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Val's Kountry Corral
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December, 2010
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Editor: Reid Brenan |
Another Season In The Valley
Welcome to all of you! It's nice to see our "second" family once again. I have said several times, I've as many friends here as I have back home. Those of you who have been doing this for a few years, I think you would agree. To those new to the Park this season, I offer a BIG WELCOME!! We hope you make THIS Park, your Winter Destination for years to come. Incidentally, there are seven new residents in the Park this year.
Most of you know that I lost Mary to ovarian cancer this past April. I want to thank all of you for the cards and messages you sent to me. She really only had a couple of bad days before she passed away and for this, we were all grateful. She will be missed, not only by me, but by many of you who considered her a true friend.
I have been editor of the Roundup since January of 2000. Ten years, Mary & I had been doing this. I feel sure there are others in the park who could do this .. Probably better than I. I'd just like to slow down a little. As most you know, I have been running the 50-50 drawings for even more years and the Park Photo Album for three years. I have & still do enjoy all of them. But, like I said, the time has come to let someone else write the Newsletter. Won't you please consider my request? Thank you!
WALKABOUT WALLY
I thought Walkabout Wally, the traveling Park dog, had run away! But he hadn't .. He was just visiting someone over on the other street.
My neighbor spotted him a few days ago and told me where he was.
I went over to introduce myself & met two very nick folks, Henry & June Michael, first-time visitors to our Park. It seems that while they were gone one day "Wally" wandered onto their site and sat down! His introductory "collar" explains what to do with him when he appears on your site.
He is made of metal and resembles a "hound" dog .. Is about 20 inches tall and has green eyes. This is a tradition that started many years ago .. The first thing to make the rounds was fish! We even had a funeral for it! .. But, that's a story for another time. However, there are two lots within the park that are off-limits for a visit from Wally. PLEASE, do NOT leave him on either Site #8 or Site #23.
REMINISCENCE
When I was digging back through the old Newsletters to be sure of the date we started, I came across some names many of you "old" timers will remember! Like Walt Cleveland, Ken Rothwell, Katie Groeschl, Judy Arnold, Irene Hosier and Joyce & Earl Biegler. The only one still in the valley is Judy Arnold and her husband, Jack.
"Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you're in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get."
RULES, REGULATIONS & INFO
When you arrived and opened your mailbox, you found several sheets of paper regarding the above. I would strongly suggest you take four or five minutes and read what is on each page. Things DO change from year to year. Don't get caught doing something you shouldn't be doing! Since these pages were printed, we do have a new speed limit for those of you who insist on going faster than the 5 mph. The speed limit is now 7 mph . Not 10 or 15, but 7!
Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.
HAVE YOU NOTICED??
The Rec Hall has a new roof? There is also a new railing on the walkway into the laundry room area, as well as one across the front porch area of the Rec Hall. Other improvements include: new roof on the Palapa, Black-topped parking lot, gravel behind lots around the park perimeter & completion of Rec Hall floor.
"You know you're getting old, when Santa starts looking younger."
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!
We lost four residents this past Summer. With the exception of Betty Weenink (Site #102), the other ladies had been in the Park for many years. They were: Barbara Johnson (Site #89), Jeanne Andrews (Site #96) and Mary Bygrove (Site #100).
THANKSGIVING DINNER
As always, this event turns out very well! Lots of good food to choose from and plenty for everyone. 80 people had their choice of turkey or ham. Thanks to all for a great dinner.
50-50 TICKET SALES WILL START SOON
I will have already started the 50-50 sale of tickets by the time this get into your hands. I want to have the drawing during the holidays, before the end of December.
The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
MONTHLY MOVIE NIGHT
The movie "National Lampoon Christmas Vacation", starring Chevy Chase, is featured for this month. You want FUNNY, you got it in this movie! Soda is sold for $.50 ea, along with two sizes of popcorn ($.25 & $.50). This is the second monthly movie. The first one, held in November was also a good one .. "Dreamer". There is a "stretch" break halfway through the movie!
COMPUTER HELP SESSIONS
Star has begun the weekly computer help sessions. They will be held every Monday morning from 10 AM until 11:30 AM. Bring your computer, along with your questions and/or problems and she will do her best to solve them for you!
LIGHTING CONTEST
Judging will be Tuesday, 12/21, to determine the winners of the outdoor lighting contest. I've looked at all of them and I can tell you that I would hate to be a judge. There are many really nice displays this year! The winners will be announced at the Gift Exchange Party, Friday, Dec. 24th.
CHRISTMAS EXCHANGE PARTY
This event will be held on Friday, Dec. 24th at 7 PM. Buy a gift in the $10.00 to $15.00 range (one gift per household). Wrap it up, WITHOUT a name tag on it. Bring to Rec Hall and put it under the tree sometime before the start of the party. Maybe during the day so others won't see who leaves "which" gift! This is a lot of good fun! Everyone providing a gift will put their names on a piece of paper and placed in a container. A name is drawn and that person picks out a gift, opens it & displays it so everyone can see what it is. Then that person draws the next name. The second person has the option of picking a new gift from under the tree or they can "steal" the gift the first person opened. If they steal, then the person that opened that first gift, gets to pick a new one using the same procedure as they did the first time, making sure everyone sees that gift as well. Sometimes the same gift can change hands 4 or 5 times before it finds a final home! Be sure to bring snacks & finger food to share for this event.
CHRISTMAS DINNER
This will be a 2 PM on Christmas Day. The sign up sheets are posted on the Bulletin Board . be sure to also sign for what food you wish to contribute to this holiday meal. This is filling up fast! Don't forget to bring your own table service for this dinner.
Where do forest rangers go to "get way from it all"
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Happy Hour will commence at 4:30 PM on Dec 31st. Bring the beverage (sometimes referred to as "booze") of your choice, along with a finger food or snack to share. The park will provide sandwiches as well. Entertainment by Gary Crain & his wife, Patsy will begin at 7 PM. Gary does imitations of Gomer Pyle, Bill Clinton, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart & Walter Brennan. He also does Elvis & other singers! His wife Patsy, does a few Patsy Cline songs as well. I think you will enjoy this one!! I got a chance to hear both of them and they are good. The entertainment will last about an hour or a little longer. After that, you may stay at the Rec Hall to socialize if you wish.
BREAKFAST CLUB
Join us every Thursday at 8 AM .. Couples are welcome as well! See the sign up sheet on the Bulletin Board or Jan on Site #48.
FUN BIKE RIDES
See Bulletin Board or Ken at Site #61 for more information. These rides leave the park at 8 AM every Friday.
PRODUCE & MEAT
The Produce Man & South Texas Meat Man visit the park every Tuesday from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. You will find them parked on the south side of the Rec Hall, displaying a variety of meat, fruit & vegetables.
BRIDGE ANYONE?
Please see Dorothy on Site #36 if you are interested in playing bridge on a regular basis.
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY
Meet at the Rec Hall on Jan. 3 at 8 AM. The Park has been involved in this project for a number of years. We start at the railroad tracks and work the road all the way to Bentsen State Park in groups. There is a sign up sheet for this project on the Bulletin Board. Volunteers are really needed as some helpers will not yet be in the Park for the January pick up. There is always "fritters" and coffee waiting at the Rec Hall when you finish.
POKER ANYONE?
Sign up to play 7 Card Stud on Wednesdays @ 7 PM. See Larry on Site #81 with any questions.
COMING IN JANUARY
January 1st - Un-trim the tree & remove other Christmas decorations from the hall. This is done after coffee & donuts . Poster is on BB.
January 4th - Spanish Classes from 1 - 2 PM. To be held weekly in January & February. Cost is $2.00 per person, per session. Learn to read and speak helpful basic Spanish.
January 5th - Jam Session at 2 PM. Held poolside in good weather or in Rec Hall if windy, cold or rainy.
January 6th - Bible Study session 10 AM in Rec Hall. Will meet weekly at the same time & day of week.
January 8th - Pancake & Sausage Breakfast from 7:30 - 9 AM. $2.50 ea to be paid at the door. Bring table service.
January 10th - Lone Star Bank will be here at 9:30 AM with their Money Machine. You may have a chance to grab yourself some extra cash inside this Money Machine. Tickets are drawn to determine who gets that chance. Coffee & donuts are provided compliments of the Bank.
January 12th - Pot Luck Dinner. Sign up sheet on the Bulletin Board.
A LITTLE OF THIS 'N THAT
The horseshoe pits have something new added. The area where you stand to throw the shoes has been extended. This was done for a very good reason as both women & men over 70 can throw from a distance of 30 feet instead of 40 feet. In order to do that, it was necessary to be slightly off-balance on uneven ground, which limited playing ability.
A big THANK YOU to the following men that helped make this possible by digging and leveling the 50 pound blocks .. John Hasley, Art Byykkonen, Roger Reynolds, Ray Holzworth and yours truly. The resident that coordinates the horseshoe activity, Al Yrjo, is very appreciative for your help!!
A short note regarding the horseshoes that are left at the pits all the time. They are there for anyone to use. We are missing one pair. This pair was donated to the Park several years ago. If someone took them back to their site to clean them up, or paint them, that's fine. But, please .. We would like to have them returned so that others can use them when they are playing!
SEASON PAID ENTERTAINMENT LISTING
Dec. 31st - "Gary Crain" Comedian & Singer
Jan. 15th - "Alaska String Band"
Jan. 28th - Ladies Luncheon Comedian
Jan. 29th - Dance with "DJ Judy"
Feb. 12th - Singer "John Sager"
Feb. 26th - Singer "Bill Woodbury
Mar. 5th - Singer "Tucker"
Mar. 19th - DJ "Jack Medlin" @ Year-End Party
We look forward to seeing all of you there!
Ken & Lyn would like to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE that volunteers at all of our various functions. Without you, our Park wouldn't be the same!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FROM THE OWNERS, STAFF & MANAGEMENT.
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