Friday, December 31, 2010

Ladies Luncheon for Jan. 2011

From Mary:
Last year the Red Hat ladies ventured up to Falfurrias to tour
The Christmas House and Santa's Texas Workshop
owned by the Minten sisters.

They had a great time and vowed to return this year,
 despite their run in with the border patrol
at the Falfurrias checkpoint.
We are sure it was the hats that alerted the authorities.
So this year...no hats.
Everyone is welcome, both guys & gals,
 Thursday, Jan.6.

The plan is to queue at the front gate by 10:15 for the one hour ride to Falfurrias.
(If you need a ride just show up).
Then lunch at Stricklands, followed by a tour of the house at 1 o'clock, and then shopping the sale at Santa's Workshop.

Phaleta says they have some really great stuff at half price!

The tour is $8.00 per person,
and Phaleta has to call 3 days in advance with the number
 ...so sign up in the Club Room or at FunBuzz
by Monday, Jan. 2
For Questions: Please see Mary #5 or Phaleta #406.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Brrr!

Now to be fair it IS warming up as we are heading south.
  Kissimmee is a balmy 70 degrees this afternoon...
but..
The panhandle of Florida is..was.. a frozen wasteland! 
Ice in the bayous kind of frozen!
So all you SandPeeps who complain about the cold...
you could be in Florida,
 so shut up!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Movies for Jan.

From Bob & Bernie:
The Movies for Jan.

Jan 5th: Invictus

President Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) attempts to reconcile South Africa's racial groups after apartheid. Recognizing the importance of the rugby World Cup to South Africa's powerful white minority, Mandela works with the South African national team's captain, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) to improve the team and inspire South Africans to rally behind the team. This decision is met with some controversy amongst Mandela's staff, as he is also meant to be tackling South Africa's huge domestic challenges, such as rising crime, high black unemployment, and the effects of international sanctions on the South African economy.

 
Jan 12th: Eat, Pray, Love

Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) wakes up one day and realizes her life is utterly unfulfilling. The life that she thought was complete isn’t enough as she tries to get away from it all. Leaving her normal life behind, Liz sets out to find some adventure. Her adventures take her from finding the best food in Italy and a wonderful friend in Nyomo (I. Gusto Ayu Puspawati) then to India where she realizes the power of prayer can heal all things and finally she arrives in Bali where The Guru (Gitta Reddy) helps her understand all things by finding inner peace.

Jan 19th: It's Complicated

Jane (Meryl Streep) is doing well, but is middle-aged and divorced for many years. She accidentally reconnects with her re-married, lawyer ex-husband, Jake (Alec Baldwin), and they are surprised to find themselves in an affair. Of course, Jane also meets Adam (Steve Martin), her architect, who is also the first man who has shown genuine interest in her. But Adam is crushed when he discovers Jane is seeing Jake again. And Jake is devastated when in one day he finds himself unhappy with his young new wife Agness (Lake Bell), and rejected by Jane. The grown children are strangely shocked and angry about what is happening between their parents, but want them to be happy. Jane resolves to do what is right for her, and to go forward with her life.

 
Jan 26th: A Good Year

Max Skinner (Russel Crowe), is a self-made high powered very rich investment banker with no morals. The movie opens with his scheme of playing the market and selling a tremendous amount of shares as soon as all the other investment firms begin to buy. Then he sells at the top crashing the market and the other investment firms. This kind of day trading epitomizes his every day life and just as the market is busy busy busy, so is Max. But then he gets a letter. The uncle that he used to spend summers with as a child in the France Provence has died and left him the entire wine estate. He decides to put it on the market, so off he flies to France. It is in the Provence that mishaps lead to transformation. He meets a girl, meets his never known cousin, and finds out that his grapes are the stock of the best wine in the region. He remembers the good life and decides to quit being a banker and become a vintner.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas From Minnesota

As Deb and I sit here recovering from our wonderful prime rib Christmas dinner we thought we would attach a picture taken from our picture window showing all you sandpeeps what a white Christmas looks like.

They had to break out the big guns.
Running out of places to put all of the snow.
Watching the news this morning they are talking about another foot of snow for new years eve and blizzard conditions.
We really miss all you guys.
Wish we could be there to ring in the new year.
Enjoy the nice warm sunny days and if you want us to share some of our weather we can send some your way.
 Tell everyone Happy New Year
and we hope to see you all in the spring.

Brian and Deb Lot 17

Gift Exchange-Great Fun!

Wasn't the gift exchange great?
The gifts were wonderful...all six that I picked!
I finally ended up with a gift pack of Bailey's (with glasses)...
super yummy in my Christmas morning coffee.
But I still mourn the loss of those towels, and that heated throw,
not to mention the big basket of gourmet treats!
The elves kept things moving smoothly.

Aren't they just the cutest!!?
Thanks especially to the chief elf, John,
 and the high priestess of She-elves, Sue.
Best gift exchange, EVER!

Xmas Can-Can

You simply MUST see this! Laugh your Xmas socks off!

Merry, Merry, Happy, Happy!!

Merry Christmas!
Did Santa bring you a nice gift?
All I wanted for Christmas was World Peace,
 but this is what I got.



(In case you don't understand...that's whirled peas)
Santa can't hear too well.
Badda Bing.

Friday, December 24, 2010

50/50 Raffle Tickets!

A reminder that there is only 1 week left to get your 50/50 tickets in support of the defibrillator -
the jackpot continues to grow!
Please see Ian or Terry at Lot 502.

We are only $200 short of reaching the goal,
 so we really encourage everyone to make a donation or get your 50/50 tickets so that we can GET THIS DONE!!!

Cirque Info & Carolling Report

From Karen & Bill, #403
 Fellow Sandpipers,

The interest for tickets for Cirque Du Soliel has been wonderful.
 I have reserved tickets for Cirque Du Soleil,
February, 13, Sunday @ 5:30PM.
 We have a block of forty tickets and they are going fast.
 We have over 25 reserved already. 
I have 40 tickets reserved for Cirque,
but I can add more in the next few weeks.
$34.00 each.
(A true bargain!  Do you know how much these tickets cost at Disney...or Las Vegas?  First born, an arm AND a leg!)

Tomorrow I will call about Riverdance group rates, because until today not too many people showed interest. 
 Merry Christmas dear friends.

Karen and Bill Hazlett
*******************
*****
Now...about the carolling!
Yowzers, did we have fun or what?
A huge number of peeps
walked
strolled
wheeled
around most of the Sandpiper streets...
looking for treats and singing our hearts, and lungs, out!
We jingled bells, wore our reindeer and Santa hats and generally made merry all over the place.
Several, many, homes fed us Christmas treats...
including Christmas RIBS!
Ummmm....a porky Xmas treat!
 And cookies and candy and other yummies for our tummies..
Oh, and warm cider,
 mulled wine,
 strong spirits,
 hot buttered rum...
Then we staggered on.
Very successful evening!
Feliz Navidad!

A Xmas Poem From Kathie V.

Twas the South Texas Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Honey chased Lilee like she was a mouse.
The Stockings were hung on the wall with great care
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
with visions of steak bones dancing in their heads.
And mama in her birthday suit and I dressed the same,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the door we flew like a flash,
Out on the porch we went in a dash.

The moon on the breast of the warm Texas night,
Gave luster to the pool it was such a sight.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver so lively and quick,
We had to think for a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than sea gulls his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

"Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen.
on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.
To the top of the walkway, to the end of the pool deck,
they skidded and to a halt.

As green leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the hot tub the coursers they flew.
With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too.

And then in a twinkling I heard on the deck,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around
We noticed St. Nicholas jumping out with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
But in South Texas it was too much.
Soon he turned around all we saw was his back,
He dove in the pool because it wasn't packed.

The owners came running thinking it was a fairy.
They watched and they wondered at why he was so hairy.
His droll little mouth was drawn in a bow,
and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
At this age we all have broad faces and bellies,
They shake when we laugh like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump a right jolly old elf,
And we laughed when we saw him in spite of ourselves.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread.

Soon he got out of the pool and quickly got dressed
Filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger a side of his nose,
And giving a nod to the sleigh he soon dove.

He sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a whistle, they all grumbled aloud leaving the hot tub with twizzlers.
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But we heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight
Hate to leave paradise so late in the night
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Gift Exchange!

Yikes! I almost missed reminding you of this great,
 fun, fabulous, sparkly...
how many adjectives can I use?...Christmas event!

Bought your gift,
 something you personally would LOVE to receive.
Check

Wrapped it up beautifully with your name somewhere inside so you can be thanked later...
Oh, OK..plunked into a gift bag also works!
Check

Get down to the pavilion BEFORE 6PM
 (Santa just might get there at 6, or something might happen...I don't know what, but something!)
You don't want Santa to wait on you, right?
Check

Had the bestest time ever!
Check!!!!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Lunar Eclipse

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE

Tuesday morning, coinciding with the Winter Solstice, there will be a total lunar eclipse for the first time in 3 years,
 lasting about 3-1/2 hours.
The eclipse begins at 12:33am, ends at 4:01am,
and the period of totality is 1:41am to 2:53am.
Recent weather conditions here suggest that
visibility might be very good.

David #120

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Christmas Decorating...Over The Top!

Now I don't know if Sandpipers is having a decorating contest this year, but if we are you'll be hard pressed to top this extravaganza!!



Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas Lights Walk & Carolling.


Remember back when we used to go carolling
around our neighborhoods?
Let's do it again!
And admire all the pretty, sparkly decorations all over the park.
We'll meet at 7 PM at the pavilion (where we will stay if the weather is absolutely miserable) and stroll through the park, singing and oohing and ahhing.
We'll stop at especially nicely decorated homes...
(and at homes with treats!)
We'll sing extra loud for goodies.
Remember all those cookies you got at the cookie exchange?
Use them now.
Hot Toddy, anyone? Anyone?
I'm not proud.
I can beg....
Want us to move on?
We'll move on for extra treats.
Otherwise we may stay at your house all night.
You think I kid?
*
We'll try to cover quite a lot of the park.
If you want us to come by leave a comment on the blog and we'll try to accommodate you.
You WILL have treats, right?
Liquid, perhaps?
All are welcome on this little jaunt.
Golf carts and bikes will make it a Christmas parade.
Let's hope the weather is nice.
Cold is OK, not rain.
Bundle up.
Bring a flashlight to read the provided song sheets.
Feliz Navidad

The Story of Rudolph.

A true Christmas story, courtesy of Bob D.
********
A guy named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.
 His 4-year-old daughter, Barbara, sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.
Little Barbara couldn't understand
why her mommy could never come home.
Barbara looked up into her dads eyes and asked,
 "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?"
Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.
Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger.
 It had been the story of Bob's life.
Life always had to be different for Bob.
Being small when he was a kid,
Bob was often bullied by other boys.
He was too little at the time to compete in sports.
 He was often called names he'd
rather not remember.

From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in.
Bob did complete college,
married his loving wife
and was grateful to get his job
as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward
 during the Great Depression.
Then he was blessed with his little girl.
 But it was all short-lived.
Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live
in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums.
Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
 Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift.
 But if he couldn't buy a gift,
he was determined to make one - a storybook!

Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope.
Again and again Bob told the story,
embellishing it more with each telling.
Who was the character?
What was the story all about?
 The story Bob May created
was his own autobiography in fable form.
 The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was.
 The name of the character?
A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.
Bob finished the book just in time
 to give it to his little girl on
Christmas Day.
*
But the story doesn't end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward
caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book.
 Wards went on to print Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores.
 By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed
 more than six million copies of Rudolph.
That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
 In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May.
The book became a best seller.
Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.
*
But the story doesn't end there either.
 Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks,
 made a song adaptation to Rudolph.
Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists
as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore,
it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning to bless him again and again.
 And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad.
 In fact, being different can be a blessing.

Culture Call!

Hi Fellow Sandpipers,

Coming in January
RIVER DANCE
one show 1/11/2011

Coming in February
 CIRQUE DO SOLEIL
three shows
Wed 2/9/11, 7pm
Thurs 2/10/11 3pm and 7pm

All these dates have group rates available for 14 or more.
 Bill and I are planning to attend.
 We would like to invite anyone who has any interest in the events to call us at 412-848-3305,
or e-mail us at hazlettw@gmail.com

The rates are really good for these shows if we go as a group.
 We can reserve the tickets and pay for them a week before the show, so if you want to go we will reserve a block of tickets.
 Cost about $60 per person or less depending on seat availability.

Drop us a line or give us a call.

Thanks,

Bill and Karen


















Friday, December 17, 2010

Message From Our In-House Doc!

As we have discussed in the past, Fall is the time for flu vaccinations--prior to the holidays.

"It is time for the annual flu vaccine and a good time to make sure that all other regular vaccinations are "up-to-date".

The following are recommended for seniors over 55:

1. Annual influenza vaccine--this year it includes the swine flu, too. Highly recommended to be accomplished prior to the holiday celebrations when flu is very active at family and
party gatherings.

2. Pneumonia vaccine--necessary one time only.

3. Shingles vaccine--necessary one time only.

4. Tetanus Booster--recommended every ten years maximum and every five years for active lifestyles. We here at SPR are always walking around barefoot and getting stickers, etc.
So five to ten years is a good idea.

We are very fortunate to have a public health clinic nearby
 that is very well run.
 It is located at:

3105 East Richardson Road
Edinburg

phone: 956.318.2040

They offer all of the above recommended vaccinations for a cost of $12-15 each for people residing in Hidalgo County.
SPR is located in Hidalgo County.
 I believe that they accept Medicare.

Richardson Road is called Shunior west of Expressway 281.
 The clinic is located next door to City Limit Auto
and is on the north side of Richardson Road.

I recommend that you call before you go to be sure that they have the vaccine you want on hand that day.

Questions? See Dr. Bob, #410..."

Thanks,

Bob






























A Poem

Thanks Sharon...nice poem!

GRANDPA’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS


'Twas the night before Christmas & out on the ranch

The pond was froze over & so was the branch.

The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.

The kids were all home on vacation from school,

And happier young folks you never did see-

Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.

Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,

There came a surprise that gave them a shock!

The power went off, the TV went dead!

When Grandpa came in from out in the shed

With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.

"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.

"Them power line wires must be down from the snow.

Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."

"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom. "With their light,

And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."

The teen-agers all seemed enveloped in gloom.

Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,

Uncased his old fiddle & started to play
That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.

Mom started to sing, & 1st thing they knew

Both Pop & the kids were all singing it, too.

They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"

Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.

They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,

And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.

They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,

The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.

Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;

And when the kids wakened, the power was on..

"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"

Said Grandpa - & no one suspected his trick.

Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,

He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!

-anonymous

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Santa's Elves

From John & Mary:

Here are some pictures of Santa’s elves wrapping the gifts for the Adopt-a-family program.
These gifts along with perishable and non-perishable food will be delivered on Saturday the 18th.
Our thanks to Santa’s elves which include, Marijanne, Frankie, Dona, Donna, Nora, Karen, Jocylene, Cindy and Nancy, with the able supervision by Mary.
Our sincere thanks to all of the many who donated non-perishable food and monies for the perishables.
Thanks also to all of the many folks who spent time shopping for all of the wonderful gifts of toys, clothes, footballs and basketballs and all of the items that will make this Christmas a special occasion for three families.
All of these people should have a warm feeling for their unselfish work.
GREAT JOB!

Defibrillator Jackpot!

Only 2 more weeks left to get your 50/50 tickets
in support of the defibrillator!!

Jackpot is over $75 and growing! Don't lose out -
get your tickets now at Lot 502,
or if you see Ian or Terry,
invite us to bring your tickets to you.

And we are still open to donations as well -
we are over 80% of the way to the goal.

Thanks to all who have participated to date,
Ian & Terry





From the Heart Auction in Jan.

This is a head's up to an upcoming event
that is very important to all of us.
The From The Heart Auction is THE primary fund raiser for activities at Sandpipers.
WE are the one's who benefit from generosity.
Volleyballs get bought,
 dances get decorated,
 wine! WINE, Peeps, WINE is sometimes provided!
and it goes on and on.
All the little details that make our events so enjoyable.
So....
think about what you want to donate.
Something you have made, baked, brewed, sewn, painted..
something that has your heart in it.
You have until the end of January
 to come up with something special.
And if your brain is empty, bring a full wallet.



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Nude-L-Fest in Jan.

Put on your thinking caps now.
(I'll remind you of this event again later)
Brainstorm your sauce ideas.
Hmmm....what will be the favorite sauce this year? We've had some pretty spectacular sauces in past years...
creamy seafood,
spicy with hot peppers,
anchovy kissed (my personal fav!)
Lots of Parmesan & secret ingredients.
This won't be a contest,
just a delightful way to celebrate pasta, good food & friends!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Fine Dining Tickets & Hidalgo Lights

Message from Karen & Bill:
Friday fine dining tickets are available at lot 403 until Thursday morning, so come by and get your tickets while they last.
 Three seating's: 5:15 - 6:00 - 6:45,
three entrees to choose from,

Ribeye in peppercorn sauce $16,

Chicken Brochette $12,

Salmon A la Sandpipers $12
********************
Thursday 5:30PM a group is meeting at the pavilion
 to go enjoy Hildago Lights.
We will carpool and go down to McAllen Center and get the trolley. The trolley is $3.00 each and much more fun
than having to worry about driving the route.
They promise a great night of lights and local history.
 See you Thursday, no reservations required.

Talent? We Don't Need No Freakin' Talent!

Volcanic Hash
It's a bit early to be advertising this hugely fun event,
but acts are being rounded up now.
If you do one thing this winter season make it this one.
Hysterical to watch,
even better to participate in...it's a must on your Sandpiper Bucket List.
You don't need talent.
(tho talent is really appreciated with thunderous applause)
You only need to have fun.
If you can sing, juggle, dance, yodel, act...whatever!
Volunteer!
You don't even have to come up with your own ideas.
Go see Jon (#221)
He'll find something for you to do...On stage or maybe even as stage crew.
Past acts have included tutu clad dancing pigs,
almost x-rated piano playing,
magic acts,
side splitting comedy,
and some of the best singers,
and keyboard, guitar & banjo playing anywhere.
And more...much, much more!