New Way to Purchase Tickets.

Karen has been covering this info in her "notes from Karen" emails but I think a refresher course may be beneficial.

This year there is a new way to purchase dinner tickets, or any special event tickets.

1. Reserve on-line  Ticket Reservations

 (Link is to the left with the other Sandpiper links)

2. Get your tickets at the Wednesday Social

 (not until Nov. 7th) 

in the pavilion.

3. Go to the office, where you will have to go anyway to put money into your Activity Fund Account.  As a reminder, this is a separate account so no checks or credit cards can be accepted and a minimum deposit of $10 will start your account and you can make additional deposits as needed.  Payment for food events, special parties, etc., will all be deducted from this account.  Any balance will be refunded to you at the end of your stay.

15 Minutes of Fame!

Remember the drug smuggling desperado blog story

 from a day or so ago?

Sherry, the dangerous criminal amongst us?

(As if)

Channel 5 news, KRGV was very interested. 

Came out to the park and interviewed them and here is the piece:

Tony & Sherry on TV

Can't wait to hear if the STOOPID border agents

get 50 lashes with a wet taco....

Bits of This and That....

Soup night is coming............

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

@ Flip Flopz 5:30p.m.

Donation $5.00 to support Adopt-A-Family

Details will be given at Soup Night.

*Chicken Tortellini Soup

*Bread, crackers

*Apple Cake for dessert

It would be nice to have another soup.

 Do I have a volunteer to help?

Please contact me at Lot #5

Let us make this "Adopt-A-Family" a successful year.

Mary #5

**************************************

Nancy will be out of town and has asked me (Mary #5)

to take care of the ladies' luncheon for October.

 

Ladies' luncheon

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

Cracker Barrel Restaurant

Ware Road and Hwy. 83

Leaving SPR @ 11:30 am

Please let me know if you need a ride or are able to carpool.

Barnes and Noble is on the corner of 83 and Ware Road.

Stop by if you have any questions.

Mary #5

***********************

Check out the official Sandpipers Resort web site. 

Sandpiper Resort 

It has been updated with new maps, photos and info. 

If you go to "layout" you can click in several places

for up-to-date photos.

And if you are a keen observer look at the site map...

NEW VOLLEYBALL POOL

 is in the works by next summer (fingers crossed).

Also...

Keep checking the current calendar..

What's Happening at Sandpipers

It is a work-in-progress,

so be patient and keep checking back...

and don't forget to refresh your page!

*****

One more thing, and it is important!

It has rained but a smidgeon all summer.

Water reserves are a real concern!

Local officials have starting leveling fines for excess water usage (which they are monitoring carefully) ..

So, PLEASE, conserve.

 No watering of lawns, washing houses

 or cars or RV's.

You may bathe, however...for now.

This is serious stuff.

We may have to pick...

1. water your lawn,

2. or have a drink of water,

3. or flush...

pick ONE!

The Desperado Among Us!

This could only happen to Sherry...

Sherry and Little Mary went down to Progresso yesterday for some pharmacy stuff and perhaps a margarita or two.

 

Sherry got a three month supply of "tummy" pills from Jessica's... most of us go there.  We have a relationship with that pharmacy.  They always treat you right.

Upon returning through the border she was, of course, asked, "What did  you buy?"

She said tummy pills.

They said "How many?"

She showed them and it went downhill from there!

Apparently you are allowed one months supply only.

I think I knew that but I can't ever remember it being an issue.

Sherry suggested that Mary take one of the bottles.

Guard Refused.

Had to be for her own personal use.

They suggested she return to Jessica's and get her money back for two of the three months.  At Jessica's her bottle was opened and the pharmacist emptied the two offending bottles into the first, and with a wink, suggested THAT should take care of the problem.

It did not.

The border guard EMPTIED her pills and counted them, asking her if SHE put the two months supply into the one bottle.

She, truthfully, replied she didn't.

Rubber hoses in the back room resulted in a 2 1/2 hour wait

 and a $330 fine AND confiscation of the pills.

$330 only because she paid on the spot. 

 If she couldn't the fine was over $1200!

AND she can't buy any meds, tobacco or alcohol for 30 days.

She's banned.

On the positive note she is in a mighty fine mood for someone two steps away from Gitmo!

What a story!

Sherry....comment to tell us if I got the facts straight!

AED Info From Bill/Darbi

Darbi and I regret to announce that we are no longer able to sponsor the AED program here at Sandpipers.

At present the unit is "rescue ready"

and on our porch/Texas room

just inside the sliding glass door.

Anyone needing the unit can call 911 and then still get to it 24/7.

 What is changing is the opportunity for another willing volunteer to keep track of receiving any donations, paying fees, reporting on usage and readiness status to our supplier,

and replacing pads after each use.

Darbi & I are ready to explain everything

to the next "most-honorable" volunteer

to accept this 4/5 hour per month commitment.

 To be perfectly clear,

as of today 9/24/2012,

 no volunteer-no AED.

Thank you to all who have helped us provide this resource thus far.

 Most sincerely;

Bill & Darbi #3

(956)929-0104.

Almost Home!

We are slowly drifting through Texas and 

will arrive home mid-day Friday. 

 Hurray...

almost 4 months gone from Sandpiper,

but it's on the horizon!

One last picture from Alaska and it's a doozy!

It's my sister Christie's store roof in downtown Juneau. 

Juneau...

big city by Alaska standards...

state capitol...

cruise ships, tourists, buses everywhere. 

 It's hustle-bustle...

yet...

there is a bear on the roof!

Why? What? Only he knows.

I think he was attracted by the fudge shop next door. 

 That's where he is looking.

One more comment and then I'm done!

This is a comment I received from someone

 who wants to remain anonymous. 

 My only comment is that Sandpipers is one of the few resorts in the hot-as-hell area of the country.

Common sense SHOULD prevail.

*************************

We have called twenty nude resorts

 randomly from the registry. 

 

Sixteen have no problem with sun-blocker shirts in the pool.  Of these, three said they liked to have a doctor's note, if possible, but it was not mandatory.

 

Of the other four, two said they would have to check with the board, etc, but they thought it would be OK especially with a doctor's note.

 

That leaves two out of twenty across the  nation (10%) that absolutely refuse to allow sun-protective shirts in the pool...like SPR wants to do.

 

Several of the resorts volunteered that they preferred shirts instead of polluting the pool with sun blocker lotions and zinc oxide creams.

 

Most, however, discourage sitting around the pool in clothes while the rest of the people are nude.

 

In conclusion, 

90% of resorts called allowed shirts 

with a doctor's note and

 75% did not even require a doctor's note. 

 All (100%) were very understanding to the risk of skin cancer, etc to sun damaged skin.

********

Enough said....I think we've made our point!

Comments on Shirt-Ban Rule.

Although this blog gets lots of hits daily I'm not sure how many actualy read the comments...they require an additional click after all, and many of us (read 'you') have phobias about comments. 

So thought I'd do a little cut-and-paste to get you all up to speed.

Anonymous said...

Ever since my first day at Sandpipers, I wore a Belly T-shirt to play water volleyball. I had more than a scare about skin cancer and it was my way to protect my shoulders, upper back and chest against the sun when I was playing. I feel that some protecting clothes should be tolerated in the pool for those who require it to play. It could be taken off when not playing in the sun or when in a shaded area. But again, if it becomes a rule, rules must be obeyed.Amen.

************************

September 7, 2012 10:12 PM

Terry 502 said...

I agree with all your comments. The sun is very hot for the lst couple of weeks for us northerners that love to grin and bare it but like you comment there is choices. My choice would be in the pool playing water volleyball as much as I can as I love it as most of you know. I only wear a cut off shirt to cover my shoulders a couple of days from the sudden sun exposure. Limiting my choice to an hour of water play the first couple weeks makes my smile go sad. There is not alot of members wearing cloths in the pool but some do need the coverage for a little bit. Guess I'll be playing a bit for the lst week or so and pouting while in the shade or just sucking it up and cheering on those that have tough tanned skin already......see u soon

*************8

September 7, 2012 10:15 PM

Catherine said...

I appreciate the opportunity to comment. I love our park and the beautiful improvements, the owners have instituted! I also have to wear a sun protective shirt to prevent skin damage and skin cancer, especially on my arms. I have worn 50+ sunscreen and a

hats for 30 years since my bout with facial skin cancer. My dermatologist would prefer I stay completely out of the sun but that is pretty difficult anywhere. I do stay in the shade whenever I can and have been known to use one of my wonderful umbrellas/bumbershoots.

I too really love watervolley ball, the exercise, friends and the fellowship our bodies and souls need/derive from this activity. Yes, with the ban on sun protective shirts I too have choices

1. to play at night

2. to give up a heart healthly sport, never play watervolley ball again

3. to play a short while, without the forbidden sun protective shirt

4. there must be more options...

***************************

I too am saddend that this "rule" is now in place! Yes, I do resent the rule since it seems pretty mindless. I do have difficulty understanding the purpose since people are around the park, at parties, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, fun directed activities, meetings, olympics, and the pool area, in all sorts of dress or undress. I wonder what other parks rules are concerning this issue of protective sunshirts? I don't suppose it would be too difficult to do a reserch study but on the other hand that sounds like way too much work...playing watervolley ball at night sounds more reasonable.

*****************

September 9, 2012 4:36 PM

Anonymous said...

Will other people be allowed to use the pool? Not everyone plays volleyball, yet volleyball players seem to dominate the pool. Don't forget you need to share.

*******************************

September 9, 2012 8:40 PM

SueP said...

Some other nudist parks I've been to also ban wearing any type of clothing around or in the pool. But I've also noticed that their volleyball pools (when they have one) have some type of awning or roof over it. Wouldn't THAT be a blessing!?

That being said, I agree we all have a choice. Limiting one's time in the sun or playing at night seem the best options so far. But what about tournaments?

************

September 10, 2012 11:40 AM

Anonymous said...

I have a solution!! While trying to play volleyball on a hot sunnyday. I will play using only my right hand like some of our best players do. In my left hand I will hold an umbrella over my head-It will never touch the precious water!!

************************

September 10, 2012 5:26 PM

Donna L said...

On Sandpipersresort.com, Karen states 'Our "rules" are pretty much the same as any other resort. In other words, use common sense. '

In looking at a couple of resorts, to see what their rules are,

here's a sampling:

"Deer park is a nudist facility and nudity is to be practiced. Clothing may be worn for common sense reasons, such as medical/health reasons or in the trails end restaurant."

"Whispering Pines Nudist Resort states 'The pool area is NUDE ONLY. Common sense always prevails in certain situations, such as covering one’s self to prevent sun burn.'"

So where is the 'common sense' that Karen talks about in the park rules? These rules apply to all of us at the park, whether or not you're a noodler, swimmer, or VB player. Health reasons to cover up should be allowed. And what about those people with thinning hair, will they be allowed to wear hats to prevent sunburn. Taking a soap shower before entering the pool will remove all sunscreens that may have been applied and expose us to sunburn and potentially skin cancer or other complications.

****************

September 10, 2012 5:52 PM

Linda said...

The 1st thing I thought about when reading Karen's notes was - "wow what about those who have already endured skin cancers?!" Plus the reasoning of being a nudist/not clothing optional resort seemed a bit foolish to me. We wear different "types" of clothing to many functions at SP. If the reasoning was something like: " the chemicals from articles of clothing mess up the pool's balance - blah-blah-blah would have sounded more reasonable, in my opinion. Sorry - I just don't agree with this one. And I love Sandpipers, and all the wonderful improvements, but it's our body, it should be our choice. (sounds like a bumper sticker, don't you think? I edited this a couple times, debating whether to sign it -

oh well,

*************************

September 11, 2012 11:58 AM

Irwin said...

I personally do not agree with the rule, people with sensitive skin need to wear protection,I think that balancing the chemicals should not be a problem as it is done in textile pools. But if this is ANOTHER rule it should be followed.

***********

Anonymous said...

Just a comment on the "no shirt in pool" thing - we personally only wear a shirt in the pool when we spend an extended time there playing water volleyball - mostly after we have been away for a while and return like skin-white Minnesotan's (heehee)! If we are required to shower - which is a super idea - then do we need to lather up frequently with sun protection? Would that be an even greater issue? We believe that the sun protection shirts should be allowed - for health reasons - maybe even have them for sale in the office for a matter of convenience.

Hugs & God Bless Ya'll on Your Return Back Home!

September 9, 2012 3:26 PM

********

Got anything to add?

Speak up, let's be heard!

VolleyBall Tzarina Has a Request!

Bet you think you are gonna be reading yet again about the sun shirt in the pool dilemma, huh?

Well you aren't.

But DO leave a comment on the previous blog.

Or do you want to fester, silent, unheard and alone?

*****

Now on to the Tzarina...and of course, The Tzar.

Hello neighbours @ SPR.

 By our understanding our papaya tree has been doing awesome. Neighbours have been enjoying the papayas as they ripen which we don't mind if they are going to go bad and we aren't there.

We will be back in another 8 weeks so PLEASE LEAVE what fruit is there alone so that I can do some canning of them

 and enjoy some of the fruits ourselves.

If there is lots on the tree we will sure share with whomever but first let us try some.

This will be our first year for it to produce fruit.

Thanks a lot,

Terry and Ian

No Shirts? Egad!

Now that we are out of Canada and I am no longer converting liters to gallons, Canadian dollars to US dollars , kilometers to miles, or gasp! Kilos of cheese to what-the heck? I have time to reflect on Karen's latest email.

No pool shoes after the pool is resurfaced but for now,

 Ok, if you MUST!

No shirts in the pool.

Hmmmm.....

Let's reflect.

When family and friends come to visit in the chilly winter

they may remark,

 "This is a nudist park but you are all clothed."

We usually reply,

"We are nudists, not stupid."

We dress for the weather.

When it's cold we cover up.

When it's burning, summer-time-in-the-sun hot

 we (sometimes) cover up. 

Hey, we live in SOUTH TEXAS.

How many of you have had a skin cancer scare?

Me.

Three times.

I have worn a sun protection shirt in the pool for water volleyball for 10 years.

My dermatologist is pleased.

Many of us wear covering on chest, shoulders, heads when exposed for the many hours long fun-in-the-sun games.

Now on the one hand I understand why a lot of parks require the no-clothes policy.  Many are located near big cities and want to discourage gawkers.

On the other hand, we aren't.

On the one hand I can appreciate Karen making rules for the betterment of our park.

It has become GORGEOUS! under her management.

On the other hand I do resent being told that if I want to play volleyball I can't wear a sun shirt.

But I have a choice...

play for a short time sans shirt...

play only at night...

or stop playing.

It's not as if there aren't tons of other activities.

Sooo....

what are your thoughts?

Leave a comment.

See at the bottom where it says comment?

 Click on it. 

 Say something.

You can remain anonymous if you like.

Be heard!!!!

On Our Way South....

We are on our way south out of Canada

 spreading germs and sodden kleenix wherever we go. 

Cassiar highway was two days of very little traffic, very little wildlife, very little civilization.

But pretty.

No, friends, we will not visit ...

We are uber-contageous! 

(Damn those germ ridden tourists on the Denali bus!)

However we did see a BEAR today...a black bear..

..and almost plowed into a herd of big horn sheep on the highway.

No picture of that, thank goodness, tho the gawkers leaning out of their RV from the side of the road would have had a great picture of that mayhem!

Found a curvey road around a picturesque stream....

And now it's wine-time.

Best part of the day!

Soup Nights Return

Adopt A Family

John and I are back in the Valley.

The dates are set for Tuesday Soup Nights.

Oct. 9, 2012

Nov.13,

Dec.11,

Jan.8, 2013

Feb. 5,

March 12,

We are looking for volunteers to make soup

and or dessert for Soup Nights.

This is a wonderful way to help support our community service. For our new friends and visitors we have soup night once a month. See dates above.

A suggested donation of $5.00 for all the soup one can eat, crackers, bread and homemade dessert. The money collected goes to our Adopt A Family. Money is used to purchase perishable food items, toys and clothing for the children of the adopted families. In the next few weeks John and I will be in contact with the school counselor who in turn will select some 3 to 5 families for us to support and make their Christmas more joy filled.

Please consider helping out.

 Should you need more information

do contact me or see me at #5.

Mary #5