We went from 818 to 831 Residents this week!
The full Calendar of Events from now until the end
of the season is located under the Minutes of this
Meeting for your convenience.
Changes and additions to these Minutes are posted
in red and there have been many since the meeting.
The Can-Am Golf Tournament is going on today so they all came in and paraded around the Large Hall this morning during the morning meeting. We also sang "The Star Spangled Banner " and "Oh Canada." There were lots of "U-S-A" and "CAN-A-DA" cheers going up while they were in the hall.
The USA Team marching in
Some of the Canadian Participants
USA Marching through the Hall
Canadians marching through the Hall
WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS TO WINTER RANCH
Linda and Roger Jensen
from Atlantic, Iowa
JoAnn and Bob Milligan
from Buffalo, Minnesota
Important Information:
- No Dance on February 13th because of Valentine’s Dance on February 14th.
- No Karaoke on Saturday, February 14th due to the Valentine’s Dance.
- No Bingo, Karaoke or cards on February 14th due to the Valentine’s Dance
- Pegs and Jokers will be held on Friday night, February 13th, because of the Valentine’s Dance on the 14th.
- Chair Yoga will be starting in the Library on Mondays from 9 to 9:30 AM.
- Jam Crew 1 is up this week for the jam. See JD in the Activities Office. Next week is Jam Crew 2 followed by Illinois Group 1. then there will be two jams left in March.
- No Roundup on February 17th due to the Quilters Dinner For the Needy.
Picture Directories: They are in the mail. They shipped on the 6th so the
Activities Office should have them soon.
Advisory Board: Cathy will not be sending out voting ballots
for the Advisory Board positions as we had three open positions and only three
people came forward to be nominated. She
will announce the new Board Members at the February 25th morning
meeting.
Lot Rates: Cathy has been
getting questions about any changes in rates for next year. As soon as she knows, we’ll know.
Bus Drivers: Just a friendly reminders - Our bus drivers are strictly volunteers. They receive no compensation other than what
you put in the tip jar. We are very
fortunate to have two really good drivers here so please do your best to show
how much you appreciate them!
Rumors Flying Again: Two rumors going around the park and even
outside the park. The first is that Larry
and Cathy Chapin are retiring this year.
The second is that JD and Lynn
and moving over to Blue Bonnet. Neither
are true! Larry and Cathy may retire one
of these days but they will still live here at Winter Ranch and JD and Lynn
also plan to live here at Winter Ranch.
Parking on Vacant Lots: Please
do not park on any lot other than your own. We have had people trying to
check in and they have had to wait for their neighbors to move their vehicles
off their lot. This doesn’t make a very good first impression. If
you have a vehicle that doesn’t fit well on your lot, come to the office and
see Cathy. She has made arrangements for other people who need another
place to park because they have an over-sized vehicle. If you are
parking in another lot just for convenience, then it is time to use your own
parking only.Puppies: Your pets need to be on a leash and in your yard. They cannot roam on empty lots and especially not on your neighbors lots. Please be a good neighbor.
Stop Signs: Please make a complete stop at all stop signs in the park, including the sign at the entrance to the park. These stop signs are for all vehicles with wheels. We are really full this time of year and so now it is doubly important to be careful!
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.
Walking Across Lots: We have had reports of people crossing over lots with and without their pets. When you check into the park, your lot becomes yours and your neighbor’s lot is theirs. Please don’t take shortcuts through other people’s lots or walk your dogs there. It just is not the polite thing to do.
Variety Show Timing Rehearsal will be tomorrow, February 12th, at 9 AM in the Large Hall. This is a very important rehearsal. Don’t miss it if you are a part of the show.
Call of the States: The Call of the States will be at the morning meeting on February 18th. Cathy has all the flag bearers that are needed. The flag bearers need to report at the Large Hall at 8:30 AM next Wednesday, February 18th, so Larry can show you where to line up.
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-half 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. Marcia just won a 1st Place ribbon for the Crossword Puzzle event. 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.
Flo Reed will be registering people next week for the Biking Event and the Walk and Talk Event after the Wednesday morning meeting. For both of these events we get Park participation points so we’d love to have a whole bunch of our residents sign up. The park with the most participants wins those events.
- The Bike and Birding Tour is a leisurely ride through the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park on Wednesday, March 4th from 9 to 11 AM. The fee is $3 due at time of registration. T-shirts for this event are $5 each.
- The Walk and Talk Event is March 6th at 10 AM at Town Lake at Fireman’s Park. The fee is two cans of food. T-shirts for this event are $5 each.
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.
Valley Care Mobile Health Unit will be here again on Monday, February 16th from 9 until noon. They take Medicare and all insurance plan are a way to get to a doctor without leaving he park when you have minor ailments.
AARP Driver Safety Program (4 hours) will be on February 12th from 8 to Noon in Activity Room #3. 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. (IF SOMEONE COULD TAKE PICTURES AND GET THEM TO LEE OR MARY BENFIELD FOR THE BLOG ON A FLASH DRIVE IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.)
Auntie Kreamsaugen will perform on Thursday February 12th at 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased for $6 in the Activities Office or at the door. Her unique brand of comedy features Darlene as the beloved “Auntie Kreamsaugen”, a streetwise self-proclaimed marriage counselor dressed in the traditional garb of the Midwestern farm wife. In addition to stand-up comedy, audiences have enjoyed her witty musical renditions of songs we all know, homespun wisdom and tall tales from the fabled “Snoose Hollow.” Darlene hails from a Scandinavian community in rural Minnesota and grew up in a household filled with Country/Western and Gospel music. Her parents and siblings all sang and played instruments, some of them professionally into adulthood. Darlene and her husband, Dick Rolle call Detroit Lakes, MN their home. They have a son and two grandchildren in Michigan. Summers will find her performing with 4 generations of her family at Jaspers Jubilee Theater in Park Rapids, Minnesota.
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. You can win a 2015 Dodge Ram is you get a Hole in One on #3. There will also be two other prizes. A trip to Las Vegas and a set of golf clubs will also be given out for a hole in one on another two holes. Rita Huether has also arranged for the Air Evac helicopter to come in and land during the luncheon. (IF SOMEONE COULD TAKE PICTURES AND GET THEM TO LEE OR MARY BENFIELD FOR THE BLOG ON A FLASH DRIVE IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.)
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. The people going to the Hockey Shootout will be served first!
Hockey Shootout between two 10 person teams. Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens will be shooting it out against another park at State Farm Arena on February 13th. $7 tickets – buy 1 get 1 free. We have the people to do the shootout. Now what we would like is some audience participation. Gail Fields reported that last year they won the shootout but the other participants had a huge bunch of supporters including cheerleaders who came out and supported them. She would really love to see some of that from us this season. They have changed the temperature in the arena so you need to dress really warm!
All participants in the Hockey Shootout need to stop in the Activities Office and sign a Waiver Form. Our participants are: Pat Sullivan, Moe Hawn, Bob Doddridge and Linda and Bob Campbell.
Gail Fields gave us a pep talk about the Hockey Shootout. It is buy 1 ticket get 1 free night. Trophy Gardens has filled their half of the bus and have a bunch of people following the bus down. They have cheerleaders! We need to get out and show our support for Winter Ranch!
The Pet Parade will be held at Doggie Row on February 14 from 10 AM to 11 AM. Dress up your pet for Valentines and join in the fun!
Valentines Dance with Jealous Heart on Saturday, February 14th at 7 PM. Tickets are available in the Activity Office. The Chuck Wagon will be selling Cookies and Cupcakes by Char. (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. Reservations for the event are now closed. Volunteers are also needed for setup after church and tear down. And if you have a carafe you could loan for the event, see Dale or Kathy Loerch.
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 It will be a gluten-free meal.
Terry Smith
Entertainment on February 19th at 7 PM. Nashville singer/songwriter, Terry S. Smith, is famous for Johnny
Cash's recording of "Far Side Banks of Jordan". He is a singer
as well as a songwriter. His music has
been recorded by Johnny and June Carter Cash, Roy Acuff, The Oak Ridge Boys,
Kitty Wells, Chris Le Doux, The Statler Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, Patty
Loveless and others. His website is www.terrysmith.us.com.
Bob
Ross Art Class: The next Bob Ross Class will be a floral (a
picture of the floral is on the flyer on the bulletin board across from the
Mail Room). There will be two classes on
February 20th. One from 9 to Noon and one from 1
to 4 PM in the Arts & Crafts Room. The cost for the class is $45 which includes
everything to need to complete the painting except for paper towels and baby
wipes which you will need to bring to class. SIGN
UP IN THE ACTIVITY OFFICE BY MONDAY SO WE CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH LARRY AND HE
CAN MAKE HIS PLANE RESERVATIONS.Dance to Swing Tyme on February 20th at 7 PM in the Large Hall - $5.
Canadian Potluck will be on February 22nd from Noon to 2 PM at the Kitchen end of the Large Hall.
Full Dress rehearsal for Razzle Dazzle will be on Sunday, 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. If you think you’d like to perform at the show, you have a few more days to sign up. They will be taking down the signup sheets next Thursday, February 12th.
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 be open. Dave has done some work in the park but on the side he has a band. This will be the last Roundup of the season!
Ladies Golf Luncheon is on February 26th from Noon to 2 PM.
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. . (IF SOMEONE COULD TAKE PICTURES AND GET THEM TO LEE OR MARY BENFIELD FOR THE BLOG ON A FLASH DRIVE IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.)
Dance to SweetWater at 7 PM on February 27th – $5.
The Alamo Parade has a change of date. It will be held on February 28th at 11 AM. 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. Our parade group is desparately in need of candy (nothing chocolate) so the paraders can hand it out to children during the parade. Just take the candy to the Business Office or to Don DeKeyrel at Lot 658.
Choir Concert – Mark your calendars for March 1st at 6 PM in the Large Hall.
The Woodshop Dinner will be held on March 3rd at 4:30 PM. Tickets will go on sale shortly.
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.
Dance to Jealous Heart at 7 PM on March 6th - $5.
Golf Tournament (Winter Ranch vs Trophy Gardens) will be held on March 11th at 9 AM. This event is limited to 45 golfers plus 3-4 alternates. The cost is $2 per person. Sign up after the park meeting in the Large Hall on February 25th. (IF SOMEONE COULD TAKE PICTURES AND GET THEM TO LEE OR MARY BENFIELD FOR THE BLOG ON A FLASH DRIVE IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.)
Dance to Diego at 7 PM on March 17th- $5.
Dance to Sweet Water on March 20th at 7 PM - $5.
Computer Classes (Sign up for these classes on the Bulletin Board across from the Mail Room:
| Exploring APPS for iphone and ipads / Donna Ritchie, Instructor / Activity Room #3 | |||
| Monday | February 16th | 1:30-3:30 PM | |
| Iphone Tips and Tricks / Donna Ritchie, Instructor / Activity Room #3 | |||
| Monday | February 23rd | 1:30-3:30 PM | |
| iPad Tips and Tricks / Donna Ritchie, Instructor / Activity Room #3 | |||
| Monday | March 2 | 1:30-3:30 PM | |
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. She has 24 people coming from Trophy and 4 coming from Winter Ranch thus far. If you want to go on this trip, Gail needs the money today!
Bus Trips:
Sign up for these trips in the Activity Office
|
||
| Feb 12 | 9 AM | Rescheduled Butterfly Center Trip – JD owes everyone $5 since there is no quilt show now. |
| Feb 13 | 6:30 PM | Hockey Shootout with Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens fighting it out with another team - DRESS WARM – Buy 1 ticket, get 1 free night |
| Feb 15 | 12:30 PM | Rancho El Charco Tour and Meal –Need to bring mosquito spray. $7 plus your meal. |
| Feb 17 | 10 AM | Port of Brownsville Tour, $33 includes lunch |
| Feb 20 | 5:45 PM | Mariachi Concert at the Basilica – Donation of $7 at the door. |
| Feb 21 | 9 AM | Pioneer and Ranching Crafts Day at Edinburg Museum of South Texas History. $5 at the gate. |
| Feb 23 | 12:30 PM | Texas Gold Shrimp (if JD gets enough interested) $15 each. |
| Feb 28 | 7 PM | Hockey Game - $7 each |
| Mar 3rd | 10:00 AM | Port of Brownsville Tour $33 includes lunch (if JD gets enough interested) |
| Mar 6th | 9 AM | Bus trip to Golden Olympics Walk & Talk $3 per person – must be registered - $5 for shirt |
Volunteers and/or Donations Needed:
JD has lots of chair/table setup and teardown situations this week. See him in the Activities Office for details. Needs help taking chairs down Saturday after the Jam. Then he needs help putting chairs back up after the Dance for church on Sunday.
Volunteers are needed for the 50th Anniversary Celebration for setup after church and tear down. And if you have a carafe you could loan for the event, see Dale or Kathy Loerch. Also need volunteers to help decorate for the event after church.
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 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
Feb 12
|
8 to
Noon
|
AARP Drivers Safety Class in in Activity Room #3
|
|
Feb 12
|
9 AM
|
Timing and Selections Practice for the Variety
Show in Large Hall
|
|
Feb 12
|
11-4
|
Trophy Gardens/Winter Ranch Bridge Tournament at
Trophy
|
|
Feb 12
|
7 – 9:30 PM
|
Auntie Kreamsaugen (Comedy) - Entertainment
|
$6
|
Feb 13
|
NO DANCE
|
||
Feb 13
|
4:30 PM
|
Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser for the Activity
Dept
|
$7
|
Feb 13
|
6:30 PM
|
Shoot Out between Trophy Gardens and Winter Ranch at
the Killer Bees Game – for more info check in the business office
|
$7 each – buy 1 get 1 free
|
Feb 14
|
10:00-11:00 AM
|
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
|
12:30
PM
|
Rancho el Charco Tour and Meal – bring bug spray
|
$7 tour and meal on your own
|
Feb 15
|
2-4 PM
|
50th Anniversary Celebration
|
|
Feb 17
|
4 PM
|
Quilters’ Dinner/No Roundup Pulled Pork, baked
beans, salad and dessert
|
|
Feb 18
|
9 AM
|
Call of the States/Provinces at the Wed Morning
Meeting
|
|
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
|
$45
|
Feb 20
|
1 -4 PM
|
Bob Ross Art Class- Arts & Crafts Room
|
$45
|
Feb 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Swing Tyme
|
$5
|
Feb 20
|
5:45 PM
|
Bus to Mariachi Concert at Basilica
|
$7 donation at door
|
Feb 21
|
9 AM
|
Bus to Pioneer and Ranching Crafts Day at Edinburg Museum of South Texas History
|
$5 at gate
|
Feb 22
|
1:30 PM
|
Full Dress Rehearsal for Variety Show
|
|
Feb 22
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Canadian Potluck
|
|
Feb 22
|
7 PM
|
Variety Show/All other activities in Big Hall
cancelled from 5 PM on
|
Pass the Hat
|
Feb 23
|
12:30
PM
|
Bus to Texas Gold Shrimp
|
|
Feb 23
|
7 PM
|
Razz Ma Tazz - Entertainment
|
$5
|
Feb 24
|
1:30-3
PM
|
Memorial Service
|
|
Feb 24
|
3:30 PM
|
Roundup with Dave Lopez
|
Pass the Hat
|
Feb 25
|
10:00 AM
|
Sign up for Winter Ranch vs Trophy Gardens Golf Tournament on
March 11th at 9 AM.
|
$2
|
Feb 26
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Ladies Golf Luncheon
|
|
Feb 27
|
Wilder Park Shuffleboard
Tournament at Trophy
|
||
Feb 27
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
$5
|
Feb 28
|
6:30 PM
|
Hockey Game
|
$7 each
|
Mar 1
|
Alamo Parade
|
Free
|
|
Mar 1
|
6 PM
|
Choir Concert
|
Free
|
Mar 3
|
4:30-6
PM
|
Woodshop Dinner/No activities in Large Hall until
after cleanup from the Woodshop Dinner
|
|
Mar 4
|
8 AM for Bus – Event at 9-11 AM
|
Bub Golden Age Olympics Bike and
Birding Tour (the bus will be taking some of us) at Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park (Park
Points awarded for each participant) Bus will go if enough interest.
|
$3
|
Mar 5
|
7 PM
|
Residents Appreciation Day – Vance Greek and ice
cream
|
free
|
Mar 6
|
9 AM
|
Bus Golden Age Olympics Walk and Talk
at Town Lake at
Fireman’s Park in McAllen (Park
Points awarded for each participant) – Bus will go if enough interest!
|
2 cans of food
|
Mar 6
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Jealous Heart
|
$5
|
Mar 10
|
8 – Noon
|
Craft Show/No Roundup
|
|
Mar 11
|
9 AM
|
Golf Tournament Winter Ranch vs Trophy Gardens (limited to 45
golfers) Sign up on February 25th after the Wednesday meeting.
|
$2
|
Mar 13
|
10 AM
|
Gold Age Olympics Awards Ceremony at Palm View Community Center
|
$3 – tickets must be purchased at least 1 week in
advance
|
Mar 13
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Diego
|
$5
|
Mar 17
|
Noon-2 PM
|
Lunch – St. Patrick’s Day
|
TBD
|
Mar 20
|
7 PM
|
Dance to Sweet Water
|
$5
|
