Texas Law

Now that SandPeeps are returning to the nest from the north ,

it might be timely to inform you of a couple of new Texas laws on the books.

(Thanks, Annie & Bill, for the suggestion).

If you are chatting on your cell phone on the drive down, be aware:

Up to $200 fine if you are found using a cell phone in a school zone,

ALSO:

Even back seat riders in a vehicle are to be wearing a seat belt.

The fine is imposed on the driver.

Welcome Back & Drive Safely!

Luby's...a Review.

"HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOU ATE AT LUBY'S?
Well, that's too long!

Last Sat., after our delicious lunch prepared by Tony and Sherry,

I was chatting with another club member about food (a frequent topic around here).

I mentioned that I love to eat at Luby's, and he/she said,

'Oh, I can't eat at those buffets.

I look at all that food, and I can't resist it.'

I said, 'Oh, Luby's is not a buffet--it's a cafeteria! You only buy and pay for what you want.'

'Oh, really, I didn't know that. I thought it was one of those buffets,

or 'buff-fets' as some around here have been known to say.'

So, I proceeded to fill him/her in on a a little bit of Texas business history.

Luby's was founded in 1947 in San Antonio by Bob Luby

who had just finished his service in World War II.

Luby's first cafeteria was in downtown San Antonio by the bus station.

Many people thought that it wouldn't succeed because of the location

(you know how most bus stations are) and because they didn't think that

returning GI's would want to stand in line for food again.

But, succeed it did! Luby's cafeterias are still found all over Texas

but also in several surrounding states as well.

Luby's is mainly a daytime eating place. I don't know when it closes, sometime after dinner. Whenever I go out shopping, etc. during the day by myself, I always end up eating at Luby's.

It's a place where you don't feel ill at ease eating by yourself. It's also moderate in cost as well.

And the food!

First, you come to the delicious salads;

the last time I ate there I had a green salad with nuts, goat cheese and a raspberry dressing.

Then, of course, come the entrees.

I hope this doesn't gross some of you out, but I often get grilled liver and onions.

That's because I don't cook them at home; Garland would eat out on the deck.

They always give you a big serving of that--is that because not as many people like it?

But the last time I was there I had grilled tilapia which was very tasty.

The veggies are great too.

I always get fried okra which is the only way I like it except for okra pickles.

Next, if you are dieting, you'll have to look away as you pass the desserts.

They looks SOOOOO good.

Then I end up with a whole wheat roll and butter.

So, if you haven't enjoyed the Texas tradition of Luby's, give it a try.

P.S. I don't have any Luby's stock. Maybe I should."

Patsy #108

**********

Patsy, that was a great review! I think you should be our restaurant critic!

Dr. Bob and the Buggy.

"We thought that you might be interested

in the latest adventure.

Sunday afternoon Catherine and Bob hooked
Dreamer up to the buggy.

Dreamer had watched the horses and mules at the National
Chuck Wagon Mule and Horse Races in Clinton, Arkansas pull
wagons and buggies and she seemed excited about trying it
herself.

She was very patient while we put the harness
on her and adjusted it to fit properly.

We walked her around twice and Bob got in and drove
away. She took to it immediately, found her 'sweet
speed' gait where the harness and buggy move with a smooth,
easy rhythm, and trotted off for miles of practice. We
rode in the buggy most of the afternoon.

When we finally stripped off the harness Dreamer was so proud of herself that she pranced around and nickered the rest of the afternoon."

Love, Bob & Catherine

Bob & Mardi Report in!

Bob & Mardi are visiting Key West.

Mardi trains dolphins!

"We stumbled into 'Biker Weekend' in Key West, FL.

Fortunately we met Sue Roberts who showed us around.

She is living, working, and thriving down here (down being 100 miles south of Sandpipers!) Unfortunately when we got this motorhome two years ago we neglected

to get the 'amphibious assault' option.

We are turning around and heading back your way.

See you all in November.

Mardi & Bob"

Face Lift!

Do you recognize this pile of weather beaten lumber?Now do you recognize it?The kings of Petanque have been given the task of overseeing the face lift of the petanque courts, which means adding 2 more courts now (two later),

updating the existing ones, new benches, too!

Gene & Charlie have been die-hard faithful players all summer long,

so who better to do what needs to be done.

And Charlie has the added distinction of being the King of the Raccoons(Correction! King of Possums! I had a brain fart!) at Sandpipers, well maybe the Eliminator of Raccoons/Possums is a better title.

In the past several weeks he has bagged almost a dozen of the pesky critters, including a skunk.

They are working hard, and fast.

I had to hustle with my camera to get pictures before they were done!
They have a couple of helpers, but never underestimate experience!

Most of the laborers who have worked at Sandpipers this summer are amazed at us "old folks"!

The next time you run into Gene or Charlie give them a pat on the back for a job truly well done!

Weedstock Postponed

WEEDSTOCK,

the mighty fun remembrance of all things

WOODSTOCKY

has been postponed for a couple of weeks due to a mechanical problem with the tractor.

What?

Well, the tractor was grading the area where many pallets of sod were going to be laid, and now it can't grade until the clutch is fixed...so...we'll try again in a few weeks.

Sunny Haven Reunion

Reunion report from Jon & Donna

*******

"For the second year in a row, a group of Sandpeeps, friends of Sandpipers and friends of friends gathered at Sunny Haven for a reunion celebration over the Labor Day weekend.

There we enjoyed food, wine tasting, wine education, food, mini-ten, petanque, laying by the pool, great conversations - did I mention food?

The early birds arrived on Thursday and some didn't leave until the following Wednesday - others could only join the fun for a day, or two or three.

Our initial gathering last year included Donna & myself,

Marijanne & Hilton, Dick & Sharon, and Rick & Donna.

This year our Sandpeeps included:

Dick & Sharon, Marijanne & Hilton, Rick & Donna, Tom & Pat,

Mike & Sharon, Duane & Joyce, Donna & myself, and Bob & Bernie.

SPR friends were Tom & Sharon (friends of Mike & Sharon)

and Rob (son of Marijanne & Hilton).

Also joining our celebration were friends from the Great Lakes Sunseekers club -

Jim, Brian & Kay, and Jim & Sharron.

We are already making plans for next year's event - if you will be or can be in the Indiana area we would love to have you join the fun!

Hugs,
Jon & Donna"

Wine Appreciation Classes & Movie Schedule

From Bob & Bernie:

December 13th:
Bring a wine(s) that you discovered (or made) this past year to share with others - no charge, just bring a wine and some snacks.
This is a popular event as we discover the new wines that our friends brought.
This is open to everyone who brings a wine to share.


January 10th:
Sonoma Valley, California wines - $ 8.00 per person.
A follow-up to last year's Napa Valley's class.
Excellent wines have been produced there since the 21st Admendment!


February 14th:
Itallian Food and Wine - $15.00 per person.
This will be a full Itallian meal with Itallian wines.
Bernie will be looking for some help in preparing the various dishes.
The focus for this event will be paring food with wines.


March 14th:
Wines of Washington State - $8.00 per person.
The number of wineries in Washington is rapidly growing in the last decades and many fine wines are being made there.
I have already purchased five reds and five whites as Washington wines may not be plentiful in the Rio Grande Valley!
I have a Merlot from Holy Cow and a Naked Chardonnay.


The cost for all three 2010 Wine Appreciation Classes will be $31.00.
We will be receiving reservations just after the Thanksgiving holiday either in person or via mail (for those who will arrive later).
The mailing address system for those at Sandpipers has changed earlier this year and ours will now be:
*
Robert & Bernadine Hulka
9800 N. Seminary Rd. #36
Edinburg, TX 78541
*
Please DO NOT SEND prior to Thanksgiving as we will be in Cancun for two weeks in early Nov. and we don't want any reservation payments getting lost.
Please give the names of those attending and the desired classes.
All four events will be on the second Sunday of the month, at 3pm, in the community room as usual.
***************************
Movies:
Nov. 4: 12 Rounds ( A New Orleans detective action thriller).
Nov 11: Analyze This (Comedy, A poweful New York crime family)
Nov. 18: Quantum of Solace ( New James Bond movie).
Nov 25: Silent Partner (CIA investigates a Russian's death).

Labor Day at Sandpipers

What a nice weekend we've had, ending up with a brown bag lunch by the pool as five teams played like the prize was more than a paper bag full of pretzels and beer!

What great games!

Each one was a nail biter.

Watch out Winter Texans, the summer peeps are fierce!

The winning team received a goody bag of treats as did two of our most improved players.

Glenda has barely missed an opportunity to play all summer long, and she can pluck the ball out of the net better than anybody!

And Sherry! Wow, has she gotten strong.

What assets to our teams!

*

Sherry made up a special award to honor Bill #28 for his superior line calls

and for being the best dumb ass in the pool.

It is a plaque showcasing a horse's, well.....ass.

I hope your Labor Day was as much fun as ours!

Volley Ball Teams

The latest addition is Maria to Team #1!

Yes, Maria!

The chart could change if we get any additional players,

or if someone has to drop out,

but as of this particular moment in time,

this is it!

The Naked Chef

Today was the beginning of the Saturday Lunch-by-the-Pool service.

Tony again outdid himself with a yummy and huge spread of Monte Cristo sandwiches, red potato salad, decadent brownies (thanks Sherry), chips, beverage.

Look at him counting his profits!

And he's showing off the new (to us, anyway) oven.

Tony loves it so much it makes his apron fly up.

See his new apron.

It has a front zipper for personal convenience.

Remember yesterday when I described the new fridge? Humongous...see, it really is! The old refrigerator is next to it. Looks wimpy next to the behemoth.

Nothing makes Tony happier than a fist full of moola!Except maybe his new oven.

Updates at Sandpipers

The dumpsters are in their permanent home. An asphalt path has been laid down for pedestrians, bikes, and golf carts (cars stay on the side of the road).

Soon a new recycling center will join them to make our trash runs sooooo much easier.

Yes, the dumpsters will have to be moved when a new mobile comes through the gate, but the next one isn't scheduled until, oh, maybe November, and it's no biggie to move the dumpsters.

***

After the shower house is finished...by the middle of the month...

the gate code will be changed again for security purpose.

There have been LOTS of laborers in and out, lots of apartment guests this summer.

Just seems to be a good idea.

The clickers will NOT be effected.

Contact Karen for the new gate code.

Later, not now. It's not changed yet!

***

You should see the new fridge in the kitchen!

It is humongous! Massive! Mastadon sized!

And Tony now also has a super duper special oven that makes his apron fly up.

Speaking of our super chef, he is starting off the pool lunches right!

His special Monte Cristo Sandwich, named after the road where he finds the ingredients...already nicely flattened....will be served TODAY!

Only change is the price for our Lunch-by-the-Pool feasts.

$5 gets you a main dish, sides that may include salads or fresh fruit or veggies,

chips, dessert, choice of beverages.

This slight increase gives Tony a lot more flexibility. He'll be able to do more variety and won't have to worry about skimping to meet the bottom line.

Many people used to throw in a $5 bill in the past and not worry about the change,

so this shouldn't be a problem.

Where else can you get a gourmet chef lunch for $5!

***

On Monday we are having a water volleyball tournament.

30 people have signed up and we may get a few more from the Labor Day weekend renters. Tony is preparing a chicken salad brown bag lunch so he and Sherry can play in the tournament.

There will be PRIZES for the winning team, so bring your game!

***

There will be a few new improvement made shortly with new grass being laid,

new palms being planted, parking areas improved...lots of little details.

It's been a very busy, work filled summer for Karen & Jay.

***

The shower house should be done by the 3rd week in Sept.

The Sandpiper Building Crew is in there just about every day, putting in windows,

doing all the little last minute jobs that take so much time.
***

Come home soon. We're waiting for you!

6th Season of Art Walk Starts TONIGHT!

The 2009-2010 McAllen Art Walk begins tonight with a few changes.

Last week the McAllen Chamber of Commerce announced that local bands would no longer be showcased at Archer Park during Art Walks, which has led to some bitterness among fans of the local music scene.

Last year many of us enjoyed this once a month activity by heading over to Main Street, knocking back a few artisan beers at Roosevelt's and strolling among the street vendors and art galleries.

Art Walk is a great place to see and be seen. Lot's of interesting nooks to explore, street theater to watch (even if you don't speak Spanish!), knick-knacks to buy.

They even have a website with driving and parking info,

plus interviews and the skinny on up and coming artists.

Check it out...

http://mcallenartwalk.com/

Greetings from Mardi & Bob.

"Since leaving you in late June, we’ve stayed south.

We are one of the few people who visit Florida in August to get cooler!

Medium to heavy showers every day!

We had a great family reunion in Alabama,

visited family in Savannah, GA,

and have been easing our way down the east coast of Florida.

Mardi took a five day side trip to San Francisco to bon voyage our youngest son before he and his bride begin their ten year assignment in Indonesia.

We only make about 50 miles a day because there is some tour, museum, park,

or attraction we just have to stop and see! Space Shuttle over Bob's shoulder.

We visited Cedar Creek, SC and Cypress Cove, FL parks.

Cedar Creek has a spring fed, clear swimmable creek,

so now Bob can say he has had to literally “swim up stream.”

At Cedar Creek we met Candy & Byron

who have officiated our Valentines Day rededications,

small world we travel in!

Greetings from the road,

Mardi & Bob"