We grew from 801 to 821 residents this
week!
Welcome to our New Residents
Ed and Joyce Soetaert
From Missouri
Gordon and Gwen Lang
From Saskatchewan
They are returning to us after a bit of an absence.
Jim and Linda McCrory
From Sioux City, Iowa
Mike and Cathy Gautier
From Texas
Dale and Barb Johnson
From Burnsville, Minnesota
Thank Yous:
Donna Ironside thanked all the teachers
for the beginning cards classes. It
looked to be a great success.
Linda Doerschug thanked everyone who
helped out with the Quilt Show. It was a
tremendous success and they had wonderful assistance in setting up, cleaning up
and tearing down.
Karen Timko thanked everyone for
caroling with her in December. She has
not been out and about since so this was her first opportunity to thank everyone.
Important Information:
Friday: On this Friday evening our dance is sold out
with 414 people in attendance. JD will
need some help setting up for the dance and he also requested that the
pickleball players quit an hour early so they could get the hall done.
Reminder: If you turn on lights or use any of the
equipment and turn it on, then shut it off when you leave.
Speeding and Stop
Signs: Cathy missed the meeting this morning but Lynn took her place this
morning. Cathy again asked that we
reduce our speed in the park. The speed limit is 10 MPH and that goes for cars,
trucks, golf carts, bikes and any other type of vehicle. There
have been a lot of complaints and we do have a full park now and need to watch
out for those walking, biking or on roller skates!! I personally can add that a lot of us aren’t
stopping for the stop signs.
Try to be Flexible: Lynn requested that we try to
be flexible especially during this very busy time of the year. During one week in February we have 90
activities going. Sometimes in order to
keep everything going, there have to be some last minutes changes or your group
may be asked to start earlier or later.
Canadian Quarters: Please don’t put Canadian quarters in the
washers and dryers. They stick in the
machines and we have to have them removed and it costs $80 to get them out!
Golf Cart Parking: We are now at the very busy season so please
do not use car parking areas for the golf carts. There is golf cart parking behind the hall
and in front of Devenny’s Lot 515 across the street from the Small
Hall. This is especially necessary on
Friday nights for the dances and on Thursdays and Sundays when we have
entertainment.
Call of the States: The Call of the States will be at the morning
meeting on February 18th.
Cathy needs flag bearers that will report at the Large Hall at 8:30 AM so Larry can show you where to line up.
If you would like to participate, see Cathy in the office. She needs someone for every flag in the Union and for each Canadian Province so that is a lot of
volunteers!
Advisory Board
Nomination Forms: You should have received your
form in the mail. Thus far we only have one nomination and we
have three slots open. The top of the
form tells what the Board does so you might want to keep that somewhere where
you can refer to it. We have three seats
to fill: Indoor/Outdoor Sports, Music
and Dance and one at large position. You
may nominate yourself or someone else.
If you nominate someone else, they need to sign the form that they agree
to take the position. Ballots will be
sent out later. These aren’t difficult
positions. The Board meets once a month
during the season. The main thing that
they do at the meeting is to vote on capital expenditures from the Activity
Fund.
Fruit and Veggie Cart: Will be here again on Thursday from 9AM-10:30
AM on Doggie Row between Trophy and Winter Ranch.
Golden Olympics – Marsha Fabricus said we are one-third of the way
through the event. There are still
several different categories at various times during the month or so that you
can participate in. There is
a newspaper flyer available in the Activities Office for anyone wanting to
participate or see what all the categories are. You can be a contest for
baking, golfing, walking, biking, any card game you can name, jig saw puzzles,
etc. etc. There are also park participation events where you can Walk
and Talk or Bike Ride. If you register for those and participate, Winter
Ranch gets participation points. The park with the most participants wins
those events. I know we can all walk and talk and a lot of us ride those
bikes. We don’t want our sister park winning again this year, do
we??? Let’s get out and participate in the total Rio Grand Valley Event.
Billiards Cue Raffle – The Billiards Group will again be raffling a
$300 cue. The tickets are 1 for $3 or 5 for $5. The raffle will be
drawn on February 16th at the Pool Tournament. You do not need
to be present to win.
Redhead Express – Lynn was pleased to let us know that the Redhead
Express will be coming through the Rio Grande Valley next year and will be stopping by to perform for us on January 14,
2016 at 7 PM. They are
only performing at four parks here in the valley and they called us first. The tickets will be $12. They are an amazing family and
Those of us that have seen
them will be there with bells on!
The Fabulous 50’s Dance
on January 30th is sold out. Next week Sweetwater will be playing.
Iowa Pot Luck will be held on February 1st
in the Large Hall from 11 AM to 1:00 PM.
David Church will entertain for us on February
1st at 2 PM in the Large Hall. Doors will open at 1 PM. David Church has been featured on
"Midwest Country" for over five years. His popularity throughout the US, Canada, and now Europe continues to soar as he
makes regular appearances on the show and tours throughout the world. David has
been featured in numerous major country music magazines. His wife, Terri Lisa performed with the
popular gospel group, "The Kings Heirs," throughout Northern Indiana. She started a variety
group in the mid-90's called, "Joyful Noise," featuring gospel,
country, 50/60's and pop music
A Fusible Stained Glass Class is scheduled for February 3rd at 6:30 PM. Sign up sheets are in the Stained Glass Shop. The size of the class is limited.
A Fusible Stained Glass Class is scheduled for February 3rd at 6:30 PM. Sign up sheets are in the Stained Glass Shop. The size of the class is limited.
Margarita Party tickets
are now
on sale. The party is scheduled for February
3rd
from 3:30 to 5 PM. $8 per person.
The theme this year is Hawaiian.
There will be prizes for the best costumes. There will be music, a meal, and drinks. Only 350 tickets will be sold!
Integra Wellness will be here to do some Cardio Vascular testing on February 6th all day. There is a charge for these tests. See the information on the board across from
the Mail Room. Sign up by calling
800-884-6251 or sending an e-mail to Karin@integritywellness.com.
The Activity Office is
selling Texas Lions Club Benefit Concert
Tickets. The Concert will be on February 6th at 7 PM. Tickets are $7 and are on sale
in the Activity Office.
The Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia Potluck will be held on
February 8th at Noon in the Large Hall. No
invitations will be sent out so please mark it on your calendar. Meat will be provided. Bring a generous dish to share and your own
table service. If you have a door prize
to offer, please see Cathy in the Business Office.
The Mystery Theater
Dinner/Play is “The PolterHeist”
this season. The Dinner Theater will be held February 8th at 5 PM in the Large Hall. Tickets will go on sale
in the Small Hall this Friday at 9 AM. Tickets are 10 each. This performance if Sold Out.
Can/AM Golf Tournament will be held on February 11th. The
parade will be at 8:45 AM. Golf at 10 and lunch to follow. Signup will be this Friday at 8 AM.
Matinee Myster Theater on February 11th at 1 PM in the Large Hall. This year
their will be a Matinee performance of the play for those that weren’t able to
get the dinner tickets. The Matinee version without dinner will be
$5. There is no limit on the Matinee.
You can still get tickets to the
Matinee in the Activity Office or at the door.
AARP Driver Safety Program (4 hours) will be on February 12th from 8 to Noon in Activity Room #3. This has changed again! Must be registered by February 10th.
Selections and Timing
of the various acts will be held on February 12th at 9 AM in the Large Hall.
Trophy Gardens/Winter Ranch Bridge Tournament will
be held on February 12th from 11AM to 4 PM at Trophy Gardens. Please sign up on the board
by the Mail Room in the Large Hall.
The Golf Charity Scramble will be on February
13th at 9 AM. The cost
is $10 each. All the money will go to
the 1st Responders. There
will be donuts and coffee in the morning,
lunch in the afternoon and some fun games at some of the holes. Dale Loerch is checking to see If they can
get a truck coming in that you can win be getting a hole in one on Hole 3. Rita Huether has also arranged for the Air
Evac helicopter to come in and land during the luncheon.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for the Activities Fund
will be held on February 13th at 4:30
PM in the Large
Hall. Tickets are on sale now for $7
each. Tickets will be sold on Thursday
and Friday of this week from 10-12 in the Large Hall. There will be a big variety of desserts and
door prizes! They are only selling 350
tickets so get yours now.
Hockey Shootout between Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens at State Farm Arena on February 13th. 5 people are needed from Winter Ranch to
compete with five people from Trophy.
See the Activities Office if you are interested.
The Pet Parade will be held at Doggie
Row on February 14 from 10 AM to 11 AM.
Valentines Dance with Jealous Heart on Saturday, February
14th at 7 PM. Tickets
are available in the Activity Office. (No Bingo, Karaoke or cards on the 14th)
The 50th
Wedding Anniversary Celebration is
scheduled for February 15th
from 2 to 4 PM in the Large Hall. Lynn will be putting up reservations sheets on the
Bulletin Boards by the Mail Room this week. There are three DIFFERENT
sheets. Please be diligent about what sheet you register on. One
sheet is for those that are celebrating their 50th anniversary this
year. One is for those that have been married for over 50 years and the
third is for guests. Please make sure you sign on the right form so that
we don’t have a mixup. We REALLY need to know who is celebrating 50 years
so we have things prepared. Same goes for those married over 50 years.
The cut off date for signing up is
February 9th.
The Dinner for Quilting for the Needy will be on
February 17th at 4 PM in
the Large Hall. It will be a pulled pork
dinner which will include baked beans, a salad and dessert. $6
Full Dress rehearsal
for Razzle Dazzle will be on Saturday, February 22nd at 1:30 PM in the Large Hall.
The Winter Ranch
Variety Show “Razzle Dazzle” will
be held on February 22nd at 7 PM. Mark your calendars. Lee Clement and JoAnn Sullivan are
the Coordinators of the event. They have posted a sign-up sheet to be in
the show on the Bulletin Board by the Arts and Crafts Room. They REALLY
need to know as soon as possible who is going to participate.
The Memorial Service will be held on February 24th at 1:30 PM in the Large Hall.
We will be remember the residents who passed away during 2014. There is information on it on the Church
Bulletin Board in the Large Hall.
Roundup (Social Hours) on February 24th
at 3:30 to 5 PM with Dave Lopez.
Chuck Wagon will beopen. Dave has
done some work in the park but on the side he has a band.
Wilder Parks Shuffleboard Tournament will be held
on February 27th at Trophy Gardens with overflow here and on February 28th . See the Activity Office for time and details.
The Alamo Parade will be held on March 1st. Winter Ranch has participated in this event
for many years and we’ve come home with lots of trophies. Sometimes we are half of the parade. It’s been a lot of fun. This year the theme is Super Heros and here
at Winter Ranch we are expanding that meaning to include our military, our veterans, 1st Responders,
police, firemen, etc. If you are
interested in learning more about this parade or being involved, contact Don
DeKeyrel. Even if you aren’t
participating, you can attend the parade and support all our Winter Ranch
people that will be participating.
Choir Concert – Mark your calendars for March 1st at 6 PM in the Large Hall.
The Winter Ranch Resident Appreciation Day will be on March
5th at 7 PM in the Large Hall.
Vance Greek will be performing for us and there will be ice cream
afterwards. This is a free concert.
Computer Classes (Sign up for these classes on the Bulletin
Board across from the Mail Room:
Iphone Tips and Tricks (Iphone 4 and 5 NOT iPhone
6) / Donna Ritchie, Instructor / Activity Room #3
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Monday
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February 2nd
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1:30-3:30 PM
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Monday
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February 9th
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1:30-3:30 PM
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Exploring APPS for iphone and ipads / Donna
Ritchie, Instructor / Activity Room #3
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Monday
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February 16th
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1:30-3:30 PM
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Iphone Tips and Tricks / Donna Ritchie,
Instructor / Activity Room #3
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Monday
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February 23rd
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1:30-3:30 PM
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iPad Tips and Tricks / Donna
Ritchie, Instructor / Activity Room #3
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Monday
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March 2
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1:30-3:30 PM
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Trips:
Gail Fields announced that there is still room on the New Orleans Trip. This will be the last year that Gail leads this trip and she is very familiar with the area. Gail has enough couples for the trip but there is still room to join this 6-day trip that includes 2 casinos and 7 tours in the city. The Itinerary and information about this trip is on the Tour Board. Call Gail with questions. She needs FINAL PAYMENT by today!
Gail Fields announced that there is still room on the New Orleans Trip. This will be the last year that Gail leads this trip and she is very familiar with the area. Gail has enough couples for the trip but there is still room to join this 6-day trip that includes 2 casinos and 7 tours in the city. The Itinerary and information about this trip is on the Tour Board. Call Gail with questions. She needs FINAL PAYMENT by today!
There will be a Houston Rodeo
Trip. It will be two days and includes 1 meal. Cost is $269 per person. It is a PRCA Rodeo with a 2.4 Million Dollar
Purse. The dates are to be announced. They have
tickets for Tim McGraw on March
10th. Gail would like you to
sign up on the board for information about this trip.
Gail has two new casino trips to Kickapoo Casino on
February 9 and February 11th.
Remember that the sooner you sign up for these trips, the better seats
you get on the bus. They place seats as
they get reservations. Put you name on the signup board in the Large
Hall by the stairs. Remember you pay $80
and get $40 back in playing money.
Gail has five new trips posted on the board in the
Large Hall by the stairs.
Contact Gail for more information - see Bulletin Board near the steps in Friendship Hall.
Contact Gail for more information - see Bulletin Board near the steps in Friendship Hall.
Bus Trips:
Sign up for these trips in the Activity Office
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Jan 31
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6:00 PM
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Killer Bees Hockey Game
$7 WR/TG
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Jan 31
|
9:30 AM
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Kite Fest in South Padre
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Feb 3
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7:45 AM
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Resaca de la Palma State Park Tram Tour $4 / lunch after on your
own
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Feb 5
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Iwo Jima Memorial and Palo Alto Battlefield - $10
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Feb 6
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8:30 AM
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Basilica of Our Lady of
San Juan Del Valle / $5.95 for lunch at the Basilica
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Feb 8
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1:30 PM
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Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo
$13 (cut off is Wednesday Feb 4th)
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Feb 9
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12:30 PM
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Texas Gold Shrimp $15
and dinner on your own after the tour
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Feb 17
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10 AM
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Port of Brownsville Tour, $33 includes lunch
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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:
JD needs help with
chairs several times this week. Check with him in the
office about times. He will need
volunteers for Greg Jones on Thursday, the Dance on Friday, the craft sale on Tuesday.
Volunteers are needed for the Sunday
Sundae this week and also for the Craft sale on the 10th. There is a board up for the Craft Sale
volunteers. He will also need some guys
to help him set up for it.
Jeanine Helmer is looking for UPC and Box Top
Labels. They are used by the Children’s Haven International
Mission in Pharr. The Pharr location serves as the main headquarters. It has a thrift store which sells donated
items to raise money for the orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico. They are
using the box tops to purchase a van and are half way there. Take your box tops to Jeanine at Lot 503.
Cathy will be needing flag bearers for the Call of the States. She’ll have a definite date by next
week. She will need lots of flag
bearers.
Cathy is also looking for
people to sign up to serve on the Welcome Committee. See Cathy in the Business Office.
Dale Loerch will again be collecting furniture or
household goods for the needy in the Little Mexico section of Alamo. He will be
collecting large items such as appliances for furniture on Wednesdays. Small items can be delivered to him at any
time at their lot which is Lot 438. If you
have large items, give him a call so he can schedule picking up your
items. He is currently helping one of
the families we adopted for Christmas and an elderly woman who had a house
fire. If you have anything that would be
useful, please give him a call – anything from dishes and bedding to furniture.
The Quilters for the
Needy are in need of people to iron, sew or knot. If you want to help out, just come to the
Large Hall from 9 to 3 on Thursdays.
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
Jan 29
|
9 AM
|
Beach and Dirty Al’s for Lunch WR/TG – Lunch on
your own
|
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Jan 29
|
7 PM
|
Greg Jones - Entertainment
|
$6
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Jan 30
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Fabulous 50’s
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SOLD OUT
|
Jan 31
|
9:30 AM
|
South Padre Kite Festival, dinner on own
afterward
|
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Jan 31
|
6 PM
|
Killer Bees Hockey WR/TG
|
$7
|
Feb 1
|
11AM-1 PM
|
Iowa Pot Luck
|
|
Feb 1
|
2 PM
|
David Church Entertainment
|
$10
|
Feb 2
|
Advisory Board Nominations due in Business Office
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Feb 2
|
7:45 AM
|
Resaca de la Palma Tram Ride through the Park,
lunch on own afterward
|
$4
|
Feb 3rd
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Margarita Party – No Roundup
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$8
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Feb 5th
|
7 PM
|
Lindley Creek - Entertainment
|
$6
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Feb 5th
|
Iwo Jima and Palo Alto Battlefield – lunch
on your own
|
$10
|
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Feb 6th
|
8:30 AM
|
Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle
|
$5.95 for lunch at the basilica
|
Feb 6th
|
7 PM
|
Texas Lions Benefit Concert
(info and tickets in Activity Office)
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$7
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Feb 6
|
All Day
|
Ingra Health Screening
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Feb 6
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Missouri Potluck
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Feb 6
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
$5
|
Feb 8
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Michigan/Ohio/West Virginia Potluck
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Feb 8
|
1:30 PM
|
Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo – cutoff is February 4th
|
$13
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Feb 8
|
5 PM
|
Mystery Dinner Theater “The Polter Heist” Seating
limited to 80 pre-sale tickets
|
$10 SOLD OUT
|
Feb 9
|
11:30
AM
|
Ladies Luncheon
|
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Feb 9
|
12:30
PM
|
Bus to Texas Gold Shrimp – will
stop for dinner on the way home
|
$15
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Feb 10
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show
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Feb 10
|
1-3 PM
|
Variety Show Rehearsal
|
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Feb 10
|
3:30-5
PM
|
Roundup with Carlos Canas (singer)
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Pass the Hat
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Feb 11
|
1 PM
|
“The Polter Heist” Mystery Theater Matinee
(seating is open by ticket)
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$5 OPEN SEATING
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Feb 12
|
8 to
Noon
|
AARP Drivers Safety Class in in Activity Room #3
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Feb 12
|
9 AM
|
Timing and Selections Practice for the Variety
Show in Large Hall
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Feb 12
|
11-4
|
Trophy Gardens/Winter Ranch Bridge Tournament at
Trophy
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Feb 12
|
7 – 9:30 PM
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Auntie Kreamsaugen (Comedy) - Entertainment
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$6
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Feb 13
|
NO DANCE
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Feb 13
|
4:30 PM
|
Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser for the Activity Dept
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$7
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Feb 13
|
Shoot Out between Trophy Gardens and Winter Ranch at
the Killer Bees Game – for more info check in the business office
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Feb 14
|
10:00-11:00 AM
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Pet Parade at Doggie Row Pet Walk West
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Feb 14
|
7-10 PM
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Valentine’s Dance with Jealous Heart/No Bingo,
Karaoke or Cards today
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Feb 15
|
2-4 PM
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50th Anniversary Celebration
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Feb 17
|
4 PM
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Quilters’ Dinner/No Roundup Pulled Pork, baked
beans, salad and dessert
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Feb 18
|
9 AM
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Call of the States/Provinces at the Wed Morning
Meeting
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Feb 19
|
1-4 PM
|
Dress Rehearsal for Variety Show
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Feb 19
|
7 – 9:30 PM
|
The Terry Smith Band – Entertainment
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$6
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Feb 20
|
9-Noon
|
Bob Ross Art Class- Arts & Crafts Room
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$45
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Feb 20
|
1 -4 PM
|
Bob Ross Art Class- Arts & Crafts Room
|
$45
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Feb 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Swing Tyme
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$5
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Feb 21
|
7 PM
|
Full Dress Rehearsal for Variety Show
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Feb 22
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Canadian Potluck
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Feb 22
|
7 PM
|
Variety Show/All other activities in Big Hall
cancelled from 5 PM on
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Pass the Hat
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Feb 23
|
7 PM
|
Razz Ma Tazz - Entertainment
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$5
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Feb 24
|
1:30-3
PM
|
Memorial Service
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Feb 24
|
3:30 PM
|
Roundup with Dave Lopez
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Pass the Hat
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Feb 26
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Ladies Golf Luncheon
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Feb 27
|
Wilder Park Shuffleboard
Tournament at Trophy
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Feb 27
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
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$5
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Mar 1
|
Alamo Parade
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Free
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Mar 1
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6 PM
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Choir Concert
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Free
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Mar 3
|
4:30-6
PM
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Woodshop Dinner/No activities in Large Hall until
after cleanup from the Woodshop Dinner
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Mar 5
|
7 PM
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Residents Appreciation Day – Vance Greek and ice
cream
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free
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Mar 6
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Jealous Heart
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$5
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Mar 10
|
8 – Noon
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Craft Show/No Roundup
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Mar 13
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Diego
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$5
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Mar 17
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Lunch – St. Patrick’s Day
|
TBD
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Mar 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
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$5
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