A few changes have been made since the meeting -
these are noted in red!
We grew from 400 to 451
residents in the park this week.
residents in the park this week.
For your convenience, the Upcoming Calendar of
Activities is located at the bottom of the
minutes
Welcome to New Winter Ranchers
Sherill and Jim Underwood
From Deer Creek, Illinois
Razz Ma Tazz
On Winter Ranch Stage
December 2nd, 2014 @ 7:00 PM
What a bunch of very talented young people.
If you missed them this time, they will make
a return visit on February 24th.
Thank Yous:
Cathy thanked all the people who decorated the Small Hall for Christmas. If you haven’t seen it yet, it looks really Christmassy!
Important Information
Small Hall Air Conditioner Replacement – The replacement is nearly finished. The electricity in the Small Hall had to be upgraded in order to put in the new Air Conditioner. We are sorry for the inconvenience and we would have had this done during the summer if we had known we had the problem.
Breach in Fence – Cathy wanted everyone to know that we had a breach in the fence along Tower Road and a lawn mower was stolen. Please keep your valuables locked up. We have had very few incidents thus far but it is better to be safe than sorry.
Cathy and Larry will be out of the office next week.
Veterans – HB Hulsey has been receiving some really good information from the Secretary of the Veterans Administration. He has put some information on the Veterans Bulletin Board which is next to the Mail Room in Friendship Hall. If you need to talk to someone in confidence about an issue, see HB after the morning meetings and he will set up a time to talk to you in confidence.
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.
After Dance Cleanup: We have two volunteers who will be cleaning up after the dances from now on so when you volunteer for the dances, cleanup will not be a part of it.
Quilters: If you go home for Christmas, please remember to bring back old quilts and any other quilting items that would show well at the Quilt Show in January.
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.
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 - The Christmas Lighting Contest is on again for the season. Signup Sheets are posted on the Bulletin Boards in the hallway across from the Mail Room. We had a problem last year when someone asked Lynn to sign them up for the contest and with everything else on her plate she forgot. Please sign yourself up for the contest so you know you are included. Contest Rules are located in Friendship Hall and will be posted on this blog and the Winter Ranch Facebook page.
Decorating the Large Hall for Christmas - Nora Minor needs people to help her decorate the Large Hall for Christmas. Decorating will be on December 7th at 1 PM. It would be really nice if you’d let Nora know that you can help out in advance. Her Lot No. is 467.
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 Cathy will let us know when to deliver them to the stage end of Friendship Hall so they can be delivered to the children prior to Christmas. These gifts are delivered to the ARISE organization in Alamo for delivery to some of the poorest of the poor. The gifts you give may be the only ones these children receive for Christmas!
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.
New Year’s Eve Party – Reserve your table and get your tickets in the Activity Office now. Jealous Heart is playing. Tickets are $8.
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.
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 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!
Dance – December 5th - Hot Rodz. This is a new band for us. They are are a classic rock 'n' roll band specializing in 50's and 60's rock music, as well as classic country and line dance tunes. If you want a Line Dance, just request it! Let us know what you think of them.
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 will be on sale to Trophy Gardens on the December 5th and they will be open to the general public after that. We only have this group once this year so get your tickets!!
Women’s Golf now starts at 9 AM rather than 8:45 AM on Thursdays.
Billiards – Scotch Doubles is on Sunday.
Women’s Billiards are on Tuesday from 1 to 3 PM. There are no men, no trophies and no prizes – just fun! No experience needed.
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.
Activity Office Issues (“Walter Notes”):
Making Change at Events: JD requested that we bring the right amount of money for the Sundae Sundays and when purchasing Bus Tickets. No 20’s or larger bills please! It holds up the line and we just don’t have the cash on hand to make change for so many people.
Be respectful of others: Please try to listen at the Wednesday morning meetings and not chatter so that people can hear the announcements. Otherwise, you will miss activities that are going on or you will cause others to miss them. Sometimes the morning meeting is the only time these things are announced and the office hears about it when someone misses an event!
Complaints about missing event information: We at Winter Ranch are really blessed with having a great Activities Blog and Facebook page, a Winter Ranch Facebook Group and a Winter Ranch Yard Sale Group. Other parks are not so fortunate. The Activities Office tries its best to inform you of what is going on, but if you don’t attend the meetings and you are not on the internet, then you are going to miss out on information. We can only post so much stuff on the hall walls! (Note: If you want to be included in the Facebook Groups, contact Mary Benfield via her e-mail or Facebook and she will get you set up on it. The only requirement is that you are a Winter Rancher and you have a Facebook account.)
Card Players: We know that playing cards is important to you, however, there will be times when you need to give a little and play later so that we can use the hall for an event that involves a lot more people than your group. This week for instance we need to set up for the Craft Show. JD does not want to wait to set up until 10:00 PM at night and then return at 5:00 AM to make sure the hall is in order. The hall will be set up and you will be allowed to play, however, if you move things around in the hall, you need to move them back so that JD doesn’t have to return at 5 AM. If JD has to continue staying late to set up for the Craft Shows and getting up early to set back up again, card playing will have to be cancelled on the nights before a Craft Show. JD will provide information on how the hall should be set up.
Bus Trips: We have two bus drivers in this park. Praise the Lord! Lot of parks don’t have any. Please tip your drivers, they are not compensated in any other way and for some trips they spend hours with you! Also, we have people who routinely sign up for a trip and then if something else comes up that is better, they just don’t show up. Or, they ask the Activities Director to refund their money. From now on, money will not be refunded. If you purchase a ticket for a trip, you own the ticket and you need to find someone else to use it. The Activities Office is monitoring “No Shows” and will take action, if necessary, to make sure that the bus is full when it goes out. It is only fair to those others who want to be on the bus!
New Rules for Bus Trips:
1. Bus Trips
will be announced at the Wednesday morning meetings along with signup
schedules.
2. Registering
for the Bus Trips will be on Wednesday at 11:30 AM in the Large Hall. This gives you time to
check your calendars to make sure you can take the bus trip. If there are still spaces available on the
bus, you can try to sign up in the Activities Office the next day.
3. There will
be no early signups for bus trips
4. Be prepared
to pay for the bus trip when you register. It would speed things up if
you have the exact amount – no large bills.
5. Each person
can sign up a maximum of 2 people per trip.
6. Line up at
the tables in front of the trip you want to take – no saving of chairs.
We have had some problems with no shows on
these bus trips and we are working on a plan to keep this from happening as it
is unfair to those who would have liked to take the bus.Bus Trips
Dec 6 – 4 PM Lighted Boat Parade and Dinner at Louies Backyard BUS IS NOW FULL
Dec 8 - Channel 5 News has been cancelled.
Dec 9 - 9:15 AM Lon C Hill Museum $2 WR/TG
Dec 11 – 8:30 AM – Mystery Trip $4 WR/TG
Dec 12 – 5:30 PM – Hidalgo Christmas Lights WR/TG
Dec 13 – 6:30 PM – Killer Bees Hockey Game WR/TG
Dec 14 – 6:30 PM – Celebration Choir with Guy Penrod - $15 WR/TG
Dec 16 - 6:30 PM - Symphonic Band Christmas Program - Tickets in Business Office WR/TG
Dec 18 – 5:15 PM – Weslaco Christmas Parade WR only
Dec 20 – 5:50 PM – Hidalgo Christmas Lights and Meal $12 WR Only
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.
January 14th 2015 – Kickapoo Casino Overnight Trip - $80 per person with $40 in comp for gambling. Need to sign up now on the Tours Bulletin Board in the Large Hall by the steps.
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.
SEASON START-UP ACTIVITY LISTThe 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 has started. Phyllis Lauritsen is the new Choir Director.
Computer Group Trouble Sessions have started.
Dominos has started on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 PM. Dennis Foley is the Contact.
Exercises in the morning are in progress.
Golf has started with regular winter schedule. Ladies Golf now starts at 9 AM.
Ice Cream Sunday and Sunday Sundaes have started
Jazzercize has started. Judy Teply is the contact.
Jokers and Pegs have started.
Karaoke has started. Contacts are Carol and Mike Earley.
Line Dancing has started. JoAnn Sullivan is the instructor. Couples dancing which follows Line Dancing also started today.
Peter Piper Pizza Luncheons have started. Signup sheets are on the Bulletin Board in the Large Hall near the Mail Room. Connie Webb is the Coordinator.
Pickleball has started. If you are interested in playing, contact Donna Hulsey.
Pinochle has started. Ron and Linnae Frandle are in charge of Pinochle.
Shuffleboard has started. Ray Uselman is the contact.
Video Rentals have started.
Water Exercise has started.
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:
Answer Phones in the Business Office – Cathy needs a couple people to man the Business Office while they are doing the Employee Christmas lunch on December 17th.
Jam Help – We have help for the first jam but we will be needing a crew for the second jam. We will again have a meeting this Friday at 10 AM in the Large Hall by the Kitchen for those interested in helping out next week. JD would like to set four crews set up so that each crew would do one jam a month and in longer months one crew would do two.
Ice Cream Scoopers are needed for next week. Sign up on the Bulletin Board across from the Large Hall.
Dance on Friday night – Hot Rodz – we need kitchen help. Sign up on the Bulletin Board across from the Large Hall. No cleanup of hall anymore!!
Dance for New Year’s – We will need two crews for the New Year’s Dance.
Craft Sale – Volunteers Sheet has been posted in the Large Hall.
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.
The Dance Team – Still needs one couple. If you are interested stop in the Activity Office or see Lee and Mary Benfield.
Volunteers are needed for the Ice Cream Social next 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.
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
|
$2 WR/TG
|
Dec 11
|
8:30 AM
|
Bus – Mystery Trip
|
$4 WR/TG
|
Dec 12
|
Noon
|
DEADLINE FOR SIGNING UP FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
CONTEST – SIGNUP SHEETS IN FRIENDSHIP HALL
|
|
Dec 12
|
8-Noon
|
United Blood Drive
|
|
Dec 12
|
5:30 PM
|
Bus – Hidalgo Lights
|
WR/TG
|
Dec 12
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweetwater
|
$5
|
Dec 13
|
6:30 PM
|
Bus – Killer Bees Hockey Game
|
$10 WR/TG
|
Dec 16-21
|
JUDGING FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHT CONTEST - you should have a ballot in your mail box by today
|
||
Dec 14
|
5:30 PM
|
Bus – Celebration Choir with Guy Penrod
|
$15 WR/TG
|
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
|
5:15 PM
|
Bus – Weslaco Christmas Parade
|
Free – WR ONLY
|
Dec 22
|
4:30 PM
|
Christmas Caroling on Golf Carts – Meet in Large
Hall
|
DATE & TIME CHANGE
|
Dec 19
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Route 66
|
$5
|
Dec 20
|
5:30 PM
|
Bus – Hidalgo Lights and Meal
|
$12 Meal and Tram - WR ONLY
|
Dec 23
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Roundup with Carlos Canos (singer) - UGLY SWEATER CONTEST
Cake will be served for Carlos Birthday |
Pass the Hat
|
Dec 24
|
1-2:30 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
|
|
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
|
|
