The Zoo Do!

On Thursday a bunch of us caravaned

to The Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville for a behind-the-scenes tour.

What a special treat!
We had a trolley ride for a quick overview, then a walking tour behind the scenes.

Thanks to Donna L. and Pam P. (and me, too) we have some great pictures to share...While Pam got some great group photos Donna captured some wonderful animal pictures...

We fed the Galapagos Tortoises stalks of kale.

No one lost even a fingernail...but the guide watched us closely to make sure we behaved.All that kale has to go somewhere....
Zoo's are all about food and poo...Compost just waiting to happen!

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Here are a bunch of kangaroos in their winter home.Our guide was the snake keeper and VERY fond of her charges...

Jim did a gorilla impersonation that was so chillingly real it gave me goosebumps.

Maybe more like Laurel & Hardy!

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Don't forget the Feb. FunBuzz Monday afternoon at 4, in the pavilion.

Lots of info on the Olympics, plus sign-up sheets....Door prizes, blog comment prize, info on dinner tickets...beginning of the dog/cat contest, lot's of upcoming events to learn about.

Last chance to sign up for the Owl Pizza Party.

Get your name in the box for the Sweetheart Dinner.

Jeesh...tons of stuff.

Attend!

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Oh, by the way.

After the Zoo we stopped for lunch at The Longhorn Cattle Company Steak House and ate cups & cups of their delicious bean soup. Anyone have insight on the recipe, 'cause they wouldn't share, and I swear...it was just about the best I've ever had!

What is this SALAMANDER thingee the beer drinkers are saying?

The Salamander was an act in the Funs-A-Popping Talent Show that involved lots of yelling of the word Salamander and rubbing of beer mugs on the floor.

What the Hey....?

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Ever since that rousing song I've been hearing, "Just what is this Salamander?"

"...and what does it mean?"

In short it's a beer toast.

And if you didn't already know, the skit was from The Student Prince with Mario Lanza as the lead roll. He was singing, in a tavern with his buddies, to the lovely bar maid.

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In the following, the terms used are a mix of German and Latin.

The translations are how we might expect to hear them in modern English.

The word “salamander,” in this case, is derived from the term

“Sauft alle mit einander” (All drink together).

However, the word Sauft means more than just drink;

it is one of those over the top words meaning “get sloshed” or “guzzle.”
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To have a Rubbing of the Salamander (”einem einen Salamander reiben”)

proposed to you is evidently considered a great honor.
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As the leader, or toast giver, proposes to honor a guest or special person,

all stand and lift their steins at the words of the leader,

“Ad exercitium salamandris praeparatiestisne?”

(Are you prepared to do the salamander?)

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The drinkers say in unison, “Sumus” (we are).

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The leader further orders, “Salamandes inciptur, eins, zwei, drei,” (Begin the salamander, one, two, three) and each drinker rubs his stein on the table three times.

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The leader further instructs them with,

“Bitte eins, zwei, drei” (Drink up, one, two, three)

and all steins are emptied in unison to the count one, two, three.

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They are then rattled on the table till the leader once again says,

“Eins, zwei…” (one, two…) and all steins are held still

until the leader says,”Drei!” (three)

whereupon all bang their steins on the table.
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A variation of this is the “Trauersalamander.”

All done as before, except the glasses are “rubbed” in the air and they are stopped before striking the table.

A silent, solemn ceremony honoring a departed brother.

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So now you know...
Prost

Not for Night Owls Only!

That's the theme for the Pizza/Beer party on Feb. 2nd.

Mosey on back to #37 & #38 (John & Sue, Bob & Bernie) for the Annual Owl Feed.

Arrive at 3:59 with your chairs and your libation.

Oh, and pay J & S or B & B $4.00 for pizza.

You have until the end of FunBuzz on the 1st to pay.

The entire park is invited.

I'll bring some anchovies for the true connoisseurs.

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Speaking of FunBuzz.

Feb 1st...4pm...pavilion.

Be there or be square.

This FunBuzz marks the beginning of the annual Cat and Dog Contest.

So get ready to pimp your pets.

Put up a picture, a description, and a plea as to why your beloved should be chosen as Sandpiper's most special pet.

There is some stiff competition this year.

Bribes are encouraged.

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After the next Junque & Java (Feb 6) will be the drawing for the especially

Romantic Sweetheart Dinner tickets.

You have until the end of J & J to get into the

lottery type drawing for the very limited dinner tickets.

Fill out the slip of paper (one slip per couple) with your name, lot #,

and choice of Chicken or Pork indicated.

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AND...at FunBuzz and the next Junque & Java buy some tickets for the Adopt-A-Family quilt raffle...that's one gorgeous quilt that some lucky person is going to walk away with...might as well be you, don't ya think?

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Remember, each comment on the blog gets you into the magic cigar box.

This month we have a different type of prize.

Get commenting!

A Romantic Weekend!

Valentine's Weekend begins with a Sweetheart Dinner prepared by Chef Robert...

Couples Sweetheart Dinner
Friday Evening, February 12th
Seating begins at 5:30 pm

($35 Donation per Couple)
Due to the limited seating available, to attend this dinner please fill out a Reservation Form and drop it into the box in the pavilion (only one reservation request per couple).

The drawing for the available seats (approximately 20 couples) will be held at 10 am (at the end of Junque and Java) on Saturday, February 6th.

Please ensure that your name and lot number are on the slip legibly, along with your main entrée preference – Chicken Casiatore or Roast Pork with Cranberry Sauce Glaze.

A winning entry constitutes a commitment to attend.

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Saturday, Feb. 14th attend the Valentine's Dance

7-10 pm

Lots of door prizes and spot dances!

Details to follow soon....

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Sunday, Feb. 14th, at 3pm will be Bob & Bernie's Wine Appreciation Class (Itallian Wine and Food).

I hope you were lucky enough to score some tickets.

This event is sold out, but there are two places open for the March class (Wines of Washington State) ...or at least there were...check with B & B.

GroundHog Day Dinner

First a little history, then scroll down to see how we celebrate at Sandpiper's Resort.

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In 1723, the Delaware Indians settled Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania as a campsite halfway between the Allegheny and the Susquehanna Rivers. The town is 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, at the intersection of Route 36 and Route 119. The Delawares considered groundhogs honorable ancestors. According to the original creation beliefs of the Delaware Indians, their forebears began life as animals in "Mother Earth" and emerged centuries later to hunt and live as men.

The name Punxsutawney comes from the Indian name for the location
"ponksad-uteney" which means "the town of the sand flies."
The name woodchuck comes from the Indian legend of "Wojak,
the groundhog" considered by them to be their ancestral grandfather.
When German settlers arrived in the 1700s, they brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day, which has an early origin in the pagan celebration of Imbolc.

It came at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Superstition held that if the weather was fair,

the second half of Winter would be stormy and cold.

For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day

for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of Winter.

A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home.

The day's weather continued to be important.

If the sun came out February 2, halfway between Winter and Spring,

it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.

The earliest American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College:

February 4, 1841 - from Morgantown, Berks County (Pennsylvania) storekeeper James Morris' diary..."Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

According to the old English saying:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.
From Scotland:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.
From Germany:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.
And from America:

If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.

If the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of Winter.

Germans watched a badger for the shadow.

In Pennsylvania, the groundhog, upon waking from mid-Winter hibernation,

was selected as the replacement.

Pennsylvania's official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 2nd, 1886 with a proclamation in The Punxsutawney Spirit by the newspaper's editor, Clymer Freas: "Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow."

The groundhog was given the name "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary'' and his hometown thus called the "Weather Capital of the World.'' His debut performance: no shadow - early Spring.

The legendary first trip to Gobbler's Knob was made the following year.

The groundhog, also known as a woodchuck (Marmota monax),

is a member of the squirrel family.

Groundhogs in the wild eat succulent green plants, such as dandelion, clover, and grasses.

According to handlers John Griffiths and Ben Hughes, Phil weighs 15 pounds and thrives on dog food and ice cream in his climate-controlled home at the Punxsutawney Library.

Up on Gobbler's Knob, Phil is placed in a heated burrow underneath a simulated tree stump on stage before being pulled out at 7:25 a.m. to make his prediction.

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Now...to us!

We are celebrating THE END of a cold and dreary winter with a Groundhog Meatball and Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, Feb 5, 5:30 pm...serving from the Comm Room.

All the $5 donation will go to Adopt-A-Family.

Tickets are available from Elsie #114, Gerri #310 , and Mary #5.

This is an annual event much loved by all who attend, so plan on celebrating the END of Winter!

Mixology Contest!

It's time for the second annual, or if your memory goes back far enough, perhaps the third annual Cocktail Contest.This year we are adding a new catagory...non-alcoholic drinks...so crank up your juicer and break out those Virgin Mary recipes...we're making cocktails!

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Last year's contest was so much fun I went back in time and copied the blog post.

Ahhh...nostalgia!

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From Saturday, February 14, 2009
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.

Here are the judge's 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.
Submitted: Judge George

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So get on your thinking caps and hone your showmanship skills.

The judges are looking for a show!

Oh, and taste, of course!

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Sign up sheet is in the pavilion.

We'd like 15 bartenders.

You bartenders will be responsible for your drink ingredients

and table decor, and costumes if any.

Cups, napkins, and nibbles will be provided.

You'll win enduring crowd adulation and the homage of your peers

...plus maybe a surprise award or two.

Sandpiper Arts & Craft Showcase A Success!

What talent we are surrounded with...and never even knew it!

Sunday's Showcase was a rousing success.

I hope you made it to the Comm Room and pavilion to take in the beauty that was on display.

Some items were just breathtaking, all were extremely impressive.

Here are just a few of the images...you really had to be there!
Above are some of the door prizes that were awarded through-out the afternoon....good stuff!

Olympic Plea

Message from the Olympic Directors:

The Olympics Are on the horizon!

Feb.19 - March 6

(Yes, there have been two days added) and my following plea!!

As the new Olympic Directors we have gotten the schedule in order and have managed, in all the craziness of life at Sandpipers, to speak with most of the event coordinators and we Thank those who have agreed to serve.

But, due to some people not being here this year, and a person or two we have not caught up with, we have some vacancies that need to be filled.

Please email your Olympic Directors at hug448844@yahoo.com if you are willing to coordinate any of the following events.

If you have not be a coordinator in the past, it's easy and instructions are available!!

Washer Toss
Wa-Shoes
Euchre
Coed 2 on 2 Water Volleyball
Charmin Plunge
Lemon Roll
Wii Bowling
Horse Shoes
Body Painting
Men & Ladies Longest Wiffleball Drive

Sharon and Mike

Fun Was Poppin' Out All Over!

What a show! What talent!

Last night's Funs-A-Poppin' Talent Show was uncommonly TERRIFIC!

A huge variety of talented performers wowed us for two hours.

There were singers

...in groups,and singly.

Get it? Sing, singly...oh, never mind.

Dancers of all kinds...
in gorgeous costumes...and with energy to spare!

All our interests were represented...

An homage to every one's favorite drink...

Talented musicians and comediennes...

in French, no less!

And I don't know about you, but I've gotta get me some Vita-Meata-Vegemin today!

And let's not forget the Mistresses...

With costume change, after costume change,

After costume change...Well, you get the idea....And last...but certainly not least...The Peanut Gallery...again with the lame jokes!

Gotta get them a Joe Miller Joke Book for sure!

Many THANKS to all the heroes, unsung and invisible..or center stage...that made this fun annual event such a treat! The backstage crew did a bang up job.

The heat in the afternoon show was daunting, both backstage and front, but the show still flowed smoothly...probably from all the sweat.

Thanks to Karen & Jay for providing sustenance between and after the two shows.

And many kudos to Nora, who dug under her bed into her costume trove, to outfit many performers in style!

Another show is planned for March. Get involved! See Jon. Don't wait to be asked...volunteer. It's loads of fun and a creative outlet that keeps us the YOUNGEST park in the Valley!

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Yesterday was a long one. Today is for recovery. But...wander down to the pavilion & comm room for breakfast this morning, and later for the Sandpiper Showcase.

Pick up a cup of wine and meander through the displays of still more talent.

From 2 til 5 we will have on display examples of everything from stained glass to paintings to needlework to handcrafted furniture.

And door prizes! There will be door prizes!

Come see!