We grew from 451 to 525 residents this week!
For your convenience the Calendar of Upcoming Events is located at the very bottom of the Meeting Minutes.
For your convenience the Calendar of Upcoming Events is located at the very bottom of the Meeting Minutes.
New Winter Ranchers
Steve and Linda Peterson
from
Carroll, Iowa
LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS HARD AT WORK BEFORE AND AFTER THE MORNING MEETING TODAY:
Folding Church Bulletins
Donna Scheffer and Darlene Woslager
Shirley Smith
Pat Cullet
Selling Ladies Luncheon Tickets
Della Orndoerff, Jan Wilson and Rita Hecker
Selling Spaghetti Dinner Tickets
Ron Jensen
Selling Donuts This Morning
Steve Good
Thank Yous:
A BIG THANK YOU to all those that helped out with the first Jam of the season. Everything went as smoothly as it could have. JD wanted to not only thank the people that worked last week but to let us all know how important these jams are to the park. The jams gross $12-13,000 per year toward our Activity Fund. They pay for the tables and chairs we sit on and for the loss we incur on coffee which costs the fund $130 for two bags. The coffee that we ask you to contribute to costs over $5,000 of the Activity budget per year! JD now has two crews lined up for the season and when the Illinois group gets in, he’ll have a third. He needs two more crews so that everyone only has to do one jam per month!
Another BIG THANK YOU goes out to all those who decorated the Large Hall this week. It is a major job. Also, thanks to those that decorated the Small Hall for Christmas.
Lost and Found:
An expensive looking earring and a ring have been found. If you think one of those items might be yours, check in the Business Office.
Important Information:
Picture Directory: There was a glitch in getting the directories done this year because they sent e-mails to the Activity Office while we were not working and we didn’t catch up with them until we returned. We should have the proofs back next week and then once that is approved, the directories will be printed.
Code Red: You can sign up to get alerts of impending emergency information delivered to your phone by registering with the City of Alamo. The warnings come from their Emergency Management System. You’ll get the information whether you are here or back home. New people coming into the park will get a form in their welcome packet. If you want to sign up and have been here awhile, get a form from the Business Office.
Morning Meetings: Home-made cinnamon rolls will be served on the meeting on the 31st and donuts will be served on the 10 and 31st of this month.
Blood Drive on December 12 will be rescheduled to February.
Texas Hold’em Tournament – Roy Darby wants to hold a Texas Hold-em Tournament. He will sign people up for it. Roy is on Lot 568.
Staff Christmas Gift: A letter with a small envelope was sent out this past week to help make our staff’s Christmas a little better. The letter sets out who the gifts are given to but whatever is raised will be divided among 11 staff people. The money will be presented to them at the staff party on December 17th.
Good Samaritan Project - We are busy this time of year. Since Thanksgiving we have been donating bulk staples of rice, beans, corn and wheat flour, and lard for families of South Alamo supported by ARISE. ARISE is a Catholic Charities Mission located in Alamo and the immediate area of the Rio Grande Valley. This is the same organization that receives our donations from the Angel Tree and the Christmas Stockings for the Las Posadas celebration.
We again are supporting two needy families by providing food for them and Christmas gifts of clothing and other essential items plus some toys for the children. People have signed up to support these families on the Church Bulletin Board. If you have item to be delivered to these families, see one of the Church Board members (they are listed on the Contact Listing-Who's Who At Winter Ranch on the right hand column of this blog under the CURRENT INFO heading). The items needs to be given to a Church Board member by December 17th, our next Wednesday morning meeting!
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. Please make sure what you give will fit into the stocking. If we receive gifts that won’t fit, we’ll add them to the items that go to the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Also, do not add things from your closet to this box. There is a box for clothing, etc. to be given to ARISE by the side door to the Business Office. The box for the Christmas Stockings Project is in front of the Activities Office. We donated 300 stuffed stockings last year and we would like to make at least that many this year. Barb DeGaramo actually has 370 stockings she would love to fill. 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.
Filling the Christmas Stockings – Meet Barb DeGaramo in the Large Hall on December 15th at 10:00 AM to fill the Christmas Stockings. We need to have them done today in order to get them delivered to the children at ARISE for the Christmas Posadas. This will be the only gift some of these children will receive!
Keep Christ In Christmas magnetic stickers – The Business Office has the magnetic “Keep Christ In Christmas” stickers available for $5.
Christmas Lighting Contest – You will be receiving your voting ballots in the mail by the 16th of this month. Judging will be from December 16 through the 21st. Drive around, enjoy the lights and vote for your favorites! Your ballot must be turned in to the Activity Office by December 22nd. The prizes and certificates will be awarded at the Christmas Party.
Ladies Luncheons – We have a new Chairperson and Vice-Chair for the Ladies Luncheons. Thank you Gail McCrabb and Patti Ellison. The first Ladies Luncheon will be on December 15th at Noon. Tickets are $2. If you have an even number ticket, bring a salad. If you have an odd number ticket, bring a dessert. Tea, water, and coffee, along with tableware, will be provided. Tickets will be on sale before and after the Wednesday morning meetings and in the Small Hall from 10 to Noon on Friday, December 5th, Monday, December 8th, and Friday, December 12th.
The Angel Tree – The angel tree is up in Friendship Hall. Take a few tags and purchase a gift ranging from $5 to $10 for each child. Gift wrap the gift(s) and attach the tags to them. Then deliver the gifts on December 17th at the next morning meeting. Just place them on the stage. They will be delivered to ARISE that day for their Christmas Posada.
ARISE Christmas Posada – ARISE has invited any of us who want to attend to come over to their Posada on December 17th at 5 PM. It is at 212 San Bernadino Avenue in Alamo.
Christmas Caroling – Karen Timko will again spearhead Christmas Caroling around the park. Meet at the Large Hall at 4:30 PM on December 22nd. Bring bells to jingle. Karen would love to borrow some golf carts for those that want to carol that don't have them. Give her a call if you would be willing to let someone use yours!
Christmas Party – The party will be held on December 24th from 1 PM to 2:30 PM. Bring an appetizer to share with at least 12 people. There will also be a Gift Exchange. If you want to participate bring a wrapped gift with a tag stating whether the gift is for a man or woman. If you have a child guest, wrap gifts for boy child or girl child and give them to the Gift Coordinator so they can receive a gift at the party.
Christmas Candlelight Non-Denominational Service on December 24th at 7 PM in the Large Hall.
Christmas Potluck – December 25th at 1 PM in the Large Hall. Money for turkey is now available in the Activities Office - $1 per person at your table. Signup sheets for tables for the Christmas dinner are up in the Large Hall.
New Year’s Eve Party – Reserve your table and get your tickets in the Activity Office now. Jealous Heart is playing. Tickets are $8. The Activities Office is about sold out so get your tickets soon.
Roundups are held on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 unless we have something else scheduled. They are a time to socialize. Entertainment is scheduled and they are paid by passing the hat. This is the December schedule:
*December 16 with Diego
*December 23 from 3 to 5 PM with Carlos Cantos - This will be an Ugly Sweater Party with a prize for the Ugliest Sweater for a Man and one for the Ugliest Sweater for a Woman. Also, a birthday cake will be served for Carlos!
The Agency will be performing at the Dance on January 9th. We sold about 144 tickets on Monday for the dance on January 9th. (The tickets went out saying it was January 16th. That is a mistake. Remark your tickets to January 9th). You can still get your tickets in the office until we run out but we are reserving seats. The tickets are now on sale to the public so come on in and reserve your table. We’ve sold 160 tickets thus far. We only have this group once this year so get your tickets!!
The Fabulous 50’s will be our dance on January 30th. They always do sell out crowds also. JD will start reserving tables and selling tickets to Winter Ranchers on December 29th. Their Manager has already presold 150 seats but their seats will not be reserved until after you have had a chance to reserve your tables.
Hippie Party (our theme party for the season) will be held on January 20th from 3 PM to 5:30 in the Large Hall. There will be a “Groovy” Costume Contest with prizes awarded to the most Wildly Wicked Costumed Couple, The most Righteous Dude, and the Best Hip Chick’s Costume. A “Far Out” photo booth will be available for you and your group. 60’s Music will be provided by Mike and Carol Earley for your dancing or listening pleasure. And there will be a couple of games. Dress up in you frayed jeans, tie dye shirts, love beads, head band, granny dresses, granny glasses, peace symbols, sandals, ankle bells or whatever else to bring out your inner Hippie. Bring: BYOB and appetizer to share with 12 people. Napkins, plates and silverware will be provided.
Golfers: The person who coordinated our golfing at Village Executive Course on Thursdays for us is no longer in the park. Please see Lynn or Jim in the Activities Office if you would like to coordinate this for the park.
Woodshop Spaghetti Dinner will be held on January 6th at 4:30 PM. Dinner will include Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, desserts, lemonade or tea. Tickets are on sale now for $6.
Men’s Luncheon – Rosie Ewald is the Coordinator for the Men’s Luncheon again this year. Thanks, Rosie! It will be held on January 16th at noon. Tickets will go on sale after the Wednesday morning meetings in December. They can seat 200. Tickets are $7.
McAllen Symphonic Band Tickets for the Christmas Show entitled “Silent Night” are on sale in the Business Office. The concert is December 16th at 7:30 PM. The tickets are $5 each. You may also sign up to the take the bus to the concert in the Business Office. You need to let the office know that you want to ride the bus! The bus will leave at 6:30 PM.
Men’s Luncheon – Rosie Ewald is the Coordinator for the Men’s Luncheon again this year. Thanks, Rosie! It will be held on January 16th at noon. Tickets will go on sale after the Wednesday morning meetings in December. They can seat 200. Tickets are $7.
Billiards Schedule:
Monday
8:30 AM = 8 Ball Tournament, $5 entry fee, open to the
Valley
Tuesday
1 PM – Ladies Billiards
Wednesday
– Men’s Billiards (new group of guys)
Thursday 8:30 AM – In park 8 Ball Tournament open to men and women
Ron Doerschug
will be teaching a class on Windows 8 and 8.1 in early January.
Troubleshooting
Classes are after the Wednesday meetings from 10 to Noon in Activity Room #3. We no longer have a conflict with the first
Wednesday of the month so Troubleshooting will be every week.
Activity Room
#3 has internet installed for classes and it is now going to be made available
to anyone who would like to use it whenever the room is not in use. Check the schedule on the door or knock
before you head in and interrupt a meeting, computer class or tap dancing or
wood carving session.
Ron thanked
everyone for their information on the Prayer Website. If you do have a prayer request or death
notification, send Ron a note with as much of the specifics as you have.
The Computer
Group is in need of instructors for any Microsoft or Apple product. See Ron if you would like to help.
Dec 13 – 6:30 PM – Killer Bees Hockey Game WR/TG
Dec 14 – 5:30 PM – Celebration Choir with Guy Penrod - $15 WR/TG FULL
Dec 16 - 6:30 PM - Symphonic Band Christmas Program - Tickets in Business Office WR/TG FULL
Dec 18 – 5:00 PM – Weslaco Christmas Parade WR only FULL
Dec 20 – 5:30 PM – Hidalgo Christmas Lights and Meal $12 WR Only
Jan 17 – 6:30 PM – Show is at 7: 30 PM - Hello Dolly at Nikki Rowe High School – WR Only (tickets are on sale now in the Activities Office). There are seats left at this time!
Note: If you have an idea for a bus trip, let JD know. He’ll see what can be arranged.
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:
Jam Help – JD has two teams of Jam Helpers put together. When the Illinois bunch get here, he’ll have a third group. He needs two more teams so that the jams will be covered. The jams provide more income to the Activity Fund than any other activity so we have to keep them going. Anyone interested in helping out with cooking, washing dishes, serving, running food, please see JD in the Activity Office.
Dance for New Year’s – We need two crews for the New Year’s Dance.
Lynn is also looking for a Chairperson for the Craft Sale. It is held four times this year on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Computer Group is looking for instructors in are area of expertise including Smart Phones, Tablets, and Laptops. Contact Ron Doerschug.
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.
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
Dec 3
|
5:30 PM
|
Hidalgo Lights
|
|
Dec 5
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Hot Rodz
|
$5
|
Dec 6
|
4 PM
|
Bus – Lighted Boat Parade and dinner at Louie’s
Back Yard
|
FULL
|
Dec 9
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show/NO ROUNDUP
|
|
Dec 9
|
9:15 AM
|
Lon C Hill Museum
|
cancelled
|
Dec 11
|
8:30 AM
|
Bus – Mystery Trip
|
cancelled
|
Dec 12
|
DEADLINE FOR SIGNING UP FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
CONTEST – SIGNUP SHEETS IN FRIENDSHIP HALL
|
||
Dec 12
|
United Blood
Drive – WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN FEBRUARY
|
||
Dec 12
|
5:30 PM
|
Bus – Hidalgo Lights
|
FULL
|
Dec 12
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweetwater
|
$5
|
Dec 13
|
6:30 PM
|
Bus – Killer Bees Hockey Game
|
$10 WR/TG
|
Dec 14-20
|
JUDGING FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHT CONTEST
|
||
Dec 14
|
5:30 PM
|
Bus – Celebration Choir with Guy Penrod
|
$15 WR/TG FULL
|
Dec 15
|
7 AM
|
Wellness Screening
|
|
Dec 15
|
10 AM
|
Fill the Stockings for the Christmas Stocking
Project in Large Hall
|
|
Dec 15
|
Noon
|
Ladies Luncheon in Large Hall
|
$2
|
Dec 16
|
11 AM
|
Advisory Board Meeting
|
|
Dec 16
|
3:30 –
5 PM
|
Roundup – Diego
|
Pass the Hat
|
Dec 18
|
5:00 PM
|
Bus – Weslaco Christmas Parade
|
Free – WR ONLY FULL
|
Dec 20
|
5:30 PM
|
Bus – Hidalgo Lights and Meal - Seats still available
|
$12 Meal and Tram - WR ONLY
|
Dec 22
|
4:30 PM
|
Christmas Caroling on Golf Carts – Meet in Large
Hall – bring bells to jingle
|
|
Dec 23
|
3:00-5
PM
|
Roundup with Carlos Canas (singer)
|
Pass the Hat
|
Dec 24
|
1:30 PM
|
Christmas Party Potluck/Appetizers
|
|
Dec 24
|
7 PM
|
Christmas Candlelight Service
|
|
Dec 25
|
1 PM
|
Christmas Dinner (Potluck)
|
|
Dec 26
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Diego
|
|
Dec 30
|
3:30-5
PM
|
NO ROUNDUP
|
|
Dec 31
|
8:15 PM
|
New Year’s Eve Party with Jealous Heart - get your reservations now in the Activity Office
|
$12
|
Jan 2
|
NO DANCE
|
||
Jan 6
|
4:30 PM
|
Woodshop Dinner – NO ROUNDUP
|
|
Jan 9
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Agency
|
|
Jan 11
|
Noon-2 PM
|
5 State Potluck
|
|
Jan 11
|
2-4 PM
|
Gold Wing Express - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Jan 13
|
8 AM
|
Craft Show – NO ROUNDUP
|
|
Jan 14
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Kansas/Oklahoma Pot Luck
|
|
Jan 15
|
7 PM
|
American Waves Band - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Jan 16
|
Noon
|
Men’s Luncheon
|
$7
|
Jan 16
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Jealous Heart
|
|
Jan 18
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Illinois Potluck
|
|
Jan 19
|
4:30 PM
|
1ST Responders’ Dinner
|
|
Jan 20
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Hippie Theme Party – Roundup
|
|
Jan 21
|
1 -3 PM
|
Beginning Card Playing Lessons
|
|
Jan 22
|
1 -3 PM
|
Beginning Card Playing Lessons
|
|
Jan 22
|
7 PM
|
Farnum Family - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Jan 23
|
9 – Noon
|
Bob Ross Art Class – Arts and Crafts Room
|
|
Jan 23
|
9 – Noon
|
Swimwear Sales
|
|
Jan 23
|
1 – 4 PM
|
Bob Ross Art Class – Arts and Crafts Room
|
|
Jan 23
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Hot Rodz
|
$5
|
Jan 25
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Minnesota Pot Luck
|
|
Jan 25
|
3 PM
|
Bernie and Red - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Jan 27
|
8 – 1 PM
|
Quilt Show – NO ROUNDUP
|
|
Jan 29
|
7 PM
|
Greg Jones - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Jan 30
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Fabulous 50’s
|
|
Februrary 1
|
Noon–5 PM
|
Iowa Pot Luck
|
|
Feb 1
|
4 -8:30 PM
|
Super Bowl Party
|
|
Feb 3rd
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Margarita Party – No Roundup
|
|
Feb 5th
|
7 PM
|
Lindley Creek - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Feb 6
|
?
|
Ingra Health Screening
|
|
Feb 6
|
Noon-2PM
|
Missouri Potluck
|
|
Feb 6
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
|
Feb 8
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Michigan Potluck
|
|
Feb 10
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show
|
|
Feb 10
|
1-3 PM
|
Variety Show Rehearsal
|
|
Feb 10
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Roundup with Carlos Canas (singer)
|
|
Feb 12
|
7 – 9:30 PM
|
Auntie Kreamsaugen - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Feb 13
|
NO DANCE
|
||
Feb 14
|
10:30-Noon
|
Pet Parade at Doggie Row Pet Walk West
|
|
Feb 14
|
7-10 PM
|
Valentine’s Dance with Jealous Heart/No Bingo,
Karaoke or Cards today
|
|
Feb 15
|
2-4 PM
|
50th Anniversary Celebration
|
|
Feb 17
|
4 PM
|
Quilters’ Dinner/No Roundup
|
|
Feb 19
|
1-4 PM
|
Dress Rehearsal for Variety Show
|
|
Feb 19
|
7 – 9:30 PM
|
The Terry Smith Band – Entertainment
|
$6
|
Feb 20
|
9-Noon
|
Bob Ross Art Class- Arts & Crafts Room
|
|
Feb 20
|
1 -4 PM
|
Bob Ross Art Class- Arts & Crafts Room
|
|
Feb 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Swing Tyme
|
|
Feb 22
|
Noon-2PM
|
Canadian Potluck
|
|
Feb 22
|
6-9 PM
|
Variety Show/All other activities in Big Hall
cancelled from 5 PM on
|
|
Feb 24
|
1:30-3
PM
|
Memorial Service/ No Roundup
|
|
Feb 24
|
7 PM
|
Razz Ma Tazz - Entertainment
|
$5
|
Feb 26
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Ladies Golf Luncheon
|
|
Feb 27
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
|
Mar 3
|
4:30-6
PM
|
Woodshop Dinner/No activities in Large Hall until
after cleanup from the Woodshop Dinner
|
|
Mar 6
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Jealous Heart
|
|
Mar 9
|
Pinochle Cancelled
|
||
Mar 10
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show/No Roundup
|
|
Mar 13
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Diego
|
|
Mar 17
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Lunch – St. Patrick’s Day
|
|
Mar 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
|
