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Val's Kountry Corral
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January 4, 2010
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Editor: Reid Brenan |
A couple of weeks ago I visited the VA in McAllen since I was experiencing some swelling in my ankles. This would be my first visit since I have been in the Valley. I knew exactly what I needed to do at the VA in Indianapolis when I walked in, but I had been warned I would be considered a "walk-in" the first time I visited here.
Mary went with me even though I told her she didn't need to. She mumbled something about wanting to hear what the doctor was going to say and not what I was going to say he said. Like I might forget something he said or not tell the whole story. We arrived and just inside the entrance door there was a table where I presumed a receptionist sat. However, after waiting a few minutes no one showed up. There were no signs telling you what to do if this was your first visit (problem #1). There were 3 or 4 individual areas each with an employee and a place to sit down and converse with them. I waited until one was available and explained why I was there. He sent me to another area where I produced my VA card and my name was put on a list he had in front of him and was told to have a seat and I would be called. I asked him how long this might be. His answer was "I don't know" . I have learned over the years to be persistent with these people and sometimes you will get a more direct answer (problem #2 .I forgot where I was). He said it could be any time before 7:00 pm.the time they close. The time at this point was about 10:00 am.
We took a seat in the area where I counted a total of 75, half of which were already occupied. We took crossword puzzle books with us ..just in case we might have to wait a little while..little did we know! Every few minutes a woman would appear and call out 2 or 3 names. The people would follow her and disappear through another door. About 10:30 they called my name. I followed the lady to her office where I showed her my ankles and then answered at least 20 questions.
She said they would do blood work later in the afternoon..and would call my name when that time came. So, for now go back, sit down and wait. An hour later I heard my name called. I thought this isn't too bad after all. Wrong again. Go have lunch, said the nice lady, and be back in an hour so you will be here when they call you for the blood work.
We ate, came back, opened our puzzle books and waited, and waited and waited. By 3:00 pm I asked the lady, that appeared and called out names, if she would check and see if I had been lost in the "shuffle" . She assured me it was only because there had been an exceptionally large number of walk-ins today. (Problem #2, or is it 3? She did not check to see if I had been lost in the shuffle.)
Back to the puzzle books. About 4:30, I noticed there were only 4 of us still waiting to be called. My turn should be real soon now. Wrong. Finally at 5:45 I heard my name called. This time it was a man's voice. When I approached him he said, and what are you here for?" I knew immediately all the info I had given the lady that morning was somewhere in a trash can..never to be seen again! At this point, he informed me he was a doctor. I told him all that had happened and I think he took pity on me. We went to his office where he spent the next 30 minutes getting all the information he needed from me and entered it into the computer. Then he set up a time to have the blood work done the next day, plus an x-ray, and a visit with another doctor, and called the in-house pharmacy and had them fill a prescription for me to take that evening! His kindness made up for what otherwise would have been a day from hell.
Oh.remember the guy I had asked how long it might be before I would be called, and his reply was "it could be anytime before 7:00 pm,, which is when we close?" Well, he was right...it was 7:15pm when they unlocked the door and let us out! Approximately 9 hours after we arrived! ... Editor.
Roundtable Discussion
I don't think too many people were surprised that the rates were going up, and pleased to know the rate for 6 and 6 would only go up $50.00. The nice thing is these rates won't go into effect until next season. There is a good chance the electric rate will be increased next season also. This will be a very small increase. If you would like more info on this, don't hesitate to talk with Star. She can show you some figures they are paying that will "knock your hat off"!
The meeting was well attended...in fact many found themselves having to stand. Plans to remove more carpet and put down tile are in the making. Other items discussed were "speeding" and "garbage". Many things are getting in the garbage containers that shouldn't be. For one thing cardboard boxes that have not been broken down, and cardboard does not belong in the containers anyway. Some of you may know the following. Several Parks have a garbage charge in addition to the Park charge. We are fortunate this is not the case here. Cost of garbage collection for a Park is quite expensive. Let's do our part and avoid having that happen here.
Interviewing Park Resident
Starting soon, in fact he may have already started, Jack Medlin will be videoing an interview with Park residents. Now,, don't say "not me, I don't know what to say". All you will be doing is answering simple questions, such as: Where do you live when not in the Park. How long have you been coming to the Valley or to our Park. How did you happen to come to the valley. The idea behind this is not to record this and then play it back for everyone to see.at least not for several years. It will be a piece of history for the Park, just like the Photo albums in the rec hall, or the videos Jack and I shot in the Park 12 to 15 years ago. Understand what he is trying to do. This will be left for the Park and its residents to enjoy years down the road.
A penny saved is a government oversight.
Computer Q and A Classes
A good many folks are getting good help from Jack Medlin and Star Weidman regarding questions about computers. They are not just there to teach, but will help you with problems you might be having with your computer. Remember it is every Monday morning at 9:00. And there is no charge.
Wednesday Jam Sessions
The crowds continue to get bigger each Wednesday at the Jam. They are even getting more musicians and are sounding very good. Maybe one of these weeks the weather will cooperate and they will be able to perform under the Palapa.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
Entertainment
A small crowd, but a good crowd enjoyed "Ruthi", She sang, played the banjo, told some funny stories and went through the crowd having a few words with everyone.
Sloppy Joes.do it again
A first time (I think) for the Park, and I would say it was a winner! I believe most of the 65 people there would agree. In addition to the Sloppy Joes, there was baked beans, potato salad, and dessert. Harriet, you have a winner. When is the next one?
Pancake/Sausage Breakfast
The largest crowd I believe we have had so far this season..maybe the largest we have ever had..86! One reason it might have been that large was following the breakfast we had the "Round-Table" discussion.
If you think there is good in everybody, then you haven't met everybody.
Mystery Lunch
I did not partake of this since I was shooting pictures. I think I had as much fun watching them as they did trying eat beans with a toothpick! What a fun meal that group of Canadians came up with again this year. And, it was far more time consuming than just putting a plate of food in front of each person. If you missed this one, I would not be surprised if they don't try it again next year. Be sure and sign up for a fun time if they do.
Some of these same people were helping Harriet on Sloppy Joe night. They are the same group that always put on the Valentine dinner. And, there have been other events over the past few years they have done. I would like for all of you to know who these folks are and how fortunate we are to have them in our Park. They are: Larry & Carolyn Delmore, Lot 43, Jim & Doreen Rigby, Lot 74, Court & Marcie Meloche, Lot 75, Lloyd & Bernice McConachie, lot 57.
Yes, I know there are other people in the Park that have contributed their time and talent...and I intend to acknowledge them in the next Newsletter. If there were not people like these folks and the many others I will acknowledge, it would not be a very happy Park. Volunteers are so important. They help make things happen.
What's Happening in February
We have already had the "Chili Dump". We had more chili than we had people to eat it. There was more than enough. We missed some of you.did you forget? If so, you missed some good chili.
Up Coming Events
The big one will be Tues., the 9th at 11 am. That's the "Ropa Style" show! This year men are invited. Last year it was only women. It was a hit last year and I'm sure it will be again this year.
Trade Days will be Saturday, the 13th. Let's hope the weather co-operates this time!
Valentine Dinner will be the 14th. That would make sense wouldn't it. If you haven't bought your ticket, the deadline is Feb.10 or when 80 tickets have been sold..which ever comes first. Tickets are $5.00. This is always a good one.
Ladies Day Out will be Friday the 12th at 1 pm. This time it will be Miniature Golf, pizza and a soft drink. See bulletin board for details.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks
Sock Hop with D J Judy, Saturday, Feb.20, 7-10:00 pm. In addition to dancing, there will be games and prizes. You will be able to buy Rootbeer Floats (remember those? Some of you will!) for only $1.00. The cost for the evening is $3.00. See the office for tickets.
Something Helpful
Spanish Classes will be held in the Rec Hall starting Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1 - 3:00 pm. This will be a 3 to 4 week course. The teacher will be Mary Kaufman. The cost will be $2.00 per course. You might find this very helpful.
Hot Dog Day
This event is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26. Melodie & Alan will provide the music starting at 2 pm. We will eat at 4:00. The hot dogs and buns are provided by the Park. Everyone attending is asked to bring a side dish, e.g., baked beans, devilled eggs, potato salad, etc. This will be held at Peter's Ponderosa. If you are new to the Park, ask an "old timer" where that is! It is always a lot of fun!
50/50 Winner for January
The lucky ones this month were Roger & Alan Reynolds, Lot 16. Congratulations. You folks, according to my 50-50 records, won the largest pot we have ever had. The total amount was $474.00. Your share..$237.00. Thanks to all of you who made this possible. I want to thank all 15 of the workers for a great job!
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
Walkabout Wally
Wally is making the rounds in the Park. For those of you who have arrived since the last Newsletter came out, Wally is made of metal and resembles a "hound" dog sitting up on his hind legs. Should he appear on your lot some morning, let him stay 4 or 5 days, then sometime after dark move him to another lot in the Park. This is a tradition that started many years ago.
Things to Remember
Hope you are saving pop tabs. There is a container on the kitchen window ledge to put them in. I think most of you know they go to the Ronald McDonald house..a good cause, for sure.
Don't forget the T-Shirts with the Park logo. There are several colors and sizes to choose from. $6.00 each. See at office.
I strongly suggest that you check the Bulletin Board at least three times a week if you want to stay current with what is happening and when. Even if you have a monthly calendar showing events, sometimes there are changes, such as times, cancellations, etc, that happen.
The raffle for the Swedish Throw will be Feb. 26th. Tickets are available at the office. 1 for $1.00 or 3 for $2.00 or 8 for $5.00. Glenda Bos lot 40, made the Throw and asked for the money from the ticket sales go to the Activity fund. What a nice thing to do, Glenda. Thank you very much.
Super Bowl Winners
1st Quarter winner..Barb Johnson, lot 89
Half-time winner..Harold LaCroix, lot 97
3rd Quarter winner..Chauncey Smith, lot 28
Final Score winner. Claire Christenson, lot 39
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment
Every path has a few puddles
Something to Think About
Do you have a hobby? Maybe you work with wood in various ways. Or, you write poetry, or build miniature buildings with toothpicks, or re-build bicycles. A hobby might be telling stories, wood carving, stamp collecting, doll collecting, the list goes on and on. The reason I am asking..and you knew I had a reason, didn't you? If your hobby is one that you can bring some of whatever it is with you when you return next season, please do.
Lyn Huybers would like to have a day next season when everyone who has a hobby would display samples of the hobby for others to see. Our Park is small, however there are over 200 people. I think we would be surprised at the number of people in the Park that do have a hobby. If Lyn had not told me she had a hobby.writing children's books.I would have not had a clue that she did. I'm sure there are many of you who have hobbies. But, how many others in the Park do you know that also have a hobby? This could be a fun day sometime next season. We will remind you about it again before the season ends. Oh, and by the way, in case you forgot, Lyn and husband Ken are the new Activity Directors.
….’til next time
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