Monday, January 30, 2012

CANADA - USA
VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
 
A REMINDER TO EVERYONE THAT
THE CANADA – USA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 11:30 AM.

THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE OVER BY 2:30 TO ALLOW EVERYONE TIME TO ATTEND THE PLAY MATINEE.

SIGN-UP FOR THE TOURNMENT WILL ONLY BE HELD AT JUNQUE AND JAVA THAT SAME DAY BETWEEN 8 AND 10 AM. THE TEAM ROSTERS WILL BE POSTED AT THE POOL BEFORE THE START OF THE TOURNAMENT.
*
A POOL-SIDE LUNCH OF BRATWURST & FIXIN’S WILL BE SERVED BY DON & VANESSA.
 COST IS $6.00, BUT YOU MUST SIGN UP BY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2,
SO THAT THEY KNOW HOW MANY
 BRATWURSTS TO THAW & PREPARE.
TO SIGN UP, SEE DON OR VANESSA AT LOT 308 OR AT LUNCH ON WEDNESDAY.
*
AT THIS POINT THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR
 SATURDAY IS “IFFY” AND CHANGES DAILY.
*
A FINAL DECISION ON WHETHER THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE PLAYED WILL BE MADE ON THURSDAY.
*
IF THE WEATHER IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO PLAY ON SATURDAY, THE TOURNAMENT WILL
BE MOVED TO FEBRUARY 11,
BUT SIGN-UP WILL STILL BE AT
JUNQUE & JAVA ON FEBRUARY 4.
*
THE POOLSIDE LUNCH WILL BE MOVED INTO FLIP-FLOPZ BUT WILL STILL BE BRATWURST & FIXINGS AND YOU MUST STILL SIGN-UP FOR THE LUNCH!!!!

SandPiper Players Invite You To.......

Tickets are still available for
An Evening at the Theater
*both shows*.

Don't miss the maiden performance of the Sandpiper Players!

Something for everyone:
comedy,
drama,
and free wine bar at intermission!
What more could a Sandpeep require?
B






Ruthie is Coming Soon!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Feb. 1st, Movie-The Specialist


WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
FEBRUARY 1st @ 7:00 PM
BRING A BEVERAGE AND SOME POPCORN AND ENJOY


May Munro (Sharon Stone) is a beautiful woman on a mission.
She is out to kill the men who made her an orphan
when she was a young girl.
Her whole life she has waited for the day her parents could be avenged. But the men she seeks are powerful Miami Mafia
and May's going to need help.
 She seeks out former CIA explosives expert Ray Quick (Sylvester Stallone). Ray is reluctant at first, until he discovers that his old partner Ned Trent (James Woods) is bodyguard for the killers. It seems that Ray and Ned did not part on the best of terms and Ned has an old score to settle.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

My Saturday.

We spent the day rearranging furniture and electronics...
good Saturday!
This is my "Lady" chair.


I would have a "Man" chair but that would be just gross!

A Night at the Theater

Friday, January 27, 2012

Valentines' Day Dance

Chef Robert's Valentine's Day Dinner is sold out but you can be put on the waiting list, in case someone can't make it.
Check with the Goddesses, 'J', Cher, Marie, Carma.

Meanwhile there is this fabulous party to attend!

And don't forget to bring a toga or sarong to the pavilion
 on Feb. 1st, 1:30, to prepare for the dance. 
Anita, that knot tying temptress, will tie you up!


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Musicales of Sandpipers

Sunday, Jan. 29, 3:30-4:30, Pavilion
The Musical Stylings of B!
Just heard from "B".  She hints that some surprises are in store.
I've heard rumors that there might be a Scotsman involved.

Tie One On!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Revised Feb. & March Bike Rides

This is a revised schedule for the February & March Bike Rides.
Rides depart the Sandpipers Gate at 9:00 a.m.
unless otherwise noted.
 
February 7 - Mission Bike Trail

The Mission Bike Trail begins just south of US 83 and Hwy 107 (Conway Ave). The trail takes us up onto a levee and then follows the irrigation canal with several hills along the way. If the wind is not strong, we can ride a loop past Bentsen State Park and on past the NABA National Butterfly Garden before returning to the parking area. The total ride will be 8 to 10 miles with moderate hills. Lunch will be at Danny’s Restaurant in downtown Mission.
**********************
February 14 – Port Isabel

We will caravan to Port Isabel with a rest stop in Harlingen. In Port Isabel we park at the large parking lot east of the light house. We will ride streets through the neighborhoods in Port Isabel. Along the way we’ll see homes overlooking Laguna Madre, the Port Isabel Yacht Club hotel, the causeway to South Padre Island, a side swing drawbridge, and more. The total ride is about 4 miles with several minor hills. Lunch after the ride will be at the White Sands Restaurant. While you are in Port Isabel, you may want to visit the light house and its museum, an interesting history museum and a marine museum. Tickets for all three museums can be purchased at the light house. There is also a small aquarium and there are dolphin watch tours from Port Isabel. South Padre Island is a five minute drive across the causeway for more entertainment and dining.
****************************

February 21 – Hidalgo Pump House

The Hidalgo Pump House, now a museum, was a steam powered pump house typical of the early irrigation system here in the Rio Grande Valley. The grounds surrounding the pump house include a number of bodies of water and are rich in waterfowl. We will ride level trails on the grounds for a total distance of about 4 miles. There is a small admission charge and
we will tour the pump house and museum.
Following the ride we will have lunch at McAllister’s Deli.
*********************

February 28 is during the Sandpipers Nude Olympics.
We will not have a bike ride on this date.
 Enjoy the friendly competition!
 Bike rides will resume on March 13.

March 6 is during the Sandpipers Nude Olympics.
We will not have a bike ride on this date.
Enjoy the friendly competition!
 Bike rides will resume on March 13.
******************************

March 13 – South Padre Island,
Isla Blanca State Park

This is one of our most popular rides. We caravan from Sandpipers to South Padre Island making one stop at the rest area/visitors center in Harlingen. If you wish to travel independently, plan to arrive at the Convention Center on the north end of the tourist area about 10:30 a.m. Those who are driving independently should notify Tom or Louise, #44, before leaving so we know to look for you. We’ll ride side streets south from the Convention Center to the southern tip of the Island, a distance of about 4 miles with no hills. After riding through Isla Blanca State Park, we’ll stop for lunch at Dirty Al’s Seafood for lunch. Bring a bicycle lock to secure your bicycle during lunch. Our return will take a different set of side roads. We should return to the Convention Center about 2:30 p.m. Of course there are many attractions to visit after the bike ride. We’ll be right by the new birding center which is well worth the stop if you haven’t visited it since it was built several years ago. You can walk the boardwalks over the wetlands along Laguna Madre and perhaps spot some interesting birds or the alligator that dwells in those waters. There is also a sea turtle rescue center where you can learn about sea turtles and see some of the rescued turtles. There are many shops, fine restaurants and motels with off-season rates for those who wish to extend their stay on the island.
*****************************
March 20 – Tom & Louise will be gone.
We invite a volunteer to step forward to lead this trip. Contact Tom & Louise, #44. The trip is aready planned, now we need a leader.
*****************************
March 27 – Laguna Atascosa National
Wildlife Area

Located on Laguna Madre north of Port Isabel, Laguna Atascosa NWA is an interesting ride and one of our longest. At 14 miles, most of it level with occasional slight grades, the ride overlooks the coast of Laguna Madre for about a third of its length. There are numerous spots to view wildlife including our lunch stop at an overlook on Laguana Madre and the wildlife area. Bring a picnic lunch for this stop. There are toilets at the lunch stop but no other facilities. The last third of the ride is a gravel road but is generally in very good condition. There is an admission charge so our first stop is at the park headquarters. If you are traveling independently, please advise Tom or Louise, #44, of your plans so we know to look for you. We should have opportunities for seeing wildlife so bring binoculars and/or a camera. We like to have a sag wagon along on this ride if you would can assist by following the bicycles, please contact Tom or Louise. Following the ride you may wish to visit other areas of Laguna Atascosa including the overlook on Laguna Atascosa and not far away the alligator pond which had several good sized alligators last year.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A Week Of Owl Mania!

It's that time again...
the yearly owl migration is about to hit Sandpipers.
Be afraid,
Be very AFRAID!
Pizza & Beer Tasting
Monday, Feb. 6th


3:59 PM
Flip Flopz parking lot
Pizza $5: Pay by Feb 4,
 to Linda #310, Jocelyne & Bill #326, Steve & Cher #423
Tuesday Social Hour, Junque & Java
Optional beer tasting: 
 Bring two special beers to #308 by Feb. 4th.
Tuesday, Feb 7th
A day of nest rest for the new owls
 while they gird their birdy loins for the
Owl Prowl Scavenger Hunt.
Any wise old owl who would like to participate in this week long Scavenger Hunt for the new owls should contact Alma #8 (loumaspetey@yahoo.com) or Cindy #417 (ccopeland1954@yahoo.com) for a sign to place in their lot or RV.  This sign will help direct new owls
where to stop to do their owl count.
Wednesday, Feb. 8
Super Happy Hour
3:59 PM
Grass behind Flip Flopz
Bring a dish to share, your drink & chair.

Thursday, Feb. 9
3:59 PM
Pool
The Three S's
Swim (Could it be time to drown the new owls?)
Shots (Whadda 'ya think that means?)
Suds ((I believe a keg might be involved!)

Friday, Feb. 10
New Owl Egg Delivery
Owl Love...ain't it grand?
3:59
Pavilion


Saturday, Feb. 11
Pavilion
Return of eggs &
installation of the new class of OWLS!
4:59
Owl Dinner
5:59

Owl Dinner Menu

*Only the most tender Sandpiper owls have been gathered
for this world famous fried owl recipe.
 (Don might need an extra fryer.  Got one you can lend?)

*Don's Internationally renowned Macaroni Salad.

*And Cole Slaw because owlets can't live on mice alone.
*
$8.00
Please sign up by Wed. Feb 8th,
Linda #310, Jocelyne & Bill #326, Steve & Cher #423
Tuesday Social Hour


Monday, January 23, 2012

Get Your Culture Here!

The Sandpiper Players present

A Night at the Theater.

 Two one-act plays to be performed Feb. 4th.

A Mad Breakfast

by Isabel Gray

and

Cleaning Day

by Maura Campbell

There will be two performances, 3:30 & 7:30
and a wine bar intermission.


Tickets for An Evening at the Theater
are now available at lot 434-Bill& Karen Hazlett.
No charge, limited availability.

So save the date and mark your calendars.


For The Birds!

Sandy and Dave
have had their first bird class.
Participants for the next field trips are welcome even if they were watching football and didn't attend.

Thurs. Jan. 26,
 9:30 to 11 am
at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands-World Birding Center
 located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd., Edinburg.

Meet in the Nature Center visitor center parking lot at 9:15.

 Park fee charged.
 We will walk the trails identifying what we see.
********************
**********
********
Thurs. Feb. 2
 9:00 to noon
 Project Feeder Watch at Llano Grande State Park,
3301 S. International Blvd (Hwy 1015.),
(south of Business 83) Weslaco.

Park fee charged.
Meet in the parking lot at 8:45 AM.
We will be sitting near the bird feeder area
 and identifying what comes in to feed.
 
Bring binoculars if you have them.
We have 4 extra pair-first come, first served.
They can be rented at Llano Grande.

Please RSVP to sdjunkin@starband.net
lot 48 or 956-287-8844.

Thanks,
Sandy

Time to Update Your Bucket List!

I am sending a few pictures from Tahiti.
We had a great trip and time.
 All went smoothly.
That is, until we arrived home to 5 inches of snow
and freezing weather.
Wish we were there.
Tell all hi for us.

Byron and Sharon












I want to be there right now!
The colors, the fish!
Seriously, I need to go!


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Elvis Has Left The Building!

I hope y'all was able to see Elvis on Satiday...it was a HOOT!
A couple of technical problems in the afternoon show was all smoothed out by night time.
Garland & Gang outdid themselves yet again!
*
The audience was full of Damn Yankees but they was still as dumb as a box 'o dirt...hard to believe, I know...but Fannie came home
(I is Fannie Flagg),
anyhoo, she came home with leftover green maters!
Who doesn't like fried green tomaters, I ask you!
Elvis certainty did...if they was fried, he et 'em!
*
Fannie didn't get pitchurs of everbody 'cause she was a bit busy clomping onto that stage and everthin'!
The Blues Brothers was the warm-up act....warm?
  They was HOT!
Nurse Feel-Good was necessary to revive spent fans
with tasty little pills. 
 This cleanly shaven Elvis jes 'bout melted in his polyester duds!
Sparkly Elvis was a true taste treat!
A real glitter baby....Elvis has such good taste! 
When mo' pitchers are ready be sure I'll share!
Bye-bye!

Movie of the Week

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
JANUARY 25th @ 7:00 PM
BRING A BEVERAGE AND SOME POPCORN AND ENJOY
Water for Elephants



A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and he joins a traveling circus as their vet.
 

Friday, January 20, 2012

Elvis is IN the Building!

Tomorrow!
Elvis, Live, On Tour!

There are a few seats still open for the 3:30 showing,
so if you are last minute procrastinators....
IT IS NOT TOO LATE!
Just show up and we'll find you a seat...
you won't need a ticket,
and we might not even stick you behind a pole!
**
This is gonna be a laugh fest, so come see!

Monday, January 16, 2012

The War of 1812

AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN WAR

It was the usual war – a dispute over trade and territory.

It began with the US Army invading a foreign country 3 times – and suffering a humiliating defeat in each invasion.

As the war progressed, cities like
 Baltimore,
New Orleans and
 New York
came under attack, and both Detroit and Washington
were occupied by the enemy.

The White House was a smoldering ruin of black ash, and the President was on the run to avoid capture.

Eventually, the war ended by a peace treaty,
with neither side being victorious.

The battle for Baltimore was the inspiration behind
 “The Star-Spangled Banner”,
and later, Johnny Horton sang about the
 “Battle of New Orleans”.

WHAT HAS THIS TO DO WITH
SANDPIPER’S RESORT?!?!?

2012 is the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, in which the United States fought against its most fearsome enemy – CANADA!

To mark the anniversary,
 a number of games of volleyball will be played between
 Team Canada and Team USA.


This event will take place on
 Saturday, February 4,
beginning at 11:30 am.
 The ONLY sign-up for this event
will be held between the hours of 8 am and 10 am on the same day (in other words at Junque & Java) –
 the teams will then be selected at random
by the respective team captains,
and the team rosters will be posted in time for the 11:30 start.
(if weather is bad the games will be moved to the 11th -
 but sign-up is still only at Junque & Java)
*
You can sign up for either team – after all, a number of “loyalists” fought for Canada in 1812, even though they lived in the USA!
*
Those not wishing to play should come out and support your favorite team, or should volunteer (at Junque & Java or before) as referee(s) or linespersons.
*
 Lunch will be served pool-side by Don & Vanessa.

Revised Bike Ride Schedule for Jan.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

9:00 a.m.

Edinburg City Park and World Birding Center

WBC admission fee for seniors about $2 per person

The Edinburg City Park and World Birding Center is just a short drive from the park. The park and adjacent lakes are popular picnic sites for the locals but are usually empty on our weekday visits.
 We will ride the paved bicycle/walking/fitness track around the park. Following that we will enter the World Birding Center. This has been an excellent area for viewing a variety of birds.
Join us for lunch at the Willies BBQ Restaurant following the ride.
 Bring:
 Camera,
Binoculars,
Bird Identification Guide (if you have one).
 Forecast:
Partly cloudy, temperatures around 80!
 A great day for a bike ride!

*********************
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

9:00 a.m.

McAllen Bike Trail

The McAllen Bike Trail extends from Trenton Road south to near Business 83 along Col Rowe Boulevard (2nd Street).
We will meet at the office at and
travel together to the starting point near Trenton Road.
We will ride about 7 miles.
Other than a few street crossings,
the paved trail is level and entirely off the road.
 We’ll venture into a few neighborhoods to see the homes and decorations!
 Lunch at Gotti's Pizza Buffet near Nolana.
 Bring an appetite and a bike lock!

****************************
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

9:00 a.m.

Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park
 and World Birding Center

Admission fee $5 per person

Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park and World Birding Center is accessible on foot or bicycle only. There is a tram tour offered several times a day. Bicycle type touring cars (2 and 4 passenger 4 wheel pedal vehicles) are available for rent. There are numerous feeding stations with blinds for viewing the wildlife at close range. Many birds, javalina and other animals are seen at or near these feeding stations.
 Bring:
Camera,
 Binoculars,
 Bird Identification Guide (if you have one).
We’ll eat lunch at BJ’s Brewhaus.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Movie of the Week

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
JANUARY 18th @ 7:00 PM
BRING A BEVERAGE AND
SOME POPCORN AND ENJOY
Bloodwork



FBI profiler Terry McCaleb always gets to the heart of a case. This time that heart beats inside him. He's a complex patient who received a murder victim's heart. And the donor's sister asks him to make good his second chance by finding the killer. That's just the first of many twists in a smart, gritty suspense thriller that's "vintage Eastwood", surprising and very, very exciting.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Sandpiper Players-A Night at the Theater!

Here at Sandpipers we have a group of actors
 practising for a performance...
*
Not Elvis, Live on Tour
which is this Saturday, Jan 21, 
(check with Patsy #108 for afternoon tickets) 
And
Not Mamma Mia
Saturday, Feb 18, Free, one showing, 5:30PM
Not that they aren't practising too,
but this blog is about the other group!
*

Instead they are the Sandpiper Players
practising two one-act plays to be performed Feb. 4th.
A Mad Breakfast
by Isabel Gray
and
Cleaning Day
by Maura Campbell
There will be two performances,
and a wine bar intermission,
with free tickets,
(I'll let you know from whom soon, however it's a sure bet you can get them from the Tuesday Socials).
So save the date and mark your calendars.
***
Oh, yes,
Lois is looking for a painter's smock to wear for one of the plays.
 If you have one she can borrow drop it by B's #35 or Lois' # 409.
Thanks

Friday, January 13, 2012

Adopt-A-Family Request-Sewing Machines.

You all know of the great good deeds that
Adopt-A-Family does at Christmas.
Needy families are sponsored with much appreciated food, toys for the kids, and not least of all, warm quilts, made lovingly throughout the year by our crafty and talented sewing ladies.

The volunteers to sew quilts have quickly over-run the number of sewing machines available...hand sewing is great, but oh-so-slow!

So the Sewing Group is looking for donations of used, but working, sewing machines to continue their good works.

If you have one stored deep in a closet,
 or have a neighbor or friend who isn't using hers,
or if you see one at a garage sale...
would you consider donating it?
Keep an eye out now.....and this summer
and surprise them next season.