing what to the Thanksgiving Dinner. If you are just arriving, there is still time to join a group. Sign up on the Boards in the Large Hall!
We grew
from 255 to 326 residents
in the park this week.
in the park this week.
Welcome
home Winter Ranch residents!
Welcome to our First-time Winter-Ranchers
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Debbie and Howard McDaniel
Lot 20
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Duane and Carol Ritchie
(Yes, it's another of the Ritchie boys!)
Lot 709
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Charlie and Donna Vaughn
Lot 326
Important
Information
Small Hall Air Conditioner Replacement – As soon as Magic Valley and our contractor can get together, we will close the Small Hall and
replace the air conditioner. This will
be happening soon, we hope, and we ask for your patience. Some activities such as billiards may be
affected. If you have seen all the paint
markings behind the hall showing utilities, you know that the road will have to
be excavated which means the road may be closed. We are sorry for the inconvenience and we
would have had this done during the summer if we had known we had the problem.
Rio Propane – Rio comes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and will also come on Saturdays later in the
season. They have the following new
prices:
20 lb tank - $13.75
30 lb tank - $19.25
40 lb tank - $27.50
100 lb tank - $68.75
Motor Homes is $2.75 per gallon
Please attach a check to your tank when you leave it in your driveway. Check should be made out to Rio Delta Propane.
20 lb tank - $13.75
30 lb tank - $19.25
40 lb tank - $27.50
100 lb tank - $68.75
Motor Homes is $2.75 per gallon
Please attach a check to your tank when you leave it in your driveway. Check should be made out to Rio Delta Propane.
Noise at Tower Road – If you are bothered
by the decibel level of the music coming from Tower Road, please see Cathy in
the office. She has the phone numbers
for the correct phone numbers to call.
This area is in the County so the Alamo City Police cannot help with
that situation. Cathy suggests that the
more calls the County receives about the noise, the more likely they are to do
something about it. On the other hand, if
the Event Center on the other side of us
is too loud, you can contact the Alamo City Police. They have a machine that measures sound
decibels and will go out and measure it.
If it is too loud, they will have it turned down almost
immediately.
New Staff – The Office has a new
person, Emma Martinez. Emma worked on the gate
last season. Jennifer Gonzalez has
replaced her on the gate. Carlos Martinez has joined the Maintenance Team and Beto Avalle is new at the Golf Course. If you see any of them, introduce
yourselves and say hello.
Blood Drive – We will have another Blood Drive on November 17th
from 8:30 – 12:30. We have a goal of 35 units of blood which takes 50 people to sign
up. We would love to meet our goal for this very important contribution to
the community.1st Roundup – Our first social/Happy Hour will be held on Tuesday from 3:30 to 5 PM in the Large Hall. Carlos Canas will be singing. JD has added to the menu for this Tuesday. The Chuck Wagon will be offering Chicken Salad, Brats and Taco Boats along with the usual fare. For you new folks, this is a BYOB event.
Complaints – Lyn said she couldn’t believe that she had to say this when the season is just beginning, but PLEASE do not express your frustrations and gripes about the way things are done to our volunteers. If there is something that upsets you, then take the message to Lyn or JD in the Activities Office. We need our volunteers and when you start griping at them, they tend to stop volunteering. If you want the activities we have, then restrain yourselves until you can speak to Lyn or JD. We REALLY need our volunteers!!
Wellness Screening – There is a signup sheet for the next Wellness Screening on the Bulletin Board across from the Mail Room.
Please No Golf Cart Parking on the grass in the dog walk areas. Please park on the street.
Thank yous!
Cathy thanked JD and Lynn for the wonderful
Veterans Day Celebration that was held yesterday. It was very moving!
General
News:
Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable Stand - Cathy Chapin was pleased to
announce that Weslaco Farmers Market will have fresh vegetables and fruit for
sale on carts set up on Doggie Row between Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens each Thursday from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. This is scheduled to start this
week.
Community Prayer Breakfast – The Alamo Prayer Breakfast will again be held at
Winter Ranch at 7AM on November
20th. Everyone is
invited. Last year we had 100 people
attend from the city, other parks and our park.
1st Responders Bulletin Board – There is a much larger bulletin board dedicated
to Health in the Large Hall by the bathrooms.
It gives information about different areas of health concerns as well as
available health and wellness seminars and workshops that are available in the
Valley.
New Massage Therapist – Jay’s Traveling Massage will come to your
home. He charges $30 for 55 minutes and
$20 if he does more than one person in your home. He also has a woman on staff if you are uncomfortable
with a man doing the massage. He is
Board Certified. You can sign up for
these treatments on the sheet on the bulletin board across from the Mail Room.
Helen Best
– For those of you who knew Helen, Cathy wanted to let you know that she has
moved to San Juan Nursing Home. Right
now, however, she is in the hospital due to a fall where she broke three
ribs. There is a card for her on the
Bulletin Board near the steps in the Large Hall. Helen loves cards so please sign it and we’ll
get it sent to her shortly.
Computer Help Session – The session this week will be held on Thursday
from 10
AM to Noon in Activity Room 3. These sessions are normally held on
Wednesdays after the morning meeting in Activity Room #3 except for the 1st
Wednesday of the month.
Bus Trips
Killer
Bees Hockey Game on November 29. The bus
will leave at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $10. Stop in the Activity Office to sign up
JD
is working on trips.
Channel 5 News with lunch
afterward – this will be a 45 minute tour but no time has been set yet.
Grace Heritage Ranch –
visit a 100 acre homestead and old time ranch.
You can even learn how to milk a goat or a cow. Still working on a time.
Tours and Cruises:
Gail
Field (Trophy Gardens) is our Coordinator for
Tours and Cruises. Get in touch with Gail
for more information or to sign up for one of the trips. Phone numbers
are never posted on the blog but hers is on the Travel Board in Friendship
Hall.
Gail
is now taking reservations for the New Orleans Trip on February 22nd. The whole itinerary is on her Board by the
stairs in the Large Hall. Gail is from
the New Orleans area and knows the area. Several people from Winter Ranch have taken
the tour previously and have enjoyed it.
Gail did remind us though that this is Bourbon Street, not Sesame Street.
She also has a New Orleans Trip coming up on February 22nd.
Gail
has left $10 coupons for some boat tours that will be available in the Activity
Office.
Other Information and Heads Up (not given at the
meeting):
Emergency Medical Forms – Please return these to the office as soon as
possible.
Thanksgiving Dinner starts at 1 PM in Friendship Hall on Thanksgiving, November 27th. Signup sheets are up in Friendship Hall. For newcomers, the lead couple (No. 1 and 2)
will get the group together to decide on table decorations and who is bringing
what. Just pick a table and you’ll be filled in about everything closer
to Thanksgiving. Turkey money is now available in the Activities Office
after 11:00
AM today. Each Table
gets $1 per person at their table.
Christmas Lighting Contest - Remember to plan on a Christmas Lighting Contest
again this season. More info on it will come closer to the season.
Hippie Party: We will again have a Theme Party this
year. Last year we were Trailer
Trash. For 2015 we will relive our youth
and return to the 60’s and the Hippie Era.
The date is January 20th.
It’s time to start thinking about what you wore back then!!
Valentine’s Day Dance – The Valentine’s Dance is on February 14th
(Saturday) this year. There will be no
dance on Friday so those activities that generally use the hall on Saturday
need to see JD if they want to change them to Friday night for that week.
“Hello Dolly” - Nikki Rowe High School will be putting on the
musical “Hello Dolly” this season. We
will be selling tickets for $12 and taking the bus to this performance which
will be on the weekend. Dates are not
confirmed at this time. There are no
senior discounts on the weekend.
Bring a Friend Campaign is going on now. If you bring a friend that stays at
Winter Ranch at least one month, you can earn $50. The rules are in your
Winter Ranch Welcome Packet. This is for people that are brand new to
Winter Ranch or who haven’t been here for at least three years.
Building or Site Enhancements - If you are planning on doing any enhancements to your site including: cement work, installing rock, planting trees or bushes, you need to check with Larry first. Don't put yourself in the position where you need to remove what you just put in because you did not check!
Driving in the Park – Remember that the speed limit for ALL moving vehicles on the park roads is 10 MPH. This includes cars, trucks, golf carts, scooters and bicycles. We have a lot of people in the park now and we don’t want anyone hurt.
Building or Site Enhancements - If you are planning on doing any enhancements to your site including: cement work, installing rock, planting trees or bushes, you need to check with Larry first. Don't put yourself in the position where you need to remove what you just put in because you did not check!
Driving in the Park – Remember that the speed limit for ALL moving vehicles on the park roads is 10 MPH. This includes cars, trucks, golf carts, scooters and bicycles. We have a lot of people in the park now and we don’t want anyone hurt.
Communications – We do our best to
keep you informed. We have the Wednesday
morning meeting. There are many displays
around the hall and on the Bulletin Boards announcing what is happening. We also have the Winter Ranch Activities Blog
which is very thorough and up-to-date.
These are the methods for obtaining information so please make use of
those opportunities. There is a lot
going on in this park!
Swimming Pool – Please rinse off
before entering the pool or the hot tub.
This takes off lotions and body oils that affect the pool filters and
the quality of the water.
Water Restrictions – We still have water restrictions in the valley
and your Welcome Packet had information about them. The main things to
remember is that we can use water on Mondays and Thursdays for your sprinkling
systems or to wash your house, rig or vehicle. Washing your car, shed,
rig or house is limited to once a month. If you want it done more often,
there are services available that will come in and bring their own water.
There is a list of these places available in the Business Office. Hand
watering of plants or grass can be done any day or time. Just don't let
the water overflow into the street and waste it.
50/50 Drawings After the
Morning
Meeting – Make sure you remember the
date for your group’s 50/50 Drawings.
They are posted in the Small Hall.
Christmas Stockings
Project
–Barb DeGarmo 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. We are doing the stockings for children from Age 0 to 8 years of age. They need school supplies, small match box
cars, small dolls, and Christmas Stockings from the Dollar Store. We
donated 300 stuffed stockings last year and we would like to make at least that
many this year. 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.
Ladies Luncheons – Unless someone steps
up to be a Chairperson and Vice-Chair for this event, all luncheons for the
season will be cancelled. All other
positions have been filled so the new Chairperson would already have a full committee. See Marsha Bender if you want information on
what is required of the Chair and Vice Chair.
This luncheons have been very well attended so it would be a shame to
have to cancel them!
Yard Sale Facebook Group – Marsha Bender came up
with a really good idea which was to set up a Yard Sale Facebook Group as a way
to sell items that we have to other Winter Ranchers who might want them. It is a way to sell things to other park
people without sitting up a table in your yard.
This is a Closed Group on Facebook which means you need to be invited to
attend because only Winter Ranchers can use it. Marsha and Mary Benfield have invited
everyone on their Friends Lists and I’m sure there are many we have missed. So, if you are a member now, please invite
any people that are on your friend’s list that have not been invited. Click on the Members button to see who has
been invited. If you have Winter Ranch friends that have not yet been invited,
please invite them. This is not intended to be an exclusive thing but it is
exclusive ONLY TO PEOPLE STAYING AT WINTER RANCH. To invite people, add their
name in the box on the right (or at least the letter their last name starts
with) in the ABOUT section. When they come up, you can click on them and invite
them to be a part of the group. They have the ability to join or not to join.
For those of you that do not use Facebook, you can still post things on the boards that you have for sale.
For those of you that do not use Facebook, you can still post things on the boards that you have for sale.
SEASON START-UP ACTIVITY LIST
The Season has started and the following activities have reported that they have started or when they will start. Please let the Activities Office know when your activity is going to start so it can be added to the calendar.
The Season has started and the following activities have reported that they have started or when they will start. Please let the Activities Office know when your activity is going to start so it can be added to the calendar.
Bingo on Wednesday has
started with Larry Chapin calling
Bowling has started. Judy Good is the contact.
Bunco has started. Ethel Schanu is the
contact
Choir starts this week.
Computer Group Trouble
Sessions
have started.
Dominos has started on Mondays
and Thursdays at 6:30 PM. Dennis Foley is the Contact.
Golf has started with regular
winter schedule.
Ice Cream Sunday and
Sunday Sundaes have started
Jazzercize has started. Judy Teply is the contact.
Karaoke has started. Contacts are Carol and Mike Earley.
Peter Piper Pizza
Luncheons
begin on November 19th (new chairperson – Connie Webb)
Pickleball has started. If you are interested in playing, contact
Donna Hulsey.
Shuffleboard has started. Ray Uselman is the contact.
Video Rentals have started.
Water Exercise has started.
Volunteers
and/or Donations Needed:
Volunteers are needed for the Ice
Cream Social this week. Please check the Volunteer Signup Sheets on
the Bulletin Boards across from the Mail Room.
This park runs on Volunteer Power.
Without volunteers, we would not be able to do all the activities that
we do. If we don’t have the positions
filled for the Ice Cream Social, then it will be cancelled.
Volunteers are also needed for the
Dance on November 21st. Diego will be playing.
Welcome Committee – Cathy is looking for a couple more people on the
Welcome Committee. If you are
interested, please see her in the Business Office.
Computer Group is
looking for instructors in are area of expertise including Smart Phones, Tablets, and
Laptops. Contact Ron Doerschug.
The Dance Team is looking for two
couples to join their crew as Dance Leads.
All couples only have to work two to three dances per season. Contact Lee or Mary Benfield if you are
interested.
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.
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.
Old Decks of Cards are
needed by the Activity Office. They plan
on doing some Golf Cart Bingo prior to the Roundups on Tuesdays at 2:30 PM. It will be a Poker Run. Golf Cart Contests will put 25 cents in the
pot and will be given a list of places to pick up cards. The cards will be signed when they are picked
up so no cards can be exchanged to get better hands. Then the cart with the best poker hand wins
the collected pot. The Activities Office
will announce this prior to the date this starts.
* * * * * * *
The 50/50 Drawing this
morning raised $56.50 for the Sew4Fun Group.
Nancy Hutchins won the pot!
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Benfield
Blog Administrator
Calendar of Events:
(Unless otherwise noted the event
will be held in Friendship Hall aka The Large Hall)
All
additions/changes/cancellations will be in red
November 13
|
9 to Noon
|
Computer Help Session in
Activity Room #3 (tomorrow only – sessions are normally held on Wednesdays
after the meeting)
|
November 17
|
9 to 1:30 PM
|
Blood Drive
|
November 18
|
3:30
–5 PM
|
1st Roundup with Carlos Canas (singer)
|
November 20
|
7 AM
|
Alamo Prayer Breakfast
|
November
21
|
7 PM
|
Dance to
Diego
|
November 25
|
3:30 – 5
|
Roundup
|
November 27
|
1 PM
|
Thanksgiving Dinner (Potluck)
|
November 28
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Route 66
|
November 29
|
6:30 PM
|
Bus Trip to Killer Bees Hockey Game
|
December 2
|
3:30 –
5 PM
|
NO ROUNDUP
|
December 2
|
7 PM
|
Entertainment - Razz Ma Tazz
|
December 5
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Hot Rodz
|
December 8
|
Pinochle Cancelled
|
|
December 9
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show/NO ROUNDUP
|
December 12
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweetwater
|
December 16
|
3:30 –
5 PM
|
Roundup – Diego
|
December 18
|
4:30 PM
|
Christmas Caroling on Golf Carts
|
December 19
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Route 66
|
December 23
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Roundup with Carlos Canas (singer)
|
December 24
|
4:30 PM
|
Christmas Party
|
December 24
|
7 PM
|
Christmas Candlelight Service
|
December 25
|
1 PM
|
Christmas Dinner (Potluck)
|
December 26
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Diego
|
December 30
|
3:30-5
PM
|
NO ROUNDUP
|
December 31
|
8:15 PM
|
New Year’s Eve Party with Jealous Heart
|
January 2
|
NO DANCE
|
|
January 6
|
4:30 PM
|
Woodshop Dinner – NO ROUNDUP
|
January 9
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Agency
|
January 11
|
Noon-2 PM
|
5 State Potluck
|
January 11
|
2-4 PM
|
Gold Wing Express - Entertainment
|
January 13
|
8 AM
|
Craft Show – NO ROUNDUP
|
January 14
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Kansas/Oklahoma Pot Luck
|
January 15
|
7 PM
|
American Waves Band - Entertainment
|
January 16
|
Noon
|
Men’s Luncheon
|
January 16
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Jealous Heart
|
January 18
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Illinois Potluck
|
January 19
|
4:30 PM
|
1ST Responders’ Dinner
|
January 20
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Hippie Theme Party – Roundup
|
January 21
|
1 -3 PM
|
Beginning Card Playing Lessons
|
January 22
|
1 -3 PM
|
Beginning Card Playing Lessons
|
January 22
|
7 PM
|
Farnum Family - Entertainment
|
January 23
|
9 – Noon
|
Bob Ross Art Class – Arts and Crafts Room
|
January 23
|
1 – 4 PM
|
Bob Ross Art Class – Arts and Crafts Room
|
January 23
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Senior Moments
|
January 25
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Minnesota Pot Luck
|
January 25
|
3 PM
|
Bernie and Red - Entertainment
|
January 27
|
8 – 1 PM
|
Quilt Show – NO ROUNDUP
|
January 29
|
7 PM
|
Greg Jones - Entertainment
|
January 30
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Fabulous 50’s
|
Februrary 1
|
Noon–5 PM
|
Iowa Pot Luck
|
February 1
|
4 -8:30 PM
|
Super Bowl Party
|
February 3rd
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Margarita Party – No Roundup
|
February 5th
|
7 PM
|
Lindley Creek - Entertainment
|
February 6
|
?
|
Ingra Health Screening
|
February 6
|
Noon-2PM
|
Missouri Potluck
|
February 6
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
February 8
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Michigan Potluck
|
February 10
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show
|
February 10
|
1-3 PM
|
Variety Show Rehearsal
|
February 10
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Roundup with Carlos Canas (singer)
|
February 12
|
7 – 9:30 PM
|
Star Family - Entertainment
|
February 13
|
NO DANCE
|
|
February 14
|
10:30-Noon
|
Pet Parade at Doggie Row Pet Walk West
|
February 14
|
7-10 PM
|
Valentine’s Dance with Jealous Heart/No Bingo,
Karaoke or Cards today
|
February 15
|
2-4 PM
|
50th Anniversary Celebration
|
February 17
|
4 PM
|
Quilters’ Dinner/No Roundup
|
February 19
|
1-4 PM
|
Dress Rehearsal for Variety Show
|
February 19
|
7 – 9:30 PM
|
The Terry Smith Band – Entertainment
|
February 20
|
9-Noon
|
Bob Ross Art Class- Arts & Crafts Room
|
February 20
|
1 -4 PM
|
Bob Ross Art Class- Arts & Crafts Room
|
February 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Swing Tyme
|
February 22
|
Noon-2PM
|
Canadian Potluck
|
February 22
|
6-9 PM
|
Variety Show/All other activities in Big Hall
cancelled from 5 PM on
|
February 24
|
1:30-3
PM
|
Memorial Service/ No Roundup
|
February 26
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Ladies Golf Luncheon
|
February 27
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
March 3
|
4:30-6
PM
|
Woodshop Dinner/No activities in Large Hall until
after cleanup from the Woodshop Dinner
|
March 6
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Jealous Heart
|
March 9
|
Pinochle Cancelled
|
|
March 10
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show/No Roundup
|
March 13
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Diego
|
March 17
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Lunch – St. Patrick’s Day
|
March 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
