The First Week in March...

You may be confused. What the heck do Owls have to do with Sandpiper's Resort?
We Owls are a loose, very very loose, organization whose actual charter has us doing nothing all year. But we do it in matching shirts.

This week the 2009 class of owl wannabes is undergoing the rites of passage. It isn't too late to join the fun. If you want to be an Owl hoot yourself over to the pavilion and sign up. If you just want to see what all the fuss is about hoot over to John #5 or Yvon #427 to get your Owl dinner ticket ($5 @). Dinner will be Salisbury Owl steaks, said to have most feathers removed.

Yes, we are cannibals. Friday is the New Owl initiation and dinner. Do come, It's a HOOT!The Owl dinner is the one event that true Owls don't miss (besides the pizza and beer party, that is). It's when we get to hoot at the tortures the new class is subjected too. Now don't let that scare you.

The tortures have been getting progressively milder since the year of tar & feathers.
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Now....the Funs-A-Poppin Talent Show for next Saturday. March 7.

YOU MUST ATTEND!

Get over to Jon & Rita's (300 row) and get you FREE reserved tickets for afternoon or evening performance.

Oh, I know, I know. You say you saw it last month.

NO YOU DIDN'T!Did you see this?Or this?

There are lots of new acts, or the old ones have been refined.

But especially come to the show to see the belly dancers.

I have had a tiny glimpse into what these 15 ....15!... women have been
doing for the last several weeks. Hours and hours of practise. Hours and hours of shopping for costumes. Sewing, glueing, sweating their buns off!

All for us...to give us a delightful new passion for Sandpeeps. Next season there will be a troupe forming for all those interested in pursuing this dance form. This is the inauguration.I promise beautiful dancing girls, exotic make-up, sheer veils

and haunting music.I don't promise snakes.

A Poem....

From the West they both came
Competition their game
On the morrow we’ll see
Who the winner will be.
*
Is Tony the one?
Is Don on the run?
Who is the best?
Who gets a rest?
*
A medal at stake
Prime rib is the bait.
The people decide
Gustation their guide.

****

That lovely poem was from Pauline & George and gets them into the cigar box for the lunch ticket drawing at Sunday's FunBuzz.

Do you have a poem?

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Monday, March 2 is the last blood drive for the season. There are still a few slots left from 11:00 am and 12 noon. There will be a drawing at March FunBuzz for lunch tickets for those who have signed up to donate. Bring ID, a list of your meds, and please be clothed in deference to the blood mobile employees.

Thanks,
Sharon, #116

Olympic Endings

We are almost at the end. The last few days of friendly competition and fun have arrived. I was REALLY looking forward to the golf cart races today but bowling this morning, and the scrabble finals this afternoon, interfere. Somebody....send me a report, OK?

*******

Here are the finals for Men's WVB. What a great afternoon.

The weather was perfect.

The guys played so well it was a little intimidating.

The volley's, oh, the volley's!

Team 3, John P's team was undefeated! They played as a team and really got the job done.

Bev brought a huge box of cookies as extra incentive. The winning teams

(and everybody else) recharged with her delicious goodies.

Congratulations to all participants, all winners, and especially to the line and net judges, with a very special THANK YOU to Bill #28, for calling the scores while keeping an eye on the boundary rope. He got a special cookie award medal.

*******

Chili Results

Sharon, Sharon, Sherry & Larry,

Chili chefs extraordinary.

Congrats to Sharon (Rosaire) for the gold, Sharon (Mike) for silver and

Sherry (Tony) & Larry Dean (Donna) for sharing the bronze.

According to the vote count all the chili's were somebodies favorites and the winners were really close. Every chef also won a free lunch ticket. Pick yours up from Jon (221).

*******

The afternoon tea was something really special.

The hostesses worked very hard on their tables, each decorated uniquely and beautifully.

Each hostess took care of her guests, bringing them tea, coffee and a staggering array of goodies to sample. Everything from dainty sandwiches to scones to decadent brownies was offered.

Many ladies wore fancy hats (and some nothing else) to get into the mood.

A few tentative guys wandered in and were greeted warmly and served like kings.

Approximately thirty six ladies and gentlemen partook of the tea, coffee and goodies.

Next time there is a "Tea" do no hesitate. Attend-you'll love it.

Here are the tablescapes to give you an appreciation of what went into this must-do-again event.

Tables were adorned with fresh roses and orchids, hibiscus, bougainvillea, and potted silk flowers.

End of Month Contest.

I have a new computer and Jim, as resident geek, is putting back on all my favorite sites and programs as fast as he can...but meanwhile I am not able to put on the blog the pictures I want to.

I am bereft.

A blog without pictures is just words.

No color...sob.

But still, I must go on.

The March FunBuzz is fast approaching. Remember, I love to give away lunch tickets. This month is almost over but you have time yet to get into the cigar box. If you make any comment under the "Healthy Foods" blog you'll get into the box. And/or if you make up any kind of poem about the Prime Rib Cook-off, Sandpipers, or anything at all, and put it into any comment section of the blog....that'll get you in too.

I have another poem. I was going to wait and do it after the cook-off...

but I can't wait...assuming we get some edible beef from the two combatants!

To The Chefs

I think that I shall never savor

any beef with better flavor.

All the diners smile and bow

to the best chefs, and how!

Medium, rare, or well done

The applause of all they have won!

********

I have another...you can just fill in the blanks to make it your own.

(blank) when I see you eating like a pig,

I understand why your stomach's so big.

You are such a hoot,

if only you didn't toot,

(blankity blankity blankity blank) wig or twig or fig or...?

A Few Little Announcements

Info on a new service from The Sandpiper Sun

The last page of the Sandpiper Sun is a new classified section.

Any SPR resident or member may list items for sale.

This would include RV’s, motorhomes, mobile homes, sheds...etc, etc.

There is no charge to list an item in the classifieds.

Please email me at:

jwbritton@earthlink.net,

or sprnewsletter@gmail.com

or Karen at Karen@sandpipersresort.com

or drop off the information at the office

or at Lot 5.

The next edition of the “SUN” is scheduled for publication March 1

so please send your classified information latest February 27th.

Thanks,
John #5

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Bill and Harry have decided this is their last year for calling Gringo Bingo. So if you want to see it continue it's time to step up. Volunteer to run this fun once-a-week event. Talk to Jon #221 or Bill #3 or Harry (you'll have to track him down-I forgot his #)

Revised-Men's Olympic Water Volleyball Teams

The captains have met and picked their teams.

Wouldn't you have loved to be a fly on the wall

to hear their comments and conversation?

Well, I was!

Actually there was very little gossip going on. No fun!

And whew! They tore right through the list and were in and out in 15 minutes!

The ladies spent about an hour, but we had to discuss what color hats, coordinate footwear and jewelry, etc. I must say...when the women play volleyball there may not be quite the number of volleys but the laughter meter works overtime.

These guys can be too serious. How can we lighten them up?

Make them wear silly hats?

*****

Make sure to attend today's Olympic Happy Hour at 4:15.

The awards for coed volleyball will be presented along with several other events.

Olympic Champions in WVB

Despite the gloomy drizzle we started the tournament with high spirits

which got even higher as the lunch aromas started finding hungry players.

Then the sun came out!

What a great lunch and what a fine day of fun and competition!

After more than 4 hours of play we have a new champion team. Team 9 played 7 games and came from the loser bracket to take the gold. The silver went to Team 3 who remained undefeated most of the day. And Team 4 took home the bronze.

All teams played as if a lot more than a bit of ribbon with a plastic medallion was the prize!

Congratulations to all the competitors and a big THANK YOU to the line judges, especially Bill & Annie for calling scores and watching the rope.

Co-ed WVB Teams

ERROR: Bev 514 is on two teams. Now Bev, I know you are becoming a volleyball whiz, but maybe we ought to limit you to one team. So you are OFF team 1. I hope your computer screen is big enough to read the names.

If not, the list is posted in the pavilion.

We start a 11am with teams 8 & 9 playing each other. Then 1 plays 2...etc.

Lunch sounds delicious...Chicago Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

Hmmmm, Chicago Style Pork? What's that?

A political statement?

Women's Olympic Water Volleyball Results.

We had a GREAT day at the pool yesterday despite the lack of sun.

Terrific competition, yes, but more importantly we all had a really good time.

The games were close and exciting, lunch was out-of-this-world,

and everyone played really well.

We've been playing women's volleyball as a separate sport from co-ed for about 5 years. In the beginning the volleys were few, though there was never a lack of laughter.

Did you watch yesterday? Did you see? Did you count some of those volleys????

We have gotten soooo much better!

It's still fun, but now we compete.
The 2009 roster, and winners.

Congratulations to all who competed and thank you, line judges, for your support, especially Mike who smoothly announced the scores while keeping an eye on the boundary line.

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By now you may have heard that the Bodacious Burger contest has been postponed due to lack of sign-ups. I'm not too surprised as so many food events were clustered together. I hope it is rescheduled though. I have an artery clogging recipe I'd like to prepare. The JayBurger.

It is hoped that the burger chefs will transfer to the Chili Contest, 'cause that list too is a little short.

Chili, ummmm, hope it's a cool day. Everyone loves Chili...but what's your favorite?

I did a little web surfing to get inspired and found:

Chili with chocolate.

Chili with black beans or red beans or pinto beans or a mixture of beans.

Chili with no beans at all.

Chili with wine in it, or beer.

Chili with chilies...dried ancho, chipotle, pequin, habanero, and jalapenos.

Chili with tomatoes and without.

Chili with ground meat, cubes of meat, shredded beef, pork...even chicken.

Chili topped with saltines, with oyster crackers, shredded cheese, sour cream,

Chili topped with green onions, raw onions, even pumpkin seeds.

So...what's your pleasure?

The chili contest is 5:30, next Tuesday, Feb. 24 (Isn't that really Mardi Gras? How can we incorporate purple, green & gold into a bowl of chili?) after the Afternoon Tea Party.

Sign-up sheet is in the pavilion.

Dinner Deadline & Belly Dancers! Oh My!

Tomorrow is the deadline for buying your tickets to the Showdown at the Pavilion Corral!

The deadline came fast didn't it?

The tickets had been available at the Feb. Junque & Java, but now you'll have to hike

on over to Tall Dick & Sharon's at #116 to get them.

The price is $8 each for a superb prime rib dinner and

entertainment by a world class performer.

Ruthi is simply outstanding, and a true professional.

She can even get our crowd to shut up and listen, most of the time anyway.

If you have been following the hoop-la between Chef Tony & Chef Don

(see the comments under the blog entry "Showdown at the Pavilion Corral")

you know the competition is revving up.

To that end, and to add a little spice to what is primarily a meat & potato event

(hey, I'm from New Orleans, I like my cayenne!) I propose a little contest.

Write a poem, any style, any length, about Tony, Don, Prime Rib, Olympics, Sandpipers...I don't know how, but tie in some kind of theme...and I'll add your name into my fancy cigar box for the drawing of a pair of lunch tickets at the next FunBuzz.

To get you thinking here is my attempt:

Listening to our boys,

is one of our joys.

*

Hear the insults fly,

Who will be the first to cry?

*

We look forward to the meat,

all will be good to eat.

*

Not suspicious

but delicious

and nutritious.

That is a classic poetry form aa-bb-cc-ddd, called Acrostic, but you can use any you'd like...or even free form. And spelling? I think you get extra points for spelling like Tony.

So...there are now two ways to get into the cigar box.

This meat inspired poem contest and the comments under the Healthy Food blog entry.

Enter both, and often.

For every entry you get a chance.

Hmmmm...I see a trend.

Both contests will run until the end of the month, and you enter by leaving a comment.

The poem can be left as a comment under any blog entry, but the healthy food contest is only under the Healthy Food blog. Clear? As mud. Not sure what I mean?

Ask a question. Maybe I'll add you to the cigar box by mistake.

*****

On March 7 is the second performance of Funs-A-Poppin.

But it's NOT the same Funs-A-Poppin!

DO NOT MISS IT!

I have seen a teeny, itty bitty glimpse into what is going into

the costumes for the belly dancers.

Oh, my, gosh!

DO NOT MISS IT!

Best Healthy Foods & CONTEST!

Contest at the end of this entry-keep reading!

(This post recently appeared on The New York Times’s list of most-viewed stories for 2008.)

Nutritionist and author Jonny Bowden has created several lists of healthful foods

people should be eating but aren't.
But some of his favorites, like purslane, guava and goji berries,

aren't always available at regular grocery stores.

Dr. Bowden, author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, updated his list with some favorite foods that are easy to find but don't always find their way into our shopping carts.

Here's his advice. Beets:

Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.

How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power.

***

Cabbage:

Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to

boost cancer-fighting enzymes.

How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.

***

Swiss chard:

A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes.

How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.

***

Cinnamon:

May help control blood sugar and cholesterol.

How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.

***

Pomegranate juice:

Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants.

How to eat: Just drink it.

***

Dried plums:

Okay, so they are really prunes, but they are packed with antioxidants.

How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.

***
Pumpkin seeds:

The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death.

How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.

Canned pumpkin:

A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories.

How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg.

***

Sardines:

Dr. Bowden calls them "health food in a can." They are high in omega-3's, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins.

How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.

***
Turmeric:

The "superstar of spices", it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.

***
Frozen blueberries:

Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don't spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies.

How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds.
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You can find more details and recipes on the Men*s Health Web site, which published the original version of the list last year. (I am having a DEVIL of a time getting this stupid link to work! If you are interested just go find it in a search engine-I give up!)

In my house I have cinnamon which I use regularly mixed with cottage cheese of all things (an old Weight Watcher trick for an old weight watcher) and prunes...that's it! I guess I need to go shopping...but will I really eat swiss chard or sardines?!

How about you? Have any of these foods found their way into your shopping cart?

CONTEST ALERT!!!!

Anyone who comments on this blog entry about healthy foods will be in the drawing for a PAIR of lunch tickets at the March FunBuzz.

Any comment of any kind will qualify, but it has to be under this entry!!!

OOOOH!! free lunch tickets for a few seconds of your time! Hey folks! That's worth $8.00!

Women's WVB Team Roster

There was a draft this morning to pick teams for the womens water volleyball games on Wed.

Typo-Under Annie's Team, it's Donna 204, not 504.

*****

Come out to watch for a great time...and plan on having lunch too.

New York Style Beef on a Kaiser Roll

German Potato Salad

Pickle Spear

Chips, Drink

Bev's Cookies
All for a donation of $4.00

Cocktail Contest Winners.

Thursday afternoon we had a contest...a COCKTAIL contest, and if you missed it,

well all I can say is, poor baby, you missed a great time!

We had eleven would-be bartenders show off their mixology skills, and dramatic flair.

The tables were decorated with everything from bright colors, teddy bears,

and Valentine candy to pirate booty, tropical ambiance and fruit.

The judges were a hoot. They really got into the spirit, shall we say.

All the recipes for the fun and tasty libations will be published in the Sandpiper Cookbook.

You have until the end of this month to give your recipes (hand written is fine) to

Lisette #15, Sue #38, Sue #37, Donna L #221, or Louise #428.

You'll want to be in this cookbook!

It will have some great recipes, sure, but beyond that it will trigger

fond memories of people and events. There will be a sliding pricing scale...in other words,

the more you buy the cheaper they become. There is a sign-up sheet in the pavilion.

The cookbook will be printed sometime in March/April.

If it doesn't get back before you leave you can pick it up next season or

we can mail it to you for the cost of postage.

Here are the judges results.

Best Liqueur Cocktail-Sue and Jim Z #38-Limoncello

Best Motivator-Sue and John P #37-The Mounds

Best Coco Loco-Bob H #36-Pina Colada

Most Romantic on Beach-Dave and Sandy J-#48 Easy Street Sundowner

Most Sneaky-Donna L #221-Brandy Slush Puppies

Best Panty Puller-Ron and Donna #204-Smurf Pizz

Best use of a Controlled Substance-Ellen and Sandy #412/#414-Long Island Tea

Most Precarious Use of Rum-Ian and Terry #502-Strawberry Daiquiri

Most Splendiferous Tale-Marilyn and Tom #420-Pirates Punch

Best Use of Freudian Slips-Bob W #34-Vodka Berry Slurpie

Healthiest Way to Get Laid-Irwin and Margaret #332-Caesar Cocktail


Peoples’ Choice award was very close as there were many contenders and the

winner was the Healthiest Way to Get Laid-Irwin & Margaret!

All involved seem to have lots of fun including judges Jan and George who

sampled all drinks in 25 minutes then sat down to deliberate and

wait for the buzz to catch up, which it did (hehe).
Then we had to go back and confirm our decisions which,

of course, involved more sampling.

We were both glowing and feeling no pain by the end.
Judge George

Bodacious Burgers in Crisis!

The wonderful event, Bodacious Burgers, is in jeopardy. Not enough chefs have signed up to run the event. We had such a great time last year. Remember the Shrimp burgers? Who could forget the burgers with mushrooms, or with onions, and yummy stinky cheese?

Focaccia burgers, oh my!

It all in jeopardy!

Do you want to let it die? Roy is this close to canceling.

Don't let that happen.

Sign up. Sign up NOW!

281 Update by Harry

Harry, you are a riot!

At this time, it appears that 281 is for all intents and purposes finished.

There was a completion ceremony held recently congratulating

all the workers who had helped to complete the work.

One of those honored was the great grandson of one of the workers who started the project.

For those of us who live here in the winter or year round, good news.

Just when we were getting used to the idea of 281 being finished,

TXDOT has announced plans to upgrade 281 to Interstate standards.

(Check this in the February 12 issue of The Monitor, which is named after a water lizard.)

Yes indeed, we can now look forward to many more years of construction, lane closures, delays, more litter, and undoubtedly more hopper gravel trucks.

Texas Free Range Driver's License

For those of you with an iron will, nerves of steel, and an urge to get to your destination more quickly than anyone else, this course is a necessity. What will you learn?
---Make a right hand turn from the far left lane of a three lane highway without benefit of a turn signal or reduction in speed.

---Make a left turn in the same fashion.

---Drive just like the drivers in that NASCAR race you watched on TV last Sunday during rush hour which apparently is any time of the day or night.

---If a little light on your instrument cluster, usually on the left or possibly right side, is flashing, you have a problem. It will cause your tail lights to burn out more quickly. Get to your dealer.

---All highway marker numbers are the speed limit on that highway. Be extra vigilant on US 83. Fear for your life on 281. 2812, forget it, look how many times someone has blasted through the barricade at the Seminary road junction.

---Don't waste your headlight fluid. If you can see where you are going, you don't need no stinkin' headlights, even if it foggy, raining, or the twilight times of the day.
If you can do all these things, then you too can be a Texas free range driver.

Just so that you know, the little lever on the left side of your steering column is there so you have a place to hang your keys.

Are You A Night Owl?

It’s that time of the year once again; time for fun and craziness;

time to initiate new Night Owls.We are seeking candidates for this year’s festivities.

Candidates must be willing to re-enact their child rearing time,

but only for 24 hours.

The candidates will meet on Thursday March 5, 2009

at 4:09 pm to accept their assignments.

Dinner and dance the following day Friday March 6, 2009

after the initiation of the new candidates.

The festivities will start at precisely 3:53pm Friday March 6, 2009.
Dinner tickets are a hoot at $5.00 each.

More details to follow.

Signup sheets are in the Pavilion.


John #5

Jelly Bean Hello And Author, Author!

Hello Sue and Jim...:0)

We hope you are doing well and that you
Enjoy fully the present season at SPR.
We, as I might have mentioned in a
Previous message, made your blog page
Our home page on the computer so we get
To know all that is going on day by day,
We read you all the time and must admit
That we sure would like to be two of that
Fun bunch of nice people. But for the time
Being it is somewhat difficult

to realize this wish.

Also to let people know that I was in nuclear
Medicine today and that we are most happy
With the results of the multiple tests.

It comes out that my condition has stabilized and has
Not deteriorated since the last tests I had the
Previous year. The heart specialist is convinced
That the medication he prescribed then is working
Just the way he was hoping it would.

So, it boils down to this: my heart condition remains, it is
Under control with the medication I take and if
All goes as expected and that the condition doesn't
Change in time, I might be able to get insurance
And travel to U.S. Of A again.

Hope for the best and it just might happen...

So that's pretty much it for now, we are going through
This first winter and we are not doing too bad YET.
Please give our regards to all those we love and miss
So much. Like they say " keep on trucking ", take
Good care of yourselves and we give big hugs to all
Of you from the two of us.

Francine and Raymond.

Oh boy, Raymond, that is such GREAT news.

I can't tell you how many times a wistful look will come over someone's face

and they'll whisper, "Gee, I wish Raymond could help us with that song."

Or somebody in the pool will yell after a particularly good shot, "That's for Francine!"

We miss you both and long for the day you are back here with family.

********

*****

Does this lovely lady look familiar? You may have seen her visiting her daughter Kathie #106.

Her name is Jesse Dollard and she has done something many of us dream about doing.

She stopped dreaming and wrote a book.

Jesse, writing under the pen name Mae Hodgett, grew up in the small town
of El Dorado Springs, Missouri. She spent much of her childhood around her maternal grandparents on their farm. These fascinating people were her inspiration for her writing. Jesse now lives in the Rio Grande valley.

The book is Fannie, a charming little tale set in 19th century Missouri. Jesse has already been approached by the publisher to write more books,
and is working hard on the next one.
A "meet the author" event will be held at the Mission Historical Museum on Feb. 12 from 4-6pm

A book signing is planned in March at both Barnes & Nobles in our area.

Jesse is a true inspiration.

She married young, took care of her extended family, went on to earn not only her high school diploma but attend college as well. She had a dream and made it come true!

Congratulations, Jesse!
Kathie, you must be not only proud, but a little in awe!